Picture frame hanger
AssigneeAnchor Wire Corporation of Tennessee
InventorJames W. Hogg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device, such as a picture frame hanger, for supporting a flexible, elongated article, such as a picture frame having a convex lip fastened to a backplate so that an arched groove and a circular contact area are formed. The flexible, elongated article hangs on the curved top surface of the contact area and freely from either side of the arched groove and presses against the backplate when seated within the groove. The device can be anchored to a wall or other suitable surface in a manner which prevents the twisting or movement thereof under load or contact.
Claims19
A device for supporting objects having flexible, elongated hanging means, comprising:
- a flat back member having a first surface and a second surface;
- means for fixedly attaching said flat back member to a wall, such that said second surface is adjacent to the wall;
- a lip having a convex surface facing said flat back member;
- means for fixedly connecting said lip to said first surface;
- a support area formed between said convex surface of said lip and said first surface for supporting a portion of the flexible, elongated hanging means;
- and
- said lip extending outwardly and upwardly from said first surface at an angle sufficient to allow the supported portion of the flexible, elongated hanging means to slide toward said first surface whereby the supported portion of said flexible, elongated hanging means is supported in a position of abutment with both said first surface and said convex surface of said lip such that a moment arm having a length being defined by the distance between the load center of the supported portion of the flexible, elongated hanging means and said first surface is reduced in length so that a moment of force about said means for fixedly attaching said flat back member is minimized.
A device for suspending picture frames having flexible, elongated hanging means comprising:
- a backplate;
- means for attaching said backplate to a wall having a thickness;
- a lip having a convex surface facing said backplate securely fastened at a point of attachment to said backplate and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom;
- an arced groove having sidewalls for supporting a portion of the flexible, elongated hanging means, one of said sidewalls being said convex surface of said lip and the other of said side walls being said backplate;
- and
- said arced groove adapted to receive the supported portion of the flexible, elongated hanging means whereby said flexible, elongated hanging means is urged to slide inwardly and downwardly to a position in abutment with both said sidewalls whereby the distance between the load center of the supported portion of the flexible, elongated hanging means and the backplate is reduced so that the outward component of force transmitted from the load of the picture frame through the supported portion of the flexible, elongated handing means, said lip, and said backplate to said means for attaching said backplate is minimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.