WO2018078577A1

WO2018078577A1 - Hanging device

Info

Publication number: WO2018078577A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/056689
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Alon KLUG; Jonathan Wayne GILLMAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-27
Filing date: 2017-10-27
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-27
Also published as: EP3531879A1; EP3531879A4; ZA201903364B

Abstract

This invention relates to a hanging device (10) that comprises a support body (12) which is adapted to be affixed to a support surface (14) and attaching means (16) for attaching the support body (12) to the support surface (14) by receiving therein a mounting element (18) that protrudes from the support surface (14). The device (10) further comprises a first article receiving element (20) for receiving part of an article (22) in order to hang the article at a first height position on the support surface (14), and a second article receiving element (24) for receiving the part of the article (22) in order to hang the article at a second height position on the support surface (14).

Description

HANGING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a hanging device for hanging an article on a support surface. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a hanging device whereby the height position of the article on the support surface is adjustable.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Conventionally, hanging a plurality articles on a support surface at the correct height positions in proximity of each other is generally cumbersome and requires significant prior planning and skill. Despite best efforts, it often happens that the height position of one article does not correlate with that of an adjacent article. In order to correct the difference in height, one of the fasteners used typically has to be removed and reinserted into the support surface, consequently causing damage to the support surface.

In order to address the above problem, it is known to make use of adjustable hanging devices with which the height position of an article could be adjusted, even after the fastener has been secured to the surface. Examples of such known devices are disclosed in United States patent numbers US8,376,308 and US9,370,267.

Problems associated with these known hanging devices include that they are bulky, have movable parts and/or are relatively expensive to manufacture. It is known for hanging devices that include movable parts to be prone to early failure, especially after the hanging devices have been adjusted a number of times, or when they support heavy articles. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a hanging device that will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned problems, and/or that will be a useful alternative to known hanging devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hanging device for hanging an article on a support surface, the device comprising:

- a support body;

- attaching means for attaching the support body to the support surface by receiving a mounting element protruding from the support surface;

- a first article receiving element for receiving part of the article in order to hang the article at a first height position on the support surface; and

- a second article receiving element for receiving the part of the article in order to hang the article at a second height position on the support surface.

There is provided for the attaching means to extend through the support body. There is provided for the attaching means to be located between the first and second article receiving elements.

The attaching means may be capable of receiving and retaining the mounting element at a plurality of positions between the first and second article receiving elements, with each position facilitating a different height position of the article on the support surface.

There is provided for the attaching means to comprise a slot that includes a plurality of spaced apart lateral extending portions, each portion defining a separate receiving formation for receiving and retaining the mounting element in position, being one of the plurality of positions between the first and second article receiving elements.

The attaching means may extend along a path that follows the shape of a spiral leading from the proximity of the first article receiving element towards the second article receiving element.

There is further provided for the first article receiving element to protrude from the support body, preferably at a centre region of the support body. There is provided for the second article receiving element to extend along a peripheral region of the support body. Preferably, the second article receiving element may comprise a groove that is defined in a side of the support body.

The support body may be disc-shaped. The part of the article may be a line.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of hanging an article at a preferred height position on a support surface, the method including the steps of:

- attaching a hanging device to the support surface by placing the hanging device over a mounting element that protrudes from the support surface, wherein the mounting element extends through a slot in the hanging device;

- placing part of the article over an article receiving element of the hanging device in order to hang the article on the support surface; and

- moving the hanging device on the support surface, whereby the mounting element is displaced along the length of the slot which, in turn, causes the distance between the mounting element and the article receiving element to change, whereby the height position of the article on the surface is adjusted.

There is provided for the height position of the article to be adjusted in an operatively upwardly direction.

Alternatively, there is provided for the height position of the article to be adjusted in an operatively downwardly direction.

Preferably, the hanging device may be moved by rotating it.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of a non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: figure 1 is a schematic perspective view, from a first angle, of a hanging device in accordance with the invention; figure 2 is a schematic perspective, from a second angle, of the hanging device of figure 1 ; figure 3 is a front view of the hanging device of figure 1 ; figures 4a-4d illustrate various views and positions of the hanging device of figure

1 , in use, attached to a support surface and supporting an article below an affixation point; and figures 5a-5c illustrate various views and positions of the hanging device of figure

1 , in use, attached to a support surface and supporting an article above an affixation point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, a hanging device, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral (10). The hanging device (10) comprises a support body (12) which is adapted to be affixed to an operatively upright support surface (14) and attaching means (16) for attaching the support body (12) to the support surface (14) by receiving therein a mounting element (18) that protrudes from the support surface (14). The device (10) further comprises a first article receiving element (20) for receiving part of an article (22) in order to hang the article (not shown) at a first height position on the support surface (14), and a second article receiving element (24) for receiving the part of the article (22) in order to hang the article (not shown) at a second height position on the support surface (14). The first and second height positions are different height positions. Also, the first height position is lower than the second height position. Furthermore, the first article receiving element (20) is located operatively below the second article receiving element (24).

According to this example embodiment, the support body (12) is a substantially disc- shaped body. Preferably, the support body (12) is circular in outline. The support surface (16) would typically be exposed surface of a wall (26), but could be an exposed surface of any other item as well such as, for example, an article of furniture, a door, structure, or the like. Typically, the article to be hanged would be a plate-like article such as a picture, portrait, or the like, and the part of the article (22) would be a line (22) that is attached to, typically, the back of the article.

The attaching means (16), which is located between the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24) comprises a slot (28) that extends through the support body (12) and along a path (30) that leads from the proximity of the first article receiving element (20) towards the second article receiving element (24). According to an example embodiment of the invention, the path (30) follows substantially the shape of a spiral.

The attaching means (16) is capable of receiving and retaining the mounting element (18) at a plurality of positions, along the path (30), radially between the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24), with each of such positions facilitating a different height position of the article on the support surface (14) with respect to the mounting element (18). As shown, the slot (28) includes a plurality of spaced apart lateral extending portions (32), in the form of projections, along its length. Each portion (32) defines a separate receiving formation to receive and retain the mounting element (18) in position in the slot (28), thereby being capable of receiving and retaining the mounting element (18) at a plurality of positions, corresponding to the respective portions (32). Thus, each portion (32) defines a separate attachment point where the support body (12) could be attached, via the mounting element (18), to the surface (14). Each of the portions (32) facilitates the different height position of the article on the support surface (14) when the mounting element (18) is located therein, in use, between the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24), in that the respective distances, particularly the radial distances, between the portions (32) and the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24) differ.

The portions (32) extend from the slot (28) in a radially outwardly direction and the respective distances between adjacent portions (32) increase gradually along the length of the slot (28), as it continues from proximity of the first article receiving element (20) towards the second article receiving element (24).

The slot (28) includes an enlarged end (34), for inserting into and removing the mounting element (18) from the slot (28), in use. The width of the slot (28) is dimensioned so that when the mounting element (18) includes a widened head (free end), the head is not able to pass axially through the slot (28), except at the enlarged end (34). It is envisaged that this arrangement will prevent the device (10) from easily falling off the surface (14).

The first article receiving element (20) is in the form of a pin that protrudes from the centre region of the support body (12). Furthermore, the first article receiving element (20) is located operatively below the mounting element (18), in use, and adjacent to an inner end of the slot (28).

The second article receiving element (24) is radially spaced from the first article receiving element (20). It should be appreciated that the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24) are provided as alternatives for a particular application, in the sense that only one is used at a time. The second article receiving element (24) is in the form of a groove that extends along a peripheral region of the support body (12), more particularly along and in a side thereof. It will be appreciated that, with the body (12) in an operatively upright position, the groove (24) will retain the line (22) in position when placed therein and prevent it from being easily dislodged from the support body (12). The part of the second article receiving element (24) that receives the line (22), in use, being an operatively upper seating part, is located operatively above the mounting element (18). Again, each portion (32) provides for a different height position of the article on the support surface (14) when the mounting element (18) is located therein, in use, in that the respective radial distances between the portions (32) and second article receiving element (24) differ from one another. In use, in order to hang the article against the surface (14), the mounting element (18) would be driven into the surface (14) at an estimated location so to protrude from the surface (14), as is well known in the art. If, after placing the line (22) over the mounting element (18), the article is not at a preferred height position on the surface (14), the line (22) is lifted from the mounting element (18) and the device (10) is attached to the surface (14) by placing the device (10) over the mounting element (18) that protrudes from the surface (14), wherein the mounting element (18) extends through the slot (28) that is defined in the device (10). In this regard, and depending on the size of the free end of the mounting element (18), the enlarged end (34) is positioned over the mounting element (18) to thereby place the device (10) against the surface (14).

If the initial position of the article on the surface (14) was too high, and accordingly needs to be adjusted to a lower height position, the line (22) is placed over the first article receiving element (20), as is illustrated in figures 4a to 4d, whereby the article hangs at a first height position on the support surface (14). If the height position of the article needs to be adjusted to only a slightly lower position than the original hanging height position (i.e. whereby the device (10) is not used), the device (10) is rotatably moved A, in an anti-clockwise direction, until the mounting element (18) is, for example, at a position in the slot (28) and corresponding portion (32), as illustrated in figures 4a and 4b, wherein the article would hang a distance denoted by hi lower than the original hanging height position. Such anti-clockwise movement A causes the mounting element (18) to be displaced along the length of the slot (28) which causes the distance between the mounting element (18) and the article receiving element (20) to change, by becoming shorter, which, in turn, causes the height position of the article on the surface (14) to be adjusted in an operatively upwardly direction, but still being lower than the original hanging height position.

By now rotatably moving A the device (10) on the support surface (14) in a clockwise direction, the mounting element (18) is caused to be displaced along the length of the slot (28). As a result of such displacement, the distance between the mounting element (18) and the article receiving element (20) changes by becoming longer, which, in turn, causes the height position of the article on the surface (14) to be adjusted in an operatively downwardly direction. As illustrated in figures 4c and 4d, as the mounting element (18) moves further along the slot (28) and seats in portions (32) further down the slot (28), the height position of the article would move further downwardly. In this regard, when the mounting element (18) is located in position illustrated in figures 4c and 4d, for example, the article would hang distances denoted by i2 and i3 respectively lower than its original hanging position.

Figures 4a, 4c and 4d thus illustrate different first hanging height positions. Similarly, if the initial position of the article on the surface (14) was too low, and accordingly needs to be adjusted to a higher height position, the line (22) is placed over the second article receiving element (24), as is illustrated in figures 5a to 5c, whereby the article hangs at a second height position on the support surface (14). If the height position of the article needs to be adjusted to only a slightly higher position than the original hanging height position, the device (10) is rotatably moved A, in an anti-clockwise direction, until the mounting element (18) is, for example, at a position in the slot (28) and corresponding portion (32), as illustrated in figure 5a, wherein the article would hang a distance denoted by h₄ higher than the original hanging height position. Such anti-clockwise movement A causes the mounting element (18) to be displaced along the length of the slot (28) which causes the distance between the mounting element (18) and the article receiving element (24) to change, by becoming longer, which, in turn, causes the height position of the article on the surface (14) to be adjusted in an operatively upwardly direction.

By further rotatably moving A the device (10) on the support surface (14) in an anticlockwise direction, the mounting element (18) is caused to be displaced along the length of the slot (28). As a result of such displacement, the distance between the mounting element (18) and the article receiving element (24) changes by becoming longer, which, in turn, causes the height position of the article on the surface (14) to be adjusted in an operatively upwardly direction. As illustrated in figures 5b and 5c, as the mounting element (18) moves further along the slot (28) and seats in portions (32) further up the slot (28), the height position of the article would move further upwardly. In this regard, when the mounting element (18) is located in position illustrated in figures 5b and 5c, for example, the article would hang distances denoted by hs and i6 respectively higher than its original hanging position.

Figures 5a to 5c thus illustrate different second hanging height positions.

It is envisaged that the invention provides a device (10) which could be used to easily adjust the height position of an article on a support surface, as required. The device (10) is compact, includes no movable parts and would be relatively inexpensive to manufacture. By utilising the device (10), the height position of an article on a support surface could be adjusted to match that of an adjacent one without having to damage the support surface. This allows the height position of the article to be adjusted, as desired, even after the mounting element such as a nail, screw or the like is secured in the surface. Furthermore, it is not necessary to remove the article from the device (10), whilst the device (10) is moved in order to adjust the height position of the article on the surface.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims. As such, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses that are within the scope of the invention. For example, the path (30) could follow any shape or contour. Also, the attachment means (16) could comprise a plurality of apertures, including slots. Further, the article receiving elements (20, 24) could receive any part of the article to be hung, which is not limited to the line (22) and could include a bracket or the like. Still further, the portions (32) do not to have to be unequally spaced apart, as long as at least some of them provide for different height positions or increments of the article on the surface.

The description is presented by way of example only in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.

Claims

1 . A hanging device (10) for hanging an article on a support surface (14), the device (10) comprising:

- a support body (12);

- attaching means (16) for attaching the support body (12) to the support surface (14) by receiving a mounting element (18) protruding from the support surface (14);

- a first article receiving element (20) for receiving part of the article (22) in order to hang the article at a first height position on the support surface (14); and

- a second article receiving element (24) for receiving the part of the article (22) in order to hang the article at a second height position on the support surface (14).

2. The hanging device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the attaching means (16) extends through the support body (12).

3. The hanging device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the attaching means (16) is located between the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24).

4. The hanging device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attaching means (16) is capable of receiving and retaining the mounting element (18) at a plurality of positions between the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24), with each position facilitating a different height position of the article on the support surface (14).

The hanging device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the attaching means (16) comprises a slot that includes a plurality of spaced apart lateral extending portions (32), each portion (32) defining a separate receiving formation for receiving and retaining the mounting element (18) in position, being one of the plurality of positions between the first and second article receiving elements (20, 24).

The hanging device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attaching means (16) extends along a path that follows the shape of a spiral leading from the proximity of the first article receiving element (20) towards the second article receiving element (24).

The hanging device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first article receiving element (20) protrudes from the support body (12), preferably at a centre region of the support body (12).

The hanging device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second article receiving element (24) extends along a peripheral region of the support body (12).

The hanging device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the second article receiving element (24) comprises a groove that is defined in a side of the support body (12).

10. A method of hanging an article at a preferred height position on a support surface (14), the method including the steps of:

- attaching a hanging device (10) to the support surface (14) by placing the hanging device (10) over a mounting element (18) that protrudes from the support surface (14), wherein the mounting element (18) extends through a slot (28) in the hanging device (10);

- placing part of the article (22) over an article receiving element (20 or 24) of the hanging device (10) in order to hang the article on the support surface (14); and

- moving the hanging device (10) on the support surface (14), whereby the mounting element (18) is displaced along the length of the slot (18) which, in turn, causes the distance between the mounting element (18) and the article receiving element (20 or 24) to change, whereby the height position of the article on the surface (14) is adjusted.

1 1 . The method according to claim 10, wherein the height position of the article is adjusted in an operatively upwardly direction.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the height position of the article is adjusted in an operatively downwardly direction.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the hanging device (10) is moved by rotating it.