Patent US3709456A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3709456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting structure for mirrors and the like
Assignee: Engineered Products Co
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Filing: 1971-01-15
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A structure for mounting a panel such as a mirror to a wall having a peripheral frame which receives the panel to be mounted from the rear or wall side thereof. The frame with the panel loosely retained therein is positioned to overlie a wall-mounted hanger structure and is pushed toward the wall to bring the frame into locking engagement with the hanger structure. Resilient bumpers on the hanger structure engage the rear panel surface to force the panel against the frame. The action of the bumpers with the panel also maintains a spring clip on the frame in locking engagement with a locking tab on the hanger structure to rigidly maintain the frame on the wall. Peripheral flanges on the frame extend rearwardly to the wall surface so as to conceal the attaching structure. A tool may be inserted through a small access hole in one of the flanges opposite the spring clip to bodily deflect the spring clip out of locking engagement with the locking tab so that the frame may be removed from the wall.
Inventors
- 👤 R Pietsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:32
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/0018; A47F5/0025; A47F5/0037; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/16; A47G1/1606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A panel mounting structure comprising a hanger structure adapted to be mounted flat against a wall surface, an open center frame comprising a plurality of connected frame members shaped to form a peripheral recess on the rear side thereof for receiving a panel from the rear or wall side of the frame, said frame being dimensioned to overlie said hanger structure and means on said hanger structure and frame for interlocking the frame to the hanger structure when the frame is applied to a wall by pushing the frame directly against the wall in a position overlying the hanger structure, said interlocking means comprising a forwardly projecting abutment on said hanger structure having a rearwardly facing shoulder thereon spaced forwardly from the wall surface, a spring clip mounted on one of said frame members within said recess and having a generally rigid body portion and a resilient tab connected with said body portion along a line of flexing, said resilient tab extending forwardly from said line of flexing and being inclined at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the wall surface, said spring clip being positioned on said frame so that the inclined tab is resiliently flexed by said abutment in a direction toward a plane perpendicular to the wall surface when the frame is pressed toward the wall in a position overlying the hanger structure, said resilient tab having a forwardly facing portion disposed to clear said shoulder and enable the tab to resiliently return toward said inclined position and engage behind said shoulder when the frame is pressed fully against said wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A panel mounting structure comprising a hanger structure adapted to be mounted flat against a wall surface, an open center frame comprising a plurality of connected frame members shaped to form a peripheral recess on the rear side thereof for receiving a panel from the rear or wall side of the frame, said frame being dimensioned to overlie said hanger structure and means on said hanger structure and frame for interlocking the frame to the hanger structure when the frame is applied to a wall by pushing the frame directly against the wall in a position overlying the hanger structure, said interlocking means comprising a forwardly projecting abutment on said hanger structure having a rearwardly facing shoulder thereon spaced forwardly from the wall surface, a spring clip mounted on one of said frame members within said recess and having a generally rigid body portion and a resilient tab connected with said body portion along a line of flexing, said resilient tab extending forwardly from said line of flexing and being inclined at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the wall surface, said spring clip being positioned on said frame so that the inclined tab is resiliently flexed by said abutment in a direction toward a plane perpendicular to the wall surface when the frame is pressed toward the wall in a position overlying the hanger structure, said resilient tab having a forwardly facing portion disposed to clear said shoulder and enable the tab to resiliently return toward said inclined position and engage behind said shoulder when the frame is pressed fully against said wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure called for in claim 1 wherein said abutment comprises a forwardly projecting leg having said shoulder on the forward end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination called for in claim 2 wherein said shoulder comprises a locking tab extending transversely of said leg in a direction inwardly of the periphery of the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination called for in claim 3 wherein said leg is perpendicular to the wall and said locking tab is disposed perpendicular to said leg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination called for in claim 1 including an opening in said frame member through which a tool may be inserted to flex said resilient tab out of engagement with said shoulder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination called for in claim 5 wherein said opening is aligned with said resilient tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination called for in claim 6 wherein said abutment is spaced between said frame member and said resilient tab and including a notch in said abutment aligned with said opening and said resilient tab.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination called for in claim 1 wherein said frame members comprise rearwardly extending flanges adapted to conceal said interlocking means when said frame is mounted on said wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination called for in claim 1 including means interengaged between said wall and said frame comprising resilient bumper means for forcibly engaging the forward portion of said spring tab with said shoulder when said frame is mounted on said wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination called for in claim 9 wherein said bumper means is mounted on said hanger structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination called for in claim 1 including means on another of said frame members and said hanger structure for vertically supporting the weight of said frame on said hanger structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination called for in claim 11 wherein said weight supporting means comprises hook means and hook receiving means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination called for in claim 12 wherein said hook means is on said hanger structure and said hook receiving means is on said another frame member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination called for in claim 12 wherein said hook means and said hook receiving means are dimensioned such that movement of said frame relative to said hanger structure prevents disengagement of said resilient tab with said shoulder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination called for in claim 12 wherein said hook means is inclined relative to said wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |