Picture hanging apparatus

Claim 1

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung on the wall comprising: an elongated support element, said element having means thereon for removably receiving an item to be hung, said element further having guide means located opposite said item hanging means; a plunger associated with said elongated element for movement with respect thereto, a marking means normally retained in a non-marking position and operably associated with said plunger and said guide means, a means for retaining said marking means in a non-marking position, said marking means being movable by said plunger from said non-marking position to a marking position, when desired.

Claim 2

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung on the wall comprising: an elongated support element, said element having means thereon for removably receiving an item to be hung, said element further having guide means located opposite said item hanging means; a plunger associated with said elongated element for movement with respect thereto, a marking means normally retained in a non-marking position and operably associated with said plunger and said guide means, a means for retaining said marking means in a non-marking position, said marking means being movable by said plunger from said non-marking position to a marking position, when desired.

Claim 6

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger as defined inclaim 4 wherein said elongated support element defines an opening therealong, said plunger and said marking means being movable along said opening.

Claim 7

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung on the wall comprising: an elongated support element, said element having means thereon for removably receiving an item to be hung, said element further having guide means located opposite said item hanging means; said guide means defining an arcuate surface located along said element; a plunger associated with said elongated element for movement with respect thereto, a marking means operably associated with said plunger and said guide means, said marking means being movable by said plunger between a non-marking and a marking position; said elongated support element defining an opening therealong, said plunger and said marking means being movable along said opening; and said marking means being flexible such that upon being moved by said plunger against said arcuate surface, said marking means deflects generally transversely with respect to said element and moves outwardly from said element to its marking position.

Claim 8

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung on the wall comprising: an elongated support element, said element having means thereon for removably receiving an item to be hung, said element further having guide means located opposite said item hanging means; said guide means defining an arcuate surface located along said element; a plunger associated with said elongated element for movement with respect thereto, a marking means operably associated with said plunger and said guide means, said marking means being movable by said plunger between a non-marking and a marking position; said elongated support element defining an opening therealong, said plunger and said marking means being movable along said opening; and said marking means being flexible such that upon being moved by said plunger against said arcuate surface, said marking means deflects generally transversely with respect to said element and moves outwardly from said element to its marking position.

Claim 11

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung comprising: (a) an elongated support element, said element defining a guideway therealong, said element further having means thereon for removably receiving the item to be hung and guide means for a marking means on an opposite side thereof; (b) a plunger located along at least a portion of said guideway and being movable thereat, an end of said plunger being exposed; and (c) marking means operatively associated with an end of said plunger and being located adjacent said guide means; (d) means for retaining said marking means in a non-marking position; whereby an item to be hung can be located on said hanging means, said element can be held adjacent said surface where said hanger is to be located and said plunger can be depressed to move said marking means from a non-marking position into marking contact with said surface to mark the point where a hanger for said item is to be installed.

Claim 12

A device for locating a point on a surface for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung comprising: (a) an elongated support element, said element defining a guideway therealong, said element further having means thereon for removably receiving the item to be hung and guide means for a marking means on an opposite side thereof; (b) a plunger located along at least a portion of said guideway and being movable thereat, an end of said plunger being exposed; and (c) marking means operatively associated with an end of said plunger and being located adjacent said guide means; (d) means for retaining said marking means in a non-marking position; whereby an item to be hung can be located on said hanging means, said element can be held adjacent said surface where said hanger is to be located and said plunger can be depressed to move said marking means from a non-marking position into marking contact with said surface to mark the point where a hanger for said item is to be installed.

Claim 14

A device for locating a point for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung comprising: (a) an elongated support element, said element defining a guideway therealong, said element further having means thereon for removably receiving the item to be hung and guide means for a marking means on an opposite side thereof; (b) a plunger located along at least a portion of said guideway and being movable thereat, an end of said plunger being exposed, said element defining an opening therethrough and said plunger being located in said opening for movement therealong; (c) marking means operatively associated with an end of said plunger and being located adjacent said guide means, said marking means being secured to an end of said plunger and being guided by said guide means to mark the point where the hanger is to be installed; and (d) means for biasing said marking means into said opening and out of position for marking said surface; whereby an item to be hung can be located on said hanging means, said element can be held adjacent said surface where said hanger is to be located and said plunger can be depressed to move said marking means into marking contact with said surface to mark the point where a hanger for said item is to be installed.

Claim 15

A device for locating a point for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung comprising: (a) an elongated support element, said element defining a guideway therealong, said element further having means thereon for removably receiving the item to be hung and guide means for a marking means on an opposite side thereof; (b) a plunger located along at least a portion of said guideway and being movable thereat, an end of said plunger being exposed, said element defining an opening therethrough and said plunger being located in said opening for movement therealong; (c) marking means operatively associated with an end of said plunger and being located adjacent said guide means, said marking means being secured to an end of said plunger and being guided by said guide means to mark the point where the hanger is to be installed; and (d) means for biasing said marking means into said opening and out of position for marking said surface; whereby an item to be hung can be located on said hanging means, said element can be held adjacent said surface where said hanger is to be located and said plunger can be depressed to move said marking means into marking contact with said surface to mark the point where a hanger for said item is to be installed.

Claim 21

A device for locating a point for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung comprising: (a) an elongated support element, said element defining a guideway therealong, said element further having means thereon for removably receiving the item to be hung and guide means for marking means on an opposite side thereof; (b) a plunger located along at least a portion of said guideway and being movable thereat, an end of said plunger being exposed; (c) marking means operatively associated with an end of said plunger and being located adjacent said guide means, said marking means being located at said guide means for movement therealong; (d) spring means associated with said marking means to normally maintain said marking means out of marking position, said plunger and said marking means having mating surfaces thereon whereby movement of said plunger into contact with said marking means will move said marking means along said guide means into marking position; and (e) one end of said plunger extending above said element and having handle means secured thereto; whereby an item to be hung can be located on said hanging means, said element can be held adjacent said surface where said hanger is to be located and said plunger can be depressed to move said marking means into marking contact with said surface to mark the point where a hanger for said item is to be installed.

Claim 22

A device for locating a point for installation of a hanger for an item to be hung comprising: (a) an elongated support element, said element defining a guideway therealong, said element further having means thereon for removably receiving the item to be hung and guide means for marking means on an opposite side thereof; (b) a plunger located along at least a portion of said guideway and being movable thereat, an end of said plunger being exposed; (c) marking means operatively associated with an end of said plunger and being located adjacent said guide means, said marking means being located at said guide means for movement therealong; (d) spring means associated with said marking means to normally maintain said marking means out of marking position, said plunger and said marking means having mating surfaces thereon whereby movement of said plunger into contact with said marking means will move said marking means along said guide means into marking position; and (e) one end of said plunger extending above said element and having handle means secured thereto; whereby an item to be hung can be located on said hanging means, said element can be held adjacent said surface where said hanger is to be located and said plunger can be depressed to move said marking means into marking contact with said surface to mark the point where a hanger for said item is to be installed.