US4944094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Picture frame leveling tool
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-09-11
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Granted: 1990-07-31
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Expires: 2009-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A picture frame leveling tool includes an elongate, generally "L" shaped body formed with a horizontal and vertical defined leg defining a notch within the legs to accept a picture frame therewithin. Upper and lower visual level indicators enable alignment of the picture frame relative to a support wall surface. The organization optionally includes a friction cushion layer laminated to an interior surface of the horizontal leg to provide enhanced frictional engagement with the picture frame, and may further include capturing brackets slidably mounted to a rear vertical surface of the horizontal leg of the body to secure a picture frame within the notch during a leveling procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph G. Depiano
- 👤 Linda S. Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/24; G01C9/26; A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/16; A47G1/20; A47G1/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A picture frame leveling tool for positioning a picture frame in an aligned orientation relative to a vertical support surface, wherein the tool comprises, a first elongate leg integrally and orthogonally mounted to a second elongate leg at a 90 degree apex to define an elongate "L" shaped body, wherein the first leg includes an exterior horizontal surface and the second leg includes an exterior vertical surface, wherein each exterior surface includes a visual indicator longitudinally aligned with each respective leg, the first leg includes an interior horizontal surface with a rear wall surface orthogonally joined to the respective exterior horizontal surface and the interior horizontal surface, and the second leg includes an interior vertical surface orthogonally intersecting the interior horizontal surface, and the first and second legs of an equal thickness, and wherein the interior horizontal surface is defined by a predetermined width and further including a selectively mountable resilient cushion layer of a polymeric material of a width equal to the predetermined width selectively mounted to the interior horizontal surface to provide an enhanced friction engaging surface for the picture frame, and further including a first and second latch plate member reciprocatably mounted to the rear wall surface, each latch plate member defined by a respective first and second plate member slidably mounted relative to the rear wall surface, and wherein the first and second latch plate includes a respective first and second grasp handle orthogonally secured to the respective first and second latch plate and directed overlying the exterior horizontal surface of the first leg, and wherein the first and second latch plates further include a respective first and second guide loop, wherein each guide loop is mounted to the rear wall surface and aligned longitudinally with the rear wall surface to slidingly receive the respective first and second latch plates orthogonally relative to the rear wall surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A picture frame leveling tool for positioning a picture frame in an aligned orientation relative to a vertical support surface, wherein the tool comprises, a first elongate leg integrally and orthogonally mounted to a second elongate leg at a 90 degree apex to define an elongate "L" shaped body, wherein the first leg includes an exterior horizontal surface and the second leg includes an exterior vertical surface, wherein each exterior surface includes a visual indicator longitudinally aligned with each respective leg, the first leg includes an interior horizontal surface with a rear wall surface orthogonally joined to the respective exterior horizontal surface and the interior horizontal surface, and the second leg includes an interior vertical surface orthogonally intersecting the interior horizontal surface, and the first and second legs of an equal thickness, and wherein the interior horizontal surface is defined by a predetermined width and further including a selectively mountable resilient cushion layer of a polymeric material of a width equal to the predetermined width selectively mounted to the interior horizontal surface to provide an enhanced friction engaging surface for the picture frame, and further including a first and second latch plate member reciprocatably mounted to the rear wall surface, each latch plate member defined by a respective first and second plate member slidably mounted relative to the rear wall surface, and wherein the first and second latch plate includes a respective first and second grasp handle orthogonally secured to the respective first and second latch plate and directed overlying the exterior horizontal surface of the first leg, and wherein the first and second latch plates further include a respective first and second guide loop, wherein each guide loop is mounted to the rear wall surface and aligned longitudinally with the rear wall surface to slidingly receive the respective first and second latch plates orthogonally relative to the rear wall surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A picture frame leveling tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein each first and second latch plate is defined by a predetermined length greater than a rear wall length defined by the rear wall surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A picture frame leveling tool as set forth in claim 2 further including a marking blade, the marking blade selectively mounted to the interior horizontal surface of the first leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A picture frame leveling tool as set forth in claim 3 wherein the marking blade is defined by a marking blade width greater than the predetermined width of the interior horizontal surface of the first leg, and the marking blade including an elongate edge aligned generally parallel to the rear wall surface and extending beyond the rear wall surface when the marking blade is secured to the interior horizontal surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A picture frame leveling tool as set forth in claim 4 wherein the elongate blade includes a planar rear blade surface positioned in abutment with the interior vertical surface when the marking blade is secured to the interior horizontal surface to provide support for the marking blade.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-01-29 | 1994-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-30 | 1998-01-29 | 1998-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-30 | 2002-01-29 | 2002-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |