US5103573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Picture hanging device
Assignee: Hunt Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1991-05-28
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Granted: 1992-04-14
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Expires: 2011-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for hanging pictures and the like including a flat elongated ruler-like body adapted to be held in a generally horizontal position on a wall. The device has a centering means, such as a notch, at its midpoint and calibrated indicia extending outwardly longitudinally from the centering point. Conventional picture hooks are frictionally engaged at predetermined points along the upper edge of the device by a rod which is attached to the device parallel to and spaced apart form the upper edge. In using the device, a single mark is made on the wall to indicate the height and lateral position of the picture, and then the device is held with one hand in a horizontal position, with the centering notch registering with the mark on the wall, while the picture hooks are nailed into place with the other hand.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Ehling
- 👤 Rolf E. Gruller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/24; G01C9/34; A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/16; A47G1/20; A47G1/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for determining the location of hangers for a picture or similar type wall supported member, said device comprising: a. a generally flat elongated body, adapted to be held in a generally horizontal position against a wall; b. centering means on said elongated body for positioning said elongated body on said wall at a predetermined centering point for said picture or other wall supported member; c. calibrated indicia on said elongated body, extending longitudinally outwardly from said centering means, on both sides thereof; and d. means for frictionally engaging hanging devices at the upper edge of said elongated body and for sliding said hanging devices to predetermined points along said upper edge, whereby pairs of hanging devices can be temporarily positioned on the upper edge of said elongated body at points substantially equidistant from said centering means until said hanging devices can be fastened to said wall.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for determining the location of hangers for a picture or similar type wall supported member, said device comprising: a. a generally flat elongated body, adapted to be held in a generally horizontal position against a wall; b. centering means on said elongated body for positioning said elongated body on said wall at a predetermined centering point for said picture or other wall supported member; c. calibrated indicia on said elongated body, extending longitudinally outwardly from said centering means, on both sides thereof; and d. means for frictionally engaging hanging devices at the upper edge of said elongated body and for sliding said hanging devices to predetermined points along said upper edge, whereby pairs of hanging devices can be temporarily positioned on the upper edge of said elongated body at points substantially equidistant from said centering means until said hanging devices can be fastened to said wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said centering means is a generally V-shaped notch located at the mid-point of the upper edge of said elongated body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein level means are mounted on said elongated body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hanging devices comprise picture-hanging clips having a wire-engaging hook and a nail hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said nail hole is filled with a pierceable solid to temporarily hold a nail until nailed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rear top edge of said elongated body which bears against said wall is rounded to permit the bottom of said elongated body to be rotated outwardly and upwardly to disengage said frictional engaging means from said hanging devices after said hanging devices have been attached to said wall.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for determining the location of hangers for a picture or similar type wall supported member, said device comprising: a. a ruler-like body, adapted to be held in a generally horizontal position against a wall; b. centering means on said ruler-like body for positioning said body on said wall at a predetermined centering point for said picture or other wall supported member; c. calibrated indicia on said ruler-like body, extending longitudinally outwardly from said centering means, on both sides thereof; d. a level indicator mounted on said ruler-like body; and e. a hanger-engaging rod attached along the upper edge of said ruler-like body, but spaced apart from said upper edge, for frictionally engaging hanging devices between said rod and the upper edge of said ruler-like body and for permitting sliding of said hanging devices to predetermined points along said upper edge, whereby pairs of hanging devices can be temporarily positioned on the upper edge of said ruler-like body at points substantially equidistant from said centering means until said hanging devices can be fastened to said wall.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for determining the location of hangers for a picture or similar type wall supported member, said device comprising: a. a ruler-like body, adapted to be held in a generally horizontal position against a wall; b. centering means on said ruler-like body for positioning said body on said wall at a predetermined centering point for said picture or other wall supported member; c. calibrated indicia on said ruler-like body, extending longitudinally outwardly from said centering means, on both sides thereof; d. a level indicator mounted on said ruler-like body; and e. a hanger-engaging rod attached along the upper edge of said ruler-like body, but spaced apart from said upper edge, for frictionally engaging hanging devices between said rod and the upper edge of said ruler-like body and for permitting sliding of said hanging devices to predetermined points along said upper edge, whereby pairs of hanging devices can be temporarily positioned on the upper edge of said ruler-like body at points substantially equidistant from said centering means until said hanging devices can be fastened to said wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said centering means is a generally V-shaped notch located at the mid-point of the upper edge of said ruler-like body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said level indicator is a bubble level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said hanging devices comprise picture-hanging clips having a wire-engaging hook and a nail hole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said nail hole is filed with a pierceable solid to temporarily hold a nail until nailed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rear top edge of said elongated body which bears against said wall is rounded to permit the bottom of said elongated body to be rotated outwardly and upwardly to disengage said frictional engaging means from said hanging devices after said hanging devices have been attached to said wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said hanger-engaging rod is attached along the upper edge of said ruler-like body by end posts and supported at a midpoint by a center post.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein a V-shaped centering notch is in said center post.
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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) | 1995-04-14 | 1995-10-14 | 1996-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-14 | 1999-10-14 | 2000-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-14 | 2003-10-14 | 2004-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |