PICTURE HANGER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

• US 20090294610A1
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Picture Perfect LLC
• Original Assignee: Picture Perfect LLC
• Inventors: Paharik, Benjamin W., Nevers, Joseph G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,836,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/220.21
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/1606 comprising a wall member cooperating with a corresponding picture member
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/205 Devices for positioning picture hooks on a wall

Abstract

A support assembly to secure a stereo component to a wall includes a bracket secured to the component. The support assembly further includes a marking element that is received within an opening provided in the bracket. The marking element extends away from the component when positioning the marking element within the opening of the bracket. The arrangement is such that when positioning the marking element within the opening of the bracket, the marking element forms a mark on the wall in response to positioning the bracket against the wall. The support assembly further includes a fastener to secure the bracket to the wall. The fastener is received within the opening of the bracket so that the fastener is aligned with the mark on the wall. Other embodiments of the support assembly and methods of supporting components are further disclosed.

Claims

1. A support assembly configured to secure an object to a structure, the support assembly comprising:

a bracket adapted to be secured to the object, the bracket having at least one opening formed therein;

at least one marking element adapted to be received within the at least one opening of the bracket in a secure position, the at least one marking element being configured to extend away from the object when positioning the at least one marking element within the at least one opening of the bracket, the arrangement being such that when positioning the at least one marking element within the at least one opening of the bracket, the at least one marking element is adapted to form a mark on the structure in response to positioning the bracket against the structure; and

at least one fastener adapted to secure the bracket to the structure, the at least one fastener being configured to be received within the at least one opening of the bracket so that the at least one fastener is aligned with the mark on the structure.

2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one marking element comprises a projection having a pointed tip configured to form an indent in the structure, the indent constituting the mark on the structure.

3. The support assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one marking element further comprises a cylindrical body having an annular rim configured to engage the bracket when inserting the cylindrical body within the at least one opening.

4. The support assembly of claim 1 further comprising a leveling device configured to indicate an orientation of the object.

5. The support assembly of claim 3, wherein the leveling device is secured to the bracket.

6. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket has at least two openings formed therein, and wherein the support assembly comprises at least two marking elements.

7. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the object is a stereo component, and wherein the structure is a wall.

8. A method of securing an object to a structure, the method comprising:

providing a bracket configured to secure the object;

releasably securing a marking element to the bracket, the marking element being designed to extend away from the object;

positioning the bracket against the structure;

applying a force so as to form a mark on the structure with the marking element;

removing the marking element from the bracket; and

securing the bracket to the structure with a fastener in a position in which the fastener is aligned with the mark on the structure.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein securing the bracket to the structure comprises positioning the fastener within an opening formed in the bracket.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the opening in the bracket is configured to receive the marking element therein.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising leveling the object prior to applying a force on the object.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein leveling the object includes providing a level secured to the bracket.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the marking element is a projection having a pointed tip, and wherein the mark is an indent formed on the structure.

14. A kit for securing an object to a structure, the kit comprising:

a support element adapted to be secured to the object;

a marking element adapted to be secured to the support element, the marking element being designed to extend away from the object when securing the marking element to the support element, the arrangement being such that when securing the marking element to the support element, the marking element is adapted to form a mark on the structure at a desired location on the structure in response to a force applied on the object; and

a fastener adapted to secure the bracket to the structure, the fastener being configured to aligned with the mark on the structure.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the bracket includes an opening configured to receive the marking element therein.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the marking element comprises a projection having a pointed tip configured to form an indent in the structure, the indent constituting the mark on the structure.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the marking element further comprises a cylindrical body having an annular rim configured to engage the bracket when inserting the cylindrical body within the opening.

18. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a leveling device configured to indicate an orientation of the object.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the leveling device is provided within the bracket.

20. A method of securing an object to a structure, the method comprising:

providing a support configured to be secured to the object;

releasably securing a marking element to the support, the marking element having a projection designed to extend away from the object;

positioning the support against the structure;

applying a force on the marking element so as to form an indent on the structure with the projection of the marking element;

removing the marking element from the support; and

securing the bracket to the structure with a fastener in a position in which the fastener is initially seated within the indent formed on the structure.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising leveling the object prior to applying a force on the object.