Frame with Integrated Surface Attachment for Drywall and Drywall-Like Surfaces

• US 20140173923A1
• Filed: 11/04/2013
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brett Van Bortel
• Original Assignee: Brett Van Bortel
• Inventors: Van Bortel, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 9,259,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/379
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/06 Picture frames making from paper B31D
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/205 Devices for positioning picture hooks on a wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/22 Pin plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/26 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 1/12 Frames therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]

Abstract

A frame and a device for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.

Claims

1. A frame comprising:

at least one framing member having an outer perimeter surface, the at least one framing member having a front surface and a back surface;

a first mounting member comprising;

a head portion having a perimeter surface;

a threaded member extending from one end of the head portion;

a shaft extending from the head portion in a direction opposite the threaded member;

wherein the threaded member is threaded into the framing member, such that the shaft of the first mounting member extends from the back surface of the framing member and part of the perimeter surface of the head portion of the first mounting member is disposed adjacent the outer perimeter of the framing member such that the mounting member is capable of magnetic communication with a magnetic device; and

a second mounting member partially disposed in the framing member and having a shaft extending from the back surface of the framing member.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first mounting member extends from the back surface of the framing member a first distance and the second mounting member extends from the back surface of the framing member a second distance that is sufficiently less than the second first to allow the frame to be pivoted about an axis of the first mounting member partially penetrated into a mounting surface to level the frame relative to the mounting surface before penetrating the second mounting member into the mounting surface.

3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the head portion of the first mounting member is a ferrous metal.

4. The frame of claim 1, wherein the head portion of the first mounting member has a rotational feature formed therein.

5. The frame of claim 1, wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance is between about ¼

and ⅜

inches.

6. The frame of claim 1, wherein the part of the perimeter surface of the head portion disposed adjacent the outer perimeter of the framing member is generally flat.

7. The frame of claim 6, wherein a part of the perimeter surface of the head portion of the framing member is curved.

8. The frame of claim 6, wherein the generally flat part of the perimeter surface of the head portion of the first mounting member is generally flush with the outer perimeter of the framing member.

9. A frame comprising:

at least one framing member having an outer perimeter surface, the at least one framing member having a front surface and a back surface and defining a front surface of the frame and a back surface of the frame;

a cavity formed in the at least one framing member and defining an opening in the outer perimeter surface of the framing member;

a first mounting member having an axis, the first mounting member comprising;

a head portion comprising;

a first surface generally perpendicular to the axis;

a second surface opposite the first surface and generally perpendicular to the axis; and

a third surface connecting the first surface and second surface, wherein at least a portion of the third surface is generally flat;

a threaded member extending from the second surface of the head portion;

a shaft opposite the threaded member and extending from the first surface of the head portion,

wherein the threaded member is threaded into the at least one framing member, such that the shaft of the first mounting member extends from the back surface of the frame a first distance and the generally flat portion of the third surface of the head portion of the mounting member is disposed in the opening in the outer perimeter of the framing member and generally flush with the outer perimeter of the framing member; and

a second mounting member having a shaft extending from the back surface of the frame a second distance, wherein the first distance is sufficiently greater than the second distance to allow the frame to be pivoted about the axis of the first mounting member partially penetrated into a mounting surface to level the frame relative to the mounting surface before penetrating the second mounting member into the mounting surface.

10. The frame of claim 9, wherein the first mounting member further comprises a rotational feature.

11. The frame of claim 9, wherein the first mounting member is a ferrous metal.

12. The frame of claim 9, wherein the first surface of the first mounting member has a rotational feature formed therein.

13. The frame of claim 9, wherein the first mounting member is proximate a first corner of the frame and the second mounting member is proximate a second corner of the frame.

14. The frame of claim 9, wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance is between about ¼

and ⅜

inches.

15. The frame of claim 9, wherein a second portion of the third surface of the head portion of the first mounting member is curved.

16. An alignment device for mounting a plurality of frames in a pattern on a mounting surface, wherein at least one of the frames has a ferrous mounting member with a generally flat portion of the mounting member exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame, the alignment device comprising:

a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants;

a level attached to the cross-shaped body;

a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members;

a magnet mounted in the recess, the magnet having a generally flat surface generally flush with one of the interior surfaces of one of the horizontal members or vertical members, wherein the magnet is positioned to be aligned with and magnetically attract the generally flat portion of the mounting member of the frame.

17. The alignment device of claim 16, wherein the horizontal members each have a bottom surface and the magnet is adjacent the bottom surface of one of the horizontal members.

18. The alignment device of claim 17, wherein the magnet is adjacent a back surface of the body.

19. The alignment device of claim 16, wherein the body is comprised of dense polyethylene foam.