Structure for and method of mounting an object on a vertical surface and a laminated backing for such a structure

• US 6,206,334 B1
• Filed: 11/16/1999
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hillman Group Incorporated (Hillman Solutions Corp.)
• Original Assignee: David Weck, Steven C. Berenson
• Inventors: Berenson, Steven C., Weck, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US09/440,714
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 248/205.3, 248/300, 248/466, 248/467, 248/216.1, 248/216.4, 248/217.3, 248/176.1, 248/475.1, 248/476, 248/683, 248/684, 248/687, 248/692, 248/493, 248/205.4, 428/343, 428/40.1
• US Class Current: 248/467
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/17 using adhesives, suction or magnetism A47G1/168 takes precedence; suction cups for attaching purposes, equivalent means using adhesives F16B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/20 Picture hooks; X-hooks plugs or hooks for general use F16B13/00, F16B45/00

Abstract

A picture hanger is initially held in place on a wall in a temporary manner without damaging the wall by including a backing with a shock absorbing layer overlaid by a temporary adhesive film. Prior to the picture hanger being temporarily fastened to the wall, the temporary adhesive film is covered by a protective paper sheet. The shock absorbing layer prevents the wall from being indented when the hanger is permanently secured to the wall by hammering a pin or nail through the layer and film. The layer is sufficiently soft to hold the nail in place when the nail impales the layer prior to hammering the nail into the wall. Prior to the backing being secured to the hanger, the permanent adhesive film is overlaid by another removable protective sheet. Initially the backings are located on an elongated strip and are punched from the strip for mounting on the hook body.

Claims

1. A structure for mounting an object on a vertical surface adapted to receive an elongated fastener, the structure being adapted to be initially held in situ on the surface in a temporaly manner without damaging the surface and then being adapted to be held in situ by the fastener on the surface without indenting the surface when the fastener is driven into the surface to secure the structure to the surface, the structure comprising a hanger arranged to enable the fastener to pass through it into the surface, the hanger including a structure for hanging the object, a backing secured to the hanger, the backing including (a) a temporary adhesive film adapted to be temporarily secured to the surface, and (b) a shock absorbing layer interposed between the hanger and the film, the layer having sufficient thickness and being made of a material such that it absorbs forces imparted to the hanger when the fastener is driven into the surface through and against the hanger.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the shock absorbing layer is made of a material that is sufficiently soft to hold the fastener when the fastener is impaled in the layer.

3. The structure of claim 2 further including a removable sheet contacting the film and arranged to prevent contact of other objects with the film until the sheet is removed, whereby the adhesive of the film is protected prior to being secured to the surface.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the layer is permanently secured to the hanger by a permanent adhesive film.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the backing has periphery corresponding with the periphery of the hanger.

6. The structure of claim 2 wherein the layer is rubber or foam having a thickness between {fraction (1/16+L )}th and {fraction (1/8+L )}th inch.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the layer is permanently secured to the hanger member by a permanent adhesive film.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein the backing has periphery corresponding with the periphery of the hanger.

9. The structure of claim 1 further including a removable sheet contacting the film and arranged to prevent contact of other objects with the film until the sheet is removed, whereby the adhesive of the film is protected prior to being secured to the surface.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein the structure for hanging comprises a hook.

11. The structure of claim 1 wherein the layer is constructed and arranged to substantially prevent the surface from being indented except for a hole made by the fastener in the surface.

12. The structure of claim 1 wherein the hanger includes an opening for receiving the fastener.

13. The structure of claim 1 wherein the layer is rubber or foam having a thickness between {fraction (1/16+L )}th and {fraction (1/8+L )}th inch.

14. A method of securing an object to a vertical surface with a structure including a hanger carrying a backing including (a) a temporary adhesive film adapted to be temporarily secured to the surface, and (b) a shock absorbing layer interposed between the hanger and the film, the surface being adapted to receive an elongated fastener, the method comprising

mounting the structure at a first location on the surface with the temporary adhesive,

then deciding whether the structure is in the correct location on the surface,

then mounting the structure with the temporary adhesive at another location on the surface if the structure is decided to be at an incorrect location,

securing the structure to the correct location with the temporary adhesive when the structure is determined to be at the correct location on the surface, the structure being secured at the correct location while the temporary adhesive is holding the structure at the correct location by driving a fastener against the hanger and through the (a) hanger, (b) shock absorbing layer and (c) adhesive film and into the surface.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the driving step is performed by hammering the elongated fastener into the surface through (a) the hanger, (b) shock absorbing layer and (c) temporary adhesive film.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the adhesive film is initially covered by a protective sheet, and removing the protective sheet immediately prior to the structure being mounted at the first location.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the adhesive film is initially covered by a protective sheet, and removing the protective sheet immediately prior to the structure being mounted at the first location.

18. A laminated backing adapted to be secured to a hanger for mounting an object on a vertical surface, the hanger having a base adapted to be located in a plane substantially parallel to the vertical surface when the hanger mounts the object on the surface, the backing comprising a shock absorbing layer having opposed first and second faces each having a periphery corresponding with the periphery of the hanger base, a temporary adhesive film on the first face, a first protective removable sheet overlaying the temporary adhesive film, a permanent adhesive film on the second face, a second removable protective sheet overlaying the permanent adhesive film, the hanger adapted to be held in situ on the surface by an elongated fastener driven into the surface against and through the hanger and through (a) the permanent adhesive film, (b) the shock absorbing layer and (c) the temporary adhesive film, the layer having sufficient thickness and being made of a material such that the layer absorbs forces imparted to the hanger when the fastener is driven into the surface through and against the hanger, the layer thereby preventing the surface from being indented except for a hole made by the fastener in the surface.

19. The laminated backing of claim 18 wherein the temporary and permanent adhesive layers have peripheries that are substantially the same as the periphery of the shock absorbing layer.

20. The laminated backing of claim 19 wherein a plurality of said laminated backings are included on a single elongated strip and are adapted to be pushed from the strip leaving openings in the strip.

21. The laminated backing of claim 18 wherein the shock absorbing layer has a periphery slightly in excess of the hanger base periphery.

22. The laminated backing of claim 21 wherein the temporary and permanent adhesive layers have peripheries that are substantially the same as the periphery of the shock absorbing layer.

23. The laminated backing of claim 22 wherein a plurality of said laminated backings are included on a single elongated strip and are adapted to be pushed from the strip leaving openings in the strip.

24. The structure of claim 18 wherein the hanger includes an opening for receiving the fastener.

25. A method of securing an object to a vertical surface with a structure including a hanger carrying a backing including (a) a temporary adhesive film adapted to be temporarily secured to the surface, and (b) a shock absorbing layer interposed between the hanger and the film, the surface being adapted to receive an elongated fastener, the layer being soft enough to hold the fastener in place, the method comprising

mounting the structure at a location on the surface with the temporary adhesive,

inserting the fastener into the layer so the fastener impales the layer and is held in situ in the hanger without the fastener being driven into the surface, and

securing the structure at the location while the temporary adhesive is holding the structure at the correct location by driving the fastener against the hanger and through the (a) hanger, (b) shock absorbing layer and (c) adhesive film and into the surface.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the driving step is performed by hammering the elongated fastener into the surface through (a) the hanger, (b) shock absorbing layer and (c) temporary adhesive film.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the inserting step is performed manually.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the inserting step is performed manually.