Tool-free hanging device

• US 6,641,107 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter G. Janssen
• Original Assignee: Peter G. Janssen
• Inventors: Janssen, Peter G.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US10/268,189
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 248/493, 248/216.1, 248/217.1, 248/217.3, 248/218.3, 248/218.2, 248/217.4, 248/217.2, 248/684, 248/339, 248/231.9, 248/475.1, 248/489, 248/466, 248/222.52, 407/44, 407/45, 407/57, 406/17
• US Class Current: 248/493
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/20 Picture hooks; X-hooks plugs or hooks for general use F16B13/00, F16B45/00

Abstract

A device for hanging an object from a wall is disclosed. The device comprises a push plate, a lance, and a hanger. The push plate includes a front push plate surface and a back push plate surface opposing the front push plate surface. The lance extends from the front push plate surface and has a barb, which defines a barb surface, adjacent a distal end. The hanger extends from the front push plate surface. Also, the hanger is capable of receiving the object and biasing the barb surface against the wall when the object is received. At least one of the push plate and the hanger are capable of receiving a rotational force such that the hanger is positioned to receive the object. The device is capable of digital insertion into the wall. Therefore, the device can be employed to hang the object without the use of a mechanical tool.

Claims

1. A device for hanging an object from a wall, the device comprising:

a push plate having a front push plate surface and a back push plate surface opposing the front push plate surface;

a lance projecting from the back push plate surface of the push plate the lance having a barb adjacent a distal end, the barb including a barb surface; and

a hanger extending from the push plate and projecting from the front push plate surface of the push plate, the hanger capable of receiving the object and biasing the barb surface against the wall when the object is received;

wherein the push plate the hanger are capable of receiving a rotational force that positions the hanger to receive the object; and

wherein a salient extends from the front push plate surface of the push plate, the salient capable of receiving a rotational force.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hanger is one of a hook hanger, an ear hanger, and a notched ear hanger.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the hanger is engageable with one of a wire, a wire and a rod and a bracket.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is of a unitary construction.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is constructed of one of a plastic, a metal, and a metal alloy.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the front push plate surface is configured to receive pushing force from a digit.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the lance is substantially perpendicular to the back push plate surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the barb surface is substantially parallel to the back push plate surface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hanging device is inserted into the wall without using a mechanical tool.

10. A device for hanging an object on a wall, the device comprising:

a push plate having a front push plate surface and a back push plate surface opposing the front push plate surface the front push plate surface configured to receive a pushing force from a digit;

a lance projecting from and substantially perpendicular to, the back push plate surface of the push plate, the lance having a barb adjacent a distal end, the barb including a barb surface, the barb surface substantially parallel to the back push plate surface; and

a hanger extending from the push plate and projecting from the front push plate surface of the push plate, the hanger capable of receiving the object and biasing the barb surface against the wall when the object is received;

wherein the push plate and the hanger are capable of receiving a rotational force that positions the hanger to receive the object; and

wherein a salient extends from the front push pate surface of the push plate the salient capable of receiving a rotational force.

11. A method for hanging an object on a wall the method comprising:

providing a hanging device having a push plate, a lance projecting from the push plate, the lance having a barb adjacent a distal end, the barb including a barb surface and a hanger extending and projecting from the push plate;

inserting the lance of the hanging device into the wall by pressing on the push plate;

rotating the hanging device until the hanger is positioned to receive the object;

depositing the object on the hanger and biasing the barb surface against the wall such that the banding device hands the object on the wall; and

providing a salient on the push plate and exerting a rotational force on the salient to perform the rotating step.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inserting step is performed using a digit.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the inserting step is performed without using a mechanical tool.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotating step is performed by exerting a rotational force on the hanger.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotating step is performed by exerting a rotational force on the push plate.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the hanging device is rotated at least about ninety degrees during the rotating step.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the insertion step is performed until the push plate abuts the wall.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises biasing the barb surface against the wall during the hanging step.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises maneuvering the hanging device into device insertion position.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotating step continues until the hanging device achieves an object hanging position.

21. A system for hanging i object on a wall, the system comprising:

at least two hanging devices each of the hanging devices including a push plate having a front push plate surface and a back push plate surface opposing the front push plate surface, a lance projecting from the front push plate surface the push plate, the lance having a barb adjacent a distal end, the barb including a barb surface, and a hanger extending from the push plate and projecting from the front push plate surface of the push plate, the hanger capable of receiving the object and biasing the barb surface against the wall when the object is received; and

a plate having a plate hanger and at least two plate apertures, the plate hanger capable of receiving the object and biasing the barb surface of each of the hanging devices against the wall when the object is received on the plate hanger,each of the plate apertures capable of receiving one of the at least two hanging devices;

wherein at least one of the push plate and the hanger are capable of receiving a rotational force that positions the hanger of each of the de receive the object, the lance of each of the hanging devices is digitally inserted through one of the apertures and into the wall, and the object is hung on at least one of the plate hanger and the hanger.