Hanger assembly

• US 6,830,228 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Ernst, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US10/103,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20030178545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 248/216.1, 248/217.1, 248/217.3, 248/216.4, 248/475.1, 248/489, 248/493, 248/497, 248/496, 248/477, 248/684, 248/576, 248/301, 248/305, 248/218.3, D 8/367, D 8/373, 407/57, 406/17
• US Class Current: 248/475.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/20 Picture hooks; X-hooks plugs or hooks for general use F16B13/00, F16B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/207 Safety hooks preventing accidental dislodging of the picture

Abstract

A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall includes a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall. The body portion defines first and second end portions. An upper anchoring portion is formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall. The upper anchoring portion extends rearwardly from the body portion and is formed at an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees relative to the body. The anchoring portion has a piercing portion to enable the anchoring portion to be driven into the wall. At least one barb extends rearwardly from the body portion. The barb is formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion and is formed at an angle relative to the body equal to or greater than 90 degrees. A hook portion extends generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end. The hook is positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb. The hanger can be formed as a two part member.

Claims

1. A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an upper anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the upper anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle 90 degrees or less relative to the body, the anchoring portion having a piercing portion to enable the anchoring portion to be driven into the wall;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, the hook being positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb, wherein the body portion includes an opening therein and wherein the opening includes a thread formation therein configured for receiving a threaded fastener, wherein an area surrounding the opening is elevated relative to the body.

2. A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an upper anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the upper anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an 90 degrees or less relative to the body, the anchoring portion having a piercing portion to enable the anchoring portion to be driven into the wall;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, the hook being positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb, wherein the body portion includes an opening therein and wherein the opening includes a thread formation therein configured for receiving a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener is configured for receipt in the opening, the threaded fastener having a head portion configured for contacting the body adjacent the opening to limit rotation of the fastener.

3. A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an upper anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the upper anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle 90 degrees or less relative to the body, the upper anchoring portion having a piercing portion to enable the upper anchoring portion to be driven into the wall;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, the hook being positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb,

wherein the hook portion is separable from and adjustable along the body portion, and wherein the hook portion and body portion include mating parts of a hook and loop fastener system.

4. The hanger in accordance with claim 3 wherein the body portion of the hook and loop fastener system is secured to a base element.

5. The hanger in accordance with claim 4 wherein the base element is secured to the body portion by a self-limiting fastener.

6. A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an upper anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the upper anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle 90 degrees or less relative to the body, the upper anchoring portion having a piercing portion to enable the upper anchoring portion to be driven into the wall, the upper anchoring portion having a curved profile;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, the hook being positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb, the hook portion being separable from and adjustable along the body portion,

wherein the body portion includes openings therein and wherein the at least one barb is formed on the hook portion, the barbs being inserted through the openings to secure the hanger to the wall.

7. A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an upper anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the upper anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle 90 degrees or less relative to the body, the upper anchoring portion having a piercing portion to unable the upper anchoring portion to be driven into the wall;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, the hook being positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb,

wherein the body portion includes openings therein and wherein the at least one barb is formed on the hook portion, the barbs being inserted through the openings to secure the hanger to the wall, and wherein the hook portion includes guide elements for slidingly mounting the hook portion to the body portion.

8. A hanger for mounting an object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the body, the anchoring portion having a curved profile;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed spaced from the anchoring portion, and being formed at an angle relative to the body greater than 90 degrees; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, distally from the at least one barb,

including receiving a fastener formed in the body portion between the anchoring portion and the at least one barb.

9. A hanger for mounting an object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second and portions;

an anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the body, the anchoring portion having a curved profile;

two barbs extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barbs being formed spaced from the anchoring portion, and being formed at an angle relative to the body greater than 90 degrees, the barbs being longitudinally oriented and aligned with one another; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, distally from the barbs, wherein the barbs are formed at different angles relative to the body, both angles being greater than 90 degrees.

10. A hanger for mounting an object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the body, the anchoring portion having a curved profile;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed spaced from the anchoring portion, and being formed at an angle relative to the body greater than 90 degrees; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, distally from at least one barb,

wherein the hook portion is separable from and adjustable along the body portion.

11. The hanger in accordance with claim 10 wherein the body portion includes at least one opening therein and wherein to at least one barb is formed on the hook portion, the at least one barb being inserted through the body portion at least one opening to secure the hanger to the wall.

12. A hanger for mounting an object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the body;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed spaced from the anchoring portion, and being formed at an angle relative to the body greater than 90 degrees; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, distally from the at least one barb,

wherein the hook portion is separable from and adjustable along the body portion and wherein the hook portion and body portion include mating parts of a hook and loop fastener system.

13. The hanger in accordance with claim 12 wherein to body portion of the hook and loop fastener system is secured to a base element.

14. The hanger in accordance with claim 13 wherein the base element is secured to the body portion by a self-limiting fastener.

15. A hanger for mounting an object to a wall, the hanger comprising:

a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall, the body portion defining first and second end portions;

an anchoring portion formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall, the anchoring portion extending rearwardly from the body portion and formed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the body;

at least one barb extending rearwardly from the body portion, the barb being formed spaced from the anchoring portion, and being formed at an angle relative to the body greater than 90 degrees; and

a hook portion extending generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end portion, distally from the at least one barb,

wherein the hook portion is separable from and adjustable along the body portion, the body portion including at least one opening therein and wherein the at least one barb is formed on the hook portion, the at least one barb being inserted through the body portion at least one opening to secure the hanger to the wall,

wherein the hook portion includes guide elements for slidingly mounting the hook portion to the body portion.