Over-the-door hanging apparatus

• US 8,746,644 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MCS Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MCS Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Kressin, Matthew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARSH, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US14/028,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20140014803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 248/304, 248/305, 248/323, 248/215, 248/225.21, 248/307, 248/220.21, 248/220.22, 248/220.41, 248/220.31, 248/220.43, 211/113, 211/117
• US Class Current: 248/307
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/16 Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/1653 for connecting to a surface other than a flat wall, e.g. room corner, ceiling, window
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/20 Picture hooks; X-hooks plugs or hooks for general use F16B13/00, F16B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

An apparatus for hanging an article from a door. In one aspect, the inventive apparatus can comprise a mounting system that can be used to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other flat article that is positioned within a frame to a door without the need for a screw driver or any other tools.

Claims

1. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edge defining a central opening, and a rear surface;

a mirror positioned within the central opening of the frame;

a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first mounting element, the second mounting plate comprising a first mounting element;

a first elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a first bracket for slidably engaging a top edge of a door;

a second elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a second bracket for slidably engaging the top edge of the door;

the frame slidably mounted to the first elongate member through slidable mating between at least the first mounting element of the first mounting plate and the first mounting, element of the first elongate member;

the frame slidably mounted to the second elongate member through slidable mating between at least the first mounting element of the second mounting plate and the first mounting element of the second elongate member;

wherein the first mounting element of the first elongate member comprises a first hook and the first mounting element of the second elongate member comprises a first hook; and

wherein the first mounting element of the first mounting plate comprises a raised portion that protrudes from the rear surface of the frame, the first hook of the first elongate member slidably inserted between the raised portion of the first mounting plate and the frame; and

wherein the first mounting element of the second mounting plate comprises a raised portion that protrudes from the rear surface of the frame, the first hook of the second elongate member slidably inserted between the raised portion of the second mounting plate and the frame.

2. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first mounting element of the first mounting plate comprises a first edge, the first edge of the first mounting plate located within a slot of the first hook of the first elongate member;

and wherein the first mounting element of the second mounting plate comprises a first edge, the first edge of the second mounting plate located within a slot of the first hook of the second elongate member.

7. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according, to claim 2 wherein the first edge of the first mounting plates is formed by a first aperture in the first mounting plate, and the first edge of the second mounting plates is formed by a first aperture in the second mounting plate.

8. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first elongate member comprises a first aperture and wherein the second elongate member comprises a first aperture.

9. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

the first bracket and a top portion of the first elongate member collectively forming a generally U-shaped structure having a first angled flange; and

the second bracket and a top portion of the second elongate member collectively forming a generally U-shaped structure having a second angled flange.

3. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edge defining, a central opening, and a rear surface;

a mirror positioned within the central opening of the frame;

a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first mounting element, the second mounting plate comprising a first mounting element;

a first elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a first bracket for slidably engaging a top edge of a door;

a second elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a second bracket for slidably engaging the top edge of the door;

the frame slidably mounted to the first elongate member through slidable mating between at least the first mounting element of the first mounting plate and the first mounting element of the first elongate member;

the frame slidably mounted to the second elongate member through slidable mating between at least the first mounting element of the second mounting plate and the first mounting element of the second elongate member;

wherein the first mounting element of the first elongate member comprises a first hook and the first mounting element of the second elongate member comprises a first hook;

wherein the first mounting element of the first mounting plate comprises a first edge, the first edge of the first mounting plate located within a slot of the first hook of the first elongate member; and

wherein the first mounting, element of the second mounting plate comprises a first edge, the first edge of the second mounting plate located within a slot of the first hook of the second elongate member;

an annular channel formed into the rear surface of the frame;

the first mounting element of the first mounting plate comprising a first edge, the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the first mounting plate overlies the annular channel;

the first mounting element of the second mourning plate comprising a first edge, the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the second mounting plate overlies the annular channel;

the first hook of the first elongate member extending into the annular channel; and

the first hook of the second elongate member extending into the annular channel.

4. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first edge of the first mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the annular channel and the first edge of the second mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the annular channel.

5. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edge defining a central opening, and a rear surface;

a mirror positioned within the central opening of the frame;

a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first mounting element, the second mounting plate comprising a first mounting element;

a first elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a first bracket for slidably engaging a top edge of a door;

a second elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a second bracket for slidably engaging the top edge of the door;

the frame slidably mounted to the first elongate member through slidable mating between at least the first mounting element of the first mounting plate and the first mounting element of the first elongate member;

the frame slidably mounted to the second elongate member through slidable mating between at least the first mounting element of the second mounting plate and the first mounting element of the second elongate member;

wherein the first mounting element of the first elongate member comprises a first hook and the first mounting element of the second elongate member comprises a first hook;

wherein the first mounting element of the first mounting plate comprises a first edge, the first edge of the first mounting plate located within a slot of the first hook of the first elongate member; and

wherein the first mounting element of the second mounting plate comprises a first edge, the first edge of the second mounting plate located within a slot of the first hook of the second elongate member;

a first channel formed into the rear surface of the frame;

a second channel formed into the rear surface of the frame;

the first mounting element of the first mounting plate comprising a first edge, the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the first mounting plate overlies the first channel;

the first mounting element of the second mounting plate comprising a first edge, the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the second mounting plate overlies the second channel;

the first hook of the first elongate member extending into the first channel; and

the first hook of the second elongate member extending into the second channel.

6. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first edge of the first mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the first channel and the first edge of the second mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the second channel.

10. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edge defining, a central opening, and a rear surface;

a flat article positioned within the central opening, of the frame;

a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first edge, the second mounting, plate comprising a first edge;

a bracket assembly comprising at least one bracket for engaging a top edge of the door, a first hook, and a second hook;

the frame slidably mounted to the bracket assembly through slidable mating between;

(1) the first edge of the first mounting plate and the first hook of the bracket assembly; and

(2) the first edge of the second mounting plate and the second hook of the bracket assembly; and

wherein the first mounting plate comprises a raised portion that protrudes from the rear surface of the frame and comprises the first edge of the first mounting plate, the first hook of the bracket assembly inserted between the raised portion of the first mounting plate and the frame;

and wherein the second mounting plate comprises a raised portion that protrudes from the rear surface of the frame and comprises the first edge of the second mounting plate, the second hook of the second elongate member slidably inserted between the raised portion of the second mounting plate and the frame.

16. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the bracket assembly comprises:

a first bracket for engaging the top edge of the door, the first bracket having a first angled flange; and

a second bracket for engaging the top edge of the door, the second bracket having a second angled flange.

11. An over-the-door hanging, apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edge defining a central opening, and a rear surface;

a flat article positioned within the central opening of the frame;

a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first edge, the second mounting plate comprising a first edge, the first edge of the first mounting plate being vertically aligned with the first edge of the second mounting plate;

a bracket assembly comprising at least one bracket for engaging a top edge of the door, a first hook, and a second hook;

the frame slidably mounted to the bracket assembly through slidable mating between;

(1) the first edge of the first mounting plate and the first hook of the bracket assembly; and

(2) the first edge of the second mounting plate and the second hook of the bracket assembly;

an annular channel formed into the rear surface of the frame;

the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the first mounting plate overlies the annular channel;

the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the second mounting plate overlies the annular channel;

the first hook of the bracket assembly extending into the annular channel; and

the second hook of the bracket assembly extending into the annular channel.

12. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first edge of the first mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the annular channel and the first edge of the second mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the annular channel.

13. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edge defining a central opening, and a rear surface;

a flat article positioned within the central opening of the frame;

a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first edge, the second mounting plate comprising a first edge, the first edge of the first mounting plate being vertically aligned with the first edge of the second mounting plate;

a bracket assembly comprising at least one bracket for engaging a top edge of the door, as first hook, and a second hook;

the frame slidably mounted to the bracket assembly through slidable mating between;

(1) the first edge of the first mounting plate and the first hook of the bracket assembly; and

(2) the first edge of the second mounting plate and the second hook of the bracket assembly;

a first channel formed into the rear surface of the frame;

a second channel formed into the rear surface of the frame;

the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the first mounting plate overlies the first channel;

the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the first edge of the second mounting plate overlies the second channel;

the first hook of the bracket assembly extending into the first channel; and

the first hook of the bracket assembly extending into the second channel.

14. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first edge of the first mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the first channel and the first edge of the second mounting plate extends substantially transversely across the second channel.

15. The over-the-door hanging apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first edge of the first mounting plates is formed by a first aperture in the first mounting plate, and the first edge of the second mounting plates is formed by a first aperture in the second mounting plate.