Picture hanging system

Abstract

A picture hanging system comprised of a horizontally extending rail attached to the upper portion of a wall on which pictures are to be displayed. Said rail is spaced a precise horizontal distance away from the wall. Visual exposure of the rail and associated hardware can be eliminated by covering it with a decorative moulding that is quickly and easily attached. Cable assemblies can be quickly and easily connected at any desired location on the rail with the associated small diameter cables extending vertically downward. One or more clamp and hook assemblies can be directly attached to the cables at any point on the cable. The pictures are then hung from the hooks. If re-positioning of the pictures is required this can be done quickly and easily. With pictures installed the system achieves the highest possible aesthetic standards by virtue of the fact that only the molding and the very small diameter cables are visible.

1 . A system for hanging a picture on a wall, said system comprises: 
 a rigid support member comprising an elongate ledge terminating at a rear edge;    said member being secured to said wall so that said edge is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said wall, thereby forming a gap between said edge and said wall;    a clip comprising: 
 a backing portion having a first substantially planar surface oriented to bear against said wall;  
 a prong portion extending from said backing portion at a first angle; and,  
 said prong portion having a first dimension greater than said gap and a second dimension narrower than said gap, whereby said prong portion passes through said gap in a first orientation and will not pass through said gap in a second orientation; and,  
   means for releasably mounting said picture to said clip.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first orientation relates to said second orientation by a rotation angle commensurate with said first angle.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said clip further comprises a spring arm resiliently connected to said backing portion and oriented to bear against one of a pair of opposing surfaces formed between said wall and said member.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said spring arm is oriented to bear against said edge.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said prong portion and said backing portion form a substantially L-shaped structure.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said spring arm comprises a substantially L-shaped structure dimensioned to nest within said prong portion and said backing portion.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said prong portion connects to said backing portion at a rounded bend.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for releasably mounting comprise: 
 a length of cable having first and second end portions, and a medial portion between said end portions;    said first end portion being secured to said clip;    a picture hook clamp assembly releasably secured to said medial portion.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said assembly comprises a generally U-shaped body member comprising: 
 first and second clamping plates connected by an apex;    said plates being frontwardly spaced apart a first distance;    said second plate having a first angled projection thereby forming a picture hook;    said body member having opposite lateral edge portions; and,    said body defining a substantially vertical centerline.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said clamp further comprises an adjustable fastener engaging said clamping plates, said fastener being actuated to adjust said first distance.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said fastener comprises a screw bonded to said first plate and penetrating opposing drillings through said plates and engaging a wing nut.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said body member is shaped to have a cutout extending medially along said apex from a lateral edge and terminating at a stop surface beyond said centerline of said clamp.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said screw is located to have a lateral surface substantially vertically in line with said stop surface, thereby providing two contact points upon which said cable is centered.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said rigid support member consists of a standard commercially available slotted bookshelf mounting rail.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , which further comprises a spacer having a thickness determining said gap.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said spacer comprises first and second concentric and adjacent washers, wherein said first washer is formed to have a centerhole having a first diameter and said second washer is formed to have a centerhole having a second diameter, and wherein said first diameter is larger than said second diameter.