Picture hanging device

Abstract

A device for hanging a picture and adjusting its height relative to a wall is provided. The device comprises a back plate member that attaches to the wall, a riser member that slides relative to the back plate member, and an eccentric disc operably engaging the riser member to raise or lower the picture. The picture itself is hung from a hook extending outward from the riser member.

1 . A device ( 10 ) for hanging a picture and adjusting its height relative to a wall, the device ( 10 ) comprising:
 a back plate member ( 12 ) comprising opposing vertically oriented channels ( 22 );   a riser member ( 14 ) slidably mounted within the channels ( 22 ) and comprising a top cross member ( 28 ) and a hook member ( 30 ) attached to the top cross member ( 28 ), the top cross member ( 28 ) having a lower edge ( 34 ) comprising teeth ( 35 ), the riser member ( 14 ) having a position relative to the back plate member ( 12 ); and   an eccentric disc ( 16 ) having a center and a perimeter and teeth ( 38 ) disposed around at least part of the perimeter, the disc teeth ( 38 ) configured to operable engage the riser teeth ( 35 ), the disc ( 16 ) being rotatably attached to the back plate ( 12 ) at an off-center location ( 36 );   wherein disengaging the riser teeth ( 35 ) from the disc teeth ( 38 ), rotating the disc ( 16 ) and then re-engaging the riser teeth ( 35 ) with the disc teeth ( 38 ) causes the riser member position to be raised or lowered with respect to the back plate member ( 12 ).   
   
   
       2 . The device  10  of  claim 1  wherein the hook member ( 30 ) extends forward the channels ( 22 ) in a direction away from the wall. 
   
   
       3 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the riser further comprises opposing side members ( 26 ) connected to each other by the top cross member ( 28 ) and further connected to each other by a bottom cross member ( 32 ), wherein the side members ( 26 ) and cross members ( 28 ,  32 ) define an opening large enough to accommodate the eccentric disc ( 16 ). 
   
   
       4 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the eccentric disc ( 16 ) further comprises position indicators ( 42 ) evenly arranged in spaced relationship around the disc ( 16 ). 
   
   
       5 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the eccentric disc ( 16 ) further comprises a slot ( 40 ) located diametrically opposite the off-center location ( 36 ). 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the eccentric disc ( 16 ) is rotatably affixed to the back plate ( 12 ) by a rivet ( 18 ) extending through an opening in the disc ( 16 ) located at the off-center location ( 36 ) and through an opening ( 21 ) in the back plate ( 12 ). 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the opening ( 21 ) in the back plate ( 12 ) is equidistant the channels ( 22 ). 
   
   
       8 . A device ( 10 ) for hanging a picture and adjusting its height relative to a wall, the device ( 10 ) comprising:
 a back plate member ( 12 ) having means for securing the back plate member ( 12 ) to the wall;   a riser member ( 14 ) affixed to the back plate member ( 12 ) in a manner that allows the riser to move vertically with respect to the back plate member ( 12 ), the riser member ( 14 ) having means for mounting a picture thereon; and   an eccentric disc ( 16 ) having an off-center location ( 36 ) and rotatably attached to the back plate member ( 12 ) at the off-center location ( 36 ), the disc ( 16 ) configured to operable engage the riser member ( 14 ) such that rotating the disc ( 16 ) causes the riser member ( 14 ) to assume a raised or lowered position with respect to the back plate member ( 12 ).   
   
   
       9 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 8  wherein the back plate member ( 12 ) has two vertically oriented channels ( 22 ) which capture the riser member ( 14 ) and within which the riser member ( 14 ) can slide vertically. 
   
   
       10 . A method for adjusting the vertical height of a picture comprising the steps of:
 providing a device ( 10 ) comprising back plate member ( 12 ) having opposing vertically oriented channels ( 22 ), the back plate member ( 12 ) being attached to a wall, a riser member ( 14 ) slidably mounted within the channels ( 22 ) and having a hook member ( 30 ) on which a picture is hung, and an eccentric disc ( 16 ) rotatably attached to the back plate ( 12 ) at an off-center location ( 36 ) and operably engaging the riser member ( 14 );   removing the picture from the hook member ( 30 );   disengaging the riser member ( 14 ) from the eccentric disc ( 16 );   rotating the disc ( 16 );   re-engaging the riser member ( 14 ) with the disc ( 16 ); and   re-hanging the picture on the hook member ( 30 ).   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the disc member ( 16 ) has a perimeter and teeth ( 38 ) located around the perimeter which operable engage teeth ( 35 ) located on the riser member ( 14 ).