Wall hanging mounting device

Abstract

A wall support mounting device and method use at least one drive surface that moves in a plane or about an axis contained between the wall hanging and the wall as it couples at least one wall support to the wall.

1 . A wall hanging mounting device for use with at least one wall support and a wall hanging having a mounting portion, the device comprising:
 a coupling unit configured to couple the least one wall support to a wall while the wall support is in at least close proximity to the mounting portion of the wall hanging, wherein the unit includes:   at least one drive surface that moves in a plane or about an axis contained between the wall hanging end the wall as it couples the least one wall support to the wall;   a trigger mechanism actuatable between an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the trigger mechanism including a manually engageable trigger surface;   at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the least one drive surface into engagement with the least one wall support in response to actuation of the trigger mechanism to the actuated state, the least one drive mechanism including:   a spring coupled to the at least one drive surface; and   a loading mechanism configured to load the spring, wherein the loading mechanism includes a manually engageable loading member coupled to the spring and exposed between the trigger surface and a top of the wall hanging mounting device.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at lease one retention surface configured to retain the least one wall support in a position relative to the mounting portion, wherein the loading member is vertically between the trigger surface and the at least one retention surface. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the trigger mechanism extends below the least one retention surface 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the trigger mechanism extends above the least one retention surface 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one surface configured to retain the least one wall support in a position relative to the mounting portion, wherein the loading member is vertically arranged between the at least one retention surface and a top of the device. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a housing, wherein the loading member symmetrically extends from opposite sides of the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing, wherein the housing has opposing spaced sidewalls through which oppositely extending portions of the loading member extend. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the sidewalls are spaced by less than or equal to about 0.5 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the oppositely extending portions have a downwardly facing arcuate edges. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive surface moves between a loaded state and a discharged state and wherein the device further includes a loading mechanism comprising:
 a catch associated with the drive surface to move with the drive surface; and   a retainer linearly translatable between a retaining position in which the drive surface is retained in the loaded state and a withdrawn position, permitting the drive surface to move to the discharged state.   
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the catch includes one of a detent and a projection and wherein the retainer includes the other of the detent and the projection. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the drive surface moves along a first axis between the loaded state and the discharged state and wherein the retainer moves along a second axis nonparallel to the first axis. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , the second axis along which the retainer moves is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer is resiliently biased towards a retaining position. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the retainer and the catch includes a tapered surface configured to facilitate movement of the catch past the retainer. 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive surface moves between a loaded state and a discharged state and wherein the device further includes a loading mechanism comprising:
 a catch associated with the drive surface to move with the drive surface; and   a retainer movable between a retaining position in which the drive surface is retained in the loaded state and a withdrawn position, permitting the drive surface to move to the discharged state, wherein the trigger surface is movable while the retainer is stationary in the retaining position.   
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive surface moves between a loaded state and a discharged state and wherein the device further includes a loading mechanism comprising:
 a catch associated with the drive surface to move with the drive surface; and   a retainer movable between a retaining position in which the drive surface is retained in the loaded state and a withdrawn position, permitting the drive surface to move to the discharged state, wherein the drive surface moves away from the retainer when moving from the loaded state to the discharged state.   
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a handle configured to extend oblique to the wall when the device is positioned against the wall during securement of the wall support to the wall. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling unit has a recess configured to receive the mounting portion and opposite our faces configured to frictionally engaged opposite inner edges of the wall support below the recess. 
   
   
       26 - 36 . (canceled) 
   
   
       37 . A wall support comprising:
 a main portion;   at least one hook extending from the main portion configured to support a mounting portion of a wall hanging;   at least one extension;   at least one fastener extending from the least one extension and configured to couple the wall support to a wall; and   at least one catch projecting from the main portion between the least one extension and the least one hook, the at least one catch configured to releasably retain the wall support relative to a wall hanging mounting device during mounting.   
   
   
       38 - 54 . (canceled)