Frame with integrated surface attachment for drywall and drywall-like surfaces

Abstract

A frame that includes a framing member and at least one integral mounting member extending from the back surface of the framing member. The frame may be mounted to a mounting surface such as a wall by simply pushing on the frame, thereby piercing the mounting surface with the mounting member. The mounting member may integrally retained within, or integrally formed with the framing member. A second mounting post may be provided that extends from the back surface of the framing member a shorter distance than the distance that the first mounting post extends from the back surface of the framing member, to facilitate positioning and alignment of the frame before final placement.

1 . A frame comprising:
 a framing member having a front surface and a back surface;   a first mounting member extending from the back surface of the framing member; and   a second mounting member extending from the back surface of the framing member at a distance from the first mounting member sufficient to support the frame when the first and second mounting members are penetrated into a surface by applying a force to the front surface of the framing member.   
   
   
       2 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first mounting member extends from the back surface of the framing member a first distance, and the second mounting member extends from the back surface of the framing member a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. 
   
   
       3 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second mounting members are protrusions that are integrally formed as part of the framing member. 
   
   
       4 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second mounting members are protrusions that are integrally retained within the framing member. 
   
   
       5 . The frame of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second mounting members each include a blunt first end retained within the framing member. 
   
   
       6 . A frame comprising:
 a framing member having a front surface and a back surface;   a first mounting member extending from the back surface of the framing member a first distance; and   a second mounting member extending from the back surface of the framing member a second distance that is longer than the first distance.   
   
   
       7 . The frame of  claim 6 , wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance is between about ¼ and ⅜ inches. 
   
   
       8 . The frame of  claim 6 , wherein the framing member has a first corner and a second corner and the first mounting member is mounted to the framing member in general proximity to the first corner and the second mounting member is mounted to the framing member in general proximity to the second corner. 
   
   
       9 . A method for mounting a frame to a mounting surface, the frame having a framing member, a first mounting member that extends from a back portion of the framing member a first distance, and a second mounting member that extends from the back portion of the framing member a second distance that is shorter than the first distance, the method comprising the steps of:
 piercing the mounting surface with the first mounting member;   pivoting the frame about an axis defined by the first mounting member to align and position the frame; and   piercing the surface with the second mounting member to maintain the alignment and position of the frame.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance is between about ¼ and ⅜ inches. 
   
   
       11 . A frame comprising:
 a framing member having a front surface and a back surface; and   at least one mounting post extending from the back surface, the mounting post having a shaft and a retention member extending outward from the shaft, the retention member being integrally disposed within the framing member and the shaft extending from the back surface of the framing member;   the disposal of the mounting post within the framing member capable of withstanding a mounting force applied to the front surface of the framing member sufficient to cause penetration of the shaft of the mounting post into a mounting surface.   
   
   
       12 . The frame of  claim 11 , wherein the retention member comprises a flange extending radially outward from the shaft at a first end of the shaft. 
   
   
       13 . The frame of  claim 11 , wherein the framing member comprises a first framing portion and a second framing portion mounted to the first framing portion, the retention member abutting the first framing portion and the second framing portion. 
   
   
       14 . The frame of  claim 13 , wherein the second framing portion includes a bore having the shaft of the mounting post disposed therein as it extends from the back surface of the framing member. 
   
   
       15 . The frame of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first framing portion and the second framing portion includes a recess having geometry similar to at least part of the retention member. 
   
   
       16 . A frame comprising a framing member having a front surface and a back surface, the framing member including a plurality of mounting members extending from the back surface of the framing member, the mounting members positioned at a distance from each other sufficient to support the frame when the mounting members are penetrated into a mounting surface by applying a force to the front surface of the framing member. 
   
   
       17 . The frame of  claim 16 , wherein one of the plurality of mounting members extends from the back surface of the framing member a distance that is greater than each distance that each of the other mounting members extends from the back surface of the framing member. 
   
   
       18 . The frame of  claim 16 , wherein the mounting members are protrusions that are integrally formed as part of the framing member. 
   
   
       19 . The frame of  claim 16 , wherein the mounting members are protrusions that are integrally retained within the framing member. 
   
   
       20 . The frame of  claim 16 , wherein the framing member has a plurality of corners, each of the mounting members being located in general proximity to one of the corners of the framing member.