Apparatus for hanging a framed picture

Abstract

An apparatus for hanging a framed picture is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing configured for fixing to a support surface; a channel through a length of the housing; at least one first engagement surface positioned along a surface of the housing adjacent the channel; at least one pair of opposing arms configured to be biased from each other and moved longitudinally within the channel, each pair of arms comprising: at least one second engagement surface configured to engage with the first engagement surface and a support portion configured to support an edge of a picture frame. The apparatus provides for improved ease of positioning a framed object such as a picture in situ after fixing the housing to a support surface by altering the position of the opposing arms relative to the housing.

1 . An apparatus for hanging a framed picture which comprises:
 a housing configured for fixing to a substantially vertical support surface via at least one fixing means, the housing comprising:
 at least one channel through a length of the housing; and 
 at least one first engagement surface positioned along a surface of the housing adjacent the channel; 
   at least one pair of opposing arms configured to be biased relative to each other and moved longitudinally within the channel, each pair of arms comprising:
 at least one second engagement surface configured to engage with the first engagement surface; and 
   a support portion configured to support an edge of a picture frame and provide for adjustment of the horizontal position of the framed picture relative to the housing   
       wherein 
       adjustment of the vertical height of the framed picture relative to the support portion after the housing has been fixed to the support surface is provided for by the position of the opposing arms relative to the housing. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second engagement surfaces comprise teeth. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus for hanging a framed picture comprises two pairs of opposing arms and adjustment of the horizontal angle of inclination of the framed picture after the respective housings has been fixed to the support surface is provided for by adjustment of the height of the first pair of opposing arms relative to height of the second pair of opposing arms. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opposing arms are elongate and the at least one second engagement surface extends substantially the length of the at least one arm. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each pair of opposing arms is joined at one end at a first flexible hinge. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the flexible hinged portion is joined to the support portion at a second flexible hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opposing arms and housing are configured to be confined within a cavity of the back surface of the framed picture. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fixing means is selected from the group consisting of: tacks, nails, pins, screws, staples, double sided tape. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the edge of the frame supported on the support portion is a lower side edge of a frame. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support portion is elongate. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pair of opposing arms comprises a top member configured to engage with the support portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the top member comprises at least one surface configured to provide secure contact with the underside of the support portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the at least one surface has teeth configured to engage with the underside of the support portion. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing has at least one indicia on an external surface to aid a user in alignment of the housing relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one pair of opposing arms have at least one indicia on an external surface to aid a user in alignment of the opposing arms relative to the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the indicia are markings. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for hanging a framed picture as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing also comprises at least one biasing means positioned on a surface of the housing adjacent the channel and configured to bias the second engagement surface of the pair of opposing arms into engagement with the first engagement surface of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the biasing means is a flexible protrusion of the surface of the housing adjacent the channel which is configured to be deflected by a user during adjustment of the position of the pair of opposing arms relative to the housing. 
     
     
         19 . A method of hanging a framed picture with an apparatus comprising:
 a housing configured for fixing to a substantially vertical support surface via at least one fixing means, the housing comprising:
 at least one channel through a length of the housing; and 
 at least one first engagement surface positioned along a surface of the housing adjacent the channel 
   at least one pair of opposing arms configured to be biased relative to each other and moved longitudinally within the channel, each pair of arms comprising:
 at least one second engagement surface configured to engage with the first engagement surface 
 a support portion configured to support an edge of a picture frame 
   
       the method comprising the steps of: 
       a. fixing the housing to a support surface with the at least one fixing means; 
       b. positioning an edge of a frame of a framed picture on the support portion to adjust the horizontal position of the framed picture relative to the support surface; 
       c. repositioning a first pair of opposing arms relative to the housing to adjust the vertical height of the framed picture relative to the support surface; and 
       d. repositioning a second pair of opposing arms relative to the first pair of opposing arms to adjust the horizontal angle of inclination of the framed picture relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of hanging a framed picture with an apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the step (c) repositioning a first pair of opposing arms relative to the housing comprises the steps:
 e. biasing the at least one pair of opposing arms toward each other to disengage the second engagement surface from the first engagement surface; 
 f. repositioning the vertical height of the opposing arms within the channel relative to the housing; and 
 g. reengaging the second engagement surface with the first engagement surface by releasing the bias on the opposing arms.