Rotatable apparatus for mounting an article

Abstract

The present disclosure provides adjustable mounting devices that allow the user to fine tune the placement of a mountable item without concern about the precise placement of the mounting device. Certain mounting devices may be used to hang pictures, and may be rotated once mounted on a vertical surface.

1 . A mounting device, comprising:
 a first portion including a protrusion; and   a second portion including a receptacle capable of mating to the protrusion of the first portion;   wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes a load bearing geometry; and   wherein the first and second portions are capable of being mated together and, when mated, are able to rotate around a common axis.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion and receptacle are each generally round or cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein the first portion includes one or more teeth around the protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein the second portion includes detents around an outer side surface of the protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein the second portion includes detents around an inner side surface of the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting device of  claim 4 , wherein the detents around the inner side surface of the receptacle and the teeth around the outer side surface of the protrusion positively engage each other to hold the first and second portions together in a static position. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein the protrusion and receptacle provide an audible sound and/or physical feedback to the user when they are properly mated. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device is capable of being mounted, hung, adhered, and/or affixed perpendicular to a flat plane. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device includes adhesive strips on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be adhered to a wall. 
     
     
         10 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device includes mechanical fasteners on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be mounted, hung, adhered, and/or affixed to a wall. 
     
     
         11 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device includes adhesive strips on one of the first and second portions to permit the mounting device to be adhered to a frame, photograph, piece of art, or the like. 
     
     
         12 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes one or more reliefs around the protrusion. 
     
     
         13 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes detents around an outer side surface of the protrusion. 
     
     
         14 . The mounting device of  claim 13 , wherein the detents around the inner side surface of the receptacle and the teeth around the outer side surface of the protrusion positively engage each other to hold the first and second portions together in a static position. 
     
     
         15 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion and receptacle provide an audible sound and/or physical feedback to the user when they are properly mated. 
     
     
         16 . A method of preparing a mounting device capable of holding an article on a wall, comprising:
 providing (1) a first portion including a protrusion and (2) a second portion including a receptacle into which the protrusion of the first portion can mate, wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes an angular load bearing geometry; and   joining the first and second portions together such that the protrusion fits within the receptacle such that, when mated, the first and second portions are able to rotate around a common axis.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 rotating the first and second portions relative to one another to properly mate them.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 rotating the first and second portions relative to one another until the portions make an audible sound and/or provide feedback to the user to confirm that they are properly mated.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 applying an adhesive strip to a back major surface of one of the first and second portions and mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing that first or second portion to a wall; and   applying an adhesive strip to a front major surface of the other of the first and second portions and mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing that first or second portion to a frame, photograph, piece of art, or the like.   
     
     
         20 . A kit, comprising:
 a first portion including a protrusion;   a second portion including a receptacle into which the protrusion of the first portion can mate;   mechanical or adhesive fasteners capable of mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing one of the first and second portions to a wall; and   mechanical or adhesive fasteners capable of mounting, hanging, adhering, and/or affixing one of the first and second portions to a frame, photograph, piece of art, or the like;   wherein at least one of the first and second portions including an angular load bearing geometry; and   wherein the first and second portions are capable of being mated together and, when mated, are able to rotate around a common axis.