Flange Pin for Keeping Picture Frame Level and Method of Making

Abstract

This is a piece of hardware fabricated for the purpose of keeping frames level while hanging on the wall. This small item will be attached to the back of the frame at the bottom using one of three methods, screw, pin, or Hook and Loop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flange pin for holding a framed item level comprising:
 a flange plate having a first side and a second side opposite to said first side;   a wall pin attached to said first side of said flange plate; and   a frame attachment structure attached to said second side of said flange plate wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to a frame and to hold said framed item in a level position.   
     
     
         2 . The flange pin according to  claim 1  wherein said frame attachment structure is a frame pin and wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to said frame by driving said pin into said frame. 
     
     
         3 . The flange pin according to  claim 1  wherein said frame attachment structure is a screw and wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to said frame by driving said screw into said frame. 
     
     
         4 . The flange pin according to  claim 1  wherein said frame attachment structure is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The flange pin according to  claim 4  wherein a hook portion of said hook and loop fastener is attached to said second side of said flange plate and wherein a loop portion of said loop fastener is attached to said frame and wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to said frame by fastening said loop portion to said hook portion of said hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The flange pin according to  claim 1  wherein said flange plate comprises metal or a molded or fabricated flexible and durable material. 
     
     
         7 . The flange pin according to  claim 1  wherein said wall pin is configured to be driven into a wall to hold said framed item in said level position on said wall. 
     
     
         8 . A method of fabricating a flange pin for holding a framed item level comprising:
 providing a flange plate having a first side and a second side opposite to said first side;   attaching a wall pin to said first side of said flange plate; and   attaching a frame attachment structure to said second side of said flange plate wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to a frame and to hold said framed item in a level position.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein aid attaching said wall pin is by welding said wall pin to said flange plate. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said frame attachment structure is a frame pin and said attaching said frame pin is by welding said frame pin to said flange plate. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said frame attachment structure is a screw and said attaching said screw is by welding said screw to said flange plate. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  comprising:
 molding or fabricating said wall pin and said frame pin in one piece; 
 inserting said one piece through a hole in said flange pin; and 
 welding said one piece to said flange plate wherein said wall pin protrudes from said first side of said flange plate and said frame pin protrudes from said second side of said flange plate. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  comprising:
 molding or fabricating said wall pin and said screw in one piece; 
 inserting said one piece through a hole in said flange pin; and 
 welding said one piece to said flange plate wherein said wall pin protrudes from said first side of said flange plate and said screw protrudes from said second side of said flange plate. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said frame attachment structure is a hook and loop fastener and said attaching comprises gluing or pre-gluing a hook portion of said hook and loop fastener to said second side of said flange plate. 
     
     
         15 . The flange pin according to  claim 8  wherein said flange plate comprises metal or a molded or fabricated flexible and durable material. 
     
     
         16 . A method of holding a framed item in a level position on a wall comprising:
 providing a flange plate having a first side and a second side opposite to said first side;   attaching a wall pin to said first side of said flange plate; and   attaching a frame attachment structure to said second side of said flange plate wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to a frame of said framed item and to hold said framed item in a level position;   hanging said frame on said wall; and   driving said wall pin into said wall thereby holding said framed item in a level position on said wall.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said frame attachment structure is a frame pin and wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to said frame by driving said pin into said frame. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said frame attachment structure is a screw and wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to said frame by driving said screw into said frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said frame attachment structure is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         20 . The method pin according to  claim 19  wherein a hook portion of said hook and loop fastener is attached to said second side of said flange plate and wherein a loop portion of said loop fastener is attached to said frame and wherein said flange pin is configured to be attached to said frame by fastening said loop portion to said hook portion of said hook and loop fastener.