Mounting device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for mounting a framed image, such as a canvas painting stretched across a wooden frame, on a wall or other mounting surface by using the back edge of the frame and a mounting device to mount the framed image flush to the mounting surface.

1 . A mounting device for mounting a framed image to a mounting surface, the mounting device comprising:
 a mounting interface that is configured to be secured to a frame of the framed image, thereby moving said mounting interface to an installed configuration;   a mounting plate that is configured to be secured to the mounting surface, thereby moving said mounting plate to an installed configuration; and   a mounting bracket that is configured to be secured to the mounting plate, thereby moving said mounting bracket to an installed configuration,   wherein said mounting interface is configured to engage with said mounting bracket when said mounting interface and said mounting bracket are in respective installed configurations, thereby mounting the framed image to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting interface comprises a mounting angle, said mounting angle being configured to engage with the frame of the framed image. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting device of  claim 2 , wherein said mounting angle of said mounting interface comprises a location feature that is configured to facilitate positioning the mounting interface relative to a mark on the frame of the framed image. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting device of  claim 2 , wherein said mounting bracket comprises a receptacle defining a void for receiving at least a portion of said mounting interface. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting device of  claim 4 , wherein said receptacle includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending therefrom, thereby forming said void. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting device of  claim 5 , wherein said mounting plate comprises:
 a bonding surface that is configured to bond to the mounting surface, thereby securing said mounting plate to the mounting surface; and   a plurality of standoffs, an aft surface of each standoff being positioned aft of said bonding surface of said mounting plate, thereby facilitating positioning and orienting said mounting plate on the mounting surface,   wherein each standoff is configured to move relative to said bonding surface upon said mounting plate being positioned and oriented, thereby facilitating bonding said mounting plate to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         7 . The mounting device of  claim 6 , wherein said mounting plate comprises a location feature that is configured to facilitate positioning the mounting plate relative to a mark on the mounting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting device of  claim 7 , further comprising a retaining nut, said retaining nut being configured to engage with a threaded mid-section of said mounting plate. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining nut, said retaining nut being configured to engage with a threaded mid-section of said mounting plate. 
     
     
         10 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting plate comprises:
 a bonding surface that is configured to bond to the mounting surface, thereby securing said mounting plate to the mounting surface; and   a plurality of standoffs, an aft surface of each standoff being positioned aft of said bonding surface of said mounting plate, thereby facilitating positioning and orienting said mounting plate on the mounting surface,   wherein each standoff is configured to move relative to said bonding surface upon said mounting plate being positioned and oriented, thereby facilitating bonding said mounting plate to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         11 . A method of mounting a framed image to a mounting surface, the method comprising:
 securing a mounting interface to a frame of the framed image, thereby moving the mounting interface to an installed configuration;   securing a mounting bracket to the mounting surface, thereby moving the mounting bracket to an installed configuration;   securing a mounting bracket to the mounting plate, thereby moving the mounting bracket to an installed configuration; and   engaging the mounting interface with the mounting bracket when the mounting interface and the mounting bracket are in respective installed configurations, thereby mounting the framed image to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mounting interface comprises a mounting angle, and wherein securing the mounting interface to the frame of the framed image comprises engaging the mounting angle with the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning a location feature of the mounting interface relative to a mark on the frame of the framed image, thereby positioning the mounting interface relative to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting bracket comprises a receptacle defining a void for receiving at least a portion of the mounting interface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending therefrom, thereby forming the void such that engaging the mounting interface with the mounting bracket comprises sliding the mounting interface downward into the void. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 positioning and orienting the mounting plate on the mounting surface; and   bonding the mounting plate to the mounting surface, thereby securing the mounting plate to the mounting surface,   wherein the mounting plate further comprises:
 a bonding surface that is configured to bond to the mounting surface, thereby securing the mounting plate to the mounting surface; and 
 a plurality of standoffs, an aft surface of each standoff being positioned aft of the bonding surface of the mounting plate, thereby facilitating positioning and orienting the mounting plate on the mounting surface, 
   wherein each standoff is configured to move relative to the bonding surface upon the mounting plate being positioned and oriented, thereby facilitating bonding the mounting plate to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the mounting plate on the mounting surface comprises positioning a location feature of the mounting plate relative to a mark on the mounting surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising engaging a retaining nut to a threaded mid-section of the retaining nut. 
     
     
         19 . A framed image having a mounting device for mounting the framed image to a mounting surface, the mounting device comprising:
 a mounting interface secured to a frame of the framed image;   a mounting plate that is configured to be secured to the mounting surface, thereby moving said mounting bracket to an installed configuration; and   a mounting bracket that is configured to be secured to the mounting plate when the mounting plate is in its installed configuration, thereby moving said mounting bracket to an installed configuration,   wherein said mounting interface is configured to engage with said mounting bracket when said mounting bracket is in its installed configuration, thereby mounting the framed image to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         20 . The framed image of  claim 19 , wherein said mounting bracket comprises a receptacle defining a void for receiving at least a portion of said mounting interface, wherein said receptacle includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending therefrom, thereby forming said void.