Framed Art Hanging System Utilizing A Magnetic Connection Combined With A Mechanical Connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a framed art hanging system for hanging pictures and other similar items such as art, photos, diplomas, posters, paintings and framed sports memorabilia on walls. The system allows the installer of a framed picture to easily hang the picture utilizing the combination of a magnetic connection and a mechanical connection. The magnetic connection is achieved by utilizing a magnet, preferably adhered to a plate which is attached to either the back of the picture frame or to the wall and a metal plate which is magnetically attracted to the magnet, the metal plate being placed on the other location (either the back of the picture frame or to the wall). Three example ways to achieve a mechanical connection are described. The first way is to place an abrasive coating on either the frame plate or the magnet plate and a deformable substance coating on the other. The second way is to combine fins and grooves, one being placed on the frame plate and the other being placed on the magnet plate. The last way is to utilize geometric protrusions and depressions, one being placed on the frame plate and the other being placed on the magnet plate.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A framed art hanging system for hanging framed art onto a wall, the system comprising:
 a first attachment portion configured for attachment to at least one of a back of the framed art and the wall, the first attachment portion including a magnet;   a plate configured for attachment to the other of the framed art or wall, the plate including magnetically attractive material, the magnet and plate being attracted to one another to form a magnetic connection; and   a mechanical connection comprising at least one fin and at least one groove, the at least one groove configured to receive the at least one fin, one of the at least one fin and at least one groove located on the plate and the other of the at least one fin and at least one groove located on the first attachment portion, the at least one fin and at least one groove forming the mechanical connection when coupled together as the magnet and the plate are attracted to one another.   
     
     
         20 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  wherein the fins are coupled to the wall plate containing a magnet. 
     
     
         21 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 20  wherein the fins are located at the bottom of the wall plate. 
     
     
         22 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 20  wherein the fins protrude a first distance from the wall plate and the magnet protrudes a second distance from the wall plate, the first distance being greater than the second distance such that the fins couple to the grooves. 
     
     
         23 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  wherein the grooves are coupled to the first attachment portion which is a metal frame plate that is attached to the framed art. 
     
     
         24 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  wherein the number of grooves is greater than the number of fins. 
     
     
         25 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  wherein the fins extend outward in a straight direction. 
     
     
         26 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  wherein the fins have an angled key edge. 
     
     
         27 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  wherein the fins have a square key edge. 
     
     
         28 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 19  further comprising an indicator spot and consumer instructions for identifying a desired location to secure a wall plate to a wall, said wall plate comprising a magnet which is adhered to a metal plate. 
     
     
         29 . A framed art hanging system for hanging framed art onto a wall, the system comprising:
 a first attachment portion configured for attachment to at least one of a back of the framed art and the wall, the first attachment portion including a magnet;   a plate configured for attachment to the other of the framed art or wall, the plate including magnetically attractive material, the magnet and plate being attracted to one another to form a magnetic connection; and   a mechanical connection comprising at least one geometric protrusion and at least one corresponding geometric depression, one of the at least one geometric protrusion and at least one geometric depression located on the plate and the other of geometric protrusion and geometric depression located on the first attachment portion, the at least one geometric protrusion and at least one geometric depression forming a mechanical connection when coupled together as the magnet and the plate are attracted to one another.   
     
     
         30 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 29 , wherein the geometric protrusions are selected from the group consisting of circles, cylinders, hemispheres, squares, rectangles, pyramids, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 29 , wherein the geometric protrusions are coupled to the wall plate containing the magnet. 
     
     
         32 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 31  wherein the at least one protrusion extends a first distance from the wall plate and the magnet extends a second distance from the wall plate, the first distance being greater than the second distance such that the at least one protrusion couples to the at least one depression. 
     
     
         33 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 29  further comprising a plurality of geometric protrusions and a plurality of geometric depressions. 
     
     
         34 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 33  wherein the geometric protrusions are coupled to the first attachment portion which is a metal frame plate that is attached to the framed art. 
     
     
         35 . The framed art hanging system of  claim 33  wherein the number of geometric depressions is greater than the number of geometric protrusions.