Dual hook wire-snagging hanger

Abstract

A hanger for pictures and the like is provided that includes at least one elongate bar. Two openings (e.g., thru-holes or slots) extend between corresponding planar front and back surfaces of the bar(s). The two openings are configured to receive fasteners for attaching the bar(s) to the support surface. The two openings are spaced from one another along the lengthwise dimension of the bar(s). Two hooks extend forward and upward from the at least one planar front surface. The two hooks are spaced from one another along the lengthwise dimension of the bar(s). Each hook includes a transition from a planar front surface of the bar(s). Methods of fabricating the hangar and methods of use are also described and claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hanger for supporting an item on a vertical support surface, the hanger comprising:
 at least one elongate bar having at least one planar front surface disposed opposite at least one planar back surface, two openings extending between corresponding planar front and back surfaces of the at least one elongate bar and configured to receive fasteners for attaching the at least one bar to the support surface, and two hooks that extend forward and upward from the at least one planar front surface;   wherein the two openings are spaced from one another along the lengthwise dimension of the at least one elongate bar;   wherein the two hooks are spaced from one another along the lengthwise dimension of the at least one elongate bar; and   wherein the two hooks each include a respective transition from the at least one planar front surface.   
     
     
         2 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two openings comprise at least one thru-hole or at least one elongate slot.   
     
     
         3 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fasteners comprise a screw or nail.   
     
     
         4 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two hooks are configured to capture or snag a wire, cable or other filament fastened to the back side of the item.   
     
     
         5 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one elongate bar comprises a single elongate bar.   
     
     
         6 . A hanger according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the single elongate bar includes a center notch disposed at the top edge of the bar.   
     
     
         7 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one elongate bar comprises first and second bar members that are moveable relative to one another to selectively adjust effective length of the first and second bar members.   
     
     
         8 . A hanger according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first bar member includes one of the two openings and one of the two hooks; and   the second bar member includes another of the two openings and another of the two hooks.   
     
     
         9 . A hanger according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first bar member is disposed in front of the second bar member and includes an elongate slot that receives a threaded post of the second bar member.   
     
     
         10 . A hanger according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 a nut or bolt operably disposed on the threaded post of the second bar member is configured to selectively fix the first bar member to the second bar member and set the effective length of the first and second bar members.   
     
     
         11 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spirit level secured to a planar front surface of the least one elongate bar.   
     
     
         12 . A hanger according to  claim 1 , which is formed from metal or other rigid material. 
     
     
         13 . A method of fabricating a hanger for supporting an item on a vertical support surface, the method comprising:
 providing at least one elongate flat bar;   forming two openings extending between corresponding planar front and back surfaces of the at least one elongate flat bar, wherein the two opening are each configured to receive a fastener for attachment to the support surface; and   bending a portion of the at least one elongate flat bar to form two hooks that extend forward and upward from the at least one planar front surface.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the two hooks each include a respective transition from the at least one planar front surface.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the two hooks are defined by bending two corresponding tabs forward and upward from the at least one planar front surface.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the two hooks are defined by bending two corresponding tabs forward and downward from the at least one planar front surface.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the two tabs are formed by parallel cuts through a top edge of the at least one elongate flat bar.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the two openings comprise at least one thru-hole or elongate slot.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the two hooks are configured to capture or snag a wire, cable or other filament fastened to the back side of the item.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 forming a center notch disposed at a top edge of the elongate bar.   
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the flat bar is formed from metal or other rigid material.   
     
     
         22 . A method for supporting an item on a vertical support surface, the method comprising:
 providing the hanger of  claim 1 ;   while locating the hanger at a desired position on the support surface, using fasteners that extend through the two openings of the hanger to secure the hanger to the support surface; and   using the two hooks of the hanger to capture or snag a wire, cable or other filament fastened to the back side of the item to thereby support the item on the support surface.   
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the hanger is positioned in a horizontal orientation on the support surface.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the hanger further comprises a spirit level secured to the planar front surface of the least one elongate bar; and   the sprit level is used as a guide to position the hanger in a horizontal orientation on the support surface.   
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the hanger comprises first and second bar members that are moveable relative to one another to selectively adjust effective length of the first and second bar members, wherein the first bar member includes one of the two openings and one of the two hooks, and wherein the second bar member includes another of the two openings and another of the two hooks.   
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 prior to securing the hanger to the support surface, moving the first and second bar members relative to one another to selectively adjust and fix the effective length of the first and second bar members.   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first bar member is disposed in front of the second bar member and includes an elongate slot that receives a threaded post of the second bar member; and   a nut or bolt operably disposed on the threaded post of the second bar member is configured to selectively fix the first bar member to the second bar member and set the effective length of the first and second bar members.   
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first bar member is disposed within guide walls of a second bar member, and the first and second bar members move relative to one another to selectively adjust and fix the effective length of the first and second bar members by securing the first and second bar members to the support surface by means of fasteners.