This disclosure relates generally to a hanging and shipping system and device. The hanging and shipping system provides a hanging mechanism to secure the wall hanging object to a wall and a protector device to facilitate safe shipping of the hanging mechanism and the wall hanging object.
Since antiquity, humans have used art to adorn and beautify walls inside the structures in which they reside. Indeed, much of the information we have about early humans is left to us by rock carvings, cave paintings, and other adornments left in rocks where these humans existed. Ironically, the feature of rock carvings and cave paintings that causes them to endure the ages is also one of their chief drawbacks. Namely, rock carvings and cave paintings are immovable, literally set in stone. Later paintings created on the walls of ancient Egypt's buildings have been less successful at remaining intact but are indicative of a continuing human desire to adorn places people frequent with aesthetically pleasing decoration. While some of the buildings constructed in ancient Egypt have survived, many have not and thus, any paintings or other art left on inside or outside walls of these buildings have been lost to time.
As the power of Rome grew and the power of Egypt waned, Roman influence initiated a transition from painting directly on walls to wooden panel paintings. Panel wall hanging became more mobile and could be painted in one location and installed in another location although large panel paintings were heavy and were difficult to move.
Paper initially was invented by the Chinese and later adopted by the Islamic world and subsequently introduced to Europe during medieval times. Paper was used primarily in books and became a medium for the written word but not for visual art. Colors on paper bled into the paper and faded over time. Furthermore, because paper is light, fragile, and easily damaged paper requires extra care or binding in a book to protect and maintain its form.
Finally, canvas was developed during the Renaissance, or at least widely used by many historically important artists. Canvas is light weight but unlike wooden panel art or cave painting canvas is easily damaged, especially when being moved from one place to another. In order to protect canvas paintings, and to some extent paintings on paper, frames were installed around the artwork to protect the canvas. Frames also provided sufficient structural integrity to allow the artwork to be hung by attachment to a wall or other surface. Conventional frames included two attachment points between which a wire connected to opposing sides of the frame. Today, frames are used for the same purposes they have always been used for, namely hanging and protecting artwork. At the same time, frames have the same problems they have always had. Frames typically add weight to the work of art which makes attaching the work of art to a wall more difficult, renders the work of art more susceptible to damage during conveyance of the work of art, and may detract from the visual impression of the art. For example, a gaudy frame, according to many opinions, may detract from the art work it encases.
Recently, a more minimalist approach has been adopted by the artistic community to simplify artwork by ensuring that the focus of an observer is on the art itself and not on the adornments that surround it. Thus, it has become desirable to remove art from a frame. On the other hand, eliminating a frame does pose some problems. As previously mentioned, frameless art may experience damage during shipping and may eliminate an ability to hang the art on the wall.
To further these artistic ends, floating wall hangings have been developed. These wall hangings are referred to as floating wall hangings because they are mounted in a manner that causes the wall hanging to look like it is floating away from the wall (e.g., the artwork is separated from the wall by a gap between the artwork and the wall). In this manner, the art on the wall hanging speaks for itself without adornment by a frame. Further, when a floating wall hanging is installed in a location with proper lighting, a shadow cast by the floating wall hanging may further define and add simple beauty to the artwork.
The beauty and simplicity of a floating wall hanging is not without setbacks. First, because there is no frame the outer edge of the floating wall hanging is vulnerable to damage. Also, the mounted device on the back to extend the wall hanging off the wall is also prone to damage because it extends out off of the wall hanging. Secondly, placing a mounting device on the back of the wall hanging may be difficult because it is requisite that the mounting device be accurately placed to allow the wall hanging to be displayed properly when attached to a wall.
It is therefore one object of this disclosure to provide a wall hanging support and shipping system which protects the floating wall hanging and mounting device. It is a further object of this disclosure to provide a wall hanging support and shipping device which allows easy and accurate display of a floating wall hanging when attached to a wall.
Disclosed herein is a hanging and shipping support system. The hanging and shipping support system includes a wall hanging. The wall hanging includes a front panel and a back panel. The hanging shipping support system further includes a hanging and shipping support device. The hanging and shipping support device includes a hanger support having a thickness and a hanger. The hanging and shipping support system further includes a packaging device having a thickness that is substantially similar to the hanger support thickness.
Also disclosed herein is a hanging and shipping support device. The hanging and shipping support device includes a hanging support having a thickness, a hanger, and a packaging device. The packaging device has a thickness that is substantially similar to the thickness of the hanger support.
The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of a hanging and shipping support system and device. The illustrated embodiments are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set forth, such as particular techniques and configurations, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the system and device disclosed herein. While the techniques and embodiments will primarily be described in context with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the techniques and embodiments may also be practiced in other similar devices.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is further noted that elements disclosed with respect to particular embodiments are not restricted to only those embodiments in which they are described. For example, an element described in reference to one embodiment or figure, may be alternatively included in another embodiment or figure regardless of whether or not those elements are shown or described in another embodiment or figure. In other words, elements in the figures may be interchangeable between various embodiments disclosed herein.
Disposed in hanger support 115 is hanger 120. Hanger support 115 may include a single hanger 120 or a plurality of hangers 120. Hanger 120 may also be implemented as a wire connected between one or two hanger supports 115, a single or double “D ring” mount (e.g., a metal ring shaped like the letter “D”) on one or more hanger support 115, and a plurality of hangers 120 that are disposed in one or more hanger support 115. A wall hanging may be connected via hanger 120 to the wall by a nail, hook, adhesive element (e.g., an adhesive strip or adhesive dot having adhesive on two sides), hook and loop faster or other hanging device (not shown). Hanger 120 provides a connection mechanism for securing wall hanging 100 to a wall and may include a recess which may receive a hook or a nail disposed in a wall to attach a wall hanging to the wall.
Packaging 125 may be installed on a back of wall hanging 100 and may have a length and width that is substantially similar to the length and width of wall hanging 100. Packaging 125 also may also include a thickness that is substantially similar to a thickness of hanger support 115. The term “substantially the same,” “similar,” “substantially similar,” or the like in the context of relative lengths, widths, and thicknesses means that corresponding lengths widths and thicknesses may be within 2% of each other. Packaging 125 further includes an aperture that is substantially similar in length and width to hanger support 115 which allows packaging 125 to slip over hanger support 115 such that hanger support 115 nests within an aperture of packaging 125, as will be discussed below. Packaging 125 is secured to hanger support 115 because of friction between hanger support 115 and the aperture of packaging 125. Because packaging 125 includes substantially the same thickness when hanger support 115 is disposed into packaging 125, a rearmost surface of hanger support 115 and packaging 125 provides a flat surface on a back side of the wall hanging. This flat surface allows wall hanging 100 to be easily stacked and/or shipped. Packaging 125 may also be attached to back panel 110 of wall hanging 100. This attachment may use any techniques known in the art which may include but is not limited to adhesive friction. For example, packaging 125 may include a rim around the outer border of the packaging 125. The inside perimeter of the rim comprises a height and width that is substantially similar to a height and width of the outer border of wall hanging 100. Wall hanging 100 may be attached by placing the rim of packaging 125 around outer edge of wall hanging 100. As a result, packaging 125 is held in place because of the friction between the packaging 125 and the wall hanging 100. Exemplary material for constructing packaging 125 may include materials similar to those discussed above with respect to hanger support 115.
Disposed in hanger support 215 is hanger 220. Hanger support 215 may include a single hanger 220 or a plurality of hangers 220. As before, hanger 220 may also be implemented as a wire connected between one or two hanger supports 215, a single or double “D ring” mount (e.g., a metal ring shaped like the letter “D”) on one or more hanger support 215, and a plurality of hangers 220 that are disposed in one or more hanger support 215. A wall hanging may be connected via hanger 220 to the wall by a nail, hook, adhesive, hook and loop faster or other hanging device not shown. Hanger 220 provides a connection mechanism for securing wall hanging 200 to a wall and may include a recess which may receive a hook or a nail disposed in a wall to attach a wall hanging to the wall. Attached to the hanger support is packaging 215. There is an aperture in packaging 225 that is substantially the same height width and thickness as the hanger support 220.
Packaging 225 may be installed on a back of wall hanging 200 and may have a length and width that is substantially similar to the length and width of wall hanging 200. Packaging 225 also may also include a thickness that is substantially similar to a thickness of hanger support 215. Packaging 225 further includes an aperture that is substantially similar in length and width to hanger support 215 which allows packaging 225 to slip over hanger support 215 such that hanger support 215 nests within packaging 225. Packaging 225 is secured to hanger support 215 because of friction between hanger support 215 and the aperture of packaging 225. Because packaging 225 includes substantially the same thickness when hanger support 215 is disposed into packaging 225, a rearmost surface of hanger support 215 and packaging 225 provides a flat surface on a back side of the wall hanging. This flat surface allows wall hanging 200 to be easily stacked and/or shipped. Packaging 225 may also be attached to back panel 210 of wall hanging 200. This attachment may use any techniques known in the art which may include but is not limited to adhesive or friction.
Disposed in hanger support 315 is hanger 320. Hanger support 315 may include a single hanger 320 or a plurality of hangers 320. Hanger 320 may also be implemented as a wire connected between one or two hanger supports 315, a single or double “D ring” mount (e.g., a metal ring shaped like the letter “D”) on one or more hanger support 315, and a plurality of hangers 320 that are disposed in one or more hanger support 315. A wall hanging may be connected via hanger 320 to the wall by a nail, hook, adhesive, hook and loop faster or other hanging device not shown. Hanger 320 provides a connection mechanism for securing wall hanging 300 to a wall and may include a recess which may receive a hook or a nail disposed in a wall to attach a wall hanging to the wall.
Packaging 325 may be installed on a back of wall hanging 300 and may have a length and width that is substantially similar to the length and width of wall hanging 300. Packaging 325 also may also include a thickness that is substantially similar to a thickness of hanger support 315. Packaging 325 further includes an aperture that is substantially similar in length and width to hanger support 315 which allows packaging 325 to slip over hanger support 315 such that hanger support 315 nests within packaging 325. Packaging 325 is secured to hanger support 315 because of friction between hanger support 315 and the aperture of packaging 325. As shown in
Disposed in hanger support 415 is hanger 420. Hanger support 415 may include a single hanger 420 or a plurality of hangers 420. Hanger 420 may also be implemented as a wire connected between one or two hanger supports 415, a single or double “D ring” mount (e.g., a metal ring shaped like the letter “D”) on one or more hanger support 415, and a plurality of hangers 420 that are disposed in one or more hanger support 415. A wall hanging may be connected via hanger 420 to the wall by a nail, hook, adhesive, hook and loop faster or other hanging device not shown. Hanger 420 provides a connection mechanism for securing wall hanging 400 to a wall and may include a recess which may receive a hook or a nail disposed in a wall to attach a wall hanging to the wall.
Packaging 515 may be installed on a back of wall hanging 500 and may have a length and width that is substantially similar to the length and width of wall hanging 500. Packaging 515 also may also include a thickness that is substantially similar to a thickness of hanger supports 505 and 510. Packaging 515 further includes apertures that are substantially similar in length and width to hanger supports 505 and 510 which allows packaging 515 to slip over hanger supports 505 and 510 such that hanger supports 505 and 510 nest within packaging 515. Packaging 515 is secured to hanger supports 505 and 510 because of friction between hanger supports 505 and 510 and the apertures 540 and 545 of packaging 515. Because packaging 515 includes substantially the same thickness when hanger supports 505 and 510 are disposed into packaging 515, a rearmost surface of hanger supports 505 and 510 and packaging 515 provides a flat surface on a back side of the wall hanging. This flat surface allows wall hanging 500 to be easily stacked and/or shipped. Packaging 515 may also be attached to back panel 535 of wall hanging 500. This attachment may use any techniques known in the art which may include but is not limited to adhesive or friction.
Attached to hanger support 615 is hanger 620. Hanger 620 may be disposed in hanger support 615 or include a plurality of hangers 620. Hanger 620 may also be implemented as a wire connected between one or two hanger supports 615, a single or double “D ring” mount (e.g., a metal ring shaped like the letter “D”) on one or more hanger support 615, and a plurality of hangers 620 that are disposed in one or more hanger support 615. A wall hanging may be connected via hanger 620 to the wall by a nail, hook, adhesive, hook and loop faster or other hanging device not shown. Hanger 620 provides a connection mechanism for securing wall hanging 600 to a wall and may include a recess which may receive a hook or a nail disposed in a wall to attach a wall hanging to the wall.
Disposed in hanger support 715 is hanger 720. Hanger support 715 may include a single hanger 720 or a plurality of hangers 720. Hanger 720 may also be implemented as a wire connected between one or two hanger supports 715, a single or double “D ring” mount (e.g., a metal ring shaped like the letter “D”) on one or more hanger support 715, and a plurality of hangers that are disposed in one or more hanger support 715. A wall hanging may be connected via hanger 720 to the wall by a nail, hook, adhesive, hook and loop faster or other hanging device not shown. Hanger 720 provides a connection mechanism for securing wall hanging 700 to a wall and may include a recess which may receive a hook or a nail disposed in a wall to attach a wall hanging to the wall. Attached to the hanger support is packaging 715. Packaging 725 may further include an aperture 730 that is substantially the same height width and thickness as the hanger support 720 where aperture 730 is co-located with respect to wall hanging 700 with hanger support 715 such that hanger support 715 may be disposed inside aperture 730 while the edges of packaging 720 are substantially even in terms of height and width with back panel 710 of wall hanging 700.
Packaging 725 may be installed on a back of wall hanging 700 and may have a length and width that is substantially similar to the length and width of wall hanging 700. Packaging 725 also may also include a thickness that is substantially similar to a thickness of hanger support 715. Packaging 725 further includes an aperture 730 that is substantially similar in length and width to hanger support 715 which allows packaging 725 to slip over hanger support 715 such that hanger support 715 nests within packaging 725. Packaging 725 is secured to hanger support 215 because of friction between hanger support 215 and the aperture 730 of packaging 725. Because packaging 725 includes substantially the same thickness when hanger support 715 is disposed into packaging 725, a rearmost surface of hanger support 715 and packaging 725 provides a flat surface on a back side of the wall hanging. This flat surface allows wall hanging 700 to be easily stacked and/or shipped. Packaging 725 may also be attached to back panel 710 of wall hanging 700. This attachment may use any techniques known in the art which may include but is not limited to adhesive or friction.
Wall hanging 700 and shipping support system and device may also include a front panel protector 735 that protects front panel 705 and wall hanging 700. This attachment may use any techniques known in the art. For example, Front panel protector 735 may extend to a border of wall hanging 700. Front panel protector 735 may include a rim around the outer border of the front panel protector 735. The inside perimeter of the rim of the front panel protector 735 comprises a height and width that is substantially similar to a height and width of the outer border of wall hanging 700. As a result, front panel protector 735 may be secured because of the friction between the front panel protector 735 rim and wall hanging 700.
Disposed to hanger support 815 is a plurality of hangers 820 oriented at locations on hanger support 815 that are 90° apart from each other, as shown in