FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices for hanging pictures and other articles on walls. More specifically, the present invention is an extension sleeve that fits over the hook of a standard picture hanger.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hanging a picture, framed item, or other decoration on a vertical wall using standard picture hangers or hooks, wherein the decoration has hanging wire or D-ring mounted on the back of its frame.
Hooks and other similar picture hanging devices can be easily attached to walls, allowing a picture frame with a wire or ring to hang from the hook. However, since these hooks are intended to be concealed behind the picture frame, guiding the wire or ring of a picture frame onto the hook can be difficult, requiring one hand to hold the picture near the wall while reaching into a small area to maneuver the wire or ring onto the hook. This task becomes particularly difficult and generally requires the help of additional hands when the picture is large.
The present invention is an attachment for picture hangers/hooks, that extends the effective reach of the hook, making it easy to snag the hanging wire or ring onto the hook without the need to reach behind the picture to hand guide it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a left-side elevation view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a right-side elevation view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a section view of the present invention about section line A-A of FIG. 4 in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a section view of the present invention about section line B-B of FIG. 6 in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a bottom front perspective view of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an illustration of the present invention in use in accordance with at least one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a wall hanger extension device configured to extend the length of a wall hook or hanger, allowing a ring, wire, or other decoration hanging hardware to be more easily engaged with the hook. The present invention comprises a base portion 1 and an extension portion 2 formed into an elongated member.
The base portion 1 of the present invention is configured to interface with a wall hook or hanger and comprises a first end 10 and a second end 11, oppositely positioned from one another about the base portion 1. The base portion 1 further comprises a base cavity 12 positioned on the first end 10 of the base portion 1. The base cavity 12 is a bore or hole that extends into the base portion 1 at the first end 10. The base cavity 12 preferably extends into the base portion 1 normal to the surface at the first end 10. The base cavity 12 is configured to accept and secure the hook portion of a wall hanger or hook. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8-10, the base cavity 12 is rectangular in shape. However, in alternative embodiments, the base cavity 12 may be other shapes as needed to interact with specific hooks, such as the elliptical base cavity 12 shown in FIG. 11. The base cavity 12 preferably extends the entire length of the base portion 1, but in some embodiments, the base cavity 12 may be shallower or deeper.
The extension portion 2 of the present invention is attached to the base portion 1, configured to extend outward away from the hook. The extension portion 2 comprises a proximal end 20 and a distal end 21, oppositely positioned from one another about the extension portion 2. The proximal end 20 of the extension portion 2 is connected to the second end 11 of the base portion 1, preferably as an integrally formed device. The extension portion 2 may further comprise a plurality of section, wherein each of the plurality of sections 22 is separable from the extension portion 2. This allows one or more of the plurality of sections 22 to be removed from the extension portion 2, adjusting the length of the extension portion 2 during or after use of the present invention. The extension portion 2 may further comprise a plurality of perforations 23, wherein the plurality of perforations 23 is positioned along the extension portion 2, delineating the plurality of sections 22. The plurality of perforations 23 is configured to facilitate separation of the plurality of sections 22 from the extension portion 2. While the plurality of sections 22 of the extension portion 2 is preferably separated by the plurality of perforations 23, some embodiments of the present invention may comprise an alternative mechanism for separating the plurality of sections 22 from the extension portion 2, including a mechanism that allows the plurality of sections 22 to be reattached to the extension portion 2 after separation.
In the preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 1-10, the extension portion 2 may be straight in shape from the proximal end 20 to the distal end 21, extending straight away from the base portion 1. In alternative embodiments, such as is shown in FIG. 11, the extension portion 2 may be curved in shape from the proximal end 20 to the distal end 21. The extension portion 2 being curved may be beneficial to keep the present invention near the wall where it is being used, rather than extending a significant distance from the wall. The length of the extension portion 2 may vary in different embodiments; however, in the preferred embodiment, the length of the extension portion 2 from the proximal end 20 to the distal end 21 is at least twice the length of the base portion 1 from the first end 10 to the second end 11. Additionally, the extension portion 2 may taper from the proximal end 20 to the distal end 21. This means that the area of a cross section of the extension portion 2 at the proximal end 20 may be greater than the area of a cross section of the extension portion 2 at the distal end 21. By tapering from the proximal end 20 to the distal end 21, the extension portion 2 can maintain strength and structure while having a small area at the distal end 21 for engagement with a ring or wire of a picture frame. The present invention, both the base portion 1 and the extension portion 2, is preferably made of a hard plastic or similar material, allowing it to flex/deform slightly while maintaining shape and providing support.
The use of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. In use, the present invention is engaged with a hook or hanger that is attached to a wall. This is done by placing the base cavity 12 over the end of the hanger, securing the present invention to the hanger with the extension portion 2 extending away from the wall and the hanger. With the present invention attached to the hanger, the hanger has additional reach and the wire, ring, or other hanging mechanism of a picture frame or other decoration can be easily threaded with the distal end 21 of the extension portion 2. The hanging mechanism of the decoration can then slide along the length of the extension portion 2 to the base portion 1 and rest along the base portion 1, extension portion 2, or hanger. In some cases, the extension portion 2 may extend beyond the frame/decoration. In such a case, the extension portion 2 can be shortened by removing one or more of the plurality of sections 22 from the extension portion 2. In the preferred embodiment, this is done by bending, pulling, or otherwise separating the plurality of sections 22 at one or more of the plurality of perforations 23 until the desired length of the extension portion 2 is reached. In some cases, the present invention may be entirely removed from the hanger once the ring or wire is guided onto the hanger, allowing the present invention to be reused for another project.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20240365999
