SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING OBJECTS ON A WALL

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/955,529, filed Aug. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully recited herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of a system and method for securing objects on a wall. More particularly, the present invention is a system and method for securing objects on a wall using a body that is secured on the wall that allows an individual to align one or more objects in a desired arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Artwork, pictures and other objects typically adorn the walls and other structures of most households and work environments. Many times, it is difficult to hang these different types of wall hangings in desired arrangements. Usually, one or more individuals must carefully measure and level each wall hanging, which may be both time consuming and expensive.

Additionally, an individual may often times desire to include a pattern or other border to accompany the arrangement of the wall hangings. Moreover, an individual may desire to include a personalized saying and/or meaning to the desired arrangement contained within the pattern or border of the arrangement. Typically, an individual achieves the desired pattern or border and personalized effects by painting the wall with the saying and/or meaning or by adding a structure to the desired pattern. Every time a new structure or other wall hanging is added to the wall, the additional wall hanging must be carefully measured and leveled, adding additional time. Furthermore, if a wall is painted to obtain a desired pattern or border, the wall will probably require repainting if the wall hangings are removed.

Consequently, there is a need for a new system and method for securing wall hangings. Preferably, the system and method may be applied quickly and without significant leveling and measuring for one or more wall hangings. It is preferred that the system and method are visually appealing. Preferably, and individual may detach the system and method without causing significant harm to the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other advantages are provided by exemplary embodiments of the system and method for securing objects on a wall. Typically, the system and method includes a body that has a pattern or design situated on at least a front face of the body. The pattern or design is adapted to frame at least one object secured on the wall. The body includes a means for securing the body on the wall.

In some embodiments, the body is adapted to surround at least one photo frame.

Usually, the body includes at least one marking indicating where each object is secured within the periphery of the body.

In some embodiments, the body includes a name or monogram that is integrated into the pattern or design.

A system of the present invention may be employed by an individual to facilitate securing one or more objects on a wall or other structure in a desired arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a body is provided for use with a system and method for securing objects on a wall. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 such a system 10 may comprise a body 100 and a means for realeasably securing 110 the body 100 on the wall. In this particular embodiment, the body 100 is substantially rectangular in shape and has a design or pattern 120 that is adapted to surround at least one object secured on the wall. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the body 100 may be any number of geometries. Although in this particular embodiment, the body 100 is adapted to surround five picture frames, as seen in FIG. 1, the body 100 may be adapted to surround any number of picture frames or other objects that are capable of being secured on a wall.

In this particular embodiment, the body 100 is a sheet with a low-profile height, giving the body 100 a predominately two-dimensional appearance. However, in other exemplary embodiments, a portion or all of the body 100 may project further from the wall and have a more significant three-dimensional apperance, depending upon the design considerations and other factors.

The body 100 may be made of any one or combination of materials, such as, for example, wood, fiberglass, ceramics, plastics or metals. Preferably, the body 100 is made of a material that is wear resistant to promote longer use. In one exemplary embodiment, the body 100 is fabricated from vinyl. Additionally, it is preferred, but not necessary that the body 100 is fabricated from a material that does not significantly harm the wall when the body 100 is released from the wall after securement.

In whatever form, the body 100 has a design or pattern 120 situated on at least a front face of the body 100. Preferably, but not necessarily, the design or pattern 120 is adapted to surround at least one object secured on the wall. The pattern or design 120 may include any number of colors. However, the pattern or design 120 may be a single color. In certain embodiments, the pattern or design 120 may cover the entire front face of the body 100. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the pattern or design 120 may cover only a portion of the front face of the body 100. Preferably, but not necessarily, the pattern or design 120 is integral with the body 100.

Preferably, but not necessarily, a name or other monogram 130 may be integrated into the pattern or design 120 of the body 100. The name or other monogram 130 may be situated in any location on the body 100, as desired. In exemplary embodiments, the name or other monogram 130 may be any number of combination of colors. Also, other exemplary embodiments may use different fonts or styles of font for the name or monograms 130. In this particular embodiment, the name or monogram 130 is printed onto the body 100. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the name or monogram 130 may be an integral part of the body 100, such as, but not limited to a raised portion of a face. Also, other means for applying a name or monogram 130 to the body 100 may be used and are anticipated by the system 10.

In exemplary embodiments of the system 10, the body 100 may include at least one marking 140 indicating where each object is secured within the periphery of the body 100. The marking 140 may be situated in any location on the body 100, as desired. It is preferred that the markings 140 are situated to facilitate the alignment of objects that are secured on a wall, and may decrease the time and effort to secure objects on the wall. Additionally, the markings may improve the overall alignment of the arrangement of one or more objects. As seen in the example illustrated by FIG. 1, the body 100 may include five markings that are substantially parallel in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the markings 140 are substantially equidistant from one another in the horizontal direction. Although this particular embodiment includes five markings 140, any number of markings 140 may be used in the system 10. While this particular embodiment illustrates the markings 140 in a parallel arrangement, the markings 140 may be placed in any number of arrangements on the body, depending on the arrangement of the objects desired. Preferably, but not necessarily, each marking 140 contains multiple hatch marks or similar symbols along a vertical line. In this embodiment, the hatch marks represent the location where to secure different securing mechanisms and for varying sizes of picture frames. The markings 140 may be any number of different symbols or indicators in other exemplary embodiments of the system 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the body includes a means for releasably securing 110 the body 100 on the wall. In this particular embodiment, the means for releasably securing 110 is adhesive that is applied to the back face of the body 100. Preferably, but not necessarily, two different varieties of adhesive may be used. The first variety of adhesive is a water-dip variety of adhesive that must first be dipped in water prior to the application of the body 100. In this embodiment, once the body 100 is dipped on water, the glue loosens in the adhesive and the body 100 may be releasably secured on the wall. In another embodiment, the system 10 uses a peel-and-stick adhesive that transfers the body 100 upon peeling the body 100 from a base. In other exemplary embodiments, any adhesive that adequately releasably secures the body 100 on the wall may be used.

In another exemplary embodiment, magnets may be secured directly to the back face of the body 100 and on the wall to releasably secure the body 100. In order for the magnets to properly releasably secure the body 100, the magnets on the body 100 are polarized opposite the magnets on the wall. If like poles are placed in close proximity to one another, the magnetic force between the like poles will not allow the body 100 to releasably secure on the wall.

In other embodiments, the system 10 may include alternative means for releasably securing the body 100 on the wall. For example, a snap and lock system may be used to releasably secure the body on a wall. In this system, the back face of the body 100 may include a protrusion and the wall includes a second body adapted to receive the protrusion. The snap and lock system would allow the body 100 to releasably secure on the wall. In another embodiment, the system 10 may use a device such as that trademarked under the name Velcro. Other exemplary embodiments may use alternative means for releasably securing the body on the wall and these alternative means are anticipated by the present invention.

In operation, as explained above, the body may be releasably secured on a wall by an individual. However, in other embodiments, the body may be releasably secured on a wall by an automated means. Preferably, but not necessarily, the individual or automated means levels the body after securing the body on the wall. Any type of leveling means may be used to level the body on the wall.

In one method, the individual or automated means may assure that there are no wrinkles or bubbles in the body after the body is secured on the wall. If so, the individual or automated means may smooth out the wrinkles or bubbles by applying constant pressure on the body from an inner portion of the body to the outer edges of the body.

Once the body is properly secured and aligned on the wall, the user or an automated means may secure one or more objects on the wall so that each object is secured within the periphery of the body. The objects may be secured on the wall by any type of means for securing. Preferably, but not necessarily, the individual or automated means aligns the objects secured within the periphery of the body by using the markings found on the body. As described above, the markings may be found in any variety of arrangements.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.