FASTENING ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening element for height-adjustable fastening of pictures. State of the art

[0002] The many years of experience in hanging pictures and artworks, especially in the field of art, and the complications that continually arise through various structural conditions of the exhibition spaces and surfaces such as sloping ceilings, fragile walls, old building masses, and the like, or through special design concepts on the part of the artists such as the composition of several smaller formats to form larger picture units, has revealed the need for a continuously adjustable fastening element for the subsequent vertical alignment of pictures or artworks.

[0003] When hanging pictures / picture frames, or related artworks, the problem often arises that the fastening elements must be precisely aligned in height to ensure that the pictures or picture frames are hung horizontally or straight. Especially when several pictures are to be hung in a row, the alignment and adjustment of the fastening elements presents a significant challenge. On the one hand, drill holes cannot be precisely positioned, and on the other hand, picture frames are often not exactly the same height and dimension. This creates the need to be able to align or adjust the height of the individual fastening elements after installation.

[0004] DE 20 2017 006 535 U1 discloses essentially circular picture hangers with eccentric holes. When the picture hanger is mounted through the eccentric hole, a different stroke can be achieved depending on the rotational position of the picture hanger. However, such picture hangers have the disadvantage that they interact with a specially designed mounting bar on a picture frame to ensure secure mounting. Therefore, such fastening elements cannot allow the mounting of any picture frame independently of the mounting bar.

[0005] WO 97 / 32508 A1 discloses fastening elements for wall mounting furniture. These fastening elements are designed as a polygon with seven side surfaces at different distances from the center point. By rotating the fastening element around a central bore, the side surfaces for supporting the piece of furniture can be changed, thus achieving height adjustment. While such fastening elements enable high load transfer due to their straight side surfaces, they are limited in the number of possible positions. Furthermore, such fastening elements are difficult to adjust, especially under load, since changing the straight side surfaces requires rotation across a corner point (with a significant load displacement).

[0006] From CN 107 467 988 A a fastening element according to the preamble of claim 1 is also known. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The present invention therefore has the object of providing a fastening means of the type mentioned at the outset, which can be easily adjusted in height and at the same time enables a secure support surface for fastening picture frames with a high load transfer, thus being suitable for the universal fastening of picture frames of different types.

[0008] The invention solves the stated problem by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims, as well as from the embodiments presented below.

[0009] According to one aspect, the fastening element according to the invention comprises a body with a front side, a back side and a bore, wherein the bore penetrates the fastening element along a bore axis from the front side to the back side and is designed for fastening the fastening element to a wall by means of a fastening means at a rotation angle relative to a vertical direction.

[0010] The hole axis, which penetrates the fastener from front to back, allows free rotation of the fastener around the hole axis when the fastener is attached to a wall using a fastener through the hole. The rotation angle of the fastener can thus be adjusted as desired by rotating it around the fastener or around the hole axis.

[0011] According to a further aspect, the body of the fastening element has a front lateral surface which forms a support area of ​​the fastening element and extends between a front outer contour on the front side and a middle outer contour, wherein the front and middle outer contours have a different distance from the bore axis at at least two points

[0012] The support area on the front of the fastening element creates a secure support for the picture frame, the height of which can be adjusted by rotating the fastening element around the bore axis. For this purpose, the support area is formed by the connecting surface between a front outer contour on the front side and a central outer contour of the fastening element. The front and central outer contours are each designed such that they are at different distances from the bore axis when rotated around the bore axis, thus enabling the height of the fastening element to be adjusted for mounting pictures.

[0013] According to a further aspect, the fastening element according to the invention also has a rear lateral surface which tapers towards the rear side and forms a holding region of the fastening element and extends between a rear outer contour on the rear side and the central outer contour.

[0014] The holding area allows for easy gripping and adjustment of the fastener without the need for special tools. The tapered rear surface, which tapers towards the back, allows for comfortable and secure gripping and turning of the fastener around the bore axis by hand, even if the fastener is already connected to a wall by the fastener and lightly tightened. If the fastener is tightened more firmly, the tapered rear outer contour and the resulting reduced contact surface against the wall enable a torsion-proof fastening of the fastener.The smaller contact surface tends to sink into the masonry when the fastener is tightened, creating high frictional forces between the fastener and the wall, which counteracts accidental rotation of the fastener. This allows for a fastener with high load transfer, for example, from a heavy picture frame.

[0015] In contrast to any other solution approaches or products, the fastening element according to the invention is characterized by its simplicity and cost-effective production in large quantities using the plastic injection molding process, and correspondingly low costs for the end user.

[0016] In addition, the simple and quick adjustment of the height / vertical position, which can be carried out in just a few steps, allows for a tolerance regarding the accuracy of the hanging, which all too often arises through no fault of the artist due to the structural properties of the walls and surfaces.

[0017] In the case of old building walls, for example, the structure and plaster usually contain a large proportion of rubble and small stones, making precise drilling virtually impossible. Positional deviations in the drill holes are therefore almost unavoidable. Hanging artworks perfectly straight is therefore a complex undertaking, usually only achieved by drilling further unnecessary holes and thus damaging the masonry.

[0018] Due to the possibility of vertical readjustment of the fastening element according to the invention, it is possible in such cases - within the scope of the tolerance or height adjustability which varies depending on the variant - to subsequently align sculptures horizontally.

[0019] Likewise, the precise hanging of multiple artworks next to or on top of each other (series hanging) requires the utmost precision, as even minimal deviations are visible and become more pronounced over time. In addition, architectural slopes—for example, at the ceiling finish in historic buildings—can cause even precisely horizontally hung series to appear "optically crooked." Here, too, the advantages of the fastening element according to the invention are evident due to its easy readjustment.

[0020] Furthermore, the advantages of the fastening element according to the invention are evident when hanging artworks that were created and designed to combine smaller formats into a larger final format. Vertical alignment is particularly important here. On the one hand, all formats placed above other pieces must be directly connected to the formats below them, while on the other hand, they must hang securely so that their weight is not supported downwards or tipped forward off the wall.

[0021] The fastening element according to the invention is particularly suitable for hanging canvases stretched on stretcher frames and framed works where the frame is intended or can be used directly for hanging, or works of art with a hanging rail mounted on the back.

[0022] For the purposes of the present invention, a wall is understood to be any flat component that has a space-forming, space-defining, or space-dividing function (wall or partition). The boundary surface or enveloping surface of the wall can take on any desired shape and does not necessarily have to be a straight plane. The wall extends in a horizontal and a substantially vertical direction, whereby the vertical direction can also be diagonal or inclined and does not necessarily have to be vertical. The vertical direction is always defined as the direction that is parallel to the wall and normal to the horizontal, horizontal direction.

[0023] For the purposes of the present invention, a fastening means is understood to mean any means suitable for attaching elements to a wall. Such a fastening means can be, for example, a screw, a bolt, a nail, or the like.

[0024] It should be noted that, to facilitate the description of the invention, reference is made to a fastening element for hanging pictures or picture frames. However, the fastening element according to the invention is also suitable for hanging furniture, mirrors, decorative objects, appliances, or the like. The fastening element according to the invention can also excel in hanging objects on tiled walls, where the drill holes must be placed in the joints. Any subsequent reference to the hanging of pictures or picture frames also includes other comparable objects to be suspended.

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the fastening element are illustrated below using various design variants. It should be noted that the design variants described below can be combined with one another as desired.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front surface of the support area can be substantially cylindrical. "Cylindrical" refers to the general cylindrical shape, i.e., a surface formed by parallel straight lines connecting the corresponding points of two identical, offset curves or contours. The support area is preferably aligned parallel to the bore axis, thus always providing a straight support surface for a picture frame.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rear outer contour can have a smaller diameter than the middle and front outer contours. This is particularly advantageous in the case of round, elliptical, or rounded outer contours, since the reduced diameter of the rear outer contour allows for a simple design to achieve the tapered shape of the holding area.

[0028] Alternatively, according to one embodiment, the rear outer contour can be designed such that (projected onto a plane) it lies entirely within the front and middle outer contours or is enclosed by them, and they do not intersect at any point. This allows the retaining area tapered towards the rear to be achieved even with any shaped outer contours.

[0029] According to one design variant, the front and / or middle and / or rear outer contours can be elongated along a longitudinal direction. The elongated outer contour, in turn, ensures the height adjustability of the fastening element in a structurally simple manner, since the elongated outer contours lead to a lifting or lowering of the support area when the fastening element rotates around the bore axis.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the length of the fastening element (in the longitudinal direction) can correspond to at least twice the width of the fastening element (transverse to the longitudinal direction). Preferably, the length of the fastening element can correspond to at least three times the width, particularly preferably at least four times the width, of the fastening element. Due to the multiple length compared to the width, a particularly advantageous leverage effect can be achieved when rotating the fastening element about the bore axis, so that the fastening element can also be adjusted in its rotation by hand. A tool-free adjustment of the height of the fastening element can thus be achieved. In addition, the difference between length and width enables an advantageous stroke for adjusting the height of the fastening element, which allows the fastening element to be used flexibly.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the front and / or middle outer contours can be substantially elliptical. The elliptical shape with a major and a minor semi-axis represents a simple and reliable way to create an outer contour elongated along a longitudinal direction to generate a rotation-dependent stroke of the fastening element.

[0032] According to one design variant, the front and / or middle outer contours can be formed by a smooth curve. The smooth outer contour is particularly free of steps or edges, thus enabling easy adjustment of the fastening element even under load. Furthermore, the smooth curve of the outer contour enables continuous adjustment of the height of the support area, allowing the fastening element to be adjusted with particular precision.

[0033] According to one design variant, the front and middle outer contours can be essentially congruent or even identical. Congruent outer contours in the front area create a straight support area parallel to the bore axis, which allows for reliable support of a picture frame. By varying the distance between the front and middle outer contours, the width of the support area can be adjusted and thus adapted to different types of picture frames.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear outer contour can be substantially elliptical. The rear outer surface in the holding area can ensure easy and reliable gripping of the fastening element. If the central outer contour is also substantially elliptical, the elliptical outer contours can merge continuously into one another as a tapered ellipse, enabling particularly ergonomic handling.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the invention, corner points of the rear outer contour can lie on a substantially elliptical curve. This can prove particularly advantageous if the rear outer contour is not formed by a smooth curve, but rather consists of partial curves connected to one another at corner points. Preferably, the elliptical curve is not intersected by the partial curves, so that the elliptical curve envelops the rear outer contour. A rear outer contour shaped in this way can form locking lugs at the corner points, which are capable of digging into the masonry and counteracting rotation of the fastening element. Secure fastening with a reduced risk of inadvertent displacement can thus be ensured.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear lateral surface in the holding area is formed by a continuous connection between the central outer contour and the rear outer contour. The rear lateral surface, designed as a continuous connection, allows the fastening element to be gripped ergonomically and securely with the fingers in the holding area and, in particular, to be adjusted without tools.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the rear surface can have a gripping recess in a gripping area. The indentation or recess of the gripping recess in the rear surface can further improve the ergonomic handling of the fastening element. In particular, this can create a dedicated gripping area that allows for reliable gripping and manipulation (e.g., twisting) of the fastening element with the fingers.

[0038] In addition, according to one design variant, the grip recess can also extend to the front surface between the front and middle outer contours. The grip recess can be provided in the front surface in such a way that it does not extend to the front of the fastening element, but rather a ridge of the front surface remains all the way around. This ridge ensures a fully circumferential support area for mounting a picture or picture frame, even when a grip recess is provided.

[0039] According to one design variant, the gripping area with the recessed grip can be arranged on a transverse side of the fastening element. If the fastening element has an elliptical front outer contour, for example, the gripping area can be arranged in the area of ​​the apex of the minor semi-axis of the elliptical front outer contour. The arrangement of the recessed grip on the transverse side of the fastening element enables easy grasping and gripping or rotating of the fastening element due to its smaller width compared to its length. In addition, by arranging the recessed grip on the transverse side, the leverage effect of the long side of the fastening element can be utilized - for example, to rotate the already mounted (and slightly tightened) fastening element around the bore axis and thus adjust the height of the picture.

[0040] The fastening element according to the invention, thanks to its ergonomically shaped waist and recessed grips, can be easily and securely positioned with one hand and held in place before being finally secured with a fastener. In contrast, any circular solutions—especially those with an eccentric hole—are significantly more difficult to handle.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the fastening element can have at least one means on its rear side that is suitable for increasing the friction between the fastening element and the wall. The means for increasing the friction can help prevent unwanted twisting—and thus displacement—of the installed fastening element, for example, due to excessive load or the like.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the at least one means for increasing friction can be a rib. Such a rib can protrude, for example, from the back of the fastening element and press into the masonry or wall covering when the fastening element is tightened, thereby further complicating rotation of the fastening element.

[0043] Particularly high frictional forces can be achieved if the rib extends radially from the bore to the rear outer contour.

[0044] Alternatively, the means for increasing friction can also be a surface corrugation of the back (e.g. in the sense of graining) or a serrated profile.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the fastening element can have at least one means in the support area suitable for securing the picture or picture frame against slipping on the fastening element. The anti-slip means can increase the friction between the picture or picture frame and the support area of ​​the fastening element. Such a means can be formed, for example, by projections, points, roughened portions, adhesive materials, or the like.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the at least one means for securing against slippage can protrude radially relative to the front surface in the support area. A radially protruding means can, for example, engage with a picture frame contacting the support area—for example, press into it—and thus increase the friction between the picture frame and the fastening means. Such a radially protruding means is advantageous for mounting pictures or picture frames made of relatively soft materials, such as wood or plastic, since the means can at least partially penetrate the material.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the at least one means for securing against slippage can be arranged in the region of a longitudinal end of the fastening element. Since the greatest stroke during rotation about the bore axis is achieved at the longitudinal end of the fastening element, the securing means can have the greatest effect at the longitudinal end.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the at least one means for securing against slipping can be a tooth, serration, sawtooth, cutting edge, or the like. This creates a structurally simple and reliable securing means.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the anti-slip means can be provided only at one longitudinal end of the fastening element. The other longitudinal end can remain free of the anti-slip means, thus creating a versatile fastening element.

[0050] In principle, it should be noted that flat artworks that are flush with the wall hang securely due to gravity and cannot slide forward or create unwanted forward leverage. Furthermore, they are generally protected from any mechanical access. However, due to the structural nature of the mounting surfaces, such as uneven wall structure—for example, in older buildings—it may be desirable to provide additional protection.

[0051] The half-sided design of the support area with prongs on the outer long side, which can penetrate into the wood of the stretcher frame or picture frame with light pressure, secures the corresponding pictures against any possible slipping without further complications. Short description of the characters

[0052] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a first axonometric view of a fastening element according to a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a second axonometric view of the fastening element according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a view from below of the fastening element according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 a torn sectional view of the fastening element according to the first embodiment on a wall, Fig. 5 a plan view of the fastening element according to Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 a schematic representation of different rotational positions of the fastening element, Fig. 7 a side view of the transverse side of a fastening element according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8 a plan view of the fastening element according to Fig. 7 , Fig. 9 a torn sectional view through the transverse side of the fastening element according to Fig. 7 , Fig. 10 a side view of the transverse side of a fastening element according to a third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 11 a plan view of the fastening element according to Fig. 10 , Fig. 12 a torn-open sectional view through the transverse side of the fastening element according to Fig. 10 , Fig. 13 a side view of the transverse side of a fastening element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, Fig. 14 a plan view of the fastening element according to Fig. 13 , Fig. 15 a torn-open sectional view through the transverse side of the fastening element according to Fig. 13, Fig. 16 a schematic representation of the use of the fastening elements according to the invention for arranging pictures according to a first embodiment, Fig. 17 a schematic representation of the use of the fastening elements according to the invention for arranging pictures according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 18 a schematic representation of the use of the fastening elements according to the invention for arranging pictures according to a third embodiment. Ways to implement the invention

[0053] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. It is noted that the features of the embodiments described below can be combined with one another in any desired way, unless otherwise stated.

[0054] In the Figures 1 to 5different views of the fastening element 100 according to the invention are shown according to a first embodiment variant. Fig. 1 shows an axonometric view from above and from the side of the fastening element 100, Fig. 2 an axonometric view from below and from the side, Fig. 3 a view from below, Fig. 4 a cutaway sectional view of the fastening element 100 when mounted on a wall 6, and Fig. 5 a plan view of the fastening element 100 when mounted on a wall 6.

[0055] The fastening element 100 has a body 50 with a front side 1 and a rear side 2, between which the body 50 extends. Furthermore, a bore 3 is formed in the body 50 of the fastening element 100, which penetrates the fastening element 100 from the front side 1 to the rear side 2 and is designed to receive a fastening means 4, in particular a screw 5.

[0056] As in the Fig. 4 and 5 As shown, the fastening element 100 can be fastened with the rear side 2 to a wall 6, wherein, to fasten the fastening element 100, the screw 5 is screwed through the bore 3 into the wall 6. The screw 5 can be anchored in the wall 6 using conventional mounting means, such as dowels or the like. The screw 5 is preferably designed as a countersunk head screw 29, wherein the countersunk head 31 is completely received in a corresponding countersunk recess 30 on the front side 1 at the bore 3.

[0057] As in Fig. 5 As shown schematically, the fastening element 100 can be adjusted in its rotation angle 8 after mounting on a wall 6 by rotating it about the bore axis 7. The rotation angle 8 is understood as the rotation of the longitudinal direction 9 of the fastening element 100 relative to the vertical direction 11 of the wall 6.

[0058] The fastening element 100 can thus be used for the continuous vertical adjustment of a picture or picture frame 200. By loosening and retightening the screw 5, the position or rotation angle 8, for example, "from 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock," can be continuously adjusted, fixed in the desired position on the wall, and the pictures 200 or artworks can be aligned horizontally.

[0059] The fastening element 100 has a front lateral surface 12 and a rear lateral surface 13, wherein the front and rear lateral surfaces 12, 13 directly adjoin one another and laterally delimit the body 50.

[0060] The front lateral surface 12 extends between the front outer contour 14 and the middle outer contour 15, which according to the Fig. 1 to 5The illustrated embodiments are elliptical. The front and middle outer contours 14, 15 are also congruent, so that the front outer surface 12 is designed as an elliptical cylindrical outer surface. The front outer contour 14 corresponds to the circumferential edge of the fastening element 100 on the front side 1.

[0061] The front surface 12 also forms a support area 16 on the fastening element 100. The support area 16 serves to support a picture or picture frame 200. The picture frame 200 rests on the fastening element 100 in the support area 16 of the front surface 12 due to gravity and is thus supported.

[0062] The rear outer surface 13 extends between the central outer contour 15 and the rear outer contour 18, whereby the rear outer contour 18, like the front and central outer contours 14, 15, is elliptical according to the first embodiment. The rear outer contour 18 has smaller semi-axis diameters than the front and central outer contours 14, 15, whereby the major and minor semi-axes of all outer contours 14, 15, 18 are parallel to one another. In addition, the centers of the front, middle, and rear outer contours 14, 15, 18 each lie on the bore axis 7. The larger central outer contour 15 is connected, at least in some regions, to the smaller rear outer contour 18 via straight lines in order to obtain a continuous and stepless rear outer surface 13.

[0063] Starting from the front side 1, the rear surface 13 tapers in the shape of an elliptical truncated cone towards the rear side 2. When the fastening element 100 is mounted on a wall 6, a wedge-shaped space is created between them, which leaves room for the fingers of a hand.

[0064] The rear circumferential surface 13 forms a holding area 17, which is suitable for gripping the fastening element 100 with one hand. By gripping the fastening element 100 from both sides in the holding area 17—for example, with the thumb and index finger—the fastening element 100 can be easily grasped due to its tapered shape and can be rotated around the bore axis 7 by applying pressure.

[0065] Due to the elliptical shapes of the front and middle outer contours 14, 15 elongated along the longitudinal directions 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, the distance between the support area 16 and the bore axis 7 can be changed by rotating the fastening element 100 around the bore axis 7, as shown schematically in Fig. 6 is shown. Different rotation angles 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 of the longitudinal directions 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 around the vertical direction 11 thus result in different heights 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 for hanging a picture or a picture frame 200.

[0066] In particular, the large difference between the length of the fastening element 100 in the longitudinal direction 9 and the width in the transverse direction 10, which in the illustrated embodiment is a factor of four, enables a large adjustment range with regard to the heights 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 while at the same time maintaining a small width of the fastening element 100, whereby an ergonomic gripping position can be ensured.

[0067] As can be seen from the Fig. 1 to 3 As can be seen, the rear lateral surface 13 has recessed grips 20 in a gripping area 21. The recessed grips 20 are arranged on both opposite transverse sides (i.e., viewed from the bore axis 7 in the transverse direction 10) of the fastening element 100, so that grasping and holding the fastening element 100 in both recessed grips 20 is facilitated. The arrangement of the recessed grips 20 is preferably at the vertices in the area of ​​the minor semi-axes of the central outer contour 15.

[0068] In addition, the fastening element 100 has on its rear side 2 a means 22 for increasing the friction with the wall 6. This means 22 is - as shown in the Fig. 2 to 4 schematically shown - formed as a corrugation or as projections 23 on the rear side 2. The projections 23 take the form of ribs 24, which extend radially from the bore 3 to the rear outer contour 18. The projections 23 or ribs 24 create a zigzag or sawtooth-like corrugation parallel to the elliptical contour 18. The ribs 24 can press into the wall material of the wall 6 when the screw 5 is screwed on and thus counteract or prevent rotation or twisting of the fastening element 100 about the rotation axis 7.

[0069] The installation of the fastening element 100 can thus be carried out in several stages: the fastening element 100 can first be attached to a wall 6 using the fastener 4 and slightly tightened so that the ribs 24 are not yet pressed into the wall material. The fastening element 100 can then be rotated by hand into the desired rotational position to adjust the height. Finally, the fastener 4 can be firmly tightened to fix the fastening element to the wall 6 by pressing the ribs 24 into the wall material.

[0070] In order to finally hold the picture frame 200 securely on the fastening element 100, the fastening element 100 can - as shown in the Fig. 1 to 5shown additionally have means 25 for securing against slipping. These means 25 are designed as radially projecting teeth 26 or prongs relative to the front lateral surface 12, which can be pressed into a picture frame 200, particularly if the frame is made of soft materials. The teeth 26 are attached in the support area 16 at a longitudinal end - i.e. from the bore 3 in the longitudinal direction 9 - of the fastening element 100. No means 25 are provided on the opposite longitudinal end of the fastening element 100. Thus, the fastening element 100 can be used universally, and a corresponding longitudinal end of the fastening element 100 can be selected depending on the material and nature of the picture frame 200.

[0071] Alternatively, the fastening element 100 can also have adhesion-enhancing coatings or rubber coatings as means 25 for securing against slippage. Such means 25 can be advantageous, for example, with hard and / or smooth materials, such as metal. However, this was not shown in detail in the figures.

[0072] In the Fig. 7 to 15 Fastening elements 101, 102, 103 are shown according to a second, third and fourth embodiment of the invention. The above statements regarding the fastening element 100 with reference to the Figures 1 to 6 Unless otherwise stated below, they are also applicable to the fastening elements 101, 102, 103 of the second, third and fourth embodiments.

[0073] Fig. 7 shows a side view of the short side, Fig. 8 a top view and Fig. 9a sectional view through the transverse side of the fastening element 101 according to the second embodiment.

[0074] Fig. 10 shows a side view of the short side, Fig. 11 a top view and Fig. 12 a sectional view through the transverse side of the fastening element 102 according to the third embodiment.

[0075] Fig. 13 shows a side view of the short side, Fig. 14 a top view and Fig. 15 a sectional view through the transverse side of the fastening element 103 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0076] The front, middle and rear outer contours 14, 15, 18 of the fastening elements 101, 102, 103 are again designed as elliptical curves, wherein the front and middle outer contours 14, 15 are identical or congruent and the rear outer contour 18 is an elliptical curve with shorter semi-axis diameters.

[0077] As a result, the front lateral surface 12 of the fastening elements 101, 102, 103 is again designed in the form of an elliptical cylinder, while the rear lateral surface 13 is designed in the form of an elliptical truncated cone.

[0078] In contrast to the fastening element 100 of the first embodiment, the fastening elements 101, 102, 103 according to the second, third, and fourth embodiments do not have any means 23 for increasing friction with the wall 6. Furthermore, the fastening elements 101, 102, 103 do not have recessed grips 20. Likewise, no means 25 for securing against slipping are provided in the support area 16.

[0079] It is noted, however, that according to further embodiments, which are not shown in detail in the figures, optionally means 23 for increasing the friction with the wall 6 and / or means 25 for securing against slipping and / or recessed grips 20 can be provided.

[0080] Due to the elliptical outer contours 14, 15, 18, the fastening elements 101, 102, 103 are elongated in the longitudinal direction 9 and have a length which corresponds to a multiple of the width.

[0081] The fastening element 101 according to the second embodiment has a length that corresponds to four times its width. The length is selected to be 40 mm, while the width is 10 mm. This configuration allows for a stroke or maximum height adjustment of 15 mm by rotation. The height of the fastening element 101, i.e., the distance between the front side 1 and the back side 2, is 7 mm. The fastening element 101 is particularly suitable for attaching smaller pictures or lighter picture frames.

[0082] The fastening element 102 according to the third embodiment has a length corresponding to 4.27 times its width. The length is selected to be 47 mm, while the width is 11 mm. The achievable stroke, or maximum height adjustment through rotation, is 18 mm. The height of the fastening element 102 is 15 mm. The fastening element 102 is thus suitable for universally fastening pictures or picture frames of a wide variety of different formats and sizes.

[0083] The fastening element 103 according to the fourth embodiment has a length corresponding to 5.45 times its width. The length is selected to be 60 mm, while the width is 11 mm. The achievable stroke, or maximum height adjustment through rotation, is 24.5 mm. The height of the fastening element 103 is 34 mm. The fastening element 103 is therefore particularly suitable for attaching large pictures or picture frames, for example, larger stretcher frames, which have a great depth and require a large stroke for height adjustment.

[0084] The fastening elements 100, 101, 102, 103 according to the invention can be as shown in the Fig. 16 to 18 shown, can be used to hang pictures in different formations where the exact alignment of the pictures to each other is important.

[0085] Fig. 16shows a schematic representation of the use of the fastening elements 100, 101, 102, 103 according to the invention for arranging pictures 201 on a wall 6. The pictures 201 are aligned to one another in two rows along a leading edge, so that straight lines are created at the lower edges of the upper row and at the upper edges of the lower row of pictures 201. Room lines and narrow corridors are characterized by strong perspective foreshortening, which can lead to problems with regard to (serial) hanging or can also be deliberately used for design purposes.

[0086] Such a complex arrangement of images 201 is normally associated with considerable effort, as all images must first be precisely measured, then positioned relative to each other according to their respective dimensions, and the drill holes must be drilled. However, even minor deviations in the drill holes mean that straight alignments can no longer be achieved.

[0087] According to the invention, however, assembly is very simple. The frames 201 can simply be marked by hand approximately at their intended position, and the drill holes can be positioned accordingly, or the fastening elements 100, 101, 102, 103 can be mounted. Height deviations between the individual frames 201 can be easily compensated by rotating the individual fastening elements 100, 101, 102, 103.

[0088] In the Figs. 17 and 18Further schematic representations of the use of the fastening elements 100, 101, 102, 103 according to the invention for arranging pictures 202, 203 on walls 6 are shown. The above statements with regard to Fig. 16 can be applied analogously to the Figs. 17 and 18 be applied.

[0089] In Fig. 17 A so-called salon hanging is shown. In the salon hanging, or Petersburg hanging, walls 6 up to the ceiling are covered with pictures 202 of various formats. Despite meticulous planning, the final overall appearance, including the spacing between the pictures 202, is very difficult to estimate in advance. Horizontal adjustments to the left or right are usually less problematic, but the finer details in the vertical direction are, which can be easily corrected using the fastening elements 100, 101, 102, 103 according to the invention.

[0090] In Fig. 18A symmetrical arrangement of (individual) images 203 to form a (complete) artwork is shown. For artworks created and designed in such a way that smaller formats are combined to form a larger final format, vertical mounting presents additional challenges. Firstly, all formats placed above other parts of the work must directly connect to the formats below them. Secondly, they must hang securely so that their weight is not supported downwards or tipped forwards from the wall. Here, too, the fastening elements according to the invention, with their vertical adjustability, can be advantageously distinguished.

Claims

1. Fastening element for the height-adjustable fastening of pictures (200) or picture frames (200), wherein the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) has a body (50) with a front side (1), a rear side (2) and a bore (3), wherein the bore (3) penetrates the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) along a bore axis (7) from the front side (1) to the rear side (2) and is configured for fastening the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) to a wall (200) by means of a fastening means (4) at a rotation angle (8, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3) relative to a vertical direction (11), wherein the body (50) of the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) comprises a front lateral surface (12) which forms a support area (16) of the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) for supporting the picture (200) or the picture frame (200) and extends between a front outer contour (14) on the front side (1) and a middle outer contour (15), wherein the front outer contour (14) and the middle outer contour (15) have a different distance from the bore axis (7) at at least two points, characterized in that, the body (50) of the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) has a rear lateral surface (13) tapering towards the back side (2), which forms a holding region (17) of the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) for gripping and rotating the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) around the bore axis (7) with a hand and which extends between a rear outer contour (18) on the back side (2) and the middle outer contour (15).

2. Fastening element according to claim 1, characterized in that the front lateral surface (12) is substantially cylindrical.

3. Fastening element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rear outer contour (18) has a smaller diameter, smaller semi-axes or a smaller circumference than the middle outer contour (15) and the front outer contour (14).

4. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front outer contour (14) and / or the middle outer contour (15) and / or the rear outer contour (18) are elongated along a longitudinal direction (9), whereby in particular the front outer contour (14) and / or the middle outer contour (15) are / is substantially elliptical.

5. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the front outer contour (14) and / or the middle outer contour (15) are formed by a smooth curve.

6. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front outer contour (14) and the middle outer contour (15) are substantially congruent.

7. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rear outer contour (18) is substantially elliptical or that the corner points of the rear outer contour (18) lie on an elliptical curve.

8. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rear lateral surface (13) in the holding region (17) is formed by connecting the rear outer contour (18) and the middle outer contour (15) by means of straight lines.

9. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rear lateral surface (13) and / or the front lateral surface (12) comprise a grip recess (20) in a grip region (21), whereby the grip region (21) is arranged on a transverse side of the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103).

10. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) has on its rear side (2) at least one means (22) for increasing the friction.

11. Fastening element according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one means (22) for increasing friction is a rib (24), wherein in particular the rib (24) extends radially from the bore (3) to the rear outer contour (18).

12. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103) in the support area (16) has at least one means (25) for securing against slipping.

13. Fastening element according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one means (25) for securing against slipping protrudes radially relative to the front lateral surface (12).

14. Fastening element according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the at least one means (25) for securing against slipping is arranged in the region of a longitudinal end of the fastening element (100, 101, 102, 103).

15. Fastening element according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the at least one means (25) for securing against slipping is a tooth (26), sawtooth or a cutting edge.