IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,569,080
Granted Patent B2
US 12,569,080 · App. 18/129,338 · Granted Mar 10, 2026

Artwork handling system

Inventor: Michael Sam Athol Arthur George Shmith (Chewton, AU)
Assignee: Alto Art Systems Pty Ltd
A47G1/16B66C1/66A47G2001/1693
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,569,080
App. No.
18/129,338
Granted
Mar 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An artwork handling system including: a bracket having a body being configured to be attached to an artwork, the body having an aperture extending at least partway therethrough; a handling tool, wherein one or more parts forming the aperture are adapted to: transfer weight of the artwork to the handling tool that is inserted into the aperture from a side of the artwork, the side extending transversely to a front surface displaying an artwork area; and assist in holding the artwork with the handling tool.

Claims (16)

1 . A handling tool for an artwork handling system, the handling tool including:

an engaging portion that is configured to engage with one or more parts forming an aperture of a bracket that is connected to an artwork, the one or more parts being adapted to transfer weight of the artwork to the engaging portion;

a holding portion connected to the engaging portion, the holding portion assisting in holding the artwork; and

a safety mechanism that releasably engages a safety device of the bracket to avoid inadvertent release of the engaging portion from the aperture,

wherein:

the engaging portion is configured to be inserted into the aperture from a side of the artwork, the side extending transversely to a front surface displaying an artwork area; and

the safety mechanism has a safety release configured to release the safety mechanism from the safety device in response to the safety release being pressed.

2 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding portion is configured to extend transversely away from the engaging portion.

3 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding portion is releasably connected to the engaging portion.

4 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding portion includes a positioning portion that engages with a positioning part of the engaging portion to set its orientation.

5 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding portion includes a positioning lock that assists with locking the holding portion to the engaging portion.

6 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion includes a member defining an engaging axis and the holding portion is located substantially to one side of the engaging axis.

7 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein a position of the holding portion assists in avoiding engagement of a user's hand with a wall when installing the artwork.

8 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the safety mechanism of the handling tool is configured to move in a direction that is substantially parallel to the front surface to move into a retaining position with the safety device of the bracket.

9 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the safety mechanism of the handling tool is configured to rotate into a retaining position with the safety device of the bracket.

10 . The handling tool of claim 1 , wherein the safety mechanism of the handling tool includes two safety mechanisms that are configured to respectively engage the safety device and another safety device of the bracket.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2023
From: SHMITH, MICHAEL SAM ATHOL ARTHUR GEORGE
To: ALTO ART SYSTEMS PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 065426/0163 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTAU2021051152 · Oct 1, 2021
Related Publication 20230233002A1 · Jul 27, 2023
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