Frame

A frame, including a plurality of frame elements 1 and at least one connecting corner element 5 on which the frame elements 1 are mounted in intersected relation, is provided to form a readily accessed enclosure to accommodate therein an article, a glass plate to allow viewing of the article, a backing plate at the rear and an illumination louver. At least one of the frame elements 1 is mounted to the connecting corner element 5 for relative angular movement therebetween, to facilitate easy opening of the enclosure and access to the space defined therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a frame in which a plurality of frame 
elements are angularly connected to each other through at least one 
connecting element to form an enclosure, to accommodate therein an article 
such as a picture, a photograph, a glass plate, a rear plate, an 
illumination louver, a smoothly planed board for a building interior trim, 
or the like. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
A frame is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 26439/1964 in which 
a plurality of frame elements are connected respectively through a 
plurality of connecting elements to form an enclosure. 
That is, the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 26439/1969 discloses the 
connecting elements which are formed respectively with connection engaging 
pawls which engage respectively with the frame elements. Each of the 
connection engaging pawls is formed on a surface of an L-shaped element in 
the form of a thin plate. 
The connection element utilizes the connection engaging pawl to engage with 
the frame element. In the case where the article to be accommodated is 
mounted to or demounted from the interior of the frame in order to form 
the latter, the connection engaging pawl of the connecting element must be 
operated each time to demount the frame element from the frame. 
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 27318/1973 discloses other types of 
connecting elements. 
Disclosed in the above Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 27318/1973 is 
a connecting element in which a plain or flat plate is folded 
perpendicularly to form a connecting arm, and the connecting arm is formed 
with an inclined surface. 
A dovetail groove in the frame element is inserted into the connecting arm, 
and an inclined surface of the connecting arm is tightened by screws from 
the side portion of the dovetail groove, so that the frame element is 
connected to the connecting element. 
The connecting arm is inserted through the end of the dovetail groove of 
the frame, and an engaging pawl or a screw serves as a wedge and is 
engaged with the connecting arm, so that the frame element is connected to 
the connecting element. 
Since the frame element is connected to and fixed to the connecting arm of 
the connecting element so that the frame is formed, the article 
accommodated in the frame can be taken out or removed such that the frame 
element is moved to its open position from the opposed connecting arms of 
the respective left- and right-hand connecting elements, and is separated 
from the connecting arm of the connecting element. 
Alternatively, the article to be accommodated can be removed in the 
following manner. That is, the frame element is moved to its open position 
from the opposed connecting arms of the respective left- and right-hand 
connecting arms. The dovetail groove is utilized to move the frame element 
from the left- and right-hand connecting arms to enlarge the frame. An 
engaging section of the frame element is removed from the front-face 
peripheral edge section of the article to be accommodated. 
Subsequently, another article to be accommodated is inserted into a space 
within the frame between the frame elements thereof. The connecting arm of 
the connecting element is pushed into the frame element. The frame element 
is again connected and engaged by the connecting arm. Thus, the frame is 
formed. 
Furthermore, a plurality of frame elements cooperating with each other to 
form a frame are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 
24390/1975. 
Disclosed in the above Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 24390/1975 is 
such an arrangement that, in order to mount and demount the article to be 
accommodated to and from each of the frame elements which cooperate with 
each other to form the frame, the frame element is composed of a pair of 
upper and lower frame elements. The upper frame element is assembled to 
the lower frame element so as to be angularly movable thereto partially. 
The lower and upper frame elements are abutted against each other by a 
spring. The article to be accommodated is held between the upper and lower 
frame elements. 
Replacement of the article to be accommodated with respect to the frame, 
which are formed by the frame elements, is practiced in the following 
manner. That is, the upper frame element is angularly moved upwardly 
through about 90 degrees to rise, as a fulcrum of a portion at which the 
lower and upper frame elements are assembled with each other for angular 
movement. The upper frame elements rise subsequently, to open the upper 
edges at the four sides of the frame. The article to be accommodated is 
mounted to and demounted from the open face. 
Further, a record-jacket holding panel is disclosed in Japanese Utility 
Model Provisional Publication No. 161565/1988 in which a lower frame 
element and an upper frame element are connected to each other through a 
film hinge, to form a frame. 
In the above Japanese Utility Model Provisional Publication No. 
161565/1988, a plurality of frame elements are framed such that their 
respective end faces are abutted against each other, and a rear plate is 
held along the outer periphery of the rear plate. The frame elements have 
their respective front-face elements and respective rear-face elements 
whose respective outer surface portions are connected to each other 
through a hinge. A spring is provided between the front-face element and 
the rear-face element. By the spring, the front-face element is biased 
such that record jackets superimposed upon the rear plate are clamped with 
respect to the rear plate. The front-face element is movable angularly 
about a hinge section against the spring. A record-jacket pushing bore is 
formed through the rear plate. 
Mounting and demounting of the article to be accommodated to and from the 
frame are practiced from the frame front surface, as follows. That is, the 
front-face elements of the four-side frame elements rise upwardly about 90 
degrees, and the upper edge of the frame is open. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a frame which is so simple in 
construction that, when an article to be accommodated is mounted and 
demounted, a plurality of frame elements are not removed from at least one 
connecting element, and that two frame elements having a lower frame 
element and an upper frame element are not connected to the connecting 
element. Each of the frame elements, in a simple frame structure, is 
engaged with the connecting elements for angular movement. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a frame in which each of a 
plurality of frame elements is mounted to at least one connecting element 
so as to be movable angularly about a longitudinal axis of the frame 
element, whereby a side plate of the connecting element serves also as a 
falling-out preventing section with respect to a bearing section for the 
angularly movable frame element. Thus, when the frame element is moved 
angularly with respect to its open position, the frame element does not 
fall down and, for this reason, it is possible to easily move an article 
to be accommodated into and out of the frame. 
It is still another object of the invention to provide a frame which is 
extremely simple in construction, which involves no waste of material, and 
which is easy to use in many applications. 
A frame according to the invention can be utilized, for example, for 
building fittings or fixtures, furniture, an exhibition case, a signboard, 
an illumination appliance, or the like. 
In the invention, only fitting between two kinds of elements including a 
frame element molding-processed by extrusion of aluminum or the like and a 
connecting corner element molded from elastic resin such as polycarbonate, 
polyacetal or the like, enables each frame element to be connected to the 
connecting element for angular movement to form the frame. The frame 
element on one side of the frame is angularly moved outwardly to open one 
side edge of the frame. Thus, taking-in and -out of the article to be 
accommodated including the rear plate and the like can easily be done 
through the open location, without breaking the frame. 
An intermediate partition is provided within the frame element to divide 
the space into two space sections. One of the two space sections is 
brought to a space for holding the front-face peripheral edge portion of 
the article to be accommodated. The other space section is brought to a 
space in which the connecting element is fitted. 
An inward flange is provided at an outward end of the space in the frame 
element, in which the connecting element is fitted, so that a concave 
bearing section is formed. 
In one aspect of the invention, the distance from the outward side of an 
angularly-movable shaft of the connecting element to an angular-movement 
stoppage section and a distance from a concave bearing section of the 
frame element to an engaging pawl is made equal to each other or is 
equalized each other, whereby an opening width of the fitting space in the 
frame element with respect to the connecting element is narrowed 
correspondingly to the projecting portion of the flange. 
Further, the projecting dimension of the flange is equal to or larger than 
one half the thickness of the shaft at the forward end of the side plate. 
The corner of the side plate of the connecting element is cut out to form a 
convex shaft at the end of the side plate. 
The convex shaft is provided at the forward end of the side plate which 
serves as a leaf spring. 
A convex, concave or any other engaging section for prevention of 
getting-out may be provided at a location engaged with the intermediate 
partition of the frame element or the connecting section between the shaft 
section and the connecting element. 
An angular-movement stoppage section is provided at a position where the 
engaging pawl is abutted against the connecting element, and at a location 
where the frame element is moved to its closed position, or where the 
frame element is moved to its fully open position. 
Another angular-movement stoppage section is provided on an 
angular-movement sliding contact face between the connecting element and 
the frame element. The angular-movement stoppage section is provided 
midway of angular movement of the frame element, a location where the 
frame element is open to the maximum, a location where the frame element 
is closed, or the like. 
An angular-movement engaging pawl is provided on the outer periphery 
concentric with a center of the concave bearing section, that is, on the 
intermediate partition. 
In the case where the article to be accommodated is held between the 
intermediate partition of the frame element and the front-face engaging 
section, the intermediate partition is brought to a curved surface 
concentric with the concave bearing section. 
The connecting element is arranged such that, when the frame element is 
moved to its open position, the rear-face section of the connecting 
element projects as compared with the position of the rear-face portion of 
the frame element. 
A cut-out may be provided at the end of the flange. The cut-out has such a 
dimension that its length is of the order to two times a distance from the 
center of the convex shaft section to the frame-element surface of the 
concave shaft section. 
At this time, a step is provided above the cut-out of the frame element. 
A tongue-like spring, which has, at its forward end, an inclined surface 
and which can be urged against a part of the connecting element, may be 
provided at a position where the frame element is moved to its closed 
position, that is, at the angular-movement stoppage position. 
The tongue-like spring provided on the connecting element has a forward end 
which may be brought to a hook-shaped engaging pawl. 
In this case, the tongue-like spring is formed with a finger catch for 
releasing the hook-shaped engaging pawl. 
In the case where an article to be accommodated is thinner than a 
predetermined dimension, the article is clamped with a spring provided on 
the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate partition of the frame 
element at a location between the intermediate partition of the frame 
element and the front-face engaging section. 
The front-face engaging section for holding the front-face peripheral edge 
section of the article to be accommodated is provided at the upper edge of 
the frame element. 
The connecting element may be such that one of the connecting sections is 
brought to a pivotal connecting section, and the other connecting section 
is brought to a connecting section which is not pivotal. 
At this time, a cap is mounted to an end of a space in the angularly moved 
frame, in which the article is accomodated. 
The sliding contact surface between the connection engaging section of the 
frame element and the connection engaging section of the connecting 
element is inclined whereby the connection engaging section of the 
connecting element is fed axially outwardly of the frame element under the 
action which moves angularly the frame element outwardly. 
In the connecting element, the connection engaging section, the side plate 
and the angular-movement stoppage section are united together, and a 
triangular reinforcing plate is formed in unison at the angular-movement 
stoppage section which is arranged perpendicularly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a frame which is composed of a 
plurality of frame elements 1 (only one of which is shown) 
molding-processed by extrusion of a blank formed of a material such as 
aluminum or the like, and a plurality of connecting elements 5 (only one 
shown) molded by elastic resin such as polycarbonate, polyacetal or the 
like. 
Each of the frame elements 1 is formed with an intermediate partition 11 at 
a side surface of a side plate 20. The intermediate partition 11 is curved 
downwardly along a longitudinal direction. A front engaging section 12 
extending along the longitudinal direction is formed at an upper edge of 
the side plate 20. The intermediate partition 11 has its forward end which 
is provided with an engaging pawl 13. 
The side plate 20 is provided with a support section 14 at a location below 
the intermediate partition 11. The support section 14 is adapted to 
support the outer side section of the connecting element 5. A flange 15 
projects toward the forward end of the intermediate partition 11 from the 
lowermost edge of the side plate 20, through a step 19 (FIG. 7). Thus, a 
space A is defined between the side plate 20 and the intermediate 
partition 11. 
The flange 15 is curved to form a concave bearing section 15a. An antiskid 
engaging section 16 for a convex shaft section 51a of the connecting 
element 5 is provided adjacent a location above the concave bearing 
section 15a. A connection engaging section 17 engageable with a connection 
engaging section 55 of the connecting element 5 is provided on an inner 
surface of the intermediate partition 11. 
FIG. 2 shows the connecting element 5 which has a side plate 51 consisting 
of a leaf spring extending perpendicularly. An inner surface of the side 
plate 51 at an upper edge thereof is formed with a first angular-movement 
stoppage section 53 at a position where the frame element 1 is moved to 
its open position. A pair of angular-movement sliding-contact surfaces 54a 
and 54b for guiding the engaging pawl 13 of the frame element 1 curved in 
concentric relation to the center of the concave bearing 15a are formed 
downwardly from the first angular-movement stoppage section 53. A second 
angular-movement stoppage section 54 located midway of angular movement of 
the frame element 1 is formed, in a concave manner, at a location between 
the angular-movement sliding-contact surfaces 54a and 54b. A third 
angular-movement stoppage section 52 is formed at a lower end of the 
angular-movement sliding-contact surface 54b at the time the frame element 
1 is moved to its closed position. The connection engaging section 55 
engageable with the connection engaging section 17 of the frame element 1 
is formed at the upper surface of the side plate 51 and at the upper 
surfaces of the respective curved surfaces 54a and 54b. A triangular 
reinforcing plate 50 is formed in unison with the third angular-movement 
stoppage section 52. The triangular reinforcing plate 50 has its inner 
edge which is formed with a support wall 56 for an article 3 to be 
accommodated (refer to FIG. 9). The triangular reinforcing plate 50 is 
provided therein with a bore 57 for wall surface fixing. A pivot section 
51a is formed at a part of the lower edge of the side plate 51. In order 
to form the side plate 51 into a leaf spring, a corner portion of the 
outer side wall of the side plate 51 is cut out to form a cut-out 58. An 
inclined surface 52a for feeding the engaging pawl 13 of the frame element 
1 into the third angular-movement stoppage section 52 is formed at the 
upper portion of the third angular-movement stoppage section 52. Further, 
an inclined surface 152a may be formed at a forward end of a tongue-like 
spring 152 which is provided at the curved surfaces 54a and 54b, to form 
an angular-movement engaging section. 
FIG. 3 shows a condition under which the frame element 1 and the connecting 
element 5 are fitted in each other. FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cut-out 
51p at the forward end of the side plate 51, and an inclined surface 152a 
at the forward end of the tongue-like spring 152. 
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment which comprises an angular-movement fixing 
engaging pawl 152b provided on the tongue-like spring 152 engageable with 
the engaging pawl 13 of the frame element 1, and a clamp wall 152h 
provided on the third angular-movement stoppage section 52. 
FIG. 5 shows movement of the engaging pawl 13 of the frame element 1 from 
the inclined surface 52a to the first angular-movement stoppage section 
53. Note that relative angular movement between frame element 1 and the 
corresponding side of the connecting element is about a direction parallel 
to the side. 
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which curvature of the side plate 51 is made 
large. 
The frame elements 1 and the connecting elements 5 are used at the upper 
edges of the side plates 51 to form a rectangular frame illustrated in 
FIG. 8. 
Regarding the rectangular frame, assembling of the frame elements 1 and the 
connecting elements 5, mounting of the article 3 to be accommodated, 
opening of the frame elements 1, and so on will be described in order. 
The frame elements 1 are fitted in each other in such a manner that the 
side plates 51 of the connecting elements 5 illustrated in FIG. 2 are 
pushed until the third angular-movement stoppage sections 52 are engaged 
respectively with the engaging pawls 13 of the frame elements 1, from the 
open sections at the lower ends of the respective spaces A in the frame 
elements 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this manner, the frame elements 1 are 
connected to each other. As is readily seen, for example in FIGS. 7, 19, 
23 and 42, the intersecting sides of connecting element 5 are formed to be 
shorter than the frame elements engaged therewith. 
At this time, the side plate 51 is pushed by the flange 15, and is 
accommodated in the space A in the frame element 1 while being elastically 
deformed. 
Further, the convex shaft section 51a of the side plate 51 is in sliding 
contact with the concave shaft section 15a of the frame element 1, and 
serves as a pivotal section for the frame element 1. 
At this time, the connection engaging section 17 of the frame element 1 and 
the connection engaging section 55 of the connecting element 5 are fitted 
in each other simultaneously. 
When the side plates 51 of the four connecting elements 5 are pushed 
respectively into the spaces A at both the ends of the four frame 
elements, assembling of the frame illustrated in FIG. 8 is completed. 
Mounting of the article 3 to be accommodated is practiced in the following 
manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 9 or 11, the frame element 1 is moved 
angularly about the convex shaft section 51a of the connecting element 5 
and is moved to its open position. The article 3 to be accommodated rests 
on the curved intermediate partition 11 of the frame element 1. The frame 
element 1 is again moved angularly about the convex shaft section 51a and 
is moved to its closed position as shown in FIG. 10. 
At this time, the curved intermediate partition 11 of the frame element 1 
is into sliding contact with the peripheral edge of the article 3 to be 
accommodated at the rear face thereof, so that the article 3 to be 
accommodated is held between the intermediate partition 11 and the 
engaging section 12 of the frame element 11 at the front face thereof. 
If the angle of the angular movement of the frame element 1 is made large 
and, as shown in FIG. 9, if frame element 1 is brought down such that the 
forward end of the front-face engaging section 12 is located below the 
forward end of the intermediate partition 11, the article to be 
accommodated can be taken into and out from the lateral side of the frame 
element 1. 
Further, if the frame elements 1 at the adjacent two sides are moved to 
their respective open positions as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to 
mount and demount the article 3 to be accommodated to and from the frame 
elements 1 from the above. 
Stoppage of the angular movement of the frame element 1 with respect to the 
connecting element 5 is practiced by the engaging section 13 of the frame 
element 1 and the first through third angular-movement stoppage sections 
53, 54 and 52 of the connecting element 5. 
It is possible to optionally set resistance at stoppage by the spring 
strength of the side plate 51 and/or the spring strength of the 
intermediate partition 11 of the frame element 1. 
The inclined surface 52a provided in front of the third angular-movement 
stoppage section 52 shown in FIG. 5 serves to feed the engaging pawl 13 of 
the frame element 1 into the stoppage section 52. 
The engaging section 13 of the frame element 1 is urged against the third 
stoppage section 52 by the inclined surface 52a, so that it is possible to 
prevent the frame element 1 from being inadvertently moved to its open 
position with respect to the connecting element 5. 
The angle between the inclined surface 52a and the third stoppage section 
52 is made acute, whereby it is possible to fixedly mount the frame 
element 1 to the connecting element 5 with a strong force. 
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the steep inclined surface 152a is 
provided in front of a tongue-like spring 152 which is provided at the 
pair of curved surfaces 54a and 54b of the connecting element 5. The 
tongue-like spring 152 is urged toward the interior of the connecting 
element at sliding contact between the curved surfaces 54a and 54b and the 
engaging section 13. Thus, the engaging section 13 of the frame element 1 
is engaged with the steep inclined surface 152a. 
The strength of the engagement is adjusted by appropriate choice of the 
material and configuration of the tongue-like element 152, the angle of 
the inclined surface 152a, and the like. 
The arrangement may be such that the forward end of the tongue-like spring 
152 is not brought to the inclined surface 152a, but, as shown in FIG. 4, 
is brought to an engaging pawl 152d, so that the forward end of the 
tongue-like spring 152 is brought to an antiskid engaging section in mesh 
with the engaging section 13. 
Moreover, the arrangement may be such that the engaging pawl 152d and the 
inclined surfaces 52a of the curved surfaces 54a and 54b are used 
together, the engaging pawl 152d of the tongue-like spring 152 can be 
broken and cut at a cut-out 152e, the broken and cut frame element 1 is 
brought to a frame section which is movable angularly, and the frame 
element 1, in which the engaging pawl 152d of the tongue-like spring 152 
is maintained as it is, is brought to an immovable frame section. In this 
manner, it is possible to optionally form the angularly-movable frame 
section and the angularly-immovable frame section by the same connecting 
element 5. 
A fixing releasing pawl or a finger catch 152f for the engaging pawl 152d 
is provided at the lower end of the tongue-like element 152. 
The arrangement may be such that another element (not shown) is assembled 
in substitution for the engaging pawl 152d provided at the tongue-like 
spring 152 according to the embodiment, to optionally practice switching 
of engaging and disengagement of the engaging section 13. 
In order to enhance close contact between the corner of the frame element 1 
and the corner of the tablet, the frame element 1 having its corner cut 
through 45 degrees is mounted to the connecting element 5. When the frame 
elements 1 are moved angularly toward the outside from the condition that 
the cut surfaces of the frame elements 1 are abutted against each other, 
portions of the frame elements 1 getting inwardly of the convex shaft 
sections 51a impinge against each other and become immovable. Accordingly, 
in order to avoid such collision, as shown in FIG. 7, a cut-out 18 must be 
provided at the ends of the adjacent flange 15. 
In the case where the tablet is seen as a commodity, the cut-outs 18 serve 
as such severe defects that bores are formed respectively at the corners 
of the tablet. 
Close fitting at the corners of the tablet requires a close-fitting 
accuracy of the corners, as will be called life of the tablet. 
Further, if the feeding force of the inclined surface 52a is made large and 
if the forward end of the convex shaft section 51a is moved outwardly 
together with opening of the shaft element 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, 
the convex bearing section 15a of the frame element 1 is pushed outwardly 
by the spring action of the side plate 51. 
In this manner, the spring force of the side plate 51 moves the concave 
bearing section 15a of the frame element 1 outwardly, as indicated by the 
phantom lines in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the frame element 1 is angularly 
moved outwardly so as to be opened. 
When the concave bearing section 15a is moved outwardly under the spring 
force of the side plate 51, the impinging portion between the end face of 
the frame element 1 and the end face of the adjacent frame element 1 
during angular movement thereof is reduced correspondingly to the outward 
movement. Accordingly, it will suffice that the cut-out 18 is small. 
Moreover, in order to make the cut-out 18 even smaller, as shown in FIG. 6, 
a thin-wall section 151a may be provided at the forward end of the side 
plate 51 to reduce the convex shaft section 51a. 
Alternatively, if a metallic spring of the order of 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm is 
assembled as the convex shaft section 51a, it is possible to further 
reduce the convex shaft section 51a. 
Furthermore, if the sliding contact surface between the connection engaging 
section 17 of the frame element 1 and the connection engaging section 55 
of the connecting element 5 is brought to a screw-feeding inclined 
surface, closing angular movement of the frame element 1 enables the 
connecting element 5 to be drawn into the space A in the axial direction 
of the angular movement. 
Further, such angular movement as to move the frame element 1 to its open 
position enables the connecting element 5 to be fed outwardly of the 
angular movement shaft from the space A. 
As a result, it is possible to move the center of the convex shaft section 
51a outwardly of the surrounding of the frame elements 1. 
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, if the step 19 projecting upwardly of the 
cut-out 18 is provided so that it is made difficult to view the cut-out 18 
from the forward portion of the tablet, the arrangement is further 
effective. 
In the case where the article 3 to be accommodated has a relatively small 
thickness, there may be concern that a gap will occur between the 
front-face engaging section 12 of the frame element 1 and the article 3 to 
be accommodated. 
In order to avoid this problem, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 
through 14, a leaf spring 61a located in the intermediate partition 11 is 
mounted to a space between the intermediate partition 11 and the 
front-face engaging section 12 of the frame element 1. With such an 
arrangement, the article 3 to be accommodated is pushed from its rear face 
by the leaf spring 61a, while the frame element 1 is moved to its closed 
position from the condition that the article 3 to be accommodated rests on 
the intermediate partition 11, and is urged against the front-face 
engaging section 12 of the frame element 1. Thus, the above-described gap 
is prevented from occurring. 
Furthermore, in an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, a leaf spring 
61 folded in a thin configuration and having a lower portion curved at n 
is fixedly mounted to a position between the intermediate partition 11 and 
the front-face engaging section 12 of the frame element 1. Thus, it is 
possible to produce similar functional advantages. The configuration and 
the mounting position of the connecting engaging sections 55 and 17 of the 
respective frame element 1 and connecting element 5 are determined 
depending upon the fact that the connecting section for preventing 
movement of the frame element 1 and the connecting element 5 in the 
angular-movement axial direction is brought to detachable type or fixing 
type. 
In the case where the connection section is to be of a detachable type, the 
left- and right-hand frame elements 1 adjacent the frame element 1 to be 
demounted are moved angularly to a predetermined angle and are moved to 
their open positions. The groove in the connection engaging section 55 of 
the connecting element 5 and the projection on the connection engaging 
section 17 of the frame element 1 are aligned with each other. The 
intermediate frame element 1 is pushed up and is released. 
The predetermined angle is determined depending upon a feeling on the 
circumstances or knowledge of use such as the fully open position of the 
frame element 1, a position midway of the angular movement, or the like. 
In connection with the above, it is further convenient if a temporary stop 
is provided midway of the angular movement and is combined with means for 
perceiving each position. 
Release between the frame elements 1 and the connecting elements 2 can also 
be done by the following method. 
A lower end of the side plate 51, which serves as the convex shaft section 
51a within the concave bearing section 15a of the frame element 1, is 
partially cut out, to form a partial cut-out 51p as shown in FIGS. 2 and 
3. A screwdriver may be applied with its forward end abutted against the 
partial cut-out 51p. A force is applied via the screwdriver with the edge 
of the flange 15 of the frame element 1 serving as a fulcrum. The side 
plate 51 is thus elastically deformed, and the convex shaft section 51a is 
detached from the concave bearing section 15a of the frame element 1. 
In another embodiment (not shown), both the ends of the frame element 1 
shown in FIG. 1 are cut at 45 degrees. A pair of V-shaped cut-into 
sections are formed into two intermediate locations from the interior 
under such a condition that the side plate 18 of the frame element 1 
remains to be cut. The pair of cut-into sections are bent into such a 
configuration that three sides are surrounded. The couplings 5 shown in 
FIG. 2 are connected respectively to both end faces. 
The connecting elements 5 are fitted respectively into the spaces A at both 
the ends of another frame element 1 which has its length the same as that 
between the V-shaped cut-into sections. Thus, there is obtained a frame in 
which only one side of the frame is movable angularly. 
In this case, it is also possible to angularly move the angularly-movable 
frame element 1 whereby the article 3 to be accommodated is drawn from the 
side face of the frame. 
The foregoing will be described further with reference to FIG. 8. The 
connecting elements g1 and g2 are omitted, and the interior of the single 
frame element 1 at the positions p1 and p2 are cut into a V-shaped 
configuration, and are bent. 
An assembly, in which the connecting elements g3 and g4 are fitted in both 
ends of another frame element 1Q, is pushed into the ends p3 and p4 of the 
frame element, to form a frame. 
As shown in FIG. 5, if the lower section of the connecting element 5 
projects with respect to a horizontal position of a rear-face section 1a 
of the frame element 1 to provide a projection 58, it is possible to move 
the frame element 1 angularly without contact of the lower portion of the 
rear-face section 1a of the frame element 1 with the wall surface. In this 
case, it is possible to replace the article 3 to be accommodated by 
another one, while the connecting element 5 is mounted to the wall surface 
or the like. 
An embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 is such that a connection engaging 
inclined surface 117a of a connection engaging section consisting of a 
fitting bore 117 having its upper section formed narrow, which is provided 
on the intermediate partition 11 of the frame element 1, is in sliding 
contact with a connection engaging section 155 which consists of a 
projection provided on the connecting element 5. 
Angular movement of the frame element 1 causes the inclined surface 117a to 
clamp the connection engaging section 155 of the connecting element 5 at 
the connection engaging section 117 of the frame element 1, or to release 
the clamping. 
In this embodiment, an inclined surface 352a is provided on a tongue-like 
spring 352 which is connected to the reinforcing plate 50 and which is 
formed with a cut groove at its three sides. The inclined surface 352a is 
engageable with the engaging pawl 13 which is provided on the intermediate 
partition 11 of the frame element 1. 
FIGS. 18 through 20 show an embodiment in the case where a frame element 1 
is one in which each end is cut perpendicularly. 
The connecting element in the embodiment uses a pair of connecting 
sections, one being angularly movable, and the other being immovable 
angularly. A pair of caps 121 are mounted respectively to both the ends of 
the front-face engaging section 12 of the frame element 1 which is located 
at the front face of the article 3 to be accommodated. 
One of a pair of side plates 251 in the connecting element 5 serves as a 
spring element when the one side plate 251 is fitted in and engaged with 
an inside of a flange 215 which is formed at a lower end of one frame 
element 201. 
A bore 217 formed in an intermediate partition 211 of the one frame element 
201 serves as a connection engaging section which is capable of being 
fitted about a projection 255 formed on the one side plate 251 of the 
connecting element 5. 
If the end of the frame element 1 is cut perpendicularly as is in the 
present embodiment, the corner of the frame element 1 is not brought to a 
sharp configuration. 
Further, since the cap 121 is mounted to the end of the angularly movable 
frame element 1, it is possible to eliminate a further acute feeling. 
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21 is one in which the configuration of 
the frame element 1 is made flat and thin. 
In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 18, the space A of the frame 
element 1 and a holding space B for the article to be accommodated are 
arranged in the thickness direction of the frame. 
Instead, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21 is such that the frame 
element 1 has a top plate 301 connected to the side plate 20, a partition 
plate 311 is provided on the top plate 301, and the space A and the 
clamping space B for the article to be accommodated are arranged 
horizontally. 
The article 3 to be accommodated is clamped between a bottom wall 305 and a 
side wall 306 of the reinforcing plate 50 fitted in the bottom of the 
connecting element 5 and the front-face engaging section 12 provided on 
the inner edge of the top plate 301 of the frame element 1. 
FIG. 22 shows an embodiment in which an inclined surface 55a for moving the 
connecting element 5 in the angular-moving axial direction of the frame 
element 1, accompanied with the angular movement of the frame element 1 
illustrated in FIG. 17, is provided on the connection engaging section 55 
of the connecting element 5. 
In this case, the projection-like connection engaging section 17 of the 
frame element 1 may be one illustrated in FIG. 1. 
FIG. 23 shows an embodiment in the case where the frame elements 1 
according to the invention are mounted respectively to the connecting 
elements 5 formed at an edge of a box. 
In the present embodiment, a plurality of pockets 252p are formed at the 
edge of the box, and a plurality of leaf springs 252 each having an 
inclined surface 252a are mounted respectively to the pockets 252p. 
The inclined surface 252a serves similarly as the inclined surface 152a 
illustrated in FIG. 2. 
FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of a frame which comprises a connecting element 
and a plurality of frame elements 301. In the connecting element, a 
plurality of holding projections 7 for the article 3 to be accommodated 
are formed respectively at the corners of a dish-like rear plate 6. The 
dish-like rear plate 6 has its edges each of which is provided with an 
engaging pawl 8 and a finger-catching recess 9 for removing the article 3 
to be accommodated. Each of the frame elements 301 is provided with an 
engaging pawl 13 which is engageable with the engaging pawl 8 of the 
dish-like rear plate 6. 
In this disclosure, there are shown and described only the preferred 
embodiments of the invention, but, as aforementioned, it is to be 
understood that the invention is capable of use in various other 
combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications 
within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.