Framing apparatus, method and framing member

A framing system including a framing apparatus (10) comprising a series of self supporting frames (12, 14, 16 and 18) held together by joiner strips (28 and 30) and supporting decorative panels (20, 22, 24 and 26); the apparatus (10) can be used as walls, partitions, or for displays at exhibits and trade shows. The framing apparatus can be easily and quickly set up without tools, and the panels are easily removable and replaceable even after the system is set up. The frames can include electrical outlets (36) and cross strips (150) with a slot (154) for supporting heavy articles to be hung on the frames. A framing method and framing member are also enclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
A framing system for supporting panels for use as walls, partitions, office 
landscaping, displays such as at shows, seminars, meetings, exhibits, 
trade shows and the like, and in particular to a framing system which is 
compact for storage and delivery but which is easily set up without tools. 
BACKGROUND 
In the past, panels for trade shows were either one large piece, which was 
cumbersome to store and deliver, or were made up of fold-up units using 
complicated arrangements of cables and hinges for set-up, or which used 
modular units requiring different types of pin connectors and which had to 
be disassembled to change panels. 
There are also a very large number of different framing systems known using 
framing members of various cross-sectional shapes and various types of 
corner brackets. .The following U.S. patents show known framing systems: 
Des. 253,552, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,783,543, 4,195,681, 2,201,577, 2,666,508, 
2,784,813, 2,447,347, 3,648,393, 3,709,533, 3,124,858, 2,504,700 and 
2,923,351. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a framing system that 
can be delivered in a small size and can be easily set up without tools. 
It is another object to provide a framing system wherein the edges of the 
supported panels do not have to be finished because they are hidden by and 
protected by a finished framing member. 
It is a further object to provide a framing system using a framing member 
of different lengths but of identical cross-sectional shape and using 
joiner strips of different lengths but of identical cross-sectional shape 
and which can provide a very large variety of different framing 
arrangements by simply varying the lengths of the framing members and of 
the joiner strips. 
It is another object to provide a framing system in which the panels can be 
easily hingedly connected together to vary their angular relationship. 
It is a further object to provide a framing system in which a wide variety 
of different types of panels can be connected to the frames, on one or 
both sides, and in a variety of different ways and which panels can be 
removed and replaced after the frame system has been set up, without 
having to disassemble it in any way. 
It is another object to provide a framing system in which an electrical 
cord can be included in the frame members and electrical outlets can be 
provided on the frame members where desired. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A framing system including a framing apparatus, method and framing member. 
The framing member is substantially H-shaped in cross-section providing an 
inner U-shaped channel (facing or opening radially inwardly of the frame 
toward the supported panel) and an outer U-shaped channel facing or 
opening radially outwardly away from the frame. 
The framing apparatus includes specific frames and also includes a group of 
frames assembled together by a joiner strip. For frames arranged 
vertically one above the above, a horizontally oriented joiner strip is 
simply placed, part in each of the adjacent, facing outer channels. For 
frames arranged horizontally side-by-side a vertically oriented joiner 
strip is also placed, part in each of the adjacent, facing outer channels, 
however, in addition, in order to hold the two frames together, the joiner 
strip is held to each frame by an upper hinged connector and a lower clip, 
each of which fits into the upper and lower hollow ends, respectively, of 
the joiner strip. The joiner strip is preferably a tubular member of 
rectangular cross-section. In one embodiment, the joiner strip is made of 
two separate, smaller joiner strips hinged together, whereby the adjacent 
connected frames (and their panels) can be positioned at an angle to each 
other on the floor, which not only helps stabilize the frames but also 
provides more display area in a given space. 
The method includes the method of easily setting up the framing apparatus 
without tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a framing apparatus 
10 set up and free standing and including two full size frames 12 and 14, 
two half size frames 16 and 18, a different removable panel 20, 22, 24 and 
26 on each of the frames 12, 14, 16 and 18, respectively, a pair of 
vertical hinged joiner strips 28 and 30, and a horizontal joiner strip 32. 
The framing apparatus 10 can be easily and quickly set from the individual 
pieces and without tools. The opposite sides of the frames 12, 14, 16 and 
18 can also be provided with panels if those sides are also to be in view. 
The frames can be of any desired size, however, in one preferred 
embodiment frame 12 is about seven feet high, four feet wide and 23/4 
inches thick. Any desired number and arrangement and size of frames can be 
used. FIGS. 1 and 2 also show a finishing strip 35, which will be 
described in more detail below. 
The panels can be attached to the frames by any suitable means (as 
described in more detail below), but preferably by a series of 
spaced-apart Velcro or other self-adhering strips 34, only three of which 
are shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the panels can be easily removed and 
replaced with different panels. The panels can be made of any desired 
material, such as glass, plexiglas, press-board, wood, etc., however, the 
presently preferred material is plywood covered with another material such 
as cloth, carpet, or a Formica laminate. The paneled frames can be used as 
walls or partitions, or they can be used in exhibits with display material 
hung therefrom or with the panel being the display. The panels can be 
transparent or translucent and can be front or rear lighted. 
FIG. 2 is a top view of the framing apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 showing the 
frames 12, 14, 16 and the hinged joiner strips 28 and 30. FIG. 2 also 
shows three electrical outlets 36, two female and one male, in the top of 
frame 12. The joiner strips 28 and 30 will be described in more detail 
below. 
FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional shape of a framing member 40 according to 
the present invention. Each of the frames 12, 14, 16 and 18 are made of 
four framing members identical in cross-section to framing member 40. The 
framing member 40 is substantially H-shaped in cross-section with two 
parallel legs 42 and 44 connected by a transverse web 46, forming an outer 
U-shaped channel 48 and an inner U-shaped channel 50. The outer channel 48 
is deeper than the inner channel 50 and faces or opens outwardly away from 
the frame (such as frame 12) and the inner channel 50 faces or opens 
inwardly into the inside of the frame (such as frame 12). 
The outer edges 52 and 54 of the legs 42 and 44, respectively, (the edges 
adjacent the outer channel 48) include outwardly extending flanges 56 and 
58. The flanges 56 and 58 provide protection for the edges of the panels 
(such as panel 20 in FIG. 1); the panel edges are covered or hidden by 
these flanges so that such edges need not be finished, and the flanges 
provide a neat, straight, appearance for the edge of the paneled frames. 
The inner edges 60 and 62 of the legs 42 and 44, respectively, (the edges 
adjacent the inner channel 50) include inwardly extending flanges 64 and 
66. The purpose for the flanges 64 and 66 will be described below with 
respect to FIGS. 8 and 9. 
The ends of each of the four framing members used to form each frame (such 
as frame 12) are mitered and are connected by angle brackets as will be 
described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 3 also shows a 
Velcro strip 34 adhesively attached to the framing member 40. 
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, exploded, view through the assembled portion 
of frames 16 and 18 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a bottom frame member 70 of 
the frame 16, a top frame member 72 of the frame 18, and the horizontal 
joiner strip 32. The joiner strip 32 is preferably a tube of rectangular 
cross-section that forms a slip-fit into the open channels 74 and 76, 
respectively, of the frame members 70 and 72. Preferably, the width of the 
joiner strip 32 is greater than twice the depth of the open channels 74 
and 76, so as to space the frames 16 and 18 apart a small distance, such 
as about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Alternatively, the frames 16 and 18 can be 
allowed to be in abutting contact with each other. The joiner strips do 
not have to be attached or connected to either frame, since the slip fit 
is sufficient to maintain the frames 16 and 18 in proper vertical 
alignment and with sufficient stability. 
While FIG. 4 shows how vertically adjacent frames in a framing apparatus 
are assembled, FIGS. 5 and 6 show how horizontally adjacent frames 80 and 
82 are connected by means of a vertical joiner strip 84. FIG. 5 shows a 
clip 86 screwed to a web 88 of a bottom frame member 90 of the frame 80. A 
clip 92 is similarly attached to the frame 82. FIG. 6 shows a hinged 
connector 94 screwed to a web 96 of a top frame member 98 of the frame 80, 
and another hinged connector 100 is similarly connected to the frame 82. 
The hinged connector 94 includes a fixed member 102 and a movable finger 
104 hingedly connected to the fixed member. The bottom end of the joiner 
strip 84 is placed on the clips 86 and 92 with the movable fingers of the 
hinged connected raised (to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6). 
The fingers are then lowered over the top end of the joiner strip 84, thus 
securely holding the frames 80 and 82 together. 
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing how the two frames 12 
and 14 of FIG. 1 are connected at their tops to the hinged joiner strip 
28. FIG. 7 shows a pair of hinged connectors 110 and 112 (each identical 
to the hinged connectors 94 and 100 of FIG. 6) connected to webs 114 and 
116, respectively, of the top frame member 118 and 120, respectively, of 
the frames 12 and 14. As shown in FIG. 7, the hinged joiner strip 
comprises a pair of identical, separate, tubular members 122 and 124 
connected by a hinge 126. The bottom end of the joiner strip 28 is held in 
clips (not shown) identical to those shown in FIG. 5. 
By simply reversing the hinged joiner strip 28, the two frames 12 and 14 
can be made to move at an angle to each in the opposite direction from 
that shown in FIG. 1. It is to be noted that can be easily and quickly 
done without the use of tools. 
FIGS. 8 and 9 show how the ends of two adjacent framing members (such as 
left side member 130 and bottom frame member 132 of frame 12 of FIG. 1) 
are connected to form a frame corner. All of the four corners of each 
frame are identically constructed and thus only one need be shown. The 
ends of the frame members 130 and 132 are mitered to form a mitered joint 
or corner. An L-shaped angle bracket 134 is inserted with one leg in each 
of the inner channels 136 and 138 of the frame members 130 and 132, 
respectively. An L-shaped spacer element 140 is also preferably positioned 
in the channels along with the angle bracket 134 and toward the outside of 
the frame from the angle bracket. The angle bracket is provided with two 
internally screw threaded holes 142 in each leg, and a set screw 144 is 
then screwed down against the spacer element forcing the spacer element 
and the angle bracket apart thus wedging them tightly in place in the 
inner channels and thus tightly forming the mitered corner. The set screws 
have polygonal openings for receiving a mating Allen wrench. The spacer 
elements help to spread the force of the set screw, however, they can be 
omitted if desired. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the present invention wherein a 
cross strip 150 is added to a frame 152. The cross strip can be located 
anywhere desired in the frame. The cross strip 150 includes a slot 154 in 
the front side thereof. This provides another way of hanging items to the 
frame 152, and in particular, heavy items. FIG. 11 shows a heavy article 
162 having a rear bracket 164 that fits into and hangs from the slot 154. 
The frame 152 can have a panel 166 thereon with a corresponding slot 168 
through which the bracket 164 extends. While only one slot 154 is shown, 
it is preferred that the cross strip 150 have such a slot 154 in each of 
its outwardly facing sides (and a corresponding slot in each panel). 
The cross strip 150 is preferably supported by brackets 170 identical to 
brackets 134 except for a cut out or notch 172 on each side of one leg 
(the horizontal leg) to accommodate the flanges 64 and 66 (see FIG. 3). 
The vertical leg of the brackets 170 are attached using set screws as with 
the angle bracket 134 of FIG. 8. An L-shaped spacer element is not used 
here, however, a straight spacer element can be used under the vertical 
leg of the bracket 170. The horizontal leg of the lower bracket is 
screwed, by machine screws, directly to the cross strip 150. The 
horizontal leg of the upper bracket 170 need have no screw connection to 
the cross strip. 
An electrical conduit 174 provides electrical conductors from the frame 
members into the cross strip to allow an electrical outlet 176. 
For those open channels of a frame (such as the left edge of frame 12 in 
FIG. 1) which form an end of a frame apparatus and thus do not have need 
for a joiner strip therein, a finishing strip 35 (see FIG. 1) is 
preferably placed therein to form a smooth finished end surface. The 
finishing strip 35 has a depth equal to that of the outer channel and is 
held in place in the same manner as are the vertical joiner strips 28 and 
30. Finishing strips need not be placed in the outer channel on the top of 
the frame, and in fact, this open channel can be suitably used to hold 
brackets for supporting lighting fixtures and the like. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the framing member 40 
is made of extruded aluminum. The flanges 56 and 58 each have a width of 
about 1/2 inch. The flanges 64 and 66 each have a width of about 0.375 
inch. The channels 48 and 50 have a width of about a 13/4 inch. The height 
of the member 40 is about 1.9 inch. The thickness of the walls are about 
0.125 inch. The depth of the outer channel 48 is about 1.25 inches. The 
depth of the inner channel 46 is about 0.28 inch. The ends of the framing 
members 40 are mitered at 45.degree.. The angle bracket 134 is prepared 
from a 4 inch by 2 inch by 3/16 inch aluminum strip. Each leg of the 
L-shaped bracket is 2 inches by 2 inches. 
While the presently preferred embodiment uses an extruded aluminum frame 
member 40, other materials can be used including plastic, which would be 
less expensive and lighter weight. Also, the frame member does not have to 
be of one-piece construction but can be made of separate parts joined 
together by welding, screws, etc. 
The flanges 56 and 58 can be omitted, if desired, although then the panels 
edges themselves should preferably be finished. The flanges 64 and 66 can 
be omitted, with a different angle bracket connection being made, such as 
by simply screwing the angle brackets 134 directly to the web 46. 
The panels (such as 20 in FIG. 1) can be connected to the frame 12 in any 
desired way, the preferred being a series of spaced-apart Velcro strips 
attached to the frame and also attached at mating locations on the back of 
the panel. 
If a series of frames is to be placed in a long line, then transverse leg 
extensions can be attached to the bottom of the frames for better support. 
Also, and alternatively, the vertical joiner strips, such as 84 in FIGS. 5 
and 6, can extend above the top of the frames for attachment to the 
ceiling, for example, or for attaching lights or other fixtures thereto. 
The horizontal joiner tube 32 in FIG. 4 is simply a means for assemblying 
two frames together (holding them in their desired location and 
orientation) that are located one on top of the other. No connection means 
are required. However, for frames that are side by side, they should be 
physically connected (held together) as by the connecting means including, 
in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the vertical joiner strip 84, the clips 86 
and 92 and the hinged connectors 94 and 100. 
The joiner strips are preferably tubular and slip fit in the outer 
channels, however, they can have other constructions and shapes, if 
desired, and other means for connecting them to the frames can be used. 
Other ways of providing a hinged joiner strip can also be used, as will be 
understood by one skilled in the art. The inner and outer channels and the 
joiner strips can have other than rectangular cross-sections. The frames 
preferably use four framing members and are preferably mitered at 
45.degree.; however, other numbers of framing members and other angles of 
miter can be used. The actual depths and the relative depths of the 
channels can be varied from the preferred ones described above, as 
desired. 
If the floor on which the frames are to rest is not level, leveler legs can 
be attached to the bottom of the frames. 
For use of the framing system of this invention in office landscaping, it 
may be desirable to make the framing member 40 larger and heavier. 
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the 
preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations 
and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the 
invention as described hereinafter and as defined in the appended claims.