FRAME

Abstract: A frame which includes four corner pieces (1O) and four side members (2O,22). Each corner piece (1O) is formed with two tubular formations (15) which are at right angles to each other and which have longitudinally extending slots in their respective walls. The side members (2O,22) have formations (27) which are complementary in shape to the tubular formations and which are frictionally engageable therewith. The opposed ends of each side member (2O,22) are engaged with two corner pieces (1O) respectively whereby a square or rectangular frame is constructed for a planar member (38) with peripheral portions of the planar member being located in longitudinally extending openings (32) in the side members respectively.

Description: This invention relates to a frame suitable for framing a planar member, or an assembly of planar members, such as, for example a picture which may include a backing member and a glass cover. Frames for framing pictures or other planar members are known in many different configurations. Many frames are made of components such as side pieces and corner pieces to obtain flexibility with regard to shape, size, etc. A frame consisting of four corner pieces and four side members is disclosed in US-A-4,161,977. The frame is especially constructed for displaying a sheet of fabric in such a way that the fabric is mounted under tension over a kind of stretcher frame. The corner pieces of this stretcher frame are connecting the side members and reinforcing the corners. The corner pieces are provided with splines which snap into corresponding grooves along the back of the side members. Another form of a frame is disclosed in CH-A-253,913. This frame again consists of four corner pieces and four side pieces. The side pieces are slideably retained inside guiding profiles of the corner pieces in order to make the frame adjustable to variable sizes. It is the object of the present invention to provide a frame assembled from corner pieces and side members in a convenient and efficient way. According to the invention this is achieved by the combination of features defined in the claims. The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one example of the invention, Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a variation of the invention and Figures 5 to 7 respectively illustrate other forms of the invention. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a corner piece 10 and side members 20 and 22. The corner piece includes a cover member 42 which defines sockets 44 which receive and obscure end portions of the respective side members. In this embodiment the corner piece 10 has two dovetail shaped ribs 46 which narrow progressively towards the junction of the side portions. The ribs 46 thus present surfaces which are inclined to the respective longitudinal axes of the side portions. The side members have complementary undercut channels 48 which are frictionally engageable with the ribs 46. The channels 48, on the other hand, are substantially parallel to the respective longitudinal axes of the side portions. As the side members are pushed home into the cover member the frictional force between the components increases due to the varying dimensions of the formations 46. In this way a secure frictional interengagement of the components is achieved. Each of the side members includes an upstanding wall 52 (i.e. the inner wall of the longitudinally extending complementary formation hereinbefore referred to) which receive hangers 50 which in turn are fixed to a cord 54. This enables the framed picture to be suspended as shown in Figure 4. The fixing holes in the hangers 50 are off centre so that as the weight of the picture is taken by the cord the hangers tend to rotate and a frictional lock occurs. In an alternative, and preferred, form of construction of the hangers, each hanger has the same cross sectional shape as the shape of the complementary tubular formation 15 of the respective corner piece. Thus, for the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the hanger has a rib which is complementary to the shape of the channel 48, and which is slidably engaged therewith, and a section which comes inwardly and extends upwardly adjacent the wall 52. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a variation of the invention which is similar to the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, with the cover member 42 omitted. In this embodiment of the invention a bow spring 57 could be located inside the formation 27 to bias the backing member, picture and glass upwardly against the side members 20 and 22. The bridging piece 12 can be retained, or dispensed with. In Figures 5, 6 and 7 the corner piece 10 in each instance includes a cover member designated 58 which covers the junction between adjacent side members. These Figures illustrate various possible shapes for the cover pieces which define sockets of different shapes and sizes for the side members. The invention has been described with reference to a frame for a picture or a picture assembly. It is of course not confined to this application and other planar members could be framed in a similar way. If the frame of the invention is not to be hung, then the hangers referred to with reference to Figures 1 or 2 can be omitted. A short spigot, or other suitable projection can be formed on or secured to each of at least two corner pieces at a suitable inclination to the plane of the frame. When the frame is placed on a flat surface, in a vertical or inclined orientation, the lowermost side member rests on the flat surface and the two projections, which also contact the flat surface, stabilise the frame and prevent it from toppling over.

Claims: A frame for at least one planar member, said frame comprising: four corner pieces (10) and four side members (20, 22) to be assembled into a rectangular configuration; each said corner piece including two side portions which are disposed at right angles to each other, and characterized in that each said side portion includes a tapered longitudinally extending formation (46) and a bridging piece (12) which extends between said two side portions; each said side member including a longitudinally extending slot (32) and a longitudinally extending formation (27) which is engageable with the said tapered longitudinally extending formation (46) of a respective said corner piece (10) thereby frictionally to secure opposite ends of said side member to respective said corner pieces; said side members (20, 22) being adapted to be paired with said longitudinally extending slots of each pair of side members opposing one another for receiving peripheral portions of the planar member; and each said bridging piece (12) having adjustment means (40) for bearing on an underside of the planar member thereby to bias the planar member away from said bridging pieces. A frame according to claim 1, characterized in that each said side portion of each said corner piece (10) includes a socket-like cover member (42) which receives and obscures at least an end portion of a respective said side member (22), each said cover member (42) having a longitudinally extending opening which overlies a section of said longitudinally extending slot (32) of the respective said side member so that a peripheral portion of the planar member can pass into said slot. A frame according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two hangers (50) are engaged respectively with two opposed said side members (22) which, in use, extend substantially vertically, each said hanger (50) being slidably engaged with its respective side member and including a fixing formation for a cord (54) to extend between said hangers, said fixing formations being so positioned that when the frame is suspended from the cord, each said hanger tends to rotate relatively to its respective side member and thereby is frictionally locked thereto.

Inventors: DANIN, COLIN
Applicants: DANIN, COLIN
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A47G1
IPC codes: A47G1