PICTURE FRAME

Abstract: There is disclosed a picture frame comprising a plurality of rebated side frame members at least one of which is provided with a part hingedly connected thereto, and movable between a first position in which it lies outside the rebate and a second position in which it lies within the rebate to engage the rear face of a backing sheet or board, and urge same towards the front of the frame.

Description: This invention concerns a picture frame. When framing a picture it is first necessary to construct or select a frame of suitable size. A sheet of glass, possibly one or more borders, the picture and a backing sheet or board are then assembled within the rebate of the frame and the backing sheet or board is then secured to the frame to hold the assembly firmly in place. Various methods for securing the backing are known and include the use of pins or adhesives. Such methods are very time consuming, and, whilst acceptable for a custom-built frame, are generally unsuited to mass production. Other methods include the use of clips of various kinds. These generally rely on the total thickness of materials within the rebate to hold such firmly together, with the result that if such thickness is less than expected some relative movement between the assembled components may be possible with attendant disadvantages such as rattling glass, movement of the picture from centre and ingress of dust. FR-A-2533728 discloses a picture frame, in accordance with the prior art portion of claim 1, comprising a plurality or rebated side frame members at least one of which is provided with a part hingedly connected thereto, and movable between a first position in which it lies outside the rebate and a second position in which it lies within the rebate to secure elements positioned within the frame. DE-A-3011010 discloses an arrangement wherein elements separate from but rotatably connected with the frame members may be turned to deformably engage the rear of elements to be framed to secure them in position. It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective frame arrangement of simple construction and which can be formed as an integral one-piece moulding. According to the present invention as claimed in claim 1, there is provided a picture frame having a plurality of rebated side frame members at least one of which is provided with an integrally formed flap hingedly connected thereto, and movable between a first position in which it lies outside the rebate and a second position in which it lies within the rebate to secure elements positioned within the frame, characterised in that the free edge of the or each hingedly connected flap remote from the hinge connection is profiled to have reduced thickness so as to be resiliently deformable against the rear face of the backing in that the hinge connection is a thin bridge connecting the flap and the frame member and in that the frame comprises an integral one-piece plastics moulding. Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing which show, by way of example only, two forms of picture frame embodying same. Of the drawing :- Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the first form of frame; Figure 2 shows a rear elevation of the frame of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the frame on the line III - III of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the frame on the line IV - IV of Figure 2; and Figure 5 shows a rear elevation of the second form of frame. Referring now to Figures 1-4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the first form of picture frame 10 comprises four side frame members 11. Each of the frame members 11 is rebated at 12 whereby the rear of the frame defines a recess to receive a sheet of glass 14, a border 15, a picture 16 and backing board 17. Each of the frame members 11 is provided with a flap 18 hingedly connected thereto and movable from a first position (Figure 3) in which it lies outside the rebate 12 to enable installation of the parts 14 to 17 inclusive and a second position (Figure 4) in which it is folded downwardly into the rebate 12 to engage the rear face of the backing board 17. The free edge of the flap 18 is profiled (as best seen in Figure 3) so as to be resiliently deformable against the board 17 when in its second position so as to urge the board 17 towards the front of the frame to clamp all of the parts firmly together. As seen in Figure 2 the flaps 18 to the upper and lower frame members 11 extend the full length of the rebates thereof whereas those to the side frame members 11 are spaced inwardly of each end of the rebate by the thickness of the flaps 18. In this case all four flaps may be folded into the rebate, the upper and lower flaps first, followed by the side flaps. The side flaps hold the upper and lower flaps against displacement and the side flaps can be latched into position behind small nibs 20 on the faces of the upper and lower flaps. The entire frame as described is an integral moulding of a suitable plastics material such as a polypropylene for example, the hinges between the members 11 and flaps 18 being thin bridges connecting the two parts. In either event, the act of framing a picture is simplicity itself, all of the parts being secured simply by folding the four flaps inwardly in turn. Referring now to Figure 5, it will be seen that in the second form of frame 30 the extended flaps 18 are replaced by a pair of spaced tabs 32 at opposite ends of the upper and lower frame members 31. The tabs have a saw-tooth formation 33 on their free edges remote from their hinged connection with the frame members 31, which provides a firm grip on the rear face of the backing board when the tabs are operatively folded into the rebate. Again this frame is formed as an integral plastics moulding.

Claims: A picture frame (10) having a plurality of rebated side frame members (11) at least one of which is provided with an integrally formed flap (18,32) hingedly connected thereto, and movable between a first position in which it lies outside the rebate (12) and a second position in which it lies within the rebate to secure elements (14-17) positioned within the frame (10), characterised in that the free edge of the or each hingedly connected flap (18,32) remote from the hinge connection is profiled to have reduced thickness so as to be resiliently deformable against the rear face of the backing (17) in that the hinge connection is a thin bridge connecting the flap (18,32) and the frame member (11) and in that the frame (10) comprises an integral one-piece plastics moulting. A picture frame according to claim 1, wherein the flap (18,32) extends over substantially the whole of the length of the frame member (11) to which it is connected. A picture frame according to claim 1, wherein the flap (18,32) is of short length relative to the length of the frame member (11) to which it is attached. A picture frame according to claim 3, wherein there are two or more spaced flaps (18,32) along the length of a frame member (11). A picture frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.

Inventors: BURNS, WILLIAM
Applicants: BURNS, WILLIAM
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A47G1
IPC codes: A47G1