A DEVICE AND A PROCESS FOR RE-FRAMING PRECIOUS PAINTINGS ON ELASTIC FRAMES

Abstract: The device according to the present invention consists of two independent frames, a fix one (3) and a mobile one (2), so as to obtain a re-framing process in which the calibrated-spring jacks (4) of the fix frame (3) push outwardly the independent rods of the mobile frame (2), corresponding to the sides of the perimeter of the painting (1), keeping it always stretched whatever its temperature and moisture is.

Description: "A DEVICE AND A PROCESS FOR RE-FRAMING PRECIOUS PAINTINGS ON ELASTIC FRAMES'* The present invention concerns a device that allows a re- framing of precious paintings on elastic frames, that have already been the object of a precedent Italian pa¬ tent application, filed on 19th September 1989 under se¬ rial no. 48 380 A/89, by the same applicant. The process according to the present invention concerns the elastic re-framing on 360- of a restored picture, so tha the painitng may freely expand of shrink according to the changing of the microcli atic conditions, but remains always stretched so that the painting may not suffer any damage. Said frames are different from similar ones already known by the structural easyness and by the possibility of be¬ ing disassembled, by means of apposite assembling joints, so as to make the transport of even very large frames possible and not expensive. It is alraeady well known that at present the paintings or the pictures that, after restoration, are placed on an elastic support, are re-framed on rigid or half-rigid frames that may be adjusted now and then by means of wedge-shaped wing nuts, so as to balance the length va¬ riations of the painting according to the variation of the temperature and/or of the moisture degree of the place where the paintings are kept. The adjusting of the wing nuts takes place by hand with the inconvenience that if said adjusting is not immediate upon any variation of the ambient conditions, the paint- ing loosens or, even worse, is stretched too much, with the danger of tearing, mostly in correspondence to the contact perimeter with said frame. If the picture is vertically placed, due to the weight of the painting, a loosening in the lower part and a stret- ching in the upper part may occur, and this mainly in paintings of determined dimensions. If the picture is horizontally placed, due to its weight and to the variations of the ambiental conditions, the painting bulges. It is the aim of the present invention to eliminate all above mentioned inconveniences, as the support frame of the painting mainly consists of two elastic frames, an external one on which the painting is fixed, and an in¬ ternal free one. The frames are placed in such a way that it may be possible to insert between them appropriate de¬ vices with calibrated springs that keep the painting al- ways in the same traction, whichever the moisture, and the temperature of the place where the painting is kept, are. According to the enclosed drawings, a preferred embodi¬ ment of the device for performing a re-framing process according to the present invention, is shown hereinbelow. The figures show: figure 1, a plant view of the frame; figure 2, a detail of section 7-7 of figure 1; figure 3, the detail of some elements; figure 4, a section of the fixing mechanism of the paintin . Relating to the details of the figures, the painting 1 is stretched and fixed in grooves 6 of the movable frame 2 which consists in as many elements as are the sides of the perimeter of said painting, and each element is guid¬ ed by slides 5 pushed by psrings that allow the planar translation of the elements of frame 2. The fix frame 3 is provided with calibrated-spring jacks 4 which outwardly push elements 2 of the movable frame and keep the painting always stretched, whatever be the surrounding temperature and degree. The dimension variations of the frame and the action of the springs take place at the same time, so that the painting is always subject to the same tensione, prevent- ing bulgings or an excessive stretching which could dama¬ ge it. The temperature and moisture variations have an extremely light influence on the spring, so that the practical effect of the spring remains the one of a con¬ stant traction. Furthermore, the springs of each jack may be calibrated.. so that it is possible to balance every unevenness of the movable frame operating on the calibrating screw of the springs. Furthermore, said spring allows to adjust, according to the needs, the ension of the painting according to the temperature, the moisture and the weight of the painting when the same is framed. Relating to figure 4, the space 6 into which the fixing mechanism of the paintings Is inserted consists, in turn, of an elastic section 10 and of a blocking tube 11. Between frame 2, section 10 and 11 the painting 1 is fix¬ ed, while between the section 10 and tube 11 an anti-dust covering is fixed; between the two tissues, the one of painting 1 and the anti-dust 12 one, and inside the spa¬ ces between the fix frame 3 and the movable one 2, a smocking filling 8 may be provided. Sai smocking, out of cardboard, plastic or any other light material, is mainly used when the painting is plac- ed horizontally so as to prevent that, due to its own weight, the paintings of considerable dimensions are placed like a catenary. Said support 8, that may be realized also with square, ) rectangular, round cells with cells of any shape, is u- sually sticked between two paintings so as to form a light structure provided with a considerable stiffness to 5 flexion and cut, and finally it is sticked to the paint¬ ing, on the side opposite to the picture, making use of the same glue originally used by the painter so as to ha¬ ve no mixtures of substances with the original painting. 10 The frames - fix or movable - as well as the jacks and the slides, may be of aluminium, brass, iron, plastic or othe equivalent material or metal, of any section and/or dimension, and the springs may be of any elastic material of any shape. 15 A considerable advantage of the described frames consists also in the possibility of being disassembled, because they consists in joint-rods connected by apposite joints 9 mounted in the connecting points of the rods of the fix 20 frame. Furthermore, appropriate network (or not) structu¬ res are provided that allow to lift and cover the paint¬ ing acting from the floor without expensive bridges for ^ reaching those drawings kept higher.

Claims: CLAIMS A device for the re-framing of precious paintings onto e- lastic frames, characterized in that in consists of two independent frames, a fix one (3) and a movable one (2), consisting of as many independent rods as are the sides f the perimeter of the painting, that slide parallel to themselves guided by slides (5) and pushed by calibrated springs out of metal or other material. 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that bet¬ ween said frames - fix and movable - a plurality of ad¬ justable and calibrated-spring jacks (4) are provided, for keeping the painting always at the same tension ac- cording to the variation of the temperature and moisture. 3. A process for re-framing precious paintings onto elastic frames, obtained by means of the means according to the precedent claims, characterized by the introduction insi- de the spaces left free by the rods of frames (2) and (3), of a light cell structure for preventing bulgings of the painting, mainly in paintings horizontally placed or however inclined. 4. A process according to claim 3, characterized in the re¬ moval of the joints provided corresponding to the meeting points of the rods for disassembling the fix frame and make its transport possible. 5. A process according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in the movement to the floor by means of ropes and appro¬ priate supports of paintings supported by frames accord¬ ing to claim 1, for the maintenance of the same. 6. A device according to all precedent claims, characterized in that in space (6) of the movable frame the fixing me¬ chanism of the paintings, consisting of a shape (10) and of a tube (11) having both the functions of fixing for both tissues, the one of painting (1) and the anti-dust one (12). 7. A process according to the precedent claims, characteriz¬ ed in that the calibrating of the spring relating to the angles (5) is sufficient for keeping the painting stret¬ ched according to the variations of the climate condi¬ tions, in absence of the internal fix frame (3) and of the relative jacks (4), for frames of small dimensions.

Inventors: POUCHAIN MAURIZIO, POUCHAIN, MAURIZIO
Applicants: POUCHAIN MAURIZIO, POUCHAIN, MAURIZIO
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A47G1
IPC codes: A47G1, B44D3, B44D7