Back for picture frames and the like with means for adapting to different sizes

Abstract: A back (1) for picture frames and the like with elements for adapting to different sizes, comprising a back body (2) to which a supporting leg (3) is connected by hinge means (4), the back further comprising elements (10) for continuous sliding in order to vary without discontinuity the placement of said hinge means (4) with respect to said back body (2).

Description: The present invention relates to a back for picture frames and the like with means for adapting to different sizes. It is known that picture frames and the like are generally provided by means of a frame-like portion which surrounds the glass plate behind which the back is arranged; the back is usually provided with a pivoting supporting leg which allows to arrange the picture frame vertically or horizontally. In the solutions of the prior art, when the width of the frame varies it is necessary to change the length of the supporting leg so that the resting inclination of the frame is always the same. This fact entails the need to provide various kinds of back according to the contingent dimensions of the frames. This problem has been partly solved up to now for low-cost picture frames in which the back and the supporting leg are made of plastics and the hinge element is provided by means of pins which protrude laterally from the supporting leg; solutions have already been provided, in these versions, which have various seats for the pins that form the hinge, thus allowing to vary, by discrete steps, the useful length of the supporting leg, at least partially compensating for the different size of the frames. This solution allows discrete placements and can be used only for plastic backs, i.e., backs of relatively low quality. Other known solutions have been introduced in frames in which the supporting leg is made of cardboard or the like and in which the hinge means are provided by deforming the material; in these solutions, slots have already been provided on the supporting leg, allowing to vary its useful length. However, also these solutions can be used only with a particular type of material, i.e., materials that allow to provide the means for mutually hinging the supporting leg and the back by localized deformation of the material itself. GB-A-2 279 248 discloses an adjustable back for photograph and picture frames. FR-2 615 718 discloses a support structure for a flat object. The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-cited problem by providing a back for picture frames and the like with means for adapting to different sizes which allows to use the same back on a very wide range of frames having different thicknesses, achieving optimum and precise positioning in each case. Within the scope of this aim, a particular object of the present invention is to provide a back for picture frames and the like in which the supporting leg can be positioned with respect to the back body very quickly and easily without performing complicated maneuvers and also having the assurance of considerable positioning stability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a back which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a back for picture frames and the like which can be easily obtained starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and is furthermore competitive from a purely economic point of view. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a back for picture frames and the like, as defined in claim 1. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a back for picture frames and the like with means for adapting to different sizes, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a picture frame; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hinge means; Figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along the plane III-III of Figure 4; Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views of the application of the same back to two frames having different sizes. With reference to the above figures, the back for picture frames and the like with means for adapting to different sizes, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a back body 2 which is made of any material deemed appropriate and is constituted in practice by a substantially plate-like element. A supporting leg 3 is pivoted to the back body 2; said leg has a conventional shape, with a resting end which forms two mutually perpendicular edges, and is connected by hinge means generally designated by the reference numeral 4. The particularity of the invention is constituted by the fact that on the back body 2 there are provided means for continuous sliding in order to vary without discontinuity the position of the hinge means 4 with respect to the back body. The continuous sliding means are provided by means of two slots 10 which are substantially parallel to the diagonal of the back and in which flaps 11, provided on one of the elements of the hinge 4, can be slideably accommodated. In greater detail, the flaps 11 protrude from a connecting portion 12 which enters the slots and protrudes from the base body 13 of the hinge, which is pivoted to the other hinge element 14 which is rigidly coupled to the leg 3. The flaps 11 tuck, outside the slots 10, into recesses 15 which lie laterally adjacent to the slots, thus providing a stable coupling with a friction coefficient which ensures stable positioning in the slots. As shown in Figure 4, the sliding of the hinge means 4 in the slots 10 allows to place the supporting leg 3 according to the size of the frames, designated by the reference numeral 20, so as to always have optimum support characteristics. From the above description it is thus evident that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a back is provided in which continuity in the mutual positioning of the supporting leg and the back is ensured, with the advantage of being able to adapt to any frame size while having at all times an element which is stable from the mechanical point of view and has a high degree of aesthetic finish. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the claims. In practice, the materials employed, as well as the contingent shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: A back (1) for picture frames (20) and the like, with means for adapting to different sizes, comprising a back body (2) to which a supporting leg (3) is connected by hinge means (4), means for continuous sliding in order to vary without discontinuity the placement of said hinge means (4) with respect to said back body (2), characterized in that said means for continuous sliding comprise two mutually parallel slots (10) and recesses (15) which lie laterally adjacent to said slots (10), said hinge means (4) comprising two connecting portions (12) protruding from a base portion (13) so as to enter the slots (10), two flaps (11) extending laterally and externally from said connecting portions (12) and being tucked into said recesses (15) so as to provide a stable coupling with a friction coefficient which ensures stable positioning in the slots (10). The back according to claim 1, characterized in that said slots (10) are provided in said back body (2) in a direction which is substantially parallel to the diagonal of said back body (2). The back according to claim 1, characterized in that said hinge means (4) is constituted by two joined elements (13 and 14), said slots (10) accommodating one element (13) of the elements of said hinge means (4), the other element (14) being connected to said supporting leg (3). The back according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting portions (12) protrude obliquely from said base portion (13) of said hinge means (4) so as to provide a coupling with a higher friction coefficient.

Inventors: FUMAGALLI CRISTIANO, FUMAGALLI, CRISTIANO
Applicants: FEDRE CORNICI S N C, FEDRE' CORNICI S.N.C.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A47G1
IPC codes: A47G1