Patent Publication Number: US-6212810-B1

Title: Pole system for displaying picture frames

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of picture frames and the display thereof, and more particularly to the display of a plurality of picture frames along the length of a vertical pole. In its most preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a pole system for displaying picture frames along a pole coupled to but spaced apart from the vertical surface of an office furniture panel. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A large number of systems are known for displaying paintings, photographs and the like, and in recent years a large number of styles of picture frames have been manufactured and sold in many price categories and for many different display environments. Frames may be placed on a table, shelf, desk, or other horizontal surface, or frames may be hung on a vertical surface, such as a wall. For picture frames hung on a wall, the back of the frame is typically equipped with a wire, a circular opening on a tab or sawtooth shaped bracket, and a nail or other hanger is secured in the wall. The frame attachment component engages the wall component to suspend the frame at a desired location. With the frame wires and the sawtooth plates mentioned above, frame alignment is accomplished by moving the frame laterally, while with the tab attachment component on the back of the frame, alignment is automatic as the wall component comes to rest at the top center of the opening. 
     It is also known that a grouping of picture frames may be located on a vertical wall surface. One such system includes a wire rod mounted vertically on a wall, with four wire hooks fixed on the rod. each hook engages the bottom edge of a frame. This system is not adjustable with respect to hook or frame locations, and the rod is not supplied with any fastening means other than one which will secure the rod to a flat, vertical surface. 
     In recent years, a number of new work environments have appeared in offices, especially with the development of office furniture panels or “systems furniture” as those products are known in that art. Systems furniture is comprised of a plurality of reconfigurable vertical panels, which are typically arranged end to end and in perpendicular orientations to define individual workstations or cubicles. 
     While systems furniture provides great space efficiency, the resultant workstations are typically smaller than the offices which they replace and have less horizontal and vertical surfaces for the display of pictures or other aesthetic enhancements. Furthermore, with the ever-increasing use of computers, printers, and other technological marvels, less and less space is available for a worker to personalize a cubicle or add a calming effect by displaying pictures of family, favorite places, paintings or other art objects. Pinning or taping pictures to corkboards or to the decorative skins of systems furniture is frequently done, but the result is generally not aesthetically pleasing. 
     A system for displaying a plurality of picture frames which would be useful with systems furniture and in other home and office environments would represent a significant advance in the art. 
     FEATURES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary feature of the present invention is to provide a pole system for displaying picture frames which is widely adaptable to a variety of end use applications. 
     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a pole system for displaying picture frames which may be used in cubicles or work spaces of offices, including cubicles or work stations defined by panels of systems furniture. 
     A different feature of the present invention is to provide a pole system for displaying picture frames in which the vertical spacing between the frames may be readily adjusted, preferably without the need for specialized tools or skills. 
     A further feature of the present invention is to provide a pole system for displaying picture frames in which the pole may be easily broken down into smaller lengths for ease of packaging and shipping and which may be easily and quickly assembled without specialized tools or skills. 
     A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a pole system for displaying picture frames which may be attached and/or detached easily and quickly from furniture panels without damaging the panels and without specialized tools or skills. 
     How these and other features of the present invention are accomplished will be described in the following detailed description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the FIGURES. Generally, however, the features are accomplished using an elongate, preferably cylindrical pole, having a length selected for a particular application. The pole is preferably of the type which includes an interior elastic cord and pole sections which telescope with one another so that the pole may be compactly stored and shipped. The pole includes attachment members for coupling the pole in a desired orientation, usually a vertical orientation. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the attachment members include brackets adapted to engage the top and bottom of system furniture panels. Sliding elements are provided for the pole, each of which includes a hook for receivably supporting a picture frame. In the preferred embodiment the sliding members are elongate plates which have a circular opening on either end. The plates are made from spring steel or other resilient material and are bent into an arcuate position to allow both openings to slide along the pole. When the sliding element is located at the desired place, the plate is released and the spring forces of the plate hold it in that location. The picture frame, which may include a wire tab, hole or sawtooth bracket on its rear side is then coupled to the hook of the sliding element. Other ways in which the objects of the present invention are accomplished will be described in the following portions of the specification, or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification and comprehend its teachings. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of this invention if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components, and 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pole system for displaying picture frames according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown in the environment of a systems furniture workstation or cubicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the pole, sliding elements and frame components shown in FIG. 1, partially in section, the pole being a two piece telescoping pole held on a systems furniture panel by the resilient forces of an elastic inner cord acting on upper and lower mounting brackets; 
     FIG. 2A is an enlarged side sectional view of the upper and lower ends of the pole system for displaying picture frames and showing the elastic cord, finial and one of the single sliding elements; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plate sliding element used in the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative form of sliding element useful with the pole display system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a partial schematic view of the sliding element of FIG. 4 displayed on a cylindrical pole; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of the rear of a picture frame showing one type of mounting bracket; and 
     FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a pole is held in a vertical orientation between the ceiling and the floor of a room and wherein a sliding element is deployed on the rod in the same manner as shown in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
     Before proceeding to a description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention, several general comments can be made with regard to the applicability and the scope thereof. 
     First, the nature of the pole can be widely varied. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the rod comprises a plurality of telescoping sections held together by the resilient forces of an elastic cord. However, the pole can be a single section and may be made in profiles other than circular in cross-section. The resiliency of the cord is particularly well suited for embodiments where a clamping force applied to mounting brackets may be desired, such as the top and bottom brackets used with systems furniture office panels. 
     Second, while the present invention is illustrated in its preferred form in connection with office furniture, the pole system for displaying picture frames can be used in other environments, and certain modifications necessary to make changes will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read the specification. For example, a pole may be provided with threaded openings at its upper and lower ends for receiving bolts extending from the center of bottom and top mounting plates. By suitable rotation of the plates, the distance between the plates will change and the pole can be secured in a vertical position between the floor and ceiling of a room. 
     Third, the materials of construction are also widely variable. Metal poles, or poles made from plastic resins are preferred, but wooden poles may also be used. Furthermore, the poles may be hollow or solid. 
     Fourth, two preferred types of sliding elements are illustrated in the following sections, flat plates and collars. Other types of sliding elements could also be employed, such as clothes pin type clips. 
     Fifth, the picture frame backing can also be any of those known to the art which are capable of cooperation with a hook on a the sliding element to hold the picture frame in a desired position. Applicant prefers to use the sawtooth brackets commonly found on the back of picture frames, but wires or tabs can also be used. 
     Sixth, the number of picture frames which may be provided on a single pole can vary widely and will depend in large part on the particular environment and on the size of the picture frames which will be used. 
     Seventh, the way in which mounting brackets are attached is not, in and of itself, part of the present invention. They may be welded or otherwise permanently attached to the rod or may be coupled thereto through openings, shoulders on the clips or rods, threaded fasteners on either side of the clip opening and the like. It will also be noted that finials are used in an illustrated embodiment, primarily for decorative purposes, and they may be of the type which include a collar which extends over the end of the pole or they may have a plug which is inserted into the end of the pole. 
     Proceeding now to FIG. 1, an office furniture panel  10  is shown to include a top edge  12 , a bottom edge  14 , an outer edge  16  and an inner edge  18  coupled to an adjoining office panel  20 . The pole system for displaying picture frames  25  is shown attached to the upper edge  12  and the bottom edge  14  near the outer edge  16  and to include three picture frames  26 ,  27  and  28 . Greater detail concerning the preferred embodiment is found in FIG. 2, a side view of the pole system for displaying picture frames  25 . A pole  30  is comprised of a first lower section  31  and a second upper section  32 , the upper end of section  31  telescoping into the lower end of section  32 . Picture frame  28  has been removed from this drawing for purposes of illustrating certain components. 
     The pole system for displaying picture frames  26 ,  27  and  28  also includes an upper mounting bracket  35  and a lower mounting bracket  37 . Mounting bracket  35  includes a generally U-shaped portion  40  which has one leg which extends a greater distance than the other. The width of the U-shaped portion  40  is sufficient to pass over the top edge  12  of the panel  10 . At the terminal end of the longer leg  42 , an outwardly extending plate  43  is provided which in turn includes an up turned bend  45 . A hole is provided through the plate  43 . The lower mounting bracket  37  is similarly shaped and includes a U-shaped portion  38  having a longer leg portion  44 , an outwardly extending plate  46  and a down turned bend  47 . 
     The sectional view of FIG. 2 shows that the lower portion  31  of pole  30  telescopes inside of section  32 , thereby permitting the pole to be stored, packaged and shipped in one-half the length which would be required if the pole  30  were solid. Furthermore, an elastic cord  52  extends the length of pole  30  and is attached at the upper end of the pole to a elastic cord hook  54  and at the bottom of the pole to an elastic cord hook  55 . Ideally, the cord would be relaxed when the two pole sections  31  and  32  are entirely nested and has sufficient resiliency to allow for extension of sections  31  and  32  for more than the full height of the office panel  10 . The upper end of lower pole section  31  is identified by reference numeral  33 . 
     Finials  60  and  61  are best illustrated in the enlarged view FIG. 2A showing the upper and lower portions of the pole system for displaying picture frames  25 . Each of the finials  60  and  61  include a decorative ball  64  and a collar  65  which extends about the respective ends of the pole sections  31  and  32 . They may be adhered in place with an adhesive or with a set screw or the like. FIG. 2A also illustrates the attachment of a small hook  68  to the respective ends of the cord  52  and a post  69  to which the hook  68  is attached in a permanent manner. 
     Now that the pole components of the pole system for displaying picture frames  25  have been explained, it can be appreciated how the pole may be attached to an office panel  10 . The pole sections  31  and  32  are pulled apart so that one of the brackets  35  or  37  is placed over an edge of the panel  10 . The other end of the pole  30  is then pulled further away by an amount sufficient to have the U-shaped pocket of that end extend over the opposite edge, at which point the elastic cord is allowed to perform its function and draw the two brackets together to hold pole  30  in place under a tension load. 
     FIG. 2 also illustrates three sliding elements  75 ,  76  and  77  deployed at approximately equal distances along the length of pole  30 . A sliding element  75  is shown in FIG. 3 to include a generally elongate plate  80  made from a resilient material and including a first opening  81  adjacent a first end and a second opening  82  adjacent the second end. Openings  81  and  82  are just slightly larger than the size of the pole  30  with which they will be used. Sliding element  75  also includes a hook  85  at its approximate mid-point, the shape and orientation of the hook is best appreciated by reference to FIG.  2 A. Sliding element  75  is coupled to pole  30  by bending plate  80  so that a first one of hole openings  81  and  82  can be placed over the pole, followed by the second opening. It should then be appreciated that the plate  80  will, when released, attempt to return to its original flat condition, thereby locking the sliding element  75  at the location where the bending pressure is released. The sliding element  75  may be easily moved along the pole  30  by grasping the two ends of plate  80 , urging them slightly toward one another in the curved configuration illustrated, sliding the element  75  to a new location and again releasing the bending forces on the plate  80 . 
     It will also now be appreciated how the picture frames  26  and  27  are attached to the pole system for displaying picture frames  26 ,  27  and  28 . The hook  85  of the respective sliding elements  75 ,  76  and  77  may each be inserted into a receiving area on the back of the frames, preferably using a sawtooth bracket, which is well-known and which does not, in and of itself, form part of the present invention. A sawtooth bracket is illustrated in a partial drawing, FIG.  5 . As indicated above, the use of a sawtooth bracket  90  is for purposes of illustration and a wire extending across the back of the picture frame could be placed over the hooks  85 , or if a tab with holes was provided in the back of the frame, the hole could be placed over the hook, as would be well known by those familiar with the picture frame art. 
     An alternate form of sliding element is shown in FIG. 4, wherein a cylindrical sliding element  93  is provided on one side with a hook  94  and with a set screw  95  on the opposite side. The set screw is preferably hand manipulated and extends through a threaded opening  96  in the wall of cylindrical sliding element  93  so that the cylindrical sliding element  93  may be locked in any desired location along pole  30 . FIG. 4A is a simplified, schematic showing a portion of pole section  32  extending through the cylindrical sliding element  93  and locked in place by the set screw  95 . 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in partial form in FIG.  6 . This view is provided to illustrate another way in which a pole  130  could be secured in a vertical position. A threaded washer is provided in each end of pole  130 , an upper washer  132  and a lower washer  134 . A pair of plates  135  and  137  having a diameter significantly greater than that of the pole  130  are also provided, and each includes a threaded bolt  138  extending perpendicularly from the center thereof. The thread configuration of the washers  132 ,  134  and rods  138  are selected to allow various lengths of the bolt  138  to be threaded into the hollow interior of the pole  130 . This will allow the distance between the respective plates  135  and  137  to change. If the pole  130  is selected to generally correspond to the height of a room, the plates  135  and  137  can be rotated in appropriate directions to secure pole  130  into placed under a compressive load. The sliding elements are not shown in FIG. 6, but they could be of either of the types described above in connection with the other illustrated embodiments, or other sliding elements which can be moved along a pole and which can be secured in place easily and quickly. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with a single preferred embodiment and several alternatives for the pole itself and for the sliding elements, the invention is not be limited thereby but is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims which follow.