Patent Publication Number: US-4149331-A

Title: Frame for displaying photographs or the like

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Photographs are normally displayed in a rectangular frame having a slot formed through one side thereof to facilitate insertion of the photograph into the frame. A backing cover is normally pressed against a back side of the photograph to hold it in position, either by wire fasteners secured to the frame or by frictional engagement as between complexity frame, photograph and backing. In addition to the relative complxity of such a frame arrangement and display procedure, the photograph is subjected to damage, such as bending, when mounted in the frame. 
     SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide an economical and non-complex frame adapted to have a photograph or the like inserted therein and removed therefrom expeditiously. The frame is preferably rectangular and comprises upper and lower sections disposed in parallel relationship and a first side section secured between first ends of the upper and lower sections. An elongated groove is defined on an inner side of each of the upper, lower and first side sections with the grooves defined in the upper and lower sections intersecting opposite ends of the groove defined in the first side section to further define generally C-shaped composite mounting grooves for the photograph. 
     A second side section, disposed in parallel relationship relative to the first side section, is secured between second ends of the upper and lower sections. An elongated slot is formed through the second side section to extend substantially the full length thereof and intersects the grooves defined in the upper and lower sections. Thus, a photograph or the like may be inserted through the slot and slid into the C-shaped composite mounting grooves defined in the frame to display the photograph. 
     The slot is closed to retain the photograph in the frame by a removable rail which is co-extensive with the second side section of the frame. The rail is preferably slidably mounted on the second side section by a tongue and groove arrangement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view schematically illustrating a frame embodying this invention adapted to mount and display a photograph therein; 
     FIG. 2 is a reduced plan view of the frame; 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the frame, taken in the direction of arrows III--III in FIG. 2, but showing a rail partially removed from the frame; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the sections of the frame, taken in the direction of arrows IV--IV in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of another section of the frame and further iilustrating a tongue and groove arrangement for mounting the rail on the frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an open frame 10 adapted to have at least one photograph or the like 11 inserted therein for display purposes. The frame comprises an upper section 12 and a lower section 13 disposed in parallel relationship relative to the upper section. A first side section 14 is secured between first ends of the upper and lower sections with each section 12-14 being substantially identical to each other. 
     A second side section 15 is disposed in parallel relationship relative to first side section 14 and is secured between second ends of the upper and lower sections. The frame is thus open to display photograph 11 and is rectangular in configuration to be substantially coextensive therewith. The sections of the frame may be formed individually out of wood, plastic, metal or other suitable framing material and secured together at their corners by standard miter joints.  Alternatively, the frame may be formed as a composite one-piece structure by conventional molding technique, for example. 
     As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2-4, elongated grooves 16, 17 and 18 are defined on inner sides of each of the upper, lower and first side sections, respectively. Grooves 16 and 17, defined in each of the upper and lower sections, intersect opposite ends of groove 18 defined in the first side section to further define generally C-shaped composite mounting grooves for retaining three sides of photograph 11 therein. As more clearly shown in FIG. 4, each individual groove is generally U-shaped to form a channel member which is preferably constructed to provide a slight clearance relative to a respective edge of the photograph to aid in the insertion and removal functions. If so desired, the width of the groove may be constructed to accommodate two photographs in back-to-back relationship to expose the photographs on both sides of the frame. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, second side section 15 has an elongated slot 19 formed therethrough to extend substantially the full length thereof. Opposite ends of the slot intersect grooves 16 and 17 of the upper and lower sections of the frame and has a linear dimension slightly greater than the height of photograph 11. Thus, the photograph may be inserted through slot 19 and slid into C-shaped composite mounting grooves 16-18 for display purposes. 
     FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate a rail 20 slidably mounted in second side section 15 by a tongue and groove arrangement 21 to retain photograph 11 in position in the frame. As shown in FIG. 5, the tongue and groove arrangement comprises a tongue 22 slidably mounted in a groove 23, both of which have a T-shaped cross section and are suitably sized to retain the rail in position on second side section 15 by frictional engagement. The rail is co-extensive with the second side section and has a flat outer side 24 to which is disposed in flush relationship relative to an outer side of the second side section. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pair of wedge-shaped reinforcing members 25 are secured in notches suitably formed on either side of groove 23, at each corner of the frame whereat second side section 15 meets upper and lower sections 12 and 13. Such reinforcing members increase the structural integrity of the corners of the frame, particularly during formation of groove 23 thereof. Similar reinforcing members are preferably secured to the remaining two corners of the frame whereat first side section 14 meets the upper and lower sections. 
     From the above description, it can be seen that at least one photograph 11 may be expeditiously inserted in and removed from the frame which, when inserted therein, is substantially coextensive therewith for retention and protection purposes. Removable rail 20 will retain the photograph in position in the frame and is suitably mounted thereon, as described above, to retain the overall continuity and smooth appearance of the frame.