Patent Publication Number: US-2022233000-A1

Title: Hanging frame assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/142,723, filed Jan. 28, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to an article for displaying a substrate, such as a canvas, photograph or artwork, and more particularly, relates to a hanging frame assembly (frame) that is configured to capture and hold the substrate and also be hung on or mounted to a support surface, such as a wall. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For years, the most common way for displaying an object, such as a canvas, on a support surface, such as a wall, is to use a frame that holds the object and is configured to be hung on the wall. There are many different types of frames with the most common ones being those that completely surround the object. For some objects, like tapestries, flags, banners, and scrolls, etc., they can be hung by a top rod that passes through a pocket or closed channel formed at the top of the object to be hung. 
     There is a desire to provide an alternative way to hang an object that is easier to assembly and also does not require the object, such as a canvas, to have a special construction, such as the top pocket or closed channel mentioned above. 
     SUMMARY 
     An article for hanging on a support surface includes a substrate having a first end and a second end. The article includes a pair of rails with each rail including a recessed channel that extends in a longitudinal direction. A pair of splines is provided with each spline including a raised ridge that extends in a longitudinal direction. The raised ridge is configured for insertion into the recessed channel. The article also includes a first pair of end caps. Each end cap of the first pair of end caps having an end walls and side walls that define a hollow interior, wherein each end cap of the first pair of end caps further includes slots that are formed in two of the side walls that are opposite one another. The article includes an elongated hanging element that has enlarged portions at two opposite ends thereof. The elongated hanging element passes through the slots of the first pair of end caps with the enlarged portions being located external to the first pair of end caps. Wherein in an assembled state, one rail and one spline are disposed adjacent one another such that the raised ridge is at least partially inserted into the recessed channel and the substrate is captured within the recessed channel and the first pair of end caps are disposed over opposite ends of the one rail and one spline to join and hold the one rail and one spline against one another with the substrate captured therebetween. 
     The article includes a second pair of end cap with each end cap of the second pair of end caps having an end walls and side walls that define a hollow interior. Wherein in the assembled rate, the other rail and the other spline are disposed adjacent one another such that the raised ridge is at least partially inserted into the recessed channel and the substrate is captured within the recessed channel and the second pair of end caps are disposed over opposite ends of the one rail and one spline to join and hold the one rail and one spline against one another with the substrate captured therebetween. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a hanging frame assembly according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of a spline and rail according to a different embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a hanging frame assembly according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an end cap according to another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the end cap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a display system or assembly (kit) is shown and described and is configured to create an article that can be displayed and hung on a support surface, such as a wall. The article is configured to display an object that is in in the form of a substrate  20  that is held and displayed within the article. The substrate  20  can take many different forms, such as a piece of a paper stock, a photo, artwork, a canvas, or other artistic expression that is embodied in the substrate  20 . In one preferred embodiment, the substrate  20  is in the form of a canvas (rollable piece of canvas). 
     As described herein, the article provides an easy to use and easy to assemble kit that allows a user to assemble and hold the substrate  20  therein. 
     In the present disclosure, the article takes the form of a hanging frame assembly  100 . Besides the substrate  20  that is to be hung, the hanging frame assembly  100  has the following main parts, namely, a pair of splines  200 , a pair of rails  300 , a pair of end caps  400  and an elongated hanging element  500 , such as a cable, string, yarn, wire, etc. For ease of discussion, the elongated hanging element  500  is described herein as being string  500 ; however, as mentioned, this element is not limited to only being a string. 
     Pair of Splines  200   
     The hanging frame assembly  100  includes the pair of splines  200 . Each spline  200  has an elongated body with an inner surface  210  and an opposing outer surface  220 . Along the inner surface  210  there is a raised ridge  230 . The raised ridge  230  extends longitudinally along the length of the spline  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ridge  230  extends the entire length of the spline  200 ; however, in other embodiments, it does not extend the entire length. While the illustrated embodiment depicts a single continuous ridge  230  that runs along the inner surface  210 , it will be appreciated that the ridge  230  can segmented and formed of a plurality of spaced ridges that are co-linear (co-axial). 
     The ridge  230  can have a rounded construction or it can be pointed (e.g., more triangular shape) or it can even have a wave appearance with peaks and valleys. 
     The ridge  230  is shown as being centrally formed along the inner surface  210  which is the preferred location. However, it is possible to form the ridge  230  at an off-center position. 
     The spline  200  can thus be considered to be a male component due to the presence of the center ridge  230 . 
     The spline  200  can be formed of any number of different materials, including but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, etc. 
     Typically, the two splines  200  have identical constructions (e.g., identical lengths); however, it is possibly for one spline  200  to be longer than the other one as in the case of when the substrate  20  has one end that is wider (longer) than the other end. 
     Pair of Rails  300   
     The hanging frame assembly  100  includes the pair of rails  300 . Each rail  300  has an elongated body with an inner surface  310  and an opposing outer surface  320 . Along the inner surface  310  there is a recessed channel (groove)  330 . The recessed channel  330  extends longitudinally along the length of the rail  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, the channel  330  extends the entire length of the rail  300 ; however, in other embodiments, it does not extend the entire length. While the illustrated embodiment depicts a single continuous channel  330  that runs along the inner surface  310 , it will be appreciated that the channel  330  can segmented and formed of a plurality of spaced channels that are co-linear (co-axial). 
     The channel  330  is shown as being centrally formed along the inner surface  210  which is the preferred location. However, it is possible to form the channel  330  at an off-center position. 
     The rail  300  can thus be considered to be a female component due to the presence of the center recessed channel  330 . 
     The ridge  230  and channel  330  are complementary to one another in that the channel  330  is configured to receive the ridge  230  for capturing the substrate  20  therebetween as described herein. As shown in the figures, the ridge  230  is undersized relative to the channel  330  such that it does not and cannot occupy a majority of the channel  330  (See,  FIG. 2 ). The ridge  230  is designed to locally deform the substrate when the spline and rail are combined and the substrate  20  gets pinched at certain surfaces. 
     The rail  300  can be formed of any number of different materials, including but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, etc. 
     Typically, the two rails  300  have identical constructions (e.g., identical lengths); however, it is possibly for one rail  300  to be longer than the other one as in the case of when the substrate  20  has one end that is wider (longer) than the other end. 
     Pair of End Caps  400   
     The hanging frame assembly  100  includes the pair of end caps  400 . 
     Each end cap  400  is a hollow end cap that has an end wall  410  and side walls  420 . In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap  400  has a square shape and there are four side walls  420  perpendicular to the end wall  410 . 
     Two of the side walls  420  that are opposite one another have open slots  430  formed therein. The slots  430  are open along the top edges of the opposing side walls  420 . The slots  430  can extend and terminate close to or at the end wall  410  (i.e., at the intersection of side wall and end wall). The slots  430  themselves are formed directly opposite one another. 
     As described herein, the slots  430  are configured to receive the string  500 . The slots  430  also serve an additional function that they allow for passage of the substrate  20  when the spline and rail are assembled. The size of the slots  430  are thus slightly greater than the thickness of the substrate  20 . The slots  430  also are sized so that both the substrate  20  and the string or rope  500  can pass. 
     The shape and size of the end caps  400  are selected so that one complementary mated spline  200 /rail  300  is received and captured inside the hollow interior of the end cap  400 . In other words, the end cap  430  caps off ends of the assembled spline and rail. The assembled spline/rail can thus be frictionally held within the end caps  400  at their opposing ends. 
     The end cap  400  can be formed of any number of different materials, including but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hollow interior of the end cap  400  can include a protrusion  450  that protrudes from the end wall  410 . This protrusion  450  is positioned and sized and shaped to be received within the channel  330  when the end cap  400  is attached to the combined rail/spline. As shown, the protrusion  450  is formed in an off-centered position along the end wall  410 . The protrusion  450  can be held in the end of the channel  330  by a friction fit. The substrate  20  is thus positioned (pinched) between the protrusion  450  and the raised ridge  230 . 
     Elongated Hanging Element  500   
     As mentioned herein, the elongated hanging element  500  can be in the form of a string, cable, rope, cord or the like that is used to hang the entire hanging frame assembly  100  including the substrate  20 . The two ends of the elongated hanging element  500  includes respective knots  510 . 
     Assembly Process 
     To assemble the hanging frame assembly  100 , the user lays down one of the rails  300  with the inner surface  310  and the channel  330  facing upward. One end (e.g., the top end) of the substrate  20  is then placed on the inner surface  310  with the channel  330  being preferably completely covered by the substrate  20 . In other words, one edge of the substrate  20  is disposed over the elevated planar surface that is adjacent the channel  330 . This planar surface can include guide markings, such as one or more lines at the ends of the rail  300  to guide the user in the placement of the edge of the substrate  20  so that the substrate  20  is aligned. 
     The respective spline  200  is placed over the substrate  20  which remains laid over the inner surface  310 . The raised ridge  230  is placed over the area of the substrate  20  that is disposed over the channel  330 . 
     Next the end caps  400  are prepared by placing the ends of the string  500  through the slots  430  so that the knots  510  lie external to one side wall  420 . Since the slots  430  extend to the end wall  410 , the string  500  has the ability to slide and move in the slots  430  and can be pushed to the end wall  410 . 
     The user then applies a force to the combined spline  200  and rail  300  to cause the ridge  230  to enter the channel  330  and since the substrate  20  is disposed between the spline  200  and the rail  300 , the substrate  20  is captured. In other words, the substrate  20  pushed into and is captured in the channel  330 . 
     As the user holds the combined spline  200  and rail  300 , one end cap  400  is placed over one end of the combined spline  200  and rail  300  with the string  500  remaining in the slots  430 . It will be appreciated that the slots  430  are formed such that they align with the substrate  20  (and also align with the interface (gap) formed between the spline  200  and rail  300 ). The process is then repeated at the other end of the combined spline  200  and rail  300 . The knots  510  face downward toward the substrate  20 . The string  500  can be pulled outward to eliminate any slack and position the knots  510  against the side walls. 
     The process is then repeated with the other end of the substrate  20  in that the other end of the substrate  20  is laid over the channel  330  formed in the other rail  300 . The user then applies a force to the combined other spline  200  and rail  300  to cause the ridge  230  to enter the channel  330  and since the substrate  20  is disposed between the spline  200  and the rail  300 , the substrate  20  is captured. In other words, the substrate  20  pushed into and is captured in the channel  330 . 
     As the user holds the combined other spline  200  and rail  300 , the other end cap  400  is placed over the other end of the combined spline  200  and rail  300  with the string  500  remaining in the slots  430 . It will be appreciated that the slots  430  are formed such that they align with the substrate  20  (and also align with the interface (gap) formed between the spline  200  and rail  300 ). The process is then repeated at the other end of the combined spline  200  and rail  300 . 
     It will also be appreciated that the end caps  400  that are used at the bottom do not require or receive the string  500  and therefore they can include no slots  430 . In other words, the bottom end caps  400  can be solid without slots  430 . 
     The string  500  can then be hung on a wall or the like by placing the string  500  over a fastener, such as a nail, that is located in the wall. 
     As shown, the hanging frame assembly  100  can be also thought of as being a snap-to-hanging canvas product that is easily assembled to produce a fresh, clean product. 
     It will also be appreciated that in one embodiment, the bottom combined spline/rail can be eliminated. In this embodiment, the bottom end of the substrate  20  is left without the spline/rail and end caps and has a “rough” appearance. However, the inclusion of the bottom rail/spline gives the bottom end of the substrate  20  some weight allowing the substrate  20  to hang vertically without rolling up at the bottom. 
     In addition, the string  500  can also be coupled to the frame using other techniques instead of passages through the slots  430 . For example, the end caps can include hooks or other structures to which the string  500  can be attached for hanging the article. 
     Alternative Rail/Spline Construction 
       FIG. 2  is an end view of an alternative spline  201  and alternative rail  301 . These parts are very similar to the spline  200  and rail  300  and therefore, like elements are numbered alike. For example, the spline  201  includes the raised ridge  230  and the rail  301  includes the channel  330 . 
     At least one of the spline  201  and rail  301  includes a guide or locating feature for positioning the substrate  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface  310  of the rail  301  includes a protrusion (rib or bump, etc.)  350  that is formed at a location spaced from the channel  330 . For example, the protrusion  350  is located at one edge of the rail  301 . The protrusion  350  defines a shoulder  351  that acts as the substrate guide or stop to ensure proper justification of the substrate  20 . For example, when positioning the substrate  20  over and against the rail  301 , the one edge (e.g., top edge) of the substrate  20  is placed against the shoulder  351  before positioning the spline  201  against the rail  301 . To accommodate this protrusion  350  (male feature), the spline  201  has a female feature such as a recessed portion (channel or recessed edge, etc.). 
     Alternative End Caps 
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate an alternative end cap  401 . The end cap  401  is similar to end cap  400  and therefore, like elements are numbered alike. The end cap  401  includes a mount feature that allows it to be mounted to the support surface, such as the wall. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the mount feature can be in the form of a mounting tab  460  that protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the end wall  410 . The mounting tab  460  has a hole  465  for receiving a fastener, such as a screw, tack or nail for attaching the assembly to the support surface. In this way, both ends of the combined upper spline and rail are attached to the support surface by means of the mounting features of the end caps  401 . 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not precludes the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes can be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.