Patent Publication Number: US-2015075046-A1

Title: Retainer member for a picture frame

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2012901018 filed 14 Mar. 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a retainer device for a picture frame assembly, and in particular, to a retainer device for a picture frame assembly that assists in holding a backing of a picture frame in position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Picture frame assemblies come in a variety of types and sizes. Picture frames generally comprise a frame or border having a recess within which is received a picture, such as a photograph. The frame essentially forms a dual purpose, namely to provide an aesthetic border around the picture and to provide a structure to hold and retain the picture in a position for display. 
     Most picture frame assemblies generally comprise a rigid body having a central recess into which the picture is received. A window region is generally provided in the body of the frame assembly that extends over the recess to provide a means for viewing the picture. To provide an enclosed setting, the window may have a glass or plastic cover to protect the picture positioned underneath. A backing member in the form of a piece of plywood or similar material is located within the recess to be positioned at the rear of the picture when the picture is located within the frame assembly. The backing member is generally shaped to conform to the shape of the recess so that the backing member acts to sandwich the picture between the backing member and the frame/glass, so that it is retained in position for viewing. 
     In order to keep the backing member in position, a variety of retainer devices have been proposed. Generally the retaining elements are in the form of metal pins or nails that are inserted into the body of the frame assembly so as to extend into the recess behind the backing member. The pins then act to engage with the rear of the backing member so as to prevent it from falling out of the recess. Typically, the retaining members are inserted into the body of the frame assembly by way of tool such as a staple gun or the like, such that the pin penetrates the body a desired depth, typically around 6-7 mm, to prevent the pin inadvertently falling out of the frame assembly. 
     Whilst existing retaining members of the type described above have proven adequate in retaining a backing member of a picture frame assembly in position, such devices cannot be used in all situations, especially where the frame assembly is thin and/or the material of the frame is brittle. In such situations, the act of inserting the pin into the body of the frame for use may result in the pin penetrating through the walls and damaging the frame assembly, which is highly undesirable. 
     Thus, there is a need to provide a retainer device for a picture frame assembly that is capable of retaining a backing of a picture frame assembly in position, and which can be used in variety of applications, especially those applications where the walls of the picture frame assembly are thin and easily damaged by conventional retainer members. 
     The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part. 
     STATEMENT OF INVENTION 
     The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. 
     Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a retainer device for a picture frame assembly, the picture frame assembly having a body with a recess for receiving an item for display and a backing member configured to be positioned behind said item to retain the item within the recess, the retainer device comprising:
         a head portion having one or more engagement members projecting from a surface thereof; and   a tail portion extending from the head portion and configured to be pliable with respect to the head portion so as to be movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the head portion;   wherein the one or more engagement members of the head portion are configured to engage with a surface of the body of the picture frame assembly such that when the tail portion is in the first position the tail portion does not substantially extend into the recess of the picture frame assembly to enable placement of the backing member within the recess and when the tail portion is in the second position, the tail portion extends at least partially across the recess to engage a rear surface of the backing member to securely retain the backing member in position within the recess.       

     In an embodiment, the one or more engagement members are teeth are formed on an underside of the head portion and are configured to penetrate into the body upon application of a force to the head portion. The one or more teeth may have a length of approximately 2 mm. 
     The retainer device may be mounted to extend substantially perpendicular to a rebate formed in the body. 
     A weakened region may be formed in the elongate tail portion adjacent the head portion to facilitate bending movement of the elongate tail portion with regard to the head portion. 
     The weakened region may be formed by forming an elongate slot through the elongate tail portion at the junction where the head portion and the elongate tail portion meet. 
     According to a second aspect, the present invention provides A picture frame comprising:
         a body having a recess formed therein for receiving an item for display, the recess having a rebate formed around a periphery thereof;   a backing member configured to be received within said rebate so as to be positioned behind the item for display; and   a plurality of retaining devices mountable to a wall of the body located within the rebate, each retaining device having a head portion configured to engage with the wall of the body and a tail portion pliably connected to the head portion, the tail portion being movable with respect to the head portion between a first position and at least a second position, such that when the tail portion is in the first position it does not substantially extend into the recess to enable the backing member to be received within said rebate, and when the tail portion is in the second position, the tail portion extends at least partially across the recess to engage a rear surface of the backing member to securely retain the backing member in position within the rebate.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear view of a picture frame assembly employing the retainer device of the present invention with a backing member removed; 
         FIG. 2  is the rear view of the picture frame assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the backing member positioned and retained in place by the retainer devices; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a section of the picture frame assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing the manner in which the retainer device of the present invention is secured to the picture frame assembly, prior to use; 
         FIG. 4  is a top cross-sectional view of the arrangement of the picture frame assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top cross-sectional view of the picture frame assembly of  FIG. 3 , showing the manner in which the retainer device functions to retain the backing member in place; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a retainer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the retainer device of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. 
     The present invention will be described below in relation to a conventional picture frame assembly of the type having a frame body defining a central recess into which a picture, such as a photograph or the like is received and positioned for display. The recess has a rebate formed about the perimeter thereof, which acts as a means for receiving a backing member to retain the picture in position. In order to complete the assembly, a glass panel or window is located in the recess to provide a means for viewing the picture from a front surface of the picture frame assembly. It will be appreciated that the present invention could equally be applied to a variety of different types of picture frame assemblies, and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a picture frame assembly  10  employing the retainer device  20  of the present invention is shown. As alluded to above, the picture frame assembly  10  comprises a substantially rectangular body  12  having a central recess  13  formed therein. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the recess is shown as being substantially rectangular; however, other shaped recesses  13  and bodies  12  are also envisaged. 
     Around an outer rear edge of the recess  13 , there is provided a rebate  14 . The rebate  14  in the form of a stepped edge that defines a ledge positioned below the surface of the rear of the body  12 . A glass panel  16  is configured to be received within the recess  13  such that it is supported at its periphery by the rebate  14 . The glass panel  16  acts as a window or viewing area through which a picture (not shown) can be viewed when the picture frame assembly  10  is in an upright manner. 
     The picture (not shown) may be a print or photograph having a visual display formed on a surface thereof. The picture is typically placed on the glass panel  16  such that the visual display is against the glass panel and centred as desired by a user. Once positioned in such a manner, a backing member  15  is positioned within the recess  13  so as to be located behind the picture. The backing member  15  has a shape that substantially conforms to the recess  13  and functions to hold the picture in position against the glass panel  16 . 
     In order to retain the backing member  15  in position within the recess  13 , a plurality of retainer devices  20  are provided. The retainer devices  20  are mounted to an inside wall of the body  12  at predetermined positions about the recess  13 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , eight retainer devices  20  are provided. However, it will be appreciated that the position and number of retainer devices  20  required to hold the backing member  15  in position will vary depending upon the specific requirements and configuration of the picture frame assembly  10 . 
     An embodiment of a retainer device in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention is shown in isolation in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The device  20  generally comprises a head portion  22  and a tail portion  24 . The head portion  22  has a plurality of teeth  23  that project from an underside thereof. The teeth  23  extend from the head portion  22  and taper towards a sharp point. The teeth each have sufficient rigidity to penetrate the body  12  of the picture frame assembly  10 . 
     In order to fix the device  20  in position, the device  20  is positioned against the wall of the body  12  and a force is applied thereto, by way of a hammer, press or the like, to cause the teeth  23  to penetrate into the body  12 . Each of the teeth  23  has a length of approximately 2 mm such that the device  20  can be used in applications where the wall of the body  12  is very thin. In order to facilitate secure engagement between the device  20  and the body  12 , the teeth  23  may be configured so as to diverge away from each other, such that when the teeth penetrate the body  12  a degree of lateral force is created between the teeth  23 . 
     The device  20  is typically made from a metal such as an steel or the like, and the teeth may be formed by punching a hole  21  in the head portion  22 . In this regard, the teeth  23  are formed as a residual of the punching process. However, it will be appreciated that the teeth may be formed by a variety of other means and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     The tail portion  24  extends from the head portion  22  and has a length substantially greater than the length of the head portion  22 . In a preferred form, the tail portion has a length of approximately 9.5 mm and the head portion  22  has a length of approximately 5.5 mm. A slot  25  is formed in the tail portion  24  at a region proximal the head portion to provide a region of reduced strength at or adjacent to the junction between the head portion  22  and the tail portion  24 . The region of reduced strength enables the tail portion  24  to be bent about axis A-A with respect to the head portion, in a manner to be described in more detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged portion of the body  12  of the picture frame assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. The body  12  has a front surface  12   a,  which represents the front of the picture frame assembly  10 . The rebate  14  is located substantially parallel to the front surface  12   a  and an inner wall  12   b  extends from the rebate  14  to the rear of the picture frame assembly  10 , as shown. The retainer device  20  is mounted to the inner wall  12   b  of the body  12 , such that the head portion  22  is positioned adjacent the rebate  14  and the tail portion  24  extends towards the rear of the picture frame assembly, so as to be substantially parallel with the inner wall  12   b  and perpendicular to the rebate  14 , as is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     This arrangement is shown in  FIG. 1 . When the retainer devices  20  are in this configuration, the retainer devices  20  do not substantially extend into the recess  13 . This enables the glass panel  16 , picture and backing member  15  to be positioned within the recess  13  such that they are supported on the rebate  14 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5 , in order to secure the backing member  15  in position within the recess  13 , the tail portion  24  of the retainer device  20  is bent through approximately 90° so as to be in contact with the rear of the backing member  15 . The backing member is thus prevented from being removed from the recess  13  by the tail portion  24  of the retainer device  20 , which ensures that the backing member  15 , picture and glass panel  16  are sandwiched in position between the rebate  14  and the plurality of retainer devices  20 . 
     It will be appreciated that the retainer device  20  of the present invention can be employed without the need for dedicated application devices and stapler guns and can be merely press fitted into position on the frame body  12 . Due to the nature of the teeth provided on the retainer device the device can be employed in situations where the material of the frame body is made from a thin material, without fear of damage to the structure of the frame assembly. Thus, the retainer device of the present invention provides a simple yet effective alternative to conventional nail and pin arrangements used for retaining a backing of a picture frame in position. 
     Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. 
     Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the retainer device uppermost. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.