Improvements in Picture and other similar Frames.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Picture and other similar Frames.
I, ALEXANDER GUTTENBERG, of 56 Domstrasse, Würtzburg, in the Empire.
of Germany, Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
aud in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in frames for pictures, photographs,.
paintings, mirrors and the like, whereby such frames can be altered in size to suit
the pictures or other objects to be placed in them.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings,
Figure 1 is a front view of a frame constructed in accordance with the
invention, and shown closed together into its smallest size, Figure 2 is a back view
of the same, and Figure 3 is a back view of the same when extended or opened out
to a larger size.
According to this invention the frame is made of four crosses a, b, c, d so
connected together that they form a rectangle. Each cross comprises a portion of
a horizontal, and a portion of a vertical member of the frame, so that each
horizontal and each vertical member of the frame consists of two parts. These
members are hollow, and contain within them loose connecting pieces or dowels f
(see Figure 3). This arrangement enables the frame to be extended or contracted
vertically or laterally, or in both directions at pleasure so as to vary its size,
within certain limits, according to requirements. To prevent the parts from being
drawn completely out of one another, wires m are secured at 1 to the backs of the
connecting pieces or dowels f. These wires pass through sockets gl fixed on the
ends of the parts composing the crosses a, b, c, d, and their ends are bent up at m
to prevent them from being drawn out of the said sockets, which latter thus serve
not only as guides for the wires m, but also as stops to prevent the parts of the
frame from being entirely separated. Each socket g' is provided with a tongue g
the point of which projects somewhat beyond the inner edge of the frame, and
these tongues serve for the object intended to be framed to bear against, so that it
cannot fall out at the back of the frame.
In order to support the frame in a proper position after it has been adjusted to
size, the lower part of the supporting struts is provided with a sliding lengthening
sleeve p and the upper part thereof is formed as a tube q which is pivotted on two
wires fixed to the upper crosses a and c. The said wires should be long enough
to allow the said tube q to remain on them when the frame is extended to its
greatest width; so that when the frame is extended laterally the wires are
drawn apart, but always serve as pivots for the tube g of the supporting strut 8,
whilst when the frame is extended or shortened vertically the sleeve p on the
supporting struts is moved downwards or upwards accordingly; whereby the
same supporting strut can be used for the fraine whatever size the latter may be
adjusted to.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
I claim is
First. The improved frame for pictures, photographs, paintings, mirrors and the
like having divided hollow vertical and horizontal members containing loose
connecting pieces, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

page_text: Second. In a picture or other similar frame constructed as herein described, the
guide sockets g secured on the horizontal and vertical members of the frame, the
wires m, fixed on the connecting pieces f, passing through the said guide sockets,
and having their ends turned up, and the tongues g extending beyond the inner
edges of the frame, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.
Third. In a picture or other similar frame of the kind herein described,
constructing the upper end of the supporting strut s with a tube q, and pivotting
the same on two pivots r fixed on the two parts of the upper horizontal member,
the said supporting strut being also provided, or not, with a sliding lengthening
sleeve p, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 16th day of March 1896.
A.
GUTTENBERG,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.