US2209972A

US2209972A - Picture frame

Info

Publication number: US2209972A
Application number: US227052A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horwitt Nathan George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-08-27
Filing date: 1938-08-27
Publication date: 1940-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1957-08-06

Description

Aug. 6, 1940. N. H'ORWITT 2.209972 PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 27, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR AT I'QRNEY Aug 6, 1940. N.IG. HORWIII'TI': 2,209,972

PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTOR AT I'ORNEY Nathanfieorgeffor itb I Aug. 6, 1940. Y N. G. HORWITT 2.209,972

PICTURE FRAME Filed Aug. 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nathanfieo 8H ms. 7

I Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- I PI 2,209,972

Nathan George Horwitt, New York. N. Y. Appllcatior; :li:::.-27;)No. 221,052,

This invention relates to adjustable frames for supporting pictures, mirrors, plaques or other similar objects. The frames can be-used to support objects of different sizes. With my construction it is not necessary to make a frame to order to suit pictures or mirrors, etc. of each particular size. In one form, the frame comprises pieces adapted to be set over the corners of the picture, said pieces being pulled together against 0 the corners by adjustably set means. Said means in one form being made of cords or'straps and in another form of stifi pieces slidably mounted on each" other. Locking devices are provided to hold releasably the adjustably set means in the positions set. In another form top and bottom channel pieces are provided to set over the top and bottom edges of the picture. form, holding pieces are provided to support a circular or other curved. form of picture or mirror. Said latter form is also adapted to hold objects of polygonal. form having 3, 4 or more sides.

forms which induce the weight of the frame and the object held therein, to cause the frame to grip the picture tightly. Rubber plugs are employed in certain forms to wedge the cords attached to'the picture holding pieces.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon further study of the description and 3 drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective rear elevation of the strap type of frame having top and bottom members, said frame being shown holding a picture. Fig. 2 is a perspective rear elevation of one type of string frame having corner pieces, a picture being shown supported in said frame.

Fig. 3 is a perspective rear elevation of a second type of string frame having corner pieces, a picture being shown supported in said frame.

0 Fig. 41s a perspective rear elevation of a third type of string frame having corner pieces, a picture being shown supported in said frame.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear elevation of 'the string clamp used in the frame of Fig. 4, the

5 front flanges of the clamp being broken away as are likewise portions of the rubber plugs. The clamp is shown holding pieces of the strings.

Fig. 6 is a-section taken through-line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the rub-' ber plugs, shown by itself, which are used in the clamp of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of a string frame having a top and a bottom piece for supporting the a picture shown.

In another Hanging means are provided in certain Fig. 9 is a partial section taken along theline 9 .9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the rubber plug used in the frame of Fig. 8, said plug being shown by itself.

said frame. 15

Fig. 13 is a rear elevation of a frame similar to that shown in Fig. 11, except that the corner pieces are of a type suitable to support a round picture or mirror, and

Fig. 14 is a partial section, to an enlarged scale, taken alongthe line I4-I4 of Fig. 13.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is seen a frame having an upper supporting channel piece I5 and a lower supporting channel piece I6. Attached to upper piece I5 is a length of strap I1, the

lower end of strap I! being made fast 'to a buckle I8. Attached to lower piece I6 is a length of strap I9 threaded through buckle III, the loose end of strap I9 being shown at 20. Buckle I8 as shown is of the well known type consisting so of two loops. of course it is readily understood other types of adjustable buckles can beused. Attached'to strap I1 is a hanging loop 2| which can be used to hang the frame from a nail or hook in a wall or .to be supported by any other a suitable means. Upper and lower pieces I5 and I6 are preferably of a construction shown for channel-piece 56, Fig. 9. I They are also similar to that shown for similar pieces in Patent No. 2,016,942, Oct. 8, 1935 to N. G. Horwitt et al. 0 Such pieces are shown at 2I and 21, Figs. 1, 2, 3, a

7, 10 and 11 or at 50, Fig. 12 of said patent.

In use, upper piece I5 is-set over the top edge of glass 22, picture 23 and backing sheet 24, while lower piece I6 is mounted on their lower edge. Loose end 26 of strap I9 is then pulled upon causing said strap to be tightened in buckle I8, placing both straps I1 and I9 under tension and thereby causing upper and lower pieces I5 and I6, to grip tightly glass 22, picture 23 and 5 backing 24.

In the frame illustrated in Fig. 2 there are two upper corner pieces 25 and two lower corner pieces 26. Each of said pieces is provided with a struck up tongue 21.- The back of each of u tongue 21 of upper right hand corner piece 25,

the loose end 29 of said string being looped downward. On its way upward, string 28 passes through the right hand side loop of hanger member 30. In a similar manner, string 3|, having a knot at its lower end, is caught under tongue 21 of right hand lower piece 26 and extends diagonally upward passing under tongue 21 of 'upper left hand piece 25, the loose end 32 of said string being loopeddownward. On its way upward, string 3| passes through the left hand side loop of hanger member 36. The upstanding loop of hanger member 36 can be used to hang the frame from a nail in a wall or to support said frame by any other suitable means.

To use the frame of Fig. 2, right hand lower corner piece 26 is placed over the right hand lower corner of glass 22, picture 23 and backing sheet 24, while upper left hand corner piece 25 is placed over their upper left hand corners.

String 3| is pulled tight about and wedged behind tongue 21 of upper left hand corner piece 25. In a similar manner, lower left hand corner piece 26 is placed over the lower left hand corner of glass 22, picture 23 and backing sheet 24, while upper right hand comer piece 25 is placed over their upper right hand corner. String 28 is pulled tight about and wedged behind tongue 21 of upper right hand corner piece 25. Both strings 28 and 3| are passed through their respective loops of hanger member 30 as explained before. When the: frame and its contents are supported, say from a nail in the wall, said nail being inserted through the upstanding loop of hanger member 36, the side loops of said member slide up on strings 28 and 3| increasing their tautness.

The frame of Fig. 3 has upper corner pieces 34 and lower corner pieces 35 said comer pieces being similar to the corner pieces of Fig. 2 except that instead of having tongues 21, they have loops 36 struck up from them. String 31 is inserted through loop 36 of lower left hand corner piece 35, a knot on said string keeping it from being pulled through. The upper end of string 31 is passed through the loop 36 of upper right hand corner piece 34, its free end being brought down and tied around knob 33 of hanger member 40. On its way up from lower left hand piece 35 to upper right hand piece 34, string 31 passes through loop 4| on hanger member 46. In a similar manner, string 38, having a knot at its lower end, is passed through loop 36 of lower right hand corner piece 35 and extends diagonally upward, passing through loop 4| on its way to loop 36 through which it is passed, its free end being brought down and tied around knob 39. From the above description and the explanation of the operation of the frame of Fig. 2 it is evident how the frame of Fig. 3 is used. Tab 42 on hanger member 46 has a hole 43 in it which can be used to hang the frame from a nail in a wall or to support said frame by any other suitable means. The tautness of

strings

31 and 36 is increased when the frame is hung by hanger member 46.

-The frame of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 has

comer pieces

34 and 35 just as in the frame of Fig. 3, the difference from said latter frame occurring in the strings and the means for fastening them. A lower string 44 is provided having a knot at each end, the ends of the string passing through loops 36 on the bottom corner pieces 35. An intermediate portion of string 44 is threaded through lower flanges 45 of hanger member 46. In passing through, string 44 passes between flanges 45 and the inclined sides of tapered rubber plug 41. In a similar manner upper string 48 having a knot at each end, passes through loops 36 on upper corner pieces 34. An intermediate portion of string 48 is threaded through upper flanges 49 of hanger member 46. In passing'through, string 48 passes between flanges 43 and the inclined sides of tapered rubber plug 50. Plugs 41 and 50 are each provided with a thumb piece 5|. A notch 52 is formed in the upper end of plug 41 and in the lower edge of plug 56. Between plugs 41 and 56, and extending into notches, 52 is a compression spring 53.

Hanger member 46 is provided with a tab 54 I having a hole 55 in it enabling the frame to be hung from a nail in a wall or to be supported by any other suitable means. 1

In using the frame of Figs. 4-7, the

corner pieces

34 and 35 are placed over the corners of glass 22, picture 23 and backing sheet 24. Ihumb piece 5| of plug- 41 is pushed up forcing plug 41 up against the pressure of spring 53. This leaves added space betwe egi the tapered sides of plug 41 and lower flanges 45, so that string 44 can readily be pulled up, drawing corner pieces 35 tightagainst the objects held in the frame. When thumb piece 5| is released, spring 53 pushes plug 41 down gripping string 44. Any tendency of string 44 to pull down only causes plug 41 to grip tighter. In a similar manner thumb piece 5| of plug 56 is pushed down against the pressure of spring 53. This leaves added space between the tapered sides of plug 50 and upper flanges 43 so that string 48 can readily be pulled down drawing comer pieces 34 tight against the objects held in the frame. When thumb piece 5| of plug 50 is released, string 48 is tightly gripped as explained above for string 44.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show a frame having an upper channel piece 56 and a lower channel piece 51, said pieces being similar in their gripping action on glass 22, picture 23 and backing sheet 24, held in the frame, to the channel pieces l5 and I6 of Fig. 1. Piece 56 has a member 58 flxedly attached to it. A tongue 53 is struck up from member 53. Hole 68 is provided in member 58 to enable the frame to be hung from a nail in a wall or to be supported by any other suitable means. Member 58 has flanges 6| which are similar to flanges 45 of Fig. 4. A tapered rubber plug 62, having a thumb piece 63, is provided to insert between flanges 6|. Lower channel piece 51 is provided with struck up tongues 64. Knots are provided on the ends of string 65, said string near its ends being slipped under tongues 64. String 65 is led inside of flanges 6|, and when pulled up as tightly as possible is wedged therein by pushing down plug 62 in said flanges. Any tendency of string 65 to loosen itself only causes plug 62 to grip tighter.

Upper comer pieces 66, in the modification shown in Fig. 11, are similar to corner pieces 34 of Fig. 3, except that the former are pivoted by means of pins 61 to bars 68. Similarly lower comer pieces 69 are pivoted by means of pins 16 to channel guides 1|. Bars 68 are slidably mounted in channel guides 1|. Projecting from one side of the web of each guide 1| is an ear each bar 68 in various up and down positions on its guide H so that

corner pieces

66 and 69 may be set to suit the height of the picture to be supported by the frame. The lateral adjustment of said corner pieces is effected by varying the angle between links H. When the frame is hung from hanger 16, said angle tends to become less', causing a constant lateral pressure of the corner pieces against a picture held in the frame.

The frame shown in Fig. 1215' a modification of that shown in Fig. 11. The

corner pieces

66 and 69, the latter not being shown, are the same as in Fig. 11. Bars 68 are also the same. Channel guides 80 each have an ear [2. Pivotally mounted on each ear I2 is an eccentric latch 8| forlocking each bar 68 in various up and down positions on itsguide 88 so that

corner pieces

86 and 89 may be set to suit the height of the picture to be supported by the frame. String 82, which has a knot at each end, passes through the openings provided at the outer ends of latches 8| and the openings provided in ears 83 at the upper .ends of guides 80. In the draw; ings, string 82 is shown as passing over a nail 84 from which the frame is hung. The weight of the frame and the object supported thereby causes atension in string 82, the horizontal component of said tension causing a constant lateral pressure of the corner pieces against the object held in the frame.

The frame of Figs. 13 and 14' is especially adapted for supporting a round object such as a circular or elliptical mirror or picture. Said frame is the same as the frame of Fig. 11 except for the corner pieces and. the bottom of the guides. Instead of corner pieces 86, each bar 68 has mounted on its upper end a pin 88 having a small head at its rear and a large head or flange 81 at its front. Mounted on pin 88 is a sleeve 88 preferably of rubber. Flange 81 is of larger diameter than the outside diameter of sleeve 88. On thebottom'of each guide 80 is mounted a pin 88 having a head 88, flange 87 and sleeve 89. The mirror 8| engages sleeves 89 on all pins 88 and is held back from falling forward out of the frame by flanges 81. The frame is adjusted as to height by the sliding of bars 68 in guides 90, the bars being locked in position by eccentric latches 18. The pull of hanger 16 on the upper ends oflinks 14 causes sleeves89 to press laterally towards each other.

In the claims, the frame is specified as supporting a picture, but I wish it to be understood that other objects such as the glass cover for the picture, mirrors and plaques are meant as well.

In Fig. 1 a strap is used, and in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 8 strings are used for holding the picture gripping pieces against the edge of the picture. While a strap is preferable in Fig. 1, strings could be used instead. Likewise, while strings are preferable in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 8, straps could be used. The term "flexible strip is generic to both a strap and a string and it is intended to have this meaning in the claims.

. I claim: 1. A frame for supporting a picture comprising pieces engaging the edge of the picture, a

' flexible strip in the form of a loop connecting said pieces, -means having spaced guides, the

space between said guides tapering ina direc-- 'tion parallel to the plane of the picture; each leg of the loop passing along a guide, and a resilient plug having a taper complementary to the taper of the space between the guides, said plug piece formed to set over respectively the upper and lower edges of the picture, a flexible strip in the form of a loop connecting said pieces, means fixed to the upper channel piece having spaced guide channels, the space between the guide channels tapering in a direction parallel to the plane of the picture with the small end at the bottom, each leg' of the loop passing through a guide channel, a resilient plug 'having a taper complementary to the taper of the space between the guide' channels, said plug being removably inserted in said space and between the legs of the loop, said plug binding the legs in the guide channels against the tension induced in the strip by pulling thereon to tighten the frame on the picture, and hanging means fixed to ,the upper channel piece for supporting the frame.

3. A frame for supporting a picture comprising an-upper piece and a lower piece formed to engage respectively the upper and lower edges of the picture, a'fiexible strip in the form of a loop connecting said pieces, means fixed to one of said pieces having spaced guides, the space between the guides tapering in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the picture with the small end toward the other of said pieces, each leg of the loop passing along one of said guides, a resilient plug having a taper complementary to the taper. of the space between the guides, said plug being removably inserted in said space and between the legs of the loop, the

pulling of the legs of the strip through the guides inducing tension in the strip and causing said pieces to press against the edges of the picture, said plug binding the legs in the guides against the tension thus induced in the strip, and means fixed to one of said pieces for supporting the frame.

4. A frame for supporting a picture comprising an upper piece and a lower piece formed to engage respectively the upper and'lower edges of the picture, flexible strip means attached at one portion to the lower piece, a clamp for releasably locking the opposite portion of said strip means in the position set, said-clamp being fixedly mounted on the upper piece, said strip means being slidable in the clamp, the pulling of said opposite portion through the clamp inducing tension in the strip means, causing said pieces to press against the edge of the picture, said clamp-enabling the strip means to be locked in the position set by said pulling.

5. A frame for supporting a picture comprising an upper piece and a lower piece formed to piece to come 'in the middle of the picture transversely when the upper piece is mounted thereon, the other end of the loop being slidable in the clamp, the pulling of the upper end of the loop through the clamp inducing tension in the loop, causing said pieces to press against the edge of the picture, said clamp enabling the loop to be locked in the position set by said pulling.

6. A frame for supporting a picture as claimed I in claim 4 in which the clamp is fixedly mounted on the upper piece in such position as to come in the middle 01' the picture transversely when the upper piece is mounted thereon.

'7. A frame for supporting a picture as claimed in claim 4 having hanging means fixedly mounted on the upper piece in such position as to come in the middle of the picture transversely when the upper piece is mounted thereon.

' NATHAN GEORGE HORWI'I'I.