AU459552B2 - Frames for photographs andthe like - Google Patents

Description

25.4061 6 This invention relates to frames for holding a

photograph or other substantially rootngular he-ot-like

object, usually in conjunction with one or more other

superposed sheets, e.g. a stiff backing and/or a trans-

parent cover. Photographs and the like come in a wide

range of sizes, and frames according to this invention have

the-feature that they can accommodate a range of sizes.

A frame according to this invention comprises two

channel strips which, in use, are fitted to a pair of oppos- ite edges of the object, and at least one retainer which, in

use, extends across the'back of the object and urges the

strips towards one another, the strips being of uniform cross

section throughout their length, including a channel for

engaging the edge of the object, and a track fdr receiving a

hook or equivalent on the retainer.

Preferably the cross section of2the channel strips

comprises a flat strip portion to engage the rear face of the

ehee4s, a first web and flange along one longitudinal edge of

the flat portion, forming a rectangular-sectioned channel to

-accommodate one edge of the object, and a second web and

flange along the opposite edge of the flat portion, forming

a narrower U-sectioned channel constituting the track.

Preferably, the retainer has the form of two legs

extending from an intermediate point for engagement with one

of the channel strips to spaced points for engagement with

the other channel strip, the resilience of the retainer

serving to urge the legs apart and thereby urge the spaced

points of engagement apart and hearce urge the channel strips

towards one another.

Preferably, the retainer is made of resilient wire,

459.552 with portions shaped to engage in the U-sectioned channels. The accompanying drawing shows one example of a frame according to the present invention.. In this drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the retainer when unstressed. Figure 2 is a perspective view of one channel strip; and Figure 3 is a perspective rear view of the frame assembled with a photograph. As shown in Figure 3, the photograph (not Itself shown) is sandwiched between a rectangular glass sheet 1 and a rectangular back support sheet 2. These sheets both have the same width and height as the photograph. The support sheet could be of any suitable-rigid material, e.g. plastics, metal, wood, hardboard. The glass could be replaced by transparent plastics material. The two channel strips 5 and 6 are identical and are of uniform cross section. They have a length equal to the width of the photograph, and are of a rigid material, such as metal or a plastics material. Each channel strip includes a flat portion 7, a rectangular-sectioned channel 8and a U-sectioned channel 9. The retainer 4iis made of resilient wire, and Its unstressed shape is as-shown in Figure It consists of two legs 10, each terminating in a hook 11, and connected together by a coil 12. For ease of manufacture, the, coil has a central diametral portion/, linked to .each leg by a coiled portion. Each coiled por tion is of one turn. For ease of storage, the retainer is made so that, when it is unstressed, the two legs lie on a common straight line.

3 459.55 2

25,406m, In assembling the frame, the legs 10 are swung

together through about 900. Then the bottom of one turn

of the coil is lodged in the channel 9 of the upper strip

Figure 3, while the hooks 11 are lodged in the as shown in then channel 9 of the lower strip 6, and the retainer is

released. The retainer attempts to return to the shape

Figure 1, and consequently the resilience of the shown in so that the hooks 11 are retainer urges the legs 10 apart, 9 of urged apart along the track constituted by the channel

the lower strip 6. Because the legs 10 extend obliquely to from an intermediate point on the upper channel strip of spaced points along the lower channel strip, the effect towards one another, so this is to urge the channel strips edges of as to exert frictional grip on the upper,and lower The the sheets 1 and 2 with the photograph between them. cannot friction is sufficient to ensure that the assembly

inadvertently shake apart. It can at any time be deliber-

ately taken apart by squeezing the two legs 10 of the re-

tainer towards one another.

It will be apparent that the same retainer will

accommodate sheets having a range of heights, while varying

widths of sheet can be accommodated by cutting the strips Thus and 6 to the required length from a supply as required.

a person wishing to be able to make frames for a wide range

of sizes of photographs and the like need only have a supply

of retainers 4 in a few sizes, each of which will accommodate

a range of heights, and a supply of material from which to

cut the strips 5 and 6. The fact that the strips are of

uniform cross section makes this possible.

For a very elongated photograph, two retainers may

459.552

25,406 n. be'used side by side.

For the sake of neatness in appearance, the dia-

meter of the coil 12 should be less than the vertical width

of the flat portion 7 of the upper strip 5. The coil is

then invisible from the front. Preferably the turns of the

coil are slightly spaced apart axially. This facilitates

engaging the front turn only in the channel 9 of the upper

strip 5. It also enables the upper part of the rear turn

of the coil to serve as a loop which can be engaged with a

hook on a wall or like suspension.

Although it is preferable for the coil to be at

the top of the back. of the frame, the arrangement could be

inverted, or a tall narrow photograph could have the channel

strips along its vertical edges instead of its top and bottom

edges.

For a frame intended to stand freely on a flat

surface, the retainer may be made with extensions to serve

as rear feet for the frame, when the photograph is stood on

a flat surface in an attitude leaning slightly backwards.

In place of a coil, the two legs may be joined by a

V-shaped portion, so that the entire unstressed shape of the

retainer resembles an inverted letter W; In this case, the

majority of the resilience lies within the legs themselves.

The downward apex at the centre of the inverted W is engaged

in the channel 9 of the upper strip, and then the hooks at

the ends of the legs are engaged with the lower strip as

described above, the initial shape of the retainer being such

that the legs have to be squeezed together, and consequently

stressed, to enable them to engage the lower strip 6.

Instead of providing several sizes of retainer,

459.552

25.4 0 6 mi there may be a single size which is adjusted by the user.

Onb simple way of achieving this is to supply the retainer

with legs 10 of the maximum length, without hooks 11, and

to leave the user to cut the legs to length, and then bend

the ends to form the hooks. Alternatively, the legs may be

formed with a series of loops or re-entrant corrugations,

each of which can serve as a hook 11, the part of the leg

beyond the desired loop or corrugation being cut off by the

user. Alternatively, the hook could be in the form of a

separate component capable of being slid along the leg, and

clamped to it at the desired position, after which surplus

leg material is cut off.

Other forms of retainer may be used. One example

is two hooks connected together by a tension spring. Another

example is two hooks connected together by a tie in which is

a turnbuckle by which the tie can be shortened. These two

forms of retainer are each used extending across the back

of the object at right angles to the channel strips.

Not only is a frame according to the present in-

vention very simple, and capable of being used easily for

a wide range of sizes, but also it has the advantage that

the sheets 1 and 2 do not require to be cut very accurately

to rectangular shape. In particular, the frame will funct-

ion satisfactorily if the two engaged edges of the sheets are

not ,truly parallel.

-6 45 9.552

Claims (1)

1. 25,400% 'Theclaims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A frame for holding a photograph or like object, comprising two channel strips, which in use are fitted to a pair of opposite edges of the object, and at least one re- tainer which in use extends across the back of the object and urges the strips towards one another, the strips being of uniform cross section throughout their length, 4 including a channel for engaging the edge of the object, and a track for receiving a hock or equivalent on the retainer.

   2. A r: me according to claim 1, in which the cross section of/~the a annel strips comprises a flat strip portion to engage the rear Lace of the/ohe..te, a first web and

   flange along one longitudinal edge of the flat portion, forming a rectangular-sectioned channel to accommodate one

   edge of the object, and a second web and flange along the opposite edge of the flat portion, forming a narrower U- sectioned channel constituting the track.

   3. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the retainer has the form of two legs extending from an intermed iate point for engagement with one of the channel strips to spaced points for engagement with the other channel strip, the resilience of the retainer serving to urge the legs apart and thereby urge the spaced points of engagement

   -apart and hence urge the channel strips towards one another.

   4. A frame according to claim 3 in which the retainer

   7 45 9.5

   25,4 061 is made of resilient wire, with portions shaped to engage

   in the tracks.

   A frame according to claim 4, In which the two legs are connected together at the intermediate point by a

   coil.

   6. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the retainer has the form of two hooks connected together by

   a tension spring.

   7. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the retainer has the form of two hooks connected together by

   a tie in which is a turnbuckle by which the tie can be

   shortened.

   A frame according to claim 1, substantially as

   described with reference to the accompanying

   DATED this 11th day of FEBRUARY, 1971

   CATHERINE HARGRAVE FIRTH

   EDWD. WATERS SONS, Patent Attorneys, 30 Russell Street, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.

   8- 459,55

   25,4 O 6

   Z/ z

   493

   04 459,552