AU675026B2

AU675026B2 - Folding frame for a poster

Info

Publication number: AU675026B2
Application number: AU10644/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Norbert Hetzer
Original assignee: Esselte Meto International GmbH
Current assignee: Meto International GmbH
Priority date: 1993-12-08
Filing date: 1994-11-11
Publication date: 1997-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-11
Also published as: CA2178625A1; ATE166481T1; PL175084B1; HUT74472A; HU217322B; DE4341742A1; WO1995016257A1; NO962282D0; SK69696A3; FI962368A; PL314874A1; AU1064495A; NO312385B1; EP0733255B1; FI962368A0; EP0733255A1; NO962282L; CZ164896A3; CZ284700B6; SK281385B6

Abstract

The folding frame consists of several spars (1-4) forming a polygon, in which each spar consists of a lower section (5), an upper section (6) and at least one spring component (7). The fitting of a supporting strip (18) at the free end of an inner web (22) provides a good vertical distance between the poster (9) or the like to be fitted in the frame and the supporting surface (34) and hence good rear ventilation.

Description

PA-93/21-PCT -1- Description Folding Frame for a Poster This invention relates to a fold-out frame for a poster or some other planar structure, comprised of several bars forming a polygon, each bar including a profiled lower section providing a contact surface for the poster, a bearing element providing a bearing axis, and a profiled upper section pivotally supported on the bearing element, in which the profiled upper section is biased against the bearing element towards the center of the poster by a spring element, such that with the frame closed the spring element produces a torque causing closing of the profiled upper section, that the extended line of action of the spring element passes through the bearing axis when the frame is opened, producing an opening torque, and in which the poster is clampingly held between the contact surface and the free edge area of the profiled upper section when the bar is in the closed position.

A fold-out frame of this type is known in the art from DE-OS 20 62 466. Starting from an unstable intermediate position, the pivotal profiled upper section, on traversing this unstable position in the one direction of rotation, reaches a closed position with a snap action in which the poster is clampingly held in place, or an open position in which the poster is ready for removal and replacement.

In this known frame it is considered a disadvantage that the poster is in direct contact with the wall on which the fold-out frame is located. Because this PA-93/21-PCT 2 arrangement does not provide for a rear ventilation of the poster, the poster may become wavy or humid, in particular in cases where the frame is mounted outdoors. In addition, there is the risk of rain water collecting in the lower frame section, in which case the inserted poster absorbs the liquid like blotting paper. The poster becomes unsightly in no time, needing replacement.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve upon a fold-out frame of the type initially referred to such that condensation of water due to inadequate rear ventilation is avoided and to ensure that the poster resists weather and the like for a time of some length.

To accomplish this object, it is proposed according to the present invention that the profiled lower section include an inner bridge member projecting from the rear side of the frame in particular perpendicularly to the plane of the poster and providing at its free end the contact surface.

While in the known fold-out frame the plane of the poster is, so to speak, directly associated with the frame rear side as mentioned in the foregoing, in the frame of the present invention this poster plane is maintained at a relatively large distance from the wall carrying the frame, resulting in an adequate rear ventilation. As a result, any humidity on the wall or humid air reachincl behind the frame is prevented from having the adverse effects, at least to a significantly lesser extent than in the known frame.

With the frame closed, the line of spring action extended beyond the spring element extends outwardly at an

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PA-93/21-PCT 3inclination as seen when looking from the center of the frame, proceeding from the viewing side of the frame in the direction of its rear side. The geometrical bearing axis of the profiled upper section, as seen when looking from the front, then lies behind the extended line of spring action. This means that, on pivoting the profiled upper section in the opening direction, the line of spring action is displaced in the direction of the geometrical bearing axis. With the profiled upper section in a fully open position, the line of spring action is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

As seen when looking again from the front, the geometrical bearing axis then lies in front of the line of spring action. In this manner, closing and opening of each bar with a snap action is accomplished when traversing the unstable intermediate position in both the clockwise and the anticlockwise direction.

By reason of the fact that the abutment gib of the profiled lower section is then no longer in the rear plane of the bar and is therefore prevented from directly engaging a mounting wall for the folding frame, but rather, is conveniently provided at the free end of an inner bridge member extending transversely to the plane of the frame in the direction of the profiled upper section as disclosed in the invention, the poster is spaced from the abutment surface of the bars with the wall. This distance corresponds approximately to the width of the inner bridge member, measured perpendicularly to the plane of the frame. The inner bridge member extends in approximately the same direction as the profiled lower section, extending from the profiled lower section to the side pointing towards the frame center.

PA-93/21-PCT -4- In a further feature of the present invention, the bearing gib includes a first contact surface for the poster and, on the side close to the profiled upper section, a second contact surface for a protective film or a cover plate for the poster. In relation to the plane of the frame, these two contact surfaces are thus disposed in offset relation to each other which will be readily understood because the poster is invariably beneath the cover plate, if any. At all events, the frame provides a suitable bearing or supporting surface for the outer edge of a cover plate. Also, the poster may bear against the first or the second contact surface. By virtue of the action of the spring element(s), the poster is clamped in place between the first or second contact surface and the free end of the profiled upper section.

In a still further feature of the present invention, the bearing gib has a U-shaped or arcuate cross-section, with the free ends of the legs pointing in the direction of the center of the frame. Rather than using a gib in which the cross-section is reduced in a step-like fashion, it is thus suggested to employ a bearing gib with a preferably U-shaped cross-section which affords a variety of advantages. One such advantage results from the configuration of claim 6. According to this configuration, the space between the legs of the U-shaped or arcuate structure is capable of receiving the edge area of a poster rear wall, which is suitable in all cases where the inherent stability of the poster is insufficient.

This invention further also relates to a bar of which the fold-out frame is composed, and according to the present invention, this bar is configured in PA-93 /21-PCT 5 accordance with at least one of the claims 1 to 17. In special cases, a complete frame may be dispensed with, substituting a single bar mounted in particular horizontally for holding a poster in its upper area. In this arrangement, it is convenient if the bar can be opened and closed in the manner described with ease and speed, clamping the poster securely in place. In addition, arranging the clamping plane at a relative distance to the abutment surface of the bar with the wall has an advantageous effect in that a poster of sufficient stiffness has an adequate rear ventilation also in cases where a single bar is substituted for a complete frame.

Further suitable configurations of this fold-out frame or its bars as well as the resultant advantages and modes of operation will become apparent from the subclaims and the subsequent description of an elnbodiment.

This particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a view of a rectangular fold-out frame; FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 on a slightly enlarged scale; and FIG. 3 is a section through one of the bars on a still more enlarged scale.

In the embodiment shown, the fold-out frame is comprised of four preferably straight bars 1 to 4 which are arranged at right angles to each other and are matched together in a miter joint. Each of the bars 1 to 4 essentially includes a profiled lower section 5, a profiled upper section 6, and at least one spring element 7.

PA-93/21-PCT -6- The profiled lower and upper sections 5 and 6 are jointed to each other by means of a pivot bearing 8. The frame serves the function of clampingly holding in place a poster 9, for example, or some other printed product. In the absence of sufficient inherent stability, the poster 9 rests against a rear wall 10 ensuring the requisite stiffness. In addition, a protective film 11 may be provided to protect the poster 9. The spring elements 7 may be known ring elements including, for example, an oval slotted ring having its two ends pointing towards each other or, in the event of an overlapping configuration, having the ring ends pointing in opposite directions.

Each spring element 7 bears against a spring rest 12 associated with the profiled upper section 6, and against a spring rest 13 associated with the profiled lower section 5. With the bar 1 closed and related to the center of the frame, the line of action 14 of the spring element 7 extends, so to speak, from inside, front to outside, rear, passing accordingly the pivot bearing 8 on the outside. When the profiled upper section 6 is swung in the direction of the arrow 15 to open the frame or the bar 1 for the purpose of inserting or removing a poster 9, the line of action 14 of each spring element 7 of this frame bar 1 is pivoted so as to pass through the geometrical bearing axis 16 of the pivot bearing 8. As soon as the line of action 14 intersects the geometrical bearing axis 16, the profiled upper section 6 is in a neutral or unstable position. From this position, it is able to continue its turning motion with a snap action in either direction solely by virtue of the spring force.

As becomes readily apparent from FIG. 3, the geometrical bearing axis 16 is arranged behind the extended PA-93/21,-PCT 7 line of action 14 of the spring element 7 when looking from the front. With the frame in the fully open position, the bearing axis 16 is, of course, outside or in front of the extended line of action 14.

The poster 9 bears against a first contact surface 17 of a bearing gib 18 of the profiled lower section 5 in the embodiment shown, it takes support indirectly through the rear wall 10. The poster is clampingly held in place by the free edge area 19 of the profiled upper section 6, the clamping action in this embodiment being equally effected indirectly through the protective film 11. The free edge area 19 of the profiled upper section 6 includes a pressure-contact bead 20 ensuring a perfect, uniform and firm engagement of the profiled upper section 6. To accomplish this, the pressure-contact bead 20 may be elastic. Above the pressure-contact bead 20, a longitudinally extending notch 21 is provided to permit the application of a suitable opening tool. To prevent the unauthorized removal of the poster 9, it should not be possible, or only with great difficulty, to open the profiled upper section 6 by hand.

The bearing gib 18 is at the free end of an inner bridge member 22 of the bar i, which bridge member extends orthogonally to the plane of the frame or poster.

Extending preferably parallel thereto is a gib 23 of the profiled lower section carrying the bearing element 24 associated with the profiled lower section 5. As appears from FIG. 3, for example, the cross-section of the bearing element is circular. The bridge member 22 and the gib 23 are connected with each other by means of a rear abutment gib 25 which, as its name implies, abuts a wall to which the frame is to be attached. The bridge member PA-93 1 21-PCT -8- 22 and the two gibs 23 and 25 combine with an extension gib 26 of the gib 23 of the profiled lower section to form the essential elements of the profiled lower section with the spring rest 13 that is associated with the profiled lower section 5 being provided on the extension gib 26, while the bearing element 24 is provided at the free end thereof.

In addition to providing the first contact surface 17 hereinabove referred for direct and indirect engagement of the poster 9, the bearing gib 18 further includes a second contact surface 27 for engagement of the protective film 11 or cover plate. Obviously, in respect of the plane of the frame, it is necessary for this second contact surface to be disposed at a higher level than the first contact surface 17. In a particularly preferred manner, the bearing gib 18 has in the embodiment shown a U-shaped cross-section, with the free ends of the legs pointing in the direction of the frame center. According to FIG. 3, the legs 28 and 29 of the U-shaped structure are of unequal length, the inward leg 28 being longer than the outward leg 29 of the U. The inner bridge member 22 extends approximately centrally from the rear side of the inward leg 28. The two legs 28 and 29 combine with a cross-member 30 of the U-shaped structure to provide a slotted seat 31 for the outer edge of the rear wall 10. The leading edge of the poster 9 faces the free end of the outward leg 29 of the U-shaped structure.

As results further from FIG. 3, the free end of the profiled upper section 6 fits with its pressure-contact bead 20 over the outward leg 29 of the bearing gib 18, thus enabling the bead 20 to be urged into pressure contact with the poster 9 through the protective film 11.

PA-93/21-PCT -9- The protective film 11 preferably has all of its four sides angled, this angle bend 32 fitting over the cross-member 30 of the U-shaped bearing gib 18 preferably at a small relative spacing, so that the protective film 11 is adequately centered relative to the profiled lower section 5. In the embodiment shown, the angle bend 32 is angled again in the opposite direction, with its free end 33 then extending approximately parallel to the plane of the frame or the rear abutment gib 25. In addition to ensuring the aforementioned adequate centering and also a good protection against the entry of rain water and the like, this configuration of the protective film 11 or cover plate also provides a good protection against damage due to the action of wind and the like.

The inner bridge member 22, the gib 23 of the profiled lower section extending preferably approximately parallel thereto, and the rear abutment gib 25 extending in particular perpendicularly to these two parts, combine to fo rm a hollow supporting structure which, in combination with the bearing gib 18, makes sure that the poster 9 is at a maximum possible distance from the abutting plane 34 for the folding frame, whereby an adequate rear ventilation is accomplished. In addition, if a transparent or translucent rear wall 10 is selected using, for example, milk glass, it is possible to provide a lighting behind the glass pane enabling the poster 9 to be back-lit.

As indicated in the foregoing, the bearing element 24 associated with the profiled lower section 5 is comprised of a gib extending in FIG. 3 perpendicularly to the plane of the poster and having a circular crosssection. It is directly formed integral with the free PA-93/21-PCT 10 end of the extension gib 26. The bearing element 24 associated with the profiled lower section 5 has its outside embraced by the bearing element 35 of circular-arcshaped cross-section that is associated with the profiled upper section 6. In the embodiment shown, the angle of arc is 270', approximately, which is the reason why it is necessary to push-fit the profiled upper section 6 onto the profiled lower section 5, that is, the bearing element 24 associated with the profiled lower section in the direction of the bearing axis 16. As a result, the spring element(s) 7 pull(s) the bearing shell onto the bearing element 24 from outside, the bearing element 24 thus equaling a journal. The profiled upper section 6 is held captive on the profiled lower section The hollow supporting structure of the profiled lower section 5 referred to in the above forms with its lower part close to the wall when in use a push-in groove 36 for the one angle leg of an angular corner connector not shown whose other angle leg engages within the pushin groove 36 of the adjacent profiled lower section with both profiled lower sections 5 being mitered. The push-in groove 36 is bounded relative to the outside by two short projections 37 and 38.

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Claims

2. The frame as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the contact surface (17) for the poster is formed by a bearing gib (18) extending parallel to the frame rear side.
3. The frame as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the location where the spring element takes support on the profiled lower section is in the area of the bearing axis (16). C- CI 91 PAL 93 J 2 L PCT' 12
4. The frame as claimed in any one of the claims 2 3, characterized in that the bearing gib (18) includes a second contact surface (27) for a protective film (11) or a cover plate for the poster said second contact surface being disposed on the side close to the profiled upper section The frame as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the bearing gib (18) has a U- shaped or arcuate cross-section, with the free ends of the legs pointing in the direction of the center of the frame.
6. The frame as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the space between the legs (28, 29) of the U- shaped or arcuate structure, in combination with a cross- member (30) of the U-shaped structure or back of the arc, provides a slotted seat (31) for a poster rear wall
7. The frame as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the inward leg (28) of the U-shaped c arcuate structure is longer than the outward leg (29) thereof.
8. The frame as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the inner bridge member (22) is integrally formed essentially centrally on the rear side of the inward leg (28) of the U-shaped or arcuate structure.
9. The frame as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the free end of the profiled upper section extends beyond the outward leg (29) of the bearing gib (18) in the direction of the center of the frame. PA-93/21-PCT 13 The frame as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, characterized in that a pressure-contact bead or the like is provided at the free end of the pro- filed upper section
11. The frame as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the cover plate (11) in- cludes at at least two parallel ends thereof an angle bend (32) pointing in the direction of the rear side of the frame and providing a centering aid it combination with the cross-member (30) of the U-shaped structure or the back of the arc of the bearing gib (18).
12. The frame as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, characterized in that a longitudinally extending notch (21) is provided at the free end of the profiled upper section to permit the application of an opening tool.
13. The frame as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, characterized in that the profiled lower section is configured as a hollow supporting structure essentially comprised of a rear abutment gib of the bar (1 the inner bridge member (22), and the gib (23) of the profiled lower section extending preferably approximately parallel thereto.
14. The frame as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the bearing element (24) associated with the pro- filed lower section is provided on an extension gib (26) of the gib (23) of the profiled lower section, said extension gib extending essentially preferably approxi- mately parallel to the rear abutment gib PA-93/21-PCT 14 The frame as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, characterized in that the bearing element (24) associated with the profiled lower section is comprised of a gib of circular cross-section having its outside embraced by the bearing element (35) of circular- arc-shaped cross-section that is associated with the pro- filed upper section
16. The frame as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the angle of arc of the bearing element associated with the profiled upper section is greater than 180", preferably 270', approximately.
17. The frame as claimed in any one of the claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the spring rest (13) associated with the profiled lower section is pro- vided between the bearing element (24) associated with the profiled lower section and the gib (23) of the profiled lower section.
18. The frame as claimed in at least one of the claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the hollow supporting structure forms or includes a push-in groove (36) for a leg of an angular corner connector.
19. A bar, characterized in that it is configured in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims. PA-93/21-PCT Abstract of the Disclosure The invention is directed to a fold-out frame com- prising several bars (1 in which each bar is composed of a profiled lower section a profiled upper section and at least one spring element The provision of a bearing gib (18) at the free end of an inner bridge member (22) ensures a good relative distance of the poster or the like to be inserted into the frame to the abutting surface whereby a good rear ventilation is obtained. (FIG. 3)