EP0346177B1 - Fixing device for a plate or the like in a frame - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the fixing of a table or the like inside a frame comprising a groove open towards the rear for the reception of the edges of this table.

Currently, such fixing is ensured either with nails or with pivoting clips forming a spring, these then being themselves fixed to the corresponding frame using screws. However, both of these solutions are not satisfactory, since they have a certain number of drawbacks. The first of these solutions is neither practical nor quick. Furthermore, driving nails into a frame is likely to damage it. In addition, this solution is completely unsuitable when it is necessary to spare the possibility of subsequently removing a table to replace it with another.

As for the solution consisting in using pivoting staples, it also has drawbacks. Indeed, these staples do not provide satisfactory fixing by the very fact of their freedom of pivoting. Furthermore, when frames equipped with such clips are awaiting use, the presence of the latter proves to be troublesome.

Finally, in either case, it is also necessary to provide additional means for hanging the frame against a wall, in this case an eyelet eyelet or a cable fixed to the back of the frame at the using two pitons.

Known from US Pat. No. 3,596,392 is a fixing device comprising a leaf spring having the shape of a tongue riveted to a plate forming a base. This base is provided with a through hole allowing the device to be screwed onto the frame of a switchboard in a position such that the tongue comes to bear on the back of the switchboard. A number of such devices are regularly screwed onto the frame in order to retain the table in place. The base is also provided with a hole for fixing the assembly to a wall. With these fixing devices, replacing one panel with another requires a lot of work since all the devices must first be dismantled.

The present invention therefore relates to a device intended to avoid these drawbacks, the latter being designed so as to be able to ensure the fast and efficient fixing of a painting inside a frame.

• en ce qu'il comprend une embase pourvue de moyens de fixation contre le dos de l'un des côtés d'un cadre, et sur laquelle un ressort de serrage est monté pivotant autour d'un axe disposé parallèlement au bord du côté correspondant du cadre,
• et ce ressort de serrage affecte la forme d'un arceau en fil élastique dont les branches latérales sont disposées dans le sens transversal et se terminent par des extrémités coudées tourillonnant dans des paliers prévus dans l'embase pour matérialiser l'axe de pivotement de l'arceau de serrage,
• les bords transversaux de l'embase comportant des joues encadrant les branches latérales dudit arceau et qui sont pourvues chacune d'une rainure ou d'un rebord apte à immobiliser la branche latérale correspondante de l'arceau élastique dans sa postion de rabattement contre l'embase, position dans laquelle l'extrémité libre de l'arceau fait saillie à l'intérieur du cadre pour s'appliquer contre la face arrière du tableau placé dans celui-ci.

To this end, this device is characterized:

• in that it comprises a base provided with fixing means against the back of one of the sides of a frame, and on which a clamping spring is pivotally mounted about an axis disposed parallel to the edge of the corresponding side of the frame,
• and this tightening spring assumes the shape of an elastic wire arch, the lateral branches of which are arranged in the transverse direction and terminate in bent ends swiveling in bearings provided in the base to materialize the pivot axis of the '' clamping hoop,
• the transverse edges of the base comprising cheeks framing the lateral branches of said hoop and which are each provided with a groove or a rim capable of immobilizing the corresponding lateral branch of the elastic hoop in its folded position against the base, position in which the free end of the arch protrudes inside the frame to apply against the rear face of the table placed in it.

Thus to ensure the fixing of a table inside a frame, it suffices to bring such a device beforehand to the back of each of the sides of this frame. In addition, the fixing device placed on the back of the upper side can be equipped with a clip allowing the frame corresponding to a hanging hook to be hung. The fixing of a table in the frame thus equipped is very easy to achieve since after installation of this table it suffices to fold down the elastic clamping arches of the corresponding fixing devices. In addition, due to the very design of these devices, this attachment is then perfectly effective.

In a particular embodiment of the present device, the base thereof is made in two parts-namely: a plate provided with fixing means on the back of a frame, and a cleat on which the arch is mounted pivoting clamping- the plate comprising means for retaining this cleat, for example longitudinal edges forming an assembly slide.

In another embodiment, the base carrying the elastic clamping hoop is made in one piece, in this case: a sheet metal plate whose transverse edges are folded inwards to form flanges capable of retaining the lateral branches of the clamping hoop in the folded working position thereof.

However, the various features and advantages of the fixing device according to the invention will become apparent during the following description. This is given with reference to the attached drawing for illustrative purposes only, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the cleat serving to support the elastic clamping hoop, and this in a first embodiment of the present device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the mounting plate for receiving this cleat.

Figure 3 shows in perspective a detail of this plate.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the present device in position of use.

FIG. 7 is a corresponding view in section along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional view along the same plane but showing a particular detail, and on a different scale.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the use of a device according to the invention both to ensure the fixing in place of a table and the attachment of the corresponding frame on a suspension hook.

Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the base serving as a support for the elastic clamping hoop is made in one piece.

Figure 11 is a sectional view similar to Figure 7, but which illustrates the use of a device according to Figure 10, for fixing a table inside a frame comprising a marie-louise.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a variant of the device shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11, and which corresponds to the use of a device according to FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a variant of the spring cleat shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, the base serving as a support for the clamping spring is made in two parts, namely: a cleat 1 on which this spring is mounted and a plate 2 provided with means for fixing to the back of one of the 3 sides of a frame 4 for painting or the like. On its longitudinal edges, intended to be arranged parallel to the edges of the corresponding side 3 of the frame, this plate has edges 5 and 6 respectively which form a slide capable of receiving the stopper 1. One of these edges, in this case the edge 5, is simply raised in an inclined position, while the other edge 6 is bent at right angles. For its part, the cleat 1 has complementary shapes on both of its corresponding edges. This is to facilitate the mounting of the cleat by forcing the operator to place it in the desired orientation.

This cleat 1 is constituted by a molded plastic part, the upper surface of which has a central recess leaving two protrusions 7 located at the location of its transverse edges. As for the clamping spring mounted on this cleat, it consists of a hoop 8 made of drawn steel wire, the lateral branches 9 of which are arranged in the transverse direction. The end portions 9a of these are arranged between the two protrusions 7 which form framing cheeks. The ends 10 of the lateral branches of the arch 8 are bent outward and engaged in holes 11 formed at the base of the protrusions 7 to form articulation bearings in which these ends rotate. These thus materialize a pivot axis X-Y which extends parallel to the longitudinal edges of the cleat 1, therefore parallel to the edges of the corresponding side 3 of a frame when this cleat is in place.

The mounting of the elastic hoop 8 on the cleat 1 is carried out by momentarily tightening its lateral branches 9 so as to be able to engage the bent ends 10 of these inside the holes 11, after which the holding in place of this hoop is ensured simply by the elasticity of it. Consequently, it is possible to very easily dismantle this hoop by exerting thrusts in the opposite direction according to the arrows F so as to pinch and tighten the lateral branches 9 so as to release their ends 10 outside the holes 11.

At an intermediate point of their length, the lateral branches 9 of the arch 8 have turns 12 increasing the elasticity of the latter. Furthermore, these turns delimit two separate parts 9a and 9b having a certain inclination relative to one another, for example an inclination x of 130 °.

In the standby position, the hoop 8 occupies the position 8a shown in phantom in Figure 1 and in which this hoop is then raised above the cleat 1 towards the side opposite to the location provided for a table. However, this hoop is intended to be brought into the working position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 and in which it is folded down and on the opposite side. In this position, the end portions 9a of the lateral branches 9 are engaged inside grooves 13 provided at the base of the internal wall of the protrusions 7 of the cleat. These grooves determine the shoulders which are arranged above the corresponding parts 9a of the lateral branches of the elastic arch and thus allow the latter to bear on the cleat 1 so that the arch 8 can exert an elastic pressure against the table to fix in place.

The internal walls of the protuberances 7 have bevelled parts 14 constituting ramps having the function of causing a tightening of the adjoining parts 9a of the lateral branches of the arch 8 when it is pivoted in its working position. This is to facilitate the elastic engagement of said parts inside the grooves 13.

As is apparent from Figures 1 and 4, the holes 11 serving as bearings at the ends 10 of the branches lateral of the arch, open to the outside of the protrusions 7. This allows the external parts of these holes to be used to optionally house the ends of a metal clip 15 allowing the device corresponding to a hook 16 fixed to be attached against a wall M in order to suspend the frame 4 against it (see figure 9). Of course, such a clip 15 is then put in place only on the cleat 1 of the fixing device attached to the back of the upper side 3a of a picture frame.

The plate 2 intended to receive the cleat 1 is constituted by a plate of hard rolled steel sheet which may have a thickness for example of 0.3mm. This plate has points or teeth 19 which are intended to penetrate inside the material on the corresponding side 3 of a frame. As shown in FIG. 2, these points can be arranged at the two ends of the flange 5. However, other similar points can also be provided at other points of the plate 2, for example in the middle of the surface thereof. , these points being then produced by making punctures in this plate.

On the side of its rim 6, the plate 2 has two bent extensions forming lugs 17 which are intended to be placed against the internal edge 18 of the corresponding side 3 of a frame. However, these tabs have points 19 which are intended to penetrate into the very material of this edge, these points being produced by making punctures 20 in the legs 17 as shown in FIG. 3.

These points 19 ensure perfect fixing in place of the plate 2 and this in cooperation with the other points 19 provided elsewhere on this plate. Indeed, such points penetrate perfectly well into the wood constituting the sides 3 of a frame of table and they ensure a fully satisfactory fixing, even if it is a poor quality wood. However, the plate 2 has a hole allowing the addition of fixing screws if this proves essential.

Furthermore, the plate 2 has a boss 21 produced by stamping. This is intended to enter a corresponding recess provided on the lower surface of the cleat 1, and this in order to immobilize the latter in its final position (see Figure 8).

It should be noted that the fixing plate thus formed can be manufactured by a simple cutting and folding operation starting from a sheet metal blank. This therefore allows the industrial production of this plate for an extremely low cost price.

To secure a switchboard T inside a frame 4, four sides of this frame should be fitted with fixing devices as described above. For each of them, it suffices first to set up the corresponding fixing plate 2 as shown in FIG. 2, then to attach a cleat 1 thereon. The clamping hoop 8 carried by this cleat is then in the raised standby position 8a shown in phantom in Figure 1, therefore directed on the opposite side to the location provided for the table T.

After the edges thereof have been placed in the groove 22 on the sides of the frame, the clamping hoops 8 of the various fixing devices are folded back into their clamping position by pivoting according to arrow F1 (see FIG. 7). This allows their elastic engagement in the grooves 13 so that the middle branch 23 of each of these arches is then applied elastically against the back of the corresponding table T by tightening it against the bottom of the groove 22, which secures it in place. The lateral branches 9 of these arches then bear against the shoulders formed by the upper edge of the grooves 13 inside which the parts 9a of the latter are engaged. It should be observed that the greater the pressure exerted against a table, the more the attachment points of the legs 17 are kept engaged inside the material of the internal edge 18 of the sides of the frame. This therefore avoids any risk of displacement or tearing of the mounting plates 2.

The angled shape of the lateral branches of the clamping hoops has the effect that they are able to clamp in place very thin tables, such as the table T1 shown in dotted lines in Figure 9. But conversely, thanks to the elasticity of their lateral branches, these same arches can also clamp tables of great thickness, such as the table T2 of Figure 9 which has a maximum thickness. Thus, these devices are able to fix panels varying between the two possible extreme limits of thickness, namely 4 mm and 25 mm.

As already indicated, the attachment device attached against the back of the upper side of the frame is equipped with a clip 15 to allow the suspension of the assembly to a retaining hook 16 fixed against a wall. The thickness of the cleats 1 is determined so that their external surface comes into contact with the corresponding wall M, even if the framed painting is painted on a canvas mounted on a frame with a maximum thickness of 25mm. However, this surface advantageously includes roughness, for example in the form of diamond points. Thus, it is the rough surface of the cleats 1 which comes into contact with the wall, and not the frame or the elastic clamping arches. This therefore provides good position stability on the board on the wall.

If one wishes to remove the table T outside the frame 4, it suffices to pivot the clamping arches 8 in their raised position 8a for waiting. For this purpose, it is necessary to exert pressures in the opposite direction according to the arrows F against the lateral branches of these arches to release them outside the grooves 13 of the cleats 1. Optionally the frame can then be used to frame another board. Transferring a frame from one painting to another is very easy and quick to do, which is an advantage for professionals, such as art dealers. Optionally, the frames thus equipped can be stored in the standby position without the clamping hoops being put in place, these then being mounted at the last moment.

It should be noted that the present devices can also be used for fixing a painting inside a frame equipped with a Marie-Louise. In such a case, the tabs 17 of the mounting plate 2 are engaged in the interval existing between the internal edge 18 of the edges of the frame and the external edge of the corresponding Marie-Louise.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention. In it, the base carrying the elastic clamping arch is not made in two pieces as above, but consists of a single piece, in this case: a plate 25 of metal sheet whose transverse edges are raised to form framing cheeks 26 of the lateral branches 9 of the corresponding elastic arch. In addition, these edges are then folded inwards in order to form flanges 27 intended to replace the shoulders formed by the grooves 13 provided on the cleat 1 of the previous embodiment.

Indeed, in this case, the clamping hoop corresponding 8 is mounted directly on this plate. This hoop has the same general shape as in the previous case and the bent ends 10 of its lateral branches 9 are engaged in holes 28 provided on the sides of the cheeks 26 to serve as pivot bearings.

In the rest position, this hoop is raised in the same position as in the case of the previous embodiment. As in this one, it is intended to be then folded back into the clamping position shown in solid lines in FIG. 11, position in which the end portions 9a of its lateral branches 9 are engaged under the flanges 27. These are therefore these which allow the clamping bar to bear on its mounting base to exert pressure against the back of the table to be fixed in place.

As it clearly appears in FIG. 10, the flanges 27 have a beveled shape determining a widening of these flanges on the side facing the working position of the hoop. Thus, these edges play the role of ramps causing the tightening of the lateral branches of the hoop during its pivoting in its working position in order to facilitate the engagement of these under said edges.

The framing cheeks 26 provided on the base 25 have additional holes 29 allowing the possible mounting of a metal clip 15 for the suspension of a frame to a hook 16 fixed to the wall or the like, and this under the same conditions than before.

For its attachment to the back of one of the sides 3 of a frame, the base 25 has spikes 30 on its edge opposite the side of folding of the elastic clamping hoop 8. As for the longitudinal edge located on the side of the folding position of this hoop, it is adjusted for form a rim 31 capable of being applied against the internal edge 18 of the corresponding side of a frame. This rim is provided with spikes 32 on its free edge. However, other points, formed by punctures, can also be provided at other points on the surface of this rim. These different points are intended to penetrate into the material of the edge of the frame in order to ensure the fixing in place of the base 25, and this together with the points 29.

The mode of use and operation of this fixing device are exactly the same as in the case of the previous embodiment. Indeed, after having brought such a fixing device to the back of each of the sides of a frame, it suffices to fold the elastic clamping hoop 8 of each of these devices to obtain the fixing in place of a table to the inside the internal groove 22 of the corresponding frame. Moreover, it should be noted that this device can also be used in the case of a frame equipped with a marie-louise 33, as shown in FIG. 11. In this case the flange 30 of the base 25 is engaged in the interval between the internal frame song and the corresponding marie-louise 33.

Figure 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the base 25 of Figure 10. The corresponding base 25a differs from the previous one in that the framing cheeks 26a thereof have several notches 34, arranged one above the others, and this on the side of the folding position of the elastic clamping arch 8. Thus these notches make it possible to immobilize this arch in several distinct positions corresponding to different inclinations (see FIG. 13). This makes it possible to modify the working position of this hoop according to the importance of the thickness of the table to be fixed in square. Thus, in this case, a perfectly effective tightening of this table is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 14, a similar solution can be provided in the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 9. In fact in such a case the cleat 1 can be replaced by a cleat 1a whose transverse protuberances 7a have several grooves 13a arranged in different inclinations and which are capable of receiving the end portions 9a of the lateral branches of the corresponding clamping hoop 8. Thus again it is possible to immobilize this hoop in different working positions, depending the importance of the thickness of the table to fix in place.

However, the fixing device according to the invention can, within the scope of the appended claims, be the subject of many other variants. Indeed, this device is not limited to the sole embodiments which have been described above for information only.

Claims (11)

1. A device for fixing a painting or the like within a frame comprising a groove opened rearwardly for receiving the edges thereof by means of a spring intended for clamping the edges of said painting against the bottom of said groove, characterized in that :

- the device comprises a bed-plate provided with means for its fixation against the back of one of the sides (3) of a frame (4), on which plate the clamping spring is pivotally mounted about an axis (X-Y) disposed parallel to the edge of the corresponding side of the frame when this bed-plate is in place,

- the clamping spring has the shape of a ring bow (8) made of resilient wire, the lateral arms (9) of which are disposed in the transversal direction and end with angled ends (10) swivelling in bearings provided in the bed-plate for materializing the pivotal axis of this clamping bow,

- the transversal edges of the bed-plate comprise flanges which straddle the lateral arms (9) of said bow and are each provided with a slot (13) or a bent edge (27) or the like, adapted for immobilizing the corresponding lateral arm (9) of the resilient bow (8) in its turned down position against the bed-plate, in which position the free end (23) of said bow protrudes inside the frame (4) for fitting over the back face of the painting placed in said frame.

2. A fixation device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pivotal bearings provided in the bed-plate consist of two recesses (11) opened towards the interior, inside which the angled ends (10) of the lateral arms (9) of the clamping bow (8) are simply engaged and held in place by the very elasticity of said bow, thereby enabling its mounting and taking down by squeezing the arms thereof.

3. A fixation device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bed-plate thereof is made of two pieces, namely : a mounting platen (2) provided with means for being fixed to the back of a frame (4), and a cleat (1) on which is mounted the pivotable clamping bow (8), the platen (2) comprising means for retaining said cleat (1) such as, for instance, longitudinal angled edges (5 - 6) forming an assembling slide.

4. A fixation device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the cleat (1) carrying the clamping bow (8) is constituted by a molded piece comprising two protrusions (7) located along its transversal edges, the inner walls of which present at their base a groove (13) intended for receiving the corresponding lateral arm (9) of the clamping bow (8) in its turned down working position.

5. A fixation device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the protrusions (7) provided on the cleat (1) carrying the clamping bow (8) comprise ramps (14) adapted for ensuring the drawing-in of the lateral arms (9) of said bow, prior to their engagement into the grooves (13) provided for receiving them.

6. A fixation device according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the fixation platen is constituted by a sheet metal plate (2), the longitudinal edge of which being intended for being placed towards the inside of a frame comprises two bent extensions forming two lugs (17) adapted for being applied against the internal edge (18) of the corresponding side of said frame (4), said lugs being provided with hooking points or spikes (19) adapted for penetrating into the material of said frame.

7. A fixation device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bed-plate carrying the resilient clamping bow (8) is formed of a single piece, namely a sheet metal plate (25) having its transversal edges raised and turned down inwardly so as to form projecting edges (26) adapted for retaining the lateral arms (9) of the clamping bow (8) in its turned-down working position.

8. A fixation device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the retaining edges (27) provided on the transversal edges of the plate (25) forming the bed-plate present a beveled outline so as to form ramps ensuring the drawing-in of the lateral arms (9) of the clamping bow (8) prior to their engagement under said retaining edges.

9. A fixation device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the sheet-metal plate (25) forming the bed-plate which carries the clamping bow (8) comprises, along its edge intended for being disposed towards the inside of a frame, a turned-down edge (31) adapted for being applied against the internal edge (18) of the corresponding side of said frame, said turned-down edge being provided with hooking points or spikes (32) adapted for penetrating into the material of said frame.

10. A fixation device according to one of the above Claims, characterized in that the bed-plate carrying the clamping bow (8) comprises or is adapted for receiving a fastener (15) by means of which the corresponding frame (4) may be hanged from a suspension hook (16).

11. A fixation device according to one of the above Claims, characterized in that the bent edges surrounding the lateral arms (9) of the clamping bow (8) comprise several grooves (13a) or several notches (34) disposed in different slants or positions, thereby making it possible to immobilize the clamping bow (8) in different slants according to the thickness of the picture to be fixed in place.

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