GB2203334A

GB2203334A - Method of constructing a frame

Info

Publication number: GB2203334A
Application number: GB08708296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lionel Peter Preece
Original assignee: Needle Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Needle Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1987-04-07
Filing date: 1987-04-07
Publication date: 1988-10-19
Also published as: GB8708296D0

Abstract

A method of constructing a frame 10 comprises the steps of making an elongate pattern, providing a plurality of cuts in the pattern to provide tabs T, the cuts each extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the pattern, folding the pattern to bring opposite ends of the pattern together about fold lines which are adjacent the tabs and also extend transversely of the longitudinal extent of the pattern to thus form a closed polygonal figure, engaging the tabs in internal corners of the figure and connecting the opposite ends of the pattern together. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Method of constructing a frame.

Description of Invention This invention relates to a method of constructing a frame.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a method of constructing a frame comprising the steps of making an elongate pattern, providing a plurality of cuts in the pattern to provide tabs, the cuts each extending transversly of the longitudinal extent of the pattern, folding the pattern to bring opposite ends of the pattern together, about fold lines, which are adjacent the tabs and also extend transversly of the longitudinal extent of the pattern, to thus form a closed polygonal figure, engaging the tabs in internal corners of the figure and connecting the opposite ends of the pattern together.

Thus a frame may be simply provided without having to provide a plurality of separate components which require connecting together as with known frames, and the frame does not require expensive injection moulding equipment for its construction, as with other types of known frame made of a plastic material.

Simply, the pattern may be provided in a material such as cardboard, PVC or another suitable plastics material, preferably of the type which can be extruded to provide the pattern.

Where the pattern is made of cardboard, the fold lines may be formed during folding or may be provided by scoring, and where the pattern is made of a plastics material, the fold lines may again be made during folding, or by scoring, or may be formed in the pattern as the pattern is extruded.

The cuts may comprise two parts, a first part which extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the pattern inwardly from a side edge of the pattern preferably to a position coincident with a fold line, and a second part may extend outwardly from the first cut part transverse relative to the transverse fold lines and the longitudinal extent of the pattern.

Preferably a tab is thus provided at each end of the transverse fold lines by the cuts, with the first cut parts extending inwardly from each opposite side edge of the pattern.

The pattern may be formed with at least two additional fold lines which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern, or the method may include folding the pattern about axis generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern, to form fold lines.

Thus the method may include folding the pattern about these additional fold lines to provide a generally channel shape configuration, preferably each of the side limbs of the channel having further additional fold lines or being further folded to provide further additional fold lines, which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern and the pattern may be folded about these further additional further fold lines to provide inwardly extending lips at each free edge of the side limbs of the channel.

If desired, still further additional fold lines may extend generally longitudinally of the pattern about which the pattern may be folded, to provide returns on the lips of the side limbs of the channel. Again the fold lines may be made upon folding the pattern, or otherwise formed prior to folding.

Thus the method may include folding the pattern about the additional fold lines, the further additional fold lines and still further additional fold lines where provided, prior to folding the pattern about the transverse fold lines and connecting the opposite ends of the pattern together.

The additional fold lines and further additional fold lines and still further additional fold lines where formed other than by folding the pattern, may be formed in the pattern by scoring, or where the pattern is extruded, the fold lines may be formed during extrusion and the pattern may be at least partially folded about the fold lines from a flat condition during the extrusion process.

After or during folding about the transverse fold lines the tabs may be secured in the internal corners of the polygonal figure by adhesive if required. Preferably though, the tabs clips behind the inwardly extending lips of an adjacent side of the figure.

One end of the pattern may be provided with a connecting tab which may be received in the opposite end of the pattern upon folding the pattern about the transverse fold lines to close the figure, to connect the opposite ends of the pattern together. The connecting tab may be adhered in the opposite end of the pattern, or may otherwise be connected thereto as required.

The connecting tab may be foldable relative to the pattern, again across a transverse fold line to enable the tab to be received in the opposite end of the pattern.

Tabs may be provided adjacent the connecting tab by further cuts to improve the connection between the ends of the pattern upon folding.

Preferably, the frame which is constructed is generally rectangular, there being three transverse fold lines across the pattern about which the pattern is folded to provide the rectangular figure.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a pattern for use in constructing a frame by a method according to the first aspect of the invention, the pattern being generally elongate and having provided therein a plurality of cuts each extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the pattern.

The pattern of the second aspect of the invention may have any of the features of the pattern described in relation to the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I is a perspective view of a frame constructed from the pattern of Figure 2.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a pattern for use in the invention prior to folding, and, FIGURE 3 is an end view of the pattern of figure i at a stage in the construction of the frame 10.

Referring to the drawings, a frame 10 is constructed from a pattern 11.

The frame 10 has four sides 12,13,14, and 15, and is generally rectangular, although could be of other polygonal configurations as required.

The frame is made in a cardboard material although may alternatively be made of a suitable plastics material which may be formed as sheet, or extruded as required.

The pattern 11 is generally elongate and at one end 16 hos a locking tab 17 which is used as hereinafter described, for securing the end 16 of the pattern 11 to an opposite end 18 during the construction of the frame.

The pattern II is provided with a plurality of cuts as indicated at 20 each cut 20 comprising a first cut part 21 which extends inwardly from a side edge 22 of the pattern to a position 23 coincident with a transverse fold line 24. The cuts each comprises a second cut part 25 which extends outwardly from the position 23 at the end of cut part 21, transverse both to the longitudinal extent of the pattern II and transverse to the fold line 24 to a further position 26.

It can be seen that in this example, there are three pairs of cuts 20, the first cut parts 21 of each pair of cuts being generally aligned and extending inwardly from opposite side edges 22 of the pattern.

The cut parts 21 and 25 thus provide tabs T which, when the pattern 11 is folded as hereinafter described, locate in internal corners of the frame 10.

In addition to the fold lines 24, a pair of additional fold lines 30 are provided which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern, and intersect with the points 23 where the first cut parts 21 intersect with the transverse fold lines 24.

Still further additional fold lines 31 are provided which also extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern and intersect with the points 26 where the second cut parts 25 terminate.

A still further pair of additional fold lines 32 are provided which again extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern II and lie between the fold lines 31 and the side edges 22 of the pattern.

Adjacent the locking tab 17, a further pair of cuts 35 are made so that further tabs T' are provided.

Construction of the frame 10 from the pattern II will now be described.

It will be appreciated that the transverse fold lines 24, additional fold lines 30, further additional fold lines 31 and still further additional fold lines 32, may be made by scoring the material of the pattern subsequent to the pattern being cut-out or extruded from suitable material such as cardboard or plastics. Alternatively, the fold lines 24, 30, 31 and 32, or at least some of the fold lines may be made upon folding the pattern 11 in which case the lines 24 or 20 or 31 or 32 indicated in the pattern II of figure I only show the position of the folds. Where the pattern is extruded, the fold lines 24,30,31, and 32, or at least some of the fold lines, may be formed during the extrusion process.

The cuts 20 and 35, are then made to form the tabs T and T'.

First, the pattern is folded about the additional fold lines 30, further fold lines 31, and still further fold lines 32 which each extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern to provide a re-entrant channel, the base of the channel (14b in figure 3) eventually forming the sides 12,13,14,15, of the frame 10, and the side limbs of the channel (14c,14d, in figure 3) providing sides 12a,13a,14a and 15a of the frame.

The configuration of the thus folded pattern is shown in Figure 3 from which it can be seen that the channel is of generally triangular shape, there being lips 40 and 41 attached to the free edges of the side limbs 14cud of the channel at the further additional fold lines 31, and there being returns 42 attached to the lips 40,41, at the still further fold lines 32.

It will be appreciated that because the cut parts 25 of the tabs T terminate at point 26 which intersect the further additional fold lines 31, when folded into the configuration shown in Figure 3, the tabs T, and the tabs T', will extend partly outwardly of the channel, tabs T being indicated in chain dotted lines.

Next, the pattern 11 is folded about the transverse fold lines 24 to bring the ends 16 and 18 of the pattern together. As this method step is performed, the locking tab 17 needs to be folded about a fold line 17' to enable the locking tab to be received adjacent the base of the channel at the opposite end 18 of the pattern where the locking tab 17 may be adhered in position or otherwise permanently affixed.

The tabs T and T' will locate in the inside corners of the frame as can be seen in figure 1, again where the tabs T may be adhered in position, or simply the tabs T may clip behind the lips 40,41 of the channel, or even behind the returns 42 to provide a riged connection at the corners of the frame.

Of course, prior to or simultaneously with folding the pattern about the transverse fold lines 24, a picture, mirror or other panel may be received in the channel between the lips 40,41 so that when the frame is closed about the panel, the panel will be surrounded by the frame 10.

By providing different widths of pattern 11 and varying the positions of the pairs of cuts 20 along the pattern I I, any size of frame can be constructed. If for example only two pairs of cuts 20 were provided, a triangular frame would be constructed rather than the rectangular frame shown in figure I.

It will be appreciated that the second cut parts 25 extend at generally 450 to the longitudinal extent of the pattern and to the first cut parts 21 so that when the frame is folded about the fold lines 24, neat mitered corners will appear to be created by the frame 10 as seen in figure 1. However, as will be appreciated from the dotted lines shown in one of the corners in figure I, at 50, it is in fact necessary upon folding the pattern about the transverse fold line 24 to tuck rectangular edges of the longest sides 12 and 14 of the frame behind the cut lines 25 which adds to the rigidity of the frame thus constructed.

The features disclosed in the foreging description, in the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method of process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. A method of constructing a frame comprising the steps of making an elongate pattern, providing a plurality of cuts in the pattern to provide tabs, the cuts each extending transversly of the longitudinal extent of the pattern, folding the pattern to bring opposite ends of the pattern together about fold lines which are adjacent the tabs and also extend transversely of the longitudinal extent of the pattern to thus formed a closed polygonal figure, engaging the tabs in internal corners of the figure and connecting the opposite ends of the pattern together.
2. A method according to claim I wherein the pattern is provided in a cardboard material.
3. A method according to claim I wherein the pattern is provided in a plastics material.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the plastic material is of the type which can be extruded to provide the pattern.
5. A method according to any one of claims I to 4 wherein the fold lines are formed during folding.
6. A method according to any one of claims I to 4 wherein the fold lines are provided by scoring.
7. A method according to claim 4 wherein the fold lines are formed in the pattern as the pattern is extruded.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cuts comprise two parts, a first part which extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the pattern, inwardly from a side edge of the pattern, and a second part which extends outwardly from the first cut part transverse relative to the transverse fold lines and the longitudinal extent of the pattern.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein each first cut part extends inwardly from the side edge to a position coincident with a transverse fold line.
10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein a tab is provided at each end of the transverse fold lines by the cuts, with the first cut parts extending inwardly from each opposite side edge of the pattern.
II. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the method includes folding the pattern about at least two additional fold lines which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern to provide a generally channel shaped configuration.
12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the additional fold lines are formed in the pattern prior to folding.
13. A method according to claim II or claim 12 which includes the step of folding the pattern about further additional fold lines which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the pattern to provide inwardly extending lips at each free edge of the side limbs of the channel.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the further additional fold lines are formed in the pattern prior to folding.
15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14 which includes the step of folding the pattern about still further additional fold lines which extend generally longitudinally of the pattern to provide returns on the lips of the side limbs of the channel.
16. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 where appendant to claim 10 wherein after or during folding about the transverse fold lines the tabs are secured in the internal corners of the polygonal figure.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the tabs are secured by adhesive.
18. A method according to claim 16 where appendant to claim 13 wherein the tabs clips behind the inwardly extending lips of an adjacent side of the figure.
19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one end of the pattern is provided with a connecting tab which is received in the opposite end of the pattern upon folding the pattern about the transverse fold lines to close the figure, to connect the opposite ends of the pattern together.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the connecting tab is adhered in the opposite end of the pattern.
21. A method according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the connecting tab is foldable relative to the pattern across a transverse fold line to enable the tab to be received in the opposite end of the pattern.
22. A method according to claim 19, claim 20 or claim 21 wherein tabs are provided adjacent the connecting tab by further cuts to improve the connection between the ends of the pattern upon folding.
23. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame which is constructed is generally rectangular, there being three transverse fold lines across the pattern about which the pattern is folded to provide the rectangular figure.
24. A method of constructing a frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A pattern for use in constructing a frame by a method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pattern is generally elongate and has provided therein a plurality of cuts which extend transversely of the longitudinal extent of the pattern.
26. A pattern according to claim 25 having any of the features of the frame constructed according to any one of claims I to 24.
27. A pattern substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and with the aid of the accompanying drawings.
28. A frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
29. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.