GB2206281A - Picture mounts - Google Patents

Abstract

A picture mount, for prints, photographs, posters, paintings and the like, comprises two elongate edge-engaging members 2,3 for respectively engaging two opposite edges of a sheet 1 bearing a picture, and at least one elongate resilient tensioning member 4,5 for extending between the edge-engaging members 2,3 behind the sheet 1 and for holding the edge-engaging members 2,3 apart so that the sheet 1 is maintained in tension. Preferably two resilient tensioning members 4,5 extend between the edge-engaging members 2,3 and cross one another in an intermediate region and may be connected together at the crossing point by a hanging plate 7 having a keyhole slot 8 by which the mount may be suspended from a hanging pin. <IMAGE>

Description

"Picture Mounts" This invention relates to picture mounts for prints, photographs, posters, paintings and the like.

A variety of different arrangements are used for mounting a picture on a wall. Picture frames are commonly used, although the cost of such frames can be high and can even be greater than the cost of the picture itself.

Poster hangers are also used, these generally comprising top and bottom elongate plastics members for engaging the top and bottom edges of the picture, and a cord by means of which the top member is suspended from a picture hanging pin. However, such a hanger does not provide a high quality of presentation since it is difficult to display a picture without crinckles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel form of picture mount which can be produced at low cost and which is capable of displaying a picture to a high standard of presentation.

According to the present invention there is provided a picture mount comprising two elongate edgeengaging members for respectively engaging two opposite edges of a sheet bearing a picture, and at least one elongate resilient tensioning member for extending between the edge-engaging members behind the sheet and for holding the edge-engaging members apart so that the sheet is maintained in tension between the edge-engaging members.

The edge-engaging members are optionally provided with locating means, such as holes or slots, for engagement with the ends of the or each tensioning member.

In a preferred embodiment two resilient tensioning members are provided for extending between the edge-engaging members behind the sheet, each resilient member conveniently being of a length to extend from a respective end region of one of the edge-engaging members to the other end region of the other edge-engaging member, whereby the two resilient members extend transversely to one another and cross one another in an intermediate region when fitted between the edge-engaging members.

Although it is not essential, it is advantageous from the point of view of increasing the rigidity of the mount if the two resilient members are adapted to be connected together in the intermediate region. The picture mount may be suspended at the crossing point of the resilient members from a picture hanging pin, and a hanging plate, incorporating a keyhole slot for example, may be provided for attachment to the resilient members at the crossing point to engage such a pin.

Each of the edge-engaging members may be generally channel-shaped in section for accommodating an edge of the sheet which is introduced into the channel in a direction transverse to the length of the edge-engaging member. Preferably each edge-engaging member has a section generally in the shape of a U but having a hooklike extension integral with one arm of the U and extending into the channel for engaging a folded portion along the edge of the sheet. In this arrangement a fold must be made along the edge of the sheet prior to the introduction of the edge of the sheet into the channel, and subsequent withdrawal of the edge of the sheet from the channel is prevented by engagement of the folded portion behind the hook-like extension.

The edge-engaging members may be formed by extrusion or folding, and the or each resilient member may be constituted by a spring steel bar. Four end caps may also be provided for engagement with the four ends of the edge-engaging members.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred form of picture mount in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a view from behind of the mount fitted to a sheet bearing a picture; Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional views of one of the edge-engaging members showing the manner in which an edge of the sheet is engaged with the member; and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of one end of an edge-engaging member showing an end cap to be fitted thereto.

Referring to Figure 1, a sheet 1 bearing a picture is engaged along its top and bottom edges by elongate edge-engaging members 2 and 3. Two tensioning members in the form of spring steel bars 4 and 5 extend between the edge-engaging members 2 and 3 behind the sheet 1 and serve to maintain the sheet 1 in tension between the edge-engaging members 2 and 3. Although by no means essential, notches such as 6 (or other means of location) may be provided in the edge-engaging members 2 and 3 for engagement with the ends of the bars 4 and 5. Each bar 4 or 5 is fitted by engaging one of its ends with one of the edge engaging members and by then flexing the bar so as to bring the other end of the bar into engagement with the other edge-engaging member.The bar 4 or 5 remains slightly flexed when fitted to the mount so that the sheet 1 is continually under tension and any crinkles are thereby removed from the sheet 1, and the sheet is firmly held imparting an improved stability in respect of draughts or other physical interference.

A hanging plate 7 incorporating a keyhole slot 8 is provided for hanging of the mount. The hanging plate 7 has a turned-over portion 9 for engaging the bars 4 and 5 at their crossing point and for simultaneously connecting the bars 4 and 5 together at that point so as to prevent sliding of the bars relative to one another which might result in the application of asymmetrical tensioning forces to the sheet 1. If necessary, holes and/or projections may be provided in the plate 7 and/or the bars 4 and 5 for connecting the bars together in predetermined relative positions.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each of the edgeengaging members 2 and 3 is formed by an extrusion having a generally channel-shaped section. More particularly the section is in the shape of a U having arms 10 and 11 and a hook-like extension 12 integral with the arm 11 and extending into the channel. In order to engage an edge of the sheet 1 with the edge-engaging member 2 or 3 a fold is first made along the edge of the sheet 1 so as to form a narrow folded portion 13. The edge of the sheet 1 is then introduced into the channel in the direction of the arrow 14, as shown in Figure 2. As will be appreciated from Figure 3, once the edge of the sheet 1 is accommodated within the channel subsequent withdrawal of the edge of the sheet 1 from the channel is prevented by engagement of the folded portion 13 behind the hook-like extension 12. Furthermore the rigidity of the material from which the sheet 1 is made will cause the edge of the sheet 1 to be held firmly within the edge-engaging member 2 or 3 even under the action of high tensioning forces.

Figure 4 shows a detail of one of the four end caps 15 for closing off the ends of the edge-engaging members 2 and 3. The cap 15 is made of a resilient material, such as a plastics material, and has a generally cylindrical wall 16 for engaging within the channel of the edge-engaging member 2 or 3 as an interference fit. The wall 16 may closely match the internal section of the channel. Furthermore the wall 16 incorporates a slot 17.

The described picture mount is particularly simple in construction and makes use of only nine parts, namely the two edge-engaging members 2 and 3, the two bars 4 and 5, the four end caps 15 and the hanging plate 7, which are easily assembled to form the mount. Furthermore the flexibility of the bars 4 and 5 allows for some variation in the size of the sheet which is to be mounted using parts of particular dimensions. The edge-engaging members 2 and 3 may be formed, for example, of aluminium, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or folded steel, and may be given an attractive appearance by a variety of techniques such as painting, lacquering, plastic coating, or electroplating or anodising.

Claims (12)

1. A picture mount comprising two elongate edgeengaging members for respectively engaging two opposite edges of a sheet bearing a picture, and at least one elongate resilient tensioning member for extending between the edge-engaging members behind the sheet and for holding the edge-engaging members apart so that the sheet is maintained in tension between the edge-engaging members.

2. A picture mount according to claim 1, in which the edge-engaging members are provided with locating means for engagement with the ends of the or each tensioning member.

3. A picture mount according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two resilient tensioning members for extending between the edge-engaging members behind the sheet.

4. A picture mount according to claim 3, in which each resilient member is of a length to extend from a respective end region of one of the edge-engaging members to the other end region of the other edge-engaging member, whereby the two resilient members extend transversely to one another and cross one another in an intermediate region when fitted between the edge-engaging members.

5. A picture mount according to claim 4, in which the two resilient members are adapted to be connected together in the intermediate region.

6. A picture mount according to claim 5, which is adapted to be suspended at the crossing point of the resilient members from a picture hanging pin.

7. A picture mount according to claim 6, comprising a hanging plate, incorporating a keyhole slot for example, for attachment to the resilient members at the crossing point to engage such a pin.

8. A picture mount according to any of the preceding claims, in which each of the edge-engaging members is generally channel-shaped in section for accommodating an edge of the sheet which is introduced into the channel in a direction transverse to the length of the edge-engaging member.

9. A picture mount according to claim 8, in which each edge-engaging member has a section generally in the shape of a U but having a hook-like extension integral with one arm of the U and extending into the channel for engaging a folded portion along the edge of the sheet.

10. A picture mount according to claim 9, in which the edge-engaging members are formed by extrusion or folding.

11 A picture mount according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each resilient member is constituted by a spring steel bar.

12. A picture mount substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.