GB2221618A

GB2221618A - Picture mounts

Info

Publication number: GB2221618A
Application number: GB8915768A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Maurice Verroken
Original assignee: HESTAIR INTERCRAFT Ltd
Current assignee: HESTAIR INTERCRAFT Ltd
Priority date: 1988-08-12
Filing date: 1989-07-10
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Also published as: EP0354662A1; PT91431A; GB8819206D0; DK387189D0; GB8915768D0; DK387189A

Description

rl ? () / -,e- 16 18 1 PICTURE MOUNTS This invention relates to picture

mounts by means of which for example photographic or other prints may be protected and displayed, and which are also convenient for hanging the picture on a wall.

A conventional mount comprises a frame to contain the transparent cover, which may be glass or a transparency and a backing which is often of hardboard. The elements to be displayed may be for example provided on the backing or a paper print sandwiched between the transparent cover and the backing. Clips or other fastenings hold the sandwich against a rebate on the frame.

An alternative system, to which the invention relates, is the so-called frameless frame in which clips are generally U-shaped and embrace the edges of the sandwich of glass and board to hold them together. If such clips are of simple U shape they are easily applied by a movement in a direction at right angles to the edge of the sandwich, but may as easily pull off and for that reason are not capable of use as hangers for the mount.

It is known to groove the board along lines parallel to the edges and provide a hook on the clip and then the hook can be engaged with the groove by a sliding movement of the clip along the length of the groove from a free edge to the required position. Usually two or more clips are located in each groove. However, such clips are relatively difficult to assemble to the sandwich and board and cover, particularly if they are to closely embrace the edge of the sandwich, and the grooves weaken the board.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved system.

According to one aspect of the invention a spring clip for a frameless frame is of generally U shape to 2 embrace the marginal zone of a sandwich of cover and mount, has a hook to engage a slot in the mount, and is characterised by the provision of a tongue struck up out of one limb of the U and projecting towards the other limb of the U. This enables the clip dimensions relative to the slot location and glass/board thickness to be less critical, and avoids the board weakness mentioned.

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide a mount comprising a sandwich of board and cover, the board having discrete slots on the back of the board, and a plurality of spring clips each of generally U shape to embrace the marginal zone of the sandwich, having a hook to engage a corresponding one of the slots in the mount, each clip having the provision of a tongue struck up out of one limb of the U and projecting towards the other limb of the U, and the spacing of the hook from the opposite limb to that which is connected directly to the hook being less than the spacing of the slot from the board edge, whereby after engaging the edge, the said hook may be deflected to engage in the slot.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a bridge portion connecting the two limbs of the U, and acutely related to said one limb of the U. This can give good spring loading on the edge of the sandwich and thus ensure that the cover and board remain aligned.

One presently preferred embodiment of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:- Figure 1 is a plan view of the clip of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the clip as seen in Figure 1; and Figures 3 to 5 are diagrammatical illustrations showing the clip being assembled in position.

Turning now to the accompanying drawings, the clip is made of springy sheet steel and comprises a first limb 10 and a second limb 12 made integrally and unitarily.

3 Limb 12 is extended at 14 to form a base part 16 which terminates in a hook 18. The base 16 is apertured at 20 to facilitate use of the clip to hang the picture and transversely dimpled at 22. Tongue 24 is struck up out of limb 12 and projects towards limb 10. The tongue is also dimpled at its free end at 26. Limb 12 is generally parallel to base 16.

Turning now to Figures 3 to 5, the assembly of board 30 and glass 32 has for example the photographic print sandwiched therebetween. Slot 36 is punched in the board along a short line parallel to the free edge, and usually at least two slots will be provided parallel to each free edge. The dimension D, between the slots and the edge of the board is related to the length of the clip used, but the clip of the invention has generous tolerances and possibly the slot can be varied in position by as much as two or three millimeters, assuming a clip length of about 20mm.

The clip is located, as shown in Figure 3 with the bridge portion 40 extending transversely of the edge of the assembly, so that the assembly is gripped between the limb 10 and the tongue 24. The tongue provides a generous tolerance in the thickness of glass and board assembly which can be accepted by any particular clip.

At this time, the hook 18 rests on the rear face of the board between the slot and the free edge, and closely adjacent to the slot. Pressure is then applied to the clip in the direction of the arrow P to cause the weakened limb 12 (due to the aperture therein) to arch and extend the effective length of the clip, until the hook 18 engages in the groove.

Hence the assembly method is quite different to that used with the prior art clips mentioned. It is a snap action instead of sliding along continuous board grooves. The tolerances permitted in thickness and slot position not only ease manufacture but also (in the former case) allow thick or thin pictures or thick or thin cover glasses to be employed.

4 The purpose of the dimples 22 26 is to avoid scratching the board and to provide a smooth operation in assembly, but dimple 22 also assists in providing a clearance between clip and board which may be useful when the clip is used to hang the picture, e.g. for the head of a nail or like.

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Claims

1. A spring clip for a frameless frame, of generally U shape to embrace the marginal zone of a sandwich of cover and mount, has a hook to engage a slot in the mount, and is characterised by the provision of a tongue struck up out of one limb of the U and projecting towards the other limb of the U.

2. A spring clip as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the two limbs of the U are connected by a bridge portion which is acutely related to said one limb of the U.

3. A spring clip as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the limb which has the hook and the acute portion is also dimpled with the projection towards the second limb.

4. A spring as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said the limb is apertured between the projection and the hook for hanging the assembly secured by said clip.

5. A mount comprising a sandwich of board and cover, the board having discrete slots on the back of the board, and a plurality of spring clips each of generally U shape to embrace the marginal zone of the sandwich, having a hook to engage a corresponding one of the slots in the mount, each clip having the provision of a tongue struck up out of one limb of the U and projecting towards the other limb of the U, and the spacing of the hook from the opposite limb to that which is connected directly to the hook being less than the spacing of the slot from the board edge, whereby after engaging the edge, the said hook may be deflected to engage in the slot.

6. A clip for a frameless frame substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A mount comprising a sandwich of board and cover together with a plurality -of clips, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990 at The Patent Office. State House. 6671 High Holborn. London WC1R4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent office. Sales Branch. St Mary Cray. Orpingtor- Kei.t BR5 3FX. Pr,rted by WA:1plex techniques Ita. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con- 1187