GB2317337A

GB2317337A - Picture support

Info

Publication number: GB2317337A
Application number: GB9719930A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sean Andrew Smyth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-18
Filing date: 1997-09-18
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Also published as: GB9719930D0; IES960657A2; IES80442B2

Abstract

A picture display apparatus comprises a support element (1) for fastening to a display surface and a frame (10) for holding the picture to be displayed. The support element (1) comprises a horizontally disposed base member (3) and at least one upright member (5). Each member (3,5) has a frame engaging tab (6,7) to engage corresponding receivers (12,13) in the frame (10). A locking pin (17) is inserted into a hole (15) provided in the frame to engage the frame engaging tab (7) of at least the upright member (5) of the support element (1). Adaptations include a base member (63) comprising a U-shaped channel operable to engage correspondingly shaped brackets (71) mounted on the frame (70).

Description

PICTURE DISPLAY APPARATUS The present invention relates to a picture display apparatus and more particularly to a frame for securely and releasably mounting a picture on a display surface such as a wall.

When an artist wishes to display a picture it will be either framed or unframed. Framing each picture is a costly venture and a frame generally must compliment the picture. As the value of art increases so too does the risk of theft. Hung pictures are usually very easy to remove and angled brackets for screwing a frame to a wall inevitably damage the frame.

It has recently become the practice of establishments such as hotels, convention centres, restaurants and banks to decorate blank walls with pictures which have not been purchased from the artist, that is, the establishment concerned has no outlay for the decoration of empty wall space. Artists can display their pictures in a prominent place for subsequent sale. However, the establishment concerned may be dissuaded from displaying a large number of paintings in a variety of dissimilar frames.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide a frame for releasably securing pictures of various sizes to a surface such as a wall.

The present invention provided a picture display apparatus comprising a support element for fastening to a display surface and includes at least one frame engagement means, and a frame having receivers for the frame engagement means and a locking means for securely retaining the frame to the support element.

Advantageously, the locking means is recessed in the frame so as to be substantially concealed from view.

Preferably, the frame includes a biasing means to retain the picture in the frame.

Conveniently, the biasing means comprises a foam sheet which is compressed between the support element and the frame in use.

Optionally, the biasing means comprises at least one foam piece profiled according to the media on which the picture is applied.

A backing sheet is disposed between the picture and the biasing means.

At least one border mount is positioned between the picture and the frame to aesthetically present the picture.

A picture of substantially smaller dimensions than the frame is presented in the frame by the correct selection of additional border mounts.

The support element preferably comprises a base member and at least one longitudinal member disposed generally perpendicularly to the base member, the longitudinal member including the frame engagement means.

Conveniently, the frame engagement means comprises an inclined tab having an aperture therein for receiving the locking means.

The base element also includes a frame engaging means or optionally comprises a U-shaped channel into which at least one complementary bracket attached to the rear of the frame sits.

Preferably, the locking means comprises a pin profiled to engage a pin receiver in the frame engagement means so as to retain the frame engagement means in the frame.

Conveniently, the pin is operable to extend into and retract from the pin receiver by a key-operated locking mechanism.

A glass or clear acrylic sheet is optionally disposed between the picture and the frame to prevent defacement of the picture.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, six embodiments of picture display apparatus according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of picture display apparatus; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus; and Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, the first embodiment of picture display apparatus comprises a support element 1 having a horizontal base member 3 and a centrally disposed upright member securing to a display surface such as a wall. The single upright member 5 can be replaced by a pair of spaced apart members (shown in dotted lines). The base member 3 is provided with a pair of frame engaging pins 6 angled upwardly at about 400 from the horizontal. The upright member 5 has at its upper end a frame engaging tab 7 also angled at about 400. The tab 7 includes an aperture 9 for receiving a locking member.

The apparatus also comprises a frame 10 for housing a picture P, the frame 10 having a pair of angled pin receivers 12 along the bottom frame element and an angled tab receiver 13 in the centre of the top frame element. A hole 15 is provided in the top frame element intersecting the tab receiver 13. The hole 15 accommodates a locking pin 17 which engages the aperture 9 in the frame engaging tab 7. The pins 6, tabs 7 and their respective receivers 12,13 are angled so that the weight of the frame and picture P carries the frame towards the wall and thus retains the picture P in the frame 10. This embodiment is particularly suited to physically lighter works such as watercolours, silk screens and prints. To mount the picture, a piece of glass or acrylic 20 is first put into the frame 10. The picture P is then positioned with respect to a first standard mount 22 and a second display mount 25. The standard mount 22 is used to accentuate the visual appeal of the picture and the display mount 25 is used preferably to provide uniformity between a large number of displayed works. A backing sheet 27 is provided over the rear of the picture P before a layer of foam 30 is added. The various components are held in position while the frame 10 is attached to the support members 3,5.

The weight of the frame 10 and components urges the frame against the supports 3,5 and the wall. The foam layer 30 which is now compressed, biases the picture P into the frame 10.

Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of picture display apparatus in which the support element 41 comprises a base member 43 and an upright member 45 for mounting on a wall. The base member 43 includes two frame engaging pins 46 which have head and neck portions. The upright member 45 has a flat frame engaging tab 47 angled at 900 to the main body of the upright member. This tab 47 includes an aperture 49 for receiving a locking member.

The frame 50 has a recess along the inner side of the bottom frame element for accommodating a bracket 51 which has a pair of shaped apertures 52 for receiving the frame engaging pins 46 and engaging the pins 46 at their neck portions. The top frame element includes a tab receiver 53 substantially as before, however, the receiving aperture is disposed horizontally and has a hole 55 for receiving a locking pin 57. Similarly to the first embodiment of display apparatus, the picture P is held between a sheet of glass or acrylic 20, a standard mount 22 and a display mount 25 on one side and a backing sheet 27 and a foam layer 30 on the other side. When the picture P is correctly positioned in the frame 50, the apertures 52 in the bracket 51 are aligned and positioned onto the frame engaging pins 46, the frame is then tilted rearwardly so that the frame engaging tab 47 engages the tab receiver 53 and is locked therein by the locking pin 57.

Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of picture display apparatus substantially similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the support element 61 comprises a U-shaped base member 63 and an upright member 65 which is identical to the upright member 45 of Figure 2 and has a horizontal frame engaging tab 67 with an aperture 69 for receiving a locking member. The frame 70 includes a pair of brackets 71 having lips 72 for engaging the U-shaped base member 63.

As before, the frame 70 includes a tab receiver 73 which includes a perpendicular hole 75 for a locking pin 77.

The picture P and layers of material intermediate the frame 70 and the support element 61 are substantially identical to those of the first and second embodiment.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of picture display apparatus each comprise a support element 61 and frame 70 identical to those of the third embodiment of apparatus. The fourth embodiment is directed particularly to securing a picture executed on a canvas CP which is fixed to a wooden stretching frame F. A sheet of glass or acrylic 20 and a display mount 25 are positioned with respect to the canvas CP and a foam layer 80, having an aperture 82 therein, is positioned to the rear of the canvas CP. A backing sheet 27 is positioned behind the foam layer 80 before the frame 70 secured to the support element 61. The aperture 82 in the foam layer 80 is sized so that the stretching frame F abuts the foam layer 80 but there is insufficient foam inside the boundaries of the frame F to distort the canvas material. Optionally, a foam layer comprising four foam corner pieces (not shown) replace the apertured foam layer 80. For a relatively larger canvas CP, the foam layer 30,80 is dispensed with, as is the display mount 25, as shown in Figure 5. The sixth embodiment of picture display apparatus, shown in Figure 6, is suitable for use with a heavy picture such as one executed on canvas board CB or a material laminated to block-board. A glass or acrylic sheet 20 and display mount 25 are utilised as before. A foam layer 90 including a backing board is used to retain the canvas board CB within the frame 70 and to prevent slippage of the picture. The foam layer 90 comprises a first arrangement of horizontally disposed foam pieces stuck to the backing board to provide grip to the canvas board CB and a second arrangement of vertically disposed foam pieces for providing bias to the painting from the wall or support element 61.

The locking pin 17,57,77 referred to above can be a simple cylindrical bar which is dropped into the hole 15,55,75 in the top member of the frame 10,50,70 and is removed using a special gripping tool or a magnet. The pin 17,57,77 can be threaded to engage a corresponding thread in the aperture 9,49,69 of the frame engaging tab 7,47,67 of the upright member 5,45,65 of the support element 1,41,61. A key operated push/pull barrel lock can be used to substitute the locking pin 17,57,77 for added security.

The above arrangements facilitate the exhibition of collections of art by a artist, a gallery or an art dealer who may provide a particular establishment with a number of frames and wall mounted support elements. A variety of artistic works are then provided for presentation which can be rotated from one locating or venue to another easily without rehanging the paintings. A potential purchaser can liaise with the establishment directly if they are interested in a particular work. The display mount 25 is chosen to reflect the surrounding ambience or to provide uniformity between the works presented. The artists "Provenance" and/or bibliography and optionally the price may be displayed between the display mount 25 and the glass or acrylic sheet 20.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A picture display apparatus comprising a support element for fastening to a display surface and includes at least one frame engagement means, and a frame having receivers for the frame engagement means and a locking means for securely retaining the frame to the support element.

2. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking means is recessed in the frame so as to be substantially concealed from view.

3. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the frame includes a biasing means to retain the picture in the frame.

4. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the biasing means comprises a foam sheet which is compressed between the support element and the frame in use.

5. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the biasing means comprises at least one foam piece profiled according to the media on which the picture is applied.

6. A picture display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, in which a backing sheet is disposed between the picture and the biasing means.

7. A picture display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one border mount is positioned between the picture and the frame to aesthetically present the picture.

8. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which a picture of substantially smaller dimensions than the frame is presented in the frame by the correct selection of additional border mounts.

9. A picture display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support element comprises a base member and at least one longitudinal member disposed generally perpendicularly to the base member, the longitudinal member including the frame engagement means.

10. A picture display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame engagement means comprises an inclined tab having an aperture therein for receiving the locking means.

11. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the base element includes a frame engaging means.

12. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which the base element comprises a U-shaped channel into which at least one complimentary bracket attached to the rear of the frame sits.

13. A picture display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking means comprises a pin profiled to engage a pin receiver in the frame engagement means so as to retain the frame engagement means in the frame.

14. A picture display apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the pin is operable to extend into and retract from the pin receiver by a key-operated locking mechanism.

15. A picture display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a glass or clear acrylic sheet is optionally disposed between the picture and the frame to prevent defacement of the picture.

16. A picture display apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.