GB2325854A

GB2325854A - Display mount

Info

Publication number: GB2325854A
Application number: GB9711629A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Calvert
Original assignee: MORRISH PRISCILLA DOROTHY
Current assignee: MORRISH PRISCILLA DOROTHY
Priority date: 1997-06-05
Filing date: 1997-06-05
Publication date: 1998-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-05
Also published as: GB2325854B; GB9711629D0

Abstract

A mount for displaying, e.g. a picture, is a single moulding comprising a frame 4 defining a window 14. A backing element 6, smaller than and lying behind the window, extends from one edge 20 of a bottom frame part and is flexed rearwards about edge 20 to allow a picture to be located between the frame and the flexed element 6, when the element is allowed to flex forwards to hold the picture against the frame.

Description

DISPLAY MOUNT The present invention relates to a mount for displaying objects.

A variety of display mounts are known in the art, for example standard picture frames. Such a picture frame typically has a frame element with a window and a flat backing element. The displayed item is held between the backing and the frame, so that it may be seen through the window of the frame element.

Since the frame and backing are typically held in position by clips, staples or tacks, changing the display may be a time-consuming process. The standard desk calendar provides a more convenient way of changing the display, by having spiral-bound pages which may be displayed in front of the mount and then removed from view by flipping them to the rear of the mount.

Broadly, the present invention provides a display mount having a frame element and a backing element attached to the frame element. The frame element has a window and the backing element (1) can lie behind the window of the frame element and (2) is deformable, to allow the insertion of an object between the backing element and the frame element. When the backing element is restored to lie behind the window, the object is held in position between the elements and is viewable through the window.

When it is said that the backing element is deformable, it is to be understood that it may be the region of attachment of the backing element to the frame element that is deformable.

The frame element and backing element are preferably formed in a single piece, preferably by moulding. This allows rapid and economical production of mounts according to this invention.

The backing element is preferably biased towards the frame element. Where the mount is formed in a single piece, the bias may be achieved by virtue of the backing element and/or region of attachment having elastic properties.

The mount is preferably also provided with a prop, to allow the assembly of mount and prop to be free-standing on a surface. The prop is preferably attached only to the backing element, such that when the assembly is in a free-standing position with the mount partially supported by the prop, the prop presses the backing element towards the frame element so as to assist in holding an object in position between the elements. The prop may alternatively be attached to the frame element.

The prop is preferably hinged on the mount, and arranged to nest with the frame element to allow flat packing and to facilitate overprinting of the mount and/or prop in e.g. a silk screen printing apparatus.

In a most preferred embodiment, the prop is substantially planar and hinged on the backing element such that when the mount is free-standing in normal use, the hinge line is parallel to the supporting surface. In an alternative embodiment the prop is integral to the mount and in fixed relation to it.

When the prop is hinged on the mount, means are preferably provided to limit the angle between mount and prop, for example by providing the prop with a stay, which comes into contact with receiving means on the mount as the angle between the prop and frame is increased to that at which the prop acts to support the mount.

Because a displayed object is held between the frame element and backing element by virtue of the backing element being behind the window, preferably being biased towards the frame element by its resilience and/or by the prop, rather than by fasteners, the display may be changed conveniently.

The mount and/or prop may be provided with areas suitable for overprinting and/or bearing self-adhesive patches etc., so as to provide display areas additional to the window.

The mount (and, optionally, prop) are preferably formed from medium input polystyrene, since this material is cheap. However, other plastics materials, e.g. ABS may be used.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of a mount embodying to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a rear elevation of the mount shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of a prop for engaging with the mount shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a rear elevation of the prop shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a side view of the end of one arm of the prop shown in Fig. 3, with the front face of the prop to the right of the drawing; Fig. 6 shows a side view of the mount shown in Fig. 1, in the region where it is engageable with the prop shown in Fig. 3, with the front face of the mount to the right of the drawing; Fig. 7 shows a section of the mount shown in Fig. 1, along line X-X; Fig. 8 shows a section of the mount shown in Fig. 1, along line Y-Y; and Fig. 9 shows an expanded view of the detail Z shown in Fig. 2.

The mount 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed from a single moulding of medium impact polystyrene, having a frame element 4 and a backing element 6. The frame element has upper and lower portions (8 and 10 respectively) and front and rear faces. The front of the lower portion (shown at 12) is smooth, flat and suitable for overprinting; the upper portion contains a rectangular window 14 defined on three sides by a margin 16 set forward from a flange surround 17 of the frame element and on a fourth by a top edge of the lower portion 10 of the frame element. The lower portion of the frame element is also set forwardly at 18 from the flange 17. Alternative shapes of the frame element and/or window are, of course, possible.

The backing element 6 is rectangular and slightly smaller than the window, for economy of production and so as to allow moulding in a simple open and shut mould. It is contiguous along one edge 20 with the rear of the top edge of the lower portion 10 of the frame element and can extend from this line of attachment to lie in register with the window and parallel to and somewhat rearwardly of the margin 16 (the "forward position"). The attachment of the backing element to the frame element is set back from the one edge 20 of the forward portion at 18.

The backing element is deformable in the region of the line of attachment 20, allowing it to be pivotally withdrawn from the forward position (-whilst still being connected with the frame element), so that an object may be located between the frame and backing elements, overlapping the margin 16 (possibly with the intervention of a transparent sheet). Under normal use the deformation is elastic, so that the backing element biases itself to the forward position. If a suitably sized object is used, it will fit closely into the first hollow, and be held in place there when the backing element is restored to the forward position.

The backing element is moulded with an integral hanging socket 22, having a keyhole opening 24 to the rear face of the backing element. This allows the mount to be hung from a nail, hook, etc. protruding from a vertical surface.

On the front face of the backing element are ribs 26, 26a, running perpendicular to the line of attachment 20, the ribs serving to increase the rigidity of the backing element, with the effect that forces applied to the backing element will tend to cause deformation only in the region of attachment.

The two side ribs 26a are continuous with bulges 27 on the rear of the backing element.

Two elongate recesses 30, 32 are located in the rear face of the backing element, within the thickness of the bulges 27, one recess running along each side of the backing element from the line of attachment 20.

The recesses may be seen in the rear elevation of the mount (Fig. 2) and their positions are indicated in the front elevation (Fig. 1) by dashed lines. Each recess has a hinge cavity 34, 36 and a receiving cavity 38, 40. The cavities are directed across the backing element, offer laterally open mouths 35, 37, 39, 41 in mutually opposite directions, and open to the front of the backing element. The cavities provide means for engaging a prop 50. The openings of cavities 34, 36, 38 and 40 to the front of the backing element may be seen in Fig. 1. This feature allows laterally opening cavities to be formed by a single moulding step in a simple open and shut mould. Fig. 9 shows how the side walls 43 of the recesses, into which the mouths open, is inclined outwardly forwardly.

The prop shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is formed from a single moulding of medium impact polystyrene, as a separate piece from the mount. The prop is generally planar, having a rectangular base portion 52 and two parallel elongate arms 54, 56, one arm extending from each end of a top edge 58 of the base portion. The rear face of the base portion 52 has a smooth flat area suitable for overprinting, the area being of similar size to that at 12, so that both areas may be overprinted using the same printing plate or screen. Near the end of each arm are two protrusions, a boss 60, 62 and a stay 64, 66. The bosses point towards each other across the gap between the arms, as do the stays.

The bosses 60, 62 cooperate with the hinge cavities 34, 36 (respectively) to form a hinge attachment between the mount and the prop, the hinge line being parallel with the bottom edges 68 and 42 of the prop and mount. The stays 64, 66 and receiving cavities 38, 40 cooperate to provide means for limiting the angle to which the hinge can be opened.

As can be seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the cavities 34, 36, 38, 40 extend into the non-recessed parts of the bulges 27 in the backing element, as well as connecting with the recesses. This has the effect of forming sockets in the side walls 43 of the recesses. The sockets can be seen in Fig. 6 and their positions are shown by dashed lines in Fig. 2.

The ends of the bosses and stays have wedge surfaces 70. To connect the mount and prop, the prop is positioned such that its base portion 52 lies in the second hollow 18 in the rear face of the mount (the front face of the prop adjacent the rear face of the mount) and the arms 54, 56 of the prop lie partially in the recesses 32, 30 (respectively), with the bosses and stays lying against the rear face of the non-recessed part of the backing element, in register with their respective cavities. As the prop and mount are pressed together (forcing the wedge surfaces against the side wall of the backing element), the prop deforms slightly. This allows the arms to separate slightly, increasing the distances between the bosses and between the stays, until they match the separation of the recesses 30, 32. At this point, the bosses and stays line up axially with their respective cavities, the prop returns to its undeformed state and the bosses and stays enter the cavities. The surfaces 72 of the bosses and stays which engage the insides of the cavities are not wedge surfaces, helping to prevent the prop and mount from disengaging. In short, the wedge surfaces allow "snap" fitting of the bosses and stays into their respective cavities.

Once the bosses and stays are engaged in their cavities, the arms of the prop can nest fully with the recesses in the backing element and the base is received at the rear of the lower portion 10 of the frame element, allowing the prop and mount to be substantially flat.

The bosses can rotate in the hinge cavities, thus forming a hinge between the prop and the mount.

As shown in Fig. 5, the cavity-engaging surfaces 72 of the stays 64, 66 are nearer to the front face of the prop than the rear. The receiving cavities 38, 40 are sized such that when the prop and mount are coplanar, the cavity-engaging surfaces 72 of the stays do not contact the stay-engaging surfaces 46 of the receiving cavities (i.e. those surfaces which are nearest to the rear surface of the backing element). As the hinge is opened, the surfaces 46, 72 converge and eventually abut, thereby preventing the prop and mount from separating further. At this point, the mount and prop form an "A" frame which may be stably set on a surface, resting on the bottom edges 68, 42 of the prop and mount.

Because the prop is attached only to the backing element and by virtue of the prop supporting some of the weight of the mount, the prop presses the backing towards the frame element during normal use, helping to hold any inserted object securely.

In use, with an object inserted between the frame element and backing element, the backing element would not be seen through the window of the frame element (in contrast to the view in Fig. 1), but rather the object would be seen. The display may be used for the display of flat objects such as photographs, pictures and calendar cards, or, possibly with an appropriate recess in the backing element, for thin three dimensional objects such as a digital clock.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display mount having a frame element and a deformable backing element attached to the frame element, the frame element having a window and the backing element: being able to lie behind the window of the frame element; and deformable to allow the insertion of an object between the backing element and the frame element, which object is held in position between the elements and is viewable through the window when the backing element is restored to lie behind the window.

2. A display mount according to claim 1, wherein the frame element and backing element are formed in a single piece.

3. A display mount according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the backing element is biased towards the frame element.

4. A display mount according to claim 1, having a prop attached to the backing element such that when the mount and prop are arranged in a free-standing position, with the mount partially supported by the prop, the prop presses the backing element towards the frame element.

5. A display mount according to claim 4, wherein the prop can lie flat against the mount.

6. A display mount according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the attachment of the mount and prop is a snap fitting.

7. A display mount substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been fuzed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A display mount having a frame element and a backing element, the frame element having a window and the backing element: a) being attached to a window-defining edge of the frame element; b) being able to lie behind the window of the frame element; c) being smaller than the window; and d) being deformable in the region of attachment to allow the insertion of an object between the backing element and the frame element, which object is held in position between the elements and is viewable through the window when the backing element is restored to lie behind the window.

3. A display mount according to claim 2, wherein the frame element and backing element are formed by moulding.

4. A display mount according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the backing element Is biased towards the frame element.

5. A display mount according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a prop attached to the backing element such that when the mount and prop are arranged in a free-standing position, with the mount partially supported by the prop, the prop presses the backing element towards the frame element.

6. A display mount according to claim 5, wherein the prop can lie flat against the mount.

7. A display mount according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the attachment of the mount and prop is a snap fitting.

8. A display mount substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.