GB2349569A

GB2349569A - Support for picture or mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2349569A
Application number: GB9910294A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-04
Filing date: 1999-05-04
Publication date: 2000-11-08
Also published as: GB9910294D0

Abstract

A free standing support for a backing board 16 of a picture frame comprises leg 6 having channel-defining claws 12 engaged over an edge of the board, the support also having member 13, 14 defining a hollow engageable with a wall hook. The claws extend in a gap between the board edge and a surrounding frame. The leg has living hinge 10, snappable weakened parts 15 allowing the leg to be shortened for support of the picture on its long side, and rubber feet 9 which may be detachable.

Description

"A SUPPORT FOR A FRAME" THIS INVENTION relates to an improved support for frames, in particular frames for pictures, photographs or mirrors.

People often wish to display photographs or pictures in their home or workplace, and there is a substantial market for appropriately sized frames for this purpose. These frames, as well as enhancing the appearance of the picture, protect the picture from gathering dirt or dust or from being scratched, maintain the picture in the correct shape and facilitate the presentation of the picture by allowing it to be displayed on a surface or hung on a wall.

A photograph or picture will often be displayed in a frame of a rectangular shape, and depending on the nature of the picture, the owner will desire the picture to be displayed in the'portrait'configuration (with the shortest sides of the frame at the top and bottom) or the'landscape' configuration (with the longest sides of the frame at the top and bottom). To accommodate this, and avoid the need to produce different frames for these two configurations, frames conventionally provide a support for displaying the photograph in either portrait or landscape mode.

The support normally comprises a strut which protrudes from the back of the frame and terminates in a right-angled portion which coincides with the edges of one of the corners of the frame, as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The saut therefore presents a flat edge to a surface on which the frame is to be placed when the frame is in either landscape or portrait configuration. The strut may be attached to the frame, for example by a hinge, or may be formed from the backing board of the frame which has had the shape of the strut stamped out of it and remains joined to the backing board by a living hinge. Both of these cases present disadvantages, as an attachment means such as a hinge is relatively expensive and difficult to incorporate into the frame, and a stamped or perforated backing board may weaken the frame.

Further, neither of the above solutions allows the frame to be hung by the strut, for example from a picture hook or a nail protruding from a wall, and so separate hanging means must be supplied with such frames, or must be bought separately. These usually take the form of a clip which attaches to the backing board, as shown in the example in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to overcome the disadvantages associated with the above supports and hanging means.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a support for supporting a frame in a standing configuration and in a hanging configuration, the support comprising: an attachment means attachable, in use, to an edge of a backing board of a frame; a leg for supporting the frame in the standing configuration; and a shoe for allowing the frame to be supported in a hanging configuration.

Advantageously, the leg includes at least one pre-weakened region for allowing the leg to be readily broken to alter the length of the leg.

Preferably, the support is configured to be used with a rectangular frame, the support being of an appropriate length to support the frame in the standing configuration when one of the shorter sides of the rectangular frame forms the base of the frame, and after being broken in a predetermined place, the support is of an appropriate length to support the frame in the standing configuration when one of the longer sides of the rectangular forms the base of the frame.

Conveniently, the attachment means comprises at least one claw protruding from the support and being shaped to receive and removably grip the edge of the backing board of the frame.

Advantageously, two claws are provided.

Preferably, the shoe comprises a protrusion from the support shaped such that, when the protrusion is placed on a projection from a vertical surface, the support is supported thereby.

Conveniently, the support further comprises means to allow the support to be readily bent in at least one predetermined place such that a head portion of the support is hingeable with respect to the leg.

Advantageously, the means to allow the support to be readily bent comprises a living hinge.

Preferably, the angle through which the leg may be hinged with respect to the head portion is limited by hinge stops provided on one or both of the head portion and leg.

Conveniently, the attachment means and the shoe are provided on a head portion of the support and the leg is hingeable with respect to the head portion.

Advantageously, the support is formed as a single piece.

Preferably, the support is injection-moulded.

Conveniently, the leg is shaped in the form of an A.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a support in combination with a frame having a backing board and a border, there being a gap between the backing board and the border, a free end portion of the attachment means having a length which is greater than the gap so as to prevent detachment of the support from the frame when in an assembled condition.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, an example thereof will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional picture frame; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support embodying the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a frame in a portrait configuration supported by the support of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a frame supported in a landscape configuration by the support of Figure 2; and Figure 5 shows a frame having the support of Figure 2 attached thereto in a hanging configuration on a picture hook, a backing board of the frame being shown in phantom.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional picture frame 1 has a strut 2 attached to the frame 1 by way of a hinge 3. The strut 2 terminates in a rightangle portion, allowing the frame to be supported in either the portrait (shown in Figure 1) or landscape configuration. The right-angled portion is attached to the backing board of the frame 1 by a hinge 3. The frame 1 also has a hook 4 attached thereto, to allow the frame 1 to be hung on a wall. The hook clips over the top of the backing board of the frame 1.

Figure 2 shows a support 5 embodying the present invention. The support 5 is formed as one piece from a single piece of material, and is preferably injection moulded from plastics. The body of the support 5 comprises an'A'shaped leg 6 having two branches 7 and a pair of spaced apart braces 8 located so as to bridge the two branches 7 of the leg 6 at the middle and substantially at the bottom of the leg 6. The branches 7 of the leg 6 each terminate in a foot 9. To provide additional longitudinal support the outer edges of the A-shaped leg 6 are formed with a raised lip or rib 6A.

A living hinge 10 is provided near the apex 11 of the leg 6. This living hinge 10 is formed by the provision of a narrower portion of material along a line running substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the leg 6.

The apex 11 of the leg carries two claws 12, which project perpendicularly away from the plane of the leg 6. The claws 12 are L-shaped in cross-section, and define an open channel.

A head portion of the leg 6 between the apex 11 and the living hinge 10 includes a shoe 13, which protrudes from the leg 6 in substantially the opposite direction to the claws 12. The shoe 13 defines a canopy 14, with the aperture of the canopy 14 facing downwards towards the feet 9 of the leg 6.

Below the brace 8 which extends between the branches 7 at the middle of the leg 9 is a pre-weakened line or region 15 where the leg is thinner than in the surrounding regions. The pre-weakened line 15 comprises a pair of lines scored on opposite surfaces of each branch 7 of the leg 6. The function of the pre-weakened line 15 will be described later.

Figure 3 shows the support 5 of Figure 2 in use, attached to the backing board 16 of a picture frame 17. The backing board 16 is rectangular, and is arranged for a picture displayed in the frame 17 to be in the portrait configuration, i. e. with the shortest sides of the backing board 16 at the top and bottom. The claws 12 fit over a top edge of the backing board 16 so that the backing board 16 is received in the open channel of the claws 12. Thus, the claws 12 are removably attached to the backing board 16 by a push fit.

The living hinge 10 bends to allow the leg 6 to be oriented at a desired angle with respect to the head portion. The angle may vary depending on the circumstances in which the picture to be placed in the frame 17 is to be viewed.

The support 5 is advantageously constructed from a plastically deformable material such that the living hinge 10 may be bent many times without breaking. Preferably, the living hinge 10 is in the form of a groove having opposed chamfered surfaces 10A such that the hinge 10 can only be bent through a predetermined angle which is limited by the chamfered surfaces 10A coming into contact with one another. The chamfered surfaces 10A thereby provide hinge stops.

As shown in Figure 3, each foot 9 is preferably provided with a removable covering or coating 9a of a non-slip rubber material The rubber coverings 9a of the feet 9 of the leg 6 make the frame 17 less likely to slip if the frame 17 is to be placed on a smooth surface, or if the support 5 is to be used with a heavy frame 17.

Figure 4 shows the support of Figure 2 supporting a picture frame 17, this time in the landscape configuration. In common with Figure 3, the support 5 is attached to the backing board 16 of the frame 17, however in this example the border 18 of the frame 17 is also shown. The backing board 16 and the border 18 are connected together by conventional means. There is a gap between the border 18 and the backing board 16 which is smaller than the length of the free end of each claw 12 so that the support 5 is unable to become detached from the frame 17.

When the picture is to be displayed in the landscape configuration, the support 5 is not required to be as long as when the picture is to be displayed in the portrait configuration. In the example shown in Figure 4, the support 5 is broken at the pre-weakened line 15 where the cross-section of the leg 6 is thinner than in the surrounding regions. The pre-weakened line 15 is provided for the purpose of allowing the leg 6 to be broken easily along a predetermined line, although it is sufficiently strong that the leg 6 will not break at the preweakened line 15 during normal use.

When in the form of rubber coverings as opposed to coatings, the rubber coverings 9a for the feet 9 of the leg 6 may be removed from the feet 9 of the unbroken leg 6, and replaced on the new feet 19 created by the breaking of the leg 6. The living hinge 10 may again be employed to vary the angle at which the picture is to be displayed. The support 5 is dimensioned to be a suitable height for use with frames 17 in the portrait configuration when unbroken, and suitable for use with frames 17 in the landscape configuration when broken along the predetermined line 15.

Figure 5 shows the support of Figure 2 supporting an assembled frame 17 in the hanging configuration. The shoe 13 provided on the support 5 is provided to allow the support 5 to be hung, for instance from a nail or picture hook. The canopy 14 formed by the shoe 13 opens downwards, thus providing an aperture in the support to allow a part of the picture hook or nail to fit inside the canopy 14, which helps the support 5 to be positively located on the hook or nail.

The centre of mass of the support 5 is below the shoe 13, and so the support 5 is stable when in a hanging position. The support 5 is also constructed so that, when a frame 17 is supported by the support, the combined centre of mass of the frame 17 and the support 5 will also be below the shoe 13, leading to further stability of the hanging picture.

Although only one example has been described herein, the present invention is not limited to this example. For instance, the means provided on the support for allowing the support to be hung may comprise several components, including a semicircular cuff for accepting the head of a nail and a canopy for accepting a hook. These and other variations will be apparent to someone skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A support for supporting a frame in a standing configuration and in a hanging configuration, the support comprising: an attachment means attachable, in use, to an edge of a backing board of a frame; a leg for supporting the frame in the standing configuration; and a shoe for allowing the frame to be supported in a hanging configuration.
2. A support according to Claim 1, wherein the leg includes at least one pre-weakened region for allowing the leg to be readily broken to alter the length of the leg.
3. A support according to Claim 2, wherein: the support is configured to be used with a rectangular frame, the support being of an appropriate length to support the frame in the standing configuration when one of the shorter sides of the rectangular frame forms the base of the frame, and after being broken in a predetermined place, the support is of an appropriate length to support the frame in the standing configuration when one of the longer sides of the rectangular forms the base of the frame.
4. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one claw protruding from the support and being shaped to receive and removably grip the edge of the backing board of the frame.
5. A support according to Claim 4, wherein two claws are provided.
6. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the shoe comprises a protrusion from the support shaped such that, when the protrusion is placed on a projection from a vertical surface, the support is supported thereby.
7. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support further comprises means to allow the support to be readily bent in at least one predetermined place such that a head portion of the support is hingeable with respect to the leg.
8. A support according to Claim 7, wherein the means to allow the support to be readily bent comprises a living hinge.
9. A support according to Claim 8, wherein the angle through which the leg may be hinged with respect to the head portion is limited by hinge stops provided on one or both of the head portion and leg.
10. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means and the shoe are provided on a head portion of the support and the leg is hingeable with respect to the head portion.
11. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is formed as a single piece.
12. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is injection-moulded.
13. A support in combination with a frame having a backing board and a border, there being a gap between the backing board and the border, a free end portion of the attachment means having a length which is greater than the gap so as to prevent detachment of the support from the frame when in an assembled condition.
14. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the leg is shaped in the form of an A.
15. A support or frame substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 5.

15. A frame incorporating a support according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

16. A support or frame substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 5.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A support for supporting a frame in a standing configuration and in a hanging configuration, the support being formed as a single piece and comprising: an attachment means attachable, in use, to an edge of a backing board of a frame; a leg for supporting the frame in the standing configuration; and a shoe for allowing the frame to be supported in a hanging configuration.

2. A support according to Claim 1, wherein the leg includes at least one pre-weakened region for allowing the leg to be readily broken to alter the length of the leg.

3. A support according to Claim 2, wherein: the support is configured to be used with a rectangular frame, the support being of an appropriate length to support the frame in the standing configuration when one of the shorter sides of the rectangular frame forms the base of the frame, and after being broken in a predetermined place, the support is of an appropriate length to support the frame in the standing configuration when one of the longer sides of the rectangular forms the base of the frame.

4. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one claw protruding from the support and being shaped to receive and removably grip the edge of the backing board of the frame.

5. A support according to Claim 4, wherein two claws are provided.

6. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the shoe comprises a protrusion from the support shaped such that, when the protrusion is placed on a projection from a vertical surface, the support is supported thereby.

7. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support further comprises means to allow the support to be readily bent in at least one predetermined place such that a head portion of the support is hingeable with respect to the leg.

8. A support according to Claim 7, wherein the means to allow the support to be readily bent comprises a living hinge.

9. A support according to Claim 8, wherein the angle through which the leg may be hinged with respect to the head portion is limited by hinge stops provided on one or both of the head portion and leg.

10. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means and the shoe are provided on a head portion of the support and the leg is hingeable with respect to the head portion.

11. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is injection-moulded.

12. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the leg is shaped in the form of an A.

13. A frame incorporating a support according to any preceding claim.

14. A frame according to Claim 13, wherein the frame has a backing board and a border, there being a gap between the backing board and the border, a free end portion of the attachment means having a length which is greater than the gap so as to prevent detachment of the support from the frame when in an assembled condition.