GB2450379A

GB2450379A - Acrylic display, borderless, frameless picture frame

Info

Publication number: GB2450379A
Application number: GB0712236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: The Art Group Holdings Ltd; Linzi Russell-Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-23
Filing date: 2007-06-23
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: GB0712236D0

Abstract

A display device has a transparent outer cover or lid having a planar face with a plurality of side walls which may be at a right angle to said display face. A display item which may be a picture or poster is placed adjacent the planar face. A rear cover having a planar surface and a plurality of side walls is dimensioned to fit within the inside of the outer cover thereby holding the display between said faces. Both of the covers may be provided with a plurality of holes to allow a releasable fastening device to locate and hold said covers together. A hanging device such as wire or cord may be affixed to the device. Stiffening devices may be provided in the corners of the front cover to minimise distortion of the device.

Description

1 2450379

Patent Description

Title -providing an indication of the invention. * ALF

* ALF stands for Acrylic Lid Frame.

* This is a completely clear picture frame, whereby the artwork is displayed to the front of the frame and away from the wall and is constructed in such a way that flat art work can be inserted, taken out and replaced with ease.

Introduction and background to invention

* Acrylic is usually only used in two ways for displaying flat artwork * Typically as a replacement for glass, in a traditional picture frame, or as a flat sheet with the artwork either bonded to it, or printed directly to the surface and hung by the use of metal spacers. This is expensive and is difficult to line up and hang.

* This invention uses fabricated and die cut acrylic sheets to replace the traditional picture frame consisting of, glass, frame and back with only 2 main components.

Summary of Invention

* ALF creates a completely clear picture frame, using only two main component parts.

* The hanging mechanism and construction of frame enables the image content to be easily interchangeable.

* The transparency of the material gives the illusion of the picture floating free from the wall.

Optional Features * In order to stabilise the product when it is increased in size, additional corner supports can be added.

* These are made of clear acrylic, so they do not interfere with the overall aesthetic.

* The triangular shape is the most effective in terms of giving maximum support whilst minimising the visibility.

* These are bonded into position leaving a gap to the front, so as not to interfere with the insertion of the artwork, and leaving the structure invisible on the front face.

Introduction to the detailed Description

* Flat artwork is placed face down in the Front Lid, the Back Insert Panel slides in place, with the two sets of pre-drilled holes in alignment. The two hanging fixtures are screwed in place either side of the two components. The product is then wired and is ready to hang on the wall.

List of Figures * Figure Ia shows how the Acrylic components and the artwork slot together.

* Figure lb shows the hanging mechanism * Figure 2 shows the option of having acrylic triangular supports to increase the rigidity of the larger sizes.

Detailed Description of an example of your invention Front Lid * The front lid is constructed out of 3mm clear acrylic.

* The sheet is die cut in four of the corners.

* 2 of the sides (the left and right) are bent in position. The bent structure gives maximum stability, as these are the sides that will hold the hanging fixtures.

* The other 2 sides (the top and bottom) are scored and bonded in place.

* This then gives the open back 5-sided box lid Back Insert * For cost efficiency the back insert is made out of 2mm acrylic, and only has the face and two sides, rather than the four of the Outer Lid.

* Again for stability the two sides are bent into position, and house the two drill holes for the hanging fixture.

Ranging Fixtures The hanging fixtures consist of: * 2xscrews * 2 x metal hangers with a hole for the screw shaft to pass though and a 90 degree bent plate with a secondary hole for the wire to pass through.

* 2 x hollow bolts with end caps to accept the screws.

* Picture wire is then threaded through the two hangers Once the picture and two component parts are assembled: - * The flat headed hollow bolt slots from the outside of the Outer Lid through to the inner Back Insert.

* The hanger is slotted onto the screw.

* The screw and hanger are then screwed into the bolt and tightened to keep the two acrylic component parts together.

* Picture wire is threaded through the two hangers, so the picture is ready to hang.

Claims

Claims I) We have created a completely clear picture frame, which gives

the appearance of the image floating' free from the wall.
2) A clear picture frame according to claim 1, the hanging mechanism and * construction of frame enables the image content to be easily interchangeable.
3) A clear picture frame according to claim 1, this design creates an enclosed 3-D frame, and does not need to rely on the image being bonded or printed onto the back surface of the acrylic.