US1594339A - Picture frame - Google Patents

Description

July 27 1926.. 1,594,339

J. W. ROBERTSON PICTURE FRAym Filed Sept. 29, 1925 v I INVENTOR I Jam Wkoazersazv ATTORNEYS Patented July 27, 1926.

JOHN W. ROBERTSON, OF TUCKAHOE, NEW YORK.

PICTURE Application filed September 29, 1525.

metallic frame of this character so constructed that it may be supported upon the polished surface of a table or desk without danger of marring or scratching the same.

A further object is to; provide a frame which permits of the ready insertion or removal of a picture without the necessity for removing brads or other securing devices, and without requiring the services of a skilled artisan.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of this character which will be neat and attractive in appearance, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, rugged and durable in use, and either sef supporting or adapted for association with any type of conventional supporting means.

With the above noted and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth. and pointed out in the claims.

The invention may be more fully understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a picture frame embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view.

Fig. 4 is a view in rear elevation taken on a reduced scale.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the bevel which prevents the sliding lock from slipping and facilitates its insertion.

I have arbitrarily elected to show the invention as applied to a rectangular frame although it may have a wide field of usefulness. 1

The frame illustrated is formed of sheet metal and may conveniently include 2. rectangular front framing section 10 connected to the outer marginal edges of which are rearwardly extending side flanges 11, top flange 12 and bottom flange 13. By reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the FRAME.

Serial No. 59,354.

flange 13 terminates short of the flanges 11 and 12, and that the latter terminate in inwardly turned guide rails 14 and 15 respectively.

The front of the frame may be decorated in any a proved manner as by the provision of punc ed-out ornamental openings 16. Obviously the manner in which the frame is decorated is quite in'imaterial to the present invention, and various types of plans or ornate frames might be used. The usual glass window 17 is held against the frame section 10 by a rectangular framing and spacer member 18. A picture 19 is supported 7 within the spacer frame 18 and behind the picture there may be laid one or more filling sheets 20 of suitable thickness to lie flush with the rear edge of the flange 13.

A sliding back 21, preferrably covered with felt, velvet or similar soft cushioning fabric 22, is of a thickness corresponding to the distance between the last filling sheet 20 and the inner faces of the guide rails 14 and 15. It will be noted that the flange 13 is provided with no guide rail so that the backing may be readily slid into position under the rails from the lower end of the frame. The back may carry the usual easel 23, preferably covered with the same material which is used to cover the back. Swinging movement of the easel is limited by flexible strip 24.

The back may also be provided with a pair of eyes or other hangers 25 near its up per end for receiving the ends of a length of picture wire (not shown), an important feature of the invention is the provision of a cutaway portion 26 at the lower rear corner of each flange 11 communicating with cutaway portions 27 at the lower end of each rail 14. Due to this construction the lower edge of the felt covered backing is exposed. Said backing'may either project slightly below the frame as indicated in the drawings or may come flush therewith. In any event the reduced width of the flange 13 and the cutouts 26 and 27 cooperate to eX- pose the lower edge of the back in such a manner that when the picture is tilted rearwardly as in Figure 1 or 2, the entire weight of the frame will rest on the lower edge of the back. By virtue of this arrangement I entirely eliminate the possibility of scratching the polished surface of a desk or other article of furniture. Furthermore, the cushioning efiect minimizes to a large extent, the likelihood of injuring the frame or breaking the glass When the frame is carelessly set down or dropped.

The rear edge of flange 13 is preferably bevelled as at 13 (Fig. 5) so that there is no danger of snagging the back on a sharp edge as it is slid home. The friction between the velvet covering 22, rails 14, 15 and filler 21 is sufficient to normally prevent the back from dropping out. when the frame is lifted from a support, and the bevelled edge 13 biting into the velvet aids materially in this connection.

It. will. be noted: that. there, are no brads or tacks to be. removedwhen replacing one picture with another, and that the frame permits the ready application and removal. of photographs by a mechanically unskilled user. hen the frame stands up and cooperates with. the easel; 23,. nost of the weight will. be supported} directly on the back 22, and the back will thereby be held securely, fully projected under the upper rail 15*. When. the picture is hung upon; a Wall the same result will be had since all of the Weight Will: rest upon the back, and there will be noten-deney for the back to slide out of position.

Vhile I have illustrated a preferred. em-

bodiment of the invention, it Will be evident that numerous slight changes and alterations might be made Without departing from the spirit or scope of the appending claims.

I claim 2- 1. A metallic picture frame, rails turned inwardly from the freeedges of the top and sides of the frame, the bottom of said frame having its rear edge cut away, a fabric covered backing plate at least as long as the frame inserta-ble under the rails through the cut away portion in'the bottomof the frame, an easel. carried by the backing plate, the rear lower corners of the sides of the frame and the lower ends of the side rails being cut away, whereby When the frame is partially supported in inclined position by the easel, the lower end: of the backing plate Will rest upon the supporting surface and the backing plate will be forced. home under the rails.

2. A device of the class described in claim 1, and wherein the cut away rear edge at the bottom of the frame is bevelled to guide the insertion of the backing plate under the rails, and to bite into the backing plate after its insertion.

JOHN XV. ROBERTSON.

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