US2407431A - Picture frame or the like - Google Patents

Description

Sept 10, 1946. s MADSEN 2,407,431,

PiCIURE FRAME OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 19, 1945 mg NTOR..

Patented Sept. 10, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,407,431 PICTURE FRAME on THE LIKE Stanley Madsen, Princeton, N. J. Application November 19, 1943, Serial No. 510,954-

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in picture frames or like articles, and has for its principal object the provision of a novel frame structure which may be formed from a single blank of sheet material such as paper, cardboard, or the like.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is the provision of an inexpensive article of this general character which may be die cut or otherwise formed from a blank of flexible material, and which may occupy a flat position before the same is assembled into the picture frame, the latter OperatiOn being quickly and easily performed. An assembled picture frame constructed in accordance with the present in The frame of the present invention is especially 7 novel in that it provides a recessed central portion for the reception of the photograph or other picture, and providesan attractive bevelled frame element.

In one form of the invention, the blank may be cut from the flat sheet material, assembled, and the, picture then adhesively secured within the recessed central portion. In another form of the invention, however, the recessed central portion may be sensitized in the usual manner, and the picture printed on such sensitized portion. The frame may then be assembled, and the frame and photograph thus combined in one integral unit.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel blank having a square or rectangular central portion for the reception of a photograph or other picture, and having integrally-formed extensions on all four sides of the central portion, which, when properly cut and folded, can be readily formed into a bevelled frame element. sections are so cut as to provide at each corner section a novel cooperating supporting surface which receives an adjacent surface of the corner section, and thus permits the frame to retain its shape for a long period of time, despite the fact In this connection, the corner that its adjacent portions may be secured together without special attaching means. In one form of the invention, the overlapping portions may be secured together by means of an adhesive, and in another form of the invention, interlocking tabs may be provided. H v A Other objects of the invention will be hereinafter specifically pointed out, or will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing:

v Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a corner section of a picture frame embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a corner section of the blank usedin forming the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a corner section of a modified embodiment of a picture frame of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a corner section of the blank used in forming the embodiment of Fig. 3.

The first embodiment of the invention may be made from a single blank, which may be rectangular or square. The corner section only 'of the blank is shown, foithe reason thatth'e other three corners are similarly shaped. The blank includes a central, rectangular section it), forming a recessed panel, formed with fold lines H and I2 along the marginal edges thereof, and with further fold lines It and I4 spaced therefrom. Between each adjacent pair of these fold lines, inner side wall portions l5 and I6 are provided. The blank further includes fold lines I! and, l8 forming diagonal, outwardly-extending walls 19 and 20. Outer side walls 2| and 22 are defined by fold lines I1 and 13, respectively, and the adjoining marginal edges of the blank. A short extension 24 extends between fold lines H and I3, and is integrally joined with the terminal of inner side wall I6. The blank is cut out, forming edges 26, 21, 28 and 29, respectively. A further fold line 3! defines the inner end of an extension tab 32.

When the frame is to be assembled, inner side wall portions l5 and it are bent to assume a right-angular position relative to the recessed panel Ill. In this position, the outer terminal 35 of inner side wall l5 abuts against extension 24, and thus assures a good mitred fit. Outwardly-extending diagonal side walls l9 and 29 are next folded into place, after which outer side walls El and 22 are bent to assume a position parallel to inner side walls l5 and I6, respectively. Extension tab 32 is next folded at right angles to the rear of outer side wall 2|. This tab may be secured to side wall 21 by adhesive, by stapling, or by any other suitable means.

When the cut-out portion is formed in the manner shown, a portion of the blank adjacent to edge 28 projects under edge 26, thus forming a support for such edge and preventing a space occurring between the two meeting edges in the event that the members are not too accurately formed. This gives the frame a very neat appearance, and definitely eliminates the possibility of unsightly openings forming in the frame. When the four corners of the blank are similarly folded, the frame is complete and may receive a photograph or any other desired picture. Central recessed panel I may, on the other hand, have been initially sensitized, and the picture directly printed on such panel, thus forming a complete picture and frame in one piece.

If desired, the paper or cardboard forming the blank may be ornamented prior to cutting to give any desired attractive effect. For instance, the paper may have a design in th form of a wood grain, and thus give to the picture frame all the appearance of a'wooden frame. I

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the blank may have the same recessed panel If), the fold lines ll, I12, I3 and 54' forming inner side walls I5 and I6, and the diagonally-extending side walls [9' and In this case, however, the outer side walls 40 and 4| are illustrated as being somewhat more shallow than are the outer sidewalls 2i and 22 in the first embodiment. Extension portion 24' is shaped similarlyto extension portion 24 in the first embodiment, and edge 35 abuts against this extension. The cutout portion in this blank is somewhat differently shaped, however. Diagonal edge 42 of this cut-out portion is substantially similar to diagonal edge 26 in the first'embodiment, but this edge continues beyond fold line H and terminates in a short tab- 43, Which'is further defined by a transverse out. Diagonal edge 45, in this case, extends somewhat further under diagonal edge 42, and thus affords even a greater measure of support than does that portion of the blank adjacent to diagonal edge 28 in the first embodiment. Edge 45 terminates in a transverse edge 45, and a out line 41 defines a tab 48.

When the several portions of the 'blank are folded in the manner shown in Fig. 3, edge 42 rests upon that portion of the blank adjacent toedge 45, and when 'outer side walls 4!! and 4| are bent to assume a position generally parallel with inner side edges l5 and IS, the extension tabs 43 and 48 may be interlocked in the manner shown, thus giving th corner sections an attractive finish without, however, requiring any adhesive. If desired, of course, these tabs could be adhesively secured to the opposed outer side walls.

The exact cross-sectional contour of the lateral frame portions is, of course, a matter of choice, and this contour may be modified without departing from the invention. For instance, diagonal wall I9 may be positioned at an obtuse rather than an acute angle relative to'central panel II], or it may, if desired, be substantially parallel with panel it. Also, outer side Wall 2! may occupy some angle other than a right angle to the central panel, and. the same is true of inner side wall l5. Also, if desired, outer side wall 2| may be eliminated entirely,

While I have herein shown and described a number of forms or embodiments of my invention for illustrative purposes, and have disclosed and discussed in detail the construction and arrangement incidental to several specific applications thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, 'nor toits specific embodiments shown herein, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of the invention may be made, without departing from the principles thereof.

What I claim is:

A picture frame fonrned from a single blank of sheet material, said blank including a centrallydisposed, generally-rectangular section forming a recessed central panel for the reception of the picture, an inner side wall, an outwardly-extending diagonal wall, and an outer side wall, the inner and outer side walls lying on substantially a right angle to the plan of the central panel, such walls being formed along each edge of the central panel, the several walls being defined by spaced fold lines, each corner of the blank having a cutout portion to permit the adjacent terminals of the respective Walls to be joined in abutting relationship, one terminal of each diagonal wall eX- tending beyond the terminal of the adjacent diagonal wall, underlying such terminal and forming a support therefor, and an extension tab formed along the edge of one outer side wall at each corner section of the blank, one tab at each corner section having a transverse cut therein and the adjacent tab having a complemental transverse cut, whereby the tabs at the several corner sections may be secured together to set up the frame without the use of adhesives.

STANLEY MADSEN.

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