US3065943A

US3065943A - Back rests for picture frames

Info

Publication number: US3065943A
Application number: US46951A
Authority: US
Inventors: George H Hull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-04-10
Filing date: 1960-08-02
Publication date: 1962-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-27

Description

Nov. 27, 1962 G. H. HULL.

BACK RESTS FOR PICTURE FRAMES Original Filed April 10, 1959 INVENTOR GEORGE H. HULL HIS ATTORN'EYS 3,065,943 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 1 Claim. (Cl. 248-37) This invention relates to back rests for picture frames, display cases and the like for storing and displaying photographs, pictures in magazines, water color and 01]. paintings, reproductions of the same, picture postcards, stamp collections and other ornamental objects or displays.

This is a division of my application Ser. No. 805,393, filed April 10, 1959, now Patent No. 2,954,630, which is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 733,926, filed May 8, 1958, now abandoned.

It is old to provide picture frames in which a picture can be demountably inserted so that the picture can be removed and replaced as desired. Such frames usually are imsily constructed and are not capable of serving both as a display device and a storage case and particularly of enabling ready interchange of objects or articles to be displayed therein.

As disclosed in my application Ser. No. 805,393, I have provided frames for pictures, cases, trays and the like in which a plurality of articles, such as postcards, photographs, pages of magazines, artist canvases or boards, and the like, can be supported and segregated or isolated from each other, the frames having an open side through which at least one of the articles therein can be displayed. One side of the frame is hinged or movable to permit access to the interior thereof and to facilitate the interchange or removal of the articles.

Unique means are provided for holding the movable side or lid in position when the frame is closed and at the same time enabling ready opening of the lid to gain access to the interior of the case for insertion, changing or removal of the articles stored or displayed therein.

In accordance with the present invention, 1 have provided novel and convenient forms of back rests for supporting picture frames of the type described above in an upright position on a table, shelf, mantel or other horizontal surface.

More particularly, the hack rests are constructed and arranged to engage suitable openings in the backs of pic.-

ture frames to support them firmly in an upright position and with their longer sides vertical or horizontal, as may be desired.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a frame having a back rest thereupon embodying the present invention, with the lid thereof in a partially open position; and

FIGURE 2 is a rear perspective view of the frame shown in FIGURE 1, showing the new back rest therefor.

An illustrative form of picture frame 30 including a novel form of back rest embodying the present invention is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The frame has three

fixed sides

31, 32 and 33 and a hinged fourth side 34, all of the sides being connected to a back board 35.

A peripheral groove 36 is formed in the sides of the frame for receiving an elastic member 37 by means of which the lid or side 34 is retained in closed position. Also, an eye member 38 is attached to the lid or side 34 for cooperation with a slot 39 in the back 35 of the frame to lock the lid 34 in closed position.

A feature of the frame disclosed in FIGURES 1 and 2 is the provision of a back rest 41 of novel type which may be used to hold the frame with its narrow edges vertical or horizontal, as may be desired. To that end, the back board 35 is provided with a pair of

slots

41 and 42 disposed parallel to the

frame edges

33 and 32, respectively, for receiving the downwardly extending

prongs

43 and 44 on a crossbar 45 on the back rest member 40. The crossbar 45 is connected to a generally L-shaped piece of wire or rod 46 or the like, so that when the

prongs

43 and 44 are hooked in the slot 41, for example, the shorter leg 46a of the rod engages the back board 35 of the frame while the longer leg 46b of the rod 46 extends rearwardly to engage the top of a desk, table or other horizontal support. The back rest 40 may be formed of die cast plastic or metal, of metal or plastic rod, sheet or strip, as may be desired. The

prongs

43 and 44 which extend generally parallel to the leg 46a and in the opposite direction are relatively thin and flat so that they will not interfere with the pictures stored in the inner groove or rabbet 47 in the frame. If desired, the

prongs

43 and 44 and the crossbar may take the form of a thin flange fixed to the L-shaped member at about the junction of the legs 46a and 46b and extending outwardly from the leg 46b in the opposite direction from the leg 4% but generally parallel therewith. The ends of the legs of the L-shaped member 46, 46a and 46b may be rounded, enlarged or provided with protective tips to prevent scratching.

The frame 30 can be modified considerably, if desired. For example, one of the narrower frame edges 31 or 33, rather than the longer frame edge 34, can be hinged or movable relative to the back. Moreover, the back 35 may be provided with an aperture 48 for receiving a nail or hook for hanging the frame or into which the eye 38 may be screwed. The slot 48 may also coact with the eye 38 to lock the frame edge 31 in closed position if it is used as the lid for the frame. Likewise, the peripheral groove 36 may be provided with pins (not shown) around which the elastic member 37 can be looped to hold the movable edge or lid 34 closed. Moreover, if desired, the pins may be arranged near the upper ends of the

side members

31 and 33 so that they can be pushed into holes in the opposite ends of the lid 34, thereby to hold it in closed position without the use of the elastic member 37.

Frames of the type described are simple, can be readily constructed with a minimum of expensive hardware fittings and are, nevertheless, very strong and durable and serve the multiple purpose of storage and display with the maximum of protection of the article or articles therein.

It will be understood that the frames can be made of various types of materials, including wood moldings, plastic or metal sheets and extrusions and the like, de-

ending upon requirements and the appearance sought. Accordingly, the forms of the invention described herein should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A back rest for an article having an opening therein comprising a generally L-shaped member having a short leg and a long leg, a crossbar fixed to said L-shaped member substantially at the juncture of said legs, and prongs at opposite ends of said crossbar extending sub stantially in a direction opposite to said short leg and substantially parallel therewith, said short leg being engageable with said article and said prongs being adapted to extend through said opening, said short leg and said prongs being engageable with opposite sides of said article.

(References on foliowing page) 3 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,448,580 4 2,611,427 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,954,630 896,753 Peterson 1. Aug. 25, 1908 940,472 Oldenbusch NOV. 16, 1909 1,994,739 Wright Mar. 19, 1935 5,312

4- Crosby Sept. 7, 1948 Du Mais Sept. 23, 1952 Hull Oct. 4, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1887