US3668798A - Mirror frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A mirror frame includes a mounting member and a supporting frame. The supporting frame comprises a pair of channel-shaped members connected by links. The mounting member encloses the mirror and includes downwardly extending flanges engageable in said channel-shaped members. The mounting member is wider than the supporting frame. A pair of resilient members are slideable on a horizontal ledge in the lower end of said mounting member and engage between said ledge and said frame member to hold the parts assembled.

Description

United States Patent Mehl a a MIRROR FRAME 211 -Appl. NO-Z 40,629

52] us. c1.....-.... ...'40/1s2.1; 248/494 151 09: 1/12 [58] Field ofSearch .....4 o/1s2, 152.1. 156; 248/494 [56] Ream-c5 Cited" I UNITED STATES PArEms 2,900,750 I 8/1959 1 June 13, 1972 s7 ABSTRACT .A minor frame includes aimounting member and a supporting frame. ,The supportingframe comprises a pair of channelshaped members connected by links. The mounting member encloses the mirror includes downwardly extending flanges engageable in "said channel-shaped members. The mounting member is wider than the supporting frame. A pair of resilient members are 'slideable on a horizontal ledge in the lower end of said mounting member and engage between said ledge and said frame member to hold the parts assembled.

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- MIRROR FRAME This invention relates to an improvement in mirror frames, and deals particularly with a structure for mounting a mirror on the wall, which may be installed ina relatively short period of time, and which may be readily removed from the wall by authorized persons.

. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mirrors are a necessary fixture in hotels, motels, public buildings and the like. With the tremendous increase in the construction of motels in which the occupants may. enter and leave at will, the theft of fixtures from rooms has materially increased. Unless the personnel operating such an establishment sees someone actually in the act of removing fixtures from the room or apartment, it-is extremely difficult to prove that the persons occupying a motel room or entering a public restroom have been responsible for the loss of the equipment. As a result, it has become necessary to secure such fixtures in such a manner that they cannot be readily removed.

One of the fixtures which has been often removed from motel rooms and from public washrooms is the mirrors mounted upon the wall. If such mirrors may be readily detached they can often be carried away with little danger of detection from the operating personnel. Once a mirror has been removed from the wall and placed in the trunk of an automobile, the loss is not detected until the room is prepared for the nextoccupant. By this time, the previous occupant may be miles away. Even though the owner of the motel or other establishment may be convinced in his own mind that the mirror was removed bythe previous occupant of the room, the theft cannot well be easilyproved due to the fact that others may have entered the room between the time of departure of the occupant and the time when the theft is discovered. One of the most effective ways of preventing theft is to secure the mirror or similar objects on the wall in such a manner that it is difficult to remove without the likelihood of breaking the mirror.

Various types of mirror supports have been provided which have been designed to prevent the theft thereof. However, such devices have usually been very costly and difficult and expensive to install. There is obviously a limit to the expense which may be justified for the prevention of the theft of the mirror. In providing a theft-proof mirror frame, it is necessary that the structure be relatively simple and inexpensive, and that the cost of installation may be reasonable. Difficulty is experienced in meeting these requirements.

SUMMARY or INVENTION The present invention resides in the provision ofa minor frame, which may be provided in knocked down form, and which may be quickly and easily assembled at the location where the mirror is used. The glass forming the mirror is usually readily available, and atthe sametime comprises the fragile or breakable element of the combination. By providing a mirror frame formed of metal extrusion, cut to a pre-determined size and provided with mitered comers, an attractive metal frame may be readily provided for a glass mirror of predetermined shape. Incorporating a supporting frame designed for mounting upon a wall, and by forming such a frame so that it may be contained in a relatively small package, the entire mirror frame, supporting frame, corner attachment members, glazing members, and, locks which make the mirror theftproof, may be contained in a relatively small package, and may be readily shipped, stored, and delivered so that the entire mirror may be assembled and mounted in a short period of time. Once installed, the mirror is extremely difficult to remove without special knowledge and without special equipment so that the loss of mirrors may be reduced to a minimum.

Afeature of the present invention resides in the provision of a supporting frame made with upper and lower extrusions designed to support the mirror frame, the ends of which are connected by a pair of connecting strips which are pivoted to the endsof the extrusions. The supporting frame is in the form while the frame may be of a considerable of a parallelgram and is made'so that the strips connecting the extrusions may fold into side by side relation to permit the supporting frame to fold into a very compact structure. Thus,

size, it may be conveniently packaged, stored and shipped.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of amirror frame including similarextrusions forming all sides of the frame, and'including inwardly directed channels into which-the marginal edges of the mirrormay be engaged. The frame is cut from elongated strips of the extrusion in such a manner that the sides of the frame may fit together at the corners of the frame along diagonal mitered comers. The upper frame-member is provided with a flange which fits into a. groove in the upper extrusion of the supporting frame, and the lower frame member *is-similarlyprovided with a flange which fits into a groove in the lower frame member. By lowering the mirror frame into the upper and lower extrusions of the supporting frame, themirror may be supported upon a wall.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of glazing wedges'formed of resilient plastic or similar material whichare designed to fit between the mirror frame extrusions and the mirror'panel to hold the mirror against the outer flange of the mirror frame. These wedges comprise short lengths of resilient material having spaced grooves in the surface thereof which fitsagainst the glass, so

that the same wedges may be used for various thicknesses of mirror glass.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of locking means designed to prevent removal of the mirror frame from its supporting frameonce it is in'place thereupon. The theft guards comprise resilient members of plastic or.-similar material which may be easily moved into locking position by insertion of a special wire tool between the lower peripheral flange of th'e mirror frame and the undersurface of the supporting frame. When in place, these theft guards prevent the mirror frame from being lifted out of engagement with its supporting frame, so that the mirror cannot be removed without tearing the entire structure from the wall. At the same time, by inserting the wire tool between theinirror frame and the wall, and sliding thetheft guards from beneath the supporting frame,'the mirror frame may be readily lifted out of engagement with the supporting frame for repair or replacement.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a supporting frame whichautomatically squares up so that the sides and ends are in right angular relation when the supporting frame is mounted upon the wall. The top and bottom extrusions, and the vertical connecting strips, are so mounted that they may be readily pivoted to bring the connecting strips into-side by side collapsed relation when it is so desired, However, the frame is so constructed that when the frame is opened up, the top and bottom extrusions and connecting strips automatically square up'into right angular relation to properly support themirror frame when the supporting frame is mounted uponthe wall.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of the mirror frame and its supporting frame as it would appear when mounted upon a wall.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the structure position of the section being indicated by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the theft guards may be inserted into or out of operative position.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the supporting frame when squared up.

FIG. 5 shows the supporting frame in collapsed position. FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the glazing wedges.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the theft guards.

The mirror frame A which is indicated best in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, is supported by a supporting frame indicated by letter B, the best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The supporting frame B includes a top extrusion 10, a bottom extrusion 11, and a pair of connecting strips 12 and 13 which are pivotally connected to the top and bottom extrusions. As is best indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the top extrusion includes a vertical mounting flange 14 which is designed to fit against a wall C, and which is provided with rearwardly projecting ribs 15 which are designed to engage the wall C and to conform to the contour thereof. A horizontally extending flange 16 is provided on the upper edge of the vertical mounting flange 14, and inwardly inclined flanges l7 and 18 extend upwardly from the horizontal flange 16. The outermost flange 17 is connected to the outer extremities of the horizontal flange 16 which the inner flange 18 is spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to accommodate a portion of the mirror frame therebetween. A rearwardly extending horizontal flange 19 is provided on the upper end of the inner inclined flange 18 of the extrusion l0 and engages the surface of the wall C.

The lower extrusion 11 also includes a mounting flange 20 having vertically spaced ribs 21 which are designed to engage the surface of the wall C. A horizontally extending flange 22 extends outwardly from the lower edge of the mounting flange 20, and supports agenerally channel-shaped support including an inner flange 23, an outwardly extending bottom flange 24, and an outer flange 25. A generally rectangular space is provided between the channel sides 23 and 25 to engage the mirror frame. As will be noted from FIG. 6 of the drawings the flanges l7 and 18 incline upwardly and inwardly toward the wall C. In the same manner, the flanges 23 and 25 of the lower extrusion 11 also extend upwardly and inwardly toward the surface of the wall C. The purpose of this arrangement is to wedge the upper and lower frame members of the mirror frame in the channels so that these members are firmly fixed in position.

lt will be noted that pivots 26 pivotally connect the upper ends of the supporting frame connecting strips 12 and 13 to the upper extrusion 10. In a similar manner pivots 28 connect the lower ends of the frame connecting strips 12 and 13 to the bottom extrusion mounting flange 20. The upper inner comer 27 of the frame strip 12 is rounded coaxially with the adjoining pivot 26, and the outer corner of the lower edge of the frame strip 12 is rounded. The surface of the rounded corner is concentric with the axis of the adjoining pivot 28 connecting the frame side 12 to the bottom extrusion 11. In a similar manner, the outer and upper corner 29 of the frame strip 13 is rounded about the axis of the adjoining pivot 26, and the frame strip 13 is rounded at the inner and lower corner as indicated at 30, which is concentric with the adjacent one of the lower pivots 26. The purpose of this entire arrangement is to enable the supporting frame B to be pivoted from the rectangular position shown in FIG. 2 to the collapsed position shown in FIG. 5. While the use of collapsing frame members may not in itself be novel, it is believed to be of particular advantage in the particular combination as the frame B cannot be folded past rectangular position when opened up.

The outer mirror frame, which is indicated in general by the letter A, is best shown in section in FIG. 2 ofthe drawings. The frame comprises four sections of extruded metal of similar rather complicated form. Each frame member includes a peripheral flange 31 which is designed to extend in substantially right angular relation to the surface of the wall C. The members forming the mirror frame also include a forward or front flange 32 which is in right angular relation to the peripheral flange and parallel to the surface of the wall C, and which is designed to enclose the forward marginal edge portion of the mirror as will be later described. A thickened reinforcing portion 33 is usually provided inwardly of the front flange 32 to support a vertical flange 34 which is parallel to, and spaced from, the front flange 32. The mirror panel 35 or other supported member has its marginal peripheral edge between the flanges 34 and 32 when the frame is assembled. It should be understood that the similar extrusions forming the frame A include mitered comers which are indicated diagrammatically by diagonal lines, the corners of the front flange 31, as well as the inner flanges of the extrusions contacting along these diagonal cut lines to form, the rectangular frame. The inner edges of the inner flanges 34 which lie rearwardly of the mirror panel 35 include rearly extending short flanges 36 which connect the inner flange 34 to a parallel flange 37 which extends toward the peripheral flange 31 in parallel relation to the flanges 32 and 34, and a co-planer flange 38 which extends toward the center of the frame. These opposed flanges 37 and 38 are of importance in connecting the outer mirror frame A to the supporting frame B.

As is shown in the lower end of FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lower frame member flange 37 extends into the channel between the flanges 23 and 25 of the supporting frame B. As is indicated in the upper portion of FIG. 2, the flange 38 of the upper frame member of the mirror supporting frame extends into the groove provided between the flanges l7 and 18 of the upper extrusion 10. Thus, by engaging the flanges 37 and 38 into the channels formed by the lower and upper extrusions 11 and 10 of the supporting frame, the mirror is effectively supported to the wall. As is indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the upper extrusions l0 and lower extrusion 11 are connected to the wall C by screws 40 or other suitable means such as expansion bolts or the like.

Before the mirror 35 and its supporting frame A are attached to the frame B, glazing strips 41 of the type illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings are inserted between the the mirror panel 34 and the flange 37 of the frame which extends toward the center of the mirror. The glazing strips 41 include a flange 42 equipped with tapered parallel ribs 43 which engage the rear surface of the mirror panel 34. The ribs 43 may flex due to the flexible nature of the glazing strips 41 so as to accommodate various thicknesses of mirror panels 35. Furthermore, the glazing strips are provided with a right angularly projecting flange 44 which limits the insertion of these glazing strips between the mirror 35 and the various flanges 38.

In usual practice a glazing strip 41 is provided near each corner of the mirror frame, (see FIG. 1) and additional such strips may be placed at intervals about the periphery of the frame, depending upon the size of the frame. It will be understood that the mitered corners of the frame A are held in proper right angular relation by angular corner members 45 which are attached to the thickened area 32 of the frame members by metal screws 46 or other suitable means.

From the foregoing description, it should be clear that the outer frame A serves as a support for the mirror panel 35, and entirely encircles the same so that the edges of the mirror frame are protected. It will also be noted that when the outer mirror frame is lowered into the channels formed in the upper and lower supporting frame extrusions 10 and 11, the mirror will be adequately supported. However, additional means are provided for locking the mirror frame upon its supporting frame, such locking means being best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8 of the drawings.

The locking members used to hold the two frames assembled are preferably formed of resilient plastic or similar means which is sufficiently flexible to properly frictionally engage in place. It should further be noted that the locking members are engaged between the supporting frame B and lower peripheral flange 31 of the mirror supporting frame A as is indicated near the lower right hand side of FIG. 1 of the drawings. The locking members 50 include upwardly bowed strips 51 having at their opposite ends opposed hooked shaped flanges 52 and 53. The height of the locking means is sufficient so that once these locking means are in place between the supporting frame B and outer frame A, the mirror cannot be lifted out of engagement with the supporting frame. A rectangular loop 54 is cast integrally with one end of the locking means 50 for assisting in the insertion and removal of these locking means.

The upwardly bowed strip 51 is usually flexed downwardly when the locking means are inserted, and are normally under some compression when in place. While the strip 51 is bendable, the hook ends 52 and 53 are relatively solid due to the thickness thereof, and will not compress to the extent necessary to permit removal of the mirror frame when in locking position.

The manner in which the locking means is used is perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. Before the mirror supporting frame A is engaged with the supporting frame B, one such locking means 50 is placed upon the peripheral flange 31 of the mirror frame extrusion near each of the lower corners thereof, with the loop ends 54 toward the opposite sides of the ,frame, as indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. After the mirror frame has been engaged upon the supporting frame, a .wire tool 56 having an angular turned end 57 is inserted between the outer flange 31 of the mirror frame and the wall on which the supporting frame B is mounted. By moving the tool 56 to the left as indicated by the arrow 59 in FIG. 3 of the drawings, this locking lug 50 may be moved laterally between the lower extrusion ll of the supporting frame and the flange 31 of the mirror frame. When inserted, it is virtually impossible to remove the mirror frame from the supporting frame. FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a locking means 50 to the right side of center which is engaged between the lower extrusion 11 and the outer mirror frame 31. The locking means 50 which is to the left of the center has not as yet been inserted, but this may be done by engaging the hook end 57 of the tool 56 between the hook ends 52 and 53 of this left hand locking means 50, and the locking means may be forced. into the position to prevent dis-engagement of the outer mirror frame from the supporting frame. It will also be noted that in the event the repair or replacement of the mirror is necessary, this may be accomplished by engaging the right angular end 57 of the wire tool 56 in the loop 54 at the end of the locking means and drawing the locking means towardthe adjacent vertical wall of the mirror frame. This action is indicated by the arrow 60 in FIG. 3 of the drawings. While the locking means maybe readily inserted and removed with the tool 56 by one familiar with the construction, the mirror is otherwise firmly attached in place.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1 have described the principles of construction and operationof the mirror frame, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that the changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A mounting device including:

a supporting frame member including upper and lower generally horizontal frame members including upwardly opening channels,

means connecting the ends of said upper and lower frame members,

a mounting member including upper and lower parallel downwardly directed flanges engageable in said channels,

' said frame member being substantially narrower than mounting member,

the lower mounting member including a flange extending beneath, and parallel to, said flange mounted thereupon,

resilient means slideably supported between said flange and said lower frame member for holding said mounting member and said frame member from vertical relative movement when engaged therebetween.

I 2. The structure of claim 1 and in which said resilient means includes an enlarged end including said recess, said enlarged end limiting the movement of said resilient means beneath said frame member.

3. A frame mounting in combination with a rectangular mounting member including a channel for supporting the edges of a mirror and the like and including a pair of downwardly extending flanges on the parallel upper and lower mounting frame members thereof,

a supporting frame including a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower frame members each including upwardly opening channels adapted to receive said downwardly extending flanges of said frame mounting,

a horizontal flange connected to the lower of said mounting frame flanges and extending in spaced relation below the same,

said supporting frame being narrower than said mounting member,

a pair of resilient locking means slideably supported on said horizontal flange and slideable from a position beneath said supporting frame to a position laterally thereof,

said resilient locking means being moveable from one position extending beneath said supporting frame to prevent vertical relative movement of said mounting member and said supporting frame to another position laterally of said supporting frame in which said mounting member may be lifted from said supportingframe.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said resilient locking means include a recess for accommodating a means for moving said locking means.

5. The structure of claim 3 and including a resilient means interposed between the mirror and said mounting frame including a resilient body including a plurality of parallel ribs engaging the rear of said mirror.

6. A mirror frame including:

a mirror having a pair of parallel frame extrusions secured thereto, the frame extrusions including downwardly directed flanges, v I

a wall mounted supporting frame including a pair of vertically spaced horizontal members including upwardly directed channels in which said flanges are engaged,

the lowermost of said vertically spaced horizontal members including an elongated substantially horizontal flange from which extend substantially parallel upwardly extending flanges forming the-upwardly directed channel therebetween,

the lowermost of said frame extrusions including a generally horizontal flange spaced beneath said downwardly directed flanges thereon, and

removable means engageable between the substantially horizontal flange of the lowermost of said frame members and said generally horizontal flange of the lowermost of said frame extrusions to hold said downwardly directed flanges in said channels.

7. The structure of claim 6 and in which said removable means comprise resilient wedge means.

8. The structure of claim 7 and in which said vertically spaced horizontal members are shorter than said parallel frame extrusions and said horizontal flange on said lowermost of said frame extrusions and in which said resilient wedge means may be moved laterally beyond the lowermost of said frame members to permit disengagement of said frame extrusions from said vertically spaced horizontal members.

9. The structure of claim 7 and in which said resilient wedge means includes a pair of vertical end flanges having an upwardly bowed strips therebetween.

10. The structure of claim 6 and in which said removable means is slideably supported on said generally horizontal flange on said lowermost of said frame extrusions.

11. The structure of claim 6 and in which said channels are inclined.

Claims (11)

1. A mounting device including: a supporting frame member including upper and lower generally horizontal frame members including upwardly opening channels, means connecting the ends of said upper and lower frame members, a mounting member including upper and lower parallel downwardly directed flanges engageable in said channels, said frame member being substantially narrower than mounting member, the lower mounting member including a flange extending beneath, and parallel to, said flange mounted thereupon, resilient means slideably supported between said flange and said lower frame member for holding said mounting member and said frame member from vertical relative movement when engaged therebetween.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which said resilient means includes an enlarged end including said recess, said enlarged end limiting the movement of said resilient means beneath said frame member.

3. A frame mounting in combination with a rectangular mounting member including a channel for supporting the edges of a mirror and the like and including a pair of downwardly extending flanges on the parallel upper and lower mounting frame members thereof, a supporting frame including a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower frame members each including upwardly opening channels adapted to receive said downwardly extending flanges of said frame mounting, a horizontal flange connected to the lower of said mounting frame flanges and extending in spaced relation below the same, said supporting frame being narrower than said mounting member, a pair of resilient locking means slideably supported on said horizontal flange and slideable from a position beneath said supporting frame to a position laterally thereof, said resilient locking means being moveable from one position extending beneath said supporting frame to prevent vertical relative movement of said mounting member and said supporting frame to another position laterally of said supporting frame in which said mounting member may be lifted from said supporting frame.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said resilient locking means include a recess for accommodating a means for moving said locking means.

5. The structure of claim 3 and including a resilient means interposed between the mirror and said mounting frame including a resilient body including a plurality of parallel ribs engaging the rear of said mirror.

6. A mirror frame including: a mirror having a pair of parallel frame extrusions secured thereto, the frame extrusions including downwardly directed flanges, a wall mounted supporting frame including a pair of vertically spaced horizontal members including upwardly directed channels in which said flanges are engaged, the lowermost of said vertically spaced horizontal members including an elongated substantially horizontal flange from which extend substantially parallel upwardly extending flanges forming the upwardly directed channel therebetween, the lowermost of said frame extrusions including a generally horizontal flange spaced beneath said downwardly directed flanges thereon, and removable means engageable between the substantially horizontal flange of the lowermost of said frame members and said generally horizontal flange of the lowermost of said frame extrusions to hold said downwardly directed flanges in said channels.

7. The structure of claIm 6 and in which said removable means comprise resilient wedge means.

8. The structure of claim 7 and in which said vertically spaced horizontal members are shorter than said parallel frame extrusions and said horizontal flange on said lowermost of said frame extrusions and in which said resilient wedge means may be moved laterally beyond the lowermost of said frame members to permit disengagement of said frame extrusions from said vertically spaced horizontal members.

9. The structure of claim 7 and in which said resilient wedge means includes a pair of vertical end flanges having an upwardly bowed strips therebetween.

10. The structure of claim 6 and in which said removable means is slideably supported on said generally horizontal flange on said lowermost of said frame extrusions.

11. The structure of claim 6 and in which said channels are inclined.

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