US3670439A - Device for fixing articles in frame structures - Google Patents

Abstract

A number of parallel grooves are formed in the inner wall surfaces of the side members of a frame, the grooves being parallel to the side members and being, in cross sectional view, in a row perpendicular to the plane of the frame, and a cross member is inserted at its ends in these grooves at each frame corner in a gusset-like manner and supports pressing means such as a tightening screw or a spring which presses against an article such as a picture thereby to hold and fix the same in the frame.

Description

United States Patent Shimizu [451 June 20, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR FIXING ARTICLES IN 2,523,815 9 1950 Cloyd ..40/156 FRAIVIE STRUCTURES 2,523,816 9/1950 Roehrl ..40/ 156 [72] Inventor: Akira Shimizu, Hiratsuka, Japan FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Pilot Man-Nen-Hitsu Kabushiki Kaisha, 3,850 2/ 1913 Great Britain ..40/152 Tokyo-to, Japan 281,970 7/1952 Switzerland ..40/156 [22] 1970 Primary ExaminerRobert w. Michell [2]] Appl. No.: 66,709 Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Aug. 26, 1969 Japan ..44/81425 A number of parallel grooves are formed in the inner wall faces of the side members of a frame, the grooves being paral- (g1 [e] to the side membem and being in cross Sectional View in a row perpendicular to the plane of the frame, and a cross [58] Field of Search.... ..40/152, 156, 52/475 member is inserted at its ends in these grooves at each frame [56] References Cited comer in a gusset-like manner and supports pressing means such as a tightening screw or a spring which presses against an UNITED STATES PATENTS article such as a picture thereby to hold and fix the same in the frame. 893,392 7/1908 Sincock ..40/156 UX 2,450,330 9/1948 De Giers ..40/156 X 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJun 20 m2 FIG.5

FIG.3

FIG.4(c) FlG.4(b)

DEVICE FOR FIXING ARTICLES IN FRAME STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to frame structures of the type for holding objects therein and more particularly to a new and improved device for fixedly but detachably holding articles inserted into picture frames and other frame structures.

Heretofore, in order to fixedly secure an article such as a picture in a picture frame or like structure, it has been possible in the case where the thickness of the inserted article and the corresponding dimension of the accommodating space in the frame structure are substantially equal, to fix the article under pressure exerted by holding members mounted on the frame structure. In the case where the thickness of the inserted article is less than the depth of the accommodating space, however, it has been necessary to use a packing or stuffing material, which necessity has been considerably inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device for fixedly holding articles of various thicknesses within frame structures without the necessity of using compensating members such as packing, stuffing, or wedge materials.

According to the present invention, briefly summarized, there is provided a device for fixing an article in a frame structure which device is characterized by the combination of a plurality of parallel grooves formed in the frame structure with their openings on the inner side thereof and at least one holding device fitted into the grooves and functioning to fix the article in the frame structure.

The nature, details, and utility of the invention willbe more clearly apparent from the following detailed description with respect to preferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one example of a frame structure in which the holding device of the invention can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, relatively-enlarged plan view showing a corner part of the frame structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line Ill III in FIG. 2, as viewed in the arrow direction;

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are respectively plan and side views of a base member for use in the holding device of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the base member shown in FIG. 4 in assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawing, the frame structure shown is made up essentially of side members 2 joined at their ends 1 by 45 plain miter joints. Each side member 2 is provided along the inner side thereof with longitudinal ridges 4 and 41 in mutually opposed disposition parallel to the frame outer edge surface 3 and a groove 5 formed between the outer edge part of the side member 2 and the ridges 4 and 41. Each side member 2 is further provided with grooves 6, 61, and 62 having the same width with openings facing inward and aligned in a row as viewed in cross section of the side member 2.

In the assembly of the frame structure, an L-shaped connector 7 is inserted into the grooves 5 of the ends 1 of each pair of adjacently joined side members 2, and after the mitered mating surfaces of the side member ends 1 have been brought into contact, screws 9 are screw into tapped holes 8 provided in the connector 7 to connect the ends 1 of the adjacent frame side members 2.

Alternatively, without using screws, each pair of adjacent side members 2 can be connected by deforming the ridges 4 and 41 of the side members 2 at both ends of each connector 7 toward the connector 7 thereby to cause the ridges 4 and 41 to press against the connector. Another practical fastening method is to secure one arm of each connector 7 with a screw 9 and the other arm by means of ridges 4 and 41 pressed thereagainst.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an article 10 including a canvas bearing a picture painted thereon is inserted into the frame structure made of side members 2 as described above until the article 10 abuts against a rim or inner edge flange l l of the frame.

The article 10 is held in this state by four devices respectively at the four corners, each device comprising a cross member 12 and a screw 15 engaged with a tapped hole 14 in the center of the cross member 12. The ends of the cross member 12, which are cut at a 45 angle, are inserted into the aforementioned grooves 6 of adjacent side members 2 near the miter joint thereof, and the screw 15 is tightened so that it presses against the article 10, thereby fixedly holding the article 10 in place relative to the frame.

In another embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an article 20 (of greater thickness than article 10) is held fixedly in the frame structure by four holding devices 16 each comprising a cross member 17 having ends 18 cut at a 45 angle and inserted in the grooves 61 of adjacent side members 2 near the miter joints thereof and a spring member 19 fixed at one end to the cross member 17 and adapted to press with elastic force against the article 20.

When an article of different thickness is to be held in the frame, in the first example, the screws 15 are moved to make the necessary adjustment, and in the case when they are moved but are incapable of making the necessary adjustment, the cross members 12 are inserted into other grooves in more favorable positions. In the second example, use is made of the spring member 19 fixed to the cross member 17 inserted into other grooves in more favorable positions.

Because of the above described construction according to the invention in which a plurality of grooves 6, 61, 62, etc., which are inwardly open are provided parallelly and in a row as viewed in a cross section of the frame side member, the holding devices can be shifted to a suitable position when an article of different thickness is to be accommodated thereby to hold securely the article in place in the frame structure. Accordingly, the holding of articles of various thicknesses in the frame structure can be accomplished in an extremely simple and convenient manner.

I claim:

1. An improved frame device for supporting therein articles of different thicknesses, comprising in combination a frame member having an inwardly projecting flange providing a seat for an article supported in said frame device and a plurality of inwardly opening grooves parallel to said flange and spaced from said flange and from one another so that individual grooves are spaced different distances from said flange, article holding means comprising at least one holding member fitting selectively into any one of said grooves, and fastening means acting between said holding member and said article to press said article against said flange and to retain said holding member in a selected one of said grooves.

2. A frame device according to claim 1, in which said frame member is rectangular and a said holding member is provided at each of the corners of said frame member.

3. A frame device according to claim 2, in which each said holding member comprises a bar extending angularly across a respective comer of said frame member and having angled end portions fitting into a selected groove in said frame member.

4. A frame device according to claim 1, in which each said holding member comprises a cross member having opposite end parts adapted to be inserted in a selected one of said grooves and having a tapped hole, and said fastening means is rectangular and each said cross member extends angularly across an angle of said frame and has angled end portions extending into said selected groove.

7. A frame device according to claim 6, in which said elastic member comprises a leaf spring having a portion secured to said cross member and a portion bearing on said article.

Claims (7)

1. An improved frame device for supporting therein articles of different thicknesses, comprising in combination a frame member having an inwardly projecting flange providing a seat for an article supported in said frame device and a plurality of inwardly opening grooves parallel to said flange and spaced from said flange and from one another so that individual grooves are spaced different distances from said flange, article holding means comprising at least one holding member fitting selectively intO any one of said grooves, and fastening means acting between said holding member and said article to press said article against said flange and to retain said holding member in a selected one of said grooves.

2. A frame device according to claim 1, in which said frame member is rectangular and a said holding member is provided at each of the corners of said frame member.

3. A frame device according to claim 2, in which each said holding member comprises a bar extending angularly across a respective corner of said frame member and having angled end portions fitting into a selected groove in said frame member.

4. A frame device according to claim 1, in which each said holding member comprises a cross member having opposite end parts adapted to be inserted in a selected one of said grooves and having a tapped hole, and said fastening means comprises a screw stud engaged in said tapped hole and adapted to press said article against said flange.

5. A frame device according to claim 1, in which each said holding member comprises a cross member having opposite end parts adapted to be inserted in a selected one of said grooves and said fastening means comprises an elastic member acting between said cross member and said article.

6. A frame device according to claim 5, in which said frame is rectangular and each said cross member extends angularly across an angle of said frame and has angled end portions extending into said selected groove.

7. A frame device according to claim 6, in which said elastic member comprises a leaf spring having a portion secured to said cross member and a portion bearing on said article.

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