US3849920A - Quick release and adjustable picture frame clamp - Google Patents

Quick release and adjustable picture frame clamp Download PDF

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Publication number
US3849920A
US3849920A US00444972A US44497274A US3849920A US 3849920 A US3849920 A US 3849920A US 00444972 A US00444972 A US 00444972A US 44497274 A US44497274 A US 44497274A US 3849920 A US3849920 A US 3849920A
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clamp
strap
picture frame
corners
bight
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00444972A
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L Trowbridge
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Priority to JP49146668A priority patent/JPS5146466B2/ja
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
    • A47G1/06—Picture frames
    • A47G1/10—Corner clips or corner-connecting appliances for frames

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A picture frame clamp having four corner brackets for holding the respective corners at a right angular rela' tionship.
  • the four corner brackets are four diagonally extending strap lengths which are connected adjacent the intersecting ends thereof by a toggle type clamp to firmly clamp the corners together in a right angular relationship.
  • the straps are connected to the comers so as to be capable of varying the length thereof to the clamp at the intersection thereby to permit the clamp to be adaptable for use for different size picture frames.
  • the present invention relates to clamps or fixtures for clamping and assembling a picture frame in a manner such that the corners are held in a true right angular relationship.
  • the picture frame fixture of the present invention comprises generally four brackets each having right angular walls which engage the right angular walls forming the corners of the picture frame.
  • a length of strap extends diagonally from each of the corner brackets and is connected thereto.
  • Each of the straps is adjustable relative to its respective bracket so as to permit the clamp to be used for different size picture frames.
  • a quick release toggle clamp is connected to the inner ends of each of the strap lengths so as to tightly and quickly clamp the corners.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a picture frame clamp embodying the structure of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 2 showing the toggle lock linkage.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the typical connection of the strap means at each of the corner brackets.
  • FIG. 4 is an end view of the fixture.
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of another embodiment of picture frame clamp embodying the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 66 of FIG. 5.
  • FIGS. 14 there is shown one embodiment of a picture frame clamp 10 incorporating the structure of the present invention.
  • the clamp 10 includes four comer brackets 11 of identical construction.
  • the brackets 11 each include a generally rectangular base 12 along two of the outer sides of which projects a pair of walls 13 and 14 which are disposed at right an gles.
  • the walls 13 and 14 serve to maintain the corners of a picture frame P in right angular relationship as shown.
  • One end of a diagonally extending strap length 16 is disposed in a diagonally extending slot or groove 17. Disposed over the slot 17 and fixed to the base 12 is a plate 18. A pivot stud 19 is threaded or otherwise suitably fixed to the plate 18. A hook 21 is pivotally connected to the stud 19 and a hooked end 22 thereof is received in one of a plurality of lengthwise spaced openings 23 provided in the strap length 16. Upon lifting of the hook 21 about the pivot stud 19 the hooked end 22 is disengaged from the opening 23 so that the strap length is freely slidable within the groove 17. This permits the length of the strap lengths 16 to be varied so that different size picture frames may be assembled.
  • the four strap lengths 16 are arranged in two pairs, of which one pair is connected at the inner ends by a bight 24 and the other pair by a block 26.
  • An adjustment bolt 27 passes beneath the bight 24 and is threaded into the block 26.
  • a toggle clamp 28 is pivotally connected to a pivot block 29 threaded to an oppositely threaded end of the adjustment bolt 27.
  • the clamp 28 has a pair of depending arms 31 through which the bight 24 extends. Lifting of the clamp 28 about the pivot block 29 allows the oppositely disposed pairs of strap lengths to be moved outwardly relative to each other so that the picture frame P may be released or removed from clamp 10.
  • the clamp 28 is depressed the bight 24 and the block 26 are drawn toward each other so that the corner brackets 11 are drawn into clamped engagment with the comers of the picture frame and thereby retain the corners at a true right angle. Thereafter the frame corners may be glued or otherwise fixed relative to each other.
  • the strap lengths 51 each include a Z-shaped length 52 having a hooked end 53 seatable in a selective one of a pl urality of diagonally disposed openings 55.
  • the other end 54 is formed with an opening which slidably receives a straight run 56 of an L-shaped length 57.
  • the hooked end 58 of the length 57 is seatable in a selective one of openings 59 formed in run 61 of the Z length 52.
  • the other end of the length 57 is connected to the block 26 in a pin 61.
  • a picture frame clamp comprising four corner brackets having wall means for engaging the four corners of a picture frame so as to maintain the corners at right angles relative to each other, diagonally extending strap means attached to each of said corners, a bight connecting two of said strap means, threaded block means connecting the two remaining ones of said strap means, and toggle clamp means connecting said bight and said block for moving said corner brackets toward each other to clamp the corners of a picture frame, and away from each other to release the picture frame.
  • toggle clamp means comprises a bolt threaded at one end into said block, and a clamp handle pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said bolt, said clamp handle embracing said bight so that turning movement of said clamp handle about its pivot causes the bight to be moved toward or away from said threaded block.
  • corner brackets each include a diagonally disposed spaced opening and said strap means includes telescoping lengths of which one length is fixed to said bight or said bracket and the other length is formed with a hook engageable within a selective one of said openings in said corner brackets, and wherein the said one of said lengths of said strap means is provided with a hooked end which is selectively positionable in one of a pluralcorner blocks include a diagonally disposed slot for guiding said strap and wherein said strap means includes a plurality of spaced openings, and hook means mounted on said bracket engageable with a selective one of said openings to vary the length of the strap

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  • Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Abstract

A picture frame clamp having four corner brackets for holding the respective corners at a right angular relationship. The four corner brackets are four diagonally extending strap lengths which are connected adjacent the intersecting ends thereof by a toggle type clamp to firmly clamp the corners together in a right angular relationship. The straps are connected to the corners so as to be capable of varying the length thereof to the clamp at the intersection thereby to permit the clamp to be adaptable for use for different size picture frames.

Description

United States Patent [191 [111 3,849,920
Trowhridge 1 Nov. 26, 1974 54] QUICK RELEASE AND ADJUSTABLE PICTURE FRAME CLAMP [76] Inventor: Leonard D. Trowbridge, 16200 Woodbridge, Harvey, 11]. 60426 [22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 444,972
[52] US. Cl. 40/155, 40/209 [51] Int. Cl. G09f l/l2 [58] Field of Search 40/209, 155, 152.1; 248/488, 490; 24/274 P, 68 SK [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,185,084 12/1939 Hutaff 248/488 2,209,972 8/1940 Horwitt 40/152.1
2,268,211 12/1941 Hatorn t 24/274 P 2,459,348 1/1949 Webb et a1 24/68 SK 3,754,343 8/1973 Popeil 40/155 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 576 2/1879 Great Britain 40/155 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Mlichell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sabin C. Bronson [57] ABSTRACT A picture frame clamp having four corner brackets for holding the respective corners at a right angular rela' tionship. The four corner brackets are four diagonally extending strap lengths which are connected adjacent the intersecting ends thereof by a toggle type clamp to firmly clamp the corners together in a right angular relationship.
The straps are connected to the comers so as to be capable of varying the length thereof to the clamp at the intersection thereby to permit the clamp to be adaptable for use for different size picture frames.
6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures O in, O 23 I; 0 26 m 2| u 18 [6K 16 I4 u H QUICK RELEASE AND ADJUSTABLE PICTURE FRAME CLAMP BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to clamps or fixtures for clamping and assembling a picture frame in a manner such that the corners are held in a true right angular relationship.
Briefly the picture frame fixture of the present invention comprises generally four brackets each having right angular walls which engage the right angular walls forming the corners of the picture frame. A length of strap extends diagonally from each of the corner brackets and is connected thereto. Each of the straps is adjustable relative to its respective bracket so as to permit the clamp to be used for different size picture frames. A quick release toggle clamp is connected to the inner ends of each of the strap lengths so as to tightly and quickly clamp the corners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a picture frame clamp embodying the structure of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 2 showing the toggle lock linkage.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the typical connection of the strap means at each of the corner brackets.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the fixture.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of another embodiment of picture frame clamp embodying the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 66 of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 14 there is shown one embodiment of a picture frame clamp 10 incorporating the structure of the present invention.
The clamp 10 includes four comer brackets 11 of identical construction.
The brackets 11 each include a generally rectangular base 12 along two of the outer sides of which projects a pair of walls 13 and 14 which are disposed at right an gles. The walls 13 and 14 serve to maintain the corners of a picture frame P in right angular relationship as shown.
One end of a diagonally extending strap length 16 is disposed in a diagonally extending slot or groove 17. Disposed over the slot 17 and fixed to the base 12 is a plate 18. A pivot stud 19 is threaded or otherwise suitably fixed to the plate 18. A hook 21 is pivotally connected to the stud 19 and a hooked end 22 thereof is received in one of a plurality of lengthwise spaced openings 23 provided in the strap length 16. Upon lifting of the hook 21 about the pivot stud 19 the hooked end 22 is disengaged from the opening 23 so that the strap length is freely slidable within the groove 17. This permits the length of the strap lengths 16 to be varied so that different size picture frames may be assembled.
In the embodiment shown the four strap lengths 16 are arranged in two pairs, of which one pair is connected at the inner ends by a bight 24 and the other pair by a block 26.
An adjustment bolt 27 passes beneath the bight 24 and is threaded into the block 26. A toggle clamp 28 is pivotally connected to a pivot block 29 threaded to an oppositely threaded end of the adjustment bolt 27. The clamp 28 has a pair of depending arms 31 through which the bight 24 extends. Lifting of the clamp 28 about the pivot block 29 allows the oppositely disposed pairs of strap lengths to be moved outwardly relative to each other so that the picture frame P may be released or removed from clamp 10. When the clamp 28 is depressed the bight 24 and the block 26 are drawn toward each other so that the corner brackets 11 are drawn into clamped engagment with the comers of the picture frame and thereby retain the corners at a true right angle. Thereafter the frame corners may be glued or otherwise fixed relative to each other.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown another embodiment of a strap length 51 for varying the length thereof when attached to the corner brackets 12a. The strap lengths 51 each include a Z-shaped length 52 having a hooked end 53 seatable in a selective one of a pl urality of diagonally disposed openings 55. The other end 54 is formed with an opening which slidably receives a straight run 56 of an L-shaped length 57. The hooked end 58 of the length 57 is seatable in a selective one of openings 59 formed in run 61 of the Z length 52. The other end of the length 57 is connected to the block 26 in a pin 61. Thus by selectively locating the hooked end 53 in an opening 55 and the hooked end 58 in an opening 59, the length of the strap 51 may be varied to accommodate different picture frame sizes.
In all other respects the structure of the picture frame clamp is similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 14.
What is claimed is:
l. A picture frame clamp comprising four corner brackets having wall means for engaging the four corners of a picture frame so as to maintain the corners at right angles relative to each other, diagonally extending strap means attached to each of said corners, a bight connecting two of said strap means, threaded block means connecting the two remaining ones of said strap means, and toggle clamp means connecting said bight and said block for moving said corner brackets toward each other to clamp the corners of a picture frame, and away from each other to release the picture frame.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said toggle clamp means comprises a bolt threaded at one end into said block, and a clamp handle pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said bolt, said clamp handle embracing said bight so that turning movement of said clamp handle about its pivot causes the bight to be moved toward or away from said threaded block.
3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said strap means are of adjustable length relative to said corner brackets.
4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said corner brackets each include a diagonally disposed spaced opening and said strap means includes telescoping lengths of which one length is fixed to said bight or said bracket and the other length is formed with a hook engageable within a selective one of said openings in said corner brackets, and wherein the said one of said lengths of said strap means is provided with a hooked end which is selectively positionable in one of a pluralcorner blocks include a diagonally disposed slot for guiding said strap and wherein said strap means includes a plurality of spaced openings, and hook means mounted on said bracket engageable with a selective one of said openings to vary the length of the strap

Claims (6)

1. A picture frame clamp comprising four corner brackets having wall means for engaging the four corners of a picture frame so as to maintain the corners at right angles relative to each other, diagonally extending strap means attached to each of said corners, a bight connecting two of said strap means, threaded block means connecting the two remaining ones of said strap means, and toggle clamp means connecting said bight and said block for moving said corner brackets toward each other to clamp the corners of a picture frame, and away from each other to release the picture frame.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said toggle clamp means comprises a bolt threaded at one end into said block, and a clamp handle pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said bolt, said clamp handle embracing said bight so that turning movement of said clamp handle about its pivot causes the bight to be moved toward or away from said threaded block.
3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said strap means are of adjustable length relative to said corner brackets.
4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said corner brackets each include a diagonally disposed spaced opening and said strap means includes telescoping lengths of which one length is fixed to said bight or said bracket and the other length is formed with a hook engageable within a selective one of said openings in said corner brackets, and wherein the said one of said lengths of said strap means is provided with a hooked end which is selectively positionable in one of a plurality of openings provided in the other of said lengths of said strap means.
5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said clamp handle is mounted on pivot support means threaded on said bolt to a thread of opposite hand from the thread entering said block means.
6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said corner blocks include a diagonally disposed slot for guiding said strap and wherein said strap means includes a plurality of spaced openings, and hook means mounted on said bracket engageable wiTh a selective one of said openings to vary the length of the strap means.
US00444972A 1974-02-22 1974-02-22 Quick release and adjustable picture frame clamp Expired - Lifetime US3849920A (en)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4019270A (en) * 1975-03-27 1977-04-26 Trowbridge Leonard D Mitre frame clamp
US5090143A (en) * 1988-02-22 1992-02-25 Schier R Clark Poster hanging device
US5735068A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-07 Esselte Pendaflex Corporation Picture frames
US20040025993A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Russell Paul Grady Protective pad attachment for portable computing devices
US20110272873A1 (en) * 2010-05-06 2011-11-10 Lincoln Global, Inc. End clamp and method of use there for
US20180035829A1 (en) * 2016-08-08 2018-02-08 Armando Soto Methods and systems for a mounting tool
WO2021142497A1 (en) * 2020-01-13 2021-07-22 Angel Palashev Corner bracket
US20230160228A1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2023-05-25 Adam S. Laudick Grave Marker
US12011104B2 (en) * 2022-06-17 2024-06-18 Zhejiang Wadou Creative Art Co., Ltd. Spliced frame

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2185084A (en) * 1939-03-02 1939-12-26 Jr George H Hutaff License plate holder
US2209972A (en) * 1938-08-27 1940-08-06 Horwitt Nathan George Picture frame
US2268211A (en) * 1941-01-03 1941-12-30 Charles E Hathorn Clamp
US2459348A (en) * 1947-03-19 1949-01-18 Webb Richard Shoe fastener
US3754343A (en) * 1971-08-12 1973-08-28 Popeil Brothers Quick change display frame

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2209972A (en) * 1938-08-27 1940-08-06 Horwitt Nathan George Picture frame
US2185084A (en) * 1939-03-02 1939-12-26 Jr George H Hutaff License plate holder
US2268211A (en) * 1941-01-03 1941-12-30 Charles E Hathorn Clamp
US2459348A (en) * 1947-03-19 1949-01-18 Webb Richard Shoe fastener
US3754343A (en) * 1971-08-12 1973-08-28 Popeil Brothers Quick change display frame

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4019270A (en) * 1975-03-27 1977-04-26 Trowbridge Leonard D Mitre frame clamp
US5090143A (en) * 1988-02-22 1992-02-25 Schier R Clark Poster hanging device
US5735068A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-04-07 Esselte Pendaflex Corporation Picture frames
US20040025993A1 (en) * 2002-08-07 2004-02-12 Russell Paul Grady Protective pad attachment for portable computing devices
US20110272873A1 (en) * 2010-05-06 2011-11-10 Lincoln Global, Inc. End clamp and method of use there for
US8646765B2 (en) * 2010-05-06 2014-02-11 Lincoln Global, Inc. End clamp and method of use there for
US20180035829A1 (en) * 2016-08-08 2018-02-08 Armando Soto Methods and systems for a mounting tool
US10595651B2 (en) * 2016-08-08 2020-03-24 De Soto Brands Methods and systems for a mounting tool
WO2021142497A1 (en) * 2020-01-13 2021-07-22 Angel Palashev Corner bracket
US20230160228A1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2023-05-25 Adam S. Laudick Grave Marker
US12011104B2 (en) * 2022-06-17 2024-06-18 Zhejiang Wadou Creative Art Co., Ltd. Spliced frame

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Publication number Publication date
JPS5146466B2 (en) 1976-12-09
JPS50118873A (en) 1975-09-17

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