WO2004006731A2

WO2004006731A2 - Picture frame

Info

Publication number: WO2004006731A2
Application number: PCT/EP2003/006729
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axel Zacharias
Original assignee: Axel Zacharias
Priority date: 2002-07-10
Filing date: 2003-06-26
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: CA2492050A1; AU2003281145A1; ATE507746T1; US20060059758A1; DE10231094A1; AU2003281145B2; DE10231094B4; EP1519668B1; WO2004006731A3; DE50313670D1; EP1519668A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a picture frame comprising a plurality of frame strips (10) which can be interconnected by means of connection elements (12). Said frame strips are connected by introducing rod-shaped projections (20) of the connection elements (12) into insertion pockets (18). The connection is carried out by friction in such a way that the connection elements (12) and the frame strips (10) are detachably interconnected without entailing an intricate assembly process. A spirit level is integrated into a fixing element (14) for fixing a picture frame to a wall.

Description

Picture Frame

The invention relates to a picture frame, in particular a removable frame.

Known picture frames are used to hold or clamp pictures. In a conventional frame for stretching lines or the like. Frame strips are glued together at the frame corners or connected in some other way. The canvas is then attached to the back of the individual frame strips and stretched over the frame strips forming the frame. Furthermore, change frames are known in which the images can be exchanged. Such interchangeable frames have, for example, frame strips connected to one another, into which a glass pane and a rear wall can be inserted, the interchangeable image being arranged between the glass pane and the rear wall. Such removable frames have the disadvantage that they are heavy due to the provision of a glass pane and the glass can cause disturbing light reflections. Furthermore, picture frames of this type have the disadvantage that the replacement of individual pictures is complex.

Known picture frames are, for example, only poorly suitable for transport, since the picture frame itself cannot be removed or can only be removed with considerable effort.

The object of the invention is to provide an easy to assemble or disassemble picture frame. Another object of the invention is to enable easy replacement of images.

The tasks are solved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 7, respectively.

The picture frame according to the invention has a plurality of frame strips, usually four frame strips that can be assembled into a frame. The frame strips can be detachably connected to one another via connecting elements. In order to enable easy assembly and disassembly of the picture frame, insertion pockets are provided in the frame strips, into which the connecting elements can be inserted. With a square picture frame, the picture frame can be assembled or disassembled simply by plugging together four corner connectors with four frame strips. For disassembly, the connecting elements must simply be pulled out of the insert pockets of the frame strips. The assembly and disassembly of the picture frame according to the invention is thus extremely simple. It is also possible to provide the insertion pockets on the connecting elements and to insert the frame strips into these. The insert pockets do not have to be completely closed pockets. However, the pockets are preferably designed such that they at least partially surround and thus fix the element to be inserted. This has the advantage that fixing the inserted element in the insert pocket or on the other element, i.e. the frame bar or the connecting element is not required.

In order to prevent the frame strips and the connecting elements from slipping apart, the frame strips are preferably connected to the connecting elements by friction. To achieve sufficient friction, a secure connection of the frame strips with the Connection elements guaranteed, friction elements are preferably provided on the frame strips and / or the connecting elements. These are preferably designed such that the friction is not too high, so that the connecting elements and the frame strips can be pulled apart again by hand. Compressible elastic elements can be provided as friction elements, for example, which are compressed when the frame strip or the connecting element is inserted into the insertion pocket and thereby generate the desired friction. It is particularly preferred to provide lamellae as friction elements which are connected to the frame strips or the connecting elements and are elastically deformed when inserted into the insert pocket. Due to their elastic deformation, the lamellae create a holding force or friction within the insert pocket. The advantage of friction elements is that they are subject to only slight signs of wear, even with frequent insertion and removal. A plurality of lamellae are preferably provided for each plug connection. It is particularly preferred here to arrange the lamellae essentially perpendicular to the direction of insertion.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an image is fastened to the picture frame by means of fastening elements which are provided on at least two rear side of the frame strips, the fastening elements preferably being detachably connected between the first fastening element or elements fastened to the frame strips and to an image allow provided second fasteners. The fasteners are, for example, Velcro fasteners. By providing the fastening elements on the back of the frame strips, the image can be stretched over the front of the frame, the frame then no longer being visible. All frame strips preferably have corresponding fastening elements on their strip rear sides, so that a Image with a rectangular frame can be stretched both horizontally and vertically.

A second independent invention consists in creating a picture frame from a plurality of frame bars connected to one another, first fastening elements for releasably connecting to second fastening element provided on an image to be clamped on the rear of the bar of at least two frame bars. The image is thus attached to the frame as described above, but the frame itself can also consist of frame strips that are firmly connected to one another. However, it is particularly preferred that the frame as a pluggable frame consists of frame strips and connecting elements as described above.

The preferred developments described below relate to the two above embodiments of the invention.

Preferably, first fastening elements are provided on the rear of the strips, which cooperate with second fastening elements provided on the picture and are detachably connected to one another in a non-destructive manner. By providing several fastening elements on the back of each strip, a good stretching of an image over the frame and thus the production of a flat frameless image is possible in a simple manner. Here, the fastening elements, which are preferably Velcro fasteners, preferably extend over the entire length of the back of the last.

For the precise location of the fastening elements, which are preferably strip-shaped Velcro strips, the rear sides of the frame strips preferably have a groove into which the first fastening element can be inserted. To accommodate a wall and / or spacer, at least one frame bar has a groove running in the longitudinal direction of the frame bar. The wall holder and / or a spacer can be inserted into this groove. All frame strips preferably have such a groove for receiving a wall and / or spacer, so that the picture frame according to the invention can be hung on any frame strip. A rectangular picture frame can thus be hung either in portrait or landscape format.

The images that can be clamped onto the picture frame according to the invention are preferably made of an elastic material, in particular of fabric. Since the picture is attached to the strips on the back of the frame strips, the picture can be stretched like a canvas. A picture printed or painted on a very thin fabric, for example, can thus be stretched without folds. Such fabric pictures or the like are washable if necessary. By simply loosening and attaching the pictures to the picture frame, the pictures can be changed quickly. This is advantageous, for example, in restaurants or hotels, for example in order to hang up suitable pictures for a corresponding occasion or to change the appearance of the restaurant or a hotel hall, for example depending on the seasons.

The picture frame according to the invention is preferably made of aluminum profiles which are connected via corner parts made of plastic. This has the advantage that, for example, fabric images immediately after washing, i.e. still wet, can be hung. This will automatically smooth the images.

Since the picture frame according to the invention together with an image made of fabric is a light picture which is relatively insensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations, the picture frame according to the invention Picture frames together with a fabric picture or the like. Particularly advantageous for hanging in ships. In addition to the wall bracket, the spacer or brackets can also be designed in such a way that they enable fixing to the wall, so that the image is always parallel to the wall, even if the ship is in an inclined position, for example.

A further independent invention relates to a wall holder which is particularly suitable for fastening the picture frames described above. According to the invention, a spirit level is integrated in the wall holder. The wall holder can thus be easily attached to the wall in a horizontal position. The picture frame then only has to be placed or hung on the wall holder and automatically hangs horizontally. It is no longer necessary to move individual wall brackets in order to prevent pictures from skewing. To mount the wall holder on the wall, it preferably has two fastening slots running at an angle to one another. The fastening slots preferably run at a right angle to one another, one slot preferably being oriented horizontally and the other preferably oriented vertically. This makes it possible to align the wall holder horizontally in a simple manner. It is also possible to connect the integrated spirit level detachably or detachably to the wall bracket. This has the advantage that the wall brackets can be manufactured more cost-effectively, since not every wall bracket has to have a spirit level, but several wall brackets can be installed one after the other with a spirit level that can be connected to the wall bracket.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawings.

Show it: 1 is a schematic plan view of a snap-together picture frame according to the invention without a picture,

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1, an image being additionally indicated in FIG. 2,

3 shows a schematic top view of the connecting element from the front,

4 shows a schematic top view of the connecting element from the rear,

5 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line V-V in Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a spacer along the line VI-VI in Fig. 1 and

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a wall bracket.

A picture frame according to the invention, on which an image can be detachably clamped, has four frame strips 10 arranged at right angles to one another in the exemplary embodiment shown. The frame strips 10 are releasably connected to one another by connecting elements 12 (FIGS. 3-5). To fasten the picture frame, a wall holder 14 is also provided, onto which an upper frame bar 10 can be placed or inserted. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two spacers 16 (FIG. 6) are provided on the lower frame bar 10. As a result, the picture frame can be held at a distance from the wall, so that visible traces of dust and the like are avoided when the picture is suspended.

The frame strips are profile parts that have the same cross-section over the entire length (FIG. 2). The frame strips have in embodiment shown a closed insert pocket 18. One of the two rod-shaped projections 20 (FIG. 3) of the connecting elements 12 is inserted into the insertion pocket 18.

A part of a Velcro strip or Velcro fastener is provided as the first fastening element 24 on a rear side 22 of the frame strip designed as a hollow profile. The fastening element 24 can be connected to the rear side 22 by gluing. The first fastening element 24 is arranged in a groove 26 in the frame strip 10. The position of the first fastening element 24 is defined by the groove 26. The groove 26 is formed by two lugs protruding perpendicularly from the rear side 22 and extending over the entire length of the frame strip 10.

An image 32 has on its outer edge second fastening elements 34 which interact with the first fastening elements 24. It is also preferably a corresponding Velcro strip. The second fastening element 34 can be sewn to the image, which is preferably made of fabric.

A projection 38, which preferably also extends over the entire length of the frame strip 10, is provided on a strip front side 36 of the frame strip 10. This ensures that the image 32 does not abut the front side 36 of the frame strip 10, but is at a distance a from it. This is particularly advantageous in the case of bright images, since the frame strips 10 would otherwise be visible in the edge region of the images.

The L-shaped design of the insertion pocket 18 makes it possible to provide a groove 40 which extends over the entire length and serves to accommodate the wall holder 14 and / or the spacers 16 (FIG. 1). The groove 40 is located on the inside of the ledge 42, the inside of the ledge facing one another when the frame is assembled. The frame strips 10 are preferably designed as hollow profiles made of aluminum. Since all frame borders of an image are identical, the production costs can be reduced considerably.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connecting elements 12 have two rod-shaped projections 20 arranged at a right angle to one another (FIG. 3), which are also L-shaped in cross section (FIG. 5). These L-shaped, rod-shaped lugs 20 are inserted into the insertion pockets 18 (FIG. 2) for connection to frame strips 10. In order to produce a sufficient but not too high friction between the rod-shaped lugs and the inner walls of the insertion pockets 18, the rod-shaped lugs 20 have lamellae 44, 26 (FIG. 5) as friction elements. In the inserted state, the lamellae 44, 46 rest against inner walls 48 and 50 (FIG. 2) of the insertion pocket 18. Here, the lamellae 44, 46, which are elastic, are slightly deformed. The provision of elastic lamellae 44, 46 on the one hand makes it possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and on the other hand ensures that the rod-shaped projections 20 are held securely in the insertion pocket 18. Since the slats 44, 46 are made of a more elastic plastic than an L-shaped support 52 of the rod-shaped extension 20, the rod-shaped extension 20 is in two parts, an L-shaped inner part 54 being inserted into the L-shaped carrier 52. The L-shaped inner part 54 is made of more elastic plastic and forms the lamellae 44, 46. The L-shaped inner part 54 can be fastened in the carrier 52 by gluing. Preferably, dovetail-shaped projections 56 (FIG. 4) are provided on the carriers 52, so that the inner part 54 can be connected to the carrier 52 by insertion or insertion.

Due to the L-shaped design of the insertion pockets, the individual frame strips 10 cannot be put together incorrectly with the connecting elements 12. This is due to the fact that the legs of the L-shaped insert pocket have a different length. additionally the two legs have a different width. Since the frame strips 10 cannot be incorrectly plugged together with the connecting elements 12, it is also not possible, for example, for first fastening elements 24 to be located on different sides of the plugged-together frame. This design of the insert pockets 18 thus has the advantage that the picture frame can be plugged together in a simple manner even without instructions for use, and that the frame parts are correctly plugged together.

Furthermore, the connecting elements 12 have a corner part 58. With the corner part 58, the two rod-shaped lugs 20 are connected at a right angle. The thickness or height of the corner element 58 corresponds to that of the frame strips 10, so that a front side 60 of the corner part 58 is arranged in one plane with the front side 36 (FIG. 2) of the frame strip 10. Furthermore, projections 62 protruding from the second plane are provided in FIG. 3, which are aligned with the projections 38 (FIG. 2). The projections 62 also have the task that the image 32 does not rest on the front 60 of the corner parts 58. The outer edges of the frame are thus formed on the front outer edge by a peripheral edge which is formed by the projections 38, 62.

A fastening element 66 is preferably provided in the form of a Velcro fastener on a rear side 64 of the corner part 58. The first fastening elements 24 and the fastening elements 66 thus form a self-contained frame to which corresponding fastening elements 34 provided on the image 32 can be fastened. In order to be able to arrange the frame at a distance from the wall, spacers 16 (FIG. 1) are provided. The spacers 16 (FIG. 6) are likewise arranged in the groove 40 which extends over the entire length in each frame strip 10. The spacers 16 are essentially L-shaped in cross section and have a leg 68 projecting into the groove 40. This shows lamellar or web-like lugs 70 so that the leg 38 is held in the groove 40 by friction.

A second leg 72 of the spacer 16 is arranged at right angles to the first leg 68 and has a through bore 74. With the help of the through hole 74, the spacer 16 can be attached to the wall and thus simultaneously serves as an anti-theft device. This attachment can be omitted if the spacer 16 is only intended to act as a spacer. In order to avoid damaging the wall, the leg 72 has a rubber ring 76 on the side facing the wall.

The wall bracket 14 (FIG. 7) has an integrated spirit level 78 in order to be able to align the wall bracket 14. For fastening the wall bracket 14 to the wall, two fastening slots 80, 82 are provided, which are arranged at an angle of 90 ° to one another. Furthermore, the wall bracket 14 has an extension 84 which can be inserted into the groove 40 (FIG. 2) of the frame strips 10. The hanging of the picture on the wall bracket 14 thus takes place by simply plugging the upper frame strip 10 in FIG. 1 onto the extension 84, so that it projects into the groove 40.

Furthermore, the wall bracket 14 has two spacing projections 86, 88, which in the exemplary embodiment shown extend over the entire length of the wall bracket 14. The spacing approaches correspond to the spacers 16 (FIG. 6), so that the image hangs in a vertical plane or is at a constant distance from the wall. The spacer lugs 86, 88 are not required if the picture is to be hung directly on the wall and thus the spacers 16 are also omitted. The lugs 86, 88 would only have the length in order to bridge the distance between the groove 40 and the wall. The spacing lugs are arranged such that the fastening slots are arranged between at least two such lugs. This prevents the wall bracket from tilting. However, the spacing lugs do not have to extend over the entire length of the wall bracket. In particular, it is also possible for the spacing projections to run perpendicular to the projections 86, 88 shown or to have a different angle. The only important thing here is that tilting of the wall holder 14 is avoided.

Claims

claims

1. Picture frame with a plurality of frame strips (10) and connecting elements (12) for releasably connecting adjacent frame strips (10), insertion pockets (18) are provided in the frame strips (10) and / or the connecting elements (12), into which the connecting elements ( 12) and / or frame strips (10) can be inserted.

2. Picture frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection is carried out by friction.

3. Picture frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that with the frame strips (10) and / or the connecting elements (12) friction elements (44, 46) are connected.

4. Picture frame according to claim 3, characterized in that lamellae (44, 46) are provided as friction elements.

5. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the connecting elements (12) have a corner part (58) which in the assembled state is substantially aligned with the outer contours of the frame strips (10).

6. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that on at least two strip rear sides (22) of the frame strips (10), first fastening elements (34) for releasably connecting to a frame that can be clamped onto the frame (32) are provided second fastening elements (34 ) are provided.

7. Picture frame with frame strips (10) connected to a frame and

on at least two rear panel sides (22) provided first fastening elements (24) for releasably connecting to second fastening elements (34) provided on an image (32) that can be clamped onto the frame.

8. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that first fastening elements (24) are provided on all strip rear sides (22), which cooperate with second fastening elements (34) arranged on the picture (32).

9. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the fastening elements (24) extend substantially over the entire length of the strip backs (22).

10. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the frame strips (10) on the strip rear side (22) have a groove (26) for receiving the first fastening elements (24).

11. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the fastening elements (24, 34) cooperate in accordance with a Velcro fastener.

12. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the frame strips (10) are designed as hollow profiles.

13. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that on the ledge front sides (36) of the frame ledges (10) a projection (38) is provided to the image (32) in the stretched state at a distance (a) to the ledge front (36) hold.

14. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that at least one frame bar (10) has a longitudinal groove (40) for receiving wall brackets (14) and / or spacers (16).

15. Picture frame according to claim 14, characterized in that the groove (40) is provided on the inside of the strip (42).

16. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-15, characterized in that all frame strips (10) have the same cross-sectional profile.

17. Picture frame according to one of claims 1-16, characterized in that the stretchable image (32) made of elastic material, in particular of fabric.

18. Wall bracket, in particular for picture frames according to one of claims 1-17, with an integrated spirit level (78).

19. Wall holder according to claim 18, characterized by fastening slots (80, 82) which run at a right angle to one another for fastening to a wall.

20. Wall bracket according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by a in the groove (40) of the frame bar (10) insertable approach (84).

21. Wall holder according to one of claims 18 - 20, characterized by spacing lugs (86, 88), between which the fastening slots (18, 22) are arranged.