JPH0151194B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides interchangeable posters of various formats,
This invention relates to an exhibit holder for receiving and holding exhibit pieces such as paintings and advertising materials.

This exhibit holder is placed in various places such as walls, pillars, etc. of buildings such as buses, taxis, and other transportation vehicles, and service stations.
Moreover, it has come to be used both indoors and outdoors.

(Prior art) U.S. Patent No. 4145828 as a conventional exhibit holder
There is one disclosed in the specification of No. This conventional display holder has a plurality of frame sections, each consisting of two extruded sections that are pivotally connected to each other. The extrusions are molded from a material such as aluminum, and a metal leaf spring is disposed between the two extrusions of the frame section. The display piece is gripped between the two extrusion molded parts by the biasing force of the metal leaf spring, and the display piece is releasably held within the frame part.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Conventional exhibit holders require a separate metal leaf spring, which increases the manufacturing cost of the exhibit holder and makes the exhibit holder itself expensive. . Moreover, the weight is also increased due to the provision of the metal leaf spring.

The present invention has an extremely simple structure that allows the display piece to be reliably gripped and released so that the display piece can be exchanged without the need for such a separate metal plate spring or the like. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems in the prior art described above by providing a hinge device.

(Means for Solving the Problem) The first invention is an exhibit holder having a plurality of frame parts forming a polygonal frame structure for receiving and holding an exhibit piece, Each of the frame portions includes a first portion;
a second portion; a hinge device for connecting the first portion to the second portion; and a hinge device projecting from the first portion toward the second portion on an opposite side with respect to the hinge device. a first lateral portion having an end adapted to abut the display piece; and a first lateral portion of the first portion opposite the first lateral portion of the first portion; a second lateral portion projecting toward the second portion and having an end; and a second lateral portion located between the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion and adjacent the hinge device. a flange portion projecting from the second portion toward the first portion; and a flange portion extending between the end of the first lateral portion and a portion near the projecting end of the flange portion. forming a part integral with the frame part, the first part and the second part forming a part integral with the frame part;
an elongated elastic biasing portion for applying a force for gripping the display piece between the flange portion and the flange portion; a bridging member having an end portion thereof, and the hinge device includes a pivot shaft-shaped portion provided at the end portion of the bridging member, and a pivot shaft-shaped portion provided at the end portion of the second side portion. a cup-shaped portion, and the pivot shaft-shaped portion is assembled as a hinge assembly by fitting into the cup-shaped portion, thereby directing the elongated elastic biasing portion to the first It is characterized by being curved towards the part.

A second invention is an exhibit holder having a plurality of frame portions forming a polygonal frame structure for receiving and gripping an exhibit piece, each of the frame portions having a first and the part of
a second portion; a hinge device for connecting the first portion to the second portion; and a hinge device protruding from one end edge of the first portion toward the second portion; a first lateral portion having an end adapted to abut the first lateral portion; and an edge of the first portion opposite the first lateral portion;
protruding from the part toward the second part,
a second lateral portion having an end, a flange portion projecting from the second portion toward the first portion, and a projecting end of the end of the first lateral portion and the flange portion; A force for gripping and holding the exhibit piece between the first part and the second part, the force extending between the first part and the second part to form a part integral with the frame part; and an elongated elastic biasing portion that causes the hinge device to
a first residual hinge portion provided at the end of the first lateral portion for connecting the first end of the elongated resilient biasing portion to the first lateral portion; a second residual hinge portion provided on said flange portion for connecting a second end of an elongate resilient biasing portion to said flange portion; a third remaining hinge portion for connecting the first portion to the second portion such that the first portion is driven closed relative to the second portion such that the display piece is received between the portions. the elongated resilient biasing portion being substantially curved toward the first portion when

A third invention is an exhibit holder having a plurality of frame portions forming a polygonal frame structure for receiving and gripping an exhibit piece, each of the frame portions having a first and the part of
a second portion; a hinge device for connecting the first portion to the second portion; and a hinge device projecting from the first portion toward the second portion on an opposite side with respect to the hinge device. a first lateral portion having an end portion adapted to abut the exhibit piece; and on an opposite side of the first lateral portion of the first portion, from the first portion to the a second lateral portion projecting toward the second portion and having an end; and a flange portion protruding from the second portion toward the first portion adjacent the hinge device; a portion extending between the end of the first lateral portion and a portion of the flange portion proximate the projecting end thereof forming a portion integral with the frame portion; the hinge device has an elongated elastic biasing portion that applies a force for gripping the display piece between the hinge device and the second portion;
a cup-shaped portion provided on the flange portion;
a pivot shaft shape provided at the end of the second lateral portion, the pivot shaft shape being assembled as a hinge assembly by fitting into the cup shape. and thereby causing the elongated elastic biasing portion to curve toward the first portion.

(Operations and Effects of the Present Invention) Since the present invention is characterized by being equipped with the hinge device as described above, it is possible to mold the exhibit holder almost integrally, for example, by using a plastic material. It can be manufactured at extremely low cost. In addition, since there is no need to provide a separate metal spring member, the exhibit holder can be constructed with a frame having a small width of, for example, 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) or less. It can have a frame. Furthermore, the hinge device included in the exhibit holder of the present invention has a unique configuration, and in addition to being able to be manufactured at low cost, it can exert extremely reliable gripping force on the exhibit piece.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exhibit holder of one embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is comprised of a plurality of frame sections 12. As shown in FIG. In the case of a square or rectangular display piece or poster, four frame sections 12 are usually provided. The frame sections 12 are mitered at 45 degrees at their ends and fastened together to form a box-shaped frame. A backing member of paperboard, fiberboard or metal is provided and the display holder 10 is attached to or around the edges of the backing member to form a complete poster frame. is forming. Second
As shown, each of the frame sections 12 is essentially made up of two sections that are part of a common extrusion: a forward first section 14 and a rearward second section 16. The first and second parts 14, 16 are pivotally connected to each other at a hinge arrangement 17. The first portion 14 and second portion 16 of each frame portion 12 are cut to the desired length and mitered at 45 degrees at each end so that they abut each other and are flush with each other. They are assembled together to form an exhibit holder 10.
As will be appreciated, exhibit holder 10 can have any desired polygonal shape other than square or rectangular by mitering the appropriate number of frame sections 12 at appropriate angles. Also, the first part 1
It is also possible for each of 4 to be constructed from a plurality of extruded pieces of shorter length.

Preferably, exhibit holder 10 is associated with a rigid backing member 18, which backing member 18
can be made of plastic, masonite, aluminum or other suitable materials. The frame portion 12 is positioned around the edge of the backing member 18 and held in place around the edge of the backing member, such as with pot privets, to hold the completed exhibit holder 10. is forming. A display piece or poster 19 is placed against the backing member 18. The extruded second portion 16 is adapted to be attached to a support member, such as a column, wall, support frame, etc. of a vehicle, by any conventional means. As will be appreciated, it is not necessary to use the backing member 18 and the exhibit holder 10
may be attached to a flat surface forming its own backing member, or the poster 19
may be made of a rigid or hard material so as not to require a backing member.

Preferably a first portion 14 and a second portion 16
is made of a plastic material that can be efficiently and economically extruded and provides a virtually permanently beautiful and durable structure. Suitable plastic materials include polypropylene, vinyl, and rigid polyvinyl chloride.

Adjacent frame portions 12 of exhibit holder 10 may be bonded to each other, by bonding to backing member 18, or by L-shaped corner braces (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,901). They are held together and fixed by braces. The first portion 14 of each frame portion 12 has a decorative outer surface 15 and is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.
It is assembled to the second part 16 by a hinge device indicated at 7. Preferably, the outer surface 15 is relatively flat, but may be any decorated or raised surface. If the outer surface 15 is relatively flat, a faux metal (eg, mylar) or faux wood layer material can be easily adhered to the outer surface.

The hinge device 17 includes a pivot shaft feature 30 provided at the end of the bridging member 32 extending from an upright flange portion 34 provided on the second portion 16.
and a cup-shaped portion 36 corresponding to the pivot shaft-shaped portion 30 formed at the end of the second lateral portion 38 of the first portion 14. The edges of the cup feature 36 may extend more than 180 degrees around the pivot feature 30, in which case the first portion 14 and the second portion 16 snap together after extrusion. The hinges are assembled together by snapping together to form a hinge assembly. or,
The edge of the cup shape 36 may extend less than 180 degrees around the pivot shaft shape 30. The first part 14 is pivotable relative to the second part 16 by means of its hinge device 17, as shown by the dash-dotted lines and the dash-dot lines in FIG. When the first portion 14 is in the closed position shown by the solid line in FIG.
holds the poster 19 in position against the backing member 18. If it is desired to remove or replace the poster 19, the first portion 14 is pivoted to the fully open position 14', shown in phantom lines, to allow the poster 19 to be removed. 1st
The pivoting of the portion 14 causes the stop end 3 of the cup-shaped portion 36 to
9. That is, the first portion 14
When the stopper end 39 is pivoted to the fully open position 14', the stop end 39 is moved to a position 39' as shown by the dashed line in FIG.

The extruded first portion 14 includes a first lateral portion 42 in which a longitudinal recess 44 is formed. The recess 44
is provided for gripping the first portion 14 at its recess 44 and opening and closing the first portion 14 relative to the second portion 16 during operation. The end portion 46 of the first side portion 42 is placed on the poster 19 to grip and hold the poster 19 in a predetermined position within the exhibit holder 10.

The flange portion 34 has a lip portion 48 projecting inwardly at right angles toward the center of the exhibit holder 10. Flange portion 34 and lip portion 48 define a recess 50 .
is adapted to engage the backing member 18 about its outer edge to mask any rough edges of the backing member 18. The end of the lip 48 is provided with an ear 52 which provides a stop or guide surface useful for positioning the poster 19 and keeping it from entering the frame. ing. The bridging member 32 is attached near the protruding end of the flange portion 34 and also protrudes generally outward from the center of the exhibit holder 10 to form a downwardly directed bend and pivot shaft. It terminates in a shaped part 30. The bridge member 32 is
It has a knee portion 54 located generally opposite to the pivot feature 36 .

As will be appreciated, the structures described above are extruded from relatively stiff plastic materials, such as vinyl materials, including polyvinyl chloride.
Exhibit holder 10 has an elongated resilient biasing section, generally indicated at 60, which is made of estane polyurethane.
relatively elastic materials such as polyurethane),
or extruded from a softer vinyl material. The biasing portion 60 is attached to the end 4 of the first lateral portion 42.
6 and knee portion 54 and are coupled between their ends 46 and knee portion 54. The connection between biasing portion 60 and end 46 is a transition A between first lateral portion 42 of relatively stiff material and biasing portion 60 of relatively resilient flexible material. is formed. Biasing portion 60 and bridge member 32
The connection between the relatively stiff bridging member 32 and the relatively resilient flexible biasing portion 60
It forms a transition part B between the two. Preferably the joints forming transitions A and B are formed during extrusion, in other words the biasing portion 60
is made by integral extrusion forming the first section 14 and the second section 16. If desired, the transition section A is formed such that the corner section 47 that contacts the poster 19 when the exhibit holder 10 is closed is made of a softer material than the biasing section 60, as shown in FIG. You can leave it there. This provides greater friction between poster 19 and corner 47 to hold poster 19 in place.

FIG. 2a shows the integrally extruded body before the hinge device 17 is assembled. As can be seen from FIG. 2a, the frame portion 12 is assembled with the first portion 14 and the second portion 16 in the substantially open position and with the pivot shape 30 and the cup shape 3.
6 are extrusion molded in a state where they are not fitted. Although the biasing portion 60 is extruded in a slightly curved or arcuate configuration, the biasing portion 60 could also be extruded in a substantially flat configuration. Center point along transition A
The actual measured length of the biasing portion 60 and the bridge member 32 when measured from A' to the center point C of the pivot shaft shaped part 30 is longer than the straight line distance between the center point A' and the center point C. ing. Therefore, when the hinge device 17 is assembled by snap-fitting the cup-shaped portion 36 onto the pivot-shaped portion 30, the biasing portion 60 is moved inwardly toward the first portion 14 as shown in FIG. As shown, it is curved over a considerable range (even greater if it is extruded in a slightly bowed state).
This reduces the radius of curvature of the biasing portion 60 and causes the biasing portion 60 to exert an inward and outward overcenter force, causing the movable first portion 14 to close. or the open position. In either position, the biasing portion 60
The cup-shaped portion 3 is attached to the pivot shaft-shaped portion 30 of the portion 16.
6 in the direction to keep it properly pressed.
14 is pressed.

5-10 illustrate the spring action of biasing portion 60 over typical operating ranges.
FIG. 5 shows the frame portion without the poster being held in place. The biasing portion 60 is arched inwardly toward the first portion 14 . As discussed above, this inward arcing action causes biasing portion 60 to exert a force on first portion 14 that urges first portion 14 toward its closed position. FIG. 6 shows the first portion 14 being pivoted toward the open position shown in FIG. As the first portion 14 is opened, the biasing portion 60 becomes more severely arched with a smaller radius of curvature, as shown in FIG. The reason for this is that as the center point A' follows the rotation locus around the center point C, the linear distance between the two ends of the biasing portion 60 between the transition portions A and B decreases, and the biasing portion 60 This is because it is compressed. In the position shown in FIG. 6, biasing portion 60 continues to exert a downward force on first portion 14 tending to close it.

Once the first portion 14 is near or in the open position, the biasing portion 60 snaps into an outwardly arched position as shown in FIG. be forced to move. In its outwardly arched position, the biasing portion 60
exerts a force tending to keep the first part 14 in the open position, thereby allowing the poster 19 to be placed within the frame part 12.

The closing operation of the first portion 14 is shown in FIGS. 8-10. As the first portion 14 is manually pivoted toward the closed position against the force, the biasing portion 60 becomes more severely arched outwardly. Further pivoting toward the closed position as shown in FIG. 9 causes the biasing portion 60 to bow more severely. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the biasing portion 60 is substantially S-shaped in longitudinal cross section. At a point near or in the final closed position shown in FIG. 10, the biasing portion 60 is snapped back into the inwardly arced position. When this occurs, the biasing force exerted by biasing portion 60 tends to keep first portion 14 in the closed position, thereby gripping poster 19 in position.
As can be seen with particular reference to FIG. 9, biasing portion 60 may contact ear 52 and possibly poster 19 as well. Although this contact action is not necessary, it can provide a spring action that causes the biasing portion 60 to snap back into the inwardly arched position of FIG.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, the first part 14 and the second part 1
6, biasing portion 60 is extruded from a relatively stiff plastic. The exhibit holder is extruded as shown in solid lines. The first portion 14 and the second portion 16 are also interconnected by a flexible third residual hinge portion 70 made of a thin section of plastic material contained in the hinge device. Similarly, biasing portion 60
end 46 of first lateral portion 42 by a flexible first remaining hinge portion 72 included in the hinge arrangement.
and to the upright flange portion 34 at B by a further flexible second residual hinge portion 74 included in the hinge arrangement. Preferably, all three remaining hinge parts are made of the same material. Regardless of whether the biasing portion 60 is made of a hard or soft material, as in the first embodiment, the biasing portion 60 can be used to apply inward and outward overcenter forces to the movable first The parts 14 of 1 are held stable in either their closed or open positions.

It should be understood that the third remaining hinge portion 70 used in the embodiment of FIG. It doesn't matter. However, even in that case, the first remaining hinge portion 72 and the second remaining hinge portion 74
are provided coupling the biasing portion 60 to the first side portion 42 and the flange portion 34, respectively.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment. This embodiment has a hinge device 17 similar to the first embodiment.
It is also extruded into two pieces. In this regard, it is also possible to replace this hinge device 17 with the third remaining hinge portion 70 of the second embodiment, in which case it can be extruded in one piece. Biasing portion 60 is coupled to end 46 of first lateral portion 42 at transition A and is integral with first portion 14 and extruded from a somewhat rigid plastic material. . The as-extruded biasing portion 60 is slightly arcuate and terminates in a rounded free end portion 80. The upright flange portion 34 has a longitudinal arc-shaped groove 82 adapted to pivotally engage the free end portion 80 during assembly.
It is equipped with The arc-shaped groove 82 has an arc-shaped portion that extends approximately 90 degrees and prevents the free end portion 80 of the biasing portion 60 from coming out of the arc-shaped groove 82 when the first portion 14 is opened or closed. It is positioned to permit movement of its free end portion 80 through a 90 degree arc while preventing the movement of the free end portion 80 over a 90 degree arc. Thus, biasing portion 60 exerts inward and outward overcenter forces to stably hold movable first portion 14 in its closed or open position.

Another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11-18, utilizes a residual hinge intermediately located along the length of the elongated biasing section to provide a more secure snapping action. It is designed to make it easy to replace or remove.
As shown in FIG. 11, frame portion 1
12 is essentially a first portion 114 and a second portion 114.
The first and second portions 114 and 116 are part of a common extrusion and hinge device 117.
They are pivoted to each other at the . Each frame part 1
The first and second portions 114 and 116 of 12 are cut to the desired length, mitered at 45 degrees at each end, and assembled so that they abut each other and are flush. It also serves as an exhibit holder. As will be appreciated, the exhibit holder may be square or rectangular, or may have any desired polygonal shape by mitering the appropriate number of frame sections 112 at appropriate angles. Also,
It is also possible to construct the first portion 114 from a plurality of shorter length extruded pieces.

Preferably, the exhibit holder is associated with a rigid backing member 118, the backing member 118
may be made of plastic, masonite, aluminum or other suitable material. The frame portion 112 is positioned around the edge of the backing member 118 and held in place around the edge of the backing member 118, such as with pot privies, to hold the completed exhibit holder. is forming. A poster 119 or other display object is placed against backing member 118. The extruded second portion 116 is adapted to be attached to a support member, such as a column, wall, support frame, etc. of a vehicle, by any conventional means. As will be appreciated, it is not necessary to use a backing member 118; the exhibit holder may be attached to a flat surface forming its own backing member, or the poster 119 may be attached to a backing member. It may be made of a rigid or hard material so that no parts are required.

Preferably the first and second portions 114 and 11
6 is made of a plastic material that can be efficiently and economically extruded and provides a virtually permanently beautiful and durable structure. Suitable materials include polypropylene, vinyl and rigid polyvinyl chloride.

Adjacent frame parts 1 of the exhibit holder
12 are bonded to each other or to the backing member 118,
Alternatively, they may be held together and secured by L-shaped corner braces such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,901. A first portion 114 of each frame portion 112 has a decorative outer surface 115 and is assembled to a second portion 116 by a hinge arrangement generally designated 117. Preferably, the outer surface 115 is relatively flat, but may be any decorated or raised surface. If the outer surface 115 is relatively flat, a faux metal (eg, mylar) or faux wood layer can be easily adhered to the outer surface.

The hinge device 117 includes a pivot shaft-shaped portion 130 provided on a bridging member 132 extending from an upright flange portion 134 disposed on a second portion 116 and projecting outwardly, and a first portion. 114
The cup-shaped portion 136 corresponds to the pivot shaft-shaped portion 130 formed on the second side portion 138 of the shaft. The edge of the cup-shaped portion 136 may extend more than 180 degrees around the pivot-shaped portion 130, in which case the first and second portions 11
4 and 116 are snapped together after extrusion to form a hinge assembly. Alternatively, the edge of the cup-shaped portion 136 may be attached to the pivot shaft-shaped portion 1.
30 for less than 180 degrees to form a hinge assembly. As shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 11,
The first portion 114 is connected to the second portion by a hinge device 117.
It is pivotable relative to a portion 116 of. When the first portion 114 is in the position shown in solid line in FIG.
Hold it in a position that is in contact with the When it is desired to remove or replace the poster 119, the first portion 114 is moved to the fully open position 114', shown in phantom.
to allow poster 119 to be removed. Pivotal movement of the first portion 114 is limited by a stop end 139 of the cup-shaped portion 136. That is, the first portion 114 is in the fully open position 11.
4', the stop end 138 is in position 139' as shown in phantom in FIG.
The bridge member 132 is brought into contact with the bridge member 132.

The first portion 114 includes a first lateral portion 142 having a longitudinal recess 144 formed therein. The recess 144
When operated, the first portion 11 at its recess 144
4 and pull the first part 114 into the second part 116.
It is provided to be opened and closed relative to the The end 146 of the first lateral portion 142 is attached to the poster 11
9 and the poster 119 is held in a predetermined position within the exhibit holder.

The upright flange portion 134 has a lip 148 projecting inwardly at right angles toward the center of the exhibit holder. Upright flange portion 134 and lip portion 148 define a recess 150 that engages backing member 118 about its outer edge. Lip part 1
The end of 48 is provided with an ear 152 that provides a stop or guide surface useful for positioning poster 119. The bridging member 132 is attached to an upright flange portion 134 and also projects generally outwardly from the center of the exhibit holder to form a downwardly directed bend and a pivot point portion 130 . It ends at a place. The bridge member 132 has a pivot shaft shaped portion 136
The knee portion 154 is disposed generally opposite to the knee portion 154.

As will be appreciated, the structures described above are extruded from relatively stiff plastic materials, such as vinyl materials, including polyvinyl chloride.
The exhibit holder has an elongated biasing section, generally indicated at 160, which is extruded from a relatively resilient material such as Esthene polyurethane, or a softer vinyl material. ing. An elongated biasing portion 160 is integrally coupled to the end 146 of the first lateral portion 142 and the knee portion 154 between the ends 146 and the knee portion 154 . The connection between the biasing portion 160 and the end portion 146 is a transition A between the first side portion 142 of a relatively stiff material and the biasing portion 160 of a relatively resilient flexible material. is formed. The connection between the biasing portion 160 and the knee portion 154 of the bridge member 132 forms a transition B between the relatively stiff bridge member 132 and the relatively resilient flexible biasing portion 160. There is. Preferably the joints forming transitions A and B are formed during extrusion. In other words, biasing portion 160 is made from a single piece extrusion forming first portion 114 and second portion 116 . Optionally, the transition section A is formed such that the corner section 147 that contacts the poster 119 when the first section 114 is closed is made of a softer material than the biasing section 160, as shown in FIG. may have been done. This provides greater friction between poster 119 and corner 147 to hold poster 119 in place.

The biasing portion 160 includes a residual hinge portion 170 located midway along the length of the biasing portion 160 at a distance D from the transition portion B, where D is a distance D from the transition portion B. It is not more than 50% of the length, preferably about 20% to 40%. Another residual hinge portion 172 is formed in the biasing portion 160 substantially adjacent to the transition portion A and the biasing portion 1
60 is coupled to the end portion 173 of the biasing portion 160 and to the first lateral portion 142. The remaining hinge portion 170
As understood with reference to Part 15, the first part 11
4 to ensure that the biasing portion 160 is bowed outwardly when the opening is opened. The remaining hinge portion 172 cooperates with the remaining hinge portion 170 to further ensure that the biasing portion 160 arches outward as the first portion 114 is opened. Remaining hinge part 1
72 is located away from transition A to minimize the tendency for it to become separated at transition A.

FIG. 12 shows the integral extrusion before the hinge device 117 is assembled. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the frame portion 112 is arranged with the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 in the substantially open position and with the pivot shape 130 and the cup shape 136 disposed in the substantially open position. Extrusion molded in an unfitted state. Although the biasing portion 160 is extruded in a slightly curved or arcuate shape, the biasing portion 160 can also be extruded in a substantially flat configuration. Biasing portion 160 and bridge member 132 when measured from center point A′ along transition portion A to center point C of pivot shaft shaped portion 130
The actual measured length of is longer than the straight line distance between center point A' and center point C. Thus, when the hinge assembly is assembled by snap-fitting the cup feature 136 onto the pivot feature 130, the biasing portion 160 is moved inwardly toward the first portion 114 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. As a result, the radius of curvature of the biasing portion 160 is made small, and the biasing portion 160
The movable first portion 114 creates inward and outward overcenter forces by the movable first portion 114.
is adapted to be stably held in its closed or open position. In either position, the biasing portion 160 is attached to the cup-shaped portion 13 on the support shaft-shaped portion 130.
6 in the direction to keep it properly pressed.
114 is pressed.

13 through 18 illustrate the spring action of biasing portion 160 over a typical operating range. FIG. 13 shows the frame portion with the poster not held in a predetermined position. Biasing portion 160 is arched inwardly toward first portion 114 . As mentioned above,
Due to this inward bow-shaped bending action, the biasing portion 1
60 exerts a force on the first portion 114 that urges the first portion 114 into its closed position.
FIG. 14 shows the first portion 114 being pivoted toward the open position shown in FIG. 15. As the first portion 114 is opened, the biasing portion 160 becomes more compressed or bowed with a smaller radius of curvature, as shown in FIG. The reason for this is that as the center point A' follows the rotation locus around the center point C, the transition parts A and B
This is because the linear distance between both ends of the biasing portion 160 decreases and the biasing portion 160 is compressed. In the position shown in FIG.
continues to exert a downward force that tends to close portion 114 of.

When the first portion 114 is near or in the open position, the biasing portion 160
It is then snapped into an arched outward position as shown. The remaining hinge portions 170 and 172 cooperate with each other to facilitate their outward snapping action. In its outwardly arched position, biasing portion 160 exerts a force tending to maintain first portion 114 in the open position, thereby positioning poster 119, etc. within the frame portion. can be made possible.

The closing operation of the first portion 114 is shown in FIG.
This is shown up to Figure 8. As the first portion 114 is manually pivoted toward the closed position against a force, the biasing portion 160 becomes compressed as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, as the biasing portion 160 is further pivoted toward the closed position, the biasing portion 160 becomes more severely compressed. As can be seen from FIG. 17, the biasing portion 160 is approximately M-shaped or cycloidal in longitudinal section. At a point near or at the final closed position shown in FIG. 18, the biasing portion 160 is snapped back into the inwardly arched position. This return action is facilitated by the remaining hinge portions 170 and 172. When this occurs, the biasing force produced by biasing portion 160 is applied to first portion 114.
in its closed position, thereby gripping the poster 119 in place.

In the embodiments described above, the exhibit holder is
Adapted to function as a front-loading poster, the outer surface of the first portion 114 may be decorated to enhance the appearance of the frame portion. FIG. 19 shows a rear-loading type embodiment, and the exhibit holder according to this embodiment holds the exhibit piece from the back side of the exhibit piece in a predetermined manner so as to press the exhibit piece against a separate frame member. It is configured to be held in place. As shown in FIG. 19, the separate frame member 180, shown in cross-section, has an outwardly facing front surface that is shaped or decorated to enhance the appearance of the frame member 180. Good too. Frame member 180 may be made from conventional picture frame materials of a wide variety of materials including wood, plastic, and metal. The frame member 180 is designed to have a first step 184 forming a retaining surface 186 in a plane parallel to and adjacent to the exhibit piece, and a fixing surface 188 generally perpendicular to that plane. It is formed. The frame member 180 has a first stepped portion 184 at the rear of the first stepped portion 184.
A second stepped portion 190 is formed in a stepped relationship with respect to the second stepped portion 190 . First step 184 provides a means for attaching frame portion 200 to frame member 180 and receives and retains the exhibit. On the other hand, the second stepped portion 190 provides a gap space in which the frame portion 200 is partially disposed. As will be appreciated, this embodiment allows for a painting, poster 194, etc. to be used as a display piece, and in some applications, protective glass or glass may be used between the painting or poster 194 and the retaining surface 186. A transparent plastic layer 192 may be sandwiched, and the painting or poster 194 may be sandwiched between that layer 192 and corrugated material 196. Rigid backing member 198 is corrugated member 19
6 to distribute the force generated by the frame portion 200 to the display piece;
As a result, the exhibit piece is firmly held at a predetermined position in contact with the holding surface 186.

Frame portion 200 may be generally constructed from any of the front-loading embodiments described above with the following modifications. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the second portion 1 of the front-loading embodiment
The front portion 202 corresponding to 6 has a right-angled flange 204 or other means which is secured by a stop 106 driven into the securing surface 188 and which is secured to the frame portion. 2
00 is fixed to the frame member 180.
The front portion 202 also has a cup-shaped portion 203 for pivotal engagement with a pivot shaft-shaped portion 205 formed in the rear portion 207 . Rear section 20 corresponding to first section 14 of the front mounted embodiment
7 has a biasing portion 260, and the biasing portion 2
60 may have a residual hinge portion in the longitudinally intermediate portion of its biasing portion, in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-18. Alternatively, the frame portion 200 may include a cup-shaped portion 203.
is provided on the front portion 207 and a pivot shaft feature 205 is formed on the rear portion 202 .

To explain the operation, the frame portion 200
From Figure 5 to Figure 10 or Figure 13 to Figure 1
It operates in substantially the same manner as shown and described in connection with FIGS. When you open the frame part 200,
The exhibit pieces and backing members, as well as other parts, are made available for removal and replacement. When the frame section 200 is snapped closed, the exhibit is gripped in place, with the rear section 207 flush with, or slightly inward from, the back side 208 of the frame member 180. be positioned. The entire exhibit holder is then hung on a wall or attached to another fixed surface.

FIG. 20 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. Frame portion 220 in this example
has a first portion 232 and a second portion 238 and also includes a hinge device 222 similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 and the embodiment shown in FIGS. A biasing portion 224 with an example residual hinge portion 234 is used. second part 2
38 has a flange portion 226 that is provided with a cup-shaped portion 228 that mates with and pivotally engages a pivot-shaped portion 230 formed in the first portion 232 . As will be appreciated, the pivot shape and cup shape shown in FIGS. Adjacent frame portions 220 at the corners to be mitered with pivot shaft features and cup features made in this manner.
Any interference effects that may occur between the two are considerably reduced, and material costs are also lower since less material is used in this configuration of FIG.

Frame portion 220 includes a biasing portion 224 that preferably extends along the length of the biasing portion, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-18. It has a residual hinge portion 234 in the middle. first portion 232
and the materials used for second portion 238 and biasing portion 224 are the same as those described above in connection with FIGS. 11-18. Regarding this,
Preferably the first part 232 and the second part 23
8 is made of rigid PVC, and
Preferably, biasing portion 224 is made of Esthene polyurethane, although the invention is not limited to these particular materials.

In manufacturing the frame portion 220, the frame portion 220 is preferably extruded in the shape shown in FIG. 20a and then snap-fitted together to form the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. is beginning to form. This is similar to the manner in which the frame portions shown in Figures 2a and 12 are extruded. Preferably, the second portion 238 of the frame portion 220 is flattened and adapted to be secured to the backing member 240. If the backing member 240 is made of a plastic-based material similar to the frame portions 220, the plurality of frame portions 220 forming the exhibit holder may be secured to the backing member 240 by ultrasonic welding. In this way, corner keys, braces, etc. are not required to secure the frame portions 220 together, and the exhibit holder is aesthetically pleasing when viewed from the back. Obtainable. By eliminating the corner braces, a less expensive structure can also be achieved.

The operation of frame portion 220 is shown in FIG.
It is substantially the same as that shown and described in connection with FIG. As previously discussed, opening the first section 232 allows the exhibit pieces (and backing members or other components, if necessary) to be removed and replaced, and then the first section 232 is opened.
snaps shut and grips the exhibit piece in place.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but is to be construed only in accordance with the claims set forth above. Should.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an improved exhibit holder according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a 2-2
Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 2 with the hinge assembly removed, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 5 to 10 are diagrams showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 with the hinge assembly removed; FIGS. 13 to 18 are cross-sectional views of the embodiment of FIG. 11; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a rear-loading embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 20a is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention; 21 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 20 showing the hinge assembly removed; FIG. 10... Exhibition object holder, 12,112,200,
220...Frame part, 14, 114, 232...
First portion, 14', 114'... fully open position, 15,
115... Decorative outer surface, 16, 116, 238... Second part, 17, 117, 222... Hinge device,
18,118,240...backing member, 19,11
9,194...Poster, 30,130,205,
230... Pivot shaft shaped part, 32, 132... Bridge member, 34, 134... Flange part, 36, 13
6,203,228...cup-shaped part, 38,13
8...Second side portion, 39,139...Stopping end, 3
9', 139'...Position indicated by two-dot chain line, 42,
142... First side portion, 44, 144... Longitudinal recess, 46, 146... End portion, 47, 147... Corner portion, 48, 148... Lip portion, 50, 15
0... recess, 52,152... ear, 54,154...
Knee part, 60, 160, 224, 260... Biasing part, 70, 72, 74, 234... Remaining hinge part, 80... Free end part, 82... Arc-shaped groove, 17
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Middle part, 173... End part, 180... Frame member, 184, 190... Step part, 186... Holding surface, 188... Fixing surface, 192... Protective glass or transparent plastic layer, 196... Corrugated material, 204...
Flange, 208... Back side, 226... Flange portion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An exhibit holder 10 having a plurality of frame portions 12 forming a polygonal frame structure for receiving and gripping an exhibit piece 19, each of the frame portions 12 a first portion 14 , a second portion 16 , a hinge device 17 for connecting the first portion 14 to the second portion 16 , and on the side opposite to the hinge device 17 the a first lateral portion 42 projecting from the first portion 14 toward the second portion 16 and having an end portion 46 adapted to abut the display piece 19; said first lateral portion 42 of
a second lateral portion 38 projecting from said first portion 14 toward said second portion 16 on opposite sides thereof and having an end; lateral portion 38 and the hinge device 1
a flange portion 34 protruding from said second portion 16 towards said first portion 14 adjacent to said end 46 of said first lateral portion 42 and a protruding end of said flange portion 34; It forms a part that extends between the adjacent parts and is integral with the frame part 12, and grips and holds the display piece 19 between the first part 14 and the second part 16. an elongated elastic biasing portion 6 that exerts a force for
0, and a bridging member 32 having an end disposed near a protruding end of the flange portion 34 and extending in a direction generally opposite to the resilient biasing portion 60, the hinge device 17 being connected to the bridging member. 32, the pivot shaft shaped portion 30 provided at the end of the second
a cup-shaped portion 36 provided at the end of the side portion 38 of the pivot shaft-shaped portion 30, which is assembled as a hinge assembly by fitting into the cup-shaped portion 36; This causes the elongated resilient biasing portion 60 to be attached to the first portion 14.
An exhibit holder characterized by being curved toward. 2. An exhibit holder having a plurality of frame portions forming a polygonal frame structure for receiving and gripping an exhibit piece 19, each of the frame portions comprising: a first portion 14; a second portion 16; a hinge device for connecting the first portion 14 to the second portion 16; a hinge device protruding from one end edge of the first portion toward the second portion; a first lateral portion having an end portion 46 adapted to abut the display piece 19; and an edge of the first portion 14 opposite to the first lateral portion; a second lateral portion projecting from the section 14 towards the second section 16 and having an end; a flange section 34 projecting from the second section 16 towards the first section 14; , extending between the end of the first lateral portion and a portion near the protruding end of the flange portion 34 and forming a portion integral with the frame portion; 14 and said second portion 16
and an elongated elastic biasing portion 60 that applies a force for gripping the exhibit piece 19 between the hinge device and the hinge device, the hinge device has a first end of the elongate elastic biasing portion 60, and a first residual hinge portion 72 provided at said end 46 of said first side portion for coupling to said first side portion; and a second end of said elongated resilient biasing portion 60. a second residual hinge portion 74 provided on said flange portion for connecting the end portion of said second lateral portion to said flange portion 34;
a third remaining hinge portion 70 for connecting to the second portion 16 such that the first portion 14 is pivoted closed relative to the second portion 16 so that the exhibit piece 19 Said elongated resilient biasing portion 60 when received between said first portion 1
4. An exhibit holder characterized by being substantially curved toward 4. 3. An exhibit holder having a plurality of frame portions 220 forming a polygonal frame structure for receiving and gripping an exhibit piece 19, each of the frame portions 220 comprising: a first portion 232; and a second portion 238; and the first portion 232 is connected to the second portion 238.
a hinge device 222 for coupling to the first portion 232 to the second portion 238 on the opposite side with respect to the hinge device 222;
a first lateral portion having an end protruding toward the exhibition piece 19 and adapted to abut the display piece 19; and on the opposite side of the first lateral portion of the first portion 232; a second lateral portion projecting from the first portion 232 toward the second portion 238 and having an end; a flange portion 226 projecting toward portion 232 and extending between the end of the first lateral portion and a portion proximate the projecting end of the flange portion 226 and integral with the frame portion 220; the first portion 232 and the second portion 232.
an elongated elastic biasing portion 2 that applies a force for gripping the display piece 19 between the portion 238 and the portion 238 of the display piece 19;
24, and the hinge device 222 has the flange portion 2
26 and a pivot shaft shape 230 provided at the end of the second side portion, the pivot shaft shape 230 includes:
The hinge assembly is assembled by fitting into the cup-shaped portion 228, thereby causing the elongated elastic biasing portion 224 to curve toward the first portion 232. An exhibit holder characterized by: