US2954630A - Picture frames - Google Patents

Description

Oct 4, 1960 G. H. HULL 2,954,630

' PICTURE FRAMES Filed April 10, 1959 INVENTOR GEORGE H. HULL rs ATTORNEYS PICTURE FRAMES George H. Hull, 108 Forest Drive, Short Hills, NJ.

Filed Apr. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 805,393 4 Claims. (Cl. 40-1521 This invention relates to picture frames, display cases, trays and the like for storing and displaying photographs, pictures in magazines, water color and oil paintings, reproductions of the same, picture postcards, stamp collections and other ornamental objects or displays.

This is a continuation-in-part of my application, Serial No. 733,926, filed May 8, 1958.

Cases have been provided heretofore in which a number of art objects, for example, artist canvases or boards, etchings or other art work can be stored and carried. It is old, also, to provide picture frames in which a picture can be demountably inserted so that the picture can be removed and replaced as desired. Such frames and storage devices usually are flimsily constructed and are not capable of serving both as a display device and a storage case and particularly of enabling ready interchange of objects or articles to be displayed therein.

In accordance with the present invention, I have provided frames for pictures, cases, trays and the like in which a plurality of articles, such as postcards, photographs, pages of magazines, artist canvases or boards, and the like, can be supported and segregated or isolated from each other, the frames having an open side through which at least one of the articles therein can be displayed. One side of the frame is hinged or movable to permit access to the interior thereof and to facilitate the interchange or removal of the articles.

More particularly, in a preferred form of the frame, the bottom and two side walls thereof are formed of strips of wood, such as picture frame molding, or similar material. The bottom and side walls are suitably grooved to receive and support a plurality of the articles mentioned above. A single picture or a magazine, for example, having a picture therein, and a cover glass and backing board can be inserted into the frame adjacent to its open side in a position for viewing. One end of the frame is arranged to complete the picture frame and also serve as a lid for the open side of the frame and is suitably hinged so that it can be readily moved from closed to open position.

Unique means are provided for holding the movable side or lid in position when the frame is closed and at the same time enabling ready opening of the lid to gain access to the interior of the case for insertion, changing or removal of the articles stored or displayed therein.

Moreover, the frames embodying the present invention are provided with novel and convenient means for hanging them or supporting them in an upright position on a table, shelf, mantel or other horizontal surface.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a rear perspective view of a typical picture frame and case embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front perspective View of the frame in an open position;

Figure 3 is a view in section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

- magazine or the like may be inserted therein.

2,954,630 Patented Oct. 4, 1960 ice Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a modified frame embodying the present invention, with the lid thereof in a partially open position; and

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the frame shown in Figure 4, showing a modified form of back rest therefor.

Frames and cases of the type embodying the invention can be constructed to form a standing or hanging picture frame of any suitable size. The picture frame illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 embodies the present invention and is suitable for hanging on the wall or use on a desk, table, or the like. This picture frame 10 includes a backing member 11 formed of composition board, plywood or the like. Two side and bottom strips 12, 13 and 14 are secured to the backing member. If desired, the backing member 11 may be formed of glass or transparent plastic, if it is desired to display pictures or other art work simultaneously at opposite sides of the frame. The backing member 11 strengthens the entire frame assembly and strongly reinforces the three strips 12, '13 and 14. Each of the strips 12 to 14 is provided with an internal groove or rabbet 15 of substantial width so that a plurality of articles such as postcards or a complete A sheet of glass 16 is disposed in front of the groove 15 to protect the picture or the like in the groove. The upper end closure or lid 17 of the frame 10 is formed of a strip of wood or the like which can be secured in any of several different ways, one being by means of a hinge such as a strip of tape or fabric 18 adhered to the upper edge of the backing member 11 and the lid 17. In this way, the lid 17 can be brought down into engagement with the upper ends of the side frames 12 and 13 to complete the frame, or it may be swung to the open position shown in Figure 2 to enable the frame to be filled or emptied or the picture displayed therein to be changed.

The lid 17 can be secured in its closed position in any of a number of different ways. A simple, inexpensive and effective retainer consists of an elastic band 19 which extends along a groove 20 in the upper edge of the lid 17 down along grooves 21 and '22 in the sides of the side strips 12 and 13 around pins 23 disposed therein and across the back of the backing member 11. The pins 23 can be drawn out to loop the band around them and then can be pressed into the grooves so that they are not visible from in front.

Another and preferred form of retaining mechanism includes a screw eye 24 mounted in the inside of the lid 17. The screw eye 24 passes through an elongated slot 25 in the back member 11 when the frame is closed and when turned crosswise of the position shown in Figures 1 to 3, locks the lid 17 in the closed position. The horizontally disposed eye 24 can receive a picture frame hook or the like to hang the frame on the wall. Also, the screw eye 24 serves as a convenient point of connection for a back rest 26 for the frame. A notch 27 in the upper end of the back rest 26 receives the screw eye and a removable pin 28 extends through the back rest and the screw eye to connect them. Notches 29 and 30 are formed in the back rest 26 to receive the elastic member 19 and thereby brace the back rest and the frame 10 against falling.

Other arrangements may be provided for connecting the back rest to the frame, such as, for example, a screw hook in the upper end of the back rest 26 for engage ment in the screw eye 24.

A modification of the frame including a novel form of back rest is shown in Figures 4 and 5.. This form of frame 30 is similar to the frame described above. It has three fixed sides 31, 32 and 33 and a hinged fourth side 34, all of the sides being connected to a back board 35.

The frame 30 thus is generally the same as the frame described above and it may also include the peripheral groove 36 for receiving an elastic member 37 by means of which the lid or side.34 is retained in closed position. Also, it may include an eye member 38 on the lid or side 34 and a cooperating slot 39 in the back 35 of the frame.

' A feature of the frame disclosed in Figures 4 and is the provision of a back rest 46 of novel type which may be used to hold the frame with its narrow edges vertical or horizontal, as may be desired. To that end, the back board 35 is provided with a pair of slots 41 and 42 disposed parallel to the frame edges 33 and 32, respectively, for receiving the downwardly extending prongs 43and 44 on a crossbar 45 on the back rest n1em ber 40. The crossbar 45 is connected to a generally L-shaped piece of Wire or rod 46 or the like, so that when the prongs 43 and 44 are hooked in the slot 41, for example, the shorter leg 46a of the rod engages the back board 35 of the frame while the longer leg 46b of the rod 46 extends rearwardly to engage the top of a desk, table or other horizontal support. The back rest 44) may be formedof die cast plastic or metal, of metal or plastic rod, sheet or strip,- as may be desired. The prongs 43 and 44 which extend generally parallel to the leg 46a and in the opposite direction are relatively thin and flat so that they will not interfere with the pictures stored in the inner groove or rabbet 47 in the frame. If desired, the prongs 43 and 44 and the crossbar may take the form ofa thin flange fixed to the L-shaped member at about the junction of the legs 46a and 46b and extending outwardly from the leg 46b in the opposite direction fromthe leg 46a but generally parallel therewith. The ends of the legs of the L- shaped member 46, 46a and 46b may be rounded, enlarged or provided with protective tips to prevent scratching.

. The frame 30 can be modified considerably, if desired.

For example, one of the narrower frame edges 31 or 33, rather thanthe longer frame edge 34, can be hinged or movable relative to the back. Moreover, the back 35 may be provided with an aperture 48 for receiving a nail or hook for hanging the frame or into which the eye 38 may be screwed. The slot 48 may also coact with the eye 38 to lock the frame edge 31 in closed position if it is used as the lid for the frame. Likewise, the peripheral groove 36 may be provided with pins similar to pins 23 around which the elastic member 37 can be looped to hold the movable edge or lid 34 closed. Moreover, if desired, the pins may be arranged near the upper ends of the side members 31 and 33 so that they can be pushed into holes in' the opposite ends of the lid 34, thereby to hold it in closed position without the use of the elastic member 37.

Frame and storage devices of the type described are simple in structure, can be readily constructed With a minimum of expensive hardware fittings and are, nevertheless, very strong and durable and serve the multiple purpose of storage and display with the maximum of protection of the article or articles therein.

It will be understood that the frames can be made of various types of materials, including Wood moldings, plastic or metal sheets and extrusions and the like, depending upon requirements and the appearance sought. Accordingly, the forms of the invention described herein should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A storage and display device comprising a pair of substantially parallel side walls, an end wall connected to one end of each side wall and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said walls having an internal groove therein for receiving a plurality of thin articles and a transparent panel, a lid for engaging the ends of said side walls opposite from said end wall, a groove in the outer surfaces of each of said side and end walls and said lid, said grooves being in end-to-end relation whensaid lid engages the ends of said side walls, an endless elastic member engaging in the groove in said lid and extending at least partially along the length of the grooves on said side walls for urging said lid against the ends of said side walls, a backing member secured to said side and end walls, a fastener member having a loop attached to the interior of said lid, and slot in said backing member through which said loop extends .when said lid engages said sidewalls, said fastener member being turnable relative to said lid and backing member to dispose said loop cross-wise of said slot on the outside of said backing member to lock said lid to said backing member.

2. The device set forth in claim 1 in which said endless elastic member extends lengthwise of the groove in said lid, along the grooves in said side walls and across the side walls between their ends to urge said lid resiliently toward the ends of said side walls.

3. The device set forth in claim 1 comprising a back rest for said picture frame, and means on said back rest engageable with said eye member, said elastic member and said backing member for supporting them in angular relation.

4. A picture frame comprising a case having a back, side walls and a bottom wall, said case having an open side bounded by said side and bottom walls, each of said walls having internal grooves therein for receiving a plurality of thin, flat articles, at least one of said grooves being adjacent to said open side for receiving an article and a transparent cover member, a lid hinged to said back and movable into and out of engagement with the upper ends of said side walls to form therewith a frame for the displaced article, said back having a noncircular aperture therein adjacent to' said lid, and a non-circular fastening member having a loop portion rotatably mounted on said lid, said non-circular fasteningmember being rotatable to one position in which said loop portion coincides with and is movable into and through said aperture, and to another position in which said loop portion is disposed cross-wise of said aperture and in engagement with said back to lock said lid against substantial movement relative to said back.

References ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,611,465 LeskieWicz Dec. 21, 1926 2,731,748 Polay Jan. 24, 1956 2,769,261 Laughlin Nov. 6, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 461,045 Great Britain Feb. 9, 1937 597,247 France Aug. 25, 1925 705,420 France Mar. 9, 1931 834,915 Germany Mar. 24,1952

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