EP3909476B1

EP3909476B1 - Support element for holding images or photographs

Info

Publication number: EP3909476B1
Application number: EP20174361.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Martini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-13
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2024-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-13
Also published as: EP3909476A1

Description

This invention generically relates to a support element for holding images or photographs.
More specifically, the invention refers to a decorative frame with one or more bendable or foldable portions of the base, which is adapted to be used in a convenient and practical way as a photo frame.
In particular, the object of the invention is a decorative furnishing element consisting mainly of two components: a plate, which has the function of showing and holding images or photographs, and a base support with one or more bendable or foldable portions, which is fixed to the plate by means of suitable fixing means (screws, rivets, etc.).
The portions are foldable by the user in a simple and quick way and according to needs, during the installation step of the support element.
Photo-frame elements are currently known on the market substantially consisting of two transparent plates whose surfaces are adapted to hold an image or photograph, which surfaces are coupled together by means of a frame made of the most varied materials.
In addition to the holding elements of the frame, the known solutions include one or more separate elements, which constitute the rigid support element of the photo frame, together with other possible components adapted to ensure the hold between the different parts of the object.
Moreover, a support element for holding images or photos having the technical features of the preamble of the appended claim 1 is known, for example, from EP1655704A2 .
Such solutions have some obvious drawbacks, both during installation and use.
For example, in the case of frames and plates made of glass or ceramic materials (glass, porcelain, etc.), there is the possibility that they break as a result of falls, accidental knocks or even simply due to incorrect use.
Again, due to the plurality of elements of which they usually consist, photo frames might not be immediately and easily installed and used by everyone.
In addition, the assembly operations are usually long and complex and the individual components are susceptible to damage, even minimal damage, which, however affects the use of the entire object, making it unusable.
Finally, the elements that make up the photo frame have the intrinsic feature of not being very customizable after purchase, since they can only be used as they are, and the elements that make them up cannot be easily modified by the user according to personal taste.
In addition, since the images to be shown in the photo frame are usually printed on physical media, such as normal photographic paper, sooner or later the media are bound deteriorate after exposure to humidity, temperature and sunlight, causing hurt to the user, as the photograph may be damaged and/or replaced.
In addition from a design point of view, since they are made up of at least one holding frame and a rigid support element, known photo frames require a certain amount of space which, although minimal, can be inconvenient and in any case impossible to avoid.
The aim of this invention is therefore to make a support element for holding images or photographs, which can be easily and quickly assembled by the user, without causing deterioration and/or damage to the images or photos held.
Another aim of this invention is to make a support element for holding images or photographs, which is easily customizable and modifiable by the user, according to personal taste.
A further aim of this invention is to make a support element for holding images or photographs, which allows reducing the overall dimensions and is substantially economical as compared to known solutions.
These and other aims, which will be better highlighted during the disclosure, are achieved by a support element for holding images or photographs according to attached claim 1.
Other detailed technical features are given in the following claims. Advantageously, this invention, which includes a decorative frame and a relative base with bendable or foldable portions, makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the known solutions mainly for the fact that the bending operation can be carried out at will by the user during installation, and therefore the production costs and the overall dimensions of the support element during transport and delivery, are limited.
In addition, the user can also customize the final appearance of the object after assembly.
Moreover, the above aims and advantages, as well as others that will emerge later in the disclosure, will appear to a greater extent from the description below relating to a preferred embodiment of the support element for holding images or photographs, which is the object of this invention, given by way of example and without limiting its scope, and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an exploded plan view of a first embodiment of the support element for holding images or photographs, in a disassembled position, according to the invention;
figure 2 shows a partial detail of figure 1 concerning the fixing means of the base and the related insertion seats, according to the invention;
figure 3 is a front view of the support element for holding images or photographs shown in figures 1 and 2, mounted and in a shape in use;
figure 4 is a side view of the support element of figure 3, according to this invention;
figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the support element for holding images or photographs according to this invention;
figure 6 shows a perspective view of a component of the support element in figure 5 according to this invention.

With reference to attached figures 1 to 4, according to a first embodiment, the support element for holding images or photographs the object of this invention comprises a plate 1 made of glass or plastic material and variously shaped and/or equipped with a related frame, on which surface the user, at a stage prior to purchase, can bring back an image or photograph through processes such as hot stamping or screen printing.
According to alternative embodiments, plate 1 may include two or more layers, within which a sheet with an image and/or photograph can be placed. The support element also includes a shaped base 2, preferably made of metal and fixable to plate 1 at given lateral or central positions, by means of given fixing means 3 (e.g. screws and bolts).
According to the preferred embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4, the base 2 has two side fins 4 where appropriate seats 5 are obtained, corresponding to additional side seats 6 on the plate 1, for fixing plate 1 to the base 2 by means of the fixing means 3.
Once the base 2 has been fixed to the plate 1, the operator or user can act on the plate 1 by rotating it upwards during installation, so as to lift plate 1 into a vertical position and accordingly bend base 2 in a transversal direction and at the seats 5.
The bending of the base 2 at the two side fins 4 allows the support element to take on the shape in use shown in detail in figures 3 and 4.
Advantageously, the two side fins 4 have a thin profile in order to easily perform said transversal bend of the base (2) by lifting the plate 1.
In the shape in use thus obtained, the support element the object of this invention takes on the shape adapted to hold the image or photograph, as the base 2 can rest on tables, desks, shelves, etc., while the plate 1, which supports the image or photograph, can be manually adjusted so as to be perpendicular or sloped at will with respect to the aforementioned base 2. This possibility of being able to change the slope of the plate 1, even after the first installation, advantageously allows the support element for holding images or photographs to be stored at will and/or relocated.
Moreover, the possibility of bending the base 2 transversely during use and/or assembly makes it possible to reduce the overall dimensions considerably, as the elements of the base 2 and plate 1 can be produced and transported individually, given that assembly can be carried out quickly and easily by the user him/herself.
A further advantage of the solution the object of the invention is the reduced susceptibility to deterioration that the image printed on the plate 1 or inserted within the layers of the plate 1 has compared to a paper or visible support element.
Finally, the support element thus created allows the user to customize the appearance of the elements (plate 1 and base 2) forming it in countless ways.
According to alternative embodiments, such as the one shown in attached figures 5 and 6, two fins 7 formed as one piece are obtained on base 2 for fixing the plate 1 using the means 3.
In particular, the two fins 7 can be lifted from the base 2 and bent upwards, at the seats 9 formed on the base 2, and they advantageously are placed in a substantially central position with respect to the base 2.
This lifting and bending operation can be carried out quickly and easily by the user, during the assembly of the support element, in order to arrange the plate 1 in a vertical position and have the possibility of sloping it at will. The technical features of the support element for holding images or photographs the object of this invention are clearly known from the description, as are the advantages thereof.
Finally, it is apparent that a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, but it shall be understood that the invention may be modified and/or adapted by experts as long as it falls within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A support element for holding and showing images or photographs, comprising a plate (1), made of glass or plastic material and formed of one or more layers, on which an image or photograph is shown or inserted, and a shaped base (2), fixed to said plate (1) at given positions by means of fixing means (3) which are inserted in respective seats (5, 6, 8) of said shaped base (2) and of said plate (1), wherein a portion of said shaped base (2) is foldable and has seats (5, 8) for fixing, through said fixing means (3), said portion of the shaped base (2) with said plate (1), wherein said shaped base (2) is a flat sheet and said portion of the shaped base (2) is bent relative a flat main portion of said shaped base (2) and in use said flat main portion of said shaped base (2) rests on a plane and said plate (1) is manually adjustable so as to be perpendicular or sloped with respect to said flat main portion of said shaped base (2), and characterized in that said portion of the shaped base (2) includes two fins (4,7) at which said seats (5, 8) for inserting said fixing means (3) are made, wherein said two fins (4,7) are laterally provided or said two fins (4,7) are obtained in a substantially central position of said base (2).
A support element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said plate (1) has seats (6) which are provided in a lateral position or in a substantially central position of the plate (1) for fixing said plate (1) to said base (2) through said fixing means (3).
A support element as claimed in at least one of the previous claims, characterized in that said shaped base (2) is preferably made of metal.
A support element as claimed in at least one of the previous claims, characterized in that said plate (1) is preferably made of transparent plastic material or glass.