GB2260077A

GB2260077A - Releasable picture frame

Info

Publication number: GB2260077A
Application number: GB9117731A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Fitzgerald Lincoln Guiste
Original assignee: FOUNDRY FRAMING CO Ltd
Current assignee: FOUNDRY FRAMING CO Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-16
Filing date: 1991-08-16
Publication date: 1993-04-07
Also published as: GB9117731D0

Abstract

A picture frame (10) comprises a primary frame member (12), a backing member (20) and securing means (30, 32) foil securing a picture between the two members (12, 20) which is releasable and resecurable. The securing means (30, 32) preferably comprise screw means which are releasable by an Allen key. The frame is easily releasable to allow replacement of a picture and yet is sufficiently secure to prevent unwanted removal of the picture by intruders. <IMAGE>

Description

RELEASABLE PICTURE FRAME This invention relates to a releasable picture frame.

The term 'picture' as used herein is intended to cover any article which is capable of being framed and includes, therefore, for example, a photograph or an embroidery.

Conventional picture frames are usually assembled by generally permanent means such as nails or sticky tape.

Such frames, however, cause difficulty in replacing a framed picture by another. Frames which do allow for interchange of pictures are complicated to assemble or are not theft proof.

A need exists for a simplified picture frame, which allows for interchange of pictures, and which can be assembled without special skills.

Accordingly, the invention provides a picture frame comprising a primary frame member, a backing member and securing means for securing the two members together, the securing means securing the picture between the two members and being releasable and resecurable to enable the pict rue to be removed and substituted by a replacement picture. The securing means preferably include members which are secured by being screwed together, and in a preferred embodiment the securing means pass through aligned apertures in the members.

Preferably also, the axes of the screwing means and apertures lie in a plane which is parallel to the general plane of the picture frame and perpendicular to the respective sides of the frame.

The securing means comprises first releasable securing means for securing the two members together at or in the region of one edge thereof and second releasable securing means for securing the two members together at or in the region of an opposite edge thereof.

The members are preferably square or rectangular, in which case the securing means may comprise screw means which pass through and secure the two members together at respective opposite sides of the members, intermediate the ends of the respective sides. The actual number of screw means at each side of the members depends upon the dimensions of the picture frame. As a general guide, however, A4 and A5-sized picture frames may require at least one screw means in each side1 whereas smaller frames may be adequately secured with screw means in just one pair of opposite sides. An A3sized picture frame may require two screw means, suitably spaced, at each of its longer sides and one screw means at each of its shorter sides, whereas larger frames may require more than two screw means along any side.

In order to make the picture frame theft proof as far as possible while retaining the essential facility for removal and replacement of the displayed picture, the screw means may include socket head screws engageable by a key, such as an Allen key.

In a preferred embodiment, the backing member includes a secondary frame member which fits within the dimensions of the primary frame member. The primary and secondary frame members are provided with respective bores which are aligned to enable the two members to be secured together by the securing means which is passed through the bores to engage them.

Ideally, the picture frame additionally comprises at least two spring or resilient members located between the primary frame member and the secondary frame member.

The spring or resilient members serve to compensate for different thicknesses of picture by filling any gap between the primary and secondary members. In this way, the picture is forced to lie against the glass plate which rests in the primary frame member and is thereby prevented from sliding in the assembled frame. The spring members are preferably coil springs which are fixed by their one end to the secondary member.

Suitably, one spring member is present at each corner of the secondary frame although the actual number of spring members depends upon the size of the frame.

The invention also provides a kit of parts for use in the assembly of a picture frame, comprising a front frame member, a backing member and securing means for securing the two members together, the securing means securing the picture between the two members and being releasable and resecurable to enable the picture to be removed and substituted by a replacement picture.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with refe:ence to the single figure which is an exploded, perspective view of a releasable picture frame in accordance with the invention.

A picture frame, generally shown by numeral 10, comprises a primary frame member or moulding 12 having an inner rebate 12A for supporting a plate 14 of glass or transparent synthetic plastics material. A picture on a mount 16 is placed face down onto the plate 14, a backing board 18 is placed over the back of the mount 16 and a secondary member or slip 20 is placed over the backing board 18. The plate 14, mount 16, backing board 18 and slip 20 all fit within the moulding 12 when the picture frame 10 is assembled.

The moulding 12 and the slip 20 are provided with respective bores 26, 28 in each of their sides arranged such that their axes lie in a plane generally parallel to the general plane of the picture frame 10. The bores 22, 24 in moulding 12 are open-ended and the bores 26, 28 in slip 20 are blind bore which contain internally threaded inserts 34, 36, 38, 40. The moulding 12 and the slip 20 are secured by socket screws, 30, 32, which pass through the aligned bores in their respective sides and are threaded into the threaded bores 26, 28. The socket screws 30, 32 lie flush when fully in position and can be released, but only by means of an Allen key, as shown at 38 in the Figure.

Spring means 40, 42 are attached to each of the four corners of the slip 20. The spring means, 40, 42 each comprise a coil spring 44 having a base member 46 at its one end for attachment of the coil spring 44 to the inner surface of the slip 20 and a cap 48 at its other end for contacting the outer surface of the backing board 18 when the picture frame 10 is assembled.

Metal loops 50, 52 are secured to opposite sides of the slip 20 which serve as attachments for a hanging wire 54. A thumb tab 54 is secured by screws 56 to the backing board 18 to allow the backing board 18 (together with slip 20) to be pulled out of the moulding 12 after the socket screws 30, 32, have been released.

Because the primary 12 and secondary 20 frame members are secured together by the screws 30, 32, and because release of the screws requires the use of an Allen key 38, it is more difficult for a thief to steal the picture, yet the screws can be readily released by the Allen key to replace the picture.

The various parts of the picture frame 10 may be made from any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, metal, or any combination of these materials. The socket screws may have larger heads to the ones illustrated to provide a decorative finish at the edges of the picture frame. Alternatively, the screws may be arranged so that they are not visible when the picture is hanging by having them releasable and securable from the inside edge of the secondary frame member.

Claims

1. A frame for a picture comprising a primary frame member, a backing member and securing means for securing the primary and backing members together with the picture therebetween, wherein the securing means is releasable and resecurable such that the picture can be removed and substituted by another picture.

2. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the securing means includes screw means.

3. A frame according to claim 2, wherein the screw means includes a socket head screw engageable by a key, such as an Allen key.

4. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means pass through aligned apertures in the members.

5. A frame according to claim 4, wherein the axes of the securing means and apertures lie in a plane parallel to the general plane of the frame.

6. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backing member includes a secondary frame member which is arranged to fit within the dimensions of the primary frame member.

7. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least two resilient members arranged between the primary frame and backing members.

8. A frame for a picture or kit for a picture frame substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.

8. A frame according to claim 7, wherein the resilient members are coil springs which are fixed by their one end to the backing member.

9. A kit for a picture frame, comprising a front frame member, backing member and securing means for securing the two members together with the picture therebetween, wherein the securing means is releasable and resecurable such that the picture can be removed and substituted by another picture.

10. A frame for a picture or kit for a picture frame substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A frame for a picture comprising a primary frame member, a backing member and securing means for securing the primary and backing members together with the picture therebetween, wherein the securing means comprises releasable and resecurable screw means having a socket head screw engageable by a key, such as an Allen key, such that the picture can be removed and substituted by another picture.

2. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the securing means pass through aligned apertures in the members.

3. A frame according to claim 2, wherein the axes of the securing means and apertures lie in a plane parallel to the general plane of the frame.

4. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backing member includes a secondary frame member which is arranged to fit within the dimensions of the primary frame member.

5. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least two resilient members arranged between the primary frame and backing members.

6. A frame according to claim 5, wherein the resilient members are coil springs which are fixed by their one end to the backing member.

7. A kit for a picture frame, comprising a front frame member, backing member and securing means for securing the two members together with the picture therebetween, wherein the securing means comprises releasable and resecurable screw means having a socket head screw engageable by a key, such as an Allen key, such that the picture can be removed and substituted by another picture.