U.S. patent application number 14/385470 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for retainer member for a picture frame.
This patent application is currently assigned to GARMOND PTY. LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Gary Skinner. Invention is credited to Gary Skinner.
Application Number | 20150075046 14/385470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49160153 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150075046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skinner; Gary |
March 19, 2015 |
RETAINER MEMBER FOR A PICTURE FRAME
Abstract
A picture frame assembly includes a body having a recess for
receiving an item for display and backing member to be positioned
behind the item to retain the item within the recess. The retainer
includes a head portion having one or more engagement members
projecting from a surface thereof and a tail portion extending from
the head portion that is pliable with respect to the head portion
and able to be moved between a first position and a second position
with respect to the head portion. The engagement members of the
head portion engage with a surface of the body of the picture frame
assembly, so that when the tail portion is in the first position,
the tail portion does not substantially extend into the recess of
the picture frame assembly to enable placement of the backing
member within the recess. When the tail portion is in the second
position, the tail portion extends at least partially across the
recess to engage a rear surface of the backing member to securely
retain the backing member in position within the recess.
Inventors: |
Skinner; Gary; (Tullamarine,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Skinner; Gary |
Tullamarine |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
GARMOND PTY. LTD.
Carlton South, VIC
OT
|
Family ID: |
49160153 |
Appl. No.: |
14/385470 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2013/000253 |
371 Date: |
September 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/790 ;
29/462 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/06 20130101; A47G
2001/0677 20130101; Y10T 29/49892 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/790 ;
29/462 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/06 20060101
A47G001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2012 |
AU |
2012901018 |
Claims
1. A retainer for a picture frame assembly, the picture frame
assembly having a body with a recess for receiving an item for
display and a backing member configured to be positioned behind
said item to retain the item within the recess, the retainer
comprising: a head portion having one or more engagement members
projecting from a surface thereof; and a tail portion extending
from the head portion and configured to be pliable with respect to
the head portion so as to be movable from a first position that is
substantially coplanar with the head portion to a second position
that is outside of the plane of the head portion; wherein the head
portion is mounted to the body adjacent the recess by the one or
more engagement members with the tail portion in the first position
to facilitate placement of the item and backing member within the
recess the tail portion is then movable to the second position to
at least partially extend across the recess and engage a rear
surface of the backing member to securely retain the backing member
in position within the recess.
2. A retainer according to claim 1, wherein the one or more
engagement members are teeth formed on an underside of the head
portion and are configured to penetrate into the body upon
application of a force to the head portion.
3. A retainer according to claim 2, wherein the one or more teeth
have a length of approximately 2 mm.
4. A retainer according to claim 1, wherein the head portion is
mounted to extend substantially perpendicular to a rebate formed in
the body.
5. A retainer according to claim 1, wherein a weakened region is
formed in the tail portion adjacent the head portion to facilitate
bending movement of the tail portion from the first position to the
second position.
6. A retainer according to claim 5, wherein the weakened region is
formed by forming an elongate slot through the elongate tail
portion adjacent a junction between the head portion and the tail
portion.
7. A method for using a retainer for a picture frame assembly, the
picture frame assembly having a body with a recess having a rebate
formed around a periphery thereof, for receiving an item for
display and a backing member configured to be positioned behind
said item to retain the item within the recess, the retainer for
the picture frame assembly including: a head portion having one or
more engagement members projecting from a surface thereof; and, a
tail portion extending from the head portion and configured to be
pliable with respect to the head portion so as to be movable from a
first position that is substantially coplanar with the head portion
to a second position that is outside of the plane of the head
portion; wherein the head portion is mounted to the body adjacent
the recess by the one or more engagement members with the tail
portion in the first position to facilitate placement of the item
and backing member within the recess the tail portion is then
movable to the second position to at least partially extend across
the recess and engage a rear surface of the backing member to
securely retain the backing member in position within the recess,
said method for using said retainer for the picture frame assembly
comprising the steps of: mounting the head portion of the retainer
to the surface of the body; placing the item for display and the
backing member within the recess so that the item for display is
able to be viewed within the picture frame assembly; and, moving
the tail portion of the retainer member to a second position to at
least partially extend across the recess and engage a rear surface
of the backing member to securely retain the backing member in
position within the recess.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of mounting the
head portion of the retainer to the surface of the body comprises
mounting the head portion of the retainer to a wall of the recess,
such that the head portion and the tail portion of the retainer
extend substantially perpendicular to the rebate.
9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of mounting the
head portion of the retainer to the surface of the body comprises
pressing the head portion against the surface of the body such that
the engagement members penetrate the surface of the body to
securely retain the retainer in position.
10. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of moving the
tail portion of the retainer member to the second position
comprises bending the tail portion through an arc of substantially
90.degree. with respect to the head portion.
11. A picture frame comprising: a body having a recess formed
therein for receiving an item for display, the recess having a
rebate formed around a periphery thereof; a backing member
configured to be received within said rebate so as to be positioned
behind the item for display; and a plurality of retaining members
mountable to a wall of the body located within the rebate, each
retaining member having a head portion configured to engage with
the wall of the body and a tail portion pliably connected to the
head portion, the tail portion being movable with respect to the
head portion from a first position that is substantially coplanar
with the head portion to at least a second position that is outside
of the plane of the head portion, wherein, retaining member is
mounted to the wall of the body and the tail portion is in the
first position, the item for display and the backing member are
able to be received within the recess, and when the tail portion is
moved to the at least second position, the tail portion extends at
least partially across the recess to engage a rear surface of the
backing member to securely retain the backing member in position
within the recess.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian
Provisional Patent Application No. 2012901018 filed 14 Mar. 2012,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a retainer device for a
picture frame assembly, and in particular, to a retainer device for
a picture frame assembly that assists in holding a backing of a
picture frame in position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Picture frame assemblies come in a variety of types and
sizes. Picture frames generally comprise a frame or border having a
recess within which is received a picture, such as a photograph.
The frame essentially forms a dual purpose, namely to provide an
aesthetic border around the picture and to provide a structure to
hold and retain the picture in a position for display.
[0004] Most picture frame assemblies generally comprise a rigid
body having a central recess into which the picture is received. A
window region is generally provided in the body of the frame
assembly that extends over the recess to provide a means for
viewing the picture. To provide an enclosed setting, the window may
have a glass or plastic cover to protect the picture positioned
underneath. A backing member in the form of a piece of plywood or
similar material is located within the recess to be positioned at
the rear of the picture when the picture is located within the
frame assembly. The backing member is generally shaped to conform
to the shape of the recess so that the backing member acts to
sandwich the picture between the backing member and the
frame/glass, so that it is retained in position for viewing.
[0005] In order to keep the backing member in position, a variety
of retainer devices have been proposed. Generally the retaining
elements are in the form of metal pins or nails that are inserted
into the body of the frame assembly so as to extend into the recess
behind the backing member. The pins then act to engage with the
rear of the backing member so as to prevent it from falling out of
the recess. Typically, the retaining members are inserted into the
body of the frame assembly by way of tool such as a staple gun or
the like, such that the pin penetrates the body a desired depth,
typically around 6-7 mm, to prevent the pin inadvertently falling
out of the frame assembly.
[0006] Whilst existing retaining members of the type described
above have proven adequate in retaining a backing member of a
picture frame assembly in position, such devices cannot be used in
all situations, especially where the frame assembly is thin and/or
the material of the frame is brittle. In such situations, the act
of inserting the pin into the body of the frame for use may result
in the pin penetrating through the walls and damaging the frame
assembly, which is highly undesirable.
[0007] Thus, there is a need to provide a retainer device for a
picture frame assembly that is capable of retaining a backing of a
picture frame assembly in position, and which can be used in
variety of applications, especially those applications where the
walls of the picture frame assembly are thin and easily damaged by
conventional retainer members.
[0008] The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals
or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as,
statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In
particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what
is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but
assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present
invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art
proposals is but one part.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0009] The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined
in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features
of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is
provided a retainer device for a picture frame assembly, the
picture frame assembly having a body with a recess for receiving an
item for display and a backing member configured to be positioned
behind said item to retain the item within the recess, the retainer
device comprising: [0011] a head portion having one or more
engagement members projecting from a surface thereof; and [0012] a
tail portion extending from the head portion and configured to be
pliable with respect to the head portion so as to be movable
between a first position and a second position with respect to the
head portion; [0013] wherein the one or more engagement members of
the head portion are configured to engage with a surface of the
body of the picture frame assembly such that when the tail portion
is in the first position the tail portion does not substantially
extend into the recess of the picture frame assembly to enable
placement of the backing member within the recess and when the tail
portion is in the second position, the tail portion extends at
least partially across the recess to engage a rear surface of the
backing member to securely retain the backing member in position
within the recess.
[0014] In an embodiment, the one or more engagement members are
teeth are formed on an underside of the head portion and are
configured to penetrate into the body upon application of a force
to the head portion. The one or more teeth may have a length of
approximately 2 mm.
[0015] The retainer device may be mounted to extend substantially
perpendicular to a rebate formed in the body.
[0016] A weakened region may be formed in the elongate tail portion
adjacent the head portion to facilitate bending movement of the
elongate tail portion with regard to the head portion.
[0017] The weakened region may be formed by forming an elongate
slot through the elongate tail portion at the junction where the
head portion and the elongate tail portion meet.
[0018] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides
A picture frame comprising: [0019] a body having a recess formed
therein for receiving an item for display, the recess having a
rebate formed around a periphery thereof; [0020] a backing member
configured to be received within said rebate so as to be positioned
behind the item for display; and [0021] a plurality of retaining
devices mountable to a wall of the body located within the rebate,
each retaining device having a head portion configured to engage
with the wall of the body and a tail portion pliably connected to
the head portion, the tail portion being movable with respect to
the head portion between a first position and at least a second
position, such that when the tail portion is in the first position
it does not substantially extend into the recess to enable the
backing member to be received within said rebate, and when the tail
portion is in the second position, the tail portion extends at
least partially across the recess to engage a rear surface of the
backing member to securely retain the backing member in position
within the rebate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention may be better understood from the following
non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a picture frame assembly employing
the retainer device of the present invention with a backing member
removed;
[0024] FIG. 2 is the rear view of the picture frame assembly of
FIG. 1, with the backing member positioned and retained in place by
the retainer devices;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a section of the picture frame
assembly of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the retainer device
of the present invention is secured to the picture frame assembly,
prior to use;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the arrangement of
the picture frame assembly of FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top cross-sectional view of the picture frame
assembly of FIG. 3, showing the manner in which the retainer device
functions to retain the backing member in place;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a retainer device in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side view of the retainer device of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Preferred features of the present invention will now be
described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in
and described with reference to the drawings are not to be
construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.
[0031] The present invention will be described below in relation to
a conventional picture frame assembly of the type having a frame
body defining a central recess into which a picture, such as a
photograph or the like is received and positioned for display. The
recess has a rebate formed about the perimeter thereof, which acts
as a means for receiving a backing member to retain the picture in
position. In order to complete the assembly, a glass panel or
window is located in the recess to provide a means for viewing the
picture from a front surface of the picture frame assembly. It will
be appreciated that the present invention could equally be applied
to a variety of different types of picture frame assemblies, and
still fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a picture frame assembly 10
employing the retainer device 20 of the present invention is shown.
As alluded to above, the picture frame assembly 10 comprises a
substantially rectangular body 12 having a central recess 13 formed
therein. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the recess is shown as being substantially rectangular; however,
other shaped recesses 13 and bodies 12 are also envisaged.
[0033] Around an outer rear edge of the recess 13, there is
provided a rebate 14. The rebate 14 in the form of a stepped edge
that defines a ledge positioned below the surface of the rear of
the body 12. A glass panel 16 is configured to be received within
the recess 13 such that it is supported at its periphery by the
rebate 14. The glass panel 16 acts as a window or viewing area
through which a picture (not shown) can be viewed when the picture
frame assembly 10 is in an upright manner.
[0034] The picture (not shown) may be a print or photograph having
a visual display formed on a surface thereof. The picture is
typically placed on the glass panel 16 such that the visual display
is against the glass panel and centred as desired by a user. Once
positioned in such a manner, a backing member 15 is positioned
within the recess 13 so as to be located behind the picture. The
backing member 15 has a shape that substantially conforms to the
recess 13 and functions to hold the picture in position against the
glass panel 16.
[0035] In order to retain the backing member 15 in position within
the recess 13, a plurality of retainer devices 20 are provided. The
retainer devices 20 are mounted to an inside wall of the body 12 at
predetermined positions about the recess 13. In the embodiment as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, eight retainer devices 20 are provided.
However, it will be appreciated that the position and number of
retainer devices 20 required to hold the backing member 15 in
position will vary depending upon the specific requirements and
configuration of the picture frame assembly 10.
[0036] An embodiment of a retainer device in accordance with a
preferred aspect of the present invention is shown in isolation in
FIGS. 6 and 7. The device 20 generally comprises a head portion 22
and a tail portion 24. The head portion 22 has a plurality of teeth
23 that project from an underside thereof. The teeth 23 extend from
the head portion 22 and taper towards a sharp point. The teeth each
have sufficient rigidity to penetrate the body 12 of the picture
frame assembly 10.
[0037] In order to fix the device 20 in position, the device 20 is
positioned against the wall of the body 12 and a force is applied
thereto, by way of a hammer, press or the like, to cause the teeth
23 to penetrate into the body 12. Each of the teeth 23 has a length
of approximately 2 mm such that the device 20 can be used in
applications where the wall of the body 12 is very thin. In order
to facilitate secure engagement between the device 20 and the body
12, the teeth 23 may be configured so as to diverge away from each
other, such that when the teeth penetrate the body 12 a degree of
lateral force is created between the teeth 23.
[0038] The device 20 is typically made from a metal such as an
steel or the like, and the teeth may be formed by punching a hole
21 in the head portion 22. In this regard, the teeth 23 are formed
as a residual of the punching process. However, it will be
appreciated that the teeth may be formed by a variety of other
means and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0039] The tail portion 24 extends from the head portion 22 and has
a length substantially greater than the length of the head portion
22. In a preferred form, the tail portion has a length of
approximately 9.5 mm and the head portion 22 has a length of
approximately 5.5 mm. A slot 25 is formed in the tail portion 24 at
a region proximal the head portion to provide a region of reduced
strength at or adjacent to the junction between the head portion 22
and the tail portion 24. The region of reduced strength enables the
tail portion 24 to be bent about axis A-A with respect to the head
portion, in a manner to be described in more detail below.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, an enlarged portion of the body 12 of
the picture frame assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. The body 12 has a
front surface 12a, which represents the front of the picture frame
assembly 10. The rebate 14 is located substantially parallel to the
front surface 12a and an inner wall 12b extends from the rebate 14
to the rear of the picture frame assembly 10, as shown. The
retainer device 20 is mounted to the inner wall 12b of the body 12,
such that the head portion 22 is positioned adjacent the rebate 14
and the tail portion 24 extends towards the rear of the picture
frame assembly, so as to be substantially parallel with the inner
wall 12b and perpendicular to the rebate 14, as is shown in FIG.
4.
[0041] This arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. When the retainer
devices 20 are in this configuration, the retainer devices 20 do
not substantially extend into the recess 13. This enables the glass
panel 16, picture and backing member 15 to be positioned within the
recess 13 such that they are supported on the rebate 14.
[0042] As is shown in FIG. 5, in order to secure the backing member
15 in position within the recess 13, the tail portion 24 of the
retainer device 20 is bent through approximately 90.degree. so as
to be in contact with the rear of the backing member 15. The
backing member is thus prevented from being removed from the recess
13 by the tail portion 24 of the retainer device 20, which ensures
that the backing member 15, picture and glass panel 16 are
sandwiched in position between the rebate 14 and the plurality of
retainer devices 20.
[0043] It will be appreciated that the retainer device 20 of the
present invention can be employed without the need for dedicated
application devices and stapler guns and can be merely press fitted
into position on the frame body 12. Due to the nature of the teeth
provided on the retainer device the device can be employed in
situations where the material of the frame body is made from a thin
material, without fear of damage to the structure of the frame
assembly. Thus, the retainer device of the present invention
provides a simple yet effective alternative to conventional nail
and pin arrangements used for retaining a backing of a picture
frame in position.
[0044] Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise"
and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than
exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the
context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its
derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the
listed components, steps or features that it directly references,
but also other components, steps or features not specifically
listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context
requires otherwise.
[0045] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims
such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to
be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the
component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will
usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with
the retainer device uppermost.
[0046] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many
modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the
invention described herein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *