Display Frames

Abstract

A display frame having an outer shell with a transparent face, and a plurality of peripheral sides forming an opening into which an object may be inserted. A core of corresponding configuration is provided which can be inserted within the opening to secure the object against the face of the shell, the shell being provided with tab means for releasably engaging the core to retain the core within the shell.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display frames.

The term "display frames" is intended to include, but not to be limited to devices for retaining, mounting, and displaying such objects as pictures, photographs and paintings, art works, and for displaying collections of such items as stamps, medallions, diplomas, written material and similar objects.

Conventional frames for mounting such objects as enumerated above comprise an outer rectangular or planar enclosure, having a glass or other transparent face and an opaque backing to retain the object therein. Usually, the object to be mounted in the frame does not fit the frame, either in size or in esthetic value. Consequently, considerable effort and money must be expended to adapt each frame to the given object. Furthermore, the cost of constructing conventional frames, even under mass production techniques, is high, requiring the use of relatively expensive material and much hand labor.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel display frame assembly which is preformed and adapted to be used with a variety of objects.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel display frame which is artistic and pleasing in appearance, and capable of being used with such diverse items as photographs, stamp collections and valuable works of art.

It is a further object to provide a display frame of relatively low manufacturing and retail cost.

These objects, others as well as numerous advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention a display frame is provided having an outer shell with a transparent face, and a plurality of peripheral sides forming an opening into which an object may be inserted. A core of corresponding configuration is provided which can be inserted within the opening to secure the object against the face of the shell, the shell being provided with tab means for releasably engaging the core to retain the core within the shell.

In the preferred form the shell has integral sides having a defined depth and forming a continuous free peripheral edge defining the opening. The core is formed having a depth slightly smaller so that when inserted the core and the free peripheral edge are substantially coplanar. Further, the core is preferably formed as a sealed box having a front and back face, the back face being adapted to provide means for hanging the frame and being generally coplanar with the peripheral edge of the shell. The core is also preferably covered with decorative sheeting.

The tabs are integrally formed with the sides of the shell and cooperate with the sides to provide a resilient releasable locking means for the core.

Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display frame according to the present invention when open,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame, partially sectioned;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the core; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display frame comprises an assembly, an outer shell 10 and an inner core 12 which is adapted to fit cooperatingly therein. The outer shell is made of plastic material, such as PVA, acrylic or polystyrene and similar synthetic resinous compositions. The shell 10 comprises a five sided box or configuration, having a transparent front viewing face 14, a pair of opposed longitudinal sides 16 and a pair of transverse sides 18, contiguous to each other and forming a substantially coplanar peripheral free edge 20. The longitudinal and transverse sides 16 and 18 respectively, extend substantially perpendicular to the front face and define an opening in which the object or objects O to be mounted are placed against the inner surface of the front face 14.

The core 12 is preferably formed of a solid or enclosed box-like construction having a front panel 22 adapted to lie adjacent to the rear surface of the viewing face 14 of the shell 10, a rear panel 24 parallel thereto and depending longitudinal sides 26 and transverse sides 28 interconnecting the panels. Preferably, the core is made of cardboard, heavy paper, plastic, balsam wood or other similar materials and itself is constructed as an outer shell 30 such as a five sided box half and an inner shell 32, such as a correspondingly formed but smaller five sided box half, inserted into the outer half 30. The halves are closed and sealed by a decorative or colorful paper or plastic cover sheet 34, which is adhered along all its peripheral edges to the back panel. The cover sheet 34 may be painted, dyed or printed with colorful or artistic designs.

The inner and outer shell halves 30 and 32 may have their own corners sealed with tape or adhesive before covering or they may be left separated. The final covering with the decorative sheeting will seal the box and make a strong, stiff and rigid unitary structure. This cover sheet may be adhered by glue, it may be taped or if plastics are used, may be heat sealed. Protective paints, varnishes, etc. may be used.

The inner core 12 is adapted to secure the object mounted in shell against the rear surface of the front shell face 14, and to provide a planar back for the frame which may be used to hang the frame. Consequently, the back panel 32 may be provided with hooks or holes by which it can be securely hung to a wall. The core 12, furthermore provides substantial bulk and weight to the frame so that when assembled it can be stood on end on a table or other surface without being hung on a wall. In this latter condition, the back surface 24 of the core 12 may be highly visible and consequently, the sealed condition of the core with a decorative sheeting 34 is most advantageous.

The core 12 is of a geometrical shape similar to that of the outer shell 10 but of corresponding dimensions only a fraction of an inch smaller, so that the core can slide and fit snugly into the opening of the frame and substantially fill all of the spacial areas therein. The core 12, preferably, has a depth d slightly smaller than the depth D of the sides of the shell 10 so that its back panel lies slightly below the edge 20 of the shell 10. Secured integrally with the peripheral edge 20 of opposed sides of the shell 10 are inwardly extending tabs 36. As seen the tabs 36 are formed on the longitudinal sides 16 of the shell, but they can be formed on the transverse sides if desired. Only one set of opposed sides require the tabs.

The tabs 36 extend inwardly toward the center of the opening of the shell in a condition generally normal to the sides 16 and parallel to the face 14. The tabs 36 may be bevelled, curved or otherwise of modified cross section, if desired. In any event the tabs are positiond at the edge 20 and are of a dimension so that the impinge or infringe upon the edge of the core 12. That is the tabs 36 lie within the extent of the depth d of the sides of the core 12. Consequently, when the core 12 is inserted within the shell 10 the tabs 36 secure themselves over the edge of core resiliently locking the core in place within the shell. Because of the close tolerance and proximity of the tabs 36 to the sides of the core, the tabs act to resiliently restrain movement of core by abutment with the corner edges and the flat surfaces of the core. This restraint and abutment forces the core against the inner surface of the front face 14, securely squeezing the object therebetween. The bevelled or curved cross section of the tab causes the major forward component of pressure, which by modification of the cross section can be easily varied. In this manner, the object mounted is securely held, easily stretched in to full dimension and maintained in flat condition. As explained later, the tabs are releasable so that the core may be removed.

The sides 14 and 16 of the outer shell 10 are naturally flexible, because of their elongated nature. The use of plastic materials will enhance such flexibility. Consequently, the core 12 is easily insertable in the shell since upon insertion the sides will flex outwardly, as seen by the dotted lines in FIG. 4, to permit sliding entry of the core. The flexibility further provides the necessary resiliency which causes the tabs to engage as described. Removal of the core is easily accomplished by insertion of the fingers or of a tool between the sides of the shell and core and again flexing the sides to release the tabs. Consequently, the tabs are releaseable, as desired.

As indicated, the shell 10 has a transparent face 14, through which the object is to be seen. The sides 16 and 18 may be transparent in order that the object may be seen from the sides as well, in a three dimensional effect. However, it is generally preferred that when such a frame is used with flat paintings, photos or pictures, that the sides be opaque so as not to detract from the viewer's attention. Various other artistic designs may be incorporated into the shell. For example, borders, raised ridges, rims or other decorative items may be molded or glued to the face or sides.

The shell is best made by injection molding so that seams or jointed corners are avoided. Other means of fabrication can also be used.

While the frame has been shown as rectangular, it will be obvious that square frames, polygonal frames, of any number of sides, and even round or oval frames can be made. The tabs can be placed in opposing positions in such other forms, and the cores correspondingly made to cooperate with both the shell and the tabs.

Various forms of tabs may be employed. Integral lugs, pegs or other extending means may be used. Various other changes, modifications and alternatives may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present disclosure is intended as illustrative only.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A display frame, comprising a shell including a transparent front viewing surface and integral sides, defining an opening for insertion of an object therein, a core substantially complementary to said shell and adapted to be inserted therein through said opening, said core is formed of an assembly of two box halves, one inserted in the other, and integrally sealed to form a cohesive unitary closed box and including a forward panel adjacent said viewing surface of said shell to secure the object against said viewing surface, a back panel and interconnecting sides, said core being dimensioned so that said sides of said core extend to provide said back panel substantially coplanar with the edge of the sides of said shell, said integral sides of said shell depending substantially normal to the viewing surface and terminating in a peripheral free edge, tabs extending from at least one pair of opposing sides of said shell substantially normal to said sides and parallel to said viewing surface for engagement with the sides of said core for releasably securing said core in said opening.

2. The frame according to claim 1 wherein said core is covered with decorative sheeting.

3. The frame according to claim 1 wherein said shell and core are cooperating rectangular structures, the core being of slightly smaller dimension than said shell to be slideable fit therein, said tabs being located on the longitudinal sides of said shell to act thereon and resiliently flex the sides of said shell to urge the front panel of said core against the viewing surface.

4. The frame according to claim 1 wherein the back panel of said core is provided with at least one hole by which it may be grasped for slideable movement.

5. The frame according to claim 1 wherein said shell is made entirely of transparent material.