U.S. patent number 3,877,165 [Application Number 05/359,201] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-15 for frame assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Poster Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edward B. Lumbard.
United States Patent |
3,877,165 |
Lumbard |
April 15, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
FRAME ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A frame assembly for carrying display panels for advertising and
other purposes is provided which includes a pair of generally
polygonal allochiral frames having means for carrying a display
panel between them, an internal groove with an opening therein on
the lower inner side of each of said frames and a connecting member
having an intermediate portion and opposing ends shaped to fit said
internal grooves and inserted in said grooves with the intermediate
portion extending through said opening to connect the lower part of
said frames so as to permit pivoting of said frames around said
connecting member to open and closed positions while retaining said
frames in a predetermined relationship with one another and in
contact with one another adjacent said connecting member when in
said open position. The construction is preferably such that the
pivotal movement of said frames is limited to a generally V-shaped
open position. An improved type of snap lock clip is also provided
to hold the frames together in the closed position and, if desired,
to provide a means for hanging the frame assembly. A new and
improved frame structure is also provided.
Inventors: |
Lumbard; Edward B. (Chicago,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Poster Products, Inc. (Chicago,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
23412763 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/359,201 |
Filed: |
May 10, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/779; 40/757;
40/617 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G
1/0611 (20130101); G09F 1/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
1/06 (20060101); G09F 1/00 (20060101); G09F
1/12 (20060101); G09f 001/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/152.1,152,156,16,13,128,140 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Contreras; Wenceslao J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Johnston, Keil, Thompson &
Shurtleff
Claims
The invention is hereby claimed as follows:
1. A frame assembly for carrying display panels, said assembly
including a pair of generally polygonal allochiral frames having
means for carrying a display panel between them, said frames each
comprising an upper member, opposing side members and a lower
member, each of said members containing an inner side and an outer
side, said members each containing an internal groove with an
opening therein on the inner side of said member, said internal
grooves on said inner sides of said members facing one another, and
a mechanical connecting member having an intermediate portion and
opposing ends shaped to fit said internal grooves and inserted in
said grooves of two adjacent opposing members with said
intermediate portion extending through said openings to connect
said frames so as to permit pivoting of said frames around said
connecting member to open and closed positions with respect to one
another while retaining them in a predetermined relationship with
one another and in contact with one another adjacent said
connecting member when in said open position.
2. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower
members comprise means to limit the pivotal movement of said frames
to a generally V-shaped open position.
3. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising locking means
independent of said connecting member to lock said frames together
in a closed position.
4. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said locking
means comprises an internal groove in each of said upper members
with an opening therein on the inner side of said member and a
connecting member which has the general shape of an inverted T, the
opposing ends of the horizontal portions having shaped resilient
portions adapted to be received by said openings and to snap into
said grooves to hold said frame members together.
5. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the vertical
portion of said inverted T-shaped locking means projects above said
frame assembly.
6. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said vertical
portion above said frame assembly contains an opening for hanging
said frame assembly.
7. A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a
base on which said frame assembly is mounted, said base comprising
an intermediate channel member containing a recess in which said
lower members of said frame assembly are received and a vertical
channel member containing a recess in which said side members of
said frame assembly are received.
Description
BACKGROUND
It is well known in the art to provide frames for holding
photographic pictures and the like where two or more frames are
connected as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 153,158 366,715,
2,367,071, 2,416,976, 3,132,432 and 3,529,374. These patents
disclose various types of structures whereby photographs can be
mounted side by side or one above the other where separate frames
each capable of holding a photograph are connected together as in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 153,158, 366,715, 2,367,071, 3,132,432 and
3,529,374, or two frames can be connected together to hold a single
photograph as in U.S. Pat. No. 2,416,976. In the last mentioned
patent the frame assembly is pivotally mounted at an intermediate
point on semi-cylindrical trunions which in turn are mounted on a
base permitting the frame assembly to rotate in a circular
path.
OBJECTS
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved type of frame assembly for carrying display panels
particularly advertising and other promotional material, including
three-dimensional display panels in which the frame assembly
permits the same or different display panels to be viewed from
opposite sides of the frame assembly and wherein the structure of
the frame assembly and the method of inserting and removing the
display panels are relatively simple.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved
frame assembly wherein a pair of generally polygonal allochiral
frames have means for carrying a display panel between them and the
frames are connected on their lower inner sides with a connecting
member which permits them to pivot to open and closed positions
while retaining them in a predetermined relationship with one
another and in contact with one another adjacent said connecting
member when in the open position in such a way as to limit the
pivotal movement to a partially open position in which display
panels can be inserted or withdrawn from said frames.
A further object of the invention is to provide a frame assembly of
the type described having new and improved locking means for
locking the frames together in their closed position.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a frame
assembly of the type described which can either be hung or mounted
in a base which will normally function to hold the frame members
together in their closed position.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved snap lock clip which can be employed to hold two frames
together. Other objects and advantages will appear from the
following description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing.
THE DRAWINGS
In which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame assembly of the invention
in its open position showing in phantom a display panel about to be
inserted;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1 in its closed
position with a single three-dimensional display panel inserted
therein;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1 in its closed
position with two three-dimensional display panels inserted therein
back-to-back;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a single frame member of the
assembly of FIG. 1 showing how it can be used with a special clip
to hold a display panel against a wall or other surface;
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the special clip in FIG. 5;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view with parts broken away showing
the reenforcement at the corner of one of the frames;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an L-shaped corner reenforcing and
connecting member used in the frames of the frame assembly;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken through the central part of
the upper frame assembly in its closed position illustrating means
for locking the two frames together and of suspending them;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a preferred type of locking member;
and
FIG. 10 illustrates a base in which a frame assembly can be
mounted.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a frame assembly for carrying display panels
for advertising and other purposes which includes a pair of
generally polygonal allochiral frames having means for carrying a
display panel between them, an internal groove with an opening
therein on the inner side of each of said frames and a connecting
member having an intermediate portion and opposing ends shaped to
fit said internal grooves and inserted in said grooves of two
adjacent opposing members with said intermediate portion extending
through said openings to connect the said frames so as to permit
pivoting of said frames around said connecting member to open and
closed positions while retaining said frames in a predetermined
relationship with one another and in contact with one another
adjacent said connecting member when in said open position. The
construction is preferably such that the pivotal movement of said
frames is limited to a generally V-shaped open position. An
improved type of snap lock clip is also provided to hold the frames
together in the closed position and, if desired, to provide a means
for hanging the frame assembly. Due to the structure of the
individual frame members one of them can be used with a special
clip to hold a display panel against a wall or other surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1 the frame assembly of the invention comprises a
pair of rectangular allochiral frames 1 and 2. Frame 1 has opposing
side members 3 and 4, a lower member 5 and an upper member 6. Frame
2 has opposing side members 7 and 8, a lower member 9 and an upper
member 10. Each of the frame members 1 and 2 is constructed
similarly in that they are mitered at the corners and are held
together at each of the corners by an L-shaped corner member 11 as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Each of the frame members 3, 4, 5 and 6 in frame 1 and 7, 8, 9 and
10 in frame 2 is constructed with a channel or recess 12 therein
which extends throughout the length of each of said members and is
adapted to receive the L-shaped connecting members 11 at the
corners. The recesses 12 are undercut at 13 and 14 so that the
inwardly projecting frame portions 15 and 16 on either side of the
opening 17 are in contact with connecting members 11. Connecting
members 11 contain an L-shaped embossment 18 to increase rigidity
and a plurality of embossments 19 to further increase rigidity and
to contact the inner sides of channel 12 so that the corners of the
frames will not wobble and will remain tightly fixed. To facilitate
rigidity, the internal groove 12 in each frame member preferably
has a width at least half as great as the width of the frame
member. Thus, in a frame member of the type shown in the drawings
having a width of approximately 1 inch, the width of channel 12
would be at least one-half inch. The overall thickness of each of
the frame members 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10 having a width of
approximately 1 inch, might be, for example three-eighths inch.
Each of these frame members 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10 also
contains a groove 20 running lengthwise on the interior surface
having an opening 21 as shown in FIG. 4. All of said frame members
also contain an inwardly extending flange 22.
A connecting member 23 having an intermediate portion 24 and
opposing ends 25 and 26 shaped to fit said internal grooves 20,20
is inserted in said grooves with said intermediate portion
extending through said openings 21,21 to connect said lower members
5 and 9 so as to permit pivoting of said frames 1 and 2 around said
connecting member to open and closed positions while retaining them
in a predetermined relationship with one another and in contact
with one another at the lower sides 27 when in the open position
shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
The angle between the frames 1 and 2 in the open position can be
varied (usually within the range of 10.degree. to 60.degree.) but
should be large enough to permit the insertion of a display panel
28 so that when the frames 1 and 2 are closed the display panel
will rest on the flanged portions 22,22 and, if it is a
three-dimensional panel, will project beyond one of the frames as
shown in FIG. 2. If two display panels are placed back-to-back
between the frames 1 and 2 while in the open position so that they
rest on the flanged areas 22,22 and the frames are then closed, the
result will be a frame assembly as shown in FIG. 3, and if both
panels are three-dimensional, the portions 29 and 30 will project
beyond the sides of the frames.
One of the features of the invention is the provision of a base as
illustrated in FIG. 10 containing a base plate 31 on which is
mounted a vertical rod 32 and a channel member 33 comprising an
intermediate channel portion 34 containing a recess 35 in which the
lower members 5 and 9 of the frame assembly are received and two
vertical channel members 36 and 37 containing recesses 38 and 39 in
which side members 3,8 and 4,7 of the frame assembly are received.
In this manner the frame assembly is held in closed position
without locking or otherwise fastening the frames 1 and 2
together.
Where it is desired to provide independent means for fastening the
frames 1 and 2 together after the display panels have been
inserted, one of the features of the invention is the provision of
a snap lock clip 40 as illustrated in FIG. 9 which is in the form
of an inverted T wherein the opposing ends 41 and 42 of the
horizontal portion have a generally circular cross section adapted
to be received by grooves 20,20 which also have side openings 43
and 44 and are made of a resilient plastic or other suitable
material molded in one piece with the vertical portion 45. The clip
40 can be snapped into the grooves 20,20 due to the resilience of
the end portions 41,42. Likewise, by applying pressure, the frame
members 1 and 2 can be pulled apart and clip 40 removed.
If it is desired to suspend or hang the frame this can be done by
providing an opening 46 in clip 40 through which one end of an S
hook 47 can be inserted and the other end attached to a supporting
member 48 which in turn is attached to a ceiling, a beam or any
other type of fixed structure.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that a frame
assembly of the type described is advantageous for carrying display
panels, particularly advertising and other promotional material,
including three-dimensional display panels, so that the same or
different display panels can be viewed from opposite sides of the
frame assembly and the structure of the frame assembly and the
method of inserting and removing the display panels is relatively
simple. The structure of the frame members and the bottom
connecting member makes it possible to limit the pivotal movement
to a partially open position in which the display panels can be
inserted or withdrawn from the frames. The frame members can be
made of extruded aluminum or any other suitable material which is
relatively rigid. The connecting member 23 can also be made of
extruded aluminum or another suitable material, preferably one
which is rigid. The connecting member 23 is normally mounted in the
lower frame members 5 and 9 before these frame members are
assembled with the side frame members 3,4 and 7,8, respectively, by
inserting the corner members 11. The corner members 11 are
preferably made of metal, or other rigid material. If desired, they
can be cemented into place with adhesive applied at 49 and 50 or
elsewhere. The embossments 13 and 49 can be omitted and other types
of corner members 11 can be used. Hence, once the frames 1 and 2
have been assembled with the rigid corner members 11 a very
permanent type of structure is formed which is quite rugged and
capable of withstanding hard usage to which it might be subjected
when it is employed in advertising and promotional displays,
particularly when such displays are changed from time to time. In
addition, the invention provides a new and improved means for
mounting and/or hanging the frame assembly and a new and improved
means for locking the frames together with a new and improved snap
lock clip.
Due to the special structure of each individual frame member 1 or 2
it is possible to use a single frame member with a special clip to
hold a display panel against a wall or other surface. This feature
of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 which shows the upper
part of frame member 1 which is adapted to be associated with a
special clip 51, illustrated in FIG. 5A. The special clip 51 has an
elongated portion 61 which is adapted to provide a retaining wall
on one side for display panel 52 and on the other side is adapted
to be fastened to a wall 53 or other suitable surface by means of
adhesive 54, or other suitable means. Flange 55 of frame member 1
serves to restrain the upward movement of display panel 52. The
inward movement of display panel 52 is prevented by the portion 56
as well as the inner side of lower part 6 of frame member 1. The
recess 57 in the modification shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the
recess 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. The groove 58
corresponds to groove 20 in FIG. 8. The under portion 59 of clip 51
corresponds to one of the under portions 42 or 43 in clip 40 shown
in FIG. 9. The under portion 59 has a slit along one side thereof
providing the opening 60. It will be noted that the portion 62 of
clip 51 is at an angle to the portion 61 so that the inner side of
the portion 62 will rest against the upper inner side of frame
member 1 when the clip is inserted with the under portion 59 in
groove 58. The clip 51 is preferably made of material such that the
sides of under portion 59 are flexible or resilient enough so that
the under portion 59 can be snapped into groove 58. When it is
desired to remove frame member 1 from clip 51 this can be done
merely by pulling outwardly so as to cause the sides of the
flexible under portion 59 to yield toward one another and pass
through the opening on the inner side of grooves 58.
It will be apparent that the invention is susceptible to a number
of modifications and variations in the manner in which the frame
members are used. As an example the snap lock clip 40 is
illustrated in FIG. 8 as it is used for the purpose of suspending
the frame assembly with the snap lock clip 40 in the form of an
inverted T. However, when it is desired merely to lock the frame
members together, the snap lock clip 40 can be used in an upright
position, i.e., with the vertical portion 45 extending downwardly
between the frame members. When used in this manner the means for
holding the frame members together is not readily apparent to the
casual observer. When the snap lock clip is used in this manner and
it is desired to separate the frame members after they have been
locked together a screw driver or similar tool can be used to pry
them apart causing the under portions 42 and 44 of clip 49 to be
removed from the grooves 20,20. It should also be understood that
the snap lock members can be employed on the sides of the frames as
well as at the top and that the frame assembly can be used with the
sides 4,7 and 3,8 forming either the top or bottom of the assembly
and the pivoted sides 5,9 being to one side of the assembly.
* * * * *