The present invention relates generally to a frame apparatus and more specifically to a frame apparatus having a frame and a clip member slidably coupled thereto.
People often commemorate their achievements or memorialize particular life events by placing an article within a frame for display. Specifically, individuals may frame a diploma for hanging on a wall in their office space. Individuals may also frame various photographs for display throughout their home and offices spaces by either hanging such frames on the wall or allowing such frames to stand upright on a horizontal surface such as a desk or table. Furthermore, people often hang mirrors from a wall and there is a noted difficulty in hanging mirrors from a wall in a level manner. Frames generally require turn buttons, flex tabs, or glazier points to secure the article to be framed within the rabbet of the frame. Frames also, and separately, require hanger elements that are secured to the frame and that permit the frame to be hung from a vertical surface such as a wall. Using one component to secure articles within the flame and a second different component to hang the frame from a wall makes frames more expensive than necessary to manufacture and more difficult than necessary to use. Furthermore, using conventional hanger elements it can be difficult for a user to hang a frame from a vertical surface such as a wall in a level manner. Thus, a need exists for a frame apparatus having a component that can both secure articles to the frame and be used for hanging the frame from a wall. A need also exists for a frame apparatus having a component that can ensure that the frame is hung in a level manner.
The present invention is directed to a frame apparatus for displaying an article. The frame apparatus includes a frame having a rabbet and a channel having a channel axis formed into a wall of the rabbet. A stack is positioned within the rabbet for display. The stack may include a glazing, an article for display, and a backer panel. A spring clip is slidably coupled to the frame within the channel such that the spring clip can slide within the channel along the channel axis while remaining coupled to the frame. The spring clip has a hanging feature. Thus, the spring clip serves the dual purpose of securing the stack within the rabbet and also providing the hanging feature for the frame. Furthermore, the spring clip functions as a built-in self-leveling feature because it can slide within the channel thus ensuring that the frame is hung in a level manner.
In one embodiment, the invention may be a frame apparatus for displaying an article, the frame apparatus comprising: a frame comprising: an inner surface defining a display opening; and a rabbet defined by a floor and a wall of the frame a channel formed into the wall: a stack comprising a front surface and an opposite rear surface positioned in the rabbet and extending across the display opening; a spring clip slidably coupled to the frame within the channel and trapping the stack between the spring clip and the floor of the rabbet, the spring clip comprising a hanging feature for hanging the frame; and wherein the spring clip comprises a base portion, a first leg extending from the base portion to a distal end, and a second leg extending from the base portion to a distal end, the distal ends of the first and second legs positioned within the channel to slidably couple the spring clip to the frame.
In another embodiment, the invention may be a frame apparatus for displaying an article, the frame apparatus comprising a frame having a front surface and an opposite rear surface, the frame comprising: an inner surface defining a display opening; a rabbet defined by a floor and a wall of the frame; and a channel formed into the wall and defined by a bottom surface, a top surface, and a sidewall surface; a stack positioned in the rabbet and extending across the display opening; and a clip member slidably coupled to the frame with a first portion of the clip member located within the channel and a second portion of the clip member protruding from the channel, wherein the stack is compressed between the second portion of the clip member and the floor of the rabbet, the second portion of the clip member having a hanging feature for hanging the frame.
In still another embodiment, the invention may be a frame apparatus for displaying an article, the frame apparatus comprising: a frame comprising: an inner surface defining a display opening; and a rabbet defined by a floor and a wall of the frame, a channel formed into the wall, the channel comprising at least one linear section extending along an axis; a stack positioned in the rabbet and extending across the display opening; first and second clip members slidably coupled to the channel of the frame so that the stack is positioned between the first and second clip members and the floor of the rabbet, the first and second clip members having a hanging feature for hanging the frame from a surface: and wherein the first and second clip members comprise first portions that are located within the same linear section of the channel.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to he considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to, direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.
Referring to
The glazing 300 can be any type of material that is used as a protective and see-through covering for a framed article. In certain embodiments, the glazing 300 is a panel of glass, acrylic, plexiglass, polystyrene or other material that allows the article 500 to be viewed through the glazing 300. Thus, in certain embodiments the glazing 300 is formed of a substantially transparent material so that the article(s) 500 being framed therein are visible through the glazing 300. As used herein, the term “transparent” may include the presence of colored tint and thus is not limited to a clear material. In other embodiments, the glazing 300 may be at least partially translucent. In still other embodiments of the invention, the glazing 300 may be omitted from the frame apparatus 1000.
The backer panel 400 can be formed of hard or soft plastic materials, such as any of the thermoplastics including polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene (i.e., polypropylene), olefins, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters. Alternatively, the backer panel 400 can be formed of a cardboard, wood, metal or other material as desired. In certain embodiments, the backer panel 400 may be a ring-like structure rather than a sheet-like structure. The backer panel 400 serves as a tiller to ensure that the stack 10 adequately fills the rabbet 110 space so that the stack is securely held within the frame 100. The backer panel 400 also provides protection to the back/rear of the article 500 that is being framed.
In some embodiments, the frame apparatus 1000 may also include a filler panel between the backer panel 400 and the article 500. In such embodiments, the filler panel takes up space and reduces potential damage by adding a layer of protection for the article 500. The filler panel can also be used to provide the necessary thickness to the stack 10 to ensure adequate compression to hold the stack in the frame 100 as discussed herein below. The filler panel may be a sheet of corrugated material or other medium, such as a corrugated metal, corrugated cardboard, plastic, fiberboard (i.e., medium density fiberboard (MDF)) or the like. The filler panel can be included with the frame apparatus 1000 or omitted as desired. Furthermore, the backer panel 400 may be omitted in some embodiments as well.
The article 500 may be any object that is desired to be held by and displayed within the frame 100. Thus, the article 500 may be a flat article such as a poster or print having a design or indicia thereon. Alternatively, the article 500 may be a three-dimensional object that a person desires to frame for display. The article 500 may alternatively be a mirror that is surrounded by the frame 100. Thus, the article 500 may be any object that is conventionally framed by persons desiring to display that article.
In certain embodiments, the frame apparatus 1000 may be best suited for being hung from a vertical surface such as a wall. However, the invention is not intended to be so limited in all embodiments and it may be displayed in any manner currently used to display frames. In
The frame 100 may be an integrally formed single component formed by injection molding, machining, milling, or the like. Alternatively, the frame 100 may be formed of an extruded polymer such as a general purpose polystyrene, in other embodiments the frame 100 may be co-extruded from expanded polystyrene such as polystyrene foam and a general purpose polystyrene. In other embodiments, the frame 100 but may also be formed of wood, medium-density fiberboard, metal, metal alloys, plastics, rubbers, or combinations thereof, etc. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the material used to form the frame unless expressly stated otherwise herein.
The frame 100 generally comprises a front surface 101, a rear surface 102, an inner surface 103 extending between the front and rear surfaces 101, 102, and an outer surface 104 extending between the front and rear surfaces 101, 102. The inner surface 103 of the frame 100 defines a display opening 106 for the frame 100 adjacent the front surface 101 of the frame 100 through which the article 500 can be viewed. The rear surface 102 of the frame 100 is the surface that is adjacent to a wall when the frame 100 is hung from the wall and the front surface 101 of the frame 100 is the surface that is exposed for viewing by a viewer. The front surface 101 and the outer surface 104 of the frame 100, which are exposed to a viewer, may take on any desired shape or profile to create a desired aesthetic. Thus, the front surface 101 and the outer surface 104 may be flat and planar as illustrated in
As will be discussed in greater detail below, the frame 100 has a rabbet 110 formed into the inner edge 103. The rabbet 110 is defined by a floor 111 and a wall 112 of the frame 100 that extends from the floor 111 to the rear surface 102 of the frame 100. The floor 111 of the rabbet 110 is recessed from the front surface 101 of the frame 100. The rabbet 110 forms a ledge onto which the glazing 300, the article 500, and the backer panel 400 (collectively referred to herein as the stack 10) are positioned or nested in the fully assembled frame apparatus 1000. Specifically, the rabbet 110 forms an annular ledge upon which the stack 10 may be positioned to frame the stack 10 (and particularly the article 500 thereof). The term “annular” as used herein does not refer specifically to a circular shape, but refers to a ring-like structure forming a closed geometry regardless of the specific shape of the ring, whether it is circular, square, rectangular, or other geometric forms. Furthermore, the term “annular” may also include a discontinuous ring-like structure of various shapes and thus the floor 111 and the ledge formed thereby need not be continuous in its extension in all embodiments.
The stack 10 has a front surface 11 and an opposite rear surface 12. The front surface 11 of the stack 10 is exposed through, the display opening 106 and the rear surface 12 of the stack 10 is not exposed when the frame 100 is hung from a wall or other surface. In the exemplified embodiment, the glazing 300 forms the front surface 11 of the stack 10 and the backer panel 400 forms the rear surface 12 of the stack 10. Of course, depending on the specific components that make up the stack 10, this may be different in other embodiments. To assemble the frame apparatus 1000, a perimeter portion of the glazing 300 is positioned directly atop the floor surface 111 of the rabbet 110, and then the article 500 is positioned atop the glazing 300 and the backer panel 400 is positioned atop the article 500.
In the exemplified embodiment, the components of the stack 10 are inserted into the rabbet 10 via an opening 108 in the rear surface 102 of the frame 100. Thus, the frame 100 in the exemplified embodiment is a rear mounted frame, meaning that the article 500 (and the stack 10 generally) is mounted by inserting it through the opening 108 in the rear surface 102 of the frame 100. The invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and it is possible that in an alternative embodiment a frame using a front mount assembly may be used in accordance with the teachings set forth herein. In the exemplified embodiment, the opening 108 in the rear surface 102 of the frame 100 is larger in at least one dimension than the display opening 106 in the front surface 101 of the frame. Thus, the stack 10 is prevented from passing into and through the display opening 106 by the floor 111 of the rabbet 110.
As seen in
The frame 100 also comprises a channel 120 formed into the wall 112 of the rabbet 110. The channel 120 is formed by an elongated notch or cutout in the wall 112 of the rabbet 110. Similar to the rabbet 110, the channel 120 is formed into each frame component 100a-d, and when the frame components 100a-d are coupled together to form the frame 100, a single continuous channel 120 is formed that circumscribes the display opening 106. In the exemplified embodiment, the channel 120 extends the entire length of the rabbet 110 within each of the frame components 100a-d, and thus the channel 120 is a closed geometry channel. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the channel 120 may only extend part of the length of the rabbet 110 in other embodiments. The channel 120 is defined by a top surface 121, a bottom surface 123, and a sidewall surface 122 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 121123. In the exemplified embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces 121, 123 of the channel 120 are parallel to each other and to the floor 111 of the rabbet 110 whereas the sidewall surface 122 of the channel 120 is parallel to the wall 112 of the rabbet 110.
The frame 100 comprises a protrusion 124 extending from the top surface 121 and into the channel 120 towards the bottom surface 123. In the exemplified embodiment, the protrusion 124 extends along the entirety of the length of the channel 120. The protrusion 124 has a leading edge 130 adjacent the inner surface 103 of the frame 100 and an opposite trailing edge 131. The leading edge 130 comprises a chamfer 125 that interacts with the clip member 200 during coupling of the clip member 200 to the frame 100 as described herein below. The trailing edge 131 is spaced apart from the sidewall surface 122 of the channel 120 by a gap 126 that forms a pocket for mounting of the clip member 200 to the frame 100 as described in more detail below. Once installed, the clip member 200 interacts with/engages the trailing edge 131 of the protrusion 124 to maintain the coupling between the clip member 200 and the frame 100.
The inner edge 103 of the frame 100 comprises a first inner edge portion 115 formed into the first frame component 100a of the frame 100, a second inner edge portion 116 formed into the second frame component 100b of the frame 100, a third inner edge portion 117 formed into the third frame component 100c of the frame 100, and a fourth inner edge portion 118 formed into the fourth frame component 100d of the frame 100. When the frame 100 is formed of a single piece rather than separate components, the different inner edge portions noted above are simply the upper, lower, left-side, and right-side inner edge portions. The first inner edge portion 115 comprises a first linear section of the channel 120 that extends along a first axis A-A, The second inner edge portion 116 comprises a second linear section of the channel 120 that extends along a second axis B-B. The third inner edge portion 117 comprises a third linear section of the channel 120 that extends along a third axis C-C. The fourth inner edge portion 118 comprises a fourth linear section of the channel 120 that extends along a fourth axis D-D. These sections of the channel 120 and axes will be used later to describe the slidability of the clip member 200 when the clip member 200 is coupled or mounted to the frame 100 within the channel 120.
During assembly of the frame apparatus 1000, the clip members 200 are coupled to the frame 100 after the stack 10 is positioned in the rabbet 110. This is because the clip members 200 are used to secure/retain the stack 10 within the rabbet 110 in place of turn buttons, flex tabs, or other components that are generally used for this purpose. Each of the clip members 200 is coupled to the frame 100 within one of the linear sections of the channel 120 while permitting the clip members 200 to be slidable within that linear section of the channel 120 along its axis A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D. Thus, the clip members 200 can slide side-to-side within the linear section of the channel 120 that they are coupled to, which helps with hanging the frame 100 in a level manner as discussed below.
As discussed in more detail herein below, the clip members 200 secure the stack 10 within the rabbet 110 by sandwiching the stack 10 between the floor 111 of the rabbet 110 and the clip members 200. Furthermore, the clip members 200 comprise a hanging feature 220 for hanging the frame 100 from a desired surface., such as a wall. The clip members 200 are configured to slide within the channel 120 along one of the axes A-A-, B-B, C-C, D-D (the one that corresponds to the linear section of the channel 120 that the clip member 200 is mounted to) to function as a self-leveling feature to ensure that the frame 100 is hung at a desired orientation.
Referring now to
The clip member 200 generally comprises a first portion 201 and a second portion 202. The first portion 201 of the clip member 200 is located within the channel 120 when the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100 and the second portion 202 of the clip member 200 protrudes from or extends out of the channel 120 when the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100. Thus, the first portion 201 of the clip member 200 is the portion that is located within the channel 120 and the second portion 202 of the clip member 200 is the portion that is not located within the channel 120. The second portion 202 of the clip member 200 comprises the hanging feature 220 of the clip member 200.
The clip member 200 comprises a base portion 203 having a top surface 204 and an opposite bottom surface 205, a first leg 206 extending from the base portion 203 to a distal end 207, a second leg 208 extending from the base portion 203 to a distal end 209, and a third leg 210 extending from the base portion 203 to a distal end 211. In some embodiments the third leg 210 may be omitted. The first portion 201 of the clip member 200 comprises a portion of each of the first, second, and third legs 206, 208, 210 that includes the distal ends 207, 209, 211 of the first, second, and third legs 206, 208, 210. Thus, the distal ends 207, 209, 211 of the first, second, and third legs 206, 208, 210 are positioned within the channel 120 when the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100. The second portion 202 of the clip member 200 comprises the remaining portion of each of the fast, second, and third legs 206, 208, 210 as well as the base portion 203 of the clip member 200. Thus, the base portion 203 of the clip member 200 is external to the channel 120 when the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100.
The distal ends 207, 209, 211 of the first, second, and third legs 206, 208210 are the free ends of the first, second, and third legs 206, 208, 210 that are unattached to one another or to another structure. Thus, each of the first, second, and third legs 206, 208, 210 is cantilevered from the base portion 203 to its respective distal end 207, 209, 211. If the clip members 200 were considered to have a “U” shape, the bight portion of the “U” that is formed by the base portion 203 of the clip member 200 is located outside of the channel 120 when the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100. In the exemplified embodiment, the first leg 206 extends from the base portion 203 at a location adjacent to the top surface 204 of the base portion 203 and the second and third legs 208, 210 extend from the base portion 203 at a location adjacent to the bottom surface 205 of the base portion 203.
In the exemplified embodiment, the base portion 203 comprises a first section 212 and a second section 213 that are spaced apart from one another. The second leg 208 extends from the base portion 203 adjacent the bottom surface 205 of the first section 212 of the base portion 203 and the third leg 210 extends from the base portion 203 adjacent the bottom surface 205 of the second section 213 of the base portion 203. Thus, the second and third legs 208, 210 are spaced apart from one another along a length of the clip member 200. The first leg 206 extends from both of the first and second sections 212, 213 of the base portion 203 and is located between the second and third legs 208, 210. Thus, the second leg 208 is located on one side of the first leg 206 and the third leg 210 is located on an opposite side of the first leg 206. The first leg 206 can flex pivot into the space between the second and third legs 208, 210 and may do so during coupling of the clip member 200 to the frame 100.
The first leg 206 extends from both of the first and second sections 212, 213 of the base portion 203 adjacent to the top surface 204 of the base portion 203. The first leg 206 therefore also extends between the first and second sections 212, 213 of the base portion 203 and in fact serves as the structure that couples the first and second sections 212, 213 of the base portion 203 together. The first leg 206 has an exposed edge 214 extending between the first and second sections 212, 213 of the base portion 203. The exposed edge 214 is an opposite edge from the distal end 207 of the first leg 206. The exposed edge 214 of the first leg 206 comprises the hanging feature 220 of the clip member 200.
In the exemplified embodiment, the hanging feature 220 of the clip member 200 is in the form of a sawtooth hanger. Specifically, the hanging feature 220 of the clip member 200 comprises a plurality of teeth 221 and a plurality of notches 222 arranged in an alternating manner along the exposed edge 214. Thus, each pair of adjacent teeth 221 is spaced apart by one of the notches 222 and vice versa. When it is desired to hang the frame 100 with the clip member 200 mounted thereto from a hanging element (i.e., nail, screw, or the like) protruding from a wail, the hanging element is positioned within one of the notches 222 of the hanging feature 220. The use of sawtooth hangers is conventionally understood by consumers and persons skilled in the art. Furthermore, although the hanging feature 220 is a sawtooth hanger in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited and other types of hangers can be used including D-rings, hooks, wires, adhesive strips, plates with apertures therein, or the like,
The first leg 206 of the clip member 200 comprises a depression 215 having a concave floor. The depression 215 is elongated along the first leg 206 in a direction between the second and third legs 208, 210. Thus, if the first leg 206 extends from the base portion 203 in a first direction, the depression 215 is elongated in a second direction that is, orthogonal to the first direction. As discussed in more detail below, the depression 215 of the first leg 206 is sized and shaped to receive the protrusion 124 therein to secure the clip member 200 to the frame 100. The first leg 206 has a distal portion 216 extending from the depression 215 to the distal end 207, the distal portion 216 including the distal end 207. As discussed below, the distal portion 216 forms a hook-like member that nests within the gap 126 between the protrusion 124 and the sidewall surface 122 of the channel 120 when the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100 The distal portion 216 of the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 interacts with the trailing edge 131 of the protrusion 124 to prevent accidental detachment of the clip member 200 from the frame 100.
At least one of the first leg 206 or the second and third legs 208, 210 of the clip member 200 is pivotable relative to the base portion 203 of the clip member 200. Specifically, the first leg. 206 may be pivotable relative to the base portion 203 about a pivot axis E-E. The second and third legs 206, 208 may additionally, or alternatively, be pivotable relative to the base portion 203 about a pivot axis that is parallel to the pivot axis E-E. This permits the first leg 206 to pivot downwardly in a direction towards the bottom end 205 of the base portion 203 and into the gap between the second and third legs 208, 210 during coupling of the clip member 200 to the frame 100. Additionally or alternatively, this allows the second and third legs 208, 210 to pivot upwardly in a direction towards the top end 204 of the base portion 203 during coupling of the clip member 200 to the frame 100.
Referring to
As will be described in more detail below with reference to
As noted above, the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 comprises a depression 215 having a concave floor that is configured to mate with the protrusion 124 of the channel 120 to securely mount, in a snap-fit manner, the clip member 200 to the frame 100. The first leg 206 of the clip member 200 also comprises the distal portion 216, which forms a hook-like member that engages the trailing edge 131 of the protrusion 124 of the channel 120 to prevent the clip member 200 from being detached from the frame 100 until such time as detachment is desired. However, this is only one exemplified embodiment and other mateable profiles for the first portion 201 of the clip member 200 and the channel 120 of the frame 100 are possible. For example, the first portion 201 of die dip member 200 may have a protuberance that mates with a recess/depression of the channel 120 to facilitate the coupling between the clip member 200 and the frame 100. Other configurations, structures, and features may be incorporated to achieve the coupling of the clip member 200 to the frame 100 while permitting sliding movement of the clip member 200 relative to the frame 100 as discussed below.
In the exemplified embodiment, the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 also comprises a grip protrusion 230 extending therefrom. The grip protrusion 230 provides a surface for a user to grip when inserting the clip member 200 into the channel 120 of the frame 100 and removing the clip member 200 from the channel 120 of the frame 100. The grip protrusion 230 may also assist a user in flexing the first leg 206 to facilitate removal of the clip member 200 from the channel 120 of the frame 100,
Referring now to
When the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100 as illustrated, the bottom portion 205 of the base portion 203 of the clip member 200 and a bottom surface 217 of the second leg 208 (and also a bottom surface of the third leg 210, although not illustrated) is in contact with the rear surface 12 of the stack 10 (i.e., the rear surface of the backer panel 400 in the exemplified embodiment). This contact between the clip member 200 and the backer panel 400 for any other rear-most positioned element of the stack that is disposed on the rabbet 110) secures the stack 10 within the rabbet 110. Specifically, the stack 10 is trapped/sandwiched between the clip member 200 and the floor 111 of the rabbet 110, thereby preventing the stack or portions thereof from being removed from the rabbet 110 while the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100. As discussed below, in order to insert layers of the stack into the rabbet 110 or remove layers of the stack from the rabbet 110, the clip member(s) 200 must first be detached from the frame 100. Thus, the clip member 200 takes the place of standard turn buttons, flex tabs, and glazier points and renders their use unnecessary.
In certain embodiments, the clip member 200 applies a compression force onto the stack 10 to tightly secure the stack 10 within the rabbit 110. Specifically, in certain embodiments the stack 10 is compressed between the second portion 202 of the clip member 200 and the floor 111 of the rabbet 110. Such compression may be desirable to ensure that the article 500 is not able to slide or move in the fully assembled frame apparatus 1000. In some embodiments, a portion of the rabbet 110 defined between the floor 111 of the rabbet 110 and the bottom surface 123 of the channel 120 has a depth D1 and the stack 10 has a thickness T1. In some embodiments, the thickness T1 of the stack 10 may be equal to or greater than the depth D1 of the portion of the rabbet 110. This will ensure that the clip member 200 compresses the stack 10 in the full assembled frame apparatus 1000, thereby substantially preventing movement of the article 500.
As noted above, the clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100 via interaction between the protrusion 124 of the channel 120 and the depression 215 and distal portion 216 of the first leg 206 of the clip member 200. As noted above, the leading edge 130 of the protrusion 124 comprises the chamfer 125 that interacts with the distal end 207 of the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 to deflect the first leg 206 from the non-flexed state to the flexed state during coupling of the clip member 200 to the frame 100. Once the distal portion 216 of the first leg 206 passes beyond the protrusion 124, the protrusion 124 nests with the depression 215 of the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 to securely couple the clip member 200 to the frame 100 within the channel 120. Furthermore, the distal portion 216 of the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 engages or abuts against the trailing edge 131 of the protrusion 124 when the first portion 201 of the clip member 200 is positioned within the channel 120 to prevent the clip member 200 from being detached from the frame 100 accidentally. Rather, a user must apply a force onto the dip member 200 (as described above with reference to
Although the clip member 200 is prevented from being readily separated from the frame 100 once it is coupled thereto without user involvement, the clip member 200 is, configured to be slidable relative to the frame 100 within the channel 120 while remaining coupled or mounted to the frame 100. Thus, depending on which inner edge portion 115-118 of the frame 100 (or the frame components 100a-d) the clip member 200 is mounted to, the clip member 200 is slidable within the channel 120 along one of the axes A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D without detaching the clip member 200 from the frame 100.
Specifically, the clip member 200 is capable of sliding within the channel 120 along the axis A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D of the linear section of the channel 120 within which the first portion 201 of the clip member 200 is located while the protrusion 124 remains located within, the depression 215 of the, first leg 206. However, due to the biased nature of the clip member 200 being such that the first leg 206 wants to pull upwardly away from the second and third legs 208, 210, the clip member 200 does not slide freely within the channel 120, but rather some force needs to be applied to the clip member 200 relative to the frame 100 to initiate movement of the clip member 200. Specifically, friction between the first leg 206 of the clip member 200 and the top surface 121 of the channel 120 and between the second and third legs 208. 210 of the clip member 200 and the bottom surfaces 123 of the channel 120 prevents the clip member 200 from freely sliding, within the channel 120 without user intervention. Thus, once hung the frame 100 will not slide incidentally along the wall from which it is hung, but it will slide along the wall from which it is hung in response to user action. This will be described in more detail below with reference to
Referring to
After the stack 10 is disposed within the rabbet 110, the clip member 200 is mounted to the frame 100 to secure the stack 10 within the rabbet 110. Specifically, without the clip member 200 coupled to the frame 100, the stack 10 could simply fall out through the rear opening 108 of the frame 100. The clip member 200 is coupled to the frame 100 to prevent the stack 10 front falling out through the rear opening 108 of the frame 100 so long as the clip member 200, and preferably two or more of the clip members 200, remain coupled to the frame 100.
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Specifically, in order to level the frame 100, a user can grip the frame 100 and move it along the wall to one side or the other while the hanging feature 220 of the clip member 200 remains engaged or coupled to the hanging element 250 protruding from the wall so that the clip member 200 moves relative to the frame 100 (or the frame 100 moves relative to the clip member 200). During this movement of the frame 100, the clip member 200 slides within the channel 120 relative to the frame 100, which assists in leveling the frame 100 as it hangs from the wall. The location of the clip member 200 relative to the wall does not change, but rather the location of the frame 100 relative to the wall changes during this leveling process. As can be seen in
Referring to
The benefit of having two of the clip members 200 mourned in one of the linear sections of the channel 200 is as follows. As described in
Referring to
The frame apparatus 2000 generally comprises a frame 2100, a clip member 2200, and a stack 2210 comprising a glazing 2300, a backer panel 2400, and an article 2500 (although the stack 2210 may omit the glazing 2300 and/or the backer panel 2400 and in other embodiments the stack 2210 may be a mirror or other article). The frame 2100 has a rabbet 2110 defined by a floor 2111 and a sidewall 2112 of the frame 2100. Furthermore, a channel 2120 is formed into the sidewall 2112 of the rabbet 2110. The channel 2120 is defined by a top surface 2121, a sidewall surface 2122, and a bottom surface 2123. In this embodiment, a protrusion 2124 extends from the bottom surface 2123 into the channel 2120 towards the top surface 2121. The protrusion 2124 comprises a leading edge 2125 having a chamfer, a top surface 2126, and a trailing edge 2127. The trailing edge 2127 of the protrusion 2124 is spaced apart from the sidewall surface 2122 of the channel 2120 by a gap 2128. Furthermore, the top surface 2121 also has a chamfered portion 2131 that facilitates insertion of the clip member 2200 into the channel 2120.
The stack is positioned within a rabbet 2110 of the frame 2100 and is secured within the rabbet 2110 by being sandwiched between a floor 2111 of the rabbet 2110 and the clip member 2200 similar to the previously described embodiment. The main differences between the frame apparatus 2000 and the frame apparatus 1000 is the shape/configuration of the channel 2120 and the shape/configuration of the clip member 2200, the details of which will be described below.
In this embodiment the clip member 2200 is a metal clip, although it is not to be limited as such in all embodiments. The clip member 2200 has a first portion 2201 and a second portion 2202. More specifically, the clip member 220 comprises a base portion 2203, a first leg 2206, a second leg 2208, and a third leg 2210. In this embodiment, each of the first, second, and third legs 2206, 2208, 2210 extends from both opposing sides of the base portion 2203. Specifically, within the first portion 2201, the first leg 2206 extends from a first side 2218 of the base portion 2203 to a distal end 2207, the second leg 2208 extends from a first side 2218 of the base portion 2203 to a distal end 2209, and the third leg 2210 extends from a first side 2218 of the base portion 2203 to a distal end 2211. Within the second portion 2202, the first leg 2206 extends from a second side 2219 of the base portion 2203 to a proximal end 2212, the second leg 2208 extends from a second side 2219 of the base portion 2203 to a proximal end 2213 and the third leg 2219 extends from a second side 2219 of the base portion 2203 to a proximal end 2214.
The first portion 2201 of the clip member 2200 is inserted into the channel 2120 to couple the clip member 2200 to the frame 2100 and the second portion 2202 of the clip member 2200 is located outside of the channel 2120 and is used to secure the stack 2210 within the rabbet 2110 and to hang the frame 2100 from a wall. In that regard, in the exemplified embodiment the portion of the first leg 2206 that extends from the second side 2219 of the base portion 2203 comprises a hanging feature 2220. More specifically, the hanging feature 2220 is formed into the proximal end 2212 of the first leg 2206 of the clip member 2200. In the exemplified embodiment, the hanging feature 2220 is a sawtooth hanger as with the previously described embodiment of the clip member 200.
The clip member 2200 is biased into an expanded state as illustrated in
As the first portion 2201 of the clip member 2200 passes beyond the protrusion 2124, the first leg 2106 pivots downwardly about the axis F-F and enters into a nesting section 2130 of the channel 2120. This is because the nesting section 2130 has a greater height than the height of the entryway section 2129. Due to the biasing nature of the clip member 2200, as soon as the height of the channel 2120 increases, the clip member 2200 pivots back into its normal biased state by the first leg 2206 pivoting about the axis F-F while the second and third legs 2208, 2210 remain in contact with the top surface 2121 of the channel 2120.
Thus, the functionality and assembly of the frame apparatus 2000 is similar to the frame apparatus 1000 except there are minor differences in the structure of the various components, which will be better understood from reviewing the drawings which form a part hereof The clip member 2200 retains the stack within the rabbet 2110 in much the same way as described above. Specifically, the second and third legs 2208, 2210 within the second portion 2202 of the clip member 2200 compress the stack 2210 within the rabbet 2110. The hanging feature 2220 at the proximal end 2212 of the first leg 2206 is accessible for hanging the frame apparatus 2000 from a hanging element protruding from a wall. Furthermore, the clip member 2200 is configured to slide within the channel 2120 while mounted to the frame 2000 to assist in level hanging of the frame apparatus 2000 in a similar manner to that described above with regard to the frame apparatus 1000.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, it is desirable that two of the clip members 200, 2200, 3200 (the numeral 200 is used for the remainder of this discussion for the clip members, it being understood that the same description applies to all of the clip members) are used in any of the frame assemblies described herein. Furthermore, such clip members 200 should be located on opposite sides of the channel rather than adjacent sides of the channel to ensure that the clip members 200 adequately retain the stack within the rabbet of the frame. The top and bottom are the preferable locations so that the top clip member 200 can also be used to hang the frame apparatus from a wall as described herein.
Referring to
The clip members 4200 are similar to the clip members 200 except that they have an extended length so that they take up more of the linear length of the linear section of the channel within which they are mounted. This enables the clip members 4200 to be better suited for retaining the stack 4010 within the rabbet of the frame 4100. Thus, the clip member 4200 still has a first leg 4206 similar to the first leg 206 of the clip member 100. The first leg 4206 extends from a base portion 4203 to a distal end 4207. The edge of the first leg 4206 opposite the distal end 4207 forms a hanging feature 4220 for hanging the frame 4100 from a wall. Furthermore, the clip member 4200 has a second leg. 4208 extending from the base portion 4203 to a distal end 4209 and a third leg 4210 extending from the base portion 4203 to a distal end 4211. However, in this embodiment the second leg 4208 is connected to a fourth leg 4240 via an extender 4241 and the third leg 4209 is connected to a fifth leg 4242 via an extender 4243. The second and fourth legs 4208, 4240 and the third and fifth legs 4210, 4242 collectively form the stack retaining feature of the clip members 4200 because those legs contact the rear of the stack 4010 and secure it within the rabbet when the clip members 4200 are coupled to the frame 4100 as has been described herein above.
Referring to
The difference between the clip members 5200 and the clip members 4200 is that the length of each of the legs is increased. Thus, the structure of the clip member 5200 is identical to the structure of the clip member 4200, except each feature is longer. This again provides a potential for increased retention of the stack 5010 within the rabbet of the frame 5100. Furthermore, this increases the length of the hanging feature 5220 which better enables a user to ensure that a part of the hanging feature 5220 comes into contact with a hanging element protruding from a wall when it is time to hang the frame apparatus 5000 from a wall.
Although described herein as being a frame (such as one that is used to protect and display photographs or the like), the concepts described herein may also be applicable to a mirror. Thus, the stack 10 may simply be a mirror in some embodiments. Specifically, a mirror may be hung from a wall or vertical surface using one of the clip members described herein to facilitate a level hanging of the mirror. Such a mirror might be placed within a frame, and the clip members would be coupled to the frame in a similar manner to that which has been described herein above. Furthermore, any other apparatus aside from frames and mirrors, including without limitation shelves, storage boxes, cabinets, or the like that may be desirable to hang from a wall may be used in conjunction with the clip members described herein to facilitate a level hanging of that apparatus or object.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,851, filed Apr. 8, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4171117 | Prochaska | Oct 1979 | A |
4216597 | Kocina | Aug 1980 | A |
4420138 | Sobel | Dec 1983 | A |
4428135 | Sobel | Jan 1984 | A |
4458873 | Sutherland | Jul 1984 | A |
RE31799 | Paskerian | Jan 1985 | E |
4571866 | Cole | Feb 1986 | A |
4641441 | Roth | Feb 1987 | A |
4645165 | Raap | Feb 1987 | A |
4704814 | Astolfi | Nov 1987 | A |
5303895 | Hart | Apr 1994 | A |
5335434 | Shultz | Aug 1994 | A |
5441338 | Kane et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5947438 | Lemire | Sep 1999 | A |
6241210 | Brindisi | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6527244 | Kamenstein et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6962016 | Meyer | Nov 2005 | B1 |
7762517 | Leseman | Jul 2010 | B1 |
8458943 | Home | Jun 2013 | B2 |
9279538 | Wening | Mar 2016 | B1 |
20060218839 | Vineyard | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20070051023 | Bravo | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20100011602 | Houssian et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20130180142 | Kressin et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20130247401 | Miller | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20140026456 | Pirayesh | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140231611 | Svihilik | Aug 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
19900723 | Sep 1999 | DE |
Entry |
---|
Under the Roof Decorating, “How to Attach a Sawtooth Hook to a Frame” [online] (retrieved from the internet on Jul. 24, 2018) <URL http://www.utrdecorating.com/blog/how-to-attach-a sawtooth-hook-to-a-frame/>, Nov. 11, 2016 (Nov. 11, 2016); entire document, especially Figs. 1-2. US. |
International Search Report for Corresponding Application No. PCT/US18/35122, dated Aug. 23, 2018. WO. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20170290449 A1 | Oct 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62319851 | Apr 2016 | US |