Patent Application
20200375376
The present invention generally relates to the storage of hanging art and, more particularly, to a system that allows numerous pieces of art to be stored and displayed in a relatively small area.
Art conservation is a profession devoted to the preservation of cultural heritage for the future. Many cultural works are sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to light. They must be protected in a controlled environment where such variables are maintained within a range of damage-limiting levels. A conservator is typically employed to do so. The traditional definition of the role of the conservator involves the examination, conservation, and preservation of cultural heritage using “any methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original condition as possible, for as long as possible.” However, today the definition of the role of conservator has widened, and would more accurately be described as that of an ethical stewardship. The conservator applies some simple ethical guidelines, such as minimal intervention, the use of appropriate materials and methods that aim to be reversible to reduce possible problems with future treatment, investigation, and full documentation of all work undertaken. In order to maintain the ethical guidelines set forth, a conservator should employ methods and materials to ensure that the framed artwork is protected from harmful environmental factors, while not compromising its condition or integrity. Furthermore, no process used by the conservator should be irreversible. Additionally, the conservator must take into account several environmental factors such as light, heat, humidity, moisture, dirt and dust, as they can be harmful to artwork. Any amount of light is damaging to artwork over time. Colors will fade as a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays from natural and fluorescent sources alike. Paper absorbs high-energy photons which, through a chemical reaction, break down the paper over time and cause it to become brittle. Framed artwork should be kept away from sources of heat or water. Warm and moist conditions invite the growth of mold and bacteria. Moisture in the form of condensation can collect inside the framing if subjected to radical changes in temperature or humidity. Pollution in the atmosphere can combine with moisture in the air to form acids that will cause damage to works on paper. In addition, framed artwork should be stored upright, preferably in a hanging position; much like art is displayed in a museum and the manner in which the art was constructed to be supported.
It is also desirable to view stored art periodically. Thus, any art storage system should provide access to view the artwork without the need to remove cumbersome covers, boxes, crates or the like. It is also desirable to have art displays that allow the art to be simply pulled out for display or examination in groups, whereby one art display can be positioned behind or in front of another. In this manner, numerous pieces of art may be displayed to a group sitting or standing in a single position.
Finally, there are ergonomic needs that an art storage system must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user. The system must allow for artworks of various sizes to be secured to the storage system easily and quickly, using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the system should not require excessive strength to move the assembled storage in order to view or examine the artwork. Moreover, the system must assemble together in such a way so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the artwork itself.
Thus, the present invention provides an art storage system which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art storage systems. The art storage system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease in assembly and movement, it also permits various sized artwork to be secured to the art storage system without the need to reconfigure the art storage system.
Briefly, the invention involves a system for storage and display of artworks. The system includes at least one panel assembly that is moveably mounted from above on a pair of rails so that the panel hangs from the rails. The panel assembly includes a frame supporting perforated metal to allow artworks, such as paintings, to be hung adjacent to the panel from their original hanging mount. A plurality of the sliding panels may be positioned in a parallel spaced manner to allow the artworks to be closely positioned with respect to each other. Security walls may be positioned in close proximity to the panels when in a storage position to prevent unwanted access to the artwork. Viewing the art requires the panels to be pulled out one at a time to view the art on that panel.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an artwork storage system.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an artwork storage system that utilizes sliding panels suspended from above to eliminate floor tracking.
It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a unique track system to reduce sway and unwanted movement in the sliding panels as they are stored or moved.
It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a remote controlled artwork display system.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring generally to
A top portion of the frame assembly 12 includes a roller assembly 14 having a plurality of rollers 42. The rollers 42 are positioned on opposite sides of the frame assembly 12 to prevent sway of the frame assembly during movement or storage. The rollers 42 may be spaced further apart to provide stability as needed to stabilize the artworks during movement and storage. An axle member 44 may extend through or be supported by the frame assembly 12. The rollers 42 are constructed and arranged to roll on a top surface 46 of a pair of rail members 48 positioned on opposite sides of the frame assembly 12 so that a bottom surface 50 of said frame assembly 12 is supported above a ground surface. It should also be noted that the rollers 42 and the rail members, or rails, 48 may be reversed without departing from the scope of the invention. In this embodiment, the rails 48 would be positioned on both sides of the frame assembly 12, and the rollers 42 would be placed in fixed positions for the rails 48 to roll thereupon. In either embodiment, a top surface 46 of the rail members 48 includes a contour for causing the plurality of rollers 42 to be desirably positioned by the contour on the rail members 48. In a most preferred embodiment, one or both rail members 48 each include an inverted V-shaped top surface 46, and each of the top rollers 42 include a conjugate V-shaped outer diameter for cooperation with the rail members 48 to center the roller upon the rail. It should be noted that contoured shapes on the top surface of the rails may include shapes other than the V-shape that are suitable for locating or centering the rollers and may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Each roller assembly 14 also preferably includes a pair of lower rollers 54; each of said pair of lower rollers 54 positioned to cooperate with a respective bottom surface 58 of the pair of rail members 48 to prevent sway and lift of the panel assembly 12 during movement or storage. In a most preferred embodiment, the lower rollers 54 include a radiused contact surface 56. The radiused contact surface reduces friction and allows for misalignment between the upper rollers 42 and the lower rollers 54.
Referring generally to the Figs., and particularly to
Referring to
Referring to
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Any compounds, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
