Expanded Composite Picture Frame

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to picture frames, and in particular to an improved expanded composite picture frame.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As herein employed, the term "composite picture frame" is intended to define a picture frame having inner and outer frame components directly interlocked with one another. Prior art examples of such picture frames are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,651,867 (Prew), 3,408,759 (Rotheraine et al) and 3,579,886 (Hughes). The purpose of the outer frame component is primarily decorative, its function being to provide an ornamental border around the inner frame component. There are limits, however, to the widths of the ornamental borders which can be achieved with this technique. Expanded composite picture frames were developed in order to overcome this problem. The term "expanded composite picture frame" is intended herein to define a picture frame having inner and outer frame components held in a mutually spaced or expanded relationship by an intermediate filler piece. An example of a prior art expanded composite picture frame is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,623,316 (Knox). The Knox arrangement provides a wide decorative border around the inner frame component, with the majority of the border width being supplied by the relatively inexpensive filler piece. This represents a decided cost advantage as compared to composite picture frames having wide outer frames which are more expensive and difficult to manufacture.

Thus far, however, the potential advantages of expanded composite picture frames have not been fully realized due to a number of problems including lack of structural rigidity and difficulty of assembly.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved expanded composite picture frame which obviates the problems noted above.

A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of an expanded composite picture frame which is structurally rigid and easy to assemble.

In a preferred embodiment to be hereinafter described in greater detail, these as well as other objects and advantages are achieved by providing an expanded composite picture frame having an inner first frame component surrounding a display opening, the said first frame component having a channel-shaped cross-section formed by a first side wall with parallel first flanges extending inwardly therefrom. Conventional means, including a front transparent protective panel of glass, plexiglass or the like and a back insert panel cooperate with the first frame component to retain a picture in the display opening. An outer second frame component surrounds the first frame component. The second frame component is likewise provided with a channel-shaped cross-section formed by a second side wall with parallel second flanges extending inwardly therefrom. The relative sizes of the first and second frame components are such that there exists a marginal space therebetween. This marginal space is occupied by an intermediate filler piece having its inner edge connected to the first side wall of the inner first frame component and its outer edge held between and decoratively overlapped by the second flanges of the outer second frame component.

Preferably, the inner edge of the filler piece is provided with locking ears which protrude inwardly into apertures in the first side wall, thereby establishing a convenient and secure interlocking relationship between these two components.

The outer edge of the intermediate filler piece is preferably provided with an upturned lip which fits tightly beneath one of the second flanges on the outer second frame component.

Again preferably, the intermediate filler piece is covered by a decorative planar piece arranged between the aforesaid upturned lip and the first wall of the inner first frame component.

These features, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description and the accompanying drawings, both of which refer to preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with portions broken away of one embodiment of an expanded composite picture frame in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternate embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a typical means for interlocking the ends of the frame components.

One embodiment of an expanded composite picture frame is generally depicted at 10 in FIG. 1. The frame 10 includes an inner first frame component 12 surrounding a display opening 14. The first frame component 12 has a channel-shaped cross-section formed by a first side wall 12a with parallel first flanges 12b, 12c extending inwardly therefrom.

The frame component 12 preferably is fabricated in a single continuous length, with the flanges 12b, 12c being appropriately notched to provide mitered corners 16. When the frame component is bent into the straight-sided configuration illustrated in the drawings, the opposite ends of the frame component 12 may be joined by any conventional means, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 4 as comprising a tongue 12d at one end having a receiving slot 12e therein, and another tongue 12f at the opposite end dimensioned to be received in slot 12e and having a detent 12g arranged to interlock behind tongue 12d.

Although not shown, it will be understood that the rear flange 12c as well as a portion of the first side wall 12a are relieved in order to accommodate slidable insertion of the following conventional components in the display opening 14: a front transparent protective panel 18 of glass, plexiglass or other like material; a picture 20; and, one or more appropriate planar filler piece 22.

It will be understood that the term "picture" as herein employed is intended to encompass not only typical photographs, snapshots and the like, but also any other documentary-type materials conventionally displayed in frames of the type herein under consideration.

An outer second frame component 24 surrounds the inner first frame component 12. The second frame component 24 is likewise provided with a channel-shaped cross-section formed by a second side wall 24a with parallel second flanges 24b, 24c extending inwardly therefrom. The second frame component also is preferably fabricated as a single continuous length which is notched at intervals to form mitered corners 16, with its ends being interconnected by the means typically illustrated in FIG. 4. The relative sizes of the first and second frame components 12, 24 are such that there exists a marginal space "s" therebetween.

The space "s" is occupied by a planar intermediate filler piece 26. The inner edge of filler piece 26 is connected to the first side wall 12a and the outer edge of the filler piece 26 is decoratively overlapped by the outer second frame component 24.

Preferably, the filler piece 26 has integrally formed locking ears 28 protruding inwardly into appropriately positioned slots or apertures 30 in the first side wall 12a. The locking ears 28 and the apertures 30 cooperate in providing an interlocking relationship which securely holds the first frame component 12 along the inner edge of the filler piece 26. It will be understood that the first frame component 12 is preferably fabricated of light gauge metal with sufficient inherent resiliency to permit it to be snapped into place in the display opening 14 within the confines of the filler piece 26.

The outer edge of the filler piece 26 is preferably provided with an upturned lip 32. Although the lip 32 is illustrated as being continuous around the entire periphery of the filler piece, it can if desired be discontinuous in order to conserve material. The vertical dimension of the lip 32 combined with the thickness of the filler piece 26 is such that the top edge of the lip 32 is held tightly beneath the flange 24b on the outer frame component 24. Also, the back peripheral surface of the filler piece 26 is tightly contained beneath the other flange 24c on the second frame component 24. The net result is a tight fit achieved by assembling the outer frame component 24 around the outer periphery of the filler piece 26.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front surface of the filler piece 26 is covered by an additional planar decorative piece 34. The inner edge of the piece 24 is arranged to abut against the first side wall 12a, and the outer edge of piece 26 is arranged to be tightly overlapped by the flange 24b which also overlaps the top edge of the upturned lip 32.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to eliminate the additional decorative piece 34. This can be accomplished by reversing the intermediate filler piece 26 as shown in FIG. 3.

In light of the foregoing, it will now be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a novel and improved expanded composite picture frame embodying a number of significant advantages. For example, assembly of the picture frame can be accomplished entirely by hand without the need of special tools, jigs, fixtures and the like. Nails, screws and other like fasteners are not required. Once assembled, all of the frame components are securely interlocked in a tight assembly characterized by structural rigidity and a neat appearance, with all functional fastening and interlocking elements hidden from view.

Typically, the inner and outer frame components 12, 24 will be fabricated from a light-gauge highly polished metal, whereas the filler piece 26 and the additional decorative piece 34 will be fabricated of different materials. Typically, piece 26 will be molded from a commercially available plastic. The piece 26 may be either transparent, translucent or opaque, the only requirement being adequate rigidity. The additional decorative piece 34 need not be particularly rigid since it is adequately supported by the filler piece 26. Hence, piece 34 may comprise a more delicate material such as a thin layer of cork, or a relatively thin paper covered by silk, velour or the like. These examples are merely illustrative of the wide range of materials and fabrics which may be employed to produce highly decorative frames in a wide variety of ornamental motifs.

It is our intention to cover all changes and modifications to the invention herein chosen for purposes of disclosure which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.