Corner clamp for a picture frame

• US 4,676,686 A
• Filed: 08/21/1986
• Issued: 06/30/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valco/Valley Tool & Die Incorporated 10020 York-Theta Drive Northroyalton
• Original Assignee: Valco/Valley Tool & Die Incorporated 10020 York-Theta Drive Northroyalton
• Inventors: Eisenloffel, Adolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundrat, Andrew V.
• Application Number:
  US06/898,634
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 403/401, 403/402, 403/292, 403/295, 40/155
• US Class Current: 403/402
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/101 for insertion within frame members
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/102 having an aperture to receive a fastener to connect to a frame member
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/65 Miter joints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/555 Angle section

Abstract

A clamping device for holding framing members of a metal picture frame in fixed rectangular relation, is described as being formed of lightweight steel and having an L-shape formed of two legs, each of which is U-shaped. Means coacting between the device and framing members are provided to secure the device in place where it holds a pair of adjacent framing members in mitered relation.

The clamping device is also utilized to clamp a picture frame holder to one of the framing members.

Claims

1. A clamping device used in connection with a picture frame that is comprised of framing members, each of which has a channel that is defined by a bottom wall, a pair of parallel sidewalls extending from the bottom wall, and a pair of flanges with an opening therebetween extending from the sidewalls in parallel relation with the bottom wall, the device comprising:

(a) a pair of legs at right angles to each other to form an L-shaped device, each of the legs having a U-shaped cross-section, the legs being dimensioned to matingly fit in the channels of adjacent, mitered framing members and being slidable therein, the legs resting against the bottom walls of the members; and

(b) means coacting between the legs and adjacent framing members for securing the legs within the channels of the members, the means including, (i) a pair of aligned pinholes in adjacent walls of each leg and channel, and (ii) a resilient lock spring having a pair of opposing ends for mating reception in the aligned pinholes to secure the legs to adjacent framing members such that the members are clamped together in mitered relation.

2. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein the pinholes are in shorter innerwalls of the legs and channels closest a picture when mounted in the frame, and the lock spring is generally L-shaped and has a circular cross-section and formed of spring steel, the spring being shaped such that portions of the spring contact inner walls of the legs, when the spring is in interlocked relation with the legs and framing members.

3. A clamping device used in connection with a picture frame that is comprised of framing members, each of which has a channel that is defined by a bottom wall, a pair of parallel sidewalls extending from the bottom wall, and a pair of flanges with an opening therebetween extending from the sidewalls in parallel relation with the bottom wall, the device comprising:

(a) at least one leg which has a U-shaped cross-section which is in inverted relation to the adjacent flat bottom of the channel when the leg is in the channel, the leg being dimensioned to matingly fit in the channel and being slidable therein;

(b) means coacting between the at least one leg and adjacent framing member for securing the leg within the channel of the member, the means including an opening in the leg for threadably receiving a threaded screw which is rotatable in the opening into and out of engagemant with the flat bottom of the channel to move the leg into compressive engagement with the flanges; and

(c) means coacting with the leg by which the picture frame can be hung on a vertical flat surface, such as a wall.

4. The clamping device of claim 3, wherein the frame hanging means includes a hanger extending from the leg and shaped to partially wrap around and engage an adjacent flange and extend therefrom and terminate at a distal end which has an opening therein.

5. A clamping device used to clamp together in rectangular mitered corner relationship, a plurality of metal picture framing members, each of which has a rearwardly facing channel, relative to the face of a picture in the frame, that is defined by, (i) a flat bottom wall parallel to the face of the picture, (ii) a pair of flat, parallel sidewalls extending rearwardly from the bottom wall and picture face at right angles from the bottom wall, and (iii) a pair of planar flanges connected to the sidewalls in parallel relation with the bottom wall in farther spaced relation from the picture face than the bottom wall, the flanges having a longitudinally extending opening between them, the device comprising:

(a) an L-shaped plate for reinforcing each mitered corner of the frame, the plate being positionable in the channels of adjacent framing members and having two legs at right angles to each other, each leg having a U-shaped cross-section which is matingly configured and inverted to face the picture face so as to fit in close proximity to the sidewalls and flanges of the channels, each leg having an opening between the flanges in spaced relation from the bottom wall; and

(b) a threaded screw threadably engaged in each opening and rotatable therein to and from the bottom wall, each screw having a threaded portion which is longer than the spacing between the flanges and bottom wall, so that the screw can engage the bottom wall and force the legs away from the bottom wall into compressive engagement with the flanges.

6. A clamping device used to clamp together in rectangular mitered corner relationship, a plurality of metal picture framing members, each of which has a rearwardly facing channel, relative to the face of a picture in the frame, that is defined by, (i) a flat bottom wall, (ii) a pair of flat, parallel sidewalls extending at right angles from the bottom wall, and (iii) a pair of planar flanges connected to the sidewalls in parallel relation with the bottom wall, the flanges having a longitudinally extending opening between them, the device comprising:

(a) an L-shaped plate for reinforcing each mitered corner of the frame, the plate being positionable in the channels adjacent framing members and having two legs at right angels to each other, each leg having a U-shaped cross-section which is matingly configured to fit in close proximity to the bottom wall and sidewalls of the channels, each leg having a pinhole for axial alignment with an identical pinhole in the sidewall of the channel closest the picture when a picture is in the frame and the plate is properly positioned in the channels; and

(b) a resilient lock spring composed of spring steel, and having a cross-section and a generally L-shape, the spring having a pair of opposing ends which are positionable in the opposing pinholes to lock the plate to the adjacent framing members when the ends are resiliently moved apart and allowed to snap back into the pinholes.

7. A clamping device used to clamp together in rectangular mitered corner relationship, a plurality of metal picture framing members, each of which has a rearwardly facing channel, relative to the face of a picture in the frame, that is defined by, (i) a flat bottom wall, (ii) a pair of flat, parallel sidewalls extending at right angles from the bottom wall, and (iii) a pair of planar flanges connected to the widewalls in parallel relation with the bottom wall, the flanges having a longitudinally extending opening between them, the device comprising:

(a) a plate positionable in the channel of a framing member, the plate having a U-shaped cross-section which is matingly configured to fit in close proximity to the sidewalls and flanges of the channel, the plate having an opening between the flanges in spaced relation from the bottom wall;

(b) a threaded screw threadably engaged in the opening and rotatable to and from the bottom wall to engage the bottom wall and force the plate into compressive engagement with the flanges; and

(c) a hanger extending from the plate and curved to partially wrap around and engage on adjacent flange, the hanger terminating at a free distal end which is spaced from said flange and has an opening therein.