Frame

• US 4,862,612 A
• Filed: 02/09/1989
• Issued: 09/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yasunori Suzuki, Yoshichika Sugihara
• Original Assignee: Yasunori Suzuki, Yoshichika Sugihara
• Inventors: Sugihara, Yoshichika, Suzuki, Yasunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lynch, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/309,944
• Time in Patent Office: 208 Days
• Field of Search: 40/152, 40/152.1, 40/155, 40/156, 40/154, 403/401, 403/402, 403/403
• US Class Current: 40/782
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/101 for insertion within frame members
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/65 Miter joints

Abstract

Hollow frame members (1, 11), having openings (2, 12) to hold a picture along its longitudinal direction, and having connection faces (3, 13) cut to 45° at its ends, receive each insertable leg part of an L-shaped corner connection fitting (5, 15). The frame members (1, 11) connect to each other in perpendicular relationship to form a square form. One stage or two stage engaging means consisting of stoppers (6, 16) and stopper holes (4, 14) at the corner part of the frame members enable expansion of the frame surface, allowing for assembly or disassembly, and easier replacement of pictures. Spring parts or guides (7, 17) are formed on the corner connection fittings (5, 15), to eliminate looseness of the frame members, and to make insertion and withdrawal smoother. The stoppers (6, 16) can be formed as one body with the corner connection fittings (5, 15) with a resin having elasticity to make the manufacturing of the corner connection fitting easier. The frame is formed with a groundpaper base (18) at the opening part (2, 12) to make setting or changing of the puzzle or photo easier.

Claims

1. A frame to support a picture, comprising:

(a) frame members having a front edge, side edge and back edge, said edges forming a longitudinal opening to hold a longitudinal edge of the picture, said frame members having hollow end portions with connection faces at a 45°

angle, each of said frame members including a stopper hole within said back edge, said stopper hole being rectangular in shape and extending in a longitudinal direction of said frame member; and

(b) an L-shaped corner connection fitting having two legs, each leg being insertable in a frame member so as to connect said frame members in perpendicular relationship, said corner connection fitting having a first and second edge with an intervening central portion therebetween, one of said edges having a flange to guide insertion and withdrawal with respect to said frame member, each leg including a rectangular, longitudinal stopper having a length slightly smaller than the length of said stopper hole, said stopper being engageable within said stopper hole, a first end of said stopper being interconnected to said corner connection fitting as a unitary body with said corner connection fitting.

2. The frame according to claim 1, wherein said stopper includes a first and second engaging part, each part projecting outwardly by a different amount and being engageable with said stopper hole, wherein engagement of said first engaging part places adjacent frame members in an edge-to-edge relationship and engagement of said second part places a predetermined distance between adjacent frame members.

3. The frame according to claim 2, wherein said corner connection fitting includes a spring part formed upon each of said legs of said corner connection fitting, said spring part touching an inside surface of said frame members.

4. The frame according to claim 2, wherein said frame member includes a groundpaper base proximate said longitudinal opening, said groundpaper base being integral and of one body with said frame member.

5. The frame according to claim 1, wherein said corner connection fitting includes a spring part formed upon each of said legs of said corner connection fitting, said spring part touching an inside surface of said frame members.

6. The frame according to claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a groundpaper base proximate said longitudinal opening, said groundpaper base being integral and of one body with said frame member.

7. A frame to support a picture, comprising:

(a) frame members having a front edge, side edge and back edge, said edges forming a longitudinal opening, said frame members having a groundpaper base interconnected to and parallel with said back edge to hold a longitudinal edge of the picture, said frame member having hollow end portions with connection faces at a 45°

angle, each of said frame members including a stopper hole within said back edge, said stopper hole being rectangular in shape and extending in a longitudinal direction of said frame member; and

(b) an L-shaped corner connection fitting having two legs, each leg being insertable in a frame member so as to connect said frame members in a perpendicular relationship, said corner connection fitting having a first and second edge with an intervening central portion therebetween, each leg including a longitudinal stopper having a length slightly smaller than the length of said stopper hole, said stopper being engageable within said stopper hole, said stopper extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to said leg and frame member, a first end of said stopper being attached to said corner connection fitting as a unitary body, wherein an opposite second end of said stopper is movable to allow disengagement of said stopper from said stopper hole in said frame member.

8. The frame according to claim 7, wherein said stopper includes a first and second engaging part, each part projecting outwardly by a different amount and being engageable with said stopper hole, wherein engagement of said first engaging part places adjacent frame members in an edge-to-edge relationship and engagement of said second part places a predetermined distance between adjacent frame members.

9. The frame according to claim 8, wherein said corner connection fitting includes a spring part formed upon each of said legs of said corner connection fitting, said spring part touching an inside surface of said frame members.

10. The frame according to claim 7, wherein said corner connection fitting includes a spring part formed upon each of said legs of said corner connection fitting, said spring part touching an inside surface of said frame members.

11. A frame to support a picture, comprising:

(a) frame members having a front edge, side edge and back edge, said edges forming a longitudinal opening, said frame members having a groundpaper base interconnected to and parallel with said back edge to hold a longitudinal edge of the picture, said frame members having hollow end portions with connection faces at a 45°

angle, each of said frame members including a stopper hole within said back edge, said stopper hole being rectangular in shape and extending in a longitudinal direction of said frame member; and

(b) an L-shaped corner connection fitting having two legs, each leg being insertable in a frame member so as to connect said frame members in a perpendicular relationship, said corner connection fitting having a first and second edge with an intervening central portion therebetween, one of said edges having a flange to guide insertion and withdrawal with respect to said frame member, each leg including a rectangular longitudinal stopper having a length slightly smaller than the length of said stopper hole, said stopper being engageable within said stopper hole, said stopper attached integrally as a unitary body to said corner connection fitting at a first end, said stopper including a first and second engaging part, each part projecting outwardly by a different amount and being engageable within said stopper hole, wherein engagement of said first engaging part places adjacent frame members in an edge-to-edge relationship and engagement of said second part places a predetermined distance between adjacent frame members wherein an opposite second end of said stopper is movable to allow disengagement of said stopper from said stopper hole of frame member.