Device for removably fastening a picture to a board

• US 6,484,996 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Benjamin F. Astell
• Original Assignee: Benjamin F. Astell
• Inventors: Astell, Benjamin F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARSH, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/782,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 248/466, 248/489, 248/475.1, 248/497, 248/455, 248/467, 407/57, 407/58
• US Class Current: 248/466
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/1613 and being adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/1653 for connecting to a surface other than a flat wall, e.g. room corner, ceiling, window

Abstract

A device for removably fastening a picture to a board or the like is disclosed. The device includes a frame which defines an opening for holding the picture, the frame having a front and a back face, a top and a bottom edge and a first and a second side. A fastener is disposed between the back face of the frame and the board, the fastener having a first and a second end, the first end of the fastener defining a board engaging portion for pressing into the board. The second end of the fastener includes a head which removably cooperates with the back face of the frame. The arrangement is such that in use of the device, when the picture has been inserted into the opening in the frame, the frame is fastened to the board by pressing the board engaging portion of the fastener into the board and fastening the head of the fastener to the back face of the frame.

Claims

1. A device for removably fastening a picture to a board, said device comprising:

a frame defining an opening for holding the picture, said frame having a front and a back face, a top and a bottom edge and a first and a second side;

a fastener disposed between said back face of said frame and the board;

said fastener having a first and a second end, said first end of said fastener defining a board engaging portion for pressing into said board;

said second end of said fastener including;

a head which removably cooperates with said back face of said frame, the arrangement being such that in use of said device, when the picture has been inserted into said opening in said frame, said frame is fastened to the board by pressing said board engaging portion of said fastener into the board and fastening said head of said fastener to said back face of said frame;

said frame being of rectangular configuration;

said opening being of rectangular configuration;

said frame being of translucent plastic construction;

an elongate rail having a first and a second extremity, said rail being secured to said back face of said frame, said rail defining a channel for the slidable captive reception therein of said head of said fastener, the arrangement being such that when said head of said fastener is captured within said channel, said frame is fastened to the board by inserting said board engaging portion of said fastener into the board;

a further fastener defining a further board engaging portion;

said further fastener including;

a further head;

a further elongate rail having a further first and a second extremity, said further rail being secured to said back face of said frame, said further rail defining a further channel for the slidable captive reception therein of said further head of said further fastener, the arrangement being such that when said further head of said further fastener is captured within said further channel, said frame is fastened to said board by inserting said further board engaging portion of said further fastener into the board;

said rail being disposed adjacent to said top edge of said frame;

said further rail being disposed adjacent to said bottom edge of said frame;

a first and a second stop disposed adjacent to said first and second extremity of said rail for preventing said fastener from sliding out of said channel;

a further first and a second stop disposed adjacent to said first and second extremity of said further rail for preventing said further fastener from sliding out of said further channel;

said first and second stops of said channel and further channel being rubber caps;

said rail and said further rail being permanently secured to said back face of said frame;

said rail and said further rail being secured to said back face of said frame by adhesive;

said fastener further including;

a shank of rectangular cross sectional configuration, said shank being offset relative to said head for permitting the support of a relatively heavy frame and for preventing rotation of said fastener relative to said rail; and

said fastener being a pin in which said first end thereof defines a point, said point removably cooperating with the board which is a corkboard.