Connecting device for frame members of frame

• US 7,313,880 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daisan Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daisan Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Yamagishi, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERAA, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US10/893,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20050016047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 407/82, 407/79, 248/479
• US Class Current: 40/782
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/0611 the profiles having clamping action; Elongated clips
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/10 Corner clips or corner-connecting appliances for frames
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/1044 Display boards therefor

Abstract

A connecting device for frame members of a frame which facilitates setting and replacement of a showpiece to the frame particularly by devising how to attach a corner member and a frame member is provided. A connecting device for connecting each corner portion of a plurality of frame members constituting a frame such as a picture frame, a poster frame, a jigsaw puzzle frame, and so on is constituted of: a base to which an end portion of each of the frame members is attached to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction thereof; a locking means attached to the base for locking each frame member in an inwardly closed state; and a corner member with a smoothed corner which forms each corner portion of the frame, wherein the corner member is swingably attached to the base. The present invention can also employ all or part of a closing stop means for stopping the frame member at a predetermined position when it is closed to the base; an opening stop means for stopping the frame member at a predetermined position when it is opened from the base; and a stop means for stopping the frame member at a predetermined position when it is closed.

Claims

1. A connecting device for frame members of a frame for connecting each corner portion of a plurality of frame members constituting a frame, said connecting device comprising:

a base to which an end portion of each of said frame members is attached to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction thereof;

a locking means attached to said base for locking said each frame member in an inwardly closed state; and

a corner member with a smoothed corner which forms each corner portion of said frame, wherein said corner member is swingably attached to said base.

2. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, wherein said corner member is configured to be automatically opened when said corner member is released by the end portion of said frame member.

3. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, wherein said corner member has an arresting piece arrested to the end portion of said frame member, and engagement between the arresting piece and the end portion of said frame member is not released when said corner member and said frame member are opened.

4. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, further comprising, between said frame member and said base, a closing stop means for stopping said frame member at a predetermined closed position, said closing stop means being a stopper piece which is provided to protrude from said base and butts against said frame member.

5. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, further comprising, between said frame member and said base, an opening stop means for stopping said frame member at a predetermined open position, said opening stop means comprising a pivotal attachment recess of said frame member and an extended portion for forming on said base a hinge shaft portion for pivotally attaching the pivotal attachment recess thereto.

6. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing said frame member that is pivotally attached to a hinge shaft portion from slipping off in an axial direction from said hinge shaft portion, said means being provided between said hinge shaft portion and said frame member.

7. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, wherein said base is provided with an abutting portion to which the end portion of said frame member butts.

8. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, further comprising, between said base and said corner member, an opening stop means for stopping said corner member at a predetermined open position, wherein said opening stop means is constituted of an engaging tongue piece attached to said corner member and having an engaging portion at a tip thereof and an engagement guide portion provided on said base for guiding and arresting the engaging tongue piece.

9. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 1, further comprising, between said frame member and said base, an opening stop means for stopping said frame member at a predetermined open position, wherein said opening stop means is constituted of an engaging portion provided at a tip of a partition of said frame member and an arresting piece provided to protrude in a horizontal direction on said base to engage with the engaging portion.

10. A connecting device for frame members of a frame for connecting each corner portion of a plurality of frame members constituting a frame said connecting device comprising:

a base to which an end portion of each of said frame members is attached to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction thereof;

a locking means attached to said base for locking said each frame member in an inwardly closed state; and

an opening stop means for stopping said frame member in an open state, wherein said locking means is constituted of an accommodating hole provided in said base in a horizontal direction and having engaging portions, a locking plate slidably inserted in said accommodating hole, locking portions provided at tips of an arrow shape are engaged with the upper side of said frame members, and arresting portions provided at said locking plate for engaging with said engaging portions;

wherein said opening stop means is constituted of a pivotal attachment recess provided at said frame member, a hinge shaft portion for pivotally attaching the pivotal attachment recess thereto, and an extended portion provided on said base for making said hinge shaft.

11. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 10, wherein said opening stop means is constituted of an engaging projection provided on a pivot guide portion of said base and an engaging portion provided inside a tip of a partition of said frame member to engage with the engaging projection at a predetermined open angle.

12. The connecting device for frame members of a frame according to claim 10, wherein said opening stop means is constituted of an engaging portion provided at a tip of a partition of said frame member and an arresting piece provided to protrude in a horizontal direction on said base to engage with the engaging portion.