Easel back having integral supporting structure

Claim 2

An easel back for supporting a photo frame, comprising, in combination, a rectangular backing member having lateral edges, a triangular supporting member having first, second and third edges, the first edge of the supporting member having a hinge connection with a lateral edge of the backing member, the hinge at the first edge of the supporting member being spaced inwardly from the adjacent lateral edge of the backing member and arranged parallel thereto to provide clearance for the cooperating edge of the frame when the backing member is inserted into the frame in and groove relationship, a triangular bracing member having first, second and third edges, the first edge of the bracing member having a hinge connection with the second edge of the supporting member, the hinge connection permitting the triangular members to be bent into tetrahedron shape with a projecting point of the tetrahedron defining a point of easel supporting which is behind the backing member and spaced inwardly from a lateral edge thereof, and means for anchoring the second edge of the bracing member to the central portion of the backing member to rigidfy the tetrahedron.

Claim 3

The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which a hinged tab is provided on the second edge of the bracing member and in which means are provided on the backing member for engaging the tab.

Claim 4

The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the central portion of the backing member has formed thereon an embossment defining a groove adjacent the plane of the backing member for receiving the tab.

Claim 5

The combination as claimed in claim 3 in which the bracing member has an aperture formed therein for matingly receiving the embossment when the supporting member, bracing member and tab are folded as a flat unit about the hinge on the first edge of the supporting member to lie flatly against the backing member for transport.

Claim 6

The combination recited in claim 2 in which the members are all formed of flexible plastic integrally with one another with the hinges being in the form of scorelines defining regions of reduced cross section for localized bending between the members.

Claim 7

The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the point of the tetrahedron projects behind the backing member and is spaced inwardly from both adjacent edges on the backing member by approximately the same amount for tilting support about either one of the adjacent edges.

Claim 8

The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the supporting member extends beyond the bracing member at the hinge between the two members so that the supporting member engages the supporting surface.

Claim 9

An easel back for supporting a photo frame, comprising, in combination, a rectangular backing member having lateral edges, a triangular supporting member having first, second and third edges, the first edge of the supporting member having a hinge connection with a lateral edge of the backing member, a triangular bracing member having first, second and third edges, the first edge of the bracing member having a hinge connection with the second edge of the supporting member, the hinge connection permitting the triangular members to be bent into tetrahedron form with a projecting point of the tetrahedron defining a point of easel support which is behind the backing member and placed inwardly from a lateral edge thereof, a hinged tab provided on the second edge of the bracing member, an embossment formed on the central portion of the backing member and defining a groove adjacent the plane of the backing member for receiving the tab to rigidfy the tetrahedron, said bracing member having an aperture formed therein for maTingly receiving the embossment when the supporting member, bracing member and tab are folded as a flat unit about the hinge on the first edge of the supporting member to lie flatly against the backing member for transport.

Claim 10

An easel back for supporting a photo frame, comprising, in combination, a rectangular backing member having lateral edges, a triangular supporting member having first, second and third edges, the first edge of the supporting member having a hinge connection with a lateral edge of the backing member, a triangular bracing member having first, second and third edges, the first edge of the bracing member having a hinge connection with the second edge of the supporting member, the hinge connection permitting the triangular members to be bent into tetrahedron form with a projecting point of the tetrahedron defining a point of easel support which is behind the backing member and placed inwardly from a lateral edge thereof, a hinged tab provided on the second edge of the bracing member, an embossment formed on the central portion of the backing member and defining a groove adjacent the plane of the backing member for receiving the tab to rigidfy the tetrahedron, said bracing member having an aperture formed therein for maTingly receiving the embossment when the supporting member, bracing member and tab are folded as a flat unit about the hinge on the first edge of the supporting member to lie flatly against the backing member for transport.

Claim 11

The combination as claimed in claim 8 in which the hinge at the first edge of the supporting member is spaced inwardly from the adjacent lateral edge of the backing member and arranged parallel thereto to provide clearance for the cooperating edge of the frame when the backing member is inserted into a frame in tongue-and-groove relationship.

Claim 12

The combination as set forth in claim 8 in which the members including the mating aperture and embossment are all molded of plastic integrally with one another with the hinges being defined by scorelines of reduced cross section between the members.

Claim 13

A photo frame and support assembly comprising, in combination, a rectangular frame defining grooves in the opposed edges thereof, a rectangular backing member having lateral edges for slidable tongue-and-groove reception in said grooves, said backing member having a supporting member hinged to the backing member and having a bracing member hinged to the supporting member with the supporting and bracing members having provision for locking in place to form a rigid outboard support for supporting the frame in tilted position along one of its edges, the members being formed of flexible material integrally with one another and the hinges being formed by scorelines defining regions of reduced cross section, the hinge between the backing member and supporting member being parallel to the adjacent lateral edge of the backing member but being offset inwardly from said lateral edge to permit free insertion of said lateral edge into the cooperating groove.

Claim 14

A photo frame and support assembly comprising, in combination, a rectangular frame defining grooves in the opposed edges thereof, a rectangular backing member having lateral edges for slidable tongue-and-groove reception in said grooves, said backing member having a supporting member hinged to the backing member and having a bracing member hinged to the supporting member with the supporting and bracing members having provision for locking in place to form a rigid outboard support for supporting the frame in tilted position along one of its edges, the members being formed of flexible material integrally with one another and the hinges being formed by scorelines defining regions of reduced cross section, the hinge between the backing member and supporting member being parallel to the adjacent lateral edge of the backing member but being offset inwardly from said lateral edge to permit free insertion of said lateral edge into the cooperating groove.