US3811214A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-purpose picture frame
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-16
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1991-11-16
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a picture frame which may be assembled without the aid of tools and whose internal configuration provides various slots or grooves to secure a picture therein in several positions, e.g., front or rear floated, front or rear matted; combinations of these; shadow boxed etc. Corner pieces are disclosed which include sliding bar means and snap-in means for quick assembly of the sides of the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 R Tate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:53
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/06; A47G1/10; A47G1/0605; A47G1/101; A47G1/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
In a picture frame assembly wherein four frame elements, are joined at adjacent corners to form a rectangular frame, each of the frame elements having a generally flat outer portion defining the periphery of the frame when assembled and each having inwardly extending parallel sides connected to said outer portion, the improvement comprising each frame element having a first rib connected to said outer portion spaced internally of one of said sides parallel thereto, a second rib also connected to said outer portion spaced internally of the other of said sides parallel thereto, each rib including a bead projecting inwardly therefrom to define an horizontal groove between said bead and the internal surface of said outer portion, a corner locking member having flat legs perpendicularly joined along one edge, each leg having a thickness no greater than that of the horizontal grooves formed by the beads such that a leg of said locking member may be slidably received within said grooves to be held with respect to said frame element, aperture means defined in said outer portion of each said frame element adjacent to corner forming edges thereof, and a locking element carried by each leg of said corner locking member for sequential and selective insertion into said aperture means without the use of tools, enabling quick assembling of adjacent corner forming edges of said frame elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a picture frame assembly wherein four frame elements, are joined at adjacent corners to form a rectangular frame, each of the frame elements having a generally flat outer portion defining the periphery of the frame when assembled and each having inwardly extending parallel sides connected to said outer portion, the improvement comprising each frame element having a first rib connected to said outer portion spaced internally of one of said sides parallel thereto, a second rib also connected to said outer portion spaced internally of the other of said sides parallel thereto, each rib including a bead projecting inwardly therefrom to define an horizontal groove between said bead and the internal surface of said outer portion, a corner locking member having flat legs perpendicularly joined along one edge, each leg having a thickness no greater than that of the horizontal grooves formed by the beads such that a leg of said locking member may be slidably received within said grooves to be held with respect to said frame element, aperture means defined in said outer portion of each said frame element adjacent to corner forming edges thereof, and a locking element carried by each leg of said corner locking member for sequential and selective insertion into said aperture means without the use of tools, enabling quick assembling of adjacent corner forming edges of said frame elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
The picture frame improvement according to claim 1 wherein said locking element is an arcuate rod slidably received in openings in each leg of said corner locking member, lug means carried by said locking element to prevent withdrawal of said element from said member, said arcuate rod having a length sufficient to cause the ends thereof to be flush with the outer surface of the periphery of the frame when assembled in its corner locking position, said arcuate rod being slidable with respect to each leg of said corner locking member so as to be flush with each said leg during slidAble assembly of said leg into said horizontal grooves of said frame elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The picture frame improvement according to claim 1 wherein said locking element is a lug shaped to coincide with a mating opening in one of said frame elements, and each leg of said locking member is resiliantly flexible and capable of thrusting and holding each said lug within one of said frame openings upon coincidence of lug and opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The picture frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein one of said ribs defines a relatively narrow vertical groove between it and the adjacent side and the other of said ribs defines a relatively wide vertical groove between it and the adjacent side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The picture frame assembly according to claim 4 wherein said grooves have a predetermined width for receiving edge portions of sheet framing material including artwork, glass, matting and stiffeners in various combination for locating said artwork including a front matted, a front floated, a rear matted, a rear floated and a shadow box combination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |