Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PA-93/2 1-PCT
-- 1 --
21786~
DescriDtion
Foldin~ Frame for a Poster
This invention relates to a fold-out frame for a
poster or some other planar structure, comprised of
several bars forming a polygon, each bar including a pro-
filed lower section providing a contact surface for the
poster, a bearing element providing a bearing axis, and a
profiled upper section pivotally supported on the bearing
element, in which the profiled upper section is biased
against the bearing element towards the center of the
poster by a spring element, such that with the frame
closed the spring element produces a torque causing clos-
ing of the profiled upper section, that the extended line
of action of the spring element passes through the bear-
ing axis when the rame is opened, producing an opening
torque, and in which the poster is clampingly held be-
tween the contact surface and the free edge area of the
profiled upper section when the bar is in the closed
pos ition
A fold-out frame of this type is known in the art
from D~-OS 20 62 466 Starting from an unstable inter-
mediate position, the pivotal profiled upper section, on
traversing this unstable position in the one direction of
rotation, reaches a closed position with a snap action in
which the poster is clampingly held in place, or an open
position in which the poster is ready for removal and re-
placement
In thi6 known frame it is considered a disadvantage
that the poster is in direct contact with the wall on
which the fold-out frame is located Because t~e
- 2 - PA-9~/21-PCT
217862~
arrangement does not provide for a rear ventilation of
the poster, the poster may become wavy or humid, in par-
ticular in cases where the frame is mounted outdoors. In
addition, there is the risk of rain water collecting in
the lower frame section, in which case the inserted
poster absorbs the liquid like blottin~ paper. The
poster becomes unsightly in no time, needing replacement.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present inven-
tion to improve upon a fold-out frame of the type ini-
tially referred to such that condensation of water due to
inadequate rear ventilation is avoided and to enE;ure that
the poster resists weather and the like for a time of
some length.
To accomplish this object, it is proposed according
to the present invention that the profiled lower section
include an inner bridge member projecting from the rear
side of the frame in particular perpendicularly to the
plane of the poster and providing at its free end the
contact surf ace .
While in the known fold-out frame the plane of the
poster is, 80 to speak, directly a~sociated with the
frame rear side as mentioned in the foregoing, in the
frame of the present invention this poster plane is main-
tained at a relatively large distance from the wall
carrying the frame, resulting in an adequate rear venti-
lation. As a result, any humidity on the wall or humid
air reaching behind the frame is prevented from having
the adverse effects, at least to a significantly lesser
extent than in the known f rame .
With the frame closed, the line of spring action ex-
tended beyond the spring element extends outwardly at
_ 3 _ PA-9~/21-PcT
217862S
inclination as seen when looking from the center of the
frame, proceeding from the viewing side of the frame in
the direction of its rear side. The geometrical bearing
axis of the profiled upper section, as seen when looking
from the ~ront, then lies behind the extended line of
spring action. This means that, on pivoting the profiled
upper section in the opening direction, the line of
spring action is displaced in the direction of the geo-
metrical bearing axis. Nith the profiled upper section
in a fully open position, the line of spring action is
approximately perpendicular to the plane of the frame.
As seen when looking again from the front, the geometri-
cal bearing axis ~hen lies in front of the line of spring
action. In this manner, closing and opening of each bar
with a snap action is accomplished when traversing the
unstable intermediate position in both the clockwise and
the anticlockwise direction.
By reason of the fact that the abutment gib of the
profiled lower section is then no longer in the rear
plane of the bar and is therefore prevented from directly
engaging a mounting wall for the folding frame, but
rather, is conveniently provided at the free end of an
inner bridge member extending transversely to the plane
of the frame in the direction of the profiled upper
section as disclosed in the invention, the poster is
spaced from the abutment surface of the bars with the
wall. This distance corresponds approximately to the
width of the inner bridge member, measured perpendicu-
larly to the plane of the f rame . The inner bridge member
extends in approximately the same direction as the
profiled lower section, extending from the profiled lower
section to the side pointing towards the frame center.
PA-93/21-PC~
-- 4
21~862~
In a further feature of the present invention, the
bearing gib includes a first contact surface for the
poster and, on the side close to the profiled upper sec-
tion, a second contact surface for a protective film or a
cover plate for the poster. In relation to the plane of
the frame, the6e two contact surfaces are thus disposed
in offset relation to each other which will be readily
understood because the poster is invariably beneath the
cover plate, if any. At all events, the frame provides a
suitable bearing or 6upporting surface for the outer edge
of a cover plate. Also, the poster may bear against the
first or the second contact surface. By virtue of the
action of the spring element(s), the poster is clamped in
place between the first or second contact surface and the
free end of the profiled upper section.
In a still further feature of the present invention,
the bearing gib has a U-shaped or arcuate cross-section,
with the free ends of the legs pointing in the direction
of the center of the frame. Rather than using a gib in
which the cross-section is reduced in a step-like
fashion, it is thus suggested to employ a bearing gib
with a preferably u-shaped cross-section which affords a
variety of advantages. One 6uch advantage results from
the conf iguration of claim 6 . According to this conf igu-
ration, the space between the legs of the U-shaped or
arcuate 6tructure i8 capable of receiving the edge area
of a poster rear wall, which is suitable in all cases
where the inherent stability of the poster is insuffi-
cient .
This invention further also relates to a bar of
which the fold-out frame is composed, and according to
the present invention, this bar is configured
5 PA-93/2l-pcT
217862~
accordance with at least one of the claims 1 to 17. In
special cases, a complete frame may be di6pensed with,
substituting a single bar mounted in particular
horizontally for holding a poster in its upper area. In
this arrangement, it is convenient if the bar can be
opened and closed in the manner described with ease and
speed, clamping the poster securely in place. In addi-
tion, arranging the clamping plane at a relative distance
to the abutment surface of the bar with the wall has an
advantageous effect in that a poster of sufficient stiff-
ness has an adequate rear ventilation also in cases where
a single bar is substituted for a complete frame.
Further suitable configurations of this fold-out
frame or its bars as well as the resultant advantages and
modes of operation will become apparent from the sub-
claims and the subsequent description of an embodiment.
This particular embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the
drawi ngs,
FIG. 1 is a view of a rectangular fold-out frame;
FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II-II of
FIG. 1 on a slightly enlarged scale; and
FIG. 3 is a section through one of the bars on a
still more enlarged scale.
In the embodiment shown, the fold-out frame is com-
prised of four preferably straight bars 1 to 4 which are
arranged at right angles to each other and are matched
together in a miter joint. Each of the bars 1 to 4
essentially includes a profiled lower section 5, a pro-
filed upper section 6, and at least one spring element '
~ - 6 - PA-93/21-PCT
217~625
The profiled lower and upper section6 5 and 6 are jointed
to each other by means of a pivot bearing 8 . The f rame
serves the function of clampingly holding in place a
poster 9, for example, or some other printed product. In
the absence of sufficient inherent stability, the poster
9 rests against a rear wall 10 ensuring the requisite
stiffness. In addition, a protective film 11 may be pro-
vided to protect the poster 9. The spring elements 7 may
be known ring elements including, for example, an oval
slotted ring having its two ends pointing towards each
other or, in the event of an overlapping configuration,
having the ring ends pointing in opposite directions.
Each spring element 7 bears against a spring rest 12
associated with the profiled upper section 6, and against
a spring rest 13 associated ~ith the prof iled lower sec-
tion 5. With the bar 1 closed and related to the center
of the frame, the line of action 14 of the spring element
7 extends, 80 to speak, from inside, front to outside,
rear, passing accordingly the pivot bearing 8 on the out-
side. When the profiled upper section 6 is s~vung in the
direction of the arrow 15 to open the frame or th~e bar l
for the purpose of inserting or removing a poster 9, the
line of action 14 of each spring element 7 of this frame
bar 1 is pivoted 80 as to pass through the geometrical
bearing axis 16 of the pivot bearing 8. As soon as the
line of action 14 intersects the geometrical bearing axis
16, the profiled upper section 6 is in a neutral or
unstable position. From this position, it is able to
continue its turning motion with a snap action in either
direction solely by virtue of the spring force.
As becomes readily apparent from FIG. 3, the geomet-
rical bearing axis 16 is arranged behind the extend~
7 PA-93/2l-pcT
217862S
line of action 14 of the sprlng element 7 when looking
from the front. With the frame in the fully open posi-
tion, the bearing axis 16 i8, of course, out6ide or in
front of the extended line of action 14.
The poster 9 bears again6t a fir6t contact 6urface
17 of a bearing gib 18 of the profiled lower 6ection 5 -
in the embodiment 6hown, it take6 6upport indirectly
through the rear wall 10. The po6ter i6 clampingly held
in place by the free edge area 19 of the profiled upper
6ection 6, the clamping action in thi6 embodiment being
equally effected indirectly through the protective film
11. The free edge area 19 of the profiled upper 6ection
6 include6 a pre66ure-contact bead 20 en6uring a perfect,
uniform and firm engagement of the profiled upper 6ection
6. To accompli6h thi6, the pre66ure-contact bead 20 may
be ela6tic. Above the pre66ure-contact bead 20, a longi-
~lrlin~l ly extending notch 21 i6 provided to permit the
application of a 6uitable opening tool. To prevent the
unauthorized removal of the po6ter 9, it 6hould not be
po66ible, or only with great difficulty, to open the pro-
filed upper 6ection 6 by hand.
The bearing gib 18 i6 at the free end of an inner
bridge member 22 of the bar 1, which bridge member ex-
tend6 orthogonally to the plane of the frame or po6ter.
Extending preferably parallel thereto i6 a gib 23 of the
profiled lower 6ection carrying the bearing element 24
a660ciated with the profiled lower 6ection 5. A6 appear6
from FIG. 3, for example, the cro66-6ection of the bear-
ing element i6 circular. The bridge member 22 and the
gib 23 are connected with each other by mean6 of a rear
abutment gib 25 which, a6 it6 name implie6, abut6 a wall
to which the frame i6 to be attached. The bridge memb^
~ - 8 - PA-93/21-PCT
2178625
22 and the two gibs 23 and 25 combine with an e1~tenslon
gib 26 of the gib 23 of the profiled lower 6ection to
form the essential elements of the profiled lower section
5, with the spring rest 13 that is associated with the
profiled lower section 5 being provided on the extension
gib 26, while the bearing element 24 is provided at the
f ree end thereof .
In addition to providing the first contact surface
17 hereinabove referred for direct and indirect engage-
ment of the poster 9, the bearing gib 18 further includes
a second contact surface 27 for engagement of the protec-
tive film lI or cover plate. Obviously, in respect of
the plane of the frame, it is necessary for this second
contact surface to be disposed at a higher level than the
first contact surface 17. In a particularly preferred
manner, the bearing gib 18 has in the embodiment shown a
U-shaped cross-section, with the free ends of the legs
pointing in the direction of the frame center. According
to FIG. 3, the legs 28 and 29 of the U-shaped structure
are of unequal length, the inward leg 28 being longer
than the outward leg 29 of the U. The inner bridge
member 22 extends approximately centrally from the rear
side of the inward leg 28. The two legs 28 and 29
combine with a cross-member 30 of the U-shaped structure
to provide a slotted seat 31 for the outer edge of the
rear wall 10. The leading edge of the poster 9 faces the
free end of the outward leg 29 of the U-shaped structure.
As results further from FIG. 3, the free end of the
prof iled upper section 6 f its with its pressure-contact
bead 20 over the outward leg 29 of the bearing gib 18,
thus enabling the bead 20 to be urged into pressure con-
tact with the poster 9 through the protective f ilm 11.
~ PA-93/21-PCT
217862~
The protective film 11 preferably has all of its
four sides angled, thi6 angle bend 32 fitting over the
cross-member 30 of the U-shaped bearing gib 18 preferably
at a small relative 6pacing, 90 that the protective film
11 is adequately centered relative to the profiled lower
section 5. In the embodiment shown, the angle bend 32 is
angled again in the oppo6ite direction, with its free end
33 then extending approximately parallel to the plane of
the frame or the rear abutment gib 25. In addition to
ensuring the aforementioned adequate centering and also a
good protection against the entry of rain water and the
like, this configuration of the protective film 11 or
cover plate also provides a good protection against
damage due to the action of wind and the like.
The inner bridge member 22, the gib 23 of the pro-
filed lower section extending preferably approximately
parallel thereto, and the rear abutment gib 25 extending
in particular perpendicularly to these two parts, combine
to form a hollow supporting structure which, in
combination with the bearing gib 18, makes sure that the
poster 9 is at a maximum possible distance from tlle abut-
ting plane 34 for the folding frame, whereby an adequate
rear ventilation is accomplished. In addition, if a
transparent or translucent rear wall 10 is selected
using, for example, milk glass, it is possible to provide
a lighting behind the glass pane enabling the poster 9 to
be back-lit.
As indicated in the foregoing, the bearing element
24 associated with the profiled lower section 5 is com-
prised of a gib extending in FIG. 3 perpendicularly to
the plane of the poster and having a circular cross-
section. It is directly formed integral with the f~ee
PA-93/21-PCT
-- 10 --
217862~
end of the extension gib 26. The bearing element 24
associated with the profiled lower section 5 has its out-
side embraced by the bearing element 35 of circular-arc-
shaped cross-section that is associated with the profiled
upper section 6. In the embodiment shown, the angle of
arc is 270, approximately, which is the reason why it is
necessary to push-fit the profiled upper section 6 onto
the prof iled lower section 5, that is, the bearing
element 24 associated with the profiled lower section 5,
in the direction of the bearing axis 16. As a re~ult,
the spring element(s) 7 pull(s~ the bearing shell onto
the bearing element 24 from outside, the bearing element
24 thus equaling a journal. The profiled upper section 6
is held captive on the profiled lower section 5.
The hollow supporting structure of the profiled
lower section 5 ref erred to in the above f orms with its
lower part close to the wall when in use a push-in groove
36 for the one angle leg of an angular corner connector
not shown whose other angle leg engages within the pu~h-
in groove 36 of the adjacent profiled lower section 5,
with both profiled lower sections 5 being mitered. The
push-in groove 36 is bounded relative to the outside by
two short projections 37 and 38.
