Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FRAMING SYSTEM FOR SECURING AND DISPLAYING
FLAT SHEET MATERIALS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a framing system for mounting and
displaying thin-flat sheet materials, such as posters or the like. Further the
present
invention relates to a kit including the framing system and a poster.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, poster or other ~aeet materials are sold in stores without any
frames. It is sometimes difficult to provide an adequate frame for such a
poster that is
relatively compact and easy to assemble.
Frames for posters are known in the art. For example, such frames are
shown in United States Patent Nos. 5,515,629; 4,986,013; 4,512,095; 4,176,480;
and
4,129,953. The prior art does not provide a framing system that is simple to
assemble
and disassemble.
It is desirable to provide a frame that can easily be assembled and
disassembled. With this type of system, the framing system can be marketed and
delivered to a buyer in such a manner so as to require very little space.
Further, the
frame system can be assembled without the need for any tools. It is also
desirable to
provide a kit including a package having the framing system therein and also
including the thin flat sheet material, such as a poster which is to be
secured and
displayed by the frame.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a frame system
for mounting or displaying a poster or other sheet material. The system
comprises a
plurality of frame members adapted to be secured together to form a base
structure.
The system further comprises a plurality of separate clamping members adapted
for
independent detachable connection with the base structure to retain the poster
between
the base structure and the clamping members.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame system for
mounting and displaying a poster that can easily be assembled and which when
unassembled requires relatively little space.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame system
having clamping members that are detachable from the base structure to retain
the
poster or sheet material between the clamping members and the base structure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame system
that is easily to assemble and does not require a rigid backing member.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame system
that is easily to assemble and does not require any tools in the assembly
process.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kit including
a container, frame members, clamping members and the sheet material, which kit
is
compact, allowing for easy marketing or storage.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein
like
designations denote like elements, and:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a framing
system of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the framing system of Fig.
1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of adjacent ends of the framing members
of Fig. 1 showing the mortise and tenon joint between the frame members;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled mortise and tenon
joint of Fig. 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 5-5 line of Fig. 1;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a framing
system of the present invention;
Figure 7 is an exploded, perspective view of the framing system of Fig.
6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of adjacent ends of the framing members
of Fig. 6 showing the mortise and tenon joint between the frame members;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 9-9 line of Fig. 6;
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Figure 10 is perspective view of a first embodiment of a protective
canister of the invention, showing certain parts of the framing system of Fig.
1
enclosed therein;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective
canister of the invention, showing certain parts of the framing system of Fig.
1
enclosed therein;
Figure 12 is an exploded, perspective view of another alternate
embodiment of the framing system;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of adjacent ends of the framing
members of Fig. 12 showing the mortise and tenon joint between the frame
members;
1 S Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of the assembled frame members of
the frame system of Figure 12; and
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled mortise and tenon
joint of Fig. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to the embodiment of Figs. 1-5, and in particular to Fig.
1, there is shown a framing system 20 that comprises a base structure 22, a
clamping
structure 24, and a translucent, protective covering 26, all of which can be
assembled
together to mount and display a poster or other sheet material 28.
Referring now also to Fig. 2, the base structure 22 comprises four
elongated frame members 31-34. Poster 28 has a rectangular shape, and
therefore two
of the frame members will be greater in length than the remaining two. Each
frame
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member 31-34 extends linearly between a pair of inwardly angled ends 36. Each
angled end 36 fits together with an adjacent, complementary end 36 to form a
right
angle, as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The frame members are secured into
their right
angle arrangement by means of a tenon 38 which mates with a mortise hole 40 in
the
adjacent frame member. It should be noted that the outer periphery retains a
sharp
right angle, while the inner periphery is tapered (as indicated at 42) for
increased
structural cohesion. This mortar and tenon joint is capable of preserving the
structural
rigidness needed in the absence of a solid backing. The top surfaces of the
frame
members thus provides flat front surfaces on which the poster or other sheet
material
is secured.
The clamping structure 24 comprises four clamping members 45-48
that clamp the translucent cover 26 and poster (or other displayed object) 28
between
the clamping members and base frame members. Each of the frame members 31-34
has one or more receiving holes 50. These receiving holes are capable of
receiving
and securing complementary clamping pegs 52 which extend downward from the
clamping members, as seen in Figs. 2 and 5. Once assembled, the base structure
22
provides a rigid framework which supports and retains the translucent cover 26
and
displayed object 28 in place.
In addition to receiving holes 50 in the base frame members 31-34,
both the translucent covering 26 and displayed object 28 have a plurality of
complementary clearance holes 54. In this layered manner, the assembled base
structure 22 is placed first with its receiving holes 50 upwardly exposed. The
displayed object 28 is laid on top of the base structure 22 so that all of its
clearance
holes 54 line up with the receiving holes 50. The translucent protective
covering 26 is
laid on top of the displayed object 28 in a similar manner. Lastly, each
clamping
member 45-48 is placed onto its corresponding frame member 31-34. The clamping
pegs 52 then pass through the aligned holes 54 of the protective covering and
the
display object, and are press fit into the receiving holes 50 in the frame
members. In
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this manner, the base structure 22 and clamping structure 24 together firmly
clamp the
two thin objects into place, as can be seen in Fig. 5.
Turning now to Figs. 6-9, there is shown a second embodiment which
is similar to the first embodiment, except that no protective cover is used
and the
clamping members snap into channels formed in the frame members. In
particular,
the framing system 60 shown in Fig. 6 includes a base structure 62 and
clamping
structure 64 that snap together to mount and retain a displayed object 66 in
place. As
depicted in Fig. 7, the base structure 62 is formed from frame members 71-74,
each of
which has a unitary extended shoulder 76 that, together with a ledge 78 of the
frame
members, forms a channel 80 running the length of each frame member. The ledge
78
provides a flat front surface for receiving the poster or other sheet
material. The
clamping structure 64 is formed from four smaller clamping members 81-84 that
can
have a cross-sectional shape similar to quarter-round or shoe molding. The
clamping
members have mitered ends 86 and are sized to fit into the channels 80 of the
frame
members.
As in the first embodiment, the frame members 71-74 each have one or
more holes 86 that received corresponding pegs 88 extending from the backside
of the
clamping members 81-84. The displayed object has corresponding clearance holes
90
through which the pegs 88 extend.
When the base structure 62 is assembled, the displayed object 66 can
simply be laid onto the ledges 78 and the shoulder portions 76 of the
assembled frame
members will help align the receiving holes 90 of the displayed object 66 with
the
receiving holes 86 of the frame members. This simplifies assembly for the
user.
Fig. 10 depicts the individual components of a first embodiment of a
protective canister assembly 100 of the present invention. Protective canister
100
comprises several components: the canister body 102, canister endcaps 104 and
106,
and identifying labels 108 and 110. The canister body 102 is a generally
rigid,
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translucent, cylindrical tube that is open at each end. The canister body 102
is
preferably constructed of a durable, translucent plastic. This allows the
contents of
the canister (and in particular the displayed object) to be easily identified
while also
being protected. The canister body has a diameter which is large enough to
avoid
overly constricting the rolled contents. In addition, it's diameter must be
able to
accommodate the disassembled base structures 12, 62 and clamping structures
14, 64.
If the diameter is too narrow, the contents will be rolled too tightly or will
crush the
framing and clamping members into the displayed object, possibly causing
creases,
tears or other permanent damage. The diameter will be dictated by the general
size of
its contents. The cylinder 102 must have a minimal length equal to or greater
than the
longest dimension of its contents, which will generally be the longer base
frame
members.
The endcaps 104, 106 are also of a durable plastic material, but are not
translucent. The endcaps slide over top of the canister body 102, and
therefore require
a diameter slightly larger than the canister. Endcaps which fit into, as
opposed to over
top of, the canister body could possibly crush the edges of the contents and
are not
preferred. The endcaps slide over top of the canister until they are
obstructed from
sliding further due to the rigid circular backing attached to the back of each
endcap.
Once in place, the endcaps in combination with the cylinder will enclose the
contents
and prevent them from sliding out.
Referring to Fig. 11, there is shown a second embodiment of a
protective canister of the invention. This embodiment is similar to that of
Fig. 10,
except that it includes a stopper 112 on the inside of the canister, towards
the top.
This stopper 112 is similar to an endcap, but is designed to fit on the inside
of the
canister. The stopper has a slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter
of the
canister body to provide a tight fit. The stopper rests on top of the contents
of the
canister and creates a separate volume 114 between the contents and the top
endcap.
Since the longest object within the canister will be the longest base frame
member,
there is no worry of damaging the rolled displayed object. This volume 114 can
be
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used to store and display memorabilia or other objects desired by the user.
For
example, if the displayed object were a baseball related poster, it would be
appropriate
to put a memorabilia baseball within the confined volume. Similarly, an action
figure
116 can accompany a superhero poster. In this embodiment, the protective
canister
would remain the same, with the exception of the stopper and perhaps a
lengthened
canister body, to accommodate the addition of the confined volume 114.
Figures 12 through 14 show another embodiment which is similar to
the second embodiment except that the mortise and tenons are slightly
modified.
Specifically, as can be seen in Figure 12, framing system 60' shown in Figure
12
includes a base structure 62' and clamping structure 64' that snap together to
mount
and retain a displayed object 66' in place. As best seen in Figure 12, the
base structure
62' includes two side frame members, 73', 74', a top frame member 71' and a
bottom
frame member 72'. Each of the frame members has a unitary extending shoulder
76'
that, together with a ledge 78' of the frame members 71'-74' forms a channel
80'
running the length of each frame member. The ledge 78' provides a flat front
surface
for receiving the poster or other sheet material.
The clamping structure 64' is formed from four smaller clamping
members 81'-84' that can have a cross-sectional shape similar to quarter-round
or shoe
molding. The clamping members 81'-84' have mitered ends 87' and are sized to
fit
into the channels 80' of the frame members 71'-74'.
As with the second embodiment, the frame members 71'-74' each have
one or more holes 86' that receive corresponding pegs 88' extending from the
backside
or underside of the clamping members 81'-84'. The displayed object has
corresponding clearance holes 90' through which the pegs 88' extend. Securing
of the
poster or other sheet material is as discussed above.
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In the first two embodiments discussed above, the mortise and tenons
have a configuration such that each frame member 31-34 and 71-74 has a mortise
40
on one end thereof an a tenon 38 on the other end thereof. Complementary ends
of
the frame members are aligned and the respective frame members are secured
into
right angle arrangement by means of inserting the tenon 38 in the
corresponding
mortise 40.
Further, as shown best in Figures 3 and 8, the tenon 38 and mortise 40
each extend generally in the same direction as the angled end 36 of the frame
member.
This arrangement is best seen in Figure 4. As seen, the tenon 38 extends
outwardly
and generally perpendicularly from the angled surface of the end 36 of the
frame
member. Similarly, the mortise extends inwardly and generally perpendicularly
from
the angled surface 36 of the adjacent frame member.
In the alternate embodiment of Figures 12-14, the tenon 38' and
mortise 40' joint is slightly modified. First, tenons 38' are each located on
the same
frame member. As shown, the tenons 38' are located on the side frame members
73',74'. The mortises are each located on the top and bottom side frame
members
71',72', respectively. It will be appreciated, however, that the tenons 38'
could be
located on the top 71' and bottom 72' side frame members and the mortises on
the side
frame members 73',74'.
Further, the tenons 38' and mortises 40' extend at an angle relative to
the angled surface of the end of the frame member. As best seen in Figure 15,
the
tenon 38' extends in a direction generally perpendicularly to the axis of the
side frame
member 73'. The corresponding mortise extends generally parallel to direction
of the
complementary bottom side frame member 72'. When the tenon 38' is secured in
the
mortise 40', the frame members are secured to form right angles as in the
first and
second embodiments discussed above.
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As with the first two embodiments described above, the clamping
members 81'-84' are retained in position only by their connection to the base
frame
members via the pegs 88' and corresponding holes 86'. That is, the clamping
members 81'-84' are independent members and preferably do not interconnect at
their
respective ends. The respective ends of the clamping members 81'-84' are
mitered so
as to provide a relatively tight fit between adjacent ends of the clamping
members 81'-
84'. Thus, the clamping members in each of the embodiments are detachably
connected to the base frame members. With the clamping members configured in
this
manner, there is provided a quick and simple way of framing a poster. Because
the
clamping members are detachable, the framing system can easily be dismantled
and
stored in a relatively small space. Similarly this arrangement allows for the
poster to
easily be changed.
Also, as best viewed in Figures 12 and 14, the tenon 38' and mortises
40' may each include a receiving hole 86' therethrough for receiving a
clamping peg
88' on the respective clamping member. With a connection made in this manner,
the
clamping members 81'-84' serve the further purpose of securing adjacent frame
members together. It will be appreciated that while not specifically shown in
the
figures, this arrangement can also be used with the first two embodiments
described
above.
It should be noted that the invention could be implemented in a number
of different ways that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For
example, the
pegs could be placed on the frame members and the receiving holes on the
clamping
members. Alternatively, the pegs and holes can alternate on the respective
frame
member and clamping member. Further, a protective cover can be used in any of
the
embodiment discussed above. Further, magnetic strips could be used to replace
the
pegged clamping members, with each magnetic strip being attached to one of the
extended ledges opposite a metal strip or complementary magnetic strip located
on the
corresponding clamping member. Also, a different type of jointing system could
be
used to secure the right angle corners. For example, the corners can comprise
dove
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tail joints that can be assembled and disassembled by sliding the dovetails of
one
frame member into and out of engagement with the corresponding dove tails of
the
adjacent frame member. As will now be appreciated, the framing system
described
herein provides a frame structure without the need for a solid backing, and
provides a
canister arrangement for packaging and subsequent storage of the framing
system and
displayed object.
