US2401241A - Frame for miniature pictures - Google Patents

Description

FRAME FOR MiNIATURE PIc'mmEs Filed Malrc h 7, 1945 INVENTOR. Fan T fixes/W F. GROBHOLZ' r r 2,401,241

Patented May 28, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRAME FOR MINIATURE PICTURES Frank Grobholz, Astoria, N. Y.

Application March 7, 1945, Serial No. 581,397

4 Claims. v (Cl. 40-.-152.1)

This invention relates to a, frame for miniature pictures, and one of its objects is to provide a frame with a backing plate which can be locked in assembled relation to the frame, so as to hold the picture in display position therein, by a wire support or easel, which may be entirely detached from the frame to release the picture, or to open the frame for the insertion of a picture.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a frame for miniature pictures, which is provided with rearwardly extending lugs and a backing plate or sheet which is provided with lateral ears having openings to receive the lugs, and which can be locked in place by a, wire easel frame of U-shaped construction, which is formed with outwardly directed trunnions or terminals adapted to be inserted in openings of the lugs to confine the backing plate or sheet against the frame and hold the miniature picture in display position therein.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention relates to certain new and useful constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification, and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view, showing the parts of the improved frame completely assembled.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view, showing the separate parts in line for successive assembly.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, showing the easel folded.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified form.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the frame of the modified construction, shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrate the practical embodiment of the invention, 5 designates a picture frame, having vertical side bars 6 and 1, a top cross bar 8, and a bottom cross bar 9, united to establish a display opening l9. The bars are constructed with picture nesting shoulders I I, which may also receive a glass or plastic panel [2.

The side bars 6 and 1 are formed with hinge lugs 6a and 1a, each of which is formed with a bearing opening or hole I3. The portions of the side bars adjacent and above and below these hinge lugs are recessed at M to receive the lateral ears I5 of the backing plate or cardboard sheet I 6,

and each of these ears is formed with an opening l5a to receive one of the lugs. The body of the backing plate or sheet is constructed to neatly fit against the shoulders ll, so as to hold the picture and the transparent panel in place.

The transparent panel [2 is placed against the shoulders I l, the picture then placed against this panel, and the backing plate or sheet pressed against the picture. When this is done the hinge lugs will project through the slots or openings |5a of the lateral ears [50f the backing plate or sheet.

The parts are held in this assembled relation by means of a U-shaped wire easel frame 16', which includes the bottom cross bar I6a the side bars Ifib and 16c, each of which is formed with an outwardly directed terminal or trunnion ll. These trunnions are forced through the holes or openings [5a of the hinge lugs, and the lateral ears are thereby locked on the hinge lugs.

To release the backing and open the picture frame 5 the side bars 16b and I of the easel frame [6 are manually pressed toward each other, so as to completely detach the trunnions from the hinge lugs. When this is done the backing plate or sheet and any picture in the frame may be removed and a new picture placed in position.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the upper cross bar of the picture frame is closed, which requires that the backing plate or sheet be removed to admit the picture. But in Figs. 4 and 5 I show a picture frame having its upper cross bar 20 formed with a picture entrance slot 2|, so that the upper end of the backing plate 22, which fits in this slot or recess, may be slightly displaced from the frame, to permit of the insertion of the picture. The side bars 23 and 24 of the frame are formed with the connecting hinge lugs 23a and 24a, which are engaged by the lateral trunnions 25 and 26 of the U-shaped easel frame 21.

The side edges of the backing plate or sheet 22 engage the shoulders 22a and 22b formed in the side bars 23 and 24, which are located outwardly of the inner surface of the slot or recess 2|, so that the backing plate does not bind the picture, which, of course, is cut to the Width of the recess 2 I, so that its side edges do not overlap into the shoulders 22a, and 221).

In both constructions the ends of the easel frame provide the means for completing the assembly of the parts of the picture frame and the picture itself, and'of holding the parts coupled in safe condition, The pressure naturally developed by the cardboard or metal backing sheet against the trunnions of the easel frame creates friction against these trunnions, so that the easel frame will not swing too freely on the picture frame. This permits of the adjustment to various angular positions of the easel frame, to support the picture of the frame in the wanted display position, without danger of accidental shift- It will be also noted that the lateral pressure of the expanded U-shaped easel frame against the inner surfaces of the hinge lugs further creates friction which holds the frame at any desired angle.

When the picture frame is made from metal, plastic or similar material, the hinge lugs may be molded from the plastic material. When the frame is constructed from wood the lugs may be pressed out of the wood, or inserted in the wood.

It is understood that various changes in the details of construction, their combination and arrangement, may be made, within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims hereof.

Having described my invention, I claim as new:

1. A frame for miniature pictures, comprising a frame having side and end bars formed with shoulders providing a nesting seat for a picture, the side bars having recesses therein and hinge lugs located in said recesses, a backing sheet having lateral ears engaging the recesses and openings in said ears to receive the hinge lugs, and a Wire easel frame having lateral trunnions detachably engaging the hinge lugs to confine the backing sheet against the frame.

2. A frame for miniature pictures, consisting of side and endbars united to each other and providing a display opening for a picture, the

side bars having transverse recesses and hinge lugs located in said recesses and provided with openings, a backing sheet of cardboard disposed against the side and end bars and having lateral portions engaging the recesses and having openings to receive the hinge lugs, and a U-shaped wire easel frame having outwardly directed trunnions detachably engaging the openings of the hinge lugs and having frictional bearing against the backing sheet.

I 3. In combination, a picture frame having a picture display opening and side end bars, one of said end bars having a picture inserting recess extending through the same and the side bars backing plate in place on the frame.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, the easel frame consisting of a U-shaped wire part having outwardly directed trunnions adapted to slidably engage the openings of the lug and to have frictional bearing on the lateral ears of the backing plate.

FRANK GROBHOLZ.

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