US2539167A - Picture frame - Google Patents

Description

J. N. SCISM PICTURE FRAME Jan. 23, 1951 Filed May 12, 1947 FIG. 4

Imventor l3 JOHN NIVER SCISM,

Patented Jan. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PICTURE FRAME John Niver Scism, Baltimore, Md.

Application May '12, 1947, Serial No. 747,51).

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to decorative ornaments and particularly to a picture .holder of durable construction provided with a supporting member which not only supports a picture, surrounded by a decorative frame, but enables the picture to be arranged at various angles so that it can be most effectively observed regardless of whether it be placed i an elevated position .a room, such as on a mantlepiece, or upon a low table.

Therefore an object of this invention is to .provide .a picture holder having a supporting mem ber which holds the picture in place within decorative border or frame and tilted at the correct angle for proper observation.

The above and additional advantages and features of the invention are described and claimed in the following specification and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of the picture holder of this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the base;

Figure 3 is a front view of the decorative border with the supporting member attached;

Figure 415 a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed fragmentary cross-section of a modified form; and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a modified form of clamp, shown partly in cross-section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the decorative border or frame of the picture holder is indicated by the reference numeral 1 in the central portion of which there has been provided a recess having a shoulder 9 and an inwardly extending wall la from which projects a short flange 8 at substantially right angles to the wall 1a. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the border or frame is made of a single piece of stamped metal, but it is to be understood that any suitable material may be used, such as plastic, or other material formed in the manner shown. Furthermore, the frame is shown in the shape of an oval, but it may be rectangular, or irregularly shaped if desired. Similarly, while the recessed portio is shown in oval shape, it may be rectangular, or irregularly shaped.

The picture which it is desired to place in the holder is indicated by the reference numeral 10, and is fitted into the recessed portion. A thin layer of any resilient material H, such as felt, may be placed between the picture and the flange 8 to constitute a rear mat or backing for the picture. A marginal mat or border l2 of conventional pattern may be placed in front of the picture, and a .suitable piece of glass l3, or other transparent material may be placed over the mat 12. A clamp l4, constituting a front clamping ring and shaped to fit within the recessed portion of the border i when suitably secured in place, holds the picture Iii, with its felt backing ll, mask l2, and glass 13 withinthe recess. The felt backing l i also equalizes the pressure of the flange 8 against the picture.

A supporting member I5, made of a strip of flat metal preferably, fits against the back of the inwardly extending flange 8. The clamp [*4 is provided with threaded holes Hi 'to receive the bolts I1. Openings are also provided in the glass [3, mask [2, picture ID, felt backing H,'fiange 8, and supporting member -l5, in alignment with the holes it, to allow passage of the bolts H. When the device is assembled the heads of the bolts 11, bearing against the supporting member 15 will, draw up the clamp M to press against the intervening elements, thus holding the border 1, and the picture I0, in place.

A base It is provided with pads l9 made of a soft material, such as neoprene or felt, so as not to scratch or mar surfaces upon which the base may rest. The base maybe formed of a single piece of stamped metal, and is provided with an arcuately shaped depression 20 in its upper surface. In a threaded hole I8a at the bottom of this depression is fitted the threaded shank 2| of a vertically projecting thumb screw and which thumb screw has a knurled head portion 24. Formed integrally with the supporting member I5 is a backwardly extending arcuate leg 22 which is shaped to cooperate with the arcuately shaped depression 20, and enables the border to be tilted forward and back to provide the proper angle for viewing the picture. A slot 23 is cut in the arcuate leg in a lengthwise direction to accommodate the shank 2| of the thumb screw. In this relation the head 24 bears against the top surface of the arcuate leg 22 to position it in the depression 20.

A modified form of clamp is shown in detail in Figure 5. In this case, the clamp I4 is recessed at its sides at Ma and is thus spaced from the adjacent retaining wall of the frame. When the clamp is drawn up by the bolts H the rim 25 abuts against the shoulder'S of the border 1, and prevents excessive pressure being applied to the picture ID and its associated elements ll, l2, and I3. Furthermore, the recessed portion [4a enables the clamp to readily adapt itself to an easy adjustment within the frame.

Still another form of clamp is shown in Figure 6. As can be seen, this form of clamp is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, with the base 26 of the U forming the inner portion of the clamp, while the arms of the U provide outwardly extendin flanges 21, and 28, at the front and the back, respectively, of the clamp. Threaded holes l6 for the bolts I 1 are provided only in the back flange 28 so that when the clamp is in place the front flange 21 will present a smooth and pleasing appearance to the eye.

A flat strip of metal 29 is attached, by spot welding or other means, to the back of the border 1 near the top. The ends of the strip are turned back and provided with holes to form the ears 30. If desired, the base [8 may be removed from the support by removing the thumb screw 2|, in which case the picture holder may be hung from a hook on a wall by means of a wire strung through the ears 30.

I claim:

1. A picture holder comprising in combination, a frame provided with a recessed portion having an inwardly extending flange extending transversely of said recessed portion and adapted to receive a display sheet, a clamp fitting within said recessed portion in front of said display sheet, a supporting member adapted to fit the back of said flange, adjustable securin means extending through said supportin member said flange and at least a portion of said clamp to hold said frame and said display sheet in place upon said supporting member.

2. A device of the character disclosed in claim 1 in which a resilient backing material is provided between said clamp and said flange to equalize the pressure exerted. by said flange against the display sheet.

3. A picture holder comprising in combina tion, a frame provided with a recessed portion, the front portion of said recess forming a shoulder and the rear portion of said recess having an inwardly extending flange extendin transversely of said recessed portion and adapted to receive a display sheet, a clamp fitting within the recessed portion of said border in front of the display sheet, the front of said clamp being provided with a laterally extending rim adapted to abut against said shoulder, means threaded in said clamp and extending through said supporting member said flange and at least a portion of said clamp to hold said frame and the display sheet in place upon said supporting member.

4. A device of the character disclosed in claim 3 in which a resilient backing material is provided between said clamp and said flange to equalize the pressure exerted by said flange against the display sheet.

5. A picture holder having a tiltably positionable base comprising in combination, a frame provided with a recessed portion having an inwardly extending flange extending transversely of said recessed portion and adapted to receive a display sheet, a clamp provided with spaced laterally extending flanges at the front and at the back and fitting within the recessed portion of said frame in front of said inwardly extending transverse flange, a supporting member adapted to fit the back of the inwardly extending flange in said recess, securing means threaded in the back flange of said clamp and extending through said supporting member and said transversely extending flange to hold said frame and the display sheet in place upon said supporting member.

6. A device of the character disclosed in claim 5 in which a resilient backing material is provided between said clamp and said inwardly extending flange to equalize the pressure exerted by said flange against the display sheet.

JOHN NIVER SCISM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,220,418 Hawkes Mar. 27, 1917 1,338,781 Levy May 4, 1920 1,758,627 Sweitzer May 13, 1930 1,965,668 Ringwald July 10, 1934 2,190,557 Connell Feb. 13, 1940

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