Corner protectors for framed artwork

Abstract

A unit manufactured for the purpose of protecting the corners of framed artwork during transport and storage. This unit is comprised of four, padded, three-dimensional, fabric corners, which are attached to each other with elastic. The padded corners slip onto the corners of frames and remain in place, due to the stretched elastic, while the art piece is being moved or stored. The padding of the corners is comprised of poly-fill batting much like that used in bed comforters. The material used on the interior of the corners is a soft, fleece, which will not mar or damage the frame in any way. This unit provides simple, lightweight, durable and convenient protection for framed artwork and aids in maintaining the value of the frames.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/358,575, filed Feb. 21, 2002. The invention referred to under the provisional application mentioned above was at that time known as ArtGuard. However, the trademark of ARTGARTERS is now associated with this item and the inventor has applied to register this trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trade Office, application filed Feb. 16, 2003 under U.S. Ser. No. 78215452. These two names refer to one in the same; this information is provided for clarification for the benefit of the reviewer hereof

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patent Documents

[0002] 1 3955677 May, 1976 Collingwood 206/453 4134496 January 1979 Smith 206/453 4385698 April 1982 Goguen 206/586 4598825 July 1986 Wiley et al. 206/453 4496054 January 1985 Koltun 206/586

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0004] Not Applicable

[0005] 1. Background of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to devices that are configured to be attached to the corners of framed art which offer protection against damage to the frames. Traditional devices of this nature are usually single units attached to each corner of the frame, are most often removable objects, and are made of products that can cause wear and tear to frames when they are removed and replaced again and again. These known products are sometimes stapled or nailed to the back of frames to avoid attaching and replacing, but the act of the permanent attachment, in itself, damages the artwork. Additionally, over time, these products will degrade to a point that replacement is required. The present invention more particularly addresses the issues of damage prevention, convenience of use and durability.

[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Arts

[0008] It is recognized in the field of visual arts that corners of framed artwork are very susceptible to damage when art pieces are transported and/or stored. When damage occurs, art loses value and at times must be reframed at a financial loss to the artist. Damage of this nature most often occurs when transporting or storing artwork. In the past, various types of materials, such as cardboard (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,955,77 and 4,598,825), paperboard (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,385,698 and 4,134,496), and/or polystyrene foam (U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,054), have been used to offer the needed protection to frame corners. Although these materials seem incapable of damaging the frames, over time the frames can and do become worn or scratched from continuous contact with these products. Additionally, traditional corner protectors are offered as an individual product (U.S. Pat. No 3,955,677); each corner protector is a separate unit so the act of protecting corners is an action that repeats itself four separate times per frame. A device made of softer material that can be utilized as a single unit would greatly improve the protection quality and offer a substantial savings in time required to apply traditional protectors

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide better protection to framed art objects and to do so in a fashion that is more efficient to traditional applications. As traditional materials such as cardboard and styrofoam are degradable materials, another object of the present invention is to provide a longer lasting product, reusable again and again, that in itself is made of a compressible material so that storing these items is an act that can be made without worrying about breakage, bending or damage to the product.

[0010] This invention is described as: four separate, padded, fabric, triangular, 2-sided corners connected to each other with one-quarter inch elastic to create a single connected item. The item by function and look resembles a traditional garter, therefore the trademark of ARTGARTER has been utilized. This item then covers the corners of rectangular, framed artwork in such a way as to protect the frame corners from becoming damaged. Each fabric corner cups or envelopes each corner of a frame, and is stabilized by the elastic running along the frame to the next corner. Once attached to all four corners of the frame, the tension from the elastic keeps the invention stationary during transport. No further attachment is required such as stapling or taping.

[0011] The invention is constructed by layering three types of fabric together in a stacking fashion. The first layer is a 4-ounce polyester fiber-fill batting material. Next, a stronger canvas type material is laid with the right side facing up, and the third layer, a soft fleece, is placed face down against the canvas material. The three layers described above are stacked and simultaneously cut into a prescribed triangular shape.

[0012] Construction begins by machine sewing the three triangular layers together on the 90 degree corner side with a seam of approximately ⅜ inch. The fabric layers of the triangle are then turned inside out so that the right sides of the fabric are turned outward. The triangle is then folded in half with the outside, top fabric folded together. A seam is sewn along the raw edges of the triangle. The triangle is then turned right-side out to create an open, three dimensional pocket or cup, which slips over the corner of a frame. Prescribed lengths of elastic are cut and attached to the tips of the triangles so as to attach each protective corner to the next corner until four corners are completed to form one unit. This invention has proven to be a reliable, useful, durable, and functional product that is easy to use.

[0013] The fleece is the portion of the invention which comes in contact with the frame. The fleece is the type used for constructing nightwear and is made of a very soft, fluffy pile. Unlike other materials used in the manufacture of frame protectors, this item does not need to be stapled, or attached in a harsh way, to protect the frame. It is constructed of soft fabric, which absolutely will not mar, rub or damage the frame in any way when it is applied and removed. The ease and gentleness of applying this product is such that the framed artwork can be left in a hanging position on a wall or exhibit booth and the item can be attached and detached effortlessly.

[0014] Once completed, the invention is able to be used on a variety of frame sizes. As an example, the smallest size available fits frames 11×14 thru 16×20.

DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0015] A fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view as the invention looks prior to attachment to artwork.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view as the invention looks when attached to artwork.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the frame and constructed materials of each fabric corner as it sits when attached to the frames.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a view from the side when attached to a framed object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1 the four triangular corners 12 represent the padded pockets, which will provide protection to the frame corners. The lines 14 between the corners represent one-quarter inch elastic that is attached to the tips or ends of each corner.

[0021] The next FIG. 2 shows the invention as it appears when attached to a frame 16. The four padded corners 12 attach snuggly to the corners of the frame. The elastic 14 is now represented in a stretched fashion as it stabilizes the padded corners to the frame.

[0022] A cross-section of the invention as it appears on the frame 16 when attached is represented in FIG. 3. The padded material 20 is seen on both the front and back of the frame thus providing protection on both sides. The fleece liner 18 is the fabric that comes in contact with the frame itself The outer material 22 is located on the outside of the invention and it consists of a more durable fabric since it's contact with other items will be more harsh and durability is a required feature of this fabric.

[0023] In FIG. 4, a view is provided from the outer edge of the frame 16. This view simply shows the elastic 14 in the stretched fashion as it appears when the invention is applied to artwork; when in place, the elastic is positioned along the entire outer edge of the frame.

Claims

1. A frame protector device comprising of:

(a) four, three-dimensional corner covers for framed artwork;

(b) the corners of which are padded with layers of materials, the center one being a polyester fiber batting;

(b) four padded corners connected together by one-quarter inch elastic attached to the tip of each corner to form one functional device; and

(b) material of the interior of the three-dimensional corner is comprised of a soft fleece material which will not in any way mar or damage the framed artwork.

2. A frame protector device as described in claim 1 that can be attached to framed artwork without the need for any other device to stabilize the unit.

3. A fabric frame protector device as described in claim 2 that is washable, crushable, durable, lightweight, and easy to attach and detach from framed artwork to promote the safety of transporting or storing such framed artwork.