Frame fender

Abstract

A corner protector, frame fender used to protect, during shipment or moving, a frame, piece of glass or any other generally rectangular object, comprising a relatively square, flat base of corrugated cardboard or paperboard which has a plurality of pre-scored, spaced lines along one diagonal, and is pre-cut along the other diagonal from the corners to the outside scored lines, able to be folded into one of a plurality of possible thicknesses, to fit the corners of the object to be protected.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moving framed pieces of art, pieces of glass or other rectangular objects which are fragile requires protection for the objects, whether the move is a local move or a long-distance move. Boxes are available in which to pack these objects but protecting the four corners of each object, whether it be a painting or a piece of glass is important. No convenient way to protect the corners of various sized objects has yet been devised because there are so many sizes to contend with, from 1″ thick to 5″ thick, or more, and every size in between. In addition, there are many types or styles of frames such as slick chrome, baroque plaster, wood and many others.

There are some corner protectors available in the market, such as polystyrene corner protectors and prefabricated paperboard corners. However, these available corners are not adjustable and come in one size only. They are available in various sizes, which must be purchased separately, depending on the size needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant's invention comprises a relatively square piece of corrugated cardboard or paperboard. It is pre-scored and pre-cut to be folded into a protective slip-on corner. Optionally, there is a strip of tape attached to the corrugated cardboard to hold the folded corner protector or frame fender together and make a snug-fit to the corner of the frame. The tape may also be included as a separate item.

Applicant's corner protector is designed to fit a plurality of different thicknesses of frames, from about 1″ to about 5″ thick, as well as all of the sizes in between. The user will measure the thickness of the object to be protected and then can then fold and assemble the corrugated cardboard corners to fit exactly the size required, so that the corner protectors fit tightly on the corners of the object to be protected and will not fall off. Four corner protectors are normally used to protect the object (one placed on each corner). Once the protective corners are attached, the object is placed into a crate or box, ready for shipping or moving.

Applicant's corner protectors protect the frame and/or the art or glass from being damaged while transporting it from one location to another. Each corner must be cushioned to take up the shock and stress that is taking place while moving or shipping such items.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable corner protector for the frame of a picture, a piece of glass or other rectangular object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single corner protector which is adjustable by folding to a variety of sizes, so that the corner protector fits snugly on any sized object to which it is applied.

These, as well as other objects of the invention, will become obvious from the following description in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the corner protector of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a depiction of a person cuttting the corner protector to size;

FIG. 3 is a depiction of the corner protector being folded on the score lines;

FIG. 4 depicts the folding of half of the corner protector to create the corner shape;

FIG. 5 depicts the final folding of the corner protector and the placing of tape; and

FIG. 6 depicts the completed corner protector being placed on a picture frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a relatively square, flat base of corrugated cardboard or paperboard 10 having a series of scored or serrated lines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 which are located on the diagonal 32-34 of cardboard base 10. The space between each of the scored lines, 12-30 may be any thickness of frame, such as 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch or 5 inch. As shown, the distance between, for instance scored line 12 and scored line 22, is one inch. The distance between scored lines 14 and 24 is two inches, between lines 16 and 26 is three inches, between lines 18 and 28 is four inches and between lines 20 and 30 is five inches.

On the opposite diagonal from corner 36 to corner 38, cardboard base 10 is cut completely through from each corner 36, 38, to the outside scored lines 20 and 30. In use, the person shipping an object, such as a frame, piece of glass, etc., would measure the thickness of the object to determine the thickness of the corner protector needed. As shown in FIG. 2, the thickness desired is 3 inches. The user or shipper 52 would use a knife or box cutter 54 to cut through base 10 along lines 40, 42 up to scored lines 16, 26 which would create a thickness to fit a frame of 3 inches. Base 10 is pre-cut along diagonal lines 40, 42 up to the outer scored lines 20, 30, so that the user or shipper only needs to cut diagonal lines 40, 42 a short distance, from the outer scored lines to the desired thickness.

As shown in FIG. 3, after the cuts are made along diagonal 40, 42, four triangular sections 44, 46, 48 and 50 are created which are folded vertically up at the score lines 16, 26, from the flat cardboard square 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, triangular sections 44 and 50 are then laid back down flat and triangular sections 46 and 48 are folded forward to rest on the flat portion of base 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, triangular sections 44 and 50 are then folded up to a vertical position, to lie adjacent to triangular sections 46 and 48, creating a double thickness, protective, corrugated, corner frame fender of the thickness desired for the object to be protected. A piece of adhesive tape 52 may be used to hold the frame fender together. Tape 52 may optionally be pre-attached to the back of base 10 at the proper location to be used after the frame fender is folded, with a peel-off protective strip over the exposed adhesive. Other methods may be used to hold the folded frame fender together, such as gluing each triangular section to the adjacent section or using double-sided tape.

FIG. 6 depicts a painting 54 in a frame 56 with a frame thickness 58 on which one frame fender has been placed. Four frame fender corner protectors would be used to properly protect the frame of the painting from damage during shipping or moving.

The frame fenders may be made from standard corrugated cardboard or paperboard or other materials that may be easily cut and folded as described herein.

Claims

1. A corner protector used to protect, during shipment or moving, a frame, piece of glass or any other generally rectangular object, comprising a relatively square, flat base, having on one diagonal a plurality of pre-scored, spaced diagonal lines, and the opposite diagonal being pre-cut through from the corners of the diagonal to the outer scored lines, enabling the base to be folded into any one of a plurality of thicknesses, to fit the corners of the object to be protected.

2. The corner protector of claim 1 in which the scored lines are all parallel and spaced evenly apart.

3. The corner protector of claim 1 further comprising a length of adhesive tape attached to the rear of the base.

4. The grip of claim 3 in which the adhesive tape has a pull-off protective strip over the adhesive.

5. The corner protector of claim 1 in which the base may be folded along the scored lines to accommodate a frame thickness of from one inch to five inches.

6. A corner protector used to protect, during shipment or moving, a frame, piece of glass or any other generally rectangular object, comprising a relatively square, flat base of corrugated cardboard or paperboard, having on one diagonal a plurality of pre-scored, spaced diagonal lines, and the opposite diagonal being pre-cut through from the corners of the diagonal to the outer scored lines, enabling the base to be folded into any one of a plurality of thicknesses, to fit the corners of the object to be protected.

7. The corner protector of claim 6 in which the scored lines are all parallel and spaced evenly apart.

8. The corner protector of claim 6 further comprising a length of adhesive tape attached to the rear of the base.

9. The grip of claim 8 in which the adhesive tape has a pull-off protective strip over the adhesive.

10. The corner protector of claim 6 in which the base may be folded along the scored lines to accommodate a frame thickness of from one inch to five inches.