Picture/poster frame assembly and retainer for holding components in the frame of the assembly

The retainer clip is adapted to be positioned between an inwardly extending flange at the back of a picture frame and backing material located within the frame behind a picture in the frame. The retainer clip includes a resilient body, structure on the body for engaging the inwardly extending flange at the rear edge of the picture frame and structure on the body for engaging the backing material. The structure for engaging the backing material includes at least one prong, detent or barb positioned to engage the backing material.

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Claims

1. A picture frame assembly including a picture frame and backing panel having a back surface mounted therein which picture frame has, in cross-section, a frame outer side wall, a turned in short flange at the rear end of the side wall extending forwardly to a free end, a frame outer front wall having a rearwardly extending flange extending generally parallel to the side wall and providing a forward locator slot between the rearwardly extending flange and the side wall, said frame assembly including two or more retainer members, each retainer member including a generally U or V shaped retainer clip having an inner linear planar leg portion having an outer areal surface adapted to abut and be adjacent to a portion of the back surface of said backing panel, and having a flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a bight portion extending from said inner leg portion at an angle thereto, and an outer leg portion which extends in a non-linear, non-planar manner to an outer end hook formation, and engaging means for grippingly engaging said outer areal surface of said inner leg portion of said retainer clip to said back surface of said backing panel, said laterally extending flange of said clip member being received in said locator slot and said hook formation having a groove which is adapted to receive the free end of said short flange extending forwardly from said side wall toward the picture in said picture frame, and said outer areal surface being of sufficient areal extent of at least approximately 0.25 inches in width and 1 inch in length to provide support to said picture frame to inhibit distortion thereof while at the same time providing a retaining force to said backing panel.

2. The picture frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises a layer of adhesive material on said outer areal surface of said retainer clip inner leg portion such that said adhesive material, engages and adheres to the retainer and to the adjacent back surface of the backing panel.

3. The picture frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said backing panel comprises a thin double faced corrugated paper or plastic board sheet of material which has substantial transverse load carrying capabilities.

4. The picture frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said retainer clip is made of plastic.

5. The picture frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said retainer clip is made of metal.

6. The picture frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said inner planar leg portion has teeth forming detentes or barbs punched outwardly therefrom and forming said engaging means.

7. A picture frame assembly including a picture frame and backing panel having a back surface mounted therein which picture frame has, in cross-section, a side wall, a turned in flange at the rear end of the side wall extending forwardly to a free end, a rearwardly extending flange at the front end of the side wall providing a forward locator slot between the rearwardly extending flange and the side wall, said frame assembly including two or more retainer members, each retainer member including a generally U or V shaped retainer clip having an inner linear planar leg portion having an outer areal surface adapted to abut and be adjacent to a portion of the back surface of said backing panel, and having a flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a bight portion extending from said inner leg portion at an angle thereto, and an outer leg portion which extends in a non-linear, non-planar manner to an outer end hook formation, and engaging means for grippingly engaging said outer areal surface of said inner leg portion of said retainer clip to said back surface of said backing panel including at least one barb or tooth extending outwardly from said outer areal surface, said laterally extending flange of said clip member being received in said locator slot and said hook formation having a groove which is adapted to receive the free end of said short flange extending forwardly from said side wall toward the picture in said picture frame.

8. For use in a picture frame assembly including a picture frame, a retainer clip comprising a retainer body having a planar bight portion, an inner planar leg portion having a locator flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom connected to said planar bight portion and an outer leg portion, said planar bight portion extending at an angle from said planar inner leg portion, said planar inner leg portion having an outer areal surface adapted to abut and be adjacent to a portion of a back surface of a backing panel forming part of a picture frame assembly, said outer leg portion having a hook formation at the outer end thereof, and engaging means for grippingly engaging said outer areal surface of said inner leg portion of said retainer clip to the back surface of the backing panel.

9. For use in a picture frame assembly including a picture frame, a retainer clip comprising a retainer body having a planar bight portion, an inner planar leg portion having a locator flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom connected to said planar bight portion and an outer leg portion, said planar bight portion extending at an angle from said planar inner leg portion, said planar inner leg portion having an outer areal surface adapted to abut and be adjacent to a portion of a back surface of a backing panel forming part of a picture frame assembly, said outer leg portion having a hook formation at the outer end thereof, and engaging means for grippingly engaging said outer areal surface of said inner leg portion of said retainer clip to the back surface of the backing panel, said engaging means comprising an adhesive disposed between said outer areal surface and the back surface of the backing panel.

10. For use in a picture frame assembly including a picture frame, a retainer clip comprising a retainer body having a planar bight portion, an inner planar leg portion having a locator flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom connected to said planar bight portion and an outer leg portion, said planar bight portion extending at an angle from said planar inner leg portion, said planar inner leg portion having an outer areal surface adapted to abut and be adjacent to a portion of a back surface of a backing panel forming part of a picture frame assembly, said outer leg portion having a hook formation at the outer end thereof, and engaging means for grippingly engaging said outer areal surface of said inner leg portion of said retainer clip to the back surface of the backing panel, said engaging means comprising at least one barb or tooth extending outwardly from said outer areal surface for engaging the back surface of the backing panel.

11. The retainer clip of claim 10 wherein said engaging means comprises two spaced apart barbs or teeth extending outwardly from said outer areal surface.

12. A frame assembly for receiving an object to be displayed comprising:

a frame which has a front side and a back side, which is adapted to extend around the object to be displayed, and which includes an outer side wall, a turned in front flange connected to said outer side wall, and a turned in back flange connected to said outer side wall opposite said front flange and having an inner edge facing said front flange;
a backing material located within said frame behind the object adapted to be displayed in said frame at said back side of said frame: and a retainer clip which is adapted to be positioned between said backing material and said inner edge of said back flange of said frame comprising:
a resilient body including:
a first portion having means for engaging said inner edge of said back flange; and
a second portion that faces said backing material for engaging said backing material;
said second portion of said body for engaging said backing material including at least one pointed prong that extends outwardly from said second portion of said body to engage said backing material.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2581843 January 1952 Edwards
3899844 August 1975 Munn
4037342 July 26, 1977 Bott
4219949 September 2, 1980 McGurk
4356648 November 2, 1982 Beaulieu
4516342 May 14, 1985 Reim
4790089 December 13, 1988 Astolfi
4802294 February 7, 1989 Baus
4998363 March 12, 1991 Villims
Foreign Patent Documents
2305153 November 1976 FRX
7509724 November 1976 FRX
2225940 December 1973 DEX
2637144 March 1977 DEX
3434719 October 1985 DEX
2057870 August 1979 GBX
2095990 November 1980 GBX
2095990 November 1982 GBX
Patent History
Patent number: 5799431
Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 29, 1996
Date of Patent: Sep 1, 1998
Assignee: Terry Rozdolsky (Elk Grove Village, IL)
Inventor: Daniel E. Vilims (Downers Grove, IL)
Primary Examiner: Kenneth J. Dorner
Assistant Examiner: Cassandra Davis
Attorney: Thomas R. Vigil
Application Number: 8/622,895
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Biased (40/792); Suspended Frame (40/757)
International Classification: A47G 106;