Picture frame comprising four elongated parts and method for manufacturing said picture frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a picture frame which comprises a first long and thin frame part (10), a second long and thin frame part (20), a third long and thin frame part (30) and a fourth long and thin frame part (40). Each elongated frame part (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises, at a first end (11, 21, 31, 41), a connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) configured to releasably engage a receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) provided at a second end (12, 22, 32, 42) of the other elongated frame part (10, 20, 30, 40). Each of the connecting elements (15, 25, 35, 45) extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the elongated frame part (10, 20, 30, 40), and the connecting elements (15, 25, 35, 45) comprise guide projections (15c, 25c, 35c, 45c) for guiding the connecting elements (15, 25, 35, 45) into the receiving members (16, 26, 36, 46).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a picture frame and a method of manufacturing the picture frame. Background Art

[0002] Picture frames can be made of different materials, such as wood, metal or plastic. Typically, a picture frame is manufactured as four separate elongate members, which are attached to each other at the corners to form the picture frame.

[0003] In the production of plastic picture frames, extruded elongate profiles are typically formed, which can be cut to the desired length. The problem with plastic extrusion is that this technique can only form symmetrical profiles. Therefore, in order to join the cut elongate members together, separate corner elements must be used to form the assembled picture frame. Alternatively, a plastic picture frame can also be formed as a one-piece unit. However, if the width and height of the picture frame are relatively large, it is difficult for the user to carry and / or transport it from the store.

[0004] In view of this, it would be advantageous to provide an improved picture frame that is easy to manufacture, inexpensive, and simple to assemble. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a picture frame that alleviates, mitigates, eliminates, or circumvents one or more of the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and drawbacks, either individually or in any combination. The picture frame includes a first elongate frame member, a second elongate frame member, a third elongate frame member, and a fourth elongate frame member. Each elongate frame member includes a connecting element at a first end, the connecting element being configured to releasably engage a receiving member provided at a second end of another elongate frame member, and each said connecting element extends in a transverse direction that is transverse to the longitudinal extension direction of the elongate frame member.

[0006] The connecting element and the receiving member can together form a snap connection. This facilitates the installation of the picture frame.

[0007] The receiving member can be an opening, and the connecting element can include a male protrusion configured to be inserted into the opening.

[0008] The male protrusion can have a boss configured to engage with the inner edge of the receiving member.

[0009] The connecting element can include a notch configured to be pressed to release the connecting element from the receiving member.

[0010] The connecting element can include a guiding protrusion configured to guide the connecting element into the receiving member.

[0011] The receiving member can extend into the frame member in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] The picture frame may further include corner connectors detachably connected to two adjacent elongate frame members. Preferably, the picture frame includes four corner connectors.

[0013] The corner connectors may be connected to the picture frame by snap elements disposed at both ends of the corner connectors.

[0014] The corner connectors may include a biasing device configured to abut and press in place a canvas, a picture, a passepartout, or a back in the picture frame.

[0015] According to a second aspect, there is provided an elongate frame member. The elongate frame member includes a connecting element at a first end and a receiving member provided at a second end. The connecting element is configured to releasably engage with the receiving member of another elongate frame member, and the connecting element extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction of the elongate frame member.

[0016] The elongate frame member may be formed as a one-piece member.

[0017] The elongate frame member may be formed by injection molding.

[0018] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a picture frame. The method includes i) forming a first elongate frame member, a second elongate frame member, a third elongate frame member, and a fourth elongate frame member, wherein each elongate frame member includes a connecting element at a first end, the connecting element being configured to releasably engage with a receiving member disposed at the second end of another elongate frame member, and wherein each said connecting element extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction of the elongate frame member. The method further includes ii) releasably connecting the elongate frame members to each other to form the picture frame.

[0019] Forming the frame member may include injection molding the frame member.

[0020] Connecting the elongate frame members may include connecting the connecting element of each elongate frame member to the receiving member of another elongate frame member.

[0021] Other advantageous features of the present invention are elaborated in the embodiments disclosed herein. In addition, the advantageous features of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims. Description of the Drawings

[0022] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and be elucidated from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 A picture frame according to the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 2a andFigure 2b Shows a frame member according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the corner of the picture frame in

[0026] Figure 4 Shows a corner connector connected to the frame member;

[0027] Figure 5 and 6a Shows a corner connector according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6b Shows a cross-section of the corner connector according to the present invention; and

[0029] Figure 7 Shows a method of assembling a picture frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Certain embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, as defined by the appended claims.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1 , the rear side of a picture frame 1 according to the present invention is shown. The picture frame 1 is also referred to herein as the frame 1 and includes a first elongate frame member 10, a second elongate frame member 20, a third elongate frame member 30, and a fourth elongate frame member 40. The frame 1 has four corners 5 where two adjacent frame members 10, 20, 30, and 40 are connected. Figure 1 The frame 1 in

[0032] is rectangular. However, the frame 1 may also have any other suitable shape. The frame 1 is made of plastic, preferably a thermosetting plastic. How the elongate frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 are connected to each other will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2-4. Figure 5 and Figures 6a - 6b The corner connectors 50 will be described in detail.

[0033] Figure 2a Shows an isometric view of the elongated frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 (also referred to herein as frame members). The frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 extend along the longitudinal direction L. The frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 have a first end 11, 21, 31, 41 and a second end 12, 22, 32, 42. Connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 are provided on the first ends 11, 21, 31, 41, and receiving members 16, 26, 36, 46 are provided on the second ends 12, 22, 32, 42. Each frame member 10, 20, 30, 40 further includes a plurality of cross ribs 13, 23, 33, 43, support flanges 14, 24, 34, 44 extending along the longitudinal direction L, and slot openings 17, 27, 37, 47. As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the receiving members 16, 26, 36, 46 are configured to releasably engage with the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 arranged on adjacent frame members 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0034] As Figure 2a shown, the receiving members 16, 26, 36, 46 are openings 16, 26, 36, 46 extending into the frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 along the longitudinal direction L. The width of the openings 16, 26, 36, 46 substantially corresponds to the width of the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45.

[0035] Each frame member 10, 20, 30, 40 has an outer side 18, 28, 38, 48 and an inner side 19, 29, 39, 49. The cross ribs 13, 23, 33, 43 are formed as a plurality of cross-shaped portions that extend between the outer side 18, 28, 38, 48 and the inner side 19, 29, 39, 49. Recesses 19a, 29a, 39a, 49a are provided on each of the inner sides 19, 29, 39, 49 for receiving and accommodating the corner connectors 50. Accordingly, the shapes of the recesses 19a, 29a, 39a, 49a correspond to the outer shape and dimensions of the corner connectors 50.

[0036] Figure 2b Shows an isometric view of the frame member 10 extending along the longitudinal direction L. The frame member 10 has a connecting element 15 at the first end 11 and a receiving member 16 provided at the second end 12. The support flange 14 extends along the inner side 19 of the frame member 10. And the frame member 10 is provided with a plurality of cross ribs 13 and slot openings 17.

[0037] The support flange 14 provides support for the picture of the picture frame 1, the picture frame border, and / or the back / back support member. The cross ribs 13 provide a stable frame member 10 while ensuring that the amount of material required for manufacturing the frame member 10 is less. Therefore, the frame member 10 is both light and inexpensive. In addition, the cross ribs 13 also provide stiffness to the frame member 10 and contribute to optimizing the flexibility of the frame member 10.

[0038] The slot opening 17 makes it possible to hang the frame 1 on a wall using, for example, hooks, nails, or threaded members.

[0039] Figure 2b The connecting element 15 shown in includes a protruding male part 15a (with a boss 15b) and a guiding protrusion 15c having an H-shaped cross-section. The male part 15a also includes a notch 15d. The extending direction of the connecting element 15 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the connecting element 15 extends along a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

[0040] The male part 15a and the guiding protrusion 15c are preferably two separate parts. The male part 15a and the guiding protrusion 15c preferably extend along the transverse direction, most preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The guiding protrusion 15c is preferably rigid while the male part 15a is flexible. The receiving member 16 is an opening 16 extending along the longitudinal direction L, and the depth of the opening 16 corresponds to at least a part of the length of the connecting element 15. The receiving member 16 has an upper surface 16a and a terminal opening 16b. As Figure 3 shown, the inner edge 16c is configured to engage with the boss 15b of the connecting element 15. The length of the guiding part 15c is preferably dimensioned such that when the connecting element 15 is attached to the receiving member 16, the outer end of the guiding part 15c abuts against the first cross rib 13. The first cross rib 13 extends straight between the outer side 28 and the inner side 29 of the frame member 20, that is, perpendicular to the longitudinal extending direction L, as Figure 3 shown in the enlarged view.

[0041] In Figure 2b the features shown on the first frame member 10 are present on each of the elongated frame members 20, 30, and 40. Therefore, the frame members 20, 30, 40 also respectively include cross ribs 23, 33, 43; support flanges 24, 34, 44; slot openings 27, 37, 47; male parts 25a, 35a, 45a; bosses 25b, 35b, 45b; guiding protrusions 25c, 35c, 45c; notches 25d, 35d, 45d; upper surfaces 26a, 36a, 46a; openings 26b, 36b, 46b; and inner edges 26c, 36c, 46c.

[0042] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 an enlarged view of the corner 5 circled in. InFigure 3 In this case, the first frame member 10 is connected to the second frame member 20. The connecting element 15 at the first end 11 of the first frame member 10 is inserted into the opening 26 provided in the second end 22 of the second frame member 20. As Figure 3 shown, the boss 15b abuts against the inner edge 26c of the receiving member 26.

[0043] The male portions 15a, 25a, 35a, 45a of the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 are elastic, so that the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 and the receiving members 16, 26, 36, 46 together form a snap connection.

[0044] When assembling the plastic picture frame 1, the user matches the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 on the frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 and inserts them into the openings 16, 26, 36, 46 of the adjacent frame members 10, 20, 30, 40, and pushes the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 to engage with the openings 16, 26, 36, 46. The upper surface 16a will force the male protrusion 15a to move downward from the rest state, and when the boss 15b has passed through the inner edge 16c of the opening 16, the male protrusion 15a will bounce back / return to the rest state. Therefore, the connection between the connecting element 15 and the opening 16 is formed by snap engagement.

[0045] The user can assemble two adjacent frame members 10, 20 into a first V-shaped frame portion, and assemble two adjacent frame members 30, 40 into a second V-shaped frame portion, and then as Figure 7 shown by the arrow in the figure, assemble the first and second V-shaped frame portions together. Alternatively, the user can connect the first part 10 to the second part 20, then connect the second part 20 to the third part 30, and finally connect the fourth part to the first and third parts 10, 30 respectively. This is feasible because the frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 are made of plastic, which has sufficient flexibility to connect the last fourth frame member 40 to the U-shaped frame portion including the first, second and third frame members 10, 20, 30.

[0046] When disassembling the picture frame 1, the user presses down on the notches 15d, 25d, 35d, 45d while pulling the adjacent frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 away from each other, so that the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45 are disengaged from the inner edges 16c, 26c, 36c, 46c of the receiving members 16, 26, 36, 46. The notches 15d, 25d, 35d, 45d allow the user to grasp comfortably and safely, thus facilitating the user to disassemble the picture frame 1. For example, if the user wants to replace the picture in the picture frame 1.

[0047] The inner edges 16c, 26c, 36c, 46c are also the outer edges of the receiving members 16, 26, 36, 46 and are joined to the bosses 15b, 25b, 35b, 45b of the connecting elements 15, 25, 35, 45.

[0048] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figures 6a - 6b shows a corner connector 50 attached to the first frame member 10. The corner connector 50 is located in the recess 19a of the frame member 10 and is releasably attached to the frame member 10 by snap connection. This will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 5 and 6b Each end of the corner connector 50 includes a snap element 55. The snap element 55 has a flexible arm 51 and a groove 52 (see Figure 6b ), and the groove 52 is configured to engage with the cross rib 13 of the frame member 10. Further, the corner connector 50 further includes a biasing device 53, and the biasing device is configured to hold the picture and / or the back side of the frame 1 in place. The flexible arm 51 has a pushing structure 51a and two spaced-apart protrusions 51b.

[0049] Figure 6b shows a cross-section of the snap element 55 of the corner connector 50 connected to the frame member 10. As shown by the arrow in Figure 6a , to release the corner connector 50 from the frame member 10, the pushing structure 51a is pressed along the longitudinal direction L towards the biasing device 53 and lifted upwards. The biasing device 53 makes the picture frame 1 suitable for pictures and backside members of different thicknesses, because the biasing device 53 is flexible and can be adjusted after the material of the thickness is placed in the picture frame 1.

[0050] The corner connector 50 increases the bending stiffness of the picture frame 1. Therefore, the wall thicknesses of the frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 can be reduced, thereby reducing the material consumption and making the frame 1 both inexpensive and lightweight.

[0051] The detachable corner connector 50 allows for easy replacement of the picture in the picture frame 1. The snap element 55 makes the corner connector 50 easy to disassemble and reattach to the picture frame 1.

[0052] The frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 are each formed as a one-piece member. In addition, each corner connector 50 is also formed as a one-piece member. The frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 and / or the corner connector 50 are made of plastic. A thermosetting plastic is preferably used. The frame members 10, 20, 30, 40 can be injection molded.

[0053] Therefore, all the frame components 10, 20, 30, 50 can be snapped onto each other, and the corner connector 50 can be successively snapped onto the frame components 10, 20, 30, 40. In this way, the user can assemble conveniently and can also replace the picture in the picture frame 1 conveniently.

[0054] Without further elaboration, it is believed that those skilled in the art can make the most of the present invention through the foregoing description. Therefore, the foregoing preferred specific embodiments should be construed as merely illustrative and not in any way limiting the disclosure of the present invention.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the specific forms described herein. On the contrary, the present invention is only limited by the appended claims, and within the scope of these appended claims, there may be other embodiments in addition to the above specific embodiments, for example, embodiments different from the above embodiments.

[0056] In the claims, the term "comprising / including" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. In addition, although individual features may be included in different claims, these features may also be advantageously combined together, and being included in different claims does not mean that the combination of features is infeasible and / or disadvantageous.

[0057] In addition, a single reference does not exclude multiple references. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second", etc. do not exclude a plurality.

Claims

1. A picture frame, comprising a first elongate frame member (10), a second elongate frame member (20), a third elongate frame member (30) and a fourth elongate frame member (40), wherein, each elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40) includes a connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) at a first end (11, 21, 31, 41), the connecting element being configured to releasably engage a receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) provided at a second end (12, 22, 32, 42) of another elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40), wherein each of said connecting elements (15, 25, 35, 45) extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40), wherein the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) includes a guiding projection (15c, 25c, 35c, 45c), the guiding projection being configured to guide the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) into the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46).

2. The picture frame according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) and the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) together form a snap connection.

3. The picture frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) is an opening, and the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) includes a male projection (15a, 25a, 35a, 45a), the male projection being configured to be inserted into the opening (16, 26, 36, 46).

4. The picture frame according to claim 3, wherein the male projection (15a, 25a, 35a, 45a) has a boss (15b, 25b, 35b, 45b), the boss being configured to engage with an inner edge (16c, 26c, 36c, 46c) of the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46).

5. The picture frame according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) includes a notch (15d, 25d, 35d, 45d), the notch being configured to be pressed to release the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) from the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46).

6. The picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) extends into the frame member (10, 20, 30, 40) in the longitudinal direction (L).

7. The picture frame according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a corner connector (50) detachably connected to two adjacent elongate frame members (10, 20, 30, 40), preferably, the picture frame (1) includes four corner connectors (50).

8. The picture frame according to claim 7, wherein the corner connector (50) is connected to the picture frame (1) by snap elements (55) arranged at each end of the corner connector (50).

9. The picture frame according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the corner connector (50) includes a biasing device (53) configured to press a canvas, a picture, a picture frame liner, or a back surface disposed in the picture frame (1) into place.

10. An elongate frame member comprising a connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) at a first end (11, 21, 31, 41) and a receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) at a second end (12, 22, 32, 42), wherein, the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) is configured to releasably engage a receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) of another elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40), wherein the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40), and wherein the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) includes a guiding protrusion (15c, 25c, 35c, 45c) configured to guide the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) into the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46).

11. The elongate frame member according to claim 10, wherein the elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40) is formed as a single piece.

12. The elongate frame member according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40) is formed by injection molding.

13. A method of manufacturing a picture frame, comprising the steps of: - forming a first elongate frame member (10), a second elongate frame member (20), a third elongate frame member (30), and a fourth elongate frame member (40), wherein each elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40) includes a connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) at a first end (11, 21, 31, 41) configured to releasably engage a receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46) provided at a second end (12, 22, 32, 42) of another elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40), wherein each said connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) extends in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40), and wherein the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) includes a guiding protrusion (15c, 25c, 35c, 45c) configured to guide the connecting element (15, 25, 35, 45) into the receiving member (16, 26, 36, 46); and - releasably connecting the elongate frame members (10, 20, 30, 40) to each other to form the picture frame (1).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of forming the frame members (10, 20, 30, 40) includes injection molding the frame members (10, 20, 30, 40).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the step of connecting the elongate frame members (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises connecting the connecting elements (15, 25, 35, 45) of each elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40) to the receiving members (16, 26, 36, 46) of another elongate frame member (10, 20, 30, 40).

Images