Shadow gap frame for framing a stretcher frame painting

Abstract

Shadow gap frame (10) for framing a stretcher frame picture (12), wherein the shadow gap frame (10) is composed of frame strips (18) and includes angle fittings (30) for fastening the stretcher frame picture (12) in the space enclosed by the frame strips (18), which can be screwed onto the rear of a stretcher frame (13) of the stretcher frame picture (12), wherein the frame strips (18) are provided with grooves (50) for receiving free ends of the angle fittings (30), characterized in that the grooves (50) are provided on the rear sides of the frame strips (18) of the shadow gap frame (10) and the angle fittings (30) engage in the grooves (50) from behind when screwed onto the stretcher frame (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shadow gap frame for framing a stretcher frame picture according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is common practice to present stretched canvas paintings in a visually appealing way using a shadow gap frame. In this method, the canvas painting is framed in such a way that a gap – the so-called shadow gap – remains between its outer edge and the visible front edge of the shadow gap frame.

[0003] While stretcher frame pictures are simple frames covered with a stretched canvas, a shadow gap frame is also composed of frame strips, which can be made of various materials, typically wood or engineered wood products such as MDF or HDF. The stretcher frame picture is attached to the space enclosed by the frame strips using angle brackets, which are screwed to the back of the stretcher frame. The free ends of the angle brackets then engage in grooves in the frame strips of the shadow gap frame. These grooves are usually located on the inner sides of the frame strips, facing each other.

[0004] Before tightening the angle brackets, the canvas can be adjusted by sliding it within the shadow gap frame. During this initial adjustment, ensure that the shadow gap has the same width on all sides of the canvas.

[0005] For this purpose, the stretcher frame, which is loosely inserted into the shadow gap frame, must be moved laterally while the angle brackets are already inserted into the grooves of the frame members. There is a risk that the already inserted angle brackets will slide out of the groove again in one direction of movement of the stretcher frame. This makes the adjustment process cumbersome.

[0006] Furthermore, improved clamping action of the angle brackets is desired to hold the stretcher framed picture in its final position within the shadow gap frame. This is insufficient in conventional designs.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a shadow gap frame of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the pre-positioning of the stretcher frame image within the shadow gap frame before final fastening is facilitated and the clamping effect of the angle fittings is improved.

[0008] These problems are solved according to the invention by a shadow gap frame with the features of claim 1.

[0009] In the shadow gap frame according to the invention, the grooves are provided on the back sides of the frame strips, i.e., on the sides opposite the front of the stretcher frame and the shadow gap frame. To position the angle brackets, they can simply be inserted into the grooves from behind without requiring any lateral movement. Therefore, the angle brackets remain in their positions even when the stretcher frame is moved laterally within the shadow gap frame with the angle brackets already in place. The angle brackets can be provided with auxiliary markings that maintain their position relative to the shadow gap frame when the stretcher frame is moved, thus significantly simplifying adjustment.With conventional shadow gap frames, there would always be a risk that such auxiliary markings would be displaced along with the angle brackets during movement of the stretcher frame image.

[0010] Because the angle brackets engage the shadow gap frame from behind, it is reliably clamped between the two ends of the brackets and the canvas. Compared to conventional shadow gap frames, the clamping effect is therefore significantly improved, and the canvas is held more securely.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the angle brackets each comprise a tab for flat contact with the rear of the stretcher frame and a U-shaped hook section which, when screwed in, is angled rearward from the tab and engages with one free leg in one of the grooves. When screwed in, the tab lies flat against the rear of the stretcher frame. The U-shaped hook section can be angled perpendicular to the tab.

[0012] The free leg of the U-shaped hook section can be considerably shorter than the other leg, which is angled from the tab. This allows the hook section to encompass a relatively thick rear cross-sectional area of ​​a frame member of the shadow gap frame, while the groove cut into it does not need to be very deep in relation to this thickness.

[0013] Preferably, the tab includes a screw hole for receiving a screw. This screw allows the tab to be screwed to the back of the stretcher frame of the canvas painting.

[0014] Preferably, the tab also has markings on its reverse side for pre-adjusting the stretcher frame within the space enclosed by the frame strips.

[0015] Preferably, the frame members also have internal steps to support the outer rear edges of the stretcher frame. The stretcher frame is pressed against these internal steps by fixing the angle brackets.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-section through an embodiment of a shadow gap frame according to the invention with a stretcher frame picture framed therein; Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. Four images each show a side view, a view from below, and a perspective view of an angle fitting of the shadow gap frame. Fig. 1 dar.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a shadow gap frame 10 through which a stretcher frame picture 12 is framed. The stretcher frame picture 12 comprises a stretcher frame 13 made of frame strips, which are stretched with a canvas 16 and are subsequently referred to as stretcher frame strips 14 for better distinction, although it is not essential for the present invention that these frame strips are actually wedged together in a technical sense. Accordingly, the term "stretcher frame picture" is intended here to generally refer to pictures with a canvas stretched on a frame, as it has become generally accepted in everyday language.

[0018] The shadow gap frame 10 is itself composed of frame strips 18, which enclose a space in which the stretcher frame image 12 is inserted. In this case, the shadow gap frame 10 and the stretcher frame image 12 are rectangular, and the section in Fig. 1 runs parallel to one of the frame strips 18 of the shadow gap frame 10. For the sake of clarity, certain details of the shadow gap frame 10 are shown only with reference to the left frame strip 18. Fig. 1 shown.

[0019] The frame strips 18 have an identical cross-section, which is approximately L-shaped overall. One longer leg of this “L” represents a section 20 of the respective frame strip 18, which projects towards the visible front of the shadow gap frame 18, i.e., towards the side on which the image is also presented on the free surface of the canvas 16 (in Fig. 1 above). In contrast, the reverse side is defined as the side that, when the shadow gap frame 10 is hung, faces the wall (not shown in detail here) and is therefore invisible. These terms will be retained in the following description.

[0020] The forward-facing section 20 of the respective frame strip 18 originates from a wider base section 22 on the back of the shadow gap frame 10 (where the "width" extends in a direction parallel to the surface of the canvas 16). Due to the different thicknesses of the base section 22 and the forward-facing section 20 in the width direction, a step 24 results on the inside of the frame strip 18, on which the stretcher frame painting 12 rests with its rear outer edge.

[0021] Angle brackets 30 are used to fasten the stretcher frame picture 12 in this position, of which in Fig. Only two examples are visible. Enlarged views of these angle brackets 30 are in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown, with the side view in Fig. 2 of the representation of the in Fig. 1. Left angle fitting 30 (in reversed orientation) corresponds to this. In Fig. 1. Details of the angle fittings 30 are explained only using the left angle fitting 30 as an example.

[0022] Each angle fitting 30 comprises a tab 32 for flat mounting on the rear of the stretcher frame 13 and an approximately U-shaped hook section 34 angled from the tab 32. In the mounting position in Fig. 1 is the U-shaped hook section 34 angled backwards, i.e., towards the back of the shadow gap frame 10. It comprises in detail (see Fig. 2) a longer leg 36 extending perpendicularly from the tab 32, a section 38 angled perpendicularly and parallel to the tab 32, and a shorter leg 40 parallel to the longer leg 36. This shorter leg 40 forms a free end of the angle fitting 30.

[0023] According to Fig. 1. The frame strip 18 of the shadow gap frame 10 is provided on its back side with a groove 50, which runs in the direction of extension of the frame strip 18. This groove 50 extends into the base section 22 of the frame strip 18 and is opposite the step 24 and the stretcher frame strip 14 of the stretcher frame picture 12 resting on it.

[0024] The groove 50 serves to receive the short leg 40, thus the free end of the angle fitting 30. As in Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, the U-shaped hook section 34, in the position where the tab 32 rests against the back of the stretcher frame image 12, engages over the inner rear edge of the frame strip 18, so that the shorter leg 40 can engage in the groove 50.

[0025] The angle fittings 30 can therefore be moved into the positions according to Fig. 1. The tabs are attached by simply placing them against the stretcher frame 12 from behind with the tab 32 and inserting the free ends, i.e., the shorter legs 40 of the U-shaped hook sections 34, into the groove 50. For the final fastening of the stretcher frame 12, the tabs 32 are screwed to the back of the stretcher frame bars 14 of the stretcher frame 13. Screw holes 42 in the tabs 32, which are located in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are shown. The screws themselves are not shown in detail.

[0026] Before screwing the tabs 32 to the stretcher bars 14, the stretcher frame 12 must be pre-positioned within the shadow gap frame 10. For optical reasons, it is desirable that the lateral distance between the outer sides of the stretcher frame 12 and the inner sides of the forward-facing section 20 of the frame bars 18 is the same over the entire circumference of the stretcher frame 12, so that a continuous shadow gap 25 of uniform width is created between the stretcher frame 12 and the shadow gap frame 10.

[0027] For such an adjustment, it is expedient to rotate the shadow gap frame 10 with the loosely inserted stretcher frame image 12 so that the front, i.e., the free side of the canvas 16 to be represented, faces downwards, and to place it in this position on a support. The unit consisting of the shadow gap frame 10 and the stretcher frame image 12 is thus moved from the position in Fig. 1 is turned upside down, so that the back side faces upwards. The angle brackets 30 can then be inserted into the joints 50 as already described, or attached to the now upward-facing back side of the stretcher frame 12 with the tabs 32.

[0028] Before screwing, the stretcher frame image 12 can now be pre-positioned by sliding it laterally. For this purpose, the tabs 32 have auxiliary markings 44 which are located in Fig. 4 are shown and comprise evenly spaced line markings.

[0029] If lateral displacements of the stretcher frame 12 within the shadow gap frame 18 are made during this pre-adjustment, the angle brackets 30 retain their positions relative to the shadow gap frame 18, since the engagement of their free ends in the grooves 50 prevents them from being displaced laterally along with the stretcher frame 12. Therefore, the auxiliary markings 44 on the tabs 32 also retain their positions relative to the frame strips 18 of the shadow gap frame 10. This represents a significant advantage over constructions in which angle brackets are used that are also screwed to the back of the stretcher frame 12, but engage the inner sides of the frame strips 18 (i.e., the sides perpendicular to the back sides) and can slide out of the grooves in them when the stretcher frame 12 is displaced laterally.

[0030] Once the stretcher frame 12 is pre-positioned relative to the shadow gap frame 18, the tabs 32 can be screwed to the stretcher frame strips 14 through the screw holes 42. This presses the stretcher frame strips 14 against the steps 24 or against the base section 22 of the frame strips 18, and the stretcher frame 12 is finally fixed.

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