Frame

Abstract

To provide a frame which can be installed under an environment where water is used such as a bathroom.SOLUTION: A frame 10 includes: a first plate-like member 12 and a second plate-like member 14 which can house a display object in a gap therebetween; a water stop member 16 provided on an outer side of a storage part of the display object; and a frame member 19 provided on a circumferential edge part of the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14. The frame member 19 is configured to sandwich the first plate-like member 12, the second plate-like member 14, and the water stop member 16 to prevent entry of water into the storage part of the display object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picture frame for housing a display such as a photograph, and more particularly to a picture frame that can be installed in an environment where water is used, such as a bathroom. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, picture frames capable of accommodating posters such as paintings and photographs have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-87502 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, no picture frames suitable for displaying photographs or other items in a water-prone environment such as a bathroom have been provided.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame that can be installed in an environment where water is used, such as a bathroom. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of a frame of the present invention comprises a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member capable of accommodating a display item therebetween, a water-stopping member arranged on the outside of the display item accommodation section, and a frame member arranged on the periphery of the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, the frame member being configured to sandwich the first plate-shaped member, the second plate-shaped member and the water-stopping member to prevent water from entering the display item accommodation section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of a frame according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the frame according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the frame shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams for explaining how to assemble the frame according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7(a) to 7(c) are conceptual diagrams for explaining various water stopping structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The following configurations are for illustrative purposes to help understand the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims. The same or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. In addition, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiments in each drawing are omitted.

[0009] A picture frame 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Picture frame 10 is capable of housing posters such as paintings and photographs. Picture frame 10 has high water-stopping and waterproofing properties that prevent water from entering the portion housing the posters, and can be installed in environments where water is used, such as a bathroom.

[0010] The frame 10 includes a first plate-shaped member 12, a second plate-shaped member 14, a waterproofing member 16, a frame 18, a backing 20, a thickness adjusting member 22, and a magnet 24. The frame 10 according to this embodiment has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, but the shape is not particularly limited.

[0011] The first plate-like member 12 is a transparent plate-like body, and is disposed at the forefront of the frame 10. A resin plate such as an acrylic plate, or a glass plate can be used as the first plate-like member 12. Considering that the frame 10 will be attached to a wall for use, it is preferable to use a resin plate as the first plate-like member 12.

[0012] The second plate-like member 14 is a plate-like body that serves as the base of the frame 10 and is required to have high strength. The second plate-like member 14 may be a molded product of synthetic resin such as ABS resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the front surface of the second plate-like member 14 is provided with a recess 14a in which a mount 20, a thickness adjusting material 22, and a notice (not shown) can be placed. The recess 14a is covered by the first plate-like member 12 to form a storage section that stores the mount 20, the thickness adjusting material 22, and the notice. In the frame 10 according to this embodiment, the planar shape of the recess 14a is a square shape, but is not particularly limited.

[0013] Furthermore, a groove 14b for mounting a water-stopping member 16 is provided on the front surface of the second plate-like member 14. The groove 14b is formed so as to surround the outside of the recess 14a. In the frame 10 according to this embodiment, the planar shape of the groove 14b is quadrangular, but is not particularly limited. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 14b is rectangular, but is not particularly limited.

[0014] The water-stopping member 16 is a member for preventing water from entering the display housing, and is disposed on the outside of the housing. As shown in Fig. 5, the water-stopping member 16 is inserted into the groove 14b of the second plate-like member 14. The water-stopping member 16 is made of rubber, and generates a repulsive force when it is sandwiched and crushed between the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14. This repulsive force realizes water stoppage.

[0015] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the water-stopping member 16 is O-shaped, but the cross-sectional shape of the water-stopping member 16 is not particularly limited as long as the necessary water-stopping performance can be ensured. The water-stopping member 16 is constructed and arranged so as to surround the storage section of the notice. The water-stopping member 16 may be an O-ring fitted into the groove 14b, or may be formed into a square shape to match the shape of the groove 14b. In this embodiment, the water-stopping member 16 is integrally formed in a ring shape so as to surround the storage section, but a linear water-stopping material may be combined. Also, it is not necessary to fit the water-stopping member into the groove.

[0016] In the picture frame 10 according to this embodiment, a poster (not shown), such as a photograph, is sandwiched between the mount 20 and the thickness adjusting material 22. The mount 20 has a window 20a through which the poster is visible. The mount 20 prevents the poster from contacting the first plate-like member 12. The mount 20 can prevent color transfer from the poster to the first plate-like member 12. The thickness adjusting material 22 prevents the poster from shifting, and absorbs and adjusts the thickness of the poster. A foam sheet can be suitably used as the thickness adjusting material 22. The poster sandwiched between the mount 20 and the thickness adjusting material 22 is accommodated in an accommodation portion formed by the recess 14a of the second plate-like member 14 and the first plate-like member 12.

[0017] The frame 18 is disposed so as to surround the peripheral portions of the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14. In the picture frame 10 according to this embodiment, the frame 18 is formed by connecting adjacent ends of four linear frame members 19 to form a frame. Each frame member 19 may be formed by extruding aluminum. Each frame member 19 may be formed from a rigid material such as resin, and three of the four may be integrally formed in a U-shape.

[0018] A magnet 24 is provided on the back side of each frame member 19. If the wall of the bathroom or the like is made of a material that can attract a magnet by magnetic force (for example, a soft magnetic material such as iron or a hard magnetic material such as a ferrite magnet), the frame 10 can be attached to the wall of the bathroom or the like by being attracted by the magnet 24. By providing the magnet 24 on each frame member 19, it is possible to prevent the frame member 19 from moving in a direction that would remove it from the peripheral portions of the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14.

[0019] The structure of the frame member 19 will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5. The frame member 19 is configured to sandwich the first plate-shaped member 12, the second plate-shaped member 14, and the water-stopping member 16 to prevent water from entering the display housing. In the picture frame 10 according to this embodiment, the frame member 19 includes a first holding portion 19a for holding the first plate-shaped member 12, a second holding portion 19b for holding the second plate-shaped member 14, and a support portion 19c for holding the first holding portion 19a and the second holding portion 19b at a predetermined opposing distance. The first holding portion 19a, the second holding portion 19b, and the support portion 19c form an insertion space for inserting the peripheral portions of the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14.

[0020] 5, the peripheral edges of the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14 are sandwiched between the first pressing portion 19a and the second pressing portion 19b of the frame member 19. As a result, the water-stopping member 16 attached to the groove 14b of the second plate-like member 14 is pressed and crushed by the first plate-like member 12, thereby realizing water-stopping, that is, preventing water from entering the display housing.

[0021] In the frame member 19, the second suppressing portion 19b is formed to be longer than the first suppressing portion 19a. By forming it in this manner, it is possible to suppress bending of the second plate-like member 14. The frame member 19 further includes a magnet holding portion 19d for holding the magnet 24 on the back side of the second suppressing portion 19b.

[0022] A method for assembling the frame according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6(a) to 6(c).

[0023] Fig. 6(a) shows the state before the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14 are inserted into the insertion space of the frame member 19. In this state, the first plate-like member 12 is not pressed, so the water-stopping member 16 is not crushed and water is not stopped. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the tip 19e of the first pressing portion 19a is tapered so that the distance between it and the second pressing portion 19b becomes wider toward the tip. By providing such a taper and configuring the water-stopping member 16 to be gradually crushed, it is possible to easily slide the overlapping first plate-like member 12 and second plate-like member 14 into the insertion space.

[0024] Fig. 6(b) shows the state where the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 have begun to be inserted into the insertion space of the frame member 19. When the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14 are inserted into the frame member 19, the first pressing portion 19a presses the first plate-shaped member 12, thereby crushing the water-stopping member 16. As shown in Fig. 6(b), a middle portion 19f of the first pressing portion 19a is provided with a recess for reducing frictional force when the first plate-shaped member 12 is inserted.

[0025] 6(c) shows the state in which the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14 are completely inserted into the insertion space of the frame member 19. In this completely inserted state, the first plate-like member 12 can be firmly held against the second plate-like member 14. Furthermore, since the water-stopping member 16 can be crushed at the designed crushing rate, water is stopped and the infiltration of water into the display housing is prevented.

[0026] As described above, according to the picture frame 10 of this embodiment, the picture frame 10 has water-stopping and waterproof properties, so that the picture frame 10 can be placed in an environment where water is used, such as a bathroom, without getting photographs or other displayed items wet.

[0027] Furthermore, in the picture frame 10 according to this embodiment, the posters can be easily replaced by removing the four frame members 19 from the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14. Moreover, since the water-stopping members 16 are attached to the grooves 14b of the second plate-like member 14, simply by inserting the peripheral portions of the first plate-like member 12 and the second plate-like member 14 into the frame members 19 with the first plate-like member 12 placed on the front surface of the second plate-like member 14, water-stopping and waterproofing properties can be easily ensured.

[0028] Next, variations of the water-stopping structure will be described with reference to Fig. 7(a) to Fig. 7(c). Fig. 7(a) to Fig. 7(c) are all conceptual diagrams of the water-stopping structure. In each water-stopping structure, the first plate-shaped member 12, the second plate-shaped member 14, and the water-stopping member 16 are sandwiched between the frame member 19, but the position of the water-stopping member 16 differs.

[0029] 7(a) is a conceptual diagram of the water-stopping structure of the picture frame 10 according to the embodiment described above. In this water-stopping structure, the water-stopping member 16 is sandwiched between the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14. As in the embodiment described above, a groove may be provided in the second plate-shaped member 14, and the water-stopping member 16 may be attached to the groove. Then, the first pressing portion 19a and the second pressing portion 19b of the frame member 19 press down the first plate-shaped member 12 and the second plate-shaped member 14, compressing them in the thickness direction, thereby crushing the water-stopping member 16 and realizing water-stopping.

[0030] 7(b) is a conceptual diagram of another waterproof structure for a picture frame. In this waterproof structure, waterproof members 16 are arranged on both the front and rear sides of the overlapping first plate-like member 12 and second plate-like member 14. The front and rear waterproof members 16 are pressed down by the first pressing portion 19a and the second pressing portion 19b of the frame member 19 and compressed in the thickness direction, thereby crushing the front and rear waterproof members 16 and realizing waterproofing.

[0031] 7(c) is a conceptual diagram of yet another water-stopping structure for a picture frame. In this water-stopping structure, water-stopping members 16 are arranged on the side surfaces of the overlapping first plate-shaped member 12 and second plate-shaped member 14. The water-stopping members 16 are held down on both the front and rear sides by the first holding portion 19a and the second holding portion 19b of the frame member 19, and are compressed in the planar direction by the support portion 19c, thereby crushing the water-stopping members 16 and realizing water-stopping.

[0032] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, the description and drawings in this specification should be treated as illustrative rather than restrictive. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 frame, 12 first plate-shaped member, 14 second plate-shaped member, 16 water-stopping member, 18 frame, 19 frame member, 20 backing, 22 thickness adjusting material, 24 magnet.

Claims

1. a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member capable of housing a notice therebetween; A waterproofing member disposed outside the display housing; a frame member disposed on a peripheral portion of the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, the frame member being configured to sandwich the first plate-shaped member, the second plate-shaped member, and the water-stopping member in order to prevent water from entering the display housing; A picture frame comprising:

2. The picture frame according to claim 1 , wherein the waterproofing member is disposed so as to surround the display housing portion.

3. The picture frame according to claim 1 , wherein the water-stopping member is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member.

4. The picture frame according to claim 3 , wherein the water-stopping member is crushed by sandwiching the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member between the frame members.

5. The picture frame according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the water-stopping member is attached to a groove formed in the second plate-like member.

6. The picture frame of claim 1 , further comprising a magnet provided on the frame member for attaching the picture frame to a wall.

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