Picture frame

Abstract

A frame for paintings or decorative elements generally comprises a perimeter body (2) which delimits an inner area (3) suitable for housing one or more decorative elements, the perimeter body (2) having a rear face (4) and a front face (5), one or more grooves (8) made on the front face (5) and one or more panels (11) suitable for being fitted into corresponding grooves (8) to protrude from the front face (5) and extend along respective planes around the perimeter of the inner area (3).

Description

[0001] PICTURE FRAME

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention falls within the technical filed of furnishing elements and has in particular as its object a frame for paintings, photographs or decorative elements in general.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] As known, a picture frame is a piece of furniture whose main function is to allow the display of paintings, photographs or other decorative elements.

[0007] At the same time, a frame can represent a decorative element in itself, also integrating itself with the image placed thereinside.

[0008] Although the typical shape of a frame is a quadrangular one in plan, frames can be made with multiple shapes.

[0009] It is also possible to use several materials, as well as the thicknesses of the single profiles that make up the frame, the colors, the friezes made on the outer face.

[0010] However, in most cases a picture frame represents a decorative element that cannot be modified and, therefore, cannot vary its configuration according to the decorative element contained thereinside or even to a simple aesthetic choice.

[0011] Scope of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to realize a picture frame for paintings or decorative elements in general that has an innovative aesthetic effect.

[0013] A particular object is to realize a picture frame for paintings or decorative elements in general whose configuration, both in the structure and color, can be modified according to the needs or desires of the user.

[0014] These objects, as well as others that will become more apparent hereinafter, are obtained by a picture frame for paintings or decorative elements in general that, in accordance with claim 1, comprises a perimeter body that delimits an inner area suitable for housing one or more decorative elements, said perimeter body having a front face, one or more grooves made on said front face and one or more panels suitable for being fitted into corresponding grooves to protrude from said front face and extend perimetrically to said inner area along respective planes.

[0015] In this way, the aesthetic appearance of the frame may be customized according to thefeatures of the panels (for example color, material, dimensions), giving the final product an innovative aesthetic appearance.

[0016] In this text, the expression “decorative element” refers to a painting, drawing, photograph or other artistic element or two- or three-dimensional object, of any nature or kind, to be inserted inside the frame in order to be displayed.

[0017] Particularly advantageous alternative embodiments are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

[0018] Brief disclosure of the drawings

[0019] Further features and advantages of the object of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a picture frame for paintings or decorative elements in general according to the invention, shown by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawing tables wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to the invention in a possible nonlimiting embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the frame of FIG. 1 in unassembled condition;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the detail of Fig. 2, in unassembled condition;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the detail of Fig. 2, in assembled condition.

[0024] Best modes of carrying out the invention

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a frame for paintings or decorative elements in general according to the invention.

[0026] The frame, indicated globally with 1, comprises, in a manner typical for this kind of item, a perimeter body 2 that delimits an inner area 3 suitable for housing one or more decorative elements, not shown as they are external to the invention.

[0027] In the shown embodiment, which is exemplificative but not limiting for the invention, the frame 1 has a quadrangular shape in plan, more precisely square, and the inner area 3 also has a quadrangular shape.

[0028] It is understood, however, that the frame 1 may also have different shapes, not necessarily regular, without particular limitations.

[0029] Generally speaking, a frame 1 according to the present invention may be made with dimensions and / or shapes selected according to the desired aesthetic appearance,without theoretical limits, and even the materials used for the various parts may vary with respect to those indicated below, again without particular limits.

[0030] Furthermore, the frame 1 may be suitable to be hung on a wall or other support, for example by means of hooks, holes or similar anchoring means, not shown as they are known per se, associated with the perimeter body, or it will be suitable to be positioned on a shelf and, for this purpose, it may also be provided with a rear support or easel, also not shown as they are known per se.

[0031] In its general configuration, the perimeter body 2 has a rear face 4 and a front face 5, which will instead be visible when the frame 1 is placed in the display position.

[0032] The rear face 4 will usually be the face designed to not be placed in sight, while the front face 5 will be the visible face when the frame 1 is placed in the display position. The front face 5 will preferably be flat, although it will be possible to provide for variants in which it is rounded or concave or provided with a concavity or, again, carved to define artistic friezes.

[0033] Possibly, in a manner typical for frames, the rear face 4 may be closed by a bottom panel 6 that will define a support surface for the decorative elements, while at the front there may be a transparent panel, not shown, that covers the whole inner area 3, to protect the decorative element, and that may rest directly on an inner edge of the perimeter body 2 or be placed between the rear face 4 of the perimeter body 2 and the bottom panel 6.

[0034] Preferably, the perimeter body 2 may be composed of four profiles, generically indicated with 7, joined in pairs at their respective ends; the anchoring between the adjacent profiles 7 may be obtained by gluing and / or interlocking and / or other types of mechanical, physical or chemical coupling, also depending on the selected materials.

[0035] It is understood that the number of profiles 7 that make up the perimeter body 2 may also be different from four and will depend on the configuration chosen for the perimeter body 2.

[0036] Preferably, the profiles 7 that make up the perimeter body 2 will be made of wood, of any type, or other wood-based material or, again, covered in wood or other material, even polymeric, such as vinyl.

[0037] According to a possible configuration, exemplifying but not limiting, the profiles 7may have a width w of 45 mm and height h equal to 23 mm.

[0038] On each of the profiles 7, at the respective portion of the front face 5, a groove 8 is made that extends into the thickness of the respective profile 7 with predefined depth p and width a.

[0039] Even if in the illustrated embodiment the grooves 8 extend into the thickness of the perimeter body 2 along a direction orthogonal to the front face 5, i.e. with inner side walls 9 parallel and orthogonal to the plane defined by the front face 5, according to not shown variants, they may also extend along inclined directions, i.e. with inner side walls 9 parallel but inclined with respect to the plane defined by the front face 5 or convergent between them to define a cross-section tapered towards the rear face 4. Preferably, the grooves 8 extend along the whole longitudinal development of the respective profiles 7 and in such a position as to have open ends corresponding to the open ends of adjacent grooves 8, so as to define, when the perimeter body 2 is assembled, a single groove that surrounds the perimeter of the whole inner area 3. In particular, the grooves 8 will extend parallel to the outer edges 10 of the respective profiles 7 and at the same constant distance d therefrom.

[0040] For example, for a profile 7 having the above-mentioned dimensions, the grooves 8 could be made with a distance d of 5 mm from the outer edge 10 of the respective profile 7, with width a of 3 mm and depth p of 8 mm.

[0041] It is understood that these dimensions ha to be considered purely exemplary and not limiting.

[0042] According to alternative variants, not shown, one or more of the grooves 8 may extend only for part of the longitudinal development of the respective profile 7, or one or more of the profiles 7 may be without grooves 8, so that, when the perimeter body 2 is assembled, the grooves 8, or the single groove, do not surround the whole inner area 3.

[0043] Furthermore, another variant, also not shown, may provide that two or more grooves 8 of the various profiles 7 are arranged at a distance d from the external edges 10 such that adjacent grooves 8 are not communicating with each other.

[0044] According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the frame 1 also comprises a plurality of panels 11 suitable for being fitted into corresponding grooves 8 to protrude from the front face 5 and extend along respective development planes, perimetrically to theinner area 3.

[0045] According to a first variant, there may be a single panel 11 having a cross-section of a complementary shape to the single groove 8 defined when the perimeter body 2 is assembled.

[0046] Preferably, each of the grooves 8 will be associated with a respective panel 11 suitable for being fitted thereinto to create, with the frame assembled, a perimeter wall 12 that extends perimetrically to the inner area 3, for at least part of its perimeter development, and internally to the outer edge 10 of the perimeter body 2.

[0047] The insertion of the panels 11 into the grooves 8 may be stabilized by distributing a special glue inside the grooves 8 themselves, prior to the insertion of the panels 11. In any case, the panels 11 may be inserted into the grooves 8 in a fixed or removable manner; in the event that it is possible to remove the panels 11 from the grooves 8, it will also be possible to provide a kit containing a number of panels 11 greater than the number of grooves 8 and possibly different in color and / or material and / or decoration, in order to allow the user to customize and vary the aesthetic of the frame 1.

[0048] The insertion of the panels 11 into the grooves 8 may be carried out once the profiles 7 are assembled together or before proceeding with their assembly.

[0049] In this case, a possible manufacturing method could involve inserting the panels 11 into the respective grooves 8 of the corresponding profiles 7 and then subjecting them to the cutting process of the ends, so as to have profiles 7 and panels 11 coupled together with perfectly aligned end edges.

[0050] Preferably, the panels 11 will be flat, with a constant thickness s equal to the width a of the respective groove 8 and height 1 that may vary depending on the aesthetic as well as the dimensions of the profiles 7.

[0051] According to an exemplary but non-limiting configuration, applicable to the example above, the panels 11 may have a height 1 of 40 mm, so to protrude from the front face 5 by approximately 32 mm.

[0052] Conveniently, the panels 11 will have longitudinal end edges cut at 45° to match the edges of the adjacent panels and ensure aesthetic continuity of the perimeter wall 12. Optionally, the adjacent edges of adjacent panels 11 may be joined by gluing or even by shape coupling.

[0053] The panels 11 may be made of any material, such as wood, glass, metal or, preferably,of polymeric material.

[0054] Even more preferably, the panels 11 may be made of plexiglass, for example transparent and possibly colored plexiglass (for example transparent purple, neon light green, neon blue, neon orange, neon yellow, neon red, neon dark green, smoky black, transparent light blue, transparent red, transparent aqua green).

[0055] It is however understood that even for the panels the materials and colors indicated has not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of the invention since a person skilled in the art will understand that it is possible to use panels made of other materials or with other colors.

Claims

Claims1. A frame for paintings or decorative elements, comprising a perimeter body (2) that delimits an inner area (3) suitable for housing one or more decorative elements, said perimeter body (2) having a rear face (4) and a front face (5); characterized by comprising one or more grooves (8) made on said front face (5) and one or more panels (11) suitable for being fitted into corresponding parts of said grooves (8) to protrude from said front face (5) and extend along respective planes perimetrically to said inner area (3).

2. Frame as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said one or more grooves (8) are adjacent to each other to define a continuous groove.

3. Frame as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said continuous groove is closed in a ring and surrounds said inner area (3) for its whole perimetral extension.

4. Frame as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said panels (11) are shaped to define, when inserted into said one or more grooves (8), a perimeter wall (12) that extends perimetrically to said inner area (3), for at least part of its perimetral extension, and internally to the outer edge (10) of said perimeter body (2).

5. Frame as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said panels (11) are flat.

6. Frame as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said panels (11) are made of polymeric material.

7. Frame as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said panels (11) in polymeric material are made of transparent plexiglass, possibly colored.

8. Frame as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said perimeter body (2) is formed by a plurality of profiles (7) mutually joined at respective ends.

9. Frame as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that each of said profiles (7) is provided with a respective groove (8) that extends along the whole length of the respective profile (7).

10. Frame as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that each of said profiles (7) has a respective groove (8) that extends along the whole length of the respective profile (7), parallel at least to the outer edge (10) thereof.

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