System for retaining an image within a frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10813478-B2
Application number	US-201715849418-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2017
Priority date	Dec 20, 2016
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

A spline installation device for use with a spline/rail type frame to assemble the splines to the rails. The device including a base that defines a platform for receiving a frame subassembly; and a plurality of linkages that are disposed about the platform and coupled to the base. Each linkage is configured to move between a first position in which a fence bearing surface thereof is at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the platform and a second position in which the fence bearing surface is set at an at least substantially 90 degree angle relative to the platform for locking and holding the frame subassembly in place. The linkages further being configured to receive a spline instillation tool for locking the splines in place relative to the rails.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A frame assembly comprising:
a mitered frame base including a plurality of rail sections that are joined together in corners of the mitered frame base by a plurality of fasteners, wherein each rail section includes a planar landing, each fastener being installed into the landings of adjacent rail sections that define one of the corners, each rail section including a first surface for receiving a glass plate and a print, each rail section including an inwardly facing retainer lip;
a plurality of splines that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections, each spline having a second surface that faces the first surface of one of the respective rail sections for securing the glass plate and print between the spline and the rail section; and
a plurality of corner inserts that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections, each corner insert having a plurality of outwardly directed beveled tabs which engage the retainer lips of corresponding rails sections for coupling the corners inserts to the rail sections.

2. The frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein each rail section includes a dado formed therein and each corner insert includes an L-shaped connection ridge that is received within one dado of one rail section and within one dado of an adjacent rail section that defines one of the corners.

3. The frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein each corner insert has a hollow interior and includes a plurality of locking tabs formed along inner surfaces thereof.

4. The frame assembly of claim 3 , wherein each corner insert has a slot formed in one corner thereof to permit flexing of two side walls the slot.

5. The frame assembly of claim 3 , further including a plurality of corner caps that are configured to mate with the plurality of corner inserts, each corner cap having an outwardly projecting protrusion that is received with the hollow interior of one corner insert, the protrusion having a plurality of openings formed in side walls thereof which receive the locking tabs of the one corner insert resulting in the corner cap snap-fittingly mating with the one corner insert.

6. The frame assembly of claim 5 , wherein each corner cap includes a planar base from which the protrusion extends outwardly from a first face thereof, the planar base also include an L-shaped retention wall formed along a peripheral edge thereof and also extending outwardly from the first face.

7. The frame assembly of claim 6 , wherein each of the protrusion of the corner cap and each of the corner inserts has a polygonal shape.

8. The frame assembly of claim 5 , wherein the planar base includes an opening formed therethrough, the opening forming an entrance into a hollow interior of the protrusion.

9. The frame assembly of claim 8 , further including a plurality of bumpers, each bumper being received within the opening of one of the corner caps.

10. The frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises V-nails.

11. The frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein each corner insert is disposed over one fastener.

12. The frame assembly of claim 6 , wherein each spline includes a recess configured to receive a backer panel and when each corner cap mates with one corresponding corner insert, the retaining wall is positioned so as to entrap the backer panel.

13. The frame assembly of claim 1 , further including a hanger that is secured within a groove formed in one of the splines.

14. A frame assembly comprising:
a mitered frame base including a plurality of rail sections that are joined together in corners of the mitered frame base, wherein each rail section includes a first planar landing, each rail section including a first surface and an inwardly facing retainer lip; and
a plurality of splines that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections, each spline having a second surface that faces and is spaced from the first surface of one of the respective rail sections to define a space therebetween for securing an object between the spline and the rail section, each spline further including a second planar landing that seats against the first planar landing when the spline snap-fittingly mates with the respective rail section, the spline further including an engagement ridge that engages the inwardly facing retainer lip;
wherein the first planar landing is located between the inwardly facing retainer lip and the first surface, the second planar landing being located between engagement ridge and the second surface.

15. The frame assembly of claim 14 , further including:
a plurality of corner inserts that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections, each corner insert having a plurality of outwardly directed beveled tabs which engage the retainer lips of corresponding rails sections for coupling the corners inserts to the rail sections.

16. The frame assembly of claim 15 , wherein each rail section includes a dado formed therein and each corner insert includes an L-shaped connection ridge that is received within one dado of one rail section and within one dado of an adjacent rail section that defines one of the corners.

17. The frame assembly of claim 15 , wherein each corner insert has a hollow interior and includes a plurality of locking tabs formed along inner surfaces of the corner insert.

18. The frame assembly of claim 17 , wherein each corner insert has a slot formed in one corner thereof to permit flexing of two side walls of the corner insert that define one corner thereof.

19. The frame assembly of claim 17 , further including a plurality of corner caps that are configured to mate with the plurality of corner inserts, each corner cap having an outwardly projecting protrusion that is received with the hollow interior of one corner insert, the protrusion having a plurality of openings formed in side walls thereof which receive the locking tabs of the one corner insert resulting in the corner cap snap-fittingly mating with the one corner insert.

20. The frame assembly of claim 19 , wherein the corner cap includes an internal face that overlaps two splines of the plurality of splines that meet in one corner.

21. A frame assembly comprising:
a mitered frame base including a plurality of rail sections that are joined together in corners of the mitered frame base; and
a plurality of splines that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections and define an open space between first surfaces of the rail sections and second surfaces of the splines;
a plurality of corner inserts that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections; and
a plurality of corner caps that are configured to mate with the plurality of corner inserts, each corner cap having an internal face that overlaps two splines that meet in one corner of the frame assembly.

22. The frame assembly of claim 21 , wherein an underside of each corner cap includes an L-shaped retention wall that is formed along a peripheral edge of the corner cap and is configured to seat against a matt board for placement in a second space that is spaced from first space.

23. The frame assembly of claim 21 , wherein the underside of the corner cap includes a hollow stub that is received within a hollow interior of one respective corner insert.

24. The frame assembly of claim 23 , wherein the hollow interior of the corner insert includes first l

Assignees

• Tracer Imaging Llc

Inventors

• Spiro Steven M
• Daniell Stephen S
• Skeuse Kevin
• Dowd Paul

Classifications

• G09F7/18

  Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure · CPC title

• G09F15/0018

  panel clamping or fastening means · CPC title

• F16B4/004

  Press fits, force fits, interference fits, i.e. fits without heat or chemical treatment (F16B4/002 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47G1/105

  Staples or the like for connecting mitred wooden frame members · CPC title

• A47G1/0605

  made from extruded or moulded profiles, e.g. of plastic or metal · CPC title