System for retaining an image within a frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11684185-B2
Application number	US-202016897932-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2020
Priority date	Dec 20, 2016
Publication date	Jun 27, 2023
Grant date	Jun 27, 2023

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 spline installation device for use with a frame assembly comprising:
a base that defines a platform for receiving the frame assembly in a preassembled state; and
a plurality of linkages that are disposed about the platform and coupled to the base, each linkage being 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 between the plurality of linkages.

2. The spline installation device of claim 1 , wherein the platform surface has a polygonal shape and each side of the platform surface has one linkage disposed therealong.

3. The spline installation device of claim 1 , wherein each linkage comprises a base component, a fence component and a linkage component that pivotally couples the fence component to the base component, the fence component including the fence bearing surface, the base component being attached to the base and the linkage component including a handle configured such that movement of the handle results in the fence component pivoting and the fence bearing surface moving between the first position and the second position.

4. The spline installation device of claim 3 , wherein the base includes four corner pieces to which the base components are attached, the platform being located between the corner pieces.

5. The spline installation device of claim 3 , wherein the fence component includes a recessed tool hook portion disposed above the fence bearing surface and extending a length of the fence bearing surface.

6. The spline installation device of claim 5 , wherein the recessed tool hook portion extends along the entire length of the fence bearing surface.

7. The spline installation device of claim 5 , wherein the fence component includes a hinge that mates with a hinge hook of the base component to hingedly connect the fence component to the base component, while the linkage component is pivotally coupled to both the base component and the fence component.

8. The spline installation device of claim 5 , further including a spline insertion tool that includes a handle and a head that has a toolhead pivot and a toolhead bearing surface, the toolhead pivot being configured to freely and slidably engage the recessed tool hook portion of the fence component to permit pivoting therein resulting in movement of the toolhead bearing surface relative to the platform for imparting a progressing application of force to the frame subassembly.

9. The spline installation device of claim 8 , wherein the recessed hook portion of the fence component has an arcuate shape and the toolhead pivot comprises a rounded rail that can only be slidingly received within the recessed hook portion from one end thereof, the toolhead bearing surface having a rounded surface.

10. The spline installation device of claim 8 , wherein the spline insertion tool rotates about a longitudinal center axis of the recessed hook portion for applying a downward force to the frame subassembly for effectuating assembly thereof.

11. The spline installation device of claim 8 , wherein the toolhead pivot comprises a rounded protrusion that protrudes from the head.

12. A method for joining a plurality of splines to a plurality of base rails to form an assembled frame comprising the steps of:
providing a spline installation device that includes:
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 being 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;

placing a frame subassembly onto the platform, the frame subassembly comprising the plurality of base rails joined to one another;
moving the linkages from the first position to the second position resulting in the plurality of base rails being locked and held in place between the fence bearing surfaces that extend externally around the frame subassembly;
loosely engaging the plurality of splines with the plurality of base rails; and
using a spline insertion tool that is pivotally coupled to one of the linkages to impart a progressing application of force to one spline of the plurality of splines resulting in the one of the plurality of splines being snap-fittingly mated to a corresponding one of the base rails, the spline insertion tool being used to snap-fittingly mate all of the splines to all of the base rails to complete the assembled frame.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the platform surface has a polygonal shape and each side of the platform surface has one linkage disposed therealong.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein each linkage comprises a base component, a fence component and a linkage component that pivotally couples the fence component to the base component, the fence component including the fence bearing surface, the base component being attached to the base and the linkage component including a handle configured such that movement of the handle results in the fence component pivoting and the fence bearing surface moving between the first position and the second position.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the base includes four corner pieces to which the base components are attached, the platform being located between the corner pieces.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the fence component includes a recessed tool hook portion disposed above the fence bearing surface and extending a length of the fence bearing surface.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the recessed tool hook portion extends along the entire length of the fence bearing surface.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the fence component includes a hinge that mates with a hinge hook of the base component to hingedly connect the fence component to the base component, while the linkage component is pivotally coupled to both the base component and the fence component.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the spline insertion tool that includes a handle and a head that has a toolhead pivot and a toolhead bearing surface, the toolhead pivot being configured to freely and slidably engage the recessed tool hook portion of the fence component to permit pivoting therein resulting in movement of the toolhead bearing surface relative to the platform for imparting the progressing application of force to the one of the plurality of splines.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the toolhead pivot comprises a rounded protrusion that protrudes from the head.

21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of using the spline insertion tool comprises axially moving the spline insertion tool within a recessed tool hook portion of one of the linkages to impart the progressing application of force along the entire length of the one of the plurality of splines.

Assignees

• Tracer Imaging Llc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• G09F15/0012

  frames therefor · CPC title

• A47G1/0605

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

• A47G1/10 Primary

  Corner clips or corner-connecting appliances for frames · CPC title

• A47G2001/0677

  having means for fixing the picture or backing to the frame, e.g. clips, nails or the like · CPC title

• F16B4/004

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