The present invention relates to a picture frame for framing pictures, posters, prints, signs and the like. More particularly, it relates to such a picture frame for the inexpensive, yet aesthetically pleasing and practical framing of a wide variety of pictures for both residential and commercial use.
In my earlier patent for a picture frame, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,209, I have described a picture frame which is very inexpensive and so easy to assemble that anyone can do so with aesthetic and precise results. The picture frame is designed to eliminate the need for a picture glass or other transparent covering and semi-rigid backing, normally used for most picture frames. It was specifically intended for framing posters, which tend to be relatively large, and prints. Artistic decor utilizing posters and large prints has come into vogue in recent years. Where such poster-type pictures are inexpensive, it is often times not worthwhile to provide the same with a glass covering and a semi-rigid backing, together with a frame, for the entire assembly since these various extra elements often cost far in excess of the original poster to be framed. Thus, on many occasions, one sees attractive poster-like pictures which are tacked or otherwise fastened to a wall for the purpose of exhibiting the picture and maintaining it flat. Such securement of a poster-like picture to a wall not only causes damage to the wall but very often tends to be unsightly, in that tacks or tape, or other objects are utilized in fastening the picture to the wall.
To overcome this problem, my earlier patent provided a picture frame for poster-like pictures which included at least a top picture edge support, and preferably a bottom picture edge support, and fastening elements which fasten the respective edges of the poster-like picture frame to the top and bottom supports. Each picture edge support includes a flat back plate which extends substantially the length of the edge of the picture being framed and a substantially C-shaped portion or member, one leg of which is connected to the outer edge of the back plate, while the other leg extends downwardly toward the flat back plate to define a gap between the terminus thereof and the back plate. The picture edge support is preferably formed of extruded plastic. The fastening elements are also generally C-shaped and resiliently engaged around the generally C-shaped member of the edge support with the inside leg extending into the gap beyond the terminus of the inside leg of the C-shaped member and the flat back plate, so as to press the edge of the poster-like picture inserted into the gap against the back plate of the edge support. The invention also contemplates the provision of edge supports for each side edge of the poster-like picture, wherein the fastening elements are in the form of elbow-shaped corner pieces, which engage the adjacent ends of adjacent edge supports so as to secure or fasten the poster-like picture to the flat back plates of the supports at the corners of the picture. While quite satisfactory in use, I have found that for certain applications a more rigid or stiffer picture frame is needed. In addition, the picture frame is not suitable for joining multiple pictures or posters together. It is also not particularly suitable for double-sided signs, such as may be often used in store windows and the like, where it is desired that the customer can read the same either on the outside of the store or on the inside thereof.