Picture frame retaining clip

Abstract

 A clip (1) for retaining a picture in place in a picture frame, which clip comprises a boss (2) having on one end portion a transversely extending elongate locking arm (4) and having on the other end portion a flange (3), the cross sectional configuration of the boss being such as to facilitate rotation of the boss within a complementary hole (5) defined in a backing substrate (6) of a picture frame so that the arm can be rotated to engage the picture frame, with the flange located on the picture side of the backing substrate and the locking arm located on the other side of the backing substrate, whereby the picture is retained in place by the backing substrate.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to clips and more especially it relates to clips for retaining a picture in place in a picture frame.

[0002] According to the present invention a clip for retaining a picture in place in a picture frame comprises a boss having on one end portion a transversely extending elongate locking arm and having on the other end portion a flange, the cross sectional configuration of the boss being such as to facilitate rotation of the boss within a complementary hole defined in a backing substrate of a picture frame so that the arm can be rotated to engage the picture frame, with the flange located on the picture side of the backing substrate and the locking arm located on the other side of the backing substrate, whereby the picture is retained in place by the backing substrate.

[0003] A clip according to the present invention affords the advantage of ease of assembly and enables a picture to be retained without the need for fixing devices to be attached to the frame.

[0004] The word picture is used herein generally and includes photographs, prints, sketches, paintings and certificates.

[0005] The flange will normally be thin enough to be accommodated between the backing substrate and a picture, although in an alternative embodiment the backing substrate may be relieved so as to accommodate the flange.

[0006] The boss is preferably cylindrical.

[0007] The flange may be arranged to extend around a part only of the cylindrical surface of the boss whereby insertion of the clip into the backing substrate from the picture side thereof is faciliated so that the flange lies flat against the backing substrate.

[0008] The locking arm may be cranked so as normally to extend from the complementary hole in spaced apart relationship with the backing substrate so that deformation of the locking arm towards the backing substrate is facilitated whereby the springiness of the arm is used to retain the locking arm in locking engagement with the picture frame.

[0009] The locking arm may include a hole or a recess from which the picture may be hung.

[0010] The hole may be a generally triangular hole with the apex of the hole pointing towards that end of the locking arm which is remote from the boss.

[0011] The clip may be formed from a plastics material such as absor nylon.

[0012] One embodiment of the invention with now be described solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clip for retaining a picture in place in a picture frame;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the clip shown in Figure 1, associated with an asembly comprising a picture frame, a backing substrate, a picture and glass each of which are shown in section; and

Figure 3 is a back view of a picture frame to which four clips as shown in Figures 1 and 2 are fitted.

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, a plastics moulded picture frame clip 1 comprises a generally cylindrical boss 2 having at one end a flange 3 and at the other end a transversely extending elongate locking arm 4. As shown in Figure 2, the clip 1 is fitted in a hole 5 in a cardboard backing substrate 6, the diameter of the hole 5 being slightly larger than the diameter of the boss 2 whereby the boss 2 serves in effect as a spindle which facilitates rotation of the locking arm 4. As shown in Figure 2, the flange 3 is arranged to be relatively thin so that it can be sandwiched between the backing substrate 6 and a picture 7 retained in a wooden or plastics picture frame 8 between the backing substrate 6 and a glass sheet 9. The flange 3 is part circular so that insertion of the clip 1 into the hole of the backing substrate 6 is facilitated without the need to bend or deform the flange 3.

[0014] It will be appreciated that the glass sheet 9 is optional and in an alternative arrangement may be omitted.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2 the locking arm 4 is cranked so that an end part 10 of the locking arm 4 is spaced apart from the backing substrate 6. In use of the clip 1, in order to lock the locking arm 4 to the frame 8, a groove 11 is provided in the frame 8 so that when pressure is applied to an end portion 10 of the locking arm 4 in the direction of an arrow 12, the locking arm 4 will be constrained to deform towards the backing substrate 6 so that it will then engage the groove 11 when rotated. The clip 1 is preferably moulded from a resilient plastics material and due to the springy nature of the material, the locking arm 4 will be retained by friction in the groove 11.

[0016] By providing four clips 13, 14, 15 and 16 as shown in Figure 3, a picture may be simply retained in the frame 8 without the need for retaining clips to be attached to the frame 8.

[0017] It will be appreciated that the clips 13, 14, 15 and 16 may very quickly and easily be inserted in the backing sheet 6 whereby rapid and simple assembly of a framed picture can be effected.

[0018] In order to facilitate hanging of a picture retained by clips as hereinbefore described the clip 1 is provided with a generally triangular hole 17 which can be used to receive hanging means such as a hook (not shown).

Claims

1. A clip for retaining a picture in place in a picture frame, which clip comprises a boss having on one end portion a transversely extending elongate locking arm and having on the other end portion a flange, the cross sectional configuration of the boss being such as to facilitate rotation of the boss within a complementary hole defined in a backing substrate of a picture frame so that the arm can be rotated to engage the picture frame, with the flange located on the picture side of the backing substrate and the locking arm located on the other side of the backing substrate, whereby the picture is retained in place by the backing substrate.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flange is thin enough to be accommodated between the backing substrate and a picture.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the boss is cylindrical.

4. A clip as claimed in claim 3 wherein the flange is arranged to extend around a part only of the cylindrical surface of the boss.

5. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking arm is cranked.

6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking arm includes a hole or recess from which the picture may be hung.

7. A clip as claimed in claim 6 wherein the hole is a generally triangular hole with the apex of the hole pointing towards that end of the locking arm which is remote from the boss.

Drawing