Method and arrangement for framing posters or the like

Abstract

 A method and an arrangement for framing a poster or similar is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a frame (2) and a backing element (10) for supporting the poster (11) in the frame. The frame has a top arrangement (8) and at least two side members (5), with the two side members each being provided with a groove (6) intended to receive edge portions of the poster and the backing element. The top arrangement (8) has a slot (9) to allow the poster and backing element to be slid into the grooves (6) in the frame in a direction of insertion. In accordance with the invention, the backing element (10) is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be rolled up along its length corresponding to the direction of insertion so that during insertion only those parts of the backing element (10) which are either within the frame (2) or immediately adjacent the slot (9) in the top arrangement (8) lie in a plane accommodating the grooves (6).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD:

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for framing posters or the like according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3 respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

[0002] A frame suitable for use in the method and arrangement according to the present invention is disclosed in EP-B-O 141 823, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As shown in Fig. 1 of said document, the frame consists of a top arrangement 8 and a plurality of side members 5. The top arrangement and side members are linked together by removable corner pieces 1 to form an enclosing frame. The side members 5 are each provided with a groove 6 which is intended to receive edge portions of a rigid display sheet 7. The top arrangement 8 presents a slot 9 to allow the rigid display sheet 7 to be slid into the grooves 6 in the frame.

[0003] The above-described type of frame has proved to be very popular, not least because the corner pieces can be removed to thereby allow the frame to be disassembled for ease of storage and transportation. When assembled, the frame defines an opening in which e.g. a display sheet can be accommodated. The display sheet must be sufficiently rigid so that it will not flex to an extent where its edge portions come out of the grooves, otherwise the sheet could fall out of the frame. This need for a rigid sheet implies that, although the frame can be easily dismantled, the rigid sheet will always present a certain fixed surface area, thereby hindering transportation. In addition, when the rigid sheet is to be inserted into the frame via the slot in the top arrangement, sufficient space must be left adjacent the top arrangement to allow the sheet to be brought up to the slot. This can be problematic in instances, for example, where the frame is attached to a wall and it is desired to change the display sheet, since the person changing the sheet must be able to hold the sheet above and in line with the slot to allow the sheet to engage with the grooves. In some cases, due to the proximity of the ceiling to the top of the frame, there is insufficient space to align the display sheet with the slot and so consequently the frame must be removed from the wall.

[0004] Applicant has recognized a need for a method and an arrangement for framing posters or the like which facilitate both the insertion of the poster in a frame of the above-mentioned type and the transportation and storage of the frame and its contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an arrangement for framing posters or the like which overcome the above disadvantages.

[0006] This is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a method for framing a poster or similar in a frame, said frame made up of a top arrangement and at least two side members, said at least two side members each being provided with a groove intended to receive edge portions of said poster and a backing element, and said top arrangement presenting a slot to allow said poster and backing element to be slid into the grooves in the frame in a direction of insertion, characterized in that said backing element is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be rolled up along its length corresponding to said direction of insertion so that during insertion only those parts of the backing element which are either within the frame or immediately adjacent the slot in the top arrangement lie in a plane accommodating said grooves.

[0007] The invention further provides an arrangement for framing a poster or similar, said arrangement comprising a frame and a backing element for supporting said poster in said frame, the frame having a top arrangement and at least two side members, said at least two side members each being provided with a groove intended to receive edge portions of said poster and a backing element, and said top arrangement presenting a slot to allow said poster and backing element to be slid into the grooves in the frame in a direction of insertion, characterized in that said backing element is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be rolled up along its length corresponding to said direction of insertion so that during insertion only those parts of the backing element which are either within the frame or immediately adjacent the slot in the top arrangement lie in a plane accommodating said grooves.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the invention are detailed in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0009] The invention will be described in greater detail in the following be way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

shows a portion of the frame known from EP-B-0 141 823;

Fig. 2

shows a poster being inserted into a frame in accordance with the present invention, and

Fig. 3

shows a sectional view through a piece of suitable backing material.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:

[0010] Fig. 1 corresponds to Fig. 1 of EP-B-0 141 823. Briefly, reference numeral 2 denotes a frame consisting of a top arrangement 8 and a plurality of side members 5. The top arrangement and side members are linked together by removable corner pieces 1 to form the enclosing frame. The side members 5 are each provided with a groove 6 which is intended to receive edge portions of a rigid display sheet 7. The top arrangement 8 presents a slot 9 to allow the rigid display sheet 7 to be slid into the grooves 6 in the frame 2.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, as shown in Fig. 2, the rigid display sheet 7 is replaced by a backing element 10 of certain flexibility. The backing element must, however, be sufficiently rigid so that when it is inserted in the frame 2 it imparts adequate support for a poster 11 or similar. Accordingly, the material for the backing element is selected so that it is sufficiently flexible to allow the backing element 10 to be rolled up along its length corresponding to its direction of insertion into the frame 2. As is apparent from Fig. 2, the flexibility of the backing material is such that during insertion only those parts of the backing element 10 which are either within the frame 2 or immediately adjacent the slot 9 in the top arrangement 8 lie in a plane accommodating the grooves 6.

[0012] Suitable material for the backing element 10 includes corrugated cardboard, the corrugations of which extend transversely to the direction of insertion of the backing element in the frame 2. Alternatively, the backing element 10 may be made from a plastic laminate of the type shown in Fig. 3. The laminate consists of two parallel sheets 12, 13 of plastic, joined together by ribs 14 to thereby create channels 15 extending transversely across the backing element 10. Such a laminate can have a total thickness of around 3 mm. In order to impart the desired flexibility in its direction of insertion, the laminate is provided with a series of transversely extending cuts 16 which penetrate one layer 13 of the laminate, to thereby open up selected channels 15. These cuts 16 enable the backing element 10 to be rolled up in the direction of the arrows A.

[0013] The flexibility of the backing element 10 presents two major advantages. Firstly, a consumer can purchase the frame 2 in a disassembled state together with the backing element 10 in a rolled up state. This greatly facilitates both the storage of the frame and element as well as their transportation. Secondly, the flexibility of the backing element 10 aids the framing of the poster 11 or similar, as will be described in the following.

[0014] As best shown in Fig. 2, once the frame 2 has been assembled, the poster 11 to be framed is laid onto the backing element 10. The leading transverse edges of the backing element and poster are inserted in the slot 9 in the top arrangement 8 of the frame. As the leading transverse edges pass through the slot 9, edge portions of the backing element 10 and poster 11 are automatically accommodated by the grooves 6 in the frame side members 5. Once the poster and backing element have been fully inserted into the frame, they will be supported at their edge portions around their entire circumference.

[0015] If the frame 5 is premounted on a wall, it will be obvious that the poster 11 to be framed will be placed against the inner curved surface of the backing element 10.

[0016] It will further be apparent that the top arrangement 8 of the frame may also be positioned on one side of the frame 2 to thereby allow insertion of the backing element 10 from the side.

[0017] The invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above, but can be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the required flexibility of the backing element can be imparted by scoring stiff paper or cardboard with lines transverse to the direction of insertion of the backing element in the frame. The frame itself need not be rectangular, but can present a partially circular or multi-sided shape. It is also conceivable that the poster be pre-affixed to the backing element, for example via adhesive, so that the poster may present a smaller surface area than the backing element. It is further envisaged that the backing element itself be directly printed with display material.

Claims

1. Method for framing a poster (11) or similar in a frame (2), said frame made up of a top arrangement (8) and at least two side members (5), said at least two side members each being provided with a groove (6) intended to receive edge portions of said poster and a backing element (10), and said top arrangement presenting a slot (9) to allow said poster and backing element to be slid into the grooves (6) in the frame (2) in a direction of insertion, characterized in that said backing element (10) is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be rolled up along its length corresponding to said direction of insertion so that during insertion only those parts of the backing element which are either within the frame (2) or immediately adjacent the slot (9) in the top arrangement (8) lie in a plane accommodating said grooves (6).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (2) is affixed to a wall.

3. Arrangement for framing a poster (11) or similar, said arrangement comprising a frame (2) and a backing element (10) for supporting said poster in said frame, the frame (2) having a top arrangement (8) and at least two side members (5), said at least two side members each being provided with a groove (6) intended to receive edge portions of said poster and said backing element, and said top arrangement (8) presenting a slot (9) to allow said poster and backing element to be slid into the grooves (6) in the frame (2) in a direction of insertion, characterized in that said backing element (10) is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be rolled up along its length corresponding to said direction of insertion so that during insertion only those parts of the backing element (10) which are either within the frame (2) or immediately adjacent the slot (9) in the top arrangement (8) lie in a plane accommodating said grooves (6).

4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that said backing element (10) is made from corrugated cardboard.

5. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that said backing element (10) is made from a plastic laminate.

Drawing