Corner protector

Abstract

 The invention relates to a corner protector (1) comprising opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces (1A,1B), side surfaces (1C,1D) between the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side edges (1F,1G) of the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, connections between the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and a top edge (1E) placed at the top between the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces. The front and rear frame enclosing surfaces (1A,1B) and the side surfaces (1C,1D) form a cavity which in use embraces the corner area of a frame. The corner protector (1) either comprises a flap (2) with a stop (3) engaging the inner border of the frame or the corner protector (1) comprises first elements for attaching a stop to the corner protector (1), said stop engaging the inner border of the frame.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to corner protectors. The corner protector of the present invention is a removable fitment so sized and shaped as to embrace a corner region of an article such as a picture frame for providing temporary means for protection of the corner edges whilst the article such as a picture frame is being stored or transported.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Corner protectors are known, of hollow triangular shape, which can fit corners of frames, boards, etc. to prevent damage of the corners during storage, stacking, handling and transport. Such protectors may typically suffer from the deficiencies of being difficult to fit (because of fitting too tight to the corners) or easily dislodged (because of fitting too loose to the corners).

[0003] Several solutions to ensure satisfactory fit of corner protectors are known.

[0004] US 4,598,825 discloses a rectangular or square shipping package or wrapper for a picture frame, mirror, or the like. The corner protective forming elements is made from a one-piece, die-cut blank of corrugated board, paperboard or fibreboard with the corner protectors being defined by four, multi-panelled, fold-out flaps capable of capture from the confines of the blank.

[0005] US 7,350,646 discloses a corner protector with a pair of opposite frame embracing faces which are resilient and bowed so that, in use, the corner region of a frame to be protected must force its way into position on between the opposite faces of the protector and will thereafter be frictionally gripped between them until the protector is subsequently released by pulling it off against the frictional resistance. Frame-gripping ribs may also according to US 7,350,646 be incorporated on the major faces of the corner protector.

[0006] An improved corner protector, which can fit over the corners of frames, boards, etc. to prevent damage during storage, stacking, handling and transport would be advantageous, and especially a corner protector which can be fitted on various differently dimensioned corners without being too tight to hinder the attachment of the corner protector or too loose to ensure that the corner protector stays attached to the corner.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It may be an object of the present invention to provide a corner protector for protecting corners during storing or transport, and which corner protector is easily attached and detached to a corner, but at the same time is prevented from falling off during use.

[0008] In particular, it may be an object of the present invention to provide a corner protector capable of being used on different corners with different dimensions, such as different corner thickness and/or different corner frame widths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The above described object and several other objects are solved in a first aspect of the invention by providing a corner protector comprising opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side surfaces between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side edges of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and forming connections between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and a top edge placed at the top between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces form a cavity which in use embrace the corner area of a frame, and wherein the corner protector furthermore comprises

• at least one flap extending outwards from a side edge of one of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, said side edge being opposite to the top edge,
• said flap in use extending inwards from the side edge of the frame enclosing surface and towards the top edge, and
• said flap comprising at least one stop extending outwards from the flap and said stop extending into the cavity formed by the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and where
• at least one stop in use engages an inner edge of a frame to fix the position of the corner protector to the frame, and where
• at least one stop is comprised within borders of the flap.

[0010] It is to be understood, that when using the phrase "corner protector" the wording covers any shape or type of a corner protector, and having an opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side surfaces between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side edges of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, said edges forming connections between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and a top edge placed at the top between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces form a cavity which in use in use embrace the corner area of the article that needs to be protected during storing or transport.

[0011] The outer dimension of the corner protector according to the invention has to be large enough to enable the locking mechanism of the invention on the inner border of the article, such as a picture frame. If the width of the corner protector, defined as the shortest distance across the frame enclosing surface from the top edge to the side edge of the frame enclosing surface, is not wider than the width of the distance between the inner and the outer border of the article, such as the width of the picture frame, the stop will not be able to engage the inner border of the article, and therefore it is inherent to all corner protectors according to the invention that the outer dimension of the corner protector will be large enough for the stop to engage the inner border of the article of which the corner protector seeks to protect.

[0012] The material along the edge connecting the at least one of the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces with the flap is intended to control the spring effect of the flap. The spring effect of the flap is when the flap in use is bend inwards towards the top edge, whereby the material along the edge will be subjected to an elastic strain, thereby subjecting the flap with a force towards the article from the opposite surface by elastically straining said material of the edge. The elastically strained material of the edge will try to revert to its unstrained position to minimize the stored elastic energy. Trying to revert to its unstrained position will impose a force between the opposite surface and the article, such as a picture frame, when the corner protector is in use.

[0013] It is important for the strained material of the edge to stay below the elastic limit of the material in order for the corner protector to be able to preserve the force towards the article and in order to be able to reuse the corner protector after several attachments and detachments. A way of dimensioning the spring effect is by changing the thickness or material of the strained edge.

[0014] The corner protector according to the invention is intended to be used for protecting corners of articles such as picture frames during transportation or storing of the article. Protecting of corners of articles could be when the picture frame has to be transported from the place of production to the place of sale or from the place of sale to the place of use. During transport there is an increased risk of damaging the corner areas of the transported articles, and in order to minimize this risk corner protectors are often used. In articles such as picture frames even small damages such as scratches or chatter marks can drastically decrease the value of the articles. During storage of the articles a large number of these articles is often contained in very little space, which also increases the possibility of damages. Furthermore packing and unpacking articles from storage facilities also represents situations where need for special care to avoid damages would also represent increased storage costs and the opposite where less need for special care to avoid damages would represent decreased storage costs. During storage and transport where the articles is put tightly together, e.g., in a pile, the corner protectors according to the invention could also act as spacers between the articles to avoid for example colour imprints from article to article or sticking.

[0015] In the present context the wording "transport" or "transportation" refers to all handling of the articles either by hand or machine. Furthermore the wording "storage" refers to all intermediate storing of the articles at the place of production, at intermediate stocks or storage facilities or at the place sale, such as in a shop, or where else storage is required.

[0016] The thickness of the walls in a corner protector according to the invention may be 0.01-20 mm, such as 0.1-10 mm, such as 0.5-5 mm, such as 0.5-3 mm, such as 0.5-2 mm, such as 0.5-1.5 mm, such as 0.5-1 mm.

[0017] Preferably, the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces are of triangular shape. The opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces can also have different shapes such as other polygonal or rounded shapes. The shape of the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces can be designed either to match a special article or to be versatile to match a variety of articles. Furthermore, one of the frame enclosing surfaces of the corner protector may have a right-angled boomerang-like shape to minimize the surface of the frame being enclosed, e.g. a picture frame. Thereby, the exposure of the front of article, e.g. enhance the exposure of the picture in a picture frame, is enhanced. A frame enclosing surface having a right-angled boomerang-like shape will also reduce materials cost of the corner protector.

[0018] The outer surface of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and/or the side surfaces can be designed with ribs or dimples etc. in order to improve the stacking abilities of the articles during transport or storage.

[0019] The stop on the flap is intended for engaging the inner edge of the article such as a picture frame. The stop can easily be disengaged by pushing the flap towards the surface to which the flap is connected.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one stop has a first wall and a second wall, said first and second walls extending from the flap, said walls forming an abutting edge and said walls abutting each other along the abutting edge and forming an angle between said first and second walls being at the most 90 degrees, said abutting edge in use of the corner protector being directed towards the top edge, and said abutting edge of the stop in use engaging the inner border of the frame. A stop shaped like a kind of pyramid or a kind of shark-fin, a rigid, steady and efficient stop is obtained, ensuring a proper engagement between the corner protector and the corner to be protected.

[0021] By restricting the angle between said first and second walls to be at the most 90 degrees the stop is ensured to engage the inner border of the article with the abutting edge and possibly the first and second walls, when the corner protector is used on L-shaped corner areas. If the angle exceeds 90 degrees the stop will engage the first and second walls of the stop on the part of the walls away from the abutting edge. This will lead to a decreased locking efficiency, due to lack of engagement with the abutting edge. In case of other polygonally shaped frames, such as triangular, the angle would be restricted by other angles such as less than 60 degrees for a triangular shaped frame or less than 120 degrees for a hexagonally shaped frame.

[0022] In order for the stop to be able to engage the inner border of an article in a locked manner, the angle between the surface of the flap and the abutting edge of the stop needs to be close to 90 degrees when the flap in use is close to parallel with the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces. When the flap in use is in this position the abutting edge needs to be close to close to parallel to an inner corner edge of the article to effectively engage the inner border of the article.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one stop is constituted by a pin extending from the flap, said pin extending with an elongate axis of the pin forming an angle of approximately 90 degrees with a surface of the flap from which the pin extends. Said pin, in use of the corner protector, engages the inner border of the frame. A pin used as a stop has the advantage that the corner protector more easily may be disengaged from the corner of an article.

[0024] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the flap is provided with at least one hole, and wherein the pin in use is inserted into one of said holes.

[0025] In order to enhance the versatility of the corner protector the pin can be inserted into one of a given set of holes in the flap, thereby providing the possibility of using the corner protector for various different dimensions of articles which need protection. In embodiments where the stop has a permanent position on the flap, the corner protector is optimal when used on a specifically dimensioned article, such as a picture frame, and either be too loose or not able to be locked if the width of the picture frame doesn't match the position of the stop.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the flap is provided with a plurality of holes extending through the flap, said plurality of holes extending along a straight line, and wherein the pin in use is inserted into one of said plurality of holes.

[0027] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the flap is provided with at least one stop embedded in the flap, and wherein the stop in use is capable of being placed is in position extending outwards from the flap.

[0028] In order to avoid any loose extra members of the corner protector such as the described insertable pin, the stop can be constituted from a part of the flap, which is able to be extended outwards from the plane of the flap. Such a stop embedded in the flap can be made for example by stamping a geometrical shape into the flap such that a part of the flap, when to be used, can be pushed outwards from the surface of the flap for the geometrical shape to constitute the stop.

[0029] According to a possible embodiment of the invention the corner protector is comprising opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side surfaces between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side edges of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and forming connections between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and a top edge placed at the top between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces form a cavity which in use embrace the corner area of a frame, and wherein at least one of the frame enclosing surfaces is provided with a first element and a second element for engaging said first element, where said first and second element in use are constituting a stop engaging the inner border of the frame as tightly as possible.

[0030] By placing the stop on the frame enclosing surface it is possible to engage or disengage the stop while the corner protector is attached to the frame. For example in applications where the frame might be very fragile or if both sides of the frame is sought to be protected, it might be disadvantageous to use a flap with a stop, since it might present unwanted stress to the frame or leave unwanted marks on the frame, respectively.

[0031] According to another possible embodiment of the invention the corner protector, the frame enclosing surfaces is provided with a plurality of first elements. The corner protector furthermore comprises a second element for engaging one of said plurality of first elements, where said plurality of first elements and said second element in use are constituting an adjustable stop engaging the inner border of the frame. Providing the corner protector with a plurality of first elements allows the user to use the corner protector without prior measurement or consideration of the frame width. The user can attach the corner protector to the frame and subsequently attach the second element to the most appropriate first element.

[0032] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the plurality of first elements is constituted by a plurality of holes extending along a straight line, said line of holes extending from a border of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the second element is constituted by a pin, said pin and said line of holes constituting the stop and said pin in use being inserted into one of said plurality of holes.

[0033] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the plurality of first elements is constituted by a wavelike shape extending outwards from the frame engaging surface, and said plurality of first elements extending along a straight line, said line of first elements extending from a border of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein said second elements is constituted by a wavelike shape complementary to said wavelike shape of the first elements.

[0034] A wavelike shape for engaging the first element with the second element enables the stop to be shaped so that a stepwise positioning of the stop is provided in relation to the remainder of the corner protector. Thereby, the ability is increased for using the corner protector on different corners with different dimensions, such as different corner thickness and/or different corner frame width.

[0035] The corner protector may be made from different materials depending on the structural strength and/or the lifetime durability and/or the environmental sustainability required of the corner protector.

[0036] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the corner protector is made from plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Plastic may be manufactured having a sufficient structural strength, the lifetime and durability may be higher than that of, e.g., cardboard, and the environmentally sustainability may be increased by using recycled plastic.

[0037] It may also be advantageous to manufacture the corner protector from a biodegradable material since the corner protector may be lost in nature during use. An example of a biodegradable material, possibly capable of being injection moulded or being thermo-shaped, is polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0038] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the corner protector surfaces are wholly or partially transparent.

[0039] The corner protector surfaces being wholly or partially transparent may improve the visual appearance and/or may allow full visual appearance of the article when the corner protectors are mounted to the article, which can be important e.g. during resale of the article say in a shop.

[0040] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the corner protector surface is ribbed, dimpled, corrugated and/or otherwise surface-treated as to enhance its frictional gripping capability in use.

[0041] In order to improve the handling and grip of the corner protector according to the invention, the surface of the corner protector can be ribbed, dimpled, corrugated and/or otherwise surface-treated as to enhance its frictional gripping capability in use. Surface treatment like ribs, dimples and corrugations may improve the hands grip on the corner protector when attaching and detaching the corner protector, it may enhance the grip of the corner protector on an article and it may help to avoid sliding of an article on slippery floors for example when the article is placed on the slippery floor and at the same time leaning against a wall.

[0042] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of the corner protector is grooved, indented and/or otherwise so surface-treated that as, in use, the corner protector is pushed onto the corner region of the frame, the ribs, dimples etc of the corner protector will slide and/or snap into the grooves, indentations etc of the frame on the interior of the corner protector and that the ribs, dimples etc will provide protection of the frame from exterior mechanical impacts on the corner protector.

[0043] The individual aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] The corner protector according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limited to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

Fig. 1 show the corner protector of the invention in a perspective view,

Fig. 2 show the corner protector of the invention in a different perspective view,

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of the flap according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a pin according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the corner protector of the invention,

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the corner protector of the invention,

Fig. 7 shows a frame in a perspective view,

Fig. 8 shows a side view of a corner protector according to the invention and the finger of a user,

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the corner protector of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0045] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a corner protector 1. The corner protector 1 comprises two opposite frame enclosing surfaces, a front frame enclosing surface 1A and a rear frame enclosing surface 1B, which in use abut the front side 5E and rear side 5F of an article such as a picture frame (see Fig. 7). The frame enclosing surfaces 1A, 1B are connected to side surfaces 1C, 1D along side edges. A top edge 1E is present at the top between the frame enclosing surfaces 1A, 1B, said top edge 1E connecting the side surfaces 1C, 1D. In use the frame enclosing surfaces 1A, 1B and the side surfaces 1C, 1D embrace the corner area 5D of a frame 5 (see Fig. 7).

[0046] The corner protector 1 furthermore comprises a flap 2 extending from a first side edge 1F of the front frame enclosing surface 1A. Alternatively, the flap may extend from a second side edge 1G of the rear frame enclosing surface 1B. The first side edge 1F and the second side edge 1G are opposite to the top edge 1E (see Fig. 2). The frame enclosing surfaces 1A, 1B and the side surfaces 1C, 1D configures a cavity for a corner of a frame of an article such as a picture fram, said corner intended for being inserted into tehj cavity during use.

[0047] The flap 2 comprises at least one stop 3 extending outwards from the flap 2. The stop 3 is comprised within borders 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E of the flap 2.

[0048] During use, the flap 2 is extending inwards from the first side edge 1F of the front frame enclosing surface 1A, alternatively from the second side edge 1G of the rear frame enclosing surface 1B, and towards the top edge 1E.

[0049] By bending the flap 2 inwards into the cavity of the corner, the flap 2 will be elastically tensioned along the side adge 1F. Thereby, the flap will apply a pressure to the rear side 5F of the article 5, thereby fixing the position of the corner protector 1 with respect to the corner area 5D of the frame 5 (see Fig. 7).

[0050] In order to fix this position of the corner protector 1 with respect to the corner area 5D of the frame 5, the stop 3 engages an inner border 5A of the article.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment, where the stop 3 has a first wall 3A and a second wall 3B, said first and second walls 3A, 3B extending from the flap 2. The walls form an abutting edge 3C and said walls are abutting each other along the abutting edge 3C and said walls are forming an abutting angle 3D being at the most 90 degrees. The abutting edge 3C, during use of the corner protector, is directed towards the top edge 1E, and said abutting edge 3C of the stop 3, during use of the corner protector, is engaging the inner border 5A of the frame 5 (see Fig. 7).

[0052] By restricting the abutting angle 3D to be at the most 90 degrees, the stop 3 is sure to engage the inner border 5A of the frame 5 with the abutting edge 3C and possibly the first wall 3A and second wall 3B, when the corner protector is used on L-shaped corner areas (see Fig. 7). If the angle 3D exceeds 90 degrees, the stop may engage the inner border 5A of the frame 5 in a manner so that a decreased locking efficiency will occur, due to lack of engagement with the abutting edge 3C. In case of other polygonal shaped frames, such as triangular, the angle 3D would be restricted by other angles such as less than 60 degrees for a triangular shaped frame or less than 120 degrees for a hexagonally shaped frame.

[0053] Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment, where the stop 3 is constituted by a pin 4 extending from the flap 2, said pin extending with an elongate axis 4B of the pin (see Fig. 4) forming an angle of approximately 90 degrees with a surface of the flap 2 from which the pin 4 extends. The pin 4, during use of the corner protector, is engaging the inner border 5A of the frame 5 (see Fig. 7). The use of a stop 3 consisting of a pin 4 compared to a stop constituted by a first wall 3A and second wall 3B could be advantageous either from a manufacturing point of view or if special requirements for the engagement of the frame are required, such as engagement of a pre-drilled hole in the frame 5.

[0054] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the flap 2 is provided with at least one hole 2G. In embodiments where the flap 2 is provided with a plurality of holes 2G extending through the flap, the plurality of holes 2G can be placed in a specific configuration such as extending along a straight line or along an array of holes

[0055] During use of the corner protector, the pin 4 is inserted into one of the one or more holes 2G in order to act as stop 3, which engage the inner border 5A of a frame 5 (see Fig. 7). In embodiments with more holes 2G, the pin 4 is inserted into the hole 2G matching the widths 5G and 5H of the frame 5 (see Fig. 5). It can be advantageous to use a fixed position of the pin 4, if all the frames, which are intended to be protected by corner protector, have the same dimensions. If the widths 5G and 5H of the frame 5 are equal, it can be advantageous to use a set of holes 2G extending in a straight line along the elongate direction 2F of the flap. In a business where different dimensions of the widths 5G and 5H of the frame 5 are required, it can be advantageous to use an array of holes 2G in order to match all frames with the same corner protector.

[0056] When the stop consists of a pin 4 inserted into a hole 2G, the pin 4 may be provided with a head 4A to prevent the pin 4 from passing all the way through the hole 2G.

[0057] In another embodiment (not shown), the flap 2 is provided with at least one stop embedded in the flap 2, and wherein the stop, during use of the corner protector, is being placed in position extending outwards from the flap, i.e., being retracted form the embeded position to a protruding position.

[0058] By embedding the stop in the flap, any loose parts can be avoided. Loose parts may represent a problem in case the user looses or misplaces the parts. By embedding the stop in the flap, this problem is eliminated.

[0059] Embedding the stop in the flap can posses other advantageous effects such as more rigid connection to the flap than for example the "pin and hole" type stop. Compared to the stop comprising a first wall 3A and second wall 3B, the embedded stop is also likely to represent lower manufacturing costs, since manufacture may be performed by, e.g., stamping, whereas the stop comprising a first wall 3A and second wall 3B would present more expensive manufacturing methods.

[0060] During use of the corner protector, the embedded stop is placed in position protruding outwards from the flap 2 in order to act as stop, which can engage the inner border 5A of a frame 5 (see Fig. 7). In embodiments with more embedded stops, the embedded stop, matching the widths 5G and 5H of the frame, is placed in position protruding outwards from the flap 2. It can be advantageous to use a fixed position of the embedded stop if all the articles, which are intended to be protected by corner protector of the invention, have the same dimensions. If the widths 5G and 5H of the frame 5 are equal, it can be advantageous to use a set of embedded stops extending in a straight line along the elongate direction 2F of the flap. If different dimensions of the widths 5G and 5H of the frame 5 are required, it can be advantageous to use an array of embedded stops in order to match all frames with the same corner protector.

[0061] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment, wherein the rear frame enclosing surfaces of the corner protector is having a right-angled boomerang-like shape to limit the front of the frame being covered, thereby enhancing the exposure of the front of article, i.e. so as to enhance the exposure of a picture in a picture frame.

[0062] Fig. 7 shows a frame which could be protected a corner protector according to the invention. The frame has inner borders 5A and outer borders 5B. The frame also has corners 5C, which in the embodiment shown are right-angled corners. Corners having other angles, such as corners of a triangular frame or a polygonal frame having more than four sides, may also be corners to be protected by a corner protector accoridng to the invention.

[0063] Longitudinal elements 5D constituting the frame have widths 5F and 5G between the inner borders 5A and the outer borders 5B. The widths may be identical or may be different, depending on the kind of article which the frame constitutes parts of, e.g. a picture frame, a window frame, a door frame or a frame of another artice, the corners of which article may benefit form, and possbly may need, proper protection during storage, transport and/or during other handling.

[0064] Fig. 8 shows a side view of a corner protector according to the invention and the finger of a user. Fig. 8 show how the corner protector can be easily disengaged by the user, by using e.g. an index finger to bend the flap 2 in a direction shown by the arrow in the upper drawing to release the elastic force provided by the flap towards the frame element 5D, and thus releasing the engagement between the stop 3 and an inner border 5A of a frame, enabling pulling the corner protector 1 off the corner as hown by the arrow in the lower drawing.

[0065] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment, where at least one of the frame enclosing surfaces is provided with a plurality of first elements 3E for attaching a stop 3 to the corner protector 1, and wherein the corner protector 1 furthermore comprises at least one second element 3F for engaging at least one of said first elements 3E. The second element 3E, which is intended for engaging at least one of the plurality of first elements 3E, is the element provided with or constituting the stop 3 engaging the inner border 5A of the frame 5 (see Fig. 7).

[0066] By using a corner protector, where the stop is divided into two parts, i.e., a plurality of first elements 3E and at least one second element 3F engaging each other, the advantage may be to be able to position the corner protector without the stop and subsequently attach the stop to the corner protector. This subsequent engagement of the stop may allow the user to easily tighten the stop, while the corner protector is attached to the frame. This subsequent tightening of the stop can also be done, if the cavity of the corner protector is only large enough to allow the article to enter without the flap 2 being in the cavity.

[0067] Dividing the corner protector and the stop in two separate elements engaging each other for providing the corner protector with stop, the advantage may also be to be able to more freely shape the stop, and during use of the corner protector, to more freely position the stop with respect to the frame corner.

[0068] According to a possible embodiment, the first element is constituted by a wavelike shape, such as serrated, extending outwards from the frame engaging surface, and said plurality of first elements extending along a straight line, said line of first elements extending from a border of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein said second elements is constituted by a wavelike shape complementary to said wavelike shape of the first elements.

[0069] The corner protector is preferably made from plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Plastic may be manufactured having a sufficient structural strength, the lifetime and durability may be higher than that of, e.g., cardboard, and the environmentally sustainability may be increased by using recycled plastic.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

[0070] 

1. Corner protector

1A. Front frame enclosing surface

1B. Rear frame enclosing surface

1C. Side surface

1D. Side surface

1E. Top edge

1F. First side edge

1G. Second side edge

1H. Third side edge

1I. Fourth side edge

2. Flap

2A. First flap border

2B. Second flap border

2C. Third flap border

2D. Fourth flap border

2E. Fifth flap border

2F. Elongate direction

2G. Hole(s)

3. Stop

3A. First wall

3B. Second wall

3C. Abutting edge

3D. Abutting angle

3E. First element(s)

3F. Second element

4. Pin

4A. Head

4B. Elongate axis

5. Frame

5A. Inner border

5B. Outer border

5C. Inner corner edge

5D. Corner area

5E. Front side of frame

5F. Rear side of frame

5G. Width of the top and bottom part of the frame

5H. Width of the left and right part of the frame

Claims

1. Corner protector comprising opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side surfaces between the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side edges of the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and forming connections between the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and a top edge placed at the top between the opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, and

- wherein the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces form a cavity which in use embrace the corner area of a frame, and wherein the corner protector furthermore comprises

- at least one flap extending outwards from a side edge of one of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, said side edge being opposite to the top edge,

- said flap in use extending inwards from the side edge of the frame enclosing surface and towards the top edge, and

- said flap comprising at least one stop extending outwards from the flap and said stop extending into the cavity formed by the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and where

- at least one stop is comprised within borders of the flap.

2. Corner protector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stop has a first wall and a second wall, said first and second walls extending from the flap, said walls forming an abutting edge and said walls abutting each other along the abutting edge and forming an angle at the most 90 degrees, said abutting edge in use of the corner protector is directed towards the top edge, and said abutting edge of the stop in use engaging the inner border of the frame.

3. Corner protector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stop is constituted by a pin extending from the flap, said pin extending with an elongate axis of the pin forming an angle of approximately 90 degrees with a surface of the flap and from which the pin extends, and said pin in use of the corner protector engaging the inner border of the frame.

4. Corner protector according to claim 3, wherein the flap is provided with at least one hole, and wherein the pin in use is inserted into one of said holes.

5. Corner protector according to claim 4, wherein the flap is provided with a plurality of holes extending through the flap, said plurality of holes extending along a straight line, and wherein the pin in use is inserted into one of said plurality of holes.

6. Corner protector according to claim 1, wherein the flap is provided with at least one stop embedded in the flap, and wherein the stop in use is capable of being placed is in position extending outwards from the flap.

7. Corner protector according to claim 6, wherein the flap is provided with a plurality of stops embedded in the flap, said plurality of stops extending along a straight line, and wherein at least one of the stops in use is in position extending outwards from the flap.

8. Corner protector comprising opposite front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side surfaces between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, side edges of the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and forming connections between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces, and a top edge placed at the top between the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the front and rear frame enclosing surfaces and the side surfaces form a cavity which in use embrace the corner area of a frame, and wherein at least one of the frame enclosing surfaces is provided with a first element and a second element for engaging said first element, where said first and second element in use are constituting a stop engaging the inner border of the frame.

9. Corner protector according to claim 8, wherein the frame enclosing surfaces is provided with a plurality of first elements, and wherein the corner protector furthermore comprises a second element for engaging one of said plurality of first elements, where said plurality of first elements and said second element in use are constituting an adjustable stop engaging the inner border of the frame.

10. Corner protector according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of first elements is constituted by a plurality of holes extending along a straight line, said line of holes extending from a border of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the second element is constituted by a pin, said pin and said line of holes constituting the stop and said pin in use being inserted into one of said plurality of holes.

11. Corner protector according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of first elements is constituted by a wavelike shape extending outwards from the frame engaging surface, and said plurality of first elements extending along a straight line, said line of first elements extending from a border of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein said second element is constituted by a wavelike shape complementary to said wavelike shape of the first elements.

12. Corner protector according to claim 9, wherein the at least one frame enclosing surface is provided with a plurality first elements consisting of holes extending along a straight line, said line extending from a border of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein the second element is constituted by a pin, said pin and said plurality of holes on a line constituting an adjustable stop and said pin in use being inserted into one of said plurality of holes.

13. Corner protector according to claim 8, wherein the first element and the second element are embedded in at least one of the frame enclosing surfaces, and wherein said second element in use can be de-embedded by deformation of said first elements so that the second element extends outwards from the frame enclosing surface, the first and second element thereby constituting a stop when the second element is de-embedded.

14. Corner protector according to claim 13, wherein the at least one frame enclosing surface is provided with a plurality of said embedded first elements and second elements.

15. Corner protector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the corner protector is made from plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, possibly having surfaces which are wholly or partially transparent.

Drawing