WO1998018372A1 - Framing device for photographic prints - Google Patents

Abstract

Framing device for photographic prints. The invention concerns a framing device giving depth to photographs. It consists of an arc-shaped concave background (1) against which is urged the photograph (2) which is maintained horizontally by its elasticity since it is forcefully inserted between two lateral checks (3 and 4). It is vertically maintained by a projection (5) located at the bottom and another located at the top. It can be protected by a transparency (9). To change the photograph, the user exerts pressure on the recto passing a pencil into the orifice (8) bored in the back. The background (1) can be translucent, thus lighting the photograph from behind by means of a source of light (10). The device can receive any sort of covering (11) The device is for framing any photograph print whatever be its size or its destination.

Description

 DtMCADfîEME-HT DEVICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a framing device which gives depth to photographic prints.

Traditionally, whatever their framing mode, photos generally remain flat, that is to say in two dimensions, height and width.

The framing device according to the invention makes it possible to give them a third dimension. It presents them in fact according to a first characteristic by giving them a concave curvature corresponding to a cylinder arc with a vertical axis. A spectator who observes a photo thus presented perceives the various elements under different optical angles from those obtained with the same photo in a flat position. The result is an illusion of depth which is added to the actual depth created by the curvature.

The best result occurs when the radius r of the curve given to the photo has a length of the order of 0.8 times to 1.6 times the width of said photo.

The curvature of the photo is given by a bottom against which it is pressed: it is blocked by two buffers located on each side of the bottom and between which it is maintained thanks to its elasticity. Projections located at the top and bottom of the bottom hold it vertically.

The device makes it possible to install the photo instantly: the user curves it, image outside, then introduces its lateral edges between the buffers. It is enough to press in the middle of the curve so that it reverses and that the photo comes to be pressed against the bottom.

According to the particular embodiments:

- The background may include an orifice with a diameter of the order of 10 mm which will allow the photo of the frame to be instantly released by pressing on its front with a pencil inserted into said orifice.

- Bumpers and projections can be slightly oversized to accommodate and maintain in the same conditions as the photo a possible protective transparency. - The background can be translucent, thus making it possible to illuminate the photo from behind.

- The device can receive this or that covering studied according to its robustness, its destination, its aesthetics. 5> the attached drawings illustrate the invention:

Figure I shows in elevation the device according to the invention, Figure 2 shows it in horizontal section.

With reference to these drawings, the device has a bottom in an arc (I) against which the photo (2) is pressed which -0 is maintained horizontally by its elasticity. Indeed, it is forcibly inserted between two lateral buffers (3 and Z). It is held vertically by two projections (5 and 6) located at the top and bottom of the bottom.

According to FIG. 2, the radius r (7) has a length located in the range f5 of the formula: 0.8 L <r <1.6 L.

The bottom (I) has an orifice (8) of the order of 10 mm in diameter which allows, by inserting a pencil and pressing the front of the photo (2) to instantly exit the photo and a possible protective transparency (9), 0 The background (I) can be translucent, thus allowing a light source (10) to illuminate the photo (2) from behind.

By way of example, a covering (10) of which there can be an infinite number of variants has been indicated in broken lines.

The dimensions of the device depend on the size of the 5 photos it must frame and the size of the chosen cover.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to frame all photographic prints whatever their size and destination.

Claims

HEVE DICATIOM≤ 1. Frame for photographic prints and enlargements characterized in that it comprises a rigid bottom (I) curved according to a concave cylinder arc with vertical axis. The photo (2) has the same dimensions as this background and it is applied in all points against it. 2. Frame according to claim I characterized in that the photo is held against the bottom by buffers (3 and) which consist of simple projections forming with the curved bottom an angle of 90 ° or slightly less. 3- Frame according to claims I and 2 characterized in that the photo (2) is maintained at the top and bottom by àeε projections (.5 and 6). Z _f . Frame according to claim I characterized in that the radius r (?) Of the arc formed by the bottom (I) is proportional to the width L of the photo according to the formula: 0.6 <r <I, 6 L . Frame according to claim I characterized in that the bottom I is pierced with an orifice (o) of the orore of 10 nx. 6. Frame according to claims I, 2 and 3 characterized in that the dimensions of the buffers (3 and <~) and these projections (> and ό) are such that they allow this to be maintained, under the same conditions as the photo, a protective transparency (9). 7. Frame according to claim I characterized in that the bottom (I) is translucent ei that a light source (10) is located behind. oh. Frame according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it can receive this or that hatil-age this finish.