GB2240269A - Support member - Google Patents

Abstract

A support member for, eg, a framed picture, comprises two brackets (11) and (12) attached respectively to the supporting wall and the picture frame. A connecting means (13) in the form of a bar is terminally pivotally connected to the brackets, so that the brackets move parallel to one another about the central axis of the connecting bar. When the bar (13) is mutually perpendicular to the brackets (11) and (12), it may be rotated through a right angle along the longitudinal axis and released from one or both of the brackets. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT MEMBER The present invention relates to an improved support member. In particular, the invention is directed towards a device suitable for displaying framed articles, more particularly framed works of art such as paintings, prints and photographs in a secure way on a support surface.

Works of art are commonly displayed in places to which the public has easy access, such as galleries and museums. The work of art is frequently displayed in a frame, and the frame suspended from a wall or a rail.

However, the theft of such works which are on display is an increasing problem. Conventional systems of hanging are either easy to break so that the artwork can be removed, or so cumbersome that they protrude obtrusively from the frame, detracting from the artwork.

There is therefore a need to provide a means for supporting works of art which is simple and unobtrusive and yet which prevents unauthorised removal of the object supported.

The prior art has described a number of ways of securing artwork. Most simple is the provision of eyelets screwed into the frame through which is passed and secured a length of wire, the wire then being passed over a holding device, such as a hook, on the mounting wall. More complex devices require the use of a tool to dismount the displayed object from the wall. Since such tools sometimes get lost, this mounting system can prove impractical. US 3 912 216, for example, describes a lockable self-levelling wall-mounting device which comprises spring biased lugs and requires a key for locking and unlocking. This idea is further developed in US 4 385 744.

US 4 190 221 provides a system comprising a bracket which has a tortuous path removably linked with a pin affixed to the suspended object. However, if it is desired to remove the work of art, which may be very heavy, a very careful operation has to be followed in moving the work to and fro in the tortuous path.

It is also desired to provide a method of hanging which is easily transferable between a number of surfaces. For example, pictures are often hung from wire mesh screens when in gallery storage. If the support member is constantly being removed from the back of the frame, the frame becomes damaged and weakened and may break, damaging the artwork framed within.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support member which can be used on a number of surfaces without damaging the frame of the displayed article.

According to the present invention, there is provided a support member for a frame comprising a first bracket adapted for attachment to a support surface, a second bracket adapted for attachment to the frame and a connecting means connecting said first and second brackets, said connecting means being pivotally secured to said brackets and releasable therefrom only on rotation on an axis substantially and mutually perpendicular to the parallel planes of said brackets.

By the present invention the second bracket may be permanently secured to the frame of the work of art, and the first bracket permanently secured to the support means. The connecting means may be inserted and rotated to secure the two brackets.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second brackets are identical, and the connecting bar is symmetrical about a mid-way point.

The brackets and connecting means may be formed in any appropriate material, including steel, brass and plastics, providing the material is of sufficient strength to support the displayed work of art.

An embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the three components of the support member linked together.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the connecting means.

FIGURE 3 is a view from beneath one of the brackets.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the bracket.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic representation of relevant attitudes of the brackets and connecting means during removal of the connecting member.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a support member (10) comprising a first bracket (11) and a second bracket (12) with a connecting means (13) releasably connecting said brackets.

The bracket (11) has apertures (14) through the flat securing face plate (16) adapted to receive a screw or bolt to secure the bracket to the mounting surface. The apertures may be countersunk in order that the screw or bolt-heads may be received flush with the surface of the bracket. In a. similar fashion, the bracket (12) has apertures (14) adapted to receive a screw or bolt to secure the bracket to the frame of a framed article.

The brackets (11) and (12) are of relatively flat cross-section so as to protrude minimally from the support surface and the frame. Each bracket is provided with housing (15) for releasable securement to the connecting means (13). The housing (15) is provided with a slot (20) between two raised surfaces (21) and (22).

The connecting means (13) is in the form of an elongate rectangle. At each end of the connecting means are T-shaped protrusions (30) and (31). These protrusions are adapted for rotatable insertion within the slot (20) of the brackets. The width of the T-shape AA' is greater than the width of the slot DD'. The width AAl is also less than the diagonal length of the slot (20), most preferably less than the vertical length CC'. The neck of the T-shape has a width BB'. This must be less than or equal to the width of the slot DD', such that BB' is rotatable perpendicular to plane of the face plate (16) within the slot (20). The depth of the T-shape EE' is also less than or equal to the height of the raised surface (21) and (22).

Figure 5(d) shows an alternative embodiment of the connecting means (32) wherein the T head shape is formed by notches (33) on the connecting means. The notches should be deep enough to allow insertion and rotation of the connecting means (32) within the slot (20).

The connecting means (13) is preferably of the same length as the brackets (11) and (12). This can be more clearly seen in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 5, the mode of use of the support member will be described. It will be seen in Figure 5(a) that the brackets (11) and (12) lie in parallel planes with the connecting means (13) pivotable in a plane between brackets (11) and (12) around housings (15). Bracket (11) is affixed to a surface such as a wall, and bracket (12) has a frame affixed thereto. The T-shape (30) of the head of the connecting means (13) is such that when the connecting means is in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the brackets, it may be rotated through 90 and bracket (12) disconnected therefrom by pulling the slot over the T-shape. This is seen in Figures 5(c) and (d). It will be realised that the connecting means (13) may also be disconnected from the bracket (11) affixed to the wall.However, it is preferred, once bracket (12) has been removed, to allow the connecting means to hang from bracket (11). This reduces the chances of it getting mislaid.

When in use, the brackets and connecting means adopt the configuration shown in Figure 5(b). It will be seen that the cross-section of the complete support member is very shallow, and thus a picture with a thin frame can hang close to the supporting wall. If a thicker frame is used, the support member will adopt a configuration as shown in Figure 5(a).

The advantage of the presently described support member can be seen, particularly if the frame is supported by two members. It is simple to lift the frame such that the configuration shown in Figure 5(d) is adopted. However, the frame must be held still so that the connecting means (13) can be rotated. It will be appreciated that this requires a team of knowledgeable technicians. The effort required will deter the snatch thief.

If a gallery adopts a universal hanging system according to the present invention, it can be seen that alternative brackets can be used specially adapted to hang from wire mesh or the like, whilst the connecting means (13) and frame bracket (12) remain constant. All that is required is that the various brackets attached to the supporting surface are provided with the housing (15) and slot (20) for the T-shape of the connecting means (13).

Claims (6)

1. A support member for a frame comprising a first bracket adapted for attachment to a support surface, a second bracket adapted for attachment to the frame and a connecting means connecting said first and second brackets, said connecting means being pivotally secured to said brackets and releasable therefrom only on rotation on an axis substantially and mutually perpendicular to the parallel planes of said brackets.

2. A support member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brackets comprise a slotted housing adapted to accommodate rotation and pivoting of the connecting means.

3. A support member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connecting means is provided with T-shape terminal protrusions.

4. A support member as claimed in claim 3, wherein the T-shape is provided by two notches in the body of the connecting means.

5. A support member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, when the flat cross-sections of the first and second brackets are substantially the same.

6. A support member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.