Frame border corner connecting device for interconnecting a pair of frame border strips of a changeable frame to form a corner of the changeable frame

Abstract

A frame border corner connecting device for interconnecting a pair of selectively lockable frame border strips of a changeable frame so as to thereby form a corner of the changeable frame is provided. The frame border corner connecting device includes a base element having respective sides to which each one of the frame border strips is securable. The frame border corner connecting device also includes a corner cover element movably mounted to the base element for movement between an open position, in which the corner cover element is clear of the path of movement of an item being moved selectively into or out of the changeable frame, and a closed position in which the corner cover element extends at least partially into the path of movement of the item.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A frame border corner connecting device for interconnecting a pair of frame border strips of a changeable frame so as to thereby form a corner of the changeable frame, the frame border strips being movable between a closed item retaining position, in which cover members of the frame border strips press against an item disposed in the changeable frame to support the retention of the item in the changeable frame, and an open item release position in which the cover members have been moved out of the plane of the frame for permitting release and exchange of an item in the changeable frame, the frame border corner connecting device comprising: 
 a base element having respective sides to which each one of the frame border strips is securable; and    a corner cover element movably mounted to the base element for movement between an open position, in which the corner cover element is clear of the path of movement of an item being moved selectively into or out of the changeable frame, and a closed position in which the corner cover element extends at least partially into the path of movement of the item.    
     
     
         2 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1    wherein, in the closed position of the corner cover element, the corner cover element extends at least partially over the cover members of the pair of frame border strips so as to oppose movement of the cover members out of their closed item retaining positions and, in the open position of the corner cover element, the corner cover element permits movement of the cover members of the pair of frame border strips into their out of plane item release positions.  
     
     
         3 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the corner cover element has the shape of a hollow cap.  
     
     
         4 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , and further comprising a detent and catch seat assembly having a seat arm connected to one of the base element and the corner cover element, and a seating structure on the other of the base element and the corner cover element, the seat arm being releasably biased to engage the seating structure upon the disposition of the corner cover element in at least one of its open and closed positions to thereby releasably secure the corner cover element in the respective position.  
     
     
         5 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the corner cover element is movably mounted to the base element by a means for guiding the corner cover element to move in a translation movement between its closed and open positions.  
     
     
         6 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 5   , wherein the means for guiding the corner cover element to move in a translation movement includes a pair of guide segments mounted on the base element extending in spaced parallel relation to one another and each extending perpendicular to the plane of the changeable frame and having a lengthwise slot formed therein, and the corner cover element has a guide track which travels along the lengthwise slots of the guide segments for guiding of the corner cover element by the guide segments.  
     
     
         7 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 6   , wherein the lengthwise slots of the guide segments each extend transversely to the frame of the changeable frame.  
     
     
         8 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 6   , and further comprising a detent and catch seat assembly having a seat arm connected to one of the base element and the corner cover element, and a seating structure on the other of the base element and the corner cover element, the seat arm being releasably biased to engage the seating structure upon the disposition of the corner cover element in at least one of its open and closed positions to thereby releasably secure the corner cover element in the respective position, the seating structure being supported on the corner cover element for movement therewith along a path located intermediate the guide segments, and the seat arm being resiliently biased to engage the seating structure during movement of the seating structure into correspondence with the seat arm.  
     
     
         9 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the base element includes a pair of connectors, each connector extending from a respective side of the base element and being receivable in a corresponding receiving structure in the respective one of the pair of frame border strips to thereby interconnect the base element and the respective frame border strips.  
     
     
         10 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the base element includes support surfaces, each for supporting thereon a portion of a respective one of the pair of the frame border strips.  
     
     
         11 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the base element includes an abutment surface for abutment thereagainst by a respective one of the pair of the frame border strips.  
     
     
         12 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the base element includes a backing support surface for supporting thereon a portion of an item backing surface.  
     
     
         13 . A frame border corner connecting device according to    claim 1   , wherein the base element includes an opening for training a changeable frame mounting element therethrough.