Corner protectors for framed artwork

Abstract

A unitary protector for picture frames includes four padded triangular corner pocket sections with an inner soft fabric and a seam facing outwardly. The ends of four elasticized bands are sewn to the outer durable fabric of the four corner sections at approximately midway between the top and bottom of the corner section. The seams and points of attachment of the elastic bands are thus kept away from the delicate surface of the frame. Additionally, the elastic bands are configured to evenly distribute stresses.

1 . A unitary protector device comprising: 
 four, three-dimensional triangular corner sections, each corner section being constructed of an outer durable fabric; a middle polyester fiber batting material; and, an inner soft fabric; said layers being sewn together to create a corner section that has one 90 degree angle and 2 acute angles that opens as a pocket with a top and bottom, said top and bottom being configured to protect opposed sides of a corner of a frame; and a seam facing outwardly, the shape of each of said corner sections being adapted to fit over a corner of an art frame; and    four elasticized bands, each elasticized band having two ends, each end being sewn to the outer durable fabric of one of the two acute angles of each of the four corner sections at approximately midway between the top and bottom of the corner section, each elasticized band connecting two corner sections to create one unitary protector device having four corner sections, each corner section being connected to the next by an elasticized band.    
   
   
       2 . A unitary protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unitary protector device is configured to remain attached to an art frame having four corners solely by tension from the elasticized bands when the four corner sections are positioned over the corners of the art frame, placing one corner section of the protector device over one art frame corner until each art frame corner is covered with a corner section of the device; and wherein the seam of each corner section is configured so as to not contact the art frame.  
   
   
       3 . A unitary protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unitary protector device is configured to remain attached to an art frame having four corners solely by tension from the elasticized bands when the four corner sections are positioned over the corners of the art frame, placing one corner section of the protector device over one art frame corner until each art frame corner is covered with a corner section of the device; and wherein each end of the elasticized bands is sewn to the outer durable fabric and configured so as to not contact the art frame.  
   
   
       4 . A unitary protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unitary protector device is configured to remain attached to an art frame having four corners solely by tension from the elasticized bands when the four corner sections are positioned over the corners of the art frame, placing one corner section of the protector device over one art frame corner until each art frame corner is covered with a corner section of the device; and wherein each end of the elasticized bands is positioned to evenly distribute stress between the top and bottom of each corner section.  
   
   
       5 . A unitary protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unitary protector device is configured to remain attached to an art frame having four corners solely by tension from the elasticized bands when the four corner sections are positioned over the corners of the art frame, placing one corner section of the protector device over one art frame corner until each art frame corner is covered with a corner section of the device; wherein each end of the elasticized bands is sewn to the outer durable fabric and configured so as to not contact the art frame; wherein the seam of each corner section is configured so as to not contact the art frame; and wherein each end of the elasticized bands is positioned to evenly distribute stress between the top and bottom of each corner section.  
   
   
       6 . A unitary protector device according to  claim 4 , wherein the corners are padded to protect the art frame.  
   
   
       7 . A unitary protector device according to  claim 5 , wherein the elastic bands are adapted to avoid damaging the art frame.