Easy Change Display Frame

Abstract

A display frame ( 1 ) has a front panel ( 2 ), a back or rear panel ( 3 ) and an artwork pocket ( 5 ) between the back and front panels. The front panel provides a border around an opening or window ( 7 ) to the artwork pocket ( 5 ). A slot ( 6 ) in an edge of the frame receives artwork into or allows artwork to be removed from the frame. A locking or cover panel ( 10 ) fits over or into the slot to close the artwork pocket ( 5 ). The frame can include an intermediate panel ( 4 ) between the front and back panels. The locking panel ( 10 ) can be retained in the slot by at least one locking mechanism such as locking tab ( 12 ) or ( 24 ). The locking panel ( 10 ) can be hooked into or onto the intermediate panel at one end of the slot ( 6 ) and then clipped into position by one or more locking tabs. One or more detent clips ( 50 ), can correspond with detent clip sockets or recesses ( 52 ) in the edges of the slot. Each detent clip ( 50 ) can have an arc shaped member in an end of the locking panel.

1 . A display frame including at least a back panel, a front panel and an artwork pocket formed between the back panel and the front panel, the front panel providing a border around an opening or window to the artwork pocket, wherein:
 there is provided a slot disposed in an edge of the frame to permit artwork to be slid into and out of the artwork pocket, and   there provided a locking panel which fits into the slot to close the artwork pocket.   
     
     
         2 . A display frame according to  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises at least three layers, including a front layer including the front panel, an intermediate layer and a back layer including the back panel,
 the intermediate layer including a location panel providing three edges of the artwork pocket 
 the intermediate layer further including the locking panel providing a fourth edge of the artwork pocket. 
 
     
     
         3 . A display frame according to  claim 1  wherein the front panel and back panel are directly or indirectly fixed to each other forming a main body of the display frame. 
     
     
         4 . A display frame according to  claim 3  wherein the display frame includes at least one locking means or retaining means between at least a first end of the locking panel and a first end of the slot in the main body. 
     
     
         5 . A display frame according to  claim 4  wherein the or each locking or retaining means includes a locking tab slidably located in an edge of the slot or slidably located in the locking panel,
 the or each said locking tab being slidable between a first position in which the locking tab is engaged in only an edge of the slot or the locking panel and a second position in which the locking tab is engaged in both an edge of the slot and the locking panel. 
 
     
     
         6 . A display frame according to  claim 4  wherein the or each locking means includes a detent protrusion on an edge of the locking panel and a deflecting arm including a detent socket in the edge of the slot, the deflecting arm being resiliently deformable to enable deflection of the detent protrusion as the locking panel is fitted into the slot, the deflection of the detent protrusion being reduced or eliminated when the detent means is aligned with the detent socket and the locking panel is inserted into an assembled position in the slot. 
     
     
         7 . A display frame according to  claim 4  wherein the or each locking means includes a detent protrusion on an edge of the locking panel and a deflecting arm including a detent socket in an edge of the slot, the deflecting arm being resiliently deformable to enable deflection of the detent socket as the locking panel is fitted into the slot, the deflection of the deflecting arm being reduced or eliminated when the detent protrusion is aligned with the detent socket and the locking panel is inserted into an assembled position in the slot. 
     
     
         8 . A display frame according to  claim 4  wherein the at least one locking means or retaining means is a locking or retaining means between the first end of the locking panel and the first end of the slot in the main body and
 wherein there is provided a locating means between a second end of the locking panel and a second end of the slot in the main body. 
 
     
     
         9 . A display frame according to  claim 4  wherein the at least one locking means or retaining means includes a first locking or retaining means between the first end of the locking panel and the first end of the slot in the main body and
 a second locking or retaining means between a second end of the locking panel and a second end of the slot in the main body. 
 
     
     
         10 . A display frame according to  claim 4  further including at least one access hole in the back panel for each locking means and/or the locking panel, the or each respective access hole allowing the respective locking means or the locking panel to be operated. 
     
     
         11 . A display frame according to  claim 4 , further including at least one ejection means, the ejection means being resiliently deformable to enable deflection of the ejection means as the locking panel is fitted into the slot such that when the locking panel is inserted into an assembled position in the slot, the ejection means has a deflection and when the locking panel is removed from the slot, the ejection means has substantially zero deflection. 
     
     
         12 . A display frame according to  claim 6  wherein said deflection is limited. 
     
     
         13 . A display frame as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the slot has smooth shaped edges to avoid interference with artwork being slid into or out of the artwork pocket. 
     
     
         14 . A display frame according to  claim 1  further including a transparent insert covering artwork in the artwork pocket. 
     
     
         15 . A display frame according to  claim 14  wherein the transparent insert is removable from the artwork pocket through the slot when the locking panel is removed. 
     
     
         16 . A display panel as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the transparent insert is fixed to or forms an integral part of the locking panel. 
     
     
         17 . A display frame according to  claim 15  wherein the transparent insert includes a ridge along a side opposite the side of the transparent insert adjacent the locking panel, said ridge extending towards the back panel. 
     
     
         18 . A display frame according to  claim 15  wherein the transparent insert is a tray or cartridge for receiving artwork. 
     
     
         19 . A display frame according to  claim 1  further including a chamfer on at least one outer edge of the slot. 
     
     
         20 . A display frame according to  claim 1  further including a secondary display panel to support secondary artwork, the secondary display panel being moveable between a concealed position where the secondary artwork is at least substantially concealed and a revealed position where the secondary artwork is at least substantially revealed. 
     
     
         21 . A display frame as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the front panel includes a transparent portion inside the border. 
     
     
         22 . A display frame as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the back panel includes a window portion, the back panel forming a border panel around a reverse side of at least a portion of the artwork pocket. 
     
     
         23 . A display frame according to  claim 1  further including at least one additional front panel. 
     
     
         24 . A display frame according to  claim 1  wherein shapes and/or text characters are cut into the border and/or extend into the opening of the front panel. 
     
     
         25 . A display frame according to  claim 1  further including a base having a slot or recess to receive a lower end of at least the back panel and/or front panel of the display frame. 
     
     
         26 . A frame for displaying artwork, the frame including:
 a front border,   a backplate,   a pocket to receive the artwork between the front border and the back plate,   a slot disposed in an edge of the frame, the slot being substantially aligned with the pocket such that the slot provides access to the pocket;   wherein there is provided a locking plate receivable in the slot, the locking plate closing the pocket to retain an artwork contained therein.   
     
     
         27 . A frame as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the locking plate is retained in the slot by a detent mechanism. 
     
     
         28 . A frame as claimed in  claim 27  further including at least one hole in the back plate to enable operation of the detent mechanism. 
     
     
         29 . A frame as claimed in  claim 26  further including holes in the locking plate, and further including holes in the backplate partially aligned with the holes in the locking plate and extending towards an edge of the frame to enable the locking plate to be ejected from the slot. 
     
     
         30 . A display frame according to  claim 27 , further including a transparent insert covering artwork in the artwork pocket. 
     
     
         31 . A display frame according to  claim 30  wherein the transparent insert is movable from the artwork pocket through the slot when the locking panel is removed. 
     
     
         32 . A display panel as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the transparent insert is fixed to or forms an integral part of the locking panel. 
     
     
         33 . A display panel as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the transparent insert is accessible through a hole in the front border to enable an external force to be applied to the transparent insert in the direction of the slot to thereby enable the locking plate to be ejected from the slot. 
     
     
         34 . A display frame as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the detent mechanism includes at least one detent means, the or each detent means including a detent socket provided in an edge of the slot and a deflecting arm including a detent protrusion provided in the locking panel, the deflecting arm being resiliently deformable to enable deflection of the detent means as the locking panel is fitted into the slot, the deflection of the deflecting arm being reduced or eliminated when the detent protrusion is aligned with the detent socket and the locking panel is inserted into an assembled position in the slot. 
     
     
         35 . A display frame as claimed in  claim 27  in the detent mechanism includes at least one detent means, the or each detent means including a detent protrusion provided in the locking panel and a deflecting aim including a detent socket provided in the edge of the slot, the deflecting arm being resiliently deformable to enable deflection of the detent socket as the locking panel is fitted into the slot, the deflection of the deflecting arm being reduced or eliminated when the detent protrusion is aligned with the detent socket and the locking panel is inserted into an assembled position in the slot. 
     
     
         36 . A display frame according to  claim 34  wherein said deflection is limited. 
     
     
         37 . A display frame as claimed in  claim 27  wherein edges of the slot are relatively smooth and do not protrude into a path followed by artwork being placed in or removed from the artwork pocket. 
     
     
         38 . A display frame according to  claim 27  wherein the detent mechanism includes a detent means between a first end of the locking panel and a first end of the slot in the main body and
 wherein there is provided a locating means between a second end of the locking panel and a second end of the slot in the main body. 
 
     
     
         39 . A display frame according to  claim 27  wherein the decent mechanism includes a first detent means between a first end of the locking panel and a first end of the slot in the main body and
 a second detent means between a second end of the locking panel and a second end of the slot in the main body. 
 
     
     
         40 . A display frame according to  claim 27  wherein the back panel includes a window portion, the back panel forming a border panel around a reverse side of the artwork.