Non destructive framing system

Abstract

A framing system is disclosed to receive an item to be displayed. The system may include a fixing device, a rear support having a substantially planar surface, and one or more fixing elements. The rear support may include an aperture that is configured to receive a fixing device at least partially therethrough. The fixing element may be configured for engagement with a respective fixing device, wherein an item to be displayed is held in place relative to the rear support under magnetic force between a fixing device and fixing element. A method for the non-destructive mounting of an item to be displayed using such a framing system is also disclosed.

1 . A framing system to receive an item to be displayed comprising:
 one or more fixing devices;   a rear support having a substantially planar surface, the rear support further defining one or more apertures therethrough, each aperture configured to receive a fixing device at least partially therethrough; and   one or more fixing elements, each fixing elements configured for engagement with a respective fixing device,   wherein an item to be displayed is held in place relative to the rear support under magnetic force between respective pairs of fixing devices and fixing elements.   
     
     
         2 . The framing system of  claim 1  further comprising a display item, the display item being non-destructively maintained in place relative to the rear support. 
     
     
         3 . The framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the rear support includes a plurality of apertures and a corresponding number of fixing devices and fixing elements. 
     
     
         4 . The framing system of  claim 1 , wherein each fixing device comprises a first securing member to secure it within the respective aperture in the rear support. 
     
     
         5 . The framing system of  claim 4 , wherein the first securing member comprises a plurality of resilient securing arms. 
     
     
         6 . The framing system of  claim 5 , wherein the resilient securing arms include abutments configured to engage with corresponding recesses within a wall of the aperture through which the fixing device extends. 
     
     
         7 . The framing system of  claim 1 , wherein each fixing device further comprises a metal element for engagement with a metal element provided in the corresponding fixing elements. 
     
     
         8 . The framing system of  claim 7 , wherein the metal element engages with the fixing device to splay the securing arms such that on extending through the aperture, the securing arms engage with corresponding recesses in the wall of the respective aperture into which it extends, thereby securing the fixing device within the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The framing system of  claim 4 , wherein each fixing device further comprises a second securing member to secure the metal component in place relative to the fixing device. 
     
     
         10 . The framing system of  claim 9 , wherein the second securing member comprises a plurality of resilient securing arms. 
     
     
         11 . The framing system of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient securing arms of the second securing member are provided with abutments to engage with corresponding recesses provided within the metal element of the fixing device. 
     
     
         12 . The framing system of  claim 7 , wherein the metal element of each fixing device comprises a substantially planar surface which is contiguous with the substantially planar surface of the rear support, when the fixing device extends through the respective aperture in the rear support. 
     
     
         13 . The framing system of  claim 1  further comprising a front plate for location between the item to be displayed and the corresponding fixing element. 
     
     
         14 . The framing system of  claim 13 , wherein the front plate is provided with one or more locating portions, each locating portion aligning with a respective aperture in the rear support and within which the fixing element is located. 
     
     
         15 . The framing system of  claim 14 , wherein each locating portion comprises an aperture extending at least partially through the front plate. 
     
     
         16 . The framing system of  claim 9 , wherein each fixing device is further comprises a mounting portion located distal to the first and second securing member, to facilitate the mounting of the system to a fixed structure. 
     
     
         17 . The framing system of  claim 13 , wherein each fixing device comprises a lip to abut against a portion of the front display plate. 
     
     
         18 . A method for the non-destructive mounting of an item to be displayed comprising:
 a) providing a framing system including one or more pairs of magnetically attracted fixing devices and fixing elements, and a rear support, the rear support defining one or more apertures to receive a fixing device at least partially therethrough;   b) inserting a fixing device into each rear support aperture;   c) locating the item to be displayed on the rear support;   d) securing the item to be displayed between the rear support and the fixing elements by locating a fixing elements on the opposing side of the item to be displayed to the fixing device, each fixing elements being aligned with a respective fixing device for magnetic engagement with one another, thereby holding the item to be displayed in place relative to the rear support.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising providing a front plate for location between the item to be displayed and the fixing elements such that the item is at least partially visible through the front plate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each fixing device includes resilient arm portions to releasably locate the fixing device within the respective rear plate aperture. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)