Picture Frame Assembly

Abstract

A frame assembly ( 11 ) comprising a plurality of profile members ( 12 ) connectable to form the frame assembly ( 11 ). Each profile member ( 12 ) being formed from a substantially planar sheet of material folded to form a rebate ( 13 ) at a rear surface thereof. A backing member ( 16 ) is mountable to the frame assembly so as to be supported within a recess formed at a rear surface thereof, said recess being defined by the rebate ( 13 ) of each profile member ( 12 ).

1 . A frame assembly comprising:
 a plurality of profile members connectable to form the frame assembly, each profile member being formed from a substantially planar sheet of material folded to form a rebate at a rear surface thereof; and   a backing member mountable to the frame assembly to be supported within a recess formed at a rear surface thereof, said recess being defined by the rebate of each profile member.   
     
     
         2 . A frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each profile member is connectable at an end thereof to an adjacent profile member to form said frame assembly. 
     
     
         3 . A frame assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein each profile member, when folded, defines a front portion, outer side portion and inner side portion of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         4 . A frame assembly according  claim 3 , wherein each profile member has at least two grooves formed on a surface thereof to facilitate folding. 
     
     
         5 . A frame assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein each groove is in the form of a V-shaped groove and function to form a hinge about which the profile member is folded. 
     
     
         6 . A frame assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the rebate is formed by a difference in length between the outer side portion and the inner side portion of each profile member when folded. 
     
     
         7 . A frame assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises a retaining member attachable to an inner surface of the outer side portion of at least one profile member, the retaining member being configured to engage with the backing member to retain the backing member in position within the recess of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         8 . A frame assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the retaining member is made from a malleable material so as to be bendable to extend behind the backing member to retain the backing member in position with respect to the recess of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A frame assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein when the profile member is folded, the outer side portion and the inner side portion abut. 
     
     
         10 . A frame assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein when the profile member is folded, the outer side portion and the inner side portion are separated from each other a predetermined distance so as to form a channel between the outer side portion and the inner side portion. 
     
     
         11 . A frame assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the predetermined distance is substantially equivalent to the length of the front portion of the profile member. 
     
     
         12 . A frame assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein one or more reinforcement members are located within said channel to enhance the structural integrity of the folded profile member. 
     
     
         13 . A frame assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more reinforcement members comprises one or more blocks configured to be snugly received within said channel. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a picture frame assembly comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of individual profile members made from a predetermined length of sheet material;   processing each profile member to form at least two grooves therein, each groove extending in a parallel manner along the length of each profile member;   forming the profile member by folding each profile member along the grooves to form a three dimensional profile member having at least an outer side portion and a inner side portion and a front portion, whereby the outer side portion and the inner side portion are of different lengths so as to define a rebate along a rear surface of the formed profile member; and   assembling each of the formed profile members in an abutting manner to form said frame assembly such that a recess is formed in a rear surface of the assembled frame assembly, said recess being defined by the rebates formed in each abutting profile member.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of processing each profile member comprises milling the at least two grooves in a surface thereof, each groove being a substantially V-shaped groove so as to function to form a hinge about which the profile member is folded. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the profile member comprises folding the profile member at each said hinge. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the formed profile members are arranged to form a substantially rectangular frame assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the profile member comprises reinforcing the assembled frame assembly by adding one or more reinforcement members to the profile members in at least a region where the profile members abut. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the profile member comprises applying a finish to the assembled frame assembly.