Framing system

Claim 2

A framing system for a rigid assembly including a picture or like item to be exhibited, front and rear major faces and a plurality of corners, said system comprising: A. bracket means for each corner of the assembly, each of said bracket means including: i. means disposed adjacent the rear face of the assembly and defining an opening, ii. first and second arms extending away from said opening defining means toward adjacent edges of the assembly at the corner, and iii. hook means at the end of each of said first and second arms for engaging the adjacent edges of the assembly; and B. a one-piece, flexible binder cord for interconnecting said bracket means at the rear face of the assembly, for providing a point for hanging the assembly and for holding said bracket means on the assembly whether or not the assembly is hung by said cord, said cord including: i. a first end which is secured to said opening defining means in one of said bracket means, ii. a first intermediate section adjacent said first end which is passed successively through said opening defining means in at least the remaining of said bracket means, iii. a second intermediate section adjacent said first intermediate section which is looped around a portion of said first intermediate section extending between two of said remaining bracket means to form an inverted "V" shape, and iv. a second end adjacent said second intermediate section which is secured so as to maintain said cord under tension thereby to hold each of said bracket means on the assembly, the apex of the inverted "V" of said second intermediate section providing a rigid, stable, laterally centered point for hanging the assembly.

Claim 3

A framing system as recited in claim 1 in which each of said bracket means comprises a length of rigid wire which is bent to form said opening defining means, said first and second arms and said hook means at the end of each of said arms.

Claim 4

A framing system as recited in claim 1 in which said second end of said cord is secured to one of said bracket means.

Claim 5

A framing system as recited in claim 1 in which said second end of said cord is secured to a portion of said first intermediate section of said cord.

Claim 6

A framing system as recited in claim 1 in which the assembly further includes a rigid, transparent front cover and a backing, the picture or like item to be exhibited being sandwiched between the cover and the backing.

Claim 7

A framing system as recited in claim 2 in which the rigid wire of each of said bracket means is surface-treated steel wire.

Claim 8

A framing system as recited in claim 1 in which said cord is formed from nylon.

Claim 9

A framing system for a rigid assembly of the type including a transparent front cover, a picture or like item to be exhibited and a backing, the assembly having two upper and two lower corners, said system comprising: A. a bracket for each corner of the assembly, each bracket comprising a length of rigid wire which is bent to form i. a loop disposed adjacent the backing of the assembly and defining an opening, ii. first and second arms extending at a right angle to one another from said loop toward adjacent edges of the assembly at each corner, and iii. a hook at the end of each of said first and second arms for straddling the adjacent edges of the assembly; and B. a one-piece, flexible binder cord for interconnecting said brackets adjacent the backing, for providing a point for hanging the assembly and for holding said brackets on the assembly whether or not the assembly is hung by said cord, said cord including i. a first end which is secured to said loop of a first one of said brackets disposed at one of the lower corners of the assembly, said cord including ii. a first intermediate section adjacent said first end which is passed successively through said loops in at least the remaining of said brackets around the periphery of the assembly, iii. a second intermediate adjacent said first intermediate section which is looped around a portion of said first intermediate section extending between two of said remaining brackets disposed at the upper corners of the assembly so as to assume an inverted "V" shape, and iv. a second end adjacent said second intermediate section which is secured so as to maintain said cord under tension thereby to hold each of said brackets on the assembly, the apex of the inverted "V" of said second intermediate section providing a rigid, stable, laterally centered point for hanging the assembly.

Claim 10

A framing system for a rigid assembly of the type including a transparent front cover, a picture or like item to be exhibited and a backing, the assembly having two upper and two lower corners, said system comprising: A. a bracket for each corner of the assembly, each bracket comprising a length of rigid wire which is bent to form i. a loop disposed adjacent the backing of the assembly and defining an opening, ii. first and second arms extending at a right angle to one another from said loop toward adjacent edges of the assembly at each corner, and iii. a hook at the end of each of said first and second arms for straddling the adjacent edges of the assembly; and B. a one-piece, flexible binder cord for interconnecting said brackets adjacent the backing, for providing a point for hanging the assembly and for holding said brackets on the assembly whether or not the assembly is hung by said cord, said cord including i. a first end which is secured to said loop of a first one of said brackets disposed at one of the lower corners of the assembly, said cord including ii. a first intermediate section adjacent said first end which is passed successively through said loops in at least the remaining of said brackets around the periphery of the assembly, iii. a second intermediate adjacent said first intermediate section which is looped around a portion of said first intermediate section extending between two of said remaining brackets disposed at the upper corners of the assembly so as to assume an inverted "V" shape, and iv. a second end adjacent said second intermediate section which is secured so as to maintain said cord under tension thereby to hold each of said brackets on the assembly, the apex of the inverted "V" of said second intermediate section providing a rigid, stable, laterally centered point for hanging the assembly.

Claim 11

A framing system as recited in claim 8 in which said first intermediate section of said cord is passed successively through said loops in each of said brackets including said first bracket so as to extend completely around the periphery of the assembly.