Back for picture frame

Claim 1

A supporting easel for supporting a picture frame or the like comprising: (a) a mounting plate having means for attaching said plate to a frame; (b) said plate having a front and a rear surface, a center section and side sections and a top and bottom; (c) said center section being offset from said side sections so that said sections form a channel; (d) said plate having at least three slots in said center section extending from the top to bottom thereof; (e) a one piece support arm having sides, a base support end and a slot engaging end; (f) said slot engaging end including a pair of spaced tongues; (g) said tongues being hook-shaped and opening upwardly; (h) said tongues being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to the distance between said slots; (i) said tongues being in a height and width substantially equal to the height and width of said slots; (j) said tongues having an engaging portion for engaging said mounting plate including a rear wall; (k) said engaging portion being in thickness substantially that of said plate so that when said tongues are inserted into said slots, and said mounting plate moved downwardly with respect to said tongues, said engaging portion will engage with said plate in a snug fit relationship; (l) said center section, relative to said side sections, being offset a distance sufficient to provide clearance for said tongues between said picture frame and said center section; (m) said support arm being planar, having said base support and said slot engaging end lying in said plane, and of a thickness substantially equal to said plate thickness; (n) said support arm being angularly positioned with respect to said tongues so that when said arm is positioned in said plate, said arm is inclined downwardly from said rear surface of said plate; and (o) said support arm including at least one stabilizing projection on each side thereof having a forward surface substantially in line with the rear wall of said engaging portion of said tongue whereby, when said support arm is positioned so that said tongues are in said slot in said mounting plate and engaged therewith, said projections will engage with said rear surface of said plate thereby preventing sway of said arm with respect to said plate maintaining said frame in a rigid position.