A planar display assembly is provided with a planar display pane. A frame is provided with a dado sized to receive the planar display pane. A plurality of retainers mounts to the frame about an inner periphery of the frame to retain the planar display pane within the frame. At least one of the plurality of retainers is elastically deformable to deform during installation of the planar display into the frame, and to expand to retain the planar display pane within the frame. A plurality of apertures or a channel may be formed in the frame about the dado. The plurality of retainers may mount to the frame within the plurality of apertures or the channel of the frame to retain the planar display pane within the frame.

An automated system for assembling a framed article including a plurality of canvases and a plurality of assembled frames to be combined with the plurality of canvases to form the framed articles. Each assembled frame is formed of a rear panel and a frame member that are detachably attached to one another with one canvas being stretched across a front face of the frame member. The automated system includes an assembly station including a movable presser head that is configured to detach and lift the rear panel from the frame member and a plurality of movable side guide fingers that are configured to fold side edges of the canvas over sides of the frame member to permit the presser head to press the rear panel down over the folded side edges of the canvas into engagement with the frame member with the canvas being captured between the frame member and the rear panel.

A frame (2) for framing a picture/an artwork (4) having a periphery (8) is disclosed. The frame (2) comprises a contact surface (10) provided at the inside (12) of the frame, which frame (2) comprises an opening (14), through which the picture/artwork (4) is mountable. At least one flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) extends along at least a portion of the contact surface (10). The at least one flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) is provided in such a manner that the flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) is configured to securely maintain the picture/artwork (4) within the frame (2) by means of a compression force (F.sub.1) and/or a friction force (F.sub.2) between the at least one flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) and the periphery (8). The flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) is compressible. The flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) is attached to the frame (2) in such a manner that the flexible member (6, 6, 6, 6) is restricted from being moved along the width (axis X) of the contact face (10).

A frame apparatus for displaying an article. The frame apparatus includes a frame having a rabbet and a channel having a channel axis formed into a wall of the rabbet. A stack is positioned within the rabbet for display. The stack may include a glazing, an article for display, and a backer panel. A clip member is slidably coupled to the frame within the channel such that the clip member can slide within the channel along the channel axis while remaining coupled to the frame. The clip member has a hanging feature. Thus, the clip member serves the dual purpose of securing the stack within the rabbet and also providing the hanging feature for the frame. Furthermore, the clip member functions as a built-in self-leveling feature because it can slide within the channel thus ensuring that the frame is hung in a level manner.

A planar display assembly is provided with a planar display pane. A frame is provided with a dado sized to receive the planar display pane. A plurality of retainers mounts to the frame about an inner periphery of the frame to retain the planar display pane within the frame. At least one of the plurality of retainers is elastically deformable to deform during installation of the planar display into the frame, and to expand to retain the planar display pane within the frame. A plurality of apertures or a channel may be formed in the frame about the dado. The plurality of retainers may mount to the frame within the plurality of apertures or the channel of the frame to retain the planar display pane within the frame.

A frame apparatus for displaying an article. The frame apparatus includes a support structure having a frame and a backer panel. A plurality of slots are formed into the backer panel that include a first slot that is elongated along a first axis that is parallel to top and bottom edges of the support structure and a second slot that is elongated along a second axis that is parallel to lateral edges of the support structure. The frame apparatus also includes a hanging element for hanging the support structure from a support surface such as a wall. The hanging element is configured to be slidably coupled to the support structure such that the hanging element can slide back and forth within one of the slots while remaining coupled to the support structure. This structure enables the frame apparatus to be moved side-to-side along the support surface while hanging therefrom.

A picture frame is constructed using a system and method wherein a pair of cooperating profile extrusion lengths are cut to size to form a frame to accommodate a piece of artwork. A continuous spacer is provided to be locatable between a cover sheet and backing sheet. The profile lengths are fastened together at the edges of the frame, thereby compressing the spacer between the cover sheet and backing sheet. As such an isolated volume is created that can be evacuated of oxygen for preservation of the artwork.

A frame apparatus for displaying a flat article and a combined frame apparatus and flat article. In one aspect, the frame apparatus comprises an annular display frame defining a rabbet, a stack positioned in the rabbet, and an annular spacer frame. The rabbet is defined by a floor and a wall, the wall comprising a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The annular spacer frame is coupled to the first and second engagement portions of the annular display frame by interaction between a first and second locking member of the annular spacer frame and the first and second engagement portions of the annular display frame. The first and second locking members extend into the first and second engagement portions and apply a compression force to retain a flat article between the transparent front panel and the rear panel.

A spline installation device for use with a spline/rail type frame to assemble the splines to the rails. The device including a base that defines a platform for receiving a frame subassembly; and a plurality of linkages that are disposed about the platform and coupled to the base. Each linkage is configured to move between a first position in which a fence bearing surface thereof is at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the platform and a second position in which the fence bearing surface is set at an at least substantially 90 degree angle relative to the platform for locking and holding the frame subassembly in place. The linkages further being configured to receive a spline instillation tool for locking the splines in place relative to the rails.

A frame apparatus for displaying a flat article and a combined frame apparatus and flat article. In one aspect, the frame apparatus comprises an annular display frame, a transparent front panel, a rear panel, and an annular spacer frame. The annular display frame comprises a rabbet defined by a floor and a wall, the wall comprising a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The annular spacer frame is coupled to the first and second engagement portions of the annular display frame by interaction between a first and second locking member of the annular spacer frame and the first and second engagement portions of the annular display frame. The first and second locking members extend into the first and second engagement portions and apply a compression force to retain a flat article between the transparent front panel and the rear panel.