System and method for the storage and protection of priceless works of art

Abstract

A reusable preservation and storage frame system is provided having a interlocking frame wall system of a non-off-gassing nature, such as aluminum, and includes a back panel and front lid, which provides for utilization of channels for connector systems, and internal support systems for a stackable storage frame, adaptable for storage of artwork of various dimensions.

Claims

1. A preservation and storage frame system for preserving valuable artwork, comprising: at least one interlocking frame wall section, wherein said interlocking frame wall section is formed from extruded non-off gassing aluminum wherein said interlocking frame wall section has a plurality of wall portions, said plurality of wall portions including an interior wall portion, an exterior wall portion, a stacking edge portion, a panel edge portion; and said interlocking frame wall section further comprising at least one interior cavity section surrounded by said plurality of wall portions at at least four sides of said at least one interior cavity section; wherein said interior wall portion includes a first interior charnel, wherein said exterior wall portion includes a first exterior channel, and a second exterior channel, wherein said stacking edge portion includes a stacking channel disposed at an edge face of said stacking edge portion, wherein said panel edge portion includes a panel slot, wherein said at least one cavity section is adapted to receive a corner connector, and a lid comprising a non-off-gassing material.

2. A preservation and storage frame system according to claim 1 wherein said lid includes a window.

3. A preservation and storage frame system according to claim 2 wherein said lid includes an identification and data system.

4. A preservation and storage frame system according to claim 3 wherein said identification and data system includes a display, an input device, and a data storage unit having a processor adapted to receive, store and display identification information related to a piece of artwork.

5. A preservation and storage frame system according to claim 2 wherein said lid includes at least one non-off-gassing metal compound disposed on an inside portion of the lid, and proximate to the window such as to be viewable through the window.

6. A preservation and storage frame device for preserving valuable artwork, comprising: at least one interlocking frame wall section, wherein said interlocking frame wall section is formed from extruded non-off gassing aluminum; wherein said interlocking frame wall section includes a stacking edge portion, a panel edge portion; at least one interior cavity section; a first interior channel disposed at an interior side of the frame wall section, a first exterior channel disposed at an exterior side of the frame wall section, a second exterior channel disposed proximate to said stacking edge portion on said exterior side, and a stacking channel disposed at said stacking edge portion, wherein said panel edge portion includes a panel slot being adapted to receive a panel disposed on a plane orthogonal to the interior wall portion, and wherein said at least one cavity section is adapted to receive a corner connector, and a lid comprising a non-off-gassing material.

7. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 6 further comprising a panel connected to said at least one interlocking frame wall section, and at least one corner connector connected to said at least one interlocking frame wall section, thereby forming a frame.

8. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 6 further comprising at least one first movable slat, wherein said first movable slat includes a connector portion disposed at an end of said first movable slat and adapted for being movably connected to said first interior channel, whereby said first movable slat can be moved along said interior channel.

9. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 8 wherein said first movable slat further includes a slat channel disposed lengthwise along said first movable slat at an interior face thereof, and said slat channel includes a movable anchor disposed within said slat channel, whereby said movable anchor is movable lengthwise along said slat channel.

10. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 9, wherein said movable anchor includes an artwork connector selected from the group comprising an Oz clip and a T bracket.

11. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 8 further comprising at least one second movable slat, wherein said second movable slat includes a connector portion disposed at an end of said movable slat and adapted for being movably connected to said first interior channel of a second interlocking frame wall section, wherein said second slat is orthogonal to said first slat and whereby said second movable slat can be moved along said interior channel.

12. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 11 wherein said second movable slat further includes a slat channel disposed lengthwise along said second movable slat at an interior face thereof, and said slat channel includes a movable anchor disposed within said slat channel, whereby said movable anchor is movable lengthwise along said slat channel.

13. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 12, wherein said movable anchor includes an artwork connector selected from the group comprising an Oz clip and a T bracket.

14. A preservation and storage frame system according to claim 6 including said lid having a window.

15. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 14 wherein said a lid includes an identification and data system.

16. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 15 wherein said identification and data system includes a display, an input device, and a data storage unit having a processor adapted to receive, store and display identification information related to a piece of artwork.

17. A preservation and storage frame device according to claim 14 wherein said lid includes at least one non-off-gassing metal compound disposed on an inside portion of the lid, and proximate to the window such as to be viewable through the window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for detailed description to enable those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention appertains to readily understand how to construct and use the invention and is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross section view of an embodiment of the invention and depicting an example of an interlocking frame wall section according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention and depicting an example of a preservation and storage frame system unit including interlocking frame wall sections such as shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention and depicting an example of a preservation and storage frame system unit including interlocking frame wall sections such as shown in FIG. 1

(5) FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention and depicting an example of a preservation and storage frame system unit including interlocking frame wall sections such as shown in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention depicting an example of an enhanced preservation and storage frame system including a preservation and storage frame system unit according to the invention.

(7) FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention depicting an example of an enhanced preservation and storage frame system including a preservation and storage frame system unit according to the invention.

(8) FIG. 4 is a top view of a further embodiment of a front lid for the enhanced preservation and storage frame system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of system and method according to the invention, as well as a best mode is disclosed herein. Specifically, a preservation and storage frame system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention includes at least one interlocking frame wall section 110. The interlocking frame wall section is formed from extruded non-off-gassing material 102, such as aluminum.

(10) The interlocking frame wall section has a number of wall portions that can be fabricated from the extrusion process in a manner to include an interior wall portion 110, an exterior wall portion 120, a front edge portion 130 and a rear edge portion 140. It can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the shape of the walls can be conformed to several other interlocking frame wall sections to provide interlocking walls and/or containers.

(11) The interlocking frame wall section can be formed through an extrusion process to include least one interior cavity section 150. It can be appreciated by person of ordinary skill in the art that the cavity sections can be formed by the extrusion process in a manner to give structural integrity to the mechanical functions of the interlocking frame wall section. For example the plurality of wall portions can be formed to surround one or more interior cavity sections.

(12) The preservation and storage frame system can also be provided with a number of channels—for each interlocking frame wall section—disposed on the interior walls in order to provide for a movable attachment mechanism. Preferably, an interior wall portion includes its first interior channel 160 near a bottom portion of the interior wall portion.

(13) Similarly, the exterior wall portion includes its first exterior channel 170 near a bottom portion of the interior wall portion, and a second exterior channel 172 disposed at a top portion of the exterior wall portion.

(14) The preservation and storage frame system can also be provided with a stacking channel 180 for stacking one or more additional interlocking frame wall sections. Specifically, a stacking channel can be provided at a front edge portion of the interlocking frame wall section at its front face.

(15) In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, a rear edge portion of the interlocking frame wall section can include a back panel slot 190 in order to accommodate a back panel 205 to form the back of the storage frame system.

(16) The cavities of the interlocking frame wall section can also be adapted to receive a corner connector 195 or a straight connector for the combination of several interlocking frame wall sections into a desired shape for its intended purpose.

(17) One of the benefits of the interlocking frame wall is that it allows for a modular system such as a preservation and storage frame system unit 200 as shown in FIG. 2, that can be readily adapted, reused and modified to accommodate art work of varying sizes and shapes. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, interlocking frame wall section also permits stacking of multiple preservation and storage frame system units 200, as well as an enhanced preservation and storage frame system 300 utilizing an exterior container.

(18) As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment the invention, a preservation and storage frame system includes several interlocking frame wall sections 110 such as shown in FIG. 1 as well as a back panel 205, and a front lid 280.

(19) More specifically, the preservation and storage frame system is provided with a number of mechanical support structures for supporting the artwork therein. Accordingly, the system includes at least one movable horizontal slat 210 having a connector portion 215 at an end of the slat so that the slat can move along one of the channels. In one embodiment, the movable horizontal slat can be moved horizontally along the interior channel 160.

(20) Similarly, the system includes movable vertical slats 220, having a connector portion at an end of the slat so that the slat can move along one of the channels. In one embodiment, the movable vertical slat can be moved horizontally along the interior channel 160.

(21) Moreover, in another embodiment, the movable horizontal slat includes its own slat channel 225 along its length at facing the interior of the system typically towards the artwork. This slat channel includes a movable anchor 240 in the slat channel which can move along its length. Similarly, the movable vertical slat includes its own slat channel 245 along its length at facing the interior of the system typically towards the artwork. This slat channel also includes a movable anchor 240 in its slat channel which can move along its length.

(22) Furthermore, movable anchors 240 can be provided which accommodate common industry hardware artwork connectors 270 attached to the artwork such as Oz Clipst™ and T-brackets.

(23) As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment the invention, a preservation and storage frame system includes at least one embodiment of a preservation and storage frame unit 200 as shown in FIG. 2 and/or several embodiments of interlocking frame wall sections 110 such as shown in FIG. 1, among other things.

(24) Specifically, one embodiment of a travel and storage frame system according to the invention includes an exterior container 310 adapted to contain an embodiment of a preservation and storage frame unit, such as may be for shipment for stacking a number of preservation and storage frame systems 200 for travel together such as in a container unit.

(25) The exterior container a number of attachment rails 320 on the inside of the container which have movable attachment points 330, which are movable and guided along the rails. These movable connectors can be provided for a fixed connection to an intermediate connector or directly to one of the exterior channels of an interlocking frame wall section.

(26) In a further embodiment, intermediate connectors are provided. The intermediate connectors include adjusters and moveable connectors or brackets 340, to allow adjustment for various sized storage frame systems 100.

(27) The attachment rails also provide opportunity for a range of options, including attaching feet to larger frames for stability in case leaning the frame is not an available option. The rails can also be used for attaching handles. Alternatively, they can be used for attaching cleats that may need to stay with the artwork but are not desired inside the aluminum frame. They can be used to attach hanging hardware for hanging the framed artwork on storage racks. Many institutions use expanded metal storage racks for long term storage, and this aspect of the invention fulfills yet another unmet demand.

(28) As shown in FIG. 4, in a further embodiment the invention, includes a front lid 400 having a window 401, and an identification and data system 402. The window 401 is transparent, and disposed in an aperture of the front lid whereby visual inspection and/or verification of any contents of the preservation and storage frame system 200 can be made. The identification and data system 402, includes one or more sensors for detecting environmental conditions within a preservation and storage frame system 200 according to the invention. The sensors can include sensors for temperature, humidity, as well as gases which may be found either in a typical atmospheric environment or which may be expected from off-gassing of certain materials, such the stored artwork. It can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art familiar with Oddy testing, that the window 401 can be used in conjunction with other sensors, such as non-off-gassing metal compound 403 disposed on an inside portion of the lid, and proximate to the window such as to be viewable through the window. Thereby, the deposition of any volatile compounds within the storage system can be measured over a longer period of time by their effect on the metal coupons.

(29) In a further embodiment of the invention, the identification and data system 402 includes a display, input device, and a data storage unit whereby identification information related to the storage system 200 can be provided, stored and displayed. Among other things, identification information includes a unique identifier for the storage system 200, stored artwork information, such as a name of the artwork, owner of the artwork, delivery information, such as time and date of delivery, as well as storage information, such as time and date of the sealing of the artwork within the storage system 200, as well as initial environmental conditions at the time the storage system 200 is sealed.

(30) Various changes may be made to the system and process embodying the principles of the invention. The foregoing embodiments are set forth in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.