AU748595B2 - Frame and plaque arrangement - Google Patents

Description

-1I- P/00/001I1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT S *5

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5 9

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S 9 S. 9 S. S

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Antony Rhys Bevan Antony Rhys Bevan Level 189 Kent Stee Sydney New South Wa 000 4 2 Hl"is 1 Ps OAOr4- 17P4-iu1cA &S(DrJ 00",;r Ids Invention Title: Frame and plaque arrangement Details of Associated Provisional Application: ~t P08537 filed 13 August 1997 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us 2 FRAME AND PLAQUE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to frames and, in particular, to a frame for a memorial plaque for mounting on a memorial wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plaques which are used as memorials to deceased persons are normally fixed to a memorial wall in front of the box containing the ashes of the deceased using concrete or mortar. The concrete or mortar has a tendency to crack and stain. Even when intact, the mound of concrete or mortar underneath the plaque can diminish the attractiveness of the plaque. Further, if the concrete or mortar cracks, the plaque may fall off the wall or structure, causing distress and expense for the relatives of the deceased.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention consists of a frame for a plaque, said frame having means to support said plaque, said frame being adapted for mounting over a recess in a wall in which a box is housed, said frame having 20 attachment means to fix said frame in the wall, said attachment means having a pair of resilient members and actuating means, said resilient members engage said frame and are adapted to be placed between the walls of said recess and said box wherein in response to said actuating means, the resilient members are operative to move into and out of engagement with said walls to releasably hold said frame in front of said box.

Preferably said box contains the ashes of a deceased person.

Preferably said actuating means includes one or more screws housed in threaded holes in said frame Preferably one of said resilient members has an end portion bent at substantially 30 degrees to its longitudinal axis. Preferably the other resilient member has a lip to at one end..

Preferably said means to support said plaque comprises a recessed -portion in said frame.

3 Preferably said frame is made from bronze, brass or stainless steel.

Preferably said frame has a vase integral therewith.

Preferably said resilient members are made of metal.

The present invention in another broad form provides, in combination, a frame, plaque and attachment means as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a frame for a plaque.

Figure 2 is a top view of a frame for a plaque.

Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a frame for a plaque.

Figure 4 is a cross section of the frame of figure 3 when mounted on a l "wall.

15 Figure 5a is a side view of the frame of figure 3.

Figure 5b is a back side view of the frame of figure 3.

***Figure 6a is a top view of the frame of figure 3.

Figure 6b is a bottom view of the frame of figure 3.

Figure 6c is another back view of the frame of figure 3.

20 Figure 7a is a side and front view of an attachment means suitable for o use with the frame of figure 3; and Figure 7b is a side and front view of another attachment means.

Figure 8 is a cross section of a third embodiment of a frame for a plaque.

Figures 9a and 9b are side and front views of the upper attachment member of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

Figures 10a and 10b are side and front views of the lower attachment member of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a frame 1 for a plaque 2. The frame 1 comprises an aperture 6 which is large enough to display the plaque 2, but slightly smaller than the plaque 2. The frame 1 comprises a recessed portion 5 at its rear side. The recessed portion 5 is sized to fit the plaque 2. This can be seen more clearly in figure 2. The frame 1 also Scomprises a number of holes 3 through which bolts, screws or other suitable attachment means can be inserted. If the frame and plaque are to be mounted on a brick wall, for example, then the frame could be attached using masonry bolts or the like, which are inserted through the holes 3. This obviates the need for cement or mortar, which means that the frame and plaque sit closely against the wall, providing a more secure and visually appealing arrangement.

It is preferred that the frame 1 also comprises a vase 7. The vase 7 is not shown in figure 2, but can be seen in figure 1. The vase 7 is preferably cast as a single unit with the rest of the frame 1, and comprises a tubular or pipe-like projection in which flowers can be placed. The vase 7 can be cast as one with frame by using a filler material to create a hole within the vase 7.

To attach the frame 1 and the plaque 2 to a wall or structure, the plaque 2 is placed within the recessed portion 5 of the frame 1. The frame 1 is then screwed, bolted or otherwise attached to the wall (not shown), as described above. Thus, the plaque 2 is supported against the wall in the recessed portion 15 5 of the frame 1. For additional stability, the plaque can be glued into the recessed portion of the frame. This is applicable for each of the embodiments described herein.

In the preferred embodiment described above and shown in figures 1 and 2, the plaque and frame are preferably made from brass, bronze, stainless 20 steel or other suitable material. The frame 1 can be cast as a single piece using a filler material to create the hole running down the inside of the vase 7.

Decorations 4 can be cast onto the frame depending on the preference of the S0 customer. It is also possible that the frame and the plaque can be cast together as a single unit. The above described arrangement is also suitable for placement in front of a recess in a wall in which the box containing the ashes of a deceased person are housed. In this case, the frame can be screwed or bolted onto the brick wall surrounding the recess, or could be screwed or bolted directly onto the box containing the ashes.

It can be seen that the frame described above is also suitable for use on other types of plaques such as those used to dedicate statues and buildings, commemorative plaques and the like.

A second embodiment of a frame 1 for a plaque 2 is shown in figures 3- Referring to figure 4, the frame 1 is placed in front of a box 8 of ashes, which are housed in a recess 8a in a wall 9. In the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, the frame 1 is attached to the wall 9 in front of the box 8 by a pair of resilient attachment members 10 and 11. The preferred shape of the attachment members 10 and 11 can be seen in figures 7a and 7b. The attachment members are preferably made of a resilient material such as metal.

To fix the frame 1 in front of the box 8, the attachment members 10 and 11 are placed between the box 8 and the recess 8a in the wall 9, above and below the box 8. The frame 1 is placed in front of the attachment members 10 and 11, which preferably protrude slightly into the recessed portion 5 of the frame 1 behind the plaque 2. An upper screw 13 holds the upper attachment member 11 in place while the lower screw 12 is turned until it presses against the lower ios attachment member 10. This pushes the lower attachment member 15 upwards, which pushes the box 8 upwards, which in turn squeezes the upper attachment member 11 between the box 8 and the brickwork in the recess 8a.

The upper screw 13 is housed in a threaded hole 13a, which can be seen in figures 5 and 5a. The lower screw is housed in a threaded hole 12a, which can be seen in figure 6b. In this way, the frame 1 is held onto the box 8 within the 20 recess 8a in the wall 9.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the lower .0 *attachment member 10 comprises a hole which engages the lower screw. The lower screw is in a threaded hole in the frame and, in this case, is screwed "downwards. This pulls the end of the lower attachment member downwards, which pushes the other end upwards to press against the box 8. This holds the frame onto the box 8, in cooperation with the upper attachment member.

This method of attachment has the advantages that the box 8 is not pierced. Therefore, moisture cannot enter the box to corrupt the ashes inside.

Further, the frame and plaque are easily removable to allow for inspection of the contents of the box, or replacement of the plaque or frame if necessary. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the memorial wall is undamaged.

,It is preferred that screws 12 and 13 are grub screws which are not visible on the outside of the frame. An extra recessed portion 5a, which can be seen in

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0 /figure 6c, is preferably provided on the bottom of the frame 1 to house the end of the lower attachment means 10 and allow for movement of the lower attachment means while the screw is being tightened. The upper attachment means 11 also preferably comprises a hole 11a to help maintain the upper screw 13 in engagement with the upper attachment member 11. In a third embodiment a frame 1, similar to that of the frame of the second embodiment is shown in Figure 8. However, in this the third embodiment the shape and configuration of attachment members 10a and 11a differ to that of the attachment members 10 and 11 of the second embodiment. The attachment members 10a and 11a, each have a pair of wings (or lugs) 15 and 16 on respective opposed edges. The wings 15 and 16 allow for each of the attachment members 10a and 11a to snugly fit and hug the box 8. The upper attachment member 11a has an end protrusion 17 at 900 to the main portion of the member. This end protrusion is adapted to engage within the recessed toe portion 5 of the frame 1 between plaque 2 and the back of frame 1.

15 The lower attachment member 10Oa has a back end protrusion 18 bent at approximately 300 to the longitudinal extent of the main portion of attachment member 10 a. When the frame 1, plaque 2, box 8 and the attachment members a and 1 la are fitted into the recess 8a of wall 9 as shown in Figure 8, a screw 12a which passes through the lower portion 19 of frame 1, is turned until it 20 presses against the front end 20 of lower attachment member 10 a. This pushes the front end of box 8 slightly upwards, whilst the end protrusion 18 of lower attachment member 10a is pushed downwards, thereby engaging with the lower °surface of recess 8a and firmly wedging box 8, frame 1 and plaque 2 in place.

The attachment members 10a and 11a are shown in figures 9a-9b and 10a-10b respectively.

In a not shown variation of the third embodiment the wings (lugs) 15 and 16 of attachment members 10 and 11 a may be omitted.

In both the second and third embodiments the protruding head end of respective lower screws 12 and 12a may be removed by cutting or other form of severing to make it more difficult to remove the anchored frame 1, plaque 2 and box 8.

It should also be understood that the means of attachment described in the abovementioned embodiments could be used in combination with an adhesive applied between frame 1 and wall 9.

It should be readily understood that shape and configuration of the components of the frame, plaque and attachment means may change without altering the scope of the invention. For instance, the shape of the frame and plaque may be round or square, rather than rectangular as shown in the above mentioned embodiments.

It should also be readily understood that the box is not limited to containing the ashes of a deceased person, and may for instance be used to contain- a deceased animal or contain some other material or article.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" are not intended to exclude other additives, steps or integers.

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Claims (8)

1. A frame for a plaque, said frame comprising means to support said plaque, said frame being adapted for mounting over a recess in a wall in which a box is housed, said frame comprising attachment means to fix said frame in the wall, said attachment means comprising a pair of resilient members and actuating means, said resilient members engage said frame and are adapted to be placed between the walls of said recess and said box wherein in response to said actuating means, the resilient members are operative to move into and out of engagement with said walls to releasably hold said frame in front of said box.

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said box contains the ashes of a deceased person.

3. A frame as claimed in either claims 1 or 2, wherein said actuating means includes one or more screws housed in threaded holes in said frame.

4. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one said 15 resilient members has an end portion bent at substantially 30 degrees to its longitudinal axis.

5. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said means to support said plaque comprises a recessed portion in said frame.

6. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 20 frame is made from bronze, brass or stainless steel. o

7. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame has a vase integral therewith. i A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said resilient members are made of metal.

9. A frame for a plaque as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying illustrations. Dated: 18 March 2002 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: ANTONY RHYS BEVAN U)N