Layout template for picture framing mats

Nov. 17, 1964

J. V. PALMER

3,156,984

LAYOUT TEMPLATE FOR PICTURE FRAMING MATS

Filed July 16, 1962

<img file="US3156984A_D0001.tif" />

ATTORNEYS

United States Patent Office

3,156,984

Patented Nov. 17, 1964

I

3,156,984

LAYOUT TEMPLATE FOR PICTURE FRAMING MATS

Joanne V. Palmer. 9802 Bennington, Kansas City 34, Mo. Fifed July 16, 1962, Ser. No. 210,124

Claims. (Ci. 33—189)

This invention relates to margin layout templates, and more particularly to such templates for locating the interior corners of equal or mixed width margin picture mats.

It is well known in the picture framing industry that in order to give the illusion that a picture is centered in the frame, it is necessary for the lower margin of the picture framing mat to be somewhat greater in width than the margins at the sides and top of the picture. Heretofore, the proper laying out of a picture-receiving opening in a mat blank was a time-consuming job, even with equal width margins. This was primarily due, first, to the necessity of locating proper reference points on the mat blank edges, and, next, to difficulties in measuring from such points prior to marking the interior corners which define the picture-receiving opening. The difficulties were greatly increased with mixed width margins.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a margin layout template which may be used with great speed and accuracy in locating the interior comers of equal or mixed width margin picture framing mats; to provide such a device which requires very little skill or instruction with which to becomes proficient; to provide such a device whereby the mat blank is quickly and accurately positioned with respect to the template for measuring reference; and to provide such a layout template which is extremely simple in construction, inexpensive to produce and reliable in use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a margin layout template embodying this invention and engaged with an exterior corner of a framing mat blank.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the template and mat blank taken on the line 2—-2, FIG. 1, further showing the relationship between the template and mat blank.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view on a reduced scale showing the mat blank after margin inside corner location with the template and prior to cutting of the picture-receiving opening.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view on a reduced scale showing the mat blank with the picture-receiving opening therethrough and mounted over a picture.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a margin layout template embodying this invention. The layout template 1 is adapted for use in locating the interior corners 2, 3, 4 and 5 of a rectangular picture framing mat blank 6 preparatory to cutting a picture-receiving opening 7 therethrough. The mat blank 6 is formed of a stiff heavy relatively thick sheet material such as cardboard or the like and has an upper surface 8, upper and lower edges 9 and 18 respectively, and side edges 11 and 12 respectively. The mat blank edges 9, 16, 11 and 12 form laterally spaced upped exterior square corners 13 and 14 and lower exterior square corners 15 and 16.

A planar sheet or guide plate 17 is formed of any suitable relatively stiff thick material such as cardboard and has an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 19 and a periphery 20. The periphery 20 in the illustrated example is generally rectangular in shape; however, other shapes may be used without departing from the scope of this invention. The periphery 26 includes a first straight edge 21 and a second straight edge 22 extending at right angles to each other and, in the illustrated example, intersecting at 23. The first straight edge 21 and the second straight edge 22 together form a V-shaped notch 24 for receiving a mat blank exterior corner, in the illustrated example the corner 15 (FIG. 1). Tlie mat blank exterior corner 15 is received in the notch 24 with the mat blank edges 10 and 11 thereof contacting the notch-forming edges 21 and 22.

A somewhat elongated planar locating plate 25 is preferably formed of a similar material to the guide plate 17 and has an upper surface 26 and a lower surface 27 and a peripheral edge 28. The edge 28 is substantially in the form of an elongated rectangle but has intersecting straight edges 29 and 30 forming, in the illustrated example, a 90-degree angle 31 pointing longitudinally of the locating plate 25 and in a direction away from the direction of opening of the V-shaped notch 24. The locating plate 25 has a triangular opening 32 therethrough haying intersecting legs 33 and 34 forming a right angle pointing in the direction of the angle 31. The locating plate 25 is suitably adhesively secured at the lower surface 27 thereof to the upper surface 18 of the guide plate 17. The locating plate 25 is positioned with respect to the guide plate 17 whereby the triangular opening 32 exposes the V-shaped notch 24 and the triangular opening legs 33 and 34 are spaced from the edges 21 and 22 for ease of observation. This permits the user to easily check to determine if the exterior mat corner is securely received in the notch, and also quickly demonstrates whether the exterior corner is truly square as desired.

The locating plate 25 has outer portion 35 which extends beyond and parallel to the guide plate 17 in the direction of opening of the notch 24 forming a covering portion for part of the upper surface 8 of the mat blank 6. The covering or outer portion 35 has a plurality of spaced pin-receiving center line perforations 36 forming a straight row 37 bisecting the V-shaped notch 24. Suitable number indicia 38 are located adjacent respective center line perforations 36 for indicating the distance of the perforations from respective lines 39 and 40 defined by the notch-forming straight edges 21 and 22. It is to be understood that the lines 39 and 40 coincide with the edges 16 and 11 of the mat blank 6 in the illustrated example and, due to the notch-bisecting location of the center line perforation row 37, the respective perforations 36 are each equidistant from the edges 16 and 11 when the corner 15 is received in the notch 24 with the notch edges 21 and 22 abutting thereagainst.

The outer or covering portion 35 of the locating plate 25 has a plurality of spaced pin-receiving lateral perforations 41 to the left of the row 37 and a plurality of spaced pin-receiving lateral perforations 42 on the right side of the row 37. The perforations 41 form a plurality of straight spaced rows 43 forming a pattern wherein each complete row 43 originates adjacent to and in alignment with one of the center line perforations 36 and extends parallel to the guide plate straight edge 22. The perforations 42 form a plurality of straight spaced rows 44 and each complete row 44 originates adjacent to and in alignment with one of the center line perforations 36 and extends parallel to the guide plate straight edge 21.

The lateral perforations 41 and 42 are regularly spaced in their respective rows, for example, at 14-inch intervals, whereby the desired distance from the respective edges 21 and 22 may be easily located by reference to a particular center line perforation and counting therefrom in a direction away from the particular mat edge. Suitable marking of the mat blank is preferably accomplished by

3,156,984 use of a pin 45 so that pencil or ink is not present for possible smearing onto a finished margin.

By way of operation, interior corners defining three margins respectively designated 46, 47 and 48 of equal width and one margin 49 of greater width than the margins 46, 47 and 48 are easily located and marked on the mat blank 6 as follows: By reference to a selected center line perforation and successively placing the template against the exterior corners 13 and 14, the interior corners 2 and 3 of intersecting equal width margins are located. This is repeated for the other exterior corners if equal margins all around are desired. If, however, a lower margin of greater width is desired, when the template is placed against the exterior corners 15 and 16 reference is made to selected lateral perforations in the groups of perforations 41 and 42. The chosen lateral perforations will be in rows 43 and 44 respectively extending from the above selected center line perforation and on opposite sides of the center line row 37. The distance of the chosen lateral perforations from the center line row 37 determines the variation in width of the lower margin from the other margins and locates the interior corners 4 and 5. The broken lines 50 shown extending between the respective interior corners 2, 3, 4 and 5 indicate the lines upon which the mat blank is cut to form the picture-receiving opening 7.

By using the above-described template, margins are located easily and quickly with respect to the square corners of a mat blank and after only a minimum of instruction a relatively inexperienced person can properly locate interior mat blank corners in only a few seconds per mat. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the template can be modified for use with triangular mat blanks or blanks having greater than four sides.

It is to be understood that while one form of this invention has been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.