Top Loading "reuseable" Metal Frames

[Art On Canvas]

A good client wants one 52x40 matted empty frame with plexi, that they can refill with different
blueprints again and again. One top Loading metal frame instructs to only use up to 20x26.

The client wants a metal frame they can reopen. Any ideas before I quote them on wood with

turnbuckles? I couldn't find anything appropriate in United's catalog.

[Ron Eggers]

Don, I've done a couple of constructions lately with metal frames that needed to be easily accessible. What I did was to fit the frame normally (no spring clips) but with the addition of a final piece of matboard and Coroplast (or other fairly rigid backing) that would drop in from the back of the assembled frame. The Coroplast was held in place with a couple of screw-in hangers that could be loosened and slid down to a notched-out portion of the backing. The backing could then be lifted out easily. You cold use more hangers as needed for the size.

If this doesn't make sense, I'll try and draw a picture.

I tried some special corner hardware at one time that was meant to hinge the top of a standard Nielsen profile and make the frame top-loading. It didn't work for me. The closed corners never really closed and it looked awful.

[Art On Canvas]

Thanks Ron. It makes sense and it's a smart application. Maybe I can jury-rig this.