US 5,052,163 · Granted 1991-10-01
The Frame-and-Bezel Snap That Holds Glass Panels Tight
Imagine a picture frame that grips a glass panel without glue or screws—just a metal bezel that springs into a groove and locks it down. You can pop the glass out whenever you want by pushing the bezel inward, making repairs and replacements super easy.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a framed panel assembly where a flat rectangular panel (like glass or wood) sits on an inward-facing shoulder built into the frame's edge, and a continuous bezel strip slides into a groove around the inner perimeter of the frame. The bezel is spring-loaded so it pushes outward, clamping the panel's edges firmly in place while remaining removable by hand pressure. What's protected here is the specific geometry of the shoulder, groove, and spring-biased bezel working together as a clamping system.
Why it matters
This design solves a real problem in panel assembly: how to hold flat panels securely without permanent fastening, welding, or adhesive. By using a removable bezel, manufacturers can make products that are easy to disassemble for repair, replacement, or customization—valuable in furniture, cabinetry, and architectural glazing where panels need to be swapped out. The spring-bias mechanism also means the clamping force stays consistent over time without loosening.
Real-world use
Whenever you slide a glass shelf into a cabinet or pop the backing panel out of a framed print, you're likely using a bezel-and-groove system similar to this one.
Original USPTO abstract
An open frame has a shoulder which is inwardly on the outward surface of the frame and receives a flat rectangular panel with the edge portions of the panel against said shoulder. A continuous groove around the inner portion of said frame receives a bezel which protrudes into said groove and outwardly over the edge portions of the frame. The bezel is biased inwardly as to firmly hold the frame in place. The bezel can be removed by urging it toward the center of the frame.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 5,052,163
- Filing date
- 1989-11-27
- Grant date
- 1991-10-01
- Assignee
- Georgia Doors & Plywood Service, Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- CZEKALA; MICHAEL K.
- CPC class
- E06B3/74
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