Abstract:
A picture frame is formed from a blank of flexible sheet material, such as paper, which is scored and shaped, to provide, when folded, a central rectilinear base section bounded by straight lines, and peripheral frame sections which are joined to each side of the base section and are folded inwardly and overlap the base section. The frame sections extend from the outer margin of the base section outwardly away from the base section and then inwardly toward the base section. Extension flaps provided at each corner fold downward under pressure of the overlapping frame sections to provide visual closure of the corners. Raised adhesive strips secure the peripheral frame sections to the base section. A photo-receiving slot cut through the base section permits exchanging photographs without requiring any disassembly of the picture frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to picture frames, and more particularly to a picture frame made from a sheet blank of novel configuration. 
     Paper and other flexible sheet materials have been employed heretofore in the form of shaped blanks which are cut and/or scored along lines predetermined, when folded, to produce a picture frame of desired configuration. Representative of such picture frames are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,450,190; 1,513,050; 2,203,737; 2,352,436; 2,512,957; 2,950,556; 3,214,855; 3,286,387; 3,757,445; 4,870,766 and Australian Patent 164,915. 
     A primary problem characterizing the picture frames disclosed in the above patents is the difficulty of closing the corners of the folded frame. The existing frames either ignore unsightly gaping corners or achieve closure by an interlocking corner assembly. The use of interlocking means to close the corners requires a high level of dexterity and all such designs produce a frame where the peripheral edges project at a 90 degree angle to the base. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The picture frame of this invention is formed from a blank of flexible sheet material configured to provide straight peripheral frame sections which are closed at the corners and may project at less than a 90 degree angle from the base to produce an attractive beveled border. Visual closure of the corners is accomplished automatically when the extension flap members provided on the inner and middle segments of the first assembled pair of opposed peripheral side sections are overlapped by the second assembled pair of opposed peripheral frame side sections. 
     The principle objective of this invention is to provide a picture frame of sheet-like construction which overcomes the aforementioned primary problem of prior sheet blank picture frames. 
     Another objective of this invention is the provision of a picture frame of sheet blank construction in which a picture of choice can be inserted, aligned, and secured before and/or after frame assembly, and changed thereafter as desired. 
    
    
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiment. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet blank configured to provide a picture frame embodying the features of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, on an enlarged scale, showing one corner of the sheet blank of FIG. 1 folded to produce a finished picture frame, parts normally hidden being shown in broken lines. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3--3 in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale, showing a cross section of the raised adhesive strip taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a sheet blank utilizing a picture-securing thumb tab 54 to secure a photograph P and only two raised adhesive strips 50. 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing a portion of the base section 10 of a sheet blank having an alternate picture securing arrangement utilizing a die cut and embossed paper stop 60 to secure a picture P and only two raised adhesive strips 50. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a picture frame formed from a cut-out blank of flexible sheet material, such as paper, paperboard, plastic, and others. The sheet is configured with creased or scored fold lines arranged to provide projecting peripheral side sections which, when folded and secured, form an attractive and functional three-dimensional picture frame for displaying pictures. FIG. 1 shows the picture frame blank configured in accordance with this invention. The blank in this embodiment is configured to form a rectangular frame for displaying a picture. The blank comprises a central, rectilinear base section 10, rectangular in overall shape, and four projecting side members extending outwardly from its four borders as shown. 
     The projecting side members are defined by angular cuts in the blank, and are each divided into segments by creased or scored fold lines arranged to permit the desired folding of individual peripheral side sections onto the base section 10 to provide a picture-encircling, three-dimensional framing thereof, as understood by viewing FIGS. 2 and 3. With reference to the flexible sheet blank of FIG. 1, and first with particular reference to the side members, a first opposed pair of peripheral side sections associated with the corresponding border of the base section 10, are formed of inner segments 12, defined by angularly cut ends 12&#39; provided in the blank of material, and are connected to and differentiated from the base section by crease or scored fold lines 14. Intermediate, or in this embodiment, middle segments 16 of the first opposed pair of peripheral side sections are defined by angular cut ends 16&#39; in the blank and extend outwardly from the inner segments 12 at scored fold lines 18. Outer segments 20 extend outwardly from middle segments 16 at scored fold lines 22. 
     A second opposed pair of peripheral side sections comprise inner segments 24 extending outwardly from the base section 10 at connecting scored fold lines 26 and include projecting extension flap members 44 defined by scored fold lines 36. Middle segments 28 of each of the second opposed pair of peripheral side sections extend outwardly from the inner segments 24 at scored fold lines 30 and include projecting extension flap members 48 defined by scored fold lines 40. Outer segments 32 extend outwardly from middle segments 28 at the scored fold lines 34. Extension flap members 44 are defined by the angularly cut ends 24&#39; of inner segments 24 and extend from inner segments 24 at scored fold lines 36. Extension flap members 48 are defined by the angularly cut ends 28&#39; of middle segments 28 and extend from middle segments 28 at scored fold lines 40. The extension flap members 44, 48 are separated from each other by cut lines 46 which form an extension of scored fold lines 30. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the picture frame of this invention mounts raised adhesive strips 50, 50&#39;, and preferably also includes a picture-installing slot 52 and serrated hanging slots 56. The raised adhesive strips 50, 50&#39; are positioned on the base section 10 to form an enclosed picturegraph-receiving and confining channel that enables a picture of choice to be inserted, automatically aligned, and retained in place either before or after the frame has been assembled. The raised adhesive strips 50, 50&#39; also secure the outer side segments 20 and 32 to the base section 10 overlying the border of the picture as seen in FIG. 3. 
     A raised adhesive strip composite is illustrated in FIG. 4 showing an adhesive A applied to both sides of a spacer S. The adhesive is preferably of the pressure sensitive type. The spacer can be made from various materials such as fibre board, plastic, paper, wood, foam and the like, the composite preferably demensioned to be greater in thickness than the thickness of the picture to be displayed, in order to maintain free movement of the picture within the channel after the frame has been assembled. 
     FIG. 1 and 5 illustrate a picture-installing slot 52 through base section 10 by which pictures may be easily inserted and exchanged without requiring any disassembly of the picture frame. The picture installing slot 52 is configured and positioned to permit an appropriately sized picture or photograph to be slid into and out of the picture-receiving channel from the backside of the assembled picture frame. The picture-installing slot 52 may also include circular end punch-outs 52&#39; which are known to permit opening of the slot without tearing of the paper at the ends of the slot. Also illustrated are serrated hangers 56 by which the frame may be hung and adjusted by moving the frame to the left or right along the serrations to balance the frame. The corresponding segments 20, 32 may include notches 58 to accommodate the use of the hangers 56. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, upon assembly, extension flap members 44, 48 of the second opposed peripheral side sections are configured to extend beyond and under the corner edge 12&#39;, 16&#39; of the first peripheral side sections. To keep the second opposed peripheral side sections from interfering with the overlapping first opposed pair of peripheral side sections, scored fold lines 36 and 40 act as hinges that enable the extension flap members 44 and 48 to bend while under pressure. This hinged extension flap configuration provides visual closure and a mitered appearance at the corners. 
     Beginning with the second opposed peripheral side sections of the frame, the inner segments 24 are folded upwardly at scored fold lines 26. Middle segments 28 are folded upwardly at scored fold lines 30. The outer segments 32 are similarly folded along scored fold lines 34, tucked under into a folded condition in which the outer edge of segment 32 is moved into aligned abutment with scored fold line 26 and secured to the raised adhesive strips 50&#39;. The inner, middle and outer segments I 2, 16 and 20, respectively, of the first opposed peripheral side sections are then folded, tucked under and secured to the raised adhesive strips 50 in the same manner as described above. Extension flap members 44, 48 of the second opposed peripheral side sections are overlapped and depressed by the first opposed peripheral side sections to prevent any unsightly gaping at the corners. A picture of choice is inserted through the picture-installing slot 52 and retained in place by the pocket formed by the raised adhesive strips 50, 50&#39;. The frame is then hung by one of the serrated hangers 56, the serration allowing for the center of gravity of the frame to be shifted to balance the frame. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates that the base section 10 may alternatively be provided, if desired, with a die cut thumb tab 54 which acts as a catch to properly position a picture P within the channel and prevent it from slipping, therein. In this embodiment, the tab 54 is provided as an alternative to the enclosing adhesive strips 50&#39; which otherwise define the picture placement within the channel formed by strips 50. Another alternative is shown in FIG. 6 wherein a die cut and embossed paper stop 60 acts as a picture catch, and in conjunction with the raised adhesive strips 50, prevents the picture P from slipping. 
     From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various structural features described in connection with one embodiment may be utilized as alternatives for structural features described in connection with other embodiments. These may include the thumb tab or paper stop such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In these versions, only two raised adhesive strips are necessary to form a channel to align and retain the picture in place. Various changes in shapes and ornamentation may also be accomplished by varying the particular cutout of the blank and the various spacing between scored fold lines, as will be appreciated. 
     It is important to note, however, that the provision of the hinged extension flap members 44 and 48 enable the sides of the frame of this invention, when folded, to produce a frame that achieves visual closure at the corners of the frame. Since the extension flap members provide visual closure automatically when the peripheral side sections are folded under and secured, the assembly process is simplified over previous inventions requiring difficult to assemble locking tabs to eliminate the gap at the corners. 
     From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes other than those described previously may be made in the size, shape, type, number, arrangement and orientation of parts described hereinbefore without departing from the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.