Abstract:
A photograph holder comprises a cloth backing material and a plurality of buttons secured to the cloth backing material with thread. The plurality of buttons defines at least one area on the cloth backing material in which a photograph may be secured between the buttons and the backing material. The area may be any shape and/or any size to accommodate the varying shapes and sizes of photographs. The photograph holder may further comprise a frame having a rigid backing and a glass. The cloth backing material and buttons may be disposed between the glass and the rigid backing within the frame.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/665,598, entitled “Photograph Holder Apparatus,” filed Jun. 28, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Examples of the present invention relate generally to the field of photograph preservation and display, and particularly to a device which helps to preserve the condition of a photograph over time while also providing a method by which the photograph may be displayed. 
         [0003]    To preserve the condition of a photograph (or any other type of artwork or document, etc.) over time, the photograph may be placed in a readymade frame. The frame may be constructed of many different materials including wood, plastic and/or metal, etc. 
         [0004]    An acid-free backing behind the photograph may preserve the photograph by preventing acid from leaching out of the backing or surrounding frame materials and causing harm to the photograph or other artwork that is in the frame. The acid-free backing can be composed of any material that will act as an inert backing surface such as paper and cloth. 
         [0005]    A matte and a plate of glass may be placed in front of the photograph or artwork. The glass acts to preserve the photograph or artwork by protecting it from dust, dirt, debris and perhaps harmful ultra-violet radiation. However, the glass can also damage the photograph or artwork if it contacts the surface of the photograph or artwork because moisture in the atmosphere may cause the photograph or artwork to become adhered to the glass. In addition to adhesion damage, moisture may accumulate on the glass and transfer to the photograph or artwork when contact occurs thus leading to mold, mildew and other damage associated with excess moisture. 
         [0006]    A matte helps to prevent the aforementioned damage as well as acting to hold the photograph or artwork in place. Mattes may be composed of thick paper product, although other materials may be used, provided they have sufficient thickness and are sufficiently solid. They may border the photograph on all sides. The thickness of the matte provides separation between the glass and the photograph or artwork to prevent contact between the two. 
         [0007]    Despite the usefulness of a matte for protection of a photograph or artwork, a matte can be problematic. The process of making a matte can be time consuming and requires special skill. The matte generally begins as a solid piece of thick paper product. A section is then precisely cut from the solid paper product in the shape of the photograph or artwork. For decorative effect the cuts surrounding the photograph or artwork are then beveled at an angle. 
         [0008]    As demonstrated, there is a need to provide the functionality of a matte without the problems associated with producing one. While a wide variety of devices for photograph preservation and display exist, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor has made or used an invention as described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views. In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of an exemplary photograph holder constructed in accordance with teachings of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a back view of the photograph holder shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a right side view of the photograph holder shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1D  is a top side view of the photograph holder shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 1E  is a left side view of the photograph holder shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 1F  is a bottom side view of the photograph holder shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary alternative photograph holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross section of an exemplary photograph holder in a readymade picture frame. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an exemplary template for assembly of an exemplary photograph holder. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an exemplary alternative photograph holder capable of holding two photographs. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an exemplary fastener arrangement accommodating several photographs of different sizes and shapes. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the following description, it is to be understood that terms such as front, back, inside, outside, and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Terminology used in this patent is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views,  FIGS. 1A through 1F  show an exemplary photograph holder from various perspectives. It should be understood that even though the invention is referred to as a photograph holder, the invention may be used to hold any other type of artwork, document, etc. The exemplary photograph holder is comprised of acid-free cloth backing ( 101 ) and six buttons ( 104 ) (or eight buttons ( 104 ) in  FIG. 2 ). An exemplary photograph or artwork ( 103 ) is indicated with dashed lines.  FIG. 3  shows a cross section of an exemplary photograph holder in a frame ( 107 ) interposed between glass ( 105 ) and a rigid frame backing ( 106 ). 
         [0024]    The cloth backing ( 101 ) depicted in the exemplary photograph holder may be composed of other materials, such as plastic or any type of cloth, and may be any color and/or pattern of colors, and may also include graphics, text and/or etc. For example, here the cloth backing ( 101 ) provides a material that is suitable for attachment of the depicted buttons ( 104 ) or any other device that may provide the function of the buttons. In addition, the depicted cloth backing ( 101 ) provides an acid-free surface to protect the photograph or artwork ( 103 ). Of course, cloth is just one merely illustrative example of a material that may be used for a backing ( 101 ). Other suitable materials will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0025]    The cloth backing ( 101 ) is depicted in a rectangular shape, though other versions may be of many different sizes and shapes. In the depicted example, the size and shape of the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) will generally dictate the size and shape of the cloth backing ( 101 ). For instance, in some versions the cloth backing ( 101 ) is 8″×10″ while photograph or artwork ( 103 ) is 4″×6″. Of course, any other sizes may be used. It should be understood that the cloth backing ( 101 ) need not be dictated by the size and shape of the photograph or artwork ( 103 ). In other embodiments the cloth backing ( 101 ) may be round, hexagonal, triangular or any other shape apparent to those skilled in the art, even if the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) is rectangular. The shape of the cloth backing ( 101 ) in the present depiction covers the entire backside of the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) and also provides enough material protruding from the rear of the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) that buttons ( 104 ) or a similar device may be attached. Based on the teachings herein, other ways to configure the cloth backing ( 101 ) to provide complete backing and surface area to affix buttons ( 104 ) or other such devices will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0026]    The six (or eight in  FIG. 2 ) buttons ( 104 ) depicted in the exemplary photograph holder may be composed of any suitable material and are not necessarily limited to buttons. Other suitable types of fasteners will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. The materials which the depicted buttons ( 104 ) are composed of may be, but are not limited to, plastic, glass, wood, metal, paper product, ceramic or any other material apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. It should also be understood that any suitable number of buttons may be used, in any suitable arrangement. The number and arrangements shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are merely illustrative examples. 
         [0027]    The buttons ( 104 ) need not be configured solely for a single photograph as depicted in the present example. For instance, any number of buttons could be configured to hold any number of photographs or artworks ( 103 ).  FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary photograph holder with buttons ( 104 ) in a configuration to hold two photographs or artworks ( 103 ). Other configurations may be used to hold two photographs or artworks ( 103 ); or even a greater number of photographs or artworks ( 103 ). It should be understood that in those configurations used to hold multiple photographs or artworks, the buttons ( 104 ) may be arranged to accommodate photographs or artworks of various sizes and/or shapes. For instance,  FIG. 6  shows buttons ( 104 ) in an arrangement accommodating photographs or artworks ( 103 ) that are rectangular, square, and circular in size. It should be understood that this may be accomplished on a single backing ( 101 ) if desired. 
         [0028]    It should also be understood that the button ( 104 ) configurations may also be organized in such a way as to share buttons ( 104 ) between photographs or artworks ( 103 ), like the central line of buttons ( 104 ) as is depicted in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  also depicts several buttons ( 104 ) being shared between photographs ( 103 ) or artworks ( 103 ). Of course, the buttons ( 104 ) may also be configured so as to hold each photograph or artwork ( 103 ) independently, without sharing buttons ( 104 ) between photographs or artworks ( 103 ). Other suitable numbers and arrangements of buttons ( 104 ) to hold multiple photographs or artworks will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0029]    In other examples, something other than buttons ( 104 ) may be used. In the present example, the buttons provide the function of holding the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) securely in place while allowing for easy removal and installation of said photograph or artwork ( 103 ). The buttons in the present example allow this function to exist by use of only mechanical means without adhesives. Other examples that accomplish the same function may include sequins, washers, flowers, beads, coins, fabric embellishments, foam shapes, and/or any other device apparent to one skilled in the art from the description contained herein. These examples (among others) may also act as spacers, keeping the glass of a picture frame ( 105 ) spaced away from the picture or artwork ( 103 ) in a manner similar to the buttons ( 104 ) as described below. It should be understood that some versions may include different kinds of fasteners on the same backing ( 101 ) (e.g., a combination of buttons ( 104 ), sequins, beads, etc.). Similarly, it should be understood that some versions may include fasteners of different shapes on the same backing ( 101 ), regardless of whether such fasteners are the same type (e.g., a combination of differently shaped buttons ( 104 ), etc.). 
         [0030]    In the depicted example the buttons ( 104 ) are secured to the cloth backing with thread, string, yarn or elastic thread. However, any other type of fastening system may be used such as chemical adhesives, metallic or plastic staples, rivets or any other such method as may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the teachings herein. In addition, the depicted buttons ( 104 ) have a two hole configuration depicted in  FIG. 1  and a four hole configuration depicted in  FIG. 2 . Other versions may have any hole configuration for attaching via thread or other such material, or no holes at all if some other method of adhesion is utilized. 
         [0031]    The exemplary photograph holder may be assembled by use of a template ( 110 )—in the shape of any standardized photograph or artwork ( 103 )—with markings ( 112 ) upon it that correspond to buttons ( 104 ) in various configurations. The template ( 110 ), in addition to markings of button placement, may also have markings ( 112 ) that correspond to various spatial locations of importance such as center points, mid-points, specific distance points, and/or etc. An exemplary template ( 110 ) is shown in  FIG. 4 . The exemplary template ( 110 ) is depicted with markings ( 112 ) that employ a number symbol scheme with numbers representing various spatial locations and symbols representing placement for buttons ( 104 ) of a specific configuration. It should be understood that the depicted template ( 110 ) is merely exemplary and any possible markings ( 112 ) could be employed using any combination of numbers, letters, words, colors, symbols, and/or etc. 
         [0032]    The template ( 110 ) may then be used by placing it on the cloth backing ( 101 ) at the desired location for the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) and then using the corresponding button location markings, the button ( 104 ) locations may be marked onto the cloth backing ( 101 ) with chalk, pen, charcoal, and/or etc. The buttons ( 104 ) may then be fastened where the markings were made using the template. It should be understood that other methods may be employed to assemble the photograph holder. Said methods will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art by the teachings herein. 
         [0033]    The thickness of each depicted button ( 104 ) is sufficient to allow each button ( 104 ) to function as a spacer, thus creating separation between the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) and the glass ( 105 ) of the picture frame ( 107 ), as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the depicted example, the buttons ( 104 ) may be as thick as the frame which the invention is inserted into will accommodate. However, since frames come in a variety of shapes, sizes and thicknesses, the invention is not limited to the thickness of button ( 104 ) that an individual frame can accommodate. Other button thicknesses will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the teachings herein. 
         [0034]    The configuration and number of the buttons ( 104 ) is not limited to that depicted in the exemplary photograph holder. A second example depicting an alternative configuration of buttons ( 104 ) is shown in  FIG. 2 . The configuration in both  FIGS. 1 and 2  provides a suitable configuration to hold in place the photograph or artwork ( 103 ) and to keep it from touching the glass of the frame. Based on the teachings herein other configurations that provide suitable holding power and suitable separation will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0035]    Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.