Abstract:
A decorative display frame assembly comprised of a set of modular components, including a first corner section, a second corner section, a joining section, and an optional connecting piece. First and second corner sections may be snap fit to form a frame corner. Each of the first and second corner sections have a connecting segment that connects to a receiver defined at the ends of the joining section to connect the frame corners. Each of the sections are fitted with a plurality of clips adapted to retain items in a secure manner, each of said clips having a distal end and a proximate end, each of said clips are each attached at their proximate end to the section and with the distal end being flexible for holding an item of decoration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a frame assembly for the display of holiday or seasonal decorations such as greeting cards, decorative lights, craft work, art objects and the like. The frame can be positioned in a window of a residence, office building or be placed at any other location. The frame can be disassembled and stored during non-holiday periods or when it is not desired to display items. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    The invention will be further understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0003]      FIG. 1A  depicts a frame of the present invention; 
           [0004]      FIG. 1B  depicts a partial exploded view of a frame of the invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2A  depicts a perspective view of a first corner section of the invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2B  depicts an end view of a first corner section of the invention viewed from the connecting segment end; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2C  depicts an overhead plan view of a first corner section of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2D  depicts an end view of a first corner section of the invention viewed from the fitting end; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2E  depicts a side elevational view of a first corner section of the invention: 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  depicts a perspective view of a second corner section of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  depicts an end view of a second corner section viewed from the connecting segment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  depicts an overhead plan view of a second corner section of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3D  depicts an end view of a second corner section of the invention viewed from the fitting end; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3E  depicts a side elevational view of a second corner section of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  depicts is perspective view of a joining section of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  depicts an end view of a joining section of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4C  depicts a overhead plan view of a joining section of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4D  depicts an end view of a joining section of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  depicts a perspective view of a connector piece of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  depicts an end view of a connector piece of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5C  depicts an overhead plan view of a connector piece of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5D  depicts a second end view of a connector of the invention 
           [0023]      FIG. 5E  depicts a side elevational view of a connector piece of the invention; 
       
    
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The frame of the present invention comprises a modular generally rectilinear four sided structure that can be square or rectangular in shape of a size to conveniently be used as a display framework for fitting into a window frame, a doorway, a wall, or other location so that the displayed items mounted on the framework can be viewed from the interior or exterior of the house or building. The frame is composed of a plurality of corner sections, a plurality of joining sections, and optionally a plurality of connector pieces, that may be configured in various combinations depending on the desired overall size of the frame. The two corner sections have fittings in their first ends for snap fit connection to form a frame corner. The corner sections have a connecting segment at a second end for snap fit engagement with the joining sections such that the frame corners may be joined to form a sturdy framework for the display of items clipped to the framework. An optional connecting piece has connecting segments at opposite ends thereof for interconnecting successive joining sections. By varying the number of joining sections in the vertical or lateral rails of the display frame, the frame may be configured in a linear, square or rectangular shape of various dimensions. A typical frame according to the present invention will have four first corner sections, four second corner sections, and four joining sections. 
         [0025]    The framework has a plurality of clips or fasteners that extend from a top surface of the sections to hold the displayed items in place. When the sections are joined to form a frame, the top surfaces define an inner edge of the frame such that the clips are oriented inwardly. The clips are configured so that the displayed items can be easily removed from the frame and other items can be mounted on the frame to thereby create a new display. 
         [0026]    Another aspect of the present invention contemplates that the connection between the connecting segments and the joining sections permits longitudinal adjustment of the connecting segment relative to the respective sections to be joined, thereby permitting even greater flexibility in defining the lateral and vertical dimensions of the finished frame. 
         [0027]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a package containing the unassembled sections and optional connecting pieces, to enable the consumer to assemble the components after purchase. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A  and B, the decorative frame assembly of the present invention  10  features a modular rectilinear structure which can be, linear, rectangular or square, formed from a first corner section  20 , a second corner section  30 , a joining section  40 , and an optional connector piece  50 . The sections  20 ,  30 , and  40  may be formed of any suitable material and are preferably formed of plastics or similar materials. More preferably the sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  are of a channeled construction. As seen in  FIG. 1A , a typical frame  10  according to the present invention will have four first corner sections  20 , four second corner sections  30 , and four joining sections  40 . 
         [0029]    The corner sections  20 ,  30  have a fitting  21 ,  31  at a first end of the respective section  20 ,  30  such that fittings  21 ,  31  may be detachably interconnected to form a frame corner. The corner sections  20 ,  30  also have a connecting segment  50  at a second end of the respective section  20 ,  30  for interconnection with a receiver  41  defined at the ends of the joining section  40 . As may be seen, a modular frame assembly is thus formed by the interconnection of four of each of the first corner sections  20 , the second corner sections  30 , and the joining sections  40 . 
         [0030]    The frame can be mounted in any number of locations including a window frame, doorway, opening or suspended by any suitable means. Because one of the intended uses of the frame  10  is to carry seasonal decorations, it is desirable that the frame be readily removable for storage and reuse during a subsequent season. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the package is provided with a plurality of hook and pile fasteners  13 , one side of which may be affixed to the frame sections and the other side of which may be affixed to the window, doorway or surfaces of the mounting location. More preferably the package is provided self adhesive hook and pile fasteners  13 . 
         [0031]    Each of the sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  of the modular frame assembly  10  has fixed thereto a plurality of clips or fasteners  17 . These clips  17  are attached at their proximate end  18  to a top surface  22 ,  32 ,  42  of the respective sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  and are sufficiently flexible to permit some movement of the distal, or free, ends  19  so as to enable placing a decorative item, such as a string of lights or greeting cards, in a clipped engagement therewith. Because the distal ends  19  of the clips  17  are flexible, easy placement and removal of decorative items such as holiday lights is facilitated. When the sections  20 ,  30 ,  40  are assembled, the top surfaces  22 ,  32 ,  42  are oriented to define an inwardly facing surface relative to the frame, with the clips  17  disposed on this surface. However, it is to be understood that the orientation of the clips  17  can be reversed by changing the way in which the components are assembled. 
         [0032]    The decorative items can be clipped by the clips  17  shown on the various sections which are adapted to hold wires for holiday lights or for holding holiday greeting cards or any other seasonal or holiday decorations which are intended or desired to be displayed in the window of a residence, office building or other commercial establishment. 
         [0033]    The drawings in  FIGS. 2A-2E , illustrate a first corner section  20  with clips  17  attached thereto. Fitting  21  comprises a female interface  23  defined in the top surface  22  of the section  20 . Preferably a latching arm  24  is provided extending vertically from the top surface  22  having a latch tab  25  proximate a distal end of the arm  24 . In the representative embodiment shown female interface  23  is defined as a rectangular aperture. 
         [0034]    The drawings in  FIGS. 3A-3D  depict a second corner section  30  with clips  17  attached thereto. The fitting  31  of the second corner section  30  comprises a male interface  33  appropriately dimensioned for receptive engagement with female interface  23  of the first corner section  20 . Preferably fitting  31  comprises a latching arm  34  having a latch tab  35  disposed on a distal end of the arm  34 . As may be seen in reference to  FIGS. 3B and 3D , fitting  31  preferably comprises a notch  36  defined in a transverse wall  37  interconnecting the lateral sides of the channel construction. Notch  36  is dimensioned to receive latch arm  24  such that latch tab  25  engages with transverse wall  37  to retain first and second corner sections in connection. Similarly, the latch tab  35  is dimensioned to engage an interior wall  27  of the first corner member channel adjacent the aperture defining female interface  23 . Accordingly, the cooperative engagement of the latch tabs  25  and  35 , with their associated walls  27  and  37  retain the respective first and second corner sections  20  and  30  in attachment during display use. Preferably, latch arms  24  and  34  are sufficiently resilient such that latch tabs  25  and  35  are releasable to permit separation of the corner sections for disassembly of the frame for convenient storage of the frame between seasonal displays. Detail A of  FIG. 1  depicts the alignment of first corner section  20  and second corner section  30  for cooperative engagement of fittings  21 ,  31 . 
         [0035]    In reference to  FIGS. 4A-4E , the joining section  40  comprises a receiver  41  defined at its opposite ends. In the channeled joining section  40  depicted, receiver  41  includes a pair of latch tabs  45  turned inwardly from an inner surface  47  of the channel legs  46  proximal a lower end of the legs  46 . Receiver  41  is dimensioned to slidably receive connecting segments  50  therein. A notch  49  defined vertically across the legs  46  may be added to give sufficient resiliency to permit latch tabs  45  to release connecting segment  50  for disassembly. Joining sections  40  may be provided in various lengths to provided added flexibility in obtaining a frame of the desired dimensions. Detail B of  FIG. 1  depicts the cooperative engagement of connecting segment  50  and receiver  41 . 
         [0036]    Connecting segment  50  may further comprise a groove or notch  57  defined along its lower lateral sides to permit cooperative engagement with latch tabs  45  of the receiver  41  such that the connecting segment  50  may be attached to receiver  41  and permit longitudinal displacement of the connecting segment  50  relative the joining section  40  and thereby provide additional adjustment to the width and height of the frame  10 . Stops  58  at the ends of the connecting segment  50  act to prevent longitudinal separation of the connecting segment  50  from the joining section  40 . Preferably connecting segment  50  has an elongate slot  51  defined in its top surface  52  and receiver  41  further comprises a pin  48  disposed for registration the slot  51  to guide longitudinal displacement of the joining section  40  relative to the connecting segment  50 . Registration of the pin  48  with the ends of the slot  51  limit longitudinal displacement of the joining section  40  relative the connecting segment  50 . More preferably, a plurality of ridges  53  are defined along an edge of the slot  51 , such that registration of pin  48  with at least one of the ridges  53  maintains the longitudinal position of joining section  40  relative to connecting segment  50 , while permitting incremental adjustment of the longitudinal position corresponding to the ridge spacing. Detail B of  FIG. 1B  shows a connecting segment  50  aligned for attached to a joining section  40 . Pin  48  may be split to add resiliency and facilitate sliding engagement along ridges  53 . 
         [0037]    As may be seen in reference to  FIG. 5A-5E , optional connector piece  60  has connecting segments  50  laterally disposed from sides of a central member  59 , with the connecting segments  50  formed as previously described. Connector piece  60  can be interposed between successive joining sections  40  to permit the addition of a of joining sections  40  in order to extend the lateral width and/or the vertical height of the frame  10 , thereby providing a means for gross adjustment of the frame dimensions. When combined with the fine lateral adjustments provided by the connecting segment  50 , the frame  10  of the present invention can be readily and easily modified to almost any desired dimension. 
         [0038]    It will be appreciated that various combinations of the sections  20 ,  30 ,  40 , and connector pieces  60 , a frame  10  or partial frame, such as U-shaped, L-shaped, or linear structures may be formed with the components of the present invention. Thus, the decorative frame assembly of the present invention can be rapidly installed and can be conveniently disassembled and stored, for example, during non-holiday periods. 
         [0039]    Other variations and modifications of the foregoing will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended hereto.