Illuminated picture frame apparatus

A picture frame having a perimeter framework having a plurality of intercommunicating legs having a continuous channel directed within the legs. The channel includes a plurality of illumination bulbs in electrical communication with a battery and an on/off switch button mounted to a rear surface of a bottom frame leg to effect an unobstructed and non-distracted view of a picture positioned within the framework.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The field of invention relates to illumination picture frame structure, and 
more particularly pertains to a new and improved illuminated picture frame 
apparatus wherein the same is directed to the selective illumination of a 
picture mounted medially of a continuous framework. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various illuminated picture frame structure is set forth in the U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 4,819,353; 4,282,669; Des. 295,922; and Des. 291,030. 
The illuminated framework structure of the prior art has heretofore failed 
to provide for a selective illumination of a picture frame utilizing a 
switching mounted to a rear surface of the framework to prevent 
unobstructed and unhindered view of a picture positioned within the 
framework and in this respect, the present invention substantially 
fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
illuminated picture frame apparatus now present in the prior art, the 
present invention provides an illuminated picture frame apparatus wherein 
the same is directed to the selective illumination of a picture within a 
surrounding framework. As such, the general purpose of the present 
invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to 
provide a new and improved illuminated picture frame apparatus which has 
all the advantages of the prior art illuminated picture frame apparatus 
and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention provides a picture frame having a 
perimeter framework having a plurality of intercommunicating legs having a 
continuous channel directed withhin the legs. The channel includes a 
plurality of illumination bulbs in electrical communication with a battery 
and an on/off switch button mounted to a rear surface of a bottom frame 
leg to effect an unobstructed and non-distracted view of a picture 
positioned within the framework. 
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in 
the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and 
it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of 
all of its structures for the functions specified. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which 
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved illuminated picture frame apparatus which has all the advantages 
of the prior art illuminated picture frame apparatus and none of the 
disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
illuminated picture frame apparatus which may be easily and efficiently 
manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved illuminated picture frame apparatus which is of a durable and 
reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved illuminated picture frame apparatus which is susceptible of a low 
cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which 
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming 
public, thereby making such illuminated picture frame apparatus 
economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved illuminated picture frame apparatus which provides in the 
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, 
while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally 
associated therewith. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 9 
thereof, a new and improved illuminated picture frame apparatus embodying 
the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally 
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
More specifically, the illuminated picture frame apparatus 10 of the 
instant invention essentially comprises a continuous frame member 17 
having a top frame leg 11, a bottom frame leg 12, a first side frame leg 
13, and a second side frame leg 14. A transparent web 15 is mounted 
coextensively within the continuous frame member 17. A continuous channel 
16 is directed into the continuous frame member 17 within each frame leg 
of the frame legs 11-14. An intersection of the top and first side frame 
leg 13 includes a first illumination bulb 21 mounted within an electrical 
socket in communication with a second illumination bulb 22, a third 
illumination bulb 23, and a fourth illumination bulb 24 all within the 
continuous channel 16 at each frame leg intersection. More specifically, 
the second illumination bulb 22 is positioned within a channel at an 
intersection of the top and second side frame leg, the third illumination 
bulb 23 is mounted within the channel 16 at an intersection of the bottom 
and second side frame leg, and the fourth illumination bulb 24 is mounted 
within the channel 16 at an intersection of the bottom and first side 
frame legs 12 and 13 respectively. 
An on/off button switch 20 is mounted to the bottom frame leg below the 
third illumination bulb projecting beyond a rear planar surface of the 
bottom frame leg, with a battery plate 18 removably mounted relative to 
the bottom frame leg overlying a battery 19. The battery, the on/off 
button switch 20, and the illumination bulbs are arranged in electrical 
communication relative to one another, in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 
8. The on/off switch 20 projects beyond the rear planar face of the bottom 
frame leg so as to not provide for an obtrusive appearance relative to the 
forward surface of each frame leg so as to avoid distracting visual 
concentration focus from a picture and the like positioned within the 
apparatus 10 rearwardly of the transparent web 15 to direct illumination 
onto the picture upon actuation of the switch 20. 
The apparatus 10a, as illustrated in FIG. 9, includes a support plate 25 
projecting orthogonally and rearwardly of the bottom frame leg to provide 
for free-standing support of the frame 17, having a fifth illumination 
bulb 26 projecting above a top surface of the support plate 25 positioned 
within a ferromagnetic ring 27. The ferromagnetic ring 27 is arranged for 
selective mounting of a ferrous metallic chimney cylinder 28 thereon 
positioned above the fifth illumination bulb 26. The chimney cylinder 28 
includes a perforated web floor 29 accommodating a predetermined quantity 
of potpourris 30 above the perforated web floor 29, whereupon heat 
directed from the fifth illumination bulb 26 is directed into the 
potpourris through the perforated web floor 29 to direct a fragrance in 
surrounding relationship relative to the apparatus to enhance visual 
impact of a picture and the like positioned within the framework 17. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further 
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant 
invention shall be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.