Abstract:
A quick exchange framing system having two frames that are assembled together via a quick-release means such as a magnetic or friction force to provide easy access to a display, such as a picture or document, for ease in exchanging the display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/392,780 filed Oct. 13, 2010, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to framing pictures, documents, and other visual media for display. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a frame and display system that facilitates exchanging and mounting pictures, documents, and other visual media. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    There are many types of frames available to display pictures, documents, and other visual media. Conventional frames typically include a metal, wood, composite, or plastic trim that encompasses a generally central opening, such as a window where the visual media is securely displayed. The trim may be configured in various shapes such as square, rectangular, circular, or oval. A back plate is typically provided to secure the visual media against the trim and enable hanging of the conventional frame to a wall or other hanging surface. 
         [0006]    To use a conventional frame to display visual media, a number of steps are required in the processes to initially install or exchange visual media to be displayed. Although conventional frames allow for the exchange of visual media as desired by users, often times, the users forego exchanging visual media due to the hassle presented by such processes. 
         [0007]    When exchanging visual media using conventional frames, it is generally necessary to remove the entire conventional frame from its hanging surface and disassemble the back plate from the trim to remove previously-displayed visual media. Disassembling the back plate from the trim generally requires removing, bending, or rotating tabs, staples, hinges, or other fasteners. With some conventional frames, multiple tools may be required to complete the process of exchanging visual media. 
         [0008]    Once the to-be displayed visual media is installed into the conventional frame, it is necessary to re-hang and level the conventional frame, which often becomes unleveled after removal from a wall or display area. Conventional frames may also become unleveled after inadvertent contact with the conventional frame, which displaces it from level once hung. If the conventional frame is hard mounted via permanent means to prevent inadvertent displacement, exchanging the displayed visual media of the conventional frame is especially difficult. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the process of exchanging visual media using conventional frames is generally unduly burdensome and time consuming. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The following brief description is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present inventive concept are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present inventive concept. Embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a system for framing and displaying pictures, documents, and/or other visual media, and a method of manufacturing such a system. The present inventive concept does not suffer from and remedies the deficiencies of conventional devices such as those previously set forth herein. 
         [0011]    The present inventive concept provides an outer frame operable to securely receive and magnetically maintain an inner frame therein. The inner frame is operable to securely receive and maintain visual media therein via a resilient fastener, a magnet, and/or a friction-fit. The visual media may include one or more pieces of artwork, such as pictures, paintings, photographs, and/or the like, and/or one or more documents, such as licenses and/or diplomas. The system may accommodate visual media of various sizes. The system allows a user to exchange visual media quickly and without tools. 
         [0012]    The aforementioned may be achieved in one aspect of the present invention by providing a media mount and display system including a support frame having a first receiver and a rear surface, a display frame sized and shaped to be at least partially received by the receiver of the support frame, the display frame having a second receiver operable to receive and display an object therein, and/or a magnetic system disposed between and operable to magnetically interconnect the support frame and the display frame relative to each other. The magnetic system may be operable to securely maintain the support frame and the display frame when the display frame is at least partially received by the first receiver of the support frame in an assembled configuration, and/or permit disassembly of the display frame and the support frame when a separation force is applied to the magnetic system. 
         [0013]    The first receiver of the support frame may at least partially define a frame-support cavity that extends at least partially through a front of the support frame. The support frame may include an interior sidewall and may present a recessed surface spaced from the front of the support frame by the interior sidewall. The recessed surface and the interior sidewall may be operable to abuttingly receive the display frame in the assembled configuration. 
         [0014]    The display frame may include an exterior sidewall and rearwardly-protruding portion spaced from the exterior sidewall. The rearwardly-protruding portion may be sized and shaped to nest within the frame-support cavity. The magnetic system may include a first portion secured to the recessed surface of the support frame and a second portion secured to the rearwardly-protruding portion of the display frame. The first and second portions of the magnetic system may abut each other in the assembled configuration. The first portion of the magnetic system may include a network of magnetically-attractive elongated strips mounted to and substantially flush with the recessed surface of the support frame. 
         [0015]    The second portion of the magnetic system may include a network of magnets at least partially embedded in and substantially flush with the rearwardly-protruding portion of the display frame. The second receiver of the display frame may at least partially define a display cavity that extends at least partially through a rear of the display frame. The display cavity of the display frame may include an interior sidewall and may present a recessed surface spaced from the rear of the display frame by the interior sidewall. The recessed surface and the interior sidewall may be operable to abuttingly receive an object therein. 
         [0016]    The display frame may include a fastener operable to be received in a plurality of slots located in the interior sidewall. The fastener may be operable to at least partially close the display cavity of the display frame to secure the object therein. The object may be one of a plate, an object to be displayed, and/or a plate and an object to be displayed. The separation force may be applied to the magnetic system when the display frame is pulled away from the support frame in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the rear surface of the support frame. The rear surface of the support frame may include wall-attachment means that is exposed through the first receiver of the support frame when the display frame and the support frame are disassembled. 
         [0017]    The aforementioned may be achieved in another aspect of the present invention by providing a convertible media mount and display device including a support frame having a front surface, a rear surface, and a frame-support cavity extending at least partially through the front surface of the support frame, a display frame having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface including (i) a rearwardly-protruding portion sized and shaped to nest within the frame-support cavity, and (ii) a receiver extending at least partially through the rear surface of the display frame, the receiver operable to receive and display an object therein, and/or a magnetic system disposed between the support frame and the display frame. The magnetic system may be operable to maintain the device in an in-use configuration when the rearwardly-protruding portion of the display frame is nested with the frame-support cavity of the support frame, and/or permit conversion of the device from the in-use configuration to a non-use configuration when a force is applied to the magnetic system. 
         [0018]    The support frame may include an interior sidewall and may present a recessed surface spaced from the front of the support frame by the interior sidewall. The recessed surface and the interior sidewall may be operable to abuttingly receive the display frame in the in-use configuration. The display frame may include an interior sidewall and may present a recessed surface spaced from the rear of the display frame by the interior sidewall. The recessed surface and the interior sidewall may be operable to receive therein one of a plate, an object to be displayed, and/or a plate and an object to be displayed. 
         [0019]    The magnetic system may includes a network of magnetically-attractive elongated strips mounted to and substantially flush with the recessed surface of the support frame, and/or a network of magnets at least partially embedded in and substantially flush with the rearwardly-protruding portion of the display frame, the strips and the magnets abutting each other in the in-use configuration. The display frame may include a fastener operable to be received in a plurality of slots located in the interior sidewall of the display cavity. The fastener may be operable to at least partially close the display cavity of the display frame to secure the object therein. 
         [0020]    The aforementioned may be achieved in another aspect of the present invention by providing a method of manufacturing a media mount and display system, the method including the steps of forming a support frame having a front surface, a rear surface, and a frame-support cavity extending at least partially through the front surface of the support frame, forming a display frame having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface including (i) a rearwardly-protruding portion sized and shaped to nest within the frame-support cavity, and (ii) a receiver extending at least partially through the rear surface of the display frame, the receiver operable to receive and display an object therein, and/or disposing a magnetic system between the support frame and the display frame. The magnetic system may be operable to maintain the device in an in-use configuration when the rearwardly-protruding portion of the display frame is nested with the frame-support cavity of the support frame, and/or permit conversion of the device from the in-use configuration to a non-use configuration when a force is applied to the magnetic system. The separation force may be applied to the magnetic system when the display frame is pulled away from the support frame in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the rear surface of the support frame. 
         [0021]    The aforementioned may be achieved in another aspect of the present invention by providing a method of using a media mount and display system, the method including the steps of mounting a support frame on a wall or a table top, the support frame having a front surface, a rear surface, and in one or more embodiments, a frame-support cavity extending at least partially through the front surface of the support frame; removably mounting a display frame to the support frame, the display frame having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface including (i) a rearwardly-protruding portion sized and shaped to nest within the frame-support cavity, and/or (ii) a receiver extending at least partially through the rear surface of the display frame; and/or displaying an object within the receiver. 
         [0022]    A magnetic system may be disposed between the support frame and the display frame to (i) maintain the device in an in-use configuration when the rearwardly-protruding portion of the display frame is nested with the frame-support cavity of the support frame, and/or (ii) permit conversion of the device from the in-use configuration to a non-use configuration when a force is applied to the magnetic system. The separation force may be applied to the magnetic system when the display frame is pulled away from the support frame in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the rear surface of the support frame. 
         [0023]    The aforementioned may be achieved in another aspect of the present invention by providing a method of using a media mount and display system including the steps of providing a support frame having a first receiver and a rear surface, securing a display frame to the first receiver of the support frame, and/or displaying an object in a second receiver of the display frame. A magnetic system may be disposed between the support frame and the display frame to magnetically interconnect the support frame and the display frame relative to each other. The magnetic system may be operable to (i) securely maintain the support frame and the display frame when the display frame is at least partially received by the first receiver of the support frame in an assembled configuration, and/or (ii) permit disassembly of the display frame and the support frame when a separation force is applied to the magnetic system 
         [0024]    Additional aspects, advantages, and utilities of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of quick-exchange framing system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the system in a display configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the quick-exchange framing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the system in an exchange configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the quick-exchange framing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the system in an exchange configuration; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the quick-exchange framing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the system in an exchange configuration with a resilient wire fastener; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the quick-exchange framing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the system in an exchange configuration with a backplate; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the quick-exchange framing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the system in an exchange configuration with a mountable backplate. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0034]    In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0035]    Turning to the drawings and particularly  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a quick-exchange framing system  10  is illustrated in use and mounted to a wall  12 . The system  10  generally includes an outer wall-support frame  14  operable to be semi-permanently secured or mounted to the wall  12  or other mounting surface via a convenient thru-frame mounting system, and an inner display frame  16  operable to be removably secured to the support frame  14 . In this manner, the system  10  is convertible to and from an in-use or display configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a non-use or visual media exchange configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In the exemplary embodiment, the display frame  16  is sized and shaped to be received by and substantially nest within an aperture or frame-support cavity  18  that extends through the support frame  14 . It is foreseen, however, that the frames  14 ,  16  may be of any different or corresponding size and/or shape without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the support frame  14  may be sized and shaped to be received by and substantially nest within the display frame  16 . 
         [0036]    The support frame  14  includes opposing front and rear surfaces  26 ,  28  spaced from each other by opposing outer and inner surfaces  30 ,  32 . In the exemplary embodiment, the surfaces  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  of the support frame  14  cooperate so that the support frame  14  is formed in a rectangular configuration. It is foreseen, however, that the support frame  14  may be of any geometric configuration, such as, but not limited to square, circular, oval, or polygonal, such as three-sided or four-sided, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Extending circumferentially from the inner surface  32  of the support frame  14  and parallel to the outer and inner surfaces  30 ,  32  is a recessed surface  34  that is spaced from the front surface  26  of the support frame  14  by the inner surface  32 . The inner and recessed surfaces  32 ,  34  cooperatively define the frame-support cavity  18  and are sized and shaped to abuttingly receive the display frame  16 . The recessed surface  34  has a perimeter edge  36 . 
         [0038]    The display frame  16  includes opposing front and rear surfaces  46 ,  48  spaced from each other by opposing outer and inner surfaces  50 ,  52 . The outer surface  50  includes a beveled edge or transition surface  54 . In the exemplary embodiment, the surfaces  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  of the display frame  16  cooperate so that the display frame  16  is formed in a shape substantially similar to that of the support frame  14 , that is, a rectangular configuration. It is foreseen, however, that the display frame  16  may be of a geometric configuration that is the same as or different than the geometric configuration of the support frame  14 , such as, but not limited to square, circular, oval, or polygonal, such as three-sided or four-sided, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , extending axially from and dividing the rear surface  48  of the display frame  16  into an outer rear surface  48   a  and an inner rear surface  48   b  is a rearwardly-protruding portion  60  that is circumferentially spaced from the outer surface  50  of the display frame  16  by the rear surface  52 . The protruding portion  60  includes opposing interior and exterior side surfaces  62 ,  64  and a rear surface  66 . The protruding portion  60  is sized and shaped to extend into the frame-support cavity  18  of the support frame  14  with the exterior and rear surfaces  62 ,  66  respectively abutting the inner and recessed surfaces  32 ,  34  of the support frame  14  to form a nesting engagement between the frames  14 ,  16 . The engagement between the frames  14 ,  16 , which is further discussed hereafter, may be a friction-fit engagement or a loose-fit engagement. 
         [0040]    The recessed surface  34  of the support frame  14  is spaced from the front surface  26  of the support frame  14  at a distance that is substantially equal to a distance the rearwardly-protruding portion  60  of the display frame  16  is spaced from the rear surface  48  of the display frame  16 . Thus, the rear surface  48  of the display frame  16  abuts and partially conceals the front surface  26  of the support frame  14  when the frames  14 ,  16  are nested together in the display configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]    An aperture or display-support cavity  80  extends through the display frame  16  and is cooperatively defined by the inner rear surface  48   b  and the interior side surface  64  of the protruding portion  60 . The display-support cavity  80  is sized and shaped to receive an object to be displayed  82 , an optional backplate  88 , and an optional resilient wire fastener  94 , which may be installed into a rear  102  of the display-support cavity  80  in this order when the system  10  is in the exchange configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It is foreseen that the system  10  may be equipped with a protective transparent cover, such as a piece of glass, plexiglass, plastic, or the like, that is sized and shaped to entirely close the display-support cavity  80  and entirely cover the object to be displayed  82 . If the cover is included in the system  10 , the display-support cavity  80  receives the cover, the object to be displayed  82 , the optional backplate  88 , and the optional resilient wire fastener  94 , in this order. 
         [0042]    The object to be displayed  82  is a photograph, in the exemplary embodiment, and includes opposing front and rear surfaces  84 ,  86 , which are coplanar to each other. It is foreseen, however, that the object to be displayed  82  may be one or more pieces of artwork, such as pictures, paintings, photographs, and/or the like, and/or one or more documents, such as licenses and/or diplomas without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The object to be displayed  82  is preferably sized and shaped such that, when the object to be displayed  82  is installed in the display-support cavity  80 , the front surface  84  of the object to be displayed  82  abuts the inner rear surface  48   b.    
         [0043]    When present, the backplate  88  is removably mounted to the display frame  16  and in one or more embodiments, within the display-support cavity  80 . The backplate  88  includes opposing front and rear surfaces  90 ,  92 , which are coplanar to each other. The backplate  88  can be formed of a rigid magnetically-attractive material, such as metal or the like. It is foreseen, however, that the backplate  88  could be made of a non-ferrous metal, cardboard, plastic, or the like without deviating from the scope of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, the backplate  88  is sized and shaped to expand (preferably entirely) across the display-support cavity  80  such that, when the backplate  88  is installed in the display-support cavity  80 , the front surface  90  of the backplate  88  abuts at least a portion of the rear surface  86  of the object to be displayed  82 . In this manner, the backplate  88  traps the object to be displayed  82  within the display-support cavity  80  and against the inner rear surface  48   b  and the display-support cavity  80  is closed by the backplate  88 . The backplate  88  also increases the structural integrity of the object to be displayed  82 , which is beneficial if the object to be displayed  82  is made of paper or other flimsy material, and the system  10 . As noted above, the backplate  88  is optional and may be omitted from the system  10  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the system  10  may be used without the backplate  88  if the object to be displayed  82  is sufficiently rigid or if other means to fasten the object to be displayed  82  in the display-support cavity  80 , such as, but not limited to the resilient wire fastener  94 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , rotatable or bendable tabs, staples, magnets, and/or the like. 
         [0044]    The resilient wire fastener  94  is a spring that is removably mounted to the display frame  16  and within the display-support cavity  80  via curved ends  96   a ,  96   b ,  96   c  of the resilient wire fastener  94 . The ends  96   a ,  96   b ,  96   c  are sized and shaped to respectively extend into fastener-capture slots  98   a ,  98   b ,  98   c  located in and about the side surface  64  of the protruding portion  60  and spaced from the inner rear surface  48   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The resilient wire fastener  94  can be made of a magnetically-attractive material, such as metal or other suitable material (e.g., plastic, composite, etc.) having a degree of resiliency, which permits the resilient wire fastener  94  to be converted to and from a normal decompressed configuration (which engages the side surface  64  of the protruding portion  60 ) and a compressed configuration (for removal). The resilient wire fastener  94  is converted from the decompressed configuration to the compressed configuration by pinching tips  100  of the resilient wire fastener  94 , which causes the ends  96   a ,  96   c  to travel toward each other or retract inwardly. Due to the resiliency of the resilient wire fastener  94 , the resilient wire fastener  94  automatically converts from the compressed configuration to the decompressed configuration when the tips  100  of the resilient wire fastener  94  are released, which causes the ends  96   a ,  96   c  to travel away from each other or extend outwardly. 
         [0045]    To install the resilient wire fastener  94  into the display frame  16 , the resilient wire fastener  94  is converted to the compressed configuration by pinching the tips  100 , which causes the ends  96   a ,  96   c  to retract inwardly. With the ends  96   a ,  96   c  retracted, the end  96   b  is inserted into the slot  98   b  and the ends  96   a ,  96   c  are aligned with slots  98   a ,  98   c , respectively. The resilient wire fastener  94  is then converted to the decompressed configuration by releasing the tips  100 , which causes the ends  96   a ,  96   c  to extend into slots  98   a ,  98   c , respectively. In this manner, the resilient wire fastener  94  is secured to the display frame  16  and within the display-support cavity  80 . To remove the resilient wire fastener  94  from the display frame  16 , the resilient wire fastener  94  is converted to the compressed configuration by pinching the tips  100 , which causes the ends  96   a ,  96   c  to retract from the slots  98   a ,  98   c , at which point, the end  96   b  is retracted from the slot  98   b.    
         [0046]    The resilient wire fastener  94  is sized and shaped to expand across the display-support cavity  80  such that, when the resilient wire fastener  94  is installed in the display-support cavity  80 , the resilient wire fastener  94  abuts the rear surface  92  of the backplate  88 . If the system  10  is used without the backplate  88 , the resilient wire fastener  94  abuts the rear surface  86  of the object to be displayed  82 . In this manner, the resilient wire fastener  94  traps the object to be displayed  82  and/or the backplate  88  within the display-support cavity  80  and against the inner rear surface  48   b  and the display-support cavity  80  is partially closed by the resilient wire fastener  94 . As noted above, the resilient wire fastener  94  is optional and may be omitted from the system  10  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the system  10  may be used without the resilient wire fastener  94  if the object to be displayed  82  is sufficiently rigid or if other means to fasten the object to be displayed  82  in the display-support cavity  80 , such as, but not limited to the backplate  88 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , rotatable or bendable tabs, staples, magnets, and/or the like. 
         [0047]    To secure the backplate  88 , the resilient wire fastener  94 , and/or display media  82  in the display-support cavity  80  of the display frame  16 , a plurality of magnets  104  can be mounted in a plurality of magnet receptacles  106  positioned along the inner rear surface  48   b . The magnet and magnet receptacles  104 ,  106  are positioned such that, when the backplate  88 , the resilient wire fastener  94 , and/or object to be displayer  82  is installed in the display-support cavity  80 , each of the magnets  104  align with and bias the backplate  88 , the resilient wire fastener  94 , and/or media  82  toward the inner rear surface  48   b  of the display frame  16  via a magnetic attraction. In the exemplary embodiment, the magnets  104  further secure the backplate  88  in the display-support cavity  80 . If the system  10  is used without the backplate  88 , the magnets  104  further secure the resilient wire fastener  94  and/or display media  82  in the display-support cavity  80 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . If the system  10  is used without the resilient wire fastener  94 , the magnets  104  further secure the backplate  88  in the display-support cavity  80 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Similarly, if the system  10  is used without the resilient wire fastener  94 , or backplate  88 , the magnets  104  secure display media  82  in the display-support cavity  80  with the aid of additional magnets or magnetically-attractive material placed behind the display media (not shown). It is foreseen that the magnets  104  may be of sufficient magnetic power to simultaneously secure both the backplate  88  and the resilient wire fastener  94  in the display-support cavity  80  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. It is also foreseen that the object to be displayed  82  may be of at least a partially magnetically-attractive material, in which case the backplate  88 , the resilient wire fastener  94 , and additional magnets are omitted and the object to be displayed  82  is self-secured within the display-support cavity  80  via a magnetic bond formed between the object to be displayed  82  and the magnets  104 . It is also foreseen that the magnets  104  themselves could be formed of a magnetically-attractive material, such as metal, and the backplate  88  could be formed of at least a partially-magnetic material without deviating from the scope of the present invention or magnets could be mounted behind the object to be displayed  82  (in lieu of the backplate  88  or fastener  94 ), as mentioned above. 
         [0048]    When the object to be displayed  82 , the backplate  88 , and the resilient wire fastener  94  are installed in the display-support cavity  80 , the system  10  is converted to the display configuration by positioning the protruding portion  60  of the display frame  16  in the frame-support cavity  18  the frame  14 . In this manner, the frames  14 ,  16  are nested together without requiring re-leveling of the system  10 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , to further secure the frames  14 ,  16  together, a plurality of elongated strips  120  are mounted to the perimeter edge  36 . Each of the strips  120  is made of a magnetically-attractive material, such as metal or the like, and includes a mount surface  122  and a magnet-abutment surface  124 . Each of the mount surfaces  122  are secured to the perimeter edge  36  via screws, but it is foreseen that other attachment means may be used, such as nails, an adhesive, such as glue, or the like, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Each of the magnet-abutment surfaces  124  extend perpendicular from the mount surface  122  and are flush with the recessed surface  34 . 
         [0049]    With references to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of magnets  130  are each installed in one of a plurality of magnet receptacles  132  along the rear abutment surface  66  of display frame  16 . The plurality of magnet receptacles  132  are positioned such that the plurality of magnets  130  are aligned with the magnet-abutment surfaces  124  of the strips  120  when the display frame  16  is nested in the support frame  14 . Thus, when the frames  14 ,  16  are nested in the display configuration, the plurality of magnets  130  are aligned with and magnetically attract the network of elongated strips  120 , which causes the frames  14 ,  16  to be biased towards each other via a magnetic attraction formed between the plurality of magnets  130  and the network of elongated strips  120  or magnetic system. The magnetic bond formed between the frames  14 ,  16  may be overcome when the display frame  16  is pulled away from the support frame  14  in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the rear surface  28  of the support frame  14  via a pull force. It will be appreciated that the amount of force needed will depend upon the strength of the magnetic attraction, as well as the tightness of the fit of the support frame  14  and display frame  16 . Due to the magnetic system, the support frame  14  and display frame  16  can be coupled using a loose-fit engagement. It is foreseen that the frames  14 ,  16  may be also mounted or coupled together using a friction-fit engagement in addition to or instead of the plurality of magnets  130  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , initial hard-mounting of the support frame  14  to the wall  12  can be accomplished via a plurality of screw fasteners  140  installed in pre-drilled apertures  142  that extend through the recessed surface  34 . The support frame  14  can also be secured to the wall  12  via a plurality of nail fasteners  144  installed in pre-drilled apertures  146  that extend through the recessed surface  34 . The fasteners  140 ,  142  are exposed through the frame support cavity  18  of the support frame  14  when the display frame  16  and the support frame  14  are disassembled with respect to each other. Thus, the fasteners  140 ,  142  are easily accessed through the front of the frame support cavity  18  during initial mounting and/or remounting operations of the system  10 . This thru-frame mounting system provides a significant advantage in terms of being able to position, level, and mount the support frame to the wall  12  or other mounting surface, as compared to traditional hung frames. It is foreseen that the fasteners  140 ,  142  may be used as alternatives to each other or simultaneously, depending on mounting requirements of the system  10 , without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The apertures  142 ,  146  are preferably drilled to permit countersinking of the fasteners  140 ,  142 . It will be appreciated that the number of apertures  142 ,  146  is not limited, but will depend on the configuration and size of the system  10 . It will also be appreciated that once the support frame  14  is mounted, the object  82  to be displayed can be exchanged without any further use of tools. It is foreseen that the system  10  may also use an optional leg or stand to permit use of the system on a table top or the like rather than on the wall  12  (or other vertical surface). 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , it is foreseen that the display frame  16  can be mounted to the wall  12  or other like surface using only the backplate  88 . In this embodiment, the backplate  88  is sized and shaped to expand substantially entirely across the display-support cavity  80  such that, when the backplate  88  is coupled to the display frame  16 , the front surface  90  of the backplate  88  abuts the rear surface  66  of the display frame  16 , and specifically engages the magnets  130  (and/or  104 ) therein to magnetically secure the display frame to the backplate  88 , which is semi-permanently mounted to the wall  12  or other mounting surface. A plurality of apertures  148  are provided in the backplate  88  so that the backplate  88  is a mountable backplate  88 , which also features the advantageous thru-frame mounting system described elsewhere herein. The apertures  148  are sized and shaped to receive a fastener, such as a screw, nail, or the like. In this manner, the object to be displayed  82  may be displayed using only the display frame  16  and the backplate  88 . It will also be appreciated that the backplate  88  could be sized to be much larger than the display frame  16 , such that more than one display frame  16  could be magnetically coupled or mounted to the backplate  88 , creating a collage. 
         [0052]    The width and length of the frames  14 ,  16  will depend upon the size of the object to be displayed  82 , but may each range anywhere from two to 160 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the system  10  is available in a variety of sizes including, but not limited to 3×5, 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14 inches, and the like. The frames  14 ,  16  may be made from any suitable material including wood, composite materials, such as MDF, trupan, epoxies, plastics, metal, metal alloys, stone, plaster, mortar, resin, concrete, hard paper products such as cardboard, glass, Plexiglas, fiberglass, and combinations thereof, etc., without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated that in the discussion of magnetic attachments herein, the position of the magnets and the corresponding magnetically-attractive material could be reversed (i.e., a magnetically-attractive material could be located in the display frame, with the magnetic portion of the system being the backplate  88 , the elongated strips  120 , or even individual (unattached) magnets positioned behind the display frame  16 . Alternatively magnets could be used for both portions of the system. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a quick exchange framing system that eliminates the need to re-level or re-hang the system  10  during exchange of the object to be displayed  82  via an exchange process that is easy and efficient. 
         [0054]    As used herein, the phrase “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing or excluding components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain or exclude A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
         [0055]    Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the general inventive concept, the manner in which the general inventive concept is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, tools, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0056]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the general inventive concept herein described, and all statements of the scope of the general inventive concept which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.