Abstract:
A picture frame assembly for enhancing the display of a picture and other viewable objects in a display frame and to a method of framing the picture and objects. The assembly includes a housing having a back wall, an annular side wall projecting from the back wall, a front opening circumscribed by the side wall; a two-dimensional background scene mounted within the housing adjacent to the back thereof; a two-dimensional picture mounted within the housing in front of and in viewing association the background scene; a three-dimensional motif mounted within the housing in front of and in viewing association with both the scene and the picture, the motif and the background scene suggesting a theme related to the picture; and a magnifying lens mounted in the opening of the housing and providing a common field of view for the scene, the picture and the motif.

Description:
This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/137,603 filed Jun. 3, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a display frame assembly and more particularly to a frame assembly that enhances the display of a picture or photograph and other viewable objects in a display frame and to a method of framing the picture and objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Two-dimensional photographs are typically displayed in a frame covered by a pane of glass perhaps non-reflective but otherwise plain glass. This well-known arrangement presents the picture, as is, with no variations, background, related items, magnification, or other enhancement. Moreover, since the picture is two-dimensional, the display in such a common frame is entirely two-dimensional. Such a frame is the norm and the most commonly used display for photographs in everyday use. 
     There are situations, however, where the possibility of enhancing a photograph may be appealing. Such situations may include displaying pictures for unique vacation experiences; for certain anniversaries, birthdays, and other celebrations; for novel gifts; and the like. It may be desirable to provide special effects to the photograph by providing a related background or a selected motif suggesting a scene, experience or event related to the photograph, all within a common composite and preferably magnified field of view. Moreover, for maximum utility, a user should have the ability to readily change the items in the frame depending on the user&#39;s particular artistic desires at any given time. 
     Such pictorial enhancement has not previously been known insofar as applicant is aware. Examples of what is known include the decorative frame border disclosed in the United States Borden U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,213. The Borden frame provides a transparent annular cavity that surrounds the picture and that is intended to contain decorative items such as flowers. Although the Borden frame has its own inherent appeal, it does not bring the picture enhancements into close association with the picture. That is, the picture and the enhancement are separately viewed rather than being placed in a composite where they are within the same field of view and appear to be in the same scene. Moreover, the picture frames in the United States patents to Sterrick U.S. Pat. No. 912,329, Morehead, Des. U.S. Pat. No. 137,475, and Alvarez U.S. Pat. No. 2,521,558, all provide enhancements around a central picture but, like Borden, do not bring these enhancements into the same field of view as the picture. Moreover, none of these prior frames is constructed so as to facilitate the selection and placement of various combinations of pictures and enhancements, thereby to allow the user easily to change the mix of pictures and enhancements within a common frame. 
     SUMMARY 
     A picture frame assembly is provided that enhances the display of viewable objects in a common field of view within a picture frame. The assembly includes a housing having a compartment that has an opening in the front; a magnifying lens covering the opening and defining a field of view into the compartment; a two-dimensional background scene in the compartment viewable through the lens; a two-dimensional picture, photograph or other principle item to be displayed mounted in the compartment in front of the background scene and thus also viewable through the lens; and at least one three-dimensional motif or object in the compartment between the picture and the lens and thus also viewable through the lens whereby the scene, the picture and the motif appear as a magnified composite view through the lens and may be insertable into or removable from the compartment through the opening. 
     An object of the present invention is to enhance a two-dimensional picture, photograph or other object to be displayed as seen in a picture frame. 
     Another object is to provide a picture frame assembly that enhances the display of a two-dimensional picture by providing both a two-dimensional background scene and a three-dimensional motif, all of which are viewable as a composite in a single field of view. 
     A further object is to provide a picture-enhancing frame assembly in which the picture as well as the enhancements can be readily changed. 
     Yet another object is to provide a picture frame assembly for enhancing a two-dimensional photo that may be a stand-alone display; an attachment to a magnetic surface, such as a refrigerator door; a locket for a necklace; or the like. 
     Still another object is to provide a novel picture frame assembly that allows a two-dimensional photograph to be displayed along with a motif, and perhaps a two-dimensional background scene, each of which may suggest the location, occasion, event, or some other relationship to the subject of the photograph. 
     An additional object is to provide a picture frame assembly as a novelty that can be sold in gift shops associated with special vacation destinations, such as the Washington Monument, Eiffel Tower, Disneyland and the like, wherein a motif of the destination is incorporated into the assembly as a three-dimensional enhancement to a photograph therein. 
     A still further object is to provide a display frame that mixes two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects within the same field of view behind a magnifying lens that imparts a magnified three-dimensional effect to the entire scene including both the two-dimensional as well as the three-dimensional objects. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a stand-alone, picture frame assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention and showing one embodiment of a motif used in the assembly and showing an embodiment of the design of the assembly from the front thereof. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the picture frame assembly shown in FIG.  1  and showing an embodiment of the design of the assembly from one side thereof. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line  3 — 3  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of a tongue and groove construction as may be used for a releasable connection between the housing and the lens of the frame assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of a motif mount as may be used in the frame assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of a picture mount as may be used in the frame assembly of FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view, on a somewhat smaller scale than FIGS. 1-3, of the frame assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, but showing another embodiment of the motifs and the manner of displaying them. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the lens shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 a  is a side elevation of the lens shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 9 b  is a side elevation of a modified lens that can be used in the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevation, on a still smaller scale than FIGS. 7 and 8, of an embodiment of the frame assembly of the subject invention that may be attached to a refrigerator door, or other magnetic surface. 
     FIG. 11 is side elevation of the frame assembly shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 10, particularly to show the magnet on the back of the assembly. 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevation of yet another embodiment of the frame assembly of the present invention that may be used as a locket on a necklace. 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevation of a modified lens from that of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the lens shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing a preferred embodiment of the subject picture frame assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A stand-alone embodiment of a picture frame assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is generally identified by the numeral  20  in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 . The assembly includes a housing  22 , preferably made of a hard, lightweight plastic, although other materials, such as composites, metal, or wood, may be used. The housing and thus the assembly may be of various shapes and sizes, for example, circular, rectangular, or otherwise, but is of generally circular shape in the disclosed embodiment. Again, the size is optional, and basically three sizes are disclosed herein, namely, a relatively large size in FIGS. 1 through 3, a medium size in FIGS. 10 through 12, and a small size in FIGS. 13 and 14, but the invention is not limited to any particular size. 
     The housing  22  (FIGS.  1 -- 3 ) of the illustrated embodiment thus includes a generally circular, back wall  24 , which is preferably opaque but may be transparent, having a lower straight edge segment but otherwise having an upper circular edge, a flat front surface  28  and a flat rear surface  30 . The housing thus also has an annular side wall  36 , again preferably opaque but possibly transparent, projecting forwardly from the back wall. The side wall has an upper segment that matches the upper edge of the back wall  24  is thus a circular segment in the illustrated embodiment but also has a bottom  40  that is flat, matching the lower edge  26  of the back wall. The bottom of the side wall provides a light aperture  42  used in the illumination of the assembly as will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side wall has a front annular bead or tongue  44  that circumscribes an opening  46  into a compartment  48  that is defined by the back and side walls. 
     The stand-alone embodiment  20  of the picture frame assembly (FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 ) also includes a base  60  that is preferably triangular in side elevation and has a flat lower wall  62  and an inclined upper wall  64 , the latter being secured to the bottom  40  of the side wall  36  of the housing  22 . The upper wall has a light aperture  66  congruent with the light aperture  42 . The base thus allows the picture frame assembly to stand up by itself with the lower wall of the base resting on a flat surface, such as a shelf, table or other piece of furniture. 
     The subject picture frame assembly  20  (FIGS. 1-3 and  7 - 9   b ) also includes a magnifying lens  80  preferably molded or cast out of a suitable acrylic plastic, but alternatively of glass. The lens may have a front convex surface  82  and a rear flat or convex surface  84  or  84 ′, as shown in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b,  respectively. The lens also has a peripheral edge  90  having an upper circular segment  93  and a straight bottom segment  94  that respectively match the upper and bottom segments  38  and  40  of the side wall  36  of the housing  22 . The tear edge of the lens (FIGS. 3 and 4) has a rearwardly facing annular groove  96 . 
     As noted above, the lens  80  (FIGS. 1-3 and  7 - 9   b ) may be constructed in several different ways such as a convex-flat, as shown in FIG. 9 a,  convex-convex as shown in FIG. 9 b,  or in other ways. The lens dimensions may be varied to create desired effects, and the convex surface  82  or  84 ′ may be either spherical or aspherical. The use of an aspherical shape is well-known to prevent slight distortions such as barrel distortion. The subject invention is not limited to any particular dimensions, but if a convex-flat lens is employed for the larger embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the diameter D of the lens may be about 8.66 inches to match the larger housing  22 , the depth dimension d may preferably be about 1.88 inches and the radius R f  of the front surface  82  may preferably be about 6.10 inches. If a convex/convex lens  80 ′ (FIG. 9 b ) is used for the medium size embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 12, the diameter D′ may be about 4.92 inches, the depth d may preferably be about 1.18 inches, the front radius R f  may preferably be about 3.46 inches, and the rear radius R r  may preferably be about 31.496 inches. 
     The lens  80  (FIG. 3) may be removably attached to the housing  22  by fitting the groove  96  in the lens over the bead or tongue  44  of the housing and then pressing the lens against the housing so as to snap-fit and thereby secure the lens on the housing. Because the materials of housing and lens are of suitable plastics and the tongue and groove are suitably sized, the tongue and groove easily accommodate such a releasable snap-fit relationship. The housing and the lens are thus of the same shape and when fitted together, they have a common axis  98  extending through the center of the lens and the compartment  48  and being circumscribed by the side wall  36  of the housing. 
     Although as previously stated, the invention is not limited to any particular dimensions, the stand-alone embodiment of the assembly as shown in FIGS. 1-3 may use a housing  22  wherein the side wall may have a maximum diameter of about 8.66 inches, the housing may have a depth from the tongue  44  to the back wall  24  of about 1.35 to 1.5 inches, the diameter D of the lens  80  may be about 8.66 inches the maximum depth d of the lens may be about 1.88 inches, and the angle of the base  60  between the plane of the: lower wall  62  and the back wall  24  may be about seventy-five degrees. These dimensions are not critical, but they have been found to provide a desirable field of view and viewing angle when the picture frame assembly is standing or situated on a table or other similar elevated flat support surface. With these dimensions, the lens provides a magnification of about 1.3 times the actual size of any object within the compartment  48 . 
     As is well known, the power of any lens depends on its focal length, the index of refraction of the lens, and its radius, and the magnification depends upon the distance between the lens and the object being magnified. The principles of lenses and magnification are not part of the subject invention, however, since these are well known. Thus, other lens designs may be employed if a different degree of magnification is desired or if it is desired to create other effects in viewing the interior of the compartment through the lens. 
     The particular size of the larger embodiment of the picture frame assembly  20  (FIGS. 1-3) has been selected since it creates the desired effects as described herein and because it is sufficiently compact for purchase at a gift shop at a tourist destination and for carrying home in luggage. The principles of the present invention are, however, equally applicable for larger sizes and, as will be specifically seen hereinafter, for smaller sizes. 
     The picture frame assembly  20  (FIGS. 1,  3  and  7 ) also includes a mounting panel  100  panel which, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, is made of a thin opaque sheet of stiff plastic or cardboard, again preferably opaque but not necessarily so, and has the general shape of the back wall  24  of the housing. The mounting panel has a back surface that fits flat against the back wall  24  of the housing and a front surface facing the lens  80  and in rearwardly spaced relation thereto. The mounting panel may be of a diametrical size slightly larger than the diameter of the side wall so as to press-fit against the back wall. Alternatively, light adhesives or other fastening methods may be used to releasably retain the mounting panel against the back wall. With the larger embodiment having the dimensions described above, therefore, this front surface may be approximately 1.5 inches from the rear surface  84  of the lens, a useful relationship but not limiting to the present invention. 
     A plurality (five as shown) of picture mounting brackets  104  (FIGS. 1,  3 , and  6 ) are attached to the front surface of the mounting panel  100 . Two side brackets are attached on each side of the vertical axis of the mounting panel, and a bottom bracket is attached along the vertical axis adjacent to the straight bottom edge of the mounting panel and equidistant between the side brackets. These brackets are preferably made of plastic and are right-angular so as to form slots  106  (FIG. 6) with the panel. The mounting panel also has frusto-conical, motif mounting pegs  110 , preferably two in the illustrated embodiment, located on opposite sides of the mounting panel slightly outwardly of the side picture mounting brackets, and for a purpose to be described. 
     The mounting panel  100  (FIGS. 1,  3  and  7 ) serves not only a mounting function but also may provide a two-dimensional background scene generally indicated by the number  116  in the figures. This scene may be selected from a wide variety of possibilities such as blue sky with white clouds and sun, an ocean scene with waves, trees, fall foliage, a cityscape, a sporting field, autographed signatures, or a famous writing such as the Declaration of Independence, to mention only a very few of the possibilities. Alternatively, the mounting panel may be left blank, or the background scene may be merely a selected color or colors, or some other artistic scheme or design, or even a mirror. The scene may be imprinted on the panel when the later is made or appliques containing particular scenes may be provided and applied to the front surface by the user. Of course, it is possible to apply a different scene over an old scene and thereby reuse the same mounting panel for different scenes. 
     The picture frame assembly  20  (FIGS. 1,  3  and  7 ) also includes a two-dimensional, preferably rectangular picture or photograph  120 , which may be the central element of interest in the display. This picture may be the typical snapshot taken by a candid camera, or a more professional photograph. Moreover, although the subject invention is especially suited for enhancing a photograph of people, the principles of the invention are not limited to using the picture of people as the element  120 . Other objects may be displayed and featured in the subject frame assembly. These objects may include, for example, a memorable wedding invitation, a poem, a testimonial, a commendation, or an autograph(s) of a celebrity(ies), to name a very few. For description convenience herein, however, this central element is simply referred to as a picture, it being understood such terminology characterizes other possible displays such as those just mentioned. In any event, the picture is supported in the brackets  104  on the mounting panel by inserting the opposite side edges of the picture in the side brackets and resting the lower edge on the bottom bracket. In this manner the picture is located so that its center is approximately on the axis  98  of the lens  80  and the compartment  48 . 
     The picture frame assembly  20  (FIGS. 1-3 and  7 ) also includes a three-dimensional motif or motifs  130 , each of which in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is a replica of a selected object and includes at least one mounting sleeve  132  projecting therefrom and adapted to be press-fit over a mounting peg  110 . The motif is preferably a thematic element that may have a desired conceptual relationship to the picture  120 . In this regard, if a background scene  116  is used, there may also be a thematic relationship among the picture the background scene, and the motif. The invention is not limited to such a relationship, however, since the subjects of the background scene, the picture, and the motif may be anything within the imagination of the person creating the entire assembly. One example of a motif, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is flowers on a stem to which is attached a rearwardly projecting mounting sleeve  132 . However, examples of other possible motifs are miniature replicas of famous strictures, for example, the Eiffel Tower, the Washington Monument, the United States Capitol or Whitehouse: famous characters like Mickey Mouse or Barbie doll; miniatures of a myriad of objects such as sports equipment, including golf clubs and tennis rackets, actor&#39;s masks, a chairman&#39;s gavel, to mention only a very few possibilities, which are not shown but believed understood. Almost anything conceived by the framer may be used as the motif. 
     Preferably two motifs  130  are mounted in the compartment  48  on the mounting sleeves  132  releasably fitted over their respective mounting pegs  110  and on opposite sides of the picture  120 . As such the mounting sleeves and pegs hold the motif, away from the mounting panel  100  in rearwardly spaced relation to the front opening  46  of the housing  22 , as seen in FIG. 3, and in overlying relationship to the background scene  116 , as best seen in FIG.  1 . Although not shown, in this first embodiment of a motif, part of he motifs may partially overlay the picture; if flowers, for example, some of the petals or branches may extend part way over the picture without obscuring any part of the photograph. 
     A second embodiment of a motif  130 ′ is shown in FIG.  7 . Here, the motif is contained in a transparent, preferably plastic, motif capsule  131  which may have a partial cylindrical shape. The motif capsule can take the form of a wide variety of shapes and configurations and is not limited to the shape shown in FIG.  7 . Furthermore, there are preferably a pair of motif capsules adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of the picture  120 . For this purpose, each motif capsule has a rearwardly extending mounting peg  132  that is slideably press-fit into one of the motif mounting holes  110  so as to support the motif capsule on the mounting panel and on opposite sides of the picture. 
     In this second embodiment, each motif  130 ′ itself is contained within its capsule  131  either loosely or supported in some manner. In one of the capsules of FIG. 7, an artificial stem and flowers, like FIGS. 1-3, is the motif and simply sized and fitted in the capsule. In the other capsule, the motif is artificial fish floating in a liquid, such as water, are contained in the capsule. Alternatively, but not shown, the motif, for example, a butterfly or other object, may be embedded in a transparent resin that fills the capsule. Again, the only limit to what the motif in the capsule may be is in the imagination of the artist who in most cases will be the user. In the capsules, the motifs are supported outwardly from the mounting panel  100  in the compartments  48  in rearwardly spaced relation to the rear surface  84  of the lens  80 , like in FIG. 3, but now in the capsules. Of course, the motifs overlay the mounting panel and thus overlay the background scene  116  if used. 
     The subject display frame assembly  20  may utilize a light  140  (FIG. 3) which is conveniently placed in the base  60  beneath the aligned light apertures  42  and  66 . An extension cord  142  is connected to the light and extends outwardly from the base for connection to a one-hundred ten volt outlet. When activated, light shines upwardly into the compartment illuminating the background scene  116 , the picture  120 , and the motifs  130  or  130 ′. Alternatively, batteries and a switch, not shown, may be housed in the base for energizing the light. 
     With reference to FIGS. 10-12, a second embodiment of the picture frame assembly generally indicated by the numeral  20 ′ is shown. The embodiment illustrated here is smaller than in FIGS. 1 through 3 and is intended for attachment to a refrigerator or other magnetic surface. For this purpose, a magnet  150  is attached to the rear surface of the housing  22 ′. In other respects, the embodiment  20 ′ incorporates the same features as the stand-alone embodiment  20 , and common elements are identified by the same number primed. As an example of the dimensions of a refrigerator-type assembly, the diameter of the housing is about 4.92 inches, the depth of the lens is either about 1.18 inches or about 1.26 inches, depending on whether a spheric or an aspheric lens is used, and the radii R f , R r  are the same as with the larger stand-alone embodiment. 
     Still further, a third embodiment of the display frame assembly  20 ″ of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Here, the picture frame assembly is a locket intended to be used as an item of jewelry. The assembly has an upper eyelet  160  adapted to be connected to a chain  162  that may extend around a user&#39;s neck. The locket type of frame assembly may be slightly smaller than the refrigerator-type  20 ′ discussed above. In other respects, the locket frame assembly has the same elements as the stand-alone assembly  20  described above. 
     Another embodiment of lens, a dual or two element lens, is indicated by the number  170  in FIGS. 15 and 16 and includes an inside back lens  171  and an outside front lens  172  snap-fitted over the inside lens. This dual lens may be used because the lens is preferably an injection-molded part that typically can be made up to only ¼ inch thick, not a preferred thickness for the lens of the present invention. In the description of the use of the assembly  20  that follows, it is to understood that the dual lens construction of lens  170  may be employed wherever reference is made to the lens  80 . 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded isometric view similar to FIG. 7 but showing certain preferred embodiments of various elements of the subject display frame assembly  20 . Thus, the preferred mounting panel  100 ′ is a flexible piece of paper, instead of the stiff plastic or cardboard of mounting panel  100 . In addition, the brackets  104 ′ and mounting pegs  110 ′ are attached to the back wall  24 , and the mounting panel  100 ′ has holes  118  and  119  located therein in the locations of the brackets  104 ′ and mounting pegs  110 ′. The mounting panel  100 ′ is assembled with the housing by slipping the holes in the panel over their respective brackets and pegs. A suitable adhesive may be applied to the back of the panel  100 ′ and/or the back wall  24 , but is not deemed necessary. In other respects, the display frame assembly of FIG. 17 is like the display frame assembly of FIG.  7 . 
     Description of Use and the Method 
     Although the display frame assembly of the subject invention, whether the embodiments  20 ,  20 ′ or  20 ″, may be made available through various outlets, these display frame assemblies are ideally suited for gift shops at tourist destinations, for example in the gift shop at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In reference to FIGS. 1-3 and  7 , the display frame assembly  20  may be sold entirely assembled with a replaceable picture  120  in place and with a pre-selected background scene  116  and motif  130  or  130 ′. All a user need do is to replace the picture with one of his or her own. 
     Alternatively, a variety of background scenes  116 , either on a relatively stiff mounting panel  100  or as an applique therefor, or on a relatively flexible mounting panel  100 ′, or all of these possibilities, and a variety of motifs  130 , may be made available for sale along with the assembled display frame  20 ,  20 ′ or  20 ″ as described. Another option is for the display frame assembly to be sold with only the housing  22  and lens  80  assembled but without the background scene  116 , the motif  130 ,  130 ′ or the picture  120  in the housing. These other elements may be sold separately, or entirely or partially supplied by the user. 
     In this Eiffel Tower example, the picture  120  might be a photograph of the purchaser in front of the Eiffel Tower or another setting in Paris. A selection of background scenes, perhaps of Paris or its environs, may be made available for sale along with the housing and lens assembly. Also, the motifs might be miniatures of the Eiffel Tower. Thus, along with the photograph taken by the user, the purchaser would procure the basic display frame assembly, including a mounting panel, a selected background scene  116  either as an applique or as a part of the mounting panel, and a pair of miniature Eiffel Tower motifs, either of the first embodiment  130  or in a capsule  131  of the second embodiment. 
     In such a situation, the purchaser may disassemble the lens  80  from the housing  22  and then assemble the mounting panel  100  or  100 ′, the selected picture  120 , and the motifs  130 ,  130 ′. As is believed understood, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 17, the flexible, sheet-like mounting panel is fitted over the brackets  104 ′ and pegs  104 ′ and pressed against the back wall  24 , either with or without actual adhesive, so the brackets  104 ′ and pegs  104 ′ extend forwardly from the panel. Alternatively with the embodiment of FIG. 7, the mounting panel  100  is fitted in the housing  22  against the back wall with the brackets  104  and pegs  110  projecting forwardly. In either case, the picture  120  is next inserted in the mounting brackets  104  or  104 ′, and the motifs  130  or  131 ′ are mounted on the pegs  110  or  110 ′. Lastly, the lens  80  is snapped onto the front of the housing, thereby completing the entire assembly. 
     With the selected background scene  116 , picture  120  and the motifs  130  or  131 ′ within the compartment  48  in the assembled unit  20 , the three elements to be displayed are brought together in a unique and integrated manner thereby enhancing the overall effect of viewing the picture. Moreover, the location of the three-dimensional motifs within the compartment on opposite sides of the picture together with the magnification supplied by the lens imparts a three-dimensional effect to all of the objects within the compartment. Furthermore, it will be understood that all of the objects within the compartment, namely the background scene, the picture, and the motifs, are within a common field of view through the lens. This field of view is not only along the axis  98  of the lens but at various angular relationships to this axis either from one side or the other or from above or below the axis. Additionally, the elements within the compartment can be seen from a greater distance because of the magnification provided by the lens. 
     One of the advantages of the subject display frame assembly  20 ,  20 ′ and  20 ″ is the ability to personalize the displayed objects or elements and to change these elements at various times and for various situations. The housing  22  and the lens  80  can be readily separated and reattached and the displayed objects can be changed, all as described above. Since various background scenes  116  and motifs  130 ,  130 ′ may be made available for purchase, or a user may create his or her own background scene and/or motif, a user may employ the same housing for different background scenes, motifs, and pictures  120  so that the subject assembly is highly versatile. Similarly, versatility is achieved in having not only a stand-alone assembly but also the smaller assemblies for display on a magnetic surface or as jewelry. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications, substitutions and equivalents may be used therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.