Abstract:
This invention relates to the general field of photo mounting, and more specifically toward a method of mounting a photograph using a novel and unique template and mounting bracket assembly that can be used to effectively mount a photograph. The template has a basic design of a hard surface bordered by four open sections, which can be universally applied to a variety of different sizes and configurations of photographs. The mounting assembly includes four brackets that form the underlying frame of the mounted photograph.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/582,465 filed on Jan. 2, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    This invention was not federally sponsored. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0003]    This invention relates to the general field of photo mounting, and more specifically toward a method of mounting canvas artwork, such as a photograph printed on canvas material, utilizing a template and mounting assembly. The template has a basic design of a hard surface bordered by four open sections, which can be universally applied to a variety of different sizes and configurations of canvas artwork. In a particular embodiment, each template is sized to one of the average sizes and shapes of photographs thereby producing a consistent product in an efficient manner. Rather than measuring, trying to make perfect cuts, and relying upon a frame that may have inconsistencies, a user of this invention will produce the same quality of mounted artwork with each use. While the template and bracket assembly was originally designed for the mounting of canvas photographs, it can just as easily be used with other artwork affixed to other similar mediums. Also, although the template and bracket assembly is particularly well-suited to a commercial photo printing and retail mounting settings that print and mount large size canvas photographs, the invention may also be utilized by amateurs to mount their photographs themselves and produce professional quality results. 
         [0004]    To this end, a template is provided with a center backing portion, four cutouts, which are rectangular holes along the four sides of the backing bordered by defining edges on the outer portions, and four corners, which are solid sections connected to the backing by a small section referred to as a connector. The connector is protected by a handle, which serves not only to protect the connector against being broken, but also allows a user of the invention to pick the template up easily once it is no longer needed on a photo. 
         [0005]    A mounting assembly is also provided. The mounting assembly was designed with the same theory in mind that served as the inspiration for the template: create a product that is easily used by professionals and amateurs alike, where the user can consistently produce professional-quality mounted photographs. Each mounting assembly includes multiple brackets that each have a bottom surface, two 45 degree angled ends, a top surface and two side surfaces. The bottom surface, angled ends, and one of the side surfaces are at least partially coated with an adhesive and covered by a removable, non-tacky protective sheet or liner. Each bracket also has two sockets, one on either end, into which a dovetail joint, or joiner, can be inserted. For a square photograph, four brackets of the same size are used; for a rectangular photograph, two long brackets and two short brackets are used. 
         [0006]    The mounting of photographs dates back to the late 1800&#39;s, when photograph paper first was used. Photograph mounting was not a new science, as the method of mounting paintings was well known in the art by that time. However, as photographs got larger and larger, the centuries-old method of stretching the canvas or photograph paper over a wood or metal frame was not effective, as the quality of the result depended as much on the skill and patience of the person mounting the photograph as it did on the materials used. 
         [0007]    With the advent of digital photography in the 1980&#39;s, and particularly with the invention and refinement of processes in the late 1990&#39;s and early 2000&#39;s that allowed for inexpensive cameras with high-resolution capabilities to be available to the general public, the industry of mounting large size photographs became a major industry. Today, millions of dollars each year are spent by professional and amateur photographers on mounted photographs. 
         [0008]    One of the more popular materials or mediums upon which a photograph is enlarged is canvas. While not providing as smooth a surface as glossy photographic paper, canvas is easy to stretch over a frame and therefore can hold its shape better than some photographic papers. However, it is difficult to stretch a canvas photograph over a frame such that the pull is evenly distributed. Frames may also have variations and irregularities in the various members and the connections on the joints, such that even if a mounter does a professional job, his or her job is only as good as the underlying frame. Furthermore, many prefer the artistic look of a photograph printed on canvas. 
         [0009]    In addition, some of the tools and materials used in traditional mounting can be both expensive and hazardous. For example, hammers, staple guns, stretching pliers and nails all can be dangerous if used by professional mounters who are careless or amateurs who don&#39;t know what they are doing. The glue that many mounting operations use can also be toxic and the fumes are dangerous if inhaled or exposed to sparks or other sources of ignition. Waste is also an issue, as retail associates can leave the cap off, spill the bottle containing the glue or even lose the bottle of glue. 
         [0010]    Finally, traditional methods of mounting require a considerable amount of skill, making the creation of a professional-appearing mounted photograph a task quite difficult for the untrained user. For example, stretching a canvas photograph the proper amount to achieve a tight fit and yet not too much to rip or distort the canvas is not an easy art to learn. 
         [0011]    Thus there has existed a long-felt need for a method by which a photograph can be mounted in an eye-pleasing and consistent manner by any photographer—not just mounting professionals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The current invention provides just such a solution by having a method by which a photograph can be mounted easily, with consistent results, and with a professional appearance using a template and a bracket assembly. The four brackets of the mounting assembly are used for the underlying frame of the mounted photograph. 
         [0013]    It is a principal object of the invention to provide a method to mount a photograph using a template for mounting brackets to a canvas photograph into the proper positioning for easy mounting. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of preparing a canvas photographer for mounting. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the invention to provide a method to mount a photograph using a mounting assembly that fits into the cutouts in the template and adheres to the back of the canvas photograph. 
         [0016]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method to mount a photograph using a means, through dovetail sockets and joiners, to attach the ends of each bracket to the adjacent bracket at a 45 degree angle. 
         [0017]    It is a final object of this invention to provide an easy-to-use method by which a canvas photograph can be mounted quickly, efficiency, and with high quality results time after time. 
         [0018]    In a particular embodiment, the current invention is a method of mounting a photograph using a photo framing template and mounting assembly, comprising the steps of: first, obtaining a template and a mounting assembly, where the template comprises a center portion, four cutouts, and four handles, where the four cutouts comprise rectangular openings in the template bordered on an inner side by the center portion, bordered on an outer side by an outer edge, and bordered on top and bottom sides by two corners, where the mounting bracket assembly comprises four brackets, where each bracket comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, two ends, an inner surface and an outer surface, where the ends are angled at forty-five (45) degrees from the top surface and the bottom surface, and where at least one of the top surface, bottom surface, two ends, inner surface and outer surface is coated on at least a portion with an adhesive substance, where each bracket additionally comprises a removable, non-tacky protective liner, where each end of each bracket additionally comprises a dovetail socket; second, placing and securing the brackets onto the back of the photograph using the template, wherein the brackets are placed through the cutouts in the template; third, folding and securing a portion of the photograph to each end of each bracket, fourth, rolling each bracket towards the middle of the photographer such that the ends of each bracket mate with another end of another bracket; and fifth, folding and securing a portion of the photograph to the outer surface of each bracket. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment of the current invention, a method of mounting a canvas photograph is provided comprising the steps of: placing and aligning a template on the back of the canvas photograph, where the template comprises four cutouts; placing and securing four brackets onto the back of the canvas photograph, where each bracket is placed through one of the four cutouts in the template, where each bracket has two sides, two angled ends, a top and a bottom, where one of the two sides comprises an adhesive, where each of the angled ends comprises an adhesive and a socket; and where the bottom surface comprises an adhesive; removing the template from the back of the canvas photographer; cutting the corners of the canvas photograph at a forty-five (45) degree angle; cutting a miter cut into each of the corners of the canvas photograph, where the miter cut is perpendicular to the previous angled cut of each corner; folding and securing portions of the canvas photograph over the ends of each bracket; rotating the brackets inwards towards each other such that the each end of each bracket mates with an end of another bracket; inserting joiners into the sockets of the ends of each bracket; and folding and securing portions of the canvas photograph over a side of each bracket. 
         [0020]    In yet another embodiment, the current invention is a method of mounting a photograph comprising the steps of: first, obtaining a template and a mounting assembly, where the template comprises, a center portion, and four cutouts, where the four cutouts are rectangular openings in the template bordered on an inner side by the center portion, bordered on an outer side by an outer edge, and bordered on top and bottom sides by two corners, where the mounting assembly comprises four brackets, where each bracket comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, two ends, an inner surface and an outer surface, where the ends are angled at 45 degrees from the top surface and the bottom surface, and where at least one of the top surface, bottom surface, two ends, inner surface and outer surface is coated on at least a portion with an adhesive substance, where each bracket additionally comprises a removable, non-tacky protective liner, where each end of each bracket additionally comprises a dovetail socket; and second, using said photo framing template and mounting bracket assembly to mount said photograph through trimming the photograph to match the dimensions of the template, removing the protective liner from each bracket, then placing the four brackets into the four cutouts in the template, removing the template, making a small cut into each of the four corners of the photograph, turning each bracket over thereby rolling each bracket toward the center of the photograph, securing each end of each bracket to the adjacent bracket by inserting a joiner into the dovetail sockets of each bracket. 
         [0021]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0022]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. Since the method relies upon a unique and novel template and mounting assembly, these items will be illustrated in some depth by the figures. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a canvas photograph after it has been trimmed to match the dimensions of the template and prior to its mounting to the brackets, with cut lines shown. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the template being laid upon the back of the canvas photograph, showing the various parts of the template. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of four brackets being attached to the back of the canvas photograph through the open cutouts in the template. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the brackets in place on the back of the canvas photograph and the template being removed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the canvas photograph, with brackets attached, after having been turned over with a 45 degree section being cut off each corner of the canvas photograph. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the brackets in place on the back of the canvas photograph and the canvas photograph being folded up on the ends of each bracket. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the brackets after they are folded inward, such that the 45 degree ends of each bracket can be joined and secured to the 45 degree ends of adjacent brackets through the use of dovetail joints in the ends of each bracket and joiners. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a strip of protective covering being removed, such that the sides of the canvas photograph can be stretched across the back of the brackets and attached to the brackets. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the final mounted photograph. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with the references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a canvas photograph ( 1 ) after its trimming for the template and prior to mounting it to the brackets, with cut lines ( 2 ) shown, illustrating the location at which the corners ( 3 ) are removed. Cut line ( 2 ) is located in the same place on every photo. The initial trimming is done by cutting the outer portions of the canvas to match the dimensions of the template to ensure that the image, cut line ( 2 ) and the white area around the printed image are all aligned properly. In a particular embodiment, the portions to cut from the canvas to match the template are demarcated by lines that are printed with the photograph onto the canvas. Additionally, the cut lines ( 2 ) may be printed with the photograph as well. This is the extent of the preparatory work to be done on the canvas photograph prior to beginning the mounting process. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the template (generally referred to by reference number  10 ) being laid upon the back of the canvas photograph ( 1 ), showing the various parts of the template. The template ( 10 ) has a center portion ( 11 ), which is a large, solid section in the middle of the template. On the edges of the center portion ( 11 ) are cutouts ( 12 ), which are four open rectangular areas within the template. The length and shape of the cutouts ( 12 ) depend on the size and shape of the brackets (illustrated later in  FIG. 3  and on), and on the desired finished shape of the mounted photo (illustrated later in  FIG. 9 ). For a square mounted photograph, the cutouts would be the same size; for a rectangular mounting, there would be two “long” cutouts and two “short” cutouts. The cutouts ( 12 ) border four corners ( 14 ), which are solid squares that are connected to the center portion ( 11 ) by connecting portions ( 15 ), which are thin strips of material that provide a connection and some support to the corners from the center portion. Additional support for the corner is provided by a handle ( 16 ) that not only supports the connector ( 15 ), but also provides and convenient means by which the template can be raised or lowered onto the canvas photograph. Each cutout ( 12 ) is defined on its inner surface by the center portion ( 11 ), two corners ( 14 ), two connecting portions ( 15 ) and an outer edge ( 13 ), where the cutout provides an opening into which a bracket (discussed later) is inserted. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of four brackets ( 20 ) being attached to the back of the canvas photograph through the open cutouts in the template. Each bracket (generally referred to by reference number  20 ) has a bottom ( 22 ) which has an adhesive surface that is protected by a removable, non-tacky protective sheet or liner ( 25 ), two 45 degree angled ends ( 23 ), a top surface ( 21 ) and two side surfaces: inner side ( 26 ) and outer side ( 27 ). The top surface ( 21 ) has a contrasting first shape ( 28 ), which aids the user in aligning each bracket, described in more detail below. Both the ends ( 23 ) and the outer side ( 27 ) also have an adhesive surface that is protected by a removable, non-tacky protective sheet or liner. Adhesive ( 29 ) is shown on the bottom part of the end ( 23 ) of the bracket ( 21 ). Each bracket includes two sockets ( 24 ), which in a particular embodiment of the invention are dovetail sockets, one on either end, into which a dovetail joint, or joiner (described below), can be inserted. For a square photograph, four brackets of the same size are used; for a rectangular photograph, two long brackets and two short brackets are used. 
         [0036]    A particular embodiment of the current invention has an arrow as the first shape ( 28 ) that indicates an orientation or direction in which the bracket is to be placed within the template. In another embodiment, first shape ( 28 ) includes half of a shape, such as half of a circle or a triangle, and the template ( 10 ) includes the other half of that shape such that when the bracket and template or configured together correctly, the completed shape is displayed to the user. For example, half of the arrow appears on the top surface ( 21 ) of the bracket  20  and the other half appears on the template ( 10 ). The shape should be a contrasting color from the bracket (background) so that the shape is readily discernable by a user. Such a design simplifies the placement of each bracket. 
         [0037]    To prepare the photograph for mounting, the removable, non-tacky protective liner ( 25 ) is removed from the bottom of each bracket, and then each bracket is placed through its corresponding cutout in the template such that its tacky surface adheres to the canvas photograph. Once all four brackets are attached to the back of the canvas photograph, there is no further need for the template. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the brackets ( 21 ) in place on the back of the canvas photograph ( 1 ) and the template ( 10 ) being removed. A user can easily grasp the handles ( 16 ) and lift the template ( 10 ) off the canvas photograph after the brackets ( 20 ) have been secured to the back of the canvas photograph ( 1 ). Note how the brackets ( 20 ) are always secured in identical positions on the back of the photograph as the template&#39;s cutouts ( 12 ) can allow the bracket to contact the photograph only through the cutout, thereby ensuring a consistent final product. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the canvas photograph ( 1 ), with brackets ( 20 ) attached, after having been turned over. A 45-degree section ( 3 ) is cut off each corner of the canvas photograph along cut lines ( 2 ). 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the brackets ( 20 ) in place on the back of the canvas photograph ( 1 ) and the canvas photograph being folded up on the ends of each bracket. The removable, non-tacky protective liner ( 25 ) is then removed from the ends of each bracket (if not done so already) and a small cut ( 60 ) is made into the four remaining corners of the canvas photograph (known as a “miter out”). The resulting edge sections ( 61 ) are then pulled upward and attached to the adhesive surfaces on the edges of the brackets. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the brackets ( 20 ) after they are folded inward, such that the 45 degree ends of each bracket mate together. The 45 degree ends of adjacent brackets are secured together by using joiners ( 70 ) inserted into dovetail sockets ( 24 ) in the ends of each bracket. In other words, because the location of each bracket ( 20 ) on the back of the canvas photograph has been predetermined exactly by the cutouts in the template, each bracket is “rolled inward” such that the 45 degree ends align with each other and the dovetail sockets ( 24 ) align with the mating dovetail socket ( 24 ) on the adjacent bracket. A joiner ( 70 ) is then inserted in each dovetail socket to secure the brackets to each adjacent bracket. This figure also shows edge section ( 61 ) folded onto the end of one of the brackets ( 20 ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the final steps of framing a canvas photographer. The strip of protective liner ( 25 ) is removed to reveal and adhesive thereunder. The sides ( 80 ) of the canvas photograph are then pulled up and stretched across the back of the brackets and secured to the brackets using the adhesive on the outer side. Once all four sides ( 80 ) have been attached, the process of mounting the photograph is complete. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the final mounted photograph, generally referred to by reference number  90 . This photo also illustrates how the sides ( 91 ) and top/bottom portions ( 92 ) of the mounted photograph carry over the photograph this is displayed, such that there is no need for any decorative frame to cover up any unsightly side portions. 
         [0044]    It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention. 
         [0045]    All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.