Abstract:
A display frame according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member. Each of the plurality of frame sections includes a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position. In various embodiments, the display frame further includes an insert that is slidably received in one of the channels. In one embodiment, the insert at least partially forms the front face of one the frame sections and displays at least one of text and graphics. In another embodiment, the insert includes a mounting feature for mounting an object to the display frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/613645, filed on Mar. 21, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/625330, filed on Apr. 17, 2012. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a spring-biased display frame, and more particularly, to a display frame with inserts disposed in frame sections forming the periphery of the display frame. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0004]    Known picture and poster frames include a plurality of frame sections, each frame section having a base member and a rotatable cover member attached to each base member. Spring biasing mechanisms are used to bias the cover member to the base member in its open and closed positions. Typically, each frame section is mitered at 45 degrees in the corner and arranged in a generally rectangular configuration. Such frames may be made of an extruded metal such as aluminum or alternately of an extruded plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
         [0005]    Once assembled, such frames are configured to provide a single display area suitable for securely positioning and displaying a single display medium such as an advertisement. In this regard, each of the frame sections is rotated into an open position and the display medium is inserted within the display frame. The frame sections are rotated into a closed position such that the display medium is secured within the frame. Poster frames of this type work very well and have secured substantial success in the marketplace. 
         [0006]    However, in some applications, it is desirable to provide a frame which may be readily adapted to display a plurality of display media. For example, a frame capable of mounting display media around its periphery would be advantageous to provide added versatility to the frame over those currently known in the art and added appeal to the medium displayed therein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
         [0008]    A display frame according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member. Each of the plurality of frame sections includes a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position. 
         [0009]    In various embodiments, the display frame further includes an insert or an insert assembly. The insert is slidably received in one of the channels. In one embodiment, the insert at least partially forms the front face of one the frame sections and displays at least one of text and graphics. In another embodiment, the insert includes a mounting feature for mounting an object to the display frame. The insert assembly includes a standoff slidably received in one of the channels and a container defining a slot slidably engaging the standoff to mount the container to the display frame. 
         [0010]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a display frame with cover members rotated into a closed position to secure a display medium; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front view similar to  FIG. 1  with the cover members rotated into an open position and the display medium removed; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is front view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of a display frame with the cover members rotated into the closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is front view similar to  FIG. 3  with the cover members rotated into the open position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a section view taken along line  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a section view taken along line  6 - 6  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a section view similar to  FIG. 5  with each cover member unitarily formed with a channel extending along the length thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of the display frame with the cover members in the open position and an insert partially removed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is front view of a first alternative embodiment of an insert; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a second alternative embodiment of an insert; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of an insert; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the display frame of  FIG. 1  with a fourth alternative embodiment of an insert in place of one of the inserts shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13A  is a section view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13B  is an enlarged view within circle  13 B of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a fifth alternative embodiment of an insert; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a portion of the display frame of  FIG. 1  with an insert assembly in place of one of the inserts shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is perspective view similar to  FIG. 15  with a container disassembled from standoffs and the standoffs rotated for removal; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of one of the standoffs. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]    Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the display frame  10  includes a plurality of frame sections  12 . Specifically, frame  10  is rectangular in shape and has four frame sections  12  forming its periphery. In  FIG. 1 , the frame sections  12  surround a display medium  13  such as a picture, poster, and/or advertisement. The display medium  13  is supported by a backing member  14  that is shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition, an insert  15  is captured in each of the frame sections  12 . Both the display medium  13  and the inserts  15  may display graphics and/or text. For example, the display medium  13  may be an advertisement, and the inserts  15  may display information related to the advertisement (e.g., website address, logo colors, etc.). 
         [0034]    Each of the frame sections  12  includes a base member  16  and a cover member  18  pivotally coupled to each other. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each frame section  12  may be cut to a desired length and mitered 45 degrees at opposite ends for abutting and co-planar assembly with one another to comprise the outline of the frame  10 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each frame section  12  may be squared at opposite ends, and a (e.g., rounded) corner section  19  may be disposed between and connect adjacent frame sections  12 . 
         [0035]    As presently shown, frame  10  is configured in a square or rectangular shape, although it is also possible for the frame to have other various shapes with one or more (e.g., five) frame sections  12  having opposite ends cut at appropriate angles. For example, frame sections  12  may be disposed on three sides of frame  10  and a fourth side of frame  10  may be open-ended to allow insertion of the display medium  13  without opening one of the cover members  18 . In another example, frame section  12  may be disposed on only one side of frame  10 , in which case frame  10  may only consist of one of the frame sections  12 . Each of the base members  16  and cover members  18  may be fabricated utilizing a suitable material and process such as metal or plastic extruding processes. As presently shown, the backing member  14  includes a hollow-core board having a pair of planar surfaces interconnected with internal webs, although the backing member  14  may be formed from other suitable materials. 
         [0036]    Adjacent frame sections  12  of frame  10  may be held and fastened together by the corner sections  19 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or by L-shaped corner braces  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The corner braces  20 , or extensions  19   a  on the corner sections  19 , are positioned in a channel  21  formed in each of the base members  16  and secured in place by fasteners (not shown) such as screws or pop rivets. 
         [0037]    The inserts  15  may be equal in length to the frame sections  12  and, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , may be mitered 45 degrees at opposite ends for abutting and co-planar assembly with one another. The engagement between the ends of the inserts  15  prevents the inserts  15  from sliding along the lengths of the frame sections  12 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inserts  15  may be squared at opposite ends and the corner sections  19  may engage the opposite ends of the inserts  15 . Moreover, the inserts  15  may not be equal in length to the frame sections  12 , and a stop mechanism, if desired, may be used to prevent the inserts  15  from sliding along the lengths of the frame sections  12 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover member  18  of each frame section  12  is assembled to base member  16  by means of a hinge mechanism  22  which includes a cylindrical hinge or pivot pin  24  extending outwardly from the base member  16  and a corresponding hinge channel  26  formed on the cover member  18 . The edges of hinge channel  26  extend slightly more than 180 degrees around the pivot pin  24  such that the hinge mechanism  22  may be slidably assembled in a longitudinal direction or snapped together. The hinge mechanism  22  allows the cover member  18  to pivot relative to the base member  16 . When in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover member  18  holds the display medium  13  securely in position within the frame  10 . When it is desired to remove or replace the display medium  13 , the cover member  18  is rotated or pivoted to an open position as shown in  FIG. 6 , thereby permitting removal of the display medium  13 . 
         [0039]    One or more spring members  30  are positioned in each of the frame sections  12  extending between the base member  16  and the cover member  18 . The spring members  30  bias the two members  16 ,  18  relative to one another. The spring members  30  act to maintain a snug mating pivotal engagement, biasing the cover member  18  against the display medium  13  when the frame sections  12  are in the closed position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) and holding the cover members  18  in open upright position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) for removal or replacement of the display medium  13  and/or the inserts  15 . The spring members  30  may be made of a spring steel or stainless steel having a flat, square, or rectangular shape. The spring members  30  are adapted to be flexed or bowed when the cover member  18  is rotated and provides the desired cantilever snap action for biasing the frame sections  12 . 
         [0040]    A channel  32  is attached to the front face of each of the cover members  18 , and the inserts  15  are captured in the channels  32 . The inserts  15  may be paper or plastic and may be thin strips with a rectangular cross section as shown. The channels  32  may be metal or plastic and may have a C-shaped cross section as shown. The channels  32  include tabs  34  that extend partially over the front faces of the inserts  15  to retain the inserts  15  in the frame sections  12 . The channels  32  may be attached to the cover members  18  using adhesive  36 . Additionally or alternatively, the channels  32  may be attached to the cover members  18  using a weld, a solder, or a fastener. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the channels  32  may be unitarily formed with the cover members  18  using, for example, an extrusion process, and adhesive  36  may be eliminated. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the inserts  15  may be slid into or out of the channels  32  when the cover members  18  are in the open position as shown. The inserts  15  are preferably formed from a substantially rigid material (e.g., plastic, metal, fiberboard, and the like) so that the inserts  15  may only be inserted or removed by sliding the inserts through open ends  38  of the channels  32  when the cover members  18  are in the open position. Alternatively, the inserts  15  may be formed from a substantially flexible material (e.g., paper) so that the inserts  15  may be inserted or removed when the cover members  18  are in the closed position, if desired, by flexing the inserts  15  and forcing them past the tabs  34  on the channels  32 . When installed, the inserts  15  may be generally flat. Alternatively, if the inserts  15  are formed from a curved material, the inserts  15  may bow outward from the channels  32 . Adjusting only one of the cover members  18  to the open position allows the insertion or removal of one of the inserts  15 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a plurality of inserts  40  may be used in place of one or more of the inserts  15 . As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the inserts  40  can display pricing symbols such as a dollar sign and numbers. However, the inserts  40  may display other text and/or graphics. The inserts  40  may be provided as a kit (e.g., a pricing kit, a text kit), which may include more or less of the inserts  40  relative to the number of the inserts  40  shown in  FIG. 9 . Depending on the display desired, only a portion of the inserts  40  provided in the kit may be used. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an insert  42  may be used in place of one or more of the inserts  15 . The insert  42  includes a base portion  44 , a neck or stem  46 , and a display portion  48 . The base portion  44  may be inserted into one of the channels  32  as shown in  FIG. 8  to retain the insert  42  in the frame  10 . The stem  46  extends between the base portion  44  and the display portion  48 . The insert  42  may be formed from a relatively stiff material (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.) to prevent the stem  46  from bending or flexing under the force of gravity when the base portion  44  is inserted into one of the channels  32 .  FIG. 10  depicts the insert  42  as a discount tag with the display portion  48  displaying discount information, although the insert  42  may display other text and/or graphics. When installed, the insert  42  may extend over or away from the display medium  13  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an insert  50  may be used in place of one or more of the inserts  15 . The insert  50  includes a base portion  52 , a neck or stem  54 , and a display portion  56 . The base portion  52  may be inserted into one of the channels  32  as shown in  FIG. 8  to retain the insert  50  in the frame  10 . The stem  54  extends between the base portion  52  and the display portion  56 . The stem  54  may bow outward from the base portion  52  to the display portion  56 . The display portion  56  includes a plate  58  and a plurality of tabs  60  that extend outward from the plate  58 . The tabs  60  may be used to hold merchandise such as sunglasses, key fobs, and the like. The insert  50  may be formed from a relatively stiff material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) to ensure that the stem  54  does not bend or flex under the force of gravity when the base portion  52  is inserted into one of the channels  32  and the merchandise is installed in the display portion  56 . When installed, the insert  50  may extend over or away from the display medium  13  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the frame  10  is illustrated with the inserts  15  removed and an insert  62  installed in place of one of the inserts  15 . The length of the insert  62  is less than the length of one of the frame sections  12 . With additional reference to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , each of the tabs  34  on the channels  32  have edges  64  that are beveled or chamfered. When installed, the insert  62  bows outward from the channels  32  at an angle θ. The insert  62  may be formed to bow outward at the angle θ using a relatively stiff material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.). Thus, installing the insert  62  may require sliding the insert  62  into one of the channels  32  when the one of the cover member  18  attached to the one of the channels  32  is in the open position. The angle of the bevel or chamfer in the edges  64  prevents the edges  64  from biting or cutting the insert  62  as the insert  62  is slid into one of the channels  32 . The display medium  13  may display a picture, and the insert  62  may display information related to the picture (e.g., title, artist). In this regard, the insert  62  may be suitable for use in an art gallery setting or the like. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , an insert  66  may be used in place of one or more of the inserts  15 . The insert  66  includes flanges  68 , supports  70 , and a bridge  72  extending between and connecting the supports  70 . The supports  70  can flex inwardly to enable installation and removal of the insert  66  without adjusting one of the cover members  18  to the open position. When the insert  66  is installed into the channels  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the tabs  34  on the channels  32  fit over the flanges  68  on the insert  66  to retain the insert  66  in the channels  32 . Merchandise or display media may be mounted to the insert  66  using a fastener that is inserted into an aperture  74  that extends through the bridge  72 . The height of the supports  70  may be adjusted to provide a desired clearance for the portion of the fastener extending through the aperture  74  toward the channels  32 . The insert  66  may be formed (e.g., stamped) from a substantially rigid material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) that is suitable for mounting objects such as merchandise or display media. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15 through 17 , an insert assembly  76  may be used in place of one or more of the inserts  15 . The insert assembly  76  includes standoffs  78  and a container  80 . The container  80  may hold merchandise or display items such as flyers. The standoffs  78  and the container  80  may be formed from metal and/or plastic. The tabs  34  on the channels  32  retain the standoffs  78  in the frame  10 . The standoffs  78  engage slots  82  defined in the container  80  to secure the container  80  to the frame  10 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , each of the standoffs  78  includes a base member  84 , a screw  86 , and a nut  88 . The base member  84  includes a raised portion  90  having a hole  92  extending therethrough. To assemble the standoffs  78 , the screw  86  is inserted through the hole  92  and the nut  88  is threaded onto the screw  86 . Corners  94  of the base member  84  are rounded to facilitate twisting or rotating the standoffs  78  to insert or remove the standoffs  78 , and corners  96  are squared for engagement with the tabs  34  on the channels  32 . 
         [0049]    To install or remove the standoffs  78 , the standoffs  78  may be slid into the channels  32  when the cover members  18  are in the open position. Alternatively, the standoffs  78  may be installed or removed by rotating the standoffs  78  between the position shown in  FIG. 16  and the position shown in  FIG. 15 . When installing the standoffs  78  in this manner, the standoffs  78  may be rotated in the direction that causes the corners  94  to engage the channels  32  before the corners  96  engage the channels  32 . The standoffs  78  may then be removed by rotating the standoffs  78  in the opposite direction. When the standoffs  78  are installed, inserts  98  displaying text and/or graphics may be inserted into the channels  32  on opposite sides of the insert assembly  76 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , each of the slots  82  in the container  80  includes a circular portion  100  and an elongated portion  102 . To install the container  80 , the circular potion  100  of the slot  82  is placed over the nut  88  or the head of the screw  86 , and the container  80  is slid downward to engage the elongated portion  102  of the slot  82  with the shank of the screw  86 . In turn, the portion of the container  80  surrounding the elongated portion  102  is captured between the base member  84  and the nut  88  or the head of the screw  86 . To remove the container  80 , the container  80  is slid upward until the circular portion  100  of the slot  82  is aligned with the nut  88  or the head of the screw  86 . The container  80  may then be pulled apart from the standoffs  78  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0051]    In the example embodiments described above, the frame  10  includes one or more frame sections  12  with an insert captured in one or more of the frame sections  12 . The insert captured in the frame sections  12  may include the insert  15  ( FIGS. 1-8 ), one or more of the inserts  40  ( FIG. 9 ), the insert  42  ( FIG. 10 ), the insert  50  ( FIG. 11 ), the insert  62  ( FIGS. 12 ,  13 A, and  13 B), and/or the insert  66  ( FIG. 14 ). Alternatively or additionally, the insert assembly  76  may be captured in one or more of the frame sections  12  ( FIGS. 15-17 ). 
         [0052]    In various implementations, one or more of the frame sections  12  may not capture an insert or an insert assembly. In other words, the frame  10  may be provided without any inserts or insert assemblies, or the frame  10  may be provided with an insert or an insert assembly captured in less than all of the frame sections  12 .  FIG. 12  shows an example of the latter in which the insert  62  is captured in one of the frame sections  12  while three of the frame sections  12  are not capturing an insert or an insert assembly. The frame sections  12  may be painted a color (e.g., black) such that when an insert or an insert assembly is not captured in the frame sections  12 , it is difficult to identify features of the frame  10  that capture an insert or an insert assembly. 
         [0053]    The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.