Abstract:
A 3-dimensional array of picture frames is arranged in a plurality of parallel planes. The picture frames are interconnected by perpendicularly extending pegs frictionally received in blind bores in the front of the rearward frame and in the back of the forward frame. Replaceable decorative sleeves surround the pegs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of The Invention 
     This invention relates to improvements in displaying an array of picture frames, specifically a preselected arrangement of picture frames interconnected such that a 3-dimensional effect is produced. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Displaying an array of picture frames, such as by hanging them on a wall, is as old as picture frames themselves. Usually they are hung individually. This results in arrangements which are often less attractive than was desired or envisioned, due to the failure to accurately orient the picture frames relative to each other. Misalignments frequently occur and are difficult to correct. More importantly, the arrangements are virtually limited to 2-dimensional, essentially flat, arrays. It would be desirable to reap the benefits of an interior decorator&#39;s talent while adding a 3-dimensional flair to the displaying of picture frames. Both can be achieved by rigidly interconnecting a plurality of picture frames in a 3-dimensional array. 
     Patents directed toward connecting picture frames to form a 3-dimensional array are surprisingly few. The following U.S patents are, however, representative of the prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,122, issued to Sesto, shows connecting a plurality of picture frames together to form a 3-dimensional array. Sesto employs connectors shaped as solid pegs integral with C-shaped clips. The pegs are designed for insertion into channels in the back border of forward oriented picture frames, while the C-shaped clips are designed for attachment to the edges of rearwardly oriented picture frames. The combination has its disadvantages, e.g., the frames and clips must be specially molded to interfit as described, and the clips are always visible. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,639, issued to Wang, shows an S-shaped clip designed such that the edges of two picture frames may be inserted into the bights of the “S”, thereby holding the frames in parallel, spaced planes. Apparently, the clip and the bottom edges of the frames are intended to support the array on a flat surface. While effective in holding the two frames together, the clip is manifestly unsightly. 
     Spacers used to interconnect pictorial displays are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,913 issued to Abatiell shows spacer locks for interconnecting display panels. The spacer locks are made of steel tubing having a bushing and a pair of enlarged washers brazed thereto. The assembly is then chromed for a decorative appearance. The spacer locks are disclosed as being used in vertical orientation such that the shoulders provided by the washers can support two displays one above the other; no 3-dimensional aspect is taught. Also, the spacer locks are expensive to manufacture and uniform in appearance. 
     In each of the above-discussed patents, the structures involved are complicated, expensive, and/or unsightly. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the difficulties described above by interconnecting a plurality of picture frames by rods extending between picture frames in two parallel planes. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an array of picture frames connected in simple, inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing combinations. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an array of picture frames which are the rigidly fixed together in an arrangement designed by professional decorators. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a manner of interconnecting a plurality of picture frames such that they appear to be floating in space when supported on a wall or a horizontal surface. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an array of picture frames in which the picture frames are arranged in two parallel planes. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an array of picture frames in which each of the picture frames in a forward plane overlap at least two picture frames in a rearward plane. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an array of picture frames arranged in a forward plane and a rearward plane, in which each of the picture frames in the forward plane are supported only by the picture frames in the rearward plane. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, aspects, uses, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description of the present invention when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially broken away, side view of a preferred mode of interconnecting the frames of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an array  10  of picture frames is shown. Four picture frames  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  are included in the disclosed embodiment, although any number can be chosen, aesthetics permitting. Each picture frame, such as frame  12 , includes a space  22  enclosed by frame  12  for a photograph, print, or other pictorial representation (not shown). 
     In the preferred embodiment, picture frames  12 - 18  are arranged in two parallel planes (FIG.  2 ), a rearward plane  24  containing picture frames  12  and  14  and a forward plane  26  containing picture frames  16  and  18 . It is possible that frames  12 - 18  can be arranged in three or more planes, if desired, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The protrusion of frames  16  and  18  in front of frames  12  and  14  provide a 3-dimensional effect when hung on a wall by a hook (not shown) or when supported on a planar surface by a conventional flap (not shown) hinged to the back of array  10 . The illusion is heightened by the manner in which picture frames  12 - 18  are interconnected. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the picture frames  12  and  14  in rearward plane  24  are connected exclusively to the picture frames  16  and  18  in forward plane  26 . There are no connectors directly interconnecting picture frames which reside solely in either single plane. That is, in this preferred embodiment, there are no connectors directly between frames  12  and  14 , or between frames  16  and  18 ; this adds appreciably to the unique aesthetic effect produced by the present invention. 
     In the embodiment shown, connectors  28  and  30  extend outwardly from the front of frame  12  to the rear of frame  16 , and connector  32  similarly interconnects the front of frame  12  to the rear of frame  18 . Picture frames  16  and  18  are connected to picture frame  14  by connectors  34  and  36 , respectively. The frames of array  10  are connected sufficiently rigidly by connectors  28 - 36  such that the forward picture frames  16  and  18  are supported entirely by the rearward picture frames  12  and  14 . 
     Alternatively, connectors  32  and  36  may be selected to be a different length (i.e., longer or shorter) than connectors  28 ,  30  and  34 . An example of this alternative embodiment is shown in FIG.  4 . In this embodiment, connectors  32 ′ and  36 ′ are longer than connectors  28 ,  30  and  34 , and picture frame  18 ′ is positioned in a third plane  27  which is in front of and parallel to the plane formed by picture frame  16 , and in front of and parallel to the plane formed by picture frames  12  and  14 . As can be seen, planes  26  and  27  of picture frames  12  and  18 ′ are spaced from each other a preselected distance d′ by connectors  32 ′ and  36 ′, which is greater than distance d. In such an embodiment, connectors  32 ′ and  36 ′ must be the same length. Such length is different than the length of connectors  28 ,  30  and  34 , which similarly must all be the same length as each other. Again, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, all connectors are of the same length, such that the picture frames reside in two parallel, spaced planes. It should be clear from this description that as additional picture frames are added to a given array, a plurality of different planes may be formed by the frames depending on the selection of the length of the connectors. 
     It will be noted that in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each picture frame includes at least two connectors connected to at least two different picture frames. The number and placement of connectors for each picture frame are chosen to ensure that none of the picture frames in array  10  will be capable of relative rotational movement which might torque them out of their desired arrangement. Because of the manner of the interconnections between picture frames, the entire array can be supported by a single, well placed hook or flap, usually hidden behind one of the picture frames in array  10 . Thus, when viewed from the front, the forward picture frames  16  and  18  appear to be floating in space, creating a most unusual and distinctive appearance. 
     FIG. 2 shows a side view of array  10  with connector  28  partially broken away to illustrate the preferred structure thereof. As can be seen, the two planes  24  and  26  of picture frames  12 - 18  are spaced from each other a preselected distance “d” by connectors  28 - 36 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the partially broken away view of connector  28  enclosed by the broken line in FIG.  2 . As seen in FIG. 3, a blind bore  38  is formed in the front of frame  12 , and a similar blind bore  40  is formed in the back of frame  16 . Connector  28  preferably comprises a cylindrical peg  42  whose opposite ends  44  and  46  are frictionally inserted within bores  38  and  40 , respectively. A preferably decorative (e.g., metallic chrome or finished wood) tubular sheath  48  loosely surrounds peg  42  and abuts the forward surface  20  of picture frame  12  and the rear surface  21  of picture frame  16 . Sheath  48  is easily removed and replaced should the desire to change the appearance of array  10  arises. Sheath  48  also allows the use of inexpensive wooden, plastic, or metal pegs  42  while providing a convenient method of harmonizing the colors and textures of frames  12 - 18  with connectors  28 - 36 . All of connectors  28 - 36  preferably comprise the peg/sheath combination illustrated for connector  28 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured solely by the claims, nor is intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It can be seen from the above that an invention has been disclosed which fulfills all the objects of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosure is by way of illustration only and that the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the following claims: