Patent Publication Number: US-11033124-B1

Title: Modular picture frame system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of wall displays, more specifically, a modular picture frame system. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The modular picture frame system comprises a starter strip and a plurality of frames. The starter strip may be mounted horizontally with on a wall  90 . The plurality of frames may be hung from the starter strip in positions that are below the starter strip. Each individual frame selected from the plurality of frames may display a photograph. A new frame may be added to the plurality of frames by sliding a T-track of the new frame into the starter strip or into an extender channel of a previously hung frame. The plurality of frames may be organized into a horizontal arrangement, a vertical arrangement, a grid arrangement, an irregular arrangement, or combinations thereof. 
     An object of the invention is to display a plurality of photographs in a plurality of frames. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a starter strip that mounts to a wall and supports the upper most frames in a display area. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a T-track at the top, rear of each frame for coupling that frame to the starter strip or to a previous hung frame. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an extender channel at the bottom, rear of each frame for coupling that frame to a new frame hung below it. 
     These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the modular picture frame system will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the modular picture frame system in detail, it is to be understood that the modular picture frame system is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the modular picture frame system. 
     It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the modular picture frame system. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating three frames of unequal size hung from a starter strip. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating two new frames being added to a group of four frames. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure across  3 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the rear side of an individual frame. 
         FIG. 6A  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating a horizontal arrangement of four frames. 
         FIG. 6B  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating a vertical arrangement of three frames. 
         FIG. 6C  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating a grid arrangement of nine frames. 
         FIG. 6D  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating an irregular arrangement of ten frames of various sizes and including some frames that are supported by more than one frame above them. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, the word “or” is intended to be inclusive. 
     Detailed reference will now be made to a first potential embodiment of the disclosure, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . 
     The modular picture frame system  100  (hereinafter invention) comprises a starter strip  200  and a plurality of frames  250 . The starter strip  200  may be mounted horizontally with on a wall  950 . The plurality of frames  250  may be hung from the starter strip  200  in positions that are below the starter strip  200 . Each individual frame  300  selected from the plurality of frames  250  may display a photograph. A new frame  351  may be added to the plurality of frames  250  by sliding a T-track  360  of the new frame  351  into the starter strip  200  or into an extender channel  380  of a previously hung frame  352 . 
     The starter strip  200  may be a length of extruded channel. The starter strip  200  may be mounted horizontally on the wall  950  at the top of a display area  920 . The starter strip  200  may have a lateral cross-section that forms a T-shaped cavity  385 . The T-shaped cavity  385  may be oriented on its side such that the front end of a horizontal portion  386  of the T-shaped cavity  385  opens to the front of the starter strip  200 , the rear end of the horizontal portion  386  intersects with the center of a vertical portion  387 , and the vertical portion  387  extends above and below the horizontal portion  386  within the starter strip  200 . 
     One or more of the plurality of frames  250  may be coupled to the starter strip  200  by sliding the T-track  360  located on each of the plurality of frames  250  into the T-shaped cavity  385  of the starter strip  200 . The number of frames that may be coupled to the starter strip  200  is determined by the width of the starter strip  200  and the width  350  of the individual frames  300 . In some embodiments, the sum of the widths  350  of the individual frames  300  that are directly coupled to the starter strip  200  may not exceed the width of the starter strip  205 . 
     The individual frame  300  selected from the plurality of frames  250  may protect the photograph that is displayed within the individual frame  300 . The individual frame  300  may comprise a border  305 , a pane  310 , a backing  320 , the T-track  360 , and the extender channel  380 . The border  305  may be a decorative edging around the photograph. As non-limiting examples, the border  305  may be made from resin, metal, plastic, word, or combinations thereof. 
     The pane  310  may be a transparent sheet covering the front of the photograph. As non-limiting examples, the pane  310  may be made of glass or clear acrylic plastic. 
     The backing  320  may be a sheet of material covering the rear of the individual frame  300  to retain the photograph within the individual frame  300 . In some embodiments, the backing  320  may be removable or may comprise a hinged flap  325  to allow access for inserting or removing the photograph. 
     The T-track  360  may be an extruded armature that couples to the rear of the individual frame  300  along the top edge of the backing  320 . The T-track  360  may removably couple to the starter strip  200  or to the extender channel  380  of another frame when the individual frame  300  is installed. The lateral cross-section of the T-track  360  may complement the lateral cross-section of the starter strip  200 . The dimensions of the T-track  360  may be smaller than corresponding dimensions of the T-shaped cavity  385  in the starter strip  200  or the T-shaped cavity  385  in the extender channel  380  such that the T-track  360  may slide through the T-shaped cavity  385 . 
     The extender channel  380  may be a length of extruded channel. The starter strip  200  may be mounted horizontally on the rear of the individual frame  300  at the bottom of the backing  320 . The extender channel  380  may have a lateral cross-section that forms the T-shaped cavity  385 . The extender channel  380  may hang below the individual frame  300  such that the T-shaped cavity  385  is accessible from the front by the T-track  360  of another frame installed below the individual frame  300 . 
     The plurality of frames  250  may be organized into a horizontal arrangement, a vertical arrangement, or combinations thereof. The horizontal arrangement (see  FIG. 6A ) may comprise two or more of the plurality of frames  250  that are aligned along a horizontal axis. The vertical arrangement (see  FIG. 6B ) may comprise two or more of the plurality of frames  250  that are aligned along a vertical axis. A grid arrangement (see  FIG. 6C ) may comprise four or more of the plurality of frames  250  that are aligned along at least one horizontal axis and along at least one vertical axis. An irregular arrangement (see  FIG. 6D ) may comprise any number of the plurality of frames  250  that are not aligned. In some embodiments, one or more of the individual frames  300  in the irregular arrangement may be supported by the T-shaped cavities  385  of two or more other frames located above them. 
     In some embodiments, the individual frame  300  may be waterproof to protect the photograph from moisture and humidity. 
     In use, the starter strip  200  is mounted horizontally to the wall  950  at the top of the display area  920 . The photographs are placed within the plurality of frames  250 . One or more of the plurality of frames  250  are hung from the starter strip  200  by sliding the T-track  360  on each of the individual frames  300  into the starter strip  200  from one side of the starter strip  200  or the other. The plurality of frames  250  may butt against each other horizontally or gaps may be left between them. The gaps may be the same width between the plurality of frames  250  or the spacing may be irregular. 
     Additional frames may be hung from previously hung frames by sliding the T-track  360  on each of the additional frames into the extender channels  380  at the bottom of the previously hung frames. The additional frames may hang in a straight vertical line or may be staggered, including the inclusion of one or more frames that hang from two or more previously hung frames. The plurality of frames  250  may be a homogeneous size or the sizing of the plurality of frames  250  may vary. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the starter strip  200  may include a bubble level  777  thereon. This helps to insure that the invention  100  is level when installed. Connector shims  778  may also be used to aid in alignment of adjacent starter strips  200 . The connector shims  778  enable multiple starter strips  200  to be used and aligned with one another. The connector shims  778  are blocks that are able to slide in the T-shaped cavity  385  of the starter strip  200 . Screws  779  are depicted on  FIG. 7  as the means of securing the invention  100  against the wall  950 . 
     Definitions 
     Unless otherwise stated, the words “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, and “lower” should be interpreted within a gravitational framework. “Down” is the direction that gravity would pull an object. “Up” is the opposite of “down”. “Bottom” is the part of an object that is down farther than any other part of the object. “Top” is the part of an object that is up farther than any other part of the object. “Upper” refers to top and “lower” refers to the bottom. As a non-limiting example, the upper end of a vertical shaft is the top end of the vertical shaft. 
     As used in this disclosure, a “cavity” is an empty space or negative space that is formed within an object. 
     As used in this disclosure, a “channel” is a tubular passage through which an object or fluid is passed through. 
     As used in this disclosure, the word “correspond” indicates that a first object is in some manner linked to a second object in a one to one relationship or that one or more properties shared by two or more objects match, agree, or align within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. 
     As used herein, the words “couple”, “couples”, “coupled” or “coupling”, refer to connecting, either directly or indirectly, and does not necessarily imply a mechanical connection. 
     As used in this disclosure, a “cross-section” is a surface or shape that would be exposed by making a straight cut through an object. 
     As used herein, “lateral cross-section” refers to a cross-section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     As used in this disclosure, a “flap” is a piece of material that is hinged or otherwise attached to a surface using one side such that the piece of material hangs in such a way as to cover a hole in a surface or to provide a barrier between objects. 
     As used herein, “front” indicates the side of an object that is closest to a forward direction of travel under normal use of the object or the side or part of an object that normally presents itself to view or that is normally used first. “Rear” or “back” refers to the side that is opposite the front. 
     As used in this disclosure, a “grid” is a network of intersecting parallel and perpendicular lines. 
     As used in this disclosure, “horizontal” is a directional term that refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the local force of gravity. Unless specifically noted in this disclosure, the horizontal direction is always perpendicular to the vertical direction. 
     As used in this disclosure, the word “lateral” refers to the sides of an object or movement towards a side. Lateral directions are generally perpendicular to longitudinal directions. “Laterally” refers to movement in a lateral direction. 
     As used in this disclosure, a “track” is a device that is used to control the path of motion of an object in at least one dimension. 
     As used in this disclosure, “transparent” refers to a material that allows light to pass through the material without significant scattering such that an object can be clearly seen through the material. 
     As used in this disclosure, “vertical” refers to a direction that is parallel to the local force of gravity. Unless specifically noted in this disclosure, the vertical direction is always perpendicular to horizontal. 
     As used herein, the word “waterproof” refers to an object that is not harmed when being exposed to water, including total submersion for a period of time. When used as a verb, “waterproof” refers to taking steps to make an object waterproof. Non-limiting examples of such steps may include applying special coatings or using gaskets to seal seams and entry points of an enclosure. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention. 
     It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.