Patent Publication Number: US-2013232839-A1

Title: Frame and frame hanging system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Frames are commonly used in homes and offices to hang pictures, drawings, paintings, and other objects. When it comes to hanging a picture frame, getting the frame as flush against the wall as possible is desirable for stability and aesthetics. 
     Various systems or methods are used to hang picture frames. These include, among others, wires adapted to hang on picture hooks. Also, frames can be fitted with a metal strip having a saw-tooth edge adapted to rest on one or more nails, or the frame may have tabs with holes adapted to receive a hook or nail. None of these systems allow the frame to be mounted flush with the wall. Some frames may be hung by first inserting nails into the wall and then balancing an inner portion of the frame on the nails. This system, however, tends to be unstable. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a frame and a method or system of hanging a frame, which overcomes the foregoing disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a frame for the display of an object comprises a front side, a back side configured to abut a surface, and a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides. The perimeter includes an internal side and an external side. A groove is disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter relative to the back side so that it may receive at least one securing member projecting from the surface. In another embodiment, a frame for the display of an object comprises a front side, a back side configured to abut a surface, and a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides. The perimeter includes an internal side and an external side. A first groove is disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter. A second groove is disposed in a portion of an internal side of the perimeter and spaced from the first groove. The second groove is disposed closer to the back side than the first groove and is adapted to receive at least one securing member projecting from the surface. The foregoing embodiments permit the frame to be hung substantially flush with the abutting surface. 
     In another embodiment, a method of hanging a frame having a front side, a back side, a perimeter formed between and around the front and back sides, and a groove disposed in a portion of the internal side of the perimeter, comprises the steps of: attaching a first securing member to a surface on which the frame is to be hung, the first securing member projecting a distance from the surface substantially equal to a distance from the back side of the frame to the groove; attaching a second securing member to the surface, the second securing member projecting at the same distance from the surface as the first securing member; and placing the frame on the surface such that a portion of each of the securing members rests within the groove and the back side of the frame is substantially flush with the surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rear view of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged rear view of the frame of  FIG. 1  with the backing removed. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged rear view of the frame of  FIG. 1  with the backing inserted. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the frame hanging on a wall. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the above-described drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A frame  10  according to the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The frame  10  has a generally rectangular body, but may have any shape known in the art including, square, triangular, circular, or polygonal. The frame  10  may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, metal, or plastic. The frame  10  includes a back side  11  which is configured to abut a wall  1  on which the frame is to be hung and a front side  12  which faces outwardly from the wall  1 . 
     From the front side  12  to the back side  11 , the frame  10  may include an outer, transparent glass or plastic layer  13 ; a photograph or image to be displayed (not shown); a cardboard or paper mat  14  to surround the periphery of the photograph or image; and a backing  15 , often made of cardboard or other rigid material, disposed to the rear of the mat  14  and securing the image in the frame  10  by being coupled to the frame. The mat  14  and backing  15  may optionally be combined as one layer. The backing  15  may be coupled to the frame  10  by being fitted into a part of the first groove  21  formed in the inner periphery of the frame  10 , and may be held in place by sliding retainers or hooks that slide into the first groove  21 . 
     The frame also includes a second groove  22  spaced from the first groove  21 . The second groove  22  is generally parallel with the first groove  21  and is positioned outwards of the first groove  21  relative to the back side  11  of the frame. Thus, the second groove  22  is positioned to be closer to the wall  1  on which the frame  10  is to be hung. The second groove  22  may extend around an entire inner perimeter of the frame  10 , or may extend around a partial length of the inner perimeter. Advantageously, the second groove  22  extends at least partially along each of the inner sides of the periphery of the frame  10  so that the frame  10  may be hung securely in several different orientations. 
     To ensure a secure and flush alignment of the frame  10  with the wall  1 , a securing member (e.g., a nail head) attached to the wall  1  on which the frame  10  is to be hung should project a distance approximately equal to the distance the second groove  22  is spaced from the back side  11  of the frame  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second groove  22  may be disposed about 1/16″ to ¼″ from the back side  11  of the frame  10 . The width of the second groove  22  may vary so long as it is slightly larger than a thickness of the nail head to ensure sufficient stability. The second groove  22  may have any non-zero distance from the first groove  21 , depending on the thickness of the frame  10 . 
     To hang the frame  10 , a user preferably places at least two securing members (e.g., nails) into a wall forming a straight line along which the frame  10  will be attached to the wall. The nails project from the wall at approximately the same distance as each other and the same distance as the distance between the back side  11  of the frame  10  to the second groove  22 . The user then hangs the frame  10  on the wall  1  so that the nail heads enter into the second groove  22  along the chosen top side of the frame and the frame  10  hangs securely and flush with the wall  1 . 
     While the exemplary frame is provided with both an outward  22  and an inward  21  groove, the frame  10  can be provided with only the outward groove  22 , which is adapted to receive the hanging nails or other suitable hanging device. 
     While embodiments of the invention disclosed herein describe picture frames, one skilled in art should recognize that alternative configurations may be employed without deviating from the scope of the invention.