Patent Publication Number: US-7587850-B2

Title: Picture frame assembly incorporating an outer frame and a backing member

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In modern society, a planar artwork such as a picture, photograph, document, or painting is often displayed in a picture frame assembly having an outer frame. Typically, the artwork is placed in the outer frame from the back side of the outer frame and into a back picture opening rabbet return of the outer frame and is viewed from the front side of the outer frame through a front picture sight opening. 
   The present invention a picture frame assembly employs a novel backing member as a retaining device. The backing member has at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging protrusion that engages a cooperating receiving groove along the inner perimeter of a back picture opening rabbet return of an outer frame of the picture frame assembly to retain an artwork within the picture frame assembly. Preferably, the groove engaging protrusion has a straight edge cross-sectional edge profile. 
   In an assembled picture frame assembly, the backing member has at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion and at least one resilient elastic slot associated with the groove engaging edge protrusion in a cooperating relationship that pressures the groove engaging edge protrusion outwardly into close, tight, direct contact with a receiving groove of the outer frame with the groove engaging edge protrusion protruding into the receiving groove. The receiving groove along the inner perimeter of the back picture opening rabbet return of the outer frame either partially or fully circumscribes the rabbet return. 
   Previously, retaining devices such as nails, screws, glazer&#39;s points, or wire staples often were used to retain the artwork in the back picture opening rabbet return of the outer frame with the nails, screws, glazer&#39;s points, or staples being hammered, driven, or pressed into portions of the outer frame that define the back picture opening rabbet return and with the retaining devices positioned immediately behind the artwork. Use of these prior art retaining devices often has caused damage to the back picture opening rabbet return and such retaining devices often have been difficult to install, manipulate, remove, or replace. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame assembly incorporating a backing member having at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion and at least one resilient elastic slot associated with each of the resilient groove engaging edge protrusions and preferably incorporating a plurality of laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions with each groove engaging edge protrusion extending into a corresponding receiving groove circumscribed, formed, routed, or cast in a back picture opening rabbet return of an outer frame of the frame assembly, thereby eliminating the damage caused to the back picture opening rabbet return by use of previously known retaining devices such as nails, screws, glazer&#39;s points, or wire staples. In use, the laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion is pressured by an associated elastically compressed resilient elastic slot into close engagement with the receiving groove by the compressed resilient elastic slot pushing the engaging edge protrusion outward away from the interior of the elastic slot as the elastic slot seeks to rebound to its larger uncompressed shape. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that can be more conveniently used to secure an artwork in the outer frame and that can be easily opened to allow removal and replacement of the artwork being displayed as determined by a user. 
   Preferably, the back picture opening rabbet return has at least one receiving groove spaced from a back surface of the outer frame and towards a picture support flange of the outer frame for selection and use with at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion to secure the backing member in a reversibly fixed physical relationship to the selected receiving groove. 
   Another objective of this invention is to provide a person with a picture frame assembly that incorporates a backing member as a retaining device that is convenient to use and that is aesthetically attractive and pleasing when used in an outer frame that is made in one piece from transparent materials such as clear cast acrylic plastic sheeting. The invention is a novel picture frame assembly that effectively lessens the visibility of an artwork retaining device that retains an artwork within a transparent picture frame. The invention is particularly useful with outer frames made of hard materials such as cast acrylic sheeting that are not particularly amenable to the use of prior art retaining devices that rely upon penetration into the outer frame by a portion of the retaining device such as a nail, glazer&#39;s point, or staple. 
   Preferably and optimally, the backing member has at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion on each side of the backing member. During assembly of the picture frame assembly, the groove engaging edge protrusion is laterally and elastically compressed, placed in coplanar alignment with a corresponding receiving groove, and then the resilient groove engaging edge protrusion laterally rebounds and seated in close positional retaining cooperation into the receiving groove. The backing member can have a plurality of laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions on each side of the backing member. Use of a backing member having a plurality of laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions can increase the level of securement of the backing member behind an artwork mounted within the picture frame assembly. 
   The present invention incorporates a secure, uncomplicated relatively unbreakable and inexpensively produced resilient backing member and thereby provides an improved picture frame assembly. 
   Additional and various other objects and advantages attained by the invention will become more apparent as the specification is read and the accompanying figures are reviewed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a back plan view of a backing member  8  of the preferred embodiment showing four resilient elastic slots  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  and showing four laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions  12  and  16 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a back plan view of an outer frame  42  of the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  is a back plan view of a picture frame assembly  6  showing the backing member  8  shown in  FIG. 1  not yet inserted into a cooperating receiving groove and overlying the outer frame  42  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of the outer frame  42  as viewed in direction  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a back plan view of a picture frame assembly  6  showing the backing member  8  releasably secured in position in an assembled picture frame assembly; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial, sectional view of the picture frame assembly  6  as viewed in direction  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of the outer frame  42  and the backing member  8  shown in  FIG. 6  showing a laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  engaged in position extending into a receiving groove  60 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of a first alternative outer frame  42 ′, said first alternative outer frame having an overlapping receiving groove  60 ′ and the backing member  8 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of the outer frame  42  and a first alternative backing member  98 , said first alternative backing member having a stepped laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  100 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of the outer frame  42  and a second alternative backing member  102 , said second alternative backing member having a double-beveled laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  104 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of the outer frame  42  and a third alternative backing member  106 , said third alternative backing member having a single-beveled laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  108 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of a second alternative outer frame  142 , said second alternative outer frame having saw-toothed receiving grooves  110  and the third alternative backing member  106 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of a third alternative outer frame  242 , said third alternative outer frame having a rounded receiving groove  112  and a fourth alternative backing member  114 , said fourth alternative backing member having a rounded laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  116 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of a fourth alternative outer frame  342 , said fourth alternative outer frame having a truncated-V receiving groove  118  and the backing member  8 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of a fifth alternative outer frame  442 , said fifth alternative outer frame having a square slotted receiving groove  120  and the backing member  8 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional profile of a sixth alternative outer frame  542 , said sixth alternative outer frame having symmetrical sawtooth receiving grooves  122  and a fifth alternative backing member  124 , said fifth alternative backing member having a symmetrical sawtooth laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  126 ; 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the picture frame assembly  6  shown in  FIG. 6  additionally showing an inner mat  62  and an easel leg  80  and not showing the transparent glazing panel  72 , the artwork  74 , and the protective barrier  76  shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a partial sectional view of an easel leg  80  showing a lower easel engagement tab  84  partially inserted into a lower easel securement bore  34 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a partial sectional view of an easel leg  80  showing a lower easel engagement tab  84  fully inserted into a lower easel securement bore  34  and showing an upper easel engagement tab  88  fully inserted into an upper easel securement bore  36 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a partial back plan view of a seventh alternative outer frame  642 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a partial sectional view of the seventh alternative outer frame  642  as viewed in direction  21 - 21  in  FIG. 20 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a back plan view of a sixth alternative backing member  150 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a back plan view of a seventh alternative backing member  152 ; 
       FIG. 24  is a back plan view of a eighth alternative backing member  154 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a back plan view of a ninth alternative backing member  156 ; 
       FIG. 26  is a back plan view of a tenth alternative backing member  160 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a back plan view of a 11th alternative backing member  162 ; 
       FIG. 28  is a back plan view of a 12th alternative backing member  166 ; 
       FIG. 29  is a back plan view of a 13th alternative backing member  168 ; 
       FIG. 30  is a back plan view of a 14th alternative backing member  170 ; 
       FIG. 31  is a back plan view of a 15th alternative backing member  172 ; 
       FIG. 32  is a back plan view of a 16th alternative backing member  174 ; 
       FIG. 33  is a back plan view of a 17th alternative backing member  176 ; 
       FIG. 34  is a back plan view of a 18th alternative backing member  178 ; 
       FIG. 35  is a back plan view of a 19th alternative backing member  180 ; 
       FIG. 36  is a back plan view of a 20th alternative backing member  182 ; 
       FIG. 37  is a back plan view of a 21st alternative backing member  184 ; 
       FIG. 38  is a back plan view of a 22nd alternative backing member  186 ; 
       FIG. 39  is a back plan view of a 23rd alternative backing member  188 ; 
       FIG. 40  is a back plan view of a 24th alternative backing member  190 ; 
       FIG. 41  is a back plan view of an oval picture frame assembly  192 ; and 
       FIG. 42  is a partial sectional view of the picture frame assembly  192  as viewed in direction  42 - 42  in  FIG. 41 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 42 , the present invention is a novel picture frame assembly  6  or  192  having a backing member  8 ,  98 ,  102 ,  106 ,  114 ,  124 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  160 ,  162 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178 ,  180 ,  182 ,  184 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190 , or  194 , the backing member having at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12 ,  16 ,  100 ,  104 ,  108 ,  116 ,  126 , or  196  and having at least one resilient elastic slot  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , or  120  associated with each said groove engaging edge protrusion. The picture frame assembly  6  or  192  further comprises an outer frame  42 ,  42 ′,  142 ,  242 ,  342 ,  442 ,  542 ,  642 , or  742  having a back picture opening rabbet return  44  or  744 , the rabbet return having at least one receiving groove  60 ,  60 ′,  110 ,  112 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  660 , or  760 , the receiving groove receiving and cooperating with at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12 ,  16 ,  100 ,  104 ,  108 ,  116 ,  126 , or  196  to reversibly secure the backing member within the outer frame. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the backing member  8  is a reasonably rigid panel optimally fabricated from a resilient expanded polyvinyl chloride extruded sheet using a CNC router table such as a ShopBot PRT96 CNC router available from ShopBot Tools, Inc. of Durham, N.C. optimally using a cutter bit available from Magnate, Inc. of Walnut, Calif. as Part No. 1921 having an ⅛ inch cutter diameter. The backing member  8  as shown in  FIG. 1  is substantially planar and rectangular in shape having four rounded backing member corners  10 . 
   Optimally, the perimeter of the backing member  8  bulges laterally outward on each side of its four sides near the mid-point of each side forming a laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12 ,  16 . Optimally, the perimeter of the backing member  8  as shown in  FIG. 1  is defined starting with a first rounded backing member corner  10  followed by a first pair of straight colinear edge portions  14  or  18  bracketing a first laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion, followed by a second rounded backing member corner, followed by a second pair of straight colinear edge portions bracketing a second laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion, followed by a third rounded backing member corner, followed by a third pair of straight colinear edge portions bracketing a third laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion, followed by a fourth rounded backing member corner, followed by a fourth pair of straight colinear edge portions bracketing a fourth laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion, and ending with the first backing member corner. 
   In  FIG. 1 , paired with each laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  or  16  is a resilient elastic slot  20 ,  22 ,  24 , or  26  with each elastic slot extending transversely through the backing member  8 . In  FIG. 1 , a respective edge protrusion retraction bore  28  extending transversely through the backing member  8  is located between the outer edge of a laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  or  16  and its respective elastic slot  20  or  26 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a landscape frame hanging hole  30  and a portrait frame hanging hole  32  are provided in the interior field of the backing member  8  with each hole extending transversely through the backing member and preferably with each hole having a tear-drop shape that can be used to hang the picture frame assembly  6  on a wall or other surface or other object. 
   In  FIG. 1 , a landscape frame elastically deformable lower easel securement bore  34  and a landscape frame elastically deformable upper easel securement bore  36  are provided in the interior field of the backing member  8  with each securement bore extending transversely through the backing member and preferably with each securement bore having an elongated shape-elongated along a line between the respective center points of the securement bores. 
   In  FIG. 1 , a portrait frame elastically deformable lower easel securement bore  38  and a portrait frame elastically deformable upper easel securement bore  40  are provided in the interior field of the backing member  8  with each securement bore extending transversely through the backing member and preferably with each securement bore having an elongated shape-elongated along a line between the respective center points of the securement bores. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , preferably a picture frame assembly  6  has a generally planar outer frame  42  having a back outer frame surface  52 , a back picture opening rabbet return  44 , a front picture sight opening  48 , and a front outer frame surface  53  (see  FIG. 4 ). Preferably, the back picture opening rabbet return  44  depends inwardly from the back outer frame surface  52  and towards the front outer frame surface  53  and communicates transversely through the outer frame  42  and joins with the front picture sight opening  48 . 
   Preferably, the back picture opening rabbet return  44  has at least one receiving groove  60  circumscribed around the inner perimeter of the back picture opening rabbet return and spaced from the back outer frame surface  52  and towards the front outer frame surface  53 . 
   Preferably, a picture support flange  50  extends inwardly at the front outer frame surface  53  to define the front picture sight opening  48  and to provide a stop against which a transparent glazing panel  72  can be placed within the picture frame assembly  6  as shown in  FIG. 6  and then an artwork  74  can be placed against the glazing panel, and then a protective barrier  76  can be placed against the artwork, and then an inner mat  62  can be placed against the barrier, and then a backing member  8  (the backing member having laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions  12  and  16 ) can be placed against the mat, and the laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions can be seated in a receiving groove  60 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , optimally the outer frame  42  is fabricated from a cast acrylic sheeting using a CNC router table such as a ShopBot PRT 96 CNC router. Optimally the back picture opening rabbet return  44  is routed using a cutter bit available from Magnate, Inc. of Walnut, Calif. as Part No. 1923 having a ¼ inch cutter diameter (see dashed outline of cutter bit circumference  200  in  FIG. 2 ) resulting in four inside radius rabbet return corners  46  each having an ⅛ inch radius. 
   The receiving groove  60  in the rabbet return  44  is routed using a suitable table mounted router and using optimally a “V” Trim (Face Frame) router bit available from Magnate, Inc. of Walnut, Calif. as Part No. 7001 and having a ⅝ inch cutter diameter (see dashed outline of router bit circumference  204  in  FIG. 2 ) and a ½ inch bearing diameter (see dashed outline of bearing circumference  202  in  FIG. 2 ) producing a receiving groove with a depth of about 1/16 inch along the sides of the rabbet return away from the inside radius rabbet return corners  46  and producing a substantially ungrooved corner portion  47  immediately about the midpoint of the inside radius rabbet return corner as the larger radius bearing of the router bit bridges and transits across each smaller radius inside radius rabbet return corner during the groove cutting process. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , in the best embodiment of the picture frame assembly  6  as fully assembled, each rounded backing member corner  10  of the backing member  8  is closely adjacent to a respective ungrooved corner portion  47  of the back picture opening rabbet return  44 . In the assembled picture frame assembly  6 , the close relationship between each backing member corner  10  and a respective ungrooved corner portion  47  limits the lateral movement of the backing member  8  when the backing member is seated coplanar with the receiving groove  60 . 
   Optimally, as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 17 , a ramping surface  54  having a ramping surface outer perimeter  56  and a ramping surface inner perimeter  58  is routed along the inner perimeter of the rabbet return  44  at the back surface of outer frame  52 . In  FIG. 2 , the ramping surface outer perimeter  56  is spaced above the bottom of the receiving groove  60  and the ramping surface inner perimeter  58  is spaced above the inner perimeter of the rabbet return  44 . During insertion of a backing member into coplanar alignment with a cooperating receiving groove, the ramping surface  54  makes insertion of each laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion into the cooperating receiving groove easier for a user as the inclined plane of the ramping surface assists the user in laterally compressing each laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion and its corresponding elastic slot. See  FIGS. 6 to 17 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , optimally the laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions  12  and  16  before insertion into a receiving groove laterally extend outward beyond the inner perimeter of the rabbet return  44  and the ramping surface inner perimeter  58 . 
   Preferably, the generally planar backing member  8  is sized to be received within the back picture opening rabbet return  44  and to cooperate with a corresponding receiving groove  60  to secure an artwork  74  placed previously within the rabbet return. See  FIG. 6 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , preferably, a plurality of laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions  12  and  16  are located distributively around the perimeter of the backing member  8 . Preferably, each receiving groove  60  is V-shaped and is sized to receive and cooperate with each laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  and  16 . 
   Alternatively, the picture frame assembly  6  can be used without a glazing panel  72 , without a protective barrier  76 , and without an inner mat  62  with the artwork  74  sandwiched between the picture support flange  50  and the backing member  8 . 
   In  FIG. 18 , an easel support leg  80  is shown partially mounted to a backing member  8 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the backing member  8  has a lower easel securement bore  34  located below an upper easel securement bore  36  and an easel support leg  80  is partially inserted into the lower easel securement bore. As shown in  FIG. 19 , the easel support leg  80  is mounted to a backing member  8 ; the easel support leg having at one end a lower buttress portion  82 , said lower buttress portion surmounted by a lower easel engagement tab  84 , said lower easel engagement tab mountable to a backing member having an elastically deformable lower easel securement bore  34  with a lower portion of lower easel securement bore  94  elastically deformable around a lower portion of said lower easel engagement tab, said lower easel engagement tab surmounted by an intermediate buttress portion  86 , said intermediate buttress portion surmounted by an upper easel engagement tab  88 , said upper easel engagement tab having an upper ramp portion  90 , said upper easel engagement tab mountable to a backing member having an elastically deformable upper easel securement bore  36  with an upper portion of upper easel securement bore  96  elastically deformable around an upper portion of said upper easel engagement tab, and said upper easel engagement tab surmounted by an upper buttress portion  92 . 
   During mounting of an easel support leg  80  to a backing member  8 , a lower easel engagement tab  84  is first inserted into a lower easel securement bore  34  and then as the leg begins rotating in the direction A as shown in  FIG. 18 , the lower easel engagement tab begins elastically deforming a lower portion of lower easel securement bore  94  around a lower portion of the lower easel engagement tab, then as the leg continues rotating, an upper easel engagement tab  88  having an upper ramp portion  90  begins contacting the backing member within an upper easel securement bore  36  and begins elastically deforming an upper portion of upper easel securement bore  96  around an upper portion of the upper easel engagement tab as the upper ramp portion is rotated into and inserted through the upper easel securement bore. Optimally, during and after insertion of the upper easel engagement tab  88  into the upper easel securement bore  36 , the upper portion of upper easel securement bore  96  elastically deforms around the upper portion of the upper easel engagement tab. 
   As shown in  FIG. 19 , the elastic deformation of the securement bores  34  and  36  by the engagement tabs  84  and  86  secures the easel support leg  80  to the backing member  8 . 
     FIG. 19  shows in the preferred embodiment, the engagement tabs  84  and  86  protruding through the backing member  8  and  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  6 , and  17  show the inclusion of an inner mat  62  adjacent and underlying the backing member. Preferably, as best seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  17 , the inner mat  62  has a landscape frame hanging hole relief  64 , a portrait frame hanging hole relief  66 , a landscape frame easel securement bore relief  68 , and a portrait frame easel securement bore relief  70  with each relief located in the interior field of the inner mat and respectively each relief in the assembled picture frame assembly as seen in  FIG. 5  underlying the adjacent backing member and underlying respectively a corresponding landscape frame hanging hole  30 , a corresponding portrait frame hanging hole  32 , two corresponding securement bores  34  and  36 , and two corresponding securement bores  38  and  40  of the adjacent backing member. The inner mat  62  can be made from mat board, foam core board, cardboard, wood, plastic, or other suitable material. 
     FIG. 6  shows the optional inclusion in the picture frame assembly of a protective barrier  76  interposed between an inner mat  62  and an underlying artwork  74 . When included, the barrier  76  can help guard against any damage to the underlying artwork  74  caused by hangers or other objects that are inserted in the various holes, slots, and bores of the backing member  8 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the outer lateral edges of the laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusions  12  and  16  (protrusion  16  not shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the backing member  8  are secured under the ramping surface inner perimeter  58  and reversibly secured in the receiving groove  60  (groove not shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     FIG. 5  shows two edge protrusion retraction bores  28 . The retraction bores  28  extend transversely through the backing member  8  and each retraction bore located respectively between a laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  and  16  and a respective elastic slot  20  and  26 . Each retraction bore  28  together with a corresponding hanging hole  30  or  32  can be manipulated by a needle-nose pliers having two nose-tips to retract a corresponding laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  or  16  from engagement with the receiving groove  60  by first placing a first nose-tip in a bore and a second nose-tip in a corresponding hole and then squeezing the pliers shut whereby the bore and the hole move towards one another and the protrusion is retracted. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a seventh alternative outer frame  642  can have an alternative full-V receiving groove  660  with the full-V receiving groove having uniformly the same depth along the entire inner perimeter of the back picture opening rabbet return  44  including across four inside radius rabbet return corners  46 . 
   A picture frame assembly  6  for the display of an artwork  74  comprises an outer frame  42  having a back outer frame surface  52  and a front outer frame surface  53 , a back picture opening rabbet return  44  in said back outer frame surface communicating transversely through said outer frame and joining with a front picture sight opening  48  in said front outer frame surface, said back picture opening rabbet return extending towards said front outer frame surface, said back picture opening rabbet return having rounded inside radius rabbet return corners  46 , a picture support flange  50  extending inwardly in said front picture sight opening, said back picture opening rabbet return having a receiving groove  60  circumscribed around the inner perimeter of said back picture opening rabbet return and said groove spaced from said back outer frame surface and from said picture support flange, a backing member  8 , said backing member having rounded backing member corners  10 , said backing member having at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  12  or  16  and at least one resilient elastic slot  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , or  120  associated with each said groove engaging edge protrusion, said backing member sized to be closely received within said back picture opening rabbet return after each said resilient groove engaging edge protrusion is first laterally and elastically compressed inwardly towards the planar center of said backing member and each groove engaging protrusion sized to be received and reversibly retained within said receiving groove. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 25 ,  26 ,  30 , and  39 , alternative backing members  156 ,  160 ,  170 , and  188  respectively each have at least one laterally extending edge bulge  158 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  38 ,  39 , and  40 , alternative backing members  162 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  186 ,  188 , and  190  respectively each have at least one straight backing member edge  164  and alternative backing member  190  has an additional straight backing member edge  191 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 41 and 42 , an alternative oval picture frame assembly  192  has an eighth alternative outer frame  742 , said eighth alternative outer frame having an oval back picture opening rabbet return  744  and an oval front picture sight opening  748 , said oval back picture opening rabbet return having an oval frame receiving groove  760 , and said picture frame assembly having an oval backing member  194 , said oval backing member having at least one oval frame laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion  196 . 
   Preferably, the backing member is made from an expanded polyvinyl chloride sheet product optimally about 3 mm in thickness. The back member can be suitably made from SINTRA® expanded PVC sheet product available from Alcan Composites USA Inc., of Benton, Ky. 
   Alternatively, the backing member can be made from polyethylene, polypropylene, composite, wood, laminate, or other suitable elastic material that can be formed into a backing member having at least one laterally extending resilient groove engaging edge protrusion and having at least one resilient elastic slot associated with the groove engaging edge protrusion in a cooperating relationship that after the elastic slot is laterally and elastically compressed inwardly then rebounds outwardly and pressures the groove engaging edge protrusion outwardly into a receiving groove as the elastic slot rebounds towards its larger uncompressed shape. The backing member can also be fabricated by injection molding from a resilient polypropylene material or other suitable resilient injection moldable material known in the art. 
   The picture frame assembly can be fabricated and sized in a range of sizes and the incorporated back picture opening rabbet return and associated backing member can be shaped in a variety of shapes such as square, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, circular, ellipsoid, and other geometric shapes to accommodate artwork of various sizes and dimensions that a user desires to mount within the picture frame assembly. 
   Alternatively, the outer frame can be made as a mitered frame assembled from multiple pieces. The outer frame can be made from cast acrylic plastic sheeting, wood, laminate material, metal, glass, ceramic, other plastic material, or other materials known in the art. 
   The preceding description and exposition of the invention is presented for purposes of illustration and enabling disclosure. It is neither intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations in the invention in light of the above teachings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted to the breath to which they fairly, legitimately and equitably are entitled.