Patent Publication Number: US-6209248-B1

Title: Picture frame

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to frames for artistic art such as pictures, photographs, stitchery and needlework or printed material such as awards, certificates, licenses or news clippings. It is to be understood that in discussing this invention referring to pictures is meant to include any form of art, photographs, sketches, printed material or the like that is placed in a frame in the form of a sheet material object. 
     2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Picture frames typically comprise an assembly of an outer or base member which are constructed primarily of glass or plastic. This transparent outer member is encased within a frame. Common shapes of such frames are either oval or rectangular. The picture is mounted on the rear surface of the transparent member and then a backing member placed against the picture with the backing member being secured by appropriate securing means to the outer member. At times, there may be included in the frame a mat that surrounds the periphery of the picture with the mat being of a decorative texture and/or decorative color. 
     Picture frames are typically hung on a vertical surface, such as a wall, which positions the picture in a manner that facilitates observation. Picture frames are also known to be set upon a horizontal surface such as a shelf, desk, fireplace mantle, dresser and so forth. When set upon a horizontal surface, the picture frame is located in an upright position which again positions the picture frame in a manner to be readily observed. It is common that such picture frames include an attachment that protrudes at an angle from the back surface of the picture frame so the picture frame can assume an easel type position. 
     In the past, to make a picture frame of high quality construction required that the picture frame be manufactured with a certain expense. It would be desirable to construct the picture frame in a manner that gives the appearance of being of high quality in manufacture but yet manufactured less expensively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to construct a picture frame which is attractive in appearance, solid in construction, and which is manufactured at a cost substantially less than similar prior art picture frames. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to utilize a supporting leg attachment which can be easily and quickly installed in conjunction with the picture frame in order to position the picture frame in an upright easel position on a supporting surface. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame which when displayed is aesthetically pleasing and does not distract from the picture being displayed. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame which allows the picture being displayed to be easily changed to another type of picture. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame which is thin and yet durable, made of a plastic material that is light in weight thereby making it practical to send, for example, a framed greeting card in the mail. This light weight quality also allows frames to be attached to a metal surface, such as a refrigerator, by means of a magnet which is fastened to the back surface of the picture frame. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a configuration of a plurality of frame structures arranged in geometric shapes such as a cube, rectangle or a cylinder. 
     The picture frame of the present invention utilizes a base member which can be rigid or flexible which has a transparent planar center section. Normally this rigid base member is constructed of a plastic material. Connected to the periphery of the planar center section and completely encasing the center section is a border section with this border section being integral with the center section. This border section is of a non-planar configuration with, for example, the border section being generally concave relative to the rear surface of the base member. 
     A backing member is utilized which has the same shape as the base member. In one embodiment the backing member is constructed to be rigid but is formed of sufficiently thin sheet material that permits some deflection of the backing member. The border section of the backing member is to matingly connect with the border section of the base member. Alternatively, a separate matting member can be sandwiched between the base and backing members. A picture receiving compartment is formed between the base member and the backing member and within this picture receiving compartment a picture that is to be displayed is provided. 
     Various means may be used to maintain the border section of the base member and the border section of the backing member held in place when a picture is inserted. For example, a series of locking tabs can be connected between the border section of the base member and the border section of the backing member with the locking tabs being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. With the locking tabs in the locked position, the backing member is securely mounted to the base member. With the locking tabs in the unlocking position, the backing member is disengageable from the base member. Other well known locking means can also be used, such as a detent arrangement, velcro, adhesives, clips, ridges and slits or other holding devices. 
     An attachment for supporting the frame includes a narrow upper end which is formed into a flared configuration. This flared tip section is conductible through a slit formed in the backing member to be used to support the picture-frame in an easel-type of position on a supporting surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the picture frame of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a left side view of the picture frame of the present invention showing the picture frame being supported by an easel arrangement; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the picture frame of the present invention taken along  3 — 3  of FIG. 1 depicting separation of the base member from the backing member in phantom lines with this separation occurring by pivoting of the base member relative to the backing member; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing more clearly a hinged connection between one edge of the base member to the backing member of the picture frame taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the locking arrangement utilizing tabs between the base member and the backing member taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but of a modified form of locking arrangement between the base member and the backing member; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the picture frame which is composed of a base member and a backing member which are formed of two separate parts rather than being hingedly connected together as in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but of a different configuration of border sections of the picture frame; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view configuration of the modified form of the picture frame shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a back view of the picture frame showing the connection of the attachment that is mounted in conjunction with the backing member so as to support the picture frame in an easel type configuration; 
     FIG. 11 is a view showing just the attachment itself; 
     FIG. 12 is a right side view of the attachment of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 of a modified form of picture frame wherein the transparent center section of the picture frame is separate from the base member; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of a further modified form of the present invention where the backing member does not matingly conform to the base member; 
     FIG. 15 is a back view similar to FIG. 10 showing a modified form of attachment that is to be used to mount the picture frame in an easel position; 
     FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an arrangement where both the base unit and backing member are vacuum formed plastic. 
     FIGS. 17A and 17B show the embodiment of FIG. 16A and 16B but with a hinge between the base and backing members. 
     FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the base member is made of injection molded plastic. 
     FIG. 19 shows the picture frame of the present invention supported in easel fashion with the frame vertically oriented 
     FIG. 20 shows the picture frame of the present invention supported in an easel fashion with the picture frame horizontally oriented. 
     FIGS. 21A and 21B show an alternative arrangement of the present invention utilizing a separate transparent plate. 
     FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate the embodiment of FIGS. 21A and 21B with a rigid backing member  24 . 
     FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate a embodiment of the picture frame of the present invention wherein the base member and backing members are of a rigid plastic construction. 
     FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate a embodiment of the picture frame of the present invention wherein the base member and backing members are of a rigid plastic construction. 
     FIG. 25 is another embodiment of the present invention utilizing an alternative locking means. 
     FIG. 26 illustrates yet another locking means. 
     FIG. 27 illustrates yet another locking means. 
     FIGS. 28A and 28B illustrate a picture frame arrangement with embossing along the border section and with a cavity provided between the base member and backing member for volumetric displays. 
     FIGS. 29A,  29 B and  29 C illustrate the picture frame of FIGS. 28A and 28B except that a separate transparent plate is provided. 
     FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the picture frame of FIGS. 28A and 28B. 
     FIG. 31 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the picture frame of FIGS. 28A and 28B. 
     FIG. 32 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the picture frame of FIGS. 28A and 28B. 
     FIGS. 33A,  33 B and  33 C illustrate a three-dimensional picture frame arrangement in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIGS. 34-40 illustrate other three-dimensional configurations of the picture frame of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 41A,  41 B and  41 C illustrate another embodiment of the invention to accommodate a flat paper matte insert. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of a picture frame  20  of this invention which is constructed primarily of a base member  22  and a backing member  24 . The base member  22  is constructed of sheet plastic which is composed of a center section  26  and a border section  28 . The center section  26  is transparent. The border section  28  can be either transparent or opaque. The center section  26  is shown as being rectangular with the border section  28  surrounding the center section  26 . However, it is to be considered within the scope of this invention that the base member  22  could be other than rectangular such as oval, square or other geometric configurations. Also, the center section may be curved so as to provide a curved rather than planar picture frame. 
     Typically, the thickness of the plastic of the base member  22  ranges from about {fraction (1/100)}th of an inch to be about one-eighth of an inch depending on the overall size and dimensions of the picture frame. 
     The border section  28  is shown to be of a convex appearance when observed from the front of the picture frame  20  and a concave appearance when viewed from the rear of the base member  22 . Numerous different concave appearances could be produced other than the smoothly contoured concave appearance shown in FIGS. 1-7 of the drawings. For example, reference is to be had to FIG. 8 where a different concave configuration of the border section is shown on border section  28 . 
     Also, the border section  28  may be formed of colored plastic or may be coated on its inside surface with an opaque paint. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there may be included an insert  30  between the border section  28  and the backing member  24 . If the border section  28  is basically transparent so that the insert  30  is observed, then the design representation of the insert  30  will be displayed exteriorly of the border section  28 . On either side of the insert  30  and formed on or within the border section  32  there may be incorporated different colors which results in a colorful border section  28 . 
     The backing member  24  also includes a center mounting section  36 . This center mounting section  36  is normally constructed of an opaque material. Surrounding and integrally connected to the center mounting section  36  is a border section  38 . The configuration of the border section  38  is substantially the same shape as the border section  28  with the only difference being that the border section  38  is slightly smaller in size than the border section  28  so as to mate therewith. 
     An ornamental design member, which is herein generally referred to as a picture  40 , is placed on the center mounting section  36 . Normally, the picture  40  is substantially equal to the size of the center mounting section  36 . However, if the picture  40  is a smaller size than the center mounting section  36 , a matting (not shown) can be located around the picture  40  with the matting located against the border section  38  or  28 . With the picture  40  properly positioned in conjunction with the center mounting center section  36 , the base member  22  is placed on top of the backing member  24 . The border section  38  is matingly located within the concavity  44  of the border section  28 . There is a similar concavity  46  for the border section  28 . The picture  40  is securely captured between the center mounting section  36  and center section  26  and held in its established position. 
     Typically, the backing member  24  is constructed of a plastic material ranging in thickness from about {fraction (1/100)}th of an inch to about ⅛th of an inch depending on the overall size and dimensions of the picture frame. This is the same thickness ratio as in the base members  22  and  42 . This permits the border sections  28  and  38  to deflect slightly when assuming their position within their respective concavities  44  and  46 . However, to insure that the backing member  24  remains connected to the base member  22 , it is advisable to use some type of a locking device. 
     One type of such locking device is a series of locking tabs  48  that are integrally connected to the outer edge of the border section  28  at various locations around the border section  28 . When the picture frame is rectangular in shape, there are four tabs  48  provided, one for each side. This is shown in FIG.  10 . The locking tab  48  is bent over to a position against the outer edge of the border section  38  or  32  and remains in that position by holding in place the backing member  24 . Each tab  48  is manually moved to a displaced position which is the unlocked position  50  shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Less tabs may be used as well. 
     In one modification of the locking tabs  48 , instead of mounting a locking tab  48  on the border section  28 , a locking tab  52  is attached to the free edge of the border section  38 . The locking tab  52  is then moved to an unlocked position  54  which is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6 which then facilitates disengagement of the backing member  24  from the base member  22 . When in the locked position, the locking tab  52  is maintained in the solid line position by means of ledge  56 . 
     It may be desirable to have the base member  22  integrally attached at one edge to the backing member  24 . This integral attachment can be provided by means of a hinge  58 . Here, the base member  22  is hinged to the open position as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 3 in order to permit access to the picture retaining compartment  60  located between the base member  28  and the backing member  24 . The hinge  58  replaces one of the four locking tabs  48 . Therefore only one locking tab is necessary for small sized picture frames while three locking tabs are desirable for larger size picture frames. 
     The picture frame  20  of this invention is assembled as follows: The user typically receives the picture frame  20  in the assembled condition. The user then moves each of the locking tabs  48  to the unlocked position which permits the backing member  24  or  36  to be disengaged from its respective base member  22  and  42 . The picture receiving compartment  60  is now exposed. The picture  40  is then placed within the compartment  60 . The user then interconnects the base member  22  to the backing member  24  with the border section  38  being totally confined within the concavity  44  or the border section  32  being totally confined within the concavity  46 . The locking tabs  48  are then moved from the unlocked position to the locked position and the picture frame  20  is now completely assembled. 
     The center mounted section  36  includes cut-out tabs  62  and  64 . Each of the cut-out tabs  62  can be deflected slightly relative to the center mounted section  36 . Each cut-out tab  62  or  64  includes a hole  66 . A nail or other similar type of fastener that is secured to a vertical surface, such as a wall, can then be located within the hole  66  of the tab  62  which will result in the longest dimension of the frame  20  being located in a vertically oriented direction. If the nail is connected with hole  66  of the cut-out tabs  64 , the longest dimension of the frame  20  will located in a horizontal direction. 
     Instead of mounting of the picture frame  20  on a wall, it may be desirable to locate the picture frame  20  in a stand up position on a supporting surface. In order to achieve that end result, an attachment  68  is utilized to cause the picture frame  20  to be mounted in an easel position on the supporting surface. The attachment  68  is formed of sheet material generally of plastic, and includes a narrowed tip section  70  and a widened base  72 . The attachment  68  in the area of the widened base  72  includes a pair of crease lines  74  located in a spaced apart arrangement. The crease lines  74  cause the widened base  72  to assume a non-straight line configuration which provides a better quality of support when the widened base  72  is located on a supporting surface. 
     The body of the attachment  68 , where it is connected to narrowed tip section  70 , forms a pair of contact points  76 . One contact point  76  is located on one side of the narrowed tip section  70  and another contact point  76  is located on the opposite side of the narrowed tip section  70 . The free outer end of the narrowed tip section  70  is formed into an outwardly flared section  78 . 
     Formed within the center mounted section  36  is a first pair of slits  80  and  82  and a second pair of slits  84  and  86 . The flared section  78  slips into engagement with slit  80  and continues to be moved until it engages with the slit  82  of the flared section  78 , which then re-emerges on the outside of the center mounted section with most of the narrowed tip section  70  being located inside of the center mounted section  36 . 
     The contact point  76  abuts against the back side of the center mounted section  36 . The user positions the attachment  68  at an angular position relative to the center mounted section  36  which positions the attachment  68  in an easel type position. The picture frame  20  is placed on a supporting surface with the longest dimension of the picture frame  20  being located vertically. See FIG.  19 . 
     If instead the user decides to insert the flared section  78  through slot  86  and then slot  84 , the picture frame  20  can be placed on the supporting surface in a horizontal direction. See FIG.  20 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 13, there is shown a further modified embodiment  88  of the invention which includes a base member  90  and a backing member  92 . The base member  90  also has a border section  28  which defines a concavity  44 . Connected to the border section  28  are locking tabs  48 . However, it is to be noted that there is no transparent section  26  and instead there is an enlarged opening  94 . The edge of the enlarged opening  94  is defined by flange  96  which is integral with the border section  28 . 
     The backing member  92  is the same as the backing member shown in FIG. 7 with like numerals being used to refer to like parts. However, mounted on the picture  40 , which is located within the picture receiving compartment  60 , is a transparent plate  98 . The transparent plate  98  covers the picture  40  and is approximately the same size as the picture receiving compartment  60 . The transparent plate  98  can comprise clear plastic or glass. Flange  96  of the base member  90  functions to securely retain in place the transparent plate  98  when the backing member  92  is mounted in conjunction with the base member  90 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 14 of the drawings, there is shown a modified form of the backing member  100 . The backing member  100  still has a center mounted section  36  which contacts the picture  40  which is mounted in the picture receiving compartment  60 . However, the backing member  100  does not have the border section  38  but instead defines a flattened section  102 . At each end of the flattened section  102  is an upstanding protuberance  104 . The upstanding protuberances  104  are actually in the shape of ridges which extend all the way around the backing member  100 . The function of the upstanding protuberances  104  is to provide rigidity and strength to the backing member  100 . 
     The upstanding protuberances  104  are positioned within the concavity  44  of the base member  22 . However, a volume is created between the wall of the concavity  44  and the flattened section  102 . Within that concavity  44  there may be placed three dimensional design articles such as representation of flowers, brightly colored objects and so forth. The border section  28  still includes tabs  48  or other locking devices. Tabs  48  are to bendable between the unlocked position  50  and the locked position shown in solid lines in FIG. 14 which retains the backing member  100  in position in conjunction with the base member  22 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 15, it is to be observed that the attachment  68  is mounted at a forty-five degree angle position relative to the longitudinal center axis passing through the picture frame  20  and also at a forty-five degree angle relative to the center axis passing through the width of the picture frame  20 . The narrowed tip section  70  is conducted through slits  106  and  108  which are essentially the same as slits  80  and  82  or slits  80  and  84 , respectively, with the exception that the slits  106  and  108  are positioned at an angular position so the attachment assumes a forty-five degree offset position previously mentioned. The lower end of the attachment  68  includes forty-five degree offset beveled surfaces  110  and  112 . 
     The beveled surface  110  is positioned flush against the supporting surface when the picture frame  20  is located in an upright position with the longest dimension of the picture frame  20  located vertically. If the beveled surface  112  is positioned against the supporting surface, the longest dimension of the picture frame  20  is now located horizontally. In other words, the single attachment  68  can be used to support the picture frame  20  in both its vertical orientation on the supporting surface or a horizontal orientation on the supporting surface. This eliminates the need for both sets of slits  80  and  82 ,  84  and  86  with only a single set of slits  106  and  108  being used instead. 
     The picture frame of the present invention can be manufactured in a variety of ways. FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an arrangement where both the base unit  22  and the backing member  24  are vacuum formed plastic. The backing member can be transparent or opaque or a translucent, colored plastic. By using extremely thin and flexible light weight film material, an alternative to “shrink-wrap” packaging is provided. The molded configuration imparts material to realize a frame-like function in appearance. This same construction is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B which show the hinged or integral version of the picture frame of the present invention. 
     Another construction technique is shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Here the member  22  is made by conventional injection molding of transparent acrylic to form a rigid structure. The center section of the base member  22  forms a high quality plate and frame enclosure as a single unit. Note that with this arrangement the tabs  48  are formed as part of the backing member  24 , whereas in the embodiment of FIGS. 16A and 16B, tabs  48  are formed as part of the base member  22 . Likewise, both the base member  22  and the backing member  24  can be formed by injection molded acrylic. 
     The two techniques described in connection with FIGS.  16 A/ 16 B and FIGS.  18 A/ 18 B can also be used to form the embodiment of FIG. 13 wherein a separate transparent plate  98  is provided. In the embodiment of FIGS. 21A and 21B, a separate, thin plastic sheet  98  is provided as the transparent plate. To accomplish this, the base member  22  has a central portion which is cut out so as to receive the transparent plate  98 . FIGS. 22A and 22B show the same arrangement but with a rigid backing member  24  formed by injection molding. 
     FIGS. 23A and 23B, along with FIGS. 24A and 24B, illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. The frames of FIGS. 23A and 23B are formed by flexible plastic as described above. In the case of FIGS. 24A and 24B, the backing member  24  is rigid, being formed by injection molding. In both figures, an insert  120  is sandwiched between the base and backing members. Insert  120  can be a very thin, plastic overlay which can be a different color or a graphic for a particular frame to thereby change the appearance of the frame quickly and easily. 
     FIG. 25 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention similar to that of FIG.  14 . Locking tabs  48  are replaced with four ridge portions  122  of about ½ inch in length molded into the outside edge of the base member  22 . Backing member  24  has four notches  124  molded into the edges having approximately the same dimensions as the ridge portions  122 . By overlaying the base member  22  and backing member  24  and by pressing the four ridge portions  122  into the four receiving notches  124  the two sections interlock, yet can also easily be disengaged to open and separate the base and back members. The number and length of the ridges and notches is determined by the overall size of the frame. For example, with small frames only two notches and ridges would normally be required. Other locking means are shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. 
     Colors, printed imagery, business graphics, logos, sports emblems, cartoon characters and the like may be printed on the base or backing member in the embodiments described above. This is shown, for example, in FIGS. 28A and 28B. 
     FIGS. 28A and 28B also illustrate another aspect of the present invention. In these figures the base member  122  is formed with a raised center section so as to define a cavity  126 . Cavity  126  accepts three-dimensional objects such as a booklet, medallion or other relieved or volumetric object to be presented in a “framed” manner. FIGS. 29A,  29 B, and  29 C show additional frames with three-dimensional cavities or spaces but with a separate plate or lens  128 . FIGS. 30,  31  and  32  show other alternative embodiments which have a three-dimensional area or pocket to provide a space for relieved volumetric objects. 
     It should be understood that the picture frame of the present invention is not limited to rectilinear or oval shapes. In fact, specially shaped, non-rectangular frames in practically any shape or configuration may be employed as specialty frames, ornaments, mobile hanging objects, and the like. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the frame structure of the present invention can be configured as a group of multiple frames which function as “planes” to form a volume such as a cube or cylinder. The multiframe unit can be fitted to an existing structure or simply form a container-like object itself when properly linked. 
     FIG. 33A shows the construction of one such cube-configured structure  129 . In addition to the hinge  58  connecting the base member  22  to the back member  24 , respective frames  20  are connected by hinges  130 . In FIG. 33B, the configuration of FIG. 32A is attached along edges  134  and  136  to form a completed cube  129 . Here a tissue box  138 , for example, is inserted within the cube  129 . In its completed form, the structure  129  appears in FIG.  33 C. Other three-dimensional embodiments are shown in FIGS.  34  through FIGS.  40 . 
     FIGS. 41A,  41 B and  42 C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention which employs a flat paper matte  150  which is sandwiched between the base member  22  and backing member  24 . The matte  150  can be made from different materials such as gold foil, marbleized paper and the like to create different frame appearances. 
     Of course, the previous descriptions of the various frame structure and variations, such as injection molding, vacuum forming, color plastic inserts, molding design variations and the like can be applied in the three-dimensional embodiment described above.