Patent Publication Number: US-10780732-B1

Title: Interlocking sectioned art subsurface

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/866,107 filed on Jun. 25, 2019 and claims priority to and is a continuation of non-provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 15/876,105 filed on Jan. 19, 2018, the entire contents of each of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments described herein relate generally to artwork and, more particularly, to an interlocking sectioned art subsurface. 
     Conventional subsurfaces for artwork are typically solid, non-componentized panels. The existing subsurfaces are also typically assembled using non-removable elements, such as adhesives, staples, and nails. This creates issues with warping, transporting, shipping costs, and sustainability. Specifically, if damaged, the surfaces are not usually repairable because of the permanence of the materials used for manufacture. 
     Moreover, conventional subsurfaces are typically not made from sustainable materials and are typically made with fasteners and adhesives that limit or prevent the ability to disassemble the panels if warping or damage occurs. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a subsurface for artwork, wherein the subsurface includes removably interlocking panels designed to remain engaged for a lengthy period of time while also being capable of being taken apart without damaging the work for transport, storage, repairs, or the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure include an interlocked sectioned art subsurface. The subsurface may include a plurality of removably interlocking panels making up the subsurface; a channel extending into an outer perimeter of the subsurface; and a security band, such as a tension spring, positioned within the channel and encircling the perimeter of the subsurface, the security band sized and positioned to secure the panels together. The plurality of panels may include a pair of exterior panels and, optionally, at least one interior panel, wherein the panels removably engage with one another via a tongue and groove system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective detail view of one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a section view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications. 
     The device of the present disclosure may be used as a subsurface for artwork and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device. 
     a. Interlocking Panels 
     b. Security Band 
     The various elements of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only. 
     By way of example, and referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , some embodiments of the invention include an interlocking sectioned art subsurface  10  comprising a plurality of removably interlocking panels, and a security band encircling an outer edge of the subsurface  10 , the security band positioned and designed to secure the panels together. 
     As shown in the Figures, embodiments of the device may comprise a plurality of interlocking panels. For example, the device may comprise at least two interlocking panels—first panel  12  and second panel  16 . However, in further embodiments, the device may further comprise at least one interior panel, such as third panel  14 , positioned between the first panel  12  and the second panel  16 . In yet further embodiments, the device may comprise a plurality of interior panels positioned between the first panel  12  and the second panel  16 . The first panel  12  and the second panel  16  may also be referred to as exterior panels. 
     As shown in the Figures, each of the panels may interlock with adjacent panels via a tongue  24  and groove  22  mechanism, wherein an inner edge of the first panel  12  may comprise a groove  22  designed to engage with a tongue  24  extending from an inner edge of either an interior panel (i.e., third panel  14 ) or the second panel  16 . Thus, the groove  22  may be sized to tightly accommodate the tongue  24  being positioned therein. While a tongue  24  and groove  22  system is described above and shown in the Figures, the use of other interlocking structures, such as the use of a splines, biscuit, or mortise and tenon system, is also envisioned. 
     As shown in the Figures, the outer edges of each panel (i.e., the edges designed to be the outer edges of an assembled subsurface  10 ) may comprise a band channel  20  extending along a length thereof, such that the assembled subsurface  10  includes a continuous band channel  20  extending along the perimeter thereof. The band channel  20  may be sized to accommodate a security band therein, wherein the security band may have a size shape, and material suitable for holding the panels together for a lengthened period of time. In other words, the security band may be capable of holding tension for a period of time, for example, at least about 30 to 50 years. Exemplary security bands include a tension spring  18 , a rubber band, a cam buckle strap, and the like. In embodiments, the preferred band may comprise a tension spring  18 . Using a tension spring  18  may allow the material to expand and contract while, at the same time, keeping the system intact without warping. 
     Due to the requisite tongue  24  or groove  22  and band channel  20 , the subsurface  10  may comprise a variety of distinct panels. For example and as described above, the subsurface  10  may comprise a pair of exterior panels—first panel  12  and second panel  16 . The first panel  12  may comprise three edges having the band channel  20  extending therein, while a fourth edge may comprise the groove  22 . The second panel  16  may comprise three edges having the band channel extending therein, while a fourth edge may comprise the tongue  24 . Interior panels (i.e., third panel  14 ), when included, may comprise two edges having the band channel  20  extending therein, third edge having the groove  22  extending therein, and the fourth edge comprising the tongue  24 , wherein the edges with the band channel  20  may be parallel to one another, and the edge with the groove  22  may be parallel to the edge having the tongue  24 . 
     The subsurface  10  of the present disclosure may comprise any desired materials. For example, the panels may be made of a sustainable material, such as beetle kill pine, or other wood, plastic, metal, or rigid material, as desired. In embodiments, the security band may also be made of a sustainable material, such as pure gum rubber. However, as mentioned above, other materials may be suitable, and the use of other materials is envisioned. 
     While the Figures show the subsurface  10  as being substantially rectangular in shape, the subsurface  10  is not limited to a particular overall shape, so long as the panels can interlock and the perimeter of the subsurface  10  includes a channel  20  for a security band (i.e., tension spring  18 ). Additionally, while the Figures show the panels having similar dimensions to one another, the panels are not limited to having the same or similar dimensions. For example, in some embodiments, some panels may be wider than others to accommodate a particular desired overall size of the subsurface  10 . 
     To use the device of the present disclosure, an artist may receive the subsurface  10  in an unassembled configuration. The artist may then assemble the subsurface  10  and create his or her work of art. To then ship or otherwise transport the artwork, the subsurface  10  may be disassembled, which may provide for easier transport and lower shipping costs. When the subsurface  10  arrives at its desired location, it may be reassembled by easily interlocking the panels and placing the tension spring  10  in the channel  20  around the outer edge thereof. Because multiple panels are used rather than one large panel, the subsurface  10  of the present disclosure have a reduced likelihood of warping. Due to the ability to disassemble the subsurface, the subsurface  10  may also provide for easier repairs or replacements if any of the components are damaged. Lastly, the subsurface  10  may be easily put together without the use of permanent fasteners or adhesives. 
     The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. While these embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.