Patent Publication Number: US-2020288886-A1

Title: Systems and devices for framing display items including photographs, pictures, memorabilia and collectibles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/816,538, filed on Mar. 10, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present patent application is generally related to picture frames, and is more specifically related to systems and devices for framing items for display such as photographs, pictures, memorabilia, and collectibles. 
     Description of the Related Art 
       FIG. 1  shows a prior art framing system  100  for displaying items such as photographs. The framing system  100  includes a picture frame  102  having an outer perimeter  104  that surrounds a central opening  106 . The framing system  100  includes a picture frame mat  108  that is placed into the central opening  106  so that the outer perimeter  104  of the picture frame  102  surrounds the picture frame mat  108 . The picture frame mat  108  has three evenly spaced openings  110 A,  110 B, and  110 C that are adapted to receive respective photographs  112 A- 112 C, which are secured to a rear face of the picture frame mat  108  and that cover the spaced openings  110 A- 110 C. After the photographs  112 A 0112 C are secured to the rear face of the picture frame mat  108 , the photographs are viewable through the spaced openings  110 A- 110 C on the front face of the picture frame mat. 
       FIG. 2  shows the picture frame mat  108  after it has been removed from the picture frame  102  ( FIG. 1 ). The picture frame mat  108  has the three spaced openings  110 A- 110 C that are adapted to receive the respective photographs  112 A- 112 C. The photographs are centered within the spaced openings  110 A- 110 C of the picture frame mat  108 , and are visible at the front surface of the picture frame mat. 
       FIG. 3  shows a magnified view of the second opening  1108  ( FIG. 2 ) of the picture frame mat  108 . The second opening  1108  has a length L 1  of about 5.5 inches and a height H 1  of about 3.5 inches. At the front surface of the picture frame mat  108 , the second picture  112 B is visible through the second opening  1108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the picture frame mat  108  ( FIG. 2 ) has a rear face  114  to which the photographs  112 A- 112 C are secured. After the respective photographs  112 A- 112 C have been aligned with the spaced openings  110 A- 110 C ( FIG. 2 ) of the picture frame mat  108 , an adhesive material such as adhesive tape  116  may be utilized for securing the photographs to the respective openings provided in the picture frame mat  108 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a tape dispenser  118  that dispenses the adhesive tape  116  that is used for securing the photographs  112 A- 112 C to the rear face  114  of the picture frame mat  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the third opening  110 C of the picture frame mat  108  has a length L 1  of about 5.5 inches and a height H 1  of about 3.5 inches. The third picture  112 C that is positioned over the third opening  110 C has a length L 2  of about 6 inches and a height H 2  of about 4 inches. As a result, when the third picture  112 C is positioned over the third opening  110 C, when viewed from the front face of the picture frame mat  108 , the outer edges of the third picture  112 C cut off and are not visible through the third opening  108 C of the picture frame mat  106 . In addition, using adhesive tape  116  to secure the photographs  112 A- 112 C to the rear face  114  of the picture frame mat  108  will typically damage the photographs and/or make it difficult to remove or re-position the photographs from their attachment to the picture frame mat  108 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the third photograph  112 C being aligned over the third opening  110 C of the picture frame mat  108 . The third photograph  112 C has a length L 2  of about 4.0 inches that is greater than the length L 1  of the third opening  110 C of about 3.5 inches so that the outer edges of the third picture  112 C, when viewed the front face of the picture frame mat, are cut off and not visible through the third opening  110 C. 
       FIG. 8  shows the adhesive strip  116  being utilized for securing the third photograph  112 C to the rear face  114  of the picture frame mat  108 . The second photograph  112 B is also secured to the rear face  114  of the picture frame mat  108  using another adhesive strip  116 . 
     In many instances, individuals wish to display photographs, pictures, memorabilia and/or collectibles inside a picture frame containing a picture frame mat. Requiring individuals to utilize adhesive material such adhesive tape to secure the items to the rear face of the picture frame mat may damage the items secured to the rear of the picture frame mat. Using adhesive tape to secure items to the rear face of a picture frame mat will also minimize the likelihood that an individual will be able to remove the items from being secured to the rear face of a picture frame mat for being displayed inside another picture frame or at another location. 
       FIG. 9  shows the rear face  114  of the picture frame mat  108  after the three pictures  112 A- 112 C have been secured to the rear face  114  using adhesive tape  116 . The picture frame mat  108  having the three pictures  112 A- 112 C secured thereto may be positioned within the picture frame  102  ( FIG. 1 ). The outer perimeters of the photographs are greater than the outer perimeters of the respective openings  110 A- 110 C ( FIG. 2 ) of the picture frame mat  108  so that the outer edges of the photographs are cut off and not visible at the front face of the picture frame mat. 
       FIG. 10  shows the picture frame mat  108  and three attached photographs  112 A- 112 C of  FIG. 9  positioned within the central opening  106  of the picture frame  102  so that the outer perimeter  104  of the picture frame  102  surrounds the picture frame mat  108  and the three photographs secured thereto. At the front face of the picture frame mat  108 , the three photographs  112 A- 112 C may be viewed through the respective openings  110 A- 110 C ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In view of the above-noted deficiencies, there remains a continuing need for systems and devices for framing items including photographs, pictures, memorabilia, and collectibles. In addition, there remains a continuing need for systems and devices for displaying framed items whereby the outer edges and outer perimeters of the framed items remain completely visible and are not occluded by a picture framing mat. Moreover, there is a need for systems and devices for framing items having a substantial thickness such as sports programs, playbills, and/or magazines. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a system for framing a display item such as a photograph, a picture, memorabilia and/or a collectible preferably includes a picture frame having an outer perimeter that defines a central opening of the picture frame. The central opening is desirably adapted to receive glazing or a transparent pane, such as a pane of glass or a transparent polymer sheet. 
     In one embodiment, the system preferably includes a compliant framing mat having a cloth covering that covers at least one major surface or face of the compliant framing mat. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be black. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be white. In one embodiment, cloth coverings may be selected from a broad range of different colors and may have different patterns or designs printed thereon. In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat desirably has a width and a height that is sized to match the size of the central opening of the picture frame. 
     In one embodiment, a display item, such as a playbill, a magazine, memorabilia or a collectible is configured to be positioned atop the compliant framing mat for display within the picture frame of the system. 
     In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat preferably has a width, a height, and a thickness. The thickness may be varied to accommodate the thickness of the display item. The top face of the compliant framing mat is preferably covered by the cloth covering. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be black, white, or colored (e.g., red, blue, green). 
     In one embodiment, the display item may be positioned over the cloth covering of the compliant framing mat. The outer edge of the display item is preferably fully visible after it has been positioned over the top surface of the compliant framing mat. Placing the display item over the top surface of the compliant framing mat, as opposed to securing the display item to a rear face of a picture frame mat, provides a dramatic improvement over prior art framing mats whereby the outer edges of the photographs secured over the openings of the prior art mats are cut off and not visible. 
     In one embodiment, a framed display item may be a playbill, a magazine, or a program having many pages (e.g., 10-100 pages or more) that are secured together (e.g., stapled). As a result, in one embodiment, the display item may have a substantial thickness that is significantly greater than a single sheet of paper. 
     In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat preferably has a thickness that is selected to match the thickness of the display item. In one embodiment, if the display item has a greater thickness, the thickness of the compliant framing mat may be relatively thin. In embodiments in which the display item is thinner, the compliant framing mat may be thicker to insure a secure fit between the display item and the compliant framing mat so that the collectible item does not shift and/or move relative to the top surface of the compliant framing mat. 
     In one embodiment, when the compliant framing mat and the display item are placed into a picture frame, the display item is preferably sandwiched between the glazing (e.g., a glass pane) of the picture frame and the top surface of the compliant framing mat. When a backing board is secured to the back of the frame, the compliant framing mat is preferably compressed so that the display item sinks into the front face of the compliant framing mat. As the compliant framing mat is pressed against the display item, a depression preferably forms in the front face of the compliant framing mat that conforms to the shape of the outer perimeter or outer edge of the display item. The depression formed in the front face of the compliant framing mat preferably surrounds the outer edges of the display item to hold the display item stationary and prevent shifting of the display item relative to the front face of the compliant framing mat. 
     In one embodiment, after a display item has been positioned over the top major surface of the compliant framing mat, the combination of the compliant framing mat and the display item may be positioned inside a picture frame so that the display item is visible through the glazing that covers the central opening of the picture frame. Due to the fact that a conventional framing mat having openings ( FIG. 1 ) is not utilized, and because the display item overlies the top major surface of the compliant framing mat, the entire outer edge or outer perimeter of the display item is visible and no portion of the outer edge is cut off or occluded the compliant framing mat. 
     These and other preferred embodiments of the present patent application will be described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a prior art framing system for displaying photographs including a picture frame, a picture frame mat having three openings for photographs, and three photographs aligned with the respective openings provided in the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the picture frame mat of  FIG. 1  with a single photograph placed in each of the three openings provided in the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 3  shows a magnified view of a midsection of the picture frame mat of  FIGS. 1 and 2  including a photograph placed over a second opening of the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear face of the picture frame mat of  FIG. 2  with a third photograph removed from covering the third opening of the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 5  shows a method of using adhesive tape to secure the third photograph of  FIG. 4  over the third opening of the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 6  shows a magnified view of the third photograph and the third opening of the picture frame mat shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a step of a method of securing the third photograph of  FIG. 4  over the third opening of the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 8  shows adhesive tape being used to secure the third picture over the third opening of the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the rear face of the picture frame mat of  FIG. 4  after adhesive tape has been used for securing the third photograph over the third opening of the picture frame mat. 
         FIG. 10  shows the picture frame mat of  FIG. 9  after the picture frame mat has been placed into the picture frame of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  shows a framing system for displaying items including photographs, pictures, memorabilia, and collectibles, the framing system including a picture frame, a compliant framing mat, and a display item that will be positioned over a top surface of the compliant framing mat, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the compliant framing mat shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a top plan view of the display item shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14A  shows the display item of  FIG. 13  positioned over a top surface of the compliant framing mat of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         FIG. 14B  shows a perspective view of the display item and the compliant framing mat of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 15  shows the display item and the compliant framing mat of  FIGS. 14A and 14B  after being placed inside the picture frame of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16A  shows a compliant framing mat having a white cloth covering, and a display item positioned over a top surface of the compliant framing mat, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application. 
         FIG. 16B  shows a perspective view of the display item and the compliant framing mat of  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17  shows the display item and the compliant framing mat of  FIGS. 16A and 16B  after being placed inside the picture frame of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 18  shows a top view of two photographs and a compliant framing mat having a white cloth covering configured to receive the two photographs, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application. 
         FIG. 19  shows the two photographs of  FIG. 18  positioned over a top major surface of the compliant framing mat of  FIG. 18 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application. 
         FIG. 20  shows the two pictures and the compliant framing mat of  FIGS. 18 and 19  after being positioned inside a picture frame, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in one embodiment, a system  200  for framing a display item such as a photograph, a picture, memorabilia and/or a collectible preferably includes a picture frame  202  having an outer perimeter  204  that defines a central opening  206  of the picture frame. The central opening  206  is desirably adapted to receive a transparent pane, such as a pane of glass or a transparent polymer sheet. The system  200  preferably includes a compliant framing mat  208  having a cloth covering  210  that covers at least one major surface or face of the compliant framing mat  208 . In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be black. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be white. In one embodiment, cloth coverings may be selected from a broad range of different colors and may have different patterns or designs printed thereon. In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  208  desirably has a width W 3  and a height H 3  that is sized to match the size of the central opening  206  of the picture frame  202 . 
     In one embodiment, a display item  212 , such as a playbill, a magazine, memorabilia or a collectible is configured to be positioned atop the compliant framing mat  208  for display within the picture frame  202  of the system  200 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a top face or surface of the compliant framing mat  208  shown in  FIG. 11 . The compliant framing mat  208  may be made of foam or a compressible material. The compliant framing mat  208  has a width W 3 , a height H 3 , and a thickness T 1 . The thickness may be varied to accommodate the thickness of the display item  212  ( FIG. 11 ). The top face of the compliant framing mat  208  is preferably covered by the cloth covering  210 . In one embodiment, the cloth covering  210  may be black. 
       FIG. 13  shows a magnified view of the display item  212  shown in  FIG. 11 . The display item  212  has a width W 4  and a height H 4  that define the outer edge  214  of the collectible  212 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14A , in one embodiment, the display item  212  is preferably positioned over the cloth covering  210  of the compliant framing mat  208 . The outer edge  214  of the display item is fully visible after it has been positioned over the top surface of the compliant framing mat  208 . Placing the display item  212  over the top surface of the compliant framing mat  208 , as opposed to securing the display item to a rear face of a picture frame mat, provides a dramatic improvement over the framing mat  106  shown and described above in  FIG. 1 , whereby the outer edges of the photographs secured over the openings are cut off and not visible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14B , in one embodiment, the display item  212  may be a playbill, a magazine, or a program having many pages (e.g., 10-100 pages or more) that are secured together (e.g., stapled). As a result, the display item  212  has a substantial thickness that is significantly greater than a single sheet of paper. The compliant framing mat  210  preferably has a thickness T 1  that is selected to match the thickness of the display item  212 . In one embodiment, if the display item  212  has a greater thickness, the thickness of the compliant framing mat  210  may be relatively thin. In embodiments in which the display item  212  is thinner, the compliant framing mat  210  may be thicker to insure a secure fit between the display item and the compliant framing mat  210  so that the collectible item does not shift and/or move relative to the top surface of the compliant framing mat. 
     In one embodiment, when the compliant framing mat  208  and the display item  212  are placed into a picture frame, the display item  212  is preferably sandwiched between the glazing (e.g., a glass pane) of the picture frame and the top surface of the compliant framing mat. When a backing board is secured to the back of the frame, the compliant framing mat is preferably compressed so that the display item sinks into the front face of the compliant framing mat  210 . As the compliant framing mat is pressed against the display item, a depression preferably forms in the front face of the compliant framing mat that conforms to the shape of the outer perimeter of the display item. The depression formed in the front face of the compliant framing mat preferably surrounds the outer edges of the display item to hold the display item stationary and prevent shifting of the display item relative to the front face of the compliant framing mat. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , after the collectible item  212  has been positioned over the top major surface of the compliant framing mat  210 , the combination of the compliant framing mat and the collectible item may be positioned inside the picture frame  202  so that the collectible item is visible through the glazing that covers the central opening  206  of the picture frame  202 . Due to the fact that a conventional framing mat having openings ( FIG. 1 ) is not utilized, and because the collectible item  212  actually overlies the top major surface of the compliant framing mat  210 , the entire outer edge  214  or outer periphery of the collectible item  212  is visible and no portion of the outer edge is cut off or occluded the compliant framing mat. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A , in one embodiment, a compliant framing mat  310  may have a cloth covering  315  that is white. In one embodiment, the exact color or shading of the cloth cover may be modified so that the contrast between the display item  312  and the underlying compliant framing mat provides an optimal aesthetic appearance. 
       FIG. 16B  shows the collectible item  312  positioned over a top major surface of the compliant framing mat  310 . The outer edges  314  of the display item  312  are not covered or occluded by the compliant framing mat as occurs with the prior art picture frame mat shown and described above in  FIGS. 1-10 . 
       FIG. 17  shows the compliant framing mat  310  and the display item  312  of  FIGS. 16A and 16B  positioned within the outer perimeter of a picture frame  302  with the display item  312  aligned with the glazing covering the central opening  306  of the picture frame  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , in one embodiment, two or more pictures may be positioned atop a major surface of a compliant framing mat  408 . In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  408  has a white cloth cover  410  that is selected to provide a good aesthetic contrast with the two photographs  410 A and  410 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , in one embodiment, the two photographs  410 A,  410 B may be positioned over a top major surface of the compliant framing mat  408 . The outer edges of the photographs  410 A,  410 B are fully visible and are not occluded by the compliant framing mat as occurs when using the prior art picture frame mats shown and described above in  FIGS. 1-10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , in one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  408  and the two photographs  410 A,  410 B overlying the compliant framing mat may be positioned within the central opening  406  of the picture frame  402 . The outer edges of the first and second photographs  410 A,  410 B are fully visible within the central opening  406  of the picture frame  402  because they are not covered by the compliant framing mat as occurs with the prior art picture frame mat shown and described above in  FIGS. 1-10 . 
     In one embodiment, when the compliant framing mat  408  and the two photographs  410 A,  410 B are placed into the picture frame  402 , the photographs  410 A,  410 B are preferably sandwiched between the glazing (e.g., a glass pane) of the picture frame and the top surface of the compliant framing mat. When a backing board is secured to the back of the picture frame, the compliant framing mat is preferably compressed so that the photographs sink into the front face of the compliant framing mat  410 . As the compliant framing mat is pressed against the photographs, a depression preferably forms in the front face of the compliant framing mat that conforms to the shape of the outer perimeters of the two photographs. The depression formed in the front face of the compliant framing mat preferably surrounds the outer edges of the two photographs to hold the photographs stationary and prevent shifting of the photographs relative to the front face of the compliant framing mat. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , in one embodiment, two or more photographs may be positioned atop a major surface of a compliant framing mat  508 . In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  508  has a white cloth cover  514  that is selected to provide a good aesthetic contrast with two photographs  512 A and  512 B. In one embodiment, a first decorative border  525 A may be provided on the white cloth cover  510  that is adapted to surround the first photograph  512 A when the first photograph overlies the top surface of the compliant framing mat  508 , and a second decorative border  525 B may be provided on the white cloth cover  510  that is adapted to surround the second photograph  512 B when the second photograph overlies the top surface of the compliant framing mat. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , when the two photographs  512 A,  512 B are positioned over the top major surface of the compliant framing mat  508 , the decorative borders  525 A,  525 B surround the respective photographs  512 A,  512 B for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the framed photographs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , in one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  508  and the two photographs  512 A,  512 B overlying the compliant framing mat may be positioned within the central opening  506  of the picture frame  502 . The outer edges of the first and second photographs  512 A,  512 B are fully visible within the central opening  506  of the picture frame  502  because they are not covered by the compliant framing mat as occurs with the prior art picture frame mat shown and described above in  FIGS. 1-10 . The decorative borders  525 A,  525 B surround the respective photographs  512 A,  512 B for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the framed photographs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , in one embodiment, two or more photographs may be positioned atop a major surface of a compliant framing mat  608 . In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  608  has a white cloth cover  610  that is selected to provide a good aesthetic contrast with two photographs  612 A and  612 B. In one embodiment, a first alignment guide  625 A may be provided on the white cloth cover  610  that is adapted to aid alignment of the first photograph  612 A over the top surface of the compliant framing mat  608 , and a second alignment guide  625 B may be provided on the white cloth cover  610  that is adapted to aid alignment of the second photograph  612 B over the top surface of the compliant framing mat. 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , when the two photographs  610 A,  610 B are positioned over the top major surface of the compliant framing mat  608 , the first and second alignment guides  625 A,  625 B ( FIG. 24 ) are covered by the respective photographs  612 A,  612 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , in one embodiment, the compliant framing mat  608  and the two photographs  612 A,  612 B overlying the compliant framing mat may be positioned within the central opening  606  of the picture frame  602 . The outer edges of the first and second photographs  612 A,  612 B are fully visible within the central opening  606  of the picture frame  602  because they are not covered by the compliant framing mat as occurs with the prior art picture frame mat shown and described above in  FIGS. 1-10 . The alignment guides  625 A,  625 B (FIG.  24 ), which may be printed onto the cloth cover, preferably insure that the photographs are properly aligned over the top surface of the compliant framing mat. 
     In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat may be made of foam and may have a thickness of about 0.25-3.0 inches. In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat may have a width of about 4-30 inches and a height of about 6-40 inches. 
     In one embodiment, a framing system preferably includes a set of compliant framing mats, whereby at least some of the compliant framing mats in the set have different thicknesses. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats have various thickness that range from 0.25 inches to 3.0 inches. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats have thicknesses of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, and 3.00 inches. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats have different colors such as black, white, red, blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, etc. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats may have different patterns or designs provided on the major surfaces thereof. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.