Abstract:
A decorative compactable mirror frame is disclosed for use on pre-mounted mirrors with or without mirror clips. The frame members of the frame can be rolled up and/or segmented so as to be packageable within a convenient box, and then easily be taken home and installed by a consumer. Frame members can also be sold separately. Each frame member has an adhesive backing strip such that a portion of the back side of each frame member can be mounted upon the pre-mounted mirror. Each frame member can also have a cushioned channel for accommodating mirror clips, the cushion material substantially filling the channel so as to substantially exclude and/or inhibit insect and/or microbial activity. The compact mirror frame can be sold as a kit including at least four compacted frame members, along with at least a cutting tool, and/or a miter box, and/or four corner blocks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application derives priority from the provisional patent application 61/807,555, filed Apr. 2, 2013, entitled “Flexible and Rollable Frame Border”, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to frames, and particularly to frames for mirrors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mirrors are a standard vanity item found in nearly all homes and businesses. Although mirrors can be placed in any room, they are typically found in bathrooms, hallways, and bedrooms. They can be either framed or unframed, but having a framed mirror is often desired as it increases the decorative appeal of the mirror and enhances the aesthetics of a room. 
         [0004]    Various styles of framed mirrors can be obtained in most sizes and designs for purchase at many retail stores. But many homes and businesses often have pre-mounted unframed mirrors already installed. These pre-mounted frameless mirrors are typically installed by the home-builder during the original construction, not for added decor value, but to meet the basic requirements for fixture standards. 
         [0005]    Because of this, there are many pre-mounted frameless mirrors that can benefit from being enhanced with a custom installed mirror frame by a do-it-yourself (DIY) consumer wanting to complete a decorative mirror frame project. 
         [0006]    However, the options for the do-it-yourself (DIY) consumer to easily and cost-effectively build and install a custom frame on an existing frameless pre-mounted mirror typically requires significant effort, skills, tools, proper transportation, and/or precise fabrication from remote third-party custom manufactures. 
         [0007]    One DIY mirror framing option available today is to purchase all the raw materials and tools needed to measure, cut, paint, and install the mirror frame. This option involves a lot of time, effort, noise, dust, basic construction knowledge, tools, and painting supplies. Moreover, if each step is not completed properly, this option can result in an unprofessional looking mirror frame. Additionally, due to the typically long lengths of frame members needed of these solid frames, one must have suitable transportation, cargo room, and marker flags needed to transport the frame members to home or office. 
         [0008]    Another option is for the consumer to purchase pre-finished mirror frames which the consumer can then cut, assemble, and install. However, such frames are heavy and awkward to transport in typical passenger vehicles. They are difficult to cut with precision, and then install without professional tools. 
         [0009]    A further option is to custom order pre-cut mirror frames which are shipped to you for self-installation. Due to the custom work involved at the factory, there is a significant wait-time for the work scheduling, completion of fabrication, and final product shipment to the customer. Then at least two people are needed to install the mirror frame, due to the weight and bulk of a completed frame, and the precise positioning efforts needed to install it. Additionally, this option is prone to miscommunication and manufacturing errors, because it requires clear and precise information communicated from the customer to a remote third-party. There is the possibility that proper measurements of the mirror were not made or communicated correctly, leading to a defective or mismatched custom frame. 
         [0010]    Yet another option is to hire professional mirror frame installers to custom-install a professional-looking frame. However, this is no longer a DIY project, but rather it is a DIFM (do-it-for-me) project option, which is also the most costly option. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The invention is a decorative, compactable mirror frame for mirrors of nearly any size, including mirrors attached to a wall with clips, packageable within a conveniently-sized box that can be purchased “off-the-shelf”, easily transported by any typical personal vehicle, and then easily self-installed on most pre-mounted mirrors. 
         [0012]    A general aspect of the invention is a mirror frame for adorning a mirror mounted to a wall. The mirror frame includes: at least four flexible frame members, each frame member capable of being rolled up, and each frame member having an adhesive backing strip on a back side of the frame member, such that a portion of the back side can be mounted upon the mirror. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, each frame member also has a cushioned channel extending alongside the adhesive backing strip. In further embodiments, the cushioned channel has cushion material for embedding a portion of at least one mirror clip protruding above a surface of the mirror mounted to the wall. In other further embodiments, the cushioned channel has cushion material that is at least one of: anti-microbial, anti-mold, anti-fungal, insect repellant. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, each frame member also has a decorative side. 
         [0015]    Another general aspect of the invention is a mirror frame for adorning a mirror mounted to a wall, the mirror frame including: at least four segmented frame members, each frame member being capable of being separated into segments, and each frame member having an adhesive backing strip on a back side of the frame member, such that a portion of the back side can be mounted upon the mirror. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, each frame member also has a cushioned channel extending alongside the adhesive backing strip. In further embodiments, the cushioned channel has cushion material for embedding a portion of at least one mirror clip protruding above a surface of the mirror mounted to the wall. In other further embodiments, the cushioned channel has cushion material that is at least one of: anti-microbial, anti-mold, anti-fungal, insect repellant. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, each frame member also has a decorative side. 
         [0018]    Another general aspect of the invention is a compact mirror frame kit, the kit including: at least four compacted frame members; a miter box; and a cutting tool. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the compact mirror frame kit also includes a box for containing: the at least four compacted frame members; the miter box; and the cutting tool. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the at least four compacted frame members being at least one of: segmented and flexible. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the compact mirror frame kit also includes at least four corner blocks. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the compact mirror frame kit also includes a measuring tape. 
         [0023]    Another general aspect of the invention is a compact mirror frame kit, the kit including: at least four compacted frame members; and at least four corner blocks. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the compact mirror frame kit also includes a box for containing: the at least four compacted frame members; and the at least four corner blocks. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the compact mirror frame kit also includes a miter box; and a cutting tool. 
         [0026]    Another general aspect of the invention is a frame member of a mirror frame for adorning a mirror mounted to a wall with mirror clips, the frame member having a cushioned channel, having cushion material for embedding at least one mirror clip, the cushioned channel extending along the frame member for accommodating clips of the mirror mounted to a wall with the clips, such that a back portion extending along the frame member can be mounted in flush relationship with the mirror, while another back portion extending along the frame member also extends over and beyond the clips, thereby embedding the clips within the cushion material of the cushioned channel. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the frame member has an adhesive backing strip extending alongside the cushioned channel. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the cushioned channel has cushion material that is at least one of: anti-microbial, anti-mold, anti-fungal, insect repellant. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the cushioned channel is filled with a viscoelastic material. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the frame member has a decorative side. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the Detailed Description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1A  is an oblique view of four rolled-up flexible members of a mirror frame of the invention, packaged with optional corner blocks, a cutting tool, and a miter box, entirely contained in a convenient cardboard box; 
           [0033]      FIG. 1B  is an oblique view of twenty (for example) connectable partial members (shown in four stacks of five partial members each) of a mirror frame of the invention, packaged with the optional corner blocks, a cutting tool, and a miter box, entirely contained in a convenient cardboard box; 
           [0034]      FIG. 1C  is an oblique view of a frame member in a flat state prior to cutting; 
           [0035]      FIG. 1D  is an oblique view of the frame member of  FIG. 1C , after being cut using a miter box and a cooperative cutting tool; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2A  is an oblique view of a frame member in a fully rolled state with the adhesive side facing inward and the decorative side facing outward; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2B  is an oblique view of a frame member in a fully rolled state with the adhesive side facing outward and the decorative side facing inward; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of a frame member in a flat state with the adhesive side (not shown) facing downward, and the decorative side facing upward; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2D  is an oblique view of a frame member showing an ornate decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2E  is an oblique view of a frame member showing a diamond decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0041]      FIG. 2F  is an oblique view of a frame member showing an abutting rectangle decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3A  is an oblique view of a frame member in a partially rolled state with the adhesive side facing inward and the decorative side facing outward; 
           [0043]      FIG. 3B  is an oblique view of the frame member of  3 A, flipped over; 
           [0044]      FIG. 3C  is an oblique view of a partially rolled frame member as shown in  FIG. 3B , also showing a cushion channel for accommodating mirror clips; 
           [0045]      FIG. 4A  is an oblique view of a frame member in a flat state with the adhesive side facing upward, also showing a cushioned channel; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the frame member of  FIG. 4A , showing the adhesive layer and the cushioned channel on the top, and showing a decorative relief pattern on the bottom; 
           [0047]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of an unrolled frame member, showing the decorative side; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the unrolled frame member of  FIG. 4C , showing the adhesive side, also showing a cushion channel for accommodating mirror clips; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a frame member of the invention, the frame member having a cushion channel that is accommodating a mirror clip that is screwed into a wall; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6  is an oblique view of two connectable partial frame members, aligned and joined by a joining element that is inserted into the cushion gap of each partial frame member, so as to form a frame member; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of three connectable partial frame members of  FIG. 1B  having an abutting rectangle decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0052]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of three connectable partial frame members of  FIG. 1B  having gem decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0053]      FIG. 7C  is top view of three connectable partial frame members showing a rounded pebble decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0054]      FIG. 7D  is top view of three connectable partial frame members showing an antique floral decorative pattern on its decorative side; 
           [0055]      FIG. 8A  is an oblique view of a mirror attached to a wall with mirror clips, showing two flexible frame members fixed in place, and a third flexible frame member in the process of being fixed in place, all flexible frame members having mitered ends; 
           [0056]      FIG. 8B  is an oblique view of a mirror attached to a wall with mirror clips, showing two mirror frame members assembled from a plurality of partial frame members and fixed in place, and a third mirror frame member in the process of being assembled and fixed in place, all assembled frame members having mitered ends; 
           [0057]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a mirror attached to a wall over a sink cabinet, with all frame members being fixed in place, joined using four corner elements instead of mitered ends; 
           [0058]      FIG. 10A  is a front view of a mirror with four frame members joined using four corner elements; 
           [0059]      FIG. 10B  is a front view of a mirror with four frame members joined with mitered ends; 
           [0060]      FIG. 10C  is a front view of a mirror with four frame members joined with abutting ends; 
           [0061]      FIG. 11  is an oblique view of a frame member in a partially rolled state, the frame member having periodic transverse notches on the adhesive side; 
           [0062]      FIG. 12  is an oblique view of a frame member in a folded state; 
           [0063]      FIG. 13A  is an oblique view of the box of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 13B  is a top view of the rolled-up flexible frames of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 13C  is a top view of the frame segments of  FIG. 1B , showing three example decorative patterns; 
           [0066]      FIG. 13D  is a top view of the four corner blocks of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 13E  is an oblique view of the miter box of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; and 
           [0068]      FIG. 13F  is an oblique view of the cutting tool of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0069]    With reference to  FIG. 1A , a cardboard box  10  with its top flap  12  open contains: four rolled-up flexible frame members  14 , four optional corner elements  16 , a cutting tool  18 , and a miter box  19 . Instructions (not shown) can also be included. When purchased at the store, the box  10  is closed and sealed, and can be easily carried to the car for transportation to home or office. 
         [0070]      FIG. 1B  is an oblique view of twenty connectable partial frame members  15  (shown in four stacks of five partial frame members each) of a mirror frame of the invention, packaged with the optional corner elements  16 , a cutting tool  18 , and a miter box  19 , entirely contained in a convenient cardboard box  10  as in  FIG. 1A . The connectable partial frame members  15  can be either flexible (made from rubber, densified foam, or rubberized plastic) or rigid (made from wood, rigid plastic, or natural and/or synthetic composite). 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 1C , a flexible frame member  14  is shown in a flat state after being unrolled, and before being cut to size and/or before being given a mitered end. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 1D , the frame member  14  of  FIG. 1C  is shown after being cut using a miter box  19  and a cooperative cutting tool  18 , so as to create mitered ends  17 . 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , a flexible frame member  14  in a rolled state is shown, where the flexible frame member  14  is rolled so as to have the decorative side  20  facing outward, and the adhesive side  22  facing inward. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , a flexible frame member  14  in a rolled state is shown, where the flexible frame member  14  is rolled so as to have the adhesive side  22  facing outward, and the decorative side  20  facing inward. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 2C , a flexible frame member  14  in a flat state is shown with the adhesive side (not shown) facing downward, and the decorative side  20  facing upward. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 2D , a flexible frame member  14  having an ornate decorative pattern on its decorative side  20  is shown. 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 2E , a frame member  14  having a diamond decorative pattern on its decorative side  20  is shown. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 2F , a frame member  14  having an abutting rectangle decorative pattern on its decorative side  20  is shown. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , a flexible frame member  14  is shown in a partially rolled state with the adhesive side  22  facing inward and the decorative side  20  facing outward. 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 3B , the flexible frame member  14  of  3 A is shown, flipped over, also showing the adhesive side  22  facing inward and the decorative side  20  facing outward. 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIG. 3C , a partially rolled flexible frame member  14  as shown in  FIG. 3B , has a decorative side  20 , and on the oppose side has an adhesive area  32 . Additionally, the flexible frame member  14  includes a cushion channel  30  for accommodating mirror clips. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , a frame member  14  as shown in  FIG. 3C  is in a flat state with the adhesive area  32  facing upward, also showing the cushioned channel  30 . The frame member  14  of  FIG. 4A  could be either flexible or rigid. 
         [0083]      FIG. 4B  shows a cross-section of the frame member  14  of  FIG. 4A , showing the adhesive area  32  having an adhesive layer  40 , and showing the cushion channel  30  having cushion material  42  filling a longitudinal channel  44 . The decorative side  20  shows a decorative relief pattern  46 . The cushion material  42  of the cushioned channel  30  helps to exclude bugs and prevent dust from collecting in what is typically an empty space (except for the small portions that accommodate mirror clips), and thus be a place where disease organisms can find a protected home and begin to create airborne allergens and pathogens. The cushion material  42  can also serve to protect the frame material from moisture damage, mold growth (such as toxic black mold), insect nesting, etc. The cushion material  42  can be made from: closed-cell foam, open-cell foam, fiber-glass, vinyl, and/or hydrophobic plastic. The cushion material  42  can also include anti-microbial agents, mold inhibitors, anti-fungal agents, and/or insect repellants. 
         [0084]    With reference to  FIG. 4C , a top view of a frame member  14  is shown, also showing the decorative side  20 . 
         [0085]    With reference to  FIG. 4D , a bottom view of the frame member  14  of  FIG. 4C  is presented, showing the adhesive area  32 , also showing the cushion channel  30  for accommodating mirror clips, and a peel-away strip  48  that reveals the adhesive layer  40  of the adhesive area  32 . 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a frame member  14  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is shown in side view, the frame member  14  adhering to the mirror  50  via the adhesive layer  40 , the flexible frame member  14  having a cushion channel  30  that is accommodating a mirror clip  52  that is screwed into a wall  54  via a screw  56 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , two connectable partial frame members  60  and  62  (like the connectable partial frame member  15  as shown in  FIG. 1B ) are joined by a joining element  64  being inserted into the cushion channel  30  of each partial frame member  60 ,  62  so as to form a compound frame member  66 . The joining element  64  also functions to align the partial frame members  60 ,  62 . Thus, the joining element  64  helps to both join and align each of the connectable partial frame members to neighboring connectable partial frame members. This embodiment also includes alongside the cushion channel  30 , an adhesive area  32 . Further sections can be connected in like manner to either partial frame member  60  or  62  so as to create a compound frame member of whatever length is required. One advantage of this embodiment is that many sections can be conveniently included in a box such as the box  10  of  FIG. 1B . The partial frame members  60  and  62  can be rigid or flexible. The joining element  64  can be either rigid or flexible, a rigid joining element being recommended for joining flexible partial frame members, and a flexible joining element being recommended for joining rigid partial frame members. 
         [0088]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of three connectable partial frame members  70 ,  71 ,  72  having an abutting rectangle decorative pattern on its decorative side that does NOT need to be joined by a joining element (not shown) cooperative with a cushion channel on the reverse side of each of the partial frame members  70 ,  71 ,  72  so as to form a compound frame member  73 . A joining element is not needed to connect the partial frame members because the interdigitating shape of each end of each partial frame member performs sufficient alignment of the connected partial frame members. 
         [0089]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of three connectable partial frame members  74 ,  75 ,  76  having gem decorative pattern on its decorative side joined so as to form a compound frame member  77 . A joining element is not needed to connect the partial frame members because the interdigitating shape of each end of each partial frame member performs sufficient alignment of the connected partial frame members. 
         [0090]      FIG. 7C  is a top view of three connectable partial frame members  78 ,  79 ,  80  having a rounded pebble decorative pattern on its decorative side joined so as to form a compound frame member  81 . A joining element is not needed to connect the partial frame members because the interlocking shape of each end of each partial frame member performs sufficient alignment of the connected partial frame members. 
         [0091]      FIG. 7D  is a top view of three connectable partial frame members  125 ,  126 ,  127 , each having an antique floral decorative pattern on its decorative side, and each juxtaposed so as to form a compound frame member  128 . The partial frame members  125 ,  126 ,  127  when abutting against one another also form a continuous antique floral decorative pattern. Alignment of the partial frame members of each frame member can be achieved using a joining element to join each partial frame member to its neighbor(s) and/or using a straight-edge placed temporarily alongside all of the partial frame members so that a side edge of each of the partial frame members becomes pressed against, and thereby aligned with, the straight-edge. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 8A , a mirror  82  is attached to a wall  83  with mirror clips  84 , showing two flexible mirror frame members  85  fixed in place, and a third flexible mirror frame member  86  in the process of being fixed in place, all frame members  85 ,  86  having mitered ends  87 . The flexibility of the frame members makes it easy to align the cushioned channel  30  (shown as dotted lines on the back of each frame member) with the mirror clips  84  so as to allow the frame element to be pressed flatly against the mirror  82  and the wall  83  all along the length of each frame element. A fourth flexible frame member (not shown) will be used to complete the flexible mirror frame of the mirror  82 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 8B  is an oblique view of a mirror  82  attached to a wall  83  with mirror clips  84 , showing two mirror frame members  88  assembled and fixed in place, and a third mirror rigid frame member  89  in the process of being assembled and fixed in place, all assembled rigid frame members having mitered ends  87 . A joining element is not needed to connect the partial frame members because the interdigitating shape of each end of each partial frame member performs sufficient alignment of the connected partial frame members. 
         [0094]      FIG. 9  provides a front view of a mirror  90  attached to a wall  92  over a sink cabinet  94 , with all (rigid or flexible) frame members  96  being fixed in place, joined using four corner elements  98  instead of mitered ends. 
         [0095]      FIG. 10A  provides a front view of a mirror  100  with four (rigid or flexible) frame members  102  joined using four corner elements  104 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 10B  provides a front view of a mirror  100  with four (rigid or flexible) frame members  105  joined with mitered ends  106 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 10C  provides a front view of a mirror  100  with four (rigid or flexible) frame members  107  joined with perpendicular abutting ends  108 . 
         [0098]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , a flexible frame member  110  in a partially rolled state is shown, the frame member  110  having periodic transverse notches  112  on the adhesive side  113 , the adhesive side including an adhesive area  114  and a cushioned channel  116 . This flexible frame member  110  also has a decorative side  118 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 12  is an oblique view of a flexible frame member  120  in a folded state, having an adhesive side  122 , and a decorative side  124 . Folding a flexible frame member can help it to fit inside a box, such as the box  10  of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0100]      FIG. 13A  is an oblique view of the box  10  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0101]      FIG. 13B  is a top view of the rolled-up flexible frames  14  of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0102]      FIG. 13C  is a top view of the frame segments (flexible or rigid)  15  of  FIG. 1B , showing three example decorative patterns. 
         [0103]      FIG. 13D  is a top view of the four corner blocks  16  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0104]      FIG. 13E  is an oblique view of the miter box  19  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0105]      FIG. 13F  is an oblique view of the cutting tool  18  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0106]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.