Abstract:
A modular picture display unit is disclosed forthwith. The modular picture display unit enables the user to easily mount (and remove) a picture within it and to form a multiple picture frame or collage with full freedom to choose the individual picture&#39;s placement and orientation. 
     The modular picture display unit contains a transparent front cover and a back cover with a picture placed in between them. The friction between the front cover and the back cover holds the covers in place and prevents them from coming apart. In order to connect two or more modular display units, a connector is provided. The connector is mounted on the back cover side walls of two adjacent modular display units, thereby securing their connection to each other. 
     In order to allow for attaching the modular display units onto a metallic surface (such as a refrigerator door), there is provided a magnet to be placed on a connector or onto the back cover. 
     Further disclosed is a method for framing and un-framing pictures in the modular display unit as well as creating collages from multiple modular display units.

Description:
REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Israeli patent application No. 205684, filed on May 5, 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to picture displays, more particularly, to modular picture display units. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Paintings, pictures and photos are produced and displayed in almost any home in the world. There are many forms of artwork that people want to display that come in the form of a flat piece of paper or canvas such as pictures, paintings and photographs. 
         [0004]    Even in these modern times, with the advances in digital photography over traditional film photography, many people still print their digital photographs on paper and require a display unit in order to hang them on a wall or place them on a shelf or a piece of furniture. 
         [0005]    There exist many forms of frames used to display photos. Starting from a single photo frame to multiple photo frames combined to form a matrix of photos or a collage of photos. Today&#39;s photo frames are usually made out of wood, plastic or metal and the photo is placed within the frame and kept between a transparent material (such as glass or plastic) in front and a back cover which is held in place by nails or flaps such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,629 of Shore which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  of the prior art is an exploded isometric back view schematic illustration of a rigid picture display unit PA 1 . 
         [0007]    The rigid picture display unit frame PA 11  is made out of a rigid material (such as wood, plastic or metal) and can hold a pre-defined number of rigid picture display unit pictures PA 12  at pre-defined locations and orientations. The rigid picture display unit pictures PA 12  can include one image or more than one image. 
         [0008]    The rigid picture display unit back cover PA 13  closes the back side of the rigid picture display unit PA 1 , and the rigid picture display unit pins PA 14  are used to secure the rigid picture display unit back cover PA 13  in its place. A rigid picture display unit glass PA 15  protects the rigid picture display unit picture PA 12 . 
         [0009]    Since the rigid picture display unit frame PA 11  is made from a rigid material (such as wood or metal) the positioning of the photos is fixed. The position and the orientation of the individual photos are limited to the orientation and size of orifices PA 10 . The present illustration indicates several photographs  20 , by means of dashed lines, attached to the side hidden in the present view of the front cover face PA 12 . 
         [0010]    There is therefore a need for a modular picture display unit that will enable the user to easily mount (and remove) a picture within it and to form a multiple picture frame or collage with full freedom to choose the individual picture&#39;s placement and orientation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The background art does not teach or suggest a modular picture display unit that enables the user to easily mount (and remove) a picture within it and to form a multiple picture frame or collage with full freedom to choose the individual picture&#39;s placement and orientation. 
         [0012]    The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the background art by providing a single photo display unit comprised of a transparent front cover and a back cover that houses a picture or a photograph in an easy to assemble and disassemble manner. The single photo display unit may be manufactured in various sizes in order to accommodate varying picture sizes. 
         [0013]    The present invention also provides an attachment clips to attach two or more single display units to form a modular picture display unit, which is modular and easy to assemble and disassemble in order to create a multi picture frame or collage. 
         [0014]    According to the teaching of the present invention there is provided a modular picture display unit including: (a) at least one single display unit including: (i) a front cover front cover having a weight value, the front cover including: a front cover face; and at least two front cover side walls, having front cover side wall inner faces, disposed on the front cover face; and (ii) a back cover including: a back cover face, having a back cover back face; and at least two back cover side walls having back cover side wall exterior faces, disposed on the back cover face, wherein the back cover is mounted on the transparent front cover such that a friction force exists between the front cover side wall inner faces and the back cover side wall exterior face, and wherein the friction force has a value of at least the weight value. 
         [0015]    According to the teaching of the present invention the modular picture display unit further includes: (b) a connector, wherein the connector is mounted on front cover side walls and on back cover side walls of two of the single display units, wherein the mounting connects the single display units together. 
         [0016]    According to another feature of the present invention, there is an angle α between the back cover side wall exterior face and the back cover back face, wherein the angle α substantially equals ninety degrees, wherein an angle β between the front cover wall inner face and the front cover face is substantially at most eighty nine degrees. 
         [0017]    According to another feature of the present invention the modular picture display unit further includes: (b) a connector, wherein the connector is mounted on front cover side walls and on back cover side walls of two of the single display units, wherein the mounting connects the single display units together. 
         [0018]    According to another feature of the present invention the back cover further includes at least one vertical support beam disposed on the back cover face. 
         [0019]    According to another feature of the present invention the back cover further includes at least one back cover angled wall disposed on the back cover face. 
         [0020]    According to another feature of the present invention the connector is an attachment clip. 
         [0021]    According to still another feature of the present invention the modular picture display unit further includes: (c) at least one magnet, said magnet being attached to said attachment clip. 
         [0022]    According to the teaching of the present invention there is provided a method for framing and un-framing pictures, the method including the stages of: (a) 
         [0023]    placing a picture on a front cover back face of a transparent front cover, wherein the transparent front cover has a weight value, the transparent front cover includes: (i) at least two front cover side walls, having front cover side wall inner faces, disposed on the front cover face; and (b) assembling a single display unit, the single display unit includes: (i) the picture; (ii) the transparent front cover; and (iii) a back cover, the back cover including: a back cover face, having a back cover back face; and at least two back cover side walls having back cover side wall exterior face, disposed on said back cover face, wherein a friction force exists between said front cover side wall inner faces and said back cover side wall exterior face, and wherein said friction force has a value of at least said weight value. 
         [0024]    According to another feature of the present invention the method for framing and un-framing pictures further includes: (c) assembling a modular picture display unit, by mounting at least one connector on front cover side walls and on back cover side walls of two of said single display units, wherein the mounting connects the single display units together, wherein the single display units are arranged in a certain orientation among themselves. 
         [0025]    According to another feature of the present invention the method for framing and un-framing pictures further includes: (d) replacing the picture by another picture, wherein the replacement includes the sub-stages of: (i) removing the at least one connector from said front cover the walls and on back cover side walls; (ii) removing said back cover from said transparent front cover; (iii) removing said picture; and (iv) placing said another picture on said transparent front cover. 
         [0026]    According to another feature of the present invention the method for framing and un-framing picture further includes: (d) changing orientation of single display units from said certain orientation among themselves, to another orientation among themselves. 
         [0027]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  of the prior art is an exploded isometric back view schematic illustration of a rigid picture display unit. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric front view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a single display unit, according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a back view schematic illustration of a front cover upon which a section plane a-a is marked, according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a back view schematic illustration of a back cover upon which a section plane b-b is marked, according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view a-a of an illustrative embodiment of a back cover, according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view b-b of an illustrative embodiment of a front cover, according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7   a  is an isometric rear view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a single display unit, according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7   b  is a side view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a single display unit, according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is an isometric back view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an attachment clip, according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of a partial cutout of an attachment clip attaching two single display units, according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of a partial cutout of magnet which is attached to an attachment clip, attaching two single display units, according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is a back view schematic illustration of a modular picture display unit, having four display units, according to the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is a back view schematic illustration of a modular picture display unit, having five display units, according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method for framing and un-framing picture, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    The present invention is of a modular picture display unit. 
         [0044]    The principles and operation of a modular picture display unit according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
         [0045]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0046]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0047]    The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations:
         10  transparent front cover     12  front cover face     13  front cover side wall     16  front cover side wall inner face     17  front cover back face     20  photograph     30  back cover     31  horizontal support beam     32  back cover face     33  back cover side wall     34  vertical support beam     35  back cover angled wall     36  back cover side wall exterior face     37  back cover back face     60  attachment clip     61  attachment clip body     62  attachment clip handle     65  magnet     70  connector     100  single display unit     1000  modular picture display unit   PA 1  rigid picture display unit   PA 10  rigid picture display unit picture opening   PA 11  rigid picture display unit frame   PA 12  rigid picture display unit picture   PA 13  rigid picture display unit back cover   PA 14  rigid picture display unit pins   PA 15  rigid picture display unit glass       
 
         [0076]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric front view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a single display unit  100 , according to the present invention. The single display unit  100  is composed of a transparent front cover  10 , and a back cover  30 . 
         [0077]    When a photograph  20  (or any other item, such as a drawing, a blank sheet of paper, a canvas or other fabric, etc.) is mounted between the front cover  10  and a back cover  30 , it becomes another component of a single display unit  100 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 3  is a back view schematic illustration of a transparent front cover  10  upon which a section plane a-a is marked, according to the present invention. 
         [0079]      FIG. 3  shows the d 1  dimension, which is the length of the longest side of the transparent front cover  10 . Additionally,  FIG. 3  shows the front cover side wall  13  and the front cover face  12  of the transparent front cover  10 . When transparent front cover  10  is square shaped, the d 1  dimension is the length of each one of the sides of the transparent front cover  10 , in the present view. 
         [0080]      FIG. 4  is a back view schematic illustration of a back cover  30  upon which a section plane b-b is marked, according to the present invention. 
         [0081]      FIG. 4  shows the d 2  dimension which is the length of the longest side of the back cover  30  and the d 3  dimension which is the height of the back cover angled wall  35 . The back cover  30  is comprised of horizontal support beams  31 , a back cover face  32 , back cover side walls  33 , vertical support beams  34  and back cover angled walls  35 . 
         [0082]    When the dimensions of the back cover  30  are small enough, it is possible to eliminate the horizontal support beams  31 , vertical support beams  34  or both. 
         [0083]    When transparent front cover  10  is square shaped, the d 2  dimension is the length of each of the sides of the transparent front cover  10 , in the present view. 
         [0084]    The back cover  30  has a back cover angled walls  35  in order to prevent excessive pressure during the insertion of the back cover  30  into the transparent front cover  10  as well as to ease the separation of the two covers. 
         [0085]    The back cover angled walls  35  can be, from a top view, shaped as a straight line, which is practically at an angle of 135 degrees to the back cover side wall  33  or at any other angle suitable to allow space for an attachment clip  60  when attaching single display units  100  to each other. 
         [0086]    Attachment clip  60  and single display units  100  are not shown in the present illustration however are shown in subsequent illustrations. 
         [0087]    Likewise, the back cover angled walls  35  can be, from a top view, of a curved shape, such as a segment of a circle, ellipse, etc. 
         [0088]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view a-a of an illustrative embodiment of a back cover  30 , according to the present invention. The illustration marks detail A in a circle, which is magnified in the circle on the left side of the illustration. 
         [0089]      FIG. 5  shows the d 4  dimension which is the outer width of the side of the back cover  30 , and d 5  which is the outer height of the back cover side walls  33 . The vertical support beam  34  shown in this cross sectional view is shown as an open channel, but it may also be solid with no voids. 
         [0090]    In detail A, it is possible to see the back cover side wall exterior face  36  is set at an angle α relative to the back cover back face  37 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view b-b of an illustrative embodiment of a transparent front cover  10 , according to the present invention. 
         [0092]    The illustration marks detail B in a circle, which is magnified in the circle on the left side of the illustration.  FIG. 6  shows the d 6  dimension, which is the inner width of the side of the transparent front cover  10  and d 7 , which is the inner height of the front cover side walls  13 . 
         [0093]    In detail B, it is possible to see the front cover side wall inner face  16  is set at an angle β relative to the front cover back face  17 . 
         [0094]    Angles α and β are chosen so that α is larger than β so that when the back cover  30  is inserted into the transparent front cover  10 , the back cover  30  latches onto the transparent front cover  10  due to the friction generated by the two covers. 
         [0095]    One example of the values for these angles, which is in no way limiting to the present invention, is angle α having 90 degrees and angle β having 87 degrees. 
         [0096]    The dimensions d 4  and d 6  correspond with each other so that when the back cover  30  is inserted into the transparent front cover  10 , there is sufficient friction between the two covers to retain the back cover  30  within the transparent front cover  10 . 
         [0097]    The value selection of angles α and β and dimensions d 4  and d 6 , for the purpose of serial production of the transparent front cover  10  and the back cover  30 , can be determined by means of trial and error, after manufacturing and examining several models. 
         [0098]    The dimensions d 5  and d 7  are chosen so that d 5  is smaller than d 7 , when the difference is practically in the thickness dimension d 8  of front cover face  12 , so that when the back cover  30  is inserted into the font cover  10 , the front cover  10  overlaps with the back cover  30 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 7   a  is an isometric rear view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a single display unit  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0100]    In this figure it is possible to see how the back cover  30  fits within the transparent front cover  10 . 
         [0101]      FIG. 7   b  is a side view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a single display unit  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0102]    The friction forces active between the back cover  30  and the transparent front cover  10  are at least strong enough to prevent any separation as a result of gravity force, even when there is a picture placed between them, namely the friction force is no smaller than the weight of the heavier of both units. The present illustration shows the transparent front cover  10  harnessed and immovable, while the back cover  30 , which is facing downward, is subject to a gravitational force W, however it does not fall down, due to the cumulative friction forces F, which are active between the back cover  30  and the transparent front cover  10 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 8  is an isometric back view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an attachment clip  60   
         [0104]    The attachment clip  60  is comprised of two main components: an attachment springy clip body  62  and two attachment clip handles  62 . 
         [0105]    When the user presses the attachment clip handles  62  inwards, towards each other, the attachment clip handles  62  pull open the attachment clip body  61 . When the user releases the attachment clip handles  62 , the attachment clip body  61  closes. 
         [0106]      FIG. 9   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of a partial cutout of an attachment clip  60  attaching two single display units  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0107]    In order to attach two single display units  100 , one needs to place the two single display units  100  so that their front cover side walls  13  touch each other and then, apply the attachment clip  60  to them. Subsequently, the attachment clip handles  62  can be flattened down onto the back covers  30  or removed from the attachment clip  60 . 
         [0108]    The clip handles  62  can be removed from and reassembled to attachment clip  60 . The attachment clip  60  is one possible means of attachment of the single display units  100  to each other, according to the present invention; however, it is in no way limiting the present invention from use of any other means of attachment. 
         [0109]    In this figure, the attachment clip handles  62  are flattened down onto the back covers  30 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 9   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of a partial cutout of magnet  65  which is attached to an attachment clip  60 , attaching two single display units  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0111]    Magnet  65 , which is shown in the present illustration, is coin-shaped, however can be in other shapes as well 
         [0112]      FIG. 10  is a back view schematic illustration of a modular picture display unit  1000 , having four single display units  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0113]    The four single display units  100  are arranged in a two by two matrix comprising of same sized single display units  100 . Every two adjacent single display units  100  which are in contact, and have a common area of contact with the front cover side walls  13 , for their entire lengths, are attached together by attachment clips  60 , or by other connectors  70 . The present illustration indicates two front cover side walls  13  which are not adjacent to each other. 
         [0114]      FIG. 11  is a back view schematic illustration of a modular picture display unit  1000 , having five single display units  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0115]    The five single display units  100  are arranged in two rows. The upper row includes three same-sized, square single display units  100  while the lower row includes two same-sized, rectangular single display units  100 . 
         [0116]    In this particular embodiment of the current invention, the rectangle and square single display units  100  sizes and aspect ratios generate a rectangle. However, choosing different single display units  100  sizes and aspect ratios and arrangements would result in many different configurations limited only by the imagination of the user. 
         [0117]    As shown in the present illustration, one or more magnets  65  can be attached to attachment clip  60 , thus enabling attachment of the modular picture display unit  1000  for the purpose of hanging, to surface of a suitable material, such as refrigerator doors. 
         [0118]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for framing and un-framing picture according to the present invention, the method including the stages of:
       Stage  81 : placing a picture on a front cover back face of a transparent front cover, wherein the transparent front cover has a weight value, the transparent front cover including:
           (i) at least two front cover side walls, having front cover side wall inner faces, disposed on the front cover face.   
           Stage  82 : assembling a single display unit, the single display unit includes:
           (i) the picture;   (ii) the transparent front cover; and   (iii) a back cover, the back cover includes:
               a back cover face, having a back cover back face; and at least two back cover side walls having back cover side wall exterior face, disposed on said back cover face, wherein a friction force exists between said front cover side wall inner faces and said back cover side wall exterior face, and wherein the friction force has a value of at least the weight value.   
               
           Stage  83 : assembling a modular picture display unit, by mounting at least one connector on front cover side walls and on back cover side walls of two of the single display units, wherein the mounting connects the single display units together, wherein the single display units are arranged in a certain orientation among themselves.   Stage  84 : replacing the picture by another picture, wherein said replacement includes the sub-stages of:   Sub-stage  84 I: removing the at least one connector from said front cover side walls and on back cover side walls;   Sub-stage  84 II: removing the back cover from the transparent front cover;   Sub-stage  84 III: removing said picture; and   Sub-stage  84 IV: placing another picture on the transparent front cover.   Stage  85 : changing the orientation of single display units from the certain orientation among themselves, to another orientation among themselves.       
 
         [0133]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.