Abstract:
A one-piece frame adaptable for use with any display object, regardless of the dimension, shape or material. The frame also provides increased durability and resistance to wear, as well as lower costs and ease to make. Methods for making such frame are also provided.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a frame suitable for bordering and displaying an object and methods for making same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Frames generally provides support and protection to an object being displayed, such as canvass, photograph, fabric, paper, and other artwork among other things. Numerous frames having different dimensions and shapes are currently available on the market for consumers to choose in order to display different objects. As such, consumers will have to make accurate measurements of their display objects in order to purchase the right frames. This can be time consuming and can often lead to unsatisfactory results. 
         [0003]    In addition, many frames, such as those used commercially to display canvass or fabric artwork, need to be assembled from a number of components and pieces before these frames can be used. Since multiple components are involved, these frames can be expensive. Furthermore, these frames often are not designed to provide a quick an easy way to secure the artwork to the frame. As such, additional work and expense must be put in before the artwork can be displayed. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for a frame suitable for displaying an object in a quick and convenient manner, as well as one that has increased durability and resistance to wear, that has lower costs, and that is readily useable with little or no assembly required. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a one-piece frame adaptable for use with any display object, regardless of the dimension, shape or material. The frame of the invention also provides increased durability and resistance to wear, as well as lower costs and ease to make. Methods for making such frame are also provided. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the present invention provides a one-piece frame. The frame includes adjoining side segments integral with one another to define a contiguous frame. The frame also includes opposing surfaces on each side of the frame, so that a piece of artwork can be placed on one surface while edges of the artwork can be secured to the opposing surface of the frame. The frame further includes a raised border integral with one surface and that is situated about a periphery of the frame to accommodate the piece of artwork. In one embodiment, at least one hanging mechanism is provided integral with at least one side segment to permit placement of the frame on a vertical surface. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a method of making a one-piece frame is provided. The method includes initially melting a starting plastic material in a heated compartment. Next, the melted plastic material is advanced out of the heated compartment into a mold having a geometric shape similar to that of a desired frame. Thereafter, the melted plastic is allowed to solidify in the mold into the shape of the desired frame having a raised border integral with one surface and about a periphery of the frame. In one embodiment, the mold is provided with at least one cavity into which the plastic material can flow in order to form at least one hanging mechanism integral with the frame. 
         [0008]    In a further embodiment, a method of displaying a piece of artwork is provided. The method includes providing a one-piece frame having adjoining side segments integral with one another to define the frame, opposing surfaces on each side of the frame, and a raised border integral with one surface of the frame and about a periphery of the frame to accommodate a piece of artwork. Next, a piece of artwork may be positioned on one surface of the frame. Thereafter, edges of the artwork may be stretched to the opposing surface of the frame for subsequent securing of the edges to the opposing surface of the frame. The frame may then be placed on a vertical surface or on a horizontal surface to permit the frame and artwork to be displayed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the frame of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of the frame of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate yet another embodiment of the frame of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A-C  illustrate a further embodiment of the frame of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Looking now at  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a frame  10 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Frame  10 , in one embodiment, can be a one-piece frame over which a piece of artwork on, for example, canvass, photo paper, fabric, paper or other materials can be displayed. Frame  10 , in general, can include adjoining side segments  11  integral with one another to form a contiguous frame, such as the one-piece frame  10 . Frame  10  can also include two opposing sides or surfaces  12  and  13 , either of which can be used to display a piece of artwork. In one embodiment, a raised border  14  can be provided on one of the surfaces about a periphery of frame  10 . Such a border  14  can act to minimize movement of the artwork to be displayed when the artwork is sufficiently sized to fit within the border  14  of frame  10 . Border  14 , in another embodiment, may also act to permit secured stretching of the artwork over frame  10  from one surface to the opposing surface. For example, should the artwork be placed over surface  12 , edges of the artwork can be pulled over the border  14  and secured to surface  13 . Similarly, the artwork can be placed over surface  13  and the edges of the artwork can be pulled over border  14  so that the edges can be secured to surface  12 . Of course, to the extent desired, a similar raised border to border  14  can be provided on both opposing surfaces and about a periphery of frame  10 . Moreover, it should be appreciated that although  FIG. 1  illustrates frame  10  with a raised border  14 , such a border may not be necessary. 
         [0014]    Securing of the edges of the artwork to the opposing surface can be accomplished by any means known in the art, including the use of staples, nails, tacks, screws, glue, double sided tape, or any comparable means. To facilitate the ease of securing the edges of the artwork to the opposing surface, frame  10  can be made from any material that can be strong, yet capable of being punctured, while also capable of providing sufficient friction for an adhesive material to be securely placed thereon. In one embodiment, frame  10  can be made from molded plastic, such as polypropylene or polypropylene infused with a foam material. It should be appreciated that the ratio of foam to polypropylene should be adequate to permit a sufficiently strong frame  10 , while permitting frame  10  to be punctured or penetrated for securing purposes. 
         [0015]    Frame  10  may also include a hanging mechanism  15  to permit frame  10  to be displayed with the artwork on a vertical surface, such as a wall of a room or a side of a shelf or cabinet. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the hanging mechanism  15  can be any mechanism known in the art, so long as it permits frame  10  to be displayed on a vertical surface. For example, mechanism  15  can be an add-on piece or can be integral with frame  10 , and can be a “tear drop” depression or opening in frame  10  that allow for a nail, a tack or any extension from the vertical surface to engage. The hanging mechanism  15  can also be an undulating or pleated structure, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , that allows for the frame  10  to be hung on a nail, a tack or any extension from a vertical surface. Hanging mechanism  15 , in one embodiment, can be provided along one side segment  11  of frame  10 , or for the convenience of the user, can be provided along each side segment  11  of frame  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , so that the user can orient frame  10  in any manner desired. 
         [0016]    Moreover, although shown to be substantially rectangular in shape, frame  10  can be provided with any geometric shape and any dimensions necessary. To that end, frame  10  can be rectangular, square, oval, round hexagonal, or any geometric shape desired, so long as frame  10  can accommodate a piece of artwork for display. 
         [0017]    Looking now at  FIG. 2 , to the extent the structural integrity of frame  10  needs to be enhanced, brace  20  may be provided between any two sides of frame  10 . The presence of brace  20  in frame  10  can also provide additional surface space on which the artwork can be supported. Brace  20 , in one embodiment, can be integral with frame  10  or can be an add-on piece. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrate another embodiment of frame  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  shows a back side of frame  10  having a raised border  14  on surface  13  about a periphery of frame  10 . Raised border  14 , in this embodiment, can be substantially pronounced, in comparison to the raised borders  14  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . With this design, a piece of artwork can be positioned on front side of frame  10 , shown in  FIG. 3B , over a substantially flush surface  12 . The edges of the artwork can subsequently be stretched toward a backside of frame  10 , shown in  FIG. 3A , over raised border  14  and secured to surface  13 , raised border  14 , or both. To the extent that the edges of the artwork is secured to raised border  14 , inner surface  31  of raised border  14  can provide the location to which the edges of the artwork can be secured. Of course, if desired, a piece of artwork can be positioned over raised border  14  and surface  13  of frame  10 , and its edges secured to surface  12 , since the design of frame  10  in  FIGS. 3A-B  permits such an approach to be taken for displaying the artwork. It should be noted that with a pronounced raised border  14 , frame  10  can be placed on a horizontal surface, such as a desk top, and remain standing with sufficient stability. As such, a hanging mechanism may not be necessary. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate yet another embodiment of frame  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 4A  shows a back side of frame  10  having a raised border  14  on surface  13  about a periphery of frame  10 , similar to those raised borders shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . On a front side of frame  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , a second substantially pronounced raised border  41  may be provided on surface  12  around the periphery of frame  10 , similar to the raised border shown in  FIG. 3A . With this design, a piece of artwork can be placed on the front side of frame  10  over the substantially pronounce raised border  41 . The edges of the artwork can subsequently be stretched to the backside of frame  10 , shown in  FIG. 4A , and secured to surface  13 . The artwork, when positioned on frame  10  in the embodiment shown  FIGS. 4A-B , can be separated from surface  12  by a space created by raised border  41 . 
         [0020]    To the extent that the artwork needs support over the space created by raised border  41 , a plurality of gussets  42  can be provided, as illustrated in  FIG. 4C , along the raised border  41  in order to support a board or flat surface on which the artwork can rest. In one embodiment, gussets  42  can be positioned on surface  12  of frame  10  and against raised border  41  to provided gussets  42  with sufficient stability. Gussets  42  can also be secured to surface  12  of frame  10  and to raised border  41  by any means known in the art, for example, with the use of an adhesive. To accommodate a board or flat surface, each of gussets  42 , in one embodiment, may be provided with a height that may be relatively shorter than the height of raised border  41 . In one embodiment, the height differential between the gussets  42  and the raised border  41  can be comparable to a thickness of the board or flat surface being used. In that way, a board or flat surface can be placed on the gussets  42  and be flush with the height of raised border  41 . Of course, if desired, the height of the gussets  42  can be adjusted to permit the board or flat surface to be lower or higher than the height of the raised border  41 . 
         [0021]    Frame  10  in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4A-C , may also be provided with hanging mechanism  15 , similar to those hanging mechanisms shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0022]    The design of frame  10  is meant to be simple, yet functional regardless of the perspective from which frame  10  is viewed. For instance, either surface  12  or  13  can be the front or the back surface of frame  10 . In addition, any of the side segments of frame  10  can act as the top, bottom, left or right side of frame  10 . 
         [0023]    Frame  10 , as noted, can be a one-piece molded plastic frame. Such a frame can be made utilizing, for instance, an injection molding process or other suitable or similar processes known in the art. In one embodiment, the material from which frame  10  can be made can be fed into a heated barrel, mixed, melted, and forced into a mold cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the mold cavity. In particular, when injection molding is employed, a starting plastic material can be fed from a hopper into a heated barrel. The plastic can then be moved forward by a screw-type plunger, and be forced into a heated chamber where it is melted. As the plunger advances, the melted plastic can be forced through a nozzle that rests against the mold, allowing the melted plastic to enter the mold cavity through a gate and runner system. The mold remains cold so the plastic can solidify almost as soon as the mold is filled. 
         [0024]    Suitable material to form the one-piece molded plastic frame  10  can be thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic materials, including polymers, resins, epoxy plastics, phenolic plastics, nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. In one embodiment, the plastic material can be infused with foam to increase volume and/or decrease density of the material, while maintaining strength. The mold used to form frame  10 , in an embodiment, can be made from metal, e.g., steel, aluminum, and/or beryllium-copper alloy, and precision-machined to form the features of the desired part. 
         [0025]    It should be appreciated that although reference is made to a one-piece molded plastic frame  10 , frame  10  can be made from multiple molded side segments  11  that may be fitted and/or secured to one another. With such an approach, the injection molding process can be modified to form individual side segments  11  that can be fitted and secured to one another, or two adjacent side segments  11  as one-piece which can then be fitted and secured to a corresponding piece of two adjacent side segments. 
         [0026]    While the invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention, including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as fall within the scope of the appended claims.