Abstract:
The outer margins of one print of an image are enfolded about a frame, while the inner portions of another print of the same image are displayed within the frame so as to produce a continuous display of the image from the center to the edges of the frame.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 11/942,699 filed Nov. 19, 2007. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/866,293 filed 17 Nov. 2006. Applicant claims priority of both these applications, and the contents thereof are hereby incorporated in this application as if fully recited herein 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to methods an apparatus for displaying images such as photographs, and in particular for displaying the images so their margins appear in a frame supporting the images. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Typically an image supported in a frame ends at the frame. Hence for any frame of a particular size the image must be smaller that the inner edge of the frame. 
         [0004]    An object of the invention is to improve methods and means for displaying images by avoiding disadvantages of prior methods and means. 
       SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to an embodiment of the invention the outer margins of an image are enfolded about a frame, while the inner portions are displayed within the frame. 
         [0006]    These and other aspects of the invention are pointed out in the claims appended to this specification and made a part hereof. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description of embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a photograph of the type to be presented by the display according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a transparency template for producing the display. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates the transparency of  FIG. 2  over the image of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C ,  FIG. 4D ,  FIG. 4E ,  FIG. 4F , and  FIG. 4G , illustrate other parts needed, in addition to photographic images, for creating the display according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates an image to be displayed adjacent a template from  FIG. 4A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates the template over the image of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates the template of  FIG. 6  over the image of  FIG. 6  as a step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a folding pattern using the template of  FIG. 5  as a step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows a further step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13  illustrate further steps in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  illustrates an assembling in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22A ,  FIG. 22B ,  FIG. 23 ,  FIG. 24 , and  FIG. 25  illustrate further steps in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 22A  and  FIG. 22B  are referred herein collectively as  FIG. 22 . Thus when  FIG. 22  is mentioned alone, it refers collectively to  FIG. 22A ,  FIG. 22B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 26  illustrates the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the arrangement starts with the user preparing a plain paper print  101  of the photo to be framed. In one embodiment, the print measures a standard 8 inches by 10 inches. According to another embodiment, the print has other dimensions. The 8×10 measurement is used as an example.  FIG. 2  illustrates an 8×10 template transparency  105 , with an outer margin  106  showing the portion of the image ultimately to be folded over the back of the resulting framed photo. The template transparency  105  includes an inner margin  107  showing a portion of the framed photo to be folded back along the frame edges, an outline of the ultimately formed frame periphery  110 , and a focus  115  of the picture to be framed. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the user places the 8×10 template transparency  105  over the print  101  and determines whether the photo print  101  will fit the outside  110  of the frame. The user places the focus  115  of the picture is in the desired “Center”, and if the user wishes, so that the lines do not cut across faces. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the margin  107  reserved to be folded to the back 90 degrees over the edges of the ultimate display and to be visible on the side of the display. The margin  106  is reserved to be folded to the back another  90  degrees over the back of the ultimate display and to be invisible. Since printing is usually done on an 8.5×11 sheet, the size provides room to move the template in order to select the best center. The user then makes two prints for the display, preferably at the same time to insure that the colors are consistent and cuts them to 8×10. 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 4A , a printed template  130 , with a center portion  131  having four 45 degree cutlines extending out from each corner, serves to cut the photo to form the final framed result. According to one embodiment this can be on a separate print. According to another embodiment, for the standard sizes, this is printed directly on the photo. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4B , a printed template for shaping a box from a picture print is used as the face of the frame. There is a margin of dotted lines on all sides indicating the rectangular outline for scoring and folding four peripheral projections  137  into upright positions relative to the plane of the printed template  130 , the upright positions being fashioned by the 45 degree inward folds of the corners  138 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4C and 4D  illustrate border members  140 - 145  for the frame. FIG. E a rigid backing  155  and FIG. G a back  160  for the frame with either an easel arm or hanging implement. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 5 and 6 , the user removes a rectangular center piece  165  from the template  130 , then centers and tapes one 8×10 print  166  of one actual photo to be displayed to the template  130  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the user uses the cut lines  132  to cut first from the outer corners and slicing down toward center on both sides of the opening  131 . The pattern  185  created by the cuts  131  appears in  FIG. 8 . This includes cuts  190  and center rectangle  131 . This forms respective flaps  200  as seen from the back of the  8 ×10 pint  166   
       Lines  21 — 
       [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 9  the user folds the flaps  200  back to the outer ends of the cuts  190  to form soft creases  205  as shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  10 - 13 . Preferably the user folds short flaps first then long flaps making sure fold is at the outer ends of cuts  190 . The folds are not permanently formed until later in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the scoring template is placed over the back of the print, and the print is scored according to the dotted lines on the template. As shown in  FIG. 11 , this creates a weakened foldable rectangular outline allowing the folding of four peripheral projections  137  into upright positions relative to the plane print  166 . The folding of  137  is aided by the inward folding of corners along the 45 degree lines  138 , the result of which can be seen by the folds created by  138  in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0000]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the folds  136  and  138  form the print  166  into a box  139 . 
         [0029]    As appears in  FIG. 13 , the user then drops border member  140  in the box  137 . In  FIG. 14 , flaps  200  are pulled over member  140 .  FIG. 15  is a sectional view of  FIG. 14  showing the flaps overlying the member  140 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show the placement of the border  145  in the box which placement secures the folds  137  within the body of the frame. 
         [0031]      FIG. 18  illustrates the placement of the template for cutting the center print  139  over a second copy of the print  166 . The straight lines on this template  139  mirror the folding lines on the scoring template  138 . Slicing through the straight lines on this template results in a print  161  the same size as the face of the frame. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 19 &amp; 20  illustrate that the print  161  is turned over and placed inside the box lining up with the folded portions of the print  166  that form the face of the frame  170170   
         [0000]    The user then removes the 8×10 print  166  from the template  130  and turns print  166  over. Then 5″×7″print  161  is, if necessary, adjusted to be centered within the frame as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 17  the user drops two members  155  in the box and, starting with the long edges of frame, folds and creases the edges of print  161  up and over the back on all four sides. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 18  the user tapes the two long side edges of print  166  to the back by placing tape first in the center and then on both sides of the center as shown. The user does this on both long side edges. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 19 &amp; 20  illustrate that the print  161  is turned over and placed inside the box lining up with the folded portions of the print  166  that form the face of the frame  170170   
         [0036]      FIGS. 21 ,  22 A and  22 B show the placement of 2 layers of the backing  155  being placed into the body of the frame securing the placement of the print  161 . 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 23A  the sides of the frame box are folded in on the back  155  and taped in place.  FIG. 24A  shows that opposite sides are first folded and taped and then, as in  23 B, the remaining opposite sides are folded and taped. 
         [0038]    Thereafter, as shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the easel back which is coated with adhesive is placed over the center of the frame back and adhered to the back of the frame. 
         [0039]      FIG. 26  illustrates the finished frame. 
         [0040]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the arrangement is in the form of a kit composed of the transparency template of  FIG. 2  and the elements of  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C ,  FIG. 4D ,  FIG. 4E ,  FIG. 4F  AND  FIG. 4G . 
         [0041]    While embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be evident that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from its spirit and scope.