Abstract:
A decorative storage frame assembly which has a single frame with a front peripheral channel formed about an opening through the frame, with one or more inserts replaceably and interchangeably mounted in a stacked relationship within the channel, each insert having an interior opening surrounding the frame opening, and having a different decorative face one of which is visible to the front of the frame; and wherein the frame has a rear inner channel formed therein about the opening, with at least one or more image carrying elements interchangeably mounted within the inner channel, the innermost element visible through the frame opening and through the insert&#39;s interior opening to the front of the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    This invention relates to a storage frame assembly embodying one or more interchangeable decorative inserts stored in the front and peripherally about an image carrying member centrally of the frame.  
           [0005]    2. Background Art  
           [0006]    The provision of a picture frame assembly wherein a decorative plate mounted about the front periphery of the frame is removable, and is replaceable with another, different decorative plate is known to the art. This arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,498. However, as described in that patent, only a single decorative plate may be mounted on the frame at a time. It is to an improved picture or like frame assembly, such as a trivet; for storing one or more decorative plates while exposing but one, and for providing the plates to be readily interchangeable without otherwise changing the frame assembly, that this invention is directed.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In accordance with the invention, the decorative storage frame assembly includes a frame having an opening centrally formed therein, with a peripheral channel formed in the front face of the frame, and with another channel formed about the opening in the rear of the frame; the rear channel being lesser in lateral dimensions than that of the front channel and opening, and having a transparent element mounted within the rear covered over with an easel. Mounted within the front channel are one or more inserts, each insert having a different decorative face and adhesive means secured to the rear thereof; and with each insert having a shape—in plan such that it may fit down, within the front channel, whereby if a plurality, all the inserts may be removably mounted together, but easily interchanged to change decorative faces visible to the eye. Mounted within the rear channel of the frame may be one or more image carrying sheets or plates, the image facing the front of the frame so as to be visible through the transparent frame.  
           [0008]    The principal object of the invention is to provide a system by which printing or engraving businesses can deliver to their customers a variety of picture frame products. The cost of the samples is greatly reduced because of the minor cost of the inserts. Also, the cost of printing or engraving errors is reduced because of the expense of the inserts. Customer samples can also be shipped from printers and engravers at reduced rates because only one base frame needs to be shipped, along with several inserts. The versatility of this system allows the printer or engraver to capitalize on the growing market for personalized picture frames. This market includes but is not limited to the following: frames for all school events, vacation resorts, frames representing vacation destinations, any memorable event in our lives, limited only to the imagination.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an inventory management tool for merchants selling picture frames or the like. For example, approximately eighty percent (80%) of the cost of a picture frame is in the frame itself, with the remaining twenty percent (20%) being the cost of an insert. However, as the decorative insert may set the tone of the frame, the importance of choosing the right insert becomes paramount.  
           [0010]    By providing, nevertheless, for a single frame to be structured to hold readily interchangeably not only one but a plurality of inserts with differing themes; although one insert, or even two, do not sell the frame, the third may, such that the opportunity for selling the more costly frame is greatly enhanced. The inserts may also be customized for various occasions and events.  
           [0011]    The end user of the frame assembly also shares the advantage of changing the theme of the frame at his/her desire, the change being at a fraction of the original cost, by salvaging the frame itself.  
           [0012]    It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a decorative storage frame assembly of the aforesaid character which can carry one or more and a variety of decorative face inserts.  
           [0013]    It is another object of this invention to provide such an assembly which can also carry a plurality and variety of image carrying plates.  
           [0014]    Another object of this invention is to provide such an assembly wherein the face inserts are readily interchangeable without affecting, changing or interfering with other parts of the frame assembly.  
           [0015]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide such an assembly wherein the multiple inserts are mounted front-to-back in a attached manner in a peripheral channel formed in the front of the frame assembly, with but one insert visible to the eye.  
           [0016]    A further object of the invention is to provide a decorative storage frame assembly of the aforesaid character which is simple, inexpensive and long lasting.  
           [0017]    Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of and embodiment of the picture frame assembly of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the picture frame assembly of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is an exploded view, in perspective, of still another embodiment of the picture frame assembly of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with certain elements therein shown in exploded form; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rear side of an insert element utilized in all embodiments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1, 3 and  4  refers particularly to the decorative storage frame assembly of this invention and is generally referred to at ( 10 ), and comprises a rectangular frame ( 11 ) having a rectangular opening ( 12 ) formed therein within a peripheral U-shaped channel ( 13 ) formed on the front of the frame ( 11 ), an inner L-shaped channel ( 14 ) formed on the rear (FIG. 4) of the frame ( 11 ), one or more rectangular decorative inserts ( 16 ), ( 16   a ) mounted within the front channel ( 13 ), a transparent pane ( 17 ) mounted within the rear, inner channel ( 14 ), one or more image carrying sheets ( 18 ) also mounted within the rear, inner channel ( 14 ) behind the pane ( 17 ), and a conventional easel ( 19 ) attached in one manner or another to the rear face ( 21 ) of the frame ( 11 ).  
         [0025]    The frame ( 11 ) is formed of molding, having a bottom piece ( 22 ), side pieces ( 23 ), ( 24 ) and a top piece ( 26 ), and can be of wood, metal, plastic or other suitable material as desired. The pieces ( 22 ), ( 23 ), ( 24 ) and ( 26 ) are each cut at a 45° angle at the corners, and can be secured together in any suitable manner known to those in this art. The frame may also be of one-piece molded material.  
         [0026]    As shows best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the peripheral channel ( 13 ) formed on the face ( 27 ) of each piece ( 22 ), ( 23 ), ( 24 ) and ( 26 ) is identical, the channel ( 13 ) formed between inner and outer convexly curved, or rounded, extended profiles ( 28 ), ( 29 ) of the face molding of the pieces ( 22 ), ( 23 ), ( 24 ), ( 26 ), such that a rectangular channel ( 13 ) is formed having a predetermined width and depth about the front outer periphery of the frame ( 11 ), all four faces ( 27 ) lying within the same, normally vertical plane. When mounted within the same channel ( 13 ), the inserts ( 16 ) are behind an imaginary plane across the outer edges of the profiles ( 28 ), ( 29 ). Said imaginary plane is generally parallel to the plane of the faces ( 27 ).  
         [0027]    The rear, inner channel ( 14 ) (FIG. 4) of the frame ( 11 ) is also rectangular, being formed by like cutouts in the rear of all four pieces ( 22 ), ( 23 ), ( 24 ), ( 26 ), each cutout having a rear facing leg ( 31 ) and a base or bottom leg ( 32 ), such that all four legs ( 31 ) lie in the same, normally vertical plane, the cutout plane being parallel to and behind the rectangular channel ( 13 ) of the face ( 27 ) relative to the front of the frame ( 11 ) as shown in FIG. 4. Again, the depth and width of the rear channel ( 14 ) is predetermined, as was the depth and width of the front channel ( 13 ) for purposes now described.  
         [0028]    The depth particularly of the front peripheral channel ( 13 ) provides for the mounting therein not only of one but of a plurality of rectangular, decorative inserts ( 16 ) (FIGS. 3 and 6). Each insert ( 16 ) may be an integral element, and may be of various wood specie or composite, leather, or metal. As best shown in FIG. 6, an insert ( 16 ) has a bottom ( 34 ) sides ( 36 ), ( 37 ), and a top ( 38 ), formed about an opening ( 40 ), the dimensions of the bottom ( 34 ), sides ( 36 ), ( 37 ) and top ( 38 ) being such that the insert ( 16 ) may fit snugly within the front peripheral channel ( 13 ), and up against each other in a face-to-back arrangement as shown in FIGS.  4  and  5 .  
         [0029]    To adhere to the faces ( 27 ) of the front channel ( 13 ), and to each other, in order to retain a close, mounted condition as shown in FIG. 4, the inserts ( 16 ) have strips ( 39 ) of double sided adhesive, or similar self-adhering devices, secured to the back or rear sides ( 41 ) thereof. Depending upon the desire of the user, an insert ( 16 ) may of course be permanently mounted; should the interchangeable feature eventually be discarded.  
         [0030]    Importantly, the front decorative side or face ( 42 ) (FIGS. 1 and 2) of each insert is different. Thus, insert ( 16 ) of FIG. 1 has one decorative face, whereas insert ( 16   a ) of FIG. 2 has a different decorative face. Although not shown, the faces of inserts ( 16   b ) and ( 16   c ) (FIG. 5) would also be different from each other and from inserts ( 16 ) and ( 16   a ). Further, the face ( 42 ) of an insert ( 16 ) may be blank, such that the user may apply a decoration of his/her own subsequent to mounting. Thus, one or a plurality of inserts ( 16 ), ( 16   a ), ( 16   b ), ( 16   c ), etc. may be carried and mounted within front peripheral channel ( 13 ), which inserts are readily interchangeable by merely pulling them out of the channel ( 13 ) and separating them from each other, rearranging their positions relative to each other, and remounting the inserts within the channel ( 13 ), with ( 16   c )—for example, then being the outermost.  
         [0031]    Likewise, with respect to the image carrying sheets ( 18 ), such as photographs or the like, again depending upon the depth of the rear inner channel ( 14 ), as determined by the lateral distance between the pane ( 17 ), usually glass or any other transparent material, and the easel flap ( 42 ) (FIG. 4) when closed, a plurality of sheets ( 18 ), ( 18   a ), for example of the same or varying thickness may be mounted and carried within the channel ( 14 ). The requirement here is that the length and width of each sheet be limited to the height and width dimensions of the rear inner channel ( 14 ); which dimensions are both less than the height and width dimensions of the interior edges ( 43 ) of an insert opening ( 40 ), see FIGS. 4 and 5.  
         [0032]    For example, although not shown herein, the depth of front peripheral channel ( 13 ) may be such as to place its face ( 27 ) behind the face ( 33 ) of the rear inner channel ( 14 ) (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As to the mounting of the image carrying sheets ( 18 ), they may also have adhesive means, although due to the normal closure effect of the easel flap ( 42 ), such may not be necessary.  
         [0033]    Another embodiment of the invention would be in the nature of a trivet (not shown) where the inserts ( 16 ) and/or the sheet elements ( 18 ) may be ceramic, with the pane ( 17 ) and easel ( 19 ) omitted; and yet another embodiment may be used as a home or office decor framework, wherein the provision of the easel ( 19 ) would be unnecessary. It should be noted that the shape of the frame ( 11 ) is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may—in plan, have any geometrical shape, with all other elements appropriately changed in shape as to plan. In each alternative embodiment, nevertheless, the provision of interchangeable inserts ( 16 ) with varying decorative faces would be retained.  
         [0034]    In use, the decorative inserts ( 16 ), ( 16   a ), ( 16   b ), etc. are hand loaded by placing them front-to-back within the channel ( 13 ) as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The adhesive ( 39 ) of the rear most insert ( 16   c ), for example, adheres to the face ( 27 ) of the channel ( 13 ), and such that each decorative face of each insert faces forwardly out of the channel ( 13 ). To remove, interchange and re-stack the inserts ( 13 ) merely requires finger manipulation of each insert ( 13 ), although a thin instrument such as a knife or the tip of a screwdriver may be used to pry out the inserts ( 13 ) as desired.  
         [0035]    The image carrying sheets or plates ( 18 ) are easily changed similarly, by pivoting away and then returning the easel flap used—when closed, to hold the sheets ( 18 ) within the channel ( 14 ), the L-shaped channel ( 14 ) forming a closeable pocket within the rear of the fame ( 11 ).  
         [0036]    It is seen, therefore, that structure is provided with which the objects of the invention are achieved.