Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/515,083, filed Oct. 28, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to picture frames commonly seen in homes, restaurants, offices, stores, etc. More specifically, it relates to a picture frame that introduces the ability to change themes that accompany photographs, certificates and the like.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Picture frames have been around for many years, and can be found all over the world. They are often used to display captured moments and to showcase loved ones for remembrance. In this high volume market, frames are constructed relative to décor, color, material, theme, style and size.  
         [0004]     Picture frames in use today are similar to the following patents: 
        U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,473     U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,765     U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,506     U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,683        
 
         [0009]     Frames are typically designed and manufactured to hold picture(s) in the same decorative frame body. These frames are typically rectangular shaped with a glass or plastic front, an opening to change the picture and a device to support the picture to stand on a level surface. The design of the back of the frame may have a fixture or mounting on back for hanging.  
         [0010]     A problem associated with this prior art design is that there is no variety within the same frame structure. The lack of variety results in having to purchase multiple frames. Additionally, such displays are limited to change of scenery and meaning. Further, a frame&#39;s main purpose is to be a personal way to display articles, and most frames are designed only to suit an area for a long period of time with no interchangeability.  
         [0011]     The present invention focuses on providing a frame that can be used for a variety of sports oriented displays within one three-dimensional frame. The invention can be for personal use, advertisement, sponsor representation, or any suitable market. Additionally it is also possible to incorporate this invention as a trophy case or for use as a home furnishing such as a headboard for a bed, table, etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The design of a three-dimensional picture frame is comprised of three main pieces and an optional fourth piece. The unique nature of the three-dimensional frame increases the variety for displaying items such as pictures, photographs, certificates of award or recognition and the like.  
         [0013]     The first piece of the three dimensional frame is the outer shell, which simulates the stadium structure. The outer shell further has a three-dimensional structure formed of a light thin plastic material that can be easily and safely hung on a wall. It is possible to add further detail to the structure by adding guard rails, walkways, fences and gates to simulate the inside of arena&#39;s and stadiums.  
         [0014]     The second piece is the interchangeable insert. This piece is also formed of a light plastic. The inner part of the insert has an adhesive print attached that looks like a sporting field, arena, rink, court, or floor with an open center for an article to be displayed. The print design does not necessarily have to be adhesively attached. It can also be painted directly onto, laser marched or screen printed directly onto the insert. The outer part of the insert is hidden under part of the outer shell and supports the outer walls of the outer shell. Added to the insert are three-dimensional components (e.g., goal post, nets, cones, etc.) for a particular sport to give a miniaturized life-like appearance.  
         [0015]     The third piece of the product is the support ring or roof. The support ring is molded from plastic and also gives the structure strength and support.  
         [0016]     The optional fourth piece is the picture supporting member. The picture supporting member simulates an object (e.g., football, soccer ball, hockey puck) used for a sport. For example, a football arena would have a picture supporting member having the appearance of a football positioned about the picture. The invention, once assembled, may be hung on a wall using conventional fixtures attached to the back of the second piece.  
         [0017]     A second embodiment also makes it possible to have one side of the invention be flat so it can stand on a table or other flat surface. A third embodiment incorporates the interchangeable frame as a table having one or more legs attached to a table backing. A transparent top extends across the upper surface of the outer shell. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the interchangeable display device picture frame embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is an expanded perspective view of the interchangeable display device frame embodiment having an optional insert, and hollow pocket;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the interchangeable display device table taken along section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the interchangeable display device table embodiment; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an expanded perspective view of the interchangeable display device table embodiment having an optional sports ring, second interchangeable insert, and hollow pocket.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2  of the invention, an interchangeable display device  10  in this particular embodiment of the invention is a picture frame for hanging on a wall or standing on a horizontal surface. The interchangeable display device  10  has three main components, a three dimensional outer shell  12 , an interchangeable insert  24  and a support ring  30 .  
         [0025]     The three dimensional outer shell  12  has three dimensional features that give the interchangeable display device  10  a stadium-like appearance. The outer shell  12  has a central aperture  14  formed in a generally central region of the outer shell  12 . A plurality of tiers  16  extend upward from an edge  64  to an upper rim  18  on the outer shell  12 . In addition to adding the overall three-dimensional structure of the interchangeable display device  10 , the plurality of tiers  16  function to give the overall appearance of stadium style seating (e.g., bleachers). A wall  20  extends downward from the upper rim  18  to a bottom edge  22 . The outer shell  12  has a three-dimensional shape and there is a hollow region formed under the plurality of tiers  16 .  
         [0026]     The three-dimensional outer shell  12  is made of thin, lightweight thermoformed or molded plastic material. Preferably, the material is a vacuum formable plastic such as polystyrene or PETG clear material. However, if injection molding is used, a suitable injection molding would be used. The outer shell  12  has a substantial amount of flexibility which allows the wall  20  and bottom edge  22  to bend and connect to the interchangeable insert  24 . Additionally, it is also possible for the outer shell  12  to have a different shape in order to mimic other stadium structures. For example, the outer shell  12  may have a shape that would more appropriately look like a baseball stadium (i.e., a diamond shape), or it may have a more customized shape to look like a specific well recognized stadium (e.g., Wrigley Field, Tiger Stadium, Ford Field, etc.). This way the interchangeable display device  10  is customized to have a certain specialty appearance.  
         [0027]     The interchangeable insert  24  has a wall  65  that is part of the inner portion  26  that aligns with the edge  64  of the outer shell  12 . An outer portion  28  of the interchangeable insert  24  extends underneath the hollow portion formed under the plurality of tiers  16  and is engageable to the bottom edge  22  of the outer shell  12 . The engagement between the outer portion  28  of the interchangeable insert  24  and the bottom edge  22  is a close tolerance or interference slip fit engagement, such that tabs (not shown) along the bottom edge  22  grasp the edge of outer portion  28 . The interchangeable insert  24  provides stability and support to the outer shell  12 . Furthermore, the interchangeable insert  24  is used as a backing for mounting the interchangeable display device  10  against a wall, as well as providing a place for mounting an object to be displayed, such as a photograph, award or other object. A bracket  29  can be fixed to the back side of the interchangeable insert  24  to allow the entire interchangeable display device  10  to be hung on a wall using said bracket  29 . The bracket  29  can be connected to the interchangeable display device  24  using fasteners or adhesives. Additionally, it is possible for the bracket  29  to be molded to or integrated with the interchangeable display device  10  during the injection molding process.  
         [0028]     Along the upper rim  18  of the outer shell  12  a support ring  30  is connected. The support ring  30  can be connected to the outer shell  12  using several different arrangements. One way of connecting the support ring  30  to the outer shell  12  is to have tabs  31  extending from the bottom of the support ring  30  that align with holes  33  that have been pre-punched on the upper rim  18 . A second way is use other types of fastener arrangements such as snap fitting, screw fasteners or other types of removable fasteners to connect the support ring  30  to the upper rim  18 . The support ring  30  provides protection to the outer shell  12 , as well as adding an overall roof-like appearance to the interchangeable display device  10 .  
         [0029]     The interchangeable insert  24  has an aperture  32  located in a generally central region of the inner portion  26 . The aperture  32  is used for accessing an object  62  such that a photograph, award or other document can also be attached to the back side of an object supporting member  34 . Field markings can be placed on the inner portion  26 . In one particular embodiment, the interchangeable insert  24  is transparent so it simulates glass or ice to look like a hockey rink. The aperture  32  of this particular embodiment is a window. A hollow pocket  60  is formed on the back portion of the window. The hollow pocket  60  allows an object  62  to slide into the pocket and be held in place for viewing. The object  62  is displayed by looking at the object  62  through the window. It should be noted that the hollow pocket  60  can be incorporated as an alternate arrangement on all the other embodiments of the invention in order to ease the process of positioning the object  62  in the aperture  32 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross sectional view taken of section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . In particular  FIG. 3  shows how the interchangeable insert  22  snap fits with the outer shell  12 , additionally, the support ring  30  can be seen as connecting to the outer rim  18  using a tab  31  that connects to the apertures  33  in the upper rim  18 . The interchangeable insert  24  has an outer portion  28  that can be seen underneath the plurality of tier  16  of the outer shell  12 . The wall  20  of the outer shell  12  has a bottom edge  22  that flexes to cover the edge of the outer portion  28  of the interchangeable insert  24 . The outer portion  28  of the interchangeable insert  24  also has an elevated ridge  68  that contacts the plurality of tiers  16  to create and interference fit between the elevated ridge  68  and the bottom edge  22  of the outer shell  12 . The wall  65  that serves as a boundary for the inner portion  26  of the interchangeable insert fits next to the edge  64  of the aperture  16  of the outer shell  12  creating an interference fit. Under the plurality of tiers  16  there is a hollow cavity  70 . The hollow cavity  70  contributes to making the interchangeable display device  10  lightweight. The wall  65  may also have three-dimensional components incorporated thereon. For example, it may be desirable to have miniaturized objects that look like Plexiglas boards similar to those found around a hockey rink. The wall  65  may also contain advertisements faced along the wall  65  interior. These advertisements will give the interchangeable display device  10  a more realistic stadium type feel. Additionally, the advertising wall could be used as a promotional item on the insert for advertisers or sponsors who might pay for such items.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 4-5  depict an additional embodiment of the interchangeable display device incorporated as a table. As shown, an interchangeable display device  10  has a table backing  46  having an aperture  48 . In this particular embodiment the table backing  46  has a general shape of a rectangle with rounded edges, and an aperture  48  that also generally has the shape of a rectangle with rounded edges. The shape of the table backing  46  and aperture  48  can vary depending upon the type of interchangeable display device  10  being used. For example, with the interchangeable display device  10  were going to depict a tennis court it may be more appropriate to have a rectangular shape aperture.  
         [0032]     A set of four legs  50  are mounted to the underside of the table backing  46  at a location generally near each of the four rounded corners. The set of four legs  50  allow the interchangeable display device  10  to lay flat at a height high enough to be used as a table. While this particular embodiment depicts the use of four legs  50  it is also possible to have other embodiments that have a fewer or greater number of legs depending on the size of the table backing  46  or weight of the load that the interchangeable display device  10  must hold. At the top of each of the four legs  50  is a post  52  that functions to screw into a recess in the table backing  46  in order to connect the legs  50  and stabilize them to the table backing  46 . For additional support L brackets  56  have been connected between the table backing  46  and with two sides of the table legs  50 . The L brackets  56  provide further structural support for the interchangeable display device  10 . It is within the scope of this invention to have a greater or less number of L brackets  56  depending upon the amount stability and weight that the interchangeable display device  10  will be holding.  
         [0033]     The interchangeable insert  24  is fastened to the table backing  46  using a plurality of fasteners  54 . Once the interchangeable insert  24  has been connected to the table backing  46  the outer shell  12  and support ring  30  can also be connected in the same fashion as described above for the three dimensional picture frame embodiment.  
         [0034]     This particular embodiment will also include a transparent top  58  that is positioned between the outer shell  12  and the support ring  30 . The transparent top will extend across the upper rim  18  providing a smooth flat planer surface of the interchangeable display device  10  can be used as a table. The transparent panel  58  can be made of glass or any other transparent material such as plastic, sapphire, quartz or the like.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 2 and 5  show the interchangeability of the interchangeable display device  10 . An object support member  34  is connected around the aperture  32 . The object support member  34  can be molded to look like a football, soccer ball, baseball, or hockey puck.  FIGS. 2 and 5  show the object support member  34 , which has a round hockey puck shape. Alternatively, a second object support member  34 ′ can be interchanged with object support member  34 . The second object support member  34 ′ has a football shape. The object support members  34 ,  34 ′ have an aperture  35 ,  35 ′. While  FIGS. 2-5  show the object  62  being placed in the hollow pocket, it is also possible for the object  62  to be placed under the object support members  34 ,  34 ′ and to be viewed through the aperture  35 ,  35 ′. In an alternate embodiment, the aperture  35 ,  35 ′ in the object support members  34 ,  34 ′ also include a generally transparent plastic or glass window that covers the aperture  35 ,  35 ′ thus protecting the object being displayed. The aperture  35 ,  35 ′ may also be open if desired.  FIGS. 2 and 5  also show the interchangeable aspects of the interchangeable insert  24 .  
         [0036]     Two interchangeable inserts  24  that each include the inner portions  26  having a design  36 ,  36 ′ is adhesively bonded to inner portion  26 . However, embossing, laser printing or etching or the like may be used for imbedding the design in the plastic if desired. The design  36 ′ has markings that mimic a football field. The design  36  has markings that mimic the markings of a hockey rink. The design  36 ,  36 ′ has a great deal of detail such as displaying team names, field markings, colors, etc. While only two distinct print or laser designs  36  have been described herein, it is possible to incorporate virtually any desired appearance. For example, it may be possible to have a print or laser design that mimics a soccer field or a basketball court. Additionally, the inner portion  26  may also have three-dimensional components fastened to the inner portion  26 . Examples of possible three-dimensional components are goal posts, flags, cones, figurines, etc.  
         [0037]     The outer shell  12 , as well as the support ring  30 , can also be customized. It is also possible to install three-dimensional components on the outer shell  12  of the interchangeable display device  10 . For example, it may be desirable to incorporate safety gates, seat numbers, or other items on the outer shell  12 . The various components of the interchangeable display device can also be color coordinated. For example, the support ring  30 , outer shell  12 , interchangeable insert  24  and object support member  34 ,  34 ′ can all have various colors, designs, or patterns on their surfaces. In operation, the support ring  30  provides structural support to the upper rim  18  and generally to outer shell  12 . The support ring  30  may be changed depending on the season or picture displayed. Thus, the device is customizable to seasons or an individual&#39;s preferences. Additionally, individual sponsors may wish to place advertisements on the support ring.  
         [0038]     Another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 2-3  involves disposing a light source  72  inside of the hollow cavity  70 . When the light source  72  is illuminated, the surface of the plurality of tiers  16  will glow. The light source  72  is positioned to set on the elevated ridge  68  of the outer portion  28  of the interchangeable insert. The light source  76  can be an incandescent, neon, LED or any other suitable light emitting device. A light casing  74  extends over the surface of the light source  72  and extends downward to the surface of the outer portion  28 . A fastener  80  is used to hold the light casing  74  in place. The fastener  80  extends through the outer portion  28 , into a wood backing  82  that circumvents the bottom side of the outer portion  28  of the interchangeable insert  24 . Additionally, it is possible to substitute the wood backing  82  with a washer or wing nut that will hold the fastener  80 . In order to supply power to the light source  72  a transformer  78  is mounted to the outer portion  28  and a wire  76  extends from the transformer  78  to the light source  72  for transmitting power to illuminate the light source  72 .  
         [0039]     The incorporation of a light source  72  can be used on all embodiments of the invention. On the table embodiment of the invention (shown in  FIGS. 4-5 ) the fastener  80  can be driven into table backing  46  with no wood backing  82  being used.  
         [0040]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1