Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Picture frame – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-05-29
Green, Brian K. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Picture frame
Combined
C040S766000, C040S780000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237270
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to handicraft kits. More specifically, the present invention relates to a kit for making a picture frame from puzzle pieces, and a related method of assembling the picture frame.
It is customary to place portraits, photographs, paintings and the like within frames to display around ones home or business. Often the nature of the art work to be displayed determines the nature of the frame selected. In this regard, formal portraits and expensive pieces of art may justify professionally crafted frames that tend to be quite expensive. In the home one will often find pre-manufactured frames into which a photograph or the like may be placed, which are much less expensive than the professionally crafted frames associated with portraits and expensive art work.
There is often a desire to add a personal touch to items around the home or the office, and in this vein some have taken to decorating manufactured frames with their own art work. The appeal of a personalized picture frame is particularly evident when meaningfully personal picture is to be displayed within the home.
The handicraft industry within the United States is large and continues to grow in response to a demand by consumers for products that will allow them to personalize products. With regard to picture frames, however, handicrafters have been limited to pre-manufactured frames of various shapes which may be painted or otherwise decorated to meet individual tastes and preferences. Prior to the present invention, there has not been a picture frame kit that combined the elements of a puzzle assembly with a picture frame, which can be decorated by the end user to meet his or her particular preferences.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a novel handicraft kit in the nature of a puzzle frame kit wherein puzzle pieces are provided that may be assembled together to form a picture frame. Additionally, there is a need for such a product that may be decorated by the consumer to meet individual needs and preferences. Moreover, a novel method of assembling such a puzzle picture frame kit is needed which advantageously performs the utilitarian function of serving as a picture frame when assembled, yet is easy to assemble by the consumer. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a puzzle frame kit which comprises a planar display for a portrait, photograph, painting or the like, and a plurality of interconnecting jigsaw puzzle pieces which, when assembled together, form a frame for the planar display. The invention further resides in a method of assembling a picture frame involving the assembly of a plurality of interconnecting puzzle pieces in such a manner that they are capable of securely holding the outer periphery of a planar display positioned therein.
In a preferred from of the invention, the planar display includes a backing plate, a transparent lens and an image bearing sheet between the backing plate and the transparent lens. The planar display defines an outer periphery that is to be supported within the plurality of interconnecting puzzle pieces.
The plurality of interconnecting puzzle pieces which, when assembled together form a frame for the planar display, include a plurality of primary frame members which cooperatively define a channel for receiving therein all but an exposed portion of the outer periphery of the planar display. Each primary frame member includes a groove which forms a portion of the display-receiving channel when the primary frame members are assembled together. At least one closure member is configured to cooperate with the primary frame members to enclose the planar display. The at least one closure member has a groove therein into which the exposed portion of the outer periphery is inserted. The interconnecting puzzle pieces further include at least one locking member which is interconnectable to the at least one closure member and an adjacent primary frame member.
Means are provided for supporting the assembled frame and holding it upright relative to a generally horizontal surface. The supporting and holding means comprises a pair of legs attachable to the frame and extending outwardly therefrom. At least one of the interconnecting puzzle pieces includes at least one aperture for receiving at least one of the pair of legs therein.
Further, means for decorating a surface of the frame are provided. The decorating means includes paint and a paintbrush.
In a method of assembling the picture frame, the plurality of interconnecting primary frame member jigsaw puzzle pieces are assembled together to form a portion of the frame which is capable of supporting therein an outer periphery of the planar display. The assembled interconnecting primary frame member jigsaw puzzle pieces are fitted to one another in a perpendicular motion relative to the primary plane of the picture frame. The assembled interconnecting primary frame member puzzle pieces cooperatively define a channel. The planar display is then inserted into the channel such that all but an exposed portion of the outer periphery is captured by the interconnecting primary frame jigsaw puzzle pieces. The at least one closure member jigsaw puzzle piece is then placed over the exposed portion of the outer periphery of the planar display, and then at least one interconnecting locking member jigsaw puzzle piece is perpendicularly dropped, relative to the primary plane, into the primary plane to interconnect and lock the locking member jigsaw puzzle piece to both at least one closure member jigsaw puzzle piece with an adjacent primary frame jigsaw puzzle piece.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1305121 (1919-05-01), Klimowicz
patent: 1319513 (1919-10-01), Colegrove
patent: 1421301 (1922-06-01), Petrow
patent: 1628640 (1927-05-01), Baldwin
patent: 2506189 (1950-05-01), Attridge
patent: 2824398 (1958-02-01), Storm
patent: 5335434 (1994-08-01), Shultz et al.
patent: 5515630 (1996-05-01), Maher
patent: 5624118 (1997-04-01), Gottesman
Green Brian K.
Kelly Bauersfeld Lowry & Kelley LLP
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