Picture mounting device

Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Card rack

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C040S657000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06269564

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an improved mounting means for displaying photographic prints, cards and the like, and more particularly to such mounting means having a feature which permits displaying multiple prints in the mount, a feature which facilitates quick and easy insertion, organization and removal of prints in the mount, a feature which facilitates quick and easy insertion, organization and removal of different print sizes and print orientations in the mount, a feature which permits displaying the prints in full view, a feature which minimizes wasted space between prints in the mount and a feature which holds the prints flat and prevents the prints from falling out of the mount, irrespective of the angle at which the mount is held.
Picture mounts generally of the type described herein are known as having means provided for holding prints in position to prevent them from slipping or falling out.
For example, mounting devices having means provided for holding prints behind transparent glass or plastic panes are well known. A matte is used to exert mechanical pressure around the edges of the print, thus holding the print in position. Alternatively, a pane of glass or plastic exerts pressure directly on the surface of the print to hold it in the mount.
Similarly, adhesive corners, tape or backing are used to hold prints in the mount. Laminating is also used to affix prints permanently to a base.
Other mounting devices for displaying prints are known as having means to hold the prints along the edges. In one example, transparent plastic mounting strips are stapled to a base and the bottom edge of the prints is inserted into the slot between the mounting strip and the base.
In another example, the edges of the print are inserted into molded slots attached to a base. The slots are positioned so that the distance between the slots is slightly less than the distance between the print edges. As a consequence, the print must be slightly bowed during insertion into the slots and the resultant tension in the bowed print holds it in place.
While these mounting devices have generally performed satisfactorily, they are not without their shortcomings. For example, a glass pane over the print often causes reflective glare which detracts from the color and detail of the print. In addition, once the prints are mounted behind glass, they are difficult to access, remove, replace or reorganize. Also, since the matting and glass involve relatively heavy and expensive materials, additional costs are incurred to achieve the intended functions.
Similarly, adhesive corners, tape or backing used to fasten prints to a base involve time-consuming application and removal and the adhesive often leaves a sticky residue on the print. Unadhered corners and edges also tend to curl up unless fastened down or held flat behind a glass or plastic pane.
Lamination devices solve many of these drawbacks by affixing the prints permanently to a base, but lamination also eliminates access and the option of removing, replacing or reorganizing prints in the mount. Lamination also requires extra material and heat, thereby increasing costs.
Transparent plastic strips holding the bottom edge of prints allow quick insertion, organization and removal and permit full viewing of the print. However, insertion of the print edge can be difficult when the mounting strips lie flat against the base. Furthermore, a relatively wide mounting strip is required to hold the prints flat, thereby covering a substantial part of the print. The prints can also slide in or fall out of the mount when the base is changed from its normal orientation.
Molded mounting strips with slots for holding the prints along two edges also allow relatively quick insertion, organization and removal of the prints. However, the narrower than-print slot placement required to hold the prints causes the prints to bow slightly, thereby preventing them from lying flat. In addition, the molded mounting strips create a border between the prints, thus wasting space and/or covering the picture edges under the molding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting device of the type described with a view to simplifying the mounting of photographic prints, cards and the like and reducing the cost of manufacture while at the same time improving upon the efficiency of the mounting operation, increasing the options for organizing the prints, increasing the options for organizing prints of different sizes, thickness or orientation, displaying the full view of each print, holding the prints flat in the mount, reducing the tendency for prints to slide in, or fall out of, the mount when the mount is reoriented from its normal orientation and allowing the prints to be quickly and easily removed from the mount.
Another object is to provide such a mounting device as having means to permit the display of multiple prints while at the same time facilitating quick and easy insertion, organization and removal of multiple prints in the mount.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a mounting device with means to facilitate quick and easy adjustment of said mounting means to accommodate different print sizes, print thicknesses and print orientations.
Another object of this invention is to provide such a mounting device with means to permit displaying the prints in full view.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a mounting device with means to hold the prints flat.
Another object of this invention is to provide such a mounting device with means to minimize wasted space and to maximize the area available for displaying prints.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a mounting device with means to prevent the prints from sliding in or falling out of said mounting means, irrespective of the orientation of the mounting means.
Another object of this invention is to provide such a mounting device with means to allow quick and easy removal of the prints from the mounting device.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Accordingly, the present invention comprises a mounting means for photographic prints, cards and the like comprising: (a) two or more mounting strips comprising a fold along the longitudinal axis of said mounting strips, said fold forming a lip, a long leg and a short leg; (b) attachment means between said long leg and any flat surface, said attachment means having a bond with a seam running parallel to the longitudinal axis and along the length of said long leg, said attachment means for fastening said mounting strips to said flat surface; (c) an internal slot bounded by said lip, said long leg and said short leg, said internal slot having an opening between said long leg and said short leg distal to said lip and a proximate portion proximate to said lip and a distal portion distal to said lip, said proximate and distal portions demarcated by said seam along the length of said long leg; whereby, when said mounting strips are attached to any flat surface, an external slot is formed bounded by said seam, said long leg, said lip and said flat surface, said external slot having an opening between said flat surface and said lip distal to said seam; and whereby a plurality of said mounting strips may be fastened parallel to each other on said flat surface with said internal slot openings oriented in the same direction; and whereby said internal slot may have a gap width between said short leg and said long leg sufficient to receive and to lightly clamp the edges of said prints; and whereby said external slot may have a gap width between said flat surface and said long leg sufficient to receive and to firmly clamp the edges of said prints; and whereby said seam between said long leg and said flat surface may form the demarcation between said proximate and said distal portions

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