Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Picture frame – Mat – mount – or backing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-17
2001-04-03
Davis, Cassandra H. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Picture frame
Mat, mount, or backing
C040S781000, C040S772000, C040S737000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209248
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to frames for artistic art such as pictures, photographs, stitchery and needlework or printed material such as awards, certificates, licenses or news clippings. It is to be understood that in discussing this invention referring to pictures is meant to include any form of art, photographs, sketches, printed material or the like that is placed in a frame in the form of a sheet material object.
2) Description of the Prior Art
Picture frames typically comprise an assembly of an outer or base member which are constructed primarily of glass or plastic. This transparent outer member is encased within a frame. Common shapes of such frames are either oval or rectangular. The picture is mounted on the rear surface of the transparent member and then a backing member placed against the picture with the backing member being secured by appropriate securing means to the outer member. At times, there may be included in the frame a mat that surrounds the periphery of the picture with the mat being of a decorative texture and/or decorative color.
Picture frames are typically hung on a vertical surface, such as a wall, which positions the picture in a manner that facilitates observation. Picture frames are also known to be set upon a horizontal surface such as a shelf, desk, fireplace mantle, dresser and so forth. When set upon a horizontal surface, the picture frame is located in an upright position which again positions the picture frame in a manner to be readily observed. It is common that such picture frames include an attachment that protrudes at an angle from the back surface of the picture frame so the picture frame can assume an easel type position.
In the past, to make a picture frame of high quality construction required that the picture frame be manufactured with a certain expense. It would be desirable to construct the picture frame in a manner that gives the appearance of being of high quality in manufacture but yet manufactured less expensively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary objective of the present invention is to construct a picture frame which is attractive in appearance, solid in construction, and which is manufactured at a cost substantially less than similar prior art picture frames.
Another objective of the present invention is to utilize a supporting leg attachment which can be easily and quickly installed in conjunction with the picture frame in order to position the picture frame in an upright easel position on a supporting surface.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame which when displayed is aesthetically pleasing and does not distract from the picture being displayed.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame which allows the picture being displayed to be easily changed to another type of picture.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame which is thin and yet durable, made of a plastic material that is light in weight thereby making it practical to send, for example, a framed greeting card in the mail. This light weight quality also allows frames to be attached to a metal surface, such as a refrigerator, by means of a magnet which is fastened to the back surface of the picture frame.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a configuration of a plurality of frame structures arranged in geometric shapes such as a cube, rectangle or a cylinder.
The picture frame of the present invention utilizes a base member which can be rigid or flexible which has a transparent planar center section. Normally this rigid base member is constructed of a plastic material. Connected to the periphery of the planar center section and completely encasing the center section is a border section with this border section being integral with the center section. This border section is of a non-planar configuration with, for example, the border section being generally concave relative to the rear surface of the base member.
A backing member is utilized which has the same shape as the base member. In one embodiment the backing member is constructed to be rigid but is formed of sufficiently thin sheet material that permits some deflection of the backing member. The border section of the backing member is to matingly connect with the border section of the base member. Alternatively, a separate matting member can be sandwiched between the base and backing members. A picture receiving compartment is formed between the base member and the backing member and within this picture receiving compartment a picture that is to be displayed is provided.
Various means may be used to maintain the border section of the base member and the border section of the backing member held in place when a picture is inserted. For example, a series of locking tabs can be connected between the border section of the base member and the border section of the backing member with the locking tabs being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. With the locking tabs in the locked position, the backing member is securely mounted to the base member. With the locking tabs in the unlocking position, the backing member is disengageable from the base member. Other well known locking means can also be used, such as a detent arrangement, velcro, adhesives, clips, ridges and slits or other holding devices.
An attachment for supporting the frame includes a narrow upper end which is formed into a flared configuration. This flared tip section is conductible through a slit formed in the backing member to be used to support the picture-frame in an easel-type of position on a supporting surface.
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Davis Cassandra H.
Farnsworth Donald
Pretty, Schroeder & Poplawaski, P.C.
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