Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Picture frame – Mat – mount – or backing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2002-10-08
Davis, Cassandra H. (Department: 3611)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Picture frame
Mat, mount, or backing
C040S773000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06460280
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to display articles, signs, and the like adapted for display on a wall or other generally vertical surface, and more specifically to a frameless mount for pictures and the like. The present frameless mount comprises a backing board to which the picture or other flat display article is adhesively attached, with at least one transparent protective sheet and mat border being adhesively secured thereto. An assembly kit and method of assembling the present frameless picture mount are also disclosed.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of relatively flat, planar decorative articles to brighten the interior walls of homes, offices, and other structure is of course well known. While in primitive quarters the mere tacking or nailing of a photo or the like to a wall may be done (e.g., in temporary military barracks or the like), more attractive displays and display means are generally preferred.
Accordingly, it has become customary to provide a relatively deep frame to surround a photo or other generally flat, planar article (photo, needlework sampler, etc.) and to use some form of mechanical means (screws, nails, etc.) to suspend the picture and frame assembly on a wall or the like. Mechanical fasteners are generally required with such assemblies due to the relatively heavy weight of the frame and backing for the display article, rather than due to the light weight of the display article itself.
The frames used for such display articles are often expensive particularly when custom framing work is done. It is recognized that in many instances a high quality, massive frame is desirable for the display of an article therein, but it should also be noted that there are likely many more occasions in which the use of such a costly and massive frame is unnecessary and even undesirable, as such a frame can detract from a relatively simple and clean picture or other display. Moreover, in many cases the use of mechanical fasteners to penetrate a wall surface is undesirable, and may not be permitted in many instances (apartments, dorms, etc.).
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a frameless picture mount which serves to protect a photograph, picture, or other generally flat, planar display article, while also providing a suitable border or margin for the work to provide a finished look for the assembly. The present frameless mount is very light in weight due to the materials used, and is easily secured to a wall or other suitable surface by adhesive means, rather than requiring mechanical fasteners which would penetrate the surface of the wall.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 220,159 issued on Sep. 30, 1879 to Nicholas C. N. Laurense, titled “Method Of Mounting Pictures,” describes the use of a manila paper backing for mounting “chromos” or the like in a frame. The Laurense method requires a frame (or “stretcher”), across which the manila backing material is stretcher and wrapped about the back edges of the frame. The present frameless picture mounting does not require any lateral stretching of any of the components, but rather laminates all components in a predetermined order atop one another. Also, Laurense does not disclose any means of attaching his assembly to a wall or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 561,480 issued on Jun. 2, 1896 to George R. Booth, titled “Mount For Pictures Or Photographs,” describes an assembly comprising a sheet of glass or the like sandwiched between two opaque sheets of fiberboard or the like. Booth uses the glass for rigidity, rather than for transparency. The assembly is wrapped with a decorative paper covering, and the picture is glued to the front of the assembly, with no additional protective covering provided for the picture. Booth recognizes that his assembly is relatively heavy, with its glass central panel, and accordingly does not provide any means for hanging the assembly on a wall. Rather, he provides a brace in the back for supporting the assembly in a stand-up easel configuration, for display on a desk or the like, unlike the present frameless picture mount invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 569,510 issued on Oct. 13, 1896 to James W. McCabe, titled “Art Of Manufacturing Photographic Mounts,” describes an assembly using shellac or other, adhesive means for assembling a decorative border and panel on a cardboard backing sheet. McCabe does not disclose any means of mounting as picture to his completed mount assembly, whereas the present frameless picture mount assembles the picture as an integral part of the assembly, immediately adjacent the backing material, rather than being placed atop the remainder of the completed assembly, as in the Mccabe assembly. Also, McCabe does not provide any means of mounting or attaching his assembly to a wall or other similar suitable surface, as provided by the present frameless picture mount invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,968,674 issued on Jul. 31, 1934 to Albert W. Engel, titled “Transparent Mounting Device,” describes an opaque backing sheet having a rear gummed surface and foldable transparent overlay sheet. The picture is placed upon the front of the backing sheet, and the transparent overlay is placed thereover with the oversize edges being folded around the back of the backing sheet and adhesively secured thereto. Engel provides tabs of material from the backing sheet, which may be passed through slots in the folded over transparent sheet for use in securing the assembly in an album or the like, and also cuts slots in the center of the backing for folding forwardly to adhesively secure the back of the picture to the backing sheet. No adhesively coated transparent overlay or mat border is provided by Engel, and his adhesive attachment means is different from that of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,061,294 issued on Nov. 17, 1936 to William G. Stephenson, titled “Display Device And Process Of Making The Same,” describes a rigid backing board with a picture placed on the front surface thereof, with a sheet of transparent cellulose material positioned over the picture. Stephenson spreads a thin cellulose solvent along the border of the backing material before covering the picture and backing board with the cellulose sheet, with the solvent shrinking the marginal edge of the cellulose slightly to provide a wrinkle-free covering. However, Stephenson fails to attach the picture securely to the backing board (he provides only one small optional adhesive attachment point) and more importantly, does not provide any form of mat border for the assembly to provide a finished look, as is done with the present frameless assembly. Moreover, Stephenson does not provide any means of adhesively securing the completed assembly to a wall or the like, as is done with the present mounting system.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,401,495 issued on Jun. 4, 1946 to William Martin, titled “Picture Frame,” describes an assembly comprising an opaque backing board with a glass sheet overlay, the picture being sandwiched between the backing board and glass sheet. Martin also provides a border of mirrored glass tiles, with a further decorative trim border overlay on the tiles. Martin further provides a strap for hanging the assembly, with the strap ends being secured between the mirrored tiles and glass sheet, whereas the present assembly uses adhesive means for attaching the lightweight structure to a wall or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,098,272 issued on Jul. 23, 1963 to Bruce J. Frye, titled “Self Adhesive Clip And Method,” describes a clip which secures to the edge of a thin sheet of material (photograph, etc.) and which utilizes the principal of molecular adhesion between two extremely smooth and closely mating surfaces to secure the clips to another surface (glass window, etc.). The Frye clips do not support the picture from behind; do not provide adhesive attachment of the picture to another article, or to the clips themselves; do not pro
Davis Cassandra H.
Litman Richard C.
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