Patent Application
20080209787
The present invention relates generally to systems for frames, and more particularly to, an adjustable photo frame system.
With the advancement in photography and the advent of digital photography the variation in sizes of photographs has increased dramatically. In addition the advent of digital photo frames, and the Digital Photo Frame Insert, an even larger disparity has arisen where the sizes of frames being sold at most stores will not fit the digital images created by the current formats in use. The need has arisen for a frame to be able to accommodate the various sizes of photos, pictures and digital photo frames. Therefore a need has arisen for the Adjustable Frame System.
The majority of traditional photo frames sold in department stores and hobby shops accommodate a 5″ by 7″ or 8″ by 10″ photo. Digital photo frames create a image which has a LED screen of a 4 to 3, width to height ratio. This ratio creates an image which does not fit the traditional sizes of photo frames. In addition the outer perimeter of digital photo frames vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. These digital photo frames are made in many countries so that a standardized size will be difficult to institute. The Adjustable Frame System is made to adjust to these size differences. The Adjustable Frame System can be manufactured in various colors, materials and styles. It can also be made out of bisque, wood or other material which can serve as a creative project to be painted with acrylic, water color, other paints, stains and/or the like. Since coverings to hide the junctions will be provided at the points where the pieces move for adjustment, the frames could be sold with embellishments in the form of flowers, animals, sports items or have a an area where a child's name, thumbnail picture and other personal decorations can be added. Various decorations to adorn the frames can be sold as supplements. Hence the need for an Adjustable Frame System.
Developments have been seen in the field of photo frames The prior arts related to such developments related more to the appearance of the photo frame rather than the sizing of the photo frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,638 describes the shaping of text from soft metal to adorn the photo frame.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an adjustable frame system that may be used to house images of various media and yet accommodate the size variations produced. In addition a system of adornment may be incorporated to provide an artistic palate while accomplishing a function.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide adjustable frames with a system to include all of the advantages of the prior arts, and to overcome the drawback of the prior arts.
In one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable frame system comprises a front portion which may have detailing to provide a pleasant appearance. The back may contain a means of encompassing a photo, the backing, a sheet of glass or a digital photo frame. A method of allowing the portions to move apart to the desired size and then hold that size is provided. Decorations to create a pleasant appearance and to camouflage the points of separation are developed in the adjustable frame system. Currently tabs on the frame that either swivel or get bent over to contain the image, glass and backing are the most commonly used means of retaining these items. Some frames may also utilize a lipped edge where the above mentioned components slide up from the bottom into the recess between the lipped edge and the frame.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however that the present invention is not limited to a particular adjustable photo frame system as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present invention provides an adjustable frame system, and more particularly, provides an adjustable frame for photos, pictures, and digital photo frames. The adjustable frame has a size, shape and configuration, such that a plurality of sizes of photo, picture or digital photo frame may be easily received and removably engaged therein, using engaging means, i.e., using a section of the adjustable photo frame. The adjustable photo frame will be available in various sizes to accommodates those complementary sizes of photo, picture, and digital photo frame within the adjustment parameters of the adjustable photo frame.
A means is provided to allow sections of the frame to move apart sufficiently to encompass a photo, picture, digital photo frame, digital image and the like and yet provide sufficient structural integrity to keep the adjustable frame intact.
One such means is provided by indentations 11 in portions of the frame 10, 13, 14, and 15, for a distance such that one portion is able to slide over another portion as illustrated in
The corners would have decorative coverings 20 as illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present invention gears 41 and ratchets 42 which are attached to crossbars 43 as illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present invention, a series of teeth 51 in one portion of the frame 54 will provide resistance by a means such as contact with a complimentary series of teeth 52 in portion 55, or by other means such as a tab (not shown) on the complimentary portion which would rub against the teeth 51. See
In another embodiment of the present invention, portions of the frame 61 would slide within a complimentary portion 62 to change the overall size.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the frame can adjust in size by a means such as utilizing a plurality of portions of differing widths 71 and 72 such that one portion 72 can slide within the other portion.71, to change the perimeter of the frame. This is illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in
Another means of providing the channel 87 and slot 86 is to locate the channel in the back of the front portion 91. Front portion 91 provides the trim style on the front of the frame. The slot would be located in the front of the back section 92. Other complimentary means can be utilized to make the adjustment work. While the illustration in
In another embodiment of the present invention a cutout 101 within the frame portions accepts a rail 102. This rail 102 aids in preventing the frame from twisting while sliding to adjust to the size of the photo or digital photo frame being used.
Another means of holding the adjustment and conceal any gaps between the frame portions as illustrated in
An overlapping strip 121 can join both the plate and an embellishment such as a butterfly 110 to cover the front portion of the frame as illustrated in
In still another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the separations occurring at the middle, they could occur at the corners where an “L” shaped bracket 112 fits into slots as illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present invention a threaded rod or rods 114 as in a bolt is embedded in the ornamental embellishment 115 as illustrated in
A stand is generally provided with the backing plate or on the back of most digital photo frames but for those situations where one is not provided, the adjustable frame system may have need of additional support as from a stand. This may be accomplished with a stand 119 at the bottom center of the frame. Other styles and locations of stands and/or supports, either permanent or removable, may be utilized. In addition a means of support such as a stand (not shown) that is not attached to the frame and are in common use may be packaged with the frame to be used when needed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the tabs 119 on the ornamental embellishments 118 have a means such as teeth 120, tabs, or other such protuberances which come in contact with a complimentary resistance such as teeth within the slot of the frame as described previously. These protuberances will serve to keep the frame at the desired size. By lifting slightly on the embellishments, the tabs will clear the teeth or protuberances inside the slot of the frame and will free the portions to slide and adjust to the desired size. The shape of the tab 120 can be such that once inserted into the slot, the tab will hang down over the slot and thus keep the decorative piece from falling out. Variations on both the slot in the frame, the lip and the way the tabs functions are anticipated. As for example, the embellishment can have two tabs. One side could have a tab 119 that is rectangular in shape so that once inserted and rotated in the slot, the shape will keep the embellishment from falling out of the slot. The other side can have a tab which hangs down on the slot but not upward. This tab helps to hold the adjustment of frame size but does not need to be rotated to get into the slot. In another example the slot can be made with larger openings 140. This will allow one side of an embellishment with rectangular tabs to slip into the slot without having to be rotated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the adjustability is provided by means of movement of the back portions, tabs and/or the like along the width of the front portion. One determining factor of the size of the images that can be removably attached are the width and length of the ledge. This can be manipulated by movement of the back portions 153.
In the above descriptions illustrated in
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and to practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
