Creation of framed artwork generally requires one to determine the dimensions and desired orientation of the artwork, along with the dimensions and locations of any matting and the dimensions of the desired frame. Particularly for situations involving complex matting schemes, the process involves several measurements and calculations that must be properly added together to result in the amount of framing material required. When the process is performed repeatedly to estimate of the varying costs of several different framing options, the potential for error is evident.
This application discloses a device for positioning photographs with respect to each other so that as a group they may be spaced, moved, cropped (if desired) and positioned onto a workpiece (typically a scrapbooking page). The term “photographs” includes similar flat materials such as matted photographs, papers, etc.
The figures illustrate a preferred embodiment and thus it should be understood that minor changes in shape, proportion, size, and the like are not critical to the scope of the disclosure except as specifically noted elsewhere in this application.
In general terms, this application pertains to a discloses a device for positioning photographs with respect to each other so that as a group they may be spaced, moved, cropped (if desired) and positioned onto a workpiece (such as a scrapbooking page). The term “photographs” includes similar flat materials such as matted photographs, papers, etc.
The basic operation of the device is to clamp two, three, or four photographs, by their edges or corners, into position relative to each other so that they may be handled together, e.g., by cropping outer regions of the set of photographs away with a cutting template and cutting tool. This ensures that the layout of the group of photographs is attractive and may be maintained as the group is moved to the scrapbook page for further work (e.g., attachment to the page). Thus, the device implements a method for positioning photographs and the like with respect to each other so that as a group they may be spaced, moved, cropped (if desired) and positioned onto a workpiece such as a scrapbooking page.
A preferred, but not required, embodiment is illustrated in
As shown in
Turning specifically to
Turning next to
Turning now to
The portions of central spines 120 formed in base 500 preferably each comprise a main (radially inward) portion 521 and a secondary (radially outward) portion 522, separated from each other by gap 523. Gap 523 accommodates the outer perimeter and ridge 221 of clamp 200 described above. When knob 300 is used to hold clamp 200 against base 500, the circumference of clamp 200 aligns with each gap 523 and thus the entire flat portion of the upper face of base 500, which holds each photograph more securely. Additional ridges 222 (see
At least one magnet 510 (see also
In other embodiments (not illustrated), indentations are not required at all because a sheet of magnetic material is installed (typically adhered) flush to some or all of the lower face of base 400.
The magnet(s) enable device 100 to be magnetically attached to a surface and thus device 100 may serve as a magnetic photo holder, e.g., it and the photographs clamped within it may be attached to a refrigerator or a dedicated mounting plate such as the Everyday Display fabric-covered magnetic board available from Creative Memories (www.creativememories.com).
Note, however, that the photographs are not held between the magnet and the metallic surface. Instead, the photographs are clamped within device 100 and then device 100 is magnetically attached to the surface. Removing device 100 does not allow the photographs to fall to the floor, but instead they remain clamped within device 100 and thus are removed as a unit with device 100.
Turning to
Regardless of whether magnets 510 or pads 520 are used, a cutting template may be positioned around the outer (non-clamped) edges of the assembly of pieces of artwork clamped to each other, so that the entire collection may be trimmed in a coordinated pattern to form a new piece of artwork.
For example, as schematically illustrated in
While the width of each central spine 120 is generally not critical, it is desirable to provide each spine with an appreciable width on the order of 2-5 millimeter so that the entire arrangement of the photographs is well balanced and attractive, as illustrated in
Specifically, the following steps may be followed to use device 100. The knob is loosened slightly by turning the handle counter-clockwise. Up to four items (in the preferred embodiment) are inserted into corresponding spaces. The items are secured in place by turning the knob clockwise to tighten the grip. The items may be displayed as-is, or cropped or mounted as described in the next steps. For cropping, the device (with items securely gripped) is placed on a cutting mat. A cutting template is positioned around the items. The portions outside the perimeter of the template are cut with a selected blade. (It is desirable to cut slowly from item to item to ensure a smooth cut.) For mounting, a position on the workpiece (scrapbook page, paper or other project surface) where the items will be mounted or adhered is identified. Adhesive or adhesive tape is applied to the back of each outer corner or edge. All corners or edges are firmly pressed to the layout or project. The grip of the device is released the grip by turning the handle counterclockwise. The device is pulled straight up to remove it. Adhesive is applied to the remaining edges and corners.
An optional alternative embodiment is illustrated in
Mounting mechanism 630 enables rotation of arm 600 around the central axis 640, as indicated by the curved two-headed directional arrow, while the photograph(s) remain clamped in device 100 which it itself stationary. This enables tool 610 to cut or mark or otherwise treat the photographs (not shown) that are clamped into device 100. For example, a cutting tool would allow the collection of photographs (as a whole) to be cut individually yet form a circular pattern when placed together on the workpiece. Or, using a marking tool, the collection could be simply marked for separate cutting by hand after they are removed from device 100.
As illustrated, auxiliary arm 600 is a double-railed configuration reminiscent of a tuning fork, but this is only a preference. Similarly, while tool 610 is depicted as continuously adjustable in the radial direction (i.e., by loosening/tightening its upper and lower portions against arm 600 and sliding it radially in either direction), it is possible to provide arm 600 with detents or other features at discrete locations.
Preferred materials and manufacturing techniques for the components include the use of commercial grade plastics meeting industry standard tolerances and workmanship. Preferred materials include thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), (e.g., ABS 758). It is preferred that clamp 200 be transparent to allow for more accurate positioning of the photographs in each space 103. Similarly, it is preferred that base 400 be an opaque color such as dark blue. A typical pair of threaded insert and stud would be M4.0×0.7, 6 mm long and chrome plated in the case of the stud and 4.7 mm long and flanged in the case of the insert. Commercial grade neodyminum alloy magnets (e.g., those based on a Nd2Fe14B alloy) having a nickel plated finish are suitable. The optional pad may be a commercial grade silicone sheet having durometer of 30 (Shore A scale) with commercially available adhesives compatible with the other materials employed.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120023767 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61369522 | Jul 2010 | US |