1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of picture frames, and more particularly to a picture frame having a display, a storage compartment, and an easel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many conventional picture frames have a border element surrounding a transparent viewing pane, such as a glass sheet. A backer board is positioned behind the viewing pane and is secured to the border element by pivot tabs. A necktie-shaped easel is mounted to the backer board, and, optionally, a framing mat is positioned between the backer board and the viewing pane. For rectangular frames, the easel allows the frame to stand upright in either a portrait or a landscape orientation.
In order to insert a picture into a frame such as the one described, the pivot tabs are rotated to an open position, the backer board is removed, and a picture is placed flat against the viewing pane. The framing mat is centered, the backer board is replaced, and the pivot tabs are moved back to a closed position. This process can be time consuming and cumbersome, and often must be repeated in order to establish proper alignment of the picture due to the tendency of pictures to shift relative to the viewing pane when the backer board is being replaced.
It is therefore desirable to have a means for quickly and easily changing the picture displayed in a frame while maintaining proper orientation of the picture, and which also retains the ability to support the frame in either a portrait or a landscape orientation.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided in a first embodiment a border element, a viewing pane, a display pocket, a storage compartment, and a peripheral easel. The border element and the viewing pane are similar to those used for conventional picture frame applications, such as a wooden, rectangular border and a glass pane. The border element has a primary viewing aperture, and the viewing pane is preferably mounted behind the viewing aperture. The display pocket is mounted to the rear of the border element behind the viewing pane to form a narrow slot between the display pocket and the rear surface of the viewing pane. In order to display a picture within the frame, the picture is slid into the open top of the slot. The picture can be removed, and another inserted in its place in a similar manner.
The storage compartment preferably extends from the rear of the display pocket to form a chamber between the rear wall of the compartment and the rear wall of the display pocket. Preferably, the chamber is large enough to hold 5-10 pictures for convenient storage while the pictures are not being displayed in the display pocket.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a backing mat having a secondary viewing aperture that is smaller than the primary aperture flatly abuts the rear surface of the viewing pane. A display pocket is mounted to the rear of the backing mat, covering the secondary viewing aperture and forming a slot between the pocket and the rear surfaces of both the backing mat and the viewing pane.
The peripheral easel preferably has an L-shaped bracket with two ends. Each end of the bracket is pivotably mounted to the rear of the border element by hinges, and each hinge has an axis that is collinear with the other hinge's axis. The bracket is preferably positioned slightly within the periphery of the border element and does not traverse or interfere with the display pocket or the storage compartment. The bracket can be pivoted to an extended position for supporting the frame in either a portrait or a landscape orientation, and can also be pivoted to a retracted position for hanging the frame on a wall.
In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or term similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.
Referring to
The border element 12 is a rectangular body having a rectangular primary viewing aperture 20. A rectangular shoulder 21 defines a mounting recess 22 in the rear surface of the border element 12 adjacent the primary viewing aperture 20. A mounting lip 24 (discussed in greater detail below) extends rearward a short distance from the periphery of the border element 12. The border element 12 is preferably fabricated from wood or metal, although all sufficiently rigid and durable materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, and plastic, are also contemplated.
The viewing pane 14 is preferably a rectangular piece of glass having a height and a width that are substantially equal to the height and the width of the mounting recess 22. The thickness of the pane 14 is slightly less than the depth of the recess 22. The viewing pane 14 fits snugly within the recess 22 parallel to the plane of the border element 12, and with its front surface abutting the rearward-facing interior surface of the shoulder 21. Although the pane 14 is preferably made from glass, all other substantially transparent materials, such as polycarbonate and acrylic, are also contemplated.
Still referring to
The front surfaces of the flanges 38 and 40 flatly abut the rear surface of the viewing pane 14 to define a picture slot 42 between the front surface of the pocket wall 36 and the rear surface of the pane 14. Because there is no top wall facing the bottom sidewall 32, there is an opening into the slot 42 through which pictures can be inserted.
The rear surfaces of the flanges 38 and 40 are substantially flush with the rear surface 13 of the border element 12. Conventional pivot tabs 44, 46, 48, and 50 are mounted to the rear of the border element 12 on opposing sides of the mounting recess 22. The pivot tabs 44, 46, 48, and 50 rotate over the rear surfaces of the mounting flanges 38 and 40 for securing the display pocket 26 and the viewing pane 14 within the recess 22.
The picture slot 42 has a predetermined height, width, and thickness that make the slot capable of holding a single picture 52 for viewing through the primary viewing aperture 20. In the course of use, the picture 52 is inserted into the open top of the slot 42 and manually slid into position behind the viewing pane 14 with its viewable face seating against the pane 14. It is contemplated that either or both of the display pocket's sides can additionally or alternatively be open for accommodating the insertion of a picture into the slot 42. A finger notch 53 in the top edge of the pocket wall 36 allows convenient manual gripping and removal of pictures from the slot 42.
Referring to
The storage compartment 28 is a rectangular body having three adjoining sidewalls 64, 66, and 68 that extend forward from the edges of a compartment wall 70. The storage compartment 28 extends from the rear of the display pocket 26 to the wall 70 to form a storage chamber 72 therebetween. The storage chamber 72 has a width that is equal to, or slightly greater than, the display pocket 26, and a height that is preferably less than the height of the display pocket 26. The storage chamber 72 is deep enough to accommodate a plurality of pictures, for example, in the range of 5-10, for convenient storage while the pictures are not on display in the display pocket 26. The pictures are inserted through the top opening and are stacked in the chamber 72 in the manner of a deck of cards. Like the display pocket 26, a finger notch 74 in the top edge of the compartment wall 70 allows convenient removal of pictures from the storage chamber 72.
The storage/display member 16 is preferably fabricated from plastic, although all other sufficiently rigid and durable materials, such as various metals and woods, are also contemplated. Although it is preferred that the storage/display member 16 be a unitary body, it is contemplated that the display pocket 26 and the storage compartment 28 can be separate, independent bodies, positioned apart from one another on the rear of the border element 12, or positioned together after mounting one independent body to the other.
Referring to
Embodiments of the invention are contemplated in which a single border element has a plurality of primary viewing apertures of various shapes and sizes, some or all of which having a storage/display member mounted behind them. For example, referring to
Referring back to
Although it is preferred that the peripheral easel 18 have an L-shaped bracket, it is contemplated that the bracket could be any other shape that achieves the purpose of supporting the frame in either a landscape or portrait orientation without interfering with or traversing the storage/display member 16. For example, referring to
The mounting lip 24 of the border element 12 preferably extends rearward farther than the rear surface 13, the storage compartment 28 or the peripheral easel 18. Because of this feature, the frame 10 can be mounted to a vertical structure, such as a wall, with the rear surface of the mounting lip 24 minimally spaced from the surface of the structure, thus hiding the rear of the frame 10 from view and thereby providing a clean and pleasing appearance.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in
Similar to the first embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the backing mat of the
In another alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in
A spring-loaded latch 106 is mounted to the rear surface of the backer board 96 adjacent the top edge of the board 96. The latch 106 has a mounting portion 108 and a movable locking tab 110. The mounting portion 108 is rigidly affixed to the backer board 96 by two pins 112 and 114, although all other means of affixing the mounting portion 108 to the board 96, such as by adhesives or screws, are contemplated. The locking tab 110 has an upwardly-extending tongue 116 for matingly engaging a slot (not within view) in the downward-facing interior surface of the shoulder 118. When the backer board 96 is in the closed position, the locking tab 110 can be slid downward relative to the mounting portion 108 to an unlocked position, in which the tongue is withdrawn from the slot, or upward to a locked position, in which the tongue engages the slot, thereby preventing the backer board 96 from pivoting relative to the border element 102. A latch spring (not within view) biases the locking tab 110 toward the locked position. A notch 126 in the bottom edge of the locking tab 110 allows the tab 110 to easily fit over a support member, such as a nail, screw, or similar structure.
In order to insert a picture 120 into the frame 122 for display, the locking tab 110 is manually pushed or pulled downward with sufficient force to overcome the latch spring. Once the tab 110 is in the unlocked position, the latch 106 is pulled backward and downward along an arc, thereby causing the attached backer board 96 to pivot to the open position, as shown in
A conventional necktie-shaped easel 124 is pivotably mounted to the rear of the backer board 96. The easel 124 can support the frame 122 in an upright position when the frame 122 is in a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation when resting on a horizontal surface. For hanging the frame 122 from a wall or other vertical surface, the easel 124 is retracted. It is contemplated that a U-shaped easel or an L-shaped easel, such as the easels 18 and 80 described above, could alternatively be used to support the frame 122. A memory label 128, identical to the memory label 76 described above, is mounted to the rear of the backer board 96 for recording the contents of the storage compartment 98.
Referring again to
This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.