Display frame

Abstract

A display frame for displaying sheets of art and that may be mounted either on a vertical or horizontal surface. The display frame comprises a first member and a second member that are hingedly connected together. The first and second members are pivotable between a closed position where the inner surfaces of the first and second members are disposed opposite one another; and an open position where the inner surfaces of the first and second members are not disposed opposite one another. The sheet of art is inserted into the frame when the first and second members are in the open position and is retained between the inner surfaces of the first and second members when the members are in the closed position. The first and second members are secured together when they are in the closed position. The first member includes an opening in its outer surface through which the sheet of art can be viewed. The user can quickly and easily open the display frame to change the displayed sheet of art. The inner surface of the second member includes a recessed area for storing a plurality of sheets of art one in front of the other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a standard utility application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/675,286 that was filed on Apr. 27, 2005; the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to display frames. More particularly, the invention relates to a hinged display frame. Specifically, the invention relates to a hinged display frame that holds a sheet of artwork between magnetically closed front and back sections and in which the artwork is viewable through an opening in the outer wall of the front section.

2. Background Information

Parents of small children are frequently the recipients of innumerable sheets of art from the young artists in their families. The parents want to display this art to show their children how proud they are of their accomplishments and to encourage them to continue to create. It is therefore common for parents to display these drawings and paintings on various surfaces in the home, such as the refrigerator and walls. This can leave the house looking untidy. Furthermore, because of the sheer volume of creations, it is difficult to display the sheets of art and keep the better works of art for the future.

There is therefore a need in the art for a device that will allow a parent to display their child's art in a way that keeps the house neat and tidy and which also allows the parent to select and store a selection of the art for the future.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention comprises a display frame that is adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall or stood on a horizontal surface. The display frame comprises a first and a second planar member that are hingedly connected together. The first and second members are pivotable between an open position, where the inner surfaces of the first and second members are disposed remote from each other, and a closed position where the inner surfaces of the first and second members are disposed opposite each other. A sheet of artwork is inserted into the frame when the first and second members are in the open position and is retained between the inner surfaces of the first and second members when the members are in the closed position. The first and second members are secured together by some suitable means when they are in the closed position. The first member includes an opening in its outer surface through which the sheet of artwork can be viewed. The inner surface of the second member includes a recessed area that is adapted to store a plurality of sheets of artwork one in front of the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display frame in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display frame of FIG. 1 showing the frame in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the display frame through line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the display frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a display frame in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 10. Frame 10 comprises a front 12 and a back 14 which are pivotally connected together along one side and are releasably secured together along the opposite side by a securing mechanism of some type. The pivotal connection may be made by the use of one or more hinges 16 that are mounted on front 12 and back 14. Alternatively, front 12 and back 14 may be integrally formed and connected by a living hinge (not shown). The securing mechanism, such as magnetic strips 18, 20, is applied to front 12 and back 14 opposite the hinges 16. A sheet of art 22 is receivable within frame 10 so that the sheet of art 22 lies intermediate front 12 and back 14. Frame 10 is provided with a support mechanism 24 which allows frame 10 to be hung on a vertical surface such as a wall or refrigerator, or to stand in an upright position on a horizontal surface. Frame 10 may be manufactured from wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable substance without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It will be understood that frame 10 can be manufactured from any suitable materials such as wood, plastic and metal; and may be made in any desired shape and of any desired dimensions. Consequently, a variety of differently shaped and sized pieces of art 22 may be displayed in any one of a plurality of frames 10 made in accordance with this invention.

As shown in the attached figures, front 12 of frame 10 is a generally rectangularly shaped member that has a planar outer surface 12a, a planar inner surface 12b, a top 26, a bottom 28 and sides 30, 32. Front 12 of frame 10 preferably defines a generally central, rectangular opening 34 therein. Opening 34 is graduated in size from outer surface 12a toward inner surface 12b (FIG. 3) being a smaller opening 34a proximate outer surface 12a and a larger opening 34b proximate inner surface 12b. The larger opening 34b proximate inner surface 12b forms a peripheral ledge 36 in top 26, bottom 28 and sides 30, 32 of frame 10. A pane of glass 38 or other transparent material rests on ledge 36 and is secured in place by metal clips 40, friction, an adhesive or any other suitable means. When viewed from the front, pane of glass 38 is recessed relative to outer surface 12a of frame 10. Magnetic strip 18 is adhesively or otherwise secured on inner surface 12a of top member 26 of frame 10.

Back 14 of frame 10 comprises a generally rectangular panel 42 surrounded by a generally rectangular rim 44. Rim 44 includes a top section 46, a bottom section 48 and sides 50, 52. Panel 42 has a planar inner surface 42a and an outer surface 42b. As may be seen from FIG. 3, panel 42 is secured to rim 44 in such a manner that it is recessed relative to inner surface 44a of rim 44 and is recessed relative to outer surface 44b of rim 44. A recessed area 54 is thereby formed in the inner surface of back 14. As may be most easily seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, recessed area 54 has a width G-G′ and a height H-H′ and opening 34 has a width I-I′ and a height J-J′; and the width G-G′ and height H-H′ of recessed area 54 are greater than the width I-I′ and height J-J′ of opening 34. When front 12 and back 14 are in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3, recessed area 54 lies opposite opening 34. Recessed area 54 also has a depth K-K′ into which a plurality of sheets of art may be inserted. A peripheral support member 58 abuts outer surface 42b of panel 42 to strengthen the same.

One or more hinges 16 connect bottom section 48 of back 14 to bottom section 28 of front 12. These hinges may be of any type known in the art. Hinges 16 allow front and back 12, 14 to pivot relative to each other between a closed position and an open position. As stated previously, hinges 16 may be replaced by a living hinge if the front 12 and back 14 are molded as a single unit from plastic.

When frame 10 is in an open position, inner surfaces 12b and 42a are disposed remote from each other with front 12 and back 14 being disposed at an angle relative to each other (FIG. 2). When frame 10 is in the closed position, the inner surface 12b of front 12 and inner surface 42a of back 14 are disposed opposite each other with front 12 and back 14 disposed substantially parallel and adjacent each other (FIG. 3). Furthermore, when in the closed position, front 12 and back 14 are secured together by a securing mechanism so that artwork 22 does not accidentally get released from frame 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the securing mechanism comprises a pair of magnetic strips 18, 20 which are applied in aligned locations on front 12 and back 14. It will be understood, however, that front 12 and back 14 may be secured together in other ways. So, for example, front 12 and back 14 may snap fit together, may include cooperating dimples and recesses or be latched together in some other manner, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As may be seen from FIG. 4, the width C-C′ and height D-D′ of back 14 preferably are slightly smaller than the width E-E′ and height F-F′ of front 12. Consequently top 26 of front 12 extends outwardly a short distance beyond upper surface 46a of back 14. Additionally sides 30, 32 of front 12 extend outwardly a short distance beyond outer surfaces 50a and 52a of back 14. Those portions of front 12 which extend beyond outer edges of back 14 provide a gripping surface, referenced by the letter “A” in FIG. 3, by which a user may grasp front 12 to pull frame 12 open.

The support mechanism 24 is mounted on back 14 of frame 10. Support mechanism 24 may take a variety of forms, including the provision of a pair of bosses 60 which extend outwardly away from an upper surface 46a of rim 44. Bosses 60 may be screws which have been partially screwed into upper surface 46a of top 46. A wire 62 is attached at each end to one of bosses 60. Support mechanism 24 may alternatively be any other conventionally known support for artwork. These include connectors mounted on sides 50, 52 of the rim and which have a wire stretched therebetween or a pivotable arm which may be extended outwardly from back 14 to provide a second support point for allowing frame 10 to stand on a horizontal surface. Alternatively, the support mechanism can be one or more magnets mounted on back 14 so that frame 10 can be mounted onto a magnetic surface such as a refrigerator. While these other support mechanisms 24 can be utilized, the following description will be directed to mounting the frame 10 on a vertical wall using bosses 60 and wire 62.

Display frame 10 is used in the following manner. A picture hanger 66 or other projection-type connector is secured to a vertical wall 68. Wire 62, which is secured between bosses 60, is positioned over picture hanger 66 so that back 14 of frame 10 lays in abutting contact with wall 68 and frame 10 is suspended from hanger 66. If frame 10 is in the closed position with front 12 laying substantially opposite back 14 and magnetic strip 18 engaged with magnetic strip 20, the user grasps gripping surface “A” on front 12 and pulls front 12 outwardly in the direction of arrow “B” (FIG. 3). Front 12 pivots around hinges 16 (or a living hinge) until frame 10 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2. The user then takes a sheet of art 22 and inserts the same into the recessed area 54 in back 14 of frame 10. Front 12 is then pivoted in the opposite direction to arrow “B” (FIG. 3) until magnetic strip 18 engages magnetic strip 20 and front 12 again lays substantially opposite back 14. The art 22 is then viewable through glass 38 in opening 34. When the user wishes to change art 22 and replace the same with another piece of art, they simply grasp the gripping surface “A” of front 12 pulling with sufficient force to overcome the magnetic attraction between strips 18 and 20. Front 12 is pivoted away from back 14 as previously described, a new sheet of art 70 is inserted into recessed area 54 and front 12 is pivoted again until magnetic strips 18, 20 engage each other. Art 22 may be removed before the insertion of art 70 or, art 70 may be placed in front of art 22 as is shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of sheets of art may thereby be successively accumulated and stored in recessed area 54.

It will be understood that while front 12 and back 14 are shown as being generally rectangular in shape and having a central rectangular-shaped opening 34 therein, any shape of frame 10 may be used and any shape opening 34 may be provided in that frame. Furthermore, while magnetic strips 18, 20 are illustrated as being secured to the top sections 26, 46 of front 12 and back 14, they could alternatively be secured to sides 30, 32 and 50, 52 to secure front 12 and back 14 together.

It will further be understood that while a pair of hinges 16 are shown as connecting bottom sections 28 and 48 together, these hinges may alternatively be mounted in a different position such as on one of the sides of front 12 and back, e.g., sides 30 and 50 of front 12 and back 14 respectively. In this instance, the securing mechanism, such as the magnetic strips 18, 20, would be mounted on the opposite end of the frame. The hinge may also run the entire length of the bottom sections or entire height of the side of the frame without departing from the spirit of the present invention

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A display frame for a planar sheet of artwork thereon, said frame comprising:

a first member having an inner surface;

a second member having an inner surface;

at least one hinge connecting the first and second members together, whereby said first and second members are pivotable relative to each other between a closed position where the inner surfaces are disposed opposite each other; and an open position where the inner surfaces are disposed remote from each other; and

an opening formed in one of the first and second members and through which the inner surface of the other of the first and second members is visible; wherein said display frame is adapted to hold one or more planar sheets of artwork between the inner surfaces of the first and second members when in the closed position; and one of said sheets of artwork is visible through said opening.

2. The display frame as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the first and second members defines a recessed area adapted to retain the one or more planar sheets of artwork therein when the display frame is in the closed position.

3. The display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the recessed area is disposed opposite the opening in the one of the first and second members.

4. The display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the recessed area is disposed surrounding the opening in the one of the first and second members.

5. The display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the recessed area has a width and a height and the opening has a width and a height; and the width and height of the recessed area is greater than the width and height of the opening.

6. The display frame as defined in claim 4, further comprising a transparent panel retained by the one of the first and second members; said transparent panel disposed to cover the opening.

7. The display frame as defined in claim 1, further comprising a connector for securing the first and second members together when in the closed position.

8. The display frame as defined in claim 7, wherein the connector comprises:

a first magnet mounted on the inner surface of the first member; and

a second magnet mounted on the inner surface of the second member, said second magnet being positioned to align with and attract the first magnet thereto when the first and second members are moved into the closed position.

9. The display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein the first and second magnets are mounted proximate a first end of each of the first and second members; and the at least one hinge is mounted on a second end of the first and second members.

10. The display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein the first and second magnets are mounted proximate a top end of the first and second members and the at least one hinge is mounted proximate a bottom end of each of the first and second members.

11. The display frame as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the first and second members is greater in width and height than the other of the first and second members; and wherein the opening is formed in the one of the first and second members having a greater width and height.

12. The display frame as defined in claim 1, further comprising a support member mounted on one of the first and second members and adapted to mount the display frame on one of a vertical and a horizontal surface.

13. The display frame as defined in claim 12, wherein the support member is mounted on an upper surface of one of the first and second members.

14. The display frame as defined in claim 13, wherein the support member comprises a pair of spaced apart bosses and a length of wire connected therebetween.

15. The display frame as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge is a living hinge integrally formed with the first and second members.

16. A display frame for sheets of artwork; the frame comprising a front and back that are hinged together at one end and are magnetically securable at an opposite end and which define a recess thereinbetween that is adapted to retain at least one sheet of artwork therein; and wherein the front includes an opening through which the artwork is visible.

17. The display frame as defined in claim 16, further including a mechanism for supporting the frame on one of a vertical and horizontal surface.

18. The display frame as defined in claim 17, wherein the supporting mechanism includes one or more supports mounted on the back of the frame.

19. The display frame as defined in claim 18, wherein the front of the frame is of a greater height than the back of the frame, whereby a portion of the front extends upwardly beyond an upper surface of the back; and wherein the supports are mounted onto the upper surface of the back and behind the upwardly extending portion of the front.

20. A display frame for a planar sheet of artwork thereon, said frame comprising:

a front having an inner surface;

an opening defined in the front;

a back having an inner surface;

at least one hinge connecting the front and back together;

whereby the front and back are pivotable between a closed position where they are disposed opposite each other and an open position where they are disposed at an angle to each other;

a recess defined in an inner surface of one of the front and back; said recess being adapted to retain one or more sheets of artwork therein; whereby said artwork is visible through the opening in the front;

a magnetic strip provided on the inner surface of the front;

a second magnetic strip provided on the inner surface of the back and being disposed to align with the magnetic strip on the front and to secure the front and back together when in the closed position; and

a support structure provided on the back to support the display frame on one of a vertical and horizontal surface.