Framing Apparatus
Described herein is a picture framing system comprising a frame and at least one display panel. The frame comprises one or more first portions of a coupling mechanism and the at least one display panel comprises corresponding one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism. The frame further comprises at least one of a baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam. The at least one of a baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam may be one of coupled an integrated to another of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar. The coupling mechanism is adapted to removably couple the panel to the frame without removing the frame from the wall or re-leveling the frame upon coupling a new panel to the frame.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/717,962, filed Oct. 24, 2012 and entitled Framing Apparatus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a framing apparatus. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a framing apparatus adapted to quickly and easily swap at least one first framing apparatus display panel with at least one second framing apparatus display panel for a plurality of frame and panel sizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGaining access to a picture secured in prior art picture frames requires removing the frame from the wall, un-securing a rear panel from the frame, removing the rear panel from the frame, and then removing the picture from the frame. A second picture may then be placed in the frame, the rear panel may then be secured to the frame, and then the frame may be re-hung on the wall. The frame and associated second picture must then be re-leveled. With such a method and prior art picture frame, a great deal of time and effort is required to replace a picture in a desired frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore desired to create a framing system having a unique style and in which a picture may be quickly and easily replaced within the frame. Using such a framing system may enable a person to display a plurality of pictures for varying occasions, allowing a person to quickly and easily swap the pictures in the frame.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a picture framing system. The picture framing system may comprise a frame and a display panel. The frame may comprise at least one of one or more first portions of a coupling mechanism. The frame may further comprise at least one of a baseboard, a sideboard, cross-bar, and a support beam. Each of the baseboard sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam may be one of coupled an integrated to another of the baseboard, sideboard, support beam, and cross-bar. The display panel may comprise one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism. Each of the one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism may be adapted to removably couple to at least one of the one or more first portions of the coupling mechanism.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of hanging a picture. One such method comprises hanging a frame to a support structure and coupling a first display panel to the frame at a first frame position. The first display panel may then be removed from the frame without at least one of removing the frame from the support structure and moving the frame from a substantially level position. The method may further comprise coupling a second display panel to the frame at the first frame position without at least one of removing the frame from the support structure and moving the frame from a substantially level position.
The above-described embodiments and implementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easily recognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptions and claims.
Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the present invention are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
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In one embodiment, the frame coupling mechanism 120 may be located in the cross-bar 134, sideboard 136, or support beam 138. Each of the baseboard 132, cross-bar 134, sideboard 136, and support beam 138 may be integrated (comprising a single unitary device) or each of the baseboard 132, cross-bar 134, sideboard 136, and support beam 138 may be coupled (separate pieces joined) together. Furthermore, the frame 130 may comprise a greater or lesser number of baseboards 132, cross-bars 134, sideboards 136, and support beams 138. For example, seen in
The framing system 100 may also comprise a greater or less number of panels 110. For example, the system 100 may comprise a single panel 110 or may comprise a panel 110 for each coupling mechanism 120. Each panel 110 may comprise a separate image on a front surface of the panel or may comprise multiple images. The images may be related—for example, showing various portions of the same image, varying moments in time of the same image, or varying scenes related to a certain topic, or may be wholly unrelated. One type of panel 110 may be a canvas print which may be mounted on stretcher bars.
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An on-line ordering system associated with the embodiments disclosed herein is also contemplated. For example, a purchaser of a framing system may be provided a series of coupons for use at a website such that the purchaser may upload and/or select one or more items to print for display.
Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims.
Claims
1. A picture framing system comprising,
- a frame having at least one of, one or more first portions of a coupling mechanism, and at least one of a, baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam one of coupled an integrated to one of the, baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar;
- a display panel having one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism, wherein, each of the one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism are adapted to removably couple to at least one of the one or more first portions of the coupling mechanism.
2. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein,
- the one or more first portions of the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of, at least one magnet, and at least one metal tab; and
- the one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of the other of, the at least one magnet, and the at least one metal tab.
3. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein the baseboard,
- comprises at least one edge; and
- is one of substantially perpendicularly coupled and integrated to the sideboard proximal the at least one edge.
4. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein, the cross-bar is at least one of coupled and integrated to at least one of the,
- sideboard,
- cross-bar, and
- support beam.
5. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein the display panel comprises at least one edge, the at least one edge not contacting at least one of the baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam.
6. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein,
- the baseboard comprises a base board front surface,
- the display panel comprises a display panel rear surface,
- the sideboard comprises a front surface and a rear surface;
- the cross-bar comprises a rear surface;
- at least a portion of the baseboard front surface is, operatively coupled to the display panel rear surface, one of integrated and coupled to the sideboard rear surface; and
- the cross-bar rear surface is one of coupled and integrated to the sideboard front surface.
7. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein,
- each of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar comprises a first end, second end, outer side and inner side;
- at least one of the cross-bar first end and second extends beyond the sideboard and baseboard outer side; and
- at least one of the baseboard and sideboard first end and second end extends beyond the cross-bar outer side.
8. A method of hanging a picture comprising,
- hanging a frame to a support structure;
- coupling a first display panel to the frame at a first frame position;
- removing the first display panel without at least one of, removing the frame from the support structure, and moving the frame from a substantially level position; and
- coupling a second display panel to the frame at the first frame position without at least one of, removing the frame from the support structure, and moving the frame from a substantially level position.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein, coupling a first display panel to the frame at a first frame position comprises, having at least one space between at least one first display panel edge and at least one of a sideboard and a cross-bar.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein, removing the first display panel comprises separating a metal tab from a magnet.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein hanging a frame to a support structure comprises,
- placing at least one joining device in a wall; and
- resting the frame on the at least one joining device.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein, the joining device at least comprises one of a nail and a screw.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising, creating a frame comprising,
- a cross-bar having a first longitudinal axis;
- a sideboard having a second longitudinal axis;
- a baseboard having a third longitudinal axis; and
- wherein, the first longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the second and third longitudinal axis, and
- the second longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis.
14. The method claim 13 wherein creating a frame further comprises extending at least one of a first end and a second end of at least one of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar beyond an outer side of at least one other of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2014
Inventor: Richard Valois (Sandy, UT)
Application Number: 14/062,020
International Classification: A47G 1/06 (20060101); A47G 1/17 (20060101); A47G 1/16 (20060101);