Abstract: An article for hanging on a support surface includes a substrate having a first end and a second end. The article includes a pair of rails with each rail including a recessed channel that extends in a longitudinal direction. A pair of splines is provided with each spline including a raised ridge that extends in a longitudinal direction. The raised ridge is inserted into the recessed channel. The article also includes a first pair of end caps. An elongated hanging element passes through the slots of the first pair of end caps. Wherein in an assembled state, one rail and one spline are disposed adjacent one another such that the raised ridge is at least partially inserted into the recessed channel and the substrate is captured within the recessed channel and the first pair of end caps are disposed over opposite ends of the one rail and one spline to join and hold the one rail and one spline against one another with the substrate captured therebetween.

Abstract: An automated system for assembling a framed article including a plurality of canvases and a plurality of assembled frames to be combined with the plurality of canvases to form the framed articles. Each assembled frame is formed of a rear panel and a frame member that are detachably attached to one another with one canvas being stretched across a front face of the frame member. The automated system includes an assembly station including a movable presser head that is configured to detach and lift the rear panel from the frame member and a plurality of movable side guide fingers that are configured to fold side edges of the canvas over sides of the frame member to permit the presser head to press the rear panel down over the folded side edges of the canvas into engagement with the frame member with the canvas being captured between the frame member and the rear panel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a frame assembly includes a mitered frame base including a plurality of rail sections that are joined together in corners of the mitered frame base by a plurality of fasteners. Each rail section includes a first surface for receiving a layered image arrangement. The frame assembly also includes a plurality of mitered splines that are configured to snap-fittingly mate with the plurality of rail sections. Each spline having a second surface that faces the first surface of one of the respective rail sections for securing the layered image arrangement between the spline and the rail section. A corner gap is formed between ends of respective mitered splines in each corner of the frame assembly. A plurality of corner pieces are received within the corner gaps to complete the frame assembly, the plurality of corner pieces snap-fittingly engaging the plurality of rails sections.

Abstract: A frame system according to one embodiment includes a hollow outer frame element that includes a plurality of recesses formed along inner faces of walls of the outer frame element. The outer frame element further includes a plurality of ribs formed along the inner face and an inner landing that protrudes inwardly into a center opening of the outer frame element. The frame system also includes a back plate configured for insertion into the center opening. The back plate includes a plurality of locking ribs for reception within the plurality of recesses to generate a snap-fit attachment of the back plate to the hollow outer frame element.

Abstract: A vertical slot hanger assembly includes a substrate having a top edge and a bottom edge and a plurality of holes or slits formed therein along each of the top edge and the bottom edge. The assembly further includes a top rail and a bottom rail. Each of the top rail and the bottom rail includes a recessed channel that extends in a longitudinal direction. Each rail has a plurality of blind holes formed therein. Each blind hole intersects the recessed channel. The top edge of the substrate is received within the recessed channel of the top rail and the bottom edge of the substrate is received within the recessed channel of the bottom rail. The system further includes an elongated hanging element that is disposed within the recessed channel between the top edge of the substrate and a top surface of the recessed channel. The system includes a plurality of fasteners for reception in the plurality of blind holes.

Abstract: A frame system includes a mount having an outer surface for receiving an adhesive for placement on a support surface and an inner surface that includes a plurality of first coupling elements. The frame system also includes a hollow outer frame element and a back plate configured for insertion into and attachment to the outer frame element. The back plate includes a plurality of second coupling elements that mate with the first coupling elements for attaching the back plate to the mount in such a way that the back plate can rotate relative to the mount to allow for adjustment of the combined outer frame element and the back plate.

Abstract: A spline installation device for use with a spline/rail type frame to assemble the splines to the rails. The device including a base that defines a platform for receiving a frame subassembly; and a plurality of linkages that are disposed about the platform and coupled to the base. Each linkage is configured to move between a first position in which a fence bearing surface thereof is at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the platform and a second position in which the fence bearing surface is set at an at least substantially 90 degree angle relative to the platform for locking and holding the frame subassembly in place. The linkages further being configured to receive a spline instillation tool for locking the splines in place relative to the rails.

Abstract: A repositionable frame system includes a repositionable wall mount configured for being repositionably secured to a support surface. The repositionable wall mount includes a first magnetic element. The system further includes a frame having a rear face that includes a second magnetic element that is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element resulting in a magnetic coupling between the frame and the repositionable wall mount.

Abstract: A product for displaying an image or object (e.g., printed photo or a print, etc.) according to at least one implementation includes a first sheet having a front face and a rear face. An image or object is formed along the rear face. The product also includes an adhesive coated substrate, such as a ferrous metal substrate, to which the first sheet is adhesively affixed.

Abstract: A cube-shaped display article includes an inner cube-shaped base and a first image substrate that is formed of a plurality of individual image receiving sections that are arranged in a first pattern, such as a cross shape. The first image substrate having a plurality of crease lines to permit folding of the individual image receiving sections of the first image substrate for positioning the individual image sections against corresponding faces of the inner cube-shaped base. An outer hollow cube-shaped cage for placement over the inner cube-shaped base. The outer hollow cube-shaped cage captures the first image substrate which is located between the outer hollow cube-shaped cage and the inner cube-shaped base and serves to press the individual images against the corresponding faces of the inner cube-shaped base.

Abstract: A frame assembly includes a frame base and a rear panel including a plurality of side walls that are configured to be received within a plurality of side walls of the frame base. Along an external surface of each side wall of the rear panel there is at least one locking tab that is configured for reception within one corresponding locking opening of the frame base when the rear panel is inserted into the frame base so as couple the rear panel to the frame base in a snap-fitting manner and permit a canvas substrate to be captured therebetween for holding the canvas substrate across a front face of the frame base.

Abstract: A system for mounting a covering (e.g., a fabric material) upon a frame is constructed from a plurality of elongated frame parts. Each frame part has two mitered ends and a channel formed therein. The related mounting method includes the steps of: (a) using a jig to hold the fabric material against the frame; (b) inserting a plurality of retaining splines within respective channels so as to capture the fabric material within the channels between one retaining spline and a corresponding floor of the channel, whereby a plurality of corner pleats are formed; and (c) using a tool to invert each corner pleat into a corner joint formed between respective adjacent frame parts so as to form an internal fold at each corner of the frame.

Abstract: A frame system according to one embodiment includes a mount body having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. The outer surface has an adhesive body applied thereto. The adhesive body has an adhesive on an outer surface thereof for contacting and bonding with a support surface. The frame system further includes an outer frame element having a first opening through which an image substrate is visible. The outer frame element has a first surface against which the image substrate seats. A back plate is configured for attachment to the outer frame element and the back plate includes a second opening that receives the adhesive body. The back plate further includes a forward protrusion against which the image substrate seat. A mount space is defined between the outer frame element and the back plate in which the mount body is disposed and is configured to move in at least two directions for adjusting a position of the frame system on the support surface. At least one biasing element (e.g.

Abstract: A frame system according to one embodiment includes a hollow outer frame element that includes a plurality of recesses formed along inner faces of walls of the outer frame element. The outer frame element further includes a plurality of ribs formed along the inner face and an inner landing that protrudes inwardly into a center opening of the outer frame element. The frame system also includes a back plate configured for insertion into the center opening. The back plate includes a plurality of locking ribs for reception within the plurality of recesses to generate a snap-fit attachment of the back plate to the hollow outer frame element.

Abstract: A method for assembling a canvas print includes the steps of: preparing a canvas substrate that includes a printed side; placing the canvas substrate with the printed side facing down; disposing a base frame over the canvas substrate; folding edges of the canvas substrate over sides of the base frame; inserting a rear panel into the base frame; and pressing the rear panel downward until a snap-fit connection is realized between the rear panel and the base frame with the folded edges of the canvas substrate being captured between the rear panel and the base frame and being taught across a forward face of the base frame.

Abstract: A display for displaying a plurality of images includes a cube shaped housing formed of a first housing part that includes first, second and third faces and a second housing part that includes fourth, fifth and sixth faces, wherein the first part and the second housing parts are coupled to one another by a snap-fit to form the cube shaped housing. The display includes a skeleton frame formed of a first frame part and a second frame part. The first frame part and the second frame part are attached to one another to surround the cube shaped housing. The display includes a first image template that includes interconnected first, second and third images, the first image being coupled to the first face, the second image being coupled to the second face and the third image being coupled to the third face.

Abstract: A system for mounting a covering (e.g., a fabric material) upon a frame is constructed from a plurality of elongated frame parts. Each frame part has two mitered ends and a channel formed therein. The related mounting method includes the steps of: (a) using a jig to hold the fabric material against the frame; (b) inserting a plurality of retaining splines within respective channels so as to capture the fabric material within the channels between one retaining spline and a corresponding floor of the channel, whereby a plurality of corner pleats are formed; and (c) using a tool to invert each corner pleat into a corner joint formed between respective adjacent frame parts so as to form an internal fold at each corner of the frame.

Abstract: A printing system capable of accurately positioning a lenticular array in registration with a rectilinear raster includes a printer that is capable of printing onto a printable surface. The printer has a main support surface on which the printable surface rests. The system further includes a series of raised parallel relief features being spatially formed along a printable substrate that is supported by the main support surface. The raised parallel relief features are raised to a sufficient height above the printable substrate such that when the lenticular array is disposed upon the raised parallel relief features, each raised parallel relief feature fits and is disposed within a valley formed between two respective adjoining lenticules of the lenticular array.

Abstract: A spline installation device for use with a spline/rail type frame to assemble the splines to the rails. The device including a base that defines a platform for receiving a frame subassembly; and a plurality of linkages that are disposed about the platform and coupled to the base. Each linkage is configured to move between a first position in which a fence bearing surface thereof is at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the platform and a second position in which the fence bearing surface is set at an at least substantially 90 degree angle relative to the platform for locking and holding the frame subassembly in place. The linkages further being configured to receive a spline instillation tool for locking the splines in place relative to the rails.

Abstract: A printing system capable of accurately positioning a lenticular array in registration with a rectilinear raster includes a printer that is capable of printing onto a printable surface. The printer has a main support surface on which the printable surface rests. The system further includes a series of raised parallel relief features being spatially formed along a printable substrate that is supported by the main support surface. The raised parallel relief features are raised to a sufficient height above the printable substrate such that when the lenticular array is disposed upon the raised parallel relief features, each raised parallel relief feature fits and is disposed within a valley formed between two respective adjoining lenticules of the lenticular array.