Abstract: A method for manufacturing a preservation mat board for use in framing a picture frame. The mat board includes a top facing layer and/or backing layer, each comprising a buffer and/or deacidifying agent, adhered to a middle board or layer by an adhesive containing zeolites. Another embodiment discloses mixing polystyrene pellets with zeolite using an extruder and one or more blowing agents to form a foam material. One or more paper layers comprising a buffer and/or deacidifying agent are heat-fused, without the use of adhesives, to the surface of the foam to form a preservation mat board.

Abstract: An improved picture frame clamp assembly includes an L-shaped screw plate, and an L-shaped backing plate. Both plates are elastically secured to each other by an elastic member, resulting in an L-shaped clamp assembly with the screw plate shifted slightly with respect to the backing plate. The screw plate and the backing plate each include two legs. Each of these legs are sized to fit within a receiving channel of a picture frame section. The magnitude of offset between the screw plate and the backing plate is preferably such that the sum of this offset distance and the width of the legs is equal to or larger than the width of the receiving channel. This arrangement ensures that upon insertion into the receiving channel of a frame section, the screw plate will be biased against an inside wall of the receiving channel, while the backing plate will be biased against an opposing wall of the receiving channel due to the spring bias of the elastic member.

Abstract: A frame assembly for quickly, easy, and inexpensively framing a work of art without requiring any special tools or skills. The frame assembly includes a transparent protective member and support member. A work of art is positioned between the protective and support members. One or more frame members are then used to secure the protective and support members together. Frame members may be two or three dimensional. Each frame member has a slot defined therein to be slidably displaced over the assembled protective and support members with the work of art disposed therebetween. An internal rib projects outwardly into the slot of the frame member. This rib is received within a corresponding slot defined in at least a portion of the support member. To further ensure that the protective and support members remain secured together, a retaining member, such as a spring clip, leaf clip, or eccentric cam, may be positioned within the slot of the frame member to produce a force against the support member.

Abstract: A frame having the appearance of a Hicks frame or moulding is disclosed. The frame comprises four mitred frame elements with grooves cut into the mitred surfaces so that when the frame is assembled, a connector can be inserted into the grooves of adjacent frame elements to hold the frame together. Corner pieces which resemble conventional Hicks type corner pieces hide the junctions between adjacent frame elements. Each corner piece includes a connector which fits into the grooves of two adjacent frame elements to hold the frame together.