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 repositionable frame system includes a frame component for holding an image substrate and having a rear face. The system further include a frame mount that is fixedly attached to the rear face of the frame component. The frame mount comprises a first magnetic element. The system also includes a repositionable wall pad for placement on a support surface and configured to detachably couple to the frame mount. The wall pad includes a cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam having a first face that faces away from the frame mount and an opposite second face that faces the frame mount. The wall pad further includes a removable transfer adhesive layer disposed directly along the first face, a permanent transfer adhesive layer disposed directly along the second face, and a second magnetic element that is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element.

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: 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: 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 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 universal hanging mount includes a first substrate having a front face and a rear face. A mounting plate is coupled to the front face. The mounting plate has a rear face that is in contact with the front face of the first substrate and an opposite front face. A plurality of hanging adapters that are formed along the front face of the mounting plate. At least two of the plurality of the hanging adapters are different types of hanging adapters that are configured to mate with different types of hanging hardware that is located along a rear of a frame article.

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 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 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 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: 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 lawn sign attachment kit for attaching a sign to a sign frame. The kit includes a pair of adhesive connectors. Each adhesive connector includes a first end portion having a first width; a second end portion having a second width and an intermediate waist portion having a third width that is less than the first width and the second width. The adhesive connector has an inner face and an opposing outer face. The adhesive connector includes an integral finger that extends laterally outward from the second end portion. The adhesive connector having a first adhesive strip disposed transversely across the first end portion and a second adhesive strip disposed transversely across the second end portion and the integral finger.

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.