Scented picture frame

Abstract

A picture frame has a rear panel attached along its bottom edge to a front panel. The rear and front panels are therefore enabled for moving toward and away from each other in hinging motion about the bottom edge. The front panel provides an aperture for viewing a photo held against the rear panel. A hanger cord has opposing terminal cord ends fastened to the rear panel, and slidingly threaded through holes in the front panel. The central portion of the cord forms a loop for hanging the picture frame. The rear panel provides a means for gripping the photo such as tabs cut from the rear panel fabric, preferably a cardboard. A scenting agent is integral with at least one of the panels.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE: Applicant hereby incorporates herein by reference, any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or referred to in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to picture frames and more particularly to a scented picture frame with hanger.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] The following art defines the present state of this field:

[0004] Shaffer, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 366,107 describes a combination picture frame and air freshener receptacle design.

[0005] Sprogis, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 400,717 describes a magnetic photo display apparatus design.

[0006] Lumbard, U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,165 describes a frame assembly for carrying display panels for advertising and other purposes including a pair of generally polygonal allochiral frames having means for carrying a display panel between them, an internal groove with an opening therein on the lower inner side of each of said frames and a connecting member having an intermediate portion and opposing ends shaped to fit said internal grooves and inserted.in said grooves with the intermediate portion extending through said opening to connect the lower part of said frames so as to permit pivoting of said frames around said connecting member to open and closed positions while retaining said frames in a predetermined relationship with one another and in contact with one another adjacent said connecting member when in said open position. The construction is preferably such that the pivotal movement of said frames is limited to a generally V-shaped open position. An improved type of snap lock clip is also provided to hold the frames together in the closed position and, if desired, to provide a means for hanging the frame assembly. A new and improved frame structure is also provided.

[0007] Swanson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,952 describes a pair of elongated upper and lower horizontal frame bars together with a pair of upstanding opposite side frame bars. The upstanding opposite side frame bars extend between and loosely end abutting the lower and upper surfaces of the corresponding end portions of the upper and lower frame bars and all of the bars include inner and outer sides with the inner sides having coplanar grooves formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the corresponding marginal edges of a poster bound on its edges by the frame bars and with the poster member forming a keying element engaged in the slot of each frame bar and thus keying the bars together, each against lateral displacement relative to the other frame bars transversely of the plane of the associated poster. The opposite end portions of the upper and lower frame bars project outwardly of the outer sides of the upper and lower ends of the corresponding side frame bars and the end portions include upstanding bores formed therethrough immediately outwardly of the outer surfaces of the corresponding side frame bars. The opposite end of an elongated flexible tension member are threaded downwardly through the bores in the ends of the upper frame bar and also downwardly through the bores in the ends of the lower frame bar and are knotted through the last mentioned bores with the midportion of the tension member being upwardly displaceable from the upper frame bar and engageable with a suitable suspension member.

[0008] Spector, U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,212 describes a replaceable air freshener unit adapted to be adhered to an automobile window to suffuse the interior of the vehicle with a pleasing or stimulating aroma. The unit is constituted by a bipartite rectangular frame and a transparent film chip having artwork thereon, the film chip being mounted behind the back section of the frame. The rear surface of the chip is coated with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive whereby the unit may be attached to the window at an appropriate site. The front section of the frame is impregnated with a volatile fragrance that is thematically related to the artwork and slowly released into the atmosphere. When the fragrance is exhausted, the unit may readily be detached from the window and replaced.

[0009] Shadwell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,565 describes a rectangular picture frame that can be opened and closed repeatedly for mounting and changing the picture to be displayed in the frame. The picture framing device is characterized by a rigid backing sheet, which is hinge mounted along one edge of the frame and releasabiy secured to the frame along its other three edges with adhesive tape. A triangular corner section of the backing sheet is removed to allow for lifting of the backing sheet—from a closed or seated position and swinging it about the hinged edge to provide access to the frame interior for inserting or changing pictures.

[0010] Hudson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,177 describes a frame to hold a photograph between a front wall and a back cover having an air freshener holder on the back of the back cover. The frame is arranged to be attached to a support that holds the air freshener exposed to the atmosphere.

[0011] Hiscock, U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,889 describes a poster clamp having a clam-shell clamp having an upper member and a lower member, the upper and lower members rotatable about a common hinge be tween open and closed positions, and when in the closed position a first clamp arm on the upper member overlaying a first clamp arm on the lower members, and when in the closed position a second clamp arm on the upper member, coplanar with the first clamp arm on the upper member, overlaying a second clamp arm on the lower member, the second clamp arm on the lower member coplanar with the first clamp arm on the lower member, the second clamp arms extending substantially at right angles to the first clamp arms, the first and second clamp arms having longitudinal outside edges, the hinge along the longitudinal outside edges of the first clamp arms, whereby when in the closed position the first and second arms of the upper member are in substantially parallel engagement with the first and second arms of the lower member to thereby releasably frictionally engage a sheet placed between the upper and lower members.

[0012] The prior art teaches air freshener supports, automobile air fresheners, poster frames, picture frame assemblies, frame clamps, and combination picture frames and air freshener receptacles, but does not teach a picture frame having hinge fold at a lower extremity, and a hanger enabled for holding the frame suspended from a support and holding the frame closed due to the frame's weight. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0014] The present invention is a picture frame having a rear panel attached along its bottom edge to a front panel. The rear and front panels are therefore enabled for moving toward and away from each other in hinging motion about the bottom edge. The front panel provides an aperture for viewing a photo held against the rear panel. A hanger cord has opposing terminal cord ends fastened to the rear panel, and slidingly threaded through holes in the front panel. The central portion of the cord forms a loop for hanging the picture frame. The rear panel provides a means for gripping the photo such as tabs cut from the rear panel fabric, preferably a cardboard. A scenting agent is integral with at least one of the panels.

[0015] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0016] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of accepting a photo between a front and rear panels.

[0017] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of holding the panels in adjacent positions by a cord hanger attached and threaded through the panels.

[0018] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capable of providing a fragrant scent.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in an open attitude with a photo being inserted from the top;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view thereof shown with the photo in place; and

[0023] FIG. 3 is a still further perspective view thereof shown in a closed attitude, and this illustrates, as well, a further embodiment wherein the front and rear panels of the invention are permanently bonded leaving a slot in the top edge of the panels for insertion of a photo.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

[0025] A picture frame apparatus comprising in combination, a rear panel 10 attached along a bottom edge 20 thereof to a front panel 30. The rear and front panels 10, 30 are thereby enabled for moving together and apart in hinging motion about the bottom edge 20. The front panel 30 provides an aperture 40 for viewing a photo 50 held against the rear panel 10. A hanger cord 60 has opposing terminal cord ends 62, 64 and these are fastened to one of the rear and front panels, preferably the rear 10 one of the panels. The cord 60 is then slidingly threaded through at least one hole 70, and preferably two holes 70, in the other of the one of the rear and front panels, preferably, the front panel 30. A central loop 65 in the cord 60 is used to hang the picture frame.

[0026] Preferably, the rear panel 10 provides a means for gripping 80 of the photo and this is preferably at least two tabs formed from the rear panel 10 and integral thereto, as for instance, the cutouts shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the at least two tabs are of a triangular shape, as shown. The picture frame is preferably made of a cardboard material, but it may also be made of plastic, wood or other like substances.

[0027] The picture frame may also be made by joining the front 30 and rear 10 panels with, for instance, a bonding agent, except for a slot 35 into which the photo may be inserted for viewing through the aperture 40.

[0028] The apparatus further preferably comprises scenting agent 90 integral with at least one of the rear and front panels 10, 20. Such a scenting agent 90 may be a perfume or other substance that may be impregnated into one or both of the panels 10, 30 and will thereafter diffuse from the apparatus into the air surrounding it. Alternately, the agent 90 may be impregnated into a strip attached to the back of the rear panel 10 by adhesive or mechanical fastener as shown in the Shaffer and Hudson references.

[0029] While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A picture frame apparatus comprising: a rear panel attached along a bottom edge thereof to a front panel, the rear and front panels enabled for moving together and apart in hinging motion about the bottom edge; the front panel providing an aperture for viewing a photo held against the rear panel; and a hanger cord having opposing terminal cord ends, at least one of the terminal cord ends fastened to one of the rear and front panels, and slidingly threaded through at least one hole in the other of the one of the rear and front panels, and therefrom forming a central loop for hanging the picture frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear panel provides means for gripping the photo.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the gripping means is at least two opposing tabs cut from the rear panel and integral wherewith.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least two tabs are of a triangular shape.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the picture frame is made of a cardboard material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a scenting agent integral with at least one of the rear and front panels.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the scenting agent is impregnated into at least one of the front and rear panels.

8. A picture frame apparatus comprising: a rear panel attached along a bottom edge thereof to a front panel, the rear and front panels enabled for moving together and apart in hinging motion about the bottom edge; the front panel providing an aperture for viewing a photo held against the rear panel; and a hanger cord fastened to one of the rear and front panels, and a slot between the front and rear panels for inserting the photo into the frame between the front and rear panels in a position for viewing through the aperture.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the picture frame is made of a cardboard material.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a scenting agent integral with at least one of the rear and front panels.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the scenting agent is impregnated into at least one of the front and rear panels.