Picture frame assembly
A picture frame assembly for displaying a picture having a forward side and a reverse side opposite the forward side. The picture frame assembly includes a universal support having a front face for facing the reverse side of the picture, a back face opposite the front face, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding the front face and the back face. The picture frame also includes an audio recorder and player device mounted on the support for recording and playing sounds. The device includes a storage component for storing the sounds, a speaker for playing the stored sounds, and at least one switch for activating the device to record the sounds and play the recorded sounds. Additionally, the picture frame includes a frame selected from a group of frames having differing characteristics. Each of the frames in the group of frames has a forward surface, a rearward surface opposite the forward surface, a mount adapted for connecting the frame to the universal support, and an opening sized and shaped for viewing the picture through the frame when the frame is connected to the support. Each of the frames in the group of frames is sized and shaped to allow clear access to the switch for activating the device to record the sounds and to play the recorded sounds when the frame is connected to the universal support.
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The present invention relates generally to picture frames, and more specifically to a picture frame for recording and playing sounds, as well as displaying a picture.
Many people enjoy displaying pictures of friends, family members, pets, scenic landscapes, or special occasions within a conventional picture frame assembly. The picture frame assembly protects the picture, provides a means for mounting and displaying the picture, and enhances the appearance of the picture. Some picture frame assemblies include an audio recorder and player device for recording and playing sounds associated with the picture. For example, the voice of a subject of a photograph displayed in a picture frame assembly may be recorded and selectively played using the device mounted in the assembly. However, picture frame assemblies having an audio recorder and player device are more costly than conventional picture frame assemblies. Thus, maintaining an inventory of picture frame assemblies having an audio recorder and player device is significantly more expensive than maintaining an inventory of conventional picture frame assemblies that do not include this added feature. In the past, the audio recorder and player devices were mounted in the frame thus requiring a manufacturer or seller to stock an audio recorder and player device for each frame in each style of frame stocked in the inventory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention includes a picture frame assembly for displaying a picture having a forward side and a reverse side opposite the forward side. The picture frame assembly includes a universal support having a front face for facing the reverse side of the picture, a back face opposite the front face, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding the front face and the back face. The picture frame assembly also includes an audio recorder and player device mounted on the support for recording and playing sounds. The device includes a storage component for storing the sounds, a speaker for playing the stored sounds, and at least one switch for activating the device to record the sounds and play the recorded sounds. Additionally, the picture frame assembly includes a frame selected from a group of frames having differing characteristics. Each of the frames in the group of frames has a forward surface, a rearward surface opposite the forward surface, a mount adapted for connecting the frame to the universal support, and an opening sized and shaped for viewing the picture through the frame when the frame is connected to the support. Each of the frames in the group of frames is sized and shaped to allow clear access to the switch for activating the device to record the sounds and to play the recorded sounds when the frame is connected to the universal support.
Other features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
The frame 24 has a forward surface 30 as shown in
The universal support 20 includes a front face 50 as shown in
The audio recorder and player device 22 is mounted on the support 20 inside a housing formed in the back face 52 thereof. As illustrated in
In one embodiment, the audio recorder and player device 22 records, stores, and plays sounds having a duration of about ten seconds. Although other power sources may be used (e.g., connection to a standard electrical outlet) without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment a battery 70 is operatively connected to the audio recorder and player device 22 to power the device and its individual components. Because the features of the audio recorder and player device 22 are conventional, the device will not be described in further detail.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the assembly 10 may also include a picture mat 80, a transparent cover 82, and a frame 24, as shown in
The recess 46 in the rearward surface 32 of each frame 20 is illustrated in
As described above, the group of frames 24 includes a plurality of frames each having differing characteristics, including but not limited to, differing shapes, sizes, textures, colors, materials and/or ornamental designs. For example, a frame 24 in the group of frames may be generally rectangular as shown in
The above-described picture frame assembly is cost-effective and reliable for displaying a picture and for recording, storing, and playing back sounds associated with the picture. More specifically, each frame in a group of frames having differing characteristics is interchangeable with other frames in the group for use with a universal support having an audio recorder and player device mounted thereon. Because the audio recorder and player device is mounted on the universal support rather than the frame, a manufacturer or seller of the picture frame assembly need only stock a number of audio recorder and player devices corresponding to a number of picture frame assemblies that the manufacturer/seller anticipates selling. Additionally, a user can change the appearance of the assembly by selecting from the group of frames a frame having a desired set of characteristics for display of the picture without replacing the audio recorder and player device.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A picture frame assembly for displaying a picture having a forward side and a reverse side opposite the forward side, the picture frame assembly comprising:
- a universal support having a front face for facing the reverse side of the picture, a back face opposite the front face, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding the front face and the back face;
- an audio recorder and player device mounted on the support for recording and playing sounds, the device including a storage component for storing the sounds, a speaker for playing the stored sounds, and at least one switch for activating the device to record the sounds and play the recorded sounds; and
- a frame selected from a group of frames having differing characteristics, each of said frames in the group of frames having a forward surface, a rearward surface opposite the forward surface, a mount adapted for connecting the frame to the universal support, and an opening sized and shaped for viewing the picture through the frame when the frame is connected to the support, and wherein each of the frames in the group of frames is sized and shaped to allow clear access to the switch for activating the device to record the sounds and to play the recorded sounds when the frame is connected to the universal support.
2. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mount for connecting the frame to the universal support comprises a plurality of tabs rotatably coupled to the rearward surface of the frame for rotation with respect to the frame to selectively connect the frame to and disconnect the frame from the universal support.
3. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein:
- the rearward surface of each frame in the group of frames includes a recess sized and shaped for receiving the universal support when the frame is connected to the universal support; and
- each of said plurality of tabs is coupled to the frame adjacent the recess so that when the frame is connected to the universal support, each tab of the plurality of tabs overlaps the outer peripheral edge of the universal support.
4. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the frames in the group of frames is generally rectangular.
5. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the universal support includes a stand for supporting the picture in a generally upright position.
6. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein the stand is pivotally connected to the universal support for pivotal movement between a deployed position in which the stand extends outward from the back face of the support for supporting the picture in the generally upright position and a retracted position in which the stand is positioned flat against the back face of the support.
7. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a transparent cover positioned between the forward side of the picture and the frame when the frame is connected to the universal support.
8. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the audio recorder and player device includes a microphone operatively connected to the storage component for recording the sounds.
9. A picture frame assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the audio recorder and player device is configured to record, store, and play sounds having a duration of about ten seconds.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Steven Pargman (Lake Forest, IL)
Application Number: 10/633,950