Frame assembly

Abstract

A frame assembly used to display material includes a frame defining a display window, a backing board positioned in the display window, a transparent panel positioned in the display window, and a pliable mat interposed between the transparent panel and the backing board, the pliable mat having a cut-out to receive the display material and having a pliability sufficient to conform to a shape of the display material thereby fixing the display material in the cut-out.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/536,772 submitted on Jan. 15, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a frame assembly for displaying collectible artwork, such as, for example, postcards, trading cards, compact discs, records, photographs, drawings, paintings, and other printed items.

BACKGROUND

Framing systems are used to display printed material, artwork, memorabilia and other items. These systems typically include a backing or panel board. The artwork is positioned or adhered onto the surface of the backing board and a mat board with a cut-out overlays the artwork so that the artwork is positioned between the mat board and the backing board. Typically, the backing board and mat board are made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard and/or foam core. A glass window may also be positioned over the mat board. The assembled materials are then “rear-loaded” into a frame enclosure suitable for display.

Once the traditional framing system is assembled, it can be difficult to adjust the position of the artwork. If the artwork is not glued to the backing board so that it may be adjusted, the artwork has the potential to slide out of position after assembly. Moreover, cardboard and other paper materials are moisture permeable, may tend to warp, and may have some acidic properties that can damage the artwork. Thus, a need exists for an improved frame assembly.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a frame assembly used to display material includes a frame defining a display window, a backing board positioned in the display window, a transparent panel positioned in the display window, and a pliable mat interposed between the transparent panel and the backing board, the pliable mat having a cut-out to receive the display material and having a pliability sufficient to conform to a shape of the display material thereby fixing the display material in the cut-out.

The frame assembly may include one or more of the following features. For example, the frame may include several frame members that are joined at each end to define the display window. The pliable mat may be bonded to the backing board with glue or other adhesive. The backing board may be made of a semi-rigid foam core panel. The transparent panel may be glass or a clear acrylic panel.

The pliable mat material may be an ethylene vinyl acetate sheet with a high coefficient of friction relative to a cellulose-based framing mat thereby frictionally fixing the position of the pliable mat relative to the transparent panel. The cut-out may be a die-cut section removed from the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet defining perpendicular ledges which contact the displayed material. The ethylene vinyl acetate sheet may have a closed cell structure thereby preventing moisture penetration.

In another general aspect, a display panel to display material secured by penetrating fasteners includes a rigid backing board and an ethylene vinyl acetate sheet having a display surface and a rear surface, the rear surface being bonded to the backing board. The fastening devices penetrate the display surface thereby fixing the display material to the backing board.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following or above-mentioned features. For example, the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet may have a closed cell foam structure, a high coefficient of friction relative to a cellulose-based material, and/or a neutral pH.

In a further general aspect, a method of making a frame assembly that includes a frame with a display window, a transparent panel, a backing board, and a pliable mat, includes adhering the pliable mat to the backing board, positioning the transparent panel over the pliable mat, and fixing the transparent panel and the backing board in the display window with the pliable mat facing a display side of the frame. The method may also include die cutting the pliable mat to define a cut-out area and/or inserting a display object in the cut-out area from the display side of the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described with reference to the drawings, which have reference numbers corresponding to the numbers set forth in the written description.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view showing the resilient mat and backing board of the frame assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the resilient mat positioned against the backing board;

FIG. 3 shows a method of making the frame assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the frame assembly with mounted artwork.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a frame assembly 10 includes a backing board 12 having a mounting surface 14. The backing board 12 is a rigid or semi-rigid material that, preferably, does not warp like cardboard and is pH neutral. The thickness of the backing board 12 is typically in the range of ⅛ to {fraction (3/16)} inches. One type of backing board 12 that is commercially available is known as foam core.

A resilient or pliable mat 16 is fixed to the mounting surface 14 of the backing board 12. The pliable mat 16 is made of a high-density resilient foam material, such as, for example, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) resin. The EVA mat 16 is formulated with several desirable properties that include elasticity, water impermeable closed cells, compressibility, and a high coefficient of friction.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the mat 16 has four square cut-outs 20 to frame artwork as described below. However, there may be any number of cut-outs 20 in any desired shape depending on the items to be displayed. Preferably, each cut-out is formed by cutting the mat 16 precisely at 90 degrees to define a support shelf or ledge 22. The mat 16 may be die-cut to produce shelves 22 with precise angles and dimensions.

The mat 16 has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18. The mat 16 is secured to the backing board 12 by bonding the rear surface 18 to the backing board 12. Glue or other adhesive may bond the mat 16 to the backing board or staples or screws may also be used to secure the materials together.

FIG. 3 shows a method of installing artwork in a frame assembly. As shown in FIG. 3, artwork or memorabilia is positioned in each cut-out 20 from the front or “front-loaded.” In one preferred embodiment, each cut-out 20 is the precise size of the front-loaded art object. The resilient material of the mat 16 is slightly compressed as the object is inserted in the cut-out 20 and mat 16. Thus, the ledge 22 provides slight pressure against the object to fix the object in the cut-out 20.

In step 1, flex tabs on the frame are bent upward and the pliable mat and backing board is removed. In step 2, artwork, such as, for example, postcards, are installed in the cut-outs or pockets. Once the artwork is positioned in the cut-outs, glass is placed over the top of the pliable mat in step 3. In step 4, the frame is placed over the glass and backing board. The tabs are bent back so that they firmly contact the backing board to hold the frame assembly together.

The final frame assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 4. Once the final frame assembly 10 is put together, the glass panel 25 forms a seal against the front surface of the mat 16 thereby preventing moisture penetration into the displayed object. Friction between the mat 16 and the glass seal prevents the mat 16 from shifting relative to the glass 25. The shelves or ledges 22 of the mat 16 provide a slight pressure against the artwork thereby maintaining it in a fixed position.

Claims

1. A frame assembly to display material, comprising:

a frame defining a display window;

a backing board positioned in the display window;

a transparent panel positioned in the display window; and

a pliable mat interposed between the transparent panel and the backing board, the pliable mat having a cut-out to receive the display material and having a pliability sufficient to conform to a shape of the display material thereby fixing the display material in the cut-out.

2. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the pliable mat comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate sheet with a high coefficient of friction relative to a cellulose-based framing mat thereby frictionally fixing the position of the pliable mat relative to the transparent panel.

3. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises more than one frame member joined at each end to define the display window.

4. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the backing board comprises a semi-rigid foam core panel.

5. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the transparent panel comprises a glass panel.

6. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the transparent panel comprises a clear acrylic panel.

7. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the pliable mat comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate sheet; and

the cut-out comprises a die-cut section removed from the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet.

8. The frame assembly of claim 7, wherein:

the die-cut section defines a ledge being perpendicular to a front surface and a rear surface of the pliable mat; and

the display material contacts the ledge.

9. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet comprises a closed cell structure thereby preventing moisture penetration.

10. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bonding agent bonding the pliable mat to the backing board.

11. A display panel to display material secured by one or more penetrating fasteners, comprising:

a rigid backing board; and

an ethylene vinyl acetate sheet having a display surface and a rear surface, the rear surface being bonded to the backing board;

wherein the one or more fasteners penetrate the display surface thereby fixing the display material to the backing board.

12. The display panel of claim 11, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet comprises a closed cell foam structure.

13. The display panel of claim 11, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet comprises a high coefficient of friction relative to a cellulose-based material.

14. The display panel of claim 11, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate sheet comprises a neutral pH.

15. A method of making a frame assembly that includes a frame with a display window, a transparent panel, a backing board, and a pliable mat, the method comprising:

adhering the pliable mat to the backing board;

positioning the transparent panel over the pliable mat; and

fixing the transparent panel and the backing board in the display window with the pliable mat facing a display side of the frame.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

die cutting the pliable mat to define a cut-out area.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

inserting a display object in the cut-out area from the display side of the frame.