Adjustable frame system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable frame system, and more particularly to an adjustable photo frame system. The decorating, painting and/or the like may be incorporated in this adjustable frame system

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems for frames, and more particularly to, an adjustable photo frame system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advancement in photography and the advent of digital photography the variation in sizes of photographs has increased dramatically. In addition the advent of digital photo frames, and the Digital Photo Frame Insert, an even larger disparity has arisen where the sizes of frames being sold at most stores will not fit the digital images created by the current formats in use. The need has arisen for a frame to be able to accommodate the various sizes of photos, pictures and digital photo frames. Therefore a need has arisen for the Adjustable Frame System.

The majority of traditional photo frames sold in department stores and hobby shops accommodate a 5″ by 7″ or 8″ by 10″ photo. Digital photo frames create a image which has a LED screen of a 4 to 3, width to height ratio. This ratio creates an image which does not fit the traditional sizes of photo frames. In addition the outer perimeter of digital photo frames vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. These digital photo frames are made in many countries so that a standardized size will be difficult to institute. The Adjustable Frame System is made to adjust to these size differences. The Adjustable Frame System can be manufactured in various colors, materials and styles. It can also be made out of bisque, wood or other material which can serve as a creative project to be painted with acrylic, water color, other paints, stains and/or the like. Since coverings to hide the junctions will be provided at the points where the pieces move for adjustment, the frames could be sold with embellishments in the form of flowers, animals, sports items or have a an area where a child's name, thumbnail picture and other personal decorations can be added. Various decorations to adorn the frames can be sold as supplements. Hence the need for an Adjustable Frame System.

Developments have been seen in the field of photo frames The prior arts related to such developments related more to the appearance of the photo frame rather than the sizing of the photo frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,638 describes the shaping of text from soft metal to adorn the photo frame.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an adjustable frame system that may be used to house images of various media and yet accommodate the size variations produced. In addition a system of adornment may be incorporated to provide an artistic palate while accomplishing a function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide adjustable frames with a system to include all of the advantages of the prior arts, and to overcome the drawback of the prior arts.

In one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable frame system comprises a front portion which may have detailing to provide a pleasant appearance. The back may contain a means of encompassing a photo, the backing, a sheet of glass or a digital photo frame. A method of allowing the portions to move apart to the desired size and then hold that size is provided. Decorations to create a pleasant appearance and to camouflage the points of separation are developed in the adjustable frame system. Currently tabs on the frame that either swivel or get bent over to contain the image, glass and backing are the most commonly used means of retaining these items. Some frames may also utilize a lipped edge where the above mentioned components slide up from the bottom into the recess between the lipped edge and the frame.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a back perspective view of an adjustable frame system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however that the present invention is not limited to a particular adjustable photo frame system as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present invention provides an adjustable frame system, and more particularly, provides an adjustable frame for photos, pictures, and digital photo frames. The adjustable frame has a size, shape and configuration, such that a plurality of sizes of photo, picture or digital photo frame may be easily received and removably engaged therein, using engaging means, i.e., using a section of the adjustable photo frame. The adjustable photo frame will be available in various sizes to accommodates those complementary sizes of photo, picture, and digital photo frame within the adjustment parameters of the adjustable photo frame.

A means is provided to allow sections of the frame to move apart sufficiently to encompass a photo, picture, digital photo frame, digital image and the like and yet provide sufficient structural integrity to keep the adjustable frame intact.

One such means is provided by indentations 11 in portions of the frame 10, 13, 14, and 15, for a distance such that one portion is able to slide over another portion as illustrated in FIG. 1. These indentions are at preferably at a depth such that when one portion 10 is resting on the other portion 13 the two combined portions appears to be at a level to provide an appearance as if it were one solid piece. The sides, top and bottom slide to accommodate the different sizes of photos, pictures or digital photo frames. The ends of the frame have a means such as a lip 12 which will meet a lip 12 at the edge of the complimentary portion, when these portions are extended to the maximum distance to prevent the portions from coming completely apart. The outer lip, 16 can be utilized in conjunctions with decorative pieces at the corners as will be described.

The corners would have decorative coverings 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2 which with the outer lips 16 can be used to keep the sides, top, and bottom from coming completely apart and yet hide the areas of movement. These decorative coverings will aid in providing an appearance of a solid frame. These decorative coverings can have a plurality of slots 21, FIG. 2A, where the two portions of the frame come into the corner covering together. These corner coverings can be made in a front and back style (not shown) which can be held together by means such as glue, weld and the like, once the two portions 10 and 11 are inside them. An ornament is used at the corners to hide the movement and make it appear as if the frame was made to fit the image. The portions can be moved to fit the image. FIG. 3 shows how the unit will look with the corner covering in place.

In another embodiment of the present invention gears 41 and ratchets 42 which are attached to crossbars 43 as illustrated in FIG. 4, can be used to move the frame portions 10 to slide in sync over each other as described above. These gears and ratchets would need to be thin enough to be located between the photo and the backing which is part of most photo frames. The photo could be inserted up from the bottom of the frame, in front of the gear system. The backing plate with stand would also slide in from the bottom in back of the gear system. In another configuration the gears and ratchets could be positioned in a hollowed portion at the corners of the frame (not shown).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a series of teeth 51 in one portion of the frame 54 will provide resistance by a means such as contact with a complimentary series of teeth 52 in portion 55, or by other means such as a tab (not shown) on the complimentary portion which would rub against the teeth 51. See FIG. 5. This system can utilize indentures 53 as described previously on one or more portions of the frame allowing it to slide over a complimentary portion. As discussed previously corner covers (not shown) can be utilized to conceal the mechanics and provide decoration to the frame.

In another embodiment of the present invention, portions of the frame 61 would slide within a complimentary portion 62 to change the overall size. FIG. 6 illustrates the back of such a frame. An ornamental portion on the frame would conceal the juncture of the portions. The difference in size between the two portions should be as small as possible so that with the adornments covering the juncture points, the size difference would not be noticeable. A means of preventing the portions from sliding once the desired sized is achieved can be provided by means such as a screw 64 passing through a threaded hole 63, clips passing through holes and/or other such means. A means of retaining the image onto the adjustable frame system is provided by swivel tabs 65 moving over the image when it is positioned on the ledges 66 of the adjustable frame system. Other means such as fold down tabs, lips or lipped edge covering the image and/or the like may be utilized.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the frame can adjust in size by a means such as utilizing a plurality of portions of differing widths 71 and 72 such that one portion 72 can slide within the other portion.71, to change the perimeter of the frame. This is illustrated in FIG. 7. Means such as lips 73 on the ends of the portions 71 and 72 can be used to keep the portions from coming completely apart. In addition these lips may brush against teeth as describe in FIG. 5 to provide a resistance to maintain the desired size. The system may use decorative coverings to provide the appearance of a solid frame. These decorative coverings may also be utilized to hold the portions in place once the desired adjustment is obtained.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the means to adjust the frame is provided by adjustment screws 83 or the like, in a frame portion 81 which when turned, moves a nut 84 with a tab 85. The tab is aligned in a slot 86 which is in the complimentary frame portion 82. The nut 84, tab 85, and the adjustment screw 83 ride within a channel 87 within frame portion 81. The channel keeps the tab positioned in the slot. Rotating the adjustment screw moves the nut and its tab along the channel and thus moves the tab in the slot 86. This moves frame portion 82 to achieve the required adjustment. Limiting the width of the channel 87 to just slightly larger than the nut 84, will prevent the nut 84 from rotating yet allow it and the tab 85 to move along the screw 83. The screw 83 can be counter sunk within the frame portion 81 for a neater appearance. A means of allowing the screw to turn but preventing the screw from backing out of the frame can be achieved by means such as a clip, washer spot welded to the screw but held by the frame and/or the like can be utilized. As mentioned previously the commonly used methods such as swivel tabs on the frame portions or a lip like channel on the frame portions can be utilized to hold the photo, picture or digital photo image in place. Decorative coverings may be utilized to conceal the adjustment mechanics.

Another means of providing the channel 87 and slot 86 is to locate the channel in the back of the front portion 91. Front portion 91 provides the trim style on the front of the frame. The slot would be located in the front of the back section 92. Other complimentary means can be utilized to make the adjustment work. While the illustration in FIG. 9 shows the slot being exposed to the back, for esthetic purposes it need not be that deep. Portions 92 can be held onto portions 91 by means such as glue, staples, nails, and/or the like. By utilizing back portions 92 which are not as wide as the front portions 91 a ledge is created to hold the photos and backing plate.

In another embodiment of the present invention a cutout 101 within the frame portions accepts a rail 102. This rail 102 aids in preventing the frame from twisting while sliding to adjust to the size of the photo or digital photo frame being used. FIG. 10 illustrates such an example. There are various means to hold the adjustment such as tightening a flat head screw 104 with a head larger than slot 103 into a threaded opening 106 in the rail 102. Adornments of various styles can be used to conceal the mechanics and any gap between the frame portions.

Another means of holding the adjustment and conceal any gaps between the frame portions as illustrated in FIG. 11, can be accomplished by passing bolts 107 or other such fasteners through an adornment plate 108 which hides the opening and its functioning parts. Various means such as personalized name stickers 109 with a tacky side or other such means of adhering decorations to the adornment plate can be utilized to conceal the mechanics.

An overlapping strip 121 can join both the plate and an embellishment such as a butterfly 110 to cover the front portion of the frame as illustrated in FIG. 12. These adornments could also be made so they could be painted with acrylic, water color paints, stains, and/or the like, as could the frame thus creating a project kit. Kits for painting with acrylic or water colors or other such projects with similar decorations such as Christmas, Valentine's Day, sports and the like, can be utilized to cover the other junctions. In less expensive versions a simple bracket of plastic, acrylic, wood and/or the like can cover the junctions where the frame portions are split.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the separations occurring at the middle, they could occur at the corners where an “L” shaped bracket 112 fits into slots as illustrated in FIG. 13. These “L” shaped brackets join the frame portions together at a desired size. The rail can utilize the slot system as previously mentioned, screws or similar attachment sources can pass through a series of opening in the front of the frame portions (not shown) through pluralities of opening in the “L” shaped bracket, once the desired size is achieved. A means of maintaining the desired size such as complimentary nuts for the screw, threads in the brackets, and/or the like can be used. Means of adornment and decoration such as but not limited to those previously mentioned may be utilized. This “L” shaped bracket can lay flat as illustrated or a perpendicular bracket 113 may join the frame portions.

In another embodiment of the present invention a threaded rod or rods 114 as in a bolt is embedded in the ornamental embellishment 115 as illustrated in FIG. 13. These would pass through openings (not shown) in the front of the frame. A complimentary receiver such as a nut 116 or the like, attaches to the threaded rod 114 on the back of the frame at the slot or through complementary openings (not shown). The receiver is used to tighten the adjustment. In addition the threaded rod 114 could attach to another adornment with a complimentary receiver imbedded in it on the back of the frame to hold the adjustment.

A stand is generally provided with the backing plate or on the back of most digital photo frames but for those situations where one is not provided, the adjustable frame system may have need of additional support as from a stand. This may be accomplished with a stand 119 at the bottom center of the frame. Other styles and locations of stands and/or supports, either permanent or removable, may be utilized. In addition a means of support such as a stand (not shown) that is not attached to the frame and are in common use may be packaged with the frame to be used when needed.

FIG. 14 illustrates how an elongated tab 117 can be attached to an adornment 118 This tab will fit into the slot on the frame. It will be positioned so that by turning the adornment 90 degrees, the tab will also turn and the tab will keep the adornment from falling out of the slot in the frame.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tabs 119 on the ornamental embellishments 118 have a means such as teeth 120, tabs, or other such protuberances which come in contact with a complimentary resistance such as teeth within the slot of the frame as described previously. These protuberances will serve to keep the frame at the desired size. By lifting slightly on the embellishments, the tabs will clear the teeth or protuberances inside the slot of the frame and will free the portions to slide and adjust to the desired size. The shape of the tab 120 can be such that once inserted into the slot, the tab will hang down over the slot and thus keep the decorative piece from falling out. Variations on both the slot in the frame, the lip and the way the tabs functions are anticipated. As for example, the embellishment can have two tabs. One side could have a tab 119 that is rectangular in shape so that once inserted and rotated in the slot, the shape will keep the embellishment from falling out of the slot. The other side can have a tab which hangs down on the slot but not upward. This tab helps to hold the adjustment of frame size but does not need to be rotated to get into the slot. In another example the slot can be made with larger openings 140. This will allow one side of an embellishment with rectangular tabs to slip into the slot without having to be rotated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the adjustability is provided by means of movement of the back portions, tabs and/or the like along the width of the front portion. One determining factor of the size of the images that can be removably attached are the width and length of the ledge. This can be manipulated by movement of the back portions 153. FIG. 15 illustrates one means of allowing movement of these portions. By attaching the back portions by means such as brackets 152, these brackets can be loosely attached to the front portions 154 utilizing means such as washer 155 and screw 156 the back portions can be moved to the desired perimeter. The screws 156 which loosely attach the back portions can then be tightened to maintain the desired perimeter. The brackets screws and washers can be covered by means such as felt, or other esthetically pleasing material (not shown) which can move as the back portions move.

In the above descriptions illustrated in FIG. 15, the back portions 153 are attached to the raised back of the brackets 152 by means such as screws 156. In this method the brackets along with the back portions move along the front portion increasing the size of the ledge created. By utilizing a bracket such as 157, means such as screws 156 can pass up through the bracket 157 into the back portions 153. The brackets can be raised off of the front portion by means such as a washer, the bracket itself can have a ridge to raise it up, or other such means can be utilized. This will allow the back portion to move while the bracket 157 remains stationary. Many of the methods previously described may apply to this embodiment of the present invention.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and to practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable frame system, comprising:

a plurality of substantially elongated portions providing a front and a back, attached in such a manner as to provide the movement of said portions to provide a multitude of dimensions, with a means of holding a dimensions once a desired inner perimeter is achieved, wherein a means of attachment is provided to removably engage that which is framed.

2. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein a means is provided of concealing the adjustability of said adjustable frame system.

3. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein the means of concealment of said junctions points are decorations.

4. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein the elongated portions and said decorations are part of a decorate it yourself format.

5. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein a gear and ratchet system is utilized for movement of the components.

6. The adjustable frame system, of claim 1, wherein indentions in the components allow them to slide on each other.

7. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein protruberences on the portions contact complimentary resistance to maintain the adjustment desired.

8. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein a portion is able to receive a complimentary portion to adjust to the dimension desired.

9. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein an adjustment mechanism on a portion provides movement to a complimentary portion.

10. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein portions slide along a rail to provide the desired adjustability.

11. The adjustable frame system of claim 1. wherein the decorations contain the means of maintaining the adjustment desired.

12. The adjustable frame system of claim 1, wherein a means of support is provided for holding up the frame and that which is framed.

13. An adjustable frame system comprising:

a plurality of substantially elongated portions providing a front and back, wherein a ledge is created to removably engage that which is framed, a means is provided to vary the area of said ledge thereby providing adjustability.