Picture Frame System

Abstract

A picture frame system including one or more frames. Each frame is generally rectangular and rigid and can be molded from a polystyrene based plastic or similar material. Each frame is arranged for use with a standard-sized photographic print. The one or more frame includes a front wall with an opening to expose the photographic print and has planar side walls along the periphery of the front wall and extending rearward from the front wall. Recesses obscured by the front wall are provided in the side walls for receiving a connection means for securing adjacent frames together.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to co-pending, South African Patent Application No. 2007/05604, entitled “Picture Frame System,” filed on Jul. 9, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A picture frame assembly is a collection of two or more framed pictures joined together in a composite group either for mounting purposes or for aesthetic appearance. A variable picture frame assembly is a type of picture frame assembly in which the number of frames in the assembly and/or the positioning of the different frames within the assembly relative to each other can be easily varied. Variable picture frame assemblies are well known in the art.

Generally speaking, in most prior art variable picture frame assemblies, either the individual frames or the connecting elements contain structural details which render their fabrication costly. Also, the individual frames are connected in ways that are not entirely satisfactory from a mechanical standpoint and that tend to detract from the overall appearance of the assembly. Consequently, variable picture frame assemblies have not thus far met with much commercial success.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a picture frame system including: one or more frames provided with one or more rearward facing directed recesses having a laterally directed opening, which recesses are not visible from the front of the frame, said recesses configured for receiving an connection means, and said laterally directed opening being narrower than another portion of the recess remote the lateral opening; and one or more connection means sized complimentarily to one or more of the recesses and which cooperate with the recesses to secure adjacent frames together.

The one or more recess may include a fish tail portion remote the laterally directed opening.

Typically, no more than two recesses are provided along any edge of a single frame. However, larger frames may require more than two recesses on any edge thereof.

The connection means may include a hanging portion having an aperture for receiving a hook, a screw or a nail. Alternatively, the connection means may be attached with an adhesive for securing the frame to which the connection means has been attached to a wall or the like.

The connection means may include a pair of opposed nearly identical end portions for engaging with recesses of adjacent frames.

The connection means may include a bridge portion extending between the end portions, the length of the bridge portion is selected so that adjacent frames are secured contiguously.

The bridge portion may include an inflection point about which the end portions are angled relative to each other.

The angle of inflection may be selected such that adjacent frames are secured in such a manner that the secured frames are self supporting on a surface on which they are positioned.

The depth of the recesses is typically about half the thickness of the frame portion into which the recess is made. However, the picture frame system is not so limited.

The thickness of the connection means is about the same as the depth of the recesses into which it is to be inserted. However, the picture frame system is not so limited.

The invention thus provides a picture frame system in which individual frames and connecting means for joining the frames together may be easily fabricated.

The invention further provides a system where adjacent frames can be connected either in a planar relationship or an angular relationship, contiguously or spaced apart as may be desired.

The picture frame system permits the individual frames to be positioned relative to each other in a wide variety of arrangements.

Thus, using the invention, picture frames may be connected in substantially abutting relationship.

The connecting means for joining together adjacent frames may be invisible from the front.

The system is especially suited for making arrays of standard sized photographic prints or snapshots.

However, the system may be utilized for any size photograph or image in accordance with the frame dimensions.

The invention extends to a kit, said kit including disassembled component parts of a picture frame system such as that described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for use in connecting two adjacent picture frames so as to form a picture frame assembly, said clip including a pair of fish tail like end portions and a bridge portion selected to determine the spacing of the adjacent frames.

The present invention includes individual picture frames which are designed to be displayed either singly or in groups of two or more, the picture frames include a front wall having an opening therein to expose a picture mounted in the frame and a plurality of side walls on the front wall along the periphery thereof and extending rearward therefrom, a plurality of rearward facing recesses being provided in the side walls for receiving complementary connection means for securing adjacent frames in planar or angular relationship to each other.

The invention will now be described by way of the following non-limiting example only. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a frame according to an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B include front plan view and bottom side views of embodiments of clips for use with the frame of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cross-sectional and an end view, respectively of the frame of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a side plan view of an alternative embodiment of the clip of FIG. 3A and a top plan view of the same with adjacent frames in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a picture frame system 10.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 there is shown in detail the construction of one of the picture frames 10. As can be seen the picture frame 10 is generally rectangular in outline and is of a one piece rigid construction, preferably molded of a stiff plastic material such as a polystyrene plastic material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame 10 is sized for use with 6 inch by 4 inch photographic prints.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 10 includes a front wall 18 having an opening 14 therein to expose a picture mounted within the frame 10 and held in by clips or a backing surface (not shown). The frame 10 has substantially planar side walls 16 along the periphery of the front wall 18. In one embodiment, the planar side walls 16 extend rearward at approximately right angles from the front wall 18. A stop or ledge, visible from the rear of the frame 10, is illustrated by hidden line 13. The stop is arranged to hold a photographic print (not shown). A photographic print can be inserted from the rear of the frame 10 via opening 14.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the frame 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 10 further includes a rear wall 19 into which a number of recesses 20 are provided for receiving connection means, in the form of clips 22 (not shown), for securing adjacent frames 10 together.

Two recesses 20 are provided along each side wall 16 of the frame 10 so that the frame 10 shown in the figures has 8 such recesses. The recesses 20 have a fish tail portion 24 and a laterally directed opening 26 which is narrower than the fish tail portion and extends through the side wall 16 to receive a corresponding clip 22. The depth of the recesses 20 are about half the thickness of the frame portion into which the recess 20 is made. Recesses 20 having a respective depth significantly greater than half the thickness of the frame 10 may result in relatively weak and undesirable connections.

FIGS. 3A and 3B include front plan view and bottom side views of embodiments of clips 22 for use with the frame of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The clips 22 have a fish tail portion 28 complementary to the fish tail portion 24 of the recesses 20 so that when the clip 22 engages the recess 20 it is retained in the recess against lateral motion and removal due to such lateral motion. In one embodiment, the clip 22 includes a pair of opposed fish tail like end portions 28 for engaging recesses 20 of adjacent frames 10.

In an alternative embodiment, the clip 22′ includes a fish tail end portion 28 and an opposing hanging portion 30. The hanging portion 30 has an aperture 32 for receiving a screw or a nail for attaching the clip 22′ to a wall, a door or the like. Alternatively, the aperture 32 permits the clip 22′ to engage a hook for securing the frame 10, to which the clip 22′ has been attached, to a wall or the like.

The clips 22 include a bridge portion 34 extending between the end portions 28. The length, L, of the bridge portion 34 and the distance between a side wall 16 of the frame 10 and the fish tail like end 24 being selected to determine the spacing between adjacent frames 10 to be secured to each other by the clips 22.

In one embodiment, the length of the bridge portion 34 of the clip 22 and the distance between a side wall 16 of the frame 10 and the fish tail like end 24 of the recess 20 are selected so that adjacent frames 10 are secured contiguously.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cross-sectional and an end view, respectively of the frame 10 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. More specifically, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view in the direction of line A-A of FIG. 2. Frame 10 has a front wall 18, a rear wall 19, and opposing side walls 16. A stop or ledge 12 prevents a photographic print or similar subject matter (not shown) from passing through the opening 14 of the frame 10. FIG. 4B is a side view of the frame 10 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4B, two recesses 20 extend laterally through side wall 16. The depth of each of the recesses 20 is approximately half the thickness of the frame 10. In alternative embodiments (not shown) the depth of recesses 20 is less than half of the thickness of the frame 10. Hidden lines in the end view of FIG. 4B correspond to surfaces within respective fish tail like portions 24 of the recesses 20.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show side plan and top plan views of an alternative embodiment of the clip of FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 5A, the clip 22″ has a bridge portion 34 and opposing fish tail like end portions 28. The fish tail like end portions 28 are arranged to closely engage corresponding fish tail like portions 24 of the recesses 20 on the rear side of the frame 10. As further shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the clips 22″ have a bridge portion 34 which includes an inflection line 36 about which the fish tail like end portions 28 are angled relative to each other. The angle of inflection 38 may be selected such that adjacent frames 10 are secured in such a manner that the secured frames are self supporting on a surface which they are positioned.

In each of the embodiments, the clip 22 is sized to snugly fit into a corresponding portion of recess 20. The thickness of the clip 22 is about the same as the depth of the recesses 20 into which the clip 22 is to be inserted. It should be understood that the clip 22 is not so limited and may in fact be significantly thinner or thicker than the depth of the recess 20 within frame 10.

The recesses 20 in the sidewalls 16 of the frames 10 and the clips 22 may combine to produce a snap-on type action as the clips 22 are inserted into the recesses 20, resulting in a very secure bond between the two frames that are being joined together.

Only one clip as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B or FIGS. 5A, 5B is needed to attach two frames 10 to each other. Also, it should be noted that by using both types of clips (i.e., clip 22 and clip 22″) it is possible to put together assemblies that are combinations of planar arrays and angular arrays. Replacing one or more of the clips 22 or the clips 22″ with a clip 22′ provides a mechanism for attaching the picture frame system to a substantially vertical surface such as a wall or a door outfitted with a hook, a nail, a screw, etc.

The embodiments of the present invention are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to the picture frame system without departing from the spirit of the same. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A picture frame system, comprising:

one or more frames provided with one or more rearward directed recesses having a laterally directed opening, which recesses are not visible from the front of the frame, said recesses configured for receiving a connection means, and said laterally directed opening being narrower than another portion of the recess remote the lateral opening; and

one or more connection means sized complementary to one or more of the recesses and which cooperate with the recesses to secure adjacent frames together.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more recess comprises a fish tail portion remote the laterally directed opening.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein two recesses are provided along any edge of a single frame.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a hanging portion having an aperture for receiving a screw or a nail, or an adhesive for securing the frame to which the connection means has been attached to a wall or the like.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a pair of opposed identical end portions for engaging with recesses of adjacent frames.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the connection means includes a bridge portion extending between the end portions, the length of the bridge portion being selected to determine the spacing between adjacent frames to be secured to each other by the connection means.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the length of the bridge portion is selected so that adjacent frames are secured contiguously.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the bridge portion includes an inflection point about which the end portions are angled relative to each other.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the angle of inflection is selected such that adjacent frames are secured in such a manner that the secured frames are self supporting on a surface on which they are positioned.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the depth of the recesses are about half the thickness of the frame portion into which the recess is made.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the thickness of the connection means is about the same as the depth of the recesses into which the connection means is to be inserted.

12. A kit for a picture frame system, comprising:

one or more frames provided with one or more rearward directed recesses having a laterally directed opening, which recesses are not visible from the front of the frame, said recesses configured for receiving a connection means, and said laterally directed opening being narrower than another portion of the recess remote the lateral opening; and

one or more connection means sized complementary to one or more of the recesses and which cooperate with the recesses to secure adjacent frames together, wherein the one or more frames and one or more connection means are supplied in a disassembled state.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the connection means comprises a clip having opposed fish tail like end portions about a bridge portion, the clip for connecting adjacent picture frames having a respective recess for receiving a respective fish tail like end portion of the clip, wherein the length of the bridge portion is selected to determine the spacing between the adjacent picture frames.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the bridge portion comprises an inflection point about which the opposed fish tail like end portions are angled relative to each other.

15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the angle of inflection is selected such that adjacent frames are secured in such a manner that the secured frames are self supporting on a surface on which they are positioned.

16. The kit of claim 13, wherein the depth of the recesses are about half the thickness of the frame into which the recess is made.

17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the thickness of the connection means is about the same as the depth of the recesses into which the connection means is to be inserted.

18. A photo display system, comprising:

a set of frames, each member of the set having a front wall with an opening therein to expose a respective photograph and side walls adjacent to and extending rearward from the front wall, recesses provided in the side walls; and

complementary connection means for securing adjacent members of the set in a desired relation to the other, wherein the recesses and the connection means are configured with complementary fish tail like portions.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the connection means comprises opposed fish tail like end portions about a bridge portion, the frames having a respective recess for receiving a respective fish tail like end portion of the clip, wherein the length of the bridge portion determines any spacing between adjacent picture frames.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the bridge portion comprises an inflection point about which the opposed fish tail like end portions are angled relative to each other.