ADJUSTABLE STAND ASSEMBLY FOR PICTURE FRAME

Abstract

An adjustable stand assembly for a picture frame is provided which is removably attachable to the back side of a standard picture frame and deployable to allow the picture frame to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations, and removable from the backside of the picture frame to hang the picture frame on a wall.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/550,414, filed on Oct. 23, 2011, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field generally relates to an adjustable stand assembly for a picture frame and, more specifically, an adjustable stand assembly which is removably attached to the back side of a standard picture frame and deployable to allow the picture frame to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations.

BACKGROUND

In general, a picture frame comprises a frame element and a backing element. The frame element typically comprises a molding made of wood, plastic, metal, and other known materials, and the backing element is typically made of cardboard. The backing element fits into a backside rim or seat of the frame element. Moreover, a plurality of turn buttons or clips are typically attached to the rear side of the frame element, and these buttons/clips can be pivoted into place over the periphery of the backing element to securely fasten the backing element in place on the backside of the frame. A transparent cover such as a piece of glass or clear plastic, for example, is positioned between the backing element and frame molding, wherein a picture to be displayed is positioned between the backing element and the transparent cover.

A picture frame can be mounted for display in various ways. For example, a picture frame may be hung on a wall using a hanger or wire that is affixed to the backside of the frame for hanging the picture frame. In addition, a picture frame can be placed on horizontal flat surface, such as a table, desk, shelf etc., wherein some type of kickstand member is employed to maintain the picture frame in a substantially vertical orientation on the support surface.

For instance, an easel-type kickstand element is commonly employed to vertically stand a picture frame on the surface of a desk or shelf, for example. The easel-type kickstand is typically fixedly and hingedly connected to the backside of the picture frame. The kickstand can be placed in a slowed or collapsed position, wherein the kickstand rests flush against the backside of the picture frame. For displaying the picture frame on a flat support surface, the kickstand element can be extended to an open, fixed position where the picture frame is then set on the flat surface with the bottom of the frame molding and bottom edge of the kickstand in contact with the flat support surface.

There are several disadvantages to a conventional easel-type kickstand element for a picture frame. For instance, the kickstand element is typically fixedly connected to the backside of the picture frame, which makes It difficult or cumbersome to hang the picture frame on a wall. Indeed, even when the kickstand element is a collapsed/stowed position, it rests against the backside of the frame thus making the overall picture frame much thicker and non-planar on the backside, which can be problematic for hanging the picture frame on a wall.

Another disadvantage with an easel-type kickstand element is that the kickstand element is typically designed to be deployed at one specific angle, and locked or otherwise secured in place at one specific deployed angular position. In this regard, the angle of the picture frame relative to the support surface cannot he adjusted by the user for different viewing angles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention generally include an adjustable stand assembly for a picture frame and, more specifically, an adjustable stand assembly which is removably attached to the back side of a standard picture frame and deployable to allow the picture frame to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations, and removable from the backside of the picture frame to hang the picture frame on a wall.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a stand assembly for a picture frame includes a support frame comprising connecting means disposed on a first surface thereof, for connecting the support frame to a backside surface of a picture frame, and an adjustable kickstand assembly, coupled to a second surface of the support frame, opposite the first surface. The adjustable kickstand assembly includes a kickstand element that is adjustable from a stowed position to at least one deployed angular position relative to a rear surface of the support frame, an adjuster bar element, and an adjuster bar lock element. The adjuster bar lock element is pivotally connected to the kickstand element, and the adjuster bar element siideably engages the adjuster bar lock element to adjust an incline angle of the kickstand element relative to the second surface of the support frame.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the kickstand element is an easel-leg-type support element having first and second contact edges that make contact with a support surface when the stand assembly is deployed in a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation, respectively.

These and other embodiments, aspects, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an adjustable stand assembly for a picture frame, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the adjustable stand assembly shown in FIG. 1, according to exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view showing a method of mounting the adjustable stand assembly of FIG. 1 to the backside of a picture frame, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective showing the adjustable stand assembly of FIG. 1 mounted to the backside of a picture frame, wherein an adjustable kickstand is in a stowed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective showing the adjustable stand of FIG. 1 mounted to the backside of a picture frame, wherein the adjustable kickstand is in a deployed incline position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing engagement of an adjuster bar and adjustor bar lock with the kickstand assembly in a deployed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of an adjuster bar of an adjustable kickstand assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the adjuster bar taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A is a schematic side view of an adjuster bar lock of an adjustable kickstand assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adjuster bar lock taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable stand assembly for a picture frame according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the adjustable stand assembly of FIG. 9 in an assembled configuration, according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to an adjustable stand assembly for use with picture frames. An adjustable stand assembly according to principles of the invention is designed to be removably attached to the back side of a standard picture frame and deployable to allow the picture frame to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations, and removable from the backside of the picture frame to hang the picture frame on a wall.

Initial reference is made to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, which show different perspective views of an adjustable stand assembly that can be mounted to the backside of a picture frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an adjustable stand assembly (100) for a picture frame, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the adjustable stand assembly (100) shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view showing a method for mounting the adjustable stand assembly (100) to the backside of a picture frame (10), and FIG. 4 is a perspective showing the adjustable stand assembly (100) mounted to the backside of a picture frame (10).

As generally shown in FIGS. 1˜4, the stand assembly (100) comprises a support frame (110) that is removably attachable to the backside of a picture frame (10). Throughout the figures, for illustrative purposes, a generic framework is shown for the picture frame (10), although it is to be understood that adjustable stand assemblies according to principles of the invention may be designed for use with various types and sizes of standard picture frames. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, for example, a front surface of the support frame (110) includes, in general, a clamp connector element (112), a first pivot connector element (114), a second pivot connector element (116), a cradle connector element (118), and an adjustable kickstand assembly (120).

As further shown, in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the adjustable kickstand assembly (120) comprises a kickstand element (130), an adjuster bar element (140), and an adjuster bar lock element (150). In general, the adjustable stand assembly (100) can be mounted to the backside of the picture frame (10) using connecting elements (160) and (161) disposed on the backside of the support frame (110) (See FIG. 2) and corresponding matable connecting elements (162) and (163) disposed on the backside of the picture frame (10) (see FIG. 3). The mating connecting elements (160/362) and (161/163) may be hook and pile fastener means (e.g., VELCRO™) or other types of removable connecting means (such as DUAL LOCK™ manufactured by 3M), which allows the adjustable stand (100) to be removably attached to the backside of the picture frame (10). In other embodiments, the mating connecting elements (160/162) and (161/163) may he implemented using adhesive two-sided tape, for example.

The use of the adjustable stand (100) permits landscape or portrait displaying of the picture frame, as well as angular adjustment in both landscape and portrait orientation over a wide range of incline angles. The kickstand element (130) comprises an easel-leg-type support element having contact edges E1 and E2, which make contact with a support surface when the adjustable kickstand (120) is deployed in a portrait orientation and landscape orientation, respectively. In one preferred embodiment as shown, the support frame (110) has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the kickstand element (130), wherein the support frame (110) includes alignment edges (111A) and (111B), which form an angle of substantially 90 degrees, to enable alignment of the support frame (100) on a given corner of the backside of the picture Lime (10) when mounting stand assembly (100) to the picture frame (10) (as specifically shown in FIG. 4).

As further shown in the figures, the kickstand element (130) includes opposing protruding pin elements (131), which are removably inserted into the second pivot connector element (116), so that the kickstand element (130) is pivotally connected to the rear surface of the support frame (110). The kickstand element (130) further comprises a first aperture (132), a second aperture (134), a raised element (136), and a pivot connector element (138). The first aperture (132) insertably and resiliently receives the clamp connector element (112) to hold the kickstand element (130) down in a stowed position, as specifically depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, for example.

The second aperture (134) is a cutout in the kickstand element (130) to insertably receive the first pivot connector element (114) and an end portion of the adjuster bar element (140), so that the kickstand element (130) can lay flat against the rear surface of the support frame (110) when in the stowed position. The raised element (136) is a raised, offset portion of the kickstand element (130) which covers a portion of the second aperture (134). The raised element (136) serves to provide added strength and structural integrity to the kickstand element (130), to compensate for any diminished strength that may occur by virtue of the cutout size of the aperture (134).

The adjuster bar (140) comprises an axial pin element (142) integrally formed on one end thereof (see also FIG. 7A). The axial pin element (142) is removably inserted into the first pivot connector element (114), so that the adjuster bar (140) is pivotally connected to the rear surface of the support frame (110). The adjuster bar (140) further comprises a t-shaped tab element (144) integrally formed on another end thereof (see also FIG. 7A). The t-shaped tab element (144) is removably inserted into the cradle connector element (118) to removably hold the end portion of the adjuster bar element (140) when the kickstand assembly (120) is in the stowed position, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

The cradle connector element (118) comprises a raised edge element with a perimeter that is shaped to provide an inner region that is substantially the same size and shape as the tab element (144). The cradle connector element (118) imparts a small frictional force against the side edges of the tab element (144) to hold/cradle the tab element (144) in place when engaged with the cradle connector element (118). As further explained below, the tab element (144) also serves as a stop edge when the kickstand assembly (120) is deployed in a maximum angular inclination (as shown in FIG. 5).

In general, the adjuster bar element (140) and the adjuster bar lock element (150) operatively cooperate to provide an angle positioning mechanism to adjust an inclination angle of the kickstand element (130) when the stand assembly (100) is connected to the backside of the picture frame (10). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the adjuster bar (140) slideably engages the adjuster lock (150) through an aperture (154) of the adjuster lock (150) (see also FIGS. 8A and 8B). An exemplary mode of operation of the adjuster bar (140) and the adjuster bar lock (150) will now be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of the adjuster bar (140) of the adjustable kickstand assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the adjuster bar (140) taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A. As depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in addition to the axial pin element (142) and tab element (144) formed on end portions of the adjuster bar (140) as discussed above, the adjuster bar (140) comprises a slotted region (146) comprising a series of parallel raised edges or detents (146A) on one side surface of the adjuster bar (140) and a series of parallel raised edges or detents (146B) on an opposing side surface of the adjuster bar (140).

As specifically depicted in FIG. 7B, the series of raised edges/detents (146A) and (146B) are aligned to each other on opposing side surfaces of the adjuster bar (140). The series of raised edges/detents (146A) and (146B) form parallel-aligned slots (i.e., spaces between adjacent edges (146A) and (146B)) on both sides of the adjuster bar (140). These slots operate in conjunction with the adjuster bar lock (150) to provide a locking positioning mechanism to adjust an inclination angle of the kickstand element (130) relative to the rear surface of the support frame (110). This locking mechanism will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8A is a schematic side view of the adjuster bar lock (150) of the adjustable kickstand assembly (120) and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adjuster bar lock (150) taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8A. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the adjuster bar lock element (150) comprises protruding pin elements (152) that are formed on each side of the lock element (150), and an aperture (154) which insertably and slideably receives the adjuster bar element (140). The pin elements (152) are used to pivotally connect the adjuster bar lock element (150) to the pivot connector element (138) on the kickstand (130) so that the adjuster bar lock (150) moves in pivotal motion relative to the kickstand element (130) as the angle of the kickstand element (130) relative to a rear surface of the support frame (110) is adjusted by sliding the adjuster bar (140) back and forth through the aperture (154) of the adjuster bar lock (150).

As further shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a first raised edge (156A) and a second raised edge (156B) are formed on upper and lower inner surfaces of the aperture (154), respectively. As shown in FIG. 8B, the first and second raised edges (156A) and (156B) preferably have a rounded profile. As the slotted region (146) of the adjuster bar (140) is manually slid back and forth through the aperture (154) of the adjuster bar lock (150) when a user is adjusting the angle of the kickstand element (130), the first raised edge (156A) on the upper inner surface of the aperture (154) of the adjuster lock (150) operates to engage the slotted regions (or spaces) between the series of parallel raised edges/detents (146A) on the one side surface of the adjuster bar (140), while the second raised edge (156B) on the bottom inner surface of the aperture (154) operates to engage the slotted regions (or spaces) between the series of parallel raised edges/detents (146B) on the opposing side surface of the adjuster bar (140).

It is to be appreciated that the engagement of the raised inner edges (156A) and (156B) with slots/spaces formed between the series of detents (146A) and (146B) advantageously provides an indexed sliding motion along the slotted region (146) of the adjuster bar (140) for adjusting the inclination angle of the kickstand element (130) at various angles.

For instance, FIG. 5 is a perspective showing the adjustable stand of FIG. 1 mounted to the backside of a picture frame, wherein the adjustable kickstand is in a maximum deployed incline position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this position, the adjuster bar (140) is locked in position by the adjuster bar lock (150) at an end. point of the slotted region (146) of the adjuster bar (140), i.e., at the tab element (144) end of the adjuster bar (140), wherein the tab element (144) serves as a stop edge to prevent the adjuster bar (140) from disengaging from the adjuster bar lock element (150). In this deployed position, the stand assembly (100) enables display of the picture frame (10) at a relatively low incline angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the supporting surface.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing engagement of an adjuster bar and adjuster bar lock with the kickstand assembly in a deployed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the adjustable kickstand assembly (120) is adjusted at a relatively large incline angular position. In this position, the adjuster bar (140) is locked in position by the adjuster bar Sock (150) near a beginning point of the slotted region (146) of the adjuster bar (140). In this deployed position, the stand assembly (100) enables display of the picture frame (10) at a relatively high incline angle (e.g., 70 degrees) relative to the supporting surface.

It is to be appreciated that the slotted region (146) of the adjuster bar (140) provides an indexed angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the kickstand (130) and obtain an inclination angle of the stand assembly (100) relative to the contact surface, over a wide range of angles. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the inclination angle may be adjusted over a range from about 70 degrees to about 45 degrees, with angular incremental changes of 0.5 degrees. In one preferred embodiment, the adjuster bar (140) and slotted region (146) are designed so that the inclination angle of the stand assembly (100) relative to the surface it stands on is preferably adjustable over a range from about 65 degrees to about 50 degrees, with angular incremental changes of 0.3 degrees.

It is to be appreciated that with one adjusted angular position between the adjustment bar (140) and lock element (150), the stand assembly (100) can be positioned in either a landscape or portrait orientation, without have to make any further adjustments to the kickstand assembly (120).

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a picture frame assembly (200) may comprise a back plate (210) that can be fixedly or removably coupled to the rear surface of the backside of a picture frame (10) to provide a planar backside surface that allows the assembly (200) to be hung on a wall when the adjustable kickstand assembly (120) is in a stowed position. In particular, FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the picture frame assembly (200) showing the back cover plate (210) having a defined cutout region (220) for insertably receiving the adjustable kickstand assembly (120) when the back cover plate (210) is connected to the backside of the picture frame (10). FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the assembly (200) of FIG. 9 showing the back cover plate (210) and picture frame (10) in an assembled configuration. As depicted in FIG. 10, backside surface of the picture frame assembly (200) is planar when the adjustable kickstand assembly (120) is in a stowed position within the cutout region (220) of the back plate (210). The back pi ate (210) may be removably attached to the rear surface of the picture (10) or the back cover plate (210) may be fixedly and permanently attached to the rear surface of the picture frame (10), or otherwise integrally formed as part of the picture frame (10).

It is to be understood that adjustable stand assemblies described herein, and the various components thereof, may be made with any suitable material, such as plastic materials. For instance, stand assemblies according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be fabricated using ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) thermoplastic materials using known injection molding and fabrication methods. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate and understand that the shapes, dimensions and configurations of stand assemblies according to exemplary embodiments of the invention will vary depending on the shapes and sizes of picture frames for which they may be designed.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be made therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stand assembly for a picture frame, comprising:

a support frame comprising connecting means disposed on a first surface thereof, for connecting the support frame to a backside surface of a picture frame; and

an adjustable kickstand assembly, coupled to a second surface of the support frame, opposite the first surface, wherein the adjustable kickstand assembly comprises: a kickstand element that is adjustable from a stowed position to at least one deployed angular position relative to a rear surface of the support frame; an adjuster bar element; and an adjuster bar lock element, wherein the adjuster bar lock element is pivotally connected to the kickstand element, and wherein the adjuster bar element slideably engages the adjuster bar lock element to adjust an incline angle of the kickstand element relative to the second surface of the support frame.

2. The stand assembly of claim 2, wherein the kickstand element is an easel-leg-type support element having first and second contact edges which make contact with a support surface when the stand assembly is deployed in a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation, respectively.