METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING IMAGES SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS

Abstract

The outer margins of one print of an image are enfolded about a frame, while the inner portions of another print of the same image are displayed within the frame so as to produce a continuous display of the image from the center to the edges of the frame.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 11/942,699 filed Nov. 19, 2007. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/866,293 filed 17 Nov. 2006. Applicant claims priority of both these applications, and the contents thereof are hereby incorporated in this application as if fully recited herein

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods an apparatus for displaying images such as photographs, and in particular for displaying the images so their margins appear in a frame supporting the images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically an image supported in a frame ends at the frame. Hence for any frame of a particular size the image must be smaller that the inner edge of the frame.

An object of the invention is to improve methods and means for displaying images by avoiding disadvantages of prior methods and means.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention the outer margins of an image are enfolded about a frame, while the inner portions are displayed within the frame.

These and other aspects of the invention are pointed out in the claims appended to this specification and made a part hereof. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a photograph of the type to be presented by the display according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a transparency template for producing the display.

FIG. 3 illustrates the transparency of FIG. 2 over the image of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, FIG. 4F, and FIG. 4G, illustrate other parts needed, in addition to photographic images, for creating the display according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an image to be displayed adjacent a template from FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6 illustrates the template over the image of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the template of FIG. 6 over the image of FIG. 6 as a step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a folding pattern using the template of FIG. 5 as a step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a further step in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate further steps in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an assembling in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22A, FIG. 22B, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25 illustrate further steps in the creation of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are referred herein collectively as FIG. 22. Thus when FIG. 22 is mentioned alone, it refers collectively to FIG. 22A, FIG. 22B.

FIG. 26 illustrates the display according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement starts with the user preparing a plain paper print 101 of the photo to be framed. In one embodiment, the print measures a standard 8 inches by 10 inches. According to another embodiment, the print has other dimensions. The 8×10 measurement is used as an example. FIG. 2 illustrates an 8×10 template transparency 105, with an outer margin 106 showing the portion of the image ultimately to be folded over the back of the resulting framed photo. The template transparency 105 includes an inner margin 107 showing a portion of the framed photo to be folded back along the frame edges, an outline of the ultimately formed frame periphery 110, and a focus 115 of the picture to be framed. As shown in FIG. 3, the user places the 8×10 template transparency 105 over the print 101 and determines whether the photo print 101 will fit the outside 110 of the frame. The user places the focus 115 of the picture is in the desired “Center”, and if the user wishes, so that the lines do not cut across faces. As shown in FIG. 3, the margin 107 reserved to be folded to the back 90 degrees over the edges of the ultimate display and to be visible on the side of the display. The margin 106 is reserved to be folded to the back another 90 degrees over the back of the ultimate display and to be invisible. Since printing is usually done on an 8.5×11 sheet, the size provides room to move the template in order to select the best center. The user then makes two prints for the display, preferably at the same time to insure that the colors are consistent and cuts them to 8×10.

In FIG. 4A, a printed template 130, with a center portion 131 having four 45 degree cutlines extending out from each corner, serves to cut the photo to form the final framed result. According to one embodiment this can be on a separate print. According to another embodiment, for the standard sizes, this is printed directly on the photo.

FIG. 4B, a printed template for shaping a box from a picture print is used as the face of the frame. There is a margin of dotted lines on all sides indicating the rectangular outline for scoring and folding four peripheral projections 137 into upright positions relative to the plane of the printed template 130, the upright positions being fashioned by the 45 degree inward folds of the corners 138.

FIG. 4C and 4D illustrate border members 140-145 for the frame. FIG. E a rigid backing 155 and FIG. G a back 160 for the frame with either an easel arm or hanging implement.

As shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the user removes a rectangular center piece 165 from the template 130, then centers and tapes one 8×10 print 166 of one actual photo to be displayed to the template 130 as shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the user uses the cut lines 132 to cut first from the outer corners and slicing down toward center on both sides of the opening 131. The pattern 185 created by the cuts 131 appears in FIG. 8. This includes cuts 190 and center rectangle 131. This forms respective flaps 200 as seen from the back of the 8×10 pint 166

Lines 21—

As shown in FIG. 9 the user folds the flaps 200 back to the outer ends of the cuts 190 to form soft creases 205 as shown in FIGS. 8, 10-13. Preferably the user folds short flaps first then long flaps making sure fold is at the outer ends of cuts 190. The folds are not permanently formed until later in FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 10, the scoring template is placed over the back of the print, and the print is scored according to the dotted lines on the template. As shown in FIG. 11, this creates a weakened foldable rectangular outline allowing the folding of four peripheral projections 137 into upright positions relative to the plane print 166. The folding of 137 is aided by the inward folding of corners along the 45 degree lines 138, the result of which can be seen by the folds created by 138 in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the folds 136 and 138 form the print 166 into a box 139.

As appears in FIG. 13, the user then drops border member 140 in the box 137. In FIG. 14, flaps 200 are pulled over member 140. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of FIG. 14 showing the flaps overlying the member 140.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the placement of the border 145 in the box which placement secures the folds 137 within the body of the frame.

FIG. 18 illustrates the placement of the template for cutting the center print 139 over a second copy of the print 166. The straight lines on this template 139 mirror the folding lines on the scoring template 138. Slicing through the straight lines on this template results in a print 161 the same size as the face of the frame.

FIGS. 19 & 20 illustrate that the print 161 is turned over and placed inside the box lining up with the folded portions of the print 166 that form the face of the frame 170170

The user then removes the 8×10 print 166 from the template 130 and turns print 166 over. Then 5″×7″print 161 is, if necessary, adjusted to be centered within the frame as shown in FIG. 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 the user drops two members 155 in the box and, starting with the long edges of frame, folds and creases the edges of print 161 up and over the back on all four sides.

In FIG. 18 the user tapes the two long side edges of print 166 to the back by placing tape first in the center and then on both sides of the center as shown. The user does this on both long side edges.

FIGS. 19 & 20 illustrate that the print 161 is turned over and placed inside the box lining up with the folded portions of the print 166 that form the face of the frame 170170

FIGS. 21, 22A and 22B show the placement of 2 layers of the backing 155 being placed into the body of the frame securing the placement of the print 161.

As illustrated in FIG. 23A the sides of the frame box are folded in on the back 155 and taped in place. FIG. 24A shows that opposite sides are first folded and taped and then, as in 23B, the remaining opposite sides are folded and taped.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the easel back which is coated with adhesive is placed over the center of the frame back and adhered to the back of the frame.

FIG. 26 illustrates the finished frame.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the arrangement is in the form of a kit composed of the transparency template of FIG. 2 and the elements of FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, FIG. 4F AND FIG. 4G.

While embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be evident that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A method, comprising: the step of mounting including placing the frame on the outer margin of the image with the central opening exposing the central portion of the image and the frame exposing the duplicate of the outer margin of the image; the step of mounting further including placing a portion of the duplicate on the face of the frame and tucking a portion of the duplicate around the thickness of the frame to the underside of the frame at the interior opening.

making a duplicate of at least the outer margins of an image;

surrounding the duplicate around a frame to support the image; and

mounting at least the portion of the image within the outer margin within the frame;

said frame having a face and a thickness and an underside opposite the face as well as a central opening, and said image having a central portion within the outer margins;

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of mounting includes arranging said frame and said image so as to form a substantially continuous view from image to frame.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said frame has an edge and said mounting step includes wrapping an outer extension the duplicate of the image around the edge of the frame.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a flat portion and an outer edge, and the step of mounting includes forming at the frame extremities a plurality of projections extending transverse to the flat portion toward the image to form the outer edge.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a flat portion and an outer edge, and the step of mounting includes forming at the frame extremities a plurality of projections extending transverse to the flat portion toward the image to form the outer edge, said duplicate on the frame includes an outer extension of the duplicate of the image and said mounting step includes wrapping the outer extension around the outer edge formed by the plurality of projections.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said mounting step includes securing a rigid back behind said frame and said image.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a flat portion and an outer edge, and the step of mounting includes forming at the frame extremities a plurality of projections extending transverse to the flat portion toward the image to form the outer edge, said duplicate on the frame includes an outer extension of the duplicate of the image and said mounting step includes wrapping the outer extension around the outer edge formed by the plurality of projections, and wherein said mounting step includes securing on the back of the frame a rigid back with an easel.

8. A display arrangement, comprising:

an image having a central portion and an outer margin;

a frame having a face and a thickness and an underside opposite the face as well as a central opening, and said image having a central portion within the outer margins;

said frame being mounted over said image and exposing the central portion of said image;

a duplicate of the outer margin of said image mounted on said frame;

said duplicate extending toward the central portion of said frame and around the thickness of said frame into the underside of said frame between the frame and the outer margin of said image.

9. A display arrangement as in claim 8, wherein said duplicate on the frame and the central portion of the image blend to form a continuous view.

10. A display arrangement as in claim 8, wherein said frame has a edge and said duplicate on the frame includes an outer extension of the image and said outer extension wraps around the edge of the frame.

11. A display arrangement as in claim 8, wherein said frame includes a flat portion and an outer edge, a plurality of projections at the outer extending transverse to the flat portion toward the image to form the outer edge.

12. A display arrangement as in claim 8, wherein said frame includes a flat portion and an outer edge, and a plurality of projections extending transverse to the flat portion toward the image to form the outer edge, said duplicate on the frame includes an outer extension of the image and said outer extension wraps around the outer edge formed by the plurality of projections.

13. A display arrangement as in claim 8, further comprising a rigid back behind said frame and said image.

14. A display arrangement as in claim 8, wherein said frame includes a flat portion and an outer edge, and a plurality of projections extending transverse to the flat portion toward the image to form the outer edge, said duplicate on the frame includes an outer extension of the image and said outer extension wraps around the outer edge formed by the plurality of projections, and wherein said arrangement includes a rigid back with an easel.