Multiple Side Interchangeable Display Framing System
A reversible modular framing system that can be used with existing frame moulding comprising of a mounting fixture and reversible board. The mounting fixture is inserted in a conventional frame and contains a pocket sized to fit the reversible board. The reversible board may have an image mounted on either of its sides. The reversible board can be accessed from the front of the frame assembly and allows a user to easily switch images either by switching the sides of the board or placing an alternate board on the mounting fixture.
The present invention is related to picture frames, and more specifically to modular picture frames.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional picture frames have comprised of a glass, art, a mounting board, a frame moulding as well as a means of holding the entire assembly. Kraft paper is also used as a dust cover which covers the entire back of the frame. Conventional office and home wall decor art has always been displayed with one permanently installed picture securely enclosed inside the frame, usually placed behind glass or permanently mounted or printed on a board. Changing the picture in the inside of a conventional frame requires dismantling the entire frame assembly, removing the picture, adding a new picture, and then putting together the frame. This process is time consuming, costly and requires specialized tools and supplies in order to be done correctly. Usually this is a service offered by a custom framing shop. In some other cases when the picture is permanently mounted on a backing material—usually MDF—like Plak-mount, Flush-mount, Float-mount—or directly printed on the material like canvas wall art, switching between images is impossible. The only solution for the user to display a new picture on his/her wall is to purchase a new display or canvas print. There has not been a fast and cost effective solution to quickly switch between images on the same frame up to now.
Previous attempts at creating reversible frames have required two images to be inserted, one on either side of the frame. Previous methods have required the entire frame be flipped over in order to display the second picture. Additionally when such a frame is placed on a wall it requires that the entire frame be removed, reversed and then placed back on the wall. As such, this process can be quite time consuming for users.
In addition, presently available reversible double sided frames cannot be used with the vast majority of custom framing moulding designs on the market, since the full rotation of the entire frame assembly requires the frame moulding to be completely flat against the wall. This restriction limits the possible appearances of such a frame and leaves the user with a very little choice when it comes to the style of the presentation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThere is a need for an easily interchangeable multiple side display system able to work with the majority of existing frame moulding on the market. The present invention allows for switching display images on a frame without requiring the frame to be taken apart, or even removed from the wall. The user without requiring any tools and in a matter of seconds, can replace a photograph with a new one from the front of the frame. The present invention uses a double sided display board which can hold one image on each of its sides and allows for a user to easily switch between sides by simply flipping the board without the need for removing or dismantling the frame. The entire frame is not reversible and is in a stable position when mounted thus making it easier for a user to switch between display items. A user can get a new board with new images on their existing frame or they can order multiple boards and switch the displayed art as they see fit.
The present invention uses conventional frame mouldings that are currently available and adapts them with the aid of the present invention. The present invention uses a mounting fixture made to fit a particular frame or style of display. The mounting fixture contains an attachment means which include but are not limited to being magnets. The reversible board contains an image on each side along with a similar attachment means as the mounting fixture. The attachment means are meant to securely hold the reversible board to the mounting fixture and frame but also with sufficient application of force allow for the reversible board to be removed easily.
An objective of the present invention is to allow for an absolutely easy, free of cost and quick exchange of images in a frame performed by the user. Another objective of the present invention is to make it possible to offer the functionality of this invention while maintaining the appearance of most if not all the different types of wall display options in the framing industry today (“mat board”, “floater”, wall standout, “gallery wrap” and etc.)
The present invention is also capable of using repositionable fabric or paper material so that a user can use the same board, remove the old pictures and mount the new images by themselves. Instead of ordering a new board with 2 images this option will lower the cost even more for the end user. The present invention will be able to provide the option of switching between two sides, two images or one side having a mirror and the other a photograph or a blackboard or any other options available.
Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:
As shown in
Magnets 310 or attaching means are present in the mounting fixture 100 as well, as shown in
Again referring to
Referring to
An alternative embodiment shown in
In this embodiment the double sided boards 200 are smooth on their surfaces as there is no need for a filler to cover up a slot 210 and the magnets 300 as in the embodiment in
Referring to
The present invention also provides different styles of frames and mounting fixtures 100 to which the double sided boards 200 are attached.
In
Other types of conventional frames leave a border between the frame moulding 150 and the art, and this is generally referred to as a “mat board” frame.
The “mat board” mounting fixture 600 can work with most custom frame moldings 150 available in the market both old and new. The “mat board” component 600 can be painted and finished in a variety of colors and finishes determined by the material of the board. The “mat board” style mounting fixture 600 can also be covered with a book cloth, a fabric, or a leather material to achieve a more luxurious appearance. The “mat board” pocket 140 can also be lined with a layer of felt to prevent damage of a picture on the double sided board 200 that is in contact with the pocket 140. The “mat board” mounting fixture can also be constructed by miter joining of the wood profile instead of being machined from out of one piece of material or injected inside a mold.
Another embodiment of the present invention of component frame is shown in
The board style of this embodiment does not require a frame or molding around it and it can be secured on a wall by using a French cleat system 750, as shown in
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Some of the mounting fixture/board combinations can be displayed without the need of an additional frame, such as the “gallery wrap”
The described embodiments also allow for the double sided boards 200 to be interchangeable between the frames. A user may use a double sided board 200 from a “gallery wrap” type of frame 700, shown in
Other embodiments of the present invention may include a system for catching the double sided board 200, as show in
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size, shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Claims
1. A device for double sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters comprising:
- a. a picture frame;
- b. a reversible board having two parallel sides, wherein each side capable of housing art on each parallel side, a border, and an interior;
- c. a mounting fixture being capable of being housed on said picture frame and having a front side and a back side, a plurality of pockets, and a border being located around perimeter of said pocket;
- d. said plurality of pockets being located on front side of said mounting fixture
- e. said pocket having a perimeter and said pocket being sized to house said reversible board;
- f. a plurality of attachment means being located on surface of said pocket
- g. a plurality of attachment means being housed in interior and on border of said reversible board; and
- h. said attachment means being selected from the group consisting of rare earth magnets, adhesive or magnetic tape, ball and spring plunger mechanism.
2. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, wherein said pocket being sized to near perimeter of said picture frame whereby said pocket providing appearance of a floater frame.
3. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, wherein said pocket being sized to leave at least 5% of white space between said perimeter of pocket and said picture frame whereby said spacing providing appearance of a matboard frame.
4. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 3, wherein said mounting fixture being made of material consisting from the group of medium density fiber board (MDF), light density fiber board (LDF), plywood, hard wood, plastic, PVC board, High Density Urethane, aluminum, ceramic material.
5. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 3, wherein said perimeter of said pocket having a 45 degree angle V-groove, whereby said v-groove allowing for said display device to more closely simulate conventional matboard appearance.
6. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 5, wherein said reversible board being covered by a paper, a paint, a leather, or a fabric, or a microfiber cloth.
7. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, wherein depth of said pocket being sized to fit a plurality of said reversible boards.
8. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, wherein said mounting fixture having a plurality of magnets on said border of said mounting fixture and a plurality of magnets in said pocket wherein said mounting device being capable of displaying said reversible board without said picture frame and having a second reversible board housed in said pocket of said mounting fixture.
9. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, wherein said pocket housing a plurality of vertical and horizontal level devices.
10. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, wherein said mounting fixture being capable of being mounted on a wall without a need of said picture frame by a hanging means.
11. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 9, wherein said attachment means being a French cleat affixed to said back side of said mounting fixture.
12. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 9, wherein said hanging means being conventional wire and hook hanging system located on said back side of said mounting fixture.
13. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 9, wherein said mounting fixture being an ornamental frame component.
14. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, further having a second plurality of magnets on said mounting fixture and on said reversible board wherein second plurality of magnets being located below and or above first set of plurality of magnets on said mounting fixture and said reversible board.
15. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, further having a second plurality of magnets on said mounting fixture and on said reversible board wherein second plurality of magnets being located above first set of plurality of magnets on said mounting fixture and said reversible board.
16. The device for two-sided or single-sided display of pictures and posters of claim 1, further having an ejecting means, said ejecting means comprising
- a. a centerpiece extending the length of said pocket, and said centerpiece being a horizontal bar located near center of pocket;
- b. said pocket of said mounting fixture further having a top end and bottom end; and
- c. depth of said pocket being greater at said bottom end of said pocket, whereby said ejecting means comprising of a user applying force on said reversible board at said bottom end of said pocket thus pivoting reversible board on said centerpiece and pushing out said reversible board at said top end of said pocket of said mounting fixture.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2016
Inventor: Anastasios Makrakis (Markham)
Application Number: 14/498,072