METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FRAMING AN OBJECT

Abstract

A framing apparatus for framing an object is disclosed. The framing apparatus includes a foam frame body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of a peripheral surface of the object. Methods and kits are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT international application no. PCT/CA2015/050697 filed Jul. 24, 2015, which claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/029,500 filed Jul. 27, 2014. The entire contents of PCT international application no. PCT/CA2015/050697 are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to framing.

RELATED ART

Some frames include interconnected ledges that may hold between them a glass pane and a rear wall to frame an object between the glass pane and the rear wall. However, such glass panes may be relatively heavy and may cause disturbing light reflections.

Alternatively, a frame-mounted canvas may include a canvas mounted to a frame. The canvas may be “gallery wrapped” or otherwise stretched and mounted to such a frame, and a front surface of the canvas may be painted, printed, or otherwise bear an image such as a painting, a print, a printed photograph, or other artwork for example. Such a frame-mounted canvas may be mounted or otherwise displayed without a frame, or may be framed by assembling a floater frame around the frame-mounted canvas, for example. However, such a floater frame may be custom-made, and assembling such a floater frame around such a frame-mounted canvas may be cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming, and may require complex tools or skills.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of framing an object having a peripheral surface, the method comprising positioning at least some of the object in an aperture defined by a foam frame body with at least some of the peripheral surface of the object in frictional engagement with a frictional contact surface of the foam frame body surrounding at least some of the aperture of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises positioning a rear side of the object against at least one stop in the aperture.

In some embodiments, positioning the at least some of the object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises positioning a rear side of the object opposite the front side of the object against at least one stop in the aperture.

In some embodiments, positioning the at least some of the object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises positioning the front side of the object against at least one stop in the aperture.

In some embodiments, framing the front side of the object further comprises covering a portion of the front side of the object with the at least one stop.

In some embodiments, framing the front side of the object further comprises surrounding a portion of the front side of the object with the at least one stop.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises mounting the object and the foam frame body to a wall.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to the wall comprises causing the wall to support the object and to support the foam frame body only by supporting the object.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to the wall comprises: connecting a fastener to the wall; and connecting the object to the fastener.

In some embodiments, connecting the fastener to the wall comprises: positioning a marker body on the fastener at a position on the fastener indicating a distance between a connector on the object and a rear surface of the foam frame body when the at least some of the object is received in the aperture defined by the foam frame body; and connecting the fastener to the wall with a connector on the fastener, complementary to the connector on the object, spaced apart from the wall according to the distance indicated by the marker body.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to the wall comprises connecting a link body to the object and to the wall.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to the wall comprises causing the wall to support the foam frame body and to support the object only by supporting the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to the wall comprises connecting a link body to the foam frame body and to the wall.

In some embodiments, the object comprises a frame and a canvas mounted to the frame.

According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a framing apparatus for framing an object having a peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising a foam frame body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of the peripheral surface of the object.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one stop in the aperture.

In some embodiments, the at least one stop defines a stop surface recessed behind a front surface of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the front surface of the foam frame body defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portion of a rear surface of the object opposite the front surface of the object is positioned against the stop surface.

In some embodiments, the at least one stop comprises a ledge having a rear surface that is opposite the stop surface and that is generally continuous with a rear surface of the foam frame body opposite the front surface of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the rear surface of the ledge defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portion of the front surface of the object is positioned against the stop surface.

In some embodiments, the rear surface of the ledge and the rear surface of the foam frame body are generally coplanar.

In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the foam frame body comprises: a first generally planar surface; a second generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first generally planar surface; a third generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the second generally planar surface; and a fourth generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first and third generally planar surfaces.

In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the foam frame body comprises at least one surface of at least one resilient projection.

In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the foam frame body consists essentially of the first, second, third, and fourth generally planar surfaces.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one resilient projection connectable to the frictional contact surface of the foam frame body to project away from the frictional contact surface.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a mounting apparatus configured to mount the object and the foam frame body to a wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect the object to the wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect the object to the wall independently of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a fastener connectable to the wall and connectable to the object when the fastener is connected to the wall and when the at least some of the object is received in the aperture defined by the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a marker body positionable on the fastener at a position on the fastener indicating a distance between a connector on the object and a rear surface of the foam frame body when the at least some of the object is received in the aperture defined by the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a link body connectable to the object and to the wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect the foam frame body to the wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect the foam frame body to the wall independently of the object.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a link body connectable to the foam frame body and to the wall.

According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a kit comprising: the apparatus; and the object.

In some embodiments, the object comprises a frame and an image substrate (such as a canvas, for example) mounted to the frame.

Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the foam frame body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a resilient body and a connector for connecting the resilient body to the foam frame body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the foam frame body of FIG. 1, and of a frame-mounted canvas that may be framed by the foam frame body, with a canvas of the frame-mounted canvas partially broken away to illustrate a frame of the frame-mounted canvas.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 partially received in an aperture of the foam frame body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to a wall using the mounting apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector connectable to the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and to the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 5, and also showing the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9 connected to the connector of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9 connected to a wall.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to the wall of FIG. 12 using the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to a wall using the mounting apparatus of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of two frame-mounted canvases partially received in respective apertures of the foam frame body of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the foam frame body of FIG. 19, taken along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the foam frame body of FIG. 19, and of a frame-mounted canvas received in an aperture of the foam frame body of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the foam frame body of FIG. 19, and of a frame-mounted canvas received in an aperture of the foam frame body of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a foam frame body 100 according to one embodiment. Herein, “foam” refers to a lightweight resilient cellular material including gas bubbles formed during manufacture of the material. In the embodiment shown, the foam frame body 100 is formed from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (“EVA”) foam having a density of about 45 kilograms per cubic meter, also known as “EVA 45” foam, but alternative embodiments may include different foam materials. Also, in the embodiment shown, the foam frame body 100 is unitarily formed by cutting the foam frame body 100, using a Computer Numerical Control (“CNC”) router for example, from a larger sheet of foam, but alternative embodiments may be unitarily formed in different ways (by molding, for example) or formed from two or more separate pieces of foam. Also, in various embodiments, the foam frame body 100 may be one or more different colours and one or more different textures, and may include one or more of various different coatings to impart a desired finish or to protect outer surfaces of the foam frame body 100, for example.

The foam frame body 100 has a front side shown generally at 102 and a rear side shown generally at 104 and opposite the front side 102. On the front side 102, the foam frame body 100 has a generally planar and generally rectangular front surface 106 that defines an opening to an aperture shown generally at 108. Inside the aperture 108, the foam frame body 100 defines a stop 110 having a stop surface 112 on the front side of the stop 110 facing the front side 102 of the foam frame body 100. The stop 110 in the embodiment shown is a ledge defining a cutaway region shown generally at 114 on a first side shown generally at 116 of the foam frame body 100, and a cutaway region shown generally at 118 on a second side shown generally at 120 of the foam frame body 100. The cutaway regions 114 and 118 may receive portions of mounting apparatuses as described below, for example. However, instead of two rounded cutaway regions 114 and 118 in the embodiment shown, alternative embodiments may have no cutaway regions, or may have more or fewer cutaway regions, and cutaway regions in alternative embodiments may be rectangular or otherwise shaped differently from the cutaway regions of the embodiment shown.

Between the front surface 106 and the stop surface 112, the foam frame body 100 has a frictional contact surface 122 surrounding at least some of the aperture 108 and including a first generally planar surface 124, a second generally planar surface 126 adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first generally planar surface 124, a third generally planar surface 128 adjacent and generally perpendicular to the second generally planar surface 126, and a fourth generally planar surface 130 adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first generally planar surface 124 and the third generally planar surface 128. The frictional contact surface 122 is also generally perpendicular to the front surface 106 and the stop surface 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, on the rear side 104, the foam frame body 100 has a generally planar rear surface 132 and defines openings shown generally at 134 and 136 in the rear surface 132 and on opposite sides near the first side 116, and the foam frame body 100 further defines openings shown generally at 138 and 140 in the rear surface 132 and on opposite sides near the second side 120. As described below, the openings 134 and 136 may facilitate connecting the foam frame body 100 to a link body to mount the foam frame body 100 in a landscape orientation with the first side 116 facing up, and the openings 138 and 140 may facilitate connecting the foam frame body 100 to such a link body to mount the foam frame body 100 in a portrait orientation with the second side 120 facing up.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 each include a connector for connecting the resilient body to the foam frame body 100 on the frictional contact surface 122. Referring to FIG. 3, the resilient body 142 for example includes a connector 158, which is a fastener pin that may be forced through the frictional contact surface 122 and into the foam frame body 100 to connect the resilient body 142 to the foam frame body 100 with the resilient body 142 projecting away from the frictional contact surface 122. The resilient bodies 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 include similar connectors for connecting the resilient bodies to the foam frame body 100 on the frictional contact surface 122. However, in alternative embodiments, the resilient bodies may be omitted, or the resilient bodies may be connected to the foam frame body 100 using adhesives or different connectors, for example. In still other embodiments, such resilient projections may be integrally formed with the foam frame body 100, for example by cutting the foam frame body 100 (including such resilient projections) from a larger sheet of foam, or by molding the foam frame body 100 to include such resilient projections, and in such embodiments the frictional contact surface may include surfaces of such resilient projections.

Referring to FIG. 4, the foam frame body 100 may frame an object such as a frame-mounted canvas 160. The frame-mounted canvas 160 includes a frame or support, which is a generally rectangular wood frame 162 having a thickness of about 1.25 inches or about 4 centimeters in the embodiment shown. The frame-mounted canvas 160 also includes an image substrate, which is canvas 164 (such as a museum-quality canvas, for example) mounted to the frame 162 in the embodiment shown. The canvas 164 may be “gallery wrapped” or otherwise stretched, wrapped around, and mounted to the frame 162 using staples or tacks (not shown) for example. In alternative embodiments, the foam frame body 100 may frame objects other than the frame-mounted canvas 160, such as a canvas mounted to stretcher bars or to a stretcher frame, or still other different objects. The frame-mounted canvas 160 has a peripheral surface 166 surrounding and extending rearward from a front surface 168 of the canvas 164. Some or all of the front surface 168 may be painted, printed, or otherwise bear an image such as a painting, a print, a printed photograph, or other artwork for example, and the image may continue to, or be reflected on, some or all of the peripheral surface 166. Alternatively, some or all of the peripheral surface 166 may have a compatible solid colour, such as white for example.

The aperture 108 is no larger in width or in height than the frame-mounted canvas 160, and the frame-mounted canvas 160 is sized and shaped to fit partially or entirely in the aperture 108 with some or all of the peripheral surface 166 fitted tightly and snugly against the frictional contact surface 122 to cause frictional engagement between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166. In the embodiment shown, the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166 contact each other directly, except where resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 are positioned between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166. Such frictional engagement connects and secures the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the foam frame body 100 to hold the frame-mounted canvas 160 in place relative to the foam frame body 100 when at least some of the frame-mounted canvas 160 is positioned in the aperture 108 with some or all of the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122.

The resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 form resilient projections projecting from the frictional contact surface 122 and may facilitate frictional engagement with the peripheral surface 166. Because frictional engagement connects and secures the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the foam frame body 100, the frame-mounted canvas 160 is also removable from the foam frame body 100. Further, the same or different frame-mounted canvas may be connected to the foam frame body 100, so the foam frame body 100 is thus a reusable framing apparatus for framing and displaying objects such as the frame-mounted canvas 160.

As indicated above, the foam frame body 100 is formed from “EVA 45” foam, which has been found to be sufficiently resilient and rigid to permit frictional engagement between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166, although alternative embodiments may include other foam materials that may have different densities but that are also sufficiently resilient and rigid to permit such frictional engagement, because some foam materials may be too soft or flexible, or too rigid, to permit such frictional engagement. Because the foam frame body 100 is sufficiently resilient and rigid to permit frictional engagement between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166, the frame-mounted canvas 160 may “pop in” and “pop out” of frictional engagement with the foam frame body 100 in the aperture 108.

Some factors may be relevant when selecting a foam material. In general, a foam material having a relatively higher density may be more resistant to loss of hardness over time, and foam materials having a greater resistance to fatigue testing (for example by repeated flexing or compressing) may be preferable. Also, in general, the resilience of foam material may be measured by dropping a steel ball onto a standard-sized piece and measuring a height that the steel ball bounces. A foam product known as ENDURO™ EN36-100 from Dunlop Foams has relatively very high resilience. Generally, in various different embodiments, various different foams may be used, including any suitable polymer elastomer, such as, for example, polyether, polyester, polyurethane, polyethylene (such as, for example, ETHAFOAM™), closed-cell sponge rubber, open-cell sponge rubber, latex rubber, high-density foams, and high-resilience foams. One embodiment of a foam frame body includes a polymer foam including a polymer elastomer that has a compression index ranging from about 0.4 to about 0.8, which may enable sufficient “push-back” when a frame-mounted canvas is inserted into an aperture defined by such a foam frame body.

A rear surface 170 of the frame-mounted canvas 160 may be positioned against the stop surface 112 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108. The stop 110 thus prevents the frame-mounted canvas 160 from passing entirely through the aperture 108 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 from the front side 102 of the foam frame body 100. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108 with the rear surface 170 contacting the stop surface 112, a portion of the frame-mounted canvas 160 extends in front of the front surface 106, which may provide an appearance similar to an appearance of other floater frames, although in alternative embodiments objects framed by a foam frame body may be generally flush with a front surface of the foam frame body or may have still other different dimensions or different appearances.

Referring to FIG. 7, a mounting apparatus according to one embodiment is shown generally at 172 and includes a link body 174 and fasteners 176 and 178. The link body 174 in the embodiment shown is a flexible metal wire twisted to form a closed loop shown generally at 180 near one end of the metal wire and a closed loop shown generally at 182 near the other end of the metal wire. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the fasteners 176 and 178 are each sized to be received securely in one of the openings 134, 136, 138, and 140 to connect the link body 174 to the foam frame body 100, when the closed loop 180 is connected to one of the fasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to the other of the fasteners 176 and 178, to facilitate mounting the foam frame body 100 to a wall. The link body 174 is therefore connectable to the foam frame body 100, and the link body 174 is also connectable to a wall as shown in FIG. 8 and described below.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, if the fasteners 176 and 178 are connected to the openings 134 and 136 with the closed loop 180 connected to one of the fasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to the other of the fasteners 176 and 178, then the foam frame body 100 may be mounted to a wall 184 in a landscape orientation (as shown in FIG. 8) with the first side 116 facing up by supporting the link body 174 on a fastener 186 fastened to the wall 184. Further, when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 with the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122, and when the foam frame body 100 is mounted to the wall 184 by supporting the link body 174 on the fastener 186 fastened to the wall 184, the frame-mounted canvas 160 is also mounted to the wall 184. The mounting apparatus 172 is therefore configured to connect the foam frame body 100 to the wall 184 independently of the frame-mounted canvas 160, and therefore causes the wall 184 to support the frame-mounted canvas 160 only by supporting the foam frame body 100.

Alternatively, if the fasteners 176 and 178 are connected to the openings 138 and 140 with the closed loop 180 connected to one of the fasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to the other of the fasteners 176 and 178, then the foam frame body 100 may be mounted to a wall in a portrait orientation, with the second side 120 facing up, by supporting the link body 174 on the wall 184.

Referring to FIG. 9, a mounting apparatus according to another embodiment is shown generally at 188 and includes a fastener 190 and a marker body 192. The fastener 190 includes a nail shaft 194 that may be nailed into and fastened to a wall, and a nail head 196 that may function as a connector as described below. The marker body 192 surrounds a portion of the nail shaft 194 and may slide along the nail shaft 194 and remain in a position that indicates a distance along the nail shaft 194.

Referring to FIG. 10, a saw-tooth hanger body 198 includes a plurality of recesses shown generally at 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208, and flanges on opposite sides of the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 define through openings shown generally at 210 and 212. The through-openings 210 and 212 are sized to receive respective fasteners 214 and 216 to fasten the saw-tooth hanger body 198 to a rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 160 shown generally at 218 and opposite the front surface 168, as shown in FIG. 11. Further, the flanges that define the through openings 210 and 212 are transversely offset from the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 to define a space shown generally at 220 behind the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 and sized to receive a portion of the nail head 196, as also shown in FIG. 11. In various commercial offerings, the frame-mounted canvas 160 may be sold or distributed with the saw-tooth hanger body 198 already connected to the frame-mounted canvas 160, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the fasteners 214 and 216 may be sold or distributed either separately or with the frame-mounted canvas 160 but detached from the frame-mounted canvas 160.

Referring to FIG. 11, once the saw-tooth hanger body 198 is connected to the rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 160, and when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108, the mounting apparatus 188 may be connected to the saw-tooth hanger body 198 by positioning a portion of the nail head 196 in the space 220 and by positioning a portion of the nail shaft 194 in one of the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 (shown in FIG. 10), with a portion of the nail shaft 194 received in the cutaway region 114. The saw-tooth hanger body 198 is thus a connector on the frame-mounted canvas 160 that is complementary to the nail head 196. Then, the marker body 192 may be positioned in a position on the nail shaft 194 that is generally coplanar with the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100, as shown in FIG. 11. When the marker body 192 is thus positioned, the marker body 192 indicates a distance between the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108. In alternative embodiments, the cutaway region 114 may be smaller than in the embodiment shown, the marker body 192 may be larger than in the embodiment shown, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be positioned higher on the frame-mounted canvas 160 than in the embodiment shown, and in such embodiments the marker body 192 may contact the rear surface 132 instead of being received in the cutaway region 114 as in the embodiment shown, but nevertheless the marker body 192 may indicate a distance between the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108.

Once the marker body 192 is positioned as described above, the fastener 190 may be disconnected from the tooth hanger body 198, while maintaining the marker body 192 generally constantly in the position on the nail shaft 194 described above. Then, while still maintaining the marker body 192 generally constantly in the position on the nail shaft 194 described above, the fastener 190 may be connected to a wall 222, which in the embodiment shown includes a drywall sheet 224 mounted on a wood stud 226, by positioning the nail shaft 194 in the wall 222 to a depth until the marker body 192 contacts an outer surface 228 of the wall 222, as shown in FIG. 12. When the nail shaft 194 is thus positioned, the nail head 196 is a distance from the outer surface 228 according to the position of the marker body 192 on the nail shaft 194, which (as indicated above) indicates a distance between the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108.

Referring to FIG. 13, once the fastener 190 is connected to the wall 222 as shown in FIG. 12, the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be connected to the fastener 190 again by positioning a portion of the nail head 196 in the space 220 and by positioning a portion of the nail shaft 194 in one of the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 (shown in FIG. 10), again with a portion of the nail shaft 194 received in the cutaway region 114. The fastener 190 thus extends through the aperture 108 of the foam frame body 100 to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 222, and supports and mounts the frame-mounted canvas 160 on the wall 222. Further, because the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 with the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122, the foam frame body 100 is also mounted to the wall 222. The mounting apparatus 188 is therefore configured to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 222 independently of the foam frame body 100, and therefore causes the wall 222 to support the foam frame body 100 only by supporting the frame-mounted canvas 160. As indicated above, in alternative embodiments, the cutaway region 114 may be smaller than in the embodiment shown, the marker body 192 may be larger than in the embodiment shown, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be positioned higher on the frame-mounted canvas 160 than in the embodiment shown, and in such embodiments the marker body 192 may contact the rear surface 132 and cause a small gap between the rear surface 132 and the wall 222.

Referring to FIG. 14, a mounting apparatus according to another embodiment is shown generally at 230 and includes a link body 232 coupled to a retaining body 234. In the embodiment shown, the link body 232 includes flexible thermoplastic sheets 236 adhered at one end to the retaining body 234, with a grommet 238 defining a through-opening extending through the thermoplastic sheets 236 and the retaining body 234, although alternative embodiments may include materials other than flexible thermoplastic sheets. At the other end of the link body 232, a grommet 240 defines a through-opening extending through the thermoplastic sheets 236. The retaining body 234 includes a retaining flange 242 extending generally perpendicular to the portion of the retaining body 234 that is adhered to the thermoplastic sheets 236.

Referring to FIG. 15, the retaining body 234 may be connected to the frame-mounted canvas 160 by positioning the retaining flange 242 between the frame 162 and the canvas 164, and by positioning a fastener 244 through the through-opening defined by the grommet 238 and into the frame 162. The retaining body 234, and the link body 232 coupled to the retaining body 234, are thus connectable to the frame-mounted canvas 160. Also, a fastener 246 may be positioned through the through-opening defined by the grommet 240 and connected to a wall 248, which in the embodiment shown includes a drywall sheet 250 mounted on a wood stud 252, and when the fastener 246 connects the grommet 240 to the wall 248, a portion of the link body 232 is received in the cutaway region 114. The link body 232 is thus connectable to the wall 248, and the mounting apparatus 230 thus extends through the aperture 108 of the foam frame body 100 to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 248 and to support and mount the frame-mounted canvas 160 on the wall 248. Also, because the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 with the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122, the foam frame body 100 is also mounted to the wall 248. The mounting apparatus 230 is therefore configured to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 248 independently of the foam frame body 100, and therefore causes the wall 248 to support the foam frame body 100 only by supporting the frame-mounted canvas 160.

Referring to FIG. 16, a mounting apparatus according to another embodiment is shown generally at 264 and includes a link body 266 coupled to a retaining body 268, which is similar to the retaining body 234 (shown in FIGS. 14 and 15), and which is likewise connectable to the frame-mounted canvas 160 as described above and as shown in FIG. 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the link body 266 includes flexible thermoplastic sheets 270 adhered at one end to the retaining body 268, with a grommet 272 defining a through-opening extending through the thermoplastic sheets 270 and the retaining body 268, although alternative embodiments may include materials other than flexible thermoplastic sheets. At the other end of the link body 266, the flexible thermoplastic sheets 270 are adhered to a connecting body 274 that defines a hook 276, which is connectable to the fastener 246 (shown in FIG. 15). Therefore, as an alternative to the mounting apparatus 230, the mounting apparatus 264 connects to the fastener 246 using the hook 276 instead of the grommet 240. Alternative embodiments may include still other different connectors that connect a link body to a wall and to an object such as a frame-mounted canvas.

FIG. 17 illustrates a foam frame body 254 according to another embodiment. The foam frame body 254 is similar to the foam frame body 100, except that the foam frame body 254 defines two apertures shown generally at 256 and 258. Each of the apertures 256 and 258 is similar to the aperture 108 and may receive at least some of a respective frame-mounted canvas. In one embodiment, FIG. 18 illustrates a frame-mounted canvas 260 partially received in the aperture 256 and a frame-mounted canvas 262 partially received in the aperture 258.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a foam frame body 278 according to another embodiment. The foam frame body 278 has a front side shown generally at 280 and a rear side shown generally at 282 and opposite the front side 280. On the front side 280, the foam frame body 278 has a generally planar and generally rectangular front surface 284 that defines an opening to an aperture shown generally at 286. On the rear side 282, the foam frame body 278 has a generally planar and generally rectangular rear surface 288 that also defines an opening to the aperture 286. Inside the aperture 286, the foam frame body 278 defines a stop 290 having a stop surface 292 on the front side of the stop 290 and facing the front side 280 of the foam frame body 278 but recessed behind the front surface 284. In the embodiment shown, the stop 290 is a ledge having a rear surface that is opposite the stop surface 292 and that is generally continuous with and co-planar with the rear surface 288 so that the opening to the aperture 286 on the rear side 282 is smaller than the opening to the aperture 286 on the front side 280 by an amount defined by a thickness of the stop surface 292.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the foam frame body 278 may frame an object such as a frame-mounted canvas 294. In the embodiment shown, the frame-mounted canvas 294 is similar to the frame-mounted canvas 160 and includes an image substrate such as a canvas 296 having a front surface 298 on a front side of the frame-mounted canvas 294. Some or all of the front surface 298 may be painted, printed, or otherwise bear an image such as a painting, a print, a printed photograph, or other artwork for example, and the image may continue to, or be reflected on, some or all of a peripheral surface of the frame-mounted canvas 294. Alternatively, some or all of the peripheral surface may have a compatible solid colour, such as white for example.

As shown in FIG. 21, a rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 294 (opposite the front surface 298) may be positioned against the stop surface 292 such that the front surface 298 is exposed on the front side 280 of the foam frame body 278 and framed by the front surface 284. Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the front side of the frame-mounted canvas 294 may be positioned against the stop surface 292 such that the front surface 298 is exposed on the rear side 282 of the foam frame body 278 and framed by the rear surface 288 and a rear surface of the stop 290. The foam frame body 278, the frame-mounted canvas 294, or both may then be mounted to a wall, as described herein for example. The foam frame body 278 is thus reversible and allows a front side of an object, such as the front side of the frame-mounted canvas 294 for example, to be framed either on the front side 280 of the foam frame body 278, which may provide an appearance for the front surface 298 similar to an appearance of other floater frames, or on the rear side 282 of the foam frame body 278, which causes the stop 290 to cover a portion of the front surface 298 and frame (or surround) another portion of the front surface 298, which may provide a different framed appearance for the front surface 298. Without limiting any of the embodiments described herein, ornamental designs of the foam frame bodies shown in the drawings are also disclosed. In some ornamental designs, one or more of relative widths, heights, or thicknesses, or one or more of other dimensions, may vary from those shown in the drawings. In some ornamental designs, one or more objects, such as frame-mounted canvases shown in the drawings, may form part of the ornamental designs or may form no part of the ornamental designs.

The foam frame bodies 100, 254, and 278 in the embodiments shown are generally rectangular, but foam frame bodies in alternative embodiments may be generally square, generally circular, or generally oval-shaped, for example. More generally, foam frame bodies in alternative embodiments may have different appearances than the foam frame bodies 100, 254, and 278. For example, foam frame bodies in alternative embodiments may have rounded exterior corners instead of the square exterior corners in the embodiments shown, and foam frame bodies in alternative embodiments may have different thicknesses, widths, or heights. Further, foam frame bodies of still other embodiments may include one, two, or more than two apertures having sizes, shapes, and locations in the foam frame bodies that differ from the embodiments described above.

In general, embodiments such as those described above may be reusable framing apparatuses for framing and displaying an object such as the frame-mounted canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 to provide an appearance similar to an appearance of other floater frames but without requiring cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming steps or complex tools and skills that may be required for such other floater frames. For example, the frame-mounted canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 may be connected and secured to the foam frame body 100, 254, or 278 without requiring nails, screws, tape, or other separate fasteners, and likewise. Embodiments such as those described above may therefore provide relatively easy, simple, and inexpensive display frames for objects such as the frame-mounted canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 when compared to other frames such as other floater frames.

Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the invention as construed according to the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A method of framing an object having a peripheral surface, the method comprising:

positioning at least some of the object in an aperture defined by a foam frame body with at least some of the peripheral surface of the object in frictional engagement with a frictional contact surface of the foam frame body surrounding at least some of the aperture of the foam frame body.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the at least some of the object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises positioning a rear side of the object opposite the front side of the object against at least one stop in the aperture.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the at least some of the object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises positioning the front side of the object against at least one stop in the aperture.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein framing the front side of the object further comprises covering a portion of the front side of the object with the at least one stop.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein framing the front side of the object further comprises surrounding a portion of the front side of the object with the at least one stop.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising mounting the object and the foam frame body to a wall.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein mounting the object and the foam frame body to the wall comprises causing the wall to support the object and to support the foam frame body only by supporting the object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the object comprises a frame and a canvas mounted to the frame.

9. A framing apparatus for framing an object having a peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising:

a foam frame body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of the peripheral surface of the object.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising at least one stop in the aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one stop defines a stop surface recessed behind a front surface of the foam frame body.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the front surface of the foam frame body defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portion of a rear surface of the object opposite the front surface of the object is positioned against the stop surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one stop comprises a ledge having a rear surface that is opposite the stop surface and that is generally continuous with a rear surface of the foam frame body opposite the front surface of the foam frame body.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rear surface of the ledge defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portion of the front surface of the object is positioned against the stop surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rear surface of the ledge and the rear surface of the foam frame body are generally coplanar.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the frictional contact surface of the foam frame body comprises:

a first generally planar surface;

a second generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first generally planar surface;

a third generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the second generally planar surface; and

a fourth generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first and third generally planar surfaces.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a mounting apparatus configured to mount the object and the foam frame body to a wall.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mounting apparatus is configured to connect the object to the wall independently of the foam frame body.

19. A kit comprising:

a framing apparatus for framing an object having a peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising a foam frame body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of the peripheral surface of the object; and

the object.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the object comprises a frame and a canvas mounted to the frame.