SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR FRAMING DISPLAY ITEMS INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS, PICTURES, MEMORABILIA AND COLLECTIBLES
A framing system includes a compliant framing mat having a top major surface, and at least one display item overlying the top major surface of the compliant framing mat. The framing system includes a picture frame having a central opening and glazing covering the central opening. The compliant framing mat is disposed inside the picture frame with the at least one display item disposed between the glazing and the top major surface of the compliant framing mat.
The present patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/816,538, filed on Mar. 10, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present patent application is generally related to picture frames, and is more specifically related to systems and devices for framing items for display such as photographs, pictures, memorabilia, and collectibles.
Description of the Related ArtReferring to
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In many instances, individuals wish to display photographs, pictures, memorabilia and/or collectibles inside a picture frame containing a picture frame mat. Requiring individuals to utilize adhesive material such adhesive tape to secure the items to the rear face of the picture frame mat may damage the items secured to the rear of the picture frame mat. Using adhesive tape to secure items to the rear face of a picture frame mat will also minimize the likelihood that an individual will be able to remove the items from being secured to the rear face of a picture frame mat for being displayed inside another picture frame or at another location.
In view of the above-noted deficiencies, there remains a continuing need for systems and devices for framing items including photographs, pictures, memorabilia, and collectibles. In addition, there remains a continuing need for systems and devices for displaying framed items whereby the outer edges and outer perimeters of the framed items remain completely visible and are not occluded by a picture framing mat. Moreover, there is a need for systems and devices for framing items having a substantial thickness such as sports programs, playbills, and/or magazines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, a system for framing a display item such as a photograph, a picture, memorabilia and/or a collectible preferably includes a picture frame having an outer perimeter that defines a central opening of the picture frame. The central opening is desirably adapted to receive glazing or a transparent pane, such as a pane of glass or a transparent polymer sheet.
In one embodiment, the system preferably includes a compliant framing mat having a cloth covering that covers at least one major surface or face of the compliant framing mat. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be black. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be white. In one embodiment, cloth coverings may be selected from a broad range of different colors and may have different patterns or designs printed thereon. In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat desirably has a width and a height that is sized to match the size of the central opening of the picture frame.
In one embodiment, a display item, such as a playbill, a magazine, memorabilia or a collectible is configured to be positioned atop the compliant framing mat for display within the picture frame of the system.
In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat preferably has a width, a height, and a thickness. The thickness may be varied to accommodate the thickness of the display item. The top face of the compliant framing mat is preferably covered by the cloth covering. In one embodiment, the cloth covering may be black, white, or colored (e.g., red, blue, green).
In one embodiment, the display item may be positioned over the cloth covering of the compliant framing mat. The outer edge of the display item is preferably fully visible after it has been positioned over the top surface of the compliant framing mat. Placing the display item over the top surface of the compliant framing mat, as opposed to securing the display item to a rear face of a picture frame mat, provides a dramatic improvement over prior art framing mats whereby the outer edges of the photographs secured over the openings of the prior art mats are cut off and not visible.
In one embodiment, a framed display item may be a playbill, a magazine, or a program having many pages (e.g., 10-100 pages or more) that are secured together (e.g., stapled). As a result, in one embodiment, the display item may have a substantial thickness that is significantly greater than a single sheet of paper.
In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat preferably has a thickness that is selected to match the thickness of the display item. In one embodiment, if the display item has a greater thickness, the thickness of the compliant framing mat may be relatively thin. In embodiments in which the display item is thinner, the compliant framing mat may be thicker to insure a secure fit between the display item and the compliant framing mat so that the collectible item does not shift and/or move relative to the top surface of the compliant framing mat.
In one embodiment, when the compliant framing mat and the display item are placed into a picture frame, the display item is preferably sandwiched between the glazing (e.g., a glass pane) of the picture frame and the top surface of the compliant framing mat. When a backing board is secured to the back of the frame, the compliant framing mat is preferably compressed so that the display item sinks into the front face of the compliant framing mat. As the compliant framing mat is pressed against the display item, a depression preferably forms in the front face of the compliant framing mat that conforms to the shape of the outer perimeter or outer edge of the display item. The depression formed in the front face of the compliant framing mat preferably surrounds the outer edges of the display item to hold the display item stationary and prevent shifting of the display item relative to the front face of the compliant framing mat.
In one embodiment, after a display item has been positioned over the top major surface of the compliant framing mat, the combination of the compliant framing mat and the display item may be positioned inside a picture frame so that the display item is visible through the glazing that covers the central opening of the picture frame. Due to the fact that a conventional framing mat having openings (
These and other preferred embodiments of the present patent application will be described in more detail below.
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In one embodiment, a display item 212, such as a playbill, a magazine, memorabilia or a collectible is configured to be positioned atop the compliant framing mat 208 for display within the picture frame 202 of the system 200.
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In one embodiment, when the compliant framing mat 208 and the display item 212 are placed into a picture frame, the display item 212 is preferably sandwiched between the glazing (e.g., a glass pane) of the picture frame and the top surface of the compliant framing mat. When a backing board is secured to the back of the frame, the compliant framing mat is preferably compressed so that the display item sinks into the front face of the compliant framing mat 210. As the compliant framing mat is pressed against the display item, a depression preferably forms in the front face of the compliant framing mat that conforms to the shape of the outer perimeter of the display item. The depression formed in the front face of the compliant framing mat preferably surrounds the outer edges of the display item to hold the display item stationary and prevent shifting of the display item relative to the front face of the compliant framing mat.
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In one embodiment, when the compliant framing mat 408 and the two photographs 410A, 410B are placed into the picture frame 402, the photographs 410A, 410B are preferably sandwiched between the glazing (e.g., a glass pane) of the picture frame and the top surface of the compliant framing mat. When a backing board is secured to the back of the picture frame, the compliant framing mat is preferably compressed so that the photographs sink into the front face of the compliant framing mat 410. As the compliant framing mat is pressed against the photographs, a depression preferably forms in the front face of the compliant framing mat that conforms to the shape of the outer perimeters of the two photographs. The depression formed in the front face of the compliant framing mat preferably surrounds the outer edges of the two photographs to hold the photographs stationary and prevent shifting of the photographs relative to the front face of the compliant framing mat.
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In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat may be made of foam and may have a thickness of about 0.25-3.0 inches. In one embodiment, the compliant framing mat may have a width of about 4-30 inches and a height of about 6-40 inches.
In one embodiment, a framing system preferably includes a set of compliant framing mats, whereby at least some of the compliant framing mats in the set have different thicknesses. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats have various thickness that range from 0.25 inches to 3.0 inches. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats have thicknesses of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, and 3.00 inches. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats have different colors such as black, white, red, blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, etc. In one embodiment, a set of compliant framing mats may have different patterns or designs provided on the major surfaces thereof.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A framing system comprising:
- a compliant framing mat having a top major surface;
- at least one display item overlying the top major surface of said compliant framing mat;
- a picture frame having a central opening and glazing covering the central opening, wherein said compliant framing mat is disposed inside said picture frame with said at least one display item disposed between said glazing and the top major surface of said compliant framing mat.
2. The framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compliant framing mat is made of foam and has a cloth covering overlying the top major surface of said compliant framing mat.
3. The framing system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a picture frame backing secured to a rear side of said picture frame for compressing said compliant framing mat between said glazing and said picture frame backing.
4. The framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one display item is selected from the group consisting of photographs, pictures, memorabilia, collectibles, magazines, programs, and playbills.
5. The framing system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a decorative border provided on said cloth covering that, wherein said decorative border surrounds said at least one display item.
6. The framing system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an alignment guide provided on said cloth covering for aiding alignment of said at least one display item over the top major surface of said compliant framing mat.
7. The framing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said alignment guide is printed on said cloth covering.
8. The framing system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a second alignment guide printed on said cloth covering.
9. The framing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a first photograph is surrounded by said first alignment guide and a second photograph is surrounded by said second alignment guide.
10. The framing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cloth covering comprises a color selected from the group of colors consisting of black, white, red, blue and green.
11. The framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said glazing comprises a pane of glass or a transparent polymer sheet.
12. The framing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one display item is sandwiched between said glazing and the top major surface of said compliant framing mat.
13. The framing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein when said picture frame backing is secured to the back of said frame, said compliant framing mat is compressed between said glazing and said picture frame backing so that said at least one display item is sunk into the front face of said compliant framing mat.
14. The framing system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at least one display item has an outer perimeter, and wherein said compliant framing mat comprises a depression in the front face of said compliant framing mat that conforms to the outer perimeter of said at least one display item.
15. The framing system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said depression formed in the front face of said compliant framing mat surrounds the outer perimeter of said at least one display item to hold said at least one display item stationary and prevent shifting of said at least one display item relative to the front face of said compliant framing mat.
16. A framing system comprising:
- a compliant framing mat having first and second major surfaces;
- a cloth covering overlying the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;
- a display item overlying said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;
- a picture frame having a central opening;
- glazing covering the central opening of said picture frame, wherein said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat are disposed inside said picture frame with said display item disposed between said glazing and said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;
- a picture frame backing secured to a rear side of said picture frame and engaging the second major surface of said compliant framing mat for compressing said display item, said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat between said glazing and said picture frame backing, wherein said display item is sandwiched between said glazing and said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat with said display item sunk into the first major surface of said compliant framing mat.
17. The framing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said display item has an outer perimeter, and wherein the first major surface of said compliant framing mat has a depression formed therein that conforms to the outer perimeter of said display item.
18. The framing system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said depression formed in the first major surface of said compliant framing mat surrounds the outer perimeter of said display item to hold said display item stationary and prevent shifting of said display item relative to the first major surface of said compliant framing mat.
19. A framing system comprising:
- a compliant framing mat having first and second major surfaces;
- a cloth covering overlying the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;
- an alignment guide provided on said cloth covering;
- a display item having an outer perimeter overlying said cloth covering, wherein said alignment guide is used for aligning the outer perimeter of said display item over said cloth covering;
- a picture frame having a central opening;
- glazing covering the central opening of said picture frame, wherein said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat are disposed inside said picture frame with said display item disposed between said glazing and said cloth covering;
- a picture frame backing secured to a rear side of said picture frame and engaging the second major surface of said compliant framing mat for compressing said display item, said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat between said glazing and said picture frame backing, wherein said display item is sandwiched between said glazing and said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat, and wherein the first major surface of said compliant framing mat has a depression formed therein that conforms to and surrounds the outer perimeter of said display item to hold said display item stationary and prevent shifting of said display item relative to the first major surface of said compliant framing mat.
20. The framing system as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:
- a second alignment guide provided on said cloth covering;
- a second display item having an outer perimeter overlying said cloth covering, wherein said second alignment guide is used for aligning the outer perimeter of said second display item over said cloth covering, wherein said first and second alignment guides are printed on said cloth covering.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 10, 2020
Publication Date: Sep 17, 2020
Inventor: Ethan R. Reiss (Dover, NJ)
Application Number: 16/814,630