U.S. patent application number 09/788429 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for display frame for photographs and the like and typically credit card-sized.
Invention is credited to Painsith, Hermann K..
Application Number | 20010005953 09/788429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24596218 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005953 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Painsith, Hermann K. |
July 5, 2001 |
Display frame for photographs and the like and typically credit
card-sized
Abstract
A credit card-size plastics display frame defines a front
rectangular opening and coplanar side grooves peripherally around
this opening for receiving a photograph and a protective window in
front thereof, the window being usable as a template to cut an
appropriately sized photograph from a standard size picture for
insertion in the display frame. The photograph and the window are
installed in the frame by front loading through the rectangular
opening. The rear wall of the frame defines panels which can be
selectively, and reversibly, folded back to form a foot member to
allow the frame to stand on a horizontal surface. A diamond-shaped
cutout is defined in the rear wall to allow the display frame to be
hung on a wall with a nail and to facilitate the removal of the
photograph and window from the frame. The display frame is
characterized by its universal credit card dimensions, the snap fit
front loading mounting of the photograph and window, the reversibly
extendible support stands, by the diamond-shaped cutout, and the
window which also acts as a template to down-size a standard
picture to the required dimensions for the display frame.
Inventors: |
Painsith, Hermann K.;
(Klagenfurt, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marvin S. Towsend
8 Grovepoint Court
Rockville
MD
20854
US
|
Family ID: |
24596218 |
Appl. No.: |
09/788429 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09788429 |
Feb 21, 2001 |
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09234872 |
Jan 21, 1999 |
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6216377 |
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09234872 |
Jan 21, 1999 |
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08647246 |
May 9, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/750 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/143 20130101;
A47G 1/06 20130101; A47G 2001/0666 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/750 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/16 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A display frame for displaying a sheet-like article, comprising
frame means integrally molded in one piece and including front and
rear wall means joined together in a slightly spaced apart
relationship such that said frame means is substantially thin, said
front wall means defining front opening means, attachment means
extending inwardly from said front wall means and in a plane
thereof for retaining the article on said display frame, said
attachment means extending at a forwardmost limit of said frame
means, said opening means allowing at least part of the article to
be viewed when mounted to said display frame, said front and rear
wall means having substantially identical outside dimensions of a
length of 86 mm.+-.5 mm and a width of 54 mm.+-.5 mm.
2. A display frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame means
is of substantially rectangular outline and is adapted to be
inserted in credit card-type receiving pockets, said attachment
means extending only a short distance from said front wall means,
said opening means and said attachment means cooperating for
allowing the article to be removably mounted to said display frame
by front-loading thereof through said front opening means.
3. A display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein said front wall
means comprise front frame-shaped rim means, and wherein said
attachment means comprise lip means projecting inwardly from said
rim means, whereby the article during insertion through said
opening means is adapted to be snapped into engagement behind said
lip means.
4. A display frame as defined in claim 3, wherein said lip means
are convexly curved and extend between inner corners of said rim
means such that a substantially rectangular sheet-like article
having corners and at least partly flexible edges therebetween is
adapted to be front-loaded into position in said display frame
through said opening means with its corners being substantially
unobstructingly insertable through said inner corners while its
edges are snapped into engagement behind said curved lip means.
5. A display frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said rear wall
means defines an opening for allowing the article to be pushed out
of said display frame forwardly through said opening means, and
wherein said rear wall means is provided at least with one leg
means adapted to be reversibly displaced between an inoperative
position wherein said leg means is substantially parallel to said
rear wall means and an operative position wherein said leg means
extends at an angle with respect to said rear wall means for
allowing said display frame to be supported at an angle on a
horizontal surface.
6. A display frame as defined in claim 1, further comprising
template means for use in cutting down to appropriate size a
sheet-like article means, said template means including a
substantially transparent sheet means for allowing the article to
be viewed when the article means has been cut down to size and
which is adapted to double as a protective window engageable behind
said attachment means and in front of the article.
7. A display frame for displaying a sheet-like article, comprising
attachment means for retaining the article on said display frame,
front opening means at a front side of said display frame and
including corners, said front opening means allowing at least part
of the article to be viewed when mounted to said display frame,
said attachment means comprising curved lip means projecting
inwardly in said opening means and substantially in a plane
thereof, said lip means extending between said corners of said
opening means, said front opening means and said attachment means
cooperating for allowing the article to be mounted to said display
frame by front-loading thereof through said front opening means
with edges of the article extending behind said lip means.
8. A display frame as defined in claim 7, wherein said display
frame comprises rear wall means and front frame-shaped rim means,
and wherein said lip means project inwardly from said rim means,
whereby the article during insertion through said opening means is
adapted to be removably snapped into engagement behind said lip
means.
9. A display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein said lip means
are convexly curved and extend between inner corners of said rim
means such that a substantially rectangular sheet-like article
having corners and at least partly flexible edges therebetween is
adapted to be front-loaded into position in said display frame
through said opening means with the corners of the rectangular
sheet-like article being substantially unobstructingly insertable
through said inner corners while edges of the rectangular
sheet-like article are snapped into engagement behind said lip
means.
10. A display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein said rear wall
means defines an opening for allowing the article to be pushed out
of said display frame forwardly through said opening means.
11. A display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein said rear wall
means is provided at least with one leg means adapted to be
reversibly displaced between an inoperative position wherein said
leg means is substantially parallel to said rear wall means and an
operative position wherein said leg means extends at an angle with
respect to said rear wall means for allowing said display frame to
be supported at an angle on a horizontal surface.
12. A display frame as defined in claim 11, wherein said display
frame is of rectangular shape with at least a pair of said leg
means being provided for two adjacent sides thereof for allowing
said display frame to be supported along a selected one of a long
and a short orientation thereof.
13. A display frame as defined in claim 11, wherein said leg means
are pivotally mounted to said rear wall means by way of hinge means
integral to said rear wall means and to said leg means and defined
by at least one slot means defined in said rear wall means.
14. A display frame as defined in claim 8, further comprising
template means for use in cutting down to appropriate size a
sheet-like article means, said template means including a
substantially transparent sheet means for allowing the article to
be viewed when the article means has been cut down to size and
which is adapted to double as a protective window engageable behind
said lip means and in front of the article.
15. A display frame as defined in claim 7, wherein said display
frame has a length of 86 mm.+-.5 mm and a width of 54 mm.+-.5
mm.
16. A display frame for displaying a sheet-like article, comprising
attachment means for retaining the article on said display frame,
viewing means for allowing at least part of the article to be
viewed when mounted to said display frame, and template means
adapted to define limits of the article when cut from a second
larger article such that the article is of dimensions appropriate
for installation in said display frame.
17. A display frame as defined in claim 16, wherein said template
means comprise a substantially transparent sheet means for allowing
the article to be viewed when the second larger article has been
cut down to size and which is adapted to double as a protective
window secured to said display frame by said attachment means and
in front of the article.
18. A display frame for displaying a sheet-like article, comprising
attachment means for retaining the article on said display frame,
viewing means for allowing at least part of the article to be
viewed when mounted to said display frame, and at least one support
stand pivotally connected to a rear wall of said display frame
along a first pivot axis, said support stand being reversibly
pivotable between an inoperative retracted position wherein said
support stand is substantially parallel to said rear wall and an
operative extended stand position wherein said support stand
extends at an angle with respect to said rear wall for allowing
said display frame to be supported on a substantially horizontal
support surface, said support stand having lock means adapted upon
pivot of said support stand from said inoperative retracted
position to said operative extended stand position thereof to
displace relative to said first pivot axis, wherein in said
operative extended stand position, said lock means engage one of
said rear wall and said sheet-like article to retain said support
stand in said operative extended stand position.
19. A display frame as defined in claim 18, wherein said lock means
is pivotally displaceable about a second pivot axis which is, in
turn, pivotally displaceable with respect to said first pivot
axis.
20. A display frame as defined in claim 19, wherein said support
stand includes a proximal end portion which pivots about said first
pivot axis, and a distal end portion which pivots about both said
first and second pivot axes, said lock means being connected to
said distal end portion and extends on the opposite side of said
second pivot axis, whereby during a first phase of a displacement
of said support stand from said inoperative retracted position to
said operative extended stand position, said lock means is pivoted
about said first pivot axis, in a second phase, about said second
pivot axis and then at a certain time in said second phase, a
resiliency of said support stand urges said lock means against one
of said rear wall and said sheet-like article.
21. A display frame as defined in claim 18, wherein said support
stand is formed by cutout means defined in said rear wall, whereby
said support stand is disposed in the plane of said rear wall when
displaced to said inoperative retracted position thereof, and
whereby said lock means contact said sheet-like article when said
support stand is pivoted to said operative extended stand position
thereof.
22. A display frame as defined in claim 18, wherein at least a pair
of said support stands are symmetrically disposed with respect to a
median axis of said display frame for allowing a selected one of
said support stand to support said display frame onto the
substantially horizontal support surface in a first orientation of
said display frame, and for allowing both said support stands to be
displaced to said operative extended stand position thereof such
that said display frame may be disposed on the substantially
horizontal support surface in a second orientation rotated by 90
degrees with respect to said first orientation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to display frames for
displaying, for instance, photographs and, more particularly, to a
wallet-sized front-loading display frame, typically substantially
of credit card dimensions.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Frames for displaying pictures and the like are well known
in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,647,834 issued on Aug. 4,
1953 to Rabkin et al. discloses a frame 10 for a photographic plate
14 with peripheral side grooves being defined in the frame 10 for
receiving the peripheral edges of the plate 14. The photographic
plate 14 is rear-loaded into the frame 10 and the backing member 24
is provided with tear supports 34 and 36 which can be unfolded from
a position coplanar with the frame 10 to a deployed position
wherein the supports 34 and 36 extend at an angle with respect to
the frame 10 for use as a foot member supporting the frame 10 at an
angle atop a horizontal surface.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,373 issued on Apr. 12, 1983 to Transport
discloses a stamped planar picture frame which is foldable so as to
retain therein a picture and which is provided with a collapsible
easel 29 for displaying the frame and the picture carried therein
at an angle on a horizontal surface. Notches 20 and 22 are defined
on the back of the picture frame to allow for the photograph of the
like to be inserted therein substantially along the plane of the
picture frame and into the vertical grooves defined in the picture
frame.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,854 issued on Dec. 12, 1989 to Brandes
discloses a picture frame formed from a unitary blank and adapted
to be folded for retaining therein a photograph while permitting
for the display thereof at an angle on a horizontal surface. The
picture can be positioned in the assembled frame by temporarily
disconnecting and unfolding the rear panel 15 thereof.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,794 issued on Nov. 1, 1994 to Wood
discloses a further picture frame formed from a blank of a flexible
sheet material which is scored and shaped to provide, when folded,
a photograph-receiving frame defining a slot 52 through which the
picture can be inserted in the frame along a plane substantially
coplanar therewith with the picture being then retained in position
in the frame by the pocket formed by the raised adhesive strips 50
and 50'.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,521 issued on Nov. 8, 1994 to Burtch
discloses a display frame for baseball cards and the like which is
made from a blank sheet and which, when assembled, forms a display
frame provided with an erectable support 44 to enable the display
frame to stand up on a support surface. The display frame defines a
pocket 36 such that a baseball card 42 can be inserted therein
through the upper opening defined by the display frame's structure
and, more particularly, by its removable panel 24.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,078 issued on Jun. 19, 1990 to Sloot
discloses a planar erectable picture frame having a front
transparent window 20 with a slit 26 being defined on the backing
member of the picture frame for allowing a photograph to be
inserted inside the picture frame and opposite the window 20. An
outer sheet of the backing layer is provided with a support stand
16 to allow the picture frame to be displayed at an angle on a
horizontal support surface.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,690 issued on Jul. 18, 1978 to O'Neill
discloses a folded structure of foldable sheet material formed of
two or more members and held together entirely by the
interengagement of tabs and slots provided on the members. The tabs
and slots are positioned such that the assembled structure defines
a recessed central region surrounded by a border portion having an
overhanging lip such that pictures, postcards and the like can be
displayed in the folded structure.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,855 issued on Nov. 1, 1965 to Winkler et
al. discloses a cardboard blank which can be folded to form a
picture frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a
novel display frame for photographs and the like.
[0013] It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a
display frame which is substantially of credit card dimensions such
as to be universally transportable in wallets and the like.
[0014] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
display frame in which the photograph can be front-loaded into
position therein.
[0015] It is a still further aim of the present invention to
provide a display frame in which the photograph is front-loaded
therein, followed by the front-loading of a transparent protective
window in front of the photograph.
[0016] It is a still further aim of the present invention to
provide a display frame provided with a template for allowing a
photograph to be cut to an appropriate size for insertion in the
display frame.
[0017] It is a still further aim of the present invention to
provide a display frame in which the transparent window can be used
as the aforementioned template.
[0018] It is a still further aim of the present invention to
provide a display frame provided with integral reversibly foldable
support stands for selectively permitting the display frame and the
photograph carried therein to stand atop a horizontal surface while
allowing the support stands to be returned to a position coplanar
with the display frame, for instance, for subsequent storage in a
wallet or the like.
[0019] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there
is provided a display frame adapted to receive therein a sheet-like
article for the display thereof, comprising attachment means for
retaining the article on said display frame, viewing means for
allowing at least part of the article to be viewed when mounted to
said display frame, said display frame having a length of 86
mm.+-.5 mm and a width of 54 mm.+-.5 mm.
[0020] Also in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided a method of installing a sheet-like article in a display
frame for the display of said article, comprising the steps of
providing a display frame defining a front opening and mounting the
article to said display frame by front-loading said article through
said front opening.
[0021] Further in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided a method of cutting down a sheet-like article to a size
suitable for installation in a display frame for in a display
frame, comprising the steps of providing a display frame, a
sheet-like article and a template means; determining with said
template means a section of said article intended to be installed
in the display , said section having boundaries suitable for a
proper fit thereof in said display frame; removing said section
from said article; and installing said section in the display frame
for the display thereof.
[0022] Still further in accordance with the present invention,
there is provided a display frame adapted to receive therein a
sheet-like article for the display thereof, comprising attachment
means for retaining the article on said display frame, front
opening means at a front side of said display article, said front
opening means allowing at least part of the article to be viewed
when mounted to said display frame, said front opening means and
said attachment means cooperating for allowing the article to be
mounted to said display frame by front-loading thereof through said
front opening means.
[0023] Still further in accordance with the present invention,
there is provided a display frame adapted to receive therein a
sheet-like article for the display thereof, comprising attachment
means for retaining the article on said display frame, viewing
means for allowing at least part of the article to be viewed when
mounted to said display frame, and template means adapted to define
the limits of the article when cut from a second larger article
such that the article is of dimensions appropriate for installation
in said display frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Having thus generally described the nature of the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by
way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in
which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a display frame for
photographs and the like in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the
display frame taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the display frame of
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the display frame
of FIG. 1 in an alternate position thereof wherein a support stand
is shown in a deployed position for allowing the display frame to
stand on a horizontal support surface.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a display frame in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a
portion of the display frame of FIG. 5 wherein a support stand is
shown in a retracted position thereof;
[0031] FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a
portion of the display frame of FIG. 5 wherein the support stand of
FIG. 6 is in the process of being deployed to an extended stand
position thereof;
[0032] FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a
portion of the display frame of FIG. 5 illustrating the support
stand in the extended stand position thereof;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the display frame of
FIG. 5 shown with one support stand deployed to support the display
frame at an angle on a horizontal surface with the longitudinal
axis of the display frame transversal to the support surface;
and
[0034] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the display frame of
FIG. 5 shown with two support stands deployed to support the
display frame at an angle on a horizontal support surface with the
longitudinal axis of the display frame parallel to the support
surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] With reference to the drawings and, more particularly, to
FIG. 1, there is illustrated a novel display frame F which is
typically made of a plastic material and by way of an injection
molding process. The display frame F comprises a substantially
rectangular rear wall 10 which peripherally defines a slightly
forwardly projecting frame-shaped rim 12 (see FIG. 2) integral with
the rear wall 10 and defining at the front end thereof an inwardly
projecting peripheral lip 14. As seen in FIG. 1, on each front side
of the frame-shaped rim 12, the lip defines a slightly convex inner
edge 16 with each convex inner edge 16 extending between a pair of
successive inner rounded corners 18 defined by the rim 12. The
purpose of these convex inner edges 16 will be described in detail
hereinafter.
[0036] The rear wall 10 defines a central diamond-shaped cutout 20
and four slots 22 extending diagonally outwardly therefrom and
defining enlarged free ends 24. The rear wall 10 also defines near
the outer edges thereof four linear slots 26 which run parallel to
respective sides of the rear wall 10. The linear slots 26 have a
dual function wherein the linear slots 26 act as score lines for
facilitating the folding or deployment of support legs of the
display frame F which will be described in detail hereinafter, and
further act as undercuts for use in the injection molding
process.
[0037] The rear wall 10, the rim 12 and the lip 14 define an
inwardly facing peripheral shallow channel 28, as best seen in FIG.
2, which is adapted to receive the peripheral edges of a photograph
P, or the like, and a protective window 30 typically made of a
substantially flexible transparent plastics material.
[0038] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a
display frame which can be easily carried in wallets and the like
and, more particularly, within integral pockets or plastic sleeves
defined in such object-carrying articles. Accordingly, the outer
dimensions of the display frame F are preferably, but not
limitatively, similar to those of a credit card, whereby the
display frame F might have a length of 86 mm.+-.5 mm and a width of
54 mm.+-.5 mm. Furthermore, the display frame F is made very thin
such as to fit in the aforementioned credit card-receiving pockets
and sleeves provided in wallets and the like.
[0039] Therefore, the display frame F defines a front substantially
rectangular opening inwardly of the lip 14 such that the coplanar
side channels 28 which extend peripherally behind this opening and
the lip 14 can receive the outside edges of the photograph P and of
the window 30.
[0040] Importantly, the photograph P and the window 30 are
substantially rectangular while defining rounded corners and are
sized such that their rounded corners are positioned in the display
frame F substantially opposite the inner corners 18 and even
slightly inwardly thereof. The photograph P and the window 30 both
define between their respective rounded corners rectilinear edges
32 with the photograph P and the window 30 being sized such that
their rectilinear edges 32 run at least partly behind the convex
lips 14, as seen in broken lines in FIG. 1. The flexibility of both
the photograph P and the window 30 allows the same to be
front-loaded into the display frame F with a snap-like fit, and
this is facilitated by the rounded corners of the photograph P and
of the window 30 extending substantially opposite the inner corners
18 of the lip 14, and even slightly inwardly thereof, such as to
clear the corners whereas the rectilinear edges 32 of the
photograph P and window 30 can be easily snapped into engagement
behind the convex inner edges 16 of the lip 14 and thus into the
channels 28, the portions of the lips 14 overlapping the photograph
P and window retaining these components in position in the display
frame F.
[0041] It is noted that once the photograph P has been front-loaded
into position in the display frame F, the transparent cover sheet
or window 30 is positioned in a same way over the photograph P,
that is by front-loading. It might also be possible to install both
the photograph P and the window 30 in a single step.
[0042] Preferably, the window 30 is used as a template in order to
cut an appropriately sized section of a photograph for insertion in
the display frame F. The transparency of the window 30 further
allows the original photograph and, more particularly, its section
being cutout therefrom to be visible thereby ensuring that the
proper section of the original photograph will be removed therefrom
for subsequent use as the above-described photograph P within the
display frame F of the present invention.
[0043] Obviously, the present display frame F can be of larger
dimensions than those of a credit card such as to accommodate
standard sized pictures (e.g., 31/2".times.5, 4".times.6",
5".times.7", 8".times.10, 8".times.12", etc.) or other sheet-like
articles of different sizes worthy of display.
[0044] Now referring generally to FIG. 3, the rear wall 10 defines
four substantially triangular panel sections 34 each extending
basically between a pair of successive diagonal slots 22 and a
respective linear slot 26. The panel sections 34 remain attached to
the rear wall 10 in view of the fact that each linear slot 26 does
not reach the enlarged ends 24 of the two successive diagonal slots
22 between which such linear slot 26 extends. The linear slot 26 is
thus spaced apart at each of the ends thereof from a respective
enlarged end 24 of the diagonal slot 22 by approximately 8 mm of
rear wall material. These portions of the rear wall 10 which extend
between the ends of the linear slots 26 and the enlarged ends 24 of
the diagonal slots 22 are identified by reference numeral 36 and
functionally constitute hinges between the triangular panel
sections 34 and the remainder of the rear wall 10, as described
hereinbelow. Indeed, a selected one of the panel sections 34 can be
pulled away from the plane of the display frame F and thus folded
back so as to act as a foot member or stand which allows the
display frame F to be supported at an angle on a horizontal surface
S, as seen in FIG. 4. The rear wall 10 and its triangular panel
sections 34 are designed such that the panel sections can be
reversibly and repeatedly pivoted about the hinges 36 between the
extended stand position thereof illustrated in FIG. 4 and the
retracted position thereof of FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0045] With regards to the pivotable triangular panel sections 34,
it is noted that the type of plastic used therefor and also for the
rear wall 10 must have a certain resistance and, more particularly,
a required flexibility in order to allow for numerous bends and
deployments thereof without breaking at the hinges 36. On the other
hand, the plastic has to be rigid enough that after bending, the
panel sections 34 will remain in the selected, i.e. expanded or
retracted, position thereof. Possible plastics material which are
presently but not limitatively contemplated are polypropylene (PP),
styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer modified with butadiene rubber
(ABS) or modified with acrylate elastomer (SAN), high impact
polystyrene (SB), polyacetal (POM), polyamide (PA), i.e. nylon
resins, etc. All of these materials can also be reinforced.
Furthermore, the plastic which will be selected to fulfill the
above-mentioned physical requirements can also be generally
transparent in order to offer more coloring possibilities.
[0046] Regarding the hinges 36 and the related linear slots 26 and
enlarged ends 24, it is noted that the linear slots 26 are provided
in order to reduce the effort required for bending the triangular
panel sections 34 and also in order to assist the injection molding
process. Indeed, the linear slots (approximately 0.8 mm wide)
extending between the hinges 36 permit the formation of the
undercut (lip) located at the front of the display frame F and used
to mount the photograph P and the window 30 to the frame F. Indeed,
a rear movable mold part of the injection molding tool defines
rectangular forward ribs which form the linear slots 26 while
extending forwardly up to the rear surfaces of the lips 14 with a
fixed front mold part defining the slightly curved configuration of
the inner edges 16 of the lips 14. It is these undercuts or lips 14
which allow for the easy front-loading of the photograph P and
window 30 through the front of the frame F by defining a curve (see
inner edges 16 in FIG. 1) having a large radius which peaks at
about 0.5 mm in height at the middle of the frame F and which
reduces gradually to zero at the inner corners 18. This basically
allows for the corners of the photograph P and of the window 30 to
be front-loaded substantially without bending in the display frame
F with their linear edges being snapped into engagement behind the
undercuts or lips 14.
[0047] The diamond-shaped cutout 20 defined in the rear wall 10
defines rounded apexes 38 which can be used for hanging the display
frame F on a nail installed in a wall. Furthermore, the cutout 20
also facilitates the removal of the window 30 and of the photograph
P from the display frame F by simply pushing on the photograph P
through the cutout 20.
[0048] Accordingly, the features of the display frame F which are
of interest reside in the universal credit card dimensions thereof;
the front-loading of the photograph P in the display frame F,
including the method of installing the photograph P and the window
30 in the display frame F by front-loading and with a snap-fit; the
reversibly extendible panel sections 34 which act as support stands
for allowing the display frame F to be supported on a horizontal
surface, either along its horizontal or vertical orientation; the
diamond-shaped cutout 20 defined in the rear wall 10 for allowing
the display frame F to be hung on a wall and to facilitate the
removal from the display frame F of the photograph P and of the
window 30; and the use of the window 30 as a template to allow the
user to cut a larger picture to a size appropriate for the present
display frame F, i.e. the size of the illustrated photograph P,
while allowing the user to clearly view the contents of the portion
of the standard size picture which is being cut for the purpose of
installation in the display frame F.
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention having a different rear wall configuration. More
specifically, according to this embodiment, the rectangular rear
wall 10' defines two linear peripheral grooves 40 extending along a
major portion of the longer sides of the display frame F'. The rear
wall 10' further defines two peripheral openings 42 extending along
a major portion of the shorter sides of the display frame F'. The
linear peripheral grooves 40 along with the peripheral openings 42
form a central rear wall portion 44 which cooperates with the lips
14 for retaining the window 30 and a photograph (not shown) in
place within the display frame F'. The central rear wall portion 44
is integrally connected along the longer sides thereof to the
frame-shaped rim 12. Furthermore, an integral connecting member 46
extends diagonally from each corner of the central rear wall
portion 44 to strengthen the attachment thereof to the frame-shaped
rim 12.
[0050] The central rear wall portion 44 defines a central
diamond-shaped cutout 48 through which one may push on the
photograph (not shown) to remove the same from the display frame
F', as explained hereinbefore with respect to the first described
embodiment. The central rear wall portion 44 also defines two
elongated openings 50 symmetrically disposed with respect to a
longitudinal median axis of the display frame F'. Cutouts 51 are
defined in the central wall portion 44 so as to form a pair of
pivotable integral support stands 52. The support stand 52 are
symmetrically disposed with respect to a transversal median axis of
the display frame F'.
[0051] According to the illustrated embodiment, the support stands
52 have a M-shaped configuration. Each support stand 52 includes
two external legs 54 connected to each other through a central tab
or flap 56. Each external leg 54 is connected to the central rear
wall portion 44 via a first live hinge 58 and a frangible
connection 60 extending through the cutout 51. Accordingly, to
pivot a selected one of the support stand 52 about its first live
hinges 58, the frangible connections 60 thereof must first be
broken into two distinct portions 60a and 60b. This could be
accomplished by simply pulling on the selected support stand 52 to
pivot it away from the plane of the display frame F'. As will be
explained hereinafter, the broken portions 60a and 60b will
cooperate to retain the support stand 52 in a non-functional
retracted position thereof. A second live hinge 62 is defined in
each external legs 54 to allow articulation thereof. The second
live hinges 62 divide the external legs 54 into a first portion 63
and a second portion 65.
[0052] As seen in FIG. 7, once the frangible connections 60 of a
selected one of the support stands 52 have been ruptured, the
selected support stand 52 is allowed to be pivoted away from the
plane of the display frame F' about the first live hinges 58
thereof. During the first phase of the pivotal movement in the
direction of arrow 64, the selected support stand 52 will
essentially only pivot about the first live hinge 58 thereof.
However, continuous pulling action on the selected support stand 52
above the second live hinges 62 thereof will eventually cause the
support stand 52 to also pivot about the second live hinges 62 and,
thus, cause the external legs 54 to be folded. Accordingly, the
first portion 63 of the external legs 54 will be pivoted away from
the plane of the display frame F'. Since the central flap 56 is
connected to respective first portions 63 of the legs 54 and is
disposed on opposite side of the pivot axis extending through the
second live hinges 62 of the selected support stand 52, the central
flap 56 will be moved in the opposite direction, i.e. towards the
plane of the display frame F'. At a certain point, as illustrated
in FIG. 7, the distal edge 66 of the central flap 56 will engage
the photograph (not shown) and cause the same to bent with the
window 30. From this position to the position illustrated in FIG.
8, the central flap 56 acts as a locking member to overcome the
resiliency of the external legs 54 at the second live hinges 62
thereof. In other words, past the position illustrated in FIG. 7,
the biasing force of the second live hinges 62 will urge the
central flap 52 against the photograph (not shown), thereby
preventing the second leg portion 63 from being pivoted towards
their original position.
[0053] Further pivot of the first leg portions 63 of the selected
support stand 52 about respective second live hinges 62 in the
direction indicated by arrow 66 in FIG. 8 will bring the central
flap 56 in engagement between the photograph (not shown) and one
apex 68 of a diamond-shaped rear wall portion extending between the
two support stands 52 about the central diamond-shaped cutout 48.
In this position, the first leg portions 63 of the selected support
stand 52 will act as a support foot for supporting the display
frame F' on a horizontal surface F'. As seen in FIG. 8, the central
flap 56 will push on the apex 68 thereby causing the same to flex
away from the plane of the display frame F'. As the apex 68 is
resilient, it will tend to recover the original position thereof,
thereby further urging the support flap 56 against the photograph
(not shown). Accordingly, the friction between the apex 68, the
central flap 56 and the photograph (not shown) will help
maintaining the selected support stand 52 in its functional stand
position to support the display frame F' along a short orientation
thereof, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is noted that the biasing
force of the first and second pairs of live hinges 58 and 62 will
also prevent the selected support stand 52 from being pivoted back
to its original retracted position while supporting the display
frame F' on a horizontal surface S.
[0054] The first and second pairs of live hinges 58 and 62 are
designed such that the support stands 52 can be reversibly and
repeatedly pivoted between the stand position illustrated in FIGS.
8 to 10 and the retracted position thereof of FIGS. 5 and 6. When a
selected support stand 52 is pivoted back to its retracted
position, the associated broken portions 60a and 60b will snap into
engagement so as to retain the selected support stand 52 in the
plane of the display frame. However, if it is subsequently desired
to displace the selected support stand 52 to the stand position
thereof, the friction between associated broken portions 60a and
60b can be readily overcome by simply pulling on the selected stand
52.
[0055] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the frangible connections 60 could be replaced by snap-like fit
cooperating members.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 10, the two support stands 52, which are
symmetrically disposed relative to the median transversal axis of
the display frame F', may be both deployed to support the display
frame F' along the long orientation thereof instead of the short
orientation thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0057] As seen in FIGS. 5, 9 and 10, laterally spaced-apart ribs 70
extend from the undersurface of the lip 14 inwardly of the
frame-shaped rim 12 to assist in positioning the photograph within
the display frame F'.
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