U.S. patent application number 09/804067 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for quick framing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nielsen & Bainbridge, LLC.. Invention is credited to Dowzall, Martin, Houssian, Vazgen.
Application Number | 20010045042 09/804067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22693051 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010045042 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dowzall, Martin ; et
al. |
November 29, 2001 |
Quick framing system
Abstract
A frame assembly for quickly, easy, and inexpensively framing a
work of art without requiring any special tools or skills. The
frame assembly includes a transparent protective member and support
member. A work of art is positioned between the protective and
support members. One or more frame members are then used to secure
the protective and support members together. Frame members may be
two or three dimensional. Each frame member has a slot defined
therein to be slidably displaced over the assembled protective and
support members with the work of art disposed therebetween. An
internal rib projects outwardly into the slot of the frame member.
This rib is received within a corresponding slot defined in at
least a portion of the support member. To further ensure that the
protective and support members remain secured together, a retaining
member, such as a spring clip, leaf clip, or eccentric cam, may be
positioned within the slot of the frame member to produce a force
against the support member. The assembled frame may be mounted to
the wall using a variety of different techniques.
Inventors: |
Dowzall, Martin; (Franklin
Lakes, NJ) ; Houssian, Vazgen; (Union City,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY
805 THIRD AVENUE, 27TH FLR.
NEW YORK
NY
10022
US
|
Assignee: |
Nielsen & Bainbridge,
LLC.
|
Family ID: |
22693051 |
Appl. No.: |
09/804067 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60188417 |
Mar 10, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/790 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/0611 20130101;
G09F 15/0012 20130101; A47G 2001/0677 20130101; A47G 1/162
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/790 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A frame assembly for quickly framing a work of art, comprising:
a transparent protective member; a support member, said support
member having a groove defined therein; and at least one frame
member having a slot defined therein sized to accommodate said
protective member, the work of art, and said support member when
assembled; said frame member having an internal rib projecting into
the slot, and said frame member being slidably displaceable over
the assembled protective member, work of art, and support member
with the rib and groove aligned so as to secure the assembled
protective member and support member together.
2. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a retaining member disposed in a recess defined in the
slot of said frame member, when assembled said retaining member
imposes a force against said support member.
3. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said
retaining member is one of a spring clip, a leaf clip, and an
eccentric cam.
4. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said
support member has a recess defined therein complementary in size
and shape to receive said retaining member.
5. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
protective and support members are sized to completely cover said
work of art.
6. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
protective and support members have the same shape.
7. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
protective and support members have different shapes.
8. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
frame member is made of a rigid material.
9. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
assembly includes at least two frame members.
10. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rib
extends in an axial direction at least along a portion of said
frame member.
11. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein said
rib extends in the axial direction along the entire length of said
frame member.
12. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
groove extends at least along a portion of said support member.
13. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein said
groove extends in the axial direction along the entire width of
said support member.
14. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, said frame
member having a mounting device for hanging said assembled
frame.
15. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 14, wherein said
mounting device is a notch defined in said frame member.
16. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
notch is V-shaped.
17. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 14, wherein said
mounting device is an aperture defined in said frame member.
18. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 14, wherein said
mounting device is a positioning device disposed within a recess
defined in the slot.
19. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 18, wherein said
positioning device is a non-planar saw toothed member.
20. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
support and protective members are two dimensional.
21. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein at
least one of said support and protective members are three
dimensional.
22. A frame assembly for quickly framing a work of art, comprising:
a transparent protective member; a support member, said support
member having a rib projecting therefrom; and at least one frame
member having a slot defined therein sized to accommodate said
protective member, work of art, and support member when assembled;
said frame member having a groove defined in the slot, and said
frame member being slidably displaceable over the assembled
protective member, work of art, and support member with the rib and
groove aligned so as to secure the assembled protective member,
work of art and support member together.
23. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 22, further
comprising a retaining member disposed in a recess defined in the
slot of said frame member, when assembled said retaining member
imposes a force against said support member.
24. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 22, wherein said
support member has a recess defined therein and aligned to receive
said retaining member.
25. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
protective and support members are sized to completely cover said
work of art.
26. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
protective and support members have the same shape.
27. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
protective and support members have different shapes.
28. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
frame member is made of a rigid material.
29. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
assembly includes at least two frame members.
30. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
rib extends in an axial direction at least along a portion of said
frame member.
31. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 30, wherein said
rib extends in the axial direction along the entire length of said
frame member.
32. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
groove extends at least along a portion of said support member.
33. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 30, wherein said
rib extends in the axial direction along the entire width of said
frame member.
34. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, said frame
member having a mounting device for hanging said assembled
frame.
35. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 34, wherein said
mounting device is a notch defined in said frame member.
36. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 35, wherein the
notch is V-shaped.
37. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 34, wherein said
mounting device is an aperture defined in said frame member.
38. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 34, wherein said
mounting device is a positioning device disposed within a recess in
the slot.
39. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 38, wherein said
positioning device is a non-planar saw toothed member.
40. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
support and protective members are two dimensional.
41. The frame assembly in accordance with claim 21, wherein at
least one of said support and protective members are three
dimensional.
42. A method for framing a work of art using a framing assembly
including a transparent protective member, a support member having
a groove defined therein, and at least one frame member having a
slot and a rib projecting into the slot, comprising the steps of:
positioning the work of art between the transparent protective
member and the support member; aligning said frame member over said
assembled protective member, work of art, and support member so
that said rib is received within the groove of the support member;
and slidably displacing said frame member over said assembled
protective member, work of art, and support member to a
predetermined position.
43. The method in accordance with claim 42, before said aligning
step, further comprising the step of inserting a retaining member
into a recess defined in said slot.
44. The method in accordance with claim 42, wherein said displacing
step comprises moving said frame member to the predetermined
position in which said retaining member is aligned with a
complementary recess defined in said support member.
45. The method in accordance with claim 42, wherein said retaining
member is one of spring clip, a leaf clip, and an eccentric
cam.
46. The method in accordance with claim 42, further comprising the
step of mounting said assembled frame to a hanging device lodged in
a wall.
47. The method in accordance with claim 46, wherein said hanging
device is one of a nail, screw, and hook.
48. The method in accordance with claim 46, wherein said mounting
step comprises aligning a notch defined in the frame member with
said hanging device.
49. The method in accordance with claim 46, wherein said mounting
step comprises aligning a aperture defined in said frame member
with said hanging device.
50. The method in accordance with claim 46, before said aligning
step, further comprising securing a positioning member in a recess
defined in the slot of said frame member.
51. The method in accordance with claim 50, wherein said
positioning member is a non-planar saw toothed member secured in a
recess defined in said slot.
52. The method in accordance with claim 42, further comprising
inserting a securing device through the frame member and into a
portion of the support member.
53. The method in accordance with claim 52, wherein the securing
device is one of a nail and a screw.
54. A method for framing a work of art using a framing assembly
including a transparent protective member, a support member having
an outwardly projecting rib, and at least one frame member having a
slot and a groove defined in the slot, comprising the steps of:
positioning the work of art between the transparent protective
member and the support member; aligning said frame member over said
assembled protective member, work of art, and support member so
that said rib is received within the groove; and slidably
displacing said frame member over said assembled protective member
work of art, and support member to a predetermined position.
55. The method in accordance with claim 54, before said aligning
step, further comprising the step of inserting a retaining member
into a recess defined in said slot.
56. The method in accordance with claim 54, wherein said displacing
step comprises moving said frame member to the predetermined
position in which said retaining member is aligned with a
complementary recess defined in said support member.
57. The method in accordance with claim 54, wherein said retaining
member is one of spring clip, a leaf clip, and an eccentric
cam.
58. The method in accordance with claim 54, further comprising the
step of mounting said assembled frame to a hanging device lodged in
a wall.
59. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said hanging
device is one of a nail, screw, and hook.
60. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said mounting
step comprises aligning one of an aperture and a notch defined in
the frame member with said hanging device.
61. The method in accordance with claim 58, before said aligning
step, further comprising securing a positioning member in a recess
defined in the slot of said frame member.
62. The method in accordance with claim 61, wherein said
positioning member is a non-planar saw toothed member secured in a
recess defined in said slot.
63. The method in accordance with claim 54, further comprising
inserting a securing device through the frame member and into a
portion of the support member.
64. The method in accordance with claim 63, wherein the securing
device is one of a nail and a screw.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/188,417, filed Mar. 10, 2000, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to a frame assembly that
can be used to easily and quickly frame a work of art.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A work of art is generally framed to keep it preserved as
well as to add aesthetic beauty when displayed. The term "work of
art" is defined as any two or three dimensional article which it
may be desirable to frame such as a document, photograph, print,
diploma, or object. Consumer's often have a work of art framed by a
professional, but can save great expense by framing the work of art
themselves. The consumer does not possess the tools or skills of a
professional framer. It is therefore desirable to provide a framing
assembly that allows the consumer to frame a work of art
inexpensively, quickly and easily without requiring any special
tools or skills.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a frame that may be applied easily
and quickly to a work of art but does not require any special tools
or instruction.
[0007] A frame assembly for quickly, easy, and inexpensively
framing a work of art without requiring any special tools or
skills. The frame assembly includes a transparent protective member
and support member. A work of art is positioned between the
protective and support members. One or more frame members are then
used to secure the protective and support members together. Frame
members may be two or three dimensional. Each frame member has a
slot defined therein to be slidably displaced over the assembled
protective and support members with the work of art disposed
therebetween. An internal rib projects outwardly into the slot of
the frame member. This rib is received within a corresponding slot
defined in at least a portion of the support member. To further
ensure that the protective and support members remain secured
together, a retaining member, such as a spring clip, leaf clip, or
eccentric cam, may be positioned within the slot of the frame
member to produce a force against the support member. The assembled
frame may be mounted to the wall using a variety of different
techniques.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] The foregoing and other features of the present invention
will be more readily apparent from the following detailed
description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the
invention wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements
throughout the several views and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a framing assembly in
accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial cut away view of the frame member in
FIG. 1 with the spring clip;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the frame member
in FIG. 1 with the assembled frame hung on a wall using a nail;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the frame member
in FIG. 1 with the assembled frame hung on a wall using an
eccentric and cam;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the frame member in
FIG. 1 with a toothed insert used to hang the frame on the wall;
and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the frame member
in FIG. 5 with the assembled frame hung on a wall via the toothed
insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a quick
framing assembly 5 in accordance with the present invention.
Framing assembly 5 is used to frame a work of art 10. A transparent
protective member 12, such as a sheet of glass or plexiglass, is
placed over one surface of the work of art 10, while the opposite
surface is covered by a support or backing member 14, for example,
a sheet of Masonite, for supporting the work of art 10. By way of
example, the protective member 12 and support member 14 shown in
FIG. 1 are two dimensional rectangular sheets, however, any
polygonal shape or size two dimensional sheet may be used, as
desired. Protective member 12 and 14 may, but need not always be,
the same shape as that of the work of art 10. For instance, the
work of art may be square while the protective member 12 and
support member 14 may be trapezoidal in shape.
[0016] Instead of using two dimensional sheets as shown in FIG. 1
it is within the intended scope of the invention for the protective
member 12 and/or support member 14 to be three dimensional forming
a housing enclosing the work of art 10. By way of example, the
protective member may form a rectangular box having one open side
that is closed off by the support member when assembled. In this
embodiment, the work of art is supported between the protective and
support member using conventional techniques, for example, by
mounting the work of art 10 to the support member 14.
[0017] Support member 14, work of art 10, and protective layer 12
are held together by frame members 16, 18. Frame members 16, 18 are
preferably made of a rigid material that may be treated with a
coating, for example, an alodine treating or anodized treating. In
the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, frame assembly 5 includes
a rectangular frame member 16 and a cylindrical frame member 18.
Although two frame members are shown any number of one or more
members may be used.
[0018] Frame member 18 extends substantially equal to the width of
the protective and support members 12, 14, whereas, frame member 16
extends only a portion of the width of the protective and support
members 12, 14. Since frame member 16 is smaller in length than the
width of the protective and support members 12, 14 it may be slid
to any desired position, for example, centered, along the length
thereof. The length of each frame member 16, 18 may be selected as
desired. In yet another embodiment, the frame member 16, 18 may be
sized to extend beyond the width of the protective member 12 and
support member 14.
[0019] Support member 14 has at least one, preferably two, grooves
or channels, 20, 21 defined therein. Frame members 16, 18 include
slots 22, 26, respectively, defined therein. Slot 22, 26 is
sufficiently sized and shaped to receive the assembled support
member 14, work of art 10, and protective member 12. An internal
rib 24, 28 projects inwardly from the slot 22, 26 of the frame
members 16, 18, respectively. Ribs 24, 28 are complementary in
shape to that of grooves 20, 21, respectively. When assembled, ribs
24, 28 engage grooves 20, 21, respectively, thereby securing the
work of art 10 between the protective member 12 and support member
14. The ribs 24, 28 and grooves 20, 21 are shown in FIG. 1 as
extending in an axial direction across the entire width of the
frame members 16, 18 and support member 14. In an alternative
embodiment, the ribs 24, 28 and grooves 20, 21 may extend along
only a portion of the frame member and/or support member.
[0020] FIGS. 2 and 3 show an alternative embodiment of the frame
member including a retaining member 30, such as a spring clip or
leaf spring made from metal or plastic, that is received within a
recess 32 defined in the slot 22, 26. Retaining member 30 narrows
the width of the slot 22, 26 thereby generating a force that urges
the work of art 10, protective member 12, and support member 14
together holding them securely in place. A complementary slot is
preferably also defined in the support member 14 to receive the
retaining member 30 at a desired position.
[0021] Different embodiments may be used to secure the frame
assembly 5 to the wall 17. FIG. 2 shows a V-shaped notch or hole 34
cut into the longitudinal edge of the frame member 16. In the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the notch is V-shaped,
however, any shaped notch may be used as desired. A partial cross
sectional view of the frame assembly mounted to a wall 17 is shown
in FIG. 3. The frame assembly 5 is secured to the wall using a
nail, screw, hook or other conventional hanging device 36 that is
received in the notch of hole 34. FIG. 3 also shows the direction
of force F generated by the retaining member 30 against the support
member 14. To further ensure that the protective member 12 and
secure member 14 are retained within the frame member 16 a screw or
some other type of securing device 39 is preferably inserted
through the frame member 16 so that it penetrates into a portion of
the structure member 14. A securing device 39 may also be used with
the second frame member 18 in a similar manner.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a partial cross sectional view of an
alternative embodiment for hanging the frame assembly 5 by
inserting the hanging device 42 into a hole or aperture 40 defined
in frame member 16. The retaining member 30 used to urge the work
of art 10, protective member 12, and support member 14 together is
an eccentric cam 38.
[0023] Still another embodiment for hanging the frame assembly 5 to
a wall is shown in FIG. 5. Frame member 18 has an additional recess
defined within the slot 26 to receive a positioning member 50. By
way of example positioning member 50 is a saw toothed member having
any number of two or more teeth. FIG. 6 is a partial cross
sectional view of the frame assembly of FIG. 5 hung on a wall 17 by
a hanging device 56. As is evident from FIG. 6 positioning member
50 is not planar but instead is bent at an angle so that when
assembled and mounted to the wall 17 the positioning member 50
projects away from the assembled frame 5 to readily seat the
hanging device 56.
[0024] During assembly the work of art 10 is placed between the
protective member 12 and support member 14. One or more frame
members 16, 18 are slid across a commonly aligned linear edge or
side of the assembled protective and support members 12, 14 to a
desired position. Prior to sliding the frame member 16, 18 onto the
assembled support member 14, work of art 10, and protective member
12, rib 26, 28 of frame member 16, 18, respectively, must be
properly aligned with the slot or groove 20, 21 defined in the
support member 18. If multiple frame members 16, 18 are used the
process described above is repeated for each frame member.
[0025] Thereafter, the assembled frame and work of art may be
mounted to the wall using a hanging device that is inserted or
received in a v-shaped groove 34 or aperture defined in the frame
member 16, 18 itself. Alternatively, the assembled frame may be
mounted to the wall by receiving the hanging device in a position
member. Other conventional techniques for mounting the assembled
frame to the wall are within the scope of the invention.
[0026] Although the framing assembly in accordance with the present
invention has been shown and described with the frame member having
an internal rib and the supporting member having a complementary
groove defined therein, it is contemplated that the frame member
may be constructed to have a groove defined therein while the
support member has a complementary externally projecting rib to be
received within the groove.
[0027] Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed
out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various
omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of
the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that
all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform
substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to
achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.
Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another
are also fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be
understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale,
but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is the intention,
therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *