U.S. patent application number 10/134202 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for scented picture frame.
Invention is credited to Galloway, Amber Ann.
Application Number | 20030200690 10/134202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29249167 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030200690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Galloway, Amber Ann |
October 30, 2003 |
Scented picture frame
Abstract
A picture frame has a rear panel attached along its bottom edge
to a front panel. The rear and front panels are therefore enabled
for moving toward and away from each other in hinging motion about
the bottom edge. The front panel provides an aperture for viewing a
photo held against the rear panel. A hanger cord has opposing
terminal cord ends fastened to the rear panel, and slidingly
threaded through holes in the front panel. The central portion of
the cord forms a loop for hanging the picture frame. The rear panel
provides a means for gripping the photo such as tabs cut from the
rear panel fabric, preferably a cardboard. A scenting agent is
integral with at least one of the panels.
Inventors: |
Galloway, Amber Ann;
(Orange, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patent Law & Venture Group
Suite K-105
3151 Airway Ave.
Costa Mesa
CA
92626
US
|
Family ID: |
29249167 |
Appl. No.: |
10/134202 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/779 ;
40/757 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/0616 20130101;
A47G 1/0633 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/779 ;
40/757 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/06; A47G
001/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A picture frame apparatus comprising: a rear panel attached
along a bottom edge thereof to a front panel, the rear and front
panels enabled for moving together and apart in hinging motion
about the bottom edge; the front panel providing an aperture for
viewing a photo held against the rear panel; and a hanger cord
having opposing terminal cord ends, at least one of the terminal
cord ends fastened to one of the rear and front panels, and
slidingly threaded through at least one hole in the other of the
one of the rear and front panels, and therefrom forming a central
loop for hanging the picture frame.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear panel provides means
for gripping the photo.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the gripping means is at least
two opposing tabs cut from the rear panel and integral
wherewith.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least two tabs are of a
triangular shape.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the picture frame is made of a
cardboard material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a scenting agent
integral with at least one of the rear and front panels.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the scenting agent is
impregnated into at least one of the front and rear panels.
8. A picture frame apparatus comprising: a rear panel attached
along a bottom edge thereof to a front panel, the rear and front
panels enabled for moving together and apart in hinging motion
about the bottom edge; the front panel providing an aperture for
viewing a photo held against the rear panel; and a hanger cord
fastened to one of the rear and front panels, and a slot between
the front and rear panels for inserting the photo into the frame
between the front and rear panels in a position for viewing through
the aperture.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the picture frame is made of a
cardboard material.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a scenting agent
integral with at least one of the rear and front panels.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the scenting agent is
impregnated into at least one of the front and rear panels.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE: Applicant hereby incorporates
herein by reference, any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent
applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or
referred to in this application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to picture frames and more
particularly to a scented picture frame with hanger.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0004] Shaffer, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 366,107 describes a combination
picture frame and air freshener receptacle design.
[0005] Sprogis, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 400,717 describes a magnetic
photo display apparatus design.
[0006] Lumbard, U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,165 describes a frame assembly
for carrying display panels for advertising and other purposes
including a pair of generally polygonal allochiral frames having
means for carrying a display panel between them, an internal groove
with an opening therein on the lower inner side of each of said
frames and a connecting member having an intermediate portion and
opposing ends shaped to fit said internal grooves and inserted.in
said grooves with the intermediate portion extending through said
opening to connect the lower part of said frames so as to permit
pivoting of said frames around said connecting member to open and
closed positions while retaining said frames in a predetermined
relationship with one another and in contact with one another
adjacent said connecting member when in said open position. The
construction is preferably such that the pivotal movement of said
frames is limited to a generally V-shaped open position. An
improved type of snap lock clip is also provided to hold the frames
together in the closed position and, if desired, to provide a means
for hanging the frame assembly. A new and improved frame structure
is also provided.
[0007] Swanson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,952 describes a pair of
elongated upper and lower horizontal frame bars together with a
pair of upstanding opposite side frame bars. The upstanding
opposite side frame bars extend between and loosely end abutting
the lower and upper surfaces of the corresponding end portions of
the upper and lower frame bars and all of the bars include inner
and outer sides with the inner sides having coplanar grooves formed
therein and extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the
corresponding marginal edges of a poster bound on its edges by the
frame bars and with the poster member forming a keying element
engaged in the slot of each frame bar and thus keying the bars
together, each against lateral displacement relative to the other
frame bars transversely of the plane of the associated poster. The
opposite end portions of the upper and lower frame bars project
outwardly of the outer sides of the upper and lower ends of the
corresponding side frame bars and the end portions include
upstanding bores formed therethrough immediately outwardly of the
outer surfaces of the corresponding side frame bars. The opposite
end of an elongated flexible tension member are threaded downwardly
through the bores in the ends of the upper frame bar and also
downwardly through the bores in the ends of the lower frame bar and
are knotted through the last mentioned bores with the midportion of
the tension member being upwardly displaceable from the upper frame
bar and engageable with a suitable suspension member.
[0008] Spector, U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,212 describes a replaceable air
freshener unit adapted to be adhered to an automobile window to
suffuse the interior of the vehicle with a pleasing or stimulating
aroma. The unit is constituted by a bipartite rectangular frame and
a transparent film chip having artwork thereon, the film chip being
mounted behind the back section of the frame. The rear surface of
the chip is coated with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive
whereby the unit may be attached to the window at an appropriate
site. The front section of the frame is impregnated with a volatile
fragrance that is thematically related to the artwork and slowly
released into the atmosphere. When the fragrance is exhausted, the
unit may readily be detached from the window and replaced.
[0009] Shadwell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,565 describes a rectangular
picture frame that can be opened and closed repeatedly for mounting
and changing the picture to be displayed in the frame. The picture
framing device is characterized by a rigid backing sheet, which is
hinge mounted along one edge of the frame and releasabiy secured to
the frame along its other three edges with adhesive tape. A
triangular corner section of the backing sheet is removed to allow
for lifting of the backing sheet--from a closed or seated position
and swinging it about the hinged edge to provide access to the
frame interior for inserting or changing pictures.
[0010] Hudson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,177 describes a frame to hold a
photograph between a front wall and a back cover having an air
freshener holder on the back of the back cover. The frame is
arranged to be attached to a support that holds the air freshener
exposed to the atmosphere.
[0011] Hiscock, U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,889 describes a poster clamp
having a clam-shell clamp having an upper member and a lower
member, the upper and lower members rotatable about a common hinge
be tween open and closed positions, and when in the closed position
a first clamp arm on the upper member overlaying a first clamp arm
on the lower members, and when in the closed position a second
clamp arm on the upper member, coplanar with the first clamp arm on
the upper member, overlaying a second clamp arm on the lower
member, the second clamp arm on the lower member coplanar with the
first clamp arm on the lower member, the second clamp arms
extending substantially at right angles to the first clamp arms,
the first and second clamp arms having longitudinal outside edges,
the hinge along the longitudinal outside edges of the first clamp
arms, whereby when in the closed position the first and second arms
of the upper member are in substantially parallel engagement with
the first and second arms of the lower member to thereby releasably
frictionally engage a sheet placed between the upper and lower
members.
[0012] The prior art teaches air freshener supports, automobile air
fresheners, poster frames, picture frame assemblies, frame clamps,
and combination picture frames and air freshener receptacles, but
does not teach a picture frame having hinge fold at a lower
extremity, and a hanger enabled for holding the frame suspended
from a support and holding the frame closed due to the frame's
weight. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides
further related advantages as described in the following
summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0014] The present invention is a picture frame having a rear panel
attached along its bottom edge to a front panel. The rear and front
panels are therefore enabled for moving toward and away from each
other in hinging motion about the bottom edge. The front panel
provides an aperture for viewing a photo held against the rear
panel. A hanger cord has opposing terminal cord ends fastened to
the rear panel, and slidingly threaded through holes in the front
panel. The central portion of the cord forms a loop for hanging the
picture frame. The rear panel provides a means for gripping the
photo such as tabs cut from the rear panel fabric, preferably a
cardboard. A scenting agent is integral with at least one of the
panels.
[0015] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides
advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0016] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of
accepting a photo between a front and rear panels.
[0017] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of holding the panels in adjacent positions by a cord hanger
attached and threaded through the panels.
[0018] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of providing a fragrant scent.
[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention shown in an open attitude with a photo being inserted
from the top;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view thereof shown with the
photo in place; and
[0023] FIG. 3 is a still further perspective view thereof shown in
a closed attitude, and this illustrates, as well, a further
embodiment wherein the front and rear panels of the invention are
permanently bonded leaving a slot in the top edge of the panels for
insertion of a photo.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention
in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further
defined in detail in the following description.
[0025] A picture frame apparatus comprising in combination, a rear
panel 10 attached along a bottom edge 20 thereof to a front panel
30. The rear and front panels 10, 30 are thereby enabled for moving
together and apart in hinging motion about the bottom edge 20. The
front panel 30 provides an aperture 40 for viewing a photo 50 held
against the rear panel 10. A hanger cord 60 has opposing terminal
cord ends 62, 64 and these are fastened to one of the rear and
front panels, preferably the rear 10 one of the panels. The cord 60
is then slidingly threaded through at least one hole 70, and
preferably two holes 70, in the other of the one of the rear and
front panels, preferably, the front panel 30. A central loop 65 in
the cord 60 is used to hang the picture frame.
[0026] Preferably, the rear panel 10 provides a means for gripping
80 of the photo and this is preferably at least two tabs formed
from the rear panel 10 and integral thereto, as for instance, the
cutouts shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the at least two tabs are of a
triangular shape, as shown. The picture frame is preferably made of
a cardboard material, but it may also be made of plastic, wood or
other like substances.
[0027] The picture frame may also be made by joining the front 30
and rear 10 panels with, for instance, a bonding agent, except for
a slot 35 into which the photo may be inserted for viewing through
the aperture 40.
[0028] The apparatus further preferably comprises scenting agent 90
integral with at least one of the rear and front panels 10, 20.
Such a scenting agent 90 may be a perfume or other substance that
may be impregnated into one or both of the panels 10, 30 and will
thereafter diffuse from the apparatus into the air surrounding it.
Alternately, the agent 90 may be impregnated into a strip attached
to the back of the rear panel 10 by adhesive or mechanical fastener
as shown in the Shaffer and Hudson references.
[0029] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
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