U.S. patent application number 10/617412 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for combination display frame.
Invention is credited to Way, Franklin B..
Application Number | 20050005494 10/617412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33564956 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050005494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Way, Franklin B. |
January 13, 2005 |
Combination display frame
Abstract
A combination display frame for mounting at least one piece of
art which includes a matte and a backing and a light source to
provide back lighting. The matte has openings through which the art
is displayed. One of the displayed pieces of art is at least
partially transparent and the light source is imbedded within the
frame for lighting the at least partially transparent piece of art
from its backside. Preferably, a switch on the frame's outer
periphery is provided for turning the light source on and off and
the light source is a light panel about the same size and dimension
as the art piece. Finally, the preferred embodiment includes an
access panel which secures and provides access to the light
panel.
Inventors: |
Way, Franklin B.; (Lincoln,
NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Camille L. Urban, Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross,
Baskerville & Schoenebaum PLC
Regency West 5, 4500 Westown Parkway
Suite 277
West Des Moines
IA
50266
US
|
Family ID: |
33564956 |
Appl. No.: |
10/617412 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/714 ;
40/768 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/0622
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
040/714 ;
040/768 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/06 |
Claims
1. A combination display frame for mounting at least two pieces of
art, said frame comprising: (a) an outside periphery sufficient in
size to surround said at least two pieces of art; (b) a matte
having openings that generally conform to the sizes of said at
least two pieces of art and being received within said outside
periphery; (c) backing means juxtaposed with said matte for
mounting said at least two pieces of art in such position that each
is aligned with one of said openings in said matte; (d) said at
least two pieces of art comprising at least one at leat partially
transparent piece; and (e) light means associated with said backing
means to provide back lighting only for said at least one at least
partially transparent piece.
2. A combination display frame as recited in claim 1, wherein said
frame further includes means for alternatively actuating said light
means to either one of an on-condition or an off-condition.
3. A combination display frame as recited in claim 2, wherein said
means for alternatively actuating said light means comprises a
toggle switch and is associated with said outside periphery and a
circuit means is provided to electrically associate said light
means with said toggle switch.
4. A combination display frame as recited in claim 2, wherein said
light means is formed of a battery powered light box.
5. A combination display frame as recited in claim 4, wherein said
light box comprises a slim light panel with a fluorescent light
source.
6. A combination display frame as recited in claim 1, wherein said
backing means is in surface-to-surface contact with said matte.
7. A combination display frame as recited in claim 6, wherein said
at least partially transparent piece comprises an outside piece of
transparent acrylic and an inside piece of transparent acrylic for
protecting said at least partially transparent piece.
8. A combination display frame as recited in claim 1, wherein said
at least partially transparent piece depicts a subject matter and
said at least two pieces of art further comprises a print of said
subject matter, and said size of said print is at least four times
larger than said size of said semi-transparent piece.
9. A combination display frame as recited in claim 8, wherein said
at least partially transparent piece is positioned generally
adjacent to an outer perimeter of said print.
10. A combination display frame as recited in claim 9, wherein said
frame further includes a transparent protective means positioned in
front of said print and said semi-transparent piece, said
transparent protective means being associated with said outside
periphery and said backing means to form a generally sealed
assembly for said print and said semi-transparent piece.
11. A combination display frame for mounting at least two pieces of
art comprising: (a) a matte; (b) backing means; (c) an outer
periphery; (d) said at least two pieces of art comprising at least
partially transparent piece and at least one generally opaque
piece; (e) a first opening in said matte corresponding to the shape
of said at least partially transparent piece and a second opening
in said matte corresponding to the shape of said at least one
generally opaque piece. (f) a third opening in said backing means
corresponding to the shape of and aligned with said first opening
in said matte; (g) means for securing said backing means, said at
least one at least partially transparent piece, said at least one
generally opaque piece, and said matte in stationary relationship
with one another; and (h) light means for providing back lighting
for said at least one at least partially transparent piece
positioned in said third opening behind said at least one at least
partially transparent piece.
12. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said light means is positioned within said third opening and behind
said at least one at least partially transparent piece.
13. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 12, wherein
said light means is secured in position with a removable access
panel equipped with latching means.
14. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said means for securing said backing means, said at least one at
least partially transparent piece, said at teat one generally
opaque piece, and said matte comprise an adhesive material and a
plurality of clamping devices positioned generally adjacent to said
outside periphery.
15. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said at least partially transparent piece is a photographic
negative and said at least one generally opaque piece is a print of
said photographic negative.
16. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 13, wherein
said light means comprises a light panel of generally same shape as
said at least one at least partially transparent piece.
17. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said at least one generally opaque piece is three-dimensional in
nature.
18. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 11 further
comprising two short frame elements and two long frame elements
adjacent to said outer periphery and a transparent cover placed
between said matte and said two short and said two long frame
elements to provide protection for said at least partially
transparent piece and said at least one generally opaque piece.
19. A combination display frame for mounting at least two pieces of
art comprising: (a) a matte, backing means, an outer periphery, a
semi-transparent art piece, a generally opaque art piece, and light
means to provide back lighting for said semi-transparent art piece;
(b) said matte comprising a first opening of generally same shape
and size of said at least one at least partially transparent art
piece and a second opening of generally same shape and size of said
at least one generally opaque art piece; (c) said backing means
comprising a third opening of generally same shape and size of said
at least one at least partially transparent piece; (d) said light
means comprising a light panel of generally same shape and size of
said third opening; (e) means for securing in position relative to
each other said matte, said at least one at least partially
transparent piece, said at least one generally opaque art piece,
and said backing means and comprising a plurality of mechanical
clamps; and (f) an access panel aligned within said third opening
in said backing means with a latching handle wherein said light
panel is placed in said opening and said access panel then
removably secures said light panel
20. A combination display frame as claimed in claim 19, wherein
said at least one at least partially transparent piece is a
painting on glass and said at least one generally opaque art piece
is three-dimensional and said at least two pieces of art further
comprise a print and each of said pieces of art is aesthetically
related to the others.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a display frame
and, more specifically, to a frame which displays more than one
piece of art or image, at least one of which is provided back
lighting.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known in the art to frame pictures, paintings and
other two-dimensional art using matting, backing and a decorative
frame. It is also not uncommon for some three-dimensional pieces to
be mounted and displayed in a frame-like setting. Some of these
display frames include a glass or other protective and transparent
surface between the art and the viewer, others do not. It is also
known in the art to provide a framing apparatus wherein more than
one piece of art may be displayed simultaneously. Finally, as art
galleries have done for years, it is known in the art to provide
lighting for art which is framed. Often, the lighting is in the
form of a detachable light bar which is attached to the top of the
frame and positioned to provide light to the front of the artwork.
Sometimes this kind of light bar is attached at the bottom of the
frame, shining up and toward the art.
[0005] The present invention differs from the above referenced
inventions and others similar in that these prior devices do not
contemplate providing a picture display frame for multiple pieces
of art wherein back lighting is provided internally for at least
one of the pieces.
[0006] The first objective of the present invention is to provide a
display frame in which more than one piece of art is displayed at a
time.
[0007] The second objective of the present invention is to provide
a display frame in which at least one of the pieces of art is
provided with a back lighting source.
[0008] The third objective of the present invention is to provide a
display frame in which more than one piece of art is displayed
simultaneously, the pieces are complimentary to one another, and at
least one is provided with lighting.
[0009] The fourth objective of the present invention is to provide
a display frame where the art pieces are similar to one another and
at least one is of at least partially transparent material for
which back lighting is provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a display frame for mounting
at least one piece of art with one or more light sources imbedded
within the elements of the frame for lighting at least one piece of
art from the back. Power may be supplied to each of the light
sources either through conventional plug-in method or by battery
pack. Preferably, a switch for turning the light source on and off
is located on the frame's outer periphery.
[0011] In the preferred embodiment, a generally conventional
framing apparatus including a frame member, a matte, and backing is
employed. The matte is cut such that a photo and its transparency
(or slide) can be displayed through it. The backing is then also
cut such that the back of the transparency is not obscured. A light
source such as a light panel of dimensions generally equal to the
transparency is then located just behind the transparency so that,
when actuated, the transparency is back lit. Means to secure the
light source in position is provided along with a way to access the
source for replacement of batteries or bulbs or repair as
necessary. Finally, circuitry from the light source to the switch
is provided such that the light source can be located anywhere on a
back side of the frame and a switch can still be conveniently
provided on the frame's outer periphery.
[0012] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated from the following
description. The description makes reference to the accompanying
drawings, which are provided for illustration of the preferred
embodiment. However, such embodiment does not represent the full
scope of the invention. The subject matter which the inventor does
regard as his invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly
claimed in the claims at the conclusion of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the display frame of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the display frame showing each
element in its relative position;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a back view of the display frame showing the
matting and the art pieces;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a back view of the display frame showing the
backing and the light source mounted in the backing; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the light source of the
preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] The present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a
combination display frame shown generally at 10 comprising an outer
periphery 12, a matte 14, backing means 16, light means 18, and at
least two pieces of art 19. In the preferred embodiment, said at
least two pieces of art 19 comprise a at least partially
transparent piece of art 20, and a generally opaque piece of art 22
with an outer perimeter 23. Said matte 14 and said backing 16 are
of the same general shape as said periphery 12 but of slightly
smaller dimension.
[0019] Said matte 14 further comprises a first opening 30 of
generally the same shape but of slightly smaller dimensions than
said at least partially transparent piece of art 20 and a second
opening 32 of generally the same shape but of slightly smaller
dimensions than said generally opaque piece of art 22. Said backing
means 16 further comprises a third opening 34, said third opening
34 being of generally the same shape and dimension as said second
opening 32 in said matte 14.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, said at least partially transparent
piece of art 20 is secured behind and within said first opening 30
in said matte 14; said generally opaque piece of art 22 is secured
behind and within said second opening 32 in said matte 14.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the backing means 16 is secured behind
said generally opaque piece of art 22 and said at least partially
transparent piece of art 20 and said third opening 34 is positioned
behind said at least partially transparent piece of art 20 such
that light may pass through said at least partially transparent
piece of art 20. Said light means 18 is placed so that it directs
light through said third opening 34, said at least partially
transparent piece of art 20, and said first opening 30. Means for
alternatively actuating said light means 42 to either one of an
on-condition or an off-condition is provided. (See FIG. 4) Means
for securing said matte 14, said backing 16, and said at least two
pieces of art are provided. Said means for securing may include
mechanical clamps or an adhesive material or other mechanical or
magnetic means, all generally-known in the art.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, said light means 18 is a slim
light panel and fits directly into said third opening 34 behind
said at least partially transparent piece of art 20. A removable
access panel 40 (shown in FIG. 4) is provided which detachably
secures said light means 18 in place. Said removable access panel
40 may include latching means 41. Also in the preferred embodiment,
means for alternatively actuating said light means 42 is a switch
that is preferably associated with said outer periphery 12 and
connected to said light panel 18 by wire 44.
[0022] The art pieces of the preferred embodiment are aesthetically
reflective of one another. For example, an enlarged photo and its
negative, or a painting and a negative of a photo of the picture,
or a photo and a transparent version of the same photo would all be
reflective sets. In addition, a group of images of a single
subject, seen from various perspectives or portrayed in different
lights or seasons are also examples of reflective sets. The degree
of transparency of any at least partially transparent pieces of art
20 can be varied for aesthetic appeal; the relative sizes of the
generally opaque 22 and at least partially transparent 20 pieces
may also vary according to the artist's desire.
[0023] An outside piece of transparent material 50 and an inside
piece of transparent material 52 such as acrylic may be associated
with said at least partially transparent piece 20 to provide
protection for said at least partially transparent piece 20.
Together the transparent materials 50 and 52 form a sandwich style
display with the at least partially transparent piece 20.
[0024] As disclosed, said backing means 16 may be transparent and
larger than said matte 14 and said matte 14 may be protected by
transparent protective means 58 such as acrylic or glass the same
size as said backing means 16. In this arrangement, the combination
display frame 10 has transparent portions which overlap said matte
14. Once again, means for securing all in relationship 53 with one
another may include the above-mentioned items. However, the
preferred embodiment also includes two short frame members 54 and
two long frame members 56 which are positioned adjacent to said
outer periphery 12 to form a traditional, rectangular shaped frame.
Said two short frame members 54 and said two long frame members 56
may be used as means for securing said matte, said backing means,
said at least two art pieces and said light source in secured
relationship 53 along with any of the aforementioned materials and
may also serve as a decorative border.
[0025] Thus, the present invention has been described in an
illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology
that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of
description rather than of limitation.
[0026] Many modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, there
may be included more than one at least partially transparent pieces
of art and, consequently, more than one light source. The display
frame may be of the traditional type including a rectangular shape
and framing pieces or it may comprise more non-traditional types
such as an acrylic or otherwise transparent shape that provides the
outer periphery. The light source may be a simple bulb and circuit
rather than a light panel. It may be that there are more than two
pieces of art displayed in the frame; and it may be that one or
more of the art pieces are three-dimensional. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
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