U.S. patent application number 11/410763 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for display frame.
Invention is credited to Vickie C. Davide.
Application Number | 20060242876 11/410763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37233053 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060242876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davide; Vickie C. |
November 2, 2006 |
Display frame
Abstract
A display frame for displaying sheets of art and that may be
mounted either on a vertical or horizontal surface. The display
frame comprises a first member and a second member that are
hingedly connected together. The first and second members are
pivotable between a closed position where the inner surfaces of the
first and second members are disposed opposite one another; and an
open position where the inner surfaces of the first and second
members are not disposed opposite one another. The sheet of art is
inserted into the frame when the first and second members are in
the open position and is retained between the inner surfaces of the
first and second members when the members are in the closed
position. The first and second members are secured together when
they are in the closed position. The first member includes an
opening in its outer surface through which the sheet of art can be
viewed. The user can quickly and easily open the display frame to
change the displayed sheet of art. The inner surface of the second
member includes a recessed area for storing a plurality of sheets
of art one in front of the other.
Inventors: |
Davide; Vickie C.;
(Massillon, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100
4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
37233053 |
Appl. No.: |
11/410763 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60675286 |
Apr 27, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/779 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2001/0666 20130101;
A47G 2001/0694 20130101; A47G 2001/0672 20130101; A47G 1/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
040/779 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/06 20060101
A47G001/06 |
Claims
1. A display frame for a planar sheet of artwork thereon, said
frame comprising: a first member having an inner surface; a second
member having an inner surface; at least one hinge connecting the
first and second members together, whereby said first and second
members are pivotable relative to each other between a closed
position where the inner surfaces are disposed opposite each other;
and an open position where the inner surfaces are disposed remote
from each other; and an opening formed in one of the first and
second members and through which the inner surface of the other of
the first and second members is visible; wherein said display frame
is adapted to hold one or more planar sheets of artwork between the
inner surfaces of the first and second members when in the closed
position; and one of said sheets of artwork is visible through said
opening.
2. The display frame as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of
the inner surfaces of the first and second members defines a
recessed area adapted to retain the one or more planar sheets of
artwork therein when the display frame is in the closed
position.
3. The display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the recessed
area is disposed opposite the opening in the one of the first and
second members.
4. The display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the recessed
area is disposed surrounding the opening in the one of the first
and second members.
5. The display frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the recessed
area has a width and a height and the opening has a width and a
height; and the width and height of the recessed area is greater
than the width and height of the opening.
6. The display frame as defined in claim 4, further comprising a
transparent panel retained by the one of the first and second
members; said transparent panel disposed to cover the opening.
7. The display frame as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
connector for securing the first and second members together when
in the closed position.
8. The display frame as defined in claim 7, wherein the connector
comprises: a first magnet mounted on the inner surface of the first
member; and a second magnet mounted on the inner surface of the
second member, said second magnet being positioned to align with
and attract the first magnet thereto when the first and second
members are moved into the closed position.
9. The display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein the first and
second magnets are mounted proximate a first end of each of the
first and second members; and the at least one hinge is mounted on
a second end of the first and second members.
10. The display frame as defined in claim 8, wherein the first and
second magnets are mounted proximate a top end of the first and
second members and the at least one hinge is mounted proximate a
bottom end of each of the first and second members.
11. The display frame as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the
first and second members is greater in width and height than the
other of the first and second members; and wherein the opening is
formed in the one of the first and second members having a greater
width and height.
12. The display frame as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
support member mounted on one of the first and second members and
adapted to mount the display frame on one of a vertical and a
horizontal surface.
13. The display frame as defined in claim 12, wherein the support
member is mounted on an upper surface of one of the first and
second members.
14. The display frame as defined in claim 13, wherein the support
member comprises a pair of spaced apart bosses and a length of wire
connected therebetween.
15. The display frame as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least
one hinge is a living hinge integrally formed with the first and
second members.
16. A display frame for sheets of artwork; the frame comprising a
front and back that are hinged together at one end and are
magnetically securable at an opposite end and which define a recess
thereinbetween that is adapted to retain at least one sheet of
artwork therein; and wherein the front includes an opening through
which the artwork is visible.
17. The display frame as defined in claim 16, further including a
mechanism for supporting the frame on one of a vertical and
horizontal surface.
18. The display frame as defined in claim 17, wherein the
supporting mechanism includes one or more supports mounted on the
back of the frame.
19. The display frame as defined in claim 18, wherein the front of
the frame is of a greater height than the back of the frame,
whereby a portion of the front extends upwardly beyond an upper
surface of the back; and wherein the supports are mounted onto the
upper surface of the back and behind the upwardly extending portion
of the front.
20. A display frame for a planar sheet of artwork thereon, said
frame comprising: a front having an inner surface; an opening
defined in the front; a back having an inner surface; at least one
hinge connecting the front and back together; whereby the front and
back are pivotable between a closed position where they are
disposed opposite each other and an open position where they are
disposed at an angle to each other; a recess defined in an inner
surface of one of the front and back; said recess being adapted to
retain one or more sheets of artwork therein; whereby said artwork
is visible through the opening in the front; a magnetic strip
provided on the inner surface of the front; a second magnetic strip
provided on the inner surface of the back and being disposed to
align with the magnetic strip on the front and to secure the front
and back together when in the closed position; and a support
structure provided on the back to support the display frame on one
of a vertical and horizontal surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a standard utility application claiming
priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/675,286
that was filed on Apr. 27, 2005; the entire specification of which
is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention generally relates to display frames. More
particularly, the invention relates to a hinged display frame.
Specifically, the invention relates to a hinged display frame that
holds a sheet of artwork between magnetically closed front and back
sections and in which the artwork is viewable through an opening in
the outer wall of the front section.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Parents of small children are frequently the recipients of
innumerable sheets of art from the young artists in their families.
The parents want to display this art to show their children how
proud they are of their accomplishments and to encourage them to
continue to create. It is therefore common for parents to display
these drawings and paintings on various surfaces in the home, such
as the refrigerator and walls. This can leave the house looking
untidy. Furthermore, because of the sheer volume of creations, it
is difficult to display the sheets of art and keep the better works
of art for the future.
[0006] There is therefore a need in the art for a device that will
allow a parent to display their child's art in a way that keeps the
house neat and tidy and which also allows the parent to select and
store a selection of the art for the future.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The device of the present invention comprises a display
frame that is adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall or stood on
a horizontal surface. The display frame comprises a first and a
second planar member that are hingedly connected together. The
first and second members are pivotable between an open position,
where the inner surfaces of the first and second members are
disposed remote from each other, and a closed position where the
inner surfaces of the first and second members are disposed
opposite each other. A sheet of artwork is inserted into the frame
when the first and second members are in the open position and is
retained between the inner surfaces of the first and second members
when the members are in the closed position. The first and second
members are secured together by some suitable means when they are
in the closed position. The first member includes an opening in its
outer surface through which the sheet of artwork can be viewed. The
inner surface of the second member includes a recessed area that is
adapted to store a plurality of sheets of artwork one in front of
the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, are set forth in the following description and are
shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display frame in
accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display frame of FIG. 1
showing the frame in an open position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the display frame
through line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the display frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a display frame in
accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at
10. Frame 10 comprises a front 12 and a back 14 which are pivotally
connected together along one side and are releasably secured
together along the opposite side by a securing mechanism of some
type. The pivotal connection may be made by the use of one or more
hinges 16 that are mounted on front 12 and back 14. Alternatively,
front 12 and back 14 may be integrally formed and connected by a
living hinge (not shown). The securing mechanism, such as magnetic
strips 18, 20, is applied to front 12 and back 14 opposite the
hinges 16. A sheet of art 22 is receivable within frame 10 so that
the sheet of art 22 lies intermediate front 12 and back 14. Frame
10 is provided with a support mechanism 24 which allows frame 10 to
be hung on a vertical surface such as a wall or refrigerator, or to
stand in an upright position on a horizontal surface. Frame 10 may
be manufactured from wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable
substance without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0014] It will be understood that frame 10 can be manufactured from
any suitable materials such as wood, plastic and metal; and may be
made in any desired shape and of any desired dimensions.
Consequently, a variety of differently shaped and sized pieces of
art 22 may be displayed in any one of a plurality of frames 10 made
in accordance with this invention.
[0015] As shown in the attached figures, front 12 of frame 10 is a
generally rectangularly shaped member that has a planar outer
surface 12a, a planar inner surface 12b, a top 26, a bottom 28 and
sides 30, 32. Front 12 of frame 10 preferably defines a generally
central, rectangular opening 34 therein. Opening 34 is graduated in
size from outer surface 12a toward inner surface 12b (FIG. 3) being
a smaller opening 34a proximate outer surface 12a and a larger
opening 34b proximate inner surface 12b. The larger opening 34b
proximate inner surface 12b forms a peripheral ledge 36 in top 26,
bottom 28 and sides 30, 32 of frame 10. A pane of glass 38 or other
transparent material rests on ledge 36 and is secured in place by
metal clips 40, friction, an adhesive or any other suitable means.
When viewed from the front, pane of glass 38 is recessed relative
to outer surface 12a of frame 10. Magnetic strip 18 is adhesively
or otherwise secured on inner surface 12a of top member 26 of frame
10.
[0016] Back 14 of frame 10 comprises a generally rectangular panel
42 surrounded by a generally rectangular rim 44. Rim 44 includes a
top section 46, a bottom section 48 and sides 50, 52. Panel 42 has
a planar inner surface 42a and an outer surface 42b. As may be seen
from FIG. 3, panel 42 is secured to rim 44 in such a manner that it
is recessed relative to inner surface 44a of rim 44 and is recessed
relative to outer surface 44b of rim 44. A recessed area 54 is
thereby formed in the inner surface of back 14. As may be most
easily seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, recessed area 54 has a width G-G'
and a height H-H' and opening 34 has a width I-I' and a height
J-J'; and the width G-G' and height H-H' of recessed area 54 are
greater than the width I-I' and height J-J' of opening 34. When
front 12 and back 14 are in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3,
recessed area 54 lies opposite opening 34. Recessed area 54 also
has a depth K-K' into which a plurality of sheets of art may be
inserted. A peripheral support member 58 abuts outer surface 42b of
panel 42 to strengthen the same.
[0017] One or more hinges 16 connect bottom section 48 of back 14
to bottom section 28 of front 12. These hinges may be of any type
known in the art. Hinges 16 allow front and back 12, 14 to pivot
relative to each other between a closed position and an open
position. As stated previously, hinges 16 may be replaced by a
living hinge if the front 12 and back 14 are molded as a single
unit from plastic.
[0018] When frame 10 is in an open position, inner surfaces 12b and
42a are disposed remote from each other with front 12 and back 14
being disposed at an angle relative to each other (FIG. 2). When
frame 10 is in the closed position, the inner surface 12b of front
12 and inner surface 42a of back 14 are disposed opposite each
other with front 12 and back 14 disposed substantially parallel and
adjacent each other (FIG. 3). Furthermore, when in the closed
position, front 12 and back 14 are secured together by a securing
mechanism so that artwork 22 does not accidentally get released
from frame 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
securing mechanism comprises a pair of magnetic strips 18, 20 which
are applied in aligned locations on front 12 and back 14. It will
be understood, however, that front 12 and back 14 may be secured
together in other ways. So, for example, front 12 and back 14 may
snap fit together, may include cooperating dimples and recesses or
be latched together in some other manner, without departing from
the spirit of the present invention.
[0019] As may be seen from FIG. 4, the width C-C' and height D-D'
of back 14 preferably are slightly smaller than the width E-E' and
height F-F' of front 12. Consequently top 26 of front 12 extends
outwardly a short distance beyond upper surface 46a of back 14.
Additionally sides 30, 32 of front 12 extend outwardly a short
distance beyond outer surfaces 50a and 52a of back 14. Those
portions of front 12 which extend beyond outer edges of back 14
provide a gripping surface, referenced by the letter "A" in FIG. 3,
by which a user may grasp front 12 to pull frame 12 open.
[0020] The support mechanism 24 is mounted on back 14 of frame 10.
Support mechanism 24 may take a variety of forms, including the
provision of a pair of bosses 60 which extend outwardly away from
an upper surface 46a of rim 44. Bosses 60 may be screws which have
been partially screwed into upper surface 46a of top 46. A wire 62
is attached at each end to one of bosses 60. Support mechanism 24
may alternatively be any other conventionally known support for
artwork. These include connectors mounted on sides 50, 52 of the
rim and which have a wire stretched therebetween or a pivotable arm
which may be extended outwardly from back 14 to provide a second
support point for allowing frame 10 to stand on a horizontal
surface. Alternatively, the support mechanism can be one or more
magnets mounted on back 14 so that frame 10 can be mounted onto a
magnetic surface such as a refrigerator. While these other support
mechanisms 24 can be utilized, the following description will be
directed to mounting the frame 10 on a vertical wall using bosses
60 and wire 62.
[0021] Display frame 10 is used in the following manner. A picture
hanger 66 or other projection-type connector is secured to a
vertical wall 68. Wire 62, which is secured between bosses 60, is
positioned over picture hanger 66 so that back 14 of frame 10 lays
in abutting contact with wall 68 and frame 10 is suspended from
hanger 66. If frame 10 is in the closed position with front 12
laying substantially opposite back 14 and magnetic strip 18 engaged
with magnetic strip 20, the user grasps gripping surface "A" on
front 12 and pulls front 12 outwardly in the direction of arrow "B"
(FIG. 3). Front 12 pivots around hinges 16 (or a living hinge)
until frame 10 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2. The user
then takes a sheet of art 22 and inserts the same into the recessed
area 54 in back 14 of frame 10. Front 12 is then pivoted in the
opposite direction to arrow "B" (FIG. 3) until magnetic strip 18
engages magnetic strip 20 and front 12 again lays substantially
opposite back 14. The art 22 is then viewable through glass 38 in
opening 34. When the user wishes to change art 22 and replace the
same with another piece of art, they simply grasp the gripping
surface "A" of front 12 pulling with sufficient force to overcome
the magnetic attraction between strips 18 and 20. Front 12 is
pivoted away from back 14 as previously described, a new sheet of
art 70 is inserted into recessed area 54 and front 12 is pivoted
again until magnetic strips 18, 20 engage each other. Art 22 may be
removed before the insertion of art 70 or, art 70 may be placed in
front of art 22 as is shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of sheets of art
may thereby be successively accumulated and stored in recessed area
54.
[0022] It will be understood that while front 12 and back 14 are
shown as being generally rectangular in shape and having a central
rectangular-shaped opening 34 therein, any shape of frame 10 may be
used and any shape opening 34 may be provided in that frame.
Furthermore, while magnetic strips 18, 20 are illustrated as being
secured to the top sections 26, 46 of front 12 and back 14, they
could alternatively be secured to sides 30, 32 and 50, 52 to secure
front 12 and back 14 together.
[0023] It will further be understood that while a pair of hinges 16
are shown as connecting bottom sections 28 and 48 together, these
hinges may alternatively be mounted in a different position such as
on one of the sides of front 12 and back, e.g., sides 30 and 50 of
front 12 and back 14 respectively. In this instance, the securing
mechanism, such as the magnetic strips 18, 20, would be mounted on
the opposite end of the frame. The hinge may also run the entire
length of the bottom sections or entire height of the side of the
frame without departing from the spirit of the present
invention
[0024] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0025] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *