U.S. patent application number 15/418513 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-18 for method and apparatus for framing an object.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robin Jones, Steven Raby. Invention is credited to Robin Jones, Steven Raby.
Application Number | 20170135504 15/418513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55216524 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170135504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Robin ; et
al. |
May 18, 2017 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FRAMING AN OBJECT
Abstract
A framing apparatus for framing an object is disclosed. The
framing apparatus includes a foam frame body defining an aperture
and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at least some
of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of a
peripheral surface of the object. Methods and kits are also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Jones; Robin; (Vancouver,
CA) ; Raby; Steven; (Delta, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jones; Robin
Raby; Steven |
Vancouver
Delta |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
55216524 |
Appl. No.: |
15/418513 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/CA2015/050697 |
Jul 24, 2015 |
|
|
|
15418513 |
|
|
|
|
62029500 |
Jul 27, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/1666 20130101;
A47G 2001/0677 20130101; A47G 1/06 20130101; A47G 1/16 20130101;
A47G 1/162 20130101; A47G 1/0605 20130101; A47G 1/065 20130101;
A47G 2001/0661 20130101; A47G 1/1626 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/06 20060101
A47G001/06; A47G 1/16 20060101 A47G001/16 |
Claims
1. A method of framing an object having a peripheral surface, the
method comprising: positioning at least some of the object in an
aperture defined by a foam frame body with at least some of the
peripheral surface of the object in frictional engagement with a
frictional contact surface of the foam frame body surrounding at
least some of the aperture of the foam frame body.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the at least some of
the object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the
object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises
positioning a rear side of the object opposite the front side of
the object against at least one stop in the aperture.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the at least some of
the object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the
object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises
positioning the front side of the object against at least one stop
in the aperture.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein framing the front side of the
object further comprises covering a portion of the front side of
the object with the at least one stop.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein framing the front side of the
object further comprises surrounding a portion of the front side of
the object with the at least one stop.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising mounting the object and
the foam frame body to a wall.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein mounting the object and the foam
frame body to the wall comprises causing the wall to support the
object and to support the foam frame body only by supporting the
object.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the object comprises a frame and a
canvas mounted to the frame.
9. A framing apparatus for framing an object having a peripheral
surface, the apparatus comprising: a foam frame body defining an
aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at
least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some
of the peripheral surface of the object.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising at least one stop
in the aperture.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one stop defines
a stop surface recessed behind a front surface of the foam frame
body.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the front surface of the foam
frame body defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of
the object when a portion of a rear surface of the object opposite
the front surface of the object is positioned against the stop
surface.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one stop
comprises a ledge having a rear surface that is opposite the stop
surface and that is generally continuous with a rear surface of the
foam frame body opposite the front surface of the foam frame
body.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rear surface of the ledge
defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of the object
when a portion of the front surface of the object is positioned
against the stop surface.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rear surface of the ledge
and the rear surface of the foam frame body are generally
coplanar.
16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the frictional contact surface
of the foam frame body comprises: a first generally planar surface;
a second generally planar surface adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the first generally planar surface; a third
generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to
the second generally planar surface; and a fourth generally planar
surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first and third
generally planar surfaces.
17. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a mounting
apparatus configured to mount the object and the foam frame body to
a wall.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mounting apparatus is
configured to connect the object to the wall independently of the
foam frame body.
19. A kit comprising: a framing apparatus for framing an object
having a peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising a foam frame
body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surface
surrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging
at least some of the peripheral surface of the object; and the
object.
20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the object comprises a frame and a
canvas mounted to the frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT
international application no. PCT/CA2015/050697 filed Jul. 24,
2015, which claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.
provisional patent application No. 62/029,500 filed Jul. 27, 2014.
The entire contents of PCT international application no.
PCT/CA2015/050697 are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to framing.
RELATED ART
[0003] Some frames include interconnected ledges that may hold
between them a glass pane and a rear wall to frame an object
between the glass pane and the rear wall. However, such glass panes
may be relatively heavy and may cause disturbing light
reflections.
[0004] Alternatively, a frame-mounted canvas may include a canvas
mounted to a frame. The canvas may be "gallery wrapped" or
otherwise stretched and mounted to such a frame, and a front
surface of the canvas may be painted, printed, or otherwise bear an
image such as a painting, a print, a printed photograph, or other
artwork for example. Such a frame-mounted canvas may be mounted or
otherwise displayed without a frame, or may be framed by assembling
a floater frame around the frame-mounted canvas, for example.
However, such a floater frame may be custom-made, and assembling
such a floater frame around such a frame-mounted canvas may be
cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming, and may require complex
tools or skills.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of
framing an object having a peripheral surface, the method
comprising positioning at least some of the object in an aperture
defined by a foam frame body with at least some of the peripheral
surface of the object in frictional engagement with a frictional
contact surface of the foam frame body surrounding at least some of
the aperture of the foam frame body.
[0006] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
positioning a rear side of the object against at least one stop in
the aperture.
[0007] In some embodiments, positioning the at least some of the
object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the
object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises
positioning a rear side of the object opposite the front side of
the object against at least one stop in the aperture.
[0008] In some embodiments, positioning the at least some of the
object in the aperture comprises framing a front side of the
object, wherein framing the front side of the object comprises
positioning the front side of the object against at least one stop
in the aperture.
[0009] In some embodiments, framing the front side of the object
further comprises covering a portion of the front side of the
object with the at least one stop.
[0010] In some embodiments, framing the front side of the object
further comprises surrounding a portion of the front side of the
object with the at least one stop.
[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises mounting
the object and the foam frame body to a wall.
[0012] In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame
body to the wall comprises causing the wall to support the object
and to support the foam frame body only by supporting the
object.
[0013] In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame
body to the wall comprises: connecting a fastener to the wall; and
connecting the object to the fastener.
[0014] In some embodiments, connecting the fastener to the wall
comprises: positioning a marker body on the fastener at a position
on the fastener indicating a distance between a connector on the
object and a rear surface of the foam frame body when the at least
some of the object is received in the aperture defined by the foam
frame body; and connecting the fastener to the wall with a
connector on the fastener, complementary to the connector on the
object, spaced apart from the wall according to the distance
indicated by the marker body.
[0015] In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame
body to the wall comprises connecting a link body to the object and
to the wall.
[0016] In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame
body to the wall comprises causing the wall to support the foam
frame body and to support the object only by supporting the foam
frame body.
[0017] In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame
body to the wall comprises connecting a link body to the foam frame
body and to the wall.
[0018] In some embodiments, the object comprises a frame and a
canvas mounted to the frame.
[0019] According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a
framing apparatus for framing an object having a peripheral
surface, the apparatus comprising a foam frame body defining an
aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at
least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some
of the peripheral surface of the object.
[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at
least one stop in the aperture.
[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one stop defines a stop
surface recessed behind a front surface of the foam frame body.
[0022] In some embodiments, the front surface of the foam frame
body defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of the
object when a portion of a rear surface of the object opposite the
front surface of the object is positioned against the stop
surface.
[0023] In some embodiments, the at least one stop comprises a ledge
having a rear surface that is opposite the stop surface and that is
generally continuous with a rear surface of the foam frame body
opposite the front surface of the foam frame body.
[0024] In some embodiments, the rear surface of the ledge defines a
frame positioned to frame a front surface of the object when a
portion of the front surface of the object is positioned against
the stop surface.
[0025] In some embodiments, the rear surface of the ledge and the
rear surface of the foam frame body are generally coplanar.
[0026] In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the
foam frame body comprises: a first generally planar surface; a
second generally planar surface adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the first generally planar surface; a third
generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to
the second generally planar surface; and a fourth generally planar
surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first and third
generally planar surfaces.
[0027] In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the
foam frame body comprises at least one surface of at least one
resilient projection.
[0028] In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the
foam frame body consists essentially of the first, second, third,
and fourth generally planar surfaces.
[0029] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at
least one resilient projection connectable to the frictional
contact surface of the foam frame body to project away from the
frictional contact surface.
[0030] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a
mounting apparatus configured to mount the object and the foam
frame body to a wall.
[0031] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to
connect the object to the wall.
[0032] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to
connect the object to the wall independently of the foam frame
body.
[0033] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a
fastener connectable to the wall and connectable to the object when
the fastener is connected to the wall and when the at least some of
the object is received in the aperture defined by the foam frame
body.
[0034] In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a marker body
positionable on the fastener at a position on the fastener
indicating a distance between a connector on the object and a rear
surface of the foam frame body when the at least some of the object
is received in the aperture defined by the foam frame body.
[0035] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a link
body connectable to the object and to the wall.
[0036] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to
connect the foam frame body to the wall.
[0037] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to
connect the foam frame body to the wall independently of the
object.
[0038] In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a link
body connectable to the foam frame body and to the wall.
[0039] According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a kit
comprising: the apparatus; and the object.
[0040] In some embodiments, the object comprises a frame and an
image substrate (such as a canvas, for example) mounted to the
frame.
[0041] Other aspects and features will become apparent to those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following
description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body
according to one embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the foam frame body of FIG.
1.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a resilient body and a
connector for connecting the resilient body to the foam frame body
of FIG. 1.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the foam frame body of
FIG. 1, and of a frame-mounted canvas that may be framed by the
foam frame body, with a canvas of the frame-mounted canvas
partially broken away to illustrate a frame of the frame-mounted
canvas.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the frame-mounted
canvas of FIG. 4 partially received in an aperture of the foam
frame body of FIG. 1.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas
of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, taken along the line
6-6 in FIG. 5.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus
according to one embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the frame-mounted
canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to a
wall using the mounting apparatus of FIG. 7.
[0050] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus
according to another embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector connectable to
the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and to the mounting apparatus of
FIG. 9.
[0052] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted
canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, taken along the
line 11-11 in FIG. 5, and also showing the mounting apparatus of
FIG. 9 connected to the connector of FIG. 10.
[0053] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting apparatus
of FIG. 9 connected to a wall.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted
canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to the
wall of FIG. 12 using the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9.
[0055] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus
according to another embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted
canvas of FIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to a
wall using the mounting apparatus of FIG. 14.
[0057] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus
according to another embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body
according to another embodiment.
[0059] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of two frame-mounted
canvases partially received in respective apertures of the foam
frame body of FIG. 17.
[0060] FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body
according to another embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the foam frame body of
FIG. 19, taken along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19.
[0062] FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the foam frame body
of FIG. 19, and of a frame-mounted canvas received in an aperture
of the foam frame body of FIG. 19.
[0063] FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the foam frame body of
FIG. 19, and of a frame-mounted canvas received in an aperture of
the foam frame body of FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates a foam frame body 100 according to one
embodiment. Herein, "foam" refers to a lightweight resilient
cellular material including gas bubbles formed during manufacture
of the material. In the embodiment shown, the foam frame body 100
is formed from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate ("EVA") foam having a density
of about 45 kilograms per cubic meter, also known as "EVA 45" foam,
but alternative embodiments may include different foam materials.
Also, in the embodiment shown, the foam frame body 100 is unitarily
formed by cutting the foam frame body 100, using a Computer
Numerical Control ("CNC") router for example, from a larger sheet
of foam, but alternative embodiments may be unitarily formed in
different ways (by molding, for example) or formed from two or more
separate pieces of foam. Also, in various embodiments, the foam
frame body 100 may be one or more different colours and one or more
different textures, and may include one or more of various
different coatings to impart a desired finish or to protect outer
surfaces of the foam frame body 100, for example.
[0065] The foam frame body 100 has a front side shown generally at
102 and a rear side shown generally at 104 and opposite the front
side 102. On the front side 102, the foam frame body 100 has a
generally planar and generally rectangular front surface 106 that
defines an opening to an aperture shown generally at 108. Inside
the aperture 108, the foam frame body 100 defines a stop 110 having
a stop surface 112 on the front side of the stop 110 facing the
front side 102 of the foam frame body 100. The stop 110 in the
embodiment shown is a ledge defining a cutaway region shown
generally at 114 on a first side shown generally at 116 of the foam
frame body 100, and a cutaway region shown generally at 118 on a
second side shown generally at 120 of the foam frame body 100. The
cutaway regions 114 and 118 may receive portions of mounting
apparatuses as described below, for example. However, instead of
two rounded cutaway regions 114 and 118 in the embodiment shown,
alternative embodiments may have no cutaway regions, or may have
more or fewer cutaway regions, and cutaway regions in alternative
embodiments may be rectangular or otherwise shaped differently from
the cutaway regions of the embodiment shown.
[0066] Between the front surface 106 and the stop surface 112, the
foam frame body 100 has a frictional contact surface 122
surrounding at least some of the aperture 108 and including a first
generally planar surface 124, a second generally planar surface 126
adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first generally planar
surface 124, a third generally planar surface 128 adjacent and
generally perpendicular to the second generally planar surface 126,
and a fourth generally planar surface 130 adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the first generally planar surface 124 and the
third generally planar surface 128. The frictional contact surface
122 is also generally perpendicular to the front surface 106 and
the stop surface 112.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 2, on the rear side 104, the foam frame
body 100 has a generally planar rear surface 132 and defines
openings shown generally at 134 and 136 in the rear surface 132 and
on opposite sides near the first side 116, and the foam frame body
100 further defines openings shown generally at 138 and 140 in the
rear surface 132 and on opposite sides near the second side 120. As
described below, the openings 134 and 136 may facilitate connecting
the foam frame body 100 to a link body to mount the foam frame body
100 in a landscape orientation with the first side 116 facing up,
and the openings 138 and 140 may facilitate connecting the foam
frame body 100 to such a link body to mount the foam frame body 100
in a portrait orientation with the second side 120 facing up.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, resilient bodies 142, 144, 146,
148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 each include a connector for connecting
the resilient body to the foam frame body 100 on the frictional
contact surface 122. Referring to FIG. 3, the resilient body 142
for example includes a connector 158, which is a fastener pin that
may be forced through the frictional contact surface 122 and into
the foam frame body 100 to connect the resilient body 142 to the
foam frame body 100 with the resilient body 142 projecting away
from the frictional contact surface 122. The resilient bodies 144,
146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 include similar connectors for
connecting the resilient bodies to the foam frame body 100 on the
frictional contact surface 122. However, in alternative
embodiments, the resilient bodies may be omitted, or the resilient
bodies may be connected to the foam frame body 100 using adhesives
or different connectors, for example. In still other embodiments,
such resilient projections may be integrally formed with the foam
frame body 100, for example by cutting the foam frame body 100
(including such resilient projections) from a larger sheet of foam,
or by molding the foam frame body 100 to include such resilient
projections, and in such embodiments the frictional contact surface
may include surfaces of such resilient projections.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, the foam frame body 100 may frame an
object such as a frame-mounted canvas 160. The frame-mounted canvas
160 includes a frame or support, which is a generally rectangular
wood frame 162 having a thickness of about 1.25 inches or about 4
centimeters in the embodiment shown. The frame-mounted canvas 160
also includes an image substrate, which is canvas 164 (such as a
museum-quality canvas, for example) mounted to the frame 162 in the
embodiment shown. The canvas 164 may be "gallery wrapped" or
otherwise stretched, wrapped around, and mounted to the frame 162
using staples or tacks (not shown) for example. In alternative
embodiments, the foam frame body 100 may frame objects other than
the frame-mounted canvas 160, such as a canvas mounted to stretcher
bars or to a stretcher frame, or still other different objects. The
frame-mounted canvas 160 has a peripheral surface 166 surrounding
and extending rearward from a front surface 168 of the canvas 164.
Some or all of the front surface 168 may be painted, printed, or
otherwise bear an image such as a painting, a print, a printed
photograph, or other artwork for example, and the image may
continue to, or be reflected on, some or all of the peripheral
surface 166. Alternatively, some or all of the peripheral surface
166 may have a compatible solid colour, such as white for
example.
[0070] The aperture 108 is no larger in width or in height than the
frame-mounted canvas 160, and the frame-mounted canvas 160 is sized
and shaped to fit partially or entirely in the aperture 108 with
some or all of the peripheral surface 166 fitted tightly and snugly
against the frictional contact surface 122 to cause frictional
engagement between the frictional contact surface 122 and the
peripheral surface 166. In the embodiment shown, the frictional
contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166 contact each
other directly, except where resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148,
150, 152, 154, and 156 are positioned between the frictional
contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166. Such frictional
engagement connects and secures the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the
foam frame body 100 to hold the frame-mounted canvas 160 in place
relative to the foam frame body 100 when at least some of the
frame-mounted canvas 160 is positioned in the aperture 108 with
some or all of the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement
with the frictional contact surface 122.
[0071] The resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and
156 form resilient projections projecting from the frictional
contact surface 122 and may facilitate frictional engagement with
the peripheral surface 166. Because frictional engagement connects
and secures the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the foam frame body
100, the frame-mounted canvas 160 is also removable from the foam
frame body 100. Further, the same or different frame-mounted canvas
may be connected to the foam frame body 100, so the foam frame body
100 is thus a reusable framing apparatus for framing and displaying
objects such as the frame-mounted canvas 160.
[0072] As indicated above, the foam frame body 100 is formed from
"EVA 45" foam, which has been found to be sufficiently resilient
and rigid to permit frictional engagement between the frictional
contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166, although
alternative embodiments may include other foam materials that may
have different densities but that are also sufficiently resilient
and rigid to permit such frictional engagement, because some foam
materials may be too soft or flexible, or too rigid, to permit such
frictional engagement. Because the foam frame body 100 is
sufficiently resilient and rigid to permit frictional engagement
between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral
surface 166, the frame-mounted canvas 160 may "pop in" and "pop
out" of frictional engagement with the foam frame body 100 in the
aperture 108.
[0073] Some factors may be relevant when selecting a foam material.
In general, a foam material having a relatively higher density may
be more resistant to loss of hardness over time, and foam materials
having a greater resistance to fatigue testing (for example by
repeated flexing or compressing) may be preferable. Also, in
general, the resilience of foam material may be measured by
dropping a steel ball onto a standard-sized piece and measuring a
height that the steel ball bounces. A foam product known as
ENDURO.TM. EN36-100 from Dunlop Foams has relatively very high
resilience. Generally, in various different embodiments, various
different foams may be used, including any suitable polymer
elastomer, such as, for example, polyether, polyester,
polyurethane, polyethylene (such as, for example, ETHAFOAM.TM.),
closed-cell sponge rubber, open-cell sponge rubber, latex rubber,
high-density foams, and high-resilience foams. One embodiment of a
foam frame body includes a polymer foam including a polymer
elastomer that has a compression index ranging from about 0.4 to
about 0.8, which may enable sufficient "push-back" when a
frame-mounted canvas is inserted into an aperture defined by such a
foam frame body.
[0074] A rear surface 170 of the frame-mounted canvas 160 may be
positioned against the stop surface 112 when the frame-mounted
canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108. The stop 110 thus
prevents the frame-mounted canvas 160 from passing entirely through
the aperture 108 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in
the aperture 108 from the front side 102 of the foam frame body
100. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the frame-mounted canvas 160
is received fully in the aperture 108 with the rear surface 170
contacting the stop surface 112, a portion of the frame-mounted
canvas 160 extends in front of the front surface 106, which may
provide an appearance similar to an appearance of other floater
frames, although in alternative embodiments objects framed by a
foam frame body may be generally flush with a front surface of the
foam frame body or may have still other different dimensions or
different appearances.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 7, a mounting apparatus according to one
embodiment is shown generally at 172 and includes a link body 174
and fasteners 176 and 178. The link body 174 in the embodiment
shown is a flexible metal wire twisted to form a closed loop shown
generally at 180 near one end of the metal wire and a closed loop
shown generally at 182 near the other end of the metal wire.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the fasteners 176 and 178 are each
sized to be received securely in one of the openings 134, 136, 138,
and 140 to connect the link body 174 to the foam frame body 100,
when the closed loop 180 is connected to one of the fasteners 176
and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to the other of the
fasteners 176 and 178, to facilitate mounting the foam frame body
100 to a wall. The link body 174 is therefore connectable to the
foam frame body 100, and the link body 174 is also connectable to a
wall as shown in FIG. 8 and described below.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, if the fasteners 176 and 178
are connected to the openings 134 and 136 with the closed loop 180
connected to one of the fasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop
182 connected to the other of the fasteners 176 and 178, then the
foam frame body 100 may be mounted to a wall 184 in a landscape
orientation (as shown in FIG. 8) with the first side 116 facing up
by supporting the link body 174 on a fastener 186 fastened to the
wall 184. Further, when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in
the aperture 108 with the peripheral surface 166 in frictional
engagement with the frictional contact surface 122, and when the
foam frame body 100 is mounted to the wall 184 by supporting the
link body 174 on the fastener 186 fastened to the wall 184, the
frame-mounted canvas 160 is also mounted to the wall 184. The
mounting apparatus 172 is therefore configured to connect the foam
frame body 100 to the wall 184 independently of the frame-mounted
canvas 160, and therefore causes the wall 184 to support the
frame-mounted canvas 160 only by supporting the foam frame body
100.
[0077] Alternatively, if the fasteners 176 and 178 are connected to
the openings 138 and 140 with the closed loop 180 connected to one
of the fasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to
the other of the fasteners 176 and 178, then the foam frame body
100 may be mounted to a wall in a portrait orientation, with the
second side 120 facing up, by supporting the link body 174 on the
wall 184.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 9, a mounting apparatus according to
another embodiment is shown generally at 188 and includes a
fastener 190 and a marker body 192. The fastener 190 includes a
nail shaft 194 that may be nailed into and fastened to a wall, and
a nail head 196 that may function as a connector as described
below. The marker body 192 surrounds a portion of the nail shaft
194 and may slide along the nail shaft 194 and remain in a position
that indicates a distance along the nail shaft 194.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 10, a saw-tooth hanger body 198 includes a
plurality of recesses shown generally at 200, 202, 204, 206, and
208, and flanges on opposite sides of the recesses 200, 202, 204,
206, and 208 define through openings shown generally at 210 and
212. The through-openings 210 and 212 are sized to receive
respective fasteners 214 and 216 to fasten the saw-tooth hanger
body 198 to a rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 160 shown
generally at 218 and opposite the front surface 168, as shown in
FIG. 11. Further, the flanges that define the through openings 210
and 212 are transversely offset from the recesses 200, 202, 204,
206, and 208 to define a space shown generally at 220 behind the
recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 and sized to receive a portion
of the nail head 196, as also shown in FIG. 11. In various
commercial offerings, the frame-mounted canvas 160 may be sold or
distributed with the saw-tooth hanger body 198 already connected to
the frame-mounted canvas 160, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and
the fasteners 214 and 216 may be sold or distributed either
separately or with the frame-mounted canvas 160 but detached from
the frame-mounted canvas 160.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 11, once the saw-tooth hanger body 198 is
connected to the rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 160, and
when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture
108, the mounting apparatus 188 may be connected to the saw-tooth
hanger body 198 by positioning a portion of the nail head 196 in
the space 220 and by positioning a portion of the nail shaft 194 in
one of the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 (shown in FIG. 10),
with a portion of the nail shaft 194 received in the cutaway region
114. The saw-tooth hanger body 198 is thus a connector on the
frame-mounted canvas 160 that is complementary to the nail head
196. Then, the marker body 192 may be positioned in a position on
the nail shaft 194 that is generally coplanar with the rear surface
132 of the foam frame body 100, as shown in FIG. 11. When the
marker body 192 is thus positioned, the marker body 192 indicates a
distance between the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the rear surface
132 of the foam frame body 100 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is
received fully in the aperture 108. In alternative embodiments, the
cutaway region 114 may be smaller than in the embodiment shown, the
marker body 192 may be larger than in the embodiment shown, or the
saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be positioned higher on the
frame-mounted canvas 160 than in the embodiment shown, and in such
embodiments the marker body 192 may contact the rear surface 132
instead of being received in the cutaway region 114 as in the
embodiment shown, but nevertheless the marker body 192 may indicate
a distance between the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the rear
surface 132 of the foam frame body 100 when the frame-mounted
canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108.
[0081] Once the marker body 192 is positioned as described above,
the fastener 190 may be disconnected from the tooth hanger body
198, while maintaining the marker body 192 generally constantly in
the position on the nail shaft 194 described above. Then, while
still maintaining the marker body 192 generally constantly in the
position on the nail shaft 194 described above, the fastener 190
may be connected to a wall 222, which in the embodiment shown
includes a drywall sheet 224 mounted on a wood stud 226, by
positioning the nail shaft 194 in the wall 222 to a depth until the
marker body 192 contacts an outer surface 228 of the wall 222, as
shown in FIG. 12. When the nail shaft 194 is thus positioned, the
nail head 196 is a distance from the outer surface 228 according to
the position of the marker body 192 on the nail shaft 194, which
(as indicated above) indicates a distance between the saw-tooth
hanger body 198 and the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100
when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture
108.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 13, once the fastener 190 is connected to
the wall 222 as shown in FIG. 12, the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may
be connected to the fastener 190 again by positioning a portion of
the nail head 196 in the space 220 and by positioning a portion of
the nail shaft 194 in one of the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and
208 (shown in FIG. 10), again with a portion of the nail shaft 194
received in the cutaway region 114. The fastener 190 thus extends
through the aperture 108 of the foam frame body 100 to connect the
frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 222, and supports and mounts
the frame-mounted canvas 160 on the wall 222. Further, because the
frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 with the
peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement with the frictional
contact surface 122, the foam frame body 100 is also mounted to the
wall 222. The mounting apparatus 188 is therefore configured to
connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 222 independently
of the foam frame body 100, and therefore causes the wall 222 to
support the foam frame body 100 only by supporting the
frame-mounted canvas 160. As indicated above, in alternative
embodiments, the cutaway region 114 may be smaller than in the
embodiment shown, the marker body 192 may be larger than in the
embodiment shown, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be
positioned higher on the frame-mounted canvas 160 than in the
embodiment shown, and in such embodiments the marker body 192 may
contact the rear surface 132 and cause a small gap between the rear
surface 132 and the wall 222.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 14, a mounting apparatus according to
another embodiment is shown generally at 230 and includes a link
body 232 coupled to a retaining body 234. In the embodiment shown,
the link body 232 includes flexible thermoplastic sheets 236
adhered at one end to the retaining body 234, with a grommet 238
defining a through-opening extending through the thermoplastic
sheets 236 and the retaining body 234, although alternative
embodiments may include materials other than flexible thermoplastic
sheets. At the other end of the link body 232, a grommet 240
defines a through-opening extending through the thermoplastic
sheets 236. The retaining body 234 includes a retaining flange 242
extending generally perpendicular to the portion of the retaining
body 234 that is adhered to the thermoplastic sheets 236.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 15, the retaining body 234 may be
connected to the frame-mounted canvas 160 by positioning the
retaining flange 242 between the frame 162 and the canvas 164, and
by positioning a fastener 244 through the through-opening defined
by the grommet 238 and into the frame 162. The retaining body 234,
and the link body 232 coupled to the retaining body 234, are thus
connectable to the frame-mounted canvas 160. Also, a fastener 246
may be positioned through the through-opening defined by the
grommet 240 and connected to a wall 248, which in the embodiment
shown includes a drywall sheet 250 mounted on a wood stud 252, and
when the fastener 246 connects the grommet 240 to the wall 248, a
portion of the link body 232 is received in the cutaway region 114.
The link body 232 is thus connectable to the wall 248, and the
mounting apparatus 230 thus extends through the aperture 108 of the
foam frame body 100 to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the
wall 248 and to support and mount the frame-mounted canvas 160 on
the wall 248. Also, because the frame-mounted canvas 160 is
received in the aperture 108 with the peripheral surface 166 in
frictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122, the
foam frame body 100 is also mounted to the wall 248. The mounting
apparatus 230 is therefore configured to connect the frame-mounted
canvas 160 to the wall 248 independently of the foam frame body
100, and therefore causes the wall 248 to support the foam frame
body 100 only by supporting the frame-mounted canvas 160.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 16, a mounting apparatus according to
another embodiment is shown generally at 264 and includes a link
body 266 coupled to a retaining body 268, which is similar to the
retaining body 234 (shown in FIGS. 14 and 15), and which is
likewise connectable to the frame-mounted canvas 160 as described
above and as shown in FIG. 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16,
the link body 266 includes flexible thermoplastic sheets 270
adhered at one end to the retaining body 268, with a grommet 272
defining a through-opening extending through the thermoplastic
sheets 270 and the retaining body 268, although alternative
embodiments may include materials other than flexible thermoplastic
sheets. At the other end of the link body 266, the flexible
thermoplastic sheets 270 are adhered to a connecting body 274 that
defines a hook 276, which is connectable to the fastener 246 (shown
in FIG. 15). Therefore, as an alternative to the mounting apparatus
230, the mounting apparatus 264 connects to the fastener 246 using
the hook 276 instead of the grommet 240. Alternative embodiments
may include still other different connectors that connect a link
body to a wall and to an object such as a frame-mounted canvas.
[0086] FIG. 17 illustrates a foam frame body 254 according to
another embodiment. The foam frame body 254 is similar to the foam
frame body 100, except that the foam frame body 254 defines two
apertures shown generally at 256 and 258. Each of the apertures 256
and 258 is similar to the aperture 108 and may receive at least
some of a respective frame-mounted canvas. In one embodiment, FIG.
18 illustrates a frame-mounted canvas 260 partially received in the
aperture 256 and a frame-mounted canvas 262 partially received in
the aperture 258.
[0087] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a foam frame body 278 according
to another embodiment. The foam frame body 278 has a front side
shown generally at 280 and a rear side shown generally at 282 and
opposite the front side 280. On the front side 280, the foam frame
body 278 has a generally planar and generally rectangular front
surface 284 that defines an opening to an aperture shown generally
at 286. On the rear side 282, the foam frame body 278 has a
generally planar and generally rectangular rear surface 288 that
also defines an opening to the aperture 286. Inside the aperture
286, the foam frame body 278 defines a stop 290 having a stop
surface 292 on the front side of the stop 290 and facing the front
side 280 of the foam frame body 278 but recessed behind the front
surface 284. In the embodiment shown, the stop 290 is a ledge
having a rear surface that is opposite the stop surface 292 and
that is generally continuous with and co-planar with the rear
surface 288 so that the opening to the aperture 286 on the rear
side 282 is smaller than the opening to the aperture 286 on the
front side 280 by an amount defined by a thickness of the stop
surface 292.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the foam frame body 278 may
frame an object such as a frame-mounted canvas 294. In the
embodiment shown, the frame-mounted canvas 294 is similar to the
frame-mounted canvas 160 and includes an image substrate such as a
canvas 296 having a front surface 298 on a front side of the
frame-mounted canvas 294. Some or all of the front surface 298 may
be painted, printed, or otherwise bear an image such as a painting,
a print, a printed photograph, or other artwork for example, and
the image may continue to, or be reflected on, some or all of a
peripheral surface of the frame-mounted canvas 294. Alternatively,
some or all of the peripheral surface may have a compatible solid
colour, such as white for example.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 21, a rear side of the frame-mounted canvas
294 (opposite the front surface 298) may be positioned against the
stop surface 292 such that the front surface 298 is exposed on the
front side 280 of the foam frame body 278 and framed by the front
surface 284. Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the front side of the
frame-mounted canvas 294 may be positioned against the stop surface
292 such that the front surface 298 is exposed on the rear side 282
of the foam frame body 278 and framed by the rear surface 288 and a
rear surface of the stop 290. The foam frame body 278, the
frame-mounted canvas 294, or both may then be mounted to a wall, as
described herein for example. The foam frame body 278 is thus
reversible and allows a front side of an object, such as the front
side of the frame-mounted canvas 294 for example, to be framed
either on the front side 280 of the foam frame body 278, which may
provide an appearance for the front surface 298 similar to an
appearance of other floater frames, or on the rear side 282 of the
foam frame body 278, which causes the stop 290 to cover a portion
of the front surface 298 and frame (or surround) another portion of
the front surface 298, which may provide a different framed
appearance for the front surface 298. Without limiting any of the
embodiments described herein, ornamental designs of the foam frame
bodies shown in the drawings are also disclosed. In some ornamental
designs, one or more of relative widths, heights, or thicknesses,
or one or more of other dimensions, may vary from those shown in
the drawings. In some ornamental designs, one or more objects, such
as frame-mounted canvases shown in the drawings, may form part of
the ornamental designs or may form no part of the ornamental
designs.
[0090] The foam frame bodies 100, 254, and 278 in the embodiments
shown are generally rectangular, but foam frame bodies in
alternative embodiments may be generally square, generally
circular, or generally oval-shaped, for example. More generally,
foam frame bodies in alternative embodiments may have different
appearances than the foam frame bodies 100, 254, and 278. For
example, foam frame bodies in alternative embodiments may have
rounded exterior corners instead of the square exterior corners in
the embodiments shown, and foam frame bodies in alternative
embodiments may have different thicknesses, widths, or heights.
Further, foam frame bodies of still other embodiments may include
one, two, or more than two apertures having sizes, shapes, and
locations in the foam frame bodies that differ from the embodiments
described above.
[0091] In general, embodiments such as those described above may be
reusable framing apparatuses for framing and displaying an object
such as the frame-mounted canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 to provide
an appearance similar to an appearance of other floater frames but
without requiring cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming steps or
complex tools and skills that may be required for such other
floater frames. For example, the frame-mounted canvas 160, 260,
262, or 294 may be connected and secured to the foam frame body
100, 254, or 278 without requiring nails, screws, tape, or other
separate fasteners, and likewise. Embodiments such as those
described above may therefore provide relatively easy, simple, and
inexpensive display frames for objects such as the frame-mounted
canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 when compared to other frames such as
other floater frames.
[0092] Although specific embodiments have been described and
illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative
only and not as limiting the invention as construed according to
the accompanying claims.
* * * * *