CA1282591C - One-piece foldable frame assembly - Google Patents
One-piece foldable frame assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1282591C CA1282591C CA000508368A CA508368A CA1282591C CA 1282591 C CA1282591 C CA 1282591C CA 000508368 A CA000508368 A CA 000508368A CA 508368 A CA508368 A CA 508368A CA 1282591 C CA1282591 C CA 1282591C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- edge
- supporting member
- framed
- picture frame
- piece
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A one-piece, picture frame and a picture frame assembly are disclosed. The picture frame is made from a suitably-foldable material and has a front piece having at least one viewing opening therethrough, edge pieces and back pieces which fold in-to a front piece, side faces and back faces to frame an object to be framed. An open channel is formed between the respective front face and the back pieces into which the respective edges of the material to be framed can be inserted to position and hold the material to be framed within the picture frame. The picture frame together with the material to be framed form a frame assembly. The back pieces of the picture frame can adhere to the bottom surface of the material to be framed. In further embodiments of the invention, the picture frame includes a backing member and a supporting member to support the picture frame when it is positioned on such things as a table top. The invention is useful for framing such items as pictures, photographs and post-cards, especially when the object to be framed is sand-wiched between a viewing sheet and a backing sheet.
A one-piece, picture frame and a picture frame assembly are disclosed. The picture frame is made from a suitably-foldable material and has a front piece having at least one viewing opening therethrough, edge pieces and back pieces which fold in-to a front piece, side faces and back faces to frame an object to be framed. An open channel is formed between the respective front face and the back pieces into which the respective edges of the material to be framed can be inserted to position and hold the material to be framed within the picture frame. The picture frame together with the material to be framed form a frame assembly. The back pieces of the picture frame can adhere to the bottom surface of the material to be framed. In further embodiments of the invention, the picture frame includes a backing member and a supporting member to support the picture frame when it is positioned on such things as a table top. The invention is useful for framing such items as pictures, photographs and post-cards, especially when the object to be framed is sand-wiched between a viewing sheet and a backing sheet.
Description
~2~32591 B~CKGROUND OF THE ;I;NVENTl: ON
This invention relates to a picture frame and a picture frame assembly, in particular, a one-piece picture frame made from a suitably-foldable material for framing material to be framed wherein the ~ater.ial to be framed comprises at least one flat, planar object~
In the past, there have been many foldable frames made ~rom ~oldable material. However, many oE those frames had pictures p~e-prin*ed on the front surface of the back piece of the frame, or had the object to be framed.adhered to the front surface of the back piece of the picture frame.
.Moreover~ the prior art picture frames were e.ither too simple in that they did not provide a suitable ! 15 . frame .into which the material to be framed could be inserted.
Rather, the material to be framed was merely placed Oll the frame and attached to the frame. Such frames were not suitable Eor Eraminy combined material comprising the object to be :Eramed, such as a picture, photograph or postcard, plus a suitable v~ewing sheet over the object to be framed through which the object to be framed could be viewed, a suitable backing material and perhaps even matting.
On the other hand, other of the prior art picture frames were too complicated to be easily and ~;2825~
l cheaply manufactured and to be readily used. This is because many of,these prior art picture frames utilized a plurality of intricate tabs and tab receiving areas. As a consequence t the picture frame required too many cuts, folds and insertions.
Also, none of the prior art provt,ded a suitable frame incorporating as part of the frame a supporting means to support the frame on, for example, a desk top.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art by provlding an inexpensive, easily manufactured and easily-Poldable alternative picture frame to the prior ', art plcture frames.
; 15 Accordingl~ in one o~ its broad aspects, this invention resides :in a one-piece~ picture frame made from suitably-foldable mater.ial, for framing material to be framed which comprises at least one flat, planar object to be framed~ comprising: a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening there-through; an,ed~e piece foldably exkending from each respective side of the front piece; a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has'a back,edge; wherein the frame is foldable around the material to be framed such that: the edge i .
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1 pieces form side ~aces extending in the same di.rection and substantially at right angle$ to the front pi.ece; the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from.the respec-tive side faces; an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece; the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be ~ramed; and the material to be framed is positioned within the fxame by posit;on~ng a respective outer edge of the material to be framed ~ithin the respective channel~
Accordingly, in another of this broad aspect, this invention resides in providing a picture frame as described above but further comprising a backing member and a supporting member foldably extending as part of the frame from one of the back pieces of the frame~
! 15 Accordinglv, in another oE its broad aspects, this invention resldes in providing a picture :Erame assembly compris:ing: ~a~ material to be frame.d, comprising at least one :Elat~ planar object to be Eramed; suitable viewing sheet over the object to be ramed; and suitable backing material under kh0 object to be framed comprising a first and a second backing sheet; and ~b) a one piece picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, com-prising: a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough; an edge piece foldably extending from each. respective side of the . ~3~
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1 front piece; a back. piece foldably extending from each respective edge pi.ece, wherein each. back piece has a back edge; a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edye and a second edge;
and a supporting member compri$ing a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge; wh.erein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the ~irst edge thereof to one back piece at the back edge thereof; a first part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member, at the second edge thereof; a second part of the supporting ~lember is foldably connected at the second . edge of supporting member to the second part of the back-; 15 ing member at the ~irst edge thereof; wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge oE at least one of the parts of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point ~or supporting the p~.cture frame; wherein the frame ;'s ~olded ~round the material to be ~ramed such that: the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece; the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respecti,ve si,de faces; an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piecei the depth of each ~L282S9~
1 channel is substanti.ally the same as the depth of the mate.rial ta be framed; the mater,ial to be framed is pos~tioned within the frame by positioning a respective ~uter edge of th.e mater~al to be framed within the re~pective ch.annel; the first and second edges of the supporting member are proxi.mate each.other such. that the supporting member is generally normal to the backing member; th.e viewi.ng sheet i$ w~thin the respective chan-nels; the first backing sheet adhered to the first and second parts of the backin~ member; and the second backing sheet is pos~ti,oned within the respective channels and adjacent to the.back pieces, and has an opening for receiv-ing the first backing sheet.
Further aspects oE the in~ention will become 1 15 apparent upon .readin~ oE the ~ollowin~ detailed description : and the draw:~ngs whlch. illus-trate the inventi.on and embodiment.s o~ the .i.nvention.
BRIE~ DESCR:CPTION OF TEIE. DR~INGS
In the drawings:
E'i~ure 1 is a schematic~ ~ront vi.ew of an embodi,-ment of the picture ~rame of this invention in i.ts un~olded state;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspecti.ve ~i,e~ of. an embodiment of the picture of thi,s Lnvention in its folded state;
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1 282S9~l 1 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a ~artial cross-sectional view of the picture frame in its folded state and of the picture frame assembly of the i.nvention, Figure 5 is a partial cross~sectional view of the picture frame in its folded state and of the pi:cture frame assembly of.the invention;
. Figure 6 is schematic, front view of a further embodiment of the picture frame of this invention in its unfolded state;
F.~gure ~ is a schematic back view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame of this invention in its folded ' state;
! lS Figure 8 is a schematic front view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame in its un:Eolded state;
. Fi~ure 9 is a partial ~ront view of an embodi~
merlt o~ the picture ~rame in its unfolded state;
Figure 10 is a perspective back view of an embodiment of the picture frame assembly;
P'igure 11. is.a perspective back view of an embodiment o~ the picture frame assembly;
~igure 12 is a partial front view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame in its unfolded state;
Figure 13 is a partial~ front view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame in its unfolded state; and 1 Figure 14 i~.a parti.al~-,f,ront Yiew of an embodi.-ment o~ the picture frame i:n ~ts unfolded state.
DETAIL DE~CRIPTION OF THE INYENTION
AND PREFERRED E~B'OD'IMENTS''THE-REOF
The picture frame of this-invention i.s a one-p~ece ~rame that is made from any su;,tably-foldable material.
Preferred material is corrugated cardboard, cardboard, Bristol board or heavy paper.
The picture frame a-ssembly of this invention comprises the picture frame of the invention in assembly with the material to be framed.
With reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodi~
ment of the picture ~rame 20 can be seen in its pre-assemblied or pre-folded state. The dimensions illustrated ; 15 ~.n Fig-.re 1, and all other figures, are not the actual d~mens~ons but are shown only for the purposes of illus-tration.
The picture frame 20 comprises a ~ront piece 22 which has a plurality of sides~ as requi.red for any particulax framing application~ Preferred numbers of sides include three, five, six, eight, ten or twelve sides.
': However~ the most preferred number of sides is four as shown in Figure 1. In Fi~ure 1, there are sides 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D.
The front piece 20 has a viewing opening 70 . through the front face 20~ The viewing opening 70 is for ~7--- ~\
gL28Z59~
1 exposing to view the object to be framed. The viewing open~ng can be of any desired shape o.r size that fits within the front face 22, Preferable viewing openings are c~rcular, oval, square or rectangular. There can be more than one viewing opening so as to provi,de exposure to view of more than one place in the front face 20~
Edge pieces 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D extend from the respective sides of the front piece 22.
Back pieces 26A,-26B, 26C and 26D extend from . the respective edge pieces 24, In order to construct the frame 20, a piece of the suitably-foldable material is cut, either by hand or by any suitable automated means such as a stamp~ into the general shape shown in Figure 1. The cut pi~ture frame 20 ~s th~n ~olded along the dotted lines shown in Figure 1.
Pre~erabl~, the ~rame 20 is sco.red along the dotted lines be~'ore Eolcling.
In order to put the frame 20 into its folded state, the edge pieces 24 are folded downwardly from the front piece 22 at substant.tally right angles to the back piece 22 to ~orm side faces 24. A11 side pieces 24 are ~olded in the same direction.
The back pieces 26 are all folded inwardly from the side faces 24 to form back faces 26. Preferably~ but not necessarily~ each si,de edge ~for example 26A-l in Figure 2~ of each. back piece '~for example 26A~ abuts , ~282S9g~
1 against the adjacent side edge (26B-l) of the adjacent back.piece 26B. Preferably, the abutment is as shown in Figure 2 at 28, that is, for a four-sided back piece 22, the respective side edges 26A-1 and 26B-l are cut at a 45 angle.
- In order that the side edges 26A-1 and 26B-l abut in this fashion; it is necessary that the respective back pieces 26~ and 26B have similar shapes. Conversely, so long as the side edges of the back faces 26 are abutted rather than overlapped, the provision of similar shapes for the front pieces 26 will permit such an aesthetic appearance.
For a more aesthetically pleasing front face 22, . as best seen in Fi~ure 6, when the viewing opening is in ! 15 the shape of a polygon, such as a rectangle, as defined by the ed~es oE the viewin~ opening, extending from those edges o~ the viewing opening can be underturn pieces 72.
The underturn pieces 72 can be turned or folded under the front piece 22 during assembly. This provides a folded edge to be exposed to vi.ew in the front area of the ~rame 20, rather than simply a cut edge.
A feature oE this invention is that open channels 30 are formed between each respect~ve back face 26 and the front p~ece 22. This is be~t ~een in ~i~ure 3 _g _ ~2~32591 1 When in use, the channels 30 are used to hold the material to be framed in the proper position within the frame 20. By reference to Figure 4, it can b~ seen that the edge 32D of the material to be Eramed 34 has been inserted within the channel 30D.
In Figure 4, the material to be framed 34 is a single, flat, planar object. Usually, the object to be ; framed would be, one or more of,-a picture, photograph, postcard or whatever the user desired.
In Figure S, the material to be framed comprises the object to be framed (picture, photograph, postcard or similar object) plus a suitable viewing sheet 36, such as a glass or plastic plate, which is placed over the object to be framed 34 so as to allow a ~iewer to view the object lS to be framed but at the same time protect the object to be framed Erom possible damage. ~lso shown in F~gure 5 is a suitable baclcing sheet or backing material 38 which can be cardboard, corxugated cardboaxd, ~elt or other suitable material.
Also shown in Figure 5 is a matting 40.
It will be noted that -the edges of the various object to be framed 34, viewing shee-t 36, backing sheet 38 and ma-tting 40 need not, but may, extend all the way into the respective channels 30 so as to abut against the respective edge piece 24. ~lso, in the embodiment shown ~.28Z5~
1 in Figure 5, where there is some material above the object to be framed 34 such as a viewing sheet 36, it is not necessary that the edges 32 of the object to be framed 34 be within the respective channels 30. All that is necessary is that the respective outer edges 32 of the combined material to be framed be within the respective channel 30. The combined material to be framed should be taken to mean the object to be framed by itself or with any of the various materials noted above, namely viewing sheet 36, backing sheet 38 and matting 40. Preferably the backing material 38 should extend into the channels 30 at least as far as any other of the materials so as to provide a suitable support within the channels 30.
The depth o~ each of the channels 30 should be taken to mean the d.istance rom the bottom ace 44 of the front piece 22 to the upper ~aces 42 of the back faces 26 (shown as Dc in Fi~ure 3). Pre~erably, the depth, Dc, of the channels 30, is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed as shown as Dm in Figures 4 and 5.
When the depths, Dc, of the channels 30 are sub-stantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed, Dm, the material to be framed can be more readily secured within the rame 20.
Preferably, each of the back faces 26 of the frame 20 is substantially parallel to the front piece 22 ~2~Z~;9~
1 when the frame 20 has been folded and is readly for use or is in use.
In order to keep the frame 20 in its folded position (Figure 2), the material to be framed, whether it is simply the object to be framed 34 or any combination of the object to be framed 3~ and a viewing sheet 36, backing sheet 38 and matting 40 is positioned within the : frame 20 a~d the frame 20 is appropriately folded around ; the material to be framed. The upper face 42 of the back pieces 26 are then adhered to the lower face of the material to be framed as generall~ shown at 46D on Figures 4 and 5.
The back pieces 26 can be adhered by any suitable means, for example, sticky tape, glue or adhesive. The suitable . meaIIs ~6 can be pre-appli.ed to the back pieces 26 before use by the person who uses the frame 20 as a frame, or the suitable means ~6 can be applied during the framing opera tiOII itself.
I~ the front ~ace 22 has under pieces 72, the channels 30 are created between the under pieces 72 and the back pieces 26. Accordingly, the depth~ Dc, of the channels 30 should be measured from the lower face of the respective under pieces 72 to the top face ~2 of the respective back pieces 26.
In a further embodiment, if the material to be framed includes backing material, the backing material ~Z82591 can be cut so as to ~orm a flap 50 as shown in Figure 7.
Flap 50 can be opened b~ turning it back so as to permit insertion and withdrawal of the object to ~e framed 34 withi n the picture frame 20~
In order to obtain a particularly pleasing f;nished frame 20, it is possible to wrap the frame 20 with decorative paper so that the exposed faces of the ~rame 20 have a pleasing appearance.
The invention is particularly useful when it is ~sed in combination with an object to be framed 34, a suitable viewiny sheet 36 and a suitable backing sheet 38.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention as best shown in E'igure 8, the frame 20 also comprises a backing member 80 having a first paxt 82 and a second ~! 15 part 84~ each part 82, 84 having a first edge 82A, 84A
and a second ed~e 82B, 84B. X'he Erame 20 also comprises a supporting membe~ 90 having a plurality of adjacent, ~oldably~connected parts. The supporting member 90 has a first edge 90A and a second edge 90B. Preferably, the 20 supporting member 90 has two parts 92, 94 as best seen in Figure 8 or three parts 92, 96 and 94 as best seen in Figure 9.
The first part 82 of the backing member 80 is foldably connected at the first edge 82A thereof to one 25 of the back pieces 26 (26B in Figure 8) at the back edge 100 thereof.
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1 The firs~ part 92 of the supporting member 90 is foldably connecte.d at the first edge 90A of the supporting member 90 to th.e first part 82 of the backing member 80 at the second edge 82B thereof~
The second part 94 of the supporting member 90 is foldably connected at the second edge 90B of the support-ing member 90 to the second part 84 of the backing member 80 at the first edge 84A thereof.
It is possible to have additional parts of the supporting member 90 foldably connected between the first part 92 and second part 94, such as a third part 96 as shown in Figure 9~
Each. o:E the parts 92 r .94 and 96, and any other parts, of the supporting member 90 has a bottom edge 92C, 94C and.96C. ~he bot:tom.edge of at least one of the parts 92, 94 and 96 of th.e supporting member 90 is formed so as to provide at l~ast one support po~nt for supporting the picture ~rame 20 such. as shown ~n Figure 10.
Xn the embodiments illustrated in the Fi~ures, the bottom ed~es 92C, 94C and 96C of each of the parts 92 94 and 96 is a whole line of points for supporting the picture frame 20. However~ it is possible that only one point on only one of the edges could support the picture frame 20.
The supporting member 90 is used to support the picture frame 20 b~ folding the various edges such that the ~14~
~L28Z59~
1 first edge 90A and the second edge 90B of the supporting member 90 are brought proximate to each other. Firstly, the edges 90A and 90B may be very close to each other, if there ; are only two parts, so that the first part 92 and the second part 94 can be touching each other. This results in the supporting member 90 being generally normal to the backing member 80 as generally shown in Figure 10.
Secondly, there can be a separation 102 between the edges 90A and 90B ~as shown in Figure 11) so that there is some spacing between the parts 92 and 94.
The added spacing helps to provide an additional stability to the supporting member 90 so that there is less chance that the supporting member 90 will be folded back out of i its position at right angles to the backing member 80.
! 15 Preferably, when the frame 20 is assembled, the first part ~2 and ~he second part 84 of the.backing member ~0 are adhered, b~ any su.~table r~leans, for example glue, tape or adhesive r to a .Eirst backing sheet 104. A second backiny sheet 106 is pos~tioned w:;thin the respective channels 30 of the frame 20 and adjacent to the back pieces 26. The second backing sheet 106 has an opening for receiving the Eirst backing sheet 104.
Pre:Eerably, the size and shape of the opening in the second backing sheet 106 are substantially the same size and shape as those of the first backing sheet 104 so that when the fi~st backing sheet 104 is inserted into ~15-~282~91 1 the opening in the second backin~ shRet 106 th.e fi~st backing sheet 104 (and thereby the backing member 80~ will be kept in place by the snug fit. However, it is possible that the size and shape o~ th.e ~rst b~cking sheet 104 are smaller than those of the second backing sheet 106~
In this s~tuation however, the f~rst backing sheet 104 is not kept as securely in place~
The first backing sheet 104 is received in the-opening in the second backing.sheet 106 by-pushing the backing member 80 and the ~irst backing sheet.104 .into the opening. To remove the first backing sheet 104 from the opening, the user can use the supporting member gO to pull the first backing sheet 104 away from the opening. Thus~
the object to be Eramed can be replaced by mov~ng the first backing sheet 104 from the open.ing.
Pre~erably, the size and shape o~ the opening in the second bac]cin~ sheet .lO6 are substantially the same as the size and shape o:~ the surface deined by the back ed~es 110 o~ the back.Eaces 26 (as shown in Figure 11~.
Pre~erabl~r the size and shape of the backing member 80 are substantially the same as the size and shape of the first backing sheet 104. In this regard, the size and shape of the backlng member 80 should be understood as including the size and shape of any spacing 112 (see Figure 11) between the flrst part 82 and the second part 84 of the backing member 80~
~16-~282591 1 The second backing sheet 106 may be adhered, by any suitable means, to the back pieces 26 as generally shown i.n Figure 5 at 46D.
Preferably, each of the back pieces 26 lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to the front pieces The picture ~rame 20 of the invention can be formed into a picture ~rame assembly by including with. -.
any combination of the embodiments of the picture frame 20 described above, a suitable backing material, whether the ~irst backing sheet 104 and the second backing sheet 106 or a separate backing material, and a suitable viewing sheet over the object to be ramed.
, In a preferred embodiment~ the supporting member ! 15 90 is generally triangu:La.r ~n shape ~Figures 8, 9 and 10 and first part 92 o:E the supportin~ member 90 has the same size and shape as the size and shape of a second part 9~ o the supporting member 90 and that shape is generally tr:iangular.
In another embodiment, each of the first part 92 and the second part 94 of the supporting member 90 has a first and a second edge 92~, 92B and 94A, 94B, respectively. In one embodiment~ the irst and second edges of each part 92 and 94 are substantially parallel as typically sho~n in Figure 11.
~282S9l 1 In another embodiment, as best shown in Figures 12 and 13, each of the Eirst part 92 and the second part 94 of the supporting member 90 are generally quadrilateral in shape, The size and shape of the first part 92 are preferably substantially the same as the size and shape of the second part 94. Also, the bottom,edges 92C, 94C
of each of the first part 92 and second part 94 are longer than the respective edges 92D, 94D opposite to the bottom edges 92C, 94C.
In a preferred embodimentl the second edye 92B
o~ the first part 92 of the'supporting member 90 is the same edge as the first edge 94A of the second part 94 of the supporting member 90. Also, the first and second , edges 92A, 92B of the first pa.rt 92 are opposite sides of ! 15 the first part 92 ~igure 12~ and.the.first and second ed~es 94A, 94B o:E the second part 94 are opposite sides of the second part 94 (Figu.re 12).
In alte:rnative embodiments~ the first and second edges 92~, 92B of the f.irst part 92 are adjacent sides of the first part 92 ~as typically seen in Figures 13 and 14 and the first and second edges 94A, 94B of the second part 94 are adjacent sides of the second part 94 (as typically seen in Figures 13 and 14)~
As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, many of the descri.bed features of the invention can .
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1 be included in any part.icular embodiment so that the particular features can be selected and used in combination depending on the particular application~
Although the disclosure describes and illustrates preferred embodiments o~ the invention, it is to be under-stood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments,
This invention relates to a picture frame and a picture frame assembly, in particular, a one-piece picture frame made from a suitably-foldable material for framing material to be framed wherein the ~ater.ial to be framed comprises at least one flat, planar object~
In the past, there have been many foldable frames made ~rom ~oldable material. However, many oE those frames had pictures p~e-prin*ed on the front surface of the back piece of the frame, or had the object to be framed.adhered to the front surface of the back piece of the picture frame.
.Moreover~ the prior art picture frames were e.ither too simple in that they did not provide a suitable ! 15 . frame .into which the material to be framed could be inserted.
Rather, the material to be framed was merely placed Oll the frame and attached to the frame. Such frames were not suitable Eor Eraminy combined material comprising the object to be :Eramed, such as a picture, photograph or postcard, plus a suitable v~ewing sheet over the object to be framed through which the object to be framed could be viewed, a suitable backing material and perhaps even matting.
On the other hand, other of the prior art picture frames were too complicated to be easily and ~;2825~
l cheaply manufactured and to be readily used. This is because many of,these prior art picture frames utilized a plurality of intricate tabs and tab receiving areas. As a consequence t the picture frame required too many cuts, folds and insertions.
Also, none of the prior art provt,ded a suitable frame incorporating as part of the frame a supporting means to support the frame on, for example, a desk top.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art by provlding an inexpensive, easily manufactured and easily-Poldable alternative picture frame to the prior ', art plcture frames.
; 15 Accordingl~ in one o~ its broad aspects, this invention resides :in a one-piece~ picture frame made from suitably-foldable mater.ial, for framing material to be framed which comprises at least one flat, planar object to be framed~ comprising: a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening there-through; an,ed~e piece foldably exkending from each respective side of the front piece; a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has'a back,edge; wherein the frame is foldable around the material to be framed such that: the edge i .
3Z5~
1 pieces form side ~aces extending in the same di.rection and substantially at right angle$ to the front pi.ece; the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from.the respec-tive side faces; an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece; the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be ~ramed; and the material to be framed is positioned within the fxame by posit;on~ng a respective outer edge of the material to be framed ~ithin the respective channel~
Accordingly, in another of this broad aspect, this invention resides in providing a picture frame as described above but further comprising a backing member and a supporting member foldably extending as part of the frame from one of the back pieces of the frame~
! 15 Accordinglv, in another oE its broad aspects, this invention resldes in providing a picture :Erame assembly compris:ing: ~a~ material to be frame.d, comprising at least one :Elat~ planar object to be Eramed; suitable viewing sheet over the object to be ramed; and suitable backing material under kh0 object to be framed comprising a first and a second backing sheet; and ~b) a one piece picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, com-prising: a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough; an edge piece foldably extending from each. respective side of the . ~3~
~282~;9~L
1 front piece; a back. piece foldably extending from each respective edge pi.ece, wherein each. back piece has a back edge; a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edye and a second edge;
and a supporting member compri$ing a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge; wh.erein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the ~irst edge thereof to one back piece at the back edge thereof; a first part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member, at the second edge thereof; a second part of the supporting ~lember is foldably connected at the second . edge of supporting member to the second part of the back-; 15 ing member at the ~irst edge thereof; wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge oE at least one of the parts of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point ~or supporting the p~.cture frame; wherein the frame ;'s ~olded ~round the material to be ~ramed such that: the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece; the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respecti,ve si,de faces; an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piecei the depth of each ~L282S9~
1 channel is substanti.ally the same as the depth of the mate.rial ta be framed; the mater,ial to be framed is pos~tioned within the frame by positioning a respective ~uter edge of th.e mater~al to be framed within the re~pective ch.annel; the first and second edges of the supporting member are proxi.mate each.other such. that the supporting member is generally normal to the backing member; th.e viewi.ng sheet i$ w~thin the respective chan-nels; the first backing sheet adhered to the first and second parts of the backin~ member; and the second backing sheet is pos~ti,oned within the respective channels and adjacent to the.back pieces, and has an opening for receiv-ing the first backing sheet.
Further aspects oE the in~ention will become 1 15 apparent upon .readin~ oE the ~ollowin~ detailed description : and the draw:~ngs whlch. illus-trate the inventi.on and embodiment.s o~ the .i.nvention.
BRIE~ DESCR:CPTION OF TEIE. DR~INGS
In the drawings:
E'i~ure 1 is a schematic~ ~ront vi.ew of an embodi,-ment of the picture ~rame of this invention in i.ts un~olded state;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspecti.ve ~i,e~ of. an embodiment of the picture of thi,s Lnvention in its folded state;
5-~
1 282S9~l 1 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a ~artial cross-sectional view of the picture frame in its folded state and of the picture frame assembly of the i.nvention, Figure 5 is a partial cross~sectional view of the picture frame in its folded state and of the pi:cture frame assembly of.the invention;
. Figure 6 is schematic, front view of a further embodiment of the picture frame of this invention in its unfolded state;
F.~gure ~ is a schematic back view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame of this invention in its folded ' state;
! lS Figure 8 is a schematic front view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame in its un:Eolded state;
. Fi~ure 9 is a partial ~ront view of an embodi~
merlt o~ the picture ~rame in its unfolded state;
Figure 10 is a perspective back view of an embodiment of the picture frame assembly;
P'igure 11. is.a perspective back view of an embodiment o~ the picture frame assembly;
~igure 12 is a partial front view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame in its unfolded state;
Figure 13 is a partial~ front view of an embodi-ment of the picture frame in its unfolded state; and 1 Figure 14 i~.a parti.al~-,f,ront Yiew of an embodi.-ment o~ the picture frame i:n ~ts unfolded state.
DETAIL DE~CRIPTION OF THE INYENTION
AND PREFERRED E~B'OD'IMENTS''THE-REOF
The picture frame of this-invention i.s a one-p~ece ~rame that is made from any su;,tably-foldable material.
Preferred material is corrugated cardboard, cardboard, Bristol board or heavy paper.
The picture frame a-ssembly of this invention comprises the picture frame of the invention in assembly with the material to be framed.
With reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodi~
ment of the picture ~rame 20 can be seen in its pre-assemblied or pre-folded state. The dimensions illustrated ; 15 ~.n Fig-.re 1, and all other figures, are not the actual d~mens~ons but are shown only for the purposes of illus-tration.
The picture frame 20 comprises a ~ront piece 22 which has a plurality of sides~ as requi.red for any particulax framing application~ Preferred numbers of sides include three, five, six, eight, ten or twelve sides.
': However~ the most preferred number of sides is four as shown in Figure 1. In Fi~ure 1, there are sides 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D.
The front piece 20 has a viewing opening 70 . through the front face 20~ The viewing opening 70 is for ~7--- ~\
gL28Z59~
1 exposing to view the object to be framed. The viewing open~ng can be of any desired shape o.r size that fits within the front face 22, Preferable viewing openings are c~rcular, oval, square or rectangular. There can be more than one viewing opening so as to provi,de exposure to view of more than one place in the front face 20~
Edge pieces 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D extend from the respective sides of the front piece 22.
Back pieces 26A,-26B, 26C and 26D extend from . the respective edge pieces 24, In order to construct the frame 20, a piece of the suitably-foldable material is cut, either by hand or by any suitable automated means such as a stamp~ into the general shape shown in Figure 1. The cut pi~ture frame 20 ~s th~n ~olded along the dotted lines shown in Figure 1.
Pre~erabl~, the ~rame 20 is sco.red along the dotted lines be~'ore Eolcling.
In order to put the frame 20 into its folded state, the edge pieces 24 are folded downwardly from the front piece 22 at substant.tally right angles to the back piece 22 to ~orm side faces 24. A11 side pieces 24 are ~olded in the same direction.
The back pieces 26 are all folded inwardly from the side faces 24 to form back faces 26. Preferably~ but not necessarily~ each si,de edge ~for example 26A-l in Figure 2~ of each. back piece '~for example 26A~ abuts , ~282S9g~
1 against the adjacent side edge (26B-l) of the adjacent back.piece 26B. Preferably, the abutment is as shown in Figure 2 at 28, that is, for a four-sided back piece 22, the respective side edges 26A-1 and 26B-l are cut at a 45 angle.
- In order that the side edges 26A-1 and 26B-l abut in this fashion; it is necessary that the respective back pieces 26~ and 26B have similar shapes. Conversely, so long as the side edges of the back faces 26 are abutted rather than overlapped, the provision of similar shapes for the front pieces 26 will permit such an aesthetic appearance.
For a more aesthetically pleasing front face 22, . as best seen in Fi~ure 6, when the viewing opening is in ! 15 the shape of a polygon, such as a rectangle, as defined by the ed~es oE the viewin~ opening, extending from those edges o~ the viewing opening can be underturn pieces 72.
The underturn pieces 72 can be turned or folded under the front piece 22 during assembly. This provides a folded edge to be exposed to vi.ew in the front area of the ~rame 20, rather than simply a cut edge.
A feature oE this invention is that open channels 30 are formed between each respect~ve back face 26 and the front p~ece 22. This is be~t ~een in ~i~ure 3 _g _ ~2~32591 1 When in use, the channels 30 are used to hold the material to be framed in the proper position within the frame 20. By reference to Figure 4, it can b~ seen that the edge 32D of the material to be Eramed 34 has been inserted within the channel 30D.
In Figure 4, the material to be framed 34 is a single, flat, planar object. Usually, the object to be ; framed would be, one or more of,-a picture, photograph, postcard or whatever the user desired.
In Figure S, the material to be framed comprises the object to be framed (picture, photograph, postcard or similar object) plus a suitable viewing sheet 36, such as a glass or plastic plate, which is placed over the object to be framed 34 so as to allow a ~iewer to view the object lS to be framed but at the same time protect the object to be framed Erom possible damage. ~lso shown in F~gure 5 is a suitable baclcing sheet or backing material 38 which can be cardboard, corxugated cardboaxd, ~elt or other suitable material.
Also shown in Figure 5 is a matting 40.
It will be noted that -the edges of the various object to be framed 34, viewing shee-t 36, backing sheet 38 and ma-tting 40 need not, but may, extend all the way into the respective channels 30 so as to abut against the respective edge piece 24. ~lso, in the embodiment shown ~.28Z5~
1 in Figure 5, where there is some material above the object to be framed 34 such as a viewing sheet 36, it is not necessary that the edges 32 of the object to be framed 34 be within the respective channels 30. All that is necessary is that the respective outer edges 32 of the combined material to be framed be within the respective channel 30. The combined material to be framed should be taken to mean the object to be framed by itself or with any of the various materials noted above, namely viewing sheet 36, backing sheet 38 and matting 40. Preferably the backing material 38 should extend into the channels 30 at least as far as any other of the materials so as to provide a suitable support within the channels 30.
The depth o~ each of the channels 30 should be taken to mean the d.istance rom the bottom ace 44 of the front piece 22 to the upper ~aces 42 of the back faces 26 (shown as Dc in Fi~ure 3). Pre~erably, the depth, Dc, of the channels 30, is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed as shown as Dm in Figures 4 and 5.
When the depths, Dc, of the channels 30 are sub-stantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed, Dm, the material to be framed can be more readily secured within the rame 20.
Preferably, each of the back faces 26 of the frame 20 is substantially parallel to the front piece 22 ~2~Z~;9~
1 when the frame 20 has been folded and is readly for use or is in use.
In order to keep the frame 20 in its folded position (Figure 2), the material to be framed, whether it is simply the object to be framed 34 or any combination of the object to be framed 3~ and a viewing sheet 36, backing sheet 38 and matting 40 is positioned within the : frame 20 a~d the frame 20 is appropriately folded around ; the material to be framed. The upper face 42 of the back pieces 26 are then adhered to the lower face of the material to be framed as generall~ shown at 46D on Figures 4 and 5.
The back pieces 26 can be adhered by any suitable means, for example, sticky tape, glue or adhesive. The suitable . meaIIs ~6 can be pre-appli.ed to the back pieces 26 before use by the person who uses the frame 20 as a frame, or the suitable means ~6 can be applied during the framing opera tiOII itself.
I~ the front ~ace 22 has under pieces 72, the channels 30 are created between the under pieces 72 and the back pieces 26. Accordingly, the depth~ Dc, of the channels 30 should be measured from the lower face of the respective under pieces 72 to the top face ~2 of the respective back pieces 26.
In a further embodiment, if the material to be framed includes backing material, the backing material ~Z82591 can be cut so as to ~orm a flap 50 as shown in Figure 7.
Flap 50 can be opened b~ turning it back so as to permit insertion and withdrawal of the object to ~e framed 34 withi n the picture frame 20~
In order to obtain a particularly pleasing f;nished frame 20, it is possible to wrap the frame 20 with decorative paper so that the exposed faces of the ~rame 20 have a pleasing appearance.
The invention is particularly useful when it is ~sed in combination with an object to be framed 34, a suitable viewiny sheet 36 and a suitable backing sheet 38.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention as best shown in E'igure 8, the frame 20 also comprises a backing member 80 having a first paxt 82 and a second ~! 15 part 84~ each part 82, 84 having a first edge 82A, 84A
and a second ed~e 82B, 84B. X'he Erame 20 also comprises a supporting membe~ 90 having a plurality of adjacent, ~oldably~connected parts. The supporting member 90 has a first edge 90A and a second edge 90B. Preferably, the 20 supporting member 90 has two parts 92, 94 as best seen in Figure 8 or three parts 92, 96 and 94 as best seen in Figure 9.
The first part 82 of the backing member 80 is foldably connected at the first edge 82A thereof to one 25 of the back pieces 26 (26B in Figure 8) at the back edge 100 thereof.
~2~;2S~
1 The firs~ part 92 of the supporting member 90 is foldably connecte.d at the first edge 90A of the supporting member 90 to th.e first part 82 of the backing member 80 at the second edge 82B thereof~
The second part 94 of the supporting member 90 is foldably connected at the second edge 90B of the support-ing member 90 to the second part 84 of the backing member 80 at the first edge 84A thereof.
It is possible to have additional parts of the supporting member 90 foldably connected between the first part 92 and second part 94, such as a third part 96 as shown in Figure 9~
Each. o:E the parts 92 r .94 and 96, and any other parts, of the supporting member 90 has a bottom edge 92C, 94C and.96C. ~he bot:tom.edge of at least one of the parts 92, 94 and 96 of th.e supporting member 90 is formed so as to provide at l~ast one support po~nt for supporting the picture ~rame 20 such. as shown ~n Figure 10.
Xn the embodiments illustrated in the Fi~ures, the bottom ed~es 92C, 94C and 96C of each of the parts 92 94 and 96 is a whole line of points for supporting the picture frame 20. However~ it is possible that only one point on only one of the edges could support the picture frame 20.
The supporting member 90 is used to support the picture frame 20 b~ folding the various edges such that the ~14~
~L28Z59~
1 first edge 90A and the second edge 90B of the supporting member 90 are brought proximate to each other. Firstly, the edges 90A and 90B may be very close to each other, if there ; are only two parts, so that the first part 92 and the second part 94 can be touching each other. This results in the supporting member 90 being generally normal to the backing member 80 as generally shown in Figure 10.
Secondly, there can be a separation 102 between the edges 90A and 90B ~as shown in Figure 11) so that there is some spacing between the parts 92 and 94.
The added spacing helps to provide an additional stability to the supporting member 90 so that there is less chance that the supporting member 90 will be folded back out of i its position at right angles to the backing member 80.
! 15 Preferably, when the frame 20 is assembled, the first part ~2 and ~he second part 84 of the.backing member ~0 are adhered, b~ any su.~table r~leans, for example glue, tape or adhesive r to a .Eirst backing sheet 104. A second backiny sheet 106 is pos~tioned w:;thin the respective channels 30 of the frame 20 and adjacent to the back pieces 26. The second backing sheet 106 has an opening for receiving the Eirst backing sheet 104.
Pre:Eerably, the size and shape of the opening in the second backing sheet 106 are substantially the same size and shape as those of the first backing sheet 104 so that when the fi~st backing sheet 104 is inserted into ~15-~282~91 1 the opening in the second backin~ shRet 106 th.e fi~st backing sheet 104 (and thereby the backing member 80~ will be kept in place by the snug fit. However, it is possible that the size and shape o~ th.e ~rst b~cking sheet 104 are smaller than those of the second backing sheet 106~
In this s~tuation however, the f~rst backing sheet 104 is not kept as securely in place~
The first backing sheet 104 is received in the-opening in the second backing.sheet 106 by-pushing the backing member 80 and the ~irst backing sheet.104 .into the opening. To remove the first backing sheet 104 from the opening, the user can use the supporting member gO to pull the first backing sheet 104 away from the opening. Thus~
the object to be Eramed can be replaced by mov~ng the first backing sheet 104 from the open.ing.
Pre~erably, the size and shape o~ the opening in the second bac]cin~ sheet .lO6 are substantially the same as the size and shape o:~ the surface deined by the back ed~es 110 o~ the back.Eaces 26 (as shown in Figure 11~.
Pre~erabl~r the size and shape of the backing member 80 are substantially the same as the size and shape of the first backing sheet 104. In this regard, the size and shape of the backlng member 80 should be understood as including the size and shape of any spacing 112 (see Figure 11) between the flrst part 82 and the second part 84 of the backing member 80~
~16-~282591 1 The second backing sheet 106 may be adhered, by any suitable means, to the back pieces 26 as generally shown i.n Figure 5 at 46D.
Preferably, each of the back pieces 26 lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to the front pieces The picture ~rame 20 of the invention can be formed into a picture ~rame assembly by including with. -.
any combination of the embodiments of the picture frame 20 described above, a suitable backing material, whether the ~irst backing sheet 104 and the second backing sheet 106 or a separate backing material, and a suitable viewing sheet over the object to be ramed.
, In a preferred embodiment~ the supporting member ! 15 90 is generally triangu:La.r ~n shape ~Figures 8, 9 and 10 and first part 92 o:E the supportin~ member 90 has the same size and shape as the size and shape of a second part 9~ o the supporting member 90 and that shape is generally tr:iangular.
In another embodiment, each of the first part 92 and the second part 94 of the supporting member 90 has a first and a second edge 92~, 92B and 94A, 94B, respectively. In one embodiment~ the irst and second edges of each part 92 and 94 are substantially parallel as typically sho~n in Figure 11.
~282S9l 1 In another embodiment, as best shown in Figures 12 and 13, each of the Eirst part 92 and the second part 94 of the supporting member 90 are generally quadrilateral in shape, The size and shape of the first part 92 are preferably substantially the same as the size and shape of the second part 94. Also, the bottom,edges 92C, 94C
of each of the first part 92 and second part 94 are longer than the respective edges 92D, 94D opposite to the bottom edges 92C, 94C.
In a preferred embodimentl the second edye 92B
o~ the first part 92 of the'supporting member 90 is the same edge as the first edge 94A of the second part 94 of the supporting member 90. Also, the first and second , edges 92A, 92B of the first pa.rt 92 are opposite sides of ! 15 the first part 92 ~igure 12~ and.the.first and second ed~es 94A, 94B o:E the second part 94 are opposite sides of the second part 94 (Figu.re 12).
In alte:rnative embodiments~ the first and second edges 92~, 92B of the f.irst part 92 are adjacent sides of the first part 92 ~as typically seen in Figures 13 and 14 and the first and second edges 94A, 94B of the second part 94 are adjacent sides of the second part 94 (as typically seen in Figures 13 and 14)~
As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, many of the descri.bed features of the invention can .
, -18~
8~:59~L
1 be included in any part.icular embodiment so that the particular features can be selected and used in combination depending on the particular application~
Although the disclosure describes and illustrates preferred embodiments o~ the invention, it is to be under-stood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments,
Claims (27)
1. A one-piece, picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, for framing material to be framed which comprises at least one flat, planar object to be framed, comprising:
a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each res-pective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
Claim 1 continued a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edge and a second edge;
and a supporting member comprising a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge;
wherein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the first edge thereof to one back piece at the back edge thereof;
a first part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member at the second edge thereof;
a second part of the supporting member is foldably-connected at the second edge of the supporting member to the second part of the backing member at the first edge thereof;
wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge of at least one of the parks of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point for supporting the picture frame;
wherein the frame is folded such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
Claim 1 continued an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed; and the first and second edges of the supporting member are proximate each other such that the supporting member is generally normal to the backing member; and further comprising:
a first backing sheet adhered to the first and second parts of the backing member; and a second backing sheet positioned within the respective channels and adjacent to the back pieces, and having an opening for receiving the first backing sheet.
a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each res-pective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
Claim 1 continued a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edge and a second edge;
and a supporting member comprising a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge;
wherein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the first edge thereof to one back piece at the back edge thereof;
a first part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member at the second edge thereof;
a second part of the supporting member is foldably-connected at the second edge of the supporting member to the second part of the backing member at the first edge thereof;
wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge of at least one of the parks of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point for supporting the picture frame;
wherein the frame is folded such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
Claim 1 continued an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed; and the first and second edges of the supporting member are proximate each other such that the supporting member is generally normal to the backing member; and further comprising:
a first backing sheet adhered to the first and second parts of the backing member; and a second backing sheet positioned within the respective channels and adjacent to the back pieces, and having an opening for receiving the first backing sheet.
2. A picture frame as defined in claim 1 wherein the first backing sheet and the opening in the second backing sheet each has a size and shape that are substantially the same size and shape as the surface defined by the back edges of the back pieces extending inwardly.
3. A picture frame as defined in claim 2 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is generally triangular in shaper the shape and size of the first part of the supporting member are substantially the same as the shape and size of the second part of the supporting member, and the supporting member is generally triangular in shape.
4. A picture frame as defined in claim 2 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting means has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge of the first part of the supporting means is the first edge of the supporting means and the second edge of the second part of the supporting means is the second edge of the supporting means.
5. A picture frame as defined in claim 4 wherein the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are substantially parallel, and the first and second edges of the second part of the supporting member are substantially parallel.
6. A picture frame as defined in claim 4 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is generally quadrilateral in shape, the shape and size of the first part of the supporting means are substantially the same size and shape as the second part of the supporting means, the bottom edge of each of the first and second parts of the supporting means is longer than the respective edge opposite to the bottom edge.
7. A picture frame as defined in claim 6 wherein the second edge of the first part of the supporting member is the first edge of the second part of the supporting member; and the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are opposite sides of the first part of the supporting member, and the first and second Claim 7 continued edges of the second part of the supporting member are opposite sides of the second part of the supporting member.
8. A picture frame as defined in claim 6 wherein the second edge of the first part of the supporting member is the first edge of the second part of the support-ing member; and the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are adjacent sides of the first part of the supporting member, and the first and second edges of the second part of the supporting member are adjacent sides of the second part of the supporting member
9. A picture frame as defined in any of claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the backing member has a size and shape the same as the size and shape of the first backing sheet, and each of the back pieces lies in a plane substantially parallel to the front piece.
10. A picture frame as defined in any of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the backing member has a size and shape the same as the size and shape of the first backing sheet, and each of the back pieces lies in a plane substantially parallel to the front piece.
11. A picture frame assembly comprising:
(a) material to be framed, comprising at least one flat, planar object to be framed;
Claim 11 continued suitable viewing sheet over the object to be framed; and suitable backing material under the object to be framed comprising a first and a second backing sheet; and (b) a one-piece picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, comprising:
a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edge and a second edge; and a supporting member comprising a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge;
wherein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the first edge thereof to one: back piece at the back edge thereof, a first part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member, at the second edge thereof;
a second part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the second edge of supporting member to the second part of the Claim 11 continued backing member at the first edge thereof;
wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge of at least one of the parts of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point for supporting the picture frame;
wherein the frame is folded around the material to be framed such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed;
the material to be framed is positioned within the frame by positioning a respective outer edge of the material to be framed within the respective channel;
the first and second edges of the supporting member are proximate each other such that the supporting member is generally normal to the backing member;
the viewing sheet is within the respective chan-nels;
the first backing sheet is adhered to the first and second parts of the backing member; and Claim 11 continued the second backing sheet is positioned within the respective channels and adjacent to the back pieces, and has an opening for receiving the first backing sheet.
(a) material to be framed, comprising at least one flat, planar object to be framed;
Claim 11 continued suitable viewing sheet over the object to be framed; and suitable backing material under the object to be framed comprising a first and a second backing sheet; and (b) a one-piece picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, comprising:
a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edge and a second edge; and a supporting member comprising a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge;
wherein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the first edge thereof to one: back piece at the back edge thereof, a first part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member, at the second edge thereof;
a second part of the supporting member is foldably connected at the second edge of supporting member to the second part of the Claim 11 continued backing member at the first edge thereof;
wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge of at least one of the parts of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point for supporting the picture frame;
wherein the frame is folded around the material to be framed such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed;
the material to be framed is positioned within the frame by positioning a respective outer edge of the material to be framed within the respective channel;
the first and second edges of the supporting member are proximate each other such that the supporting member is generally normal to the backing member;
the viewing sheet is within the respective chan-nels;
the first backing sheet is adhered to the first and second parts of the backing member; and Claim 11 continued the second backing sheet is positioned within the respective channels and adjacent to the back pieces, and has an opening for receiving the first backing sheet.
12. A picture frame as defined in claim 11 wherein the first backing sheet and the opening in the second backing sheet each has a size and shape that are substantially the same size and shape as the surface defined by the back edges of the back pieces extending inwardly.
13. A picture frame as defined in claim 12 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is generally triangular in shape, the shape and size of the first part of the supporting member are substantially the same as the shape and size of the second part of the supporting member, and the supporting member is generally triangular in shape.
14. A picture frame as defined in claim 12 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge of the first part of the supporting member is the first edge of the supporting member, and the second edge of the second part of the supporting member is the second edge of the supporting member.
15. A picture frame as defined in claim 14 wherein the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are substantially parallel, and the first and second edges of the second part of the supporting member are substantially parallel.
16. A picture frame as defined in claim 14 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is generally quadrilateral in shape, the shape and size of the first part of the supporting member are substantially the same size and shape as the second part of the supporting member, the bottom edge of each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is longer than the respective edge opposite to the bottom edge.
17. A picture frame as defined in claim 16 wherein the second edge of the first part of the supporting member is the first edge of the second part of the supporting member, and the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are opposite sides of the first part of the supporting member, and the first and second edges of the second part of the supporting member are opposite sides of the second part of the supporting member.
18. A picture frame as defined in claim 16 wherein the second edge of the first part of the supporting member is the first edge of the second part of the supporting Claim 18 continued member; and the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are adjacent sides of the first part of the supporting member, and the first and second edges of the second part of the supporting member are adjacent sides of the second part of the supporting member.
19. A picture frame as defined in any of claims 13, 14 or 15 wherein the backing member has a size and shape the same as the size and shape of the first backing sheet, and each of the back pieces lies in a plane sub-stantially parallel to the front piece.
20. A picture. frame as defined in any of claims 16, 17 or 18 wherein the backing member has a size and shape the same as the size and shape of the first backing sheet, and each of the back pieces lies in a plane substantially parallel to the front piece.
21. A picture frame assembly comprising:
(a) material to be framed, comprising at least one flat, planar object to be framed;
suitable viewing sheet over the object to be framed; and suitable backing material under the object to be framed;
(b) a one-piece picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, comprising:
Claim 21 continued a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
wherein the frame is folded around the material to be framed such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of the channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed; and the material to be framed is positioned within the frame by positioning a respective outer edge of the material to be framed within the respective channel.
(a) material to be framed, comprising at least one flat, planar object to be framed;
suitable viewing sheet over the object to be framed; and suitable backing material under the object to be framed;
(b) a one-piece picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, comprising:
Claim 21 continued a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
wherein the frame is folded around the material to be framed such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of the channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed; and the material to be framed is positioned within the frame by positioning a respective outer edge of the material to be framed within the respective channel.
22. A picture frame assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein each back face is adhered to the top face of the material to be framed.
23. A picture frame assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein the viewing opening is in the shape of a polygon Claim 23 continued as defined by a plurality of opening edges, and each opening edge comprises an underturned piece of material extending from the front piece.
24. A picture frame assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein the suitable backing material is cut so as to form a flat which permits insertion and withdrawal of the object to be framed.
25. A one-piece, picture frame made from suitably-foldable material, for framing material to be framed which comprises at least one flat, planar object to be framed, comprising:
a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
wherein the frame is foldable around the material to be framed such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
Claim 25 continued the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed;
the material to be framed is positioned within the frame by positioning a respective outer edge of the material to be framed within the respective channel; and a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edge and a second edge; and a supporting member comprising a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge;
wherein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the first edge thereof to one back piece at the back edge thereof;
a first part of the supporting member is foldably-connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member at the second edge thereof;
a second part of the supporting member is foldably-connected at the second edge of the supporting member to the second part of the backing member at the first edge thereof;
Claim 25 continued wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge of at least one of the parts of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point for supporting the picture frame;
wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is generally triangular in shape, the shape and size of the first part of the supporting member are substantially the same as the shape and size of the second part of the supporting member, and the supporting member is generally triangular in shape; and wherein the first and second parts of the backing member have sizes and shapes such that the backing member is foldable to define a size and a shape that are substantially the same size and shape as the surface defined by the back edges of the back pieces extending inwardly.
a front piece having a plurality of sides and having at least one viewing opening therethrough;
an edge piece foldably extending from each respective side of the front piece;
a back piece foldably extending from each respective edge piece, wherein each back piece has a back edge;
wherein the frame is foldable around the material to be framed such that:
the edge pieces form side faces extending in the same direction and substantially at right angles to the front piece;
Claim 25 continued the back pieces form back faces extending inwardly from the respective side faces;
an open channel is formed between each back face and the front piece;
the depth of each channel is substantially the same as the depth of the material to be framed;
the material to be framed is positioned within the frame by positioning a respective outer edge of the material to be framed within the respective channel; and a backing member having a first part and a second part, each part having a first edge and a second edge; and a supporting member comprising a plurality of adjacent, foldably-connected parts, and having a first edge and a second edge;
wherein the first part of the backing member is foldably connected at the first edge thereof to one back piece at the back edge thereof;
a first part of the supporting member is foldably-connected at the first edge of the supporting member to the first part of the backing member at the second edge thereof;
a second part of the supporting member is foldably-connected at the second edge of the supporting member to the second part of the backing member at the first edge thereof;
Claim 25 continued wherein each of the parts of the supporting member has a bottom edge, and the bottom edge of at least one of the parts of the supporting member is formed so as to provide at least one support point for supporting the picture frame;
wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting member is generally triangular in shape, the shape and size of the first part of the supporting member are substantially the same as the shape and size of the second part of the supporting member, and the supporting member is generally triangular in shape; and wherein the first and second parts of the backing member have sizes and shapes such that the backing member is foldable to define a size and a shape that are substantially the same size and shape as the surface defined by the back edges of the back pieces extending inwardly.
26. A picture frame as defined in claim 25 wherein each of the first and second parts of the supporting means has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge of the first part of the supporting means is the first edge of the supporting means, and the second edge of the second part of the supporting means is the second edge of the supporting means.
27. A picture frame as defined in claim 26 wherein the first and second edges of the first part of the supporting member are substantially parallel, and the first and second edges of the second part of the supporting member are substantially parallel.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000508368A CA1282591C (en) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-05-05 | One-piece foldable frame assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000508368A CA1282591C (en) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-05-05 | One-piece foldable frame assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1282591C true CA1282591C (en) | 1991-04-09 |
Family
ID=4133053
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000508368A Expired - Lifetime CA1282591C (en) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-05-05 | One-piece foldable frame assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1282591C (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-05-05 CA CA000508368A patent/CA1282591C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |