CA2331031A1 - Versatile picture frame - Google Patents
Versatile picture frame Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2331031A1 CA2331031A1 CA002331031A CA2331031A CA2331031A1 CA 2331031 A1 CA2331031 A1 CA 2331031A1 CA 002331031 A CA002331031 A CA 002331031A CA 2331031 A CA2331031 A CA 2331031A CA 2331031 A1 CA2331031 A1 CA 2331031A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- picture
- slot
- press member
- picture frame
- press
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G25/00—Household implements used in connection with wearing apparel; Dress, hat or umbrella holders
- A47G25/02—Dress holders; Dress suspending devices; Clothes-hanger assemblies; Clothing lifters
- A47G25/06—Clothes hooks; Clothes racks; Garment-supporting stands with swingable or extending arms
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
- A47G1/06—Picture frames
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
- A47G1/06—Picture frames
- A47G2001/0694—Picture frames comprising means allowing the frame to be supported on a horizontal surface
Landscapes
- Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A picture frame comprises a main body, at least one elastic member, and a press member. The main body is provided with a picture slot to accommodate a picture to be displayed. The picture slot is provided with two retaining grooves for retaining the elastic member. The press member is disposed in the picture slot such that the picture is pressed against by the press member, and that one side of the press member is urged by the elastic member, and that other side of the press member is inserted into the groove. When the press member is pushed in the direction toward the elastic member, the other side of the press member is forced out of the groove in which it is retained. The press member is thus removed from the picture slot of the main body so as to facilitate the replacing of the picture.
Description
VERSATILE PICTURE FRAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a picture frame, and more particularly to a versatile picture frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The conventional picture frame is generally defective in design in that a picture to be displayed can not be put into the picture frame from the front side of the picture frame, and that the picture must be put into the picture frame from the back side of the picture frame. It is time-consuming and inconvenient t:o replace a picture held in the picture frame or to put a new picture into t:he picture frame fi-om the back side of the picture frame. This is particularly true with a wall picture frame, which must be first removed from the wall. In addition, the back side of the conventional picture frame lacks a decorative effect. Moreover, the conventional picture frame is not compatible with vanity, cabinet, wall clock, jewelry box, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame with means to enable a picture to be removed from or put into the picture frame from the front side of the picture frame.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a picture frame with a back side having; a decorative effect.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a versatile picture frame which can be used harmoniously along with other obj ects.
The picture frame of the present invention comprises a main body which is provided with a picture slot having a flat bottom to accommodate the back side of a picture. The picture slot is provided in the side walls thereof with two grooves opposite to each other. One of the two grooves is provided with an elastic member which is intended to provide a spring force directed toward the opposite groove. A press member is disposed in the picture slot to press the picture. The press member is hollow plate, transparent glass, or transparent acrylic plate.
The side of the press member has a thickness slightly smaller than the width of the groove. The press member is disposed in the picture slot such that one side of the press member is pressed against by the elastic member, and that other side of the press member is inserted into the groove. As the press member is pushed in the direction toward the elastic member, the other side of the press member is let out of the groove, thereby enabling the press me;tuber to be removed from the main body to facilitate the replacing of the picture.
The foregoing objectives, features, functions, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line 3-3 as shown in FIG.. 2.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line 5-5 as shown in FIG.. 4.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a picture frame, and more particularly to a versatile picture frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The conventional picture frame is generally defective in design in that a picture to be displayed can not be put into the picture frame from the front side of the picture frame, and that the picture must be put into the picture frame from the back side of the picture frame. It is time-consuming and inconvenient t:o replace a picture held in the picture frame or to put a new picture into t:he picture frame fi-om the back side of the picture frame. This is particularly true with a wall picture frame, which must be first removed from the wall. In addition, the back side of the conventional picture frame lacks a decorative effect. Moreover, the conventional picture frame is not compatible with vanity, cabinet, wall clock, jewelry box, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a picture frame with means to enable a picture to be removed from or put into the picture frame from the front side of the picture frame.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a picture frame with a back side having; a decorative effect.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a versatile picture frame which can be used harmoniously along with other obj ects.
The picture frame of the present invention comprises a main body which is provided with a picture slot having a flat bottom to accommodate the back side of a picture. The picture slot is provided in the side walls thereof with two grooves opposite to each other. One of the two grooves is provided with an elastic member which is intended to provide a spring force directed toward the opposite groove. A press member is disposed in the picture slot to press the picture. The press member is hollow plate, transparent glass, or transparent acrylic plate.
The side of the press member has a thickness slightly smaller than the width of the groove. The press member is disposed in the picture slot such that one side of the press member is pressed against by the elastic member, and that other side of the press member is inserted into the groove. As the press member is pushed in the direction toward the elastic member, the other side of the press member is let out of the groove, thereby enabling the press me;tuber to be removed from the main body to facilitate the replacing of the picture.
The foregoing objectives, features, functions, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line 3-3 as shown in FIG.. 2.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line 5-5 as shown in FIG.. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIGS. 1-~3, a wall picture frame 1 is formed of a plurality of picture frames 10., with each comprising a main body 20, two elastic members 30, a transparent glass 40, and a press member 50.
The main body 20 is provided in the front side thereof with a picture slot 21 of a rectangular construction. The picture slot 21 has a flat bottom. The picture slot 21 is provided in the innermost edges of the upper and the lower walls thereof with an upper groove 22 and a lower groove 23. The grooves 22 and 23 have a length which is equal to the width of the picture slot 21.. The lower groove 23 is provided in the bottom thereof with two insertion holes 24 symmetrical to each other.
The picture slot 21 is further provided in the center of a bottom 25 thereof with an insertion slot 26 of a rectangular construction for receiving a picture. The insertion slot 26 is provided in the left edge with a retrieving cavity 27 of a semicircular construction.
The elastic members 3U are coil springs, which are disposed in the lower groove 23 of the picture slot 21 such that the bottom ends of the coil springs 30 are inserted into the insertion holes 24. The bottom ends of the coil springs 30 are fixed in the insertion holes 24 by an adhesive.
When the coil springs 30 are not exerted on by an external force, the top ends of the coil springs 30 are level with the open top of the lower groove 23 and can be longitudinally compressed or expanded.
The transparent glass 40 is of a rectangular construction and is corresponding in length and width to the insertion slot 26 of the picture slot 21. The glass 40 is disposed in the insertion slot 26 to press the picture such that the outer side of the glass 40 is flush with the underside 25 of the picture slot 21.
The press member 50 is a rectangular frame or a rectangular plate disposed in a rectangular hollow portion 51. The hollow portion 51 may be an oval, heart-shaped, or geometrically-formed picture frame 10' of the wall picture frame 1. The hollow portion S 1 is smaller in area than the transparent glass 40. The press member 50 is corresponding in length and width to the picture slot 21. The thickness of the side of the press member 50 is slightly smaller than the width of the grooves 22 and 23.
The press member SO is disposed in the picture slot 21 to press against the glass 40 such that the bottom edge of the press member SO is urged upwards by the elastic member 30 which is located in the lower groove 23, and that the bottom edge of the press member SO is slightly sunk into the lower groove 23, and further that the top of the press member 50 is inserted into the upper groovf: 22. The press member SO is thus located in the picture slot 21.
As the press member 50 is pushed downwards such that the top of the press member 50 is let out of the upper groove 22, the press member 50 is drawn out in such a manner that the top end is slightly slanted and faced outwards. As a result, the bottom side of the press member 50 is moved out of the lower groove 23. The press member 50 is thus removed from the picture slot 21, thereby enabling the glass 40 to be removed from the insertion slot 26. 'the insertion slot 26 is provided with the retrieving cavity 27 to facilitate the removal of the glass 40. Thereafter, the underside of a picture 60 is placed in the insertion slot 26. The glass 40 is then put back into the insertion slot 26 to press the picture 60.
Finally, the press member 50 is slantingly put back into the picture slot 21 such that the inner side of the press member 50 comes in contact with the bottom 25, and that the press member 50 is forced by the elastic members 30 into the upper groove 22.
The press member may be provided in the hollow portion thereof with a transparent piece, such as glass or acrylic piece. The press member may be a transparent glass or transparent acrylic plate, which can be secured to the two opposite grooves by the method described above.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a desktop picture frame 70 comprises a rectangular main body 71, which is supported on a desktop by a support frame 72 attached thereto. The main body 71 is provided in the front side with a rectangular picture slot 73 in which a picture 74 is disposed. T'he picture slot 73 is provided respectively in the upper wall and the lower wall with an upper groove 75 and a lower groove 76. Two elastic members 77 (coil springs) are attached at the bottom end to the lower groove 76 such that the top end of the springs 77 is provided with a ball 78 fastened therewith. A press member 81 (transparent glass) is disposed in the picture slot 73 and is provided in the bottom edge with a semicircular cavity 82 corresponding in location to the elastic members 77. The ball 78 is received in the cavity 82 such that the press member 81 is pushed upward by the ball 78, thereby causing the top edge of the press member 81 to be inserted into the upper groove 75. The picture 74 is pressed against by the press member 81 which is held securely in place in the picture slot 73.
The grooves of the picture slot may be lacated in the left and the right sides of the picture slot. The elastic members may be disposed in
As shown in FIGS. 1-~3, a wall picture frame 1 is formed of a plurality of picture frames 10., with each comprising a main body 20, two elastic members 30, a transparent glass 40, and a press member 50.
The main body 20 is provided in the front side thereof with a picture slot 21 of a rectangular construction. The picture slot 21 has a flat bottom. The picture slot 21 is provided in the innermost edges of the upper and the lower walls thereof with an upper groove 22 and a lower groove 23. The grooves 22 and 23 have a length which is equal to the width of the picture slot 21.. The lower groove 23 is provided in the bottom thereof with two insertion holes 24 symmetrical to each other.
The picture slot 21 is further provided in the center of a bottom 25 thereof with an insertion slot 26 of a rectangular construction for receiving a picture. The insertion slot 26 is provided in the left edge with a retrieving cavity 27 of a semicircular construction.
The elastic members 3U are coil springs, which are disposed in the lower groove 23 of the picture slot 21 such that the bottom ends of the coil springs 30 are inserted into the insertion holes 24. The bottom ends of the coil springs 30 are fixed in the insertion holes 24 by an adhesive.
When the coil springs 30 are not exerted on by an external force, the top ends of the coil springs 30 are level with the open top of the lower groove 23 and can be longitudinally compressed or expanded.
The transparent glass 40 is of a rectangular construction and is corresponding in length and width to the insertion slot 26 of the picture slot 21. The glass 40 is disposed in the insertion slot 26 to press the picture such that the outer side of the glass 40 is flush with the underside 25 of the picture slot 21.
The press member 50 is a rectangular frame or a rectangular plate disposed in a rectangular hollow portion 51. The hollow portion 51 may be an oval, heart-shaped, or geometrically-formed picture frame 10' of the wall picture frame 1. The hollow portion S 1 is smaller in area than the transparent glass 40. The press member 50 is corresponding in length and width to the picture slot 21. The thickness of the side of the press member 50 is slightly smaller than the width of the grooves 22 and 23.
The press member SO is disposed in the picture slot 21 to press against the glass 40 such that the bottom edge of the press member SO is urged upwards by the elastic member 30 which is located in the lower groove 23, and that the bottom edge of the press member SO is slightly sunk into the lower groove 23, and further that the top of the press member 50 is inserted into the upper groovf: 22. The press member SO is thus located in the picture slot 21.
As the press member 50 is pushed downwards such that the top of the press member 50 is let out of the upper groove 22, the press member 50 is drawn out in such a manner that the top end is slightly slanted and faced outwards. As a result, the bottom side of the press member 50 is moved out of the lower groove 23. The press member 50 is thus removed from the picture slot 21, thereby enabling the glass 40 to be removed from the insertion slot 26. 'the insertion slot 26 is provided with the retrieving cavity 27 to facilitate the removal of the glass 40. Thereafter, the underside of a picture 60 is placed in the insertion slot 26. The glass 40 is then put back into the insertion slot 26 to press the picture 60.
Finally, the press member 50 is slantingly put back into the picture slot 21 such that the inner side of the press member 50 comes in contact with the bottom 25, and that the press member 50 is forced by the elastic members 30 into the upper groove 22.
The press member may be provided in the hollow portion thereof with a transparent piece, such as glass or acrylic piece. The press member may be a transparent glass or transparent acrylic plate, which can be secured to the two opposite grooves by the method described above.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a desktop picture frame 70 comprises a rectangular main body 71, which is supported on a desktop by a support frame 72 attached thereto. The main body 71 is provided in the front side with a rectangular picture slot 73 in which a picture 74 is disposed. T'he picture slot 73 is provided respectively in the upper wall and the lower wall with an upper groove 75 and a lower groove 76. Two elastic members 77 (coil springs) are attached at the bottom end to the lower groove 76 such that the top end of the springs 77 is provided with a ball 78 fastened therewith. A press member 81 (transparent glass) is disposed in the picture slot 73 and is provided in the bottom edge with a semicircular cavity 82 corresponding in location to the elastic members 77. The ball 78 is received in the cavity 82 such that the press member 81 is pushed upward by the ball 78, thereby causing the top edge of the press member 81 to be inserted into the upper groove 75. The picture 74 is pressed against by the press member 81 which is held securely in place in the picture slot 73.
The grooves of the picture slot may be lacated in the left and the right sides of the picture slot. The elastic members may be disposed in
Claims (10)
1. A picture frame comprising:
a main body provided with a picture slot for displaying a picture, said picture slot provided in an inner wall thereof with two grooves opposite in location to each other;
at least one elastic member disposed in one of said two grooves to provide a spring force directed toward other one of said two grooves;
and a flat press member having sides with a thickness which is smaller than a width of said grooves, said press member being corresponding in shape to said picture slot in which said press member is located to press against the picture to be displayed, said press member being disposed in said picture slot in such a way that one side of said press member is urged by said elastic member, and that other side of said press member is inserted into said groove.
a main body provided with a picture slot for displaying a picture, said picture slot provided in an inner wall thereof with two grooves opposite in location to each other;
at least one elastic member disposed in one of said two grooves to provide a spring force directed toward other one of said two grooves;
and a flat press member having sides with a thickness which is smaller than a width of said grooves, said press member being corresponding in shape to said picture slot in which said press member is located to press against the picture to be displayed, said press member being disposed in said picture slot in such a way that one side of said press member is urged by said elastic member, and that other side of said press member is inserted into said groove.
2. The picture frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said press member is provided with a hollow portion through which the picture is visible; wherein said picture slot is provided with a transparent glass disposed therein such that the picture is press against by said glass, and that said glass is pressed against by said press member.
3. The picture frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said press member is a transparent glass.
4. The picture frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic member is a coil spring.
5. The picture frame as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said two grooves is provided with at least one insertion hole; wherein said elastic member is disposed in said one groove such that one end of said elastic member is retained in said insertion hole.
6. The picture frame as defined in claim 5, wherein said one end of said elastic member is fixed in said insertion hole by an adhesive.
7. The picture frame as defined in claim 5, wherein said press member is provided with a semicircular cavity corresponding in location to said elastic member; wherein said elastic member is provided at other end thereof with a ball fastened therewith such that said ball is received in said cavity.
8. The picture frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said picture slot is of a rectangular construction.
9. The picture frame as defined in claim 2, wherein said two grooves are located in an innermost edge of said inner wall of said picture slot; wherein said picture slot is provided in a bottom with an insertion slot and a retrieving cavity in proximity of said insertion slot, said insertion slot being intended to accommodate the picture to be displayed; wherein said transparent glass is disposed in said insertion slot to press against the picture such that the outer side of said transparent glass is flush with the bottom of said picture slot.
10. The picture frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said main body is provided with a support frame fastened therewith for supporting said main body uprightly on a surface.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/716,268 US6467210B1 (en) | 1978-05-30 | 2000-11-21 | Versatile picture frame |
| DE20020986U DE20020986U1 (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2000-12-12 | Picture Frame |
| CA002331031A CA2331031A1 (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2001-01-10 | Versatile picture frame |
| GB0116782A GB2377378B (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2001-07-10 | Versatile picture frame |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/716,268 US6467210B1 (en) | 1978-05-30 | 2000-11-21 | Versatile picture frame |
| DE20020986U DE20020986U1 (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2000-12-12 | Picture Frame |
| CA002331031A CA2331031A1 (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2001-01-10 | Versatile picture frame |
| GB0116782A GB2377378B (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2001-07-10 | Versatile picture frame |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2331031A1 true CA2331031A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 |
Family
ID=27427667
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002331031A Abandoned CA2331031A1 (en) | 1978-05-30 | 2001-01-10 | Versatile picture frame |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2331031A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE20020986U1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2377378B (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB837787A (en) * | 1957-12-23 | 1960-06-15 | Jack Simons | Improvements in or relating to hand mirrors |
| JPH07265183A (en) * | 1995-03-15 | 1995-10-17 | Duskin Co Ltd | Detachable panel frame for replacing piece of work |
| DE29918682U1 (en) * | 1999-10-23 | 2001-03-01 | Aicham Gmbh & Co Geb | Removable frame |
-
2000
- 2000-12-12 DE DE20020986U patent/DE20020986U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-01-10 CA CA002331031A patent/CA2331031A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-07-10 GB GB0116782A patent/GB2377378B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2377378B (en) | 2004-12-01 |
| DE20020986U1 (en) | 2001-05-03 |
| GB2377378A (en) | 2003-01-15 |
| GB0116782D0 (en) | 2001-08-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20080502 |