CA3106597A1 - Method and apparatus for a front-loading magnetic framing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of framing systems, more specifically to a front-loading magnetic frame system having magnetic and/or ferromagnetic elements. It involves a method and an apparatus for mounting two-dimensional or three-dimensional materials in a front-loading frame. The apparatus can be hung onto a supporting structure and/or can free stand on a flat horizontal surface. The front-loading magnetic frame system comprises a frame body defining a frameable material receiving area and having a front face and a back face; and interchangeable two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material. This frameable material has a front face meant to be viewed or displayed, and an opposing back face with at least one ferromagnetic area which is engageable to at least one magnet mounted to the front surface of the frame body to cover at least partially the frameable material receiving area.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION:
Method and Apparatus For A Front-Loading Magnetic Frame System NAME(S) OF INVENTOR(S):
Thomas D. B. Smith Jennifer M. Smith FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of framing systems, more specifically to front loading magnetic frame systems having magnetic and/or ferromagnetic elements. It involves a method and an apparatus for mounting two-dimensional or three-dimensional materials in a frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many two-dimensional and three-dimensional home decor or artwork (e.g.
paintings, photographs, canvas prints, wooden signs, clock faces, chalkboards, corkboards, key hooks, mirror, etc.) is permanently coupled within the framing system.
A simple method for interchanging the home decor or artwork for different seasons, occasions, or personal preference within one frame would be preferred.
Nevertheless, displaying the two-dimensional or three-dimensional home decor or artwork is sometimes complex, or non-interchangeable due to the hanging mechanism being built directly into them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method and apparatus for mounting a variety of two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material in one interchangeable frame so home decor or artwork can be easily changed while retaining the same frame.
According to a general aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for mounting two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material in one Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 interchangeable frame. This includes the combination of a frame body and the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material. A front-loading magnetic frame system comprising of a frame body defining the frameable material receiving area with one or more magnets mounted to the front surface of the frame body. The second component involves providing an interchangeable two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface displays the home decor or artwork. The second surface is at least partially ferromagnetic to be magnetically couplable to one or more magnets mounted on the front surface of the frame body within the frameable material receiving area. The frameable material is just slightly smaller than the frameable material receiving area to enable the frameable material to fit within the frame body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mounting two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material in one interchangeable frame. The first step involves providing a frame body with an frameable material receiving area. A second step involves providing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material having a first surface and a second surface.
The frameable material is smaller than the frameable material receiving area to enable the frameable material to fit within the frame body. A third step involves securing at least one ferromagnetic component to the second surface of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material. The fourth step involves securing one or more magnets to the front surface of the frame body within the frameable material receiving area.
With the method and apparatus, as described above, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material can be easily secured within the frame by coupling the ferromagnetic component to the magnet components within the frame body and just as readily removed from the frame by separating the components. It will be appreciated, that these components would still be workable if reversed. It will be also appreciated, that the front-loading system would still be workable if the components were changed from a magnet and ferromagnetic to another form of fastener.
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 The present invention also concerns a method for hanging a front-loading magnetic frame system to a vertical supporting structure. Mounted on the back of the front-loading magnetic frame system can include, but not limited to, a saw-tooth hanger, wire, or other mounting hardware devices. This method for hanging the front-loading magnetic frame system is not limited to and can include other methods for hanging the system. Alternatively, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material may include mounting hardware, allowing them to be hung independent of the frame.
The present invention also concerns a method for free-standing a front-loading magnetic frame system. The support pegs are provided at the back of the frame and may be removed from the storage recesses and placed into the application recesses to rest the frame body onto a flat surface to stand.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereunder.
A front-loading magnetic frame system is described herein.
The preferred embodiment, the front-loading magnetic frame system comprises:
a frame body defining an open central area;
at least one magnet supported by the frame body;
one two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material with at least a partially ferromagnetic second side, magnetically couplable to at least one magnet supported by the frame body within the frameable material receiving area.
removable support pegs which allows the option to place the frame body into a free-standing position In another embodiment of the front-loading magnetic frame system, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material with at least a partially ferromagnetic second Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 side is magnetically couplable to the magnetic portion of the frame body at an infinite number of locations on the surface of the frame body.
In one embodiment, the open central area defines an inner perimeter of the frame body, and the rabbet extends about the inner perimeter.
In yet another embodiment, the front-loading magnetic frame system comprises of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material that is placed in the open central area.
In one embodiment, the rabbet comprises of a ledge with at least one magnet.
In one embodiment of the front-loading magnet frame system, a plurality of recesses is formed within the back surface as well as the rabbit inner side edge and at least one removeable support peg is received in the recesses.
In yet another embodiment, the back surface of the frame body includes a device to mount the front-loading magnet frame system to a structural surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a front-loading magnetic frame system with the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material within in the frameable material receiving area with the first surface being displayed, in accordance with an embodiment;
FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view of a front-loading magnetic frame system without the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material within the frameable material receiving area in accordance with an embodiment;
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 FIGURE 3 is a partially sectioned view, in perspective, of a frame body in accordance with an embodiment;
FIGURE 4 is a cross-section view of a frame body in accordance with an embodiment;
FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of a front-loading magnetic frame system and the second surface of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material with at least one ferromagnetic component secured in accordance with an embodiment;
FIGURE 6 is a rear perspective view of a frame body with a two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material within the frameable material receiving area in accordance with an embodiment;
FIGURE 7 is a rear perspective view of a frame body with the optional free standing mechanism consisting of one of more removable pegs partially placed within recesses in the back surface of the body, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely, so as not to unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, references to all the components and features, references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification purposes only. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein.
The use of the word "a" or "an" when used in conjunction with the term "comprising" in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one", but it is also consistent with the meaning of "one or more", "at least one", and "one or more than one".
The terms "coupled", "coupling" or "couplable" as used herein can have several different meanings depending in the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms coupled, coupling or couplable can have a mechanical connotation.
For example, as used herein, the terms coupled, coupling or couplable can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via a mechanical element depending on the particular context.
The expression "frame body" is intended to refer to a body or member defining an open central area, the frameable material being intended to be positioned in the central area to be surrounded by the frame body.
The expression "magnet" is intended to refer to a material or object of any shape that produces a magnetic field and a force pulling on ferromagnetic materials.
The expression "ferromagnetic" is intended to refer to a feature of a material being attracted to magnets including, but not limited to alloys, and oxides.
The expression "frameable material" is intended to refer to any two-dimensional or three-dimensional artwork or home decor including but limited to, paintings, photographs, canvas prints, wooden signs, clock faces, chalkboards, corkboards, key hooks, mirror, etc.
General description of the front-loading magnetic frame system Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 Broadly described, the front-loading magnetic frame system, according to various example embodiments and as shown in the accompanying drawings, is an improved frame system for framing two-dimensional or three-dimensional artwork or home decor within the same frame body quickly using magnets.
Referring to FIGURE 1 and 2, there is shown a representation of the front perspective, respectively, of a front-loading magnet frame system 10 according to an example embodiment. The front-loading magnet frame system 10 includes a frame body 12 defining a frameable material receiving area 26- or open area. The frameable material 18 is inserted into the frameable material receiving area 26 and the first face 19 of the frameable material 18 will be displayed. The frame body 12 has a front face 16 and an opposed back face 15. It is to be understood that, in the following description, the term "front" refers to a portion of the frame body 12 facing the user when the front-loading magnetic frame system 10 is hung or displayed. On the other hand, the term "back"
refers to a portion of the frame body 12 facing a supporting structure to which the front-loading magnetic frame system 10 is hung or supported to be displayed.
The front face 16 may have one or more aesthetic features, such as a pattern, motif, colour, texture, trims, or the like.
The back surface 15 of the frame body 12 is designed to support the material that is being inserted and where the hanging mechanisms are mounted.
The frame body 12 can be made of various materials including to, but not limited to, polymers, wood, aluminum, or stainless steel. The frame body 12 may be formed by molding or by any other process.
Alternatively, the frame body 12 may be formed by assembling at least three frame members 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d. The different frame members 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d can be coupled together using magnetism, glue, fasteners, including, but not limited to, nails, screws, adhesive tape, or adhesives.
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 In the embodiment shown, the frameable material receiving area 26 is formed substantially centrally in the frame body 12. In some embodiments, the frame body 12 can have a substantially polygonal shape to define a frameable material receiving area 26 having corresponding substantially polygonal shape. For example, the frame body 12 can be triangular and define a triangular open central area or frameable material receiving area 26. In the illustrated example, the frame body 12 has a square shape. In other example embodiments, the frame body 12 can have non-polygonal shape, such as circular or oval shape. The dimensions of the frame body 12 can vary depending on the size of the mold used to generate the frame body 12 or on the length of the frame components 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d used to assemble the frame body 12. Typically, the most popular frame sizes are 6"x6", 8"x8", 8"x10", 10"x10", 12"x12", 11"x14", 14"x14", 16"x20", 16"x16", 18"x24", 20"x24", 24"x24". However, it will be understood that any other frames sizes may be used.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, the frame body 12 has an outer frame border 13 surrounding the frameable material receiving area 26. The outer frame border 13 has a front face 16 and an inner side edge 36 extending substantially perpendicularly to the front face 16 of the outer frame border 13. In other words, the inner side edge 36 of the outer frame border 13 defines an inner perimeter 27 of the frameable material receiving area 26.
As illustrated FIGURES 3 and 4, the frame body 12 further includes a ledge 34 extending from the inner side edge 36 to define a rabbet 32. In the embodiment shown, the ledge 34 extends perpendicularly to the inner side edge 36 and thus extends substantially parallel to the front face 16 of the outer frame border 13. As represented in FIGURE 4 the ledge 34 has a height hl considered along a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face 16 of the outer frame border 13 and to the ledge 34. At least one magnet 52 is secured to the ledge 34 of the frame body 12.
The rabbet 32 extends along at least one side of one of the frames members 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of the frame body 12. The rabbet 32 may extend along opposing sides of Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 the frame body 12. As illustrated in FIGURE 2 and 3, the rabbet 32 extends along each side of the frame body 12, thereby following the inner perimeter 27 of the frameable material receiving area 26.
Optionally, the rabbet 32 can be molded during the molding process of the entire frame body 12 or of each separate frame component 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d.
Alternatively, the rabbet 32 can be formed by machining the frame body 12, such as by separately machining each frame member 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d. Alternatively, the ledge 34 and a portion of the back face 15 can be permanently coupled to the frame body 12 using at least one of glue or fasteners including, but not limited to, nails, screws, adhesive tape or adhesives.
It is appreciated that the shape, the configuration, and the relative positions of the frame body 12 and more particularly of the rabbet 32 can vary from the embodiment shown.
Referring to FIGURES 1 and 5, the frameable material 18 has a first face 19 which has the two-dimensional or three-dimensional material and an opposed second face 14.
At least one ferromagnetic 42 is secured to the second face 14 of the frameable material 18 along the peripheral edge as seen in FIGURE 5. Ferromagnetic material 42 includes but is not limited to, metal elbows or other ferromagnetic fixing apparatus. The frameable material 18 is just slightly smaller than the frameable material receiving area 26 in the frame body 12 of the front-loading magnet frame system 10. The magnets 52 which are secured to the ledge 34 of the frame body 12 are attracted to that portion of the second side 14 of the frameable material 18 when the frameable material 18 is inserted into the frameable material receiving area 26. The frameable material 18 is proprietary to the front-loading magnetic frame system 10.
The preferred method for mounting two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material in the front-loading magnetic frame system 10 will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 7. The method includes the following steps:
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 Firstly, the front-loading magnet frame system 10 with body 12 and frameable material receiving area 26 is provided as illustrated in FIGURE 2.
Secondly, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 5 the frameable material 18 with a first surface 19 and second surface 14 is provided.
Thirdly, as illustrated in FIGURE 5 involves securing at least one ferromagnetic component 42 to the second surface 14 of the frameable material 18.
Fourthly, secure one or more magnets 52 to the ledge 34 of the frame body 12 within the frameable material receiving area 26 as illustrated in FIGURE 2.
Fifthly, frameable material 18 is inserted into the frameable material receiving area 26 and magnets 52 are coupled with ferromagnetic components 42 as illustrated in FIGURE 1.
By following this method, the frameable material 18 can be rapidly displayed within the frame body 12. When the frameable material 18 wants to be changed, it is easily and readily removed from the frame body 12 in order to allow another frameable material 18 to be substituted.
Sixthly, as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, the frame body 12 is able to be put on display in a variety of ways. First, the frame body 12 may be hung up onto a vertical structure. Mounted on the back of the front-loading magnetic frame system 10 can include, but not limited to, a saw-tooth hanger, wire, or other mounting hardware devices 68. This method for hanging the front-loading magnetic frame system 10 is not limited to and can include other methods for hanging the system.
Alternatively, the frameable material 18 may include mounting hardware, allowing it to be hung independent of the frame.
Second, one embodiment can include a method for free-standing the front-loading frame system 10 to stand upright position on any hard flat surface.
This method can include, but not limited to, one or more of the rabbet inner edge sides 33 can consist of at least one or more storage recesses 54, drilled or formed at a 90-degree angle, where Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 one or more support pegs 62 may be partially inserted. The support pegs 62 and storage recesses 54 can take various shapes, including but not limited to, a cylinder, sphere, hemisphere or cube.
The back face 15 consists of one or more application recesses 56 where one or more support pegs 62 may be partially inserted. When the support pegs 62 are inserted into the application recesses 56, the front-loading magnetic frame system will use the support of the support pegs 62 to rest on and stand at a 60-degree to 80-degree angle.
While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirt and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20

Claims (18)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEDGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method for mounting two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material into a front-loading magnet frame, comprising the steps of:
a. providing a frame having a body with a frameable material receiving area;
b. providing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material having a first surface and a second surface. The frameable material is smaller than the frameable material receiving area to enable the frameable material to fit within the frame body;
c. placing two-dimensional or three-dimensional material on the first surface;
d. securing at least one first components to the second surface of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material;
e. securing one or more second components to the front surface of the frame body within the frameable material receiving area.

2. The method as defined in Claim 1, the first component being a magnet and the second component being at least one ferromagnetic material.

3. The method as defined in Claim 1, the second component being a magnet and the first component being at least one ferromagnetic material.

4. The method as defined in Claim 1, the first component being incorporated onto the body of the frame.

5. The method as defined in Claim 1, the second component being incorporated into the body of the frame.

6. The method as defined in Claim 4 and 5, the first component being a magnet and the second component being ferromagnetic material.

7. An apparatus for mounting frameable material in the front-loading magnetic frame, comprising in combination: a frame body and the two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material;
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20 a. a frame body defining the frameable material receiving area the first component mounted to the front surface of the body;
b. an interchangeable two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface displays the two-dimensional or three-dimensional home décor or artwork. The second surface has at least one second component that is magnetically couplable to the first component on the frame body. The two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material is just slightly smaller than the frameable material receiving area to enable the frameable material to fit within the frame body.
c. Mounted on the back of the front-loading magnetic frame system can include, but not limited to, a saw-tooth hanger, wire, or other mounting hardware devices.
d. support pegs are provided at the back of the frame and may be removed from the storage recesses and placed into the application recesses to rest the frame body onto a flat surface to stand.

8. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, the first component being a magnet and the second component being at least one ferromagnetic material.

9. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, the second component being a magnet and the first component being at least one ferromagnetic material.

10. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, the first component being incorporated onto the body of the frame.

11. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, the second component being incorporated into the body of the frame.

12. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, wherein the front face of the frame body comprises an inner side edge and a ledge extending from the inner side edge so as to define a rabbet.
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20

13. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claims 7-12, wherein the frameable material receiving area defines an inner perimeter of the frame body, and wherein the rabbet extends at least partially about the inner perimeter.

14. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, wherein the interchangeable two-dimensional or three-dimensional frameable material has the first surface being one face and the second surface being an opposed face.

15. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, wherein the second component is incorporated into the body of the frame.

16. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, may include any hardware device on the back surface to be used for hanging up onto a vertical surface.

17. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, may include any form of pegs in the back surface of the frame body to securely stand it on a flat horizontal surface.

18. The front-loading magnetic frame as defined in Claim 7, can include application recesses in any area of the frame body.
Date recue/Date Received 2021-01-20