EP3446598B1

EP3446598B1 - Picture frame assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3446598B1
Application number: EP18190193.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paula Rusokallio
Original assignee: Taidesukellustehdas Oy
Current assignee: Taidesukellustehdas Oy
Priority date: 2017-08-24
Filing date: 2018-08-22
Publication date: 2020-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-22
Also published as: DK3446598T3; ES2840498T3; PT3446598T; EP3446598A1; FI127584B; FI20175756A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention relates to a picture frame assembly. In particular, the invention concerns a picture frame assembly which comprises a replaceable board for drawing or painting, for example, said board provided with interlocking elements by which a plurality of boards of the same kind can be joined to each other to form a collage.

BACKGROUND

At the age of emerging digital industry, developing fine motor skills and hand working skills along with persistency and creativity in kids and young adults has turned into a challenge for families and education facilities. Drawing is one of the activities accessible for everyone that bears a variety of developmental benefits for children, such as stimulating imagination, improving hand-eye coordination, and teaching creative approach to problem solving. In many instances, such as for teaching teamwork skills, for example, it is desirable to arrange group classes, in where students are supplied with identical pieces of paperboard to draw or paint pictures optionally linked by some common concept. It may be further desirable that the pictures produced thereby are displayed to an audience, whether it is family, schoolmates or mass audience in an art gallery. After such an exhibition students are normally allowed to take their artworks home, in where the picture can be set in a frame and kept as a house decoration, for example.
Arranging exhibitions as above requires fixing a plurality of pictures on a display surface, which is time-consuming and often entails provision of frames and fixing appliances, such as fasteners, hangers, etc. Assembling multiple individual pictures into collages may seem to offer a simple solution to a problem. Thus, US5588240 describes a picture frame system comprising multiple picture frames each shaped as a jigsaw puzzle piece that interconnect accordingly. However, once purchased by an art school, for example, such system is not likely to be decomposed by allowing students taking home pictures with frames.
GB2349117 discloses a kit comprising a plurality of interlockable jigsaw puzzle-shaped tiles suitable for drawing or painting thereon along with painting or coloring materials. However, said tiles are permanently attachable to a wall or floor; once complete the collage is a mural and cannot be disassembled.
FR2499839 discloses a frame assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 for an article, such as an image, a photograph, and the like, comprising a back plate with a border edge to receive said article and a protective, transparent front plate to cover the article. Said protective front plate comprises a number of projecting parts to fit into a number of corresponding recesses arranged in the border edge of the frame to form junctions, which can be housed under a removable front portion of the border edge to remain hidden within the frame assembly. The article itself does not contain any profiled parts suitable for joining the articles of the same kind to one another.
In this regard, it is still desirable to provide a simple and cost-effective solution including a layout for practicing fine arts, such as drawing and painting, which would be suitable either for utilization as a framed ensemble or as a part of a collage within a temporary display, or both, in a cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to at least alleviate drawbacks of the related art. The objective is achieved by a picture frame assembly according to what is defined in the independent claim 1.
In preferred embodiment, the picture frame assembly comprises a base plate with a border edge arranged on the base plate such as to form a depression, a board received within said depression, and a frame provided as a topmost element, wherein the border edge and the board each comprise a number of profiled members in the form of protrusions and recesses, respectively, wherein the protrusions of the board fully interlock with the recesses of the border edge and the protrusions of the border edge fully interlock with the recesses of the board in a coplanar manner, when the board is received within the depression, wherein the fully interlocking profiled members form a boundary interface, said interface being completely covered by the frame, and wherein by the protrusions and the recesses of the board a plurality of the same boards can be joined to each other by fully interlocking said protrusions and recesses of the boards to form a collage in a coplanar manner.
In some preferred embodiments, the boundary interface formed within the picture frame assembly is provided as a collective measure of height- and depth-related parameters of the profiled members, which collective measure constitutes 20 - 50 percent (%) from the width of the frame.
In some embodiments, the board provided within the picture frame assembly is replaceable. In some further embodiments said board is blank.
In some preferred embodiments, the board provided within the picture frame assembly is configured as a jigsaw puzzle-shaped piece.
In some embodiments, the board is configured to receive pictorial and scriptorial records thereto made by any one of: drawing, painting, writing, tessellating, engraving, etching, and any combination thereof. In some further embodiments, any one of a front face or a rear face, or both, of said board element is configured to receive said pictorial and scriptorial records.
In some embodiments, the picture frame assembly further comprises a number of first- and second attachment devices. Thus, the frame provided within the frame assembly is releasably attachable to the border edge arranged on the base plate by a number of first attachment devices disposed within the frame and within the border edge, wherein said first attachment devices are completely hidden within the picture frame assembly. Second attachment devices are, in turn, configured to releasably secure the frame assembly on an essentially flat surface, said second attachment devices are provided on a rear face of the board and receivable into a corresponding aperture disposed in the base plate. In some embodiments, said first- and second attachment devices are magnetic connectors.
In some embodiments, the picture frame assembly comprises any one of the base plate, the board, and the frame made of a material selected from the group consisting of: cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, plastic, wood-plastic composites, wood-nonwood composites, metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, mirror surfaces, and combinations thereof. In some further embodiments the base plate, the board and the frame are made of the same material.
In some embodiments the picture frame assembly further comprises an at least one accessory appliance configured as an at least one fastening device or a support stay and is provided on a rear face of the base plate.
Further, a method to assemble a collage is provided, according to what is defined in the independent claim 14. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of picture frame assemblies, each according to any of claims 1-13, collecting, from each picture frame assembly, the board with protrusions and recesses, and joining said boards to each other by fully interlocking the protrusions and recesses to form a collage in a coplanar manner.
The expression "a number of' refers in present disclosure to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three. The expression "a plurality of' refers to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four.
The utility of the present invention arises from a variety of reasons depending on each particular embodiment thereof. On the whole, the invention provides a picture frame assembly suitable for encompassing any kind of individually created pictorial or scriptorial record and at the same time providing means for exhibiting / displaying a plurality of said records in a modular manner.
The picture frame assembly can be equally useful as a tool in art- and craft-related group classes and workshops intended for highly specific audience, such as art school students, for example, or mass audience of all ages and levels, such as during public workshops. Thus, in some occasions drawing a picture in a group class may be considered dull and tedious. The assembly disclosed hereby preserves and stimulates participants' motivation by providing a drawing (painting, crafting) board in the form of a jigsaw puzzle piece.
The assembly further allows for exhibiting / displaying an outcome of said workshops in a well-organized and effortless manner, thereupon a plurality of drawing (painting, crafting) boards can be interlocked with one another to create a collage or a panel of pictures. Modular mechanism for board replacement allows for continuously updating the exhibition with a little effort.
The assembly is fully scalable and can be adopted for decorating house interiors, as well as for large (community) artwork installations, city advertising banners, etc.
Different embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a picture frame assembly 10 according to the present invention.
Fig. 2A illustrates formation of a boundary interface between some structural parts of the assembly 10.
Figs. 2B and 2C are front views of the assembly 10, within an upmost layer shown transparent and solid, respectively.
Fig. 2D is a rear view of the assembly 10 with accessory appliances.
Figs. 3A, 3C and 3E are front views and Figs. 3B, 3D and 3F are rear views of the structural parts constituting the assembly 10, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein with the reference to accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to same members as follows:

10 - a picture frame assembly;
11 - a base plate;
11A - a depression formed in the base plate;
12 - a border edge element;
12A, 12B - protruding- and recessed profiles, respectively, of the border edge 12;
13 - a boundary interface;
14 - first attachment devices;
15 - second attachment devices;
15A - apertures to receive the second attachment devices 15;
16, 17 - accessory appliances configured as a fastener 16 and a support stay 17;
21 - a board element;
21A, 21B - protruding- and recessed profiles, respectively, of the board 21;
31 - a frame element.

Fig. 1 illustrates at 10 a concept underlying various embodiments of a picture frame assembly in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment the picture frame assembly 10 is a rectangular-shaped stacked structure that comprises a base plate 11, a board element 21 (hereby, "a board") and a frame element 31 (hereby, "a frame"), wherein the base plate 11 forms a lowermost element within the assembly 10 and the frame 31 forms a topmost element, accordingly. The lowermost and the topmost elements 11 and 31 collectively determine dimensions of the assembly 10, such as its size and shape. In preferred embodiment, the lowermost- and the topmost elements of the assembly 10 fully align with one another by boundaries defining outer perimeters thereof.
Fig. 1 illustrates a square-shaped assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment and having all four sides of equal length. The assembly can be further configured as a rectangle having each two opposite sides of equal length. Other shapes, such as pentagons and hexagons, for example, are not excluded, where appropriate.
The structural parts 11, 21 and 31 are flat, planar elements arranged within the assembly 10 as described hereinbelow. The base plate 11 is provided with a border edge element 12 (hereby, "a border edge") that lies along the perimeter of said base plate 11 and is arranged on the base plate 11 such as to form a shallow depression 11A. In preferred embodiment the border edge 12 constitutes a separate element fixedly attached to the base plate 11. Alternatively, the depression 11A may be cut-out directly in the base plate 11; thereupon the border edge 12 is formed as a part integral to the base plate 11.
The depression 11A formed by the base plate 11 and the border edge 12 is configured to receive the board 21 therewithin such that the front (upper) faces of the board 21 and the surrounding border edge 12 locate at the same level to form a substantially uniform, continuous surface, onto which the frame element 31 is positioned such as to fully align with the base plate 11 (and the border edge 12).
In preferred embodiments the board 21 is configured blank. It may be further preferred that the board 21 has light color appearance, such as substantially white color appearance. However, any other color and/or shade are not excluded. The board 21 is thus particularly suitable for applying or crafting any kind of pictorial and scriptorial records thereto, such as drawings, paintings, scripts, gravures, tessellations (mosaics) and the like. In this regard, the board is advantageously configured replaceable.
In one preferred embodiment the board 21 is configured as a jigsaw puzzle-shaped piece.
Reference is further made to Fig. 2A that illustrates disposition of the board 21 (shown in dashed line) with regard to the border edge 12 arranged on the base plate 11 (not shown). Each of the border edge 12 and the board 21 comprise a number of geometrically shaped members in the form of protruding profiles or protrusions 12A, 21A and recessed profiles or recesses 12B, 21B. In the border edge 12 said profiled members are formed along the inner perimeter thereof, whereas in the board 21 said profiled members are formed along its (outer) perimeter. Number of protrusions advantageously matches the number of recesses. In an exemplary embodiment shown on Fig. 2A each of the four sides of the rectangular board element 21 comprises one protrusion 21A and one recess 21B; and each of the four internal boundaries of the border edge element 12 also comprises one protrusion 12A and one recess 12B. It is clear that the number of profiled members sidewise may vary within the concept of the present invention.
According to the present invention, once the board 21 is received within the depression 11A, the protrusions 21A of the board 21 engage with the recesses 12B of the border edge 12, while the protrusions 12A of the border edge 12 engage with the recesses 21B of the board 21 such that protruding profiles of each of the board 21 and the border edge 12 fully interlock with corresponding recessed profiles in a coplanar manner. Profiled member pairs 21A-12B, 21BA-12A that are fully interlocked in a coplanar manner form a boundary interface 13 (enlarged box on Fig. 2A). The interface 13 is hereby formed between the profiled members of the border edge element 12 and the profiled members of the board element 21. When the frame 31, being the upmost layer, overlays the resulted structure (comprising the base layer 11 with the border edge 12 and the board element 21 therein), the interface 13 becomes completely covered by said frame 31.
Fully assembled structure 10 is shown on Figs. 2B and 2C, wherein on Fig. 2B the upmost element (frame) 31 is transparent, whereas on Fig. 2C the frame 31 is solid.
Referring back to Fig. 2A, the profile-formed interface 13 can be described as a collective measure of height-related parameters of protruding profiles 12A, 21A and depth-related parameters of recessed profiles 12B, 21B, indicated by sections A-A' and B-B' (enlarged box). Height of protrusions 12A, 21A is defined as a distance from top surfaces thereof to a reference line C-C' representing the boundary between the border edge element 12 and the board element 21 in an absence of profiles. Depth of recesses 12B, 21B is defined as a distance from bottom surfaces thereof to the reference line C-C', accordingly.
In preferred embodiment the interface 13 is sufficiently narrow to provide enough space for a making a pictorial record, for example, on the board 21. It is hereby preferred that the collective measure A-A', B-B' constitutes 20 - 50 percent (%) from the width of the frame 31, wherein said width is a distance between boundaries defining an inner and an outer perimeters of the frame. For example, for a 5 cm wide frame the interface measure is provided within a range of 1 - 2,5 cm; whereas for a 10 cm wide frame this measure is within a range of 2 - 5 cm, etc. It is further preferred that the interface 13 is provided at a sufficient distance from the outer perimeter of the assembly 10, which preferably constitutes 80 - 50 % from the width of the frame 31, accordingly.
In this regard, the profiles 12A, 12B, 21A and 21B can be further described as low-lying, elongated shapes, whose protruding- (12A, 21A) or recessed (12B, 21B) portions are flat, plain and disposed parallel to the reference line C-C' (Fig. 2A).
An exemplary frame assembly 10, such as shown on Fig. 2B, is a square-shaped article having dimensions 28 x 28 cm (length x width), and comprises about 5 cm wide frame 31, wherein the interface 13 determined as a collective measure A-A', B-B' constitutes about 2 cm (about 40% from the width of the frame 31), and the distance from said interface to the outer boundary of the assembly 10 constitutes about 3 cm (about 60%).
Each structural element of the assembly 10, namely, the base plate 11, the board element 21 and the frame element 31 has a front face and a rear face. Reference is further made to Figs. 3A-3F, wherein Figs. 3A and 3B show front- and rear faces of the base plate 11 with the border edge 12 arranged thereon, respectively; Figs. 3C and 3D show front- and rear faces of the board 21, respectively; and Figs. 3E and 3F show front- and rear faces of the frame 31, respectively.
In some embodiments the frame assembly 10 further comprises a number of first attachment devices 14 and a number of second attachment devices 15 disclosed hereinbelow.
The frame 31 is attachable to the border edge 12 arranged on the base plate 11 by a number of first attachment devices 14 disposed within the frame element 21 and the border edge element 12 (Figs. 3A, 3F). It is preferred that the first attachment devices 14 are completely hidden within the picture frame assembly 10 when said assembly is fully assembled (thereupon the frame 31 is aligned with the base plate 11). It is further preferred that connection mediated by said first attachment devices 14 is releasable, thereby the frame 31 can be detached from the base plate 11 and attached back thereto at any time. Such an arrangement allows for fast and easy removal and/or replacement of the board 21 in the assembly 10.
The first attachment devices 14 are advantageously configured as magnetic connectors. Alternative configurations, such as Velcro tape, two-sided adhesive tape, and the like, are also not excluded. The exemplary frame assembly 10 described hereby comprises, in total, four first attachment devices 14, arranged in the corners of the base plate / border edge 12 (front face, Fig. 3A) and in the corners of the frame 31 (rear face, Fig. 3F), accordingly, wherein the first attachment devices 14 in the base plate are disposed against the same in the frame. It is clear that the number and disposition of the first attachment devices 14 can vary; first devices 14 can thus locate along the perimeter of the base plate 11 and the frame 31, for example.
The picture frame assembly 10 further comprises a number of second attachment devices 15 configured to secure said frame assembly on an essentially flat surface, such a wall, a whiteboard, etc. By means of said second attachment devices 15 the assembly 10 can thus be secured on a substantially vertical surface. Connection mediated by said second attachment devices 15 is preferably releasable. Said second attachment devices 15 are provided on a rear face of the board 21 and configured to mediate connection of the assembly 10 with the essentially flat and/or substantially vertical surface via a corresponding number of apertures 15A disposed in the base plate 11.
In some exemplary embodiment five devices 15 are provided on the rare face of the board 21, with four devices in the corners and one in the middle thereof (Fig. 3D). The base plate 11 is further provided with a number of similarly disposed through-apertures 15A configured to receive said devices 15 (Figs.3A and 3B). Connection of the assembly 10 to the surface is thereby mediated by said second attachment devices 15 "threaded" through the apertures 15A (Fig. 2D). The second attachment devices 15 are advantageously configured as magnetic connectors that mediate releasable connection of the assembly 10 to any ferromagnetic surface, such as a (magnetic) whiteboard or a steel plate wall, for example. Alternative configurations for the second attachment devices 15 include suction pads / suction cups, adhesive pads, and any kind of bolt- or screw-mediated connectors.
In some embodiments the frame assembly 10 comprises the first- and the second attachment devices 14, 15 configured as magnetic connectors.
In some instances the assembly 10 may be supplied with a board 21 with the second attachment devices 15 configured as magnetic connectors, for example, and with a replacement board 21 of the same kind, but with the devices 15 configured as suction pad connectors, for example. It is clear that wherever the frame assembly should be secured on the essentially flat surface and/or substantially vertical surface by means of the second attachment devices 15, the base plate 11 must comprise corresponding through-apertures 15A to receive said devices 15.
In some embodiments the frame assembly 10 further comprises an at least one accessory appliance configured as an at least one fastening device 16 (hereby, a fastener) or a support stay 17, provided on a rear face of the base plate 11 (Fig. 2D). In some embodiments, the at least one fastener 16 is provided on the rear face of the base plate 11 and is configured as a hanger-type fastener 16, which could be implemented as a rivet hanger fastener, a hanger strap fastener, a hinge fastener, an eyelet-type fastener, and the like. By means of the fastener(s) 16 the individual frame assembly 10 can be attached to the wall, for example, by means of additional mechanical means, such as rivets, nails, hooks etc.
The support stay 17 is configured to keep the individual frame assembly in a standing position when placed on the shelf, for example. The support stay 17 is provided on the rear face of the base plate 11 and is preferably implemented foldable and/or detachable from the assembly 10. It is preferred that the support stay 17, whether detachable from the assembly 10 or permanently fixed thereon, can be folded / pleated against the rear face of the base plate 11 to enable attachment of the latter to the wall or whiteboard, for example, by means of the second attachment devices 15 and/or the fastener(s) 16.
The frame assembly 10 can be implemented such to comprise an at least one accessory appliance 16 or 17. Whether the assembly 10 is implemented as a kit, the fastener(s) 16 and/or the support stay 17 may be provided as optional add-ons that could be sold separately.
For the purposes of the invention it is further preferred that the board element 21 is configured to receive pictorial and scriptorial records thereto made by any one of: drawing, painting, writing, tessellating, engraving, etching, and any combination thereof. The board 21 can be additionally configured as a substrate for a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional handicraft works, such as applique work, patchwork, clay modelling, knitting, ribbon embroidery, and/or creating (3D) compositions from paper, wood, leather, and any other appropriate materials.
In some preferred embodiments the board element 21 is configured two-sided, thereby pictorial and scriptorial records can made on any sideface (front face or rear face), or both, thereof.
In various embodiments, any one of the structural parts comprised into the frame assembly 10, namely, the base plate 11 with the border edge 12, the board 21 and the frame 31, is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, canvas, plastic, wood-plastic composites, wood-nonwood composites, metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, mirror surfaces, and combinations thereof. In some further embodiments the base plate 11 including the base border edge 12 and the frame 31 can be made of a first material, whereas the board 21 can be made of a second material, wherein the first- and the second material can be the one as listed above.
The picture frame assembly 10 can be further configured to comprise all structural parts, namely, the base plate 11 with the border edge 12, the board 21 and the frame 31, made of the same material, such as cardboard or plastic, for example. By the way of example, Gravoglas™ 2-Plex™ material, or other acrylic plastics can be utilized.
In some instances the picture frame assembly 10 is further configured for use in group classes and public workshops, for example, thereupon exhibiting / displaying an outcome of said workshops can be implemented in a modular manner. In such classes each participant is provided with the assembly 10 and may paint, draw or craft on the board 21 provided therewithin. The boards 21 are then collected and joined to each other by means of the profiled members 21A, 21B, to form a collage or a panel of pictures in a coplanar manner. In some embodiment the plurality of boards 21 are compiled into the collage while being secured on the essentially flat surface by means of the second attachment devices 15, for the exhibition / display. Modular arrangement allows detaching and replacing individual boards 21 in an organized and effortless manner. By the way of example, the boards 21 comprising second attachment devices 15 configured as magnetic connectors can be secured on a metal-plated or metal-coated wall.
After the exhibition the boards 21 are detached from the wall and returned to workshop participants. Modular mechanism for board replacement allows for continuously updating the exhibition with a little effort. As a part of the assembly 10 the board 21 bearing a painting, a drawing, or a craft, for example, can be used in house décor, thereby the assembly 10 can be secured on the wall by a hanger 16 or mounted onto a shelf by a support stay 17.
The assembly 10 is fully scalable and can be utilized for decorating house interiors, as well as for creating large artwork installations, such as so called community artwork installations, compiling city advertising panels, etc.
It is clear to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology the present invention is intended to cover various modifications included in the scope thereof. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above; instead they may generally vary within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A picture frame assembly (10) comprising:
- a base plate (11) with a border edge (12) arranged on the base plate (11) such as to form a depression (11A),

- a board (21) received within said depression (11A), and

- a frame (31) provided as a topmost element,
wherein the border edge (12) and the board (21) each comprise a number of profiled members in the form of protrusions (12A, 21A) and recesses (12B, 21B), respectively,
wherein the protrusions (21A) of the board (21) fully interlock with the recesses (12B) of the border edge (12) and the protrusions (12A) of the border edge (12) fully interlock with the recesses (21B) of the board (21) in a coplanar manner, when the board (21) is received within the depression (11A), and
wherein the fully interlocking profiled members (12A, 21B, 12B, 21A) form a boundary interface (13), said interface (13) being completely covered by the frame (31),
characterized in that by the protrusions (21A) and the recesses (21B) of the board (21) a plurality of the same boards (21) can be joined to each other by fully interlocking the protrusions (21A) and the recesses (21B) of the boards (21) to form a collage in a coplanar manner.
The picture frame assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the interface (13) is provided as a collective measure (A-A', B-B') of height- and depth-related parameters of the profiled members (12A, 21B, 12B, 21A), which collective measure constitutes 20 - 50 percent (%) from the width of the frame 31.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the board (21) is replaceable.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the board (21) is configured as a jigsaw puzzle-shaped piece.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the board (21) is blank.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the board (21) is configured to receive pictorial and scriptorial records thereto made by any one of: drawing, painting, writing, tessellating, engraving, etching, and any combination thereof.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein any one of a front face or a rear face, or both, of the board (21) is configured to receive said pictorial and scriptorial records.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the frame (31) is releasably attachable to the border edge (12) arranged on the base plate (11) by a number of first attachment devices (14) disposed within the frame (31) and within the border edge (12), wherein said first attachment devices (14) are completely hidden within the picture frame assembly (10).
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, further comprising a number of second attachment devices (15) configured to releasably secure said frame assembly on an essentially flat surface, said second attachment devices (15) provided on a rear face of the board (21) and receivable into corresponding apertures (15A) disposed in the base plate (11).
The picture frame assembly (10) of any of claims 8 and 9, wherein the first attachment devices (14) and the second attachment devices (15) are magnetic connectors.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein any one of the base plate (11), the board (21) and the frame (31) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, canvas, plastic, wood-plastic composites, wood-nonwood composites, metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, mirror surfaces, and combinations thereof.
The picture frame assembly (10) of claim 11, wherein the base plate (11), the board (21) and the frame (31) are made of the same material.
The picture frame assembly (10) of any preceding claim, further comprising an at least one accessory appliance (16, 17) configured as an at least one fastener (16) or a support stay (17) and is provided on a rear face of the base plate (11).
A method to assemble a collage, comprising:
- obtaining a plurality of picture frame assemblies (10) each as defined in any one of claims 1-13,

- collecting, from each picture frame assembly, the board (21) with protrusions (21A) and recesses (21B) and

- joining said boards (21) to each other by fully interlocking the protrusions (21A) and the recesses (21B) to form a collage in a coplanar manner.