GB2226758A - Picture frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A picture frame comprises a channel (31) on the front surface of a border (3), a slot on the rear surface of the border (3) and a decorative plate (1) engageable within the channel (31) or the slot by engagement device (2), the channel (31) having a number of annular holes (32) formed on it, and the engagement means (2) having a convex cross-section and a corresponding number of annular legs (22) extending from it which are engageable with the annular holes (32). The decorative plate (1) is readily removable and is changeable with other decorations. The border (3) may further include ferrous components so that small magnetic ornaments can be magnetically retained on the border. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: PICTURE FRAME The present invention relates to picture frames, and in particular, to a picture frame comprising flexible engagement means having annular legs and a channel having annular holes through which a decorations can be engaged. In addition, the present invention provides other choices of engaging decoration plates.

Heretofore, decorations for picture frames have usually been integrated with the frame so that it is difficult, even impossible, to change the decoration to match other interior decor in one's house or office, or to better match the background of the picture itself.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modified picture frame of which the decoration is changeable.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a picture frame comprising flexible engagement means having annular legs and a channel having annular holes through which decoration parts can be engaged.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a picture frame having ferrous parts integrated therewith so that small ornamentations can be -attached thereon by means of magnets.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a picture frame of which the surface decorations are changeable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a picture frame having different ways to engage decorations.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art when the following detailed description has been read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a picture frame in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the picture frame of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a picture frame in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 1; FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B of FIG.- 3; FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a picture frame in accordance with the present invention; and FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show other types of flexible engagement means in accordance with the present invention.

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in drawings. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alternatives and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further application if the principles of the invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a picture frame of the present invention comprises a border 3, a glass plate 4, a back plate 5, a support 6, a decorative plate 1 and flexible engagement means 2. The border 3 substantially has a convex outer surface with a channel 31 provided along the front surface of the border 3.

The channel 31 has plurality of annular holes 32 thereon. The flexible engagement means 2 is substantially rectangular with a convex cross-section and a plurality of annular legs 22 extending therefrom.

The flexible engagement means 2 may be engaged to the border by fitting the legs 2 into the holes 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, the decorative plate 1 is engaged to the border 3 by fitting it into the channel 31 after the annular legs 22 of the flexible engagement means 2 are engaged with the annular holes 32 of the channel 31. There is a clearance between the outer convex surface of the engagement means 2 and the flat side walls of the channel 31 (as seen in FIG. 6A).

The decorative plate 1 is fitted into the clearance between the channel side walls and the convex outer surface of the flexible engagement means 2.

The decorative plate 1 is held tightly in the channel 31 due to the elasticity of the flexible engagement means 2 and can be removed and replaced by other decorative plates as desired by the user.

On the back of side of the border 3, a glass 4, a picture 8 and a back plate 5 are sequentially superposed on the border 3 in a known manner. The drawings show one of the manners. On the rear surface of the border, a slot 33 around the border is formed thereon. The decorative plate 1 can be engaged into said border 3 by fitting the decorative plate 1 into the slot 33 instead of the channel 31 (as shown in FIG.

tub3. The decorative plate 1 has an elastic rubber band sewn therein to ensure the decorative plate 1 is secured inside the slot 33.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to add a support 6 on the back plate 5 by means of a screw 7.

Since these methods are all known, no further description will be necessary herein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another preferred embodiment is shown. The border is circular and also has a convex outer surface. The decorative plate 1 is cut into pieces. A user can make other combinations from the decoration pieces to change the decorative pattern.

In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the border 3 of the present invention may further comprise ferrous components, so that a small ornamental decoration 9 with magnet is attachable thereon to provide further ornamentation.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, other types of flexible engagement means 2 will be discussed.

In FIG. 6A, in the engagement, each hole 32 of the channel 31 may has a solid cylindrical tube formed therein, and engagement means 2 comprising a plurality of hollow tubes 23 in accordance with the holes 32. A spring 24 is provided on the upper part of the tube 23 of the engagement means 2 to keep the decorative plate tightly between the channel side walls and the outer convex surface of the engagement means 2.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the present invention disclosure is made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detail of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A picture frame comprising a border, a glass plate, a back plate, a support, a decorative plate and flexible engagement means; said picture frame characterized in that: a channel having a plurality of annular holes is formed on a front surface of said border, a slot is formed on a rear surface of said border, said engagement means is substantially rectangular with a convex outer surface and plurality of annular legs extending therefrom, said annular legs are engageable with said plurality of holes, said decorative plate is engaged on said border with said flexible engagement means.

2. A picture frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said decorative plate is engaged to said border by fitting said decorative plate into said slot.

3. A picture frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each hole has a solid cylindrical tube formed therein, said engage means comprising a plurality of hollow tubes in accordance with said holes.

4. A picture frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said decorative plate is a combination of a plurality of small pieces.

5. A picture frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said decorative plate is replaceable.

6. A picture frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said border further coaprises ferrous components and small magnetic ornaments attachable thereon.

7. A picture frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and. as shown in the accompanying drawings.