GB2396808A

GB2396808A - A display assembly having a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames

Info

Publication number: GB2396808A
Application number: GB0316065A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michelle Ivankovic
Original assignee: Umbra LLC
Current assignee: Umbra LLC
Priority date: 2003-01-03
Filing date: 2003-07-09
Publication date: 2004-07-07
Also published as: GB0316065D0; CA2430534A1; JP2004209216A; DE10329480A1

Abstract

A display assembly 1 comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped frames 11, 13, 16, 17, 18. Each frame comprises two pairs of parallel frame members which when secured together create a viewing aperture 12, 14. One pair of these frame members consists of a first 11a and a second 11c member. The first member is thicker than the second with respect to an axes formed perpendicularly to the viewing aperture. The other pair of frame members comprise two similar members 11b, 11d connected to either side of the first pair of frame members. The thickness of the second pair of frame members is tapered to reflect the difference in thickness of the first pair of frame members. The frames can be arranged such that a plurality of frames have coplanar surfaces.

Description

-1- 2306808

DISPLAY ASSEMBLY HAVING A PLURALITY OF HOLLOW WEDGE-SHAPED FRAMES

This invention relates generally to display assemblies and picture frames and, more particularly, to a display assembly comprising a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames for displaying works of art.

The present invention relates generally to a display assembly lor displaying a work of art. A variety of display assemblies for works of art are known in the art.

United States Patent No. D169,116 (Wienke) discloses an ornamental design for a picture frame comprising four opposing trapezoidal frame members which form a rectangle in top view. There is no suggestion in this reference of a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames.

United States Patent No. D243,989 (Cohen) discloses an ornamental design for a photograph holder comprising a plurality (four) of rectangular framed display areas. Two of the four display areas, arranged on a diagonal, are recessed with respect to the other two. The frame members are not wedge-shaped. United States Patent No. D242,970 (Cohen) is similar to that of the '989 patent, but with only two display areas, one recessed with respect to the other.

United States Patent No. D253,98G (Lyman) discloses a foldable display for photographs or the like. None of the frame members in this patented invention are wedge-shaped.

United States Patent No. D437,490 (Vincent) discloses a multiplane picture frame assembly, where the plurality of frames are secured to one another with dowels or pegs. This invention does not disclose hollow wedge-shaped frames.

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United States Patent No. D254,114 (Lyman et al.) discloses a display for photographs or the like. The display comprises a plurality of areas for displaying photographs, some of which have angled side surfaces. However, the planar display surfaces are arranged in a plurality of planes, and not a single plane. Also, there are no hollow wedge-shaped frames protruding outwardly from the planar display surfaces.

United States Patent No. 3,722,112 (Scsto) discloses a picture frame assembly having a plurality of frames and a means for overlapping the frames to resemble a collage. All of the frames comprise rectangular (nonwedge-shaped) side members.

United States Patent No. 5,020,251 (Cheng) discloses a multi-level holder of sheet materials. His individual display areas are disposed on different planes and his device includes no hollow wedge-shaped frames protruding outwardly from the display planes.

What is needed, then, is a display assembly for works of art having a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames fixedly secured to one another.

The present invention broadly comprises a display assembly having a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames. In one embodiment the display assembly comprises a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames, wherein at least two of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames are fixedly secured to one another. In another embodiment, the display assembly comprises a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames wherein at least two of the plurality of frames each have a surface in common with a single plane.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a display assembly having a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames fixedly secured to one another, where at least one of the plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames is disposed in a different angular orientation with respect to at least one other hollow wedge-shaped frame.

A general object of the invention is to provide a display assembly having a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames, all of which share a common planar display surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display assembly having a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames arranged in different angular orientations with respect to one another.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in view of the several drawings of the invention.

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figuecs, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of the present invention as viewed from the front; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in Figure 1, except viewed from the back; Figure 2A is a fragmentary view of hinge 34, rear panel 32, and support element 40, taken generally along line 2A-2A in Figure 2; Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the present invention shown in Figure I illustrating five hollow wedge-shaped frames in one embodiment of the invention; - 4 In Figures 3A-3EE herebelow, the adjectives "top", "bosom", "right", "left", "front" and "back", refer to the perspective of one facing the display assembly of Figure 3A: Figure 3A is an exploded perspective view of frame 11 shown in Figure 3; Figure 3B is a perspective view of frame member I I a shown in Figure 3; Figure 3C is a front view of frame member I la, taken along line 3C-3C in Figure 3B; Figure 3D is a back view of frame member 11 a; Figure 3E is a top view of frame member 11a, taken along line 3E-3E in Figure 3B; Figure 3F is a bottom view of frame member lla, taken along line 3F-3F in Figure 3B; Figure 3G is a left side view of frame member 11a, taken along line 3G-3G in Figure 3B; Figure 3H is a right side view of frame member 11a' taken along line 3H-3H of Figure 3B; Figure 3J is a perspective view of frame member I I b shown in Figure 3; Figurc 3K is a front view of frame member 1 lb, taken along line 3K-3K in Figure 3J; Figure 3L is a back view of frame member I lb; Figure 3M is a top view of frame member 1 lb, taken along line 3M-3M in Figure Figure 3N is a bottom view of frame member lib, taken along line 3N-3N in Figure 3J; Figure 3P is a left side view of frame member I lb, taken along line 3P- 3P in Figure 3J; Figure 3Q is a right side view of frame member I lb, taken along line 3Q-3Q of Figure 3J; Figurc 3R is a perspective view of frame member 1 to shown in Figure 3; Figure 3S is a front view of frame member 1 lo, taken along line 3S-3S in Figure 3R; Figure 3T is a back view of frame member I Ic; Figure 3U is a top view of frame member 1 Ic, taken along line 3U-3U in Figure 3R; Figure 3V is a bottom view of frame member I Ic, taken along line 3V-3V in Figure 3R; Figure 3W is a left side view of frame member llc, taken along line 3W-3W in Figure 3R; Figure 3X is a right side view of frame member I Ic, taken along line 3X- 3X of Figure 3R; Figure BY is a perspective view of frame member I Id shown in Figure 3; Figure 3Z is a front view of frame member 1 Id, taken along line 37-3Z in Figure 3Y; Figure 3AA is a back view of frame member I Id; Figure 3BB is a top view of frame member I Id, taken along line 3BB- 3BB in Figure 3Y; Figure 3CC is a bottom view of frame member I Id, taken along line 3CC-3CC in Figure 3Y; Figure 3DD is a left side view of frame member 1 Id, taken along line 3DD-3DD in Figure 3Y; Figure SEE is a right side view of frame member 1 Id, taken along line 3EE-3EE of Figure 3Y; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display assembly of the invention, taken generally along line 4-4 in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention shown in Figure 1, except viewed from the left side and disassembled; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of frame In Figures 6A-ODD herebclow, the adjectives "top", "bottom", "right", "left", "front" and "back", refer to the perspective at one facing the frame of Figure 6: Figure 6A is a perspective view of frame member I la shown in Figure 6; Figure 6B is a front view of frame member 1 la, taken along line 6B-6B in Figure 6A; Figure 6C is a back view of frame member 11 a; Figure 6D is a top view of frame member 11 a, taken along line 6D-6D in Figure 6A; - 7 Figure GE is a bottom view of frame member lla, taken along line 6E-6E in Figure 6A; Figure 6F is a left side view of frame member lla, taken along line 6F-6F in Figure 6A; Figure 6G is a right side view of frame member I la, taken along line 6G-6G of Figurc 6A; Figure 6H is a perspective view of frame member I lb shown in Figurc 6; Figure 6J is a front view of frame member I lb, taken along line 6J-6J in Figure 6H; Figure 6K is a back view of frame member I lb; Figure 61, is a top view of frame member 1 lb, taken along line 6L-6L in Figure 611; Figure 6M is a bottom view of frame member lib, taken along line 6M-6M in Figure 6H; Figure 6N is a left side view of frame member I lb, taken along line 6N-6N in Figure 6H; Figure 6P is a right side view of frame member 1 lb, taken along line 6P-6P of Figure 6H; Figure 6Q is a perspective view of frame member 11 c shown in Figure 6; Figurc 6R is a front view of frame member l l c, taken along line 6R-6R in Figure 6Q; Figure 6S is a back view of frame member 1 lo; -a Figure 6T is a top view of frame member 1 lc, taken along line 6T-6T in Figure 6Q; Figure 6U is a bottom view of frame member tic, taken along line 6U-6U in Figure 6Q; Figure 6V is a left side view of frame member llc, taken along line 6V-6V in Figure 6Q; Figure 6W is a right side view of frame member I Ic, taken along line 6W-6W of Figure 6Q; Figure 6X is a perspective view of frame member 11 d shown in Figure 6; Figure 6Y is a front view of frame member 1 Id, taken along line 6Y-6Y in Figure 6X; Figure 6Z is a back view of frame member I I d; Figure 6AA is a top view of frame member I Id, taken along line 6AA-6AA in Figure 6X; Figure 6BB is a bottom view of frame member I Id, taken along line 6BB-6BB in Figure 6X; Figure 6CC is a left side view of frame member I 11, taken along line 6CC-6CC in Figure 6X; Figure ODD is a right side view of frame member 1 Id, taken along line 6DD-6DD of Figure 6X; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the frame assembly, wherein the individual frames are not in contact with one another; and, - 9 - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the frame assembly, similar to that depicted in Figure 1, except with the plurality of frames arranged in a single tier.

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of display assembly 10 as viewed from the front.

Display assembly 10 broadly comprises a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames (11, 13, 16, 17 and 18) secured together to form an assembly. (Although five hollow wedge-shaped frames are shown in the drawings, the claims are directed to a display assembly having only a plurality (at least two) of hollow wedge-shaped frames.) In a preferred embodiment, at least two of the plurality of frames share a common co-planar surface, as will be described infra, which co-planar surface enables respective works of art 14 to be displayed is a common plane. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the individual frames are arranged directly adjacent one another, although the claims are not intended to be so limited (i.e., two or more of the frames may be arranged in spaced-apart relationship, with a gap therebetween). It should also be appreciated that Figure 1 depicts an assembly where the frames are stacked in two tiers, with frames 13 and 16 arranged on a bottom tier, and frames 17, 18 and 1 1 arranged in a second upper tier. It should be apparent that the frames may be arranged in a single tier (as shown in Figure 8, for example), stacked in a double- tier arrangement as shown, a triple-tier, etc. Also, although the arrangement of assembly shown in Figure I generally resembles a rectangle in overall shape, it should be apparent to - lo - those having ordinary skill in the art that other shapes of the assembly are possible, including but not limited to round (circular), polygonal (triangular, rectangular, etc.), asyrntnetrical, etc. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the display assembly shown in Figure 1, except viewed from the back. Framing member 19 circumscribes the plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames 11, 13, 16, 17, and 18. In this embodiment, then, framing member 19 is located "behind" the plurality of frames as shown in Figure 2. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that framing member 19 may be attached to the plurality of frames in another configuration, such as around the outsides of the frames.

Figure 2 also shows rear panel 32 and support means 30, as is well known in the framing art. As shown in Figure 2A, support means 30 comprises hinge 34 having a first hinge element 36 fixedly connected to rear panel 32. Second hinge clement 38 is pivotally connected to the first hinge element. Support element 40 is fixedly secured to second hinge element 38.

Support element 40 is operatively arranged to be rotated away from backing panel 20 to provide a structural support when apparatus 10 is placed on a horizontal surface. When display 10 is to be stored or hung on a wall, support clement 40 may be rotated to lie flat against rear panel 32.

Retaining means 24 (shown in Figure 2) holds rear panel 32 in place behind the plurality of frames. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, retaining means 24 comprise three rotating tabs. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other means of securing a backing panel to a frame are possible, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display assembly shown in Figure 1. This view clearly shows that display assembly 10 comprises a plurality of hollow wedge shaped frames 17, 18, 11, 13 and 16. By "wedge-shaped" it is meant that each frame assumes a well-known shape of wedge. For example, frame 11 includes a "thick" end comprising member l l a, and a "thin" end comprising member l l c. The remaining two side members l lb and l id are tapered from the thick end to the thin end. By "hollow" it is meant that the four frame members create a viewing aperture bounded by the frame members. For example, frame 11 includes viewing aperture l l e.

For clarity and completeness in description, Figure 3 also shows frames 13, 16, 17 and 18. Frame 13 includes "thick" frame member 13a, opposing parallel "thin" frame member 13c, and tapered side members 13b and 13d, joined together as shown. Frame 16 includes "thick" frame member 16a, opposing parallel "thin" frame member 16c, and tapered side members 16b and 16d, joined together as shown. Frame 17 includes "thick" frame member 17a, opposing parallel "thin" frame member 17c, and tapered side members 17b and 17d, joined together as shown. Frame 18 includes "thick" frame member 18a, opposing parallel "thin" frame member 18c, and tapered side members 18b and led, joined together as shown.

Figure 3 also illustrates another novel aspect of the display assembly, that of "angular orientation" of the plurality of frames. With reference to Figure 3, note that frame 11 is positioned such that "thick" end l l a is at the top of the view, and "thin" end l l c is at the bottom of the view. We refer to this as the O angular orientation. Note that frame 13 is rotated 90 clockwise with respect to frame ll, such that "thick" member 13a is now rightward of "thin" member 13c. We define this as the 90 orientation. Similarly, frame 16 has been rotated 90 clockwise with respect to frame 13, such that "thick" member 16a is now at the bottom of the view, and "thin" member 16c is now at the top of the view. We define this as the 180 - 12- orientation. Finally, frame 17 has been rotated 90 clockwise with respect to frame 16, such that "thick" member 1 7a is now at the bottom of the view, and "thin" member 1 7c is now at the top of the view. We define this as the 270 orientation. Frame 18 is shown in the 90 orientation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two of the frames of the plurality have different angular orientations.

Figure 3A is an exploded perspective view of frame 11. Figure 3B is a perspective view of frame member lla. Figure 3C is a front view of frame member lla, showing front face 111. Figure 3D is a rear view of frame member l la, showing rear face 112.

Figure 3E is a top view of frame member 1 la, showing top face 113. Figure 3F is a bottom view of frame member I la, showing bottom face 114, left side face 11S, right side face 1 16, and front face 1 11. Figure 3G is a left side view of frame member I la, showing left side face 115. Figure 3H is a right side view of frame member 1 1 a, showing right side face 116.

Figure 3J is a perspective view of frame member 1 lb. Figure 3K is a front view of frame member I lb, showing front face 121. Figure 3L is a rear view of frame member I lb, showing rear face 122. Figure 3M is a top view of frame member lib, showing top face 123.

Figure 3N is a bottom view of frame member I lb, showing bottom face 124 and front face 121.

Figure 3P is a left side view of frame member 1 lb, showing left side face 125, top face 123, and bohom face 124. Figure 3Q is a right side view of frame member I lb, showing right side face 126.

Figure 3R is a perspective view of frame member 1 lo. Figure 3S is a front view of frame member 1 lo, showing front face 131. Figure 3T is a rear view of frame member 1 I c, showing rear face 132. Figure 3U is a top view of frame member 1 lo, showing top face 133, left - lo side face 135, and right side face 136. Figure 3V is a bottom view of frame member tic, showing bottom face 134 and front face 131. Figure 3W is a left side view of frame member l lo, showing left side face 135. Figure 3X is a right side view of frame member l lo, showing right side face 136.

Figure 3Y is a perspective view of frame member I Id. Figure 3Z is a front view of frame member l Id, showing front face 141. Figure 3AA is a rear view of frame member l Id, showing rear face 142. Figure 3BB is a top view of frame member l Id, showing top face 143.

Figure 3CC is a bottom view of frame member 1 Id, showing bottom face 144 and front face 141.

Figure 3DD is a leR side view of frame member l Id, showing left side face 145. Figure SEE is a right side view of frame member l la, showing right side face 146, top face 143, and bottom face 144.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display assembly of the invention, taken generally along line 4-4 in Figure 2. Matte 15 is shown in Figure 4 located behind the plurality of frames. Matte IS provides a decorative border between works of art 12 and 14 and the plurality of frames. The color of the matte may be chosen to provide a contrast between the work of art and the frame. Transparent panel 22 is located just behind matte 15. Works of art 12 and 14 arc located on backing panel 23. Rear panel 32 is located behind backing panel 23, which is kept in position by retaining means 24.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention shown in Figure 1, except viewed from the side and disassembled. The following elements of a preferred embodiment are shown: matte 15, transparent panel 22, backing panel 23, and works of art 12 and 14. - lL

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of frame I I. Figure 61Y is a perspective view of frame member 11 a. Figure 6B is a front view of frame member lla, showing front face 211. Figure 6C is a rear view of frame member lla, showing rear face 212. Figure GD is a top view of frame member l la, showing top face 213. Figure 6E is a bottom view of frame member l la, showing bottom face 214. Figure 6F is a left side view of frame member l la, showing left side face 215. Figure 6G is a right side view of frame member 11 a, showing right side face 216.

Figure 6H is a perspective view of frame member I lb. Figure 6J is a front view of frame member l lb, showing front face 221. Figure 6K is a rear view of frame member l lb, showing rear face 222. Figure 6L is a top view of frame member lib, showing top face 223.

Figure 6M is a bottom view of frame member 11 b, showing bottom f'acc 224. Figure 6N is a left side view of frame member 1 lb, showing left side face 225. Figure 6P is a right side view of frame member l lb, showing right side face 226.

I;igure 6Q is a perspective view of frame member l lo. Figure OR is a front view of frame member l lo, showing front face 231. Figure 6S is a rear view of frame member l lo, showing rear face 232. Figure 6T is a top view of frame member lie, showing top face 233.

Figure 6U is a bottom view of frame member l l c, showing bottom face 234. Figure 6V is a left side view of Irame member l lo, showing left side face 235. Figure 6W is a right side view of frame member l lo, showing right side lace 236.

Figure 6X is a perspective view ot frame mcmner Ad. Figure of Is a Iron' vow ot frame member l Id, showing front face 241. Figure 6Z is a rear view of frame member l Id, showing rear face 242. Figure 6M is a top view of frame member l Id, showing top face 243. - l5

Figure 6BB is a bottom view of frame member l l d, showing bottom face 244. Figure 6CC is a left side view of frame member l l d, showing left side face 245. Figure ODD is a right side view of frame member I la, showing right side face 246.

Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the display assembly. In this embodiment, the individual frames are secured to framing member 19, but not to one another. In other words there exists a gap 61 between the individual frames.

As described previously, Figure illustrates yet another (third) embodiment of the display assembly, where the plurality of frames are arranged in a single tier, in an asymmetric (jagged) orientation. In this embodiment, at least two of the frames each have at least one surface which is coplanar.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. - 16-

Claims

1. A display assembly comprising a plurality of hollow wcdgc-shaped frames, wherein at least two of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames are fixedly secured to one another.

2. The display assembly recited in Claim I wherein at least one of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames has one surface that is arranged co-planar with at least one surface of another one of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames.

3. The display assembly recited in Claim 1 where at least one of said plurality of frames has a different angular orientation with respect to at least one other frame.

4. The display assembly recited in Claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames is rectangular in shape.

5. The display assembly recited in Claim 2, further comprising a planar matte, wherein each of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames is fixedly secured to said matte.

6. The display assembly recited in Claim 2, further comprising a framing member which circumscribes said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames.

7. The display assembly recited in Claim 6, I'urther comprising a backing panel operatively arranged to be retained within said framing mcmbcr.

8. The display assembly recited in Claim 6, further comprising retaining means secured to said framing member, said retaining means operatively arranged to hold a backing panel.

9. 'I'he display assembly recited in Claim 8, further comprising a transparent panel operatively arranged to be held against said matte.

10. The display assembly recited in Claim 9, further comprising a work of art operatively arranged to be held against said transparent panel and viewable within said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped *ames.

11. The display assembly recited in Claim 9 wherein said transparent panel is made of glass.

12. The display assembly recited in Claim 9 wherein said transparent panel is made of plastic.

13. The display assembly recited in Claim 10, further comprising a backing member operatively arranged to be held against said work of art.

14. The display assembly recited in Claim 13, wherein said backing member is made of corrugated cardboarcl.

15. The display assembly recited in Claim 5, further comprising support means secured to said backing panel, said support means operatively arranged to be held against said backing member by a retaining means.

16. The display assembly recited in Claim 15, wherein said support means comprises: a hinge with a first hinge element fixedly connected to said support means, a second hinge element pivotally connected to the first hinge element, and, a support element fixedly connected to said second hinge element of said hinge.

17. The display assembly recited in Claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames comprises four wedge-shaped *ame members.

18. The display assembly recited in Claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames comprises four frame members, where two of said *ame members are wedge-shaped and disposed parallel to one another, and two of said frame members are rectangularly shaped and disposed parallel to one another. -a

19. A display assembly comprising a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames wherein at least two of said plurality of frames each have a surface in common with a single plane.

20. A display assembly comprising a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped frames.