US20020139028A1

US20020139028A1 - Picture frame with repositionable clock

Info

Publication number: US20020139028A1
Application number: US08/941,603
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark J. Harlow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-09-15
Filing date: 1997-09-15
Publication date: 2002-10-03

Abstract

A display device (10) includes a frame (12), reversible face (2) with symmetrical non-numeric clock indicia 30 thereon, backer (24), and clock (14) which are adapted so that the clock can be repositioned as desired relative to the picture displayed therein for more versatility.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to clock and picture display devices. More particularly, this invention concerns a unique frame and clock which are adapted so that the clock can be repositioned as desired in accordance with the picture therein.

BACKGROUND ART

Picture frames are widely used for displaying artwork, photographs, certificates or other memorabilia, and picture frames of various construction have been available heretofore. Such picture frames generally include a frame, face and backer. The picture is typically located between the face and backer, which are then secured within the frame. One or more sheets of matte are sometimes provided between the picture and the face. Such picture frames are commercially available in several predetermined sizes, and are often adapted either to be hung on a vertical surface, such as a wall, or to be free standing for placement on a horizontal surface, such as a table.

Picture frames with clocks have also been available heretofore. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,777 to Stanish, U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,989 to Booty, Des. 358,994 to Preset, Des. 325,873 to Hosker et al, Des. 289,264 to Hill, Des. 257,231 to Boyland et al, and Des. 248,626 and Des. 247,612 to Lucich are representative of the prior art in this regard. The general concept of combining a clock and picture frame is thus old and well known.

Although various types of such picture frames with clocks have been available heretofore, they have had certain drawbacks. The primary drawback has been the fact that the clock is typically located in a fixed position, which can interfere with the desired display or viewing of the picture therein. This in turn can effectively limit the choices of pictures to be displayed and/or the orientation of the frame. The combined picture frames and clocks of the prior art have thus tended to be neither versatile nor adapted such that the clock can be respositioned as desired.

A need has thus arisen for an improved picture frame having a readily repositionable clock therein for more versatility.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention comprises a picture frame and clock which overcome the foregoing and other difficulties associated with the prior art. In accordance with the invention there is provided a combined frame a clock for simultaneous display of the time and a selected picture. The inner portion of the frame includes a reversible face with non-numeric, symmetrical clock indicia surrounding a hole aligned with a similar hole in the backer, through which holes the stem of a clock movement extends from the rear. The face and backer can be turned and/or flipped as desired to position the clock indicia as desired in accordance with the particular picture inserted therein. The hands on the stem thus overly the clock indicia on the face overlying the picture, against the backer, behind all of which is the clock movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

A better understanding of the invention can be had by reference to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing, wherein: [0007]
FIG. 1 is a front view of the picture frame and clock incorporating the invention; [0008]
FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof, partially cutaway; [0009]
FIG. 3 is an exploded view thereof; [0010]
FIGS. [0011] 4-10 are front views showing alternate positions of the picture frame and clock herein;
FIG. 11 is a rear view showing an alternate backer; [0012]
FIGS. 12 and 13 are illustrations of two types of clips for supporting the picture frame and clock herein on a horizontal surface; and [0013]
FIG. 14 is a rear view illustrating a modified frame; and [0014]
FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along lines [0015] 15-15 of FIG. 14 in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding elements throughout the views, and particularly referring to FIGS. [0016] 1-3, there is shown a display device 10 incorporating the invention. The display device 10 includes a frame 12 and a clock 14. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, the frame 12 includes an inner portion comprising a reversible face and a backer which are adapted so that the clock 14 can be readily located in any one of several predetermined positions for more versatility and flexibility in accordance with a picture within the display device 10.
The [0017] outer portion 11 of frame 12 itself is of substantially conventional construction. As shown, outer portion 11 of frame 12 generally includes four side members arranged and interconnected at their ends to form a rectangle having an open central window or viewing area 16. The outer portion 11 of frame 12 could also be of integral, one-piece construction, if desired. The outer frame portion 11 is preferably rectangular, although it could also be square. The outer frame portion 11 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic or the like. A peripheral recess 18 is provided on the rear of the outer frame portion 11 to form a flange with the front for receiving the other components to be arranged therein, as will be explained. Such outer frames are available from various commercial sources in several popular sizes such as 5×7 inches, 8×10 inches, etc. and any suitable frame can be used.
Assembled into the [0018] viewing area 16 of frame 12 from the rear is the inner frame portion comprising a rectangular face 20, a picture 22 to be displayed, and a backer 24—all of which are secured in place by means of suitable retainers 26, such as flexipoints or glazing nails.
The [0019] face 20 is preferably substantially clear or transparent and can be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic or glass. In the preferred embodiment, face 20 is formed from clear acrylic plastic.
The [0020] face 20 includes a hole 28 therein surrounded by symmetrical non-numeric indicia 30 representative of a clock face. The hole 28 is located in one quadrant of face 20, preferably along a diagonal line extending at 45 angles from the intersection of two adjacent sides of frame 12 as shown.
The clock indicia [0021] 30 surrounding hole 28 in face 20 preferably comprise radial markings evenly spaced apart in at most 90 degree intervals representing the 12, 3, 6 and 9o'clock positions, as shown. If desired, the clock indicia 30 can comprise radial markings evenly spaced apart at 30 degree intervals representing the 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 o'clock positions for additional resolution. In the preferred embodiment, the indicia 30 are provided on both sides of face 20, such as by printing.
It will thus be appreciated that the [0022] face 20 is constructed for reversibility so that it can be turned and flipped as desired to position the clock indicia 30 in any one of the four quadrants of frame 12, relative to the picture 22 behind it. This is considered a significant feature of the invention.
[0023] Picture 22 can comprise a photograph, drawing, sketch, etching, painting, artwork, certificate, or any type of flat item of memorabilia suitable for framing. As used herein, “picture” is intended to include any such item. It will be understood that the particular kind or type of picture to be framed is not critical to practice of the invention.
The [0024] picture 22 is disposed in contact between face 20 and backer 24, which can be constructed of chipboard or other suitable material. Backer 24 is preferably opaque, and includes a hole 32 therein positioned for alignment with the hole 28 in face 22. The backer 24 is thus also adapted to be reversible, as is the face 20.
To assemble [0025] display device 10, the face 20 is first turned and/or flipped to position the clock indicia 30 as desired relative to the picture 22, and then placed into the recess 18 in the back of frame 12, followed by the picture 22 and backer 24, which are then secured in place by retainers 26.
[0026] Clock 14 is then assembled from the back to front of the display device 10. In particular, clock 12 includes a movement housing 32 with a projecting drive stem 34 that extends through the aligned holes in the backer 24 and face 20, as well as any resultant hole necessarily made in the portion of picture 22 therebetween. Clock 14 preferably comprises a battery-powered quartz movement of the type which is commercially available from various sources. A rubber washer 36 and a brass washer 38 are positioned over the protruding end of stem 34, followed by a nut 40 to secure them in place. An hour hand 42 and minute hand 44 are then attached to the end of stem 34 overlying the clock indicia 30 on the front of face 20. If desired, a second hand 46 could also be provided. Of course the entire clock 14 is rotated as necessary before being secured with nut 40 so that hands 42 and 44 are properly oriented relative to the clock indicia 30, in accordance with orientation of frame 12. The clock movement housing 32 is thus located in a concealed position behind frame 12.
[0027] Hangers 48 are preferably provided on two adjacent sides on the back of frame 12 so that the display unit 10 can be oriented in either direction and hung on a vertical surface, such as a wall, as best seen in FIG. 3.
FIGS. [0028] 4-10 illustrate the various orientations possible by means of the display unit 10 of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 11, if desired, an easel-[0029] type backer 50 can be used instead of backer 24. Since backer 50 is not reversible, it includes four kiss-cut holes 52 therein, one in each quadrant, to be punched out as desired in accordance with positioning of clock 14 and face 20. Backer 50 slides inward from the left and includes a pivotal leg 54 hinged at its inner end for movement between the folded position shown, and an extended position for supporting the display unit on a horizontal surface, such as a table. Perforated hanging tabs 56 can also be provided, instead of hangers 44.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show two forms of optional clips or stands [0030] 58 and 60 that can be used with hangers 44 as shown in FIG. 2 to make the display unit 10 free-standing. The upper legs of clips 58 and 60 are preferably tilted back at about 20 degrees and the lower legs of the clips are about one to 2.5 inches long for stability, depending on the size of display unit 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a modification to display [0031] unit 10 comprising a molded plastic frame 62 and a molded plastic backer 64 which have complementary portions that snap together to form integral retainer/hangers 66. The clip 58 is particularly adapted for use with retainer/hangers 66. It will thus be understood that the invention can be incorporated into such a snap-together molded frame and backer.
If desired, the [0032] display unit 10 could be packaged as a kit for assembly by the user. Such a kit in its most basic form would include the the clock 14, face 20 and backer 24 for use with a frame 12 and picture 22 of the customer's choice. This is also considered a significant feature of the invention.
From the foregoing, it will thus be understood that the present invention comprises a new and unique display device having several advantages over the prior art. One significant advantage is that it affords more versatility so that the clock can be readily positioned in any one of four different quadrants relative to the picture as desired, and regardless of the overall orientation of the frame. Other advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art. [0033]
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawing and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited only to the embodiments disclosed, but is intended to embrace any equivalents, modifications and/or rearrangements of elements falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. [0034]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a generally rectangular frame having front and rear sides, apparatus for displaying a picture and time simultaneously, comprising:

a rectangular, substantially clear face adapted for receipt in the rear side of said frame, said face including a hole located a predetermined distance along a diagonal line intersecting a corner of the face;

said face including symmetrical non-numeric indicia surrounding the hole therein;

a rectangular backer overlying said face opposite said frame, said backer including a hole adapted for alignment with the hole in said face;

said picture being disposed between said face and backer;

a clock assembly including a movement housing, a drive stem extending through the aligned holes in said backer and said face, and hour and minute hands secured to the end of the drive stem over said face; and

means for releasably securing said backer, face and frame together.