US20080034633A1 - Illuminated picture frame - Google Patents

Illuminated picture frame Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080034633A1
US20080034633A1 US11/836,862 US83686207A US2008034633A1 US 20080034633 A1 US20080034633 A1 US 20080034633A1 US 83686207 A US83686207 A US 83686207A US 2008034633 A1 US2008034633 A1 US 2008034633A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
picture
frame
tube
casing
lighting means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/836,862
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Yin Kwong Tang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/836,862 priority Critical patent/US20080034633A1/en
Publication of US20080034633A1 publication Critical patent/US20080034633A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
    • A47G1/06—Picture frames
    • A47G1/0616—Ornamental frames, e.g. with illumination, speakers or decorative features
    • A47G1/0622—Ornamental frames, e.g. with illumination, speakers or decorative features with illumination
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/0004—Personal or domestic articles
    • F21V33/0024—Household or table equipment
    • F21V33/0028—Decorative household equipment, e.g. plant holders or food dummies
    • F21V33/0032—Paintings, pictures or photographs; Frames therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
    • G09F13/0413—Frames or casing structures therefor

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an illuminated picture frame of the kind wherein a picture, for example a photograph, drawing, painting, print or the like, hereinafter referred to as a picture, is mounted with the edges engaged in a frame and with a lamp or light located behind the picture to illuminate the image.
  • a picture for example a photograph, drawing, painting, print or the like
  • a display apparatus comprises a frame adapted to engage and support the edges of a picture, a casing defining a cavity disposed behind the plane occupied by the picture in use of the apparatus, lighting means located in the cavity, a power source for the lighting means, wherein
  • the light transmitting tube is cylindrical and the array is located in a tubular or cylindrical diffuser, the diffuser having a diameter less than the diameter of the tube so that the diffuser may be located within the tube, preferably resiliently deformed to be in contact with the inner surface of the tube.
  • the lighting means extends actually longitudinally or laterally of a rectangular or square frame, the reflector being disposed symmetrically on either side of the axis so that the distance of the reflector from the plane occupied by the picture decreases with increasing distance from the axis. In this way, illumination is supplied to the lighting means in a substantially uniform manner across the length and width of the cavity.
  • the reflector is supported by cover plates, each cover plate being located parallel to the axis of the lighting unit and inclined towards the lighting unit to define a trapezoidal or curved channel within which the elongate lighting unit is axially located.
  • the reflector serves to reflect light forwardly towards the picture and also serves to reflect heat emitted by the lighting unit away from the underlying power supply and control circuitry at the rear of the casing.
  • the power supply is located behind the first cover plate and the control circuitry is located behind the second cover plate.
  • the lighting means comprises linear arrays of light emitting diodes or other bulbs mounted in respective apertures in a laminar support.
  • the LEDs are mounted in straight line in apertures in an elongate insulating support.
  • the support may comprise a narrow strip dimensioned to fit within the tube located across the length or width of the cavity of the frame.
  • the laminar support has a multiplicity of axially arranged apertures, each aperture extending through a support to define a window to receive a respective LED unit.
  • the LED strip may be inserted into the tube at any angular disposition without detrimentally affecting the evenness of illumination provided to a picture located in the frame. This affords ease of construction and assembly during manufacture.
  • a reflector may be provided behind the lighting means.
  • the reflector may comprise a metal sheet or film, preferably an aluminium sheet or a sheet of metallised paper or plastics material.
  • the diffuser and mounting tube may be secured at or adjacent each end by screw clips or other convenient fastenings.
  • the ends of the tube and diffuser are open to allow dispersal of heat by convection in use.
  • the power supply may comprise a battery or an array of batteries. Alternatively or in addition a connection to an external mains or low voltage AC or DC supply may be provided.
  • a light sensor or photosensitive detector may be arranged to interrupt the circuit during bright light conditions so that the display is only illuminated during dusk or night time conditions to avoid wastage of the power supply.
  • one or more outward facing surfaces of the frame or casing may incorporate or comprise a photovoltaic cell or an array of cells. Such an arrangement is adapted to supplement or reduce the need for a battery or external power supply.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device
  • FIG. 2 shows the rear of the device
  • FIG. 3 shows rotation of the fixing clips
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing assembly of the frame
  • FIG. 5 shows the casing
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the casing
  • FIG. 7 shows the control circuitry
  • FIG. 8 shows the battery compartment
  • FIG. 9 shows the sensor PCBA
  • FIG. 10 shows the LED PCBA
  • FIG. 11 shows a device including a solar panel
  • FIG. 12 shows assembly of the light unit
  • FIG. 13 shows the LED PCBA
  • FIG. 14 shows the circuit diagram of the device.
  • the illuminated picture frame device shown in the drawings comprises a frame 1 composed of wood, plastics or other material.
  • the frame may be rectangular, square or otherwise shaped.
  • An easel back 2 is attached to a rectangular casing 3 secured to the rear of the frame.
  • the casing is removably secured by rotatable clamps or clips 4 as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the casing includes a box 5 adapted to receive a plurality of batteries 6 , the box being closed by a removable door or cover 7 .
  • the casing may include two attachments 28 for hanging the frame from a wall by means of a hook or nail.
  • a light sensor 8 , an on-off switch 9 and a DC power jack 10 are also provided in the casing.
  • FIG. 4 The mounting of the picture within the frame is shown in FIG. 4 .
  • An acrylic or glass cover sheet 11 is placed into the rebate in the frame and the picture 12 is placed onto the sheet.
  • the casing is closed by means of an acrylic sheet 13 secured to the forward opening of the casing 3 by means of screws, clips or other fixings, and the casing assembly is secured in position by rotation of the clips 4 .
  • the casing forms a cavity to receive the lighting unit.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show the lighting assembly.
  • a linear array of light emitting diodes 15 mounted in respective apertures on a laminar strip or printed circuit board 16 .
  • the strip is narrow and dimensioned to fit within a tubular diffuser 16 .
  • the strip is inserted into the tubular diffuser 17 .
  • the strip may be inserted with the diffuser at any convenient angular disposition.
  • the diffuser is preferably resiliently deformed to be biased outwardly into contact with the inner surface of the tube.
  • the diffuser may be a spring fit within the tube. This serves to hold the diffuser in position during assembly and use of the frame.
  • the diffuser is composed for example of opaque or translucent acrylic polymer or paper.
  • the diffuser and lamp assembly is inserted into an outer acrylic mounting tube 18 secured to the floor of the casing by means of clips 19 .
  • the tube is disposed centrally axially of the casing.
  • a reflective sheet or layer 35 is provided to direct radiation forwardly.
  • the sheet may be composed of aluminium foil, other metallic materials or a metallised polymeric material, or paper.
  • the lighting means extends longitudinally of any rectangular frame.
  • the lighting means may extend vertically within a rectangular frame or longitudinally or laterally within a square frame.
  • the reflector 35 is disposed symmetrically on either side of the lighting unit so that the illumination is axially symmetrically even within the frame.
  • the reflector extends from behind the lighting unit to a location against or adjacent the acrylic sheet 13 at the upper and lower edges of the reflector.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the control circuitry of the device.
  • a sensor PCB assembly (PCBA) is arranged to switch on the lamps when a signal from the light sensor indicates that the ambient light intensity has fallen below a predetermined value for example at dusk.
  • the circuitry is enclosed by an inclined cover plate 27 .
  • the battery compartment is shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the alkaline battery cells or rechargeable batteries 22 are received in a conventional manner between connector terminals and the assembly is enclosed by an inclined cover plate 24 which may be secured by screws or other fastenings.
  • the two cover plates 24 and 27 form a channel to receive the lighting unit to enhance reflection of light forwards through the picture in use.
  • the cover plates are preferably located parallel to the axis of the lighting unit and are inclined towards the lighting unit to define a trapezoidal or curved channel within which the elongate lighting unit and reflector are located. In this way the reflector may be curved behind the lighting unit to provide even illumination towards the acrylic sheet.
  • the PCB assembly is shown in FIG. 9 .
  • a transistor 25 and microprocessor are mounted on a circuit board by means of screws (not shown) or fastenings.
  • FIG. 10 shows the LED PCBA.
  • the PCB 30 has a plurality for example four apertures within which are mounted white LEDs 31 each LED having a resistor 32 .
  • the LEDs are disposed to emit light on both sides the PCB strip, providing a robust and economical arrangement.
  • FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment. This includes a solar panel of photovoltaic cells 33 so that the batteries are recharged during bright light conditions.
  • FIG. 12 shows assembly of the LED PCBA, diffuser and mounting tube, concentrically to form the lighting unit.
  • FIG. 13 shows front and side elevations of the LED array showing that the LEDs are disposed on each side of the PCB strip.
  • FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram. This shows the connection of the components of the illuminated picture frame of this invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Special Wing (AREA)
  • Securing Globes, Refractors, Reflectors Or The Like (AREA)
US11/836,862 2006-08-10 2007-08-10 Illuminated picture frame Abandoned US20080034633A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/836,862 US20080034633A1 (en) 2006-08-10 2007-08-10 Illuminated picture frame

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US82197006P 2006-08-10 2006-08-10
GBGB0623337.3A GB0623337D0 (en) 2006-08-10 2006-11-23 Illuminating picture frame
GB0623337.3 2006-11-23
US11/836,862 US20080034633A1 (en) 2006-08-10 2007-08-10 Illuminated picture frame

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080034633A1 true US20080034633A1 (en) 2008-02-14

Family

ID=37636357

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/836,862 Abandoned US20080034633A1 (en) 2006-08-10 2007-08-10 Illuminated picture frame

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20080034633A1 (zh)
JP (1) JP3132744U (zh)
CN (1) CN200973559Y (zh)
DE (1) DE202006018670U1 (zh)
FR (1) FR2904884A3 (zh)
GB (2) GB0623337D0 (zh)
HK (1) HK1095061A2 (zh)
IT (1) ITTO20060176U1 (zh)
TW (1) TWM320345U (zh)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100060807A1 (en) * 2008-09-05 2010-03-11 Daniel Green Means to engage electronic display panels to conventional picture frames
US20110002128A1 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-06 Facesme Llc Lighting fixture and method for creating visual effects and method for creating a distorted image
US20120081632A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2012-04-05 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Lighting device, display device, television receiver
US20140185297A1 (en) * 2013-01-02 2014-07-03 Chao-Chuan Chen Grille light device
FR3059882A1 (fr) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-15 Litogami Cadre lumineux photovoltaique plat
CN109506165A (zh) * 2018-01-18 2019-03-22 马飞 画相铺光装置
US10255831B1 (en) 2018-11-15 2019-04-09 Ronald Mark Buck Light tile assembly and kit

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2071983B1 (de) * 2007-12-21 2012-04-25 Formula Clean AG Rahmen mit integrierter Beleuchtung und Stromversorgung
GB2460249A (en) * 2008-05-21 2009-11-25 John Alfred Whittle LED illuminated picture display unit
JP4720869B2 (ja) 2008-08-01 2011-07-13 エプソンイメージングデバイス株式会社 バックライトユニット、電気光学装置及び電子機器
DE202009017631U1 (de) 2009-12-30 2010-12-09 Broszat, Rolf Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme eines Bildes
GB201320868D0 (en) * 2013-11-26 2014-01-08 Waterman Simon P Illuminated picture
DE102021005611B4 (de) 2021-11-12 2023-06-15 Amjad Al Barazi Das LED Feierschild

Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2220262A (en) * 1939-06-03 1940-11-05 Miller John Henry Illuminated picture frame
US2588545A (en) * 1949-12-19 1952-03-11 Lawrence Jay Display device for illuminated transparencies
US3419986A (en) * 1966-05-11 1969-01-07 Maze Perry Vincent Sign construction with translucent reflector
US3783544A (en) * 1970-08-17 1974-01-08 Norman Industries Decorative lamp element and lamp
US4748756A (en) * 1987-01-23 1988-06-07 Bruce Ross Touch activated enhanced picture frame
US4819353A (en) * 1987-07-31 1989-04-11 Glucksman Dov Z Illuminated picture frame
US4922384A (en) * 1989-06-08 1990-05-01 Mechtronics Corporation Illuminated display with half-silvered mirrors and discrete refractor plates
US5265357A (en) * 1992-01-22 1993-11-30 Zhilong Yu Magic 3D effect enhancing frame
US5313724A (en) * 1991-07-12 1994-05-24 Warner Sheila J Picture frame illumination apparatus
US5622423A (en) * 1995-10-09 1997-04-22 Lee; Hang-Bok Hand-carried traffic control light
US5761838A (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-06-09 Cubeworks, Incorporated Illuminated ornament
US6526682B2 (en) * 2000-03-10 2003-03-04 Jack R. Lee Flat light panel thin mount illuminated picture frame
US6676284B1 (en) * 1998-09-04 2004-01-13 Wynne Willson Gottelier Limited Apparatus and method for providing a linear effect
US6681509B1 (en) * 2000-09-06 2004-01-27 France Jean Artistic display
US20040074129A1 (en) * 2002-10-21 2004-04-22 Jon Carlson Illuminated poster frame
US6776505B1 (en) * 2002-10-04 2004-08-17 Dewitt Shane Illuminated image night light
US20040226209A1 (en) * 2003-05-12 2004-11-18 Bernardo Ayala Picture frame with integrated lighting
US20060087838A1 (en) * 2004-10-25 2006-04-27 Zdenko Grajcar Light diffusion bar
US7066619B2 (en) * 2003-08-29 2006-06-27 Waters Michael A LED picture light apparatus and method

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US4942685A (en) * 1989-09-19 1990-07-24 New Fei Lien Ent. Co., Ltd. Light illuminated photo frame
US6158882A (en) * 1998-06-30 2000-12-12 Emteq, Inc. LED semiconductor lighting system
US6283612B1 (en) * 2000-03-13 2001-09-04 Mark A. Hunter Light emitting diode light strip
WO2005016081A1 (en) * 2003-08-13 2005-02-24 Stephen Neal Picture frame with illumination
US20060285358A1 (en) * 2005-06-20 2006-12-21 Chen Jui C Display frame having a light source to provide back illumination

Patent Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2220262A (en) * 1939-06-03 1940-11-05 Miller John Henry Illuminated picture frame
US2588545A (en) * 1949-12-19 1952-03-11 Lawrence Jay Display device for illuminated transparencies
US3419986A (en) * 1966-05-11 1969-01-07 Maze Perry Vincent Sign construction with translucent reflector
US3783544A (en) * 1970-08-17 1974-01-08 Norman Industries Decorative lamp element and lamp
US4748756A (en) * 1987-01-23 1988-06-07 Bruce Ross Touch activated enhanced picture frame
US4819353A (en) * 1987-07-31 1989-04-11 Glucksman Dov Z Illuminated picture frame
US4922384A (en) * 1989-06-08 1990-05-01 Mechtronics Corporation Illuminated display with half-silvered mirrors and discrete refractor plates
US5313724A (en) * 1991-07-12 1994-05-24 Warner Sheila J Picture frame illumination apparatus
US5265357A (en) * 1992-01-22 1993-11-30 Zhilong Yu Magic 3D effect enhancing frame
US5622423A (en) * 1995-10-09 1997-04-22 Lee; Hang-Bok Hand-carried traffic control light
US5761838A (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-06-09 Cubeworks, Incorporated Illuminated ornament
US6676284B1 (en) * 1998-09-04 2004-01-13 Wynne Willson Gottelier Limited Apparatus and method for providing a linear effect
US6526682B2 (en) * 2000-03-10 2003-03-04 Jack R. Lee Flat light panel thin mount illuminated picture frame
US6681509B1 (en) * 2000-09-06 2004-01-27 France Jean Artistic display
US6776505B1 (en) * 2002-10-04 2004-08-17 Dewitt Shane Illuminated image night light
US20040074129A1 (en) * 2002-10-21 2004-04-22 Jon Carlson Illuminated poster frame
US20040226209A1 (en) * 2003-05-12 2004-11-18 Bernardo Ayala Picture frame with integrated lighting
US7066619B2 (en) * 2003-08-29 2006-06-27 Waters Michael A LED picture light apparatus and method
US20060087838A1 (en) * 2004-10-25 2006-04-27 Zdenko Grajcar Light diffusion bar

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100060807A1 (en) * 2008-09-05 2010-03-11 Daniel Green Means to engage electronic display panels to conventional picture frames
US20120081632A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2012-04-05 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Lighting device, display device, television receiver
US20110002128A1 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-06 Facesme Llc Lighting fixture and method for creating visual effects and method for creating a distorted image
US8562182B2 (en) * 2009-07-01 2013-10-22 FacesMe, LLC Lighting fixture and method for creating visual effects and method for creating a distorted image
US20140185297A1 (en) * 2013-01-02 2014-07-03 Chao-Chuan Chen Grille light device
FR3059882A1 (fr) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-15 Litogami Cadre lumineux photovoltaique plat
CN109506165A (zh) * 2018-01-18 2019-03-22 马飞 画相铺光装置
US10255831B1 (en) 2018-11-15 2019-04-09 Ronald Mark Buck Light tile assembly and kit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTO20060176U1 (it) 2008-02-11
FR2904884A3 (fr) 2008-02-15
TWM320345U (en) 2007-10-11
GB0715490D0 (en) 2007-09-19
JP3132744U (ja) 2007-06-21
GB2440828B (en) 2008-10-01
CN200973559Y (zh) 2007-11-14
GB0623337D0 (en) 2007-01-03
DE202006018670U1 (de) 2007-05-10
HK1095061A2 (en) 2007-04-27
GB2440828A (en) 2008-02-13

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Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION