WO1998024085A1

WO1998024085A1 - Picture frame with built-in spirit level

Info

Publication number: WO1998024085A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/021311
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jimmy Csanyi
Original assignee: Jimmy Csanyi
Priority date: 1996-11-26
Filing date: 1997-11-25
Publication date: 1998-06-04

Abstract

A picture frame consists of a built-in leveling device (20) which aids in the leveling of the frame. The device (20) is not visible from the front of the picture when the picture is viewed at normal viewing height.

Description

PICTURE FRAME WITH BUILT-IN SPIRIT LEVEL

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a picture frame with a built-in spirit level in a recessed portion of the frame. Background of the Invention

It is well recognized in the prior art that hanging pictures, posters or other objects or articles upon walls or other surfaces can be difficult. One difficulty with hanging such objects is ensuring that they are level. It is especially difficult for one person to do so in a quick and efficient manner. As recognized in the Background of U.S. Patent 5,463,817, people attempt to level such an object by trying to eyeball the article relative to a reference plane such as the floor, ceiling, or a surrounding wall. This method often requires a trial and error approach that can take a number of iterations. Another method involves two people, with one standing at a distance and instructing the other on how to position the article. To overcome drawbacks with these methods, attempts have been made to use some sort of leveling device. Examples of such prior attempts are described in the aforementioned patent as well as U.S. Patents 5,327,951 4,597,554 and 586, 120 and presumably references cited therein. Once initially leveled, the object may eventually settle to a different, non-level position. Therefore, it may need minor adjustments from time-to-time in order to maintain a proper, level orientation.

Spirit levels have been proposed to assist in leveling pictures. However, various drawbacks exist with respect to the existing uses of spirit levels. For example, U.S. Patent 5,327,951 requires a spirit level which itself is mounted on a plate-like device having a plurality of holes bored therethrough and requires screws or other fastening devices to be passed therethrough to secure the level assembly to the top of the picture frame. This technique requires additional components and fastening of the level assembly to the frame and suffers from the drawbacks of having the level protrude from and above the upper surface of the frame. Other drawbacks with this and other techniques of the prior art also exist. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome these and other drawbacks of the prior art. It is another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus to facilitate the level hanging and adjustment of pictures, posters, frames and other objects without detracting from the aesthetics of the object.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a rectangular picture frame that has a recessed portion in the frame wherein a spirit level is located within the recessed portion, below the upper surface of the frame so that the spirit level is visible for purposes of leveling the frame, but is not generally visible when viewing the frame head on. Preferably, the spirit level is secured within the recess. The picture frame is hung on a surface such as a wall and by viewing the spirit level (e.g., from above), the person hanging the frame can determine if the picture frame is level or not. If the air or fluid bubble of the spirit level is centered between the reference lines of the spirit level, the frame is level. If it is outside the reference lines, adjustments may be made to the orientation of the frame to make it level. Since the spirit level is not removed from the picture frame, it can be used to subsequently check whether the frame is level and, if adjustment is necessary, it can be used again to level the frame. In the interim, however, the level is generally out of sight so that it does not detract from the aesthetics of the framed object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a frontal view of a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a frame portion taken along line A-A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view of the back side of a frame according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a view of the back side of a frame according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a frame or other structural element for surrounding an element to be framed consists of a plurality of portions 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd. Although the figures depict the frame as comprising four connected portions, the invention is not so limited. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the portions 10 (e.g., 10a) has a recess 12 formed therein. For example, the recess may be formed by routing or gouging out a recess therein, either prior to or after the recess containing portion is connected to the other portions 10. Preferably, this recess may be located substantially in the center of the portion in which the recess is formed. The depth of recess 12 is preferably such that a spirit level 20 may be inserted into the recess 12 such that the spirit level 20 is completely below an outermost surface 11 of the portion 10 (as indicated by the dashed lines defining the recess 12 in Figure 1). Preferably, the spirit level 20 cannot be seen when the frame is viewed head on. The spirit level 20 can be mounted in the recess 12 using an adhesive, a transparent epoxy or in other known manners 25. Preferably, the manner of securing the spirit level 20 in the recess 12 enables the spirit level to be fixedly located in the recess, yet enables it to remain visible (e.g., when viewed from above) but does not cause the spirit level to protrude above the outermost surface 11 of the frame portion 10 in which the recess 12 is formed, so that it is not visible when viewed head on (e.g., when the framed object is hanging on a wall).

Once the framed object is hung on a wall or other surface, the orientation of the framed object can be adjusted by viewing the spirit level device from above (or other angle depending on which portion of the frame contains the level) until the bubble 21 of the spirit level is between the reference lines 22a, 22b thereby enabling a quick and accurate method of leveling and re-leveling the framed object without detracting from its aesthetics. Preferably, the frame may have a structure for enabling it to be hung on a wall or other surface. Referring to Fig. 4, one or more V-shaped notches or groves 30 may be formed in a portion 10 of the back side of the frame. Referring to Fig. 5, one or more square-shaped notches or grooves 40 may be formed in a portion 10 of the back side of the frame. One or more nails, screws or other fastening elements can be inserted into a wall or other surface on which the frame is to be mounted and the fastening element(s) can be aligned with the notch(es) or groove(s) to hang the frame. Other fastening techniques may also be used.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the intended scope as defined by the appended claims. For example, the spirt level can take various forms, shapes and sizes. Other forms of leveling devices may also be used.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A frame for surrounding an object to be hung on a surface comprising: a plurality of portions, each portion having a first end and a second end, said ends interconnected to form a continuous predetermined shape for surrounding the object, wherein at least one of the portions has a recess formed in an upper surface thereof; and a spirit level, wherein said spirit level is fixedly disposed of in said recess and below the upper surface of the portion having the recess.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the portion having the recess is an uppermost portion of the frame and the spirit level can be viewed by looking from above the frame but is substantially out of sight when the frame is viewed head on.

3. The frame of claim 1, wherein said recess is located substantially in a center of the portion in which the recess is formed.

4. The frame of claim 1, wherein at least one V-shaped notch is formed in a back surface of an uppermost portion of said frame for hanging said frame.

5. The frame of claim 1, wherein at least one square-shaped notch is formed in a back surface of an uppermost portion of said frame for hanging said frame.