WO2016090114A1

WO2016090114A1 - Picture frame and method

Info

Publication number: WO2016090114A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/063689
Authority: WO
Inventors: Larry SPALL
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-04
Filing date: 2015-12-03
Publication date: 2016-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-04

Abstract

A picture frame for displaying at least one substantially flat and resilient photograph includes a pair of upper frame members and a pair of lower frame members. Each frame member is connected at opposing ends thereof with opposing ends of two side frame members. Front sides of all of the frame members when assembled have a continuous inner edge and a continuous outer edge about the frame. Each side frame member includes at least one inward-facing groove that continuously connects with at least one corresponding inward-facing notch at the rear side of the upper and lower frame members. The frame is contained within a transparent glass bottle in one embodiment, the photograph being rolled and inserted into an opening therein before being inserted into the frame and held therein by the grooves of the side frame members. A method for installing the photograph within the frame is disclosed.

Description

TITLE: PICTURE FRAME AND METHOD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application 62/087,739, filed on December 4, 2014, and US Utility Patent Application 14/956,741, filed on December 2, 2015, both incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to picture frames, and more particularly to a picture frame for displaying at least one photograph from within a transparent bottle. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Displaying a framed picture within a transparent bottle is an interesting visual effect, typically prompting curiosity in the viewer about how the effect is achieved. There are a number of ways of assembling a picture frame within such a bottle, which is typically glass and has an opening at one end. Once the frame is assembled, however, placing a photograph in the frame is a significant challenge.

Further, picture frames typically are only designed to display one photograph, not several photographs at varying depths. Having multiple photographs at different depths inside of a transparent bottle results in an even more interesting visual effect.

Therefore, there is a need for a picture frame and method that allows for a photograph to be easily mounted within a picture frame within a transparent bottle. Such a needed invention would also allow multiple photos to be mounted at different depths within the frame, while still providing the illusion that from the front of the frame appears to be a standard frame with a continuous inner edge or border. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a picture frame for displaying at least one substantially flat and resilient photograph having two side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge. In one embodiment the photograph is installed in the picture frame that is already fixed inside a transparent bottle having an opening. In another embodiment, a plurality of photographs may be installed in the picture frame at varying depths, as discussed further below, with or without the transparent bottle.

A frame includes a pair of upper frame members and a pair of lower frame members. Each frame member is connected at opposing ends thereof with opposing ends of two side frame members. Front sides of all of the frame members when assembled have a continuous inner edge and a continuous outer edge about the frame. Each side frame member includes at least one inward-facing groove that continuously connects with at least one inward-facing notch at the rear side of the upper and lower frame members.

In one preferred embodiment, each side frame member includes an outermost segment, an upper angled segment, and a lower angled segment. Each angled segment is angled at a 45-degree angle with respect to the outermost segment. When connected with the upper and lower frame members, each angled segment is angled at a 45-degree angle with respect to the upper and lower frame members.

In use, in embodiments including the frame within the transparent bottle, the photograph may be rolled so as to fit through the opening of the transparent bottle. Thereafter the photograph may be flattened or curved enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into one of the inward-facing grooves of each side member from the rear side of the frame. Once the ends of the photograph are restrained within one of the grooves, the top and bottom edges of the resiliency of the photograph causes it to assume its flat configuration and to clear the rear side of the frame and rest in a corresponding notch of the upper and lower frame members. Accordingly, when looking at the front side of the frame, the photograph appears to be properly framed within the frame, with none of the notches or grooves showing from the front side.

In one embodiment, a transparent, resilient front glazing sized to match the photograph may be inserted into the frame in front of the photograph using similar steps as to when inserting the photograph into the frame. Similarly, if necessary, a transparent, resilient rear glazing sized to match the photograph may be inserted into the frame behind the photograph. As such, the resiliency of the front and/or back glazing keeps the photograph substantially flat and fixed within the grooves of the frame.

In one embodiment, each side member includes two or three of the inward- facing grooves, and each upper and lower frame member, includes a corresponding number of the notches. As such, two or three of the photographs may be inserted into the frame at different depths from the front side of the frame, providing a unique 3D effect when viewing. The front-most photograph may be partially transparent to allow viewing of the photographs behind the front-most photograph, for example.

The present invention is a picture frame and method that allows for a photograph to be easily mounted within a picture frame within a transparent bottle. The present device allows multiple photos to be mounted at different depths within the frame, while still providing the illusion that from the front of the frame appears to be a standard frame with a continuous inner edge or border. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the invention, illustrated with a photograph

mounted inside a frame of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a transparent bottle having the frame assembled therein, with a resilient photograph to be mounted within the frame;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the photograph mounted within the frame and the frame within the bottle;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the frame of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken along line 5— 5 of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken along line 6— 6 of FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken along line 7— 7 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below" and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. When the word "each" is used to refer to an element that was previously introduced as being at least one in number, the word "each" does not necessarily imply a plurality of the elements, but can also mean a singular element.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a picture frame 10 for displaying at least one substantially flat and resilient photograph 20 having two side edges 25, a top edge 28, and a bottom edge 22. In one embodiment the photograph 20 is installed in the picture frame 10 that is already fixed inside a transparent bottle 30 having an opening 35 (FIG. 3). In another embodiment, a plurality of photographs 20 may be installed in the picture frame 10 at varying depths, as discussed further below. The word photograph herein may refer to a photograph, a drawing, any type of graphic or symbol, or the like, as applied to a sheet of paper, plastic, transparent material such as Lexan or vinyl, or the like. Herein the photograph 20 is preferably applied to a resilient material that may be rolled into a roll small enough to insert into the bottle opening 35, but when released will assume its substantially flat configuration.

A frame 40 includes a pair of upper frame members 50 and a pair of lower frame members 60. Each frame member 50,60 is connected at opposing ends 55,65 thereof with opposing ends 75 of two side frame members 70 (FIG. 4). Front sides 42 of all of the frame members 50,60,70, when assembled, have a continuous inner edge 41 and a continuous outer edge 49 about the frame 40. Each side frame member 70 includes at least one inward-facing groove 80 that continuously connects with at least one inward-facing notch 90 at the rear side 48 of the upper and lower frame members 50,60 (FIGS. 5 & 6).

In one preferred embodiment, each side frame member 70 includes an outermost segment 71 (FIG. 4), an upper angled segment 72, and a lower angled segment 73. Each angled segment 72,73 is angled at a 45-degree angle with respect to the outermost segment 71. When connected with the upper and lower frame members 50,60, each angled segment 72,73 is angled at a 45-degree angle with respect to the upper and lower frame members 50,60.

In use, the photograph 20 may be rolled so as to fit through the opening 35 of the transparent bottle 30, in embodiments including the frame 40 within the transparent bottle 30. Thereafter the photograph 20 may be flattened or curved enough so that the ends 25 thereof clear the inner edges 41 of the side members 70 to fit into one of the inward-facing grooves 80 of each side member 50 from the rear side 48 of the frame (FIG. 7). Once the ends 25 of the photograph 20 are restrained within one of the grooves 80, the top and bottom edges 28,22 of the resiliency of the photograph 20 causes it to assume its flat configuration and to clear the rear side 48 of the frame 40 and rest in a corresponding notch 90 of the upper and lower frame members 50,60 (FIG. 5 and 6). Accordingly, when looking at the front side 42 of the frame 40, the photograph 20 appears to be properly framed within the frame 40, with none of the notches 90 or grooves 80 showing from the front side 42.

In one embodiment, wherein the photograph 20 is printed on a flexible rather than resilient material, a transparent, resilient front glazing 100 sized to match the photograph 20 may be inserted into the frame 40 in front of the photograph 20 using similar steps as to when inserting the photograph into the frame 40. Similarly, if necessary, a transparent, resilient rear glazing 110 sized to match the photograph 20 may be inserted into the frame 40 behind the photograph 20. As such, the resiliency of the front and/or back glazing 100, 1 10 keeps the photograph 20 substantially flat and fixed within the grooves 80 of the frame 40.

In one embodiment, each side member 70 includes two or three of the inward- facing grooves 80, and each upper and lower frame member 50,60 includes a corresponding number of the notches 90 (FIGS. 5 and 6). As such, two or three of the photographs 20 may be inserted into the frame 40 at different depths from the front side 42 of the frame 40, providing a unique 3D effect when viewing. The front-most photograph 20 may be partially transparent to allow viewing of the photographs 20 behind the front- most photograph, for example. While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the frame may take any suitable shape, such as square, rectangular, oval, or the like, provided the side edges 25 of the photograph 20 or photographs 20 are retained in the inward- facing grooves 80 and the top and bottom edges 28,22 are allowed to rest in their corresponding notches 90. Likewise, in one embodiment, the top and bottom frame members 50,60 include the inward- facing grooves 80 and the side frame members include the notches 90, in which case the same method of installing a photograph is utilized but as though the frame 40 described herein is rotated 90-degrees. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference.

Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above "Detailed Description." While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A picture frame for displaying a substantially flat and resilient photograph having two side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the picture frame comprising: a frame including a pair of upper and lower frame members each connected at opposing ends thereof with opposing ends of two side frame members, front sides of all of the frame members when connected having continuous inner and outer edges about the frame, the side frame members each including at least one inward-facing groove that continuously connects with at least one inward-facing notch at a rear side of the upper and lower frame members;

whereby the photograph may be curved enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into one of the inward-facing grooves of each side member from the rear of the frame, the photograph thereafter free to assume its normal flat configuration with the top and bottom edges thereof fitting into one of the corresponding notches of the upper and lower frame members.

2. The picture frame of claim 1 further including a transparent, resilient front glazing sized to match the photograph and to fit within one of the grooves of the side frame members and the corresponding notch of the upper and lower frame members, in front of the photograph.

3. The picture frame of claim 1 further including a transparent, resilient rear glazing sized to match the photograph and to fit within one of the grooves of the side frame members and within the corresponding notch of the upper and lower frame members, behind the photograph.

4. The picture frame of claim 1 wherein each side frame member includes an outermost segment, an upper angled segment, and a lower angled segment, each angled segment angled at a 45-degree angle with respect to the outermost segment, and when connected with the upper and lower frame members, at a 45-degree angle with respect to the upper and lower frame members.

5. The picture frame of claim 1 wherein each frame member includes exactly two grooves or notches.

6. The picture frame of claim 1 wherein each frame member includes exactly three grooves or notches.

7. A picture frame for displaying from within a transparent bottle a substantially flat and resilient photograph having two side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the picture frame comprising: a frame including a pair of upper and lower frame members each connected at opposing ends thereof with opposing ends of two side frame members, front sides of all of the frame members when connected having continuous inner and outer edges about the frame, the side frame members each including at least one inward-facing groove that continuously connects with an inward-facing notch at a rear side of the upper and lower frame members;

whereby the photograph may be rolled to fit through an opening in the bottle and then flattened enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into one of the at least one inward- facing groove of each side member from the rear of the frame, the photograph thereafter free to assume its normal flat configuration with the top and bottom edges thereof fitting into the at least one notch of the upper and lower frame members.

8. The picture frame of claim 7 further including a transparent, resilient front glazing sized to match the photograph and to fit within the groove of the side frame members and within the notch of the upper and lower frame members, in front of the photograph.

9. The picture frame of claim 7 further including a second transparent, resilient rear glazing sized to match the photograph and to fit within the groove of the side frame members and within the notch of the upper and lower frame members, behind the photograph.

10. The picture frame of claim 7 wherein each side frame member includes an outermost segment, an upper angled segment, and a lower angled segment, each angled segment angled at a 45-degree angle with respect to the outermost segment, and when connected with the upper and lower frame members, at a 45-degree angle with respect to the upper and lower frame members.

1 1. The picture frame of claim 7 wherein each frame member includes exactly one groove or notch.

12. The picture frame of claim 7 wherein each frame member includes exactly two grooves or notches.

13. The picture frame of claim 7 wherein each frame member includes exactly three grooves or notches.

14. A method of displaying from within a transparent bottle containing a picture frame a substantially flat and resilient photograph having two side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the method comprising the steps: a) providing the picture frame within the transparent bottle, the frame including a pair of upper and lower frame members each connected at opposing ends thereof with opposing ends of two side frame members, front sides of all of the frame members when connected having continuous inner and outer edges about the frame, the side frame members each including at least one inward-facing groove that continuously connects with an inward- facing notch at a rear side of the upper and lower frame members;

c) rolling the photograph to fit through an opening in the bottle;

d) positioning the photograph behind the frame;

e) flattened the photograph enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into one of the at least one inward-facing groove of each side member from the rear of the frame; and f) allowing the photograph to assume its normal flat configuration with the top and bottom edges thereof fitting into the at least one notch of the upper and lower frame members.

15. The method of claim 14 further including the steps: h) rolling a second, larger photograph to fit through an opening in the bottle; i) positioning the second photograph behind the frame;

j) flattened the second photograph enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into one of the empty, rearward grooves of each side member from the rear of the frame; and

k) allowing the second photograph to assume its normal flat configuration with the top and bottom edges thereof fitting into the at least one notch of the upper and lower frame members.

16. The method of claim 14 further including the steps: al) providing a transparent, resilient front glazing sized to match the photograph and to fit within one of the grooves of the side frame members and the corresponding notch of the upper and lower frame members;

a2) rolling the front glazing to fit through an opening in the bottle;

a3) positioning the front glazing behind the frame;

a4) flattened the front glazing enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into one of the at least one inward-facing groove of each side member from the rear of the frame; and a5) allowing the front glazing to assume its normal flat configuration with the top and bottom edges thereof fitting into the at least one notch of the upper and lower frame members.

17. The method of claim 16 further including the steps: gl) providing a transparent, resilient rear glazing sized to match the photograph and to fit within one of the grooves of the side frame members and the corresponding notch of the upper and lower frame members;

g2) rolling the rear glazing to fit through an opening in the bottle;

g3) positioning the rear glazing behind the frame;

g4) flattened the rear glazing enough so that the ends thereof clear the inner edges of the side members to fit into the same inward- facing groove of each side member holding the photograph, from the rear of the frame; and

g5) allowing the rear glazing to assume its normal flat configuration with the top and bottom edges thereof fitting into the at least one notch of the upper and lower frame members.