PICTURE HOLDING SYSTEM

• US 20050028417A1
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul T. Kim
• Original Assignee: Paul T. Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Paul T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,868,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/711
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/06 Picture frames making from paper B31D
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/14 Photograph stands
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/0666 Frontloading picture frames
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/0672 employing magnets

Abstract

A front-loading picture holding system comprising a transparent plate, a support surface supporting the transparent plate and a picture between the transparent plate and the support surface, and a base that receives the transparent plate and the support surface is provided. Magnets are fixed to the transparent plate and the support surface. The support surface has an edge that is located near the perimeter of the support surface and recessed into the rearward of the base. Ferromagnetic body may be used instead of the magnet either in the transparent plate or in the support surface. The transparent plate is removably attached to the support surface by magnetic force between the plate magnet and the corresponding surface magnet, and the transparent plate may be pulled apart by pressing the transparent plate over the edge and pivoting the transparent plate over the support surface.

Claims

1. A picture holding system comprising:

a) a transparent plate, wherein at least one plate magnet is fixed to a perimetric position of the transparent plate; and

b) a base comprising a support surface that accepts the transparent plate and supports a picture between the transparent plate and the support surface, wherein the support surface has an edge located near the perimeter of the support surface and recessed into the rearward of the base, wherein at least one surface magnet is fixed to a perimetric position of the support surface; and

wherein the transparent plate is removably attached to the support surface by magnetic force between the plate magnet and the corresponding surface magnet, and the transparent plate may be pulled apart by pressing the transparent plate over the edge and pivoting the transparent plate over the support surface.

2. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially flat.

3. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially curved.

4. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the base is one selected from a frame, a vase, a dish, a box and a lamp stand.

5. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially rectangular and the edge is located about one of the corners of the support surface.

6. The picture holding system of claim 5, wherein the edge is substantially elongated to provide a wider area for pivoting the transparent plate over the support surface.

7. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially triangular and the edge is located about one of the corners of the support surface.

8. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the shape of the transparent plate and the support surface are circular and the edge is located on the periphery of the support surface.

9. The picture holding system of claim 1, wherein the base has an upper surface, wherein the support surface is set inwardly from the upper surface to form a depression receiving the transparent plate.

10. The picture holding system of claim 9, wherein the transparent plate has a top surface such that the top surface is flush with the upper surface.

11. A picture holding system comprising:

a) a transparent plate, wherein at least one ferromagnetic body is fixed to a perimetric position of transparent plate; and

b) a base comprising a support surface that accepts the transparent plate and supports a picture between the transparent plate and the support surface, wherein the support surface has an edge located near the perimeter of the support surface and recessed into the rearward of the base, wherein at least one surface magnet is fixed to a perimetric position of the support surface; and

wherein the transparent plate is attached to the support surface by magnetic force between the ferromagnetic body and the corresponding surface magnet and the transparent plate may be pulled apart by pressing the transparent plate over the edge and pivoting the transparent plate over the support surface.

12. The picture holding system of claim 11, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially flat.

13. The picture holding system of claim 11, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially curved.

14. The picture holding system of claim 11, wherein the base has an upper surface, wherein the support surface is set inwardly from the upper surface to form a depression receiving the transparent plate.

15. The picture holding system of claim 11, wherein the transparent plate has a top surface such that the top surface is flush with the upper surface.

16. A picture holding system comprising:

a) a transparent plate, wherein at least one plate magnet is fixed to a perimetric position of the transparent plate; and

b) a base comprising a support surface that accepts the transparent plate and supports a picture between the transparent plate and the support surface, wherein the support surface has an edge located near the perimeter of the support surface and recessed into the rearward of the base, wherein at least one ferromagnetic body is fixed to a perimetric position of the support surface; and

wherein the transparent plate is attached to the support surface by magnetic force between the plate magnet and the corresponding ferromagnetic body and the transparent plate may be pulled apart by pressing the transparent plate over the edge and pivoting the transparent plate over the support surface.

17. The picture holding system of claim 16, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially flat.

18. The picture holding system of claim 16, wherein the transparent plate and the support surface are substantially curved.

19. The picture holding system of claim 16, wherein the base has an upper surface, wherein the support surface is set inwardly from the upper surface to form a depression receiving the transparent plate.

20. The picture holding system of claim 16, wherein the transparent plate has a top surface such that the top surface is flush with the upper surface.

21. A picture holding system comprising:

a) a transparent plate, wherein at least one plate magnet is fixed to a perimetric position of the transparent plate; and

b) a support surface that accepts the transparent plate and supports a picture between the transparent plate and the support surface, wherein the support surface has an edge located near the perimeter of the support surface and recessed to form a cavity, wherein at least one surface magnet is fixed to a perimetric position of the support surface; and

c) a base that has a depression that receives the support surface and the transparent plate; and

wherein the transparent plate is removably attached to the support surface by magnetic force between the plate magnet and the corresponding surface magnet, and the transparent plate may be pulled apart by pressing the transparent plate over the edge and pivoting the transparent plate over the support surface.

22. The picture holding system of claim 21, wherein the transparent plate is flush with the base.