Picture frame

• US 5,659,991 A
• Filed: 10/24/1995
• Issued: 08/26/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Darrell L. Kennedy
• Original Assignee: Darrell L. Kennedy
• Inventors: Kennedy, Darrell L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOP, ANDREA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/547,433
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 40/729, 40/732, 40/748, 40/757, 40/777, 40/790, 40/796, 40/152.1
• US Class Current: 40/729
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/06 Picture frames making from paper B31D
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/065 Interconnected frames; Frame assemblies; Frames for two or more pictures
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/143 Pivotable legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/0666 Frontloading picture frames

Abstract

A picture frame assembly comprises a first background panel for affixation to a wall surface, the panel having at least one aperture for releasable insertion of a picture frame therein. Tabs on the rear of the frame releasably secure the frame to slots in the panel for display of the frame in a wall hanging mode. Molding about the frame overlies the defining edge of the panel aperture. Removal of the tabs from the panel slots allows the frame to be disengaged from the panel. A leg on the rear surface of the removed frame supports the removed frame on a horizontal surface. The assembly thus presents structure allowing for picture display in wall mounted or stand alone modes.

Claims

1. A picture frame assembly comprising:

a panel having front and rear surfaces for attachment to a vertical surface;

an aperture in said panel presenting an edge defining a configuration of said aperture;

a picture frame having a configuration adapted to fit within said panel aperture;

at least one upper slot on said rear surface of said panel adjacent said aperture edge at an upper extent of said aperture configuration;

at least one lower slot on said rear surface of said panel adjacent said aperture edge at a lower extent of said aperture configuration, said upper slot having a length longer than a length of said lower slot;

at least one first tab on said picture frame at an upper extent thereof for an initial positioning within a corresponding said at least one upper slot;

at least one second tab on said picture frame at a lower extent thereof for a subsequent positioning within a corresponding said at least one lower slot, said longer length of said at least one upper slot relative to said lower slot allowing for an initial mating of said corresponding first tab in said at least one upper slot prior to said mating of said corresponding second tab in said lower slot, whereby said umber and lower slot lengths allow for insertion of said picture frame with said tabs through said front surface of said panel for positioning within said panel aperture.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one first tab is rotatable between a first position extending beyond an edge of said frame for engaging said corresponding upper slot and a second position behind said frame upon a disengagement of said frame from said panel.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least one first tab is rotatable between said first position relative to said frame for engaging said corresponding upper slot and a third position for allowing removal of a back wall of said picture frame, said back wall removal allowing for insertion of a picture within said frame.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

molding about said picture frame, said molding overlying said edge defining said aperture configuration upon said positioning of said picture frame in said aperture.

5. A picture frame assembly comprising:

a panel having a configuration presenting front and rear surfaces, said configuration adapted for attachment to a vertical surface;

an aperture in said panel presenting an edge defining a configuration of said aperture;

a picture frame presenting a compartment for displaying a picture, said compartment having a configuration adapted to fit within said panel aperture;

at least one upper slot on said rear surface of said panel adjacent said aperture edge at an upper extent of said aperture configuration;

at least one lower slot on said rear surface of said panel adjacent said aperture edge at a lower extent of said aperture edge, said at least one lower slot being shorter in length than said upper slot;

a first tab on said picture frame at an upper extent of said frame for insertion within a corresponding said at least one upper slot;

a second tab on said picture frame at a lower extent of said frame for insertion within a corresponding said at least one lower slot, said upper and lower slot lengths enabling a sequential insertion of said first tab in said corresponding at least one upper slot before insertion of said second tab in said corresponding at least one lower slot upon insertion of said picture frame compartment through said front surface of said panel and into said aperture, said tabs in said slots engaging said picture frame to said panel and said compartment within said panel aperture for display of a picture therein;

means on a rear surface of said picture frame for supporting said frame on an underlying surface upon a disengagement of said tabs from said slots to disengage said picture frame from said panel.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first tab is rotatable between a first position extending beyond said frame for engaging said corresponding upper slot and a second position behind said frame upon said frame disengagement from said panel.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first tab is rotatable between said first position relative to said frame for engaging said corresponding upper slot and a third position for allowing removal of a back wall of said picture frame, said back wall removal allowing for insertion of a picture within said frame.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said support means comprises a leg adjacent a back surface of said frame, said leg engaging the underlying surface upon said disengagement of said picture frame from said panel aperture.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

molding about said picture frame, said molding overlying said edge defining said aperture configuration upon said engagement of said frame in said aperture.