Picture Storage and Framing System

The present disclosure is concerned with a picture storage and framing system. The disclosure is further concerned with a method for deploying a framed picture using such a system. Furthermore, the disclosure is concerned with a corner coupler for a picture frame of the framing system.

The term ‘picture’ as used hereinafter denotes any form of artwork which is desired to be stored/framed, regardless of the material to which it is applied, as long as it is flexible and can be rolled. For example, the picture can be a photo, a poster a painting/sketch, a paper cut, etc. the picture can also be a reflective surface.

US2018/0155109 discloses a system and method for packaging and framing a picture comprises a partially assembled frame; wherein the partially assembled frame comprises one of: one fixed frame member is fixedly attached to a backing board adapted for holding the picture; two opposite fixed frame members are fixedly attached to the picture; or two opposite fixed frame members are fixedly attached to a backing board adapted for holding the picture. The system further comprises completion frame members adapted for joining to the fixed frame members to complete a frame for the picture and the partial assembly is adapted for rolling or folding up for packaging the picture.

Acknowledgement of the above reference herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

A first aspect of the disclosure is directed to a picture frame comprising:

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is disclosed a storage and framing system as disclosed hereinabove, and further comprising a cylindric container for snug accommodating the picture frame, and a picture, and a transparent film; said container having a minimal length corresponding with a longest of the frame profiles and having an inside diameter similar to, or slightly greater, than the circumradius of the picture frame at the folded position. Accordingly, a picture and/or a transparent film rolled over the picture frame at its folded position rest rolled against inside face of the Cylindric container without wrinkling.

A third aspect of the disclosure is concerned with a corner coupler configurable for attaching two neighboring frame profiles to one another at a right angle and flush with one another, said corner coupler having a generally L-like shape wherein a first arm thereof is configurable for sliding arresting into a back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and the second arm thereof is configured for arresting into locking groove at a second frame profile, wherein the first arm can only be axially displaced along said back board arresting groove and said second arm can only be displaced transversally into said locking groove.

The first arm and the second arm are configurable for press-fit into the back board arresting groove and the locking groove, respectively.

The first arm of the corner coupler can comprise an axial extension configurable for displacing below the picture facing lip of the first frame profile, for engaging a cutout at the first edge of the back board, for setting the back board to the first frame profile by axially arresting the back board within the back board arresting groove and preventing detachment in a transversing sense by blocking an end portion of the back board arresting groove.

Yet an aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of storing and framing a picture, the method comprising the following steps:

Optionally, after step 3 a flexible transparent film can be applied over the picture;

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof:

Attention is first directed toof the drawings, illustrating a picture frame assembly generally designated, comprising a frame assembly generally designated, contained within a cylindric containermade of rigid material, e.g. cardboard, plastic, etc., and comprising a removable (one or two) end cap.

With Further reference to the remaining figures the picture framecomprises a first pair of identical frame profilesA andB, each having a first length L(). The frame profilesA andB are typically made of extruded polymer material, though they can be made of extruded metal, machined material (e.g. wood), etc. Each of the frame profilesA andB has a back board arresting groovelongitudinally extending between first connecting angled edgesA andB () of each first frame profileA andB.

A second pair of frame profilesA andB, each having a second length L(), and having second connecting angled edgesA andB, corresponding with the first connecting angled edgesA andB of the first pair of frame profilesA andB, so as to compliment to a right-angled cornerat an assembled position (e.g. seen in). The second pair of frame profilesA andB are each configured with a locking groovedisposed at least at respective end portions thereof, said locking groove extending from a bottom faceof the second pair of frame profilesA andB.

As seen in the drawings, the first frame profilesA andB and second frame profilesA andB each have a stepped section at an inside face thereof, with a picture facing lipdisposed above a bottom face thereof.

The second frame profilesA andB are securable to the first frame profilesA andB through an L-shaped corner coupler generally designated(best seen in). Corner couplerhas a first armslidingly displaceable for slidably arresting within an open end of the back board arresting grooveof a first frame profileA;B, and a second armconfigurable for arresting into the locking grooveof the second frame profileA;B, thereby articulating an end of the first frame profile member with an end of the second profile member flush and smooth against one another (). The first armof corner couplerhas an extended portionand a locking portion, whereby the first armcan only be axially displaced along said back board arresting groove(in direction of arrow), and the second armhas straight sidewalls, configurable such that said second armcan only be displaced transversally into said locking groove(in direction of arrow). This arrangement, as will become apparent hereinafter, facilitated that the first armof corner couplercan be a-priori fixable to e respective end of a first frame profileA;B and the second armis engageable to a second frame profileA;B albeit said first armbeing already coupled, since coupling takes place along traversing axes. This will be further clarified hereinafter with reference to assembly method.

The picture frame further comprises a rectangle back boardmade of rigid though pliable material such as cardboard, or plastic material, solid or corrugate, having a thickness T. The back board has first opposite edgeshaving a length lcorresponding with the first length Lof said first frame profilesA;B, and second opposite edgeshaving a lengthcorresponding with the second length Lof said second frame profilesA;B, respectively.

The arrangement is such that the first edgesare configurable for arresting within said back board arresting grooveof the first profilesA;B, and locking arresting therein by extended portionof the first armof the L-shaped corner coupler. In order to render the back boardfirmness, and to improve grip within the back board arresting groove, the first edgesare double folded (folded over themselves).

The back boardis deployable between a storage/folded position () at which it is folded to assume a minimal rectangle shape, encompassing within the four frame profilesA;B;A andB, and a fully deployed position () at which it is flat, tensioned at a back face of the assembled picture frame, such that at the deployed position a picturecan be clappingly positioned between a bottom facing inside edge of the respective frame profiles.

Optionally, a flexible transparent filmis applied over the picture, for preserving it better and imparting it a desired look (e.g. matt, gloss, etc.).

The back boardis foldable along a plurality of fold lines comprising symmetrically distributed fold lines parallel with the first frame profiles, said fold lines comprising:

The arrangement above facilitates the compact and minimal rectangle fold configuration as illustrated in.

At a packed/storage position, the picture frameis disassembled, as discussed hereinabove, with the rectangle shaped folded back framedefining an obstructed rectangle having a diagonal X=√{square root over (((2*W)+(2*H)+T))}.

Accordingly, a minimal diameter of a circumcircle of the picture frame assembly is more or less X, as the thickness of the pictureand of the transparent filmare negligible.

The back boardcomprises four hanging keyholesA andB, disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations. It is appreciated that one or more of the frame profilesA;B andA;B can comprise at a back face thereof one or more frame hanging keyholes (not shown), disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations. Furthermore, the back boardcan comprise one or more pedestals (not shown) for supporting the picture frame on a surface top. The key holesand the pedestals van be an integral part of the back board, or attached thereto, e.g. by adhering.

As long as the pictureis rolled over the folded back frame, covered by the flexible transparent filmand received within the cylinder container, it is well stored and is damage free. Deploying the picture frametakes place by following the method steps of: