Framing System and Wall Pad Therefor

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/200,193, filed May 22, 2023, which is based on and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/344,307, filed May 20, 2022, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/988,229, filed on Nov. 16, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,857,091, issued Jan. 2, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/388,762, filed Jul. 29, 2021, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 11,523,693, which claimed the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/059,249, which was filed on Jul. 31, 2020, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein as if expressly set forth in their respective entireties herein.

The present disclosure is directed to a frame for displaying an object, such as a photograph or artwork, and more particularly, relates to a repositionable frame system.

Frames have been used for many years to hold and display an object, such as artwork, a photo, etc. Traditionally, frames were formed of wood pieces that are attached together at the corners of the frame. This type of construction and assembly was time consuming and costly. There is therefore a need for an alternative frame that is easy to assemble and provides additional features that improve the quality of the framed article and the framing experience.

In addition, there is a desire to provide a mounting system that permits repositioning of the frame without marring the support, such as hammering additional holes in the wall.

A repositionable frame system includes a frame component for holding an image substrate and having a rear face. The system further include a frame mount that is fixedly attached to the rear face of the frame component. The frame mount comprises a first magnetic element. The system also includes a repositionable wall pad for placement on a support surface and configured to detachably couple to the frame mount. The wall pad includes a cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam having a first face that faces away from the frame mount and an opposite second face that faces the frame mount. The wall pad further includes a removable transfer adhesive layer disposed directly along the first face, a permanent transfer adhesive layer disposed directly along the second face, and a second magnetic element that is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element.

The present application discloses a repositionable coupling assembly that is configured to be coupled to a framing system for repositionably securing the framing system to a support surface, such as a wall or the like.

As mentioned herein, the framing system is of a type that displays an image and is mounted to the support surface, e.g., a wall using mounting hardware. In accordance with the present disclosure, the hardware is of a type that is both adhesive and magnetic based and more importantly is of the type that is repositionable relative to the support surface and does not mar the support surface.

One exemplary framing system for use with the disclosed repositionable coupling assembly is described below.

In accordance with the present disclosure, as illustrated in, a framing system or assembly (kit)is shown and described and is configured to create a framed article that can be displayed either on a wall or can stand upright on a flat surface, such as a table or desk. The framed article is configured to display an image that is part of an image substrate() that is held and displayed within the framing system. The image substrateis typically a rigid substrate on which an image is displayed. While the image substrateis illustrated inas a single layer, it will be appreciated that the image substratecan include more than one layer, such as a rigid backing layer and a photo layer or the like. The image displayed can take any number of different forms including a paper clipping, a photo, artwork including a painting, or other artistic expression.

As described herein, the framing systemprovides an easy to use and easy to assemble kit that allows a user to assemble the frame and position and retain the image substratetherein. The framing systemhas other accessories to allow it to be displayed in different ways, such as hanging on a wall or displayed on a flat table surface, etc.

The framing systemhas two main parts, namely, an outer frame element (first part)and a back plate(second part) that mates with the outer frame elementto form the assembled frame. As described herein, the outer frame elementand the back plateare attached to one another with a mechanical fit and more particularly, can snap-fittingly mate with one another.

The outer frame elementis a hollow piece that has a main body that defines a hollow center opening. The outer frame elementcan have any number of different shapes and sizes based on the intended shape and size of the framed article. The main body of the outer frame elementhas a plurality of (e.g., four) interconnected walls,,,. The illustrated main body has a square shape and therefore, each of the interconnected walls,,,can be in the form of a rail or the like. Each of the walls,,,has an outer surfaceand an inner surface. The illustrated outer surfacerepresents the portion of the frame systemthat is readily visible and therefore, it can be smooth or it can have a decorative finish (and thus is not limited to being a smooth surface).

The outer frame elementincludes a plurality of recessesthat are formed along the inner surface. As illustrated, there can be two recessesformed along each of the walls,,,. For example, one recesscan be formed near one end of the respective wall, while the other recesscan be formed near the other end. The recessescan be centrally located along the respective walls,,,or the recessescan be located closer to a rear edgeof the respective wall. The rear edgeis the edge that faces rearward when the frame systemis displayed in an intended manner. As shown in, the recesscan have a forward beveled edge and a flat rear edge, with the forward beveled edge being further from the rear edgecompared to the flat rear edge of the recesswhich can be thought of as defining a shoulder.

The outer frame elementalso includes a plurality of protrusions (e.g., ribs) that are formed along the inner surface. As shown in, the plurality of protrusions comprises two or more sets of different protrusions formed along each of the walls,,,. For example, a set of first protrusions (ribs)is provided; a set of second protrusions (ribs)is provided; and a set of third protrusions (ribs)is provided. Each first protrusionis formed along the inner surfaceand extends upwardly from an inner landingthat extends around the inner surface.

The first protrusionsare elongated structures each having a first length. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two first protrusionsthat are spaced along the length of each wall,,,. The first protrusionsextend towards but do not reach the rear edge. As shown, all of the first protrusionsassociated with each of the walls,,,can be located between the two recessesformed along the respective wall,,,. The first protrusionsare integrally formed along the inner surface of the walls,,,.

The second protrusionsare elongated structures each having a second length. In the illustrated embodiment, there are six second protrusionsthat spaced along the length of each wall,,,. The second protrusionsextend towards but do not reach the rear edge. As shown, all of the second protrusionsassociated with each of the walls,,,can be located between the two recessesformed along the respective wall,,,. The second protrusionsare integrally formed along the inner surfaceof the walls,,,.

The second length is less than the first length and therefore, the first protrusionsare longer and extend further up the inner face of the walls,,,compared to the second protrusions.

The inner landinghas a channel or grooveformed therein. The channelpreferably extends completely around the inner landing. The second protrusionscan have curved inner surfaces as shown inandalso shows that the second protrusionsextend a greater distance into the channelcompared to the first protrusions.

As shown in, the third protrusionscan be formed along the inner landingand are spaced from the inner surface. The second protrusionscan be in the form of bumps or elongated protrusions and extend in the direction toward the rear edgemuch like the first and second protrusions,. Like the second protrusions, the third protrusionsextend into the channel. The third protrusion, like the second protrusion, can have a rounded (curved) surface. The second protrusionsand third protrusionscan generally have a pill shape or partial pill shape as shown.

The third protrusionshave third lengths that are less than both the first lengths of the first protrusionsand the second lengths of the second protrusions. As best shown in, all of the protrusions,,extend outwardly from the inner landing. The third protrusionsare located on one side (inner side) of the channeland the first protrusionsand the second protrusionsare located on the other side (outer side) of the channel.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are two third protrusionsper each wall,,,. The two third protrusionscan be centrally located and be formed between a pair of second protrusions.

As described herein, the three sets of protrusions,,have different functionality.

Each of the walls,,,preferably has the same pattern of first, second and third protrusions,,.

As described herein, the third protrusionsalso serves as a surface against which the image substrateis seated as shown inin which the third protrusionsare not visible since they lie below the image substrate. One feature of the inner surfaces of the second protrusionsis to locate the outer edge of the image substrate. As shown in, when the image substrateis inserted into the outer frame element, the outer edge of the image substratecontacts and seats against the second protrusions. In other words, the second protrusionsserves to align the image substratewithin the framing system. The tops of the second protrusionsalso serve as secondary stops that prevent the back platefrom being pushed into the outer frame element(in a direction toward the image substrate).

As also described herein, the first protrusionsact as bumper guards and they prevent the back platefrom shifting inside of the outer frame element. In addition, the first protrusionshelp keep the snap-fit attachment intact between the outer frame elementand the back plate.

As mentioned, the back plateis configured to be inserted into and mate with the outer frame elementand more particularly, according to one embodiment, a snap-fit connection is achieved between the outer frame elementand the back plateas described herein.

The outer frame elementcan be formed of any number of suitable materials including suitable plastics (e.g., injection molded plastics).

The back plateserves as the rear part of the frame assemblythat is located behind the image substrateand the engagement of the back plateto the outer frame elementserves to capture and hold the image substratebetween the back plateand the outer frame element.

As mentioned, the back plateattaches to the outer frame elementand closes off the back of the frame system. As also described herein, the image substrateis disposed and held between the back plateand the outer frame elementand more particularly, the user places the image substrate onto the inner landingand then attaches the back plateto the outer frame element, thereby capturing the image substratetherebetween.

As shown, the back plateis inserted into the hollow opening of the outer frame elementwith locking features of the back plateengaging locking features of the outer frame elementto form a snap-fit. The back platehas a complementary shape to the outer frame elementand therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the back plateis square shaped.

As best shown in, the back platehas a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wallthat are all interconnected to one another. Between the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall, an inner wallis provided and extends between these walls. The inner wallis thus designed to completely seal off the inner space between the walls,,,. The inner wallhas a front face that faces and contacts the image substrateand an opposite rear face of the inner wallfaces away from the inner wall.

Along the inner wallthere is a raised platformthat protrudes outwardly (rearwardly) from the inner wall. The raised platformhas a center portionand a plurality of leg portionsthat extend from the center portionto each of the walls,,,. Each of the leg portionsis defined by a curved (sloped) edge. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four leg portionsand thus, four curved edges. Between each curved edgeand one respective corner of the back plate, there is a corner spacethat has a wedge shape.

Within the center portionof the raised platformthere can be a raised padthat provides a surface on which mounting hardware can be secured. The mounting hardware is generally illustrated inat element. The mounting hardwarecan take any number of different forms that are configured to attach the back plateto a support surface, such as a wall. For example, the mounting hardwarecan take the form of a square of double-sided tape or it can be in the form of a metal element (metal layer or plate). Preferably, the mounting hardware seats flush against the raised pad.

As shown the raised padcan have a square shape with the corners of the raised padbeing located close to the curved edgesof the raised platform. The raised padthus serves to centrally locate the mounting hardware on the rear of the back plate.

At the interface between each leg portionand the side wall,,,, there is an opening (mounting opening)that is configured to receive a fastener or a stand to assist in mounting the framed article to a wall or the like or to allow the framed article to stand upright on a flat surface, such as a table. The openinghas an inner edgethat is curved and an opposite outer edgein the form of a concave notch that is formed in one of the walls,,,. A fastener, such as a nail, can be received within the concave notch as a way to hang the framed article on the fastener. The fastener can be inserted into a wall for hanging the framed article onto the wall. The use of openingto receive a kickstand for allowing the framed article to stand upright on a table is described herein.

As previously mentioned, the back platesnap-fittingly attaches to the outer frame elementand therefore includes locking features that mate with complementary locking features of the outer frame element. For example, the back plateincludes a plurality of corner guidesbest shown in. The corner guidesare in each corner and are L-shaped in that one wall of the corner guideis located along one wall of the back plateand the other wall of the corner guideis located along the other wall of the back platethat defines the corner. Each of the walls,,,of the back plateterminates in a forward edge. The walls of the corner guideextend beyond the forward edgein that the walls of the corner guidehave greater length (height) than the other sections of the walls,,,. The corner guideis configured to be received within the channelformed in the landingas shown in. There are therefore four corner guidesin the illustrated back plate. As also shown in, the image substratelies partially over the channelwith the corner guidebeing adjacent and in contact with the image substratesince the corner guideis disposed within the channeland can be in contact with the floor of the channel.shows that the corner guidedisposed between the outer edge of the image substrateand the respective outer wall,,,.

An additional locking feature of the back platecomprises a plurality of locking ribsthat are configured to be received into and engage the recessesthat comprise the complementary locking features of the outer frame element. More particularly, the locking ribssnap-fittingly mate with the recessesto interlockingly couple the back plateto the outer frame element.

Each locking ribcomprises a flexible rib that is defined between two slotsformed in the wall,,,to allow the locking ribto flex. At a forward end of the locking riban outwardly directed lipis formed. The lipis integrally formed with the rest of the locking rib. As best shown in, the liphas a complementary shape as the recessin that it includes a beveled edge that seats against the beveled surface of the recessand a flat edge that seats against the flat surface of the recess. In, the locking ribis snap-fittingly received into one respective recess. The reception of the locking ribsinto corresponding recessesresults in a secure snap-fit being achieved between the outer frame elementand the back plate.

There are two locking ribslocated along each side wall,,,and in particular, the two locking ribsare located near or at the ends of the respective wall,,,. Thus, in each corner of the framed article, there is one corner guidedisposed between two locking ribs. This leads to the main securement between the outer frame elementand the back platebeing located in the corners of the framed article.

As shown in the figures, including, the locking ribhas a local area of increased thickness and in particular, the local area can be in the form of a railor other protrusion that bulges slightly outward from the rest of the locking rib. It will be appreciated that each of the two locking ribsthat define each corner has one rail. As shown in, the raildoes not extend the entire height of the locking rib.

As shown in, there is a center tabthat is located along the wall,,,. The center tabalso extends beyond the forward edge. The center tabis located between the two locking ribslocated along the same wall,,,. The center tabis designed, in combination with the third protrusions, to prevent an outward bowing of the framed article after assembly (i.e., outward flexing of the outer frame element). The center tabopposes the third protrusion. More specifically, each center tabis disposed outside of and in contact with one respective pair of the third protrusions. The center tabsare thus located between the third protrusionsand the walls,,,of the outer frame elementand since the center tabis significantly more rigid than the hollow outer frame element, the center tabswhich are located outside (along the outer face) of the outer frame elementprevents any deformation and outward bowing of the hollow outer frame element.

As mentioned, the frame systemis assembled to achieve a mechanical (snap-fit) between the outer frame elementand the back plate.

First, the image substrateis placed within the hollow outer frame elementand rests on the inner landingthat is formed along the inner periphery of the outer frame element. The rear plateis then inserted into the center openingof the hollow outer frame element. The corner guidesare received within the channelformed in the landingas shown inand the rigid center tabsare positioned outside of and adjacent the third protrusions.

As shown in, a plurality of raised platformsare provided along the inner face of the back plateon which the image substraterests. As shown, there are four platformson which the four corner regions of the image substraterests to ensure proper positioning and proper support of the image substrate(the raised platformsprovide proper backing and push the image substrateforward). The raised platformscan be generally wedge shaped or triangular shaped as shown.

The snap-fit between the outer frame elementand the back plateis achieved by inserting the locking ribsinto the (locking) recesses. As shown in the figures, this results in the image substratebeing captured between the outer frame elementand the back plate. The corner guidesserve also as a self-aligning feature for the image substrate.

illustrate the details of how the outer frame elementsnap-fits with the back plateand the relative position of the image substrate.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure best shown in, a kickstandcan be provided. As mentioned, the back plateincludes a plurality of corner spaces(). One of the corner spacesserves as a kickstand storage space. Within the corner space, there is a postthat protrudes upwardly from the floor of the corner spaceas shown in. The posthas an undercutformed therealong.

As shown in, the kickstandhas a curved body with a first endand an opposite second end. The first endis a flat surface that is positioned along the support surface, such as a table. As shown in, the body of the kickstandalso includes an openingwith a slotthat extends from the openingto the second end. The openingreceive the postresulting in a snap-fit between the post(due to the undercutthereof) and the kickstandfor temporary storage of the kickstand. When the user is ready to use the kickstand, the kickstandis removed from the post.

The kickstandalso includes a slotthat defines a pair of locking snap-fit elements (e.g., locking tabs or catches). The snap-fit elementsare located and the end of two flexible prongsthat protrude outwardly from the second end. These flexible prongsare intended to be received within one openingformed in the back plateto achieve a snap fit between the kickstandand the back plate. As mentioned, the openinghas opposing edges to which the snap-fit elementcan engage in a snap-fit manner. The flexible poringallow for the snap-fit elementsto be initially received into the openingand then flex outwardly into complementary locking edges formed in the opening.

The snap-fit elementsof the two flexible prongsengage the edges of the openingto cause a snap-fit engagement between the kickstandand the back plate. As mentioned, when the kickstandis inserted into the opening, the first endfaces downward and seats against the flat support surface (table surface).