Frame kit

Abstract

A frame kit includes materials sufficient to frame and display at least one piece of artwork, including one or more sets of a frame, a backing or matting piece and a transparent cover sheet. In addition, the backing piece and the cover sheet are packaged in a compact way such that the materials of at least one frame kit fit into a container. The container is suitable for shipment without oversize fee charges or with reduced oversize charges relative to those due for packaged assembled frames. The frame kit may include a poster or other piece of artwork such that, when the frame kit is received by the user, the artwork can be immediately framed and displayed using only the articles contained in the frame kit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to a frame kit. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] There are many methods and systems for framing posters, pictures or other pieces of artwork. These systems range from custom framing to off-the-rack frames that may be bought and adjusted to the appropriate size to fit a desired piece of artwork. In most cases, when an individual desires to frame a picture or other piece of artwork, it is not only necessary to select a frame, but the piece of artwork must be mounted and set into the frame before it can be displayed. [0005] Both custom framed and pre-framed pieces of artwork are bulky, fragile and expensive to transport. The expense of transporting a custom frame or a pre-framed piece of artwork is not solely due to the weight of the frame but also due to its size. Shippers typically add surcharges for oversized packages. For example, a framed print, generally the size of a commercially bought poster...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] This invention separately provides a frame kit that is easily shipped.

[0016] This invention separately provides a kit for framing a piece of artwork that includes a piece of artwork, such that upon opening the kit, the frame and piece of artwork can be readily assembled and displayed without needing to obtain or purchase any further items.

[0017] In various exemplary embodiments, one or more frame kits according to this invention are packaged in an easily and economically shippable container. Typically, each frame kit includes frame rails, a backing or matting piece, a protective transparent cover sheet that fits within the frame and hardware usable to assemble the frame kit components into a framed piece of artwork. In addition, in various exemplary embodiments, the frame kit also includes a piece of artwork of appropriate size to fit inside the frame, such that the piece of artwork is easily framed and ready for display. In various exemplary embodiments, a particular frame kit can include the backing or matting piece but omit the protective transparent cover. In various other exemplary embodiments, a particular frame kit can include the protective transparent cover but omit the backing or matting piece.

Problems solved by technology

Both custom framed and pre-framed pieces of artwork are bulky, fragile and expensive to transport.

The expense of transporting a custom frame or a pre-framed piece of artwork is not solely due to the weight of the frame but also due to its size.

Thus, when this size limit is exceeded, there are usually extra shipping charges.

However, while there are commercially-available frame kits, generally only the frame itself (i.e. the frame rails and the connecting hardware), without either or both of the backing material or the cover sheet, is provided.

Conventional frame kits do not include the backing material or the cover sheet usable to create a mountable and displayable framed piece of artwork.

Additionally, neither the backing piece nor the transparent cover sheet is easily shipped.

Because of the cost when shipping planar pieces, these components, which create a complete framed piece of artwork, need to be purchased separately from the frame itself.

While these conventional frame kits allow a user to assemble a frame to hold a piece of artwork, they do not provide materials sufficient for the user to create a complete, framed piece of artwork to be displayed.

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