Flexible picture frame

Abstract

The present invention is a flexible picture frame. The frame stretches so that a user can insert a picture, a picture and picture cover, or a picture, picture cover, and backer section. Once the components are disposed in the flexible frame, it then recovers to its original shape and size. The flexible frame contains grooves on the inside walls to contain the picture and other components.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 365,797 filed on Jul. 20, 2010, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to frames, in particular to frames for photographs or pictures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Many consumers shoot and print their own photographs or purchase photographs or pictures without frames, and buy frames separately. Many types of frames exist in the art; a standard frame has a back with a support, a rim, and a front cover that is glass or some type of clear plastic. One challenge when inserting a picture or photo into a frame is centering the picture correctly. A user must dissemble a frame assembly by removing the back of the frame and inserting the photo against the glass or plastic cover on the front of the assembly, then must place the back on the picture and secure it there. If the spacing is such to allow the picture or photo to move around, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Another advantage of the present invention is that it doesn't break. Commonly available frames made from wood or other rigid materials may break, for instance when packed in a moving box with insufficient padding, thus destroying the frame and possibly the picture as well.

[0009]The flexible frame of the present invention also is inexpensive to manufacture and can be made as one piece, thus reducing assembly time for a factory or a consumer. This also eliminates joints or weak points so the flexible frame won't break as other frames that have joints (either nailed or glued) will.

[0010]The prior art describes frames made from other materials and secured with elastic bands that act as fasteners or act to provide pressure to remove a picture from the frame. None of the prior art describes a frame that is constructed entirely from an elastic or flexible material, as the present invention does. The present invention provides nearly limitless design possibilities, with many unique and interesting looks.

[0011]The present invention is a flexible picture frame, and is an article of manufacture, with a backer section, having a front and a back, a circumference, a front and back, at least one edge and an edge thickness; a cover section, having a front and a back, a circumference, at least one edge and an edge thickness, wherein the circumference of the cover section is substantially the same as the circumference of the backer section; and a flexible elastomeric frame of unitary construction having a groove of thickness approximately the combined thickness of the cover and backer section edge thicknesses, where the groove has an internal circumference substantially equal to the backer or cover section circumference, and the flexible elastomeric frame may be stretched to completely encircle and secure the backer and cover sections in parallel orientation when the front of the backer section is disposed on the back of the cover section.

[0012]The present invention is a flexible elastomeric picture frame with a cover and a back. The flexible frame has grooves in the inside bottom, top, and right and left sides such that the edges of a picture, cover and back, when pressed together, will fit into the grooves and be held securely in the flexible frame. The frame may be used with any suitable object, including but not limited to, pictures, photos, documents, diplomas, drawings, paintings, autographs, religious cards, pressed flowers, minors, coasters, recipes, pressed metal artwork, foil artwork, polymer clay artwork, and with objects of any type of material, such as but not limited to, paper, plastics, glass, metal, textiles and fabrics, plant or animal materials, polymeric materials, rubbers, or any combination of these with each other or other materials.

[0013]It is an object of the invention to provide a flexible frame for photos or pictures.

Problems solved by technology

The fasteners that secure the back to the rim may be difficult to maneuver or cumbersome to use.

Commonly available frames made from wood or other rigid materials may break, for instance when packed in a moving box with insufficient padding, thus destroying the frame and possibly the picture as well.

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