Wall art hanging systems and methods of production

Abstract

A wall art hanging frame assembly is provided. The wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, the art piece, and a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wall art hanging systems and, in particular, to single-piece wall art frames comprising front openings configured to secure and allow removal of art without removing the frame from the wall.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Art frames are configured to secure pieces of art within an opening such that the art piece can be displayed in public. However, standard art frames are configured to enable the art piece to be inserted from the rear of the art piece, at which point the art piece is secured in place in such a way that, to remove the art piece, the frame must be removed such that the rear of the frame is accessible for removing the art piece.

[0003] Since the rear of the frame must be accessible, the frame consists of multiple parts and requires a multi-step process for removing the art piece, and standard art frames cannot reasonably be permanently secured to a surface, since doing so would prevent the art piece from ever being removed.

[0004] For at least these reasons, a wall hanging system configured to enable art pieces to be both secured and removable from a front of the wall hanging system are needed.

[0005] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and is not intended to mean that the embodiments of the present disclosure fall within the purview of the existing technologies that are already known to those skilled in the art.SUMMARY

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a wall art hanging frame is provided. The wall art hanging frame may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, an a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the core structure may comprise one or more of the following: wood; medium-density fiberboard (MDF); high-density fiberboard (HDF); plastic; and metal.

[0008] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame may comprise a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer.

[0009] According to various embodiments, the rigidity component may comprise one or more of the following: wood; MDF; HDF; plastic; and metal.

[0010] According to various embodiments, the laminate layer may be coupled to the rigidity component.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame may comprise a backer component adhered to the core structure.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: glue; tape; one or more magnets; one or more hook and loop fasteners; and one or more buttons.

[0013] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame may comprise one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the wall art hanging frame to a surface.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the one or more surface securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: a nail receiving bracket; a screw receiving bracket; a wire; and an adhesive.

[0015] According to various embodiments, the core structure and the laminate layer may be formed from a single piece of material.

[0016] According to an object of the present disclosure, a wall art hanging frame assembly is provided. The wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, the art piece, and a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

[0017] According to various embodiments, the core structure may comprise one or more of the following: wood; MDF; HDF; plastic; and metal.

[0018] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer.

[0019] According to various embodiments, the rigidity component may comprise one or more of the following: wood; MDF; HDF; plastic; and metal.

[0020] According to various embodiments, the laminate layer may be coupled to the rigidity component.

[0021] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a backer component adhered to the core structure.

[0022] According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: glue; tape; one or more magnets; one or more hook and loop fasteners; and one or more buttons.

[0023] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the wall art hanging frame to a surface.

[0024] According to various embodiments, the one or more surface securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: a nail receiving bracket; a screw receiving bracket; a wire; and an adhesive.

[0025] According to various embodiments, the art piece may comprise a composition printed onto a secondary material.

[0026] According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms may be secured to the art piece.

[0027] According to various embodiments, the core structure and the laminate layer are formed from a single piece of material.

[0028] According to an object of the present disclosure, a wall art hanging frame assembly is provided. The wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer, the art piece, and a securing mechanism, coupled to the art piece, configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening. The core structure, the laminate layer, and the rigidity component may be formed from a single piece of material.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more fully understand the drawings recited in the Detailed Description of the present disclosure, a brief description of drawings will be provided as follows:

[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly without an art piece inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 1B illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an art piece configured for insertion into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly with the art piece as shown in FIG. 2 inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4A illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly without an art piece inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, along section B-B, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 4C illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, along section C-C, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4D illustrates an exploded sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, along section B-B, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates an art piece configured for insertion into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly with the art piece as shown in FIG. 5 inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 7A illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly without an art piece inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 7B illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, along section D-D, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 7C illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, along section E-E, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 7D illustrates an exploded sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, along section D-D, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates an art piece configured for insertion into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly with the art piece as shown in FIG. 8 inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates example securing mechanisms configured to secure a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly to a surface (e.g., a wall), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Exemplary embodiments according to the technical spirit of the present disclosure are provided to more completely explain the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various other forms, so the range of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to more fully complete the present disclosure, and to fully convey the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0049] It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements, these members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms do not mean specific order, superiority, or dominance, but are only used to distinguish one member, region, part, or element from other members, regions, parts, or elements. Thus, a first member, region, part, or element discussed below could be termed a second member, region, part, or element and vice versa without departing from the nature of the present disclosure. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, the meaning of all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein is the same as that commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning which is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0051] As used herein, the term ‘and / or’ includes each of and every combination of one or more of the recited elements.

[0052] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “unit”, “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0053] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term “about”.

[0054] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

[0055] According to various embodiments, single-piece wall art hanging frame assemblies configured to removable secure art pieces from a front opening are provided.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, a front view (FIG. 1A) of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 without an art piece 112 inserted, a sectional view (FIG. 1B) of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with the art piece 112 inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100, and an exploded sectional view (FIG. 1C) of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with the art piece 112 inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a core structure 104, shaped and configured to receive an art piece 112. According to various embodiments, the core structure 104 component may be configured to form a front opening 114 configured to receive the art piece 112. According to various embodiments, the opening 114 may be shaped to fit the art piece 112. The core structure 104 may comprise wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), plastic, metal, and / or other suitable materials.

[0058] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a rigidity component 106 configured to add rigidity to the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100. The rigidity component 106 may comprise wood, MDF, HDF, plastic, metal, and / or other suitable materials. According to various embodiments, the rigidity component 106 may be coupled to the core structure 104 (e.g., via adhesive and / or other suitable means).

[0059] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a backer 102. The backer 102 may be adhered (e.g., via adhesive and / or other suitable means) to the core structure 104. The backer 102 may comprise one or more suitable colors, patterns, and / or shapes.

[0060] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a laminate layer 108. The laminate layer 108 may be secured to the core structure 104 and / or the rigidity component 106. The laminate layer 108 may comprise one or more colors, textures, and / or shapes of the desired single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100.

[0061] According various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 and / or the art piece 112 may comprise securing mechanism 110 configured to secure the art piece 112 within the opening 114. The securing mechanism 110 may comprise glue, tape, one or more magnets, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, and / or other suitable securing means.

[0062] According to various embodiment, the backer 102, the core structure 104, the rigidity component 106, the laminate layer 108, and / or the securing mechanism 110 may form a frame configured to secure the art piece 112. According to various embodiments, the backer 102, the core structure 104, the rigidity component 106, the laminate layer 108, and / or the securing mechanism 110 may be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., wood, MDF, HDF, plastic, metal, and / or other suitable materials).

[0063] It is noted that the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may be any suitable shape and / or may comprise greater or fewer components, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. For example, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 4A-6, and the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 7A-9 do not comprise the rigidity component 106.

[0064] According to various embodiments, the art piece 112 may comprise a composition (e.g., print, photograph, drawing, painting, etc.) printed on one or more secondary materials (e.g., paper, metal, and / or other suitable materials). According to various embodiments, the composition may be sublimated onto the one or more secondary materials. For example, according to various embodiments, the printing may include sublimation printing, using, e.g., a sublimation printer. It is noted, however, that other suitable means of printing may be incorporated, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0065] According to various embodiments, the frame and / or the art piece 112 may comprise a custom-designed wood product that may include a three-dimensional wood form comprising one or more wood products. According to various embodiments, the frame and / or the art piece 112 may comprise a thermofoil film adhered onto the three-dimensional wood form. According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be a singular film that includes a visual composition infused onto a surface of the thermofoil film. According to some embodiments, the visual composition may comprise at least three or more separate elements arranged in a non-unidirectional orientation. It is noted, however, that the visual composition may include greater or fewer separate elements while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0066] According to various embodiments, the one or more wood products includes MDF. It is noted, however, that other wood products and / or non-wood products may be used in the construction of the three-dimensional wood form.

[0067] According to various embodiments, in the custom-designed wood product, the thermofoil film may be adhered to the three-dimensional wood form. According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be adhered to the three-dimensional wood form via one or more adhesives positioned between the thermofoil film and the three-dimensional wood form. According to various embodiments, the adhesive may comprise a heat-or thermally-activated adhesive. It is noted, however, that other suitable adherence materials and / or means (e.g., non-heat-activated adhesives, cohesive means and / or materials, etc.) may be used to adhere the thermofoil film to the three-dimensional wood form while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0068] According to various embodiments, the three-dimensional wood form may be fabricated using a suitable means of forming a wood product, such as, e.g., carving, cutting, routing, etching, and / or other suitable means of removing material from the wood product, adhering two or more pieces of wood product together by suitable means (e.g., adhesive means, mechanical means, and / or other suitable means), and / or via other suitable means of forming the wood product.

[0069] According to various embodiments, the three-dimensional wood form may be fabricated by e.g. using a router (e.g., a computer numerical control (CNC) router) to shape the one or more wood products into the shape of a desired end product. The three-dimensional form may be fabricated into any suitable or desired three-dimensional shape. According to various embodiments, the one or more wood products may include MDF, plywood, and / or other suitable wood-based products and / or non-wood products.

[0070] According to various embodiments, a visual composition, to be applied over the three-dimensional wood form, may be selected. The visual composition may be selective via a graphical user interface on one or more electronic devices and / or though one or more other suitable means. The visual composition may include, e.g., one or more images, colors, geometric shapes, designs, and / or patterns, and / or one or more other suitable types of visual composition. According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be any image created through a computer including, but not limited to, images of a frame with an art piece 112 inside the frame and / or other suitable visual compositions.

[0071] According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be printed onto paper. According to various embodiments, the printing may include sublimation printing, using, e.g., a sublimation printer. It is noted, however, that other suitable means of printing may be incorporated, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, the paper may be configured not to stick to the thermofoil film. It is noted that other paper types and / or non-paper types may be used in accordance with the present disclosure, according to various embodiments, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be printed, using a sublimation printer, at full scale on a sublimation paper selected to be easily removed without excessive sticking on the thermofoil film. The sublimation ink may comprise a dye sublimation ink that turns to vapor when heated and thus can be infused into the material to which it is transferred.

[0072] According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be sublimated from the paper to a thermofoil film (e.g., a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and / or other suitable types of thermofoil film). This causes the visual composition to become infused onto s surface of the thermofoil film. According to various embodiments, a heat press may be used during the transfer of the visual composition from the paper to the thermofoil film, giving the visual composition a depth in the finished product that is deeper than a surface, thereby improving both the look and durability of the final product. Once the visual composition is infused onto the surface of the thermofoil film, the paper may be removed from the thermofoil film. The paper may be removed using any suitable means. It is noted, however, that other suitable means of transferring the visual composition may be incorporated while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0073] According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be oriented over the three-dimensional wood form such that the visual composition infused onto the thermofoil film is positioned over the three-dimensional wood form. Various methods of positioning the image over the form may be used including, but not limited to, custom jigs or other means for holding the image precisely over the three-dimensional form to create the desired look and feel of the end product. According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be positioned over the three-dimensional wood form such that one or more designated portions of the visual composition are positioned over one or more complimentary designated positions of the three-dimensional wood form, in order to produce a desired effect once the thermofoil film is adhered to the three-dimensional wood form.

[0074] According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film, adhesive, and three-dimensional wood form may be placed in a thermoforming vacuum press, where heat may be applied to activate the heat-or thermally-activated adhesive, and then the vacuum may be applied to pull the thermofoil onto the three-dimensional wood form in a precise fit to achieve a desired look of the finished product. According to various embodiments, excess thermofoil film may be removed, revealing a final custom-designed wood product.

[0075] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 to a surface (e.g., a wall or other suitable surface). The one or more surface securing mechanisms may be secured to the backer 102, the core structure 104, and / or to one or more other suitable parts of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100. According to various embodiments, the one or more surface securing mechanisms may comprise a nail / screw receiving bracket 116, a wire 118 and related hardware, an adhesive 120, and / or other suitable securing mechanisms configured to secure the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 to the surface.

[0076] As mentioned above, although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to the specific embodiments, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various improvements and / or modifications are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0048]Exemplary embodiments according to the technical spirit of the present disclosure are provided to more completely explain the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various other forms, so the range of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to more fully complete the present disclosure, and to fully convey the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0049]It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements, these members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms do not mean specific order, superiority, or dominance, but are only used to distinguish one member, region, part, or element from other members, regio...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wall art hanging systems and, in particular, to single-piece wall art frames comprising front openings configured to secure and allow removal of art without removing the frame from the wall.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Art frames are configured to secure pieces of art within an opening such that the art piece can be displayed in public. However, standard art frames are configured to enable the art piece to be inserted from the rear of the art piece, at which point the art piece is secured in place in such a way that, to remove the art piece, the frame must be removed such that the rear of the frame is accessible for removing the art piece.

[0003] Since the rear of the frame must be accessible, the frame consists of multiple parts and requires a multi-step process for removing the art piece, and standard art frames cannot reasonably be permanently secured to a surface, since doing so would prevent the art piece from ever being removed.

[0004] For at least these reasons, a wall hanging system configured to enable art pieces to be both secured and removable from a front of the wall hanging system are needed.

[0005] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and is not intended to mean that the embodiments of the present disclosure fall within the purview of the existing technologies that are already known to those skilled in the art.SUMMARY

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a wall art hanging frame is provided. The wall art hanging frame may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, an a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the core structure may comprise one or more of the following: wood; medium-density fiberboard (MDF); high-density fiberboard (HDF); plastic; and metal.

[0008] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame may comprise a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer.

[0009] According to various embodiments, the rigidity component may comprise one or more of the following: wood; MDF; HDF; plastic; and metal.

[0010] According to various embodiments, the laminate layer may be coupled to the rigidity component.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame may comprise a backer component adhered to the core structure.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: glue; tape; one or more magnets; one or more hook and loop fasteners; and one or more buttons.

[0013] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame may comprise one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the wall art hanging frame to a surface.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the one or more surface securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: a nail receiving bracket; a screw receiving bracket; a wire; and an adhesive.

[0015] According to various embodiments, the core structure and the laminate layer may be formed from a single piece of material.

[0016] According to an object of the present disclosure, a wall art hanging frame assembly is provided. The wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, the art piece, and a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

[0017] According to various embodiments, the core structure may comprise one or more of the following: wood; MDF; HDF; plastic; and metal.

[0018] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer.

[0019] According to various embodiments, the rigidity component may comprise one or more of the following: wood; MDF; HDF; plastic; and metal.

[0020] According to various embodiments, the laminate layer may be coupled to the rigidity component.

[0021] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a backer component adhered to the core structure.

[0022] According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: glue; tape; one or more magnets; one or more hook and loop fasteners; and one or more buttons.

[0023] According to various embodiments, the wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the wall art hanging frame to a surface.

[0024] According to various embodiments, the one or more surface securing mechanisms may comprise one or more of the following: a nail receiving bracket; a screw receiving bracket; a wire; and an adhesive.

[0025] According to various embodiments, the art piece may comprise a composition printed onto a secondary material.

[0026] According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms may be secured to the art piece.

[0027] According to various embodiments, the core structure and the laminate layer are formed from a single piece of material.

[0028] According to an object of the present disclosure, a wall art hanging frame assembly is provided. The wall art hanging frame assembly may comprise a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece, a laminate layer coupled to the core structure, a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer, the art piece, and a securing mechanism, coupled to the art piece, configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening. The core structure, the laminate layer, and the rigidity component may be formed from a single piece of material.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more fully understand the drawings recited in the Detailed Description of the present disclosure, a brief description of drawings will be provided as follows:

[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly without an art piece inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 1B illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an art piece configured for insertion into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly with the art piece as shown in FIG. 2 inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4A illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly without an art piece inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, along section B-B, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 4C illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, along section C-C, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4D illustrates an exploded sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, along section B-B, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates an art piece configured for insertion into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly with the art piece as shown in FIG. 5 inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 7A illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly without an art piece inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 7B illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, along section D-D, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 7C illustrates a sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, along section E-E, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 7D illustrates an exploded sectional view of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, along section D-D, with an art piece inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates an art piece configured for insertion into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly as shown in FIG. 7A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates an example front view of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly with the art piece as shown in FIG. 8 inserted therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates example securing mechanisms configured to secure a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly to a surface (e.g., a wall), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Exemplary embodiments according to the technical spirit of the present disclosure are provided to more completely explain the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various other forms, so the range of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to more fully complete the present disclosure, and to fully convey the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0049] It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements, these members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms do not mean specific order, superiority, or dominance, but are only used to distinguish one member, region, part, or element from other members, regions, parts, or elements. Thus, a first member, region, part, or element discussed below could be termed a second member, region, part, or element and vice versa without departing from the nature of the present disclosure. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, the meaning of all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein is the same as that commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning which is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0051] As used herein, the term ‘and / or’ includes each of and every combination of one or more of the recited elements.

[0052] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “unit”, “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0053] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term “about”.

[0054] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

[0055] According to various embodiments, single-piece wall art hanging frame assemblies configured to removable secure art pieces from a front opening are provided.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, a front view (FIG. 1A) of a single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 without an art piece 112 inserted, a sectional view (FIG. 1B) of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with the art piece 112 inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100, and an exploded sectional view (FIG. 1C) of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1A, along section A-A, with the art piece 112 inserted into the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a core structure 104, shaped and configured to receive an art piece 112. According to various embodiments, the core structure 104 component may be configured to form a front opening 114 configured to receive the art piece 112. According to various embodiments, the opening 114 may be shaped to fit the art piece 112. The core structure 104 may comprise wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), plastic, metal, and / or other suitable materials.

[0058] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a rigidity component 106 configured to add rigidity to the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100. The rigidity component 106 may comprise wood, MDF, HDF, plastic, metal, and / or other suitable materials. According to various embodiments, the rigidity component 106 may be coupled to the core structure 104 (e.g., via adhesive and / or other suitable means).

[0059] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a backer 102. The backer 102 may be adhered (e.g., via adhesive and / or other suitable means) to the core structure 104. The backer 102 may comprise one or more suitable colors, patterns, and / or shapes.

[0060] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise a laminate layer 108. The laminate layer 108 may be secured to the core structure 104 and / or the rigidity component 106. The laminate layer 108 may comprise one or more colors, textures, and / or shapes of the desired single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100.

[0061] According various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 and / or the art piece 112 may comprise securing mechanism 110 configured to secure the art piece 112 within the opening 114. The securing mechanism 110 may comprise glue, tape, one or more magnets, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, and / or other suitable securing means.

[0062] According to various embodiment, the backer 102, the core structure 104, the rigidity component 106, the laminate layer 108, and / or the securing mechanism 110 may form a frame configured to secure the art piece 112. According to various embodiments, the backer 102, the core structure 104, the rigidity component 106, the laminate layer 108, and / or the securing mechanism 110 may be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., wood, MDF, HDF, plastic, metal, and / or other suitable materials).

[0063] It is noted that the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may be any suitable shape and / or may comprise greater or fewer components, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. For example, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 4A-6, and the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 7A-9 do not comprise the rigidity component 106.

[0064] According to various embodiments, the art piece 112 may comprise a composition (e.g., print, photograph, drawing, painting, etc.) printed on one or more secondary materials (e.g., paper, metal, and / or other suitable materials). According to various embodiments, the composition may be sublimated onto the one or more secondary materials. For example, according to various embodiments, the printing may include sublimation printing, using, e.g., a sublimation printer. It is noted, however, that other suitable means of printing may be incorporated, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0065] According to various embodiments, the frame and / or the art piece 112 may comprise a custom-designed wood product that may include a three-dimensional wood form comprising one or more wood products. According to various embodiments, the frame and / or the art piece 112 may comprise a thermofoil film adhered onto the three-dimensional wood form. According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be a singular film that includes a visual composition infused onto a surface of the thermofoil film. According to some embodiments, the visual composition may comprise at least three or more separate elements arranged in a non-unidirectional orientation. It is noted, however, that the visual composition may include greater or fewer separate elements while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0066] According to various embodiments, the one or more wood products includes MDF. It is noted, however, that other wood products and / or non-wood products may be used in the construction of the three-dimensional wood form.

[0067] According to various embodiments, in the custom-designed wood product, the thermofoil film may be adhered to the three-dimensional wood form. According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be adhered to the three-dimensional wood form via one or more adhesives positioned between the thermofoil film and the three-dimensional wood form. According to various embodiments, the adhesive may comprise a heat-or thermally-activated adhesive. It is noted, however, that other suitable adherence materials and / or means (e.g., non-heat-activated adhesives, cohesive means and / or materials, etc.) may be used to adhere the thermofoil film to the three-dimensional wood form while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0068] According to various embodiments, the three-dimensional wood form may be fabricated using a suitable means of forming a wood product, such as, e.g., carving, cutting, routing, etching, and / or other suitable means of removing material from the wood product, adhering two or more pieces of wood product together by suitable means (e.g., adhesive means, mechanical means, and / or other suitable means), and / or via other suitable means of forming the wood product.

[0069] According to various embodiments, the three-dimensional wood form may be fabricated by e.g. using a router (e.g., a computer numerical control (CNC) router) to shape the one or more wood products into the shape of a desired end product. The three-dimensional form may be fabricated into any suitable or desired three-dimensional shape. According to various embodiments, the one or more wood products may include MDF, plywood, and / or other suitable wood-based products and / or non-wood products.

[0070] According to various embodiments, a visual composition, to be applied over the three-dimensional wood form, may be selected. The visual composition may be selective via a graphical user interface on one or more electronic devices and / or though one or more other suitable means. The visual composition may include, e.g., one or more images, colors, geometric shapes, designs, and / or patterns, and / or one or more other suitable types of visual composition. According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be any image created through a computer including, but not limited to, images of a frame with an art piece 112 inside the frame and / or other suitable visual compositions.

[0071] According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be printed onto paper. According to various embodiments, the printing may include sublimation printing, using, e.g., a sublimation printer. It is noted, however, that other suitable means of printing may be incorporated, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, the paper may be configured not to stick to the thermofoil film. It is noted that other paper types and / or non-paper types may be used in accordance with the present disclosure, according to various embodiments, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be printed, using a sublimation printer, at full scale on a sublimation paper selected to be easily removed without excessive sticking on the thermofoil film. The sublimation ink may comprise a dye sublimation ink that turns to vapor when heated and thus can be infused into the material to which it is transferred.

[0072] According to various embodiments, the visual composition may be sublimated from the paper to a thermofoil film (e.g., a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and / or other suitable types of thermofoil film). This causes the visual composition to become infused onto s surface of the thermofoil film. According to various embodiments, a heat press may be used during the transfer of the visual composition from the paper to the thermofoil film, giving the visual composition a depth in the finished product that is deeper than a surface, thereby improving both the look and durability of the final product. Once the visual composition is infused onto the surface of the thermofoil film, the paper may be removed from the thermofoil film. The paper may be removed using any suitable means. It is noted, however, that other suitable means of transferring the visual composition may be incorporated while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.

[0073] According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be oriented over the three-dimensional wood form such that the visual composition infused onto the thermofoil film is positioned over the three-dimensional wood form. Various methods of positioning the image over the form may be used including, but not limited to, custom jigs or other means for holding the image precisely over the three-dimensional form to create the desired look and feel of the end product. According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film may be positioned over the three-dimensional wood form such that one or more designated portions of the visual composition are positioned over one or more complimentary designated positions of the three-dimensional wood form, in order to produce a desired effect once the thermofoil film is adhered to the three-dimensional wood form.

[0074] According to various embodiments, the thermofoil film, adhesive, and three-dimensional wood form may be placed in a thermoforming vacuum press, where heat may be applied to activate the heat-or thermally-activated adhesive, and then the vacuum may be applied to pull the thermofoil onto the three-dimensional wood form in a precise fit to achieve a desired look of the finished product. According to various embodiments, excess thermofoil film may be removed, revealing a final custom-designed wood product.

[0075] According to various embodiments, the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 may comprise one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 to a surface (e.g., a wall or other suitable surface). The one or more surface securing mechanisms may be secured to the backer 102, the core structure 104, and / or to one or more other suitable parts of the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100. According to various embodiments, the one or more surface securing mechanisms may comprise a nail / screw receiving bracket 116, a wire 118 and related hardware, an adhesive 120, and / or other suitable securing mechanisms configured to secure the single-piece wall art hanging frame assembly 100 to the surface.

[0076] As mentioned above, although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to the specific embodiments, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various improvements and / or modifications are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0048]Exemplary embodiments according to the technical spirit of the present disclosure are provided to more completely explain the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various other forms, so the range of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to more fully complete the present disclosure, and to fully convey the technical spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0049]It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements, these members, regions, layers, parts and / or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms do not mean specific order, superiority, or dominance, but are only used to distinguish one member, region, part, or element from other members, regio...

Claims

1. A wall art hanging frame, comprising:a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece;a laminate layer coupled to the core structure; anda securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

2. The wall art hanging frame of claim 1, wherein the core structure comprises one or more of the following:wood;medium-density fiberboard (MDF);high-density fiberboard (HDF);plastic; andmetal.

3. The wall art hanging frame of claim 1, further comprising a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer.

4. The wall art hanging frame of claim 3, wherein the rigidity component comprises one or more of the following:wood;medium-density fiberboard (MDF);high-density fiberboard (HDF);plastic; andmetal.

5. The wall art hanging frame of claim 3, wherein the laminate layer is coupled to the rigidity component.

6. The wall art hanging frame of claim 1, further comprising a backer component adhered to the core structure.

7. The wall art hanging frame of claim 1, wherein the one or more securing mechanisms comprise one or more of the following:glue;tape;one or more magnets;one or more hook and loop fasteners; andone or more buttons.

8. The wall art hanging frame of claim 1, further comprising one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the wall art hanging frame to a surface.

9. The wall art hanging frame of claim 1, wherein the core structure and the laminate layer are formed from a single piece of material.

10. A wall art hanging frame assembly, comprising:a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece;a laminate layer coupled to the core structure;the art piece; anda securing mechanism configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening.

11. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, wherein the core structure comprises one or more of the following:wood;medium-density fiberboard (MDF);high-density fiberboard (HDF);plastic; andmetal.

12. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, further comprising a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer.

13. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 12, wherein the rigidity component comprises one or more of the following:wood;medium-density fiberboard (MDF);high-density fiberboard (HDF);plastic; andmetal.

14. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 12, wherein the laminate layer is coupled to the rigidity component.

15. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, further comprising a backer component adhered to the core structure.

16. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, further comprising one or more surface securing mechanisms configured to secure the wall art hanging frame to a surface.

17. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, wherein the art piece comprises a composition printed onto a secondary material.

18. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, wherein the one or more securing mechanisms are secured to the art piece.

19. The wall art hanging frame assembly of claim 10, wherein the core structure and the laminate layer are formed from a single piece of material.

20. A wall art hanging frame assembly, comprising:a core structure, shaped to form a frame shape having a front side opening configured to receive an art piece;a laminate layer coupled to the core structure;a rigidity component positioned between the core structure and the laminate layer;the art piece; anda securing mechanism, coupled to the art piece, configured to removably secure the art piece within the opening,wherein the core structure, the laminate layer, and the rigidity component are formed from a single piece of material.

Images