Frame display and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

An image display includes an image substrate on which an image can be formed. The image substrate has a plurality of locking slits formed therethrough arranged proximate to the opposing sides and opposing ends of the image substrate. The image display includes a frame component to which the image substrate is held in a taut state. The frame component includes a center platform and a foldable outer wall structure that is coupled to the center platform and configured to capture the image substrate therebetween. The center platform has a hollow interior and a rear wall that includes a plurality of first slots formed therethrough and arranged proximate ends and sides of the center platform. The foldable outer wall structure has a plurality of coupling tabs that pass through the locking slits and into first slots where they are captured.

Description

[0001]^ FRAME DISPLAY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application claims the benefit of and priority to US patent application ^^ Serial No.63 / 624,348, filed January 24, 2024 and US patent application Serial No. 63 / 652,395, filed May 28, 2024, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field ^^^ The present disclosure is directed to an image display and more particularly, to a frame assembly that resembles a conventional wooden stretcher frame on which an image is displayed. Background ^^^ Painted or printed images have conventionally been mounted on wooden stretcher frames. Most often, the image is formed on a substate, such as a canvas, and such frames are commonly assembled from a set of four mitered wooden bars. In graphic arts, the mounting of the fabric to the frame can be performed before or after the application of graphic media to the fabric. The stretched fabric product can be displayed as a finished item but can also be fit ^^^ into a secondary frame or other housing. Once tensioned, a blank fabric can be used as a flat working surface for fine art painting. An assembled frame can also be used or the mounting of preprinted fabric materials. Examples of such preprinted materials include both lengths of industrially produced printed fabric and individually printed impressions. In current practice, such discrete or short-run ^^^ images are often printed upon compatibly prepared canvas by inkjet printing. Irrespective of the pigmented medium and graphic production process, stretched canvas images are used in fine art, commercial display, advertising, and both interior and exterior decoration. Conventional wooden stretcher frames can be costly to manufacture and therefore, there is a desire to provide a more cost-effective alternative. ^^^ Summary An image display includes an image substrate on which an image can be formed. The image substrate has a plurality of locking slits formed therethrough arranged proximate to the opposing sides and opposing ends of the image substrate. The image display includes a ^ frame component to which the image substrate is held in a taut state. The frame component includes a center platform and a foldable outer wall structure that is coupled to the center platform and configured to capture the image substrate therebetween. The center platform has a hollow interior and a rear wall that includes a plurality of first slots formed therethrough ^^ and arranged proximate ends and sides of the center platform. The foldable outer wall structure has a plurality of coupling tabs that pass through the locking slits and into first slots where they are captured. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures ^^^ Fig.1 is a rear and side perspective view of an image display with the image substrate; Fig.2 is a rear and side perspective view of the image display with corner caps; Fig.3 is a rear side perspective view of the image display with the image substrate in a flat condition; ^^^ Fig.4 is a rear and side perspective view of the image display in a disassembled state; Fig.5 is a rear and side perspective view of the image display in the disassembled state with the image substate being disposed underneath and in a flat condition; Fig.6 is a side elevation of the assembled image display; Fig.7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig.6; ^^^ Fig.8 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig.7; Fig.9 is a top plan view of an image substrate, such as a canvas; Fig.10 is a top plan view of an inner substrate (center platform); Fig.11 is a top and side perspective view of an end cap according to a first embodiment; ^^^ Fig.12 is a top plan view of the end cap of Fig.11; Fig.13 is a top and side perspective view of an end cap according to a second embodiment; Fig.14 is a top plan view of the end cap of Fig.13; Fig.15 is a top plan view of a foldable outer wall structure; ^^^ Fig.16 is a side perspective view of the image display partially assembled; Fig.17 is a perspective view of a first assembly step showing corner caps coupled to a center platform; Fig.18 is a perspective view of a second assembly step showing the center platform placed on the foldable outer wall structure; ^ Fig.19 is a perspective view of a third assembly step showing placement of the canvas under the foldable outer wall structure; Fig.20 is a perspective view of a fourth assembly step showing the folding over of one section of the foldable outer wall structure with the canvas captured by the one section ^^ and insertion of the foldable outer wall structure into the center platform; Fig.21 is a rear perspective view of the assembled frame; and Fig.22 is a front perspective view of the assembled frame. Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments ^^^ Figs.1-8 illustrate an image display 100 in accordance with one embodiment and resembles a conventional wooden stretcher frame on which an image is displayed. The image display 100 includes two main components, namely, a frame component 200 and an image substrate 10. ^^^ Image substrate 10 The image substrate 10 comprises a substrate on which an image can be formed and in particular is configured for receiving an image that is imparted thereon using conventional techniques. The image can thus be formed from ink, paint or other pigment that forms an image on the image substrate 10. The image substrate 10 is also formed of a material that can ^^^ be formed to have a particular shape, such as the one described herein, and more specifically, the image substrate 10 is formed of a material that can be folded. The image substrate 10 can be formed from a number of different materials, including but not limited to, a textile material that includes at least one surface is a print-receptive surface. In one embodiment, the image substrate 10 is formed of a suitable woven textile, such as a woven textile (e.g., a ^^^ textile that is woven from cotton, polyester, a combination of cotton and polyester or any other suitable material). Alternatively, the image substrate 10 can be formed of a suitable nonwoven material or a fibrous material such as paper. The image substrate 10 has a shape that is best understood with reference to Fig.3. The image substrate 10 can be generally considered to have a first end 12, an opposite second ^^^ end 14, a first side 16, and an opposite second side 18. As shown, the first and second sides 16, 18 are longer than the first and second ends 12, 14. In addition, the image substrate 10 does not have a rectangular shape but instead, the four corners are cut and comprise angled corner edges 11. In other words, the four corners of the image substrate 10 comprises four edges that extend between one side and one end. The first and second ends 12, 14 of the ^ image substrate 10 are positioned relative to the ends of the frame component 200 and similarly, the first and second sides 16, 18 of the image substrate 10 are positioned relative to the sides of the frame component 10. Each of the first and second end 12, 14 includes a foldable end tab 20 and each of the ^^ first and second sides 16, 18 includes a foldable side tab 30. The foldable end tab 20 is folded about a first end fold line and the foldable side tab 30 is folded about a first side fold line. These fold lines are designed to permit the image substrate 10 (e.g., canvas) to fold over and relative to the frame component 200 to permit the image substrate 10 to be held taut along the frame component 200. ^^^ To couple the image substrate 10 to the frame component 20, the image substrate 10 includes a plurality of locking slits 15 formed therethrough. There are a plurality of locking slits 15 formed along each side and each end of the image substrate 10. The locking slits 15 for each set are spaced apart from one another but are located along a line. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four locking slits 15 located along each side and there are three ^^^ locking slits 15 located along each end. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the locking slits 15 intersects at its ends two of the respective angled corner edges 11. As shown in Fig.3, the image substrate 10 is oversized relative to the frame component 200 since the image substrate 10 must have enough material to be folded over and ^^^ secured to the ends and sides of the frame component 200. Frame component 200 The frame component 200 has two parts, namely, a center platform 210 and a foldable outer wall structure 250 that is configured to define the ends and sides of the assembled frame ^^^ component 200. As described herein in more detail, the foldable outer wall structure 250 is in the form of a foldable substrate (flat template). The center platform 210 is formed as a hollow structure and as shown, can have a box construction that includes a rear wall 212, an opposing front wall 214, a pair of opposing end walls 216, and a pair of opposing side walls 218. Between these walls is an open interior ^^^ space. In the illustrated embodiment, the center platform 210 has a rectangular shape and therefore, the side walls 218 are longer than the end walls 216. The center platform can be formed of a number of different materials, including textiles, such as a paper material (e.g., cardboard) or can be formed of another suitable material. When constructed, the center platform 210 provides a robust, sturdy structure. ^ As shown in Figs.7-8, the front wall 214 of the center platform 210 can have a center opening. The center platform 210 also includes a plurality of openings / open slots formed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the center platform 210 has a set of first slots 220 and ^^ a set of second slots 230. The first slots 220 have greater dimensions than the second slots 230 in that the lengths of the first slots 220 are greater than the lengths of the second slots 230. The first slots 220 are arranged (formed) in a rectilinear manner and in particular, the first slots 220 are spaced apart from one another and are arranged in a rectangular layout parallel to the corresponding sides and ends of the center platform 210. In the illustrated ^^^ embodiment, there are three first slots 220 spaced inward from one end of the center platform 210 and there are four first slots 220 spaced inward from one side of the center platform 210. The second slots 230 are located inside of the first slots 220 and there can be and preferably are less second slots 230 than first slots 220. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, there are four second slots 230 that are arranged in a cross hair pattern. Accordingly, the ^^^ longitudinal axis of the second slot 230 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first slots 220 that are positioned along the corresponding side or end of the center platform 210. The widths of the first and second slots 220, 230 can be the same or different. Each of the first slot 220 and second slot 230 opens into the hollow interior of the center platform 210. The foldable outer wall structure 250 is initially laid flat and disposed below the ^^^ center platform 210. The foldable outer wall structure 250 performs two functions in that it securely couples, in a taut state, the image substrate 10 to the center platform 210 and it also is securely coupled to the center platform 210 to form the assembled frame component 200. The foldable outer wall structure 250 can be formed of the same material as the center platform 210. Accordingly, the foldable outer wall structure 250 can be formed of a textile ^^^ material and in one embodiment is formed of cardboard or similar paper product. The foldable outer wall structure 250 is configured to be folded. Fig.4 shows one exemplary foldable outer wall structure 250. The foldable outer wall structure 250 has a center portion that seats against the front wall of the center platform 210 and further has two opposing end portions 251 and two opposing side portions 253 that extend outward from the ^^^ center platform 210. The center portion can thus have a rectangular shape. As shown in Fig. 4, when the assembled center platform 210 is placed over the center portion of the foldable outer wall structure 250, the end and side portions 251, 253 of the foldable outer wall structure 250 extend outwardly from the center portion. ^ In order to couple the foldable outer wall structure 250 to the center platform 210, the end and side portions of the foldable outer wall structure 250 have coupling elements that are configured to join the foldable outer wall structure 250 to the center platform 210. Each of the end portions 251 and each of the side portions 253 includes a plurality of ^^ coupling (interlocking) tabs 260 that are configured to couple the foldable outer wall structure 250 to the center platform 210. Each coupling tab 260 is configured to be complementary to one of the first slots 220 and second slots 230 and particularly, the coupling tab 260 is designed to be received within and interlock (e.g. friction fit) with the corresponding slot, thereby joining the first slot 220 and second slot 230 to the center ^^^ platform 210. The number of coupling tabs 260 along the end portions 251 is equal to the number of first slots 220 formed along the end of the center platform 210 and similarly, the number of coupling tabs 260 along the side portions 253 is equal to the number of first slots 220 formed along the side of the center platform 210. Thus, there are three coupling tabs 260 along each end portion 251 and there are four coupling tabs 260 along each side portion 253. ^^^ Each of the coupling tab 260 can be considered to have a mushroom shape in that there is a convex head portion connected to a stem. This design provides a pair of undercut (bottom) edges on either side of the stem (the tabs 260 can be formed using a laser cut or die cut process). This design causes a coupling / interlocking of the coupling tab 260 to the center platform 210 since once the enlarged head portion clears that first slot 220, the head ^^^ portion is captured below the rear wall of the center platform 210 in an interlocking manner, thereby joining the foldable outer wall structure 250, in its folded state, to the center platform 210. The height of the hollow interior space in the center platform 210 thus must accommodate the coupling tab 260 as shown in Fig.7. The manner of folding the foldable outer wall structure 250 is described below. ^^^ of folding the foldable outer wall structure As shown in Figs.7-8, the foldable outer wall structure 250 is folded along three lines to form the folded structure shown in Fig.8. The three lines can be considered to include a first line 270, a second line 272, and a third line 274. The first line 270 is closest to the ^^^ peripheral edge of the foldable outer wall structure 250, while the third line 274 is closest to the center portion. To fold the foldable outer wall structure 250, the user first folds the foldable outer wall structure 250 along the third line 274 to create a side wall, generally indicated at 275, of the assembled foldable outer wall structure 250. The side wall 275 is parallel to the side wall of the center platform 210 and is perpendicular to the center portion. ^ When the foldable outer wall structure 250 is folded at the second line 272, a rear wall 277 of the foldable outer wall structure 250 is created. The rear wall 277 is perpendicular to the side wall 275 and is parallel to the center portion. In other words, the center portion, the side wall 275, and the rear wall 277 define a U-shape. When the foldable outer wall structure 250 is ^^ folded along the first line 270, this allows the coupling tab 260 to be inserted into the first slot 220 as described herein. In the assembled state, the folded coupling tab 260 is perpendicular to the rear wall 277 and is parallel to the side wall 275. In this way, the coupling tab 260, the rear wall 277, and the side wall 275 define a U-shape. The coupling tabs 260 are received through the locking slits 15, thereby coupling the ^^^ image substrate 10 to the foldable outer wall structure 250. After inserting the coupling tabs 260 through the locking slits 15, the coupling tabs 260 are then passed through the first slots 220, resulting in the image substrate 10 being wrapped around the frame component 200 and being held taut along the frame component 200. Fig.8 shows the image substrate 10 being captured by the coupling tab 260. The entire frame component 200 is configured such that ^^^ when the image substrate 10 is first captured by the coupling tabs 260 and then the coupling tabs 260 are inserted into the locking slits 15, the image substrate 10 is drawn taut across the frame component 200. In this way, the foldable outer wall structure 250 is configured to draw taut the image substrate 10 resulting in the complete frame product being formed. Fig.2 illustrates the use of corner caps 300. The corner caps 300 are designed to pass ^^^ through the image substrate 10 and lock into place with the foldable outer wall structure 250. More specifically, the image substrate 10 includes corner cap slits 32 to permit passage of a pair of feet formed as part of the corner cap 300. There are two corner cap slits 32 formed along each end and each side of the image substrate 10. As shown in the figures, when the image substrate 10 is folded and securely coupled to the frame component 200, two corner ^^^ cap slits 32 are positioned in each corner of the assembled frame product. As shown in Fig. 4, the foldable outer wall structure 250 includes inner slits 259 with two inner slits 259 formed along the two end portions and along the two side portions. Like the corner cap slits 32, the inner slits 259 are designed to accommodate the feet of the corner cap 300 for securing the corner cap 300 in one corner. In the assembled product, the corner cap slits 32 ^^^ and the inner slits 259 are thus aligned within one another to permit passage of the feet of the corner cap 300 to lock the corner cap 300 in place. Since the entire frame component 200 is formed of a textile material, such as cardboard, the image display 100 is less expensive and is easier to manufacture than a traditional wooden stretcher frame. ^ Frame component 400 The frame component 400 has two parts, namely, a center platform 410 and a foldable outer wall structure 450 that is configured to define the ends and sides of the assembled frame component 400. As described herein in more detail, the foldable outer wall structure 450 is ^^ in the form of a foldable substrate (flat template). As shown in Fig.9, the frame component 400 can utilize the substrate 10 that is shown in Fig.3 and therefore, the same reference numbers are used in the two figures. It will be appreciated that substrates having other shapes can be used. Also, the shapes and sizes of the substrate 10 will vary depending on the size of the frame component 400. The substrate ^^^ 10 is held taut against the frame component 400 as described herein. The center platform 410 has a different construction than in the previous embodiment. In particular, the center platform 410 includes a center substrate 412 and a plurality of corner caps 430. The center substrate 412 has a rigid construction and can have a rectangular shape defined by four sides and four corners. In the illustrated embodiment, the center substrate ^^^ 412 has a rectangular shape with two opposing ends 413 and two opposing sides 414. Along the sides of the center substrate 412, there are tabs 415 that protrude outwardly from the respective sides. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two tabs 415 along each end 413 and three tabs 415 along each side 414. The tabs 415 can have the same sizes and / or shapes or they can be different as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 415 are all ^^^ rectangular shapes; however, the tabs along the ends 413 are larger than the tabs 415 along the sides 414. Between the tabs 415, pockets 419 are formed and are designed to receive a complementary structure as described herein. Within each corner of the center substrate 412 there is a slot 425 that is open to the ^^^ exterior of the center substrate 412. The slot 425 can be U-shaped with a curved closed end. Each corner includes one slot 425 centrally located. The center substrate 412 can be formed of cardboard. The plurality of corner caps 430 are joined to the center substrate 412 to form the center platform 410. As shown, the manner in which the center substrate 412 is joined to the ^^^ corner caps 430 results in the center substrate 412 being suspended with a hollow space formed below (and above) the center substrate 412. Figs.11 and 12 illustrate the corner caps 430. The corner cap 430 can be a plastic (molded) part. The corner cap 430 has first and second side walls 431, 432 that are formed perpendicular to one another but do not meet in the corner. There is a floor 433 from which ^ the side walls 431, 432 extend upward and are joined. The floor 433 can have a tongue 435 extending outwardly away from the corner and away from the side walls 431, 432. The corner cap 430 also include an inner post 436 that extends upwardly from the floor in the same direction as the side walls 431, 432 extend. A section 437 of the inner post 436 also ^^ extends inwardly along the floor away from the corner and along an axis that is at a 45 degree angle relative to each side wall. The section 437 is sized and shaped to be received within the slot 425 for coupling the center substrate 412 to the corner caps 430. There is a ledge 438 that extends over the section 437 and extends outwardly beyond the section 437 so as to create a shoulder. When the corner caps 430 are attached to the center substrate 412, the ^^^ center substrate 412 lies below the ledge 438. A friction fit is formed between the caps 430 and the center substrate 412. Since the center substrate 412 sits on the floors of the corner caps 430, the center substrate 412 is slightly elevated relative to a ground surface. The side walls 431, 432 define reinforcing (rigid) walls of the corners of the center platform 410. The inner post 436 is connected to the side walls 431, 432 with a pair of inner walls ^^^ 439. As shown, there is an open space at the corner of the corner cap 430 (i.e., between ends of the side walls 431, 432 and between the inner walls 439. It is this open space in which a pleated corner of the substrate 10 can be inserted to finish off the substrate as described below. Now turning to Figs, 13-14 in which alternative corner caps 500 are shown. ^^^ The corner cap 500 can be a plastic (molded) part. The corner cap 500 has first and second side walls 502, 504 that are formed perpendicular to one another and are joined to a slotted corner structure 510. The slotted corner structure 510 is formed in the corner of the cap and extends outwardly from the side walls 431, 432. The slotted corner structure 510 has a slot 511 formed therein that is open to the exterior and is intended to receive the pleated ^^^ corner of the substrate. Within the slot 511, there can be interference fit features that serve to capture the pleated corner. For example, within the slot 511 there can be aligned bumps that define a waist or narrow point of the slot 511 which serves to pinch and hold the inserted pleated corner. There is a floor 520 from which the side walls 502, 504 extend upward and are joined. ^^^ The corner cap 500 also include an inner post 530 that extends upwardly from the floor in the same direction as the side walls 502, 504 extend. A section 532 of the inner post 530 also extends inwardly along the floor away from the corner and along an axis that is at a 45 degree angle relative to each side wall. The section 532 is sized and shaped to be received within the slot 425 for coupling the center substrate 412 to the corner caps 500. There is a ledge 534 ^ that extends over the section 532 and extends outwardly beyond the section 532 so as to create a shoulder. When the corner caps 500 are attached to the center substrate 412, the center substrate 412 lies below the ledge 534. A friction fit is formed between the caps 500 and the center substrate 412. Since the center substrate 412 sits on the floors of the corner ^^ caps 500, the center substrate 412 is slightly elevated relative to a ground surface. The side walls 502, 504 define reinforcing (rigid) walls of the corners of the center platform. The inner post 530 is connected to the side walls 502, 504 with a pair of inner walls 509. The frame component 400 include the foldable outer wall structure 450 that is ^^^ designed to be directly coupled to the substrate 10. The foldable outer wall structure 450 performs two functions in that it securely couples, in a taut state, the image substrate 10 to the center platform 410 and it also is securely coupled to the center platform 410 to form the assembled frame component 400. The foldable outer wall structure 450 can be formed of the same material as the center platform 410. Accordingly, the foldable outer wall structure 450 ^^^ can be formed of a textile material and in one embodiment is formed of cardboard or similar paper product. The foldable outer wall structure 450 is configured to be folded. Fig.16 shows one exemplary foldable outer wall structure 450. The foldable outer wall structure 450 has a center portion on which the center platform 410 rests and further has two opposing end ^^^ portions 451 and two opposing side portions 453 that extend outward from the center portion. The center portion can thus have a rectangular shape. As shown in Fig.16, when the assembled center platform 410 is placed over the center portion of the foldable outer wall structure 450, the end and side portions 451, 453 of the foldable outer wall structure 450 extend outwardly from the center portion. ^^^ In order to couple the foldable outer wall structure 450 to the center platform 410, the end and side portions of the foldable outer wall structure 450 have coupling elements that are configured to join the foldable outer wall structure 450 to the center platform 410. Each of the end portions 451 and each of the side portions 453 includes a plurality of coupling (interlocking) tabs 460 that are configured to couple the foldable outer wall ^^^ structure 450 to the center platform 410. The substrate 10 is joined to the foldable outer wall structure 450 but inserting the tabs 460 through slits formed in the substrate 10 as shown. In this way, the substrate 10 is joined to the foldable outer wall structure 450. ^ Each coupling tab 460 is configured to be complementary to one pocket 419 that is defined between two adjacent tabs 415. It will also be appreciated that the side portions 451, 453 fold over the first and second side walls 431, 432 of the corner caps 430 and these side walls 431, 432 provide reinforcement and prevents the side portions 451, 453 from detaching ^^ and decoupling from the center platform 410. The side walls 431, 432 function much like foldable corner flaps of a foldable cardboard box. The manner of folding the foldable outer wall structure 450 and construction of the frame component 400 are described below. Once the substrate 10 is joined to the outer wall structure 450 as described above, this ^^^ joined structure is laid flat on the ground. The center platform 410, which comprises the joined substrate 412 and the corner caps, is then positioned within the center section of the outer wall structure 450. Then, one side portion 451, 453 is folded over the respective side walls 431, 432 of the corner caps 430 and the coupling (interlocking) tabs 460 are inserted into the pockets 419, thereby securing the side portion 451, 453 to the center platform 410. ^^^ As shown, the open side of the pocket 419 is closed off by the outer wall structure 450 when it is folded over and the outer wall structure 450 is folded over again to insert the tab 460 into the pocket 419. Since the substrate 10 is attached to the outer wall structure 450, this folding step causes tensioning of the substrate 10 over the frame. The process is repeated for the other side portions 451, 453 resulting in all four sides ^^^ of the outer wall structure 450 being interlocked with the center platform 410. This results in the substrate 10 being held taut against the frame. Once the four sides of the outer wall structure 450 are locked in place, the four pleated corners of the substrate 10 are tucked into the frame component 400. A corner tuck tool 11 can be used to tuck in each pleated corner of the substrate 10 into a corner space or ^^^ corner slit formed and / or defined by the corner caps. When corner caps 430 are used, the pleated corners can be tucked into the corner space between the side walls of the corner cap 430. When the corner caps 500 are used, the pleated corners of the substrate 10 are tucked into the slots 511 for capturing them. After tucking the pleated corners, the image display (frame) is completed and ready for use. ^^^ Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, ^ configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions. Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter ^^ hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected ^^^ from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the ^^^ dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by ^^^ reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of ^^^ 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim. ^^^

Claims

^ What is claimed is:

1. An image display comprising: an image substrate on which an image can be formed, the image substrate having a plurality of locking slits formed therethrough and arranged along a periphery ^^ of the image substrate; and a frame component to which the image substrate is held in a taut state, the frame component including a center platform and a foldable outer wall structure that is coupled to the center platform and configured to capture the image substrate therebetween, the center platform having a hollow interior and a rear wall that ^^^ includes a plurality of first slots formed therethrough and arranged proximate ends and sides of the center platform, the foldable outer wall structure having a plurality of coupling tabs that pass through the locking slits and into first slots where they are captured.

2. An image display comprising: ^^^ an image substrate on which an image can be formed, the image substrate having a plurality of locking slits formed therethrough and arranged proximate to outer edges of the image substrate; and a frame component to which the image substrate is held in a taut state, the frame component including a center platform and a foldable outer wall structure that ^^^ is coupled to the center platform and configured to capture the image substrate therebetween, thereby holding the image substrate in a taut state, the center platform including a center substrate and a plurality of corner caps that are coupled to the center substrate resulting in the center substrate being suspended by the plurality of corner caps and elevated relative to a center section of the foldable outer wall ^^^ structure, the center substrate defining a plurality of pockets formed along perimeter edges of the center substrate, the foldable outer wall structure having a plurality of coupling tabs that pass through the locking slits and are received within the plurality of pockets.

3. The image display of claim 2, wherein the foldable outer wall structure includes ^^^ four side sections that extend outward from the center section, each side section including a peripheral edge that includes a set of the coupling tabs.

4. The image display of claim 3, wherein each coupling tab has a planar outer edge and a pair of beveled edges at opposing ends of the planar outer edge and wherein the pocket has an open rectangular shape.^ 5. The image display of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tabs are contained within the plurality of pockets by a friction fit.

6. The image display of claim 2, wherein the corner caps are disposed in corners of the center section. ^^ 7. The image display of claim 3, wherein each corner cap has an L-shape defined by first and second side walls and the four side sections are folded over the first and second side walls of the plurality of corner caps.

8. The image display of claim 7, wherein each corner cap has an inner post that is received within a slot formed in the center platform to couple the corner cap to ^^^ corners of the center platform.

9. The image display of claim 7, wherein there is an open space between the first and second side walls of each corner cap for receiving a respective corner pleat of the image substrate.

10. The image display of claim 7, wherein the corner cap includes a floor between the ^^^ first and second side walls, one corner of the center platform being disposed on and above the floor of the corner cap.

11. The image display of claim 1, wherein the image substrate comprises a piece of canvas.

12. The image display of claim 1, wherein the corner caps are formed of plastic and ^^^ the center platform and the foldable outer wall structure are formed of cardboard.

13. The image display of claim 7, wherein the plurality of pockets are located inside of the first and second walls of the corner caps.

14. The image display of claim 1, wherein the locking slits are arranged proximate to opposing sides and opposing ends of the image substrate. ^^^ 15. The image display of claim 7, wherein the corner cap has a first slot formed in an outer corner between ends of the first and second side walls and the corner cap has a pair of inner walls located inside of the first and second side walls, wherein there is a second slot formed between the pair of inner walls, the first and second slots are axially aligned with one another. ^^^ 16. The image display of claim 1, wherein each pocket is defined between two tabs along an edge of the center platform.

17. A method for constructing a framed article comprising the steps of:^ positioning an image substrate on a working surface, the image substrate having a plurality of locking slits formed therethrough and arranged proximate to outer edges of the image substrate; partially assembling a frame component, the frame component including a center ^^ platform and a foldable outer wall structure that is coupled to the center platform and configured to capture the image substrate therebetween; inserting locking tabs of the foldable outer wall structure through the locking slits; and folding over the foldable outer wall structure such that the locking tabs of the ^^^ foldable outer wall structure are received in pockets of the center platform, whereby the image substrate is captured between the foldable outer wall structure and the center platform and the image substrate is held in a taut state. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^

Images