Picture storage and framing system

Abstract

A picture frame comprising a first pair of frame profiles, each having a first length and a back board arresting groove extending between first connecting angled edges, a second pair of frame profiles, each having a second length, and having second connecting edges corresponding with the first connecting angled edges, complimenting to a right- angled comer at an assembled position; said second pair of frame profiles having a locking groove at respective end portions thereof and extending from a bottom face thereof; said first and second frame profiles each have a stepped section at an inside face thereof, with a picture facing lip disposed above a bottom face thereof; a corner coupler for articulating an end of the first profile member and an end of the second profile member flush against one another, and a rectangle back board made of rigid though pliable material; said first edges being configurable for arresting within said back board arresting groove of the first profiles and locking arresting therein by a portion of the first arm of the L-shaped corner coupler; the back board is deployable between a folded position, encompassing the first and second pairs of frame profiles, and a deployed position at which it is tensioned over the first pair of frame profiles, at a back face of the assembled picture frame.

Description

[0001] PICTURE STORAGE AND FRAMING SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure is concerned with a picture storage and framing system. The disclosure is further concerned with a method for deploying a framed picture using such a system. Furthermore, the disclosure is concerned with a corner coupler for a picture frame of the framing system.

[0004] The term "picture ’ as used hereinafter denotes any form of document or artwork which is desired to be stored / framed, regardless of the material to which it is applied, as long as it is flexible and can be rolled. For example, the picture can be a photo, a poster a painting / sketch, a paper cut, a certificate, a diploma, a publication, etc. The picture can also be a reflective surface.

[0005] BACKGROUND ART

[0006] US2018 / 0155109 discloses a system and method for packaging and framing a picture comprises a partially assembled frame; wherein the partially assembled frame comprises one of: one fixed frame member is fixedly attached to a backing board adapted for holding the picture; two opposite fixed frame members are fixedly attached to the picture; or two opposite fixed frame members are fixedly attached to a backing board adapted for holding the picture. The system further comprises completion frame members adapted for joining to the fixed frame members to complete a frame for the picture and the partial assembly is adapted for rolling or folding up for packaging the picture.

[0007] Acknowledgement of the above reference herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0008] GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0009] A first aspect of the disclosure is directed to a picture frame comprising: a first pair of frame profiles, each having a first length and each having a back board arresting groove longitudinally extending between first connecting angled edges of each first frame profile; a second pair of frame profiles, each having a second length, and having second connecting angled edges corresponding with the first connecting angled edges of the first pair of frame profiles, so as to compliment to a right-angled corner at an assembled position; said second pair of frame profiles having a locking groove disposed at least at respective end portions thereof, said locking groove extending from a bottom face thereof; said first frame profiles and second frame profiles each have a stepped section at an inside face thereof, with a picture facing lip disposed above a bottom face thereof; an L-shaped comer coupler having a first arm slidingly displaceable for slidably arresting within an open end of the back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and a second arm configurable for arresting into a locking groove of the second frame profile, thereby articulating an end of the first profile member and an end of the second profile member flush against one another; a rectangle back board made of rigid though pliable material, having first opposite edges having a length corresponding with the first length of said first frame profiles, and second opposite edges having a length corresponding with the second length of said second frame profiles, respectively; said first edges being configurable for arresting within said back board arresting groove of the first profiles and locking arresting therein by a portion of the first arm of the L-shaped comer coupler; and wherein the back board is deployable between a folded position at which it rolled over to encompass the first and second pairs of frame profiles, and a deployed position at which it is tensioned over the first pair of frame profiles, at a back face of the assembled picture frame, such that at the deployed position a picture can be clappingly positioned between a bottom facing inside edge of the respective frame profiles.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is disclosed a storage and framing system as disclosed hereinabove, and further comprising a cylindric container for snug accommodating the picture frame, and a picture, and a transparent film; said container having a minimal length corresponding with a longest of the frame profiles and having an inside diameter similar to, or slightly greater, than the circumradius of the picture frame at the folded position. Accordingly, a picture and / or a transparent film rolled over the picture frame at its folded position rest rolled against inside face of the Cylindric container without wrinkling.

[0011] A third aspect of the disclosure is concerned with a comer coupler configurable for attaching two neighboring frame profiles to one another at a right angle and flush with one another, said comer coupler having a generally L-like shape wherein a first arm thereof is configurable for sliding arresting into a back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and the second arm thereof is configured for arresting into locking groove at a second frame profile, wherein the first arm can only be axially displaced along said back board arresting groove and said second arm can only be displaced transversally into said locking groove.

[0012] The first arm and the second arm are configurable for press-fit into the back board arresting groove and the locking groove, respectively.

[0013] The first arm of the comer coupler can comprise an axial extension configurable for displacing below the picture facing lip of the first frame profile, for engaging a cutout at the first edge of the back board, for setting the back board to the first frame profile by axially arresting the back board within the back board arresting groove and preventing detachment in a transversing sense by blocking an end portion of the back board arresting groove.

[0014] Yet an aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of storing and framing a picture, the method comprising the following steps:

[0015] 1. Obtaining a picture frame comprising: a first pair of frame profiles, each having a first length and each having a back board arresting groove longitudinally extending between first connecting angled edges of each first frame profile; a second pair of frame profiles, each having a second length, and having second connecting angled edges corresponding with the first connecting angled edges of the first pair of frame profiles, so as to compliment to a right-angled corner at an assembled position; said second pair of frame profiles having a locking groove disposed at least at respective end portions thereof, said locking groove extending from a bottom face thereof; said first frame profiles and second frame profiles each have a stepped section at an inside face thereof, with a picture facing lip disposed above a bottom face thereof; an L-shaped comer coupler having a first arm slidingly displaceable for slidably arresting within an open end of the back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and a second arm configurable for arresting into a locking groove of the second frame profile, thereby articulating an end of the first profile member and an end of the second profile member flush against one another; a rectangle back board made of rigid though pliable material, having first opposite edges having a length corresponding with the first length of said first frame profiles, and second opposite edges having a length corresponding with the second length of said second frame profiles, respectively; said first edges being arresting within said back board arresting groove of the first profiles by locking arresting therein by a portion of the first arm of the L-shaped comer coupler; and wherein the back board is deployable between a folded position at which it rolled over to encompass the first and second pairs of frame profiles, and a deployed position at which it is tensioned at a back face of the assembled picture frame, such that at the deployed position a picture can be clappingly positioned between a bottom facing inside edge of the respective frame profiles.

[0016] 2. Deploying the back board by unfolding it and displacing the first frame profiles away from one another so as to assume a planar shape extending flat between said first frame profiles;

[0017] 3. Applying a picture over the deployed back board and clamping its edges under the picture facing lip;

[0018] 4. Articulating an end portion of a second frame profile to an end portion of a first frame profile by pressing the comer coupler into a locking groove at the ends of the second frame profile, to obtain a rigid right-angled corner;

[0019] 5. Repeating step 4 for each corner, to obtain a rectangle shaped solid frame and with the back board tensioned at a back portion thereof;

[0020] Optionally, after step 3 a flexible transparent film can be applied over the picture; Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof

[0021] At the deployed position opposite edges of the back board are clamped within a back board arresting groove of the first pair of frame profiles; The opposite edges of the back board can be double folded, with an edge portion snugly received within the back board arresting groove of the first pair of frame profiles;

[0022] The picture frame can further comprise a flexible transparent film for placing over the picture, said transparent film configurable for clamping under the picture facing lip;

[0023] A bottom face of the lip of the stepped section extends above a bottom face of the frame profiles, at spaced at a distance D, wherein D is greater than the thickness of the back board and the thickness of a picture and a thickness of a transparent film;

[0024] A minimal packing size of the picture frame has a rectangle shape the maximal diagonal thereof extending between opposite edges of a frame element, plus the thickness of the back board, and having a maximal length corresponding with a maximal length of the frame profiles.

[0025] A minimal circumcircle of the picture frame encompasses the picture frame at its folded position, wherein the circumcircle has a circumradius corresponding substantially with a maximum diagonal extending between opposite edges of a frame element, plus the thickness of the cack board.

[0026] Accordingly, a minimal diameter of a circumcircle of the picture frame, at the folded position, corresponds substantially with root of (square of the height of two frame profiles stacked over one another, plus square of the width of two frame profiles placed next to each other, plus 4 times the thickness of the back board); The rectangle shaped folded back frame defines an obstructed rectangle having a diagonal

[0027] (wherein W= width of a frame profile; H= height of a frame profile; and T= being the thickness of the back board). A minimal diameter of a circumcircle of the picture frame assembly is more or less X;

[0028] The back board can be foldable along fold lines comprising symmetrically distributed fold lines parallel with the first frame profiles, said fold lines comprising:

[0029] -at least a first set of fold lines along respective first edges corresponding with first frame profiles; -a set of second fold lines inwards of said first fold lines, spaced from the first set of fold lines at a distance DI corresponding with the length of the picture facing lip;

[0030] -a set of third fold lines inwards of said second fold lines, spaced from the second set of fold lines at a distance D2 corresponding with the width of a frame profile; -a set of fourth fold lines inwards of said third fold lines, spaced from the third set of fold lines at a distance D3 corresponding with the height of a frame profile;

[0031] -a set of fifth fold lines inwards of said fourth fold lines, spaced from the fourth set of fold lines at a distance D4 corresponding with twice the width of a frame profile.

[0032] The cylindric container can be fitted with removable end caps;

[0033] The back board can be made of cardboard, or plastic material;

[0034] The back board can be corrugated or solid;

[0035] The back board can comprise live hinge sections, defining fold lines;

[0036] The first set of fold lines can be a double fold, i.e. the first edges of the back board can be foldable about itself, for rigidifying thereof and improving grip arresting within the back board arresting groove;

[0037] At least the second frame profiles can further comprise a picture support grove extending at a bottom facing portion of the frame profile, below the picture facing lip;

[0038] The back board can comprise one or more frame hanging keyholes, disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations; The back board can comprise one or more pedestals for supporting the picture frame on a surface top; one or more of the frame profiles comprises at a back face thereof one or more frame hanging keyholes, disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations;

[0039] The first profiles and the second profiles can have a similar cross section;

[0040] The back board arresting groove can have an L-shaped cross section;

[0041] The corner coupler can be made of polymeric material;

[0042] The corner coupler can be made of nylon;

[0043] The corner coupler can be injection molded, or 3D printed; The frame profiles can be manufactured by extrusion;

[0044] The frame profiles can be made of plastic material, e.g. PVC;

[0045] The frame profiles can be made of metal;

[0046] The frame profiles can be made of wood;

[0047] The frame profiles can be made of WPC (*wood, plastic compound);

[0048] The flexible transparent film can be made of acrylic, PMMA, Polycarbonate, etc.; The first length of the first pair of frame profiles can be longer than the length of the back sheet;

[0049] The back board can comprise one or more arresting tabs, laterally extending from one or both of the second edges thereof, said arresting tabs configurable for snapingly arresting within respectively disposed one or more arresting notches at the second pair of frame profiles;

[0050] The arresting notches can be disposed near a bottom face of the second pair of frame profiles;

[0051] A closure slip can be provided for securing the picture frame assembly at its storage / folded position, wherein the slip extends along the first pair of frame profiles and comprises capturing flaps for securing the back board at the folded position;

[0052] The capturing flaps of the closure slip can be folded into a space between a folded portion of the back board and the frame profiles;

[0053] The closure slip can be made of flexible sheet material, e.g. paper, polymeric material (e.g. polypropylene, etc.);

[0054] The closure slip can comprise information such as assembly instructions, manufacturing data, product specifications, etc.;

[0055] The information presented by the closure slip can be visible information, such as graphics and / or text, and / or machine readable information scannable code (e.g. QR code, bar code, etc.) and digital information e.g. RF tag, etc.;

[0056] The closure slip can comprise a first, central segment, disposed between two closure segments, and a pair of end segments disposed at respective ends of the closure slip ;

[0057] At the folded, closed position, the first, central segment extends flush against an inside face of the folded back board, the end segments are disposed over respective end portions of the folded back board, hence obstructing same and preventing unintentional displacement of the second frame members, and the capturing flaps of the closure slip are held within a tight space between a folded portion of the back board and the frame profiles.

[0058] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a picture frame assembly contained within a storage cylinder;

[0061] Fig. IB illustrates the picture frame assembly of Fig. 1 A with an end cap removed;

[0062] Fig. 2A is a section along line 2A - 2A in Fig. 1 A;

[0063] Fig. 2B is planar end view of Fig. 2A;

[0064] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the frame assembly removed from the storage cylinder;

[0065] Fig. 3B is a planar end view of the frame assembly of Fig. 3 A;

[0066] Fig. 3C is the same as Fig. 3 A, with the picture and transparent film removed;

[0067] Fig. 3D is a section along line 3D - 3D in Fig. 3C;

[0068] Fig. 3E is a planar end view of Fig. 3D;

[0069] Fig. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a first step of deploying the picture frame, according to the present disclosure;

[0070] Fig. 4B is a section along line 4B - 4B in Fig. 4A;

[0071] Fig. 4C is a section along line 4C - 4C in Fig. 4B;

[0072] Fig. 4D is a section along line 4D - 4D in Fig. 4C;

[0073] Fig. 5A is a perspective view illustrating a further step of deploying the picture frame;

[0074] Fig. 5B is a section along line 5B - 5B in Fig. 5A;

[0075] Fig. 5C is a section along line 5C - 5C in Fig. 5B;

[0076] Fig. 5D is an enlargement of the portion marked 5D in Fig. 5C;

[0077] Fig. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a further step of deploying the picture frame; Fig. 6B is a section along line 6B - 6B in Fig. 6A;

[0078] Fig- 7 is a perspective exploded view of the picture frame, at an assembly step;

[0079] Fig. 8A is a perspective view illustrating the picture frame ready to assemble second frame profiles;

[0080] Fig. 8B is a section along line 8B - 8B in Fig. 8A;

[0081] Fig. 9A is a perspective front view of an assembled picture frame according to the present disclosure;

[0082] Fig. 9B is a section along line 9B - 9B in Fig. 9A;

[0083] Fig. 9C is an enlargement of the portion marked 9C in Fig. 9B;

[0084] Fig. 9D is a section along line 9D - 9D in Fig. 9A;

[0085] Fig. 9E is an enlargement of the portion marked 9E in Fig. 9D;

[0086] Fig. 9F is a local section along line 9F - 9F in Fig. 9C;

[0087] Fig. 9G is a local section along line 9G - 9G in Fig. 9C;

[0088] Fig. 9H is a local section along line 9H - 9H in Fig. 9C;

[0089] Fig. 91 is a local section along line 91 - 91 in Fig. 9C;

[0090] Fig. 10 is a perspective rear view of an assembled picture frame according to the present disclosure;

[0091] Fig. 11A is a partially exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the picture frame according to the disclosure;

[0092] Fig. 11B is an enlargement of the portion marked 1 IB in Fig. 11 AB;

[0093] Fig. 11C is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of Fig. 11 A;

[0094] Fig. 11D is a perspective view of a back board used in conjunction with the picture frame of the disclosure;

[0095] Figs. 12A to 12D illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure directed to fastening the back board to the second frame profiles, wherein:

[0096] Fig. 12A illustrates the back board articulated along first (side) edges thereof to the first pair of frame profiles, the back board comprising arresting tabs;

[0097] Fig. 12B is a back, sectioned view, similar to Fig. 9B, illustrating the arresting tabs received within arresting notches at the second pair of frame profiles;

[0098] Fig. 12C is a section along line 12C - 12C in Fig. 12B;

[0099] Fig. 12D is an enlargement of the portion marked 12D in Fig. 12D; and

[0100] Figs. 13A to 13G are consecutive steps of unpacking a picture frame according to an embodiment of the disclosure, comprising a closure slip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0101] Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 A and IB of the drawings, illustrating a picture frame assembly generally designated 20, comprising a frame assembly generally designated 10, contained within a cylindric container 22 made of rigid material, e.g. cardboard, plastic, etc., and comprising a removable (one or two) end cap 26.

[0102] With Further reference to the remaining figures the picture frame 10 comprises a first pair of identical frame profiles 30A and 30B, each having a first length Li (Fig. 7A). The frame profiles 30A and 30B are typically made of extruded polymer material, though they can be made of extruded metal, machined material (e.g. wood, WPC), etc. Each of the frame profiles 30A and 30B has a back board arresting groove 34 longitudinally extending between first connecting angled edges 36A and 36B (Figs. 7A, 8A, 8B, 11 A - 11C) of each first frame profile 30A and 30B.

[0103] A second pair of frame profiles 40A and 40B, each having a second length L2 (Fig. 7A), and having second connecting angled edges 44A and 44B, corresponding with the first connecting angled edges 36A and 36B of the first pair of frame profiles 30A and 30B, so as to compliment to a right-angled corner 50 at an assembled position (e.g. seen in Figs. 9A - 9D). The second pair of frame profiles 40A and 40B are each configured with a locking groove 48 disposed at least at respective end portions thereof, said locking groove extending from a bottom face 49 of the second pair of frame profiles 40A and 40B

[0104] As seen in the drawings, the first frame profiles 30A and 30B and second frame profiles 40A and 40B each have a stepped section at an inside face thereof, with a picture facing lip 60 disposed above a bottom face thereof 49.

[0105] The second frame profiles 40A and 40B are securable to the first frame profiles 30A and 30B through an L-shaped corner coupler generally designated 70 (best seen in Figs. 11A and 11B). Corner coupler 70 has a first arm 72 slidingly displaceable for slidably arresting within an open end of the back board arresting groove 34 of a first frame profile 30A; 30B, and a second arm 76 configurable for arresting into the locking groove 48 of the second frame profile 40A; 40B, thereby articulating an end of the first frame profile member with an end of the second profile member flush and smooth against one another (Fig. 9A). The first arm 72 of comer coupler 70 has an extended portion 78 and a locking portion 80, whereby the first arm 72 can only be axially displaced along said back board arresting groove 34 (in direction of arrow 79), and the second arm 76 has straight sidewalls 84, configurable such that said second arm 76 can only be displaced transversally into said locking groove 48 (in direction of arrow 81). This arrangement, as will become apparent hereinafter, facilitated that the first arm 78 of corner coupler 70 can be a-priori fixable to e respective end of a first frame profile 30A; 30B and the second arm 76 is engageable to a second frame profile 40A; 40B albeit said first arm 78 being already coupled, since coupling takes place along traversing axes. This will be further clarified hereinafter with reference to assembly method.

[0106] The picture frame further comprises a rectangle back board 90 made of rigid though pliable material such as cardboard, or plastic material, solid or corrugate, having a thickness T. The back board has first opposite edges 92 having a length h corresponding with the first length Li of said first frame profiles 39A; 30B, and second opposite edges 94 having a length h corresponding with the second length L2 of said second frame profiles 40A; 40B, respectively.

[0107] The arrangement is such that the first edges 92 are configurable for arresting within said back board arresting groove 34 of the first profiles 30A; 30B, and locking arresting therein by extended portion 78 of the first arm 72 of the L-shaped comer coupler 70. In order to render the back board 90 firmness, and to improve grip within the back board arresting groove 34, the first edges 92 are double folded (folded over themselves). By a particular configuration, as disclosed in the drawings (e.g. seen in Figs. 3D, 3E, 4B, 4C) the opposite first side edges 92 of the back board are double folded, with an edge portion snugly received within the back board arresting groove 34 of the first pair of frame profiles 30A and 30B, respectively. This arrangement provides a tight articulation of the back frame with the first pair of frame profiles 30A and 30B, facilitating the tensioning of the back board.

[0108] The back board 90 is deployable between a storage / folded position (Figs. 2A, 2B, 3B.,3C, 3E) at which it is folded to assume a minimal rectangle shape, encompassing within the four frame profiles 30A; 30B; 40A and 40B, and a fully deployed position (Figs. 10, 11 A, 11C and 1 ID) at which it is flat, tensioned at a back face of the assembled picture frame, such that at the deployed position a picture 100 can be clappingly positioned between a bottom facing inside edge of the respective frame profiles.

[0109] Optionally, a flexible transparent film 101 is applied over the picture 100, for preserving it better and imparting it a desired look (e.g. matt, gloss, etc.). The back board 90 is foldable along a plurality of fold lines comprising symmetrically distributed fold lines parallel with the first frame profiles, said fold lines comprising: at least a first set 120A; 120B (two in the illustrated example) of fold lines along respective first edges 92 corresponding with first frame profiles; a set of second fold lines 124 inwards of said first fold lines 120B, spaced from the first set of fold lines 120B at a distance Di corresponding with the length of the picture facing lip 60; a set of third fold lines 126 inwards of said second fold lines 124, spaced from the second set of fold lines at a distance D2 corresponding with the width W of a frame profile 30A; 30B; 40A; 40B; a set of fourth fold lines 128 inwards of said third fold lines, spaced from the third set of fold lines 126 at a distance D3, corresponding with the height H of a frame profile 30A; 30B; 40A; 40B; and a set of fifth fold lines 130 inwards of said fourth fold lines 128, spaced from the fourth set of fold lines at a distance D4 corresponding with twice the width W of a frame profile 30A; 30B; 40A; 40B.

[0110] The arrangement above facilitates the compact and minimal rectangle fold configuration as illustrated in Figs. 2A, 2B, 3B.,3C, 3E.

[0111] At a packed / storage position, the picture frame 10 is disassembled, as discussed hereinabove, with the rectangle shaped folded back frame 90 defining an obstructed rectangle having a diagonal .

[0112] Accordingly, a minimal diameter of a circumcircle of the picture frame assembly is more or less X, as the thickness of the picture 100 and of the transparent film 101 are negligible.

[0113] The back board 90 comprises four hanging keyholes 130A and 130B, disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations. It is appreciated that one or more of the frame profiles 30A ; 30B and 40A ; 40B can comprise at a back face thereof one or more frame hanging keyholes (not shown), disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations. Furthermore, the back board 90 can comprise one or more pedestals (not shown) for supporting the picture frame on a surface top. The keyholes 130 and the pedestals can be an integral part of the back board, or attached thereto, e.g. by adhering. As long as the picture 100 is rolled over the folded back frame 90, covered by the flexible transparent film 101 and received within the cylinder container 22, it is well stored and is damage free. Deploying the picture frame 20 takes place by following the method steps of:

[0114] Obtaining a picture frame assembly 10 of the kind discussed and illustrated hereinabove:

[0115] Deploying the back board 90 by unfolding it and displacing the first frame profiles 30A; 30B away from one another so as to assume a planar shape extending flat between said first frame profiles;

[0116] Applying a picture 100 over the deployed back board 90 and clamping its edges under the picture facing lip 60;

[0117] Articulating an end portion of a second frame profile 40A; 40B to an end portion of a first frame profile 30A; 30B by pressing the comer coupler 70 into a locking groove 84 at the ends of the second frame profile 40A; 40B, to obtain a rigid right-angled comer 50;

[0118] Repeating the above step for each comer, to obtain a rectangle shaped solid frame and with the back board 90 tensioned at a back portion thereof;

[0119] Optionally, after applying the picture 100, a flexible transparent film 101 can be applied over the picture 100.

[0120] Further attention is now made to Figs. 12A to 12D of the drawings, directed to an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein back board 150 further comprises at its respective second edges 152 (i.e. top and bottom edges) several arresting tabs 154 laterally extending, flush with the back board 150. The arrangement is such that said arresting tabs 154 are configurable for snapingly arresting within respectively disposed one or more arresting notches, or grooves 158 at the second pair of frame profiles 40A and 40B.Once arresting tabs 154 are snaped into the notches / groves 158, the back board is stabilized within the frame and maintains its flat position.

[0121] Turning to Figs. 13 A to 13G of the drawings, there is illustrated a modification of the disclosure, wherein picture frame assembly 10 is similar to the disclosure hereinabove, however wherein a closure slip 160 is provided for securing the picture frame assembly 10 at its storage / folded position (Figs. 13A, 13B). As seen in Fig. 13G, the closure slip 160 comprises a first, central segment 163, disposed between two closure segments 164, and a pair of end segments (capturing flaps 166) disposed at respective ends of the closure slip 160.

[0122] At the folded position the slip 160 extends along the back frame, parallel with the first pair of frame profiles 30A: 30B, and wherein capturing flaps 166 securing the back board 90 at the folded position, wherein the capturing flaps 166 are tucked in, i.e. folded into a tight space 168 between a folded portion of the back board 90 and the frame profiles 30A; 30B, 40A;40B

[0123] The closure slip 160 is made of flexible sheet material, e.g. paper, polymeric material (e.g. polypropylene, etc.) and comprises visible information, such as graphics and / or text 170, and / or machine readable information scannable code 174 (e.g. QR code, bar code, etc.) and digital information e.g. RF tag, etc., such as assembly instructions, manufacturing data, product specifications, etc.

[0124] At the folded, closed position, the central segment 163 extends flush against an inside face 91 of the folded back board 90, the end segments 164 are disposed over respective end portions of the folded back board 90, hence obstructing same and preventing unintentional displacement of the first and second frame members 30A, 30B; 40A, 40B, and the capturing flaps 166 of the closure slip are held within a tight space 168 between a folded portion of the back board and the frame profiles.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A picture frame comprising: a first pair of frame profiles, each having a first length and each having a back board arresting groove longitudinally extending between first connecting angled edges of each first frame profile; a second pair of frame profiles, each having a second length, and having second connecting angled edges corresponding with the first connecting angled edges of the first pair of frame profiles, so as to compliment to a right-angled corner at an assembled position; said second pair of frame profiles having a locking groove disposed at least at respective end portions thereof, said locking groove extending from a bottom face thereof; said first frame profiles and second frame profiles each have a stepped section at an inside face thereof, with a picture facing lip disposed above a bottom face thereof; an L-shaped comer coupler having a first arm slidingly displaceable for slidably arresting within an open end of the back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and a second arm configurable for arresting into a locking groove of the second frame profile, thereby articulating an end of the first profile member and an end of a second profile member flush against one another; a rectangle back board made of rigid though pliable material, having first opposite edges having a length corresponding with the first length of said first frame profiles, and second opposite edges having a length corresponding with the second length of said second frame profiles, respectively; said first edges being configurable for arresting within said back board arresting groove of the first profiles and locking arresting therein by a portion of the first arm of the L-shaped comer coupler; and wherein the back board is deployable between a folded position at which it rolled over to encompass the first and second pairs of frame profiles, and a deployed position at which it is tensioned at a back face of the assembled picture frame, such that at the deployed position a picture can be clappingly positioned between a bottom facing inside edge of the respective frame profiles.

2. A storage and framing system comprising the picture frame of claim 1, and further comprising a cylindric container for snug accommodating the picture frame, and a picture, and a transparent film; said container having a minimal length corresponding with alongest of the frame profiles and having an inside diameter similar to, or slightly greater, than the circumradius of the picture frame at the folded position.

3. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the corner coupler is configurable for attaching two neighboring frame profiles to one another at a right angle and flush with one another, said comer coupler having a generally L-like shape wherein a first arm thereof is configurable for sliding arresting into a back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and the second arm thereof is configured for arresting into locking groove at a second frame profile, wherein the first arm can only be axially displaced along said back board arresting groove and said second arm can only be displaced transversally into said locking groove.

4. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm of the corner coupler are configurable for press-fit into the back board arresting groove and the locking groove, respectively.

5. The picture frame of claim 1 , wherein the first arm of the comer coupler comprises an axial extension configurable for displacing below the picture facing lip of the first frame profile, for engaging a cutout at the first edge of the back board, for setting the back board to the first frame profile by axially arresting the back board within the back board arresting groove and preventing detachment in a transversing sense by blocking an end portion of the back board arresting groove.

6. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein a flexible transparent film is provided for placing over the picture, said transparent film configurable for clamping under the picture facing lip.

7. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein a bottom face of the lip of the stepped section extends above a bottom face of the frame profiles, at a spaced apart distance, wherein said distance is greater than the thickness of the back board and the thickness of a picture and a thickness of a transparent film.

8. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein a minimal packing size of the picture frame has a rectangle shape the maximal diagonal thereof extending between opposite edges of a frame element, plus the thickness of the back board, and having a maximal length corresponding with a maximal length of the frame profiles.

9. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein a minimal circumcircle of the picture frame encompasses the picture frame at its folded position, wherein the circumcircle has acircumradius corresponding substantially with a maximum diagonal extending between opposite edges of a frame element, plus the thickness of the back board.

10. The picture frame of claim 2, wherein the cylindric container can be fitted with removable end caps.

11. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board comprises live hinge sections, defining fold lines.

12. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board is foldable along fold lines comprising symmetrically distributed fold lines parallel with the first frame profiles, said fold lines comprising:-at least a first set of fold lines along respective first edges corresponding with first frame profiles;-a set of second fold lines inwards of said first fold lines, spaced from the first set of fold lines at a distance DI corresponding with the length of the picture facing lip;-a set of third fold lines inwards of said second fold lines, spaced from the second set of fold lines at a distance D2 corresponding with the width of a frame profile; -a set of fourth fold lines inwards of said third fold lines, spaced from the third set of fold lines at a distance D3 corresponding with the height of a frame profile;-a set of fifth fold lines inwards of said fourth fold lines, spaced from the fourth set of fold lines at a distance D4 corresponding with twice the width of a frame profile.

13. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the first set of fold lines is a double fold, for rigidifying thereof and improving grip arresting within the back board arresting groove.

14. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board is made of cardboard, or plastic material.

15. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein at least the second frame profiles further comprise a picture support grove extending at a bottom facing portion of the frame profile, below the picture facing lip.

16. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board comprises one or more frame hanging keyholes, disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations.

17. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein one or more of the frame profiles comprises at a back face thereof one or more frame hanging keyholes, disposed so as to facilitate hanging the picture frame on a support wall at different orientations.

18. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board comprises one or more pedestals for supporting the picture frame on a surface top.

19. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the first profiles and the second profiles have a same cross section.

20. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board arresting groove has an L- shaped cross section.

21. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the corner coupler is made of polymeric material.

22. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the comer coupler is injection molded, or 3D printed, or machined.

23. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the frame profiles are manufactured by extrusion.

24. The picture frame of claim 1 , wherein the frame profiles can be made of polymeric material or metal, or wood, or WPC.

25. A comer coupler for use in conjunction with a picture frame of claim 1 , said corner coupler configurable for attaching two neighboring frame profiles to one another at a right angle and flush with one another, said comer coupler having a generally L-like shape wherein a first arm thereof is configurable for sliding arresting into a back board arresting groove of a first frame profile, and a second arm thereof is configured for arresting into locking groove at a second frame profile, wherein the first arm can only be axially displaced along said back board arresting groove and said second arm can only be displaced transversally into said locking groove.

26. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the first length of the first pair of frame profiles is longer than the length of the back sheet.

27. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the back board comprises one or more arresting tabs, laterally extending from one or both of the second edges thereof, said arresting tabs configurable for snapingly arresting within respectively disposed one or more arresting notches at the second pair of frame profiles.

28. The picture frame of claim 27, wherein the arresting notches are disposed near a bottom face of the second pair of frame profiles.

29. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein a closure slip is provided for securing the picture frame assembly at its storage / folded position, and wherein the slip extends along the first pair of frame profiles and comprises capturing flaps for securing the back board at the folded position.

30. The picture frame of claim 29, wherein the capturing flaps of the closure slip are foldable into a space between a folded portion of the back board and the frame profiles;31. The picture frame of claim 29, wherein the closure slip is made of flexible sheet material.

32. The picture frame of claim 29, wherein the closure slip comprise information relating to assembly instructions, manufacturing data, product specifications and the like.

33. The picture frame of claim 32, wherein the information presented by the closure slip is visible information and / or machine readable information.

34. The picture frame of claim 29, wherein the closure slip comprises a first, central segment, disposed between two closure segments, and a pair of end segments disposed at respective ends of the closure slip .

35. The picture frame of claim 29, wherein the at the folded, closed position, the first, central segment extends flush against an inside face of the folded back board, the end segments are disposed over respective end portions of the folded back board, hence obstructing same and preventing unintentional displacement of the frame members, and the capturing flaps of the closure slip are held within a tight space between a folded portion of the back board and the frame profiles.

36. The picture frame of claim 1, wherein the deployed position opposite edges of the back board are clamped within a back board arresting groove of the first pair of frame profiles.

37. The picture frame of claim 36, wherein the opposite edges of the back board are double folded, with an edge portion snugly received within the back board arresting groove of the first pair of frame profiles.

38. A method of storing and framing a picture, the method comprising the following steps:(a) Obtaining a picture frame according to claim 1;(b) Deploying the back board by unfolding it and displacing the first frame profiles away from one another so as to assume a planar shape extending flat between said first frame profiles;(c) Applying a picture over the deployed back board and clamping its edges under the picture facing lip;(d) Articulating an end portion of a second frame profile to an end portion of a first frame profile by pressing the comer coupler into a locking groove at the ends of the second frame profile, to obtain a rigid right-angled corner;Repeating step 4 for each corner, to obtain a rectangle shaped solid frame and with the back board tensioned at a back portion thereof.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein after step d) arresting tabs extending from one or both of the second edges of the back sheet are depressed into snaping engagement with arresting notches disposed at the second pair of frame profiles.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein optionally, after step c) a flexible transparent film can be applied over the picture.

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