Floating Picture Frame With Flexible Edge Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing picture framing technologies, such as floater frames, are difficult to use symmetrically, require perfect fit between the frame and artwork, are time-consuming, and heavy, making them cumbersome for mounting and handling.
Innovation Solution
A frame with flexible members that provide compression and friction forces to secure the artwork, allowing for easy mounting from both sides, accommodating various sizes and thicknesses, and enabling the 'floating' illusion, while being lighter and easier to use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional floater frames with L-profiles are used, then the artwork can be mounted with a floating illusion, but the frame becomes heavy and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid L-profiles with flexible members (such as elastic bands or flexible strips) that can be attached to the frame back. These flexible members create the floating illusion by forming gaps between the frame and artwork while being significantly lighter than traditional rigid corner profiles, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving the floating effect and reducing frame weight.
2Shape
If traditional floater frames are used, then the floating illusion is achieved, but mounting becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting function from the complex L-profile corner joints and relocates it to simple flexible members attached to the frame back. This allows the artwork to be secured by simply attaching it to the flexible members, eliminating the need for precise corner alignment and significantly reducing mounting time while preserving the floating illusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible members are designed to automatically adjust and secure the artwork in position once attached to the frame. The elastic or flexible nature of these members allows them to self-adjust to accommodate slight variations in artwork dimensions, eliminating the need for precise manual adjustment and making the mounting process faster and more forgiving.
3Shape
If traditional floater frames are used, then the floating illusion is created, but symmetric mounting becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible members as intermediary elements between the frame and artwork. These members can be positioned and adjusted independently on the frame back, allowing the mounter to achieve symmetric positioning of the artwork relative to the frame opening without needing to visually inspect the front during mounting. The flexible members act as guides and anchors that facilitate precise positioning.
4Shape
If traditional floater frames are used, then the floating illusion is achieved, but the frame requires perfect fit between frame and artwork
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the elastic or flexible properties of the flexible members to accommodate variations in artwork dimensions. By changing the physical state of the mounting elements from rigid to flexible, the system can adapt to different artwork sizes and thicknesses without requiring perfect dimensional matches, thereby increasing versatility while maintaining the floating illusion effect.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The frame allows for quick, user-friendly mounting of artworks, ensuring central positioning, shock absorption, and ease of reuse, while accommodating irregularities and variations in frame and artwork dimensions, and enabling the display of multiple artworks.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible member is configured to securely maintain the picture/artwork within the frame by means of a compression force provided between the at least one flexible member and the periphery
Implementation Method 2
a compression force and/or a friction force provided between the at least one flexible member and the periphery
Data Source
AI summary
A frame (2) for framing a picture/an artwork (4) having a periphery (8) is disclosed. The frame (2) comprises a contact surface (10) provided at the inside (12) of the frame, which frame (2) comprises an opening (14), through which the picture/artwork (4) is mountable. At least one flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) extends along at least a portion of the contact surface (10). The at least one flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) is provided in such a manner that the flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) is configured to securely maintain the picture/artwork (4) within the frame (2) by means of a compression force (F1) and/or a friction force (F2) between the at least one flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) and the periphery (8). The flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) is compressible. The flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) is attached to the frame (2) in such a manner that the flexible member (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) is restricted from being moved along the width (axis X) of the contact face (10).