Soft, pliable picture frame and method of framing a picture

A picture frame constructed for more easily mounting a picture therein and for protecting the frame and a picture covering positioned therein from damage such as when knocked over on a desk or table, the picture frame comprising:

• a body integrally formed of a unitary piece of soft, pliable foam material having a durometer in the range of about 20 DD to about 55 DD, said body including front and back portions thereof, said front portion having a first opening formed therein arranged for viewing a picture therethrough, and said back portion having a second opening formed therein positionally aligned with said first opening and arranged for receiving a picture covering, a picture, and a backing sheet member therein, said second opening of said back portion having a larger circumference than said first opening of said front portion os that peripheral portions of said body surrounding said first opening and positioned between said first and second openings define a shoulder arranged to position peripheral portions of a picture covering thereagainst so that a picture when positioned against a picture covering there is viewable from the front portion of said body, said back portion also having a flexible peripheral lip surrounding said second opening, positionally aligned with and spaced rearwardly from said shoulder, and arranged for encasing and detachably securing peripheral portions of a picture covering, a picture, and a backing sheet member when positioned within said second opening and between said shoulder and said lip so that the combination of said shoulder and lip provide means for protecting at least a picture covering from damage when knocked over on a desk or table, said flexible peripheral lip having at least slitted portions formed therein for deforming said lip during insertion of a picture covering, a picture, and a backing member.

A frame matting member for a picture frame constructed for more easily mounting a picture therein, the frame matting member comprising:

• a matting body member integrally formed of a unitary piece of soft, pliable foam material having a durometer in the range of about 20 DD to abut 55 DD and arranged to receive a picture frame surrounding peripheral portions thereof, said body including front and back portions thereof, said front portion having a first opening formed therein arranged for viewing a picture therethrough, and said back portion having a second opening formed therein positionally aligned with said first opening and arranged for receiving a picture covering, a picture, and a backing sheet member therein, said second opening of said back portion having a larger circumference than said first opening of said front portion so that peripheral portions of said body surrounding said first opening and positioned between said first and second openings define a shoulder arranged to position peripheral portions of a picture covering thereagainst so that a picture when positioned against a picture covering therein is viewable from the front portion of said body, said shoulder having lateral extents greater than lengthwise extents, said back portion also having a flexible peripheral lip surrounding said second opening, positionally aligned with and spaced rearwardly from said shoulder, and arranged for encasing and detachably securing peripheral portions of a picture covering, a picture, and a backing sheet member when positioned within said second opening and between said should and said lip so that the combination of said shoulder and lip provide means for protecting at least said picture covering from damage when knocked over on a desk or table, said flexible peripheral lip having at least slitted portions formed therein for deforming said lip during insertion of a picture covering, a picture, and a backing member.

A method of framing a picture for protecting a frame from damage such as when knocked over on a desk or table, the method comprising:

• providing a frame body integrally formed of a unitary piece of a soft, pliable foam elastomeric material having a durometer in the range of about 20 DD to about 55 DD front and back portions, the front portion including a first opening therein and the back portion including a second opening therein positionally aligned with said first opening, and means for protecting a picture from damage when knocked over on a desk or table;
• deforming a flexible peripheral lip of the frame body surrounding the second opening of the back portion, said flexible peripheral lip including slitted portion formed therein;
• and
• inserting a picture into the second opening so that peripheral portions of the picture are protectively encased within the confines of the frame body between the first and second openings formed therein and positioned closely adjacent the means for protecting a picture from damage.