US 5,588,240 A · Interlocking picture frame

Abstract

A modular picture frame system with the individual picture frames interconnecting like jigsaw puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle piece-shaped picture frames has male and female connectors in the form of an interlocking geometric shape. These connectors are used to attach the individual frames to one another to make a collage of picture frames. Preferably, each frame is made with multiple connectors facing in different directions so that each frame can be connected with as many other frames as it has connectors. The connectors disclosed include rounded lobe-shaped connectors, dovetail connectors and polygonal geometric connectors. The frames themselves and the display openings in the frames can be virtually any geometric shape, rectangle, diamond, octagon, triangle, circle, or other curved shapes as long as the male and female connectors have sufficient clearance to connect.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A picture frame, comprising;

a first frame body, said first frame body having a perimeter, said first frame body having at least one connector, said connector being selected from the group consisting of a male connector and a female connector, said male connector being a projection from said perimeter of said first frame body, said female connector being an indent in said perimeter of said first frame body, said first frame body having a front surface,
and a display means for holding a display item for viewing, said display means comprises a first recess in said front surface for receiving said display item,
and wherein said first recess comprises a back surface and a second recess within said back surface, said second recess having a back wall, said second recess having at least one hole through said back wall.

A system of interlocking modular picture frames, comprising a first picture frame and a second picture frame, said first picture frame comprising:

a first frame body having a first front surface and having at least one male connector, said male connector being a projection from a side of said first frame body,
a first display means for holding a first display item for viewing, said first display means comprising a first primary recess in said first front surface for receiving said first display item,
said second picture frame comprising:
a second frame body having a second front surface and having at least one second female connector, said second female connector being an indent in a side of said second frame body, said indent being shaped to interlock with said projection of said male connector,
a second display means for holding a second display item for viewing, said second display means comprising a second primary recess in said second front surface for receiving said second display item,
whereby said first picture frame and said second picture frame are interlockable with one another by interlocking said male connector with said female connector,
wherein said first primary recess comprises a first back surface and a first secondary recess within said first back surface, said first secondary recess having a first back wall, said first secondary recess having at least one hole through said first back wall, and wherein said second primary recess comprises a second back surface and a second secondary recess within said second back surface, said second secondary recess having a second back wall, said second secondary recess having at least one hole through said second back wall.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interlocking picture frame

Life of this patent

Interlocking picture frame

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15