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US4115938A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Variable picture frame assembly

Assignee: Saugatuck Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1976-12-22
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1996-12-22
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Abstract

Abstract A variable picture frame assembly in which adjacent frames are joined together by snap-on clips which fit over and engage the sidewalls of the frames. Two types of clips are described, one that is U-shaped for connecting adjacent frames in a planar array and another that is double U-shaped for connecting adjacent frames in an angular array. The clips and frames in unassembled form are enclosed for display and merchandising in a blister package in which the base card has cuts formed on it defining backings for the frames.

Inventors

  • 👤 Harold M. Belmuth
  • 👤 Alfred R. Leto
  • 👤 Lawrence London
  • 👤 Herman A. Zuckerman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 11:59
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F1/00; G09F1/10; G09F1/12; A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/06; A47G1/065

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
A variable picture frame assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of picture frames, each of said picture frames having a front wall having an opening to expose a picture mounted within the frame and a plurality of side walls along the front wall along the periphery thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom, each side wall including an inside surface and an outside surface, a lip formed on the inside surface of each side wall adjacent a back edge thereof extending along said back edge; and (b) connecting means for joining adjacent picture frames together, said connecting means comprising snap-on type removal clips, each clip including a pair of spaced leg portions containing a transversely extending bead adapted to fit over the lips on the inside surface of side walls of the adjacent frames to join the frames together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
A variable picture frame assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of picture frames, each of said picture frames having a front wall having an opening to expose a picture mounted within the frame and a plurality of side walls along the front wall along the periphery thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom, each side wall including an inside surface and an outside surface, a lip formed on the inside surface of each side wall adjacent a back edge thereof extending along said back edge; and (b) connecting means for joining adjacent picture frames together, said connecting means comprising snap-on type removal clips, each clip including a pair of spaced leg portions containing a transversely extending bead adapted to fit over the lips on the inside surface of side walls of the adjacent frames to join the frames together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The variable picture frame assembly of claim 1 and wherein the snap-on type clips are one piece, rigid and U-shaped and adapted to connect adjacent frames in a planar array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The variable picture frame assembly of claim 1 and wherein the snap-on type clips are one piece, rigid and double U-shaped and adapted to connect adjacent frames in an angular array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
The variable picture frame assembly according to claim 3 and wherein said snap-on clip is a one-piece rigid member in the shape of two U's connected together in side-by-side relationship at an agle of about 45°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 45 words
The variable picture frame assembly of claim 1 and wherein the plurality of picture frames comprises at least three picture frames and wherein the connecting means includes at least one one piece, rigid and U-shaped snap-on clip and at least one double U-shaped snap-on clip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 63 words
In combination with the variable picture frame assembly of claim 1, a blister package for holding the frames and connecting means prior to assembly, said blister package including a planar base element and at least one blister and wherein said planar base element contains at least one easel formed thereon by perforations for use as a backing for one of said picture frames.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-09-25 1982-03-27 1982-09-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-09-25 1986-03-27 1986-09-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-09-25 1990-03-27 1990-09-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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