Frame and method of framing

Claim 1

A device for displaying a picture comprising: a generally rectangular substantially flat transparent self-supporting plastic sheet having a transverse fold adjacent one end thereof to define a somewhat L-shaped cross-section with a large panel and a short panel, said short panel forming a foot for supporting the frame, said fold being greater than 90°, whereby said large panel stands upright when said folded sheet is stood on said short panel, said large transparent panel having a bracket affixed to its back surface, said bracket having a first portion affixed to and behind the back of said large panel, and a second portion of said bracket integral with the first portion and spaced apart from the rear of said panel so that the second portion of said bracket and the large panel together form a pocket behind the back of said large transparent panel for receiving a picture which is viewed through the large transparent panel; and a separate opaque mat attached to the front or back surface of the large panel, said opaque mat being a decorative plastic laminate which may be debossed in simulated metal engraving, said mat being positioned in front of said picture and having a cut-out region through which the picture may be displayed, a thin transparent centering sheet with a target area designated thereon corresponding in size to said cut-out region in said mat, said target area being sized and dimensioned to be placed over a desired portion of the picture to be displayed behind said large panel, and a mounting board which is no larger than said pocket and is at least as large as said centering sheet, said mounting board having an adhesive surface for securing said picture to said board, whereby only the desired portion of the picture conforming to said target area is displayed when the mounted picture is inserted between said bracket and said large panel.

Claim 2

A device for displaying a picture comprising: a generally rectangular substantially flat transparent self-supporting plastic sheet having a transverse fold adjacent one end thereof to define a somewhat L-shaped cross-section with a large panel and a short panel, said short panel forming a foot for supporting the frame, said fold being greater than 90°, whereby said large panel stands upright when said folded sheet is stood on said short panel, said large transparent panel having a bracket affixed to its back surface, said bracket having a first portion affixed to and behind the back of said large panel, and a second portion of said bracket integral with the first portion and spaced apart from the rear of said panel so that the second portion of said bracket and the large panel together form a pocket behind the back of said large transparent panel for receiving a picture which is viewed through the large transparent panel; and a separate opaque mat attached to the front or back surface of the large panel, said opaque mat being a decorative plastic laminate which may be debossed in simulated metal engraving, said mat being positioned in front of said picture and having a cut-out region through which the picture may be displayed, a thin transparent centering sheet with a target area designated thereon corresponding in size to said cut-out region in said mat, said target area being sized and dimensioned to be placed over a desired portion of the picture to be displayed behind said large panel, and a mounting board which is no larger than said pocket and is at least as large as said centering sheet, said mounting board having an adhesive surface for securing said picture to said board, whereby only the desired portion of the picture conforming to said target area is displayed when the mounted picture is inserted between said bracket and said large panel.