Customizable Picture Frame Device

Abstract

A customizable picture frame device for customizing decorative designs of the picture frame includes a picture frame. A plurality of apertures extend into the picture frame. A plurality of tiles are removably couplable to the picture frame. Each tile of the plurality of tiles includes a tile front side and a tile back side. A tile projection extends outwardly from the tile back side. The tile projection is positionable within a selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures to removably couple each tile to the picture frame.

Claims

1. A decorative picture frame assembly comprising: a picture frame; a plurality of apertures extending into the picture frame; a plurality of tiles being removably couplable to the picture frame, each tile of the plurality of tiles including: a tile front side; a tile back side; and a tile projection being coupled to and extending outwardly from the tile back side, the tile projection having a shape being complementary to a shape of each aperture of the plurality of apertures wherein the tile projection is positionable within a selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures to removably couple each tile to the picture frame.

2. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 1, the picture frame further comprising a plurality of walls extending around a perimeter of a transparent front side, each wall of the plurality of walls having a forward surface facing outwardly from the transparent front side, the plurality of apertures being positioned on the forward surface of each wall of the plurality of walls.

3. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of apertures are aligned with each other along each wall of the plurality of walls.

4. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of apertures are centered on each wall of the plurality of walls.

5. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 2, wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles has four edges wherein the plurality of tiles are alignable with each other along each wall of the plurality of walls and wherein the plurality of tiles are positionable to cover each wall of the plurality of walls.

6. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 1, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is circular.

7. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the tile projection is cylindrical wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles is pivotable within the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures.

8. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 1, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is polygonal.

9. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 8, the tile projection further comprising: a pair of tile projection members being spaced from each other on the tile back side, each tile projection member of the pair of tile projection members including: a tile projection plate; and a tile projection lip being coupled to and extending from the tile projection plate, the tile projection lip engaging a lateral edge of the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures wherein the pair of tile projection members inhibit each tile of the plurality of tiles from being pivoted within the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures.

10. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 1, the tile projection further comprising a magnet being magnetically attracted to a magnetic material of the picture frame wherein the magnet releasably secures the tile projection within the selectable respective aperture to inhibit each tile of the plurality of tiles from being removed from the picture frame.

11. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ridges being coupled to and extending outwardly from the picture frame, each aperture of the plurality of apertures being positioned between adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges being spaced from each other by a distance being complementary to a size of the plurality of tiles wherein the plurality of ridges are configured to inhibit the plurality of tiles from being pivoted within the plurality of apertures while the plurality of tiles are coupled to the picture frame.

12. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 1, each tile of the plurality of tiles further comprising a tile dimple extending into the tile front side.

13. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 12, wherein the tile dimple is centered on the tile front side.

14. The decorative picture frame assembly of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of indicia being removably couplable to the plurality of tiles, each indicium of the plurality of indicia including: an indicium back side; and an indicium projection being coupled to and extending outwardly from the indicium back side, the indicium projection having a shape being complementary to a shape of the tile dimple wherein the indicium projection is positionable within the tile dimple of a selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles to removably couple each indicium of the plurality of indicia to the selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles.

15. A decorative picture frame assembly comprising: a picture frame having a plurality of walls extending around a perimeter of a transparent front side, each wall of the plurality of walls having a forward surface facing outwardly from the transparent front side; a plurality of apertures extending into the forward surface of each wall of the plurality of walls of the picture frame, the plurality of apertures being aligned with each other along each wall of the plurality of walls, the plurality of apertures being centered on each wall of the plurality of walls; a plurality of tiles being removably couplable to the plurality of walls of the picture frame, each tile of the plurality of tiles having four edges wherein the plurality of tiles are alignable with each other along each wall of the plurality of walls and wherein the plurality of tiles are positionable to cover each wall of the plurality of walls, each tile of the plurality of tiles including: a tile front side; a tile dimple extending into the tile front side, the tile dimple being centered on the tile front side; a tile back side; a tile projection being coupled to and extending outwardly from the tile back side, the tile projection having a shape being complementary to a shape of each aperture of the plurality of apertures wherein the tile projection is positionable within a selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures to removably couple each tile of the plurality of tiles to the plurality of walls of the picture frame; the plurality of tiles having a plurality of tile shapes wherein the plurality of tiles are configured to facilitate customizable designs on the plurality of walls of the picture frame, the plurality of tile shapes including a plurality of corner shapes and a plurality of side shapes, each corner shape of the plurality of corner shapes including at least one right angle wherein the plurality of corner shapes are positionable on corners of the plurality of walls of the picture frame; a plurality of indicia being removably couplable to the plurality of tiles, each indicium of the plurality of indicia including: an indicium front side; an indicium back side; an indicium projection being coupled to and extending outwardly from the indicium back side, the indicium projection being perpendicular to the indicium back side, the indicium projection having a shape being complementary to a shape of the tile dimple of each tile of the plurality of tiles wherein the indicium projection is positionable within the tile dimple of a selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles to removably couple each indicium of the plurality of indicia to the selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles, the indicium projection being cylindrical; and a plurality of ridges being coupled to and extending outwardly from each wall of the plurality of walls of the picture frame, the plurality of ridges being perpendicular to the forward surface of the plurality of walls, each aperture of the plurality of apertures being positioned between adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges being spaced from each other by a distance being complementary to a size of the plurality of tiles wherein the plurality of ridges are configured to inhibit the plurality of tiles from being pivoted within the plurality of apertures when the plurality of tiles are coupled to the plurality of walls of the picture frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a customizable picture frame device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 11 thereof, a new picture frame embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0024] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 11, the customizable picture frame device 10 generally comprises a picture frame 12. The picture frame 12 typically includes a plurality of walls 14 extending around a perimeter of a transparent front side 16. The transparent front side 16 is configured to facilitate visibility of a photograph positioned within the picture frame 12. The plurality of walls 14 is configured to circumscribe the photograph when the photograph is positioned within the picture frame 12. Each wall of the plurality of walls 14 generally has a forward surface 18 that faces outwardly from the transparent front side 16.

[0025] A plurality of apertures 20 extend into the forward surface 18 of each wall of the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. The plurality of apertures 20 may be aligned with each other along each wall of the plurality of walls 14. The plurality of apertures 20 may be centered on each wall of the plurality of walls 14. In other words, the plurality of apertures 20 may be equidistantly positioned between opposing lateral edges of each wall of the plurality of walls 14. As shown in FIG. 2, each aperture of the plurality of apertures 20 may be circular. As shown in FIG. 8, each aperture of the plurality of apertures 20 may alternatively be polygonal.

[0026] A plurality of tiles 22 are removably couplable to the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. Each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 may have four edges wherein the plurality of tiles 22 are alignable with each other along each wall of the plurality of walls 14 and wherein the plurality of tiles 22 are positionable to cover each wall of the plurality of walls 14.

[0027] Each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 generally includes a tile front side 24 and a tile back side 28. A tile dimple 26 may extend into the tile front side 24. The tile dimple 26 may be centered on the tile front side 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the tile dimple 26 may be circular, although other shapes are also contemplated.

[0028] A tile projection 30 is coupled to and extends outwardly from the tile back side 28. The tile projection 30 generally has a shape that is complementary to a shape of each aperture of the plurality of apertures 20 wherein the tile projection 30 is positionable within a selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures 20 to removably couple each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 to the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. The tile projection 30 may be perpendicular to the tile back side 28. The tile projection 30 may comprise a magnet that is magnetically attracted to a magnetic material of the plurality of walls 14 wherein the magnet releasably secures the tile projection 30 within the selectable respective aperture to inhibit each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 from being removed from the plurality of walls 14.

[0029] For example, the tile projection 30 may be cylindrical wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 is pivotable within the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures 20. In other embodiments, the tile projection 30 may be polygonal, wherein the angles and edges of the tile projection 30 and of each aperture of the plurality of apertures 20 inhibit the plurality of tiles 22 from being pivoted within the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures 20.

[0030] In another example, the tile projection 30 may further include a pair of tile projection members 32 that are spaced from each other on the tile back side 28. Each tile projection member of the pair of tile projection members 32 may include a tile projection plate 34, which may be perpendicular to the tile back side 28. A tile projection lip 36 may be coupled to and extend from the tile projection plate 34. For example, the tile projection lip 36 may extend outwardly from the tile projection plate 34. The tile projection lip 36 engages a lateral edge of the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures 20. In such embodiments, the pair of tile projection members 32 may inhibit each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 from being pivoted within the selectable respective aperture of the plurality of apertures 20.

[0031] The plurality of tiles 22 are configured to facilitate customizable designs on the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. Accordingly, the plurality of tiles 22 may have a plurality of tile shapes. The plurality of tile shapes may include a plurality of corner shapes 38 and a plurality of side shapes 40. Each corner shape of the plurality of corner shapes 38 may include at least one right angle wherein the plurality of corner shapes 38 are positionable on corners of the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. The plurality of tile shapes may include quadrilaterals such as a rectangle and a rhombus having four straight edges and may also include other quadrilateral shapes having one or two curved or wavy edges and two or three straight edges. The plurality of tiles 22 may also have a plurality of tile colors wherein the plurality of tiles 22 are configured to facilitate customizable designs on the picture frame 12.

[0032] A plurality of indicia 42 may be removably couplable to the plurality of tiles 22. Each indicium of the plurality of indicia 42 generally includes an indicium front side 44 and an indicium back side 46. An indicium projection 48 may be coupled to and extend outwardly from the indicium back side 46. The indicium projection 48 may be perpendicular to the indicium back side 46. The indicium projection 48 generally has a shape that is complementary to a shape of the tile dimple 26 of each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 wherein the indicium projection 48 is positionable within the tile dimple 26 of a selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles 22 to removably couple each indicium of the plurality of indicia 42 to the selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles 22.

[0033] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the indicium projection 48 may be cylindrical. In such embodiments, the tile dimple 26 is generally circular, as shown in FIG. 4. Because of the cylindrical and circular shapes, each indicium of the plurality of indicia 42 may be pivotable on the selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles 22. In alternative embodiments, the indicium projection 48 and the tile dimple 26 may each be polygonal, such that the angles and edges of the indicium projection 48 and the tile dimple 26 inhibit each indicium of the plurality of indicia 42 from being pivoted on the selectable respective tile of the plurality of tiles 22.

[0034] The plurality of indicia 42 generally have a plurality of indicia shapes wherein the plurality of indicia 42 are configured to facilitate customizable designs on the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. The plurality of indicia shapes may include letters, numbers, and geometric shapes such as the stars, triangles, squares, and circles shown in FIG. 1, although other shapes, such as hearts and rainbows, are also contemplated. The plurality of indicia 42 generally have a plurality of indicia colors wherein the plurality of indicia 42 are configured to facilitate customizable designs on the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12.

[0035] A plurality of ridges 50 may be coupled to and extend outwardly from each wall of the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. The plurality of ridges 50 may be perpendicular to the forward surface 18 of the plurality of walls 14. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures 20 is generally positioned between adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges 50. The plurality of ridges 50 are generally spaced from each other by a distance that is complementary to a size of the plurality of tiles 22 wherein the plurality of ridges 50 are configured to inhibit the plurality of tiles 22 from being pivoted within the plurality of apertures 20 when the plurality of tiles 22 are coupled to the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. In other words, the distance between adjacent pairs of the plurality of ridges 50 may be approximately equal to a width of each tile of the plurality of tiles 22 such that the plurality of tiles 22 can fit between the adjacent pairs of the plurality of ridges 50. When positioned between adjacent pairs of the plurality of ridges 50, the plurality of ridges 50 may prevent the plurality of tiles 22 from spinning, rotating, or otherwise pivoting within the plurality of apertures 20. The plurality of ridges 50 thereby secure a position of the plurality of tiles 22 within the plurality of apertures 20 and on the picture frame 12.

[0036] In use, the plurality of tiles 22 can repeatedly be coupled to and decoupled from the picture frame 12. The user can thus repeatedly re-decorate the picture frame 12. The plurality of indicia 42 may be added to some or all of the tiles of the plurality of tiles 22, providing further decorative options. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the tiles the plurality of tiles 22 may be positioned within each and every aperture of the plurality apertures, such that the plurality of tiles 22 cover the forward surface 18 of the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12. The plurality of indicia 42 can then be added to at least some of the plurality of tiles 22.

[0037] Certain embodiments of the tile projection 30 and the plurality of apertures 20 allow the plurality of tiles 22 to be pivoted on the forward surface 18 of the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12, for example when the tile projection 30 is cylindrical and the plurality of apertures 20 are circular. In other embodiments, the plurality of tiles 22 are fixedly positioned on the forward surface 18 of the plurality of walls 14 of the picture frame 12, for example when the plurality of apertures 20 are polygonal and the tile projection 30 includes the pair of tile projection members 32 shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, the plurality of ridges 50 may inhibit the plurality of tiles 22 from is pivoted on the picture frame 12.

[0038] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.