Corner pieces for a picture frame

Abstract

A picture frame is comprised of joint pieces and elongated members. The joint pieces constitute the corners of a frame. The elongated members define the sides of a picture frame. Fastening hardware is employed to secure the entire apparatus. The joint pieces are cut or molded from a material similar to, or compatible with, the elongated members with which a rigid connection is made. Different angles of miter cuts may be made to vary the design of the picture frame. Similarly, different sizes and shapes of joint pieces may be made to additionally vary frame size and design. The joint pieces can be used to replace conventional frame corners which have been damaged, to change the size and appearance of used frames, or to provide additional dimension and design alternatives for new frames.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A picture frame comprising: 
 a. at least three elongated members in close proximity at corners to define a closed frame, each joint member having a visible surface;    b. at least one joint piece incorporated in at least one of the corners of the frame, each joint piece having a visible surface;    c. a corner connecting means which secures each joint piece adjoining elongated members.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the of the visible surface of the joint pieces is different from the visible surface of the elongated members.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the joint piece is formed as a single, unitary part  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where each joint piece is adapted to receive terminal ends of elongated members therein.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where more than one joint piece per corner is provided.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  where each joint piece has substantially the same cross section as the elongated members.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  where there are two joint pieces per corner, which joint pieces are mirror images of one another.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  where the joint pieces are each parallelograms.  
     
     
         9 . A method of framing a picture comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing the apparatus of  claim 1;  and    b. installing artwork to be framed and attaching corner connecting means to hold the frame together in such order as is appropriate for the material of construction.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  where, in step B, three sides of the frame are assembled forming a U-shaped apparatus with an open end, the artwork is installed therein, and the fourth side is attached completing the rectangular frame.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , where the rectangular frame is first assembled and all four sides are attached, then the artwork to be installed is installed from the back, and attaching means are activated to hold the artwork in place.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  where the of the visible surface of the joint pieces is different from the visible surface of the elongated members.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  where each joint piece is a single unitary part.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  where each joint piece is adapted to receive terminal ends of elongated members therein.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  where more than one joint piece per corner is provided.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  where each joint piece has substantially the same cross section as the elongated members.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  where there are two joint pieces per corner, which joint pieces are mirror images of one another.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  where the joint pieces are each parallelograms.  
     
     
         19 . A method of framing a picture in a rectangular frame comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing for elongated members having a width W;    b. providing at least one corner piece with a width W times the square root of 2; and    c. installing artwork to be framed and attaching corner connecting means to hold the frame together.    
     
     
         20 . A method of retrofitting an existing picture frame comprising the steps of: 
 a. disassembling the frame into a plurality of elongated members;    b. selecting at least one corner joint piece which is compatible with the elongated members, and which provides appropriate dimensional allowances and gives the appropriate appearance;    c. installing artwork to be framed and attaching corner connecting means to hold the frame together.