Decorative screen with removable panel inserts

Abstract

A decorative panel is comprised of a frame having a removable or hinged frame member; at least one decorative panel insert removably placed within the frame; and retaining means for removably retaining at least one panel insert within the frame. Alternatively, the frame may be provided with a recess on the interior thereof in which the panel insert is positioned, and a sub-frame is provided to retain the panel insert in the recess in the frame. The sub-frame may be held in place with magnets or other fastening means.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A decorative panel comprising: 
 a frame having a plurality of slotted frame members and a removable or hinged frame member;    at least one decorative panel insert removably placed within said slotted frame members; and    retaining means for holding said removable or hinged frame member in a position to prevent removal of said insert, and removably retaining said panel insert within said slotted frame members.    
     
     
         2 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each panel insert is slidably removable from within said slotted frame members, when said retaining means is removed.  
     
     
         3 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each panel insert has two sides and is decorated on both sides.  
     
     
         4 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said frame includes: 
 at least two frame members;  
 a base member;  
 and wherein said base member is attached to said side frame members.  
 
     
     
         5 . A panel as in  claim 4  wherein said retaining means includes channels in each frame member and wherein each panel insert is slidably installable in said channels.  
     
     
         6 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said removable or hinged member is hinged to an adjacent frame member.  
     
     
         7 . A removable decorative panel insert for use in a decorative panel, said panel insert having two sides with at least one side being decorated and said decorative panel comprising: 
 a frame having a removable frame member; and    retaining means for removably retaining said panel insert within said frame.    
     
     
         8 . A panel insert as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said panel insert is slidably removable from within said frame when said retaining means is removed.  
     
     
         9 . A decorative panel comprising at least three primary frame members, each primary frame member being elongate and L-shaped in cross-section, such that when the frame members are connected, a recess extends around the inner sides of the frame; 
 a removable decorative panel insert received in and adapted to fit in said recess;    a supplementary frame adapted to retain said panel insert in said recess, and    means for releasably retaining said supplementary frame in said recess, thereby preventing said panel insert from leaving said recess.    
     
     
         10 . A decorative panel comprising at least three primary frame members, each primary frame member being elongate and L-shaped in cross-section, such that when the frame members are connected, a recess extends around the inner sides of the frame; 
 a removable decorative panel insert received in and adapted to fit in said recess, and    means for releasably retaining said panel insert in said recess.    
     
     
         11 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 9  in which said means for releasably retaining said supplementary frame in said recess comprises a plurality of permanent magnets positioned in said recess, and ferromagnetic material associated with said supplementary frame, attracted by said magnets.  
     
     
         12 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 10  in which said means for releasably retaining said panel insert in said recess comprises a plurality of permanent magnets positioned in said recess, and ferromagnetic material associated with said panel insert, attracted by said magnets.  
     
     
         13 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 11 , in which said magnets are retained in ferromagnetic cups.  
     
     
         14 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 12 , in which said magnets are retained in ferromagnetic cups.  
     
     
         15 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 13 , in which said ferromagnetic material comprises a plurality of steel washers fastened to said supplementary frame in alignment with said magnets when said supplementary frame is in said recess.  
     
     
         16 . A decorative panel as claimed in  claim 14 , in which said ferromagnetic material comprises a steel washer fastened to said insert panel in alignment with said magnets when said insert panel is in said recess.