Modular display frame

Abstract

A modular, easy to assemble, readily expandable, and fun to build display frame for cards, art, pictures, drawings, etc., is disclosed. The display frame comprises individual modular pieces, which may be assembled to form a multitude of different display concepts.

1 . A modular frame comprising 
 (a) a column having at least one side and a channel in at least one side, the column comprising a plurality of stackable column members; and    (b) a horizontal beam comprising a plurality of horizontally connected members arranged such that the beam has a proximal end and a distal end,    wherein the column is removably and substantially perpendicularly connected at its lower end to the beam.    
   
   
       2 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the column and beam are arranged such that the channel is aligned with a long dimension of the beam.  
   
   
       3 . A frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second column removably and substantially perpendicularly connected at its lower end to the beam at a position different than where the first column is connected.  
   
   
       4 . A frame according to  claim 3 , wherein the second column has a channel in at least one side.  
   
   
       5 . A frame according to  claim 4 , where each channel is continuous and where the frame further comprises a cap removably connected to an upper end of each of the columns.  
   
   
       6 . A modular frame comprising: 
 a) a column comprising a plurality of stackable column members; the column members having a top, a bottom and at least one side, wherein at least one side contains a groove; wherein 
 the top of a stackable member can interact with the bottom of a different stackable member; wherein  
 said bottom can interact with the top of a different stackable member; wherein  
 a plurality of said members interact to form a first column, wherein at least one groove from each member aligns with at least one groove of each other member in the column to form a channel in said column, wherein said channel is adapted for supporting a sheet member,  
   b) a first group of stackable members, wherein 
 the first group consists of from  1  to  100  members, wherein the members have a top, a bottom and at least one side, wherein  
 the top of a stackable member can interact with the bottom of a different stackable member; wherein  
 said bottom can interact with the top of a different stackable member; wherein  
 the first group of stackable members interacts with the first column in an essentially perpendicular manner,  
 wherein the combination of the first group of stackable members and the first column forms a frame with an inside, an outside, a first side and a bottom, wherein  
 the channel of the stacked structure is in the inside of the frame.  
   
   
   
       7 . A frame according to  claim 6 , which further comprises a second side, wherein the second side is made from a second column, which is made from a second plurality of stackable members, which is also attached to the bottom of the frame at essentially a right angle; wherein 
 each member of the second plurality of stackable members has a top, a bottom and at least one side, wherein each side optionally contains a groove, wherein    the top of each second stackable member can interact with the bottom of a different stackable member; wherein    the bottom of each stackable member can interact with the top of a different stackable member.    
   
   
       8 . A frame according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 the second side is comprised of the second plurality of stackable members, wherein    a) each side of the second plurality of stackable members optionally contains a groove, while at least one side must contain a groove,    b) the groove from each member aligns with the groove of each other member in the second stacked structure to form a channel in the second stacked structure, wherein    c) the channel is adapted for supporting a sheet member, wherein    d) the channel of the first stacked structure and the channel of the second stacked structure both reside in the inside of the frame,    e) both grooves are essentially parallel to each other, and    f) both sides of the frame are essentially the same height.    
   
   
       9 . A frame according to  claim 7 , further comprising a sheet member and/or a matte, wherein the sheet member and/or matte fits within at least one channel, and wherein the sheet member comprises at least one essentially clear, rigid, and planar structure (with two faces, and at least four sides) which fits within at least one of the channels in the frame.  
   
   
       10 . A frame according to  claim 9 , wherein the sheet member consists of two essentially clear, rigid and planar structures, each structure having two faces, and four sides, wherein when the face of one structure is placed face to face with the face of the second structure, and the resulting sheet member fits within at least one of the channels in the frame.  
   
   
       11 . A frame according to  claim 10 , wherein the sheet member fits within at least two of the channels in the frame.  
   
   
       12 . A frame according to  claim 9 , wherein the frame further comprises a matte, which fits within at least one of the channels in the frame.  
   
   
       13 . A frame according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 a) at least one side of each member of the first group of stackable members must contain a groove, wherein    b) the groove from each member aligns with the groove of each other member in the stack to form a channel in the bottom of the frame, and wherein    c) the channel in the first group of stackable members is located in the inside of the frame.    
   
   
       14 . A frame according to  claim 13 , wherein 
 a) the channels in both sides are essentially parallel,    b) the channels in both sides align with the groove in the bottom, and    c) the channels in both sides are essentially perpendicular to the groove in the bottom.    
   
   
       15 . A frame according to  claim 14  wherein the sheet member fits into the parallel grooves in both sides and in the channel in the bottom.  
   
   
       16 . A frame according to  claim 7 , which further comprises a top, which is made from a second group of stackable members, wherein 
 the second group consists of from  1  to  100  members, wherein the members have a top, a bottom and at least one side, wherein    the top of a stackable member can couple with the bottom of a different stackable member; wherein    said bottom can receive the top of a different stackable member in releasable frictional engagement; wherein    the second group of stackable members connects to at least one of either the first or second plurality of stacked members.    
   
   
       17 . A frame according to  claim 16 , wherein the top of the frame is attached to both the first and the second columns.  
   
   
       18 . A frame according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 a) each member of the second group of stackable members further comprises at least one groove in at least one side, wherein    b) each groove from each member aligns with the groove of each other member in the group to form a channel, wherein    c) the channel is adapted for supporting a sheet member, wherein    d) the channel in the top of the frame is in alignment with the channel in at least one of the sides, and is essentially perpendicular to the channel in at least one of the sides.    
   
   
       19 . A kit comprising 
 a first plurality of stackable members, wherein each member of the first plurality of stackable members contains at least one groove in at least one side;    a second plurality of stackable members, wherein each member of the second plurality of stackable members optionally contains at least one groove in at least one side;    a first group of stackable members, wherein each member of the first group of stackable members optionally contains at least one groove in at least one side;    a second group of stackable members, wherein each member of the second group of stackable members optionally contains at least one groove in at least one side, in a package with instructions on how to construct a frame.    
   
   
       20 . A method of constructing a frame of  claim 1  comprising 
 a) combining the first plurality of stackable members to form a first stacked structure, wherein the groove from each member aligns with the groove of each other member in the stack to form a channel in said stacked structure, wherein said continuous groove is adapted for supporting a sheet member,    b) attaching the first stacked structure to the first group of stackable members, which optionally contains a continuous groove, thereby forming a frame, with a side, a bottom, an inside and an outside, wherein the continuous groove in the first stacked structure is in the inside of the frame, and    c) inserting the sheet member into the continuous groove of the first stacked structure.