Picture frame

Abstract

A picture frame that is balanced when displayed in either of two possible display orientations. The picture frame may include a framework forming a perimeter of the frame, a first wall mounting device disposed along a first side of the framework, a second wall mounting device disposed along a second side of the framework adjacent to the first side, an asymmetric rear support connected to the framework, and a support bracket removably connectable to the rear support. The asymmetric rear support is configured such that the center of gravity substantially corresponds to or aligns with the geometric center of the frame such that the frame is balanced when mounted on a substantially vertically surface (e.g., a wall) from either the first or the second wall mounting devices. The framework may also be configured to provide two alternative display perspectives of two alternatively-sized pictures.

1 . A picture frame, comprising: 
 a framework forming a perimeter of said frame;    a first wall mounting device disposed along a first side of said framework;    a second wall mounting device disposed along a second side of said framework adjacent to said first side; and    an asymmetric rear support connected to said framework and configured such that the center of gravity of said frame substantially corresponds to the geometric center of said frame such that said frame is balanced when mounted on a substantially vertical surface from either said first or second wall mounting devices.    
     
     
         2 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear support is configured to mount a picture thereon and within said framework.  
     
     
         3 . The frame according to  claim 2 , wherein said framework is configured to allow a transparent cover to be mounted thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame is configured to alternatively mount two different sized pictures therein.  
     
     
         5 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said framework comprises 
 an upper mounting surface configured to mount a picture thereon; and    a plurality of side panels extending outwardly from an outer periphery of said rear support to said upper mounting surface.    
     
     
         6 . The frame according to  claim 5 , wherein said frame is configured to mount a picture of one size on said rear support and a picture of a different size on said upper mounting surface.  
     
     
         7 . The frame according to  claim 5 , wherein said upper mounting surface comprises 
 a ridge extending upwardly from a perimeter edge of said upper mounting surface; and    an upper overhanging lip extending inwardly from said ridge, wherein said upper overhanging lip is configured to hold a transparent cover within said frame.    
     
     
         8 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear support includes at least one aperture configured to enable a user's hand to extend therethrough to dislodge a picture mounted on said rear support.  
     
     
         9 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear support is curvilinear to provide said frame with additional flexibility in order to facilitate insertion and removal of a transparent cover over a picture mounted on said frame.  
     
     
         10 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said framework has four sides and said rear support is connected to all of said sides of said framework.  
     
     
         11 . The frame according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one slot is provided along a portion of said framework, said at least one slot configured to provide flexibility in order to facilitate insertion and removal of a transparent cover from said frame.  
     
     
         12 . The framework according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame is configured to mount a rectangular picture therein, and further wherein 
 said first wall mounting device is configured to mount said frame in a portrait display orientation on a wall;    said second wall mounting device is configured to mount said frame in a landscape display orientation on a wall; and    said rear support is configured such that said frame does not tilt when mounted in either of said portrait or landscape orientations.    
     
     
         13 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second wall mounting devices are keyhole-shaped.  
     
     
         14 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support bracket removably connectable to said frame and configured to support said frame on a substantially horizontal surface when connected to said frame.  
     
     
         15 . A picture frame, comprising: 
 a framework forming a perimeter of said frame;    a first wall mounting device disposed along a first side of said framework;    a second wall mounting device disposed along a second side of said framework adjacent to said first side; and    a transparent cover removably mounted in said framework, said frame configured such that said cover may be mounted over a picture mounted in said framework; wherein said framework includes at least one slot along said framework to provide flexibility to said framework to ease the insertion and removal of said cover from said framework.    
     
     
         16 . The frame according to  claim 15 , wherein said framework includes four sides and said at least one slot comprises a slot disposed along a portion of each of said sides.  
     
     
         17 . A picture frame configured to mount either a picture in a high-profile display perspective or a picture in a shadow box display perspective, comprising: 
 a framework forming a perimeter of said frame and configured to mount a picture thereon in said high-profile display perspective; and    a rear support connected to and disposed within said framework, said support configured to mount a second picture thereon in said shadow box display perspective.    
     
     
         18 . The frame according to  claim 17 , wherein said framework comprises 
 an upper mounting surface configured to mount a picture thereon in said high profile display perspective; and    a plurality of side panels extending outwardly from an outer periphery of said rear support to said upper mounting surface.    
     
     
         19 . The frame according to  claim 17 , wherein said frame is configured to mount a rectangular picture therein, and further wherein said frame comprises 
 a first wall mounting device disposed along a first side of said framework and configured to mount said frame in a portrait display orientation on a surface;    a second wall mounting device disposed along a second side of said framework adjacent to said first side and configured to mount said frame in a landscape display orientation on a surface.    
     
     
         20 . The frame according to  claim 19 , wherein said rear support is asymmetric and configured such that the center of gravity of said frame substantially aligns to the geometric center of said frame such that said frame is balanced when mounted from either said first or second mounting devices.