Easy open picture frame

Abstract

A picture frame for framing a viewable object including frame members defining an opening for the display of the viewable object, a backing within the frame and glazing over the opening. One of the frame members is attached to the backing or to adjacent frame member hinge apparatus. The hingedly attached frame member is movable about the hinge apparatus from a closed position to an open position to allow introduction of the viewable object into the opening. Detent apparatus between the movable frame member and adjacent frame members hold the frame member in a closed position.

1 . A frame assembly display of a viewable object, comprising:
 a frame configured to define an opening for the display of the viewable object;   a backing within the frame and behind the opening;   at least one segment of the frame being hingedly attached to the backing so as to be movable from a first position where it is in functional and planar alignment with adjacent frame, to a second position, where it is out of alignment, thereby opening the frame to allow introduction of the viewable object in to the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  further comprising glazing over the opening to cover the viewable object. 
     
     
         3 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  further comprising detent apparatus to secure the hingedly attached frame member in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one brace on the backside of the frame to secure the hingedly attached frame segment in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The frame assembly of  claim 3  wherein the detent apparatus comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         6 . The frame assembly of  claim 3  wherein the frame comprises elongated members arranged end-to-end to define joined corners. 
     
     
         7 . The frame assembly of  claim 6  wherein the frame members have a contoured cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . A picture frame assembly for display of a viewable object, comprising:
 frame members arranged into a frame structure, said frame structure defining an opening for the display of the viewable object;   at segment of the frame structure being hingedly attached to at least one other segment of the frame structure so as to be movable from a first position where it is in functional and planar alignment with the other frame structure, to a second position, where it is out of alignment, thereby opening the frame structure to allow introduction of the viewable object into the opening.   
     
     
         9 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 8  further comprising detent apparatus for securing the hingedly attached frame segment in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 7  further comprising glazing. 
     
     
         11 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 8  wherein the detent apparatus comprises magnets. 
     
     
         12 . A picture frame assembly for the display of a viewable object, comprising:
 elongated frame members arranged to define a rectangular opening for the display of the viewable object;   glazing over the rectangular opening;   a backing within the frame members and behind the opening;   at least one hinge apparatus for movably attaching at least one of the frame members to the backing so as to be movable from a first position where it is in functional and planar alignment with an adjacent frame member, to a second position, where it is out of alignment, thereby opening the frame to allow introduction of the viewable object in the opening; and   detent apparatus to releasable secure the movable frame member in the first position.   
     
     
         13 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein the detent apparatus comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         14 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein the elongated frame members have a contoured cross-section. 
     
     
         15 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 12  further comprising a viewable object within the frame members and under the glazing.