Record Album Frame

Abstract

An open record album frame for displaying and storing album covers or a phonograph record. The frame comprises parallel upper and lower holding means secured to the base member. Each of the upper and lower holding means is elongated in the form of a crossbar with a groove extends the full length on the inner side thereof. The frame also has a bore disposed on the center of the base member to receive a mounting post that holds a phonograph record on the frame. The frame allows for convenient insertion and removal of album covers by simply inserting the album into the upper holding means. A ledge is constructed in the lower holding means to support the album. To display a phonograph record, a detachable mounting post can be secured into the bore of the base member.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A record album frame having a first mode of use wherein an album cover is displayed and stored, and having a second mode of use wherein a phonograph record is displayed and stored, said frame comprising:
 (a) an upper holding means with a slot on the inner side of said upper holding means;   (b) a lower holding means in parallel relationship relative to said upper holding means, said lower holding means comprises a slot on the inside of said lower holding means for supporting the bottom edge of an album cover;   (c) a base member extending in a vertical plane of the said upper and lower holding means, said base section forming a back panel of said frame;   (d) a through bore formed in the said base member; and   (e) a mounting post insertable into said through bore for mounting a phonograph record;   wherein, in said first mode of use, said album cover is insertable into said frame by placing the top edge of said album cover into said slot of said upper holding means and resting the bottom edge of said album cover in said slot of said lower holding means; and   wherein, in said second mode of use, said mounting post is secured in said through bore of said base member, whereby said phonograph record is retained on said mounting post.   
     
     
         2 . The frame of  claim 1  wherein said upper holding means comprises a slot extending along the length of said upper holding means, a retaining edge on the front of said upper holding means, a bridging bar and a flange on the back of said upper holding means wherein said flange of said upper holding means is secured to said base member. 
     
     
         3 . The frame of  claim 2  wherein said upper holding means is constructed as an elongated crossbar with a groove extends the full length thereof on the inner side of said crossbar, a retaining edge on the front of said crossbar, and a flange on the back of said crossbar wherein said flange of said crossbar is secured to said base member. 
     
     
         4 . The frame of  claim 1  wherein said lower holding means comprises a slot extending along the length of said lower holding means, a retaining edge on the front of said lower holding means, and a flange on the back of said lower holding means wherein said flange of said lower holding means is secured to said base member. 
     
     
         5 . The frame of  claim 4  wherein said lower holding means is constructed as an elongated crossbar with a groove extends the full length thereof on the inner side of said crossbar, a retaining edge on the front of said crossbar, and a flange on the back of said crossbar wherein said flange of said crossbar is secured to said base member. 
     
     
         6 . The frame of  claim 4  wherein said lower holding means comprises a retaining edge on the front of said lower holding means, a ledge formed horizontally on the inner side of said lower holding means, said ledge being positioned with respect to the vertical height of said retaining edge to form a stopper on the front of said lower holding means, and a flange on the back of said lower holding means wherein said flange of said lower holding means is secured to said base member. 
     
     
         7 . The frame of  claim 5  wherein said lower holding means is constructed as an elongated crossbar with a retaining edge on the front of said crossbar, a ledge formed horizontally on the inner side of said crossbar, said ledge being positioned with respect to the vertical height of said retaining edge to form a stopper on the front of said crossbar, and a flange on the back of said crossbar wherein said flange of said crossbar is secured to said base member. 
     
     
         8 . The frame of  claim 1  wherein said base member is at least generally circular-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The frame of  claim 8  wherein said base member is at least generally circular-shaped with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of a phonograph record. 
     
     
         10 . The frame of  claim 8  wherein said base member comprises of cut-out shapes. 
     
     
         11 . The frame of  claim 9  wherein said base member is at least generally circular-shaped with a diameter slightly less than the diameter of a phonograph record, said base member comprises of at least generally concentric, semi-circular cut-out shapes. 
     
     
         12 . The frame of  claim 1  wherein said through bore is formed in the center of said base member. 
     
     
         13 . The frame of  claim 12  wherein said through bore comprises semi-circular blockers with ribs to form a recess on the rear of said through bore positioned as an interlocking mechanism to retain said mounting post. 
     
     
         14 . The frame of  claim 1  wherein said mounting post comprises a base with at least two raised bumps on the top of said base to form an integral part of the interlocking system, received in said through bore, a connector, an enlarged washer, the enlarged washer being dimensioned whereby to retain said mounting post on said base section, and a head being engageable with the central opening in the phonograph record whereby to retain the phonograph record. 
     
     
         15 . The frame of  claim 14  wherein said mounting post further comprises at least one circular groove recessed inwardly whereby to retain and stabilize the phonograph record. 
     
     
         16 . The frame of  claim 1  contains a plurality of through bores formed on said base member for receiving a nail or screw for hanging said frame on a wall. 
     
     
         17 . A record album frame having a first mode of use for holding and displaying an album, and having a second mode of use for holding and displaying a phonograph record, said frame comprising an album receiving portion and a phonograph record receiving portion:
 (a) said album receiving portion comprising a base member coupling an upper holding means and a lower holding means wherein a slot is formed on the inner side of each of said upper and lower holding means;   (b) said record receiving portion comprises said base member having a through bore for receiving an insertable mounting means for holding a phonograph record to be displayed;   wherein, in said first mode of use, said album is insertable into said frame by placing the top edge of said album into said slot of said upper holding means and resting the bottom edge of said album in said slot of said bottom holding means; and   wherein, in said second mode of use, said mounting means is inserted in said through bore of said base member, whereby said phonograph record is retained on said mounting means.   
     
     
         18 . The frame of  claim 17  contains a plurality of through bores formed on said base member for receiving a nail or a screw for hanging said display frame on a wall.