Systems and devices for framing display items including photographs, pictures, memorabilia and collectibles

Abstract

A framing system includes a compliant framing mat having a top major surface, and at least one display item overlying the top major surface of the compliant framing mat. The framing system includes a picture frame having a central opening and glazing covering the central opening. The compliant framing mat is disposed inside the picture frame with the at least one display item disposed between the glazing and the top major surface of the compliant framing mat.

1 . A framing system comprising:
 a compliant framing mat having a top major surface;   at least one display item overlying the top major surface of said compliant framing mat;   a picture frame having a central opening and glazing covering the central opening, wherein said compliant framing mat is disposed inside said picture frame with said at least one display item disposed between said glazing and the top major surface of said compliant framing mat.   
     
     
         2 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compliant framing mat is made of foam and has a cloth covering overlying the top major surface of said compliant framing mat. 
     
     
         3 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a picture frame backing secured to a rear side of said picture frame for compressing said compliant framing mat between said glazing and said picture frame backing. 
     
     
         4 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one display item is selected from the group consisting of photographs, pictures, memorabilia, collectibles, magazines, programs, and playbills. 
     
     
         5 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a decorative border provided on said cloth covering that, wherein said decorative border surrounds said at least one display item. 
     
     
         6 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising an alignment guide provided on said cloth covering for aiding alignment of said at least one display item over the top major surface of said compliant framing mat. 
     
     
         7 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said alignment guide is printed on said cloth covering. 
     
     
         8 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a second alignment guide printed on said cloth covering. 
     
     
         9 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a first photograph is surrounded by said first alignment guide and a second photograph is surrounded by said second alignment guide. 
     
     
         10 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said cloth covering comprises a color selected from the group of colors consisting of black, white, red, blue and green. 
     
     
         11 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said glazing comprises a pane of glass or a transparent polymer sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one display item is sandwiched between said glazing and the top major surface of said compliant framing mat. 
     
     
         13 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein when said picture frame backing is secured to the back of said frame, said compliant framing mat is compressed between said glazing and said picture frame backing so that said at least one display item is sunk into the front face of said compliant framing mat. 
     
     
         14 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one display item has an outer perimeter, and wherein said compliant framing mat comprises a depression in the front face of said compliant framing mat that conforms to the outer perimeter of said at least one display item. 
     
     
         15 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said depression formed in the front face of said compliant framing mat surrounds the outer perimeter of said at least one display item to hold said at least one display item stationary and prevent shifting of said at least one display item relative to the front face of said compliant framing mat. 
     
     
         16 . A framing system comprising:
 a compliant framing mat having first and second major surfaces;   a cloth covering overlying the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;   a display item overlying said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;   a picture frame having a central opening;   glazing covering the central opening of said picture frame, wherein said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat are disposed inside said picture frame with said display item disposed between said glazing and said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;   a picture frame backing secured to a rear side of said picture frame and engaging the second major surface of said compliant framing mat for compressing said display item, said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat between said glazing and said picture frame backing, wherein said display item is sandwiched between said glazing and said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat with said display item sunk into the first major surface of said compliant framing mat.   
     
     
         17 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said display item has an outer perimeter, and wherein the first major surface of said compliant framing mat has a depression formed therein that conforms to the outer perimeter of said display item. 
     
     
         18 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said depression formed in the first major surface of said compliant framing mat surrounds the outer perimeter of said display item to hold said display item stationary and prevent shifting of said display item relative to the first major surface of said compliant framing mat. 
     
     
         19 . A framing system comprising:
 a compliant framing mat having first and second major surfaces;   a cloth covering overlying the first major surface of said compliant framing mat;   an alignment guide provided on said cloth covering;   a display item having an outer perimeter overlying said cloth covering, wherein said alignment guide is used for aligning the outer perimeter of said display item over said cloth covering;   a picture frame having a central opening;   glazing covering the central opening of said picture frame, wherein said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat are disposed inside said picture frame with said display item disposed between said glazing and said cloth covering;   a picture frame backing secured to a rear side of said picture frame and engaging the second major surface of said compliant framing mat for compressing said display item, said cloth covering and said compliant framing mat between said glazing and said picture frame backing, wherein said display item is sandwiched between said glazing and said cloth covering that overlies the first major surface of said compliant framing mat, and wherein the first major surface of said compliant framing mat has a depression formed therein that conforms to and surrounds the outer perimeter of said display item to hold said display item stationary and prevent shifting of said display item relative to the first major surface of said compliant framing mat.   
     
     
         20 . The framing system as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a second alignment guide provided on said cloth covering;   a second display item having an outer perimeter overlying said cloth covering, wherein said second alignment guide is used for aligning the outer perimeter of said second display item over said cloth covering, wherein said first and second alignment guides are printed on said cloth covering.