Picture frame system and frame mounting method

Abstract

A picture framing system includes at least a first picture frame and a second picture frame, each picture frame including a wall-mountable inner portion configured to secure a picture therein and having mounting means, and an outer portion configured to removably secure to the inner portion. The upper inner portion includes equally spaced apart openings. The mounting means include a plurality of interlocking fins extending outwardly from each of the inner portions to facilitate connecting a first picture frame inner portion to a second picture frame inner portion. Picture frame components of the picture frame system and methods for using same to mount the picture frames are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A picture frame system comprising:
 a first picture frame and a second picture frame, each picture frame including:
 a wall-mountable inner portion configured to secure a picture therein and having mounting means; and 
 an outer portion configured to removably secure to the inner portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The picture frame system of  claim 1 , wherein each inner portion comprises:
 an upper horizontal section;   a lower horizontal section;   a first vertical section extending between the upper and lower horizontal sections; and   a second vertical section extending between the upper and lower horizontal sections;   wherein opposite ends of each of the upper and lower horizontal sections are connected to opposite ends of the first and second vertical sections, forming four corners of the inner portion.   
     
     
         3 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the upper horizontal section and lower horizontal section includes a first level therein, and wherein at least one of the first vertical section and second vertical section include a second level therein. 
     
     
         4 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower horizontal sections and the first and second vertical sections includes equally spaced apart openings. 
     
     
         5 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting means includes a plurality of interlocking fins extending outwardly from each of the upper and lower horizontal sections and first and second vertical sections, each adjacent pair of interlocking fins defining complimentary-shaped spaces therebetween, wherein the interlocking fins of a first picture frame inner portion connect to the complimentary-shaped spaces of a second picture frame inner portion to secure the first picture frame inner portion to the second picture frame inner portion. 
     
     
         6 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , further comprising means for removably affixing a picture or matting to the inner portion. 
     
     
         7 . The picture frame system of  claim 6 , wherein the picture affixing means includes at least one clip contained within one of the corners of the inner portion and at least one catch contained within at least one of the upper and lower horizontal sections and/or the first and second vertical sections. 
     
     
         8 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , further comprising means for removably securing the outer portion to the inner portion. 
     
     
         9 . The picture frame system of  claim 8 , wherein the securing means includes at least one magnet secured within the inner portion, and at least one corresponding metallic/magnetic element secured within the outer portion. 
     
     
         10 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , wherein the inner portion and outer portion are constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of a plastic material, wood and a metallic material. 
     
     
         11 . A picture frame comprising:
 a wall-mountable inner portion configured to secure a picture therein; and   an outer portion configured to removably secure to the inner portion.   
     
     
         12 . The picture frame of  claim 11 , wherein the inner portion comprises:
 an upper horizontal section;   a lower horizontal section;   a first vertical section extending between the upper and lower horizontal sections; and   a second vertical section extending between the upper and lower horizontal sections;   wherein opposite ends of each of the upper and lower horizontal sections are connected to opposite ends of the first and second vertical sections, forming four corners of the inner portion.   
     
     
         13 . The picture frame of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the upper horizontal section and lower horizontal section includes a first level therein, and wherein at least one of the first vertical section and second vertical section include a second level therein. 
     
     
         14 . The picture frame of  claim 12 , wherein the upper and lower horizontal sections and the first and second vertical sections includes equally spaced apart openings. 
     
     
         15 . The picture frame of  claim 12 , further comprising means for removably affixing a picture or matting to the inner portion. 
     
     
         16 . The picture frame of  claim 15 , wherein the picture affixing means includes at least one clip contained within one of the corners of the inner portion and at least one catch contained within at least one of the upper and lower horizontal sections and/or the first and second vertical sections. 
     
     
         17 . The picture frame of  claim 12 , further comprising means for removably securing the outer portion to the inner portion. 
     
     
         18 . The picture frame of  claim 17 , wherein the securing means includes at least one magnet secured within the inner portion, and at least one corresponding metallic/magnetic element secured within the outer portion. 
     
     
         19 . The picture frame of  claim 12 , wherein the inner portion includes a plurality of interlocking fins extending outwardly from each of the upper and lower horizontal sections and first and second vertical sections, each adjacent pair of interlocking fins defining complimentary-shaped spaces therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The picture frame of  claim 12 , wherein the inner portion and outer portion are constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of a plastic material, wood and a metallic material.