Picture frame assembly with integrated picture storage

Abstract

A picture frame having an integrated picture storage area therein is provided. According to a first embodiment, the storage area is attached to the back of a conventional picture frame either during manufacture of by the end user. In this manner the device of the present invention can be utilized with any conventional picture frame assembly. The storage area includes receiver flanges that are mounted to the back of the frame. A storage box is slideably received onto the flanges. In an alternate embodiment, the frame extrusion is modified to include the receiver flanges by forming them with the frame extrusion itself.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A picture frame assembly with a storage compartment comprising: 
 a picture frame, said picture frame including a front surface, a rear surface and an aperture in said front surface defining a display area, said display area configured to receive and retain a picture therein;    a storage compartment having an interior cavity, said storage compartment received adjacent said rear surface of said picture frame; and    means for attaching said storage compartment to said rear surface of said picture frame such that said storage compartment can be slideably removed from said picture frame.    
     
     
         2 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 1 , said storage compartment further comprising: 
 a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity;    an aperture in said side wall, said aperture allowing access to said interior cavity to allow a user to place objects therein; and    a closure element configured to be received adjacent said aperture.    
     
     
         3 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said closure element is a binder rail with photo storage pages attached thereto, said photo storage pages extending through said aperture into said interior cavity when said closure element is installed adjacent said aperture.  
     
     
         4 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said aperture further includes a first and second seat formed at opposing ends thereof, said seats configured to receive a first and second end of said binder rail.  
     
     
         5 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said binder rail include first and second magnets at said first and second ends respectively, said magnets retaining said first and second ends of said binder rail in said first and second seats.  
     
     
         6 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 1 , said means for attaching said storage compartment further comprising: 
 a pair of mounting rails, said mounting rails fastened in parallel spaced relation to said rear surface of said picture frame; and    a corresponding pair of receiver channels formed along two parallel edges of said storage compartment, said receiver channels being slideably received into said mounting channels to retain said storage compartment adjacent said rear surface of said picture frame.    
     
     
         7 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 6 , said storage compartment further comprising: 
 a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity;    an aperture in said side wall, said aperture allowing access to said interior cavity to allow a user to place objects therein; and    a closure element configured to be received adjacent said aperture.    
     
     
         8 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said closure element is a binder rail with photo storage pages attached thereto, said photo storage pages extending through said aperture into said interior cavity when said closure element is installed adjacent said aperture.  
     
     
         9 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said aperture further includes a first and second seat formed at opposing ends thereof, said seats configured to receive a first and second end of said binder rail.  
     
     
         10 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said binder rail include first and second magnets at said first and second ends respectively, said magnets retaining said first and second ends of said binder rail in said first and second seats.  
     
     
         11 . A storage assembly for use with a picture frame having a rear surface, said storage assembly comprising: 
 a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity, said storage compartment received adjacent said rear surface of said picture frame; and    means for attaching said storage compartment to said rear surface of said picture frame such that said storage compartment can be slideably removed from said picture frame.    
     
     
         12 . The storage assembly of  claim 11 , said means for attaching said storage compartment further comprising: 
 a pair of mounting rails, said mounting rails fastened in parallel spaced relation to said rear surface of said picture frame; and    a corresponding pair of receiver channels formed along two parallel edges of said side wall, said receiver channels being slideably received into said mounting channels to retain said storage compartment adjacent said rear surface of said picture frame.    
     
     
         13 . The storage assembly of  claim 11 , said storage compartment further comprising: 
 an aperture in said side wall, said aperture allowing access to said interior cavity to allow a user to place objects therein; and    a closure element configured to be received adjacent said aperture.    
     
     
         14 . The storage assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said closure element is a binder rail with photo storage pages attached thereto, said photo storage pages extending through said aperture into said interior cavity when said closure element is installed adjacent said aperture.  
     
     
         15 . The storage assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said aperture further includes a first and second seat formed at opposing ends thereof, said seats configured to receive a first and second end of said binder rail.  
     
     
         16 . The storage assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said binder rail include first and second magnets at said first and second ends respectively, said magnets retaining said first and second ends of said binder rail in said first and second seats.  
     
     
         17 . A picture frame assembly with an integrated storage compartment comprising: 
 a perimeter rail member having a front wall and side walls extending rearwardly from said front wall, said perimeter rail defining an interior display area, said display area configured to receive and retain a picture therein, at least two of said side walls in parallel spaced relation and including mounting channels formed along rear edges thereof;    a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity, said side walls of said storage compartment including a corresponding pair of receiver channels formed along two parallel edges of said side wall, said receiver channels being slideably received into said mounting channels to retain said storage compartment adjacent said rear surface of said picture frame.    
     
     
         18 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 17 , said storage compartment further comprising: 
 an aperture in said side wall of said storage compartment, said aperture allowing access to said interior cavity to allow a user to place objects therein; and    a closure element configured to be received adjacent said aperture.    
     
     
         19 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said closure element is a binder rail with photo storage pages attached thereto, said photo storage pages extending through said aperture into said interior cavity when said closure element is installed adjacent said aperture.  
     
     
         20 . The picture frame assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 first and second seat formed at opposing ends of said aperture, said seats configured to receive a first and second end of said binder rail; and    first and second magnets at said first and second ends of said binder rail respectively, said magnets retaining said first and second ends of said binder rail in said first and second seats.