Picture frame system with telescoping support

Abstract

A picture frame system comprises a base, a telescoping support coupled to and extending from the base, a mount and a trim panel supported at an end of the support away from the base. The support is comprised of at least first and second coaxially joined tubes. The second tube being axially moveable relative to the first tube. *The first and second tubes can be joined by one or more intermediate coaxially joined tubes. The support has sufficient rigidity to support a load defined by the mount, trim panel, and a picture. Optionally, a plurality of telescoping supports can be coupled to and extend from the base, and each can have a different axial length. Also optionally, the mount and trim plate can be configured so that the trim panel is magnetically seatable on the mount for retaining the picture between the mount and the trim panel.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A picture frame system, comprising: 
 a base;    a telescoping support comprising at least a first tube and a second tube, the first tube having a first end coupled to the base, and the second tube being coaxially joined to the first tube;    said second tube axially movable relative to the first tube so as to locate a remote portion of the second tube in a plurality of telescopically extended positions;    a mount supported at the remote portion; and    a trim panel positionable relative to the mount for retaining a picture between the trim panel and the mount,    wherein the mount, trim panel and picture define a load and wherein the telescoping support supports the load in said plurality of telescopically extended positions.    
     
     
         2 . The picture frame system of  claim 1 , wherein the mount is made of one of a magnetic and a ferromagnetic material and wherein the trim panel is magnetically seatable on the mount to retain the picture.  
     
     
         3 . The picture frame system of  claim 2 , wherein the first tube is coupled to the base by a stem extending from the base.  
     
     
         4 . The picture frame system of  claim 3 , wherein the stem has a bifurcated end opposite the base; 
 said first end of the first tube has an axially flat protrusion interconnecting with the bifurcated end; and    wherein said telescopically extended positions are articulated.    
     
     
         5 . The picture frame system of  claim 1 , wherein the mount is made of a ferromagnetic material and wherein the trim panel includes a magnetic portion permitting the trim panel to be magnetically seated on the mount to retain the picture.  
     
     
         6 . The picture frame system of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic portion of the trim panel comprises at least one magnet affixed to the trim panel.  
     
     
         7 . The picture frame system of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic portion of the trim panel comprises two or more magnets affixed to the trim panel.  
     
     
         8 . The picture frame system of  claim 1 , wherein the second tube is coaxially joined to the first tube through at least one intermediate coaxially joined tubes.  
     
     
         9 . The picture frame system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pad attached to the base for protecting a surface upon which the base may be seated.  
     
     
         10 . The picture frame system of  claim 9 , wherein the pad comprises one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a cork, a rubber, and a polymer.  
     
     
         11 . A picture frame system, comprising: 
 a base;    a first telescoping support comprising at least a first and second tube, said first tube having a first end coupled to the base, and the second tube being coaxially joined to the first tube;    a second telescoping support comprising at least a first and second tube, said first tube having a first end coupled to the base, and the second tube being coaxially joined to the first tube of the second telescoping support;    each said respective second tube being axially moveable relative to said each respective first tube so as to locate a remote portion of said each respective second tube in a plurality of telescopically extended positions;    a mount supported at said each respective remote portion; and    a trim panel positionable relative to each mount for retaining a picture between the trim panel and the mount,    wherein each mount, trim panel and picture define respective loads for the first and second telescoping support and wherein each telescoping support supports a respective one of the loads in said respective plurality of telescopically extended positions.    
     
     
         12 . The picture frame system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second telescoping support each have a respective axial length as measured between the base and the end remote from the stem and wherein the axial lengths of the first and second telescoping support differ from one another.  
     
     
         13 . The picture frame system of  claim 11 , wherein each mount is made of one of a magnetic and a ferromagnetic material and wherein each trim panel is magnetically seatable on a respective mount to retain the picture.  
     
     
         14 . The picture frame system of  claim 13 , wherein the first tube of said each respective telescoping support is coupled to the base by a respective stem extending from the base.  
     
     
         15 . The picture frame system of  claim 14 , wherein said each respective stem has a bifurcated end opposite the base; and each said respective first end of each first-tube has an axially flat protrusion interconnecting with the bifurcated end; and 
 wherein said telescopically extended positions are articulated.    
     
     
         16 . The picture frame system of  claim 11 , wherein each mount is made of a ferromagnetic material and wherein each trim panel includes a magnetic portion permitting the trim panel to be magnetically seated on a respective mount to retain the picture.  
     
     
         17 . The picture frame system of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic portion of each trim panel comprises at least one magnet affixed to the trim panel.  
     
     
         18 . The picture frame system of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic portion of each trim panel comprises two or more magnets.  
     
     
         19 . The picture frame system of  claim 11 , wherein each said respective second tube is coaxially joined to each said respective first tube through at least one respective intermediate coaxially joined tube.  
     
     
         20 . The picture frame system of  claim 15 , further comprising first and second collars slideably positioned over the telescoping supports; 
 wherein said collars slide over the stem and impart stability to the telescoping support.    
     
     
         21 . The picture frame system of  claim 11 , further comprising a pad attached to the base for protecting a surface upon which the base may be seated.  
     
     
         22 . The picture frame system of  claim 21 , wherein the pad comprises one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a cork, a rubber, and a polymer.  
     
     
         23 . A picture frame system, comprising: 
 a base;    a telescoping support having a first portion coupled to the base;    a mount supported by a second portion of the telescoping support remote from the first portion, the mount being made of one of a magnetic and a ferromagnetic material; and    a trim panel magnetically seatable on the mount for retaining a picture between the trim panel and the mount.    
     
     
         24 . The picture frame system of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 a second telescoping support having a first portion coupled to the base;    a second mount supported at a second portion of the second telescoping support remote from the first portion thereof, the mount being made of one of a magnetic and a ferromagnetic material; and    a second trim panel magnetically seatable on the second mount for retaining the picture between the second trim panel and the second mount.    
     
     
         25 . The picture frame system of  claim 24 , wherein the telescoping support has a first axial length as measured between the base and an end remote from the base and the second telescoping support has a second axial length as measured between the base and an end thereof remote from the base, and wherein the first and second axial lengths differ from one another.