Picture frame assembly

Abstract

A picture frame assembly for displaying a picture having a forward side and a reverse side opposite the forward side. The picture frame assembly includes a universal support having a front face for facing the reverse side of the picture, a back face opposite the front face, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding the front face and the back face. The picture frame also includes an audio recorder and player device mounted on the support for recording and playing sounds. The device includes a storage component for storing the sounds, a speaker for playing the stored sounds, and at least one switch for activating the device to record the sounds and play the recorded sounds. Additionally, the picture frame includes a frame selected from a group of frames having differing characteristics. Each of the frames in the group of frames has a forward surface, a rearward surface opposite the forward surface, a mount adapted for connecting the frame to the universal support, and an opening sized and shaped for viewing the picture through the frame when the frame is connected to the support. Each of the frames in the group of frames is sized and shaped to allow clear access to the switch for activating the device to record the sounds and to play the recorded sounds when the frame is connected to the universal support.

1 . A picture frame assembly for displaying a picture having a forward side and a reverse side opposite the forward side, the picture frame assembly comprising: 
 a universal support having a front face for facing the reverse side of the picture, a back face opposite the front face, and an outer peripheral edge surrounding the front face and the back face;    an audio recorder and player device mounted on the support for recording and playing sounds, the device including a storage component for storing the sounds, a speaker for playing the stored sounds, and at least one switch for activating the device to record the sounds and play the recorded sounds; and    a frame selected from a group of frames having differing characteristics, each of said frames in the group of frames having a forward surface, a rearward surface opposite the forward surface, a mount adapted for connecting the frame to the universal support, and an opening sized and shaped for viewing the picture through the frame when the frame is connected to the support, and wherein each of the frames in the group of frames is sized and shaped to allow clear access to the switch for activating the device to record the sounds and to play the recorded sounds when the frame is connected to the universal support.    
   
   
       2 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the mount for connecting the frame to the universal support comprises a plurality of tabs rotatably coupled to the rearward surface of the frame for rotation with respect to the frame to selectively connect the frame to and disconnect the frame from the universal support.  
   
   
       3 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 2  wherein: 
 the rearward surface of each frame in the group of frames includes a recess sized and shaped for receiving the universal support when the frame is connected to the universal support; and    each of said plurality of tabs is coupled to the frame adjacent the recess so that when the frame is connected to the universal support, each tab of the plurality of tabs overlaps the outer peripheral edge of the universal support.    
   
   
       4 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein each of the frames in the group of frames is generally rectangular.  
   
   
       5 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the universal support includes a stand for supporting the picture in a generally upright position.  
   
   
       6 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the stand is pivotally connected to the universal support for pivotal movement between a deployed position in which the stand extends outward from the back face of the support for supporting the picture in the generally upright position and a retracted position in which the stand is positioned flat against the back face of the support.  
   
   
       7 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a transparent cover positioned between the forward side of the picture and the frame when the frame is connected to the universal support.  
   
   
       8 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the audio recorder and player device includes a microphone operatively connected to the storage component for recording the sounds.  
   
   
       9 . A picture frame assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the audio recorder and player device is configured to record, store, and play sounds having a duration of about ten seconds.