Multi-level picture frame

Abstract

A multi-level picture frame configured for providing a plurality of alternative display options for an article is provided. The frame comprises a back face; a tiered front face; an outer face; and a stepped inner face including a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface. The first stepped surface defines a first picture frame opening and the second stepped surface defines a second picture frame opening. First and second channels are defined in the first stepped surface, and a third channel is defined in the second stepped surface. A removable portion of the frame is selectively releasable from a remaining portion of the frame so that the article can be inserted into one of the first, second and third channels and positioned in the respective picture frame opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-level picture frame configured for providing a plurality of alternative display options for an article, the frame comprising:
 a back face;   a tiered front face;   an outer face; and   a stepped inner face including a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface, the first stepped surface defining a first picture frame opening and the second stepped surface defining a second picture frame opening,   wherein first and second channels are defined in the first stepped surface,   wherein a third channel is defined in the second stepped surface, and   wherein a removable portion of the frame is selectively releasable from a remaining portion of the frame so that the article can be inserted into one of the first, second and third channels and positioned in the respective picture frame opening.   
     
     
         2 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein the second picture frame opening is greater than the first picture frame opening. 
     
     
         3 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein the removable portion of the frame is selectively releasably connected to the remaining portion of the frame by at least one of a screw, a nail, a cam lock, a magnet, dowel/hole joint, post/snap connector, post/clip connector, and hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein the removable portion of the frame is selectively releasably connected to the remaining portion of the frame by a bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The frame according to  claim 4  wherein the bracket is positioned between the article and the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein the tiered front face further includes a recess between the third channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         7 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein the distance between the first and second channels is different than the distance between the second and third channels. 
     
     
         8 . The frame according to  claim 7  wherein the distance between the first and second channels is greater than the distance between the second and third channels. 
     
     
         9 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein a cross-section of the frame is generally J-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The frame according to  claim 1  wherein the frame is rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         11 . A multi-level picture frame configured for providing a plurality of alternative display options for an article, the frame comprising:
 at least three frame members, each of the at least three frame members being interconnectable with the other two frame members to define a picture frame opening,   each of the at least three frame members include a back face, a tiered front face, an outer face, and a stepped inner face, the stepped inner face including a first step surface and a second step surface,   wherein first and second channels are defined in the first stepped surface,   wherein a third channel is defined in the second stepped surface, and   wherein one of the at least three frame members is a removable frame member that is configured for being released from the other two frame members so that the article can be inserted into one of the first, second and third channels and positioned in the picture frame opening, the removable frame member configured for thereafter being reconnected to the other two frame members to form the frame.   
     
     
         12 . The frame according to  claim 11  wherein the removable frame member is releasably connected to the other two frame members by at least one of a bracket, a screw, a nail, a cam lock, a magnet, dowel/hole joint, post/snap connector, post/clip connector, and hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The frame according to  claim 11  wherein the tiered front face further includes a recess between the third channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         14 . The frame according to  claim 11  wherein the distance between the first and second channels is different than the distance between the second and third channels. 
     
     
         15 . The frame according to  claim 14  wherein the distance between the first and second channels is greater than the distance between the second and third channels. 
     
     
         16 . The frame according to  claim 11  wherein the picture frame opening defined by the second stepped surface is greater than the picture frame opening defined by the first stepped surface. 
     
     
         17 . The frame according to  claim 11  wherein a cross-section of the at least three frame members is generally J-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The frame according to  claim 11  wherein the at least three frame members includes a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth frame members are interconnectable to form a rectangular or square frame. 
     
     
         19 . The frame according to  claim 18  wherein the first frame member is parallel with the third frame member, the second frame member is parallel with the fourth frame member, wherein the second frame member is connected to the first and third frame members, and wherein the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the first and third frame members. 
     
     
         20 . The frame according to  claim 19  wherein the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the first and third frame members by at least one of a screw, a nail, a cam lock, a magnet, dowel/hole joint, post/snap connector, post/clip connector, and hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         21 . The frame according to  claim 18  wherein the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the first and third frame members by a first bracket, and wherein the second frame member is connected to the first and third frame members by a second bracket. 
     
     
         22 . The frame according to  claim 18  wherein a cross-section of the first frame member, the second frame member, the third frame member, and the fourth frame member is generally J-shaped.