Importance

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Abstract

An expandable picture frame assembly includes an annular enclosure and a resiliently flexible spring. The enclosure has a front, a rear, and an interior surface bounding a picture-storing cavity defined between the front and rear of the enclosure. In one embodiment, the spring member is attached to the interior surface of the enclosure and projects partially across the cavity. The spring member is capable of being flexed toward and away from the front and rear of the enclosure for holding multiple pictures in a compact stacked arrangement behind one another with only a front one being displayed through a front opening of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the flexible spring member extends across the cavity between, and is releasably engaged at its opposite ends with, oppositely facing portions of the interior annular surface of the enclosure. The spring member is capable of being flexed between opposite overcentered positions for respectively holding the pictures in the stacked arrangement within the cavity or for releasing the spring member to permit insertion or removal of the pictures to or from the cavity. The picture frame assembly also includes a transparent pane disposed in the enclosure forwardly of the spring member and across the front opening of the enclosure, and a stiff backing plate disposed in the enclosure rearwardly of the transparent pane and engaged by the spring member.

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First Claim