CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention claims priority, under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Paris Convention, to the United States Non-Provisional Patent Application No.:

13/902,828 by Leslie Lienau, filed on May 26, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to artist tools, specifically to view frames.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention will be applicable in a variety of ways to a variety of industries. The invention may be manufactured with standard manufacturing techniques and. may be used, as an artist/teaching tool, in the classroom or capturing perspectives and. angles of an object or scene for future use. Artists, teachers, students, etc. may use this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Drawing is a form of visual art that makes use of any number of drawing instruments to mark a two-dimensional medium. Instruments used include graphite pencils, pen and ink, inked brushes, wax color pencils,

cray ons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, various kinds of erasers, markers, sty luses, and various metals, etc. An artist who practices or works in drawing may be called a draftsman or draughtsman.

Measuring the dimensions of a subject while blocking in the drawing is an important step in producing a realistic rendition of the subject. Tools such as

a compass may be used to measure the angles of different sides. These angles may be reproduced on the drawing surface and then rechecked to make sure they are accurate. Another form of measurement is to compare the relative sizes of different parts of the subject with each other. A finger placed at a point along the drawing implement may be used to compare that dimension with other parts of the image. A ruler may be used both as a straightedge and a device to compute proportions.

When attempting to draw a complicated shape such as a human figure, it may be helpful at first to represent the form with a set of primitive shapes. Almost any form may be represented by some combination of the cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone. Once these basic shapes have been assembled into a likeness, then the drawing- may be refined into a more accurate and polished form. The lines of the primitive shapes are removed and replaced by the final likeness. Drawing the underlying construction is a fundamental skill for representational art and is taught in many books and schools, as its correct application may resolve most uncertainties about smaller details and make the final image look self-consistent.

Linear perspective is a method of portraying objects on a flat surface so that the dimensions shrink with distance. Each set of parallel, straight edges of any object, whether a building or a table, may follow lines that eventually converge at a vanishing point. Typically this point of convergence may be along the horizon, as buildings are built level with the flat surface. When multiple structures are aligned with each other, such as buildings along a street, the horizontal tops and bottoms of the structures may all typically converge at a vanishing point.

When both the fronts and sides of a building are drawn, then the parallel lines forming a side converge at a second point along the horizon, which may be off the drawing paper. This is a two-point perspective illustration. Converging the vertical lines to a third point above or below the horizon then produces a three-point perspective.

Depth can also be portrayed by several techniques in addition to the perspective approach above. Objects of similar size may appear ever smaller the further they are from the viewer. Thus the back wheel of a cart may appear slightly smaller than the front wheel Depth may be portrayed through the use of texture. As the texture of an object gets further away it becomes more compressed and busy, taking on an entirely different character than if it was close. Depth may also be portrayed, by reducing the contrast in more distant objects, and by making their colors less saturated. This may reproduce the effect of atmospheric haze, and cause the eye to focus primarily on objects drawn in the foreground. The process of drawing a figure, scene or object generally includes recursive steps of observing the view and then drawing the view. However, it is easy for artists to lose sight of their perspective in v arious ways, such as but not limited to frame shifts/creep, point of view shifts, shifts or changes in measurement

methods/techniques, and the like and etc.. Such can lead to distorted final drawings/artwork, mistakes, and/or other inconsistencies and problems. View frames have been developed to help artists, especially those who are new or learning, to be more aware of the perspective they have chosen as their source of inspiration, be more consistent in application of artistic processes, and/ or to be more consistent throughout the process.

Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:

U.S. Patent No.: 7,694,931, issued to Mantelli, discloses an improved artist assistive device provides easy adjustment and support of a mahl. The mahl can be repositioned with one hand, eliminating the need for the artist to lay down a work tool to reposition the mahl as required by the prior art. Embodiments include a second, vertical mahl supported from the top rail. Preferably, the top rail has front and rear members with a gap therebetween in which a slide supporting the second mahl is inserted. With the slide in the gap, the position of the vertical mahl can be adjusted by sliding the support along the top rail.

U.S. Patent No.: 7,497,406, issued to Hudson, discloses a bridge is sized to span across an entire painting surface and is supported above the image by vertical spacers that adapt to vary the distance between the painting surface and the bridge. The bridge height abov e the image surface may be varied with the use of height adjusting supplemental vertical spacers. The bridge is made up of an upper block and a lower block, where the upper block can be temporarily separated from the lower block. Each block may include a resilient material such as a thin neoprene layer or other suitable material on the respective mating surfaces, such that the resilient layers are pressed against each other when the halves are connected and held in place by fasteners. Between the resilient layers, the artist can place any desired drawing guide, and the guide is held, firmly in place by the non-slip quality of the resilient layers.

U.S. Patent No.: 7,481,654, issued to Mateo, discloses a handheld artist's aid designed to allow a freehand artist to establish horizontal fidelity, proportionality, subject scale, subject placement and angular relationships of a three-dimensional subject that is to become a two-dimensional work. It incorporates a visual leveling device in addition to a series of reference grids imposed there on. It is not designed as a copying or reproduction tool, but rather as an artist's aid that allows the artist freedom of expression yet frames the work within the physical reality of the structure. It is designed with multiple sized grids such that its use, can be enabled within the arms length of any artist.

U.S. Patent No.: 6,691,972, issued to Oliver, discloses an adjustable handrest for artists which is capable of attachment to a frame for supporting a worksurface on which a painting or other work of art may be applied. The handrest includes an elongated hand support member which spans the work surface and each end of which is independently vertically adjustable with respect to the other. The handrest is equally well-adapted for use by left-or right-handed users.

U.S. Patent No.: 6,579,099, issued to Pipes Jr., discloses freehand drawing tools and, specifically, to an improved device for training and guiding aspirant and accomplished artists to produce accurate freehand drawings. The device facilitates using the technique of correlating a visual image to a reference grid and drawing a representation of the image on a drawing surface with a proportionally identical grid.. The device comprises a series of sighting grid plates through which a subject to be drawn is viewed, a series of grid transfer stencils used to set a similar grid on a drawing surface, a means for supporting the sighting grid plates in position to be looked through by an artist viewing a subject, and a means for applying a color contrasting substance to the drawing surface through the holes in the grid transfer stencils,

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include being difficult to use, unwieldy, failing to teach proper habits, promoting bad habits, failing to properly record/register perspective, and failing to adjust a state of mind of a user from preconception to reality, poor marker/rod visibility during use, failing to enhance the observational skills of the user, failing to accelerate the learning process, not being sufficiently accurate, not being enjoyable, not being fun, being slow, not being flexible enough to use with various drawing styles, failing to facilitate registration of shape/scale/proportion/alignment of forms/and etc., failing to teach difficult skills/theories as: foreshortening/space/linear perspective theory/and etc., not being multi-use, having a complex structure, being difficult/expensive to manufacture, having too many moving parts, and having only single-function and the like and combinations thereof.

What is needed is a view frame that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.

DISCLOSURE. OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available artist tools. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a view frame configured to assist an artist.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a view frame configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The view frame may include a frame that may have a window through the frame. The frame may include a track that may be disposed about the window. The view frame may include a plurality of selectably rotatable guides that may be extending from the track and may be pro trading into the window. Each of the plurality of selectably rotatable guides may include a coupling member that may be selectably slideably coupled to the track. Each of the plurality of selectably rotatable guides may include a rod that may be coupled to the coupling member. It may be that one or more of the rods are not opaque.

The view frame may include an accessory guide that may include a mating structure that may be configured to rotatably couple to an origin of one of the plurality of guides. The track may be selected, from the group of tracks consisting of: rails, channels, and circumscribing barriers. The coupling member may be magnetically attracted to the track. The coupling member may include a head and a magnet that may be coupled to the head, and wherein the magnet may have a smaller effective radius than the head. The track may include a position indicia. One of the plurality of guides may be different color from others of the plurality of guides.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a method of understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes using a view frame. The method may include the step of providing a view frame that may have a frame. The frame may include a window through the frame. The frame may include a track that may be disposed about the window. The method may include the step of manipulating a plurality of selectably rotatable guides that may be extending from the track and protruding into the window. Each selectably rotatable guide may include a coupling member that may be selectably slideably coupled to the track. Each selectably rotatable guide may include a rod that may be coupled to the coupling member.

The method of understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes using a view frame may include the step of aligning perspective angles of a visual subject for artistic purposes with the plurality of seiectably rotatable guides. The method may include the step of manipulating a rod that is a different color from others of the guides. The method may include the step of coupling a first guide over a second guide such that the first and second guides have substantially identical origins. The method may include the step of recording a position of a first guide along the track and moving the first guide to a location along the trade different from the position recorded.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimeiU is included in at least one embodimeiU of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described abov e will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawmg(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawmg(s), in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a view frame in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a selectably rotatabfe guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a selectably rotatabie guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a coupling member and a rod of a selectably rotatabie guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a frame and a selectably rotatabie guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a frame and. a selectably rotatabie guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a selectably rotatabie guide and a accessory guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a frame and a selectably rotatabie guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 1 is a side elevational view of a frame, a selectably rotatabie guide, and an accessory guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a side elevaiional view of a frame and a selectablv rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 13 is a flow ^r chart of a method of using a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting art understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and. any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention, Reference throughout this specification to an "embodiment," an "example" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an "embodiment," an "example," and. similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording "embodiment," "example" or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered

independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as "another embodiment," the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language "another embodiment." The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered, to be able to be combined, in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, "comprising," "including," "containing," "is," "are,"

"characterized by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended, terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps.

"Comprising" is to be interpreted, as including the more restrictive terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of."

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a view frame in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a view frame 10 in operation, being held in front of a visual subject 12. The illustrated view frame 10 is configured to aid in understanding a visual subject 12 for artistic purposes. The view frame 10 includes a physical frame configured to be a compact hand-held device thai functions like a window. The view frame 10 is configured to frame an opening and includes a plurality of long narrow rods/styli, each rod includes a peg that fits into a channel or a track of the view frame 10. Each peg includes a strong magnet configured to support the rod in the channel of the view frame 10. There may be a metal plate disposed inside the channel and configured to attract the magnet of the rod. The rods are configured to be placed and held in place, in various orientations extending mto the opening. The channel or track is configured to be disposed in a full circle about the opening, so that the rods may be placed in all different positions about the circle.

The view frame 10 is made of a sturdy material that is configured to hold its shape. The rod/styli may be of clear plastic so that the rod/styli may be seen in different lighting conditions. It may be harder to see the rods that are painted in particular colors. There may be one or more rods/styli that may be colored/shaded in particular ways to be unique and/or point out particular issues. Pegs may be able to be stacked, on each other so that the rods may have identical origins. Pegs may have multiple rods extending therefrom that may be independently orientable and positioned. Peg magnets may be smaller in diameter than the pegs in order to limit magnetic interference between adjacent pegs. Rods may be shaped like a tonfa, with a protrusion extending towards the viewer so they may be more easily manipulated. The frame may have a handle or other gripping structure to allow the user to easily hold it in place. The gripping portion should be ambidextrous. There may be an aperture modification system for changing the aspect ratio of the window of the frame. That may include one or more plates that are seiectabiy positionable to obscure a portion of the window . An edge of the frame may be a straight-edge with measurement markings. There may be notches (measurement) along the channel so that the user may reconfigure the pegs if they are moved.

In one non-limiting example, there is a a physical frame, that may be a compact and/or hand-held device, that functions like a window through which an artist may view a subject, such as but not limited, to a figure, person, object, scene, and etc. and the like and combinations thereof. Such a frame includes an opening and a plurality of long narrow rods/styli that are seiectabiy disposed about a perimeter of the opening such that they may be placed in a particular location and then oriented, to pass across the opening, thereby presenting a visible line across the opening at a particular location and orientation as desired by the user.

It may be that each rod includes a peg, or other coupling structure that fits into a channel, or other associated coupling structure, circumscribed about the opening. Each peg may have and/or be associated with a strong magnet to hold it into the channel by ferromagnetic coupling. The magnet may be part of the peg and/or part of the channel. There may be a metal plate inside the channel to couple with magnets of the pegs/rods.

The rods are placed and held in place by track and associated structures (pins, radial mating grooves between a bottom surface of the rod structure and a top surface of the track/channel stracture. friction, etc.) in particular locations and/or orientations extending into the windowed region. The track makes a full circle (not necessarily circle shaped, though) about the opening/window so thai the rods can be placed in all different places in about the window.

It may be that the device is made of a sturdy material that holds its shape, such as but not limited to metals, stiff plastics, wood, and the like and combinations thereof The styli may be of clear/translucent plastic so that they can be seen in different lighting conditions. It is Applicant's experience in developing this product that painted/opaque rods are generally harder to see as they may blend into certain colors, while dear/translucent rods alter/filter colors behind them and therefore tend to stand out better when viewed, even against similar colors. There may be one or more styli that may be colored/shaded/marked in particular ways to be unique amongst the other rods and/or may be used in various manners to teach specific principles or otherwise draw focus and/or attention to a particular line/angle/etc. during use. One or more of the rods may include materials, structures, devices and/or surface treatments, that blink, include dots/dashes/other markings, change color, are highly reflective, fluoresce, are lighted, and/or otherwise include enhanced visual character] stic(s).

It may be that pegs may be able to stack on each other so that rods can have identical origins (similar to how Lego branded toy building bricks stack). Pegs may- have multiple rods extending therefrom that may be independently orien table. Peg magnets may be smaller in diameter or otherwise smaller in effective size than the pegs in order to limit magnetic interference between adjacent pegs. Rods may be shaped similar to a tonfa, with a protrusion extending towards the viewer so they can be more easily manipulated. The frame may have a handle or other gripping structure to allow the user to easily hold it in place. The gripping portion may be shaped and/or positioned in order to be ambidextrous, able to be used by either the right hand or the left hand equally well. There may be an aperture modification system/structure for changing the aspect ratio of the window of the frame similar to aperture structures (e.g. lens diaphragm with diaphragm blades) found in cameras. Such may include one or more plates that are selectably positionable to obscure a portion of the window. An edge of the frame may be a straight-edge with measurement markings. There may be measurement markings along the channel so that you can reconfigure the pegs if they get moved. Measurement markings may also include physical structures like groove, pits, nubs, channels and the like and combinations thereof that serve to guide, trap, channel, or otherwise help the user to properly place and/or orient pegs and/or to keep such in place once set.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a view frame 10 including a frame 14 and a plurality of selectably rotatable guides 16.

The illustrated view frame 10 is configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The view frame 10 includes a frame 14 having a window 18 through the frame 14. The frame 14 is a rigid structure configured to be held in a user's hand during operation. The frame 14 includes a track 20 disposed about the window 18. The view frame 10 includes a plurality of selectably rotatable guides 16 extending from the track 20 and protruding into the window 18. The plurality of selectable rotatable guides 16 are configured to be maneuvered about the track 20, thereby representing lines, angles, perspective, etc. of a visual subject and aiding in understanding thereof. The illustrated frame 14 includes a plurality of guide supports 40 disposed through the frame 14, and configured to selectably support a selectably rotatable guide 16 when not in use. The window 18 may be configured to expand and retract within the frame 14 of the view frame 10, thereby manipulating the size and shape of the window and configured to aid in understanding a visual subject.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a view frame 10 including a frame 14 and a plurality of selectably rotatable guides 16.

The illustrated view frame 10 is configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The view frame 10 includes a frame 14 having a window 18 through the frame 14. The frame 14 includes a track 20 disposed about the window 18. The view frame 10 includes a plurality of selectably rotatable guides 16 extending from the track 20 and protruding into the window 18, The frame 14 includes a plurality of guide supports 40 disposed through the frame 14, and configured to selectably support a selectably rotatable guide 16 when not in use. The illustrated track 20 includes a position indicia 34 disposed about window 18 and configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The position indicia 34 is configured to provide indicia at interval distances around the window 18 of the frame 14, thereby aiding in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a selectably rotatabl e guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16 including a coupling member 22 and a rod 24.

The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track of a view frame and protrude into a window thereof. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 selectably slideably coupled to a track of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22, The illustrated rod 24 is disposed about a top surface of the coupling member 22, The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a magnet 32 disposed about a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and configured to magnetically attract to a track of a view frame, wherein a track includes a magnet configured to be attracted to the magnet 32 of the coupling member 22.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a selectably rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16 including a coupling member 22 and a rod 24.

The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track of a view frame and protrude into a window thereof. The of selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 selectably slideably coupled to a track of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to a top surface of the coupling member 22. The illustrated coupling member 22 includes a head 30 and a magnet 32 that is coupled to the head 30, and wherein the magnet 32 includes a smaller effective radius than the head 38.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a selectably rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectable rotatable guide 16 including a coupling member 22 and a rod 24. The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track and protruding into a window of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 selectably slideabfy coupled to a track of a view frame. The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod. 24 selectably coupled to the coupling member 22. The rod 24 is configured to be selectably coupled to the coupling member 22, wherein the rod may vary in length, size, width, height, depth, structure, design, configuration, curvature, etc, and still perform its intended function.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a frame and a selectably rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16 configured to selectably couple to a track 20 of a frame 14.

The illustrated selectable rotatable guide 16 is configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track 20 of a frame 14 of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to protrude into a window of the frame 14. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 configured, to be selectably siideably coupled to the track 20. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22. The selectably rotatable guide 22 may include one or more of the rods 24 being not opaque. The illustrated coupling member 22 mcludes a protrusion extending parallel to a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and configured to correspond to dimensions of the track 20 of the frame 14, wherein the protrusion is configured to selectably couple the selectably rotatable guide to the track 20 of the frame 14 of a view frame.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a frame and. a selectably rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16 configured to selectably couple to a track 20 of a frame 14.

The illustrated selectable rotatable guide 16 is configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track 20 of a frame 14 of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to protrude into a window of the frame 14. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 configured to be selectably siideably coupled to the track 20. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22. The illustrated coupling member 22 includes a protrusion extending perpendicular to a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and configured to correspond to dimensions of the track 20 of the frame 14. wherein the protmsion is configured to selectably couple the selectably rotatable guide to the track 20 of the frame 14 of a view frame.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a selectably rotatable guide and an accessory guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16 and an accessory guide 26.

The illustrated accessory guide 26 is configured to rotatably couple to a selectably rotatable guide 26 of a view frame, configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track and protrude into a window of a frame of a view frame. The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 having a protmsion 35 extending from a top surface of the coupling member 22. The accessory guide 26 includes a mating structure 28 disposed in the coupling member 22 and configured to correspond and selectably rotatably couple to the protrusion 35 of the selectably rotatable guide 16. The mating structure 28 is configured to enable the accessory guide 26 to be rotatably couple to an origin of one of the plurality of guides 16. The selectably rotatable guide 16 and the accessory guide 26, each include a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a frame and a selectably rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectable rotatable guide 16 and a frame 14,

The illustrated selectable rotatable guide 16 is configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to extend from a track 20 of a frame 14 of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to protrude into a window of the frame 14. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 configured to be selectably slideably coupled to the track 20. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22. The coupling member 22 includes a protrusion extending perpendicular to a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and. configured to correspond to dimensions of the track 20 of the frame 14, wherein the protrusion is configured to selectably couple the selectably rotatable guide to the track 20 of the frame 14 of a view frame. The illustrated coupling member 22 includes a magnet 32 disposed about a bottom surface of the protrusion, wherein the magnet 32 is configured to be attracted to a magnet 32 of the track 20, Figure 1 1 is a side elevational view of a frame, a selectably rotatable guide, and an accessory guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16, an accessory guide 26, and a frame 14,

The illustrated selectable rotatable guide 16 is configured to aid in

understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 configured to be selectably coupled to an accessory guide 26. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22. The coupling member 22 includes a protrusion extending perpendicular to a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and configured to correspond to dimensions of the track 20 of the frame 14, wherein the protrusion is configured to selectably couple the selectably rotatable guide to the track 20 of the frame 14 of a view frame. The illustrated coupling member 22 includes a magnet 32 disposed about a bottom surface of the protrusion, wherein the magnet 32 is configured to be attracted to a magnet 32 of the track 20.

The illustrated accessory guide 26 is configured to rotatably couple to a selectably rotatable guide 26 of a view frame, configured to aid in understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The illustrated selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a coupling member 22 having a cavity 37 disposed about a top surface of the coupling member 22. The accessory guide 26 includes a mating structure 28 having a protrusion extending from a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and configured to correspond and selectably rotatably couple to the cavity 37 of the selectably rotatable guide 16. The mating structure 28 is configured, to enable the accessory guide 26 to be rotatably couple to an origin of one of the plurality of guides 16. The selectably rotatable guide 16 and the accessory guide 26, each include a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22.

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a frame and a selectably rotatable guide of a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a selectably rotatable guide 16 and a track 20 including a pivot coupling member 60.

The illustrated selectable rotatable guide 16 is configured, to aid in

understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured, to extend from a track 20 of a frame 14 of a view frame. The selectably rotatable guide 16 is configured to protrude into a window of the frame 14. The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a couplmg member 22 configured to be selectably slideably couple to the track 20, The selectably rotatable guide 16 includes a rod 24 coupled to the coupling member 22. The illustrated coupling member 22 includes a cavity 62 disposed about a bottom surface of the coupling member 22 and configured to correspond to dimensions of a pivot coupling member 60. The pivot coupling member 60 is configured to rest within the track 20 of the frame 14. wherem the pivot coupling member 60 is configured to enable the selectably rotatable guide 16 to slide about the track 20 and rotate about the coupling member 22.

Figure 13 is a flow chart of a method of using a view frame, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a method of using a view frame for artistic purposes 50.

The illustrated method of understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes using a view frame 50 includes the step of providing a view frame 52 that includes a frame. The frame includes a window through the frame. The frame includes a track that is disposed about the window. The method includes the step of manipulating a plurality of selectably rotatable guides 54 that extend from the track and. protrudes into the window of the frame. Each selectably rotatable guide includes a couplmg member that is selectably slideably coupled to the track. Each selectably rotatable guide includes a rod that is coupled to the coupling member.

The method of understanding a visual subject for artistic purposes using a view frame includes the step of aligning perspective angles of a visual subject for artistic purposes with the plurality of selectably rotatable guides 56. The method includes the step of manipulating a rod that is a different color from others of the guides. The method includes the step of coupling a first guide over a second guide such that the first and second guides have substantially identical origins. The method includes the step of recording a position of a first guide along the track 58 and moving the first guide to a location along the track different from the position recorded.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may ^¬ be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, although the figures illustrate particular coupling

devices/structures, it is understood that other coupling devices may be used in various embodiments and other, non-illustrated combinations of coupling devices/structures may be used in various embodiments.

Additionally, although the figures illustrate specific numbers, shapes and sizes of pegs/rods it is understood thai other shapes and sizes may be used in various embodiments and that varying shapes and sizes may be used within embodiments.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. An example is that the window may be non-circular (square, rectangular, amorphous, variably shaped, oval, polygonal, egg-shaped, and the like and combinations thereof) and/or the frame may be non-square.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to metals, ceramics, woods, fibers, stone, minerals, plastics, mbbers, combinations thereof, composites thereof, and the like.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described, above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.