GB2222389A

GB2222389A - Decorative elements

Info

Publication number: GB2222389A
Application number: GB8820876A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Martin Daly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-09-06
Filing date: 1988-09-06
Publication date: 1990-03-07
Also published as: GB8820876D0; EP0358495A1

Description

21 222389 Decorative Elements Ihe present invention is concerned with

decorative elements, typically in the form of surface elements for use as internal or external architectural decoration.

According to the present invention, there is provided a decorative element having a visible face comprising a plurality of elongate surface projections or depressions each having a facetted surface of a first colour extending along substantially the entire length of the facetted surface, said facetted surface being visible from some viewpoints facing said visible face, but obscured from other such viewpoints, at least a portion of said visible face being of a second colour contrasting with said first colour such that said second colour is at least partly obscured from some viewpoints from which said facetted surface is visible and at least partly visible from some viewpoints from which said facetted surface is obscured.

Ihe decorative elements according to the invention enable a distinctive optical effect of either subtle or dramatic changes in colour, depending on the point of view. Ihus, as the eye scans from one angle, a first predominant colour is seen, whereas from another angle, a second predominant colour is seen.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures la to ld are sectional views of typical configurations of decorative elements according to the invention; Figures 2a. to 2d are plan views corresponding to Figures la to ld; and Figure 3 shows schematically the visual effect with a four-colour element according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a first colour, B a second colour, C a third colour and D a fourth colour.

In the embodiment of Figures la and 2a, the sectional view is a zig-zag with successive angular peaks and troughs; one face of each peak is of colour A and the other face is of colour B. lhe embodiment of Figures lb and 2b is generally similar, except that the peaks are smoothly curved. lhe embodiment of Figures le and 2c comprises, successively, a generally flat trough (colour C), an upwardly directed slope (colour D), a generally flat peak (colour A) and a downwardly directed slope (colour B). lhe embodiment of Figures ld and 2d comprises immediately adjacent smoothly curved peaks (colours A and B) spaced by a generally flat trough (colour C).

1he decorative element may be constructed of any of a wide range of materials, such as cardboard, plastics, wood, metal or the like; in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the element is a rigid sheet material. Such a decorative element may be used for a wide range of uses, such as packaging, signs, ceilings, wall coverings, floor covering or the like, particularly for internal decoration purposes. Ttshen the decorative element according to the invention is to be used for signs and the like, the facetted surface may be overprinted with, or otherwise covered with a layer of information-imparting indicia (such as the word "EXI1% "12,IRADCE", or the like). Such signs can be used for point of sale displays, in or associated with buildings or the like, or as exhibition or display panels or the like.

,hen the decorative element according to the invention is intended for use as wall covering it may, for example, be a blown material or textile material as will be described in more detail below (in which case, the effect may be broadly as shown in Figure ld)-or an embossed material or flock material applied to a substrate of contrasting colour (in which case, the effect may be broadly as shown in any of Figures la to lc). Yhen the decorative element is for use as upholstery, the latter may be woven or sculpted with a desired combination of colours so as to create the desired facets (in which case, the effect may be broadly as shown in any of Eigures la to ld); similar effects may be obtained on carpets or carpet tiles by sculpting or ribbing in register with pre-existing coloured areas.

Examples of typical methods of producing decorative elements according to the invention will now be described. (a) Colours may be applied where desired on a (plastics) material to be blown such that hhen cured and blown, the appropriate facets are created; (b) Colours may be printed in register on to materials such as card. cardboard, plastics, or vinyl flooring and the surface selectively embossed to produce the desired selectively coloured facets (or printed in register with preformed embossing) to produce an effect broadly as shown in any of Figures la to lc; (c) lextile materials of a first colour may be applied to a coloured substrate of contrasting colour such that the textile material provides the coloured facets; (d) A material such as leather may be cut to form facets which are then selectively spray-coated on some of such facets with an appropriate colour to produce an effect broadly as shown in any of Figures la to lc; (e) A material such as aluminium, plastics, wood or glass or a laminate, may be moulded in register into previously coloured facets, or spray coated with a suitable colour on preformed facets. so as to produce an effect broadly as shown in any of Figures la to ld; A facetted ceramic tile, polystyrene tile, roofing tile brick, conrete panel or the like is sprayed or otherwise treated with coloured material in a predetermined pattern to produce an effect broadly as shown in any of Figures la to lc; or (g) A substrate of a first colour may have flock material of a contrasting colour applied thereto electrostatically.

ii

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A decorative element having a visible face comprising a plurality of elongate surface projections or depressions each having a facetted surface of a first colour extending along substantially the entire length of the facetted surface, said facetted surface being visible from some viewpoints facing said visible face, but obscured from other such viewpoints, at least a portion of said visible face being of a second colour contrasting with said first colour such that said second colour is at least partly obscured from some viewpoints from which said facetted surface is visible and at least partly visible from some viewpoints from which said facetted surface is obscured.

A decorative element according to claim 1, wherein said projections or depressions are in the surface of a rigid sheet material, and integral therewith.

A decorative element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first colour is in the form of a coating applied in register with said facetted surface after production of the latter.

4. A decorative element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first colour is in the form of a coating applied to a substrate which is subsequently deformed in register with said coating to form said facets.

5. A decorative element according to any of claims 1 to 4, which has a sectional shape transverse to said projections which comprises a zig-zag with successive angular peaks and troughs, one face of each said peak being of said first colour and the other face thereof being of said second colour.

1 A decorative element according to any of clairs 1 to 4, which has a sectional shape transverse to said projections which comprises a series of arcuate corrugations.

7. A decorative element according to claim 6, wherein adjacent corrugations are contiguous.

8. A decorative element according to any of claims 1 to 4, which has a sectional shape transverse to said projections which comprises a series of angular castellations.

A decorative element according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to any of Figures la to ld.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 -7 A decorative element comprising a substrate aving an outer face comprising a plurality of elongate surface projections or depressions constituting a series of facetted surfaces which define, said facetted surfaces having thereon a coating of'a first colour extending along said surface. such that said colour is visible from some viewpoints facing said outer face, but obscured from other such viewpoints, at least a portion of said outer face being of a second colour contrasting with said first colour such that said second colour is at least partly obscured from some viewpoints from which said first colour is visible and at least partly visible from some viewpoints from which said first colour is obscured, characterised in that said facets are created by deformation of said substrate after application of said coating said deformation being in register with areas 0) having said coating thereon.

2. A decorative element according to claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a rigid sheet material.

3. A decorative element according to claim 1 or 2, which has a sectional shape transverse to said projections which comprises a zig-zag with successive angular peaks and troughs, one face of each said peak having said coating of said first colour and the other face thereof being of said second colour.

A decorative element according to claim 1 or 2, in which said substrate has a sectional shape transverse to said projections which comprises a series of arcuate corrugations.

z 5.

A decorative element according to claim 4, wherein adjacent corrugations are contiguous.

6. A decorative element according to claim 1 or 2, in which said substrate has a sectional shape transverse to said projections which comprises a series of angular castellations.

A decorative element according to any of claims 1 to 7, which is in the form of a wall cladding panel.

Published 1990 &tTheP&tentO=c8, State House.66-7 L FighHolburn.Iondon WClR4TP- Purther copies maybe obtlInedfrom The Patent Omce. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, K!!rat BIA5 3RD- Printed by Multiplex techzuques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent Con- 1187