GB2324274A

GB2324274A - Two-figure group sculpture

Info

Publication number: GB2324274A
Application number: GB9707940A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Michael Zeller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-18
Filing date: 1997-04-18
Publication date: 1998-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-18
Also published as: GB9707940D0; GB2324274B

Abstract

A figure group sculpture 10 comprising two conjoined humanoid figures 12,14, having the characteristics of Zodiac signs, is made using separate elements for the respective figures, the elements being selected from a range of elements.

Description

Three-Dimensional Figure Grouts, C.L Sculptures Field of Invention This invention relates to three-dimensional figure groups, e.g. sculptures.

Background When industrially producing a sculpture or other three-dimensional figure group, a single mould element or a pair of mould elements is usually used to make the positive (the sculpted group). If there are many such groups, a correspondingly high stock is required in order to meet orders.

The Invention The present inventor has considered this problem from the point of view of having figure groups which differ in that a figure of the group, or each of several figures of the group, can be selected from a range of different figures. This has particular application in tailoring a figure group to include a figure having characteristics relating to one of the twelve Zodiac signs. If the group comprises one such characteristic figure, the stock has to include 12 items. If there are two such characteristic figures in the group and all possible combinations are to be available, there must be 144 items. This, of course, refers to a stock of only one item of each possibility. If several are to be carried, the stock size must increase greatly. The inventor has realised that, in the case of a group of two such figures, the stock can be dramatically reduced if the two figures are stocked separately and are ablcto be conjoined by the stockist. In this case, the basic stock needs to be,sn};24 items, 12 for the first figure and 12 for the second figure. Such items, being rt of the.iee- dimensional group, and being made from moulds which are negative be rcgted as positives.

Alternatively, the manufacturer can make each item to order by having only 24 moulds, each mould being a single element or, usually, a pair of mould elements one for the left hand side of a figure and one for the right hand side of that figure. He can then produce any one of 144 combinations to order, without the need for 144 separate moulds.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method as claimed in clam 1. Usually, this will have the further features of claim 2, and more usually the further features of claim 3.

A particularly convenient feature of the method is as claimed in claim 4. For example, a sculpture may be provided in which a man and woman are embracing, with the woman's arm round the back of the neck of the man, in which case it might otherwise be difficult to conjoin the two figures. However, if her hand that has gone round behind his neck clasps her other arm, held out straight, then her elbow portion behind his neck can be made part of his figure, so that her figure terminates that arm above the elbow and, on the other side, there is only a hand and part of forearm clasping her other arm. It will then be readily apparent to one skilled in the art how this general principle can be adapted to other forms of combination of the two figures.

A method having the further features of claim 5 has particular application because the Zodiac signs form a limited numerous set, each member of which is clearly distinct from the others and extremely well known, and also each Zodiac sign has a particular functionality being related usually to the birth-month of the purchaser or an associated person, so that this is a particular case in which the purchaser would require specified sign characteristics for each of the two figures. (me figures can be male and female respectively, or both of the same sex.) Another aspect of the invention consists in a group made by any such method.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a group as claimed in claim 9. A further possibility is to have a three-dimensional group, e.g. in an embrace, comprising a part only of each figure, e.g. a head alone, or a head, upper torso and arms. Another possibility is to have, as the separate element, a block that is let into each figure, e.g.

the block having Zodiacal characteristics, e.g. humanised, by which is meant that characteristics (e.g. shape or form) of the Zodiac character, e.g. a lion for Leo, are adapted to be humanoid. The invention in another aspect may be extended to groups of more than two figures.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a moulding, casting or like threedimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising two conjoined humanoid figures, made using separate positive elements and/or mould elements for the respective figures. Although the term "casting" is usually used for positives of metal and "moulding" for other materials, the present invention is not confined to particular materials.

A group may have the further characteristics of claim 10 or 11. Each figure may be made from two mould elements, e.g. for its left half and its right half as in normal moulding or casting techniques.

The group may have the further features of claim 12. The two elements can have the characteristics, one of one Zodiac sign and the other of a different Zodiac sign, or both of the same Zodiac sign.

The group may have the further features of claim 13, showing a loving relationship, which is functionally related to different Zodiac signs but then may require the further features of claim 14 for the reasons explained above in relation to the subject matter of claim 4.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a set of parts for use in making a group of any of the kinds described above, which set comprises a range of said elements from among which a selection can be made. This may be a range of positive figures, perhaps together with other items such as base, background, or flanking or supporting items. Suitable key portions for locating and/or connecting the items to each other may be included as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, such a set may comprise mould elements.

As explained above it is particularly useful to have an element as claimed in claim 16. Another aspect of the invention consists in an element for use in making one figure of a three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, the element being humanoid with humanised characteristics of a distinct Zodiac sign.

Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of two figure elements as positives for use in making an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view showing a finished sculpture made using those two elements; Figure 3 is a plan perspective view of a set of positive figure elements, the upper row showing the 12 male figure elements having respective characteristics of a Zodiacal set and the lower row showing the 12 like female figure elements; Figure 4 is a plan view of mould elements for use in making the positive figure elements shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing a back block used for each figure which block alone has the distinctive characteristics for that figure.

Referring to the drawings, a three-dimensional figure group in the form of a sculpture 10 comprises two conjoined humanoid figures 12 (female) and 14 (male).

The sculpture 10 is made by putting together separate elements 12 14 for the respective figures. The element 12 is selected from a range of suitable elements 12, Figure 3, and the element 14 is selected from a range of suitable elements 14, Figure 3. The element 14 includes a common portion 16, common to the figures represented by the element 12, being a visible portion of the upper arm of a figure 12 going to the elbow portion (not seen for Leo because it is under his hair) behind the neck of figure 14. All of the elements 12 have an upper arm portion ending at a surface 18 which fits to the corresponding surface of portion 16. The "hand" (or corresponding paw, hoof or the like) portion 20 of that arm is fixed to the other arm 22 and fits to the other end of the arm portion 16 (not visible in Figure 1).

The element 12 has the humanised characteristics of Capricornus (the goat), with hoofs in place of feet and hands, and with goat horns springing from the head. The element 14 has the humanised characteristics of Leo (the lion), with paws in place of feet and hands and a mane springing from the head. These humanised characteristics of Zodiac signs may be supplemented by an actual marking of the Zodiac sign 25 on the relevant half of the base 24 and/or be engraved on the backs of the respective elements 12, 14.

The said elements 12, 14 are positives. Alternatively, the elements could be negatives in the sense of being mould elements 26 to 32. The half elements 26, 28 are combined to be used to make a positive element 14. The half elements 30, 32 are combined to be use to make an element 12. Alternatively, with a somewhat different design of the sculpture 10, a pair of mould elements 26, 28 selected for a Zodiac sign can be put together with a pair of mould elements 30, 32 selected for a Zodiac sign (the same one or another one), so as to make a monolithic sculpture 10, allowing 144 designs to be chosen from only 24 pairs of mould elements such as 26 to 32.

Another possibility is for a sculpture 34 to have a unitary design for all possibilities, these differing only in a block 36 let into the back of each figure. The element 36 carries one of the Zodiac signs and is conjoined to the remainder of the figure by the stockist or can be moulded monolithically with the sculpture 34, thus allowing 144 combinations. Of course, these are not humanised Zodiacal characteristics.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of industrial manufacture or multiplication of a threedimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising two conjoined humanoid figures, in which method the group is made using separate elements for the respective figures. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the element/s for one of the figures is/are selected from a range of suitable elements. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the elements for both of the figures are selected from a range of suitable elements. 4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the element/s for at least one of the figures include/s a common portion of the other figure suitable for use in complementing all the elements of the range suitable for use for the other figure. 5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elements for the two figures have humanised characteristics of respective Zodiac signs. 6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said elements are, and are used as, positives. 7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said elements are, and are used as, moulds. 8. A method substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described. 9. A method substantially according to any embodlpxent hereinbeibre described with refercnce to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 10. A group made by a method as claimed in any preceding claim.- 11. A three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising two conjoined humanoid figures, made using separate elements for the respective figures. 12. A group as claimed in claim 11, made from said elements being positives. 13. A group as claimed in claim 11, made from said elements being moulds. 14. A group as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, made from said elements having humanised characteristics of respective Zodiac signs. 15. A group as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, made from said elements being designed to be clasping or embracing each other in the finished sculpture. 16. A group as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, made from said elements for at least one of the figures including a common portion of the other figure. 17. A set of parts for use in making a sculpture as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, which set comprises a range of said elements from among which a selection can be made. 18. An element for use in making one figure of a three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, the element being humanoid with humanised characteristics of a distinct Zodiac sign and being adapted for that figure to be conjoined with another figure of the group. 19. A group, set of parts or element, substantially accordinaJo~any embodiment hereinbefore described. 20. A group, set of parts or element, substantially according to. any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A method of industrial manufacture or multiplication of a threedimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising two conjoined humanoid figures, in which method the group is made using separate elements for the respective figures.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the element/s for one of the figures is/are selected from a range of suitable elements.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the elements for both of the figures are selected from a range of suitable elements.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the elementls for at least one of the figures include/s a common portion of the other figure suitable for use in complementing all the elements of the range suitable for use for the other figure.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elements for the two figures have humanised characteristics of respective Zodiac signs.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said elements are, and are used as, positives.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said elements are, and are used as, moulds.

8. A method substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described.

9. A method substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

10. A group made by a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

11. A three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising two conjoined humanoid figures, made using separate elements for the respective figures.

12. A three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising part of a humanoid figure and, conjoined therewith part of another humanoid figure, made using separate elements for the respective parts.

13. A group as claimed in claim 11 or 12, made from said elements being positives.

14. A group as claimed in claim 11 or 12, made from said elements being moulds.

15. A moulding, casting or like three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, comprising two conjoined humanoid figures, made using separate positive elements and/or mould elements for the respective figures.

16. A group as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, made from said elements having humanised characteristics of respective Zodiac signs.

17. A group as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, made from said elements being designed to be clasping or embracing each other in the finished sculpture.

18. A group as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, made from said element/s for at least one of the figures including a common portion of the other figure.

19. A set of parts for use in making a sculpture as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, which set comprises a range of said elements from among which a selection can be made.

20. An element for use in making one figure of a three-dimensional figure group, e.g. a sculpture, the element being humanoid with humanised characteristics of a distinct Zodiac sign and being adapted for that figure to be conjoined with another figure of the group.

21. A group, set of parts or element, substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described.

22. A group, set of parts or element, substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[End]