US3856609A

US3856609A - Hanging decoration

Info

Publication number: US3856609A
Application number: US00433343A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Maas
Original assignee: Paper Novelty Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Paper Novelty Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1974-01-14
Filing date: 1974-01-14
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24

Abstract

Decoration, particularly for decoration of Christmas trees, window displays, and the like, adapted to be hung from an overhanging support or adhesively adhered to a surface.

Description

U United States Patent 1191 1111 3,856,609 Maas 1451 Dec. 24, 1974 HANGING DECORATION 2,784,512 3/1957 000 1 11111 161/16 [75] Inventor: Fred L- Maas, Stam ord, Conn. 3,440,128 4/1969 Kublhus 161/16 [73] Assignee: Paper Novelty Manufacturing Co.,

Stamford, Conn. Primary Examiner-William E. Schulz [22] Filed: Jan. 14, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 433,343

[ ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 161/16, 41/11 [51] Int. Cl A47q 33/08 Decor i n, particularly for decoration of Christmas [58] Field of Search 161/16; 46/11 trees, window displays, and the like, adapted to be hung from an overhanging support or adhesively ad [56] References Cited hered to a surface.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,725 4/1956 Esposito 161/16 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HANGING DECORATION This invention relates generally to decorative members and, more particularly, to a decorative device adapted to be suspended from overhanging support or adhesively mounted with a support surface.

In the decoration of Christmas trees, and the like, it has long been known to provide decorative items with a ring-like support to enable the decoration or ornament to be suspended, as by means of a loop of string, a wire hook, or the like, from the branches of the Christmas tree. In the decoration of a Christmas tree, it also would be advantageous to the overall appearance if room surfaces, such as walls adjacent the Christmas tree could also be decorated, easily, economically and conveniently. Similarly, in connection with window displays, and the like, ornaments are often suspended from overhanging supports and also mounted on support surfaces to be viewed through the window.

Heretofore, ornaments have been usually specifically designed so as to either be displayed (1) by hanging from an overhanging support or (2) to be displayed by mounting on a support surface and ornamants designed for either of the two aforesaid modes of display are ordinarily not readily useable for display in the other modes. Further, decorations used for packages and the like, have generally not been suitable for any other use after the package is received and opened and the expense of such ornaments as are used for decoration of packages is therefore generally wasted following receipt and opening of the package.

Accordingly, bearing in mind the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel and improved ornaments which may be used interchangeably for suspended display mounted on a surface.

It is another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, to provide novel and improved ornaments which may be utilized for the decoration of packages, and the like, and subsequently further used for ornamentation by being either suspended from a support or mounted for display on a surface.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects is the provision of such novel and improved ornaments which are economical to manufacture and durable and attractive in use.

Still another object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of novel mounting means for Christmas and window display ornaments.

Still another primary object of the present invention in addition to each of the foregoing objects is the provision of novel methods of display ornaments.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in an improved element constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will be better understood and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention in what is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practice of the principles thereof.

Other embodiments or modification may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a prospective illustration of a novel and improved ornament in accordance with the present invention as it might be displayed by suspension from an overhanging support such as a Christmas tree branch;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional planned view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the ornament of the present invention mounted on a support surface for display.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated, a novel ornament constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 10 which comprises a hollow generally spherical ball-like portion 12 having a flattened surface 14 and a neck like portion 16 extending outwardly of a ball-like portion 12 at a generally angular orientation to the flattened surface 14.

While the ornament 10 is shown and illustrated as being of generally spherical hollow plastic configuration, it is to be expressly understood that the present invention is not limited to hollow generally spherical plastic ornament but, rather, to ornaments of substantially any material and of any generally three dimensional configuration, whether regular or irregular, providing that they have a flattened surface functionally equivalent to the flattened surface: 14 and being functionally equivalent to the neck 16 angularly orientated relative one another to enable display of the ornament by suspension from means connected with the neck 16 or equivalent means and for display mounted upon a surrporint surface by means associated with the surface 14 or equivalent means. Further, it is desirable that there by provided additional decorative means, indicia, ornamentation, graphics, color of the like, 18, on the surface 12 at least at a location angularly orientated relative the neck 16 or equivalent means and the surface 14 or equivalent means so as to present an asthetic appearance when the ornament 10 is suspended from the neck 16 or equivalent means and when the ornament 10 is displayed by mounting of the surface 14 or equivalent means on a display surface. Further, the means 18 is preferably disposed generally oppositely the surface 14 so that the means 18 is displayed on at least a front surface of the ornament 10, the surface 14 defines a generally rear surface of the ornament 10 and the neck 16 defines a top of the ornament 10.

As heretofore pointed out, the top portion defined by the neck 16 has associated therewith means, generally designated by the reference character 20 to enable suspension of the ornament 10 from a support such as a Christmas tree branch 22 and the surface 14 similarly has associated therewith means, generally designated by the reference character 24 enabling mounting of the ornament 10 for display on a surface, such as a surface 25.

The means 20 may comprise cap member or escutcheon 26 having a generally cylindrical upwardly extending cavity 28 having a generally open and unobstructed generally circular mount 30 and a generally inwardly directed generally annular shoulder or ridge 32 therewithin generally adjacent the mouth 30. The neck portion 16 of the ornament 10 may be of substantially cylindrical configuration having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the generally cylindrical cavity 28 and the height of the neck portion 16 may, as shown, be only slightly less than the depth of the cavity 28. Hence, the neck portion 16 is adapted to be inserted into the cavity 28 so that, upon assembly therebetween, the cap 26 will tightly fit over the neck 16, as shown.

Means may be further provided securing the neck portion 16 within the cavity 28 and such securing means are preferably defined by resilient interconnecting means between the neck portion 16 and the cap 20. Hence, as heretofore pointed out, the cap 26 may be provided with a generally inwardly extending annular ridge 32 and the neck portion 16 may be provided with a mating generally outwardly extending annular ridge 34 so that, after assembly of the neck portion 16 within the cavity 28 of the cap 26, the

cooperating ridges

32 and 34 effectively prevent disassembly therebetween. In order to enable assembly, one of the neck portion 16 and cap 26 may be fabricated of a resilient material and, preferably, the cap 26 is fabricated of a resilient plastic material.

The cap 20 may be further provided with a generally inverted U-shaped extension 36 having an aperature 38 having an axis generally perpendicular the axis of the neck portion 16 to enable a hanger, such as a wire hook 40 to be inserted therethrough and hooked over a support for suspension of the ornament 10 as by being hooked over a Christmas tree branch 22; hung from a string, or the like. Further, as is believed readily obvious, if a string, or the like, is utilized to suspend the ornament 10, such string or the like, may be passed directly through the aperture 38 and the wire hook 40 be dispensed with.

As heretofore pointed out, the ornament 10 of the present invention is, in addition to being adapted for display by suspension from the neck 16 adapted for display by securing of the flattened surface 14 against a mating surface 26 which may be defined by a wall of a room, a package, a window, or the like and means 24 specifically provided in accordance with this invention to enable such association.

The means 24 may comprise a generally flexible or resilient member 42 secured with the surface 14 as by means of a layer of adhesive 44 on one side thereof and for securement with the support surface 26 by means of a second layer of adhesive 46 on the other side thereof.

The layers of adhesive 44 and 46 may be of the general class known as pressure-sensitive adhesive with the means 42 defining a support for the two layers of pressure-

sensitive adhesive

44 and 46 prior to association with the ornament l and, additionally, since the means 42 is preferably soft and resilient enabling and aiding in mounting of the ornament against surfaces 25 which might be somewhat rough or porous to providing a resilient backing for the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 46 and enabling, thereby compensation for minor irregularities in surface 25.

In order to enable the ornament 10 to be shipped, stored, and sold as a complete and self contained unit, there may be further provided, covering the adhesive layer 46, a cover sheet 48 being only lightly secured thereto and readily peelable outwardly therefrom as will be apparent to enable the user at the time of mounting of the ornament 10 to merely peel off the cover sheet 48 and thereby mount the ornament 10 against the supporting surface 25 by pressure of the ornament and adhesive layer 46 thereagainst.

The peripheral configuration of the flattened surface 14, and of the means 24 may be chosen to provide a sufficient adhesive strength to support the ornament 10 and where, as illustrated, the ornament 10 is of substantially spherical configuration, the surface 14 will be of generally circular peripheral configuration and the mounting means 24 may similarly be of generally circular peripheral configuration.

Further, where, as illustrated, the ornament 10 comprises a hollow plastic ball which, it will be understood, is of very light weight, the mounting means 24 may, as shown, comprise a relatively small double-stick pressure-sensitive adhesively coated disc.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modification as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Ornament for display be suspension from above and by securement with a surface comprising, in combination, a three-dimensional ornament having at least a front portion, a top portion and a rear portion wherein said rear portion comprises a substantially flat surface angularly disposed relative said top portion, means connected with said top portion for enabling suspension of said ornament from above and means mounted with said flat surface for enabling mounting of said ornament on a surface for display thereon.

2. Ornament defined in claim 1 further comprising decorative means disposed at least generally oppositely said flat surface.

3. Ornament defined in claim 2 comprising a substantially hollow plastic ball having a neck portion disposed and extending upwardly of said top portion.

4. Ornament defined in claim 3 wherein said neck portion is of generally cylindrical configuration and is provided with a generally outwardly extending generally annular rim adjacent the upper and portion thereof defining a portion of said suspension mounting means and further comprising a generally resilient plastic cap having a generally cylindrical cavity extending upwardly therein and being disposed about said neck portion, said cap being provided with a generally annular generally inwardly extending rim generally adjacent the lower end portion thereof for snap-fit engagement with said neck portion rim to secure said cap with said neck portion.

5. Ornament defined in claim 4 wherein said cap is provided with an integrally molded generally inverted adhesive layer and said flat surface and adhesively secured with said flat surface to enable pressure-sensitive adherence of said ornament even against surfaces having porosity and irregularities.

8. Ornament defined in claim 7 further comprising a peelable cover sheet extending over said pressuresensitive layer.

Claims

1. Ornament for display be suspension from above and by securement with a surface comprising, in combination, a threedimensional ornament having at least a front portion, a top portion and a rear portion wherein said rear portion comprises a substantially flat surface angularly disposed relative said top portion, means connected with said top portion for enabling suspension of said ornament from above and means mounted with said flat surface for enabling mounting of said ornament on a surface for display thereon.

5. Ornament defined in claim 4 wherein said cap is provided with an integrally molded generally inverted U-shaped portion having an aperture thereto generally perpendicular the axis of said neck portion for hanging thereby.

6. Ornament defined in claim 5 wherein said surface mounting means comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer structurally associated with said flat surface.

7. Ornament defined in claim 6 wherein said surface mounting means further comprises a generally resilient backing sheet disposed between said pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and said flat surface and adhesively secured with said flat surface to enable pressure-sensitive adherence of said ornament even against surfaces having porosity and irregularities.

8. Ornament defined in claim 7 further comprising a peelable cover sheet extending over said pressure-sensitive layer.