WO1998031553A1 - Composite article with functional end portion - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an improved article of common use which has a characteristic composite construction, incorporating a specific recognition element as linking part between article base and a functional end element. A particular embodiment thereof is a spindle or pin block (1) for filling small papers like bills and tickets, containing a representative miniature body (4, 4') which is detachably secured between a base (3) and a paper pin (2) by means of a rivet connection (5, 6, 7).

Description

COMPOSITE ARTICLE WITH FUNCTIONAL END PORTION

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The present invention more generally relates to a composite or multiple-part object having a functional, easily accessible end portion in the form of a pin, a spindle, a hook, a ring and the like for holding or receiving tickets, cards, pieces of paper and possibly other items. More in particular the invention concerns a nail block or spindle-file of improved composite construction to hold bills, tickets, price tags and similar papers. Composite objects of this type are known from inter al. US-A-1381035 disclosing a spindle-file provided with a rigid guard which has an upper end disposed above the sharpened end of the spindle. This safety construction, however, renders the ticket filing more difficult. WO-A-95/21437 describes a card holder having an end portion in the form of a spring clip detachably received on an upright support stander. It is used for holding and displaying cards like a menu or a drink list but does not permit quick attachment of e.g. consumption bills or tickets since the clip has to be removed first. A pin block is amply used in restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels as an easy means to collect and keep up with the consumptions tickets and bills of different clients separately. It is found on tables, counters, desks, bar taps etc.

In its most rudimentary form a pin block comprises a wooden base with a pin or nail standing upright. To make this simple device more attractive one has designed the base in various pedestal forms of different materials and colours, inclusive various fixations of the spindle or pin element.

The inventive concept underlying the present invention is the acknowlegment of the need for technical improvement of a simple use article, such as e.g. a pin block, in terms of its decorative appeal without sacrifying the functionality nor simplicity of fabrication. More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a common use article, especially a pin block, with a decorative specific recognition element as intermediate receiving part for the functional end element, such that the basic function is not impaired and the use itself gains commercial attractiveness. Among recognition elements there are the figurative and ornamental elements representing a company, firm, service, industry etc. which may take the form of an emblem, a logo, a mini shape (miniature body such as car, bottle, ...) of a core product or activity, and other illustrative elements reminding immediately a basic activity and/or the desired image of a company, a service, an industrial or trading branche and the like.

The object of the invention is achieved by a composite product comprising the technical features set forth in claim 1. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments, including those illustrated in the figures. A key element of the invention is the incorporation of a mountable intermediate element, taking the form of a representative recognition element, into a use product such as in particular a pin block. The intermediate part is preferably designed to be integrally assembled into the composite article of this invention, and further to be detachable and exchangeable if needed. Hence the fabrication remains simple, efficient and flexible.

The invention is illustrated in the following figures showing two embodiments of a preferred composite article in the form of a pin block, without wishing to restrict the invention to said examples and/or article kind.

Figure 1 shows a multi-part pin block comprising a mini- form bottle (e.g. coca cola, perfume brand, ...) as integrated intermediate element of appealing representative and decorative character. Herein fig. la shows the composite assembly in a vertical cross-section and fig. lb illustrates certain mounting/securing details. Figure 2 illustrates a composite pin block comprising a disk-shaped intermediate element representing e.g. an entertainment activity such as roulette gambling. Fig. 2a gives an overall view in vertical cross-section and fig. 2b shows an exploded view of mounting details. In the drawings the pin block, indicated with reference numeral 1, is composed of a base 3 and a spindle 2 of appropiate length having a sharpened edge. According to the invention recognizable intermediate part 4 is incorporated between spindle 2 and base 3 , whereby the upper side of part 4 is adapted to support and securingly receive spindle 2. In both embodiments the securing means for fixation of the spindle or pin 2 are preferably a rivet type fastener 5 which is clamped around the lower portion 7 of the spindle shaft and which advantageously features a radial collar flange 6. The latter has the function of supporting abutment and distance adapter for assembling and securing spindle and intermediate part. In figure 1 a bore 8 of suitable dimensions is foreseen in the intermediate part to receive the rivet-clamped spindle. The fixation of intermediate part 4 to the base can be a common nail or screw connection indicated as (10,11,12). Alternatively the spindle shaft may be made longer to reach into the base via a throughgoing cental bore hole of interposed part 4 and be fixed onto base 3. In the embodiment with intermediate disk 4' as representative assembly part according to figure 2, the lower end 7 of the spindle shaft is received in a bore hole of base 3. To improve the securing of the disk between base 3 and spindle 2 there is preferably provided an annular flange 13 which can be clipped onto the base holder and cooperates with the circumferential edge of disk 4' in the form of a detachable snap connection.

The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. The exemplified composite article in the form of a pin block may comprise a base or holder of various shapes and the materials used for the base and interposition part are not restricted to the usual ones such as wood, plastics and metal. Also the exemplified connecting and fastening means are not to be interpreted in a restrictive sense. Furthermore functional end elements other than a paper collector pin may be envisaged, e.g. a hook, a ring and other directly accessible functional end elements.

Also common use articles differing from a pin block may be part of the invention inasmuch as they contain the inventive concept and technical features defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims ******

1).Composite article comprising a lower holder part and and an upper functional part with an end portion adapted to a desired function, characterized by comprising a linking intermediate element in the form of shaped body forming a desired recognition element that is detachably integrated between said holder and said functional part.

2).Composite article as defined in claim 1, wherein said end portion is a securing means in the form as a pin, a spindle, a hook, an open ring and the like for holding and collecting papers and cards to be filed thereupon by perforation.

3).Composite article according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said shaped body is an emblem, logo or a miniature item representing a product, activity or image of a company, or of an industrial, commercial or service branche, in particular a miniature body being a true copy of a core product or key activity of a company.

4).Composite article according to claims 1 to 3 , wherein said article is a spindle-file or pin block comprising a base 3 , a spindle 2 with sharpened end and an interposed shaped miniature body 4,4' connecting said base and said spindle.

5).Composite article according to claim 4, wherein a lower shaft portion 7 of spindle 2 is clamped by a rivet- type fastening means 5 having a collar flange 6 supported on recognition body 4,4' and securable thereto , and wherein preferably bore holes 8,9 are provided in base 3 and/or in intermediate body 4,4' for fixedly integrating the base, spindle and intermediate body.

6).Composite body according to claim 5, wherein the spindle shaft extends into the base.

7).Composite body according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the intermediate part is a disk 4' cooperating with an an annular clip flange 13.

8). Composite body according to claims 1 to 5, wherein said intermediate element is a miniature bottle.