WO2001099084A9

WO2001099084A9 - Decorative article and method of making the same

Info

Publication number: WO2001099084A9
Application number: PCT/US2001/020002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eva Adrienne Anderson
Original assignee: Children S Clubhouse Crafts In; Eva Adrienne Anderson
Priority date: 2000-06-22
Filing date: 2001-06-22
Publication date: 2002-05-30
Also published as: WO2001099084A1; AU2001270089A1

Abstract

A decorative article may be constructed by engaging a plurality of flexible members, having various colors and/or textile configurations, into a structural member such that the structural member retains the flexible members. Indicia may be provided on the outer surface of the structural member to provide an outline for engagement of the flexible members. Shaped components may be affixed to the outer surface of the structural member to enhance the image created by the decorative article. A border may also be affixed to the perimeter of the structural member.

Description

DECORATIVE ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a decorative article and method of making such decorative article, and in particular, to a method of making a three dimensional image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Decorative articles in the arts and crafts industry have become especially popular in recent years. Craft shows and the making of decorative articles has become a major industry. Craft kits are commonly used by children and adults for constructing simple or complicated decorative articles, such as, structures and models.

Typical craft kits include a plurality of connectors or nodes each having pre-formed openings therein and a plurality of elongated, rigid struts or rods, the ends of which are inserted into selected openings in the connectors to form desired three-dimensional structures or models. Unfortunately, these types of prior art craft kits can only be used to create a limited number of three-dimensional shapes and/or designs, because the openings in the connectors are pre-formed and fixed in location.

Other prior art craft kits include a coloring surface with an image projected thereon, each portion of the image being identified with a preselected color. The user applies paint or other coloring to the respective portion of the image to create the desired image. These crafts are also known as "painting by the numbers." However, this type of craft may not be suitable for young children, as a child may ingest the paint or other coloring. Also, a young child may not have the manual dexterity to construct such a craft.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved child construct-able crafts that can be assembled in various combinations to provide a plurality of images, using a system of color coordinated components and tools which can be used for allowing a child to learn to recognize and match colors, learn how to manipulate tools, and to learn basic craft construction principles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a decorative article which includes a structural member formed in a desired shape and having an outer surface. The outer surface of the structural member has indicia located thereon. A plurality of flexible members are engaged with the structural member in such a manner as to form a three-dimensional image.

The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a kit for constructing a decorative article which includes: a structural member formed in a desired shape and having an outer surface; indicia adapted for placement on the outer surface of the structural member; the indicia forming the outline of an image when placed on the outer surface of the structural member; and a plurality of flexible members for engagement with the structural member. The flexible members form a three- dimensional image when engaged with the structural member.

The present invention provides, in a third aspect, a method of constructing a decorative article, which includes, affixing indicia to an outer surface of a structural member. The structural member is formed in a desired shape, and the indicia forms the outline of an image when affixed thereto. A plurality of flexible members are engaged with the structural member. The flexible members being engaged at desired positions identified by the indicia. The flexible members and the indicia forming a three dimensional image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a decorative article being constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a decorative article being constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a flexible member prior to engagement with the structural member.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of a flexible member being engaged with said structural member.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of a flexible member engaged with the structural member.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of an implement used for engaging flexible members with the structural member.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a decorative article being constructed according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One example of a device incorporating and using the capabilities of the present invention is described with reference to Figure 1. A decorative article 10 comprises a structural member 12 having an outer surface 13 with indicia 14 imprinted thereon, and a plurality of flexible members 16 engaged therein. The structural member may be constructed of any self supporting material which possesses the desired properties, and is preferably constructed out of plastic foam such as polyurethane foam, styrofoam, or an open or closed cell foam; however, any material may be used which has sufficient strength to maintain the integrity of the final decorative article after the engagement of flexible members 16. Structural member 12 preferably has sufficient density to allow penetration and engagement of flexible members 16 by the individual user using reasonable pressure. Structural member 12 may be molded, die cut, flat, three-dimensional or processed in any way to achieve the final desired shape of the decorative article.

The exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 depicts a planar structural member constructed out of styrofoam. A backing member (not shown) may be applied to the back of structural member 12. Backing members can be constructed of any suitable construction material which is relatively more dense, rigid or resistant to penetration than the structural member 12. The backing member may mechanically limit the extent to which flexible members 16 may penetrate the structural member. The effort required to penetrate through the backing member should be significantly greater than the effort required to engage a flexible member into the structural member. Suitable materials of construction for the backing member include plastic, metal, cardboard, hardwood, and other such materials as are known in the art. Although the backing member may be bonded to structural member 12 by any suitable means, the use of an adhesive is preferred.

Indicia 14 may be imprinted on outer surface 13 of structural member 12. Indicia 14 provides an outline or pattern of an image to be constructed. Indicia 14 may be applied to outer surface 13 by a plurality of methods. Such methods may include, without limitation, embossing, silk screening, impressing, cutting, printing, hand drawing by using a magic marker or other printing implement or other such methods as may be known in the art. In the case where styrofoam or another type of foam plastic is being used as the structural member, heat transfer may be used to apply indicia 14 to outer surface 13. Heat transfer, which also may be referred to as burning on the image, may be accomplished by configuring a metal wire in the form of the desired image. The metal wire may then be heated, and the image burned onto the outer surface 13 of structural member 12.

Indicia 14 may also indicate desired color schemes for flexible members 16, or desired placement of shape components 20. After indicia 14 has been created on outer surface 13, the three-dimensional effects are added. The three-dimensional effects comprise flexible members 16, and shape components 20.

Flexible members 16 comprise various types of fabric, foil, paper or textiles which have been cut or prepared in accordance with the present invention. Preferably flexible members 16 are formed from fabric cut in rectangular shapes and having an edging. Flexible members 16, may be formed in various other shapes such as square, circle, triangle or other such shapes as is known in the art. The edging may be wavy, pinked, irregular or have other characteristics as may be known in the art. The shape and size all of flexible members 16 may vary depending on the size of the decorative article, or depending on the desired three-dimensional effect.

In addition to flexible members 16, decorative article 10 may be enhanced or adorned with materials other than textiles. Shape components 20 may be used to represent additional features of the decorative article. Shape components 20 may be plastic, wooden, metal, cardboard or other such materials as is known in the art. Furthermore shape components 20 may comprise pre-formed objects such as a star, or moon as shown in Figure 1. Other shape components, such as eyes, ears or other features may be used depending on the decorative article being constructed. Shape components 20 may have a protrusion 22 which can be inserted into structural member 12 to hold the shape component in place. Alternatively, an adhesive or glue may be used to hold shape component 20 onto outer surface 13 of structural member 12. Construction of a decorative article in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figures 2-5, and described herein. Indicia 14 defines the outline of an image, which may be filled in by a user, with a plurality of flexible members 16. Each section of the image may be filled in using flexible members having different color, shape, fabric type or other combinations. A legend or instructions may be printed on outer surface 13 of structural member 12, or alternatively, a separate sheet showing an exemplary color scheme and/or textile scheme may be provided. Shape components 20 may also be added to decorative article 10 to enhance the image.

A border 24 may be attached to the perimeter of structural member 12 when it is desired to create the appearance of a picture frame. Border 24 may be gathered and attached at each tuck. Border 24 may comprise a single or multiple pieces of fabric, textiles or other such material as is known in the art.

Figures 3-5 depict the preferred method for engaging flexible members 16 with structural member 12. Initially flexible member 16 may be laid on outer surface 13 of structural member 12 in an appropriate location as indicated by indicia 14. The tip 25 of implement 26 may be placed in the approximate center of flexible member 16. A user may then press implement 26 into structural member 12 in the direction of arrow 28. Once the user has pressed flexible member 16 a sufficient distance into structural member 12, to allow retention of flexible member 16 within structural member 12, the user may remove implement 26 in the direction of arrow 30. A portion of flexible member 16 should protrude from structural member 12, thereby creating a three- dimensional image. This process may then be repeated until sufficient flexible members have been engaged with structural member 12 to create the desired image.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an implement used for engaging flexible members 16 with structural member 12. An implement 26 comprises a shaft 27 having a tip 25 on one end; with the other end of shaft 27 fixed to a handle 29. Shaft 27 may be constructed from any suitable material such as metal or plastic, and may be in any suitable shape such as cylindrical or rectangular. Tip 25 may be sufficiently rounded or flattened out to allow easy penetration into structural member 12, however sharp edges should be avoided when the implement will be used by children. Handle 29 may be formed out of plastic or other suitable material, and may be ergonomically shaped to fit the hand of the user.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a decorative article 100 comprises a structural member 112 having an outer surface 113 with a plurality of flexible members 116 engaged therein. Structural member 112 and flexible members 116 use similar material for construction as described previously. In this embodiment the structural member is in the form of a half a sphere designed to resemble a bug. Numerous design alternatives exist with the structural member, such as various insects, animals, picture frames, cars and other three-dimensional designs. In addition to flexible members 116, decorative article 100 may be enhanced or adorned with shape components 120. In the present example, shape components 120 comprise plastic spots, legs and head of the bug. However, for different designs, different shape components may be used to enhance the overall esthetic of design. The examples described herein are just examples. There may be many variations to the method and/or device described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.

Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A decorative article comprising:

a structural member formed in a desired shape and having an outer surface, said outer surface of said structural member having indicia thereon;

a plurality of flexible members engaged with said structural member in accordance with said indicia; and

wherein said plurality of flexible members are engaged with said structural member in such a manner as to form a three-dimensional image.

2. A decorative article as in claim 1 , wherein said structural member comprises at least one of plastic, foam, or styrofoam.

3. A decorative article as in claim 1 , wherein said flexible members comprise at least one of fabric, foil, paper, or textile.

4. A decorative article as in claim 1 , wherein said indicia is applied to said outer surface of said structural member by at least one of silk screening, embossing, printing, or heat transfer.

5. A decorative article as in claim 1 , wherein said indicia indicates the position for engaging said plurality of flexible members.

6. A decorative article as in claim 5, wherein said plurality of flexible members comprise a plurality of colors.

7. A decorative article as in claim 5, wherein said plurality of flexible members comprise a plurality of textile types.

8. A decorative article as in claim 1 , wherein shape components are affixed to said outer surface of said structural member.

9. A kit for constructing a decorative article comprising:

a structural member formed in a desired shape and having an outer surface;

indicia adapted for placement on said outer surface of said structural member, said indicia forming the outline of an image when placed thereon;

a plurality of flexible members engagable with said structural member in accordance with said indicia; and

wherein said plurality of flexible members are engagable with said structural member in such a manner as to form a three-dimensional image.

10. A kit as in claim 9, wherein said structural member comprises at least one of plastic, foam, or styrofoam.

11. A kit as in claim 9, wherein said flexible members comprise at least one of fabric, foil, paper, or textile.

12. A kit as in claim 9, wherein said indicia is applied to said outer surface of said structural member by at least one of silk screening, embossing, printing, or heat transfer.

13. A kit as in claim 9, further comprising an implement used to engage said flexible members with said structural member, said implement comprising a handle, a shaft, and a tip.

14. A kit as in claim 9, wherein said indicia indicates the position for engaging said plurality of flexible members.

15. A kit as in claim 14, wherein said plurality of flexible members comprise a plurality of colors.

16. A kit as in claim 14, wherein said plurality of flexible members comprise a plurality of textile types.

17. A kit as in claim 9, further including shape components affixable to said outer surface of said structural member.

18. A method of constructing a decorative article, comprising:

affixing indicia to an outer surface of a structural member, said structural member being formed in a desired shape, said indicia forming the outline of an image when affixed thereto;

engaging a plurality of flexible members with said structural member, said flexible members being engaged at desired positions identified by said indicia; said flexible members, said structural member and said indicia forming a three dimensional image.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein said structural member comprises at least one of plastic, foam, or styrofoam.

20. A method as in claim 18, wherein said flexible members comprise at least one of fabric, foil, paper, or textile.

21. A method as in claim 18, further comprising applying said indicia to said outer surface of said structural member by at least one of silk screening, embossing, printing, or heat transfer.

22. A method as in claim 18, further comprising using an implement to engage said flexible members with said structural member, said implement comprising a handle, a shaft, and a tip.

23. A method as in claim 18, wherein said indicia indicates the position for engaging said plurality of flexible members.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein said plurality of flexible members comprise a plurality of colors.

25. A method as in claim 23, wherein said plurality of flexible members comprise a plurality of textile types.

26. A method as in claim 18, further comprising affixing shape components to said outer surface of said structural member.