WO2008011183A2

WO2008011183A2 - Hobby craft set for collectible and decorative purposes

Info

Publication number: WO2008011183A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/016539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ann F. Earp; Randall Jon Klimpert; Dianne E. Lauble; Anne K. Vahcic
Original assignee: Zizzle Llc
Priority date: 2006-07-21
Filing date: 2007-07-23
Publication date: 2008-01-24
Also published as: WO2008011183A3

Abstract

A hobby craft set for making a display token, comprising a bottom member and top member, both of a preferred shape for containing an indicia bearing member between the members, a cutting element for trimming the indicia bearing member to a corresponding preferred shape, and a compression element for sandwiching the indicia bearing member between said bottom member and said top member.

Description

TITLE HOBBY CRAFT SET FOR COLLECTIBLE AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of United States

Provisional Patent Application No. 60/832,436, entitled "HOBBY CRAFT SET FOR COLLECTIBLE AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES," filed July 21, 2006, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is generally related to hobby craft sets, and more particularly, to making display objects and using those display objects to decorate a multitude of objects for collectible and decorative purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is conventional to place items in displaying objects such as mirrors, on walls, plates, pictures, badges, and wear the displayed items on clothing, and so on. However, in most instances, the items are permanent assemblies of components that cannot be assembled by the user or changed to display different or selected material. Moreover, it is often difficult to find certain preferred images for display. Display items that are reusable, however, are of a very special nature and do not lend themselves to easy and ready reuse for any type of display material. For instance, some display items require that the display material be somewhat translucent since its backing member is a reflector. Other display items are not durable and easily fall apart.

[0004] Another type of display item is adhesive backed paper nametags. However, once detached from clothing, the adhesive is reduced in its effectiveness or the badge quickly becomes worn and deteriorated by the flexing movements of the clothing to which it is affixed. Thus, the prior art does not disclose personalizing products by adorning a product with a single or multiple imprinted disks. In addition, the prior art does not disclose using a website or program to create disks by uploading and pre-sizing an image or selecting an image from the website.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a fun and easy-to-use hobby craft set which permits the easy assembly, use, and display of selected display images. Such display images can then be used to decorate a multitude of objects and disassembled and redecorated with different display images as desired. Additional information will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Operation of the invention, may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:

10007] FIGURE 1 shows a first side of the hobby craft set.

[0008] FIGURE 2 shows a front side of the hobby craft set.

[0009] FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the hobby craft set.

[0010] FIGURE 4 shows a second side of the hobby craft set.

[0011] FIGURE 5 shows a perspective view of a bottom member used to create a display token.

[0012] FIGURE 6 shows a top view of the bottom member used to create the display token.

[0013] FIGURE 7 shows a perspective view of a top member used to create the display token.

[0014] FIGURE 8 shows a top view of the top member used to create the display token. [0015] FIGURE 9 shows an exploded perspective view of the members and a sheet used to create the display token.

[0016] FIGURE 10 shows a partial side view of an assembled display token.

[0017] FIGURE 11 shows a top view of various sheet options used to create the display token.

[0018] FIGURE 12 shows a top view of various completed display tokens.

[0019] FIGURE 13 shows a top view of various add-ons to use with the display tokens.

[0020] FIGURE 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the display token for use in decorating a watch.

[0021] FIGURE 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the display token for use in decorating a charm.

[0022] FIGURE 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the display token for use in decorating a necklace.

[0023] FIGURE 17 shows an alternative embodiment of the display token for use in decorating a picture frame. [0024] FIGURE 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the display token for use in decorating a picture frame.

[0025] FIGURE 19 shows an alternative embodiment of the display token for use in decorating a picture frame and jewelry storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] While the invention is described herein with reference to several embodiments, it should be clear that the invention should not be limited only to the embodiments disclosed or discussed. The description of the embodiments herein is illustrative of the invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as described or claimed.

[0027] As generally described herein, a user is taught how to make a display token 10 and use that token 10 for display on a variety of objects. In one embodiment, the user can make display tokens 10 utilizing any preferred picture or drawing which can then be used to decorate a multitude of objects, including, but not limited to, jewelry, picture frames, watches, belts, wall-hangings, writing surfaces, door bells, or any other object or surface desired. While it is anticipated that the user will use pictures or drawings on an indicia bearing member 42 as the preferred display image, the user could display a multitude of other types of indicia, including, but not limited to, colors, designs, symbols, etc. that are placed on transparent, translucent, opaque, or colored sheets of any preferred material. [00281 In a preferred embodiment, the display tokens 10 comprise small discs having a top member 28 and a bottom member 12 for receiving and mounting a preferred indicia or image that is printed on an indicia bearing member 42. The creation of these display tokens 10 is simple enough that a child could make them. It is contemplated that a hobby craft set with pre-designed images will be provided or wherein the user can customize their own images using a corresponding support internet website and their own printer.

[0029] As indicated, the user can utilize their own computer to find or create preferred images or use the pre-designed images that may come with the set. The user can also design their own images and format those images to be printed by their home computer. Users can go to a corresponding support website on the internet that provides numerous types of indicia from which the user may copy, paste, or create their own images. A development preprogrammed application also allows the user to upload or transfer desired images for manipulation to create a desired image. The programmed application resizes and formats the image to fit the display token templates for easy and accurate printing by the user. It is contemplated that such indicia, images, pictures, designs, etc. could be printed to numerous types of indicia bearing members 42, such as sheet medium including, but not limited to, acetate or paper sheets. Once the preferred image is identified or prepared, it is printed onto an indicia bearing member 42, hereinafter referred to as a sheet 42 for simplicity.

[0030] A cutting device 70 is provided in the set so that the user can cut the printed display image 44 into the preferred size for fitting the display members 12, 28. Presently, the display members 12, 28 comprise small, round, annular rims that are used to create the disc-like display tokens 10. However, it should be clear that any size or shape display members, including, but not limited to, squares, ovals, triangles, etc., and corresponding cutting device 10, including, but not limited to, scissors, punches, etc., could be provided.

With reference to FIGS. 5-8, the top and bottom members 28, 12 can either be of a similar size or have one be larger and the other smaller, as described herein. In addition, the bottom member 12 and top member 28 are of a corresponding preferred shape. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the bottom member 12 is comprised of a bottom portion 14, a side portion 20 and at least one tab 24. The side portion 20 extends in a direction approximately perpendicularly to the bottom portion 14 and the bottom portion 14 extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the side portion 20 towards a center of the bottom member 12. The bottom portion 14 comprises a top face 16 and bottom face 18. The side portion 20 comprises a groove 22 that runs along the entire outside of the bottom member 12. The tab(s) 24 comprise a retaining face 26. The smaller top member 28 is comprised of a top face 30, a bottom face 32, a top ridge 34, a bottom ridge 36, and a side ridge 38. The top and bottom ridges 34, 36 extend approximately perpendicularly to the top and bottom faces. The top and bottom ridges 34, 36 also extend approximately opposite each other in the same plane. The side ridge 38 extends approximately perpendicular from the top and bottom ridges 34, 36 and also comprises a ridge face 40. The smaller top member 28 is a mirror image of itself, so that when assembling a display token 10, the top member 28 may be inserted into the bottom member 12 on either the top face 30 or the bottom face 32. Alternatively, the top member 28 could further comprise an opening through the top and bottom faces 30, 32, so as to be open instead of completely solid. In addition, the top and bottom members 12, 28 can be of any color and are preferably transparent, but could be opaque.

[0032] FIG. 11 shows the sheets 42 upon which indicia or preferred image is printed.

The indicia can be any sort of image, including, but not limited to, a picture, design, color, etc. Moreover, any image can be chosen from either the support internet website, existing or obtained images, or created images. Again, the image can be displayed on various forms of medium 42, including, but not limited to, acetate, paper, plastic, film, photographs, or any other type of indicia bearing medium, herein generally referred to as sheets 42. Once the indicia is printed on the sheet 42, a cutting device 70 receives the sheet 42 and cuts a preferred shape, such as a small round circle, around the indicia thereby creating a display image 44.

[0033] Again, the cutting device 70 can be of any dimensional size and shape as contemplated to create a correspondingly sized and shaped display image 44 for use with correspondingly sized and shaped members 12, 28. The user removes the cut display image 44 and then uses it to create the display token 10. After cutting the image within the dimensional cutter, the user removes the cut display image 44 and mounts it within the members 12, 28 to create the display token 10. The cutting device 70 automatically cuts the same sized dimensional shape each time. [0034] With specific reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, to create the display token 10 the user places the cut display image 44 on the bottom member 12 and adds the smaller top member 28 on top of the display image 44. The user then presses the members 12, 28 together, thereby creating the display token 10 also known as a "Spotz". The goal is to have the display token 10 permanently press-fitted together so that the display image 44 cannot be removed. A compression device 80, discussed below, could also be provided to assist in press or snap-fitting the members 12, 28 together. While any mounting arrangement could be utilized, the present arrangement preferably utilizes a snap-fit engagement wherein the smaller top member 28 is snap-fitted over tabs 24 located on the bottom member 12. There is no complicated machinery or parts used so even a child can create the display token 10.

[0035J When assembled, the display image 44 is sandwiched between the bottom face

18 of the bottom member 12 and either the top ridge 34 or bottom ridge 36 of the top member 28, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The top member 28 remains kept in place with the bottom member 12 by the retaining face 26 catching the ridge face 40 of the side ridge 38. Again, the mounting arrangement could be the snap-fitting arrangement as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 or any other type of mounting arrangement including, but not limited to, corresponding grooves and tabs, crimping, or any other desired attachment.

[0036] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the top member 28 may be made from any suitable material but is preferably made from a transparent or translucent material such as plastic so that the image can be viewed therethrough. However, any material could be used, such as an opaque material so that the display image 44 could only be viewed through the aperture in the bottom member 12.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-4, the hobby craft set includes top members 28, bottom members 12, a cutting device 70 that is incorporated into a display token machine 50, and a compression device 80. The cutting device 70 is preferably located towards the top of the machine 50 and is used for cutting the image into the preferred shape thereby creating a display image 44. The cutting device 70 can also include a push button 72 to operate the cutting device 70. The push button 72 is preferably located on the top of the machine 50.

[0038] The compression device 80 is preferably located around the approximate middle of the machine 50 and is used for sandwiching the top member 28 and cut display image 44 into the bottom member 12 thereby forming a completed display token 10. The compression device 80 comprises a compressor wheel 82 that operates an extendable and retractable arm 86 that comprises an opening 88 disposed towards the outside of the machine 50. The opening 88 is used to hold the token components prior to being sandwiched together. Once the token components are placed in the opening 88, the user turns the compressor wheel 82 clockwise thereby retracting the slidable arm 86 back into the machine 50. Once inside the machine 50, the token components are sandwiched together by the compression device 80 and then released down a completed token slide area 78. The retractable arm 86 slides on top of a stationary plane 84, which prevents the token components from falling through the opening 88 until they are sandwiched. After being sandwiched, the completed token 10 falls through an opening (not shown) disposed towards the inside of the machine 50.

[0039] With further reference to FIGS. 1-4, the display token machine 50 further comprises a foldable image holder 64, a slide area 74 where the cut display image 44 slides down, and a storage area 90. The foldable image holder 64 folds open and closed to hold the indicia bearing member 42. The holder 64 also slides into a side of the machine 50 prior to being cut. The holder 64 also has an opening (not shown) in the approximate center of the holder 64 for the cutting device 70 to come through and cut the indicia bearing member or sheet 42 into a display image 44. The display image slide area 74 is preferably located towards the middle of the machine 50 under the cutting device 70.

[0040] The storage area 90 is preferably located towards the bottom of the machine

50 for storing all of the supplies needed for making a variety of display tokens 10. The storage area 90 is preferably a drawer having a knob 92 to aid the user in opening and closing the storage area 90. In addition, the user can also decorate the machine 50 with the display tokens 10 and Jotz 46 that fit into corresponding display token apertures 60 and Jotz apertures 62. The user can also buy replacement members 12, 28 for making additional display tokens 10.

[0041] Once the display image 44 is cut, the bottom member 12 is placed into the correspondingly sized and shaped slot 88 of the device 50, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The display image 44 is placed on the bottom member 12 and the top member 28 is placed upon the display image 44. After preparing the display token components 12, 44, 28 for engagement, the rotating compression wheel 82 is turned thereby retracting the display token components back into the device 50 where they are all sandwiched together to form a completed display token 10, which then slides down from the compressor slide area 74.

[0042] The display token 10 is now assembled and ready to be attached or engaged with a receiving aperture or recess 60 on a corresponding accessory 100 to be decorated. In one embodiment, the display token 10 is mounted onto a watch 110, as shown in FIG. 14. While numerous mounting arrangements can be utilized, the mounting arrangement shown in FIG. 14 provides for the insertion of the display token 10 over the watch dial so that the watch 110 can be partially seen through the display token 10 or the display token 10 can be flipped up to see the time.

[0043] The created display token 10 can be mounted onto any product or accessory device 100 having a corresponding receiving aperture 60 for the display token 10. Further, it is contemplated that such a mounting arrangement could be permanent or removable to promote redecoration of the same product 100 with many different display tokens 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 - 19, such a product 100 can include, but is not limited to, jewelry 120, jewelry storage 160, picture frames 140, watches 110, belts, wall hangings 130, writing surfaces, doorbells, nightlights, curtains, bubbling lava lamps, door locks, digital wallpaper/projector, keepsake box, scrapbooks, or any other objects, surfaces, or items desired. It is also contemplated that such an item 100 could also utilize a light source 48 such as an LED lighting feature to illuminate the display image 44 if desired, or a sound source to play a voice, music, or other sound if desired. There is no limit to the number of items 100 that could be envisioned to be decorated with the display tokens 10 or used in conjunction with the light and sound features. Each product 100 can have one or a plurality of mounting apertures 60 for attaching, connecting, or mounting the display token 10 (e.g. cavities for snap-fitting the display token 10 in place, including half-circle or full circle indents on the item). Again, the mounting arrangement can be of numerous structures and configurations. However, it is preferred that the display tokens 10 be easily and removably placed on the items 100, such as by a snap-fit cavity 60. As such, the user can mount the newly created display token 10 to decorate their product or item 100 as many times and in as many different ways as imaginable.

[0044] In another alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, the display token 10 is mounted onto a charm 120, which can then be attached to any type of clip, string, necklace, etc. One example is shown in FIG. 16, where the charm 120 is used on a string to make a necklace. FIG. 16 also illustrates how additional decorative items can be added to the charm 120 and necklace, including, but not limited to Jotz 46, tassels, and beads.

[0045] Another alternate embodiment can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 18. FIGS. 17 and

18 show the display tokens 10 used on picture frames 130, 140. FIG. 17 illustrates the display tokens 10 used on frames 130 that can be mounted on a wall. FIG. 17 also shows how the display tokens 10 can be used to attach numerous frames 130 together. FIG. 18 illustrates the display tokens 10 used on a picture frame 140 that can be set on any approximately flat surface, by incorporating an easel with the picture frame 140. The frames 130, 140 shown in FIGS. 17 and 19 show a variety of uses, including, but not limited to mounting frames on a wall 130, displaying a picture on a shelf 140, and mounting a picture frame on a magnetic surface, by incorporating a magnet on the back of the frame.

[0046] FIG. 19 illustrates another alternate embodiment, where the display tokens 10 are used on a flower shaped picture frame that is also jewelry storage 160, which can hold earrings and other jewelry items. The frame 160 can rotate so that the user can easily rearrange the way their display tokens 10 are displayed.

[0047] The mounting products 100 may or may not include an LED lighting feature

48 to illuminate the image in the display token 10. In addition, the mounting products 100 may or may not include a sound feature as described above. Again, while numerous products are envisioned to be used in mounting the display tokens 10, each product will have specific apertures 60 for mounting the display token 10 (e.g. cavities for mounting the display token 10, including indentations, cavities, or holes of any size or shape). As such, the user can use the newly created display token 10 to decorate their product 100.

[0048] In addition, a user can decorate the product 100 with other decorative items such as beads, tassels, braids, etc., or by using devices such as Jotz 46, which can be included with the hobby craft set. Jotz 46 comprise small plastic items including, but not limited to, butterflies, teddy bears, flowers, princesses, or any other type of decorative items that have stems that are inserted into apertures 62 in the mounting items 100. The Jotz 46 add additional removably decorative features to all mounting items 100 as desired.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A hobby craft set for making a display token, said hobby craft set comprising: a bottom member of a preferred shape for holding an indicia bearing member; a top member of a preferred shape for containing said indicia bearing member between said top member and said bottom member; a cutting element for trimming said indicia bearing member to a corresponding preferred shape; and a compression element for sandwiching said indicia bearing member between said bottom member and said top member.

2. A hobby craft set of claim 1 , wherein said indicia bearing member can be printed from an associated website.

3. A hobby craft set of claim 1 further comprising a storage area for storing extra top members, bottom members, and indicia bearing members.

4. A hobby craft set of claim 1 further comprising small decorative items for decorating said cutting element and said compression element.

5. A hobby craft set of claim 1 further comprising a slanted opening where an indicia bearing member can slide down after being cut by said cutting element.

6. A hobby craft set of claim 1 , wherein said cutting element is operated by a push button.

7. A hobby craft set of claim 3, wherein said storage area is a drawer.

8. A hobby craft set of claim 1, wherein said preferred shape is an approximately circular shape.

9. A hobby craft set of claim 1 , wherein said preferred shape is an approximately square shape.

10. A hobby craft set of claim 1, wherein said preferred shape is an approximately oval shape.

11. A hobby craft set of claim 1, wherein said preferred shape is an approximately triangular shape.

12. A hobby craft set of claim 1, wherein said cutting element further comprises a foldable holder for holding said indicia bearing member prior to being cut by said cutting element.

13. A hobby craft set of claim 12, wherein said foldable holder comprises an opening for said cutting element to move through in order to cut said indicia bearing member into the preferred shape.

14. A hobby craft set of claim 1, wherein said compression element further comprises a slidable arm and a stationary arm.

15. A hobby craft set of claim 14, wherein said slidable arm comprises an opening for receiving said display token components prior to being sandwiched by said compression element.

16. A hobby craft set of claim 14, wherein said stationary arm comprises an opening for said completed display token to fall through after being sandwiched by said compression element.

17. A hobby craft set of claim I₃ wherein said compression element is controlled by a manually operated wheel.

18. A method of making a display token, comprising the following steps: placing an indicia bearing member into a cutting element; cutting said indicia bearing member into a corresponding preferred shape; placing said indicia bearing member onto a bottom member of a similar preferred shape; placing a top member of a similar preferred shape onto said indicia bearing member and said bottom member, wherein said top member engages said bottom member; placing said top member, said indicia bearing member, and said bottom member into a compression element; and compressing said top member into said bottom member, wherein said indicia bearing member is located there between.

19. A method of making a display token of claim 18, wherein said indicia can be downloaded from an associated website and printed out by a printer onto said indicia bearing member.

20. A method of making a display token of claim 18, wherein said indicia can be uploaded onto a computer and then uploaded to an associated website.

21. A method of making a display token of claim 20, wherein said associated website has a software program that formats the uploaded indicia to fit the preferred corresponding size and shape of the display token and printed out by a printer onto said indicia bearing member.

22. An apparatus for receiving decoration of an associated display token, comprising: a body to be decorated; and at least one -aperture of a preferred shape for receiving a display token.

23. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said body is a watch.

24. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said body is a piece of jewelry.

25. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said body is a picture frame.

26. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said aperture is a circular shape.

27. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said body further comprises an aperture to be decorated with small decorative items.

28. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said body further comprises a light source for illuminating said associated display token.

29. An apparatus for receiving decoration of claim 22, wherein said body further comprises a sound source.