WO2013112988A1 - Decorative object configurable to receive and display removable and changeable ornamentation - Google Patents

Abstract

A geometrically-shaped base element (a circle, square, diamond, triangle, etc.) configured with one or more elongate slotted portions within the base element is disclosed. The elongate slotted portion receives an attachment portion, e.g., a shaft, projecting from a decorative ornament to be situated and displayed on the base element. A cooperating attachment means cooperates with the attachment portion to removably and adjustably secure the decorative ornament to a desired location on the base element. In preferred embodiments, the base element has a flat side to enable it to be hung flush against a horizontal surface (e.g., a door, wall, window, etc) or to sit stably upon a vertical surface (e.g., a table, piece of furniture, floor, etc.). In additional preferred embodiments, the geometrically-shaped base has an opening in the center (e.g., a circular geometrically-shaped element is a cross-section (one flat side) of a torroid; a square geometrically-shaped base element is in the shape of a picture frame, etc.).

Description

DECORATIVE OBJECT CONFIGURABLE

TO RECEIVE AND DISPLAY REMOVABLE AND CHANGEABLE ORNAMENTATION

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application is based on, and claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application

No. 61/591,599, filed on January 27, 2012, the entire contents of which is incorporated fully herein by reference.

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to decorative display items configured to receive and display removable and changeable ornamentation, and more particularly, to a wreath or similar shaped object configured to receive and display removable and changeable ornamentation at locations along a continuum of the object.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Wreaths with changeable decorative objects are known. U.S. Patent No. 7,217,446 discloses an annular wreath-shaped base wrapped with weather-resistant sheet material, and having circumferentially spaced holes located at discrete locations around the base. While allowing the objects to be changed, for example, to be appropriate for different seasons or occasions, the layout of the objects is limited to the discrete locations.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] A geometrically- shaped base element (a circle, square, diamond, triangle, etc.) configured with one or more elongate slotted portions within the base element is disclosed. The elongate slotted portion receives an attachment portion, e.g., a shaft, projecting from a decorative ornament to be situated and displayed on the base element. A cooperating attachment means cooperates with the attachment portion to removably and adjustably secure the decorative ornament to a desired location on the base element. In preferred embodiments, the base element has a flat side to enable it to be hung flush against a horizontal surface (e.g., a door, wall, window, etc) or to sit stably upon a vertical surface (e.g., a table, piece of furniture, floor, etc.). In additional preferred embodiments, the geometrically- shaped base has an opening in the center (e.g., a circular geometrically- shaped element is a cross-section (one flat side) of a torroid; a square geometrically- shaped base element is in the shape of a picture frame, etc.).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates front, back and close-up views of a square base element according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0006] Figure 2 is an additional front, back, and close-up view of the embodiment of Figure 1 , with dimensional information provided for a particular embodiment;

[0007] Figure 3 is a front view of a circular base element of another embodiment of the invention;

[0008] Figure 4 is a perspective, front, and side view of a wall hanger according to the present invention;

[0009] Figure 5 is a photograph of a specific embodiment of a wall hanger according to the present invention;

[0010] Figures 6 - 12 are photographs showing specific embodiments of the square and circular base elements with various decorative objects attached thereto; and

[0011] Figures 13-15 are drawings showing front, back, and side views of exemplary decorative objects that can be attached to the geometrically- shaped base as described. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0012] An example of a preferred embodiment is now described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In Figure 1, the two views on the left are front views of a square shaped decorative base 100, without any decorative ornaments attached. The bottom left view includes a wall hanger 102 attached to a top side of the square, for hanging the base on a wall, door or other vertical surface. Additional detail of the wall hanger is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The views on the right are from the back, showing the side of the base 100 that abuts the wall or surface on which it is placed.

[0013] As can be seen in Figure 1 , slots 104 are formed along the length of each side, as well as at each corner. Not all sides nor all corners need to be slotted; a single slot along one side or at one corner will enable adjustable and removable placement and securing of a decorative ornament along the slot, as described in more detail below.

[0014] Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 but also includes exemplary dimensional information and shows a triangular alignment post/tab that prevents the frame from hanging unlevel due to the different weights of the objects.

[0015] Referring now to Figures 13-15, multiple versions of various decorative ornaments configured according to the present invention are illustrated. Common to each in these examples are a flat back side with a protruding pin extending outward therefrom as shown. The protrusion has a threaded inside diameter, into which a threaded "pin" having a knurled head can be turned. The decorative ornaments are attachable to the decorative base by inserting the protrusion into a slot of the base, from the front, so that the protrusion sticks through the slot. From the back of the base, the threaded pin is turned into the protrusion until tight. This allows the decorative ornament to be situated, securely, anywhere along the length of the slot, thereby allowing it's placement to be adjusted for aesthetic purposes and/or to meet the individual taste of the person placing the object on the base. [0016] The front side of the decorative ornaments can take any variety of shapes, sizes, colors, etc, as shown. Because they are flat on their back side, they can be tightened up snugly against the base.

[0017] Figure 3 shows a front and side view of a circular or "donut shaped" base 104. As can be seen, it is actually a cross-sectioned toroid, with the flat side serving to offer a smooth surface to abut against a vertical or horizontal surface, as described above with respect to the square-shaped base. In the embodiment shown, four slotted sections are distributed around the circular shape, providing means for mounting the decorative objects to the frame as described above.

[0018] The photographs attached as Figures 6-12 show various views of each of the square and round embodiments described above with multiple decorative ornaments attached.

[0019] The above descriptions, drawings, and photographs illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, but the clams are not limited to these embodiments. For example, while in the preferred embodiments the materials used for the base and many portions of the objects is metal or metal-based material (e.g., lead and/or zinc alloys and/or aluminum), the claimed invention is also encompassed by the same elements constructed from other metals, plastics, resins, wood, Styrofoam, and the like.

[0020] The preferred attachment method for the decorative ornaments illustrated above involves the use of a protrusion having a threaded interior diameter which is inserted through the slots and then a threaded pin having a knurled head is turned into the threaded interior diameter; however, it is understood that the claimed invention is encompassed by any means of snugly attaching the object through the slotted portions. For example, the protrusion from a decorative ornament could have an outer thread instead of an inner thread, with the decorative ornament being secured in the slot by tightening a wing nut or other type of threaded nut onto the protrusion. Posts with fasteners such as those used with pierced earrings could be used. Magnets could be utilized for attaching the decorative ornaments along the slots. As long as the fastener enables the decorative ornament to be easily moved and then fastened within the slot and against the base, it will suffice for the purpose of the invention and is encompassed by the claims. [0021] Illustrated above are circular and square-shaped bases. However, virtually any shape that can accommodate a slot and that can be stably placed on a flat surface or hung against a vertical surface can be used and falls within the scope of the claims; for example, a base could be an essentially solid elongate rectangle having slots formed therein to enable attachment of changeable decorative ornaments and able to sit, for example, in the center of a table as a centerpiece. Further, although the shapes described have a hole in the center, the shape could instead be saucer-shaped (no central hole). In addition, the central portion could be used like a picture frame to frame a picture, with changeable decorative ornaments attachable and moveable around the perimeter of the frame.

[0022] Any type of decorative ornament can be used to attach to the frame, including functional elements such as candle cups to enable an Advent wreath to be assembled.

[0023] Although the present invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment thereof, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of any appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A decorative object, comprising:

a base element; and

at least one elongate slotted portion, having a length, formed in said base element, said at least one elongate slotted portion receiving one or more decorative ornaments in a fixedly attachable manner at any location along the length of said at least one elongate slotted portions.

2. The decorative object according to claim 1, wherein said base element has multiple elongate slotted portions formed therein, each of said elongate slotted portions having a length, and each of said multiple elongate slotted portions receiving one or more decorative ornaments in a fixedly attachable manner at any location along its respective length.

3. The decorative object according to claim 1, wherein said decorative ornaments comprise thematic decorations.

4. The decorative object according to claim 1, wherein said decorative ornaments each comprise an ornamental front portion and a back attachment portion, said back attachment portion including a protruding portion insertable into said slotted portion, wherein said decorative ornament is secured in position by cooperating attachment means.

5. The decorative object according to claim 1 , wherein said protruding portion includes a threaded inside diameter and said cooperating attachment means comprises a threaded pin that is turned into said threaded inside diameter and tightened to fixedly secure said decorative ornament in position along said at least one elongate slotted portion.

6. The decorative object according to claim 1, wherein said base element is generally wreath- shaped.

7. The decorative object according to claim 1 , wherein said base element is rectangular in shape.

8. The decorative object according to claim 1, wherein said base element comprises a picture frame.

9. The decorative object according to claim 1 , wherein said base element is configured to sit flat on a planar surface.

10. The decorative object according to claim 1 , wherein said base element is configured to be hung against a wall or similar vertically-oriented planar surface.

11. The decorative object according to claim 1, wherein said decorative ornaments comprise one or more candle-holding cups.

12. The decorative object according to claim 1 , wherein said base element is a rectangle having four sides and four corners, and wherein said at least one elongate slotted portion is situated on one of said sides.

13. The decorative object according to claim 12, wherein at least one elongate slotted portion is situated at one of said corners.