Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Special occasion ornament – Collapsible
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-17
2001-09-04
Jones, Deborah (Department: 1775)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Special occasion ornament
Collapsible
C428S012000, C428S015000, C428S099000, C428S007000, C040S530000, C040S539000, C040S540000, C040S607060, C446S487000, C362S806000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06284330
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a three-dimensional holiday display device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable three-dimensional holiday display device that is easy to assemble and can also be illuminated.
In one example of the present invention, the expandable three-dimensional display device includes a support post with a movable extension mechanism having a sliding member and a plurality of extension members. The sliding member slidably moves along the support post such that the plurality of extension members can be extended generally radially away from the support post or retracted to collapse, and lie along and be generally parallel to the support post. A cover is supported by the extension members and is expanded and collapsed as the extension members extend and retract. This mechanism may be similar to a conventional umbrella.
The cover may be configured to represent an easily recognized holiday figure such as, for example, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or a snow man. Additionally, a light may be supported by the support post to illuminate the cover from within and render it visible after dark.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Holiday display systems are often used to enhance the appearance of homes, offices and commercial establishments during holiday seasons. Such holiday displays are often illuminated to increase their visibility and attractiveness. Ideally, such illumination fixtures should be easily accessible to replace malfunctioning bulbs or to adjust the color and intensity of the illumination.
Two-dimensional display systems ordinarily are relatively lightweight and easy to assemble into a desired holiday scene. However, such two-dimensional displays do not meet the needs of certain applications. Three-dimensional display systems can appear realistic because they can be viewed from a wider field, and usually have the advantage of being inherently more sturdy. However, many such displays now known are relatively awkward to assemble and disassemble. Additionally, many conventional three-dimensional display systems are relatively heavy and are difficult to store due to their bulk.
Thus, a need exists for a three-dimensional holiday display that is relatively easy to assemble, light in weight yet sturdy, and which may be easily stored when not in use. Additionally, such a three-dimensional holiday display should also be attractively illuminated while allowing easy access to adjust or repair the device providing the illumination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional display device that is attractive and eye-catching when assembled.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional display device which may be easily assembled.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a three-dimensional display device which may be attractively illuminated, while providing easy access to adjust or repair the device providing the illumination.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional display device which may be easily and compactly stored when not in use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional display device that is relatively lightweight and sturdy.
In a first aspect of the present invention a three-dimensional display device is provided. The display device includes a flexible cover and a support post at least partially disposed within the cover. The display device also includes a cover operating mechanism associated with the cover and the support post that is alternately operable to expand the cover to an enlarged configuration to provide a three-dimensional display, and to collapse the cover about the support post.
A light fixture may be associated with the support post to illuminate the cover from within when the display device is in the expanded configuration.
In another aspect of the present invention the support post of the display device includes a mast that projects through the cover. An additional display structure is mounted on the mast above the cover to provide further interest and texture to the display when in its expanded configuration.
In another aspect the cover of the display device is provided with means at its lower margin for securing it to a base like the ground.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, read with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5106661 (1992-04-01), Pitts, Sr.
patent: 5126922 (1992-06-01), Andrrasen
Bahta Abraham
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Jones Deborah
Mr. Christmas Inc.
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