Books – strips – and leaves – Book – element thereof – or accessory therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-13
2001-05-01
Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)
Books, strips, and leaves
Book, element thereof, or accessory therefor
C281S038000, C281S020000, C283S063100, C283S017000, C434S269000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224106
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of illustrated books.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a book which presents depictions of three dimensional objects in an educational and/or entertaining way. The prior art, of course, has accomplished this goal by several different means, none of which is as elegant or effective as the present invention.
One prior art system which is often seen is the “pop-up” book. In this system, as a book is opened to a particular page, one or more figures spring upward from that page as a result of the natural rigidity of the material from which the figures are made and the cuts and folds disposed in the figures. When that particular page is turned, the figures fold flat and new figures on the next page spring upward. An example of a pop-up book is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,544,783 issued to William B. Freedman, et al.
Another book system for depicting three dimensional objects is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,473 issued to Donald A. Rae. In the Rae system, the book comprises a plurality of thin, flat pages each having a peripheral frame which combine to hold one or more molded figurines. The frame extends outward from the front and back surfaces of the page and has a thickness on each side which is at least one-half the thickness of the figurines. The thin, flat portion of the page has a cut out portion which conforms in size and shape to the profile of the figurine it is adapted to receive. The figurine is removably engaged within the cut out by friction. The flat portion of the page must be made of a stiff material, as must the frame. In another embodiment, Rae teaches that the pages may be made without a border, provided that each page is made at least as thick as the figurine. A space for the figurine is dug out from the thick page. In still another embodiment, the individual pages may be thin, but successive pages, having a total thickness equal to the thickness of the figurine, have cut outs to accommodate the figurine. No matter which embodiment is used, the Rae book is very thick and can hold only a relatively few figurines.
The prior art also includes books having multiple pages, all or part of each page formed of clear, flat plastic printed with graphics illustrating cross-sectional views of various subjects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a book which comprises a series of sculpted figures which nest within each other. The sculpted figures are preferably made of vacuum formed plastic, in a manner similar to that used in making the plastic shells for a blister package. In preferred embodiment, the figures are affixed to the base portion of the pages of the book, with the portion of the base which lies within the perimeter of the figures removed. The remainder of each page may have text or graphics disposed on it. The figures are formed so that the figures or the lower pages nest within the figures on the upper pages. The figures will usually have graphics printed on them. However, some or all of them may be at least partially clear, and some or all of them may have text disposed on them.
The present invention may be used as an instruction manual, a children's book or any type of book where multiple three-dimensional depictions are desired.
None of the prior art can be used to illustrate three dimensional figures. as dynamically as can the present invention. By way of example, the Rae book can provide a figurine depicting a dinosaur. The instant invention can show (i) the dinosaur when the book is turned to the first page; (ii) the circulatory system of the dinosaur when the book is turned to its second page, and (iii) the skeletal system of the dinosaur when the book is turned to its third page, all in three-dimensional form.
In a similar manner, a three dimensional depiction of, for example, a part of an automobile engine may be shown in a repair manual. As the pages of the manual are turned, the exterior coverings and other parts are “removed” thereby providing a technician with step by step illustrations in three-dimensional form, of how to get to a defective part.
For history buffs, the site of a historical landmark can be shown as it likely appeared at various stages of history, with each page depicting a different era. For example, the fort in San Antonio, Tex. can be shown at the various stages of the famous Battle of the Alamo.
Clearly, there are many uses for the present invention which cannot be attained with prior art devices. Such uses are coextensive with the creativity of artists and writers who use the invention.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2544783 (1951-03-01), Freedman et al.
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patent: 4176473 (1979-12-01), Rae
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patent: 5031935 (1991-07-01), D'Andrea
patent: 5050910 (1991-09-01), Schechter et al.
patent: 5178542 (1993-01-01), Chigrinsky et al.
patent: 5199602 (1993-04-01), Terrence
patent: 5590909 (1997-01-01), Urban et al.
patent: 5695295 (1997-12-01), Ayele et al.
patent: 5788286 (1998-08-01), Hunt
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patent: 5806223 (1998-09-01), Visagie
patent: 2267951 (1975-11-01), None
Fridie Jr. Willmon
Siegel Ira M.
Thurston Alisa L
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