Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Structurally defined web or sheet – Including fastener for attaching to external surface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-04-24
Jones, Deborah (Department: 1775)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Structurally defined web or sheet
Including fastener for attaching to external surface
C428S004000, C428S008000, C428S031000, C428S100000, C428S133000, C428S187000, C156S060000, C156S391000, C248S206200, C248S310000, C040S597000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221458
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an ornamental device and, more specifically, to an ornamental device for attachment to a surface, such as the exterior of an automobile. The present invention is also directed to a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to the exterior of an automobile.
2. Background Art
Traditional ornamental devices, as shown in
FIG. 1
, have been utilized for many years. These devices usually comprise two components: 1) sheets of ornamental material; and 2) a tie for securing the sheets of ornamental material and attaching them to a surface, such as the exterior of an automobile. However, this two-component construction typically encounters difficulty in adhering, without glue, string or other attachments, to other surfaces, such as the exterior of an automobile. Moreover, prior art ornamental devices typically are not reusable, once glued or taped to an automobile.
Other ornamental devices have been developed utilizing a magnet for attachment to the exterior of an automobile. However, magnetic attachment devices typically are not good at resisting shearing loads, and can shift on an automobile surface during movement of the automobile. Moreover, magnets may scratch the exterior of the automobile, and may possibly even interfere with electrical components in the automobile, such as a radio, cellular telephone, etc.
It would be desirable to provide a more economical, reusable ornamental device for attachment to the exterior of an automobile.
It would also be desirable to provide an ornamental device for attachment to the exterior of an automobile that does not damage the exterior of the automobile.
It would also be desirable to provide an ornamental device that does not interfere with the electrical components of an automobile.
It would also be desirable to provide an ornamental device that will maintain adhesion to the exterior of an automobile during a plethora of weather conditions.
These general characteristics of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises an ornamental device for attachment to a surface. The device comprises at least one sheet of ornamental material having an aperture therethrough, and the aperture has a width. Preferably, the ornamental device includes four sheets of ornamental material, each made of paper or plastic.
The attachment device includes a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end. Preferably, the width of the post is substantially identical at the proximal and distal ends. However, the width of the post may be larger at the distal end than at the proximal end. The distal end of the post extends through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, and the post may be made of either plastic or metal.
The attachment device also includes a base member connected to the proximal end of the post. Preferably, the base member is dome-shaped and may be made of either plastic or metal. The base member has a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material.
The attachment device further includes a securement device positioned on the distal end of the post, so that the at least one sheet of ornamental material is positioned between the base member and the securement device. The securement device has a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, and the securement device may be made of either plastic or metal. The securement device is configured to grippingly engage the post to resist removal of the securement device from the post.
Preferably, the securement device is a washer, having an aperture having one or more inwardly projecting teeth for engaging the post. Preferably, the washer includes six teeth. The teeth provide resistance to movement of the securement device along the post.
The base member includes a suction cup for enabling attachment of the ornamental device to the surface.
The ornamental device further comprises a gathering member for gathering the at least one sheet of ornamental material into a ball-like configuration. Preferably, the gathering member is an elastic band, a twist-tie or a lock-tie.
The invention further comprises a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to a surface. The method comprises the steps of: 1) providing at least one sheet of ornamental material, having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having a width; 2) providing an attachment device including a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the post extending through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material; the attachment device further including a base member operably connected to the proximal end of the post, the base member having a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material; the attachment device further including a securement device, positioned on the distal end of the post, so that the at least one sheet of ornamental material is positioned between the base member and the securement device, the securement device having a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, the securement device further being operably configured to grippingly engage the post, to resist removal of the securement device from the post; the base member further including a suction cup, for enabling attachment of the ornamental device to a surface; 3) gathering the at least one sheet of ornamental material into a ball-like configuration; and 4) securing the base member to the surface of an automobile.
Preferably, the method includes the step of applying an adhesive to the base member prior to attachment of the ornamental device to the surface of an automobile.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4835024 (1989-05-01), Hallay
patent: 4881485 (1989-11-01), Feinberg
Bahta Abraham
Jones Deborah
Wallenstein and Wagner, Ltd.
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