Illumination – With star or cross
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-03-20
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With star or cross
C362S259000, C362S259000, C362S807000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203166
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a reconfigurable decorative apparatus and more specifically relates to a reconfigurable decorative star apparatus, which is movable between a display position, in which the apparatus defines a star shape and a collapsed, or storage position.
The use of decorative apparatus on homes, in yards, on commercial establishments and in other areas is well known. Oftentimes decorative apparatus are adorned with lights for display. The usage of lighted decorations is common, particularly during holiday seasons. One particular shape that is commonly used during the Christmas, Hanukkah and other holiday seasons is the star shape. Various star shapes are commonly used on the exterior of homes, on rooftops, in yards, atop and on the side of businesses and in or on other structures. Such decorative apparatus come in various star shapes and sizes, and in order to be plainly visible, star designs utilized on the exterior of homes and/or buildings or in yards or other open areas must be of a sufficient size to be easily seen from great distances. Storage of decorative stars can be difficult and inefficient in that a space large enough to store the entire star shape must be provided. For smaller stars, this may not be a problem but as the size of the star increases, storage can be more difficult and shipping costs increase. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that has a star-shaped display position but that can be easily reconfigured to a more compact storage and/or shipping position and that can be easily alternated between the display and the collapsed positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above needs along with other objects and advantages are met by the reconfigurable decorative apparatus of the present invention which is movable between a display position in which the apparatus defines a star having a plurality of projections and a collapsed or storage position. The apparatus has a display length and a display width in its display position, and a collapsed, or storage length and a collapsed, or storage width in its collapsed or storage position. The storage length is less than the display length and the storage width is less than the display width and is also less than the storage length.
The apparatus is constructed of a number of members having first and second ends. In the display position, the members are positioned such that the first end of each member is positioned adjacent the first end of an adjacent member and may be connected thereto. The second end of each member is likewise positioned adjacent and may be connected to the second end of another of the members. The connections at the first end may be referred as first end connections and the connections at the second end may be referred to as second end connections.
At least one of the first end and one of the second end connections is a releasable connection. At least the remainder of the first and second end connections are pivotable connections such that when the releasable first and second connections are released, the remainder of the members may pivot about the first and second end connections so that the apparatus can be moved between the display and collapsed positions. Each member may also intersect the adjacent member of an adjacent projection and may be pivotably connected thereto at the intersection point. Thus, the members will pivot about their first and second ends and about the intersection points when the apparatus is rotated between its display and collapsed positions.
The apparatus may have any number of projections but preferably in the display position defines a star having four, five or six projections. Decorative apparatus comprising stars having five projections are preferably constructed of ten substantially identical members, while stars having six projections are preferably constructed of twelve substantially identical members. The storage length of such stars is much less than the display length of the apparatus and is substantially identical to the length of the longest of the members utilized to construct the apparatus. In the case of the five projection decorative apparatus, the length of the apparatus in the storage position is equal to the length of one member which is one-half the display length. The collapsed length of the four and six projection decorative apparatus is preferably less than one-half the display length.
The present invention thus provides a reconfigurable apparatus that in its display position defines a star shape that can be easily collapsed by pivoting the members about connection points for a more compact shipping and/or storage position. Other objects, details and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments along with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2894345 (1959-07-01), Bushnell
patent: 3184366 (1965-05-01), Claude
patent: 3704367 (1972-11-01), Korb
patent: 4523260 (1985-06-01), Duncan
patent: 5430626 (1995-07-01), Leffel
patent: 197809 (1978-09-01), None
Gary Products Group, Inc.
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
Tso Laura K.
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