Static molds – Container-type molding device – Plural article forming mold – or molds with community feature
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-01-23
Mackey, James P. (Department: 1722)
Static molds
Container-type molding device
Plural article forming mold, or molds with community feature
C249S163000, C249S165000, C249S170000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176464
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a mold structure and, more particularly, to a snowman mold having stackable members which can be securely arranged and filled with snow to define a snowman shape.
A snowman is typically constructed by rolling snow into balls of various sizes and then stacking the balls on top of one another. Constructing a large or well-formed snowman is difficult for children because of the strength and coordination required to form, lift, and stack the awkward balls of snow.
Several structures for molding a snowman have been proposed in the prior art. These structures allow snow to be deposited therein with the structure being removable to reveal a snowman shape. Although assumably effective in operation, these molds either do not produce a well-formed snowman or are difficult for a child to safely manipulate.
It is therefore desirable to have a snowman mold which can better form completely symmetrical balls of snow. It is further desirable to have a mold which allows a plurality of mold members to be easily stacked and secured together prior to filling for easier construction and safety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the snowman mold according to the present invention includes a base member, a torso member, and a head member for efficiently, easily, and safely forming a snowman. Each member defines an interior space with upper and lower openings in communication therewith. Each member further includes annular flanges attached to the members adjacent one or both openings and which extend radially outwardly from the members. The outward configuration of the flanges facilitates the complete filling of the members as well as allowing the members to be stacked on one another prior to depositing snow therein. The flanges further include fasteners for releasably coupling the members together.
Each member presents a substantially similar spherical configuration. The base member, however, has a larger circumference than the torso member which, in turn, has a larger circumference than the head member. Each member further includes a pair of pivotally coupled semi-spherical doors which can be opened for receiving a smaller sized member therein.
The mold members are particularly well-suited for allowing children to safely construct a properly shaped snowman. The base member is placed on a surface at the desired location for the snowman. The torso member is then stacked on the base member with the outwardly extending flanges bearing against one another. The fasteners are then inserted through the flanges to couple the torso member to the base member. A head member can be stacked and secured to the torso member in like manner. Snow is then deposited through the upper opening of the head member and is communicated through each member until all members are filled. The doors of each mold member are then opened to reveal the now formed snowman and the members are removed from one another in the reverse order as they were stacked.
It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a mold for forming a snowman shaped figure of snow.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mold, as aforesaid, having a plurality of members which can be easily stacked one upon another during construction of a snowman.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a mold, as aforesaid, which can securely hold the plurality of members together during construction of a snowman.
A further object of the invention is to provide a mold, as aforesaid, which can be filled to form fully symmetrical balls of snow.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a mold, as aforesaid, wherein the plurality of members can be concentrically stored one within another when not in use.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mold, as aforesaid, wherein each mold member includes hinged doors which allow the mold member to be removed to reveal the completed snowman.
A further object of the invention is to provide a mold, as aforesaid, which includes a kit of accessories for decorating the resulting snowman.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.
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patent: 5255888 (1993-10-01), Workman
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Mackey James P.
Ream Dale J.
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