Method and apparatus for three dimensional object covers
A three dimensional (3D) coving method and apparatus is provided for use in protectively or esthetically covering objects, which teaches the creation of desired 3D structural shapes by way of appropriately sizing and joining relatively thin structural material segments. The formed 3D structural shapes are joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material. In some embodiments, at least part the 3D structural shape's exterior is covered with largely nonstructural, ornamental exterior materials and/or elements. In yet other alternative embodiments, at least part the 3D structural shape's interior is filled with a filling material.
The present invention relates generally to covers for objects. More particularly, the invention relates to three-dimensional structures adapted to cover objects
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOutdoor equipment, such as barbecues, and outdoor furniture are common in residential and commercial premises. When not in use, it is usually preferred that such items are covered with a weather resistant fabric to help protect them from the elements. Typically, these covers are simply shapeless, two-dimensional pieces of fabric designed based on mostly utilitarian considerations with respect to the weather protection they offer. Most people spend a significant amount of money and effort in making their outdoor area well decorated and entertaining; however, utilitarian outdoor covers are often esthetically displeasing and provide negligible value beyond a weather protection utility. When conventional outdoor equipment covers do attempt to be esthetically displeasing, they add colored surface patterns to the protective fabric, but otherwise passively droop over the article they are protecting.
While approaches to providing three-dimensional (3D) cover structures may exist, in practice they are not particularly suitable for practical application where lightweight, robustness, and esthetics all are often important considerations. Moreover, known approaches are not readily adaptable to achieve these considerations without undue experimentation and creative insight.
For example, some conventional approaches to creating 3D structure, such as cover with a 3D head, might stuff the 3D volume with materials similar to that used in children's stuffed animal toys. However, 3D covers made using this approach are known to consume too much shelf space in retail outlets to be practical and likewise increase shipping and inventory cost to distributors. This is because they are heavy and rigid 3D structures that cannot collapse to consume less space. A full sized, stuffed cow head, for example, based on this approach would clearly need a very large container.
In an attempt to circumvent the weight and volume drawbacks to 3D structures that are stuffed to maintain rigidity, some known approaches have the consumer, instead, fill the 3D structures with commonly available stuffing matter such as newspapers or packing materials. However, it often takes a significant degree of expertise to get the 3D structure's shape correct, e.g., lumpiness, and the result is often esthetically displeasing. The exact way the product looks and performs when used by a consumer is very important to building a valuable brand, and, thus, often renders these consumer-filling approaches undesirable.
Other conventional techniques to overcome the drawbacks of rigid 3D structures use inflatable inserts, such as plastic bags or balls, to expand into the desired 3D structure upon inflation. However, this approach is known to suffer from eventual deflation, especially when exposed to daily outdoor heating and cooling cycles, which results in the 3D structure's drooping and losing their shape and rigidity. For long-term outdoor applications, this issue is usually unacceptable.
Other conventional approaches to building 3D structures seek to employ wire frame structures similar to a “Japanese” lantern. However, such approaches tend to work best only with mostly round objects, and are, among other reasons, not suitable in building relatively arbitrarily shaped 3D structures, and are moreover not readily adaptable into a 3D cover structure.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for constructing 3D cover structures that are lightweight, robust, and collapsible and yet naturally restore their shape after being deformed. It would be desirable if they were also cost effective and easily manufactured. It would be further desirable if they are colorful, interesting, and humorous, while still offering all of the protection of conventional covers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTo achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a variety of improved substrate structures and substrate fabrication techniques are described.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in protectively or esthetically covering objects is provided that includes an appropriately sized relatively thin structural material that when properly joined to itself or a multiplicity of other appropriately sized relatively thin structural material forms a continuous structural surface having a desired 3D structural shape, whereby this formed 3D structural shape is joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material. In alternative embodiments at least part of the 3D structural shape's exterior is covered with largely nonstructural ornamental exterior materials and/or elements. In yet other alternative embodiments, at least part the 3D structural shape's interior is covered with a relatively more flexible material.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the volume formed by the 3D structural shape is filled with a filling material to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal. In other embodiments, embroidery stitched into the 3D structural shape to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal.
In an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to create a three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in protectively or esthetically covering objects, which method includes appropriately sizing a relatively thin structural material and properly joining it to itself or a multiplicity of other appropriately sized relatively thin structural material to form a continuous structural surface having a desired 3D structural shape. The method further includes the step of joining the formed 3D structural shape to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material.
In some embodiments of the 3D cover method, the volume formed by the 3D structural shape is filled with a filling material to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal. In other embodiments of the 3D cover method, embroidery is stitched into the 3D structural shape to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal.
Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. Thus, multiple three-dimensional (3D) cover embodiments shall be set forth to provide an appreciation of the attendant broad scope and nature of the present invention.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a suitable two-dimensional (2D) cover is provided having 3D structures joined thereon, which resulting 3D cover is configured to protectively and/or ornamentally cover certain object, by way of example and not limitation, outdoor equipment such as barbeques and furniture such as chaise lounges. When constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the present 3D cover embodiment is relatively lightweight, flexible, and collapsible yet naturally restore to the desired 3D shape after being deformed. An aspect of the present embodiment, as will be described in some detail after this brief introduction, is to create 3D shapes by appropriately lining a covering material with a suitable backing material that, when properly joined, provides a desired structural 3D shape and support for the covering material.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an example of the present embodiment is illustrated in
As will be further described below, the 3D shapes such as a head 120, an appendage 130, a tail 140, and an ear 150 shown can be made to keep there shape by lining the covering material (i.e., the visible, surface material in the figure) with an underlying 3D structure made by joining a multiplicity of a thin, but relatively firm backing material pieces (not shown), which when carefully choosing, according to the present invention, the direction of the seams between the joined backing material pieces, a multiplicity of desired 3D supporting structures can be arbitrarily constructed. That is, in the present embodiment, the 3D structure of the desired shape is achieved through the strategic implementation of the present seam joining method.
In one aspect of the present seam joining method, when two pieces of the backing material are joined together with a double seam they become relatively stiff, yet still relatively flexible. By way of example,
Those in the art will appreciate that a diverse multiplicity of desired curvatures and 3D structural features is achievable according to the present method by way of relatively strait forward selection of appropriate design parameters that result in alternate configurations to suit the particular application. For example, the curvature of the head structure 200 is at least in part controlled by the number and circumferential length of side and upper/lower face portions 210 and 220, respectively, joined to form the circumference of head structure 200; thus, effectively creating a piecewise linear approximation of a smooth curve. The curvature of the head structure 200 is additionally at least in part controlled by the size and curvature of front face portion 230 via joining seams 260 and 270, and similarly by the constraining curvature of rear seam 280. Those in the art will further readily appreciate that less curved and relatively squared angles are achieved by appropriately configuring the side and upper/lower face portions 210 and 220, respectively, by way of example and not limitation, reducing their number and increasing their circumferential length, and by the appropriately shaping of front face portion 230 and joining them thereto.
In some embodiments of the present invention, a desired exterior visual appearance is provided as illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in embodiment of
Covering material 310 covers the underlying 3D structure formed by backing material 420, and may be selected to be a more flexible fabric than backing material 420 and have the color, pattern, texture, and environmental protection desired for the particular application. Suitable choices include suitable, commonly available fabrics. Depending of the relative stiffness of interior material 430, it creates a stiffer medium when more support is required, for example but not by limitation, in supporting head 120 of
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the inherent stiffness of the material, such as a fabric, is used to form and maintain the desired 3D shape. In some applications, if two pieces of material are sewn together the stiffness of the fabric combines with the added structure of the seam and the joining means used, such as thread used to sew it, and thereby enables the fabric to hold its shape. The technique of the present embodiment may be used to form, by way of example and not limitation, shapes such as ear 150 in
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a commonly available, lightweight stuffing material is used to form and maintain the desired 3D shape. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, embroidery is used to form and maintain the desired 3D shape for relatively small 3D structures. The tight stitching of the embroidery substantially improves the stiffness of the underlying 3D structure, and allows featured parts to avoid wrinkling or folding, which is particularly useful certain features of the 3D cover more noticeably pronounced. For example, referring again to
The proper selection of proper materials and joining means to use carrying out the present invention is largely particular to the application and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the foregoing teachings. By way of example, and not limitation, in some embodiments for outdoor applications covering items such as barbeques, the 2D cover material and the materials forming the 3D structures according to the present invention would use commonly available, relatively flexible, weather resistant materials that configured to substantially protect the object being covered from environmental damage. Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing 3D covers for objects according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, those in the art will appreciate that although the embodiments of
Claims
1. A three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in covering objects, comprising:
- a. an appropriately sized first relatively thin structural material;
- b. a first continuous structural surface having a 3D structural shape and encompassing a cross-sectional area, the first continuous structural surface being comprised of a first end portion of the first structural material joined with either with a second end portion of the first structural material or an end portion of an appropriately sized second relatively thin structural material; and
- c. the first continuous structural surface joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material.
2. The 3D cover of claim 1, further comprising:
- a filling material filling the volume formed by the first continuous structural surface.
3. The 3D cover of claim 1, further comprising embroidery stitched into the first continuous structural surface.
4. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second structural materials are sized and joined such that the resulting first continuous structural surface has a desired 3D structural shape.
5. The 3D cover of claim 4, wherein the desired 3D structural shape is configured to have a recognizably similar appearance to an object selected from the group consisting of a cow's head, chicken's head, rocket, dog's head, cat's head, pig's head, hamburger, fish, bottle, nose, glasses, car, bear's head, house, human head, elephant's head, rhinoceros's head, and an alligator's head.
6. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the 2D cover material is configured to cover an outdoor object.
7. The 3D cover of claim 6, wherein the 2D cover material and the first and second structural materials comprise a sufficiently flexible, weather resistant material configured to substantially protect the object being covered from environmental damage.
8. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the first continuous structural surface is at least in part covered on its exterior by a relatively more flexible material.
9. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the first continuous structural surface is at least in part covered on its interior by a relatively more flexible material.
10. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the first or second structural material comprises flexible foam or plastic sheeting.
11. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the 2D cover material comprises a fabric.
12. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the first and second structural materials are joined by sewing or gluing.
13. The 3D cover of claim 1, wherein the first continuous structural surface and the 2D cover material are joined by sewing or gluing.
14. A method for creating three dimensional (3D) structures for use in covering objects comprising the steps of:
- a. appropriately sizing a first relatively thin structural material;
- b. joining a first end portion of the first structural material either with a second end portion of the first structural material or an end portion of an appropriately sized second relatively thin structural material, thereby forming a continuous structural surface, which continuous structural surface encompasses a cross-sectional area; and
- c. joining the continuous structural surface to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), relatively flexible cover material.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step filling the volume formed by the continuous structural surface with a filling material.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of stitching embroidery into the continuous structural surface.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and/or second structural materials are sized and joined such that the resulting first continuous structural surface has a desired 3D structural shape.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first structural material comprises flexible foam or plastic sheeting.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of joining is done by sewing or gluing.
20. A three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in covering objects, comprising:
- a. a first relatively thin structural material;
- b. a first continuous structural surface having a 3D structural shape and encompassing a cross-sectional area, the continuous structural surface being comprised of a first end portion of the first structural material joined with either a second end portion of the first structural material or an end portion of a second relatively thin structural material, whereby the first and second structural materials are sized and joined such that the resulting first continuous structural surface has a desired 3D structural shape; and
- c. the first continuous structural surface joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material, which cover material is sufficiently weather resistant and configured to adequately protect an object.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 16, 2004
Publication Date: Sep 22, 2005
Inventor: Michael Goudeau (Las Vegas, NV)
Application Number: 10/802,066