Abstract: Implementations of the present invention comprise lighting fixture assemblies that minimize the visibility of hardware and shadows. In particular, the lighting fixture assemblies may include no supporting hardware extending through an internal space defined, in whole or in part, by the lighting fixture assembly. In addition, the lighting fixture assemblies may include a gap between a bottom/top panel and a side panel of the lighting fixture assembly. Accordingly, lighting fixture assemblies of one or more implementations of the present invention can reduce or eliminate the visibility of internal supporting hardware and shadows on the exterior surfaces of the lighting fixture assemblies.
Abstract: A decorative laminate panel comprises compressible objects embedded inside, wherein the compressible objects would be flattened in unnatural shapes under conventional processes. For example, an exemplary decorative laminate product comprises thatch reed, willow reed, bamboo, weeds, grasses, twigs and branches of a tree or bush, beans, and so forth. In at least one exemplary implementation of the present invention, an extruded sheet, such as PETG or polycarbonate, is softened and melted around the compressible materials such that the compressible materials do not deform. Imperfections in the decorative laminate panel can be easily removed, thereby allowing for producing a high quality decorative laminate panel with high efficiency and relatively low cost compared with conventional methods and materials.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 9, 2004
Date of Patent:
March 7, 2006
Assignee:
3-Form
Inventors:
Raymond Lynn Goodson, R. Talley Goodson, Boyd T. Goodson