ARTICLES HAVING DOMINO PATTERNS

Abstract

An article of manufacture having a domino pattern, such as wallpaper, fabrics, and floor coverings, wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern abuts two adjacent dominos and all abutting portions of the dominos on the article of manufacture have an identical number of spots.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/803,335, filed May 26, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to articles of manufacture having a repeating pattern, such as wallpaper, fabrics, and floor coverings.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the manufacture of articles having a repeating pattern, identical objects in the pattern typically define a parallelogram which can be aligned in two directions. A rectangular repeating pattern is a parallelogram that can be aligned in two perpendicular directions such as a design on a tile floor or on computer wallpaper. Although repeating patterns that are not rectangular cannot be aligned in two perpendicular directions without extending the dimensions of the repeating pattern, these repeating patterns can be aligned in one direction such as a design on a roll of wallpaper that does not align in a horizontal direction.

A variety of repeating patterns are suitable for wallpaper, fabrics, floor coverings and other articles of manufacture. However, consumers do not like all patterns. Therefore, designers are constantly looking for new patterns that appeal to consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides an article of manufacture comprising a domino pattern, wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern abuts two adjacent dominos and all abutting portions of the dominos on the article of manufacture have an identical number of spots.

In some embodiments, the article of manufacture comprises a repeating pattern having a parallelogram shape. In one embodiment, the article of manufacture is a roll of domino wallpaper. In another embodiment, the article of manufacture is a set of floor tiles that form the repeating pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 represents articles of manufacture having domino patterns wherein each of A-G represents a unique number of spots.

FIG. 2 is a wallpaper embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 1 spot, C is 5 spots, D is 3 spots, E is 6 spots, F is 4 spots, and G is 2 spots.

FIG. 3 represents additional articles of manufacture having domino patterns wherein each of A-G represents a unique number of spots.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of FIG. 3 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 1 spot, C is 2 spots, D is 3 spots, E is 6 spots, F is 4 spots, and G is 5 spots.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 3 spots, C is 5 spots, D is 6 spots, E is 4 spots, F is 1 spot, and G is 2 spots.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of FIG. 3 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 3 spots, C is 6 spots, D is 4 spots, E is 2 spots, F is 5 spots, and G is 1 spot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the invention provide domino patterns for articles of manufacture such as wallpaper, fabrics, and floor coverings. Preferred domino patterns are shown in FIGS. 1-6, wherein each half of each domino in each domino pattern abuts two adjacent dominos and all abutting portions of the dominos on the article of manufacture have an identical number of spots.

FIG. 1 shows domino patterns that are suitable for rolls of wallpaper as well as other articles of manufacture. In the domino patterns of FIG. 1, four identical dominos 10, 11, 12, 13 define a repeating pattern having a parallelogram shape wherein two opposing sides 14, 16 are not perpendicular to remaining opposing sides 15, 17. Spots on the dominos are shown by letters A through G wherein each letter represents a unique number of spots, such as 0 spots through six spots in a standard set of double-six dominos. Surprisingly, A through G can be selected in any sequence and still correspond to the standard set of double-six dominos.

Although the repeating pattern in FIG. 1 is effectively a rectangle represented by the seven columns between the vertical sides 15, 17 and any ten consecutive rows, adjacent rectangles must be staggered to align the domino pattern in a horizontal direction. Extension of the domino pattern in FIG. 1 to 70 columns and 70 rows results in a square pattern suitable for floor coverings.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the domino pattern of FIG. 1 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 1 spot, C is 5 spots, D is 3 spots, E is 6 spots, F is 4 spots, and G is 2 spots. In FIG. 2, a roll of wallpaper is indicated by two vertical sidewalls 20, 21. Two identical dominoes 22, 23 are aligned vertically on the domino pattern.

FIG. 3 shows a domino pattern wherein four identical dominos 30, 31, 32, 33 define a parallelogram having first parallel sides 34, 35 and second parallel sides 36, 37. Although none of the sides are vertical or horizontal in FIG. 3, the domino pattern is still suitable for wallpaper by rotating the domino pattern to place either the first parallel sides 34, 35 or the second parallel sides 36, 37 in a vertical position. Rotation of the domino pattern to place the first parallel sides 34, 35 in a vertical position requires clockwise rotation by 45 degrees resulting in each domino in the domino pattern being positioned at a 45 degree angle with respect to edges of the roll of wallpaper. When rotated to place the first parallel sides 34, 35 vertical, the domino pattern effectively has a rectangular pattern indicated by one side 34 and a perpendicular line 38. When rotated to place second parallel sides 35, 36 vertical, the domino pattern effectively has a rectangular pattern indicated by one vertical side 35 and a perpendicular line 37.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of FIG. 3 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 1 spot, C is 2 spots, D is 3 spots, E is 6 spots, F is 4 spots, and G is 5 spots. As shown in FIG. 4, the domino pattern effectively has a rectangular pattern shown by four perpendicular sides 40, 41, 42, 43. When rotated clockwise by 45 degrees, two identical dominos 44, 45 are positioned vertically, making the domino pattern suitable for wallpaper. Also, a square domino pattern is visible by extending the number of columns and rows as described for FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 3 spots, C is 5 spots, D is 6 spots, E is 4 spots, F is one spot, and G is 2 spots. As shown in FIG. 5, a set of seven large squares 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and seven small squares 57 form the repeating pattern 14, 15, 16, 17 (see FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the large squares are 6 inch ceramic tiles and the small squares are 2 inch ceramic tiles separated by grout lines 58. In another embodiment, the large squares are 12 inch vinyl tiles and the small squares are 4 inch vinyl tiles that simulate grout lines 58.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of FIG. 3 wherein A is 0 spots, B is 3 spots, C is 6 spots, D is 4 spots, E is 2 spots, F is 5 spots, and G is 1 spot. As shown in FIG. 6, a set of seven large squares 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and seven small squares 67 form the repeating pattern 34, 35, 36, 37 (see FIG. 3). In some embodiment, the squares are ceramic tiles separated by grout lines 68 or vinyl tiles having simulated grout lines as described for FIG. 5. In the repeating pattern of FIG. 6, the domino pattern is positioned at a 45 degree angle with respect to edges of the ceramic tiles.

For the articles of FIGS. 5 and 6, each large square has one double domino, and each small square does not contain a portion of a domino. Each small square can match the appearance of the center portion of each large square which also does not contain a portion of a domino.

FIGS. 1-6 are shown schematically to indicate placement of dominos with out regard to artistic design, such as style of the dominos and background, or color of the dominos and background, which can be varied as desired.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture, comprising a domino pattern, wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern abuts two adjacent dominos and all abutting portions of the dominos on the article of manufacture have an identical number of spots.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern has from 0 to 6 spots.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the domino pattern includes every domino in a set of double-six dominos.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein the article is a roll of wallpaper.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein each domino in the domino pattern is positioned at a 45 degree angle with respect to edges of the roll of wallpaper.

6. The article of claim 3, wherein the article is a set of ceramic tiles.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the set of ceramic tiles comprises seven large tiles wherein each large tile has one double domino, and seven small tiles wherein each small tile does not contain a portion of a domino.

8. An article of manufacture, comprising a repeating pattern having a parallelogram shape, wherein the repeating pattern forms a domino pattern wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern abuts two adjacent dominos and all abutting portions of the dominos on the article of manufacture have an identical number of spots.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern has from 0 to 6 spots.

10. The article of claim 10, wherein the repeating pattern includes every domino in a set of double-six dominos.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the article is a roll of wallpaper.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein each domino in the domino pattern is positioned at a 45 degree angle with respect to edges of the roll of wallpaper.

13. The article of claim 10, wherein the article is a set of ceramic tiles.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the set of ceramic tiles comprises seven large tiles wherein each large tile has one double domino, and seven small tiles wherein each small tile does not contain a portion of a domino.

15. A roll of wallpaper, comprising a repeating pattern, wherein the repeating pattern forms a domino pattern wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern abuts two adjacent dominos and all abutting portions of the dominos on the wallpaper have an identical number of spots.

16. The roll of wallpaper of claim 15, wherein each half of each domino in the domino pattern has from 0 to 6 spots.

17. The roll of wallpaper of claim 16, wherein the repeating pattern includes every domino in a set of double-six dominos.

18. The roll of wallpaper of claim 17, wherein each domino in the domino pattern is positioned parallel to edges of the roll of wallpaper.

19. The roll of wallpaper of claim 18, wherein the repeating pattern is shown by FIG. 1.

20. The roll of wallpaper of claim 19, wherein the repeating pattern is shown by FIG. 2.