Apparatuas for use in decorating one of a home or office and which can be redesigned as desired

Abstract

An apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location and which can be redesigned as desired. The apparatus includes an open top container member. The open top container member exhibits each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined depth, for retaining pre-selected items therein. A lid member, having each of a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined depth is engageable with such open top container member. Further, there is at least one pre-selected decorative item disposed within the open top container member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/975,195 filed Sep. 26, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to decorations for homes and offices and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus to decorate a home or office with pre-selected images and/or accessories and which can be readily redesigned as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, many homeowners like to decorate their homes with various items that will lighten the mood while bringing about joy and pleasant memories. Such decorations oftentimes take the form of photographs showing favorites places and things such homeowners are quite fond of.

However, these type decorations are fixed and cannot be changed to reflect a particular season or area the homeowner has just visited, for example. In other words the prior art type decorations cannot be redesigned, as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location. The apparatus can be redesigned as desired. Such apparatus comprising an open top container member, having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined depth, for retaining pre-selected items therein. There is a lid member engageable with the open top container member and at least one pre-selected decorative item is disposed within such open top container member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location which can be reconfigured as desired.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location that can be used in decorating a home and/or office.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture when compared to other decorating mediums.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location which can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing one presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus, according to the invention, and having a picture disposed on the inside of the lid member;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing another presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus, according to the invention, and having a picture disposed on the inside of the lid member;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view showing one presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus, according to the invention, and having a picture disposed on the inside of the lid member; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 1 and 2. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for use in decorating a pre-selected location. Apparatus 10 can be redesigned as desired and is constructed according to one presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention. Such apparatus 10 includes an open top container member 12, for retaining pre-selected items therein. Open top container member 12 has each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined depth.

Apparatus 10 further includes a lid member 14 engageable with the open top container member 12. Such lid member 14 exhibits a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined depth. The last essential element of the present invention is at least one pre-selected decorative item 16 disposed within the open top container member 12.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 3 and 4. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 20, for use in decorating a pre-selected location. Apparatus 20 can be redesigned as desired and is constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention. The only difference between apparatus 10 described supra and apparatus 20 is the predetermined shape and outer design 18 on each of the container member 12 and the lid member 14.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 5 and 6. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 30, for use in decorating a pre-selected location. Apparatus 30 can be redesigned as desired and is constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention. The only difference between apparatus 10 described supra and apparatus 30 is the predetermined shape and outer design 22 on each of the container member 12 and the lid member 14.

In each of the different embodiments described above the pre-selected location is one of a home and an office. Additionally, the first predetermined shape of the open top container member 12 and the second predetermined shape of the lid member 14 are substantially identical. Preferably, such first and second predetermined shapes is one of generally rectangular and generally rectangular with each of the end wall portions 24 thereof having an acruately shaped portion extending outwardly therefrom.

Preferably, the lid member 14 is hingedly attached to the open top container member 12 by one of a continuous hinge (not shown) and a plurality of hinges. Most preferably, such lid member 14 is hingedly attached to open top container member 14 by a plurality of hinges 26.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one pre-selected decorative item 16 is selected from the group consisting of rock formations, pictures, figurines, desert scenes and various combinations thereof. Most preferably, such apparatus 10, 20 and 30 will include a plurality of pre-selected decorative items 16 disposed within said open top container member.

Further, there is provided a latch means, generally designated 50, having a first portion 28 engageable with the open top container member 12 and a second portion 32 engageable with the lid member 14 for retaining the lid member 14 in a closed position as desired.

Each of the open top container member 12 and lid member 16 include a theme decoration on at least one exterior exposed surface thereof.

Preferably, each of the open top container member 12 and the lid member 14 include a theme decoration on all exterior exposed surfaces thereof.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in decorating a pre-selected location and which can be redesigned as desired, said apparatus comprising:

(a) an open top container member, having each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined depth, for retaining pre-selected items therein;

(b) a lid member engageable with said open top container member, said lid member having a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined depth; and

(c) at least one pre-selected decorative item disposed within said open top container member.

2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said pre-selected location is one of a home and office.

3. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said first predetermined shape of said open top container member and said second predetermined shape of said lid member are substantially identical.

4. An apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said first predetermined shape of said open top container member and said second predetermined shape of said lid member are generally rectangular.

5. An apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said first predetermined shape of said open top container member and said second predetermined shape of said lid member are generally rectangular with each end wall portion thereof having an acruately shaped portion extending outwardly therefrom.

6. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said lid member is hingedly attached to said open top container member by one of a continuous hinge and a plurality of hinges.

7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said lid member is hingedly attached to said open top container member by a plurality of hinges.

8. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pre-selected decorative item is selected from the group consisting of rock formations, pictures, figurines, desert scenes and various combinations thereof.

9. An apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of pre-selected decorative items disposed within said open top container member.

10. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a latch means having a first portion engageable with said open top container member and a second portion engageable with said lid member for retaining said lid member in a closed position as desired.

11. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of said open top container member and said lid member include a theme decoration on at least one exterior exposed surface thereof.

12. An apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein each of said open top container member and said lid member include a theme decoration on a plurality of exterior exposed surfaces thereof.

13. An apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein each of said open top container member and said lid member include a theme decoration on all exterior exposed surfaces thereof.