INTERCHANGEABLE DECORATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A decoration system that includes a base object to be decorated and a rim capable of receiving a decorative insert. A user selects or creates a decorative insert, inserts the decorative insert into the rim, and then couples the rim to the base object. The decorative insert may be easily removed and replaced when the user desires a new style. A single rim may be coupled to multiple types of base objects.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to decoration systems for home furnishings, tableware, and other solid objects.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many people enjoy decorating and customizing their rooms, furniture, and personal items. As a result, there are a large number of different arts and crafts kits that are designed to help people more easily accomplish this goal.

Such kits may include paint, markers, colored paper, fabric, felt, pictures, glitter, stickers, glue, ribbon, magnets, beads, sequins, or jewelry, as well as two- and three-dimensional representations of people, animals, and other objects.

Many kits only allow a user to decorate an object a single time. A user might paint, apply stickers or glitter to, or otherwise modify an object. However, once the user has finished, there are no means by which the user may remove or undo what the user has done.

Additionally, these kits generally do not allow a user to transfer a design between objects. If a user decorates the rim of a picture frame, the user cannot transfer that same rim to the user's mirror.

Accordingly, there is a need for a decoration system that allows for repeated decoration as well as the transferability of decorations between objects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a decoration system having a base object to be decorated and a rim capable of receiving a decorative insert. A user selects or creates a decorative insert, inserts the decorative insert into the rim, and then couples the rim to the base object. The decorative insert may be easily removed and replaced when the user desires a new style. Also, a single rim may be coupled to multiple types of base objects. Further, the rim may be several different shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the decoration system of the present invention as applied to a magnetic whiteboard;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a base object of the present invention as applied to a magnetic whiteboard prior to the application of the decorative rim;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the base object shown in FIG. 2A, when a mirror is situated on the reverse of the whiteboard prior to application of the decorative rim;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the decoration system of the present invention as applied to a bowl prior to application of the decorative rim;

FIG. 2D is a front view of the assembled decoration system of the present invention as applied to a magnetic whiteboard;

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the assembled decoration system of the present invention as applied to a mirror;

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the assembled decoration system of the present invention as applied to a bowl; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the decoration system of the present invention including peripheral decorative members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the decoration system is shown in FIG. 1. The decoration system has a rim 100, a backing plate 104, and a first base object 108.

In use, the rim 100 receives a decorative insert 102. The rim 100 is at least partially transparent so that the decorative insert 102 is visible behind the rim 100. Additionally, the rim 100 may be shaped so that it functions as a lens, thereby to cause the design on the decorative insert 102 to become more pronounced. Also, as a person walks by, the lens shape may create a changing visual effect for the decorative insert 102 while looking through rim 100.

The decorative insert 102 may be provided to a user or the user may create their own. In order to create a decorative insert 102, the user may select a sheet of decorative material, sketch the shape of the rim 100 onto the decorative material, and then cut out the shape. To aid in sketching the shape of the rim 100, the backing plate 104 may be placed on top of the decorative material. The user would then trace around the backing plate 104 in order to accurately sketch a shape that will fit within the rim 100. The decorative material may comprise scrapbooking paper, gift wrap, construction paper, fabric, photographs, or any other suitable material. To further customize the design, the user may embellish the decorative material by drawing or coloring on it. Similarly, the user could add stickers or glitter to the decorative material. Essentially, a user may create a multitude of designs so long as the design will fit within the rim 100.

Once the decorative insert 102 is inserted into the rim 100, the backing plate 104 may be coupled to the rim 100 to encapsulate the decorative insert 102. On the rear surface of the backing plate 104, there are posts 106 that serve to removably couple the backing plate 104 to the first base object 108. The coupling is accomplished by inserting the posts 106 of the backing plate 104 into the receiving holes 112 on the receiving border 110 of the first base object 108. The fit between the posts 106 and the receiving holes 112 is sized to create a holding force between them when assembled. Additionally, the posts 106 may include integrally molded fingers or protrusions (not shown) to act as snaps for secure coupling. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are four cylindrical posts 106, but other quantities, shapes, and sizes may be used, as appropriate, in order to create a secure, removable connection. Finally, the posts 106 may include magnets or be sized and shaped to receive magnetic elements (not shown) in order to aid in hanging the assembled decoration system on metal surfaces such as refrigerator or locker doors.

Though the coupling mechanism shown in this embodiment involves posts 106 and receiving holes 112, other methods are also possible. For example, coupling could be accomplished by means of hook and loop fasteners, various adhesives, sliding pins, clamps, magnets, or any other suitable means known by those skilled in the art. Similarly, the coupling of the backing plate 104 to the rim 100 is shown here as a press fit, but it could be accomplished in any number of ways.

The first base object 108 shown in FIG. 1 is a magnetic whiteboard, but many different objects may be used. For example, the first base object 108 could also be a mirror, a clock, a picture frame, a bowl, a plate, a lazy Susan, or any other object. Additionally, the first base object 108 may be reversible as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows the front face of first base object 108, with a magnetic whiteboard, while FIG. 2B shows the rear face 109 of the first base object 108, with a mirror.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 2C where the second base object 200 takes the form of a bowl. As in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the second base object 200 includes a receiving border 110 with receiving holes 112 in order to facilitate coupling with the backing plate 104.

Though the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 - 2 involve circular rims 100, decorative inserts 102, backing plates 104, and base objects 108, any shape may be used. For example, the first base object 108 could be a rectangular picture frame, a square mirror, or an oval plate. In such an embodiment, the rims 100, decorative inserts 102, and backing plates 104 would be shaped accordingly.

While the ability to have decoration systems with different shapes provides greater variety for a user, there is also a distinct advantage to having multiple base objects 108 with the same size and shape. In this case, a user may attach the same rim 100, with decorative insert 102, to a multitude of different base objects with minimal additional effort. The user would simply detach the backing plate 104 from one base object and attach it to a different base object. For example, a user could create a decorative insert 102 for the magnetic whiteboard first base object 108 shown in FIG. 2D, and then later flip the first base object 108 to display the rear face 109 which is a mirror surface and re-affix the circular rim 100 and decorative insert 102 as shown in FIG. 2E. Still further, the circular rim 100 and decorative insert 102 may be transferred to the bowl second base object 200 as shown in FIG. 2F.

In addition to being easily transferrable, the decorative inserts 102 are easily replaceable, thereby allowing a user to change the design to coincide with a particular holiday, season, sports season, or simply due to a change in home decor. To replace the decorative insert 102, a user would detach the backing plate 104 from the base object 108, grasp the backing plate 104 by a post 106, and pull the rim 100 away from the backing plate 104. The user could then remove the decorative insert 102 and insert another decorative insert.

A more widely useable embodiment of the decoration system could involve a backing plate 104 without posts 106, or with removable posts 106. This would allow a user to couple the rim 100, with decorative insert 102 and backing plate 104, to a user's existing message boards, mirrors, clocks, and picture frames. Such coupling could be accomplished via hook and loop fasteners, for example, though any suitable means known in the art is acceptable.

FIG. 3 shows an additional feature that may be incorporated into the decoration system, whereby the user may add peripheral decorative member 300. These peripheral decorative members 300 allow a user to add extra design elements that extend beyond the rim 100. The inner portions 302 of a peripheral decorative member 300 contain additional receiving holes 304 for the posts 106 of the backing plate 104 so that the peripheral decorative member 300 and backing plate 104 may be coupled together, along with the first base object 108. When assembled, the inner portions 302 will not be visible to a user; they will be hidden beneath the rim 100, decorative insert 102, backing plate 104, and first base object 108. The outer portion 306 of the peripheral decorative member 300 can be provided to the user already decorated or can provide more space for decorating. A user could drawn on, color, apply stickers or glitter to, or otherwise embellish the outer portions 306 before coupling the peripheral decorative member 300 to the first base object 108.

Rather than having posts 106 long enough to couple to the decorative member receiving holes 304 of the peripheral decorative members 300, it would also be possible to include receiving elements (not shown) in the end of each post 106. In this case, each peripheral decorative member 300 would have a corresponding snap elements (not shown) that would mate with the receiving elements of the posts 106. Also, in such an embodiment, the optional magnets, which would allow the decoration system to be hung on a metal surface, could be attached to the posts 106 in a similar manner.

Though the peripheral decorative member 300 shown in FIG. 3 are each shaped as a quarter of a circle, they could also encompass larger or smaller portions of the periphery of the first base object 108. For example, a single peripheral decorative member 300 could be a full circle and take up the entire periphery. Or, eight peripheral decorative members 300 could each occupy a portion of the periphery. Also, when each peripheral decorative member 300 occupies less than the full periphery, a user could choose to use only some of the peripheral decorative members 300.

As with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2, the peripheral decorative member 300 need not be shaped as a circle or portions of a circle. If the first base object 108 is a rectangular picture frame, the peripheral base member 300 could be shaped as portions of a rectangle or any other desired shape. However, just as with FIGS. 1-2, there is an advantage to having multiple base objects 108 of the same size and shape. In such a case, the peripheral decorative member 300 may be easily transferred from one first base object 108 to another.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of additional applications and appropriate modifications within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. An interchangeable decoration system, comprising:

a. a transparent rim that is continuous and unsegmented;

b. a decorative insert that fits within said rim;

c. a backing plate that releasably couples to said rim thereby to secure said decorative insert between said rim and said backing plate;

d. a reversible base object having a first side selected from the group consisting of a whiteboard, message board, mirror, clock and picture frame and a second side selected from the group consisting of a whiteboard, message board, mirror, clock and picture frame, said reversible base object being reversible to provide multiple functional surfaces; and

e. coupling means to releasably couple said backing plate to said base object.

4-7. (canceled)

8. The interchangeable decoration system of claim 3, wherein said rim is fully transparent.

9. The interchangeable decoration system of claim 3, wherein said rim is partially transparent.

10. The interchangeable decoration system of claim 8, wherein said fully transparent rim is shaped to provide the visual effect of magnifying the appearance of the decorative insert when viewed through said rim.

11. The interchangeable decoration system of claim 8, wherein said fully transparent rim is shaped to provide the visual effect of distorting the appearance of the decorative insert when viewed through said rim.

12. The interchangeable decoration system of claim 9, wherein said partially transparent rim is shaped to provide the visual effect of magnifying the appearance of the decorative insert when viewed through said rim.

13. The interchangeable decoration system of claim 9, wherein said partially transparent rim is shaped to provide the visual effect of distorting the appearance of the decorative insert when viewed through said rim.