Abstract:
A drawing apparatus and an associated method that allows selective heating of a substrate when a colorant, such as a crayon, is applied to the substrate. The heated substrate at least partially liquefies the colorant. The colorant is then absorbed into the substrate to create a translucent image on the substrate. When the colorant is removed from the substrate, the substrate correspondingly disengages from a heat source and the image formed on the substrate cools and hardens.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application is a non-provisional application of provisional patent application No. 60/506,895, filed Sep. 30, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a drawing. Specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a drawing by bringing a substrate into contact with a heating source and thereby heating the substrate so that a colorant, such as a crayon, is liquefied and thereby saturates or forms on the substrate, so that upon removal of the substrate from the source of heat the colorant may solidify.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many different types of drawing media have been used throughout the ages. Each type of drawing media has its distinct advantages as well as disadvantages.  
         [0004]     Water color paints allow colors to be blended during the application process and provide a certain degree of transparency when applied over pencil, charcoal and the like. However, water color paints are simply not capable of producing a picture that is radiantly translucent with vibrant coloring. Furthermore, pictures made using water color paints are highly susceptible to irreversible damage from even small amounts of liquid.  
         [0005]     Oil and acrylic paint are capable of providing an intense coloration and a texture to the painted surface of a picture, such as that shown in the paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. However, the paints are opaque, can be very expensive, and require a lengthy time to dry.  
         [0006]     Oil pastels can be blended, but do not saturate the substrate to create radiantly translucent vibrant images. Furthermore, they have the significant drawback of being highly susceptible to smudging.  
         [0007]     Crayons can also be used for drawing, but have several drawbacks, including their inability to saturate a substrate with color. Invariably, the color-coverage is sketchy, with fibers of the substrate showing through. Even repeated, time-consuming strokes of the crayon leave ragged edges. Furthermore, normal crayon application simply does not permit a true color blending to be achieved. Even though different crayon colors can be overlapped and interlaced, the different crayon colors cannot and are not blended.  
         [0008]     Prior color-applying techniques are relatively complex and involve processes that are difficult to control and frequently produce smudged and inferior drawings. The need exists for a simple apparatus and process that allows a user to intuitively create works of art, especially translucent works, using inexpensive, readily available colorants, such as crayons. The present invention enables a first-time user to easily produce works of art that are translucent and unique. Through the process described in the present invention, color is imparted in an easily controlled and instantly “dry” manner. Even long after the colors have “hardened”, the artist can return to a work, and using the apparatus of the present invention, blend in new colors, add layers, or add new drawings  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is a drawing assembly comprising a heat source juxtaposed with a substrate elevator. The substrate elevator is adapted to be moved toward and away from the heat source. A substrate cooperates with the substrate elevator and moves correspondingly toward and away from the heat source so that heat is transmitted from the heat source to the substrate when the substrate is proximate the heat source. Applying a colorant to the substrate partially liquefies the colorant and colors the substrate. When the substrate is removed from the heat source, the colorant is allowed to harden.  
         [0010]     The present invention also includes a drawing assembly comprised of a platform with at least one adjustable hand rest. A heat source with an adjustable temperature setting is recessed within the platform. Illuminating devices surround and outline the heat source. A flexible and resilient substrate elevator is suspended opposite the heat source so that the substrate elevator is selectively engageable with the heat source. A substrate cooperates with the substrate elevator for corresponding engagement and disengagement with the heat source through the substrate elevator. A colorant is operatively associated with the substrate. Applying the colorant to the substrate causes the substrate to engage the heat source so that the colorant is at least partially liquefied and absorbed into the substrate thereby causing the colorant to become integral with the fibers of the substrate and creating a translucent image on the substrate.  
         [0011]     The present invention further includes a platform for selectively heating and coloring a substrate. The platform comprises a heated plate for heating a substrate. A flexible substrate elevator is sandwiched between the heated plate and the substrate so that the substrate elevator and the substrate selectively engage and disengage from the heated plate. Applying a colorant to the substrate causes the substrate and substrate elevator to engage the heated plate and least partially liquefies the colorant, thereby causing liquefied colorant to be absorbed into the substrate.  
         [0012]     The present invention also includes a method of making a drawing. The method comprises positioning a substrate elevator adjacent to a heated surface so that the heat from the heated surface is transmitted to and thereby heats a substrate. A colorant is applied to the substrate so that the colorant at least partially melts and thereby colors the substrate and causes a translucent coloration of the substrate. The substrate is then removed from the heated surface and the colorant is allowed to cool and harden. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the present invention with the heating source shown in dashed lines;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the substrate as a colorant draws on the surface of the substrate. A heat source and substrate elevator are shown in dashed lines;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  shows artwork created by the method and apparatus of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     As best shown in  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a platform  10  that includes a heat source  12  for heating a selected area of the platform. The heat source  12  may be recessed into the platform, and the platform  10  may include a fixed hand rest  14 . The heat generated by the heat source  12  may be automatically controlled by a thermostat or manually controlled through a heat adjustment mechanism  16 .  
         [0019]     The heat source may generate heat by any suitable means known to one skilled in the art. The heat source may include a low wattage ceramic heater, electric heating coil and the like. As best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , power may be supplied to the heat source through a conventional electrical power cord  17 . However, other means of supplying power to the heat source should be considered within the scope of the invention, including batteries, solar power and the like.  
         [0020]     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a substrate elevator  18  includes film  19  and spaced biasing strips  21 , 23  and is positioned over the heat source  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the film  19  is comprised of a flexible and resilient transparent or translucent material, preferably extruded polycarbonate. The film  19  preferably is extruded polycarbonate because it has good thermal conductivity, is able to withstand the heat from heat source  12 , and has good mechanical properties to withstand repeated flexing of the film  19  during use of the invention.  
         [0021]     The strips  21 , 23  are angled or bent plastic and underlie the film  19 . The strips  21 , 23  bias the film  19  upwardly away from heat source  12 . The film  19  is biased by bias strips  21 ,  23  to a position that is a fraction of an inch from the heat source  12 . Rivets  25  or some other fastener, such as an adhesive, attach film  19  and biasing strips  21 , 23  to the platform  10 . The film  19  has a length exceeding the distance between the rivets  25  attaching strips  21  and  23 , respectively, so that the film  19  has a convex configuration relative to platform  10  and thereby further is biased away from heat source  12 . By pressing down on the film  19 , a user can selectively bring the film  19  into contact with the heat source  12 . When pressure is released from the film  19 , the substrate elevator  18  returns the film  19  to a position suspended over the heat source  12 . The strips  21 , 23  preferably extend in parallel along opposite sides of heat source  12 .  
         [0022]     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , in operation, a substrate  20  is placed on film  19  over the heat source  12 . Pressure is applied to the substrate  20  by a colorant  22 , preferably a crayon. The pressure from the colorant  22  on the substrate  20  causes the film  19  to move downwardly and engage the heat source  12 . Heat from the heat source  12  is transmitted through the film  19  to the substrate  20 . The heated substrate  20  heats the colorant  22  and causes the wax in the colorant  22  to liquefy and melt. The wax from the colorant  22  is absorbed into the substrate  20 . The liquefied colorant wax is absorbed into the substrate  20  rather than coated on top of the substrate  20  as occurs typically with crayons. Light readily passes through a substrate  20  colored according to the present invention which creates a translucent coloration of the substrate  20 . When the colorant  22  is withdrawn from the substrate  20 , the film  19  retracts and disengages the substrate  20  from the heat source  12 . When the heat is removed from the substrate  20 , the colorant wax saturating the substrate  20  cools and hardens.  
         [0023]     The process described above allows the selective heating of a substrate  20  only during the exact time and at the exact location on the substrate  20  that a colorant is  22  applied. This process allows a user greater control of the drawing and prevents smudges, drips, and runs. Because the wax in the colorant  22  melts as the colorant  22  is applied to the substrate  20 , the colorant  22  glides across the substrate  20  with effortless strokes. Color is imparted in an easily controlled manner and almost instantly dries when the substrate elevator  18  retracts the film  19  from the heating source  12 . Even long after the colors have “hardened” a user can return to a previously decorated substrate  20  and blend new colors, add layers, and add new drawings. Additionally, once heat source  12  has reached its operating temperature, the colorant melts almost instantaneously, thereby permitting colorant to be quickly applied to substrate  20 . The user may use the same colorant at a different location or may apply a different colorant, which likewise melts almost instantaneously, to the same or a different location on substrate  20 . The process thus is quite interactive and the user can essentially immediately observe the details of the artwork being created.  
         [0024]     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , in an alternative embodiment, an optical heating platform guide can be used. This optical heating platform guide causes beams of light generated by illuminating devices  24 , such as provided by light emitting diodes, to shine through the substrate  20 , demarking the heat source  12 . This helps the user position the desired area of the substrate  20  directly above the heating source  12 .  
         [0025]     In a further embodiment of the invention, an adjustable hand rest  26  is supplied to provide an adjustable resting spot for a user&#39;s hand while in close proximity to the heat source  12 . The hand rest  26  is maintained at a temperature suitable for direct skin contact. In an additional embodiment, the hand rest can be supplied as a separate item or can be made to pivot or slide out from the side of the heating platform, thus allowing a more compact device and also providing for adjustments for users of different sizes.  
         [0026]     The material comprising the substrate  20  is preferably a relatively smooth surface capable of having the melted colorant medium (e.g. crayon) adhere to it and may include any suitable material known to one skilled in the art including paper, linen, fabric, plastic, fiberglass, parchment, animal skin, and the like. Although a flexible material is preferred, a rigid substrate, such as glass, may also be used provided that it can be raised and lowered by the substrate elevator  18 .  
         [0027]     The colorant or drawing medium  22  is any suitable medium that is capable of being softened or melted at a temperature below the temperature at which the substrate  20  is adversely affected, such as by softening, melting, charring, or ignition. As described above, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the colorant  22  is a crayon or crayons. In further embodiments of the invention, the colorant  22  can further comprise imbedded sparkles, metallic or other particles, flakes or strands, and/or scented medium that provides aroma therapy while drawing.  
         [0028]     In the present method of the invention, a suitable colorant  22 , such as colored wax based crayons, are used to color the substrate  20 . As the user colors, the substrate  20  is pushed downwardly through the action of pressing the colorant medium or crayon  22  on the substrate  20  so as to place the film  19  into contact with the heat source  12  at the point of contact with the crayon  22 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the heat from the heat source  12  heats the substrate  20  to a temperature that causes an already deposited colorant drawing medium, such as crayon wax, to be melted to a sufficient extent so as to allow the melted drawing medium, such as crayon wax, to flow along the substrate  20  for limited distances so as to allow the blending of the colors in adjacent portions of the design. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the heat source  12  heats the substrate  20  to a temperature that causes the already deposited drawing medium, such as crayon wax, to be melted to a sufficient extent so as to allow its color and texture to immediately and selectively blend with the new drawing medium, as the new drawing medium is applied.  
         [0029]     Heat source  12  must be able to heat the substrate  20  and the colorant  22  to a temperature of at least the melting temperature of colorant  22 . The heat source  12  preferably does not generate sufficient heat to char, burn or otherwise cause destruction of substrate  20 .  
         [0030]     As each section of a piece of artwork is colored, the crayon  22  is lifted, allowing the film  19  to raise the substrate  20  from the heat source  12  so that the melted crayon cools. Where the substrate  20  is an absorbent material, such as paper, some or all of the colorant  22  will penetrate the surface of the substrate  20  and saturate the substrate  20 , rendering the colored substrate  20  translucent. For non-absorbent or less absorbent substrates  20 , some or all of the colorant  22  will be deposited on the surface of the substrate  20 . The artwork made using the apparatus and method of the present invention renders jewel like tones and allows the blending of colors from different colored crayons and different types of crayons, such as those containing sparkles to those not containing sparkles.  
         [0031]     The artwork possesses an incredible degree of transparency that renders it particularly suitable for use as radiant sun-catchers for window decoration, wraps for votive candles, rear lighted clear picture frames, overlays for faux stained glass, radiant lamp shades, and the like. A drawing on substrate  20  and made according to the present invention and is shown in  FIG. 5  and is displayed as a sun-catcher.  
         [0032]     The method of the present invention results in a product having highly pleasing and dramatic characteristics and also such method readily lends itself to use by relatively unskilled users.  
         [0033]     In still further embodiments of the present invention, a pre-imprinted substrate can be used so as to allow for a “color by number” system.  
         [0034]     In additional embodiments of the present invention, stenciling can be achieved by placing thin, insulating templates on top of the heated surface, (below the substrate). These templates would prevent the drawing medium from melting on the substrate in certain areas, and allow it to melt in the desirable areas. This would allow users to produce precisely formed shapes, letters, pictures, etc.  
         [0035]     In yet further embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus can be supplied in the form of a kit that can include suitable substrates and/or selection of drawing medium.  
         [0036]     It is understood that while various preferred designs have been used to describe this invention, the invention is not limited to the illustrated and described features. Modifications, usages and/or adaptations following the general principles disclosed herein are included in the present invention, including such departures that come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. The present invention is intended to encompass all such departures having the central features set forth above, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and which fall within the scope of the appended claims.