Abstract:
A Christmas tree ornament consisting of a plastic foam shape to which is attached a photograph and decorations consisting of sequins and beads. The intent of the present art is to disclose how, by the application of photographs of an end user&#39;s family members, ancestors, etc. to the Photographic Ornament, the end user can transform his/her Christmas tree into a visual representation of his/her Family Tree. What is also disclosed herein is the method and materials used to hand manufacture a Photographic Ornament, and to show a sampling of the unlimited design variations that are possible.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/956,496. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable to this application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to decorative ornaments that display photographic images, and more specifically it relates to a handmade Christmas tree ornament that in a novel way displays photographic images, printed on paper or sublimated onto thin metal, of family members, ancestors, friends, pets, etc., or milestone events such as weddings, births, anniversaries, achievements, and so forth. 
       REFERENCES CITED 
     U.S. Patent Documents 
       [0004]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 3,440,128 
                 April 1969 
                 Kubilius 
                 428/11 
               
               
                   
                 3,635,783 
                 January 1972 
                 Rimmler 
                 428/11 
               
               
                   
                 3,694,648 
                 July 1972 
                 Yates 
                 428/11 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0005]    Ornaments of the type that are commonly hung on Christmas trees and also used in centerpieces, on wreaths and garlands are in general use throughout North America and Western Europe. Many are made of either blown or molded glass, and come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes and colors. Many more are made of plastic, poly resin, ceramic, porcelain, metal alloys, paper, cloth, and even dried grass, such as those commonly found in use in Germany and Mexico. 
         [0006]    A small percentage of these mass produced, inexpensive types of ornaments are made with a surface that allows for the application of a photograph or digital image, or a place where a photograph may be inserted into a picture frame type of arrangement. 
         [0007]    Apart from the selection of the photo or digital image, the end user&#39;s choices of shape, color and configuration of design elements are almost completely eliminated by the mass produced prior art. 
         [0008]    Much of the prior art is fragile and subject to breakage. Furthermore, the prior art which is designed to display a photograph or digital image may be considered pretty and/or cute, but tends neither to be described as unique, original, beautiful, nor of heirloom quality. 
         [0009]    A process or system of producing an ornament that is made to the specifications of the end user, as well as personalized by the application to the ornament of a paper photograph provided by the end user, would be desirable. A piece of metal alloy to which a photograph or digital image has been sublimated could also be affixed to an ornament. 
         [0010]    In addition, the use of the Photographic Ornament can transform the end user&#39;s Christmas tree into a visual representation of his or her own Family Tree or Genealogy. The Photographic Ornament can be utilized to educate younger family members of the end user about their ancestors, and become a family heirloom or keepsake. It can be given as a gift from one individual to another. Further uses may include holiday office displays of employees, honorariums or awards to individuals who have excelled, commemorative objects to members of sports teams, Scout troops or military units, etc.. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    One of the advantages of the present art is that it will not shatter, crack or break if dropped onto a hard surface or struck with a hard object, although, pins may dislodge and fall out. 
         [0012]    The surface decoration of the present art can be configured in a variety of ways, such as but not limited to size, shape, color and bead sequence. These decorative features can be modified according to the preferences of the end user. 
         [0013]    In design, the present art provides one (1) or two (2) flat surfaces suitable for affixing a paper print of a photograph or digital image. An image that is sublimated onto a piece of thin metal could also be used. 
         [0014]    The use of hologram sequins, silver-lined beads, and other faceted beads, in combination with other elements, produce a surface decoration that will catch the light, thus creating a sparkling effect. 
         [0015]    Said sequins and beads are loaded onto steel straight pins of varying lengths. Said pins are inserted by hand into a plastic foam shape, or a shape made of some other material that can be pierced by and will grip straight pins, thereby giving an overall hand crafted appearance that many consumers find attractive and appealing. (An alternative for the end user would be a Do It Yourself pre-assembled kit, containing ample quantities of all necessary components, with written instructions and illustrations.) 
         [0016]    The ornament is hung or suspended from a centrally positioned Eye-Ring pin. The Eye-Ring pin is inserted into the core of the foam shape. A hollow opening in the core of the foam shape is essential to the procedure of anchoring the Eye-ring pin. The lower portion of the inserted Eye-ring pin must be visible in the hollow core of the foam shape. The lower portion of the Eye-ring pin is bent forward, then turned inward against the inner wall of the hollow core of the foam shape, and surrounded with a bonding material, thereby securing the Eye-ring pin against falling out. 
         [0017]    The surface design possibilities, when compared to prior art, could be described as unique, elegant, prestigious, original, individual, custom handmade, heirloom quality, high quality, sophisticated, and more. 
         [0018]    The objectives of the present invention are to provide:
       1) A personalized Christmas tree ornament.   2) An ornament that is handmade and personalized to the specification of the end user.   3) A choice of color, shape and design options to the end user.   4) An ornament that is heirloom quality.   5) An ornament whose appearance will not degrade over time.   6) A novel way in which the end user can display photographic images of his or her ancestors, family members, etc.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  provides a standard Bill of Materials used in the construction of the Photographic Ornament, to include but not limited to, flathead metal straight pins, glass and metal beads of various sizes, shapes and colors, sequins, a plastic foam shape, and photograph(s). 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates a few of the many variations possible for arranging beads and sequins onto steel straight pins, which will be inserted into a plastic foam shape. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a plastic foam shape ( 1 ) to which some sort of glue or bonding material has been applied to the flat front surface ( 2 ). A cropped photograph ( 3 ) will be affixed to the bonding material ( 2 ). 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cut-away view of the interior of a plastic foam shape ( 1 ) revealing the hollow center ( 2 ), the Eye-Ring Pin inserted into the foam shape where it is bent, turned inward and glued or bonded in place ( 3 ), and a cut-away slice of the plastic foam shape bearing a portion of the attached photograph and surface decoration ( 4 ). 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows Front, Side and Back views of a completed ornament in one of its many possible variations of design. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a sampling of the many Variations possible as to size, shape, and decorative design applications. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The following is to illustrate the preferred embodiments and broadly state the methodology that may be used to manufacture a Photographic Christmas tree ornament. 
         [0032]    The basic materials used in the creation of a Photographic Ornament are listed in  FIG. 1 . This ornament is not limited to the use of beads and sequins. Other materials such as ribbons, feathers, fine gauge chains, jewelry and sculpted wire shapes can be incorporated into the design. Materials other than the plastic foam shape demonstrated here could also be used. 
         [0033]    The entire surface area of a foam shape will be covered with a combination of overlapping pin/bead/sequin units, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Depending upon the size and shape of the foam form, and the number of photographs used, approximately three hundred (300) pin units will be needed. The basic hand-assembly time is between two and one-half (2.5) to three (3) hours. 
         [0034]    A wallet sized copy of an original photograph(s) or digital image is cropped to fit the designated photograph area of the selected foam shape. In this example and egg shape is illustrated. 
         [0035]    Beads and sequins are arranged on straight pins according to the design and color preferences of the end user. Short pin/bead/sequin units will cover the surface of the foam shape. Longer, more complex pin/bead/sequin units will be inserted in a Halo-type fashion around the Midline of the foam shape. Pin/bead units will surround the photograph, and in the instance where one (1) photograph is affixed, a decorative Medallion on the posterior of the foam shape. Some examples of bead configurations are shown in  FIG. 2A  through H.  FIG. 5  clearly illustrates the surface covering of the foam shape and the two Halo and Medallion designs. 
         [0036]    Proper construction of the Midline Halo Eye-Ring Unit, shown in  FIG. 2D , will prevent the weight of the finished ornament from pulling out the Eye-Ring pin, and allow the finished ornament to safely hang suspended from a ribbon, Christmas tree hook or other device. This involves pushing the Eye-Ring pin/bead/sequin unit into the top of the foam shape. It must penetrate into the hollow center of the foam shape and be visible to the person building the ornament. The pin must be bent forward, then turned so that the end of the pin touches one side of the hollow center of the foam shape. At this point, a glue or bonding material is applied to the bent portion of the pin, thus permanently securing it to the hollow core of the foam shape. 
         [0037]    Pre-staging the necessary quantity of pin/bead/sequin units to complete the ornament will facilitate a more speedy assembly of the Photographic Ornament. 
         [0038]    Creation of the “Midline Halo” is made by inserting the first pin/bead/sequin unit alongside and slightly overlapping the  FIG. 2D  unit, then continuing to insert and slightly overlap additional pin/bead/sequin units along the mid-line of the foam shape. This mid-line normally is the molded seam of the foam shape. 
         [0039]    Decorating the posterior of the ornament is the next step. If creating a Medallion, a thirty (30) mm kaleidoscope sequin creates the background of the Medallion. A pin hole is made through the center of this thirty (30) mm background sequin. With a pair of household scissors, a straight line is cut from the edge of the thirty (30) mm sequin to the center hole. A pin is inserted through the center hole in the thirty (30) mm sequin, and pushed approximately half-way into the center of the back of the foam shape. Due to the curvature of the foam shape, the thirty (30) mm sequin will overlap itself where it has been cut when pinned into place with 1/2″ pins.  FIG. 2B  body units are pushed into the foam shape to slightly overlap the edges of the thirty (30) mm sequin and each other. With the kaleidoscope thirty (30) mm sequin in place as a background, a second thirty (30) mm perforated medallion sequin is placed over top of the first thirty (30) mm kaleidoscope sequin. While being held in place with one hand, the desired pin/bead units, such as those shown in  FIG. 2A , E, F, G, H, are inserted. Sequins are not included in these pin/bead units. A slightly outward angle is preferred when the pin/bead units are pushed into the tiny holes that exist in the outer edges of the perforated medallion sequin. The original central pin is removed from the center of the Medallion and replaced by a pin/bead unit of choice. 
         [0040]    As an alternative to a Medallion, a second photograph may be applied to the back of a foam shape. A flat surface on the back of the foam shape must be made on which to mount the photograph. This can be done by rubbing the central area of the back of the foam shape with an abrasive paper. The photograph is cut to the desired shape and affixed to the flattened surface with a bonding material.  FIG. 2B  body units are pushed into the foam shape to slightly overlap the cut edges of the photograph and each other. Small triangular shapes occur where the  FIG. 2B  body units overlap onto the surface of the photograph. These triangles are the points into which pin/bead units, such as those shown in  FIG. 2  A, E, F, G, H, will be inserted. Sequins are not included in these pin/bead units. The Back Halo is constructed as pin/bead units are inserted around the photograph. It is recommended that these pin/bead units are angled slightly outward. 
         [0041]    Upon completion of the Medallion or Back Photograph Halo, the remaining back side of the Photographic Ornament is covered with overlapping  FIG. 2B  body units. When completed, none of the foam shape&#39;s surface will be exposed. 
         [0042]    Application of a photograph to the front of the foam shape and the construction of the Front Halo is done in the same manner as previously described. A pre-cut photograph is affixed to the flat front surface of the foam shape.  FIG. 2B  body units are applied so that they slightly overlap the edges of the photograph and each other. The Front Halo is made by inserting pin/bead units through the edges of the photograph where the overlapping sequins create little triangles. Sequins are not included in these pin/bead units. It is preferred that these pin/bead units are angled slightly outward upon insertion. 
         [0043]    The remainder of the foam shape will be covered with  FIG. 2B  body units. When completed, none of the foam shape&#39;s surface will be exposed. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows examples of some possible variations of the Photographic Ornament. The spirit of the present invention provides a breadth of scope that includes all methods of making and using it. Any variation on the theme and methodology of accomplishing the same that are not described herein would be considered under the scope of the present invention.