Patent Publication Number: US-2004050504-A1

Title: Assembled and convertible decorating assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to an assembled and convertible decorating assembly. Particularly, it relates to an assembled and convertible decorating assembly that can be converted into a screen or an illuminating device. It is easy for storage or transportation. It can be assembled or re-arranged by the user. And, it has multiple functions.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the traditional screen  90  comprises several solid partition boards  91  (made by wood, rattan, etc.) and several pivoting elements  92  that are disposed between every two adjacent partition boards  92 . So, this kind of traditional screen  90  can be used as a regular screen in a house. Usually, there are some drawing or writing on the partition boards  91  in order to increase the artistic atmosphere. However, the main disadvantages of the traditional screen  90  can be summarized as follows:  
       [0005] (1) It is not easy for storage or transportation. As shown in FIG. 2, usually the partition board  91  of the traditional screen  90  is made by hard materials like wood or rattan. Once it is folded, its volume is still quite large (length L, width W, Height H). Also, it is very heavy. Therefore, it is no easy for storage or transportation.  
       [0006] (2) The user cannot assemble or re-arrange it. When a user buys a traditional screen  90 , this traditional screen  90  is a fixed structure that is difficult to disassemble. The user cannot enjoy the fun for assembling. In addition, the user cannot alter the drawing, writing or some decorating portion of the screen. The drawing or writing on the traditional screen  90  remains unchanged forever. It is very monotonous.  
       [0007] (3) There is only one function. The traditional screen  90  only has one single function that is used as a screen. It has no other function and cannot be converted into any other mode.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide an assembled and convertible decorating assembly. By the unique assembling design, this invention is easy for storage or transportation.  
       [0009] The other object of the present invention is to provide an assembled and convertible decorating assembly. It can be assembled or re-arranged by the user.  
       [0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembled and convertible decorating assembly. It has multiple functions such as screen, indoor decoration, illuminating device, etc. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the traditional screen.  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the traditional screen when it is folded for storage.  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a selected portion of the present invention when it is disassembled.  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a selected portion of the present invention&#39;s second preferred embodiment.  
     [0017]FIG. 7 shows the base of the present invention when the base is installed.  
     [0018]FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of the base of the present invention when the base is installed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0019] The present invention is an assembled and convertible decorating assembly. It includes at least three partition assemblies. Each assembled and convertible decorating assembly includes at least a complete detached mode, a linear assembled mode P 1  (as shown in FIG. 3) and an enclosed assembled mode (as shown in FIG. 5).  
     [0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is the first preferred embodiment of this invention. In which, it includes four partition assemblies  10  for forming the linear assembled mode P 1 . Each partition assembly  10  comprises a plurality of fixing elements  11 , a pair of vertical rods  12 , a pair of horizontal rods  13 , a decorating element  14 , and an auxiliary horizontal rod  15 .  
     [0021] The fixing elements  11  are detachable such as screws or bolts.  
     [0022] With regard to the vertical rods  12 , each vertical rod  12  has a top  121  and a bottom  122 . Two main structural holes  123  are disposed near the top  121  and the bottom  122  respectively.  
     [0023] About the horizontal rods  13 , each horizontal rod  13  has a first end  131  and a second end  132 . The first end  131  and the second end  132  have locking sections  133  respectively to provide the fixing elements  11  inserting through the main structural holes  123  and securing the horizontal rods  13  on the vertical rods  12  so that a substantially rectangular frame is formed.  
     [0024] The decorating element  14  is pliable (rolled or folded) and can be positioned within the frame.  
     [0025] In which, several pivoting elements  20  are disposed on outer flanges of two vertical rods  12  of the partition assembly  10  so as to pivot on adjacent partition assemblies  10 .  
     [0026] Concerning the auxiliary horizontal rods  15 , each vertical rod  12  has two auxiliary holes  125 . Two ends of the auxiliary horizontal rod  15  have two auxiliary locking sections  151  respectively so that the corresponding fixing elements  11  can insert into the auxiliary holes  125  and the auxiliary horizontal rods  15  are secured on the vertical rods  12 . And, the decorating element  14  is fixed between the auxiliary horizontal rods  15 .  
     [0027] Also, there is a certain drawing or writing on the decorating element  14  (such as paper, cloth, etc.). Especially, the drawing could be the Chinese or Oriental wash painting, calligraphy, some meaningful words, poem, etc. Or, it can be a white paper so that the user can draw or write on it.  
     [0028] Thus, this assembled and convertible decorating assembly can be converted from a complete detached mode into a linear assembled mode P 1 . The linear assembled mode P 1  means these assembled partition assemblies  10  are arranged as a regular upright screen.  
     [0029] Of course, each partition assembly  10  can further comprise at least one decorating frame  16 . In this first preferred embodiment, there are two decorating frames  16  (top and bottom). They can be fixed between the pair of vertical rods  12 . If the decorating frame  16  contains the simple squares and lines, it will provide a special feeling about Chinese culture or oriental style. Also, the user can replace other decorating frame  16  with different style.  
     [0030] Furthermore, each vertical rod  12  has two second structural holes  127 . And, Each partition assembly  10  further includes a second horizontal rod  17 . The decorating element  14  is positioned between the horizontal rod  13  and the second horizontal rod  17 .  
     [0031] Therefore, in the first preferred embodiment, it can be assembled as a linear assembled mode P 1  (a screen) as shown in FIG. 3. If the user wants to increase the width of the screen, the user can install extra pivoting element  20  to connect extra partition assemblies  10  so as to obtain a desired expanded width. For example, the screen can be assembled by six or eight partition assemblies  10 .  
     [0032] When the user wants to store or move this invention, all the fixing elements  11  should be detached first. The decorating element  14  can be rolled so it will have a minimum volume. Because most of the components of this invention are rod-like elements, the total packing volume is small. It is easy for storage and transportation. Also, it can be manufactured as a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) product.  
     [0033] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. It also comprises four partition assemblies that are re-arranged as an enclosed assembled mode P 2 . Each partition assembly  10  comprises a plurality of fixing elements  11 , a pair of vertical rods  12 , a pair of horizontal rods  13 , a decorating element  14 , a pair of auxiliary horizontal rods  15 , a decorating frame  16  and a second horizontal rod  17 . In addition, it further comprises:  
     [0034] a light supporting set  30 ; and  
     [0035] a light  40  secured on a light supporting set  30  so as to make the drawing or writing on the partition assembly  10  brighter.  
     [0036] In which, each vertical rod  12  has two second structural holes  127 . Each partition assembly  10  includes a pair of second horizontal rods  17 . In addition, the light supporting set  30  comprises two extendable rods  31 . Two central portions of these two extendable rods  31  are pivoted each other. Each extendable rod  31  has a first plate  311  and a second plate  312  that is adjustably secured on the first plate  311 . Two ends of each plate  311 ,  312  are disposed with hooks for securing on the corresponding second horizontal rods  17 . And, a light seat  315  is disposed on the central portion of the extendable rod  17  for securing the light  40 .  
     [0037] Of course, it can further comprise a dimmer  41  for controlling the light  40 , so that the user can simply adjust the brightness of the light  40  to obtain a desired feeling.  
     [0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the second preferred embodiment is to form the enclosed assembled mode P 2 . The enclosed assembled mode P 2  means the assembled partition assemblies  10  are arranged as an enclosed state having an isolated space therein. Basically, it can be used as an indoor decoration or an exhibition post. Or, it can enclose a vertical column (not shown) in the middle of a building.  
     [0039] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, depending on the user&#39;s need, this invention can further comprise a light  40  and a light supporting set  30 . While the user turning on the light  40 , the drawing or writing on the enclosed partition assemblies  10  will be brightened. It also can be placed in a dark space to create a romantic feeling. Therefore, it not only can be used at home, but also can be used in an office, studio, gallery, etc.  
     [0040] Of course, no matter in the first or the second preferred embodiment, the present invention can include a plurality of bases  50  in order to increase this invention&#39;s stability. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the base  50  extends up a pair of protruded posts  52 . These protruded posts  51  have several outer base holes  511 . The bottom of the vertical rod  12  of the corresponding partition assembly  10  is disposed with several inner base holes  128  so that several fixing elements  11  can secure the base  50 . Thus, the present invention is more stabilized.  
     [0041] In addition, the bottom of every vertical rod  12  can has screw hole for inserting a plastic pad  129 . Thus, they can avoid to scratch the floor and to reduce the noise while moving this invention.  
     [0042] Thus, the advantages and functions of the present invention can be summarized as follows:  
     [0043] (1) It is easy for storage and transportation. Because this invention&#39;s structure can be assembled, it is easy to be detached. When this invention is totally detached, most of the components are rod-like structures. And, the decorating element  14  also can be rolled. It is very easy for storage and transportation.  
     [0044] (2) It can be assembled and re-arranged by the user. Because the present invention&#39;s structure is assembled, the user can do it by oneself. Thus, this invention can be manufactured as a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) product. Plus, the decorating frame  16  and the decorating element  14  can be replaced by the user for cleaning or changing decorating style. Furthermore, the total width of the screen can be expanded. Therefore, this invention is very flexible.  
     [0045] (3) It has multiple functions. The present invention not only can be arranged as a screen, but also can be re-arranged as the enclosed assembled mode P 2 . Besides, once a light is added, it will become an indoor illuminating device. If the light is not added, it will become an indoor decoration, exhibition post or an enclosure for a column in the middle of a building.  
     [0046] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.