Patent Publication Number: US-6221458-B1

Title: Ornamental device for attachment to a surface and method therefor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to an ornamental device and, more specifically, to an ornamental device for attachment to a surface, such as the exterior of an automobile. The present invention is also directed to a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to the exterior of an automobile. 
     2. Background Art 
     Traditional ornamental devices, as shown in FIG. 1, have been utilized for many years. These devices usually comprise two components: 1) sheets of ornamental material; and 2) a tie for securing the sheets of ornamental material and attaching them to a surface, such as the exterior of an automobile. However, this two-component construction typically encounters difficulty in adhering, without glue, string or other attachments, to other surfaces, such as the exterior of an automobile. Moreover, prior art ornamental devices typically are not reusable, once glued or taped to an automobile. 
     Other ornamental devices have been developed utilizing a magnet for attachment to the exterior of an automobile. However, magnetic attachment devices typically are not good at resisting shearing loads, and can shift on an automobile surface during movement of the automobile. Moreover, magnets may scratch the exterior of the automobile, and may possibly even interfere with electrical components in the automobile, such as a radio, cellular telephone, etc. 
     It would be desirable to provide a more economical, reusable ornamental device for attachment to the exterior of an automobile. 
     It would also be desirable to provide an ornamental device for attachment to the exterior of an automobile that does not damage the exterior of the automobile. 
     It would also be desirable to provide an ornamental device that does not interfere with the electrical components of an automobile. 
     It would also be desirable to provide an ornamental device that will maintain adhesion to the exterior of an automobile during a plethora of weather conditions. 
     These general characteristics of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims and drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises an ornamental device for attachment to a surface. The device comprises at least one sheet of ornamental material having an aperture therethrough, and the aperture has a width. Preferably, the ornamental device includes four sheets of ornamental material, each made of paper or plastic. 
     The attachment device includes a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end. Preferably, the width of the post is substantially identical at the proximal and distal ends. However, the width of the post may be larger at the distal end than at the proximal end. The distal end of the post extends through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, and the post may be made of either plastic or metal. 
     The attachment device also includes a base member connected to the proximal end of the post. Preferably, the base member is dome-shaped and may be made of either plastic or metal. The base member has a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material. 
     The attachment device further includes a securement device positioned on the distal end of the post, so that the at least one sheet of ornamental material is positioned between the base member and the securement device. The securement device has a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, and the securement device may be made of either plastic or metal. The securement device is configured to grippingly engage the post to resist removal of the securement device from the post. 
     Preferably, the securement device is a washer, having an aperture having one or more inwardly projecting teeth for engaging the post. Preferably, the washer includes six teeth. The teeth provide resistance to movement of the securement device along the post. 
     The base member includes a suction cup for enabling attachment of the ornamental device to the surface. 
     The ornamental device further comprises a gathering member for gathering the at least one sheet of ornamental material into a ball-like configuration. Preferably, the gathering member is an elastic band, a twist-tie or a lock-tie. 
     The invention further comprises a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to a surface. The method comprises the steps of: 1) providing at least one sheet of ornamental material, having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having a width; 2) providing an attachment device including a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the post extending through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material; the attachment device further including a base member operably connected to the proximal end of the post, the base member having a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material; the attachment device further including a securement device, positioned on the distal end of the post, so that the at least one sheet of ornamental material is positioned between the base member and the securement device, the securement device having a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, the securement device further being operably configured to grippingly engage the post, to resist removal of the securement device from the post; the base member further including a suction cup, for enabling attachment of the ornamental device to a surface; 3) gathering the at least one sheet of ornamental material into a ball-like configuration; and 4) securing the base member to the surface of an automobile. 
     Preferably, the method includes the step of applying an adhesive to the base member prior to attachment of the ornamental device to the surface of an automobile. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ornamental device according to the prior art; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of an ornamental device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fully-assembled ornamental device of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, a specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present invention is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. 
     Traditional ornamental devices, such as ornamental device  10 , as shown in FIG. 1, has been utilized for many years. These devices usually comprise sheets of ornamental material  12 . Ornamental material  12  can be a plastic, bag-like material rolled together and secured by tie  14 . Ornamental material  12  is typically taped, glued, stapled, etc., to the exterior of an automobile. Adhering tie  14  to the exterior of an automobile is a time-consuming process, and can sometimes damage the exterior of the automobile. Moreover, prior art ornamental devices typically are not reusable, once glued or taped to an automobile, because the sheets of ornamental material may be torn or ripped upon removal from the automobile. Further, prior art ornamental devices may shift or become dislodged from the exterior of an automobile while the automobile is moving because magnetic attachment devices typically are not good at resisting shearing loads. 
     A preferred embodiment of ornamental device  20  of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 2-4. Device  20  comprises attachment device  22  and sheets of ornamental material  24 . 
     Attachment device  22  comprises base member  26 , post  28  and securement device  30 . Preferably, base member  26  is made, at least partially, of plastic. However, the use of other materials, such as rubber, is likewise contemplated. Base member  26  has a dome-like structure and is secured to the exterior of an automobile. Base member  26  can be moistened to maximize adhesion prior to attachment of the ornamental device to the exterior of an automobile. Base member  26  could be monolithically formed, co-extruded or assembled from separate parts and/or dissimilar materials. 
     Post  28  includes proximal end  32 , distal end  34  and aperture  36 . Post  28  is an integral part of attachment device  22  and extends upwardly from base member  26  (see FIG.  2 ). Preferably, post  28  has a width, which is substantially identical at proximal end  32  and distal end  34 . However, the width of post  28  may be larger at distal end  34  than at proximal end  32 , to, in turn, create a notch (not shown). 
     Post  28  can be made of a hard material, such as metal, or a soft, malleable material, such as plastic or rubber. Preferably, post  28  is made of plastic. Aperture  36  extends the entire length of post  28 , and can accommodate a locking member, such as a pin (not shown), to further fasten securement device  30  to post  28  and base member  26 . Preferably, a locking member is not required. 
     Each layer of ornamental material  24  includes an aperture  38 . Preferably, the ornamental device has four (4) substantially identical layers of plastic material (see FIG.  2 ), although different numbers of sheets and/or different materials could be used. For drawing simplicity, FIG. 3 illustrates only one sheet of ornamental material  24 . When in a taut position, the sheets of ornamental material  24  can be placed over post  28  and forced onto post  28  to, in turn, insert post  28  through aperture  38 . 
     Securement device  30  has an aperture  40  having one or more inwardly projecting teeth  42  which fasten and maintain securement device  30  in mating engagement with post  28 . Preferably, securement device  30  is a metal washer and has six (6) teeth for grippingly engaging post  28 . However, the use of other securement devices, such as a threaded nut, and the use of other materials, such as rubber or plastic, are likewise contemplated. Similarly, the use of differing numbers of teeth  42  on securement device  30  is contemplated. 
     In a preferred embodiment, post  28  is made of a soft, malleable material, such as plastic, and securement device  30  is made of a hard material, such as metal. Conversely, post  28  may be made of a hard material, such as metal, and securement device  30  may be made of a soft, malleable material, such as plastic. 
     Gathering member  44  gathers the sheets of ornamental material  24  and secures these sheets together above post  28  (see FIG.  4 ). Preferably, gathering member  44  is a twist-tie. However, the use of other gathering members, such as a ring, a rubber band or a lock-tie, is likewise contemplated. 
     To assemble device  20 , the sheets of ornamental material  24  are pulled to a taut position and centered over post  28 . The sheets of ornamental material  24  are pushed onto post  28  to in turn, force post  28  through aperture  38 . Securement member  30  is then attached to proximal end  32  of post  28 . The sheets of ornamental material  24  are gathered above post  28  and secured by securement member  30 . The sheets of ornamental material  24  are spread open in a decorative fashion for placing on the exterior of an automobile. Finally, base member  26  is secured to the exterior of an automobile. 
     The invention further comprises a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to a surface. The method comprises the steps of: 1) providing at least one sheet of ornamental material, having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having a width; 2) providing an attachment device including a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the post extending through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material; the attachment device further including a base member operably connected to the proximal end of the post, the base member having a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material; the attachment device further including a securement device, positioned on the distal end of the post, so that the at least one sheet of ornamental material is positioned between the base member and the securement device, the securement device having a width greater than the width of the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material, the securement device further being operably configured to grippingly engage the post, to resist removal of the securement device from the post; the base member further including a suction cup, for enabling attachment of the ornamental device to a surface; 3) gathering the at least one sheet of ornamental material into a ball-like configuration; and 4) securing the base member of the ornamental device to the surface. 
     The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.