Patent Publication Number: US-2010112241-A1

Title: Ornamental Assemblies and Methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to ornamental assemblies and methods, and more particularly to Christmas ornamental assemblies and methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As Christmas has passed down through the ages, the tales of Christmas past have incorporated the surroundings of our dwellings of yesteryear. Particularly in the past, almost each and every home had some form of heating unit centrally located within the home and having an exhaust that was readily available as an access point to the outside of the dwelling. The classic example is the fireplace, typically constructed of masonry such as brick or stone. The fireplace provided an opening and reasonable explanation for how Kris Kringle (aka Santa Claus) provided presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 
     Modern dwellings do not typically contain such a heating apparatus, so the explanation for little children as to where the presents were provided from can be a difficult one to envision. The present disclosure provides ornamental assemblies and methods that may be collapsible and can be assembled for the holidays and disassembled upon the end of the holidays, and likewise can provide a warming hearth-like atmosphere for a dwelling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Ornamental assemblies are provided that can include a decorative fireplace portion supporting a decorative chimney portion, wherein both portions are configured to be removably-fixedly attached to a wall structure, and wherein the decorative fireplace portion defines an opening simulating a fireplace opening; and a door operably coupled within the opening. 
     Ornamental methods are provided that can include providing an ornamental fireplace having a door operably coupled to the fireplace opening; attaching the fireplace to a wall structure within a dwelling; and periodically exchanging one decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace for another decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an ornamental apparatus placed within the dwelling according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
     Replica fireplaces may be utilized during the Holiday season to overcome the barrage of questions regarding Saint Nick and provide a warming holiday season ambiance. However, the constructing a replica fireplace just for Christmas can be a daunting task. 
     Ornamental assemblies and methods will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 .  FIG. 1  is an ornamental assembly  10  according to an embodiment that includes a rear portion  12  configured to be removably coupled to a wall portion of a dwelling. From rear portion  12 , side walls  13  extend to front portion  14 . Rear portion  12 , side walls  13  and front portion  14  can form the chimney of the assembly that is meant to resemble a fireplace, for example. 
     Chimney portion  16  can extend above fireplace portion  18 , and fireplace portion  18  can have a fireplace portion opening  20 . From opening  20 , chimney  18  can extend to a chimney cap  22 , the entirety of which can form a decorative wall mounted fireplace. In accordance with example implementations, fireplace portion  18  can be decorative and support a decorative chimney portion  16 . Both portions  16  and  18  can be configured to be removably-fixedly attached to a wall structure such as the interior portion of a dwelling. Decorative fireplace portion  18  can define an opening  20  configured to simulate a fireplace opening, for example. 
     Opening  20  can be configured as a fixed or operable door, for example, and/or left completely open. The door may be equipped with a three dimensional door knob as well. Exterior portions such as side walls  13  and front facing portions  14  can be configured to resemble the classic chimney construction such as stone or masonry construction, for example. 
     In accordance with example implementations, the ornamental assembly can be configured to be in a first position to be removably-fixedly attached to the wall structure as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , for example. The ornamental assembly can also be configured to be in a second position for storage. This second position can be a deconstructed position of the first position wherein the walls and/or panels are folded and/or disconnected to provided for surface to surface stacking of the walls and/or panels. In the second position, the ornamental assembly can be considered flat in relation to the first position of the ornamental assembly. Example implementations of the ornamental assembly can be constructed of paperboard to facilitate such storage and/or construction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , ornamental assembly  30  is shown having rear portion  32  extending from front portion  34  via side walls  33 . Rear portion  32 , side walls  33  and front portion  34  can form chimney portion  36  which rests above hearth or fireplace portion  38 . According to an example embodiment, opening  40  within fireplace portion  38  can have placements for classical hangings such as stockings to be placed with care, for example, and opening  40  can also have a sign attached therewith such as “Welcome Santa,” as shown. One or both of portions  36  and/or  38  can be configured to support illuminary assemblies such as lighting structures. For example, around chimney portion  36  can be wrapped light assemblies  42 , and these light assemblies  42  can be powered by power cord  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , another ornamental assembly  50  is shown with a calendar attachment  52  placed on chimney portion  56 . Calendar attachment  52  can be configured to have numbered days that can be operatively removably exchanged to count the days before Christmas, for example. According to another embodiment, calendar apparatus  52  can be configured as an Advent calendar as well. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , ornamental assembly  60  is shown that includes an outer decorative portion that includes pictures and descriptions of Christmas festive items such as candy canes, Christmas trees, and Christmas ornaments as well as presents and stocking caps. This is just another example embodiment of the exterior of the decorative apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , according to yet another embodiment, front portion  74  of ornamental assembly  70  can include openings 1-25 that represent the 25 days leading up to and including Christmas Day. The assembly can be implemented to have a chimney portion that is configured to support a calendar. For example, in its entirety, the front portion of decorative apparatus  70  can be in the configuration of a fireplace and chimney configuration with an opening  80  providing an access for Santa as well as openings 1-25 that indicate the days leading up to and including Christmas Day. Accordingly, the front portion  74  can be configured as an Advent calendar. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a configuration of an in-home setting  90  is provided that demonstrates an embodiment of ornamental assembly  100  mounted on a wall  102  of a dwelling. Assembly  100  can be coupled to power outlet  104  which is also proximate to another holiday decoration such as a Christmas tree  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , ornamental assembly  110  can include interchangeable chimney portions  112  and  114 . According to an example embodiment, during certain times of the Christmas season, portion  114 , such as a board, may be placed at or within the hearth or fireplace opening portion of apparatus  110 , and then upon Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, portion  114  may be removed to reveal an opening  112  through which Santa can arrive and provide presents. In accordance with other implementations, a door to the opening can be opened to reveal portion  114 . Portion  114  can be interchanged with other portions to occupy the same area of the assembly. 
     Throughout the use of the assembly, these portions can be interchanged and revealed when the door is opened. Example interchangeable and/or removable portions can include removable portions which can be configured to be placed within the fireplace. The removable portion can have a decorative surface or appearance when viewed through the opening of the fireplace. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , portion  114  can depict a mystical pattern that can be found upon opening the door through which Santa will pass. This pattern can include stars, moons, suns, swirls, glitter, holiday icons, glow in the dark elements or anything suggesting a magical portal or vortex through which Santa will pass. 
     In accordance with example implementations, an ornamental method is provided that includes providing an ornamental assembly such as assembly  110  with assembly  110  having a door operably coupled to the fireplace opening. The method can continue by attaching the assembly such as the ornamental fireplace to a wall structure within a dwelling, and periodically exchanging one decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace for another decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace. The decorative or ornamental surface can be exchanged in accordance with traditional holiday events. 
     The ornamental assembly can be provided by unfolding an ornamental fireplace from a folded position to a display or erected position. The method can also include opening the door to view the decorative surface. The method can also include an ornamental assembly that includes a chimney structure. Lighting assemblies can be associated with the chimney structure. The chimney structure can include flapped enclosures, such as those depicted in  FIG. 5 , for example. The method can include providing items to within the flapped enclosures. The flapped enclosures may also be associated with a holiday event such as countdown to Christmas Day. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an example rear view of assembly  120  is shown. According to example embodiments, apparatus  120  can include coupling apparatus such as the panels  122  having therein openings provided to couple with wall mounting apparatuses such as nails or screws. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , assembly  130  is shown that includes openings  132  and  134  for example. According to example implementations, the fireplace portion of the assembly can define at least two openings with the door operably coupled within one of the openings  132  and the other of the openings  134  configured to simulate a fire. The two openings can be considered an opening for Santa  132  and a pseudo fireplace opening  134 . 
     The disclosed assemblies can be configured to be constructed of panels such as paperboard or cardboard panels. These panels can be coupled to one another as designed by a person of ordinary skill in the collapsible box arts to be assembled to form the assembled ornament and disassembled for storage. The panels of the assembly may also be configured to be releasably coupled to one another providing an assembly that may be constructed panel by panel and/or disassembled in the same fashion. 
     In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.