Patent Description:
More in particular, the present invention relates to an assembly of modular decorative elements deriving from sheets which, when cut and folded, enable the creation of three-dimensional objects.

In the prior art there exist decorative elements obtained from sheets for the formation of lamps. Examples of such prior art decorative elements are described in the patent documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

The aim of the present invention is to provide complex shapes through the use of decorative elements in sheets which may be quickly and simply produced and assembled.

The object of the present invention is a modular decorative element obtained by cutting a sheet and comprising at least one flat portion having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion having a folding line along the major diagonal and a first and a second hole, each hole being arranged at a respective end of said folding line, said modular decorative element being configured in such a way that, during use, it is folded along said folding line and coupled at said holes to one or more further decorative elements in order to form an assembly of decorative elements.

Moreover, according to the invention, said decorative element comprises two or more flat portions having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other, wherein one or each of said two or more flat portions has in common with one or more of the other flat portions the respective first hole or the respective second hole or its first hole with the second hole of the other flat portion.

In particular, according to the invention, the angle between the folding lines of two adjacent flat portions can be comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and in preferred embodiments it can be equivalent to <NUM>° or <NUM>°.

Again according to the invention, said modular decorative element can comprise at least three flat portions having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole, wherein the angle between said folding lines is equivalent to <NUM>°.

Likewise according to the invention, said modular decorative element can comprise two further flat portions having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said three flat portions at the respective second coincident holes.

Preferably, according to the invention, said assembly can comprise a further flat portion having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said two further flat portions at the respective first hole.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the major diagonal of each flat portion can have a length between <NUM> and <NUM> times greater than the length of minor diagonal thereof.

Moreover, an object of the present invention is an assembly comprising a plurality of modular decorative elements as described, coupled together at the respective first and/or second holes by means of fixing means.

In particular, according to the invention, said assembly can comprise a base element comprising a plurality of third holes, each third hole being arranged on the apex of an imaginary equilateral triangle having sides with a length equivalent to the length of the major diagonal of the flat rhomboidal portion of a first modular decorative element and several first modular decorative elements can be coupled to said base element by means of fastening means with the respective first and or second holes arranged at the third holes of said base element.

Preferably, according to the invention, said base element can be obtained by cutting a flat sheet.

Again according to the invention, said base element can have the shape of a six-pointed star, wherein a respective third hole is arranged at each point.

Likewise according to the invention, between two adjacent points of said base element there can be a curve of said star, and each curve can be divided into three portions or tabs separated laterally from one another, wherein a third hole can be present on the central portion or tab, and a fourth hole can be present on each lateral portion or tab.

Preferably, according to the invention, said assembly can provide for a support element having an annular-shaped body in which a plurality of fifth holes are obtained and second modular decorative elements can be coupled to said support element with their first and/or second holes fixed at said fifth holes by means of fixing means.

In particular, according to the invention, said assembly can comprise a first assembly and a second assembly as described previously and said first and second assembly can be coupled together at the first and/or second holes of the respective modular decorative elements.

Another object of the present invention is a shading element for lamps characterised in that it comprises an assembly as previously described.

A further object of the present invention is a wall or ceiling lamp comprising a shading element as described and a light fixture.

Finally, an object of the present invention is a kit comprising a plurality of modular decorative elements as described previously.

Again according to the invention, said kit can further comprise the previously described base element.

Likewise according to the invention, the kit can further comprise the previously described support element.

The invention will now be described by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, with particular reference to the drawings of the appended figures, wherein:.

Making reference to <FIG>, one observes an assembly of modular decorative elements according to the invention indicated with the numerical reference <NUM>.

Said assembly <NUM> can be used as a shading element for lamps, in particular as a shading element <NUM> for ceiling or wall lamps in combination with a light fixture <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), as shown in <FIG>. In the text that follows, by light fixture <NUM> we mean a structure with wiring and a light bulb holder.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show the kits of modular decorative elements according to the invention, wherein one observes fourth types or embodiments of modular decorative elements according to the invention which can be used independently or in combination with one another to form different assemblies according to the invention, which little by little take on different geometric shapes.

Said modular decorative elements are obtained by cutting a sheet, for example by means of a die cutter or other industrial cutting methods. The sheet material can be of a converted paper type, meaning not only paper or cardboard materials, but also ones that can be processed by the paper conversion industry, thus also and above all plastic materials, such as for example polypropylene or technopolymers, such as for example polycarbonate, PETG and PET. In particular, the material used for said modular decorative elements is transparent and/or opalescent and/or lenticular and exhibits characteristics such as to create particular light refraction effects, especially if used in the context of a shading element for lamps.

Furthermore, the material employed can be printed or screenprinted with colours and decorative elements of different types.

In addition, the material used can preferably have a small thickness, for example of <NUM> or <NUM>.

Said modular decorative element <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> comprises at least one flat portion <NUM>; <NUM> having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion <NUM>; <NUM> having a folding line <NUM>; <NUM> along the major diagonal and a first <NUM>; <NUM> and a second <NUM>; <NUM> hole, each hole <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM> being arranged at a respective end of said folding line <NUM>; <NUM>. The modular decorative element <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> is configured in such a way that, during use, it is folded along said folding line <NUM>; <NUM> and coupled at said holes <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM> to one or more further decorative elements <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> so as to form an assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (shown for example in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) of modular decorative elements.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a first type of modular decorative element, indicated with the numerical reference <NUM>, which comprises three flat portions <NUM> having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole <NUM>, wherein the angle ∝ between said folding lines <NUM> is equivalent to <NUM>°.

<FIG> and <FIG> also show a second type of modular decorative element <NUM> comprising two flat portions <NUM> having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole <NUM>, wherein the angle ∝ between said folding lines <NUM> is equivalent to <NUM>°.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a third type of modular decorative element <NUM> comprising three flat portions <NUM> having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each and other having in common the respective first hole <NUM>, wherein the angle ∝ between said folding lines <NUM> is equivalent to <NUM>°. Furthermore, said third type of modular decorative element <NUM> comprises two further flat portions <NUM> having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said three flat portions <NUM> at the respective second coincident holes <NUM>. Moreover, said third type of modular decorative element <NUM> comprises a further flat portion <NUM> having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said two further flat portions <NUM> at the respective first holes <NUM>.

The angles ∝ between the folding lines <NUM> of said flat portions <NUM> are always equivalent to <NUM>°.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a fourth type of modular decorative element <NUM> according to the invention that likewise has two flat portions <NUM> having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole <NUM> (similar to the second type of modular decorative element <NUM> in <FIG>), wherein the angle ∝ between the folding lines <NUM> is equivalent to <NUM>°.

Finally, <FIG> and <FIG> also show a fifth type of modular decorative element <NUM> which can be comprised in the kit according to the invention which has a single flat rhomboidal portion <NUM>.

According to the invention, however, said modular decorative elements comprise two or more flat portions having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other, wherein one or each of said two or more flat portions has in common with one or more of the other flat portions the respective first hole or the respective second hole or its first hole with the second hole of the other flat portion.

Moreover, again in other embodiments, the angle ∝ between the folding lines <NUM> or <NUM> of two adjacent flat portions <NUM> or <NUM> can be comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

As shown for the types of modular decorative elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the major diagonal of each flat portion <NUM>, <NUM> has a length about two times greater than the length of the minor diagonal thereof.

However, in other embodiments, not shown, the length of the major diagonal of each flat portion can have a greater length comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> times greater than the length of the minor diagonal thereof.

The modular decorative elements <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> according to the invention can be coupled together to form assemblies <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>, shown in particular in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. In particular, each assemblies <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> comprises a plurality of modular decorative elements <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> coupled together at the respective first and/or second holes <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> by means of fixing means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The fixing means are shown for example in <FIG> and <FIG> and can be expansion rivets <NUM>, <NUM> or screws <NUM>, <NUM> and nuts <NUM>, preferably made of polycarbonate or aluminium. Preferably, the fixing means are made of transparent or semi-transparent or opaque material.

<FIG> show a first assembly <NUM> according to the invention, which comprises a base element <NUM> (shown in particular in <FIG>) comprising a plurality of third holes <NUM>, each third hole <NUM> being arranged on the apex of an imaginary equilateral triangle having sides with a length equivalent to the length of the major diagonal of the flat rhomboidal portion <NUM> of a modular decorative element of the first <NUM>, second <NUM> or third <NUM> type. Furthermore, the plurality of modular decorative elements <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> is coupled to said base element <NUM>, by means of the fixing means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, with the respective first <NUM> and/or second <NUM> holes arranged at the third holes <NUM> of said base element <NUM>.

Preferably, said base element <NUM> can likewise be obtained by cutting a flat sheet. In particular, the flat sheet can be of converted paper material, or also plastic, for example polypropylene, and preferably transparent and/or screen-printable or digitally printable. In the embodiment shown, it is made of transparent, in particular semi-opalescent, plastic material on which a skeleton pattern is printed, composed of a plurality of rhombuses <NUM> mimicking the shape of the rhombuses that compose the modular decorative elements.

Moreover, as in the embodiment shown, said base element <NUM> can preferably have the shape of a six-pointed star <NUM>, wherein a respective third hole <NUM> is arranged at each point <NUM>.

Furthermore, a curve <NUM> of said star can be present between two adjacent points <NUM> of said base element <NUM>, and each curve <NUM> can be divided into three portions or tabs <NUM>, <NUM> laterally separated from one another, wherein a third hole <NUM> is present on the central portion or tab <NUM>, and a fourth hole <NUM> is present on each lateral portion or tab <NUM>.

Making reference to <FIG>, they show the steps of assembling a first assembly <NUM> of modular decorative elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to the invention.

As shown in <FIG>, starting from a first decorative element <NUM>, the flat rhomboidal portions <NUM> are folded along the respective folding lines <NUM>. In particular, the folding lines <NUM> can be obtained by creasing or by making lines with intermittent cuts. The folding is performed manually and serves to lend three-dimensionality to the element which, once slightly folded maintains that position. In particular, it takes on a "V"-shaped cross section.

Two decorative elements <NUM> of the same type can be placed one on top of the other, folding the flat portions <NUM> with a different intensity (as shown in <FIG>) so as to impart greater three-dimensionality to elements and a play of light and shadows when they are illuminated, if they are used as shading element for lamps. The decorative elements <NUM>, whether placed on top of one another or not, are arranged on said base element <NUM> with the first holes <NUM> placed over a third hole <NUM> of the base element <NUM>.

Subsequently, as may be observed in <FIG>, a second pair of first modular decorative elements <NUM> is placed on top, with the first holes <NUM> placed on top and rotated by <NUM>° relative to the first pair, thus forming a flower, as shown in <FIG>.

Finally, moving on to <FIG>, little by little the second <NUM> and third <NUM> modular decorative elements are also placed on top, thus covering the surface of the base element <NUM>, and all of the elements are fixed by means of rivets <NUM>, <NUM> and nuts <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>.

A second assembly <NUM> according to the invention is shown in <FIG> and provides for a support element <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) having an annular-shaped body <NUM> in which a plurality of fifth holes <NUM> are obtained. The modular decorative elements <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG> are coupled to said support element <NUM> with their first and/or second holes <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM> fixed at said fifth holes <NUM> by means of fixing means <NUM>, <NUM>.

Said support element <NUM> is preferably a disk made of metal, for example iron, preferably painted.

In particular, <FIG> show the assembly steps for obtaining said second assembly <NUM>.

Initially, the fourth decorative elements <NUM> are coupled, preferably in pairs placed on top of one another as explained previously, with the second holes <NUM> placed over the fifth holes <NUM> of the support element <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), using expansion rivets <NUM>.

Subsequently, the fifth decorative elements <NUM> are also applied, again preferably in pairs placed on top of one another, with the first holes <NUM> placed over the second holes <NUM> of the fourth decorative elements <NUM> and fixed, again by means of suitable fixing means <NUM>, <NUM>. These assembly steps can also be inverted, thus first assembling the fifth decorative elements <NUM> to the support element <NUM> and subsequently placing the fourth decorative elements <NUM> on top.

Finally, in order to obtain the shading element <NUM> in <FIG>, the first assembly <NUM> and the second assembly <NUM> can be coupled together at the first and/or second holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective modular decorative elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In particular, <FIG> show the assembly between said two assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>.

Initially, the first holes <NUM> of the points <NUM> of the star-shaped base element <NUM> are coupled to the second holes <NUM> of the fifth decorative elements <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

Furthermore, the third hole <NUM> on the central portion or tab <NUM> is coupled to the fourth holes <NUM> on the lateral portions <NUM> of the base element <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

Finally, moving on to <FIG>, the second holes <NUM> of the second decorative elements <NUM> are coupled with the first holes <NUM> of the fourth decorative elements <NUM>, again by means of suitable fixing means <NUM>, <NUM>.

In this manner one obtains the assembly <NUM> in <FIG>, which can be used as a shading element for lamps, in particular ceiling or wall lamps.

Advantageously, the assembly according to the invention and the decorative elements according to the invention enable variable geometric shapes to be obtained in order to obtain impressive light sculptures that are easy to produce and assemble.

Claim 1:
A modular decorative element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) obtained by cutting a sheet and comprising at least one flat portion (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a folding line (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a first (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a second (<NUM>; <NUM>) hole, each hole (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) being arranged at a respective end of said folding line (<NUM>; <NUM>), said modular decorative element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) being configured in such a way that, during use, said at least one flat portion (<NUM>; <NUM>) is folded along the respective folding line (<NUM>; <NUM>) and coupled at said holes (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) to one or more further decorative elements (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) in order to form an assembly (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) of decorative elements (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>),
said decorative element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>)being characterised in that it comprises two or more of said flat portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other, wherein the folding line of each of said two or more of said flat portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) is arranged along the major diagonal line, wherein one or each of said two or more flat portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) has in common with one or more of the other flat portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) the respective first hole (<NUM>; <NUM>) or the respective second hole (<NUM>) or its first hole (<NUM>) with the second hole (<NUM>) of the other flat portion (<NUM>).