This invention relates to structural combinations and assemblies whose function is the three dimensional depiction or portrayal of plants. More particularly, this invention relates to such assemblies and combinations which depict Ferocacti, or barrel cacti.
Barrel cacti, genus Ferocactus, are typically spherical or cylindrical. Such cacti have prominent radially arranged and vertically or longitudinally extending ribs. Horizontal cross sections of such ribs are typically “V” shaped and the apexes of the ribs are typically armed with sharp spines. Immature barrel cacti are typically spherical, while mature barrel cacti may assume a more cylindrical shape, ranging in height between four and eleven feet. Barrel cacti are typically long lived and their unique shape makes them highly desirable for use in landscaping and decoration of outdoor lawn and patio spaces.
In North America, barrel cacti grow only in Southern Arizona, Southern New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Nevada, Southwestern Utah, West Texas and Mexico. In more northerly, less arid areas of North America, Barrel cacti tend to suffer water damage, yellowing and rotting or bloating and cracking. Notwithstanding, barrel cactus are desirably utilized for decorative landscaping regardless of climate. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mechanically simply constructed and economically constructed artificial barrel cactus.
The instant inventive artificial barrel cactus solves problems and serves needs as described above by providing for a novel and unique combination of radially arranged sickle elements, for forming a structure which portrays or suggests in three dimensions the appearance of a natural barrel cactus.
Basic structural units or components of the instant inventive artificial barrel cactus comprise cactus rib or valley depicting sickles, each having a convex inner edge or a plurality of convex inner edges, and each having a concave outer edge or a plurality of concave outer edges. The curvatures of such inner and outer edges preferably match longitudinal or vertically extending curvature lines of the ribs of natural barrel cacti.
In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, each rib or valley depicting sickle element comprises a crescent plate which is preferably composed of flexible sheet steel. Suitably, the crescent plates may alternately comprise other metals such as tin, brass, aluminum, or copper. Also suitably, the crescent plates may alternately comprise plastic, fiberglass sheets, wood sheets, composite board or cardboard. Where the type of barrel cactus which is depicted or portrayed by the instant invention is substantially spherical, each of such crescent plates sickles preferably has a substantially circular outer edge curvature. Where such barrel cactus type is tall and cylindrical, such crescent plate sickles are preferably configured to include substantially straight lower sections with pronounced curvature occurring only at the sickles' upper ends.
In fabricating the instant inventive artificial barrel cactus, the rib or valley depicting sickle units are preferably paired. Outer edge plate attaching means are preferably provided, such means interconnecting pairs of the crescent plates to form a plurality of ribs. The outer edge attaching means preferably splay the inner edges of paired crescent plates away from each other, so that each pair of plates has a substantially “V” shaped lateral cross section. In lieu of welded attachments of the outer edges of the preferred crescent plate sickle elements, such elements may suitably alternately comprise faces of fanned and accordion folded metal sheets, the creases or folds between the faces constituting wholly formed joints. Sheet metal pressing processes may be utilized to achieve such accordion folds. Suitably, the outer edge attaching means may further alternately comprise adhesive bonds or other commonly known connecting means.
A further component of the instant inventive artificial barrel cactus comprises sickle attaching means, such means laterally interconnecting and radially arranging the sickles about a vertical axis. The inner edges of the preferred single faced crescent plates are preferably formed to present a coffered series of tabs and insets. Where such inner edge configuration is utilized, inwardly extending distal ends of such tabs advantageously provide points of lateral contact between the radially arranged sickles. A preferred sickle attaching means comprises welds which laterally interconnect the sickles at abutting or overlapping distal ends of such tabs. Alternately, the sickle attaching means may comprise adhesive bonds, rivet and aligned eyes combinations, helically threaded nut, helically threaded bolt, and aligned eyes combinations, sheet metal screws, crimped joints, interfolded joints, staples, or other commonly known attaching means.
Upon radial arrangement and lateral interattachment as described above, the plural sickle elements form a barrel cactus suggesting radial series which consists of alternating ribs and valleys. Preferably, light emitting apertures extend through the floor of each valley, providing enhanced visual definition to the ribs and valleys during daylight. In darkness, light from a light source may advantageously emanate from such apertures for illuminating outer surfaces of the artificial barrel cactus.
Accordingly, an object of the instant invention is the provision of a mechanically simply and economically constructed artificial barrel cactus which incorporates a plurality of radially arranged sickle elements. Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the present invention have been described above and are further described in the Detailed Description and appended drawings which follow.
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Each of the sickles 2 preferably comprises flexible sheet steel. Also preferably, the welds 8 hold the paired sickles 2 in the “V” shaped or splayed configurations depicted in
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While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5213855 | Buxton | May 1993 | A |
5629057 | Wang et al. | May 1997 | A |
D413001 | Nowosielski | Aug 1999 | S |
6343440 | Ayers | Feb 2002 | B1 |
D477546 | Como | Jul 2003 | S |