Assembled and convertible decorating assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6701996
  • Patent Number
    6,701,996
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, September 12, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 9, 2004
    20 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Lev; Bruce A.
    Agents
    • Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
Abstract
An assembled and convertible decorating assembly includes at least three partition assemblies. Each partition assembly mainly includes several fixing elements, a pair of vertical rods, a pair of horizontal rods, a decorating element, and a pair of auxiliary horizontal rods. By several pivoting elements, this invention has the following three modes: a complete detached mode, a linear assembled mode that is a screen and an enclosed assembled mode that is an illuminating device. It is easy for storage or transportation. It can be assembled or re-arranged by the user. And, it has many functions such as a regular upright screen, an illuminating device, and an exhibition post, etc.
Description




BACKGROUND OF INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




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.




2. Description of the Prior Art




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:




(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.




(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.




(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




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.




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.




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





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the traditional screen.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the traditional screen when it is folded for storage.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of a selected portion of the present invention when it is disassembled.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 6

is a perspective view of a selected portion of the present invention's second preferred embodiment.





FIG. 7

shows the base of the present invention when the base is installed.





FIG. 8

shows the internal structure of the base of the present invention when the base is installed.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




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


).




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


.




The fixing elements


11


are detachable such as screws or bolts.




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.




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.




The decorating element


14


is pliable (rolled or folded) and can be positioned within the frame.




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


.




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


.




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.




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.




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.




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


.




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


.




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.




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:




a light supporting set


30


; and




a light


40


secured on a light supporting set


30


so as to make the drawing or writing on the partition assembly


10


brighter.




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 with respect to 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


313


,


314


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


.




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.




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.




Moreover, as shown in

FIG. 6

, depending on the user'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.




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'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.




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.




Thus, the advantages and functions of the present invention can be summarized as follows:




(1) It is easy for storage and transportation. Because this invention'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.




(2) It can be assembled and re-arranged by the user. Because the present invention'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.




(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.




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.



Claims
  • 1. An assembled and convertible decorating assembly comprising:at least three partition assemblies, each partition assembly including: a. a detachable fixing element; b. a pair of vertical rods, each vertical rod having a top and a bottom, two main structural holes being respectively disposed near said top and bottom of the vertical rod, each vertical rod having two second structural holes; c. a pair of horizontal rods, each horizontal rod having a first end and a second end, said first end and second end each having a locking section formed therein to respectively provide for securing said horizontal rods to said vertical rods, said fixing elements being inserted through a respective one of said main structural holes to engage a corresponding one of said locking sections and form a substantially rectangular frame; d. a pair of second horizontal rods; e. a pliable decorating element positioned within said frame, said decorating element having indicia of a predetermined configuration; and, f. a plurality of pivoting elements disposed on an outer flange of at least one of said pair of vertical rods of said partition assembly for pivoting said partition assembly relative to an adjacent one said other partition assemblies; said assembled and convertible decorating assembly having at least a complete detached mode, a linear assembled mode and an enclosed assembled mode, said complete detached mode being defined by the above mentioned elements being detached, said linear assembled mode being defined by said assembled partition assemblies being arranged as a regular upright screen, said enclosed assembled mode being defined by said assembled partition assemblies being arranged in an enclosed state having an isolated space therein; a light supporting set secured on at least two horizontal rods of two oppositely disposed partition assemblies in said enclosed assembled mode, said light supporting set including two extendable rods, two central portions of said two extendable rods being pivoted with respect to each other, each extendable rod having a first plate and a second plate that is secured on said first plate, two ends of each plate are disposed with hooks respectively for securing on said corresponding second horizontal rods, and a light seat is disposed on the central portion of each extendable rod; and a light fixed on said light seat of said light supporting set for illuminating said indicia on said decorating element.
  • 2. The assembled and convertible decorating assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a dimmer for controlling the light.
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