Patent Application
20100112241
The present disclosure relates generally to ornamental assemblies and methods, and more particularly to Christmas ornamental assemblies and methods.
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.
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.
Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
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
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
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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
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
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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.
