US20050205180A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050205180A1
Application number: US10/802,066
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Goudeau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-16
Filing date: 2004-03-16
Publication date: 2005-09-22

Abstract

A three dimensional (3D) coving method and apparatus is provided for use in protectively or esthetically covering objects, which teaches the creation of desired 3D structural shapes by way of appropriately sizing and joining relatively thin structural material segments. The formed 3D structural shapes are joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material. In some embodiments, at least part the 3D structural shape's exterior is covered with largely nonstructural, ornamental exterior materials and/or elements. In yet other alternative embodiments, at least part the 3D structural shape's interior is filled with a filling material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to covers for objects. More particularly, the invention relates to three-dimensional structures adapted to cover objects

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor equipment, such as barbecues, and outdoor furniture are common in residential and commercial premises. When not in use, it is usually preferred that such items are covered with a weather resistant fabric to help protect them from the elements. Typically, these covers are simply shapeless, two-dimensional pieces of fabric designed based on mostly utilitarian considerations with respect to the weather protection they offer. Most people spend a significant amount of money and effort in making their outdoor area well decorated and entertaining; however, utilitarian outdoor covers are often esthetically displeasing and provide negligible value beyond a weather protection utility. When conventional outdoor equipment covers do attempt to be esthetically displeasing, they add colored surface patterns to the protective fabric, but otherwise passively droop over the article they are protecting.

While approaches to providing three-dimensional (3D) cover structures may exist, in practice they are not particularly suitable for practical application where lightweight, robustness, and esthetics all are often important considerations. Moreover, known approaches are not readily adaptable to achieve these considerations without undue experimentation and creative insight.

For example, some conventional approaches to creating 3D structure, such as cover with a 3D head, might stuff the 3D volume with materials similar to that used in children's stuffed animal toys. However, 3D covers made using this approach are known to consume too much shelf space in retail outlets to be practical and likewise increase shipping and inventory cost to distributors. This is because they are heavy and rigid 3D structures that cannot collapse to consume less space. A full sized, stuffed cow head, for example, based on this approach would clearly need a very large container.

In an attempt to circumvent the weight and volume drawbacks to 3D structures that are stuffed to maintain rigidity, some known approaches have the consumer, instead, fill the 3D structures with commonly available stuffing matter such as newspapers or packing materials. However, it often takes a significant degree of expertise to get the 3D structure's shape correct, e.g., lumpiness, and the result is often esthetically displeasing. The exact way the product looks and performs when used by a consumer is very important to building a valuable brand, and, thus, often renders these consumer-filling approaches undesirable.

Other conventional techniques to overcome the drawbacks of rigid 3D structures use inflatable inserts, such as plastic bags or balls, to expand into the desired 3D structure upon inflation. However, this approach is known to suffer from eventual deflation, especially when exposed to daily outdoor heating and cooling cycles, which results in the 3D structure's drooping and losing their shape and rigidity. For long-term outdoor applications, this issue is usually unacceptable.

Other conventional approaches to building 3D structures seek to employ wire frame structures similar to a “Japanese” lantern. However, such approaches tend to work best only with mostly round objects, and are, among other reasons, not suitable in building relatively arbitrarily shaped 3D structures, and are moreover not readily adaptable into a 3D cover structure.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for constructing 3D cover structures that are lightweight, robust, and collapsible and yet naturally restore their shape after being deformed. It would be desirable if they were also cost effective and easily manufactured. It would be further desirable if they are colorful, interesting, and humorous, while still offering all of the protection of conventional covers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1a-eillustrate various views of a cow shaped 3D cover embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an underlying 3D head structure forming the cow head ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates how a desired exterior visual appearance may be provided according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the stiffness creating method and structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a UFO embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6, illustrates a raised 3D structure formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 & 8 illustrate a top and bottom view, respectively, ofUFO500 shown inFIG. 5;

FIGS. 9a, b, c,anddillustrate the front, side, top, and bottom view, respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a food container.

FIGS. 10a, b, c, d,andeillustrate the side, front, back, top, and bottom view, respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a pig;

FIGS. 11a, b, c, d,andeillustrate the front, side, back, top and bottom view, respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a chicken.

FIGS. 12a, b, c,anddillustrate the front, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a “groucho” nose and glasses.

FIGS. 13a, b, c, d,andeillustrate the front, back, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a gospel singer.

FIGS. 14a, b, c, d,andeillustrate the front, back, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a “good ol' boy.”

FIGS. 15a, b, c, d,andeillustrate the front, back, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a race car.

FIGS. 16a, b, c,anddillustrate the front, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the present invention having the appearance of a nun.

FIGS. 17a, b, c,anddillustrate the front, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the invention having the appearance of a caricature of Albert Einstein.

FIGS. 18a, b, c,anddillustrate the front, side, top, and bottom of an embodiment of the invention having the appearance of a chili pepper.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a variety of improved substrate structures and substrate fabrication techniques are described.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in protectively or esthetically covering objects is provided that includes an appropriately sized relatively thin structural material that when properly joined to itself or a multiplicity of other appropriately sized relatively thin structural material forms a continuous structural surface having a desired 3D structural shape, whereby this formed 3D structural shape is joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material. In alternative embodiments at least part of the 3D structural shape's exterior is covered with largely nonstructural ornamental exterior materials and/or elements. In yet other alternative embodiments, at least part the 3D structural shape's interior is covered with a relatively more flexible material.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the volume formed by the 3D structural shape is filled with a filling material to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal. In other embodiments, embroidery stitched into the 3D structural shape to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal.

In an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to create a three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in protectively or esthetically covering objects, which method includes appropriately sizing a relatively thin structural material and properly joining it to itself or a multiplicity of other appropriately sized relatively thin structural material to form a continuous structural surface having a desired 3D structural shape. The method further includes the step of joining the formed 3D structural shape to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material.

In some embodiments of the 3D cover method, the volume formed by the 3D structural shape is filled with a filling material to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal. In other embodiments of the 3D cover method, embroidery is stitched into the 3D structural shape to give it added structural integrity and/or esthetic appeal.

Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. Thus, multiple three-dimensional (3D) cover embodiments shall be set forth to provide an appreciation of the attendant broad scope and nature of the present invention.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a suitable two-dimensional (2D) cover is provided having 3D structures joined thereon, which resulting 3D cover is configured to protectively and/or ornamentally cover certain object, by way of example and not limitation, outdoor equipment such as barbeques and furniture such as chaise lounges. When constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the present 3D cover embodiment is relatively lightweight, flexible, and collapsible yet naturally restore to the desired 3D shape after being deformed. An aspect of the present embodiment, as will be described in some detail after this brief introduction, is to create 3D shapes by appropriately lining a covering material with a suitable backing material that, when properly joined, provides a desired structural 3D shape and support for the covering material.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an example of the present embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 1. In the Figure, a cow shaped3D cover100 embodiment of the present invention is shown covering a conventional outdoor barbeque110 (mostly hidden, but transparently outlined). It should be appreciated that although a barbeque is shown in this example, any appropriate indoor or outdoor object is contemplated as a suitable application of the present invention.

FIG. 1dillustrates a top view of the previous cow shaped3D cover100 in completed form according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1eis a bottom view of the same cover showing among other features, the relationship of cow shaped3D cover100 covering conventionaloutdoor barbeque110. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the present invention may have alternative shapes and appearances than the cow example shown. Those in the art will further appreciate that yet other alternative embodiments are readily configured cover other suitable objects instead of barbeques.

As will be further described below, the 3D shapes such as ahead120, anappendage130, atail140, and anear150 shown can be made to keep there shape by lining the covering material (i.e., the visible, surface material in the figure) with an underlying 3D structure made by joining a multiplicity of a thin, but relatively firm backing material pieces (not shown), which when carefully choosing, according to the present invention, the direction of the seams between the joined backing material pieces, a multiplicity of desired 3D supporting structures can be arbitrarily constructed. That is, in the present embodiment, the 3D structure of the desired shape is achieved through the strategic implementation of the present seam joining method.

In one aspect of the present seam joining method, when two pieces of the backing material are joined together with a double seam they become relatively stiff, yet still relatively flexible. By way of example,FIG. 2 illustrates an underlying3D head structure200 forminghead120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. To create a head structure according to this embodiment the backing material is appropriately cut into aside face portions210, anupper face portion220, a lower face portion (not shown), andfront face portion230. To create a roundness shape tohead structure200,side face portion210 andupper face portion220 are joined atface joining seam250, and likewise with the lower face portion (not shown). To further determine and maintain the curvature of the front portion ofhead structure200, these joined face portions are further held and set into proper curvature by being joined withfront face portion230 at front side seams260 and front upper/lower seams270. Likewise, the rear portion ofhead structure200 is further held and set into proper curvature by appropriately joininghead structure200 to either the two-dimensional (2D) cover (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1 wherehead120 is joined with the 2D cover material of cow shaped 3D cover100) or other suitable 3D structures (not shown). In some embodiments, the area on the 2D cover material that is enclosed byrear seam280 may include an appropriately sized hole to allow protruding portions of the object being covered to be properly received within the substantially hollow volume of the 3D structure, which 3D structure is created according to the teachings of present invention.

Those in the art will appreciate that a diverse multiplicity of desired curvatures and 3D structural features is achievable according to the present method by way of relatively strait forward selection of appropriate design parameters that result in alternate configurations to suit the particular application. For example, the curvature of thehead structure200 is at least in part controlled by the number and circumferential length of side and upper/

lower face portions

210 and220, respectively, joined to form the circumference ofhead structure200; thus, effectively creating a piecewise linear approximation of a smooth curve. The curvature of thehead structure200 is additionally at least in part controlled by the size and curvature offront face portion230 via joining

seams

260 and270, and similarly by the constraining curvature ofrear seam280. Those in the art will further readily appreciate that less curved and relatively squared angles are achieved by appropriately configuring the side and upper/

lower face portions

210 and220, respectively, by way of example and not limitation, reducing their number and increasing their circumferential length, and by the appropriately shaping offront face portion230 and joining them thereto.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a desired exterior visual appearance is provided as illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in embodiment ofFIG. 3. In the Figure,head structure200 is appropriately covered with a coveringmaterial310. Ornamental features such asear150 andeyes160 may be added as shown. A multiplicity of techniques is contemplated for forming and joining such ornamental features to headstructure200 and/or coveringmaterial310. In one embodiment, for example,eyes150 and nose170 (not shown, seeFIG. 1) are embroidered to cause them to stand out from the softer surrounding fabric. This approach also adds structural support to the entire shape ofhead structure200 by adding points where coveringmaterial310 and/or the backing material are held relatively rigidly in place, thereby resisting folding or collapsing near that location.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the stiffness creating method and structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a relativelystiff backing material420 is sandwiched between coveringmaterial310 and aninterior material430. In this example, they are joined atseam450 by means of sewing them together; however, those in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and appropriate joining means, including gluing for example, to join the materials atseam450 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.Backing material420 should preferably be selected stiff enough to hold/restore the underlying 3D structure according to the needs of the application, but still be flexible enough to easily deform if the particular application requires this capability. Those in the art will appreciate many other practical considerations in selecting theappropriate backing material420, by way of example and not limitation, it should be compliant with the method of joiningseam450, be weather resistant if meant for outdoor use, and etc. Suitable materials for certain applications include various known types of flexible foam and plastic sheeting.

Coveringmaterial310 covers the underlying 3D structure formed by backingmaterial420, and may be selected to be a more flexible fabric than backingmaterial420 and have the color, pattern, texture, and environmental protection desired for the particular application. Suitable choices include suitable, commonly available fabrics. Depending of the relative stiffness ofinterior material430, it creates a stiffer medium when more support is required, for example but not by limitation, in supportinghead120 ofFIG. 1. The inclusion ofinterior material430 also adds a resistance sometimes needed to keep thread stitching from pulling though backingmaterial420 when backingmaterial420 is relatively soft. Those in the art will appreciate that some applications do not require the quilting ofinterior material430 withbacking material420, and in alternate embodiments,interior material430 is excluded while remaining in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Thus, when used in conjunction with the other teachings, the approach of the present embodiment provides for the creation of a hollow, skeletal 3D structures having the desired lightweight shape suitable for the particular application, and, which may be configured with a desired ornamental appearance to satisfy certain esthetic considerations. In some alternative embodiments, however, backingmaterial420 may also serve the purpose of coveringmaterial310, whereby coveringmaterial310 is not used, and any ornamental features such as eyes, nose, ears, etc. may be directly joined tobacking material420.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the inherent stiffness of the material, such as a fabric, is used to form and maintain the desired 3D shape. In some applications, if two pieces of material are sewn together the stiffness of the fabric combines with the added structure of the seam and the joining means used, such as thread used to sew it, and thereby enables the fabric to hold its shape. The technique of the present embodiment may be used to form, by way of example and not limitation, shapes such asear150 inFIGS. 1 and 3. The present embodiment is also suitable to form the shape ofantennae510 of a UFO embodiment of thepresent invention500 as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, a commonly available, lightweight stuffing material is used to form and maintain the desired 3D shape. In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the desired 3D structure is shaped by joining, by sewing or gluing for example, a covering material, such as fabric, to the underlying structure of the cover with a filling material sandwiched in between, thereby forming a raised3D structure610, which those in the art will readily know how to configure appropriately according to the particular application. In the embodiment shown, raised3D structure610 as implemented for theUFO embodiment500 is achieved by creating a stiff, tightly stuffed fabric ring. This ring is not only decorative, but it supports the structure ofUFO embodiment500 and hides some details of the object it is covering, such as a barbecue in this example. In the present barbeque example, the barbecue kettle handle typically would interfere with the round appearance of the UFO, but due to the relative stiffness of raised3D structure610, the kettle handle is not visible. In other embodiments,3D structure610 serves mainly an ornamental, esthetic purpose, such as, for example, in the shape oftail140 inFIG. 1. In this application of the third embodiment, to achieve a round, natural looking tail appearance, a material is formed in the shape of a tube, for example a sewn fabric tube, and is appropriately stuffed with the commonly available stuffing material.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, embroidery is used to form and maintain the desired 3D shape for relatively small 3D structures. The tight stitching of the embroidery substantially improves the stiffness of the underlying 3D structure, and allows featured parts to avoid wrinkling or folding, which is particularly useful certain features of the 3D cover more noticeably pronounced. For example, referring again toFIG. 6, onUFO500 barbeque cover, the embroidery used around a raisedwindow530 through which images may be placed such as the alien caricature shown. Raisedwindow530 might otherwise fold or be less noticeable if it were not stiffened. A similar approach may be used to form and stiffen the facial features, such as those shown forhead120 ofFIG. 1.

Claims

1. A three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in covering objects, comprising:

a. an appropriately sized first relatively thin structural material;

b. a first continuous structural surface having a 3D structural shape and encompassing a cross-sectional area, the first continuous structural surface being comprised of a first end portion of the first structural material joined with either with a second end portion of the first structural material or an end portion of an appropriately sized second relatively thin structural material; and

c. the first continuous structural surface joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material.

2. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a filling material filling the volume formed by the first continuous structural surface.

3. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, further comprising embroidery stitched into the first continuous structural surface.

4. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first and/or second structural materials are sized and joined such that the resulting first continuous structural surface has a desired 3D structural shape.

5. The 3D cover ofclaim 4, wherein the desired 3D structural shape is configured to have a recognizably similar appearance to an object selected from the group consisting of a cow's head, chicken's head, rocket, dog's head, cat's head, pig's head, hamburger, fish, bottle, nose, glasses, car, bear's head, house, human head, elephant's head, rhinoceros's head, and an alligator's head.

6. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the 2D cover material is configured to cover an outdoor object.

7. The 3D cover ofclaim 6, wherein the 2D cover material and the first and second structural materials comprise a sufficiently flexible, weather resistant material configured to substantially protect the object being covered from environmental damage.

8. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first continuous structural surface is at least in part covered on its exterior by a relatively more flexible material.

9. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first continuous structural surface is at least in part covered on its interior by a relatively more flexible material.

10. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first or second structural material comprises flexible foam or plastic sheeting.

11. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the 2D cover material comprises a fabric.

12. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second structural materials are joined by sewing or gluing.

13. The 3D cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first continuous structural surface and the 2D cover material are joined by sewing or gluing.

14. A method for creating three dimensional (3D) structures for use in covering objects comprising the steps of:

a. appropriately sizing a first relatively thin structural material;

b. joining a first end portion of the first structural material either with a second end portion of the first structural material or an end portion of an appropriately sized second relatively thin structural material, thereby forming a continuous structural surface, which continuous structural surface encompasses a cross-sectional area; and

c. joining the continuous structural surface to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), relatively flexible cover material.

15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step filling the volume formed by the continuous structural surface with a filling material.

16. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of stitching embroidery into the continuous structural surface.

17. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the first and/or second structural materials are sized and joined such that the resulting first continuous structural surface has a desired 3D structural shape.

18. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the first structural material comprises flexible foam or plastic sheeting.

19. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the step of joining is done by sewing or gluing.

20. A three dimensional (3D) apparatus for use in covering objects, comprising:

a. a first relatively thin structural material;

b. a first continuous structural surface having a 3D structural shape and encompassing a cross-sectional area, the continuous structural surface being comprised of a first end portion of the first structural material joined with either a second end portion of the first structural material or an end portion of a second relatively thin structural material, whereby the first and second structural materials are sized and joined such that the resulting first continuous structural surface has a desired 3D structural shape; and

c. the first continuous structural surface joined to a substantially two-dimensional (2D), sufficiently flexible cover material, which cover material is sufficiently weather resistant and configured to adequately protect an object.