Rotating decorative sheet metal ornament

Abstract

A three dimensional decorative assembly features an inner member suspended for rotation within an opening in an outer member. Each member is made of differently coloured sheet metal and includes a plurality of strips extending between aligned spines at opposite ends on each side of said spines. The strips are progressively longer moving outward from the center of the assembly. In each member, the strips are spaced apart by a distance between an inner edge of one strip and an outer edge of an adjacent strip. In addition, an angle between adjacent strips angularly spaces the plurality of strips of each member about an axis defined by the spines thereof. Together, the inner edges of the shortest strip on each side of the spines of the outer member define the opening therein. Pivot supports are used to suspend the outer member for free rotation and suspend the inner member within the opening of said outer member such that each member can rotate independently about the axis defined by its spines.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a three dimensional decorative spinner assembly having at least one decorative member created from flat sheet material suspended for rotation within an outer decorative member also created from flat sheet material and suspended for rotation.

[0002] A multitude of three dimensional decorations have been created from sheet material by various processes including cutting, bending and painting of the material to obtain visually attractive forms.

[0003] One such decorative device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,815. The device comprises a series of angularly spaced strips of sheet material connected by spines at either end of said strips. The strips are preferably arranged in pairs such that the two strips in each pair are annularly displaced by 180 degrees in order to form a plane through the axis formed by the spines at either end of the strips. Each strip in the pair thereby outlines half a geometric shape on a respective side of the spines, the pair thereby together outlining a closed geometric shape in plane they define. The device is supported for rotation about the axis formed by the spines in order to create an appealing visual effect when spun.

[0004] The present invention is aimed at improving on the visual effect created by the rotation of a three dimensional decorative device created from sheet material.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a decorative assembly comprising: [0006] an outer member comprising: [0007] a first spine having an axis, a first aperture near an outer end and a second aperture near an inner end; [0008] a second spine having the same axis as the first spine; [0009] a first series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines on a first side; and [0010] a second series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines on a second side; [0011] wherein the strips in each series are spaced apart by a distance between the inner edge of one of said strips and the outer edge of an adjacent one of said strips; and [0012] wherein the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the first series and the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the second series define an opening in the outer member; [0013] an inner member comprising: [0014] a first spine having an aperture near an outer end and an axis; [0015] a second spine having the same axis as the first spine of the inner member; [0016] a first series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines of the inner member on a first side; and [0017] a second series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines of the inner member on a second side; [0018] wherein the strips of each series of the inner member are spaced apart by a distance between the outer edge of one of said strips and the inner edge of an adjacent one of said strips; [0019] an outer pivotal suspending device for rotatably supporting the outer member by the first aperture near the outer end of the first spine said outer member; and [0020] an inner pivotal suspending device for rotatably supporting the inner member within the opening of the outer member, said inner pivotal suspending device extending from the second aperture in the first spine of the outer member to the aperture in the first spine of the inner member; [0021] wherein the outer member is made from a first flat sheet of metal that is cut to form the two series of strips of said outer member which are then angularly displaced from the flat sheet to different angles by bending; [0022] wherein the inner member is made from a second flat sheet of metal that is cut to form the two series of strips of said inner member which are then angularly displaced from the flat sheet to different angles by bending; and [0023] wherein the outer member is suspended for rotational motion about the axis of the spines of said outer member and the inner member is suspended within the opening of the outer member for rotational motion about the axis of the spines of said inner member.

[0024] Preferably the axis of the spines of the outer member coincides with the axis of the spines of the inner member such that the rotational motion of each of said members is about the same axis.

[0025] Preferably there is provided: [0026] a aperture in the second spine of the inner member near an outer end thereof; [0027] an corresponding aperture in the second spine of the outer member near an inner end thereof; and [0028] a second inner pivotal suspending device; [0029] wherein the second inner pivotal suspending device extends from the aperture in the second spine of the inner member to the corresponding aperture in the second spine of the outer member to further support the inner member for rotational motion within the opening of the outer member.

[0030] Preferably the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the first series of the inner member and the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the second series of the inner member define an opening within said inner member.

[0031] Preferably the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the first series of the inner member and the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the second series of the inner member are connected in such a way as to outline a two dimensional shape between said inner edges and the respective outer edges of said strips, thereby defining both the opening within said inner member and a respective silhouette.

[0032] Preferably there is provided at least one opening between the inner and outer edges of the strip of shortest length of at least one of the two series of strips of the inner member, thereby further defining the silhouette, said at least one opening made by cutting through the second flat sheet of metal used to make said inner member.

[0033] Preferably adjacent strips of the first series of the outer member are angularly spaced by a generally equal first angle and adjacent strips of the second series of the outer member are angularly spaced by a generally equal second angle.

[0034] Preferably the first and second angles of the outer member are generally equal.

[0035] Preferably each strip in the first series of the outer member is angularly spaced from a respective strip in the second series of the outer member by about 180 degrees.

[0036] Preferably adjacent strips of the first series of the inner member are angularly spaced by a generally equal first angle and adjacent strips of the second series of the inner member are angularly spaced by a generally equal second angle.

[0037] Preferably the first and second angles of the inner member are generally equal.

[0038] Preferably each strip in the first series of the inner member is angularly spaced from a respective strip in the second series of the inner member by about 180 degrees.

[0039] The present invention improves upon the visual effect of existing three-dimensional rotating ornaments by including two rotating members wherein one such member is suspended within the other for rotation relative thereto. This improves on the visual effect of the decorative ornament by allowing the members to rotate at different velocities about the same axis. In the case that the rotational axes of the two members do not coincide, the inner member will rotate with the outer member and be free to rotate about a second axis. The use of two separate members allows each member to be produced in a different colour adding to the visual appeal of the decoration. Finally, providing a silhouette within the inner member of the assembly further increases the complexity of the overall visual effect when the decoration is rotated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:

[0041] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the decorative assembly.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the decorative assembly.

[0043] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a metal sheet having been cut during fabrication of the outer member of the decorative assembly.

[0044] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a metal sheet having been cut during fabrication of the inner member of the decorative assembly.

[0045] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one of the pivotal supports used in the decorative assembly.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the pivotal supports used in the decorative assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] One embodiment of the present invention is shown from the front and the top in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. The decorative assembly 1 features and outer member 2 and an inner member 3 suspended for rotational motion. The outer member 2 includes a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal strips 16 each having an inner edge 21, an outer edge 22, an upper end 29 and a lower end 30. Each strip connects to an upper spine 13 at its upper end 29, extends longitudinally between its inner edge 21 and outer edge 22 and connects to a lower spine 14 at its lower end 30. On each side of the spines, the strips 16 are progressively longer moving outward from the center of the outer member 2. The spines 13 and 14 are aligned in order to share a single vertical axis around which the spines 16 are angularly spaced. The strips are arranged such that the number of strips 16 on a first side 31 of the spines 13 and 14 is equal to the number of strips 16 on a second side 32 of said spines. The strips on the first side 31 of the spines 13 and 14 are spaced around the axis of said spines such that the angle between any two adjacent strips is the same, and the strips on the second side 32 of said spines are spaced in the same manner by the same angle. Each strip on one side of said spines has a respective strip on the opposite side from which it is angularly spaced by approximately 180 degrees. Each strip is spaced from an adjacent strip on the same side of the spines by a distance between the inner edge 21 of one strip and the outer edge 22 of the other. In other words, the strips 17 are spaced apart by the difference in their radial distance from the center of the outer member 2.

[0048] A first aperture 8 is provided in the upper spine 13 near the longest of the strips 16 on either side of said spine, allowing the outer member 2, and thus the entire decorative assembly 1, to be suspended by an outer pivotal support 4. The outer pivotal support 4 features a mounting ring 7 for engagement to a hook or other external support device (not shown). The first aperture 8 is located on the vertical axis of the spines such that the outer member 2 is free to rotate about said axis. An opening 15 in the outer member 2 is defined by the inner edge 21 of the strip of shortest length on both sides 31 and 32 of the spines 13 and 14. A second aperture 9 is provided in the upper spine 13 and a third aperture 12 is provided on the lower spine 14, each aperture being located on the vertical axis of the spines near the opening 15 of the outer member 2.

[0049] The inner member 3 is similar to the outer member 2 except for a few differences including size and colour. The inner member 3 includes a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal strips 17 each having an inner edge 34, an outer edge 35, an upper end 36 and a lower end 37. Each strip connects to an upper spine 27 at its upper end 36, extends longitudinally between its inner edge 34 and outer edge 35 and connects to a lower spine 28 at its lower end 37. On each of the two sides 31 and 32 of the spines 27 and 28, the strips 17 are progressively longer moving outward from the center of the inner member 3. The spines of the inner and outer members are aligned to share the same single vertical axis, around which the strips 17 of the inner member are angularly spaced. The strips 17 are arranged such that the number of strips on the first side 31 of the spines 27 and 28 is equal to the number of strips on the second side 32 of said spines. The strips on the first side 31 of the spines 27 and 28 are spaced around the axis of said spines such that the angle between any two adjacent strips is the same, and the strips on the second side 32 of said spines are spaced in the same manner by the same angle. Each strip on one side of said spines has a respective strip on the opposite side from which it is angularly spaced by approximately 180 degrees. Each strip is spaced from an adjacent strip on the same side of the spines by a distance between the inner edge 34 of one strip and the outer edge 35 of the other. In other words, the strips 17 are spaced apart by the difference in their radial distance from the center of the inner member 3.

[0050] A first aperture 10 is provided in the upper spine 27 of the inner member 3 near the longest of the strips 17 on either side of said spine, allowing the inner member 3 to be suspended within the opening 15 of the outer member by a first inner pivotal support 5 hanging from the second aperture 9 in the upper spine 13 of the outer member 2. The first aperture 10 is located on the vertical axis of the spines such that the inner member 3 is free to rotate about said axis. As a result, the inner 3 and outer 2 members of the decorative assembly 1 can rotate about the same axis. Connecting the inner 3 and outer 2 members by a pivotal support 5 rather than a fixed support, rotation of the inner member 3 relative to the outer member 2 is possible thereby creating a more stunning visual effect. A second aperture 11 provided in the lower spine 28 of the inner member 3 is connected to the third aperture 12 in the outer member 2 by means of a second inner pivotal support 6. This maintains proper alignment of the spines of the two members, thereby ensuring each member rotates about the same vertical axis and that strips of the two members do not collide during rotation.

[0051] Aside from the difference in size necessary to allow the inner member 3 to fit within the opening 15 of the outer member 2, the inner member also differs in that it provides an additional decorative aspect to the assembly 1. The inner edge of the shortest of the strips 17 on the first side 31 of the spines 27 and 28 and the inner edge of the shortest strip on the second side 32 of said spines are shaped in such a manner as to together define an opening 18 and a silhouette 19. Shaped holes 20 further define the overall appearance of the light blocking silhouette 19. During rotation of the inner member 3, the silhouette blocks different amounts of light from passing through the assembly 1 to the observer depending on its angular position about the vertical axis defined by the spines 27 and 28.

[0052] The outer member 2 of the decorative assembly 1 is fabricated by laser cutting and bending a flat sheet of metal into the form shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a shaped piece of sheet metal having been cut but not yet bent to create the final three-dimensional outer member. The piece 38 has been cut to form a generally circular two-dimensional shape defined by an outermost edge 24 and further cut to create an innermost edge 23 defining the opening 15 of the outer member 2. Cuts made between the innermost edge 23 and the outermost edge 24 extending between opposite ends 39 and 40 of the piece 38 create slots 44 that define the plurality of strips 16. The width of the slots 44 determines the distance between the inner edge 21 of a strip 16 and the outer edge 22 of an adjacent strip, thereby defining the spacing of the strips. An uncut portion at one end 39 of the piece 38 forms the lower spine 14 of the outer member 2 and an uncut portion at the opposite end 40 forms the upper spine 13. Three holes are laser cut into the piece, two at opposite ends of the upper spine 13 and one at an end of the lower spine 14 nearest the opening 15, in order to create the first 8, second 9 and third 12 apertures respectively. Each strip 16 is then bent out of the plane defined by the flat surface of the two dimensional piece 38 in order to form the angularly spaced arrangement of strips 16 as shown from above in FIG. 2. Dashed line 33 represents the vertical plane from which each strip is angularly displaced by bending the opposing ends 29 and 30 of said strip by an equal amount in the same direction.

[0053] The inner member 3 of the decorative assembly 1 is fabricated by a similar process. FIG. 4 illustrates a shaped piece of sheet metal having been cut but not yet bent to create the final three-dimensional inner member. The piece 41 has been cut to form a generally circular two-dimensional shape defined by an outermost edge 26 and further cut to create an innermost edge 25 defining the opening 18 and silhouette 19 of the inner member 3. Holes 20 are cut to further define the shape of the silhouette 19. Cuts made between the innermost edge 25 and the outermost edge 26 extending between opposite ends 42 and 43 of the piece 41 create slots 45 that define the plurality of strips 17. An uncut portion at one end 42 of the piece 41 forms the lower spine 28 of the inner member 3 and an uncut portion at the opposite end 43 forms the upper spine 27. Two holes are laser cut into the piece near the outermost edge 26, one in the upper spine 27 and one in the lower spine 14, in order to create the first 10 and second 11 apertures respectively. Each strip 17 is then bent out of the plane defined by the flat surface of the two dimensional piece 41 in order to form the angularly spaced arrangement of strips 17 as shown from above in FIG. 2. Dashed line 33 represents the vertical plane from which each strip is angularly displaced by bending the opposing ends 36 and 37 of said strip by an equal amount in the same direction.

[0054] The first inner pivotal support 5 is used to connect the inner and outer members by means of the second aperture 9 of said outer member 2 and the first aperture 10 of said inner member such that said inner member 3 hangs within the opening 15 of said outer member 2 and is free to rotate therein. The second inner pivotal support 6 connects the two members in a similar fashion between the second aperture 11 of the inner member 3 and the third aperture 12 of the outer member 2 in order to maintain a consistent alignment between said members. The entire decorative assembly 1 is then suspended by means of the outer pivotal support 4 which connects the first aperture 8 of the outer assembly 2 to a mounting ring 7. The mounting ring 7 can then by slipped over an external hook or similar support device (not shown) in order to support the assembly 1 for rotational motion. Due to the multiple pivotal supports the members are free to rotate at different angular velocities and can be spun either manually or by air currents of sufficient force.

[0055] The type of pivotal support used to suspend the inner and outer members of the decorative assembly is known to those of skill in the art and is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each pivotal support 46 features a housing 47, an upper rod 48 extending upward from atop said housing and a lower rod 49 extending downward from within said housing. Upper rod 48 is fixed with respect to the housing while lower rod 49 is free to rotate relative to said housing about a longitudinal axis thereof. The upper and lower rods 48 and 49 have holes 52 and 53 passing respectively therethrough. Connector rings 50 and 51 engage the rods 48 and 49 respectively by means of holes 52 and 53. These rings also engage the inner 3 and outer 2 members of the decorative assembly 1 by means of the apertures therein for rotational support of said members. The rings 50 and 51 function in the same manner as key rings, which are known to those of skill in the art, to connect two objects. A larger support ring 7 is attached to the upper connector ring 50 of the outer pivotal support 4 so that the decorative assembly can be hung from exterior support devices of various sizes. Alternate means of connecting the pivotal supports 4, 5 and 6 to the members 2 and 3 of the decorative assembly 1 and external support device are known to those of skill in the art.

[0056] The above description outlines a single embodiment of the present invention intended to illustrate the concept of suspending a three-dimensional decorative member for independent rotation within another three-dimensional decorative member. A number of alternate embodiments can be developed base on small modifications that would be obvious to those skilled in the art. In the described embodiment each strip has the same general shape, the same uniform width between its inner and outer edges, the same radial and angular distance to adjacent strips on the same side of the spines and a respective strip on the opposite side of the spines approximately 180 degrees away. Each of these factors can be varied, making a number of other embodiments possible. Each strip can have a different shape, an irregular shape and varying width. The strips can be spaced apart by varying angles and distances and do not have to be paired up across the spines in a 180 degree arrangement. The silhouette of the inner member can be eliminated by having no portions of the inner edge of the innermost strip on each side of the spines jutting inward, thereby leaving only an opening. In this case, a third member could be fabricated and suspended for independent rotation within the inner member in the same fashion as the inner member is suspended within the outer member. Alternatively, the piece of sheet metal used to fabricate the inner member can have no cuts within the outer edge of the innermost strip on each side of the spines, thereby eliminating the opening altogether and having a solid metal shape in the center of the assembly.

[0057] In one alternate embodiment, the decorative assembly can be suspended for rotation about a horizontal axis. This would require the addition of a fourth aperture in the lower spine of the outer member near the outer edge of the piece for receiving a second outer pivotal support. The assembly 1 would then be rotated 90 degrees from the orientation shown in FIG. 1 such that the spines are aligned along a horizontal axis rather than a vertical one. The assembly would then be suspended between a pair of hooks or other supporting devices arranged one on each side of said assembly.

[0058] Further embodiments may feature a separate rotational axis for each of the inner and outer members of the decorative assembly. This arrangement involves positioning the spines of the inner member out of alignment with the spines of the outer member. In this case, the second aperture of the outer member is located somewhere along the shortest strip on one side of the spines of said member and the third aperture is located on the corresponding shortest strip on the opposite side such that an axis extending between said apertures passes through the center of the assembly. The spines and corresponding apertures of the inner member are aligned along this axis and the inner member is suspended within the outer member by the inner pivotal supports. In this arrangement, the inner member can undergo motion caused by the rotation of the outer member as well as rotational motion about its own axis.

[0059] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A decorative assembly comprising: an outer member comprising: a first spine having an axis, a first aperture near an outer end and a second aperture near an inner end; a second spine having the same axis as the first spine; a first series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines on a first side; and a second series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines on a second side; wherein the strips in each series are spaced apart by a distance between the inner edge of one of said strips and the outer edge of an adjacent one of said strips; and wherein the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the first series and the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the second series define an opening in the outer member; an inner member comprising: a first spine having an aperture near an outer end and an axis; a second spine having the same axis as the first spine of the inner member; a first series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines of the inner member on a first side; and a second series of progressively longer angularly spaced strips each having an inner edge, an outer edge and two opposite ends, each end connected to a respective one of the spines of the inner member on a second side; wherein the strips of each series of the inner member are spaced apart by a distance between the outer edge of one of said strips and the inner edge of an adjacent one of said strips; an outer pivotal suspending device for rotatably supporting the outer member by the first aperture near the outer end of the first spine said outer member; and an inner pivotal suspending device for rotatably supporting the inner member within the opening of the outer member, said inner pivotal suspending device extending from the second aperture in the first spine of the outer member to the aperture in the first spine of the inner member; wherein the outer member is made from a first flat sheet of metal that is cut to form the two series of strips of said outer member which are then angularly displaced from the flat sheet to different angles by bending; wherein the inner member is made from a second flat sheet of metal that is cut to form the two series of strips of said inner member which are then angularly displaced from the flat sheet to different angles by bending; and wherein the outer member is suspended for rotational motion about the axis of the spines of said outer member and the inner member is suspended within the opening of the outer member for rotational motion about the axis of the spines of said inner member.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the spines of the outer member coincides with the axis of the spines of the inner member such that the rotational motion of each of said members is about the same axis.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein there is provided: an aperture in the second spine of the inner member near an outer end thereof; an corresponding aperture in the second spine of the outer member near an inner end thereof; and a second inner pivotal suspending device; wherein the second inner pivotal suspending device extends from the aperture in the second spine of the inner member to the corresponding aperture in the second spine of the outer member to further support the inner member for rotational motion within the opening of the outer member.

4. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the first series of the inner member and the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the second series of the inner member define an opening within said inner member.

5. The assembly according to claim 4 wherein the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the first series of the inner member and the inner edge of the strip of shortest length in the second series of the inner member are connected in such a way as to outline a two dimensional shape between said inner edges and the respective outer edges of said strips, thereby defining both the opening within said inner member and a respective silhouette.

6. The assembly according to claim 5 wherein there is provided at least one opening between the inner and outer edges of the strip of shortest length of at least one of the two series of strips of the inner member, thereby further defining the silhouette, said at least one opening made by cutting through the second flat sheet of metal used to make said inner member.

7. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein adjacent strips of the first series of the outer member are angularly spaced by a generally equal first angle and adjacent strips of the second series of the outer member are angularly spaced by a generally equal second angle.

8. The assembly according to claim 7 wherein the first and second angles of the outer member are generally equal.

9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein each strip in the first series of the outer member is angularly spaced from a respective strip in the second series of the outer member by about 180 degrees.

10. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein adjacent strips of the first series of the inner member are angularly spaced by a generally equal first angle and adjacent strips of the second series of the inner member are angularly spaced by a generally equal second angle.

11. The assembly according to claim 10 wherein the first and second angles of the inner member are generally equal.

12. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein each strip in the first series of the inner member is angularly spaced from a respective strip in the second series of the inner member by about 180 degrees.