U.S. patent application number 11/459209 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for swinger article and methods thereof.
Invention is credited to Dan Ingebrigtson.
Application Number | 20080020853 11/459209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38972099 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080020853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ingebrigtson; Dan |
January 24, 2008 |
SWINGER ARTICLE AND METHODS THEREOF
Abstract
An article of manufacture adapted to swing from a supporting
structure, such as a tree limb or a post, and a method of providing
the appearance of a figure in a hammock is provided. The article
includes a base member formed in the shape of a hammock, having an
arcuate shape in which a body in the shape of a figure, such as an
animal, is positioned. The base member has an attachment mechanism
on each end thereof which functionally engages a swing element for
suspending the article from the supporting structure. The swing
element, such as a rope, cord or metal cable, passes through each
of the attachment mechanisms to permit swinging movement of the
article and, along with the base and body, provide the appearance
of a figure in a hammock
Inventors: |
Ingebrigtson; Dan;
(Franklin, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GODFREY & KAHN S.C.
780 NORTH WATER STREET
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
38972099 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459209 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 19/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/118 |
International
Class: |
A63G 9/00 20060101
A63G009/00 |
Claims
1. An article of manufacture adapted to swing from a supporting
structure comprising: an arcuate base member having top and bottom
surfaces and comprising front and back sides and first and second
ends transverse to the front and back sides, each of the first and
second ends tapering from a bottom portion to a top portion
thereof, a first attachment portion engaged to the first tapered
end, the first attachment portion having at least one horizontally
disposed section; a second attachment portion engaged to the second
tapered end, the second attachment portion having at least one
substantially horizontally disposed section; a body in the shape of
at least one figure connected to the base member; and a swing
element for suspending the article from the supporting structure,
the swing element passing through each of the first and second
attachment portions to permit swinging movement of the article, the
base, the body and the swing element providing the appearance of a
figure in a hammock.
2. The article of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second
attachment portions are integrally formed with each of the first
and second tapered ends, respectively.
3. The article of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second
attachment portions are substantially tubular comprising first and
second apertures and a conduit portion extending therebetween.
4. The article of claim 1 wherein the first attachment portion and
the second attachment portion are substantially coplanar.
5. The article as in claim 1 wherein the at least one figure
comprises an animal, a person, a fictional character, a plant, an
ornamental design and combinations thereof.
6. The article as in claim 5 wherein the figure comprises at least
one bear.
7. The article as in claim 5 wherein the at least one figure is
selected from an animal, a person and a fictional character, and
wherein the at least one figure is disposed in at least one of a
sitting, a sleeping, a standing and a laying down position.
8. The article as in claim 1 wherein the swing element comprises at
least one of a rope, a cord, a cable and combinations thereof.
9. The article as in claim 1 wherein the swing element is a
rope.
10. The article as in claim 1 wherein the swing element comprises a
first rope passing through the first attachment portion and a
second rope passing through the second attachment portion.
11. The article as in claim 1 wherein the article is formed from
concrete or concrete derivatives.
12. An article configured to swing from a supporting structure at
an elevation above the ground, the swinging article comprising: a
base member in the form of a hammock, the base member including a
first attachment portion, a second attachment portion and an area
for receiving a body extending therebetween, wherein each of the
first and second attachment portions are substantially tubular,
including first and second apertures; and at least one swing
element for suspending the article from the supporting structure,
the at least one swing element extending through each of the first
and second attachment portions to permit swinging movement of the
article, the base, the body and the swing element providing the
appearance of a figure in a hammock.
13. The swinging article as in claim 12 wherein each of the first
and second attachment portions includes a section disposed in a
substantially horizontal plane.
14. The swinging article as in claim 12 wherein the body comprises
at least one figure disposed within the area of the base
member.
15. The swinging article as in claim 14, wherein the at least one
figure includes a first body aperture and a second body aperture,
wherein the at least one swing element passes through both the
first and second body apertures.
16. The swinging article as in claim 14 wherein the at least one
figure comprises an animal, a person, a fictional character, a
plant, an ornamental design and combinations thereof.
17. The swinging article as in claim 16 wherein the at least one
figure comprises a bear.
18. The swinging article as in claim 12 the at least one swing
element comprises a rope, a cord, a cable or combinations
thereof.
19. A method of providing the appearance of a figure in a hammock,
the method comprising: providing a swinging article comprising a
base member in the form of a hammock, the base member including a
first attachment portion, a second attachment portion and an area
for receiving a body extending therebetween, wherein each of the
first and second attachment portions are substantially tubular;
providing at least one swing element for suspending the article
from the supporting structure, the at least one swing element
comprising at least one of a rope, a cable, a cord and combinations
thereof; and passing the at least one swing element through each of
the first and second attachment portions and suspending the swing
element on the supporting structure to permit swinging movement of
the article and to provide the appearance of a figure in a
hammock.
20. The method as in claim 19 wherein the supporting structure is
selected from the group consisting of a post, a tree, a hook, a
doorway, a porch, a patio railing, a fence, and a trellis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to indoor/outdoor articles of
manufacture and, more particularly, to swinging structures used,
for example, to repel animals and birds and for decorative
purposes, and methods of providing the appearance of a figure in a
hammock.
[0002] At the present time there are a large variety of
commercially available sculptures which may be used as key keepers,
statuary and candleholders. For example, one type of animal-shaped
structure is formed from pre-cast gypsum plaster and consists of a
sculpture in the shape of an animal such as a rabbit, a squirrel,
or a duck. In addition it is known to equip figures such as frogs
with citronella candles to keep bugs away from a patio or deck. It
is also known to form planters in the shape of a frog having feet
which serve to raise the rest of the planter, including the flower
pot in the planter, off the deck or porch. However, there is still
a need for an article of manufacture which is adapted to swing from
supporting structures such as trees, posts, etc. and to a method of
providing the appearance of a figure disposed within a hammock.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides, in part, an article of
manufacture adapted to swing from a supporting structure. The
article, which is preferably hand cast or formed from hardening
materials including but not limited to, concrete or concrete
derivatives, plastics, poly resin, glass, and or metal, has a body
in the shape of a figure connected to a base member. Preferably,
the base member is formed in the shape of a hammock, and includes
top and bottom surfaces, front and back sides and first and second
opposing ends that are transverse to the front and back sides. The
front and back sides, the opposing side ends and the top surface of
the base member define an area or space in which the body is
positioned and/or integrally formed to give the appearance of a
figure lying within a hammock. The base member can also include
gathers, fringes, ridges, markings or other indicia on any one or
more of its surfaces to assist in forming the base member into a
hammock.
[0004] Each of the side ends of the base member extends upwardly
from the lowermost point of the base member, and taper such that
the lower portion of each of the side ends has a larger width than
the width of the top portion. A first attachment portion is engaged
to the first tapered side end and a second attachment portion is
engaged to the second tapered end. The first and second attachment
portions are preferably tubular in shape and include a
substantially horizontally disposed section therein for maintaining
proper position of the swinging article with respect to the ground.
Indeed, the attachment portions permit a user, for example a
homeowner interested in saving garden space, to pass a swing
element such as a rope therethrough to suspend the article from a
supporting structure and to position the article with respect to
the ground and the supporting structure, to permit swinging
movement of the article and to provide the appearance of a figure
in a hammock.
[0005] The body comprises at least one figure that is connected to
or integrally formed with the base member. The figure can include
any type of animal or animals (such as bears, cats, squirrels,
frogs, bunnies, fish, birds, etc), any type of figure(s) (such as
gnomes, elves, a Franciscan friar, a college mascot, etc.) and/or
any type of decorative scene or statue (such as a Cupid, or a
famous re-creation such as Michelangelo's David) disposed within
the swinging article.
[0006] The swinging article also includes a swing element for
suspending the article from the supporting structure, such as a
post, a tree, a hook, a patio railing, a fence or a trellis. The
swing element passes through each of the first and second
attachment portions to permit swinging movement of the article, the
base, the body. Preferably, the swing element is configured to
provide the appearance of a figure in a hammock. The swing element
may comprise one or more ropes, chains, cords, straps and/or cables
or similar articles.
[0007] The present invention also provides, in part, a method for
providing the appearance of a figure in a hammock. The method can
include providing a swinging article comprising a base member in
the form of a hammock, the base member including a first attachment
portion, a second attachment portion and an area for receiving a
body extending therebetween, wherein each of the first and second
attachment portions are substantially tubular; providing at least
one swing element for suspending the article from the supporting
structure, the at least one swing element comprising at least one
of a rope, a cable, a cord and combinations thereof; and passing
the at least one swing element through each of the first and second
attachment portions and suspending the swing element on the
supporting structure to permit swinging movement of the article and
to provide the appearance of a figure in a hammock.
[0008] Accordingly, it can be an objective of the present invention
to provide in part, a swinging article of manufacture which may be
suspended from a variety of available structures, so that they may
be used by homeowners, for example, to give a different look to
gardens, patios, and backyards with limited space and without
damaging plants or taking up soil space where flowers or other
desirable plants would otherwise grow.
[0009] It can also be an objective of the present invention to
provide such an article of manufacture which permits the person
suspending the article, even if not skilled, to obtain a secure
support for the article and a level relationship of the article to
the ground. It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide such an article which permits adjustment of the distance
from which the article is suspended without removal of the article
from the post, tree or other object from which it is suspended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other objects and features of the present invention become
apparent from the following detailed description considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose
of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0011] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention wherein the swinger article is
a figure of a bear sleeping in a hammock;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the swinger article illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the swinger article illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the swinger article illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the swinger
article illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, taken along the line 5-5
in FIG. 3, showing a detailed view of an attachment portion of the
base member and the swing element disposed therein;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the swinger article
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 having a swing element comprising
a rope, the swinger article shown swingably positioned on a
fixture;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the swinger article
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 having a swing element comprising
two ropes, the swinger article shown swingably positioned on a tree
limb; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of additional embodiments of
the invention in which the base member may be in the form of a
swing and wherein the figure is in the shape of two bears, a pair
of kittens, and a Franciscan Friar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate one embodiment of a swinger
article 30 which is consistent with the teachings of the present
invention. It will be readily recognized that although the present
invention is illustrated and described with respect to a body, such
as an animal disposed in a hammock, the present invention can
include any type of animal or animals (such as bears, cats,
squirrels, frogs, bunnies, fish, birds, etc), any type of figure(s)
(such as gnomes, elves, a Franciscan friar, a college mascot, etc.)
and/or any type of decorative scene or statue (such as a Cupid, or
a famous re-creation such as Michelangelo's David) disposed within
a swinging article. Further, while the figure is illustrated lying
in a hammock, the present invention can include the figure in any
physical position (standing, sitting, sleeping, etc.) disposed
within any type of device, such as a swing, a rocking chair, a lawn
chair, a beach towel and/or any such type of garden device.
[0021] Turning now in detail to the drawings, a preferred
embodiment of the invention includes a swinger article 30 includes
a base member 32, a body 34 in the shape of a figure, for example,
a bear formed in a sleeping position, and a swing element 36, such
as a rope or ropes, secured to the base member 32 for swingably
engaging the swinger article 30 to a tree 20 or other stationary
fixture 25 (as shown in FIGS. 6 through 8).
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, in addition to FIG. 1, the
base member 32 is most preferably formed in the shape of a hammock,
having a substantially arcuate cross-section or shape. The base
member 32 comprises a top surface, indicated generally at 38, a
bottom surface, indicated generally at 40, a front side, indicated
generally at 42 and a back side, indicated generally at 44. The
base member 32 also includes first and second lateral side ends,
indicated generally at 46 and 48, respectively, that are
substantially transverse to the front and back sides of the base
member 32. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the ends 46 and 48 extend
upwardly and outwardly from the lowermost portion 33 of the base
member 32 to help provide the base member 32 with a hammock-shaped
appearance. As best shown in FIG. 4, in the most preferred
embodiment, each of the side ends 46 and 48 are tapered, such that
each of the ends 46 and 48 has a top portion 47 that is narrower in
width than the width of bottom portion 49, which may assist in
proper orientation of the hammock-shaped base when the article is
secured to a tree or fixture.
[0023] A support area 50, defined by the front and back sides 42
and 44, the ends 46 and 48 and the top surface 38 of the base
member 32, provides a space in which the body 34 is positioned
and/or integrally formed. The base member 32 may also include
gathers, ridges, fringes, markings or other indicia 51 on any one
or more of its surfaces to assist in forming the base member 32 in
the shape of a hammock.
[0024] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the base member 32 may be
formed in any type of shape including a swing, a beach towel and/or
any similar type of garden furniture or device, as will be well
known to those skilled in the art.
[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the ends 46 and 48
of the base member 32 includes an attachment mechanism or portion
52 and 54, respectively, for functionally engaging the base member
32 to the swing element 36. The attachment portions 52 and 54 are
preferably substantially tubular, having first and second apertures
56 and 58 and a conduit portion or passage 60 extending
therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 4, the length L of each of the
passages 60 (i.e. the distance between the first and second
apertures 56 and 58 of the attachment portion) is preferably less
than the distance D between the front and back sides 42 and 44 of
the base member, in order to facilitate orientation of the swinger
article 30 with respect to the ground, and to provide the illusion
or appearance of an animal swinging in a hammock.
[0026] Preferably, the attachment portions 52 and 54 are integrally
formed with the base member 32; however, it will be appreciated
that the attachment portions 52 and 54 may be attached or otherwise
secured to each of the ends 46 and 48 of the base member 32.
[0027] As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the first and second
apertures 56, 58 of each of the attachment portions 52, 54 are
coaxially oriented. In the embodiment shown, each of the passages
60 includes a ridge portion 62. As will be recognized by those
skilled in the art, the size (e.g. circumference) of each of the
apertures 56, 58, the length and circumference of each of the
passages 60 and the length of ridge portion 62 are a matter of
design choice and may be dictated by the type of swing element 36
utilized, the size and shape of the base member 32 and/or the size
and shape of the body 34.
[0028] Turning again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that preferably, the
attachment portion 52 on the end 46 and the attachment portion 54
on the end 48 are substantially coplanar, i.e. disposed in
substantially the same horizontal plane such that each of the
attachment portions 52 and 54 are positioned at approximately the
same vertical elevation above the ground when the swinger article
30 of the present invention is installed in a relatively level
manner on a tree or fixture. The distance between the attachment
portion 52 and the attachment portion 54 can depend on the size of
the swinger article 30 and/or the type of swing element 36
utilized, provided the configuration of the attachment portions 52
and 54 permit the swinger article 30 to achieve a substantially
level relationship with respect to the ground (e.g. the figure of
the bear is properly oriented in a substantially level reclined
position).
[0029] In certain other embodiments, the article 30 may be
configured such that either the attachment portion 52 or the
attachment portion 54 is positioned at a higher or lower elevation
relative to the other, depending on the type of base member 32
configuration and/or type of tree or figure onto which the article
will be attached.
[0030] Consistent with the broader aspects of the present
invention, the attachment portions 52 and 54 can be in any shape
known to those skilled in the art, including formed in the shape of
a hook, hanger, loop, and/or hole or aperture in each of the ends
46 and 48 of the base member. Further, where the attachment
portions 52 and 54 are not integrally formed with the base member
32, the attachment portions 52 and 54 can include any type of
attachment mechanism known to those skilled in the art, such as
fasteners, hooks, hangers, loops or any other mechanism for
functionally engaging the base member 32 to the swing element
36.
[0031] Preferably, the body 34 is an animal, such as a bear. As
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the body 34 includes a head 70, torso
72, arms 74 and legs 76, with an arm 74 hanging over the front side
42 of the base member 32 and a leg 76 hanging over the rear side 44
of the base member 32. As described previously, the body 34 can be
formed in the shape or likeness of any one or more animals,
persons, fictional characters, plants and/or ornamental designs
known to those skilled in the art. When the body 34 is in the form
of an animal or person, the body/bodies can be disposed in any
position within the base member 32, such as in a standing,
sleeping, relaxing, sitting and/or a dancing position--as a matter
of taste and/or design choice. Depending on the physical position
of the body 34, the body 34 may additionally include portions 80
and 82, such as apertures or holes that also and/or alternatively
functionally engage the swing element 36, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0032] In highly preferred embodiments of the present invention,
the appearance of a figure disposed within a hammock is provided by
forming the base member 32 and the body 34 of article 30 as a
unitary structure, hand cast or formed from concrete or concrete
derivatives. In certain other embodiments, the base member 32 and
the body 34 are separate structures secured together by any means
known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to,
fastening devices (clamps, staples, screws, nails, etc.), adhesives
and/or welding.
[0033] Preferably, the base member 32 and the body 34 of the
swinger article 30 and/or portions thereof are hand cast from a
cement derivative so that it is weather resistant. Alternately, the
base member 32 and the body 34 may be formed from wood, plastic,
ceramic, aluminum, resin or other suitable preferably light weight
and inexpensive material. For example, the article 30 may be formed
from pre-cast gypsum plaster. In addition, the base member 32 and
the body 34 may be formed of different materials. In addition, the
base member 32 and/or the body 34 of the article 30 may be finished
with any acrylic paint, outdoor paint, water-based glaze or glitter
or finished with a variety of material and techniques including
marbleizing, antiquing, stone texturing, crackle finishing, wood
finishing, metallic finishing, gold leafing and patinas. In
addition, the article 30 may be left unfinished.
[0034] The base member 32 and the body 34 may be of any size
desired or dictated by the end use application of the swinger
article 30. For example, if the swinger article 30 is intended to
be hung from a tree, the base member 32 and body 34 may be of a
larger size than a swinger article 30 intended to be hung from a
hook or hanger attached to the user's home. In addition, the base
member 32 and the body 34 may be sized according to the type of
base member 32 (e.g. a hammock versus a chair or swing), the type
of body (e.g. a bear versus a mouse), the number of bodies 34
disposed on the base member 32, and/or the type of swing element 36
utilized. As such, the height, length and width dimensions of the
article 30 and the weight of the article 30 can be a matter of
design choice.
[0035] Turning next to FIGS. 6 and 7, in addition to FIGS. 1
through 6, the swing element 36 is configured to permit swinging
movement of article 30 when suspended from tree limbs, wrought iron
shepherds hooks, doorways, trellises, porches, patios, posts or
other supporting structure or fixture. In the most preferred
embodiment, the swing element 36 comprises a rope 83 having an end
84 which first passes through the aperture 56, the passage 60 and
the aperture 58 of the attachment portion 52 on the end 46, and
then extends over the tree 20 or fixture 25, and then passes
through the aperture 56, the passage 60 and the aperture 58 of the
attachment portion 54 on the end 48 of the article 30. The swing
element 36 is then tied in a knot 85 at a second end 86 to the
first end 84, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0036] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the swing element 36,
once threaded through the attachment portions 52 and 54,
respectively, will also contain a substantially horizontal portion
88, which helps to maintain the swinger article 30 at a
substantially level relationship with respect to the ground (e.g.
the figure of the bear is properly oriented in a substantially
level reclined position) and thus, in proper position for swinging
from the tree and/or fixture. In addition, since the rope 83 is
movably positioned through each of the attachment portions 52 and
54, the elevation and position of the article with respect to the
ground can be adjusted by moving the rope 83 within the attachment
portions. For example, the elevation and position of the end 46 of
the article 30 may be adjusted with respect to the elevation and
position of the end 48 of the article 30 by providing a shorter
length in one or more of the portions of the rope 83 (i.e. 83a,
83b, 83c and/or 83d, as shown in FIG. 6) on one of the two ends 46
and 48, thereby adjusting the tension in one or more portions of
the rope.
[0037] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the
swing element 36 comprises two ropes 90 and 92. Rope 90 passes
through the aperture 56, the passage 60 and the aperture 58 of the
attachment portion 52 on the end 46 of the swinger article 30 and
then extends over the tree 20 or fixture 25 and is secured or tied
in a knot 94 at its respective ends. Likewise, rope 92 passes
through the aperture 56, the passage 60 and the aperture 58 of the
attachment portion 54 on the end 48 of the swinger article 30 and
then extends over the tree 20 or fixture 25 and is secured or tied
in a knot 96 at its respective ends. As such, the elevation and
position of the article with respect to the ground can be adjusted
by changing the length and/or positions of at least one of the
ropes 90 and 92 by tying the knots 94 and 96 when the article 30 is
in the desired position--effectively shortening the length of the
ropes. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the swing element 36 may
be arranged so that each end is secured around the tree 20.
[0038] It will be appreciated that the swing element 36 can
comprise one or more ropes, strings, cords, cables and/or any
hanging means known to those skilled in the art that can be used to
functionally engage the attachment portions 52 and 54 of the
swinger article 30 to a tree 20 or other fixture 25. The swing
element 36 may be constructed of a natural fiber and/or metal or
thermoplastic, depending on the desired appearance or end-use
application of the swinger article 30. For example, in certain
embodiments, the swing element 36 may comprise one or more electric
cables that provide electricity to the base member 32, the body 34
and/or a light fixture affixed to the article 30 to provide
illumination to a patio or garden.
[0039] When thus suspended by swing element 36 which allows for
movement, base member 32, body 34 and swing element 36 provide the
illusion or appearance of an animal or other figure swinging in a
hammock.
[0040] By the use of the invention, a person suspending the
article, even if not skilled, is able to obtain a secure support
for the article simply by looping the rope, cord, metal cable or
other swing element 36 over an available structure, such as a tree
branch, and obtain a level relationship of the article to the
ground. The distance from which the article is suspended may be
readily and easily adjusted without removal of the article from the
tree or post, for example by simply adjusting the length (and
tension) in the swing element 36, or in certain other embodiments,
by adjusting the length of the ropes 90 and 92, enabling the
article to be placed at different levels.
[0041] By suspending the article from a supporting structure,
homeowners may use the article to give a different look to gardens,
patios, and backyards with limited space and without damaging
plants or taking up soil space where plants would otherwise grow or
patio space where planters or other articles would otherwise be
placed. The invention also provides a unique way to display outdoor
statuary.
[0042] The swinging motion may have the advantage of serving to
repel animals and birds from approaching a garden. For example, the
motion of a figure in the shape of an owl may be used to scare away
birds for whom owls are natural predators. Even if the figure is in
the shape of another animal or figure, the motion may cause animals
such as birds to fear that danger exists in approaching the
backyard.
[0043] While several embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and
modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *