U.S. patent application number 12/264156 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for method of three-dimensional theming.
This patent application is currently assigned to Scenario Design, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul Buckley, Anthony L. Caruso, Sanford D. Damasco, Paolo Hilario, Paul Nylander, Gerry Rey, Tom Stapleton, Ryan Trinidad.
Application Number | 20090113969 12/264156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40586774 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090113969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buckley; Paul ; et
al. |
May 7, 2009 |
METHOD OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL THEMING
Abstract
A method of fabricating a thematic design article is disclosed.
One of the embodiments of the method comprises the step of
formulating from a three-dimensional computer model of an article,
design parameters for panel elements of the article. The method
further comprises the step of controlling a wire bending device
responsive to the design parameters to form the panel elements,
wherein the panel elements are comprised of horizontal and vertical
sub-elements comprising continuous sub-panels, linear cut to form
sub-panels, or a combination thereof.
Inventors: |
Buckley; Paul; (Oak Park,
CA) ; Caruso; Anthony L.; (Northridge, CA) ;
Damasco; Sanford D.; (Irvine, CA) ; Hilario;
Paolo; (Walnut, CA) ; Nylander; Paul; (Laguna
Nigel, CA) ; Rey; Gerry; (Buena Park, CA) ;
Stapleton; Tom; (San Pedro, CA) ; Trinidad; Ryan;
(Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dykema Gossett PLLC - Los Angeles, CA
333 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 2100
Los Angeles
CA
90071
US
|
Assignee: |
Scenario Design, Inc.
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
40586774 |
Appl. No.: |
12/264156 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60985093 |
Nov 2, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/14.8 ;
140/71R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44B 1/04 20130101; B44C
3/082 20130101; B21F 1/00 20130101; B21F 45/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/14.8 ;
140/71.R |
International
Class: |
B21F 45/00 20060101
B21F045/00; B21C 51/00 20060101 B21C051/00 |
Claims
1. A method of fabricating a thematic design article, comprising
the steps of: formulating from a three-dimensional computer model
of the article, design parameters for panel elements of the
article; and, controlling a wire bending device responsive to the
design parameters to form the panel elements, wherein the panel
elements are comprised of horizontal and vertical sub-elements
selected from the group consisting of continuous sub-panels, linear
cut to form sub-panels, and a combination thereof.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of assembling
a plurality of the panel elements into a first panel section.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of connecting
the first panel section to a second panel section.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of assembling
a plurality of the panel elements into a first panel section of
horizontally bent wire.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of assembling
a plurality of the panel elements into a second panel section of
vertically bent wire.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of applying a
matrix material to the first panel section.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the formulating step includes the
sub-step of identifying a gauge for a wire.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the formulating step includes the
sub-step of identifying a material composition for a wire.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the formulating step includes the
sub-step of determining a volume of the article.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling step includes the
following sub-steps: bending a first continuous wire to form a
horizontal panel sub-element; bending a second continuous wire to
form a vertical panel sub-element; and, joining the horizontal and
vertical panel sub-elements to form the panel element.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling step includes the
following sub-steps: bending linear, cut to form wire to form a
horizontal panel sub-element; bending linear, cut to form wire to
form a vertical panel sub-element; and, joining the horizontal and
vertical panel sub-elements to form the panel element.
12. A method of fabricating a thematic design article comprising
the steps of: formulating from a computer model parameters of a
three-dimensional article, wherein the parameters comprise
horizontal, vertical, and otherwise intersecting elements of a
surface; creating an instruction set from the parameters and
intersecting elements of a three-dimensional representation of the
three-dimensional article, whereby a computer numerical controlled
wire bending apparatus forms the intersecting elements; integrating
the intersecting elements to form a panel section; assembling a
multitude of similarly fabricated panel sections to form an
accurate shape of the three dimensional article; and, processing
the panel sections and applying a matrix material to the assembled
panel sections.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the computer model is a CAD
(computer-aided design) model.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the intersecting elements are
wires.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the matrix material is a
polymeric material selected from the group consisting of
polyvinylchloride and polyethylene.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the intersecting elements are
formed by the wire bending process in a continuous manner.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein the intersecting elements are
formed by the wire bending process in a non-continuous manner.
18. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of applying
paint and design elements to the assembled panel sections.
19. A thematic design article formed from the method of claim
1.
20. The thematic design article of claim 19 comprising a boat,
tree, root, building, cave, mountain, rock, waterfall, pool, pond,
river, stream, character, free form sculpture, or nature scenery.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application U.S. Ser. No. 60/985,093, filed Nov. 2, 2007, which is
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Theming generally comprises the design and creation of
three-dimensional structures for use in entertainment, parade,
decoration, advertising, architecture and other artificial scenery
applications. In one application, theming is used extensively in
theme parks for the creation of realistic natural and fantasy
scenery, as well as in television and motion pictures to create the
illusion of realistic, or fantastic, scenery. Theming may further
be utilized, for example, to create a scaled-down mountain scene as
a part of a log flume ride at a theme park, providing the customer
with the simulated experience of a ride through mountain country.
Specifically, theming may be used to create realistic rock work to
form a mountain or other natural scenes without having to use
actual boulders or unwieldy and expensive rocks. Furthermore, the
substantially hollow structures created by theming allow
concealment of machinery, cables, and other infrastructure.
[0003] Theming is accomplished in four primary phases. First, in
the design phase, the size, shape and relative dimensions of
primary and secondary structures are determined. Second, in the
planning phase, material requirements are assessed and analyzed,
the project is dissected into areas, zones, scenes, elevations, and
order of assembly is determined. Third, in the fabrication phase,
the latticework for primary and secondary structures is assembled.
Finally, in the field fabrication phase, steel construction is
accomplished, cement and other surface preparation is done to the
latticework, and painting and other artistic decoration is
done.
[0004] Traditionally, theming of three-dimensional elements is
accomplished through the creation of a three-dimensional lattice or
skeleton, upon which a formable matrix material may be applied and
painted or otherwise decorated to achieve a desired appearance.
Typically, the three-dimensional latticework will consist of wire
lattice manually bent into specific geometric shapes. The manual
techniques described can only approximate the wire geometries of
angles, lengths and contortions. Furthermore, these techniques can
be very labor intensive, time consuming, inaccurate and
expensive.
[0005] Furthermore, existing manual techniques can be limited in
that they limit the ability to effectively scale up or otherwise
reproduce existing models without subjectivity. Essentially, the
creation of the necessary three-dimensional structures is more art
tan science.
[0006] It is therefore desirable to provide a new process to
efficiently realize three-dimensional theming using scalable,
digital information that may be translated into various digital
formats. This digital information may be captured from sketches,
photographs, three-dimensional models, and other suitable means. It
is also desirable to provide a process for incremental design and
assembly of artificial thematic elements.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention provides a method of fabricating a
thematic design article.
[0008] A method in accordance with the invention includes the step
of formulating, from a three-dimensional computer model of the
article, design parameters for panel elements of the article. Panel
elements may be defined as rectilinear or organic shapes comprised
of horizontal and vertical bent wire components that integrate
together to form a thematic article or design element. These panels
can be designed in various dimensions but will always be a
representation of the digitally created thematic article or design
element. These design elements may include, for example, dimensions
of the panel elements and the size and material composition of the
components of the panel element (e.g., the gauge and composition of
wire). The method further includes the step of controlling a wire
bending device responsive to the design parameters to form a
panelized element. In one embodiment of the invention, this step
includes the sub-steps of bending a first continuous wire to form a
horizontal panel sub-element, bending a second continuous wire to
form a vertical panel sub-element and joining the horizontal and
vertical panel sub-elements to form the first panel element. A
second embodiment of the invention illustrates individual
horizontal, vertical, and auxiliary bent wire lengths that
integrate accordingly to form a single panel of an element.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
method of fabricating a thematic design article, comprising the
steps of: formulating from a three-dimensional computer model of
the article, design parameters for panel elements of the article;
and, controlling a wire bending device responsive to the design
parameters to form the panel elements, wherein the panel elements
are comprised of horizontal and vertical sub-elements selected from
the group consisting of continuous sub-panels, linear cut to form
sub-panels, and a combination thereof.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
method of fabricating a thematic design article comprising the
steps of: formulating from a computer model parameters of a
three-dimensional article, wherein the parameters comprise
horizontal, vertical, and otherwise intersecting elements of a
surface; creating an instruction set from the parameters and
intersecting elements of a three-dimensional representation of the
three-dimensional article whereby a computer numerical controlled
wire bending apparatus forms the intersecting elements; integrating
the intersecting elements to form a panel section; assembling a
multitude of similarly fabricated panel sections to form an
accurate shape of the three dimensional article; and, processing
the panel sections and applying a matrix material to the assembled
panel sections.
[0011] The inventive method overcomes the drawbacks and
deficiencies of the aforementioned theming techniques by providing
a process for design and assembly of artificial thematic elements.
Specifically, the invention discloses a novel method by which one
may create a three-dimensional support structure faux theming that
is accurate, scalable and highly reproducible with substantially
decreased manufacturing and assembly costs.
[0012] The features, functions, and advantages that have been
discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments of
the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments further
details of which can be seen with reference to the following
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The disclosure can be better understood with reference to
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred and exemplary
embodiments, but which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A is a schematic flow diagram of one of the
embodiments of the method showing the design process;
[0015] FIG. 1B is a schematic flow diagram of one of the
embodiments of the method showing the fabrication process;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for one of the embodiments
of the method;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows another stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for one of the embodiments
of the method;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows another stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for one of the embodiments
of the method;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows another stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for one of the embodiments
of the method;
[0020] FIG. 6A shows a stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for another one of the
embodiments of the method;
[0021] FIG. 6B shows a stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for another one of the
embodiments of the method;
[0022] FIG. 7 shows another stage of the wire panel creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for another one of the
embodiments of the method; and,
[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram of another one of the
embodiments of the method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] While the invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with
the understanding that the disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the
illustrated embodiments.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, one of the embodiments of
a method 10 in accordance with the invention will be described and
illustrated. FIG. 1A shows a schematic flow chart of the method 10,
and in particular, shows the design process. FIG. 1B shows a
schematic flow chart of the method 10, and in particular, shows the
fabrication process. The inventive method 10 may begin with step 12
for forming a three-dimensional computer model of the thematic
design article. Step 12 may include several sub-steps including
sub-step 14 of preparing a scale model of the article that may
comprise a hand-drawn sketch, a three-dimensional physical model, a
two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation stored in an
electronic medium or file, or another suitable scale model. An
electronic medium may comprise computer a hard drive, a flash
drive, a portable drive, a compact disk, a digital video disk, a
floppy disk, a tape back-up or another suitable electronic medium,
Step 12 may further include sub-step 18 of obtaining information
from the scale model of step 14 for use in forming the computer
model of the thematic design article. Such information may include
without limitation, footprint information such as size, shape, and
dimensions, volume information such as space and overall mass, and
surface texture information, such as overall aesthetics and feel.
For a physical model 16, sub-step 18 may include the sub-step 20 of
scanning the element or physical model using conventional scanning
techniques and the sub-step 24 of point cloud rectification for
obtaining and rectifying pilot cloud data 22 from the scanning
sub-step 20. Scanning techniques may include photo optical
scanning, three-dimensional photo optical scanning, photogammetry,
remote sensing technology, and other scanning techniques. For
purposes of this application, the term "rectifying point cloud
data" means the cleaning, filtering, and organizing of point data
that lie in three-dimensional space, in order to assemble a
three-dimensional model that can be manipulated on a
three-dimensional platform. For a sketch, picture, or
two-dimensional or three-dimensional electronic representation 26
(collectively), sub-step 18 may include sub-step 28 of surface
model creation for creating a new three-dimensional surface model
30. Step 12 may further include sub-step 32 of creating the
three-dimensional computer model or representation responsive to
the information obtained in sub-step 18 or sub-step 28. Sub-step 32
may include conventional sub-step 34 of polygon rectification,
whereby incomplete elements of the computer model are caused to be
bounded or otherwise closed to create a complete model, and
sub-step 38 of importing a resolved surface model 36 into a
computer-aided design ("CAD") environment to form the
three-dimensional model of the thematic design article. CAD is
preferred because a CAD model may exist in multiple formats from
multiple platforms. A "surface model" for purposes of this
application means a model that consists of zero thickness geometry
that is a true representation of an element that has no weight or
volume.
[0026] The inventive method may continue with step 40 of
formulating, from the three-dimensional computer model of the
thematic design article, design parameters for panel elements of
the article. Step 40 may include, for example, sub-step 42 of
volume study for determining a volume or space of the thematic
design article. Step 40 may further include sub-step 44 of material
requirements for identifying material requirements for various
components of the panel elements including, for example, the gauge
of wire used in forming the panel elements and the material
composition of the wire which may be determined, in part, in
response to the volume of the article and anticipated loading. The
gauge of wire used in forming the panel elements is preferably from
about 6.35 mm (millimeters) to about 12 mm in diameter. However,
other suitable gauges may be used. Preferably, the wire may be made
of materials such as stainless steel, mild steel with zinc coating,
metal, or other suitable materials. Step 40 may further include
sub-step 46 of panelization design process. Step 40 may further
include sub-step 48 of identifying primary structure or structural
requirements 50 and identifying secondary structure or structural
requirements 52. Structural requirements may be determined by
environment, structural codes, local regulations, seismic
conditions, wind load conditions, or other structural requirements.
Referring to FIG. 1B, step 40 further includes sub-step 54 of wire
panel design. Such wire panel design may be of a continuous
quadrant design as shown in FIG. 2, or may be of a non-continuous
vertical and horizontal bars design as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
However, other suitable wire panel designs may also be used. Step
40 may further include sub-step 56 of identifying dimensions and
other parameters associated with the panel elements themselves. In
this manner, the article may be broken down into panel elements of
a size desirable for machine workability, transportation, and ease
of assembly. Preferred panel size may be 2 meters high by 2 meters
wide by 1 meter in depth. However, other suitable panel sizes may
also be used. Referring to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment, sub-step 56
defines parameters associated with designing a vertical wire panel
58 sub-element for each panel element and with designing a
horizontal wire panel 60 sub-element for each panel element.
Sub-step 56 proceeds to digital output to automated wire bender 62.
Vertical and horizontal wires may be formed and assembled to meet
at specific intersections.
[0027] The method 10 may further include step 64 of controlling a
wire bending device responsive to the design parameters to form the
various panel elements. The wire bending device may comprise any
suitable wire bending device. For example, the AIM Wire Bender wire
bending device from Automated Industrial Machinery of Addison, Ill.
may be used. The design parameters for the panel elements may be
translated into coded commands for a computer numerical controlled
("CNC") multi-axis wire bending device, which can then form each
individual panel element or section. Final assembly of the
pre-fabricated panel elements or sections is therefore
substantially less labor intensive than manually building the
desired article from scratch, with the added benefit of heretofore
un-achievable design faithfulness and reproducibility.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment of the
invention, step 64 may include several sub-steps. In particular,
step 64 may include sub-step 66 of fabricate horizontal components
for fabricating horizontal components such as bars, quadrants, or
other components, with wires. Step 64 may further include sub-step
68 of fabricate vertical components for fabricating vertical
components such as bars, quadrants, or other components, with
wires. Step 64 comprises bending continuous wires (e.g., in a back
and forth manner) or segmented wires (i.e., a linear, cut to form
manner) to form a horizontal panel sub-element and a vertical panel
sub-element. Based on the computer model, instructions for forming
a vertical and horizontal panel sub-element may be passed to a CNC
multi-axis wire bending device. Specific to continuous bending, the
first wire may proceed substantially in one direction to form one
of the panel sub-elements, while the second wire element proceeds
in a perpendicular or otherwise intersecting direction to form the
other panel sub-element. Specific to linear, cut to form
non-continuous bending, horizontal and vertical sub-elements may be
bent and cut accordingly to the computer generated data. In each
case, the separate sub-elements may then be overlaid to form a
unitary panel element. Step 64 may further include sub-step 70 of
integrate horizontal and vertical wire components for integrating
or joining the horizontal and vertical panel sub-elements to form a
panel element. For example, when the wire panel design step 54 is
used to design quadrants, a panel element 100 having four quadrants
102 can be produced, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, when the wire
panel design step 54 is used to design bars, a panel element 200
with vertical components or bars 202 can be produced, as shown in
FIG. 6A, and a panel element 204 with horizontal components or bars
206, can be produced as shown in FIG. 6B. The inventive method 10
may further include step 74 of lath application of applying
malleable lath 74 or other formable matrix or substrate material
(e.g., polymer sheeting or cement) to the panel element by
overlaying the material upon the wire grid forming the panel
element to create the desired surface characteristics and form, for
example, in one embodiment, a layered panel element or section 106
as shown in FIG. 4. Suitable laths may include metal diamond lath
with three inch spacing, polyvinylchloride lath, and other suitable
laths. Suitable matrix or substrate materials may include without
limitation, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, and other suitable
materials. Referring to FIG. 5, paint or other design elements can
then be applied to the surface of the panel element to form a
finished panel element or section 108. The inventive method further
includes step 78 of wire web panel creation of assembling a
plurality of panel elements into, for example, in one embodiment, a
panel 104, such as shown in FIG. 3. Although FIGS. 1B and 3-4
illustrate step 78 as occurring subsequent to step 74, it should be
understood that step 78 could also occur prior to step 74. Finally,
the inventive method may further include step 80 of identify wire
web panels per panelization design process of identifying and later
connecting multiple panels or sections to form the thematic design
article. Each panel, being custom formed, is assignable to a
specific location and orientation within the desired final
article.
[0029] FIGS. 2-5 show one embodiment of the panel element formed by
the disclosed method. FIG. 2 shows a stage of a wire panel element
100 creation in the assembly of the final thematic article for one
of the embodiments of the method. Panel element 100 shows quadrants
102. FIG. 3 shows another stage of a wire panel element 104
creation in the assembly of the final thematic article for one of
the embodiments of the method. In this stage, the assembly of the
plurality of panel elements or quadrants 102 into wire panel
element 104 takes place. FIG. 4 shows another stage of a wire panel
element 106 creation in the assembly of the final thematic article
for one of the embodiments of the method. Overlaying material, as
discussed above, upon the wire grid forming the panel element
creates the desired surface characteristics and forms the layered
panel element or section 106 as shown in FIG. 4. Surface
characteristics may include without limitation, characteristics
such as cracks, depressions, shelves, points, holes, caves,
lightbox framing, speaker framing, stairs, walls, rock forms,
character forms, sculpted free forms, and other suitable
characteristics. FIG. 5 shows another stage of a wire panel
creation 108 in the assembly of the final thematic article for one
of the embodiments of the method. Paint or other design elements
can be applied to the surface of the panel element to form the
finished panel element or section 108, as shown in FIG. 5. Suitable
design elements may include without limitation, such elements as
acid stain, moss, sand, small pebbles, large rocks, and other
suitable elements.
[0030] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7 show another embodiment of the panel
element formed by the disclosed method. FIG. 6A shows a stage of a
wire panel element 200 creation in the assembly of the final
thematic article for another one of the embodiments of the method.
FIG. 6B shows a stage of a wire panel element 204 creation in the
assembly of the final thematic article for another one of the
embodiments of the method. The panel element 200 with vertical
components or bars 202 can be produced as shown in FIG. 6A, and the
panel element 204 with horizontal components or bars 206, can be
produced as shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 7 shows another stage of a wire
panel element 208 creation in the assembly of the final thematic
article for another one of the embodiments of the method. The panel
element 208 is a combination of wire panel elements 200 and 204.
The panel element 208 of FIG. 7 can also have overlaying material,
as discussed above, placed upon the wire grid forming the panel
element to form a layered panel element or section similar to the
one shown in FIG. 4. Paint or other design elements can then be
applied to the surface of the panel element to form a finished
panel element or section similar to the one shown in FIG. 5.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram
of another one of the embodiments of the method. In this embodiment
of method 300, the method comprises the steps of step 302 of
formulating from a computer model design parameters/intersecting
elements of a three-dimensional article, step 304 of creating an
instruction set from the parameters/intersecting elements, step 306
of using CNC (computer numerical controlled) wire bending device to
form the intersecting elements, step 308 of integrating the
intersecting elements to form a panel section, step 310 of
assembling panel sections to form a three-dimensional article, and
step 312 of processing and finishing the panel sections.
[0032] In one of the embodiments of the method, there is provided a
method of fabricating a thematic design article. The method
comprises the step of formulating from a three-dimensional computer
model of the article, design parameters for panel elements of the
article. The formulating step may include the sub-step of
identifying a gauge for a wire. The formulating step may further
include the sub-step of identifying a material composition for a
wire. The formulating step may further include the sub-step of
determining a volume of the article. The method may further
comprise the step of controlling a wire bending device responsive
to the design parameters to form the panel elements. The panel
elements may be comprised of horizontal and vertical sub-elements
comprising continuous sub-panels, linear cut to form sub-panels, or
a combination thereof. The controlling step may include the
sub-steps of bending a first continuous wire to form a horizontal
panel sub-element, bending a second continuous wire to form a
vertical panel sub-element, and joining the horizontal and vertical
panel sub-elements to form the panel element. The controlling step
may further include the sub-steps of bending linear, cut to form
wire to form a horizontal panel sub-element, bending linear, cut to
form wire to form a vertical panel sub-element, and joining the
horizontal and vertical panel sub-elements to form the panel
element. The method may further comprise the step of assembling a
plurality of the panel elements into a first panel section. The
method may further comprise the step of connecting the first panel
section to a second panel section. The method may further comprise
the step of assembling a plurality of the panel elements into a
first panel section of horizontally bent wire. The method may
further comprise the step of assembling a plurality of the panel
elements into a second panel section of vertically bent wire. The
method may further comprise the step of applying a matrix material
to the first panel section and to other panel sections. The method
may further comprise the step of applying paint or other design
elements to the first panel section and to other panel
sections.
[0033] The final thematic design articles that may be formed by the
embodiments of the method of the invention may include boats,
trees, roots, buildings, caves, mountains.sub.7 rocks, waterfalls,
pools, ponds, rivers, streams, characters, free form sculptures,
nature scenery, and other suitable design articles.
[0034] A method in accordance with the invention represents a
significant improvement over conventional methods for forming
thematic design articles. The inventive method is less labor
intensive than prior methods that require manual formation of the
wire grid for the article. The method is also much more precise in
recreating the article as designed. The methodology is accurate,
scalable and highly reproducible leading to improved designs at a
lower cost.
[0035] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this
disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented
in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. The
embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and are
not intended to be limiting. Although specific terms are employed
herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *