U.S. patent application number 14/546485 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for pot holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dysart Corporation. Invention is credited to Jeff Jordan, John Jordan.
Application Number | 20160135617 14/546485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55960592 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160135617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jordan; Jeff ; et
al. |
May 19, 2016 |
POT HOLDER
Abstract
A figurine is provided which includes a body portion, an
opening, and a plurality of appendages. The opening in the body
portion is configured to secure a container. The plurality of
appendages are extending distally from the body portion and
configured to stabilize the figurine. The body portion and the
plurality of appendages include a ductile core and a flexible
protective covering. The figurine is configured to plastically
deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the
capabilities of an average human. The figurine is configured to
have less than 5% springback.
Inventors: |
Jordan; Jeff; (Canal
Winchester, OH) ; Jordan; John; (Canal Winchester,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dysart Corporation |
Canal Winchester |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55960592 |
Appl. No.: |
14/546485 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 ;
211/85.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/0078
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A figurine comprising: a body portion; an opening in the body
portion configured to secure a container; a plurality of appendages
extending distally from the body portion and configured to
stabilize the figurine; and wherein the body portion and the
plurality of appendages include: a ductile core; and a flexible
protective polyurea coating, the figurine is configured to
plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is
within the capabilities of an average human, wherein the figurine
is configured to have less than 5% springback.
2. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the appendages are
configured to stabilize the figurine by providing an enlarged
base.
3. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the appendages are
configured to stabilize the figurine by providing increased weight
for the container.
4. The figurine according to claim 1, further comprising: a second
opening.
5. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the figurine is
initially flat.
6. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the core includes a
metal.
7. The figurine according to claim 6, wherein the core includes a
steel alloy.
8. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating a
polymer.
9. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating includes
a polyurea coating.
10. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating includes
a colorant.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application
No. 61/905,614, filed on Nov. 18, 2013, titled "Pot Holder," the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a pot holder.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an
anthropomorphic figurine that is able to be posed and retain a
container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is generally know that containers, such as flower pots,
are relatively unstable when subjected to wind and/or when holding
large plants. To rectify this, containers are typically placed in
larger containers that may include rocks or other weighty object at
the bottom. While this conventional solution suffices in some
instances, the large containers are not always appropriate and
require storage or disposal when not in use.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a container holder
that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein at
least to some extent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the
present invention, wherein in some embodiments a container holder
is provided.
[0006] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a figurine
which includes a body portion, an opening, and a plurality of
appendages. The opening in the body portion is configured to secure
a container. The plurality of appendages are extending distally
from the body portion and configured to stabilize the figurine. The
body portion and the plurality of appendages include a ductile core
and a flexible protective covering. The figurine is configured to
plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is
within the capabilities of an average human. The figurine is
configured to have less than 5% springback.
[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain
embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will
be described below and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
[0008] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0009] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine in a suitable pose
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine according to
FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.
[0012] FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the figurine according
to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.
[0013] FIG. 4 is yet another isometric view of the figurine
according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.
[0014] FIG. 5 is yet another isometric view of the figurine
according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.
[0015] FIG. 6 is yet another isometric view of the figurine
according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.
[0016] FIG. 7 is yet another isometric view of the figurine
according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a figurine according to
another embodiment of the invention holding a suitable
container.
[0018] FIG. 9 another isometric view of the figurine according to
FIG. 8 holding a suitable container.
[0019] FIG. 10 is yet another isometric view of the figurine
according to FIG. 8 holding a suitable container.
[0020] FIG. 11 an isometric view of the figurine according to FIG.
8 holding a suitable container.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a front view of the figurine according to FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a front view of the figurine according to FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the figurine according
to FIG. 1.
[0024] FIGS. 15A-15H are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal
blanks for the figurine according to FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 16A-16J are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal
blanks for the figurine according to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a
figurine anthropomorphic figure, and/or accompanying articles for
same that may be manipulated and otherwise posed to retain or
secure any suitable container. In general, the figurine includes a
ductile portion that is configured to plastically deform in
response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities
of an average human. In this manner and as shown herein, this
plastic deformation allows a user to personalize the figurine and
accommodate containers on flat, angled, and/or varied surfaces.
[0027] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine 10 in a suitable
pose according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG.
1, the figurine 10 is a stylized anthropomorphic figure having a
body 12, a head 14, a pair of arms 16, and a pair of legs 18. The
body 12 may be stylized to include an opening 20 in any suitable
geometric shape such as a rectangle, square, circle, triangle,
star, heart, ovoid, and the like. In general, the opening 20 is
sized and shaped to accommodate a container. In a particular
example, the opening 20 is sized and shaped to accommodate a flower
or garden pot. The head 14 may include a circular or animal head
outline. The arms 16 include a pair of respective hands 22 or other
such extremity, with each hand 22 having associated fingers 24 or
toes, claws, hooves, or the like.
[0028] Also shown in FIG. 1, the figurine 10, is configured to be
posed in any suitable manner. In the particular example shown, the
figurine 10 is posed to receive a container. As disclosed herein,
to provide this ability to be posed, the figurine 10 includes a
plastically deformable material that is configured to deform in
response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities
of an average human. It is an advantage of this ability to be posed
that the figurine 10 is suitable for use as a plant
stand/stabilizer. That is, by positioning appendages of the
figurine 10 such as the arms 16 and/or legs 18 distally from a
center of the figurine 10, a base of the figurine 10 is enlarged.
In addition to the enlarged base, the figurine 10 may optionally
include slots 26 configured to receive stakes or other such
securing devices (e.g., string, nails, screws, etc.).
[0029] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine 10 according to
FIG. 1 in a suitable pose which includes a suitable container 30.
As shown in FIG. 2, a particular example of the container 30
includes a pot such as a flower or plant pot. More generally, the
container 30 may include any suitable object. Examples of suitable
objects include: cups; bowls; balls; globes; and the like.
[0030] It is another advantage that the amount of stability
provided by the figurine 10 may be modified. For example, if it is
anticipated that the container 30 will be subject to potentially
strong winds or the occasional bump from someone passing by, the
base of the figurine may be enlarged by spreading the arms 16
and/or legs 18 further out. Alternatively, if the need for less
stability is anticipated, the arms 16 and/or legs 18 may be moved
further in. In this manner, the figurine 10 may be made to fit in a
smaller space such as a window ledge or the like.
[0031] FIGS. 3-7 are other isometric views of the figurine 10
according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container 30. As shown in
FIGS. 3-7, the figurines 10 may include any suitable animal or
other such form. Examples of suitable forms include plants,
animals, objects, and the like. In addition, the figurines 10 may
be posed to accommodate uneven and/or sloped surfaces. For example,
the leg 18 and/or arm 16 may be raised or lowered to accommodate a
rock or divot, for example. In another example, the figurine 10 may
be posed on separate steps of a set of stairs, a ladder, or the
like. It is an advantage of various embodiments that these
figurines 10 that in addition to providing support the container
10, the figurines 10 may be personalized by positioning the arms,
legs, heads, wings, etc. in different and unique ways.
[0032] FIGS. 8-11 are isometric views of the figurine 10 according
to another embodiment of the invention holding a suitable container
30. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the figurines 10 may not include arms
or feet, but rather, may facilitate container stability by
providing sufficient weight. That is, due to the figurine 10
including a metal such as steel, the figurine 10 adds weight to the
container 30 and so, reduces the likelihood of the container being
blown over. In addition, by virtue of the various appendages of the
figurine 10, if the container 30 is blown or otherwise knocked
over, it is less likely that the container 30 will roll around. In
this way, damage to the plant or container may be reduced.
[0033] FIGS. 12 and 13 are front views of the figurine 10 according
to FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the figurine 10 may be
initially formed or bent back into a flat conformation. It is an
advantage of this attribute that the figurine 10 may be `flat
packed` to reduce shipping and storage volume. It is another
advantage of the figurine 10 that it may be formed, die cut, or
stamped from sheet products such as sheet steel. Also shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13 is that the figurine 10 may include more than one
opening 20 suitable to accommodate the same or differently
sized/shaped containers 30. In this manner, one figurine 10 may
accommodate more than one container 30.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the figurine 10
according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the figurine 10 includes
a core 50 and a coating 52. The core 50 may include a suitable
ductile, malleable, or plastically deformable material. Examples of
suitable materials for the core 50 include metals, plastics,
putties, composites such as fiber reinforced plastics and papers,
and the like. In a particular example, the core 50 includes an
iron, a steel or steel alloy that is easily bent by an average
human. Once bent, the core 50 is configured to retain the bend with
minimal (less than 5%) springback. In this regard, the term
"springback" refers to the tendency of many materials to return to
an original shape after being urged into a new shape. In order to
provide a user with the ability to pose the figurine into a desired
pose, it is important to reduce the tendency to spring back.
[0035] The coating 52 includes any suitable flexible material.
Examples of suitable materials for the coating 52 include rubbers,
plastics, other polymers, mixtures and layers of polymers, paints,
and the like. In a particular example, the coating 52 includes a
polyurea coating. More particularly, the coating 52 includes M 25
coatings manufactured by Titus, Inc. of Plymouth, Ind. 46563 U.S.A.
In some examples, the coating 52 is operable to provide a
protective coating for the core 50. For example, the coating 52 may
provide protection from moisture, corrosive chemicals, oxygen, and
the like. In this manner, a relatively inexpensive ductile steel
alloy may be protected from rusting in an outdoor environment. In
addition, the coating 52 may include a colorant or coloring agents
such as dyes, pigments, and the like.
[0036] In another embodiment, the coating 52 may include a polyurea
coating manufactured by Ultimate Linings of Houston Tex. 77041. It
has been found that this polyurea coating provides a surprisingly
better, longer lasting and better looking protection of the core
52. It is a surprising and unexpected advantage of this polyurea
coating material that the coating 52 may be made significantly
thinner without adversely affecting its ability to protect the core
50.
[0037] FIGS. 15A-15H are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal
blanks for the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS.
15A-15H, the figurines 10 are initially flat which greatly aids in
shipping density and reducing costs associated with storage. Prior
to or after being sold to a customer, the figurines 10 may be
folded into a conformation suitable to provide support for the
container 30 as shown in FIGS. 2-11.
[0038] FIG. 16A-16J are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal
blanks for the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1.
[0039] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *