GB2521110A

GB2521110A - A Device for Covering

Info

Publication number: GB2521110A
Application number: GB1317078.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dale Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-26
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2015-06-17
Also published as: GB201317078D0

Abstract

A system providing a Christmas tree base surround according to user preference, comprising of a main body 1, fastening means or self attachment mechanism 3, 11 to prevent accidental return through the slots 4, and feet 2 comprising of living hinges 7 that can be disposable in use. The user will preferably be able to programme design the styling, branding, colouring and lettering on the surface. The feet may preferably have a felt, rubber or similar pad to provide a friction track surface for locating. The surface lip of the main body may also preferably include festive light means comprising of light emitting diodes, with an energy source in the form of a battery, rechargeable battery or mains electrical cable.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1317078.2 RTI\4 Date:10 April 2015 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

I

A DEVICE FOR COVERING

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a device for festive trees, in particular for Ihe bases of festive trees or other decorative installations; more particularly but not exclusively a device for covering the base of festive trees.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the cover; Figure 2 shows a reverse plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a sketch isometric view of a second embodiment; And Figure 6 shows an in use isometric view of a third embodiment of the cover.

Detailed Descrbtion of the Embodiment The pictured ard preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an annular cover device for festive tree bases, comprising an elongate planar surface 1 with a self-attachment mechanism, which mechanism comprises slots 4 and studs 3 at distal ends of the sutace, which allows the studs to be inserted into the slots; and act against reversal by providing a distal T shaped end with projecting arms 11, to prevent accidental return through the slot, wherein tension on the end causes the arms of the T shape to displace to either side of the studlslot.

The cover further provides a location interaction means wherein said means comprises a plurality of feet 2 for interaction with subordinate surfaces providing location.

Said feet are ideally disposable in use, comprising living hinges 7, and provided on tabs 2. In some embodiments feet may be provided on both sides of the tabs, however in the pictured embodiment the feet are only provided on one side, to minimise production costs.

The cover is curved around the tree or base, the stud end 10 fed into a guidance groove at the slot end 20, and the studs fed into the slots, and the tabs bent into the middle to provide a series of feet for contact with a subordinate surface.

Ideally the hinging of the tabs allows the feet to accommodate irregular surfaces.

In typical embodiments the cover is formed entirely or predominantly with a synthetic plastics, in order to minimise production costs with the feet formed of adhered rubber or felt pads or similar. In addition or the alternative the surface may be easily, effectively and efficiently printed with branding or messages S in myriad printing and surface colours or may have self-adhesive stickers placed thereon, and/or may including writeable areas.

Accordingly there is provided in a second aspect a system of providing a Christmas tree base surround printed according to user preference, for example wherein the user can programme and/or design the styling, branding, colouring and lettering on the surface.

In addition or the alternative the surface is of minimal weight and depth, so is easy to store or transport from festive period to festive period.

In some embodiments the surface comprises multiple parts, which cooperate to form an annular cover in use, for example wherein the surface has a reverse fold, or is formed of two or more parts with self-attachment mechanism; in order that the device may be minimised for storage or transport purposes.

The feet are provided on tabs, wherein said tabs are formed of the same material as the surface. A living hinge is formed between the surface and the tab, wherein the tab may consequently be turned away from the surface, so as to extend perpendicularly to the surface.

The feet are accordingly arranged on a perpendicular plane to the surface in use. In this way a plurality of feet comprise to stand the cover on a subordinate structure such as a table, the floor or a carpet.

The tabs in particular function as the locating method wherein the tabs may have weighting placed thereover in order to ensure the cover is held in position.

In addition or the alternative typically the feet are formed of a padding rubber, so as to provide a friction tack surface for locating. In some embodiments the feet may comprise self-adhesive material, for example wherein a user may discard a peel-off top on the feet to allow temporary or semi-permanent attachment to the structure.

The tabs have tapered or chamfered edges in order that the tab may be bent at the living hinge and folded towards a centrepoint defined by the annular cover in use; wherein tapering or chamfering permits the folded tabs to accommodate a smaller circumference in use. The tabs ideally also have tapering at the hinge, to allow a tighter annular shape in use.

The attachment mechanism as pictured is formed by plural slots spaced apart on the surface; combining with two studs, wherein all preferred embodiments are liable to have at least two such studs in order to ensure that the surface forms an annular shape regularised at a top and a bottom edge by both the groove and studs.

Ideally the slots are also separated into two wherein the surface is less inclined to bag out under bending and/or tension.

The studs are formed with catch arms, providing a T-shape. wherein in use tension from the surface pulls the arms against the slot(s). In some embodiments the arms, or edges thereof may be curved out, in order to better engage the slot and prevent return through the slot when the surface is in the annular cover arrangement.

A lip at the top and bottom edges acts to hold the surface in place when in annular form, wherein the lip is on the outer face and the studs a!e passed to the inner face so as to avoid unsightliness and accidental catching.

In further embodiments the studs extend radially, wherein the stud may include a deeper part, such part passed through a slot or hole in use. In some embodiments the tabs may be formed in a different material or process to the surface.

In some embodiments the surface, lip, or edges, include light means, for example comprising multiple light emitting diodes. An energy source is either provided in form of a battery, rechargeable battery or mains electrical cable.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1, A device for covering, comprising of a self attachment mechanism to prevent accidental return through the slots, feet comprise of living hinges that can be pliable in use, a system providing a Christmas Tree Base Surround) printed according to user preference for design and styling.
2, A device for covering according to claimi, in which the attachment mechanism comprising slots and studs at distal ends of the surface, this allows studs to be inserted into slots and act against reversal by a distal T shaped end.
3, A device for covering according to claim 1, the self attachment mechanism in some embodiments the tabs may be formed in a different material or process to the surface, plastic press studs or Velcro.
4, A device for covering according to claim 1, in which the feet are arranged on a perpendicular plane to the surface in use. In this way a plurality of feet comprise to stand the cover on a subordinate structure such as a table) carpet or the floor.
5, A device for covering according to claim 1, in which the device surface may be easily printed with branding or messages in myriad printing) surface colours, embossing or may have self-adhesive stickers or may include writable areas, accordingly there is a second aspect providing a Christmas tree base surround printed to the users preference, the user can personalise for home use or any C business logos for promotional purposes.
6, A device for covering according to claim 4, in which the feet are designed as living hinges of C') the same material as the surface, with adhered rubber or felt pads or similar so as to provide a friction tack surface for locating. In some embodiments the feet may comprise a self-adhesive material for temporary or semi-permanent attachment to a surface.
7, A device for covering according to claim 1, in which the surface lip or edges include festive light means, comprising multiple light emitting diodes, an energy source is provided in the form of a battery, rechargeable battery or mains electrical cable.