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US 8,998,451 B2Granted
Customizable decorative party apparatus
OwnerRonald Dominick Crognaleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A customizable decorative party apparatus. One of several possible insert photographs, name tags, decals, or logos inserts in place on a generally planer surface of a base. A substantially transparent cover removably locks onto the base, defining a substantially water-tight protective cover over the insert. The apparatus includes an attaching structure on the opposite surface, configured to temporarily, removably connect the apparatus to one of a plurality of party items, e.g., cups, plates, straws, hats, ornaments, a string of holiday lights, or the like. The apparatus can be removed from the decoration, the cover can be removed from the base by hand-manipulating the lock, and the same insert, or a different insert, can be inserted for use at the same party or a different party.
Claims44
A customizable decorative party apparatus comprising:
- a base portion having a generally planar first surface, a first locking element provided on the first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a preselected shape;
- a removable interchangeable insert having the preselected shape, configured to be inserted on the first surface;
- a substantially transparent cover portion having a bottom surface, and a second locking element on the bottom surface;
- and
- a connecting structure affixed to the second surface, temporarily, removably connecting the base portion to a selected party item;
- wherein the first surface of the base portion and the bottom surface of the cover portion are configured to removably attach to one another, with a substantially watertight seal being defined therebetween, by locking together the first locking element on the base portion with the second locking element on the cover portion, with the removable interchangeable insert held on the first surface;
- and
- wherein the substantially watertight connection is configured to disconnect via hand-manipulation of the base portion and the cover portion, to remove and exchange the insert with the same or another removable interchangeable insert.
5 more elements
A customizable decorative party apparatus comprising:
- a base portion having a generally planar first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a preselected shape;
- a removable interchangeable insert having the preselected shape, configured to be inserted on the first surface;
- a substantially transparent cover portion having a bottom surface;
- and
- a connecting structure affixed to the second surface, temporarily, removably connecting the base portion to a selected party item;
- wherein the first surface of the base portion and the bottom surface of the cover portion are configured to removably attach to one another, with the removable interchangeable insert held therebetween with a substantially watertight connection;
- wherein the substantially watertight connection is configured to disconnect via hand-manipulation of the base portion and the cover portion, to remove and exchange the insert with the same or another removable interchangeable insert;
- wherein the base portion comprises a lock tab extending from the first surface, and the cover portion comprises a locking structure in the lower surface of the cover portion;
- and
- wherein the locking structure in the lower surface of the cover portion comprises a locking slot, and the lock tab is configured and positioned to removably snap-lock into place in the locking slot.
7 more elements
A customizable decorative party apparatus, comprising:
- a base portion having a generally planar first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a preselected shape;
- a removable interchangeable insert having the preselected shape, configured to be inserted on the first surface;
- a substantially transparent cover portion having a bottom surface;
- and
- a connecting structure affixed to the second surface, temporarily, removably connecting the base portion to a selected party item;
- wherein the first surface of the base portion and the bottom surface of the cover portion are configured to removably attach to one another, with the removable interchangeable insert held therebetween with a substantially watertight connection;
- and
- wherein the substantially watertight connection is configured to disconnect via hand-manipulation of the base portion and the cover portion, to remove and exchange the insert with the same or another removable interchangeable insert;
- wherein the first surface of the base portion comprises projecting lock tabs with threads provided on vertical surfaces thereof, engageable with corresponding threads provided on opposing vertical surfaces within the cover portion.
6 more elements
A string of customizable decorative holiday lights comprising:
- an electric cord connected to a power source;
- a plurality of lights electrically connected to the cord;
- a plurality of customizable decorative ornaments, each said ornament comprising:
- a base portion having a surface, a first locking element provided on the surface, a preselected configuration, and an aperture;
- a removable, interchangeable insert having a configuration generally corresponding to the preselected configuration, and configured to be inserted on the surface of the base portion;
- and
- a generally transparent cover portion, having a second locking element, removably attachable to the base portion by locking the first locking element on the base portion with the second locking element on the cover portion, the locking of the first and second locking elements defining a substantially watertight seal therebetween, with the removable interchangeable insert held on the surface of the base portion;
- wherein the aperture is configured for insertion therethrough of one of the plurality of lights, into the base portion, to illuminate the insert.
5 more elements
A method of assembling a customizable decorative party apparatus comprising:
- providing a base portion having an upper surface, a first locking element provided on the upper surface, a lower surface, a temporary connecting device attached to the lower surface, and a preselected shape;
- providing a plurality of removable interchangeable inserts having the preselected shape;
- providing a generally transparent cover portion having a second locking element, and the preselected shape, removably attachable to the upper surface of the base portion;
- applying the removable interchangeable insert onto the upper surface of the base portion;
- removably attaching the base portion and the cover portion together, defining a watertight seal therebetween by locking the first locking element on the base portion with the second locking element on the cover portion, with the removable interchangeable insert held on the upper surface of the base portion;
- and
- temporarily connecting the base portion to one of a plurality of party items with the connecting device.
4 more elements
The method of clam 23, further comprising inserting a light into the base portion to illuminate the insert.
A customizable decorative holiday ornament, comprising:
- a first portion having a preselected shape, a first annular surface, and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough, a light on a string of lights;
- a substantially transparent second portion, having a second annular surface, removably connectable with the first portion;
- and
- a removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape, adapted to be inserted and removably mounted on the first portion, and held in place thereon by the removable connection of the first portion and the second portion, and to be visible through the substantially transparent second portion when backlit by the light;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration.
2 more elements
A customizable decorative holiday apparatus comprising:
- a first portion having a preselected shape and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough a light on a string of lights;
- a substantially transparent second portion, removably connectable with the first portion;
- and
- a removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape, adapted to be inserted and removably mounted between the first portion and the second portion, and to be visible through the substantially transparent second portion when backlit by the light;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration;
- and
- wherein locking tabs provided on one of the first portion and the second portion and slots on the other of the first portion and the second portion are configured such that the first portion and the second portion to be twisted into removable connection.
4 more elements
A customizable decorative holiday apparatus comprising:
- a first portion having a preselected shape and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough a light on a string of lights;
- a substantially transparent second portion, removably connectable with the first portion;
- and
- a removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape, adapted to be inserted and removably mounted between the first portion and the second portion, and to be visible through the substantially transparent second portion when backlit by the light;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration;
- and
- wherein locking tabs provided on one of the first portion and the second portion and slots on the other of the first portion and the second portion are configured such that the first portion and the second portion to be snapped into removable connection.
4 more elements
A method of assembling a customized decorative holiday apparatus, comprising:
- utilizing a first portion having a preselected shape and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough a light on a string of lights;
- utilizing a first removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape;
- utilizing a substantially transparent second portion adapted to be connected with the first portion;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration and an annular surface, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration and a planar surface;
- removably connecting the second portion and the first portion with the first insert mounted on the annular surface, and held in place thereon by the connection of the first portion with the second portion;
- and
- inserting the light though the aperture to backlight the generally translucent insert, thereby making the insert visible through the generally transparent second portion.
4 more elements
A method of assembling a customized decorative holiday apparatus, comprising:
- utilizing a first portion having a preselected shape and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough a light on a string of lights;
- utilizing a first removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape;
- utilizing a substantially transparent second portion adapted to be connected with the first portion;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration;
- removably connecting the second portion and the first portion with the first insert mounted therebetween;
- inserting the light through the aperture to backlight the generally translucent insert, thereby making the insert visible through the generally transparent second portion;
- whereby removably connecting the first portion and the second portion includes twisting the first portion and the second portion together;
- and
- wherein twisting the first and second portions together includes inserting locking tabs provided on one of the first and second portions into slots defined in the other of the first and second portions and twisting at least one of the first and second portions.
6 more elements
A method of assembling a customized decorative holiday apparatus, comprising:
- utilizing a first portion having a preselected shape and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough a light on a string of lights;
- utilizing a first removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape;
- utilizing a substantially transparent second portion adapted to be connected with the first portion;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration;
- removably twisting the first portion and the second portion together with the first insert therebetween;
- and
- inserting light through the aperture to backlight the generally translucent insert, thereby making the insert visible through the generally transparent second portion,
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration;
- removably twisting the first portion and the second portion together with the first insert therebetween;
- and
- inserting the light through the aperture to backlight the generally translucent insert, thereby making the insert visible through the generally transparent second portion;
- and
- wherein removably twisting the first and second portions together includes inserting locking tabs provided on one of the first and second portions into a thread defined in the other of the first and second portions and twisting at least one of the first and second portions.
10 more elements
A method of assembling a customized decorative holiday apparatus, comprising:
- utilizing a first portion having a preselected shape and an aperture adapted to receive therethrough a light on a string of lights;
- utilizing a first removable, interchangeable generally translucent insert having the preselected shape;
- utilizing a substantially transparent second portion adapted to be connected with the first portion;
- wherein one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally hemispherical configuration, and the other of the first portion and the second portion has a generally planar configuration;
- removably connecting the second portion and the first portion with the first insert mounted therebetween;
- and
- inserting the light through the aperture to backlight the generally translucent insert, thereby making the insert visible through the generally transparent second portion;
- wherein removably connecting the first portion and the second portion includes snapping the first portion and the second portion together;
- and
- wherein snapping the first and second portions together includes inserting locking tabs provided on one of the first and second portions into slots defined in the other of the first and second portions.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.