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| United States Patent
|
4,208,848 |
| Kohl |
June 24, 1980 |
Decorative system
Abstract
A decorative system including a transparent container holding a
described decorative aqueous mixture including aluminum powder and
the system further providing means for bubbling air through the
mixture for optimum effect.
| Inventors: |
Kohl; Richard C.
(Phoenix, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
05/932,213 |
| Filed: |
August 9, 1978 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
52/171.3 ;
40/406; 428/38; 52/204.59; D25/108; D25/52 |
| Current
International Class: |
E06B
3/66 (20060101); G09F 13/00 (20060101); G09F
13/24 (20060101); E06D 007/62 () |
| Field of
Search: |
52/171,306,311
40/406,407,408 428/38 350/312 272/8R,8D,8P |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Faw, Jr.; Price C.
Assistant Examiner: Friedman; Carl D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A decorative system including:
a. essentially-transparent containing means;
b. a decorative aqueous mixture within said containing means;
c. mechanical means for producing decorative movement within said
aqueous mixture;
d. said decorative aqueous mixture including at least about one-half
percent by volume of aluminum powder;
e. said mechanical means being constructed and arranged to bubble
air through said decorative aqueous mixture;
f. said containing means being comprised of a windowpane structure
having at least one hollow portion therein containing said
decorative aqueous mixture;
g. said hollow portion of said windowpane structure communicating
with at least one air entry opening and at least one air exit
opening; and
h. said containing means comprising multiple windowpane structures
each having at least one said hollow portion therein and said system
including a single source of compressed air in communication with
each said hollow portion.
2. The decorative system of claim 1 wherein the decorative aqueous
mixture in one said windowpane structure is an essentially different
color than the decorative aqueous mixture in another of said
windowpane structures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to decorative systems for church, home, or
commercial use.
More particularly, the invention concerns a decorative system
providing the beauty and utility of moving liquid patterns seen
through a transparent container.
In a further aspect, the invention concerns a decorative system
adapted for a variety of uses and which may particularly and with
great utility replace stained glass window systems of the type most
ordinarily found in churches.
Among the problems associated with the use of decorative systems
containing decorative mixtures, liquids, plastics, etc. are problems
associated with providing movement within the system. If movement is
not provided, any decorative mixtures of this type will tend, at
worst, to settle in time due to gravity and lose much if not all of
their beauty. At best, a great decrease in the optimum level of
beauty and utility is experienced. Additionally, the provision of
adequate illumination for optimum effect is often a problem, bright
sunlight being best for many uses although indoor decoration is most
commonly desired.
Also, particularly in areas of use presently associated with stained
glass windows, inordinate expense is often required to obtain
stained glass of the appropriate composition color, etc.
Furthermore, since the color is built into the glass, the need or
wish to alter the artistic configuration and looks of a stained
glass window installation is accompanied by the inordinate expense
of completely altering or replacing the window system.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to provide a decorative
system of the type containing a decorative aqueous mixture which is
not only adapted efficiently to provide proper movement of the
mixture, but that provides also for the solution of the other
problems hereinbefore mentioned with respect to the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved decorative system.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
decorative system of the type containing a decorative aqueous
mixture.
Still another object is to provide a decorative system of this type
which efficiently provides for movement of the mixture. Yet another
object of the present invention is the provision of a decorative
system of the above type which may be used in the place of stained
glass windows and provides for exceptional beauty and utility
without all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of stained glass
window systems.
Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision
of a decorative device of the above type which is efficient in its
manner of operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and
having high degree of durability and serviceability.
Briefly, to accomplish the desired objectives of the present
invention in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment
thereof, there is provided an essentially-transparent containing
means which contains a decorative aqueous mixture therewithin.
Decorative movement within the mixture is produced by mechanical
means preferably constructed and arranged to bubble air through the
mixture. The aqueous mixture includes twenty-five parts to one
hundred parts of aluminum powder (preferably fifty parts) for each
five thousand parts of water and further includes one to six parts
of a mixing agent, preferably in the form of household dishwashing
detergent. The mixture may further include one to ten parts of a
coloring agent in the form of household food coloring. In a
preferred embodiment, the containing means comprises a windowpane
structure having at least one hollow portion therewithin which
hollow portion communicates with at least one air entry opening and
at least one air exit opening constructed and arranged so that air
may be bubbled through the aqueous mixture. In a further preferred
embodiment, the windowpane structures are arranged in modular
fashion, and the aqueous mixture may have different coloring agents
in the aqueous mixture contained in different windowpanes; and
further, with respect to such embodiment, a single means of air
production may be utilized for all of the multiple panes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further and more specific objects and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection
with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an artistic view showing individual units of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention installed in a building
structure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a single unit of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the section 3--3 of FIG. 2
illustrating how a valve means may be used to contain the decorative
mixture of the present invention within the decorative system;
FIG. 4 is a partial sample sectional view through a decorative
system of the present invention utilizing multiple single units and
a single source of air flow and illustrating the flow of air through
channels to reach each unit;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view through the section 5--5 of FIG. 2 and
specifically illustrates how the frame of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention may be utilized to provide channels for
incoming and outgoing air, including illustrative examples of an air
entry and air exit;
FIG. 6 is a partial view of a portion of a multiple-unit embodiment
of the present invention further illustrating one preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but illustrating another
preferred embodiment of the present invention showing another way in
which the individual units of the present invention may be used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to drawings, in which the reference numerals indicate
corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1
illustrates a building 11 containing a window unit 12 containing a
multiple number of individual units or panes, for example, units 13,
14, and 15. Both the individual units, as 13, and the multiple unit
12 may be manufactured as preferred embodiments in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention herein set out.
FIG. 2 shows a decorative system unit 13 in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Unit 13 forms a
container holding decorative mixture 16 and includes frame 17, rear
glass plate 18, and front glass plate 19. Frame 17 includes air
outlet 20 at its top and air inlet 21 at its bottom. Further
illustrated in FIG. 2 is a source of air such as air pump 22 which
provides air flow to unit 13 by way of air line 23. In operation air
flows from air pump 22 through air line 23 and into unit 13 by way
of air inlet 21. As the air passes through decorative mixture 16
(illustrated by bubbles 24), the flow of air provides movement
within decorative mixture 16 and sufficient air flow should be
utilized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
to provide for optimum beauty and mixing. After passing through
decorative mixture 16, the air leaves unit 13 by way of air outlet
20.
With respect to FIG. 3, a sectional view through the section 3--3 of
FIG. 2, there is shown one specific structure suitable in the
preferred embodiment for the treatment of the air inlet 21. Shown
mounted in frame 17 for use in a well known manner is ball check
valve 25. When unit 13 is filled with decorative mixture 16, the
ball check valve 25 prevents the leakage of decorative mixture 16
into air line 23. However, as will be evident to those skilled in
the art, when the air pressure in air line 23 is sufficient, ball
check valve 25 will permit air to flow through air inlet 21.
FIG. 4 illustrates the inlet air flow pattern of one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, which may be similar to
multiple unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1. A source of compressed air
26 is connected to communicate with inside air passages (as shown by
the air flow arrows) within frame 27. Each air flow passge 28 is in
communication both with compressed air source 26 and each air inlet
valve 29 communicating with each illustrated window individual unit,
for example as at 30, 31 and 32. Thus, air, as shown, may bubble
through the decorative mixture of the present invention.
FIG. 5 most clearly illustrates one specific structure for a
preferred embodiment of the frame 17 of the present invention, the
frame section being taken through section 5--5 of FIG. 2, but for
illustrative purposes, illustrating the position within the frame 17
of air outlet 20 and air inlet 21 situated respectively at the top
and bottom of each individual unit 13. Frame channel members 33 and
34 are illustrated in cross section and are designed to fit, each
with the other, so as to provide a channel 35 to transport incoming
air and a channel 36 to transport outgoing air, as illustrated. The
arrows in FIG. 5 illustrate air flow direction.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate, for the sake of clarity, other
arrangements of individual units 13 to make multiple units 12 and,
therein, other preferred locations of air inlet valves 25 and air
outlets 20. FIGS. 6 and 7 are not intended to illustrate the details
of construction of the frame to provide various needed passages, but
only to illustrate the matters above set forth.
Decorative mixture 16 of the present invention is a decorative
aqueous mixture preferably comprising about fifty parts by volume of
aluminum powder for each five thousand parts of water. To obtain the
decorative effects provided by the decorative system of the present
invention the preferred decorative aqueous mixture should include at
least about one-half percent of aluminum powder by volume. A further
preferred range for aluminum powder content in said decorative
aqueous mixture is from about twenty-five parts to about one hundred
parts of aluminum powder by volume for each five thousand parts of
water.
Further, for the preferred decorative aqueous mixture of the present
invention which includes from about twenty-five parts to about one
hundred parts by volume of aluminum powder for each five thousand
parts of water, a mixing agent, preferably in the form of a
household dishwashing detergent, assists the aluminum in mixing well
with the water to better provide a preferred decorative effect for
the decorative system of the present invention. The preferred range
for household dishwashing detergent in the decorative aqueous
mixture of the present invention is from about one part to about six
parts of detergent for each five thousand parts of water. A specific
example of such detergent which works effectively in the decorative
aqueous mixture of the present invention is that known as Joy (a
registered trademark) dishwashing detergent.
The decorative effect of the decorative system of the present
invention is most preferably obtained when a coloring agent is added
to the decorative aqueous mixture of the present invention. To
achieve the optimum effect of the present decorative system the
decorative aqueous mixture of the present invention may include from
about one part to about ten parts for each five thousand parts of
water of a coloring agent of the form of household food coloring. An
example of a household food coloring product which may be used
effectively in the present invention is that product known as
Schilling (a registered trademark) food colors.
Further, a specific example of aluminum powder which produces
optimum decorative effect in the system of the present invention is
that known as #32 Sunbrite Chemically Pure Aluminum Luco (a
registered trademark) aluminum powder.
It may be seen, with reference to FIG. 1, that a decorative effect
which may be compared to that of stained glass may be obtained if,
for example, the units 13, 14, and 15 contain therein essentially
different colors of the decorative aqueous mixture of the present
invention. If the decorative aqueous mixture of the present
invention is mixed and moving as taught herein by applicant, light
striking the decorative aqueous mixture will not only be colored
passing through, for example, unit 15, but both inside and outside
light will be reflected to the eye of the viewer from aluminum
powder particles within the present decorative aqueous mixture, thus
providing a most useful and beautiful effect. If is further seen
that the specific shapes of the hollow portions within the
containing means of the present invention may be varied also in
addition to the variation in color between such hollow portions,
thus providing an improved decorative system having optimum artistic
flexibility for use by architects, decorators, and others.
Various changes in the system and devices herein shown for the
purpose of illustration will readily occur to persons skilled in the
art. Such modifications and variations, while not explicitly denoted
in the foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiment,
do not deviate from the teachings of the present invention and are
intended to be included in the spirit and scope thereof, and the
scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by a
fair interpretation of the following claims:
* * * * *
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