Patent application title:

Arrangement for presenting a decorative picture

Publication number:

US20050235540A1

Publication date:
Application number:

11/011,098

Filed date:

2004-12-15

Abstract:

The invention relates to an arrangement for presenting a decorative picture, for example a painting, mounted on a rotating base (2) which rotation axis (3) is perpendicular and centered relative to the surface of the picture, with one or more rotating flaps (4) attached to the surface of the picture and which rotation axis (5) are perpendicular but off-centered relative to the surface of the picture (1) and to the surface of the flaps (4), with the said rotating flaps (4) hiding different parts of the picture depending on the relative position of the flaps and the picture to create visual effects, wherein the rotation (6) of the picture is either manual or commanded and the rotation of the rotating flaps (4) is only the result of the gravity.

Inventors:

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Classification:

A47G1/065 »  CPC main

Mirrors ; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means; Picture frames Interconnected frames; Frame assemblies; Frames for two or more pictures

A47G1/16 »  CPC further

Mirrors ; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of decorative objects, in particular of an arrangement for presenting a picture.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known from the state of the art to present decorative pictures on rotating holders in order to give the possibility to visualize the pictures under different angles. For example, the documents FR2675679, DE2950856 as well as WO 01/34001 describe systems to turn pictures hung to a wall. All this rotating pictures turn around their centers.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,086 shows a system comprising a flap with holes that let appear different pictures through the holes depending on the position of the flap regarding to the base picture.

All this systems allow changing the appearance of a picture simply by making turn the picture itself or by turning a flap on the static picture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Arrangement for presenting a decorative picture, in particular a painting, according to independent claim 1, that is comprising:

a rotating base picture (1) mounted on a rotating base (2) which rotation axis (3) is preferably perpendicular and preferably centered relative to the surface of the rotating base picture (1),

one or more rotating flaps (4) attached to the surface of the rotating base picture (1) and which rotation axis (5) are preferably perpendicular but off-centered relative to the surface of the base rotating picture (1) and to the surface of the rotating flaps (4), said flaps (4) are able to hide different parts of the rotating base picture depending on the relative position of the rotating flaps (4) and the rotating base picture (1) to create visual effects.

In further dependent claims, details about possible development of the invention are given:

the rotating flaps (4) are able to rotate freely around the axis (5) as a result of the gravity.

the rotating base picture (1) is turning freely on 360° and has means for staying in some preferential positions, e.g. two or four, for ensuring the leveled position of the rotating base picture (1).

the rotation (6) of the rotating base picture (1) is either manual or commanded.

the rotation of the rotating base picture (1) is commanded by an automatic system comprising, for example, a light sensor, a presence sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock, a calculator, a driving motor for the rotating base picture and activation means for the motor.

at least part of the rotating flaps (4) comprise a picture such as a painting and play a role in the visual aspect of the picture.

at least part of the rotating flaps (4) are translucent or transparent and preferably colored.

the rotating flaps (4) are continuous objects, without holes and of any shape.

the rotating base picture (1) has, on its backside some pads (8) for making the rotation easier and avoid to scratch a wall (7).

the rotating base picture (1) is covered by a protection coating or a protection layer, specially in the zone where the rotating flaps (4) are turning, to avoid that the repetitive rotations of the flaps (4) would scratch the picture.

AVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Compared with the state of the art, the present invention has the advantage to create a surprising effect when the picture is rotated. The fact that the base picture is turned, manually or controlled, without that the flaps follow the rotation creates unexpected visual effects. Furthermore, the zone covered by the flaps is impossible to foresee for an observer, and the presence of several flaps makes the visual effects more complicated and more surprising.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1a: The picture according to the invention seen from the front side. In this position, a sun and a character are to be seen. The pictograms are very simple examples that make the invention easier to understand.

FIG. 1b: The picture according to the invention seen from the front side in an intermediate rotated position.

FIG. 1c: The picture according to the invention seen from the front side in an advanced rotated position. The sun and the character progressively disappear behind the flaps whereas the moon and the star appear.

FIG. 1d: The picture according to the invention seen from the front side in the position where the moon and the star are completely to be seen. Compared with the FIG. 1a, the painting has turned of 180° and the flaps have not turned relative to the wall.

FIG. 2: The picture according the invention seen from the side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1a shows the picture in one of its preferred position. The rotating flaps (4), following the effect of gravity are hanging down, vertically. In this position, the pictograms of the sun and of the character are to be seen. As represented on FIG. 1b, the rotating base picture (1) is turned. This rotation can be manual or automatic. It should be noted that when the rotating base picture (1) is turning, the rotating flaps (4) are staying in the vertical position, thus making appear or hide different parts of the picture. This phenomenon is even clearer when observing FIG. 1c, where the rotating base picture (1) is further rotated. The sun and the character are progressively disappearing behind the rotating flaps (4), and new elements, in the drawings the moon and the star, which where previously hidden, are appearing. As the rotating flaps (4) are also decorated, they do not only hide elements of the rotating base picture (1), but also take an active part in the outlook of the decorative picture. They are themselves decorative elements. In the position shown in FIG. 1d, the picture has been turned of 180°. The pictograms of the sun and of the character have completely disappeared and only the moon and the star are visible.

The invention shouldn't be limited to this embodiment, and should be understood in a wider way, according to the claims. All kinds of visual effects can be achieved with such an arrangement and not only the one of the drawings.

Claims

1. Arrangement for presenting a decorative picture, in particular a painting, comprising:

a rotating base picture (1) mounted on a rotating base (2) which rotation axis (3) is preferably perpendicular and preferably centered relative to the surface of the rotating base picture (1),

characterized in that the arrangement comprises:

one or more rotating flaps (4) attached to the surface of the rotating base picture (1) and which rotation axis (5) are preferably perpendicular but off-centered relative to the surface of the base rotating picture (1) and to the surface of the rotating flaps (4), said flaps (4) are able to hide different parts of the rotating base picture depending on the relative position of the rotating flaps (4) and the rotating base picture (1) to create visual effects.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating flaps (4) are able to rotate freely around the axis (5) as a result of the gravity.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating base picture (1) is turning freely on 360° and has means for staying in some preferential positions, e.g. two or four, for ensuring the leveled position of the rotating base picture (1).

4. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotation (6) of the rotating base picture (1) is either manual or commanded.

5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotation of the rotating base picture (1) is commanded by an automatic system comprising, for example, a light sensor, a presence sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock, a calculator, a driving motor for the rotating base picture and activation means for the motor.

6. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the rotating flaps (4) comprise a picture such as a painting and play a role in the visual aspect of the picture.

7. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the rotating flaps (4) are translucent or transparent and preferably colored.

8. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating flaps (4) are continuous objects, without holes and of any shape.

9. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating base picture (1) has, on its backside some pads (8) for making the rotation easier and avoid to scratch a wall (7).

10. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating base picture (1) is covered by a protection coating or a protection layer, specially in the zone where the rotating flaps (4) are turning, to avoid that the repetitive rotations of the flaps (4) would scratch the picture.

Resources

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