MODULAR DECORATIVE ELEMENT AND SET OF MODULAR DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular decorative element for the formation of three-dimensional objects, for example a shading element for lamps.

[0002] More in particular, the present invention relates to an assembly of modular decorative elements deriving from sheets which, when cut and folded, enable the creation of three-dimensional objects.

[0003] In the prior art there exist decorative elements obtained from sheets for the formation of lamps. Examples of such prior art decorative elements are described in the patent documents CN 209 638 928 U and ES 2 152 792 A1.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to provide complex shapes through the use of decorative elements in sheets which may be quickly and simply produced and assembled.

[0005] The object of the present invention is a modular decorative element obtained by cutting a sheet and comprising at least one flat portion having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion having a folding line along the major diagonal and a first and a second hole, each hole being arranged at a respective end of said folding line, said modular decorative element being configured in such a way that, during use, it is folded along said folding line and coupled at said holes to one or more further decorative elements in order to form an assembly of decorative elements.

[0006] Moreover, according to the invention, said decorative element comprises two or more flat portions having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other, wherein one or each of said two or more flat portions has in common with one or more of the other flat portions the respective first hole or the respective second hole or its first hole with the second hole of the other flat portion.

[0007] In particular, according to the invention, the angle between the folding lines of two adjacent flat portions can be comprised between 10° and 180° and in preferred embodiments it can be equivalent to 60° or 120°.

[0008] Again according to the invention, said modular decorative element can comprise at least three flat portions having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole, wherein the angle between said folding lines is equivalent to 120°.

[0009] Likewise according to the invention, said modular decorative element can comprise two further flat portions having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said three flat portions at the respective second coincident holes.

[0010] Preferably, according to the invention, said assembly can comprise a further flat portion having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said two further flat portions at the respective first hole.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the invention, the major diagonal of each flat portion can have a length between 1.5 and 2 times greater than the length of minor diagonal thereof.

[0012] Moreover, an object of the present invention is an assembly comprising a plurality of modular decorative elements as described, coupled together at the respective first and / or second holes by means of fixing means.

[0013] In particular, according to the invention, said assembly can comprise a base element comprising a plurality of third holes, each third hole being arranged on the apex of an imaginary equilateral triangle having sides with a length equivalent to the length of the major diagonal of the flat rhomboidal portion of a first modular decorative element and several first modular decorative elements can be coupled to said base element by means of fastening means with the respective first and or second holes arranged at the third holes of said base element.

[0014] Preferably, according to the invention, said base element can be obtained by cutting a flat sheet.

[0015] Again according to the invention, said base element can have the shape of a six-pointed star, wherein a respective third hole is arranged at each point.

[0016] Likewise according to the invention, between two adjacent points of said base element there can be a curve of said star, and each curve can be divided into three portions or tabs separated laterally from one another, wherein a third hole can be present on the central portion or tab, and a fourth hole can be present on each lateral portion or tab.

[0017] Preferably, according to the invention, said assembly can provide for a support element having an annular-shaped body in which a plurality of fifth holes are obtained and second modular decorative elements can be coupled to said support element with their first and / or second holes fixed at said fifth holes by means of fixing means.

[0018] In particular, according to the invention, said assembly can comprise a first assembly and a second assembly as described previously and said first and second assembly can be coupled together at the first and / or second holes of the respective modular decorative elements.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is a shading element for lamps characterised in that it comprises an assembly as previously described.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is a wall or ceiling lamp comprising a shading element as described and a light fixture.

[0021] Finally, an object of the present invention is a kit comprising a plurality of modular decorative elements as described previously.

[0022] Again according to the invention, said kit can further comprise the previously described base element.

[0023] Likewise according to the invention, the kit can further comprise the previously described support element.

[0024] The invention will now be described by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, with particular reference to the drawings of the appended figures, wherein: figure 1 shows a front view of a shading element for a wall or ceiling lamp obtained by means of an assembly of modular decorative elements according to the invention; figure 2 shows a rear view of the shading element for a lamp in figure 1; figure 3 shows a side view of the shading element in figure 1; figure 4 shows a top perspective view of a kit of two first and two second modular decorative elements according to the invention; figure 5 shows a top perspective view of a kit of two third modular decorative elements according to the invention; figure 6 shows a top perspective view of a base element of the assembly according to the invention; figures 7a - 7f show a top perspective view of the steps of assembling the modular decorative elements in figures 4 and 5 with one another and to the base element in figure 6; figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of a detail of the assembly in figure 7f; figure 9 shows a top perspective view of the fixing means used in the assembly in figure 7f; figure 10 shows a top perspective view of a support element of the assembly according to the invention; figure 11 shows a top perspective view of a kit of two fourth and two fifth modular decorative elements according to the invention; figure 12 shows a top perspective view of further fixing means of the assembly according to the invention; figures 13a - 13e show top perspective views of the steps of assembling the modular decorative elements in figure 11 to the support element in figure 10; figures 13f - 13j show rear perspective views of the steps of assembling the assembly in figure 7f to the assembly in figure 13e to obtain the shading element of figure 1; figure 14 shows a front view of a light fixture for ceiling or wall lamps; figure 15 shows a rear view of a ceiling or wall lamp comprising the shading element in figure 1 and the light fixture in figure 14; figure 16 shows a top view of the base element in figure 6; figure 17 shows a top view of a kit of two third modular decorative elements and a fifth modular decorative element according to the invention; and figure 18 shows a top view of a kit of a first modular decorative element, three second modular decorative elements and a fourth modular decorative element.

[0025] Making reference to figures 1 - 3, one observes an assembly of modular decorative elements according to the invention indicated with the numerical reference 10.

[0026] Said assembly 10 can be used as a shading element for lamps, in particular as a shading element 10 for ceiling or wall lamps in combination with a light fixture 33 (shown in figure 14), as shown in figure 15. In the text that follows, by light fixture 33 we mean a structure with wiring and a light bulb holder.

[0027] Figures 4, 5 and 11 show the kits of modular decorative elements according to the invention, wherein one observes fourth types or embodiments of modular decorative elements according to the invention which can be used independently or in combination with one another to form different assemblies according to the invention, which little by little take on different geometric shapes.

[0028] Said modular decorative elements are obtained by cutting a sheet, for example by means of a die cutter or other industrial cutting methods. The sheet material can be of a converted paper type, meaning not only paper or cardboard materials, but also ones that can be processed by the paper conversion industry, thus also and above all plastic materials, such as for example polypropylene or technopolymers, such as for example polycarbonate, PETG and PET. In particular, the material used for said modular decorative elements is transparent and / or opalescent and / or lenticular and exhibits characteristics such as to create particular light refraction effects, especially if used in the context of a shading element for lamps.

[0029] Furthermore, the material employed can be printed or screenprinted with colours and decorative elements of different types.

[0030] In addition, the material used can preferably have a small thickness, for example of 0.7 mm or 0.8 mm.

[0031] Said modular decorative element 1; 2; 3; 6; 7 comprises at least one flat portion 14; 27 having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion 14; 27 having a folding line 15; 28 along the major diagonal and a first 16; 29 and a second 17; 30 hole, each hole 16, 17; 29, 30 being arranged at a respective end of said folding line 15; 28. The modular decorative element 1; 2; 3; 6; 7 is configured in such a way that, during use, it is folded along said folding line 15; 28 and coupled at said holes 16, 17; 29, 30 to one or more further decorative elements 1; 2; 3; 6; 7 so as to form an assembly 10, 31, 32 (shown for example in figures 1, 7f and 13e) of modular decorative elements.

[0032] Figure 4 and figure 18 show a first type of modular decorative element, indicated with the numerical reference 1, which comprises three flat portions 14 having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole 16, wherein the angle ∝ between said folding lines 15 is equivalent to 120°.

[0033] Figure 4 and figure 18 also show a second type of modular decorative element 2 comprising two flat portions 14 having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole 16, wherein the angle ∝ between said folding lines 15 is equivalent to 120°.

[0034] Figure 5 and figure 17 show a third type of modular decorative element 3 comprising three flat portions 14 having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each and other having in common the respective first hole 16, wherein the angle ∝ between said folding lines 15 is equivalent to 120°. Furthermore, said third type of modular decorative element 3 comprises two further flat portions 14 having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said three flat portions 14 at the respective second coincident holes 17. Moreover, said third type of modular decorative element 3 comprises a further flat portion 14 having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said two further flat portions 14 at the respective first holes 16.

[0035] The angles ∝ between the folding lines 15 of said flat portions 14 are always equivalent to 120°.

[0036] Figure 11 and figure 18 show a fourth type of modular decorative element 6 according to the invention that likewise has two flat portions 27 having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole 29 (similar to the second type of modular decorative element 2 in figure 4), wherein the angle ∝ between the folding lines 28 is equivalent to 60°.

[0037] Finally, figure 11 and figure 17 also show a fifth type of modular decorative element 7 which can be comprised in the kit according to the invention which has a single flat rhomboidal portion 14.

[0038] According to the invention, however, said modular decorative elements comprise two or more flat portions having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other, wherein one or each of said two or more flat portions has in common with one or more of the other flat portions the respective first hole or the respective second hole or its first hole with the second hole of the other flat portion.

[0039] Moreover, again in other embodiments, the angle ∝ between the folding lines 15 or 28 of two adjacent flat portions 14 or 27 can be comprised between 10° and 180°.

[0040] As shown for the types of modular decorative elements 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, the major diagonal of each flat portion 14, 27 has a length about two times greater than the length of the minor diagonal thereof.

[0041] However, in other embodiments, not shown, the length of the major diagonal of each flat portion can have a greater length comprised between 1.5 and 2 times greater than the length of the minor diagonal thereof.

[0042] The modular decorative elements 1; 2; 3; 6; 7 according to the invention can be coupled together to form assemblies 10; 31; 32, shown in particular in figures 1, 7f and 13e. In particular, each assemblies 10; 31; 32 comprises a plurality of modular decorative elements 1; 2; 3; 6; 7 coupled together at the respective first and / or second holes 16; 17; 29; 30 by means of fixing means 8, 9, 11, 12, 13.

[0043] The fixing means are shown for example in figures 9 and 12 and can be expansion rivets 12, 13 or screws 9, 11 and nuts 8, preferably made of polycarbonate or aluminium. Preferably, the fixing means are made of transparent or semi-transparent or opaque material.

[0044] Figures 7a - 7f show a first assembly 31 according to the invention, which comprises a base element 4 (shown in particular in figure 6) comprising a plurality of third holes 18, each third hole 18 being arranged on the apex of an imaginary equilateral triangle having sides with a length equivalent to the length of the major diagonal of the flat rhomboidal portion 14 of a modular decorative element of the first 1, second 2 or third 3 type. Furthermore, the plurality of modular decorative elements 1; 2; 3 is coupled to said base element 4, by means of the fixing means 8, 9, 11, with the respective first 16 and / or second 17 holes arranged at the third holes 18 of said base element 4.

[0045] Preferably, said base element 4 can likewise be obtained by cutting a flat sheet. In particular, the flat sheet can be of converted paper material, or also plastic, for example polypropylene, and preferably transparent and / or screen-printable or digitally printable. In the embodiment shown, it is made of transparent, in particular semi-opalescent, plastic material on which a skeleton pattern is printed, composed of a plurality of rhombuses 22 mimicking the shape of the rhombuses that compose the modular decorative elements.

[0046] Moreover, as in the embodiment shown, said base element 4 can preferably have the shape of a six-pointed star 19, wherein a respective third hole 18 is arranged at each point 18.

[0047] Furthermore, a curve 20 of said star can be present between two adjacent points 19 of said base element 4, and each curve 20 can be divided into three portions or tabs 23, 24 laterally separated from one another, wherein a third hole 18 is present on the central portion or tab 23, and a fourth hole 21 is present on each lateral portion or tab 24.

[0048] Making reference to figures 7a - 7f, they show the steps of assembling a first assembly 31 of modular decorative elements 1, 2, 3 according to the invention.

[0049] As shown in figure 7a, starting from a first decorative element 1, the flat rhomboidal portions 14 are folded along the respective folding lines 15. In particular, the folding lines 15 can be obtained by creasing or by making lines with intermittent cuts. The folding is performed manually and serves to lend three-dimensionality to the element which, once slightly folded maintains that position. In particular, it takes on a "V"-shaped cross section.

[0050] Two decorative elements 1 of the same type can be placed one on top of the other, folding the flat portions 14 with a different intensity (as shown in figure 7b) so as to impart greater three-dimensionality to elements and a play of light and shadows when they are illuminated, if they are used as shading element for lamps. The decorative elements 1, whether placed on top of one another or not, are arranged on said base element 4 with the first holes 16 placed over a third hole 18 of the base element 4.

[0051] Subsequently, as may be observed in figure 7c, a second pair of first modular decorative elements 1 is placed on top, with the first holes 16 placed on top and rotated by 60° relative to the first pair, thus forming a flower, as shown in figure 7c.

[0052] Finally, moving on to figures 7d - 7f, little by little the second 2 and third 3 modular decorative elements are also placed on top, thus covering the surface of the base element 4, and all of the elements are fixed by means of rivets 8, 11 and nuts 9, as shown for example in figure 8.

[0053] A second assembly 32 according to the invention is shown in figure 13e and provides for a support element 5 (shown in figure 10) having an annular-shaped body 25 in which a plurality of fifth holes 26 are obtained. The modular decorative elements 6, 7 shown in figure 11 are coupled to said support element 5 with their first and / or second holes 16, 17; 29, 39 fixed at said fifth holes 26 by means of fixing means 12, 13.

[0054] Said support element 5 is preferably a disk made of metal, for example iron, preferably painted.

[0055] In particular, figures 13a - 13e show the assembly steps for obtaining said second assembly 32.

[0056] Initially, the fourth decorative elements 6 are coupled, preferably in pairs placed on top of one another as explained previously, with the second holes 30 placed over the fifth holes 26 of the support element 5 (as shown in figure 13a- 13b), using expansion rivets 12.

[0057] Subsequently, the fifth decorative elements 7 are also applied, again preferably in pairs placed on top of one another, with the first holes 16 placed over the second holes 30 of the fourth decorative elements 6 and fixed, again by means of suitable fixing means 12, 13. These assembly steps can also be inverted, thus first assembling the fifth decorative elements 7 to the support element 5 and subsequently placing the fourth decorative elements 6 on top.

[0058] Finally, in order to obtain the shading element 10 in figure 1, the first assembly 31 and the second assembly 32 can be coupled together at the first and / or second holes 16, 17, 29, 30 of the respective modular decorative elements 1, 2, 3, 6, 7.

[0059] In particular, figures 13d - 13j show the assembly between said two assemblies 31 and 32.

[0060] Initially, the first holes 18 of the points 19 of the star-shaped base element 4 are coupled to the second holes 17 of the fifth decorative elements 7 (as shown in figure 13g).

[0061] Furthermore, the third hole 18 on the central portion or tab 23 is coupled to the fourth holes 21 on the lateral portions 24 of the base element 4 (as shown in figure 13h).

[0062] Finally, moving on to figures 13i and 13j, the second holes 17 of the second decorative elements 2 are coupled with the first holes 29 of the fourth decorative elements 6, again by means of suitable fixing means 9, 8.

[0063] In this manner one obtains the assembly 10 in figure 1, which can be used as a shading element for lamps, in particular ceiling or wall lamps.

[0064] Advantageously, the assembly according to the invention and the decorative elements according to the invention enable variable geometric shapes to be obtained in order to obtain impressive light sculptures that are easy to produce and assemble.

[0065] In the foregoing, the preferred embodiments have been described and variants of the present invention have been suggested, but it is to be understood that a person skilled in the art may introduce modifications and changes without going outside the scope of protection, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular decorative element (1; 2; 3; 6) obtained by cutting a sheet and comprising at least one flat portion (14; 27) having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion (14; 27) having a folding line (15; 28) and a first (16; 29) and a second (17; 30) hole, each hole (16, 17; 29, 30) being arranged at a respective end of said folding line (15; 28), said modular decorative element (1; 2; 3; 6) being configured in such a way that, during use, said at least one flat portion (14; 27) is folded along the respective folding line (15; 28) and coupled at said holes (16, 17; 29, 30) to one or more further decorative elements (1; 2; 3; 6; 7) in order to form an assembly (10; 31; 32) of decorative elements (1; 2; 3; 6; 7), said decorative element (1; 2; 3; 6)being characterised in that it comprises two or more of said flat portions (14; 27) having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other, wherein the folding line of each of said two or more of said flat portions (14; 27) is arranged along the major diagonal line, wherein one or each of said two or more flat portions (14; 27) has in common with one or more of the other flat portions (14; 27) the respective first hole (16; 29) or the respective second hole (17) or its first hole (16) with the second hole (17) of the other flat portion (14).

2. The modular decorative element (1; 2; 3; 6) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the angle (∝) between the folding lines (15; 28) of two adjacent flat portions (14; 27) is comprised between 10° and 180°, preferably it is equivalent to 60° or 120°.

3. The modular decorative element (1; 3) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least three flat portions (14) having a substantially rhomboidal shape, integral with each other and having in common the respective first hole (16), wherein the angle (∝) between said folding lines (15) is equivalent to 120°.

4. The modular decorative element (3) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises two further flat portions (14) having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said three flat portions (14) at the respective coincident second holes (17).

5. The modular decorative element (3) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a further flat portion (14) having a rhomboidal shape, integral with one of said two further flat portions (14) at the respective first holes (16).

6. The modular decorative element (1; 2; 3; 6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the major diagonal of each flat portion (14; 27) has a length between 1.5 and 2 times greater than the length of the minor diagonal thereof.

7. An assembly (10; 31; 32) comprising a plurality of modular decorative elements (1; 2; 3; 6; 7) according to any one of claims 1 - 6 coupled together at the respective first and / or second holes (16; 17; 29; 30) by means of fixing means (8, 9, 11, 12, 13).

8. The assembly (10; 31) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a base element (4) comprising a plurality of third holes (18), each third hole (18) being arranged on the apex of an imaginary equilateral triangle having sides with a length equivalent to the length of the major diagonal of the flat rhomboidal portion (14) of a first modular decorative element (1; 2; 3) and in that several first modular decorative elements (1; 2; 3) are coupled to said base element (4) by means of fixing means (8, 9, 11, 12, 13) with the respective first and / or second holes (16, 17) arranged at the third holes (18) of said base element (4).

9. The assembly (10; 31) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said base element (4) is obtained by cutting a flat sheet.

10. The assembly (10; 31) according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that said base element (4) has the shape of a six-pointed star (19), wherein a respective third hole (18) is arranged at each point (19).

11. The assembly (10; 31) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that between two adjacent points (19) of said base element (4) there is a curve (20) of said star, and in that each curve (20) is divided into three portions or tabs (23, 24) laterally separated from one another, wherein a third hole (18) is present on the central portion or tab (23), and in that a fourth hole (21) is present on each lateral portion or tab (24).

12. The assembly (10; 32) according to any one of claims 7 - 11, characterised in that it provides for a support element (5) having an annular-shaped body (25) in which a plurality of fifth holes (26) are obtained and in that second modular decorative elements (6, 7) are coupled to said support element (5) with the their first and / or second holes (16, 17; 29, 39) fixed at said fifth holes (26) by means of fixing means (8, 9, 11, 12, 13).

13. The assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises a first assembly (31) according to any one of claims 8 - 11 and a second assembly according to claim 12 and in that said first (31) and second (32) assemblies are coupled together at the first and / or second holes (16, 17, 29, 30) of the respective modular decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 6, 7).

14. A shading element (10) for lamps characterised in that it comprises said assembly (10) according to any one of claims 7-13.

15. A wall or ceiling lamp comprising a shading element (10) according to claim 14 and a light fixture (33).

16. A kit comprising a plurality of modular decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 6) according to any one of claims 1 - 6.

17. The kit according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it further comprises the base element (4) of the assembly (10; 31) according to any one of claims 8-11.

18. The kit according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that it further comprises the support element (5) of the assembly (10; 32) according to claim 12.

19. The kit according to any one of the claims 16 - 18, characterised in further comprising a decorative element (7) comprising only one flat portion (14) having a substantially rhomboidal shape, said flat portion (14) having a folding line (15) and a first (16) and a second (17) hole, each hole (16, 17) being arranged at a respective end of said folding line (15).