Papercraft and the resulting shapes

Abstract

This invention provides paper crafts that are easy to make and can be used as ornaments or decorative items, as well as the resulting sculptures. [Solution] The paper craft includes first to seventh sheet members 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12 that are cut out and can be assembled together. Second and third sheet members 11 and 12 are attached to the front and rear portions of the first sheet member 2, which extends in the front-to-back direction X, in a manner perpendicular to the first sheet member 2. On each side of the first sheet member 2 in the lateral direction Y, fourth and fifth sheet members 3 and 4 are attached to the second sheet member 11. Sixth and seventh sheet members 5 and 6 are attached to the third sheet member 12 to form a leopard 1, which is an example of a quadrupedal animal and can be used as an ornament or decoration. The appropriate year and month of a calendar can be printed on at least one of the two sides of the first sheet member 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to paper craft and shaped objects obtained therefrom, and more particularly to paper craft that can be used as both a decorative item and a calendar, and shaped objects obtained therefrom.

Background Art

[0002] The three-dimensional zodiac calendar described in Patent Document 1 is prepared with paper craft having motifs such as rabbits and dogs, and two or more opening windows are provided in the paper craft. Inside the opening window, a rotating part with characters representing the month and day is provided.

[0003] The paper craft clock described in Patent Document 2 cuts paper to form an animal's face, and attaches a clock dial between the upper and lower jaws of the open mouth. A movement is arranged on the back of the dial. The hands on the dial are attached to a hand shaft extending from the movement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, calendars and clocks can be made using paper craft, and they can be placed on a desk or hung on a wall to enjoy daily life.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a paper craft and a sculptural object obtained therefrom that is easier to manufacture than calendars and the like disclosed in the prior art, and that can be used as an ornament or decorative item that combines hobby and practical benefits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention relates to a paper craft and the resulting object, which can be provided by combining a plurality of sheet-like members having sufficient rigidity to allow the combination of each other's cutouts at the cutouts. The features of this invention in such paper crafts and their resulting forms are as follows: The resulting forms have mutually orthogonal front-to-back, side-to-side, and up-to-down directions, and the objects to be represented by the forms are any of the quadrupedal animals, including dogs, cats, domestic animals, and wild animals, as described in item (1) below, and any bipedal birds, as described in item (2) below; (1) The paper craft includes first to seventh sheet members for obtaining the molded object, each of the sheet members having a front-to-back direction, a lateral direction, and a vertical direction that are orthogonal to each other, the first sheet member extending in the front-to-back direction, the second and third sheet members being spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction and assembled to the front and rear portions of the first sheet member in a manner orthogonal to the first sheet member, respectively, and positioned on both sides of the first sheet member in the lateral direction, the fourth and fifth sheet members being assembled to the second sheet member from below in the vertical direction, and the sixth and seventh sheet members being assembled to the third sheet member from below in the vertical direction on both sides of the first sheet member in the lateral direction. The first sheet member has parts formed in the front-to-back direction that mimic the head, abdomen, and tail of the quadrupedal animal, the fourth and fifth sheet members are formed to mimic the two front legs, and the sixth and seventh sheet members are formed to mimic the two hind legs. When the assembled first to seventh sheet members are placed on a flat surface, the resulting structure becomes a quadrupedal animal that stands independently on the flat surface. (2) The paper craft consists of first to fifth sheet members for obtaining the molded object, comprising: a first sheet member extending in the front-rear direction; second and third sheet members located on both sides of the first sheet member in a manner perpendicular to the first sheet member, in the front and rear portions of the first sheet member, respectively; and fourth and fifth sheet members located on both sides of the first sheet member in the lateral direction, spaced apart from and parallel to the first sheet member, and assembled to the second and third sheet members from above in the vertical direction. A portion of the fourth and fifth sheet members extends longer downward than the first, second, and third sheet members, forming a pair of legs, and when the lower ends of the pair of legs are placed on a flat surface, the molded object becomes a bipedal bird that stands independently on the flat surface.

[0008] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the paper craft and its model, which is a quadrupedal animal, the first sheet member has a calendar printed on at least one of the two sides of the portion of the first sheet member located between the second sheet member and the third sheet member to which it is assembled, for any given year and month.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a bird, the paper craft and its resulting form have a calendar for any given year and month printed on at least one of the fourth and fifth sheet members on the side opposite to the side facing the first sheet member.

[0010] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a bird, the paper craft and its resulting form have a rear end that extends further back than the rear ends of the second and third sheet members, so that when the bird is placed on the flat surface, the rear end contacts the flat surface and, together with the pair of legs, can support the bird placed on the flat surface at three points.

[0011] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paper craft and its resulting form are adorned with colors and / or patterns that evoke either the quadrupedal animal or the bipedal bird. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the paper craft and its resulting form, a single form representing one animal or one bird can provide a calendar for at least one or two months. This means that throughout the year, it is possible to provide calendars featuring various animals and birds. When these calendars are used to decorate a desk or other surface, they become decorative items or calendars that also serve as decorative items. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] The drawings show specific embodiments of the present invention and include not only the essential configurations of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] Left side view of a calendar modeled after the shape of a leopard obtained from paper craft. [Figure 2] Right side view of the calendar (leopard) in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Exploded perspective view of the calendar (leopard) in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] Diagram showing one of the two sides of the paper craft from which the leopard in FIG. 1 can be obtained. [Figure 5] Left side view of the paper craft from which an animal (dog) different from the leopard in FIG. 1 can be obtained. [Figure 6] Left side view of a calendar similar to FIG. 1 modeled after the shape of a bird. [Figure 7] Right side view of the calendar (bird) in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view of the calendar (bird) in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] Diagram showing one of the two sides of the paper craft from which the bird in FIG. 6 can be obtained. [Figure 10] Diagram showing one of the two sides of the paper craft for making a lion.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the details of the paper craft according to the present invention will be described as follows.

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 are left and right side views of a leopard 1 prepared as an assembled paper craft according to the present invention, with the front-to-back, side-to-side, and up-to-down directions indicated by X, Y, and Z. In these figures, the leopard 1 has a body member 2, left and right foreleg members 3 and 4, and left and right hind leg members 5 and 6. The body member 2 includes a head 8, an abdomen 9 integrated with the back, and a tail 10. The left and right sides of the body member 2 are printed with calendars 15 and 16 for May and June of 2027. The body member 2 and the left and right foreleg members 3 and 4 are integrated via a front connecting member 11. The body member 2 and the left and right hind leg members 5 and 6 are integrated via a rear connecting member 12. The length and shape of the foreleg members 3 and 4 and the hind leg members 5 and 6 are adjusted so that the leopard 1, thus formed, can stand on a flat surface, such as a flat desk. Furthermore, the leopard 1 can be made to have any desired color and pattern on its entire body through printing. In addition, the size, shape, and color of the leopard 1 can be freely determined, taking into account how it will be provided to consumers and where it will be used.

[0016] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the leopard 1 in Figure 1. In Figure 3, a downward front notch 21 and a rear notch 22 are formed in the lower part of the body member 2. The front connecting member 11 is formed with an upward notch 21a and a pair of downward notches 23, 24, and the upward notch 21a is detachably fitted into the front notch 21 of the body member 2. Each of the front leg members 3, 4 is formed with an upward notch 23a, 24a, which is detachably fitted into the downward notches 23, 24 of the front connecting member 11. By the detachable fitting of these notches, the body member 2, the front connecting member 11, and the front leg members 3, 4 are assembled as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 3, the notch 21 shown within the circle of the two-dot chain line indicates the inner part of the front notch 21 by cutting out a part of the body member 2. Also, the rear connecting member 12 is formed with an upward notch 22a and a pair of downward notches 25, 26, and the upward notch 22a is detachably fitted into the rear notch 22 of the body member 2. Each of the rear leg members 5, 6 is formed with an upward notch 25a, 26a respectively, which is detachably fitted into the downward notches 25, 26 of the rear connecting member 12. By the detachable fitting of these notches, the body member 2, the rear connecting member 12, and the rear leg members 5, 6 are assembled as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the front connecting member 11 and the rear connecting member 12 are in a state of being spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction X, but both members 11, 12 are called the second and third sheet members in the present invention, and are orthogonal to the body member 2 so as to be located on both sides in the lateral direction Y of the body member 2 which is the first sheet member.

[0017] Figure 4 is a plan view showing one side of a paper craft 100 having a thickness t, prepared to obtain the leopard 1 shown in Figure 1. The paper craft 100 is made of paper or plastic sheet having a thickness and rigidity suitable for assembling the leopard 1, and each of its two sides has printing and cut lines corresponding to the various components 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12 shown in Figure 1, etc. Although not shown, the cut lines are discontinuous in appropriate places, and at these places, parts of each component and parts of the backing paper that are no longer needed are connected in a way that allows them to be cut. As is clear from Figures 1 and 2, the illustrated paper craft 100 has printing on both sides, and the unshown reverse side of the body component 2 in Figure 4 has the June 2027 calendar 16 shown in Figure 2 printed on it.

[0018] Furthermore, although not illustrated in Figure 4, each component 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12 may be decorated with patterns and / or colors that evoke the image of a leopard 1.

[0019] Figure 5 is a plan view of a paper craft 300 with thickness t prepared to obtain a dog 51 instead of a leopard 1. Since the components for obtaining the dog 51 are the same as in the case of the leopard 1, only their shapes are shown in Figure 5, and detailed explanations are omitted. The calendar printed on both sides of the body of the dog 51 can be any month of any year, but if you want to prepare a set of calendars for one year, including the leopard 1 shown as an example in Figure 1, you can assign the months to be printed to each animal, including any other animals prepared in addition to the leopard 1 and dog 51 shown in the example. In the example shown, the calendar for July 2027 is printed.

[0020] Figures 6 and 7 are left and right side views of a bird 201 assembled from the paper craft 200 described later, provided to show an embodiment different from that shown in Figures 1 and 2. In these figures, the bird 201 has a body member 202 and left and right wing members 203 and 204, each of which includes legs 205 and 206. The body member 202 includes a head 208, an abdomen 209, and a tail 210. Each of the left and right wing members 203 and 204 has left and right legs 205 and 206 integrally formed with it, and has calendars 215 and 216 for September and October 2027 printed on them. Between the body member 202 and the left and right wing members 203 and 204, a front connecting member 211 and a rear connecting member 212 are interposed, and these members 202, 203, 204, 211, and 212 are integrated in a manner similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, etc. Calendars 215 and 216 for September and October 2027 are printed on the outer surfaces of the wing members 203 and 204 of the bird 201 formed in this manner. The length and shape of the legs 205 and 206 of the bird 201 are also adjusted so that it can stand on a flat surface, such as a desk, similar to the case of the leopard 1. Furthermore, the bird 201 can be painted with appropriate colors and patterns on its entire body or appropriate parts, although in the illustrated example only the lines that mark the boundaries of the color divisions are shown. The size and appearance of the bird 201 can also be changed as appropriate, not limited to the illustrated example, similar to the case of the leopard 1.

[0021] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the bird 201, showing how the various components of the bird 201 are assembled. The body member 202, left wing member 203, and right wing member 204 of the bird 201 have downward-facing front cutouts 221, 223, and 224, respectively, and downward-facing rear cutouts 222, 225, and 226, respectively. The front connecting members 211, located on both sides of the body member 202, have upward-facing cutouts 221a, 223a, and 224a. The rear connecting member 212, similar to the front connecting member 211, has upward-facing cutouts 222a, 225a, and 226a. When the bird 201 is assembled, the downward-facing forward cutouts 221, 223, and 224 of the fuselage member 202, the left wing member 203, and the right wing member 204 are detachably fitted into the upward-facing cutouts 221a, 223a, and 224a of the forward connecting member 211, respectively. In addition, the downward-facing rear cutouts 222, 225, and 226 of the fuselage member 202, the left wing member 203, and the right wing member 204 are detachably fitted into the upward-facing cutouts 222a, 225a, and 226a of the rear connecting member 212, respectively.

[0022] Figure 9 is a plan view of the papercraft 200 prepared to obtain the bird 201 shown in Figures 6 and 7. Since the papercraft 200 is made in the same way as the previously described papercraft 100, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0023] Figure 10 is a plan view of a papercraft 400 prepared to make a lion (not shown) instead of the leopard 1 in Figure 1 or the dog 51 in Figure 5. This papercraft 400 includes a body member 402, left and right foreleg members 403 and 404, and left and right hind leg members 405 and 406 for the lion. The body member 402 includes a head 408, an abdomen 409 integrated with the back, and a tail 410. It also includes a front connecting member 411 for integrating the body member 402 with the left and right foreleg members 403 and 404, and a rear connecting member 412 for integrating the body member 402 with the left and right hind leg members 405 and 406. However, the lion obtained from the papercraft 400 in Figure 10 includes a mane member 415, which is an assembly part not included in the case of the leopard 1 in Figure 1. The mane member 415 can be integrated with the lion's head 408 by fitting its formed notch 415a into the notch 61a formed on the lion's head 408, as indicated by arrow A. The lion's front leg members 403, 404 and hind leg members 405, 406 are assembled to the front connecting member 411 and the rear connecting member 412, respectively, as in the case of the leopard 1 and the dog 51. In the lion obtained in this way, the mane member 415 is used as a purely decorative part. As can be seen from this example, the assembled paper craft according to the present invention can include members that do not have mechanical or structural effects, such as the previously described members 402, 403 and 410, 411, 412, for example, the mane member 415, which is used as a purely decorative part. Although not shown in detail in Figure 10, each of the body member 402, front leg members 403, 404, rear leg members 405, 406, and mane member 415 has a fitting notch, such as a notch 415a, formed in the required area. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0024] 1. Leopard (figurine) 2 Body parts 3,4 Front leg members 5,6 Hind leg member 11,12 Connecting members Calendar 15, 16 21 Front cutout 21a Notch 22 Rear cutout 23, 24 Notches 23a, 24a Notches 25, 26 Notches 25a, 26a Notches 51. Dog (Sculpture) 61a Notch 100 Papercrafts 200 Papercrafts 201 Assembled product (Bird (figurine)) 202 Body parts 203,204 Wing members 205,206 Legs 211,212 Connecting members 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226 Notches 400 Papercrafts 402 Body member 403,404 Front leg components 405,406 Hind leg parts 411 Connecting member 412 Connecting member 415a Notch

Claims

1. A paper craft and its resulting object can be provided by combining multiple sheet-like members, each having sufficient rigidity to allow the combination of their respective cutouts, at the cutouts, thereby creating a three-dimensional ornamental object. The aforementioned paper craft and its creation are characterized in that the creation has mutually orthogonal front-to-back, side-to-side, and up-to-down directions, and the object to be represented by the creation is one of the four-legged animals including dogs, cats, domestic animals, and wild animals as described in item (1) below, and one of the two-legged birds as described in item (2) below; (1) The paper craft includes first to seventh sheet members for obtaining the molded object, each of the sheet members having a front-to-back direction, a lateral direction, and a vertical direction that are orthogonal to each other, the first sheet member extending in the front-to-back direction, the second and third sheet members being spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction and assembled to the front and rear portions of the first sheet member in a manner orthogonal to the first sheet member, and positioned on both sides of the first sheet member in the lateral direction, the fourth and fifth sheet members being assembled to the second sheet member from below in the vertical direction, and the sixth and seventh sheet members being assembled to the third sheet member from below in the vertical direction on both sides of the first sheet member in the lateral direction, The first sheet member has parts formed in the front-to-back direction that mimic the head, abdomen, and tail of the quadrupedal animal, the fourth and fifth sheet members are formed to mimic the two front legs, and the sixth and seventh sheet members are formed to mimic the two hind legs, and when the assembled first to seventh sheet members are placed on a flat surface, the resulting structure becomes a quadrupedal animal that stands independently on the flat surface. (2) The paper craft consists of first to fifth sheet members for obtaining the molded object, comprising: a first sheet member extending in the front-rear direction; second and third sheet members located on both sides of the first sheet member in a manner perpendicular to the first sheet member in the front and rear portions of the first sheet member, respectively; and fourth and fifth sheet members located on both sides of the first sheet member in the lateral direction, spaced apart from and parallel to the first sheet member, and assembled to the second and third sheet members from above in the vertical direction. The fourth and fifth sheet members extend longer downwards than the first, second, and third sheet members in some portions, forming a pair of legs. When the lower ends of the pair of legs are placed on a flat surface, the resulting structure becomes a bipedal bird that stands independently on the flat surface.

2. The paper craft and its resulting form according to claim 1, wherein in the case of the paper craft being a quadrupedal animal, at least one of the two sides of the portion of the first sheet member located between the second sheet member and the third sheet member to which it is assembled has a calendar for any given year and month printed on it.

3. The paper craft and its resulting form according to claim 1, wherein in the case of the aforementioned bird, a calendar for any given year and month is printed on at least one of the fourth and fifth sheet members on the side opposite to the side facing the first sheet member.

4. In the case of the paper craft and its model, which is a bird, the rear end of the first sheet member extends further rearward than the rear ends of the second and third sheet members, and when the bird is placed on the flat surface, the rear end contacts the flat surface, and together with the pair of legs, the bird placed on the flat surface can be supported at three points, as described in claim 1.

5. The paper craft and its resulting form according to claim 1, which is decorated with colors and / or patterns that can evoke either of the four-legged animals or the two-legged birds.

Images