Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MIRROR AND REPRESENTATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are in the form of a decorative, novelty
or toy
s mirror, and in the farm of a toy, novetty, or decoratEon for a mtrror.
Embodiments of the present invention relate, in part, to puzzles, and more
specifically to puzzles In which the pieces can be assembled in one way to
form a
pre-determined representation, and to puzzies in which the pieces can be
assembled
to in one or more ways to form one or more representations. For example, U.S.
Pat.
No. 4,385,467 describes a multi-layered puzzle toy wherein the pieces can be
assembted within an ovoid oontour to form one or more stytized taces.
Embodiments of the present invention aiso relate, In part, to decorative
mirrors.
is Examples of decorative uses and modifications for mirrors are described in
U.S. Pat.
Nos. 936,344; 5,137,781; 5,135,828; 5,210,967; 6,375,332; and 6,543,163; and
also
In Can. Pat. Nos. 2,193,609; 2,310,412.
Embodiments of the invention also relate, in part, to illusory mirror devices
for the
20 amusement of children, that display an image of an object and various
display items.
Examples of uses and modifications for mirrors that may provide amusement for
chiidren are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,072.314; 4,157,833; and 5,999,317;
and
also in Can. Pat. Nos. 2,087,658; 2,400,884; and 2,420,787.
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Embodiments of the invention also relate, in part, to an interactive role
playing game.
An example of a roie playing game incocporating a sr-irror is descxibed in
U.S. Pat.
No 6,220,864.
Embodiments of the inventron also relate, in part, to a wide variery of known
methods
and means of creating an iltusory composite Image of the vtevrer and a
representation. An example of ittusory composite image creation Is described
In U.S.
Pat. No. 5,999,317. An example of an illusory mirror device is described in
U.S. Pat.
No. 4,971,312. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,236,196; 1,690,0f6; 2,075,198;
to 2,165,736; 2,899,860; 3,507,570; 3,729,839; 4,902,1 t7; 5,681,223; and
6,198,503.
It is believed that a new and different form of play, amusement, entertainment
and
educational activity can be created by combining a mirror decoration, wtth one
or
more pieces, to be assembled on a mirror surface to form a representation,
such that
rs a user in front of a mirror can view himsetf or herseif within a composite
image
comprised of his or her reflected image in the mirror and the representation
formed
by the mirror decoration system.
The fotlowing Canadian and U.S. Patent Documents are believed to provide
20 background for embodiments of the invention:
Canadian Patent Documents
2,087,658 May 1994 Fromm
2,193,609 filed Dec 1996 Hsieh
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2,310,412 fiied Nov 1998 Whinney
2,400,884 filed Aug 2002 Chan
2,420,787 filed Feb 2003 Gorischek
U.S. Patent DocumeÃKs
809,698 Jan 1906 Kelley
936,344 Oct 1909 Myers
1,680,016 Aug 1928 Dawley
2,075,198 March 1937 Henze
2,165,736 July 1939 Twele
2,899,860 Aug 1959 Scott
3,507,570 Apr 1970 Boundter
3,729,839 May 1973 Bourdier
4,072,314 Feb 1978 Rosen
4,157,633 Jun 1979 Reiner
4,385,467 May 1983 Samuels
4,902,117 Feb 1990 Papp
4,971,312 Nov 1990 Weinreich
5,210,967 May 1993 Brown
5,681,223 Oct 1997 Weinreich
5,886,818 Mar 1999 Summer
5,983,201 Nov 1999 Fay
5,999,317 Dec 1999 Whitney
6,198,503 Mar 2001 Weinrich
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8,220,864 Apr 2001 Wafawender
6,375,332 Apr 2002 Whinney
8,543,163 Apr2003 Ginsberg
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, in one aspect, embodiments of the invention comprise a mirror,
with a
s reflectlve mirror component, a magnetic materiaf component, and a backing
component; and a mirror decorat'ion, with one or more pieces, and each mirror
decoration piece with a decorative component and a magnetk; material
component,
and with the mirror decoration pieces adapted to be assembled on the mirror so
that
each ptece has at least one counterpart edge that is tntended to be placed
with a
io counterpart edge located on another of the mirror decoration pieces, and
the
complementary counterpart edges being of suitable shape, Colour or other
identiffable quality $o that they can be placed into coextensive engagement to
form a
predetermined representation, such that a user In front of the mirror can view
himself
or herself vrithin a composite image comprised of his or her reflected image
in the
is mirror and the representation. Also, or in the aftemative, the pieces of
each mirror
decoration may be used interchangeably with other pieces from the same mirror
decoration or with other pieces from other mirror decorations, so as to form
any of a
variety of representations. Also, each mirror decoratbn may Include any of a
varlety
of addftional accessory mirror decoration pieces that enhance and vary the
2o representation in any of a vartety of ways.
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In another aepect, embodknenhs of the irwenibn oompriss a mirror, wNh a
ralaeclive
rninor camponenl, a magneric matertal oomponent, and a bacidng oomponant and a
mkror decoration, wNh one or mare pbeoea, and each mtrror deooMon pfaoe with a
deoorWm canporwnt and a nagnWc malarlai componant, and wNh ft rnjrror
s deooralbn piacas ad apOsd to be aeasniblsd on itw mirnor to torm any of a
ewiaty d
representatbns, such tfiat a ueer in lront of the mirror can vlew hhrreef or
hersel(
wMhin a carnposits image conprised d his or her reneceed irnage in qw mirror
and a
repreeerneMon. Atso. or In tha atbsrnative, the pieoes of each mirror
decoratlon may
be used Irrterdhangeady with other pieaes from the aems mirror deooraNon or
wMh
ro other pleoes from other mtrror deooratiorn, so as to forrn any of a varfety
of
represarhaiom A1so, earh rn6ror deooratSon may Yrw'iude any of a vawy dF
addlrionat eccesewy mirror dsooralion T~Is~as that enhancs snd vary 1hs
repreaerrtaWn in arry dF a varfety of wgys.
tS In arwther aepecb &mbodlm nq oftbe kriendon axnpr3ae a mimor decoratlon,
wUh
one or nwrs pieces, arrt each rranar deaorsRiom qM1ece wlCh a dscoretw
aomponent
and a mepmrlfc matariaf Ourr ponerrt, and yrith ft minor deooration pleoes to
be
asserntW on eay dt a vaAaV d1 rnModqsed sudlaoea, to lorrn aey a1 a var-edy ot
representarione on a mirrvr. mch tat a usar in fitint of a mftr can view
himsaiP or
20 hemeH wkNn a aampoatts inage compriaed of his or her reflected rrnage (n
the
mbror and a respreaenmfton. Also, or in the albemathre, itre pieoee d each
mhror
decorakn may be ased Vaercinereeft viAfh otar piacea'hom the aame mirroQ
decora&n or rAM offrar piacee horn other mirror deooral9ons, so a8 10 tarm any
o?a
varletirof raproeMations. Atso, sech m1m:r tfecerabcn may incfucfe arry of a
varmy
5/08/2006 I015:33 k:if~FUrman Kallio Oreceived
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of adrlitlonai accessory mirror decoration pieces that enhance and vary the
representation In any of a variety of ways.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWJNGS
s The foregofng summary, as well as the fo(low(ng det,aUed description of
preferred
smbodiments of the Invention, will be better understood when read in
conjunction
with the appended drawings. For the purpose ot itlustrating the Invention,
there are
shown in the drawings embodiments, which are presently preferred. It should be
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements
to and instrumentalities shown. tn the drawings, in which like reference
numerals
identify the same elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary mirror and mirror decorat{on
combination.
is FIG. 2 is a side view of components of the,mirror of FJG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partially disassembled perspective view of the components of the
mirror
af F9G. 1.
2o FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary miaor decoration.
FIG. 5 is a partially disassembled perspective view of the oomponents of the
mirror
decoration of FIG. 4.
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FIG. 6 Is a plan view of an exemplary alternative mirror and mirror decoration
combination.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary alternative mlrror and mirror decoration
combtnation.
FIG. 8 Is a plan vlew of an exemplary altemative mirror and mirror decoration
combination.
to OETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be
used to
limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects,
embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled
in the art from the fo44owing description, which is by way of ilSustration,
one of the
is best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventyon. As wi11 be
realized, the
Invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without
departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descripiions should be regarded
as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
2o FtG.1 depicts one possible mechanical construction of an embodiment of the
present invention. There is shown in FIG. 1 a mirror indicated generally at 10
and a
mirror decoration indicated generally at 13, which are interrelated in a
manner to be
described. The mirror 10 inctudes a mirror section 11 and a trame 12, both
visible In
FIG. 1. The mirror decoration 13 includes one or more mirror decoraUon pieces
17,
2s visible in FIG. 1.
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FIG. 2 depicts one possible mechanical construction of the mirror section 11.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mirror section 11 depicted includes a mirror
component 14, a mirror magnetic material component 15, and a backing component
16, all visible in FtGS. 2 and 3. The mirror component 14 is the front housing
of the
mirror 10 and the backing component 16 is the back housing of the mirro- 10.
In the
described embodiment, the mirror magnetic material 15 is affixed to the rear
surface
of the mirror component 14 and covers the entire rear surface of the mirror
component 14, and the backing component 16 is affixed to the rear surface of
the
to mirror magnetic material 15 and covers the entire surface of the mirror
magnetic
material 15.
FIG. 3 depicts one possible mechanical construction of the frame 12. The frame
12
houses and supports the sides of the mirror component 14, the mirror magnetic
materjai component 15, and the backing component 16, all visible in FIG.,3.
Reterring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the frame 12 encases the outer edges
andthe_saidewoL--- ---- ---- --- ----- ---
the mirror section 11 in a shett and is the side housing of the mirror 10.
FIG. 4 depicts one possible mechanical construction of the mirror decoration
piece
2o 17. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mirror decoration piece,lndicated
generally at
17, includes the decoration 20, the decoration magnetic material 21, and the
attachment 22, all visibfe in FfGS. 4 and 5. The decoration 20 is the front
housing of
the decorative piece 17 and the attachment 22 affixes the decoration magnetic
material 21 to the rear surface of the decoration 20. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2
and 4,
when the mirror decoration piece 17 is placed on the front surface of the
mirror 10,
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the mirror magnetic material 15 and the decoration magnetic mater(a( 21 In
combination provide a magnetic force that is both sufficient to attach the
m(rror
decoration piece 17 to the front surface of the mirror 10 when the mirror 10
and
mirror decoration piece 17 are in a vertical pos(tton, and that also allows
the mirror
decoration piece 17 to be moved to a d(fferent place on the front surface of
the m(rror
or to be removed from the front surface of the mirror 10 with relative ease.
An exemptary use of the mit'ror 10 and the mirror decaration 13 will now be
desctibed. N should be appreciated that each component, the mirror 10 and the
to mirror decoration 13, can be used and played with separately.
Reterring to FIG. 6, in one possible scenario the user can face the mirror 10
so that
he or she can v(ew his or her image in the mirror 10, and place two or more
mirror
decflration pieces 17 on the front surface ot the mirror 10, and assemble the
mirror
decoration pieces 17~o torm a predetermined representation, by placing at
least one
counterpart edge 18 of each mirror decoration piece 17 with a counterpart edge
19
located on another mirror decoration piece 17. The user assembles the
camp(ementary counterpart edges 18 and 19 according to suitable shape, design,
pattem, colour or other ident(fiable quality, so that they are placed into
coextensive
2o engagement to form a predetermined representation, such that the user (ri
frortt of
the mirror 10 can view himsetf or herse(f w(thin a composite image comprised
of his
or her reffected image in the mirror and the representaiion. Also, or in the
altemative, the user may use one or more mfrror decoration pieces 17
Interchangeably with other mirror decoration pieces 17, from the same mirror
decoration 13 or from other m(rror decorations 13, so as to form any of a
variety of
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representations. Also, each mirror decoration 13 may be augmented by any of a
variety of additional accessory mirror decoration pieces 20 that enhance and
vary
the representation in any of a variety of ways.
s Referring to FIG. 7, in one possible scenario the user can face the mirror
10 so that
he or she can view his or her image tn the mirror 10, and place one or more
mirror
decoration pieces 17 on the front surface of the mirror 10, and assemble the
mirror
decoraNon pieces 17 to form a representation, such that the user in front of
the
mirror can view himsefi or herself wifhin a composite image oomprised of his
or her
zo reflected image in the mirror 10 and the representation. Atso, or in the
aftesnative,
the user may use one or more mirror decoration pieces 17 interchangeably with
other mirror decoration pieces 17, from thhe same mirror decoration 13 or from
other
mirror decorations 13, so as to form any of a variety of representations.
Also, each
mirror decoration 13 may be augmented by any of a variety of additional
accessory
15 mirror decoration pieces 20 that enhance and vary the representatlon In any
of a
variety of ways.
Referring to FIG. 8, in one possible scenario the user can assemble one or
more
mirror decoration pieces 17 on any of a variety of magnetised surfaces on or
20 surrounding a mirror, to form a representation on a mirror, such that the
user in front
of the mirror can view himself or herseif within a composite image comprised
of his
or her reflected image in the mirror and the representation. Also, or in the
alternative, the user may use one or more mirror decoration pieces 17
interchangeably with other mirror decoration pieces 17 from the same mirror
25 decoration 13 or from other mirror decorations 13, so as to form any of a
variety of
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representations. Also, each mirror decoration 13 may be augmented by any of a
variety of additional accessory mirror decoration pieces 20 that enhance and
vary
the representation in any of a variety of ways.
s It witt be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be
made to the
embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof.
For example, while certain mechanical means and materials are shown being used
io in the mirror 10 and mirror decorations 13, other means and materials that
achieve
the same results might be used, including but not limited to any of a variety
ot
magnetic materials that will attach the mirror decoration pieces 17 to the
mirror 10 or
to another mirror, any of a variery of means and materlals that will affix the
magnetic
materials to the mirror decoration pieces 17 and to the mirror 10 or to
another mirror,
is any of a variety of means and matertals that will fffitc the misror
oomponent 14, the
mirror magnetic materia( component 15; and the bacWng component tB into the
minor 10, and any of a variety of means and materiais lhat wifi combine the
reflectivve, rnagnetic and backing componenis into the mirror 10.
2o Also, while magnetic materials are used to create magnetic force to attach
the mirror
deconation pieces 17 to the mirror 10, and to another mirror or surface, any
of a
variety of means and materials which can achieve the same results might be
used,
including but not limited to use of materials with temporary adhesive
qualities in the
mirror decoration pieces 17 and in the mirror 10, and the use of electronic,
hydraulic,
2s and pneumatic means.
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Also, while the mirror 10 and the mirror deceration p'ieces 17 are shown being
used
in combination, both may be used independently or in combinailon with other
items
or fixtures, so that the user In front of the mirror can view himseEf or
herself within a
composite image, comprised of his or her reflected image on any ot a variety
of
mirrors and the representation which is assembled on any of a variety of
surfaces.
For example, the mirror 10 might be attached to a mirror fixture so that the
mirror
decoration pieces 17 can be assembled on the mfrror 10 and within the surfaoe
area
ot the mirror fixture, the mirror decoration pieces 17 might be assembled on
any of a
io variety of surfaces surrounding a mirror, including but not iimited to on a
mirror or on
a mirror fixture, on a surface that is affixed to and surrounding a mfrror,
and on a
surface surrounding an area cut to reveal an underlying mirror.
Also, while the mtrror 10 is shown constructed in a certatn way, it might be
ts constructed in any of a variety of shapes, including but not limited to
round, oval,
book and muiti=way mirrors, and in any of a variety of sizes, inciuding but
not limited
to hand held, full length and multiple viewer mlrrors. While the mirror
decoration
pieces 17 are shown constructed in a certain way, they might be constructed in
any
oi a variety oi shapes, including in one or more dimensions, and Yfith any of
a variety
2o of materiais, inctuding but not iimited to transparent, translucent and
opaque
materials, and any of a variety of imaging materials, including but not
limited to
pictures, graphics, images, digital and liquid crystal displays. While the
mirror
decorations 13 are shown torming certain represeniations, any ot a variety of
visuaf
representations of an object, scene, person, or abstraction may be used,
including
25 but not timited to full or partiai representations of original, known and
popular
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characters, figures, roles, identifies, occupations, and personalities,
induding but not
iimited to those related to literary works, the visual arts, the performing
arts, musical
works, and audio-visual works. Also, while embodiments of the Invention are
shown
being used Independently, embodlments may also be used with any of a variety
of
s products, inciuding but not limited to tfiose related to toys, games,
noveftles, seSf-
discovery and educatifln for children, youth and adufts. Wfiiie embodimeMs oi
the
invention are shown provided ready for use, materials and instructions may be
provided for the user to create the mirror decoration pieces 17 and the mirror
decorations 13, to form any of a variety of representations.
1D
It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular
embodimerris disclosed, but ft is intended to cover modifications within the
spirit and
scope of the present invention as defined by the appended written description.
Having shown and descnbed various embodiments of the present invention,
further
15 adaptations~af the methods and systems descrbed herein may be accompfisfled
by
appnopriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the
scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modificafions have
been
mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art- For
instance, the
examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and
the
2o fike discussed above are ifiustratfve and are not required. Accordingly,
the scope of
the present invention should be considered in terms of the foifowing claims
and is
understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown
and
described in ihe specification and drawings.
13
