US4031643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sand picture frame
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-05-14
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for creating a sand painting which enables designs to be conveniently formed in close proximity to the sand and allows the re-use of the apparatus when it is desired to change the design. The apparatus is comprised of a 3 piece fixed frame in which is permanently secured a front transparent plate and a first backing plate having a vertical dimension approximately one-half the magnitude of the vertical dimension of the transparent plate. The transparent plate, first backing means, and frame form a lower portion of a cavity which is accessible from the top edge of the first backing plate for the introduction of sand, thereby enabling designs to be conveniently formed in the sand in the lower portion of the cavity from the relatively close proximity of the top edge of the first backing plate. To enable the re-use of the apparatus, a second backing plate is slidably engaged with the frame, with a lower edge supported by the first backing plate. An additional top member of the frame is slidably engaged with the second backing plate and the top of the transparent plate to enable disassembly of the frame permitting the emptying of the contents of the cavity and the construction of a new sand design.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles P. Templeton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
An Apparatus for creating a sand painting, comprising: a frame comprised of a horizontally disposed bottom member and two vertically disposed side members connected to said bottom member at opposite ends thereof, said side members each having a first vertical groove; a first backing plate which is mounted in said first grooves of said side members, having a vertical dimension of approximately one-half the magnitude of the vertical dimension of said side members; a transparent plate which is mounted in a second vertical groove in each of said side members, forward of said first vertical grooves, forming a lower portion of a cavity with said frame and said first backing plate, which is accessible from the top edge of said first backing plate for the introduction of sand therein, a second backing plate which slidably engages said first grooves of said side members with a lower edge supported by said top edge of said first backing plate, having a vertical dimension of approximately one-half that of said side members, for forming an upper portion of said cavity which is accessible from the top edge of said second backing plate for the introduction of said therein; a horizontally disposed top member having opposite ends connected to the top ends of said vertical side members, and slidably engaging the top edge of said second backing plate and the top edge of said transparent plate, for sealing said sand within said cavity. whereby designs may be conveniently formed by said sand in said lower portion of said cavity from the relatively close proximity of said top edge of said first backing plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
269 words
An Apparatus for creating a sand painting, comprising: a frame comprised of a horizontally disposed bottom member and two vertically disposed side members connected to said bottom member at opposite ends thereof, said side members each having a first vertical groove; a first backing plate which is mounted in said first grooves of said side members, having a vertical dimension of approximately one-half the magnitude of the vertical dimension of said side members; a transparent plate which is mounted in a second vertical groove in each of said side members, forward of said first vertical grooves, forming a lower portion of a cavity with said frame and said first backing plate, which is accessible from the top edge of said first backing plate for the introduction of sand therein, a second backing plate which slidably engages said first grooves of said side members with a lower edge supported by said top edge of said first backing plate, having a vertical dimension of approximately one-half that of said side members, for forming an upper portion of said cavity which is accessible from the top edge of said second backing plate for the introduction of said therein; a horizontally disposed top member having opposite ends connected to the top ends of said vertical side members, and slidably engaging the top edge of said second backing plate and the top edge of said transparent plate, for sealing said sand within said cavity. whereby designs may be conveniently formed by said sand in said lower portion of said cavity from the relatively close proximity of said top edge of said first backing plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, which further comprises: a backing strip mounted to said first backing plate and overlapping said top edge of said first backing plate, for preventing leakage of said sand between said first and second backing plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame further comprises: said top end of each of said side members having a substantially 45° bevel with respect to the vertical direction; said top member having a first horizontal groove on the bottom side thereof for slidably engaging the top edge of said second backing plate and a second horizontal groove on the bottom side thereof and forward of said first horizontal groove for slidably engaging the top edge of said transparent plate, each end of said top member having a substantially 45° bevel with respect to the vertical direction, for mating with said beveled ends of said side members; whereby said cavity may be unsealed by disassembling said top member, and second backing plate to permit the construction of a new sand design.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said frame further comprises: said beveled ends of said side members and said top member having mating holes respectively therethrough; first and second securing pins slidably engaging said mating holes in said side members and top member, for temporarily sealing said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 4, which further comprises: a backing strip mounted to said first backing plate and overlapping said top edge of said first backing plate, for preventing leakage of said sand between said first and second backing plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transparent plate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and clear plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic and aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said backing plate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, pressed wood, plastic and aluminum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |