Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of constructing a model tree comprising a relatively thick trunk and a plurality of relatively thin limb portions from a three dimensional pattern and a mold utilizing centrifugal casting techniques, said method comprising: forming said mold to present a mold cavity presenting said trunk and limb portions conforming to the shape of said pattern; providing a molten metal composition comprising at least 60% by weight lead; introducing into said mold cavity a quantity of said molten metal; centrifugally casting said molten metal to distribute the latter throughout the mold cavity; and solidifying said molten metal to present a tree structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of constructing a model tree comprising a relatively thick trunk and a plurality of relatively thin limb portions from a three dimensional pattern and a mold utilizing centrifugal casting techniques, said method comprising: forming said mold to present a mold cavity presenting said trunk and limb portions conforming to the shape of said pattern; providing a molten metal composition comprising at least 60% by weight lead; introducing into said mold cavity a quantity of said molten metal; centrifugally casting said molten metal to distribute the latter throughout the mold cavity; and solidifying said molten metal to present a tree structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a casting metal comprises providing a metal including tin and antimony.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of providing a casting metal comprises providing a metal of tin content up to 40% by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a casting metal comprises providing a metal of antimony content from 1/2% to 2% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a casting metal comprises providing a metal of at least 95% by weight lead.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a casting metal comprises providing a metal wherein the balance is antimony.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the step of forming said three dimensional pattern ahead of said mold forming step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said pattern forming step comprises building said pattern initially in full three dimensional form and then partially flattening said pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein is included the additional steps, subsequent to said solidifying step of removing the solidified tree structure from the mold and bending the tree structure into full three dimensional perspective corresponding generally to the full three dimensional form of said pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the additional step of removing the solidified tree structure from the mold and subjecting said structure to a caustic solution to form additional surface patterns in at least a portion of the structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the steps of removing the solidified tree structure from the mold and providing an artificial foliage covering over said tree structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step of providing an artificial foliage covering comprises providing a mat-like substrate of non-ferrous, light-penetrable, fibrous material; applying an adhesive to said substrate; at least partially covering said substrate with a non-ferrous, leaf-simulating material; and pulling said partially covered substrate over said tree structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the step of at least partially covering said substrate comprises sprinkling a granular material on the substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein is included the step of preparing said granular material from rubber-like foam prior to sprinkling on the substrate, said preparation step comprising grinding the rubber-like foam and a liquid colorant therefor to form a granular material, and drying said granular material to remove excess liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein is included prior to said pulling step, the step of spraying a lacquer finish over said partially covered substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein is included the step of coloring said substrate prior to applying said adhesive.