EASY-ASSEMBLE CROSS
20230404309 ยท 2023-12-21
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A cross including horizontal and vertical members. The horizontal member may include a central portion having an attach block and a first and second side portions extending from the central portion. The vertical member may include a support portion including an attach block cavity and upper and lower portions extending from the support portion in upward and downward directions. The horizontal member may be configured to attach to the vertical member such that, when attached: a rear surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member faces the attach block of the horizontal member, side surfaces of the attach block cavity of the vertical member face side surfaces of the attach block of the horizontal member, and the vertical member supports the attach block of the horizontal member.
Claims
1. A cross comprising: (1) a horizontal member including: (1A) a central portion comprising an attach block, wherein the attach block includes first and second side attach block surfaces and a front attach block surface extending between the first and second side attach block surfaces; (1B) a first side portion extending from the central portion in a first horizontal direction, wherein the first side portion comprises front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces; and (1C) a second side portion extending from the central portion in a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction, wherein the second side portion comprises front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces; and (2) a vertical member including: (2A) a support portion comprising an attach block cavity, wherein the attach block cavity comprises first and second cavity side surfaces and a cavity rear surface; (2B) an upper portion extending from the support portion in an upward direction, wherein the upper portion comprises a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; and (2C) a lower portion extending from the support portion in a downward direction, wherein the lower portion comprises a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; wherein the horizontal member is configured to attach to the vertical member such that, when attached: the cavity rear surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member faces the front attach block surface of the attach block of the horizontal member; the first cavity side surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member faces the first side attach block surface of the attach block of the horizontal member; the second cavity side surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member faces the second side attach block surface of the attach block of the horizontal member; and the vertical member supports the attach block of the horizontal member.
2. The cross of claim 1, wherein the support portion of the vertical member supports the attach block of the horizontal member.
3. The cross of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower portions of the vertical member are hollow, and/or the first and second side portions of the horizontal member are hollow.
4. The cross of claim 1, further comprising a rail system configured to facilitate attachment of the horizontal member to the vertical member.
5. The cross of claim 4, wherein the rail system comprises a first rail component on the first cavity side surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member, a second rail component on the second cavity side surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member, a third rail component on the first side attach block surface of the attach block of the horizontal member and configured to interact with the first rail component during attachment of the horizontal member to the vertical member, and a fourth rail component on the second side attach block surface of the attach block of the horizontal member and configured to interact with the second rail component during attachment of the horizontal member to the vertical member.
6. The cross of claim 1, wherein the vertical member comprises a rear vertical panel including front and rear surfaces, the cavity rear surface of the support portion of the vertical member comprises a portion of the front surface of the rear vertical panel, the rear surface of the upper portion of the vertical member comprises an upper portion of the rear surface of the rear vertical panel of the vertical member, and the rear surface of the lower portion of the vertical member comprises a lower portion of the rear surface of the rear vertical panel of the vertical member.
7. The cross of claim 6, further comprising one or more attachment components configured to attach the attach block of the horizontal member to the rear vertical panel of the vertical member.
8. The cross of claim 1, wherein the vertical member comprises a first side vertical panel including inner and outer side surfaces, the first cavity side surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member comprises a portion of the inner side surface of the first side vertical panel, the first side surface of the upper portion of the vertical member comprises an upper portion of the outer side surface of the first side vertical panel, and the first side surface of the lower portion of the vertical member comprises a lower portion of the outer side surface of the first side vertical panel.
9. The cross of claim 1, wherein the vertical member comprises a second side vertical panel including inner and outer side surfaces, the second cavity side surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member comprises a portion of the inner side surface of the second side vertical panel, the second side surface of the upper portion of the vertical member comprises an upper portion of the outer side surface of the second side vertical panel, and the second side surface of the lower portion of the vertical member comprises a lower portion of the outer side surface of the second side vertical panel.
10. The cross of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the vertical member comprises an upper front vertical panel, the front surface of the upper portion of the vertical member comprises a front portion of the upper front vertical panel, the lower portion of the vertical member comprises a lower front vertical panel, and the front surface of the lower portion of the vertical member comprises a front portion of the lower front vertical panel.
11. The cross of claim 1, wherein the horizontal member comprises a front horizontal panel including front and rear surfaces, the attach block of the central portion of the horizontal member extends from the rear surface of the front horizontal panel, the front surface of the first side portion of the horizontal member comprises a portion of the front surface of the front horizontal panel, and the front surface of the second side portion of the horizontal member comprises a different portion of the front surface of the front horizontal panel.
12. The cross of claim 11, wherein the rear surface of the front horizontal panel of the horizontal member is configured to abut first and second side vertical panels of the vertical member when the horizontal member is attached to the vertical member.
13. The cross of claim 1, wherein: the first side portion of the horizontal member comprises a first side top panel, a first side rear panel, and a first side bottom panel; the top surface of the first side portion of the horizontal member comprises a top surface of the first side top panel; the rear surface of the first side portion of the horizontal member comprises a rear surface of the first side rear panel; and the bottom surface of the first side portion of the horizontal member comprises a bottom surface of the first side bottom panel.
14. The cross of claim 1, wherein: the second side portion of the horizontal member comprises a second side top panel, a second side rear panel, and a second side bottom panel; the top surface of the second side portion of the horizontal member comprises a top surface of the second side top panel; the rear surface of the second side portion of the horizontal member comprises a rear surface of the second side rear panel; and the bottom surface of the second side portion of the horizontal member comprises a bottom surface of the second side bottom panel.
15. The cross of claim 1, wherein the front attach block surface of the attach block of the horizontal member is configured to abut the cavity rear surface of the attach block cavity of the vertical member when the horizontal member is attached to the vertical member.
16. The cross of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to attach to the lower portion of the vertical member such that, when attached, the base maintains the vertical member in an upright position.
17. The cross of claim 16, wherein the base comprises a base projection configured to be inserted into the lower portion of the vertical member.
18. The cross of claim 17, wherein the lower portion of the vertical member comprises one or more support platforms, each of the one or more support platforms comprises an opening through the support platform, and the cross further comprises a support rod configured to extend from the base projection and through the opening(s) of the one or more support platforms.
19. A cross comprising: (1) a horizontal member; (2) a vertical member including: (2A) a support portion; (2B) an upper portion extending from the support portion in an upward direction; and (2C) a lower portion extending from the support portion in a downward direction, wherein the lower portion of the vertical member comprises one or more support platforms, and each of the one or more support platforms comprises an opening through the support platform; (3) a base configured to attach to the lower portion of the vertical member such that, when attached, the base maintains the vertical member in an upright position, wherein the base comprises a base projection configured to be inserted into the lower portion of the vertical member; and (4) a support rod configured to extend from the base projection and through the opening(s) of the one or more support platforms; wherein the horizontal member is configured to attach to the vertical member such that, when attached, the vertical member supports the horizontal member.
20. A method comprising: inserting a support rod into an opening of a base projection of a base such that the support rod extends from the base projection of the base; attaching a lower portion of a vertical member to the base such that the base maintains the vertical member in an upright position, wherein attaching the lower portion of the vertical member to the base includes passing the support rod through an opening in each of one or more support platforms of the lower portion of the vertical member; and attaching a horizontal member to the vertical member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040]
[0041] In some aspects, as shown in
[0042] In some aspects, as shown in
[0043] In some aspects, as shown in
[0044] In some aspects, as shown in
[0045] In some aspects, as shown in
[0046] In some aspects, as shown in
[0047] In some aspects, as shown in
[0048] In some aspects, as shown in
[0049] In some aspects, as shown in
[0050] In some aspects, as shown in
[0051] In some aspects, as shown in
[0052] In some aspects, as shown in
[0053] In some aspects, the rear surface 204b of the front horizontal panel 204 of the horizontal member 102 may be configured to abut the first and second side vertical panels 306 and 308 of the vertical member 104 when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. However, this is not required, and, in some alternative aspects, the rear surface 204b of the front horizontal panel 204 may not abut the first and second side vertical panels 306 and 308 when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the front attach block surface 202a of the attach block 202 of the horizontal member 102 may be configured to abut the cavity rear surface 316a of the attach block cavity 316 of the vertical member 104, which may be a portion of the front surface 310a of the rear vertical panel 310 of the vertical member 104, when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. However, this is not required, and, in some alternative aspects, the front attach block surface 202a may not abut the cavity rear surface 316a when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104.
[0054] In some aspects, the front surfaces of the first and second side portions 102b and 102c of the horizontal member 102 (e.g., the front surface 204a of the front horizontal panel 204 of the horizontal member 102) may be configured to be flush with the front surfaces of the upper and lower portions 104b and 104c of the vertical member 104 (e.g., the front surfaces of the upper and lower front vertical panels 302 and 304 of the vertical member 104) when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. However, this is not required, and, in some alternative aspects, these surfaces may not be flush when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. For example, in some alternative aspects, as shown in
[0055] In some aspects, the rear surfaces of the first and second side portions 102b and 102c of the horizontal member 102 (e.g., the rear surfaces of the first and second side rear panels 208 and 214 of the horizontal member 102) may be configured to be flush with the rear surfaces of the upper and lower portions 104b and 104c of the vertical member 104 (e.g., the rear surface 310b of the rear vertical panel 310 of the vertical member 104) when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. However, this is not required, and, in some alternative aspects, these surfaces may not be flush when the horizontal member 102 is attached to the vertical member 104. For example, in some alternative aspects, as shown in
[0056] In some aspects, the cross 100 may include one or more attachment components (e.g., one or more screws, bolts, magnets, and/or ties) configured to attach the attach block 202 of the horizontal member 102 to the rear vertical panel 310 of the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the one or more attachment components may pass through the rear vertical panel 310 of the vertical member 104, through the front attach block surface 202a of the attach block 202, and into the attach block 202. However, one or more attachment components are not required, and, in some alternative aspects, the horizontal member 102 of the cross 100 may be configured to attach to the vertical member 104 without the use of one or more attachment components.
[0057] In some aspects, as shown in
[0058] In some aspects, as shown in
[0059] In some aspects, as shown in
[0060] In some aspects, as shown in
[0061] For purposes of illustration,
[0062] In some aspects, the base projection 404, the adaptor 406, the one or more support platforms 602, and/or the support rod 604 (e.g., as shown in
[0063] In some aspects, as shown in
[0064] In some aspects, one or more of the horizontal and vertical members 102 and 104 may comprise wood. In some aspects, one or more of the attach block 202, front horizontal panel 204, first side top panel 206, first side rear panel 208, first side bottom panel 210, second side top panel 212, second side rear panel 214, and second side bottom panel 216, and end caps 110 of the horizontal member may comprise wood. In some aspects, one or more of the upper front vertical panel 302, lower front vertical panel 304, first side vertical panel 306, second side vertical panel 308, rear vertical panel 310, and top end cap 108 of the vertical member 104 may comprise wood. In some aspects, the horizontal member 102 and/or the vertical member 104 (e.g., one or more components of the horizontal member 102 and/or the vertical member 104) may include one or more materials (e.g., plastic and/or metal) in addition to or instead of wood.
[0065] In some aspects, the horizontal member 102 may be capable of being easily attached to the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the horizontal member 102 may be configured to attach to the vertical member with minimal or no use of tools. In some aspects (e.g., in some aspects in which the horizontal member 102 and/or the vertical member 104 have a hollow cross-section), the cross 100 may have a relatively low weight, which may minimize weight of the cross 100 and/or the potential for the cross 100 to topple. In some aspects, the connection structure of the cross 100 (e.g., including the attach block 202 and the attach block cavity 316) may enable the horizontal member 102 to attach to the vertical member 104 without the connection structure being visible (e.g., at least not visible from the front, the left side, and/or right side). In some aspects, the cross 100 may be configured for repeated assembly and disassembly (e.g., by one or two persons). In some aspects, the cross 100 may be suitable for seasonal and/or decorative usage.
[0066] A process may include a first step of attaching the lower portion 104c of the vertical member 104 to the base 106 such that the base 106 maintains the vertical member 104 in an upright position. In some aspects, the process may include a second step of attaching the horizontal member 102 to the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the process may include a third step of detaching the horizontal member 102 from the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the process may include a fourth step of detaching the vertical member 104 from the base 106.
[0067] Another process may include a first step of inserting a support rod 604 into an opening of a base projection 404 of a base 106 such that the support rod 604 extends from the base projection 404 of the base 106. In some aspects, the process may include a second step of attaching a lower portion 104c of a vertical member 104 to the base 106 such that the base 106 maintains the vertical member 104 in an upright position. In some aspects, attaching the lower portion 104c of the vertical member 104 to the base 106 may include passing the support rod 604 through an opening in each of one or more support platforms 602 of the lower portion 104c of the vertical member 104. In some aspects, attaching the lower portion 104c of the vertical member 104 to the base 106 may include inserting the base projection 404 of the base 106 into an adapter 406 of the lower portion 104c of the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the process may include a third step of attaching the horizontal member 102 to the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the process may include a fourth step of detaching the horizontal member 102 from the vertical member 104. In some aspects, the process may include a fifth step of detaching the vertical member 104 from the base 106. In some aspects, the process may include a sixth step of removing the support rod 604 from the opening of the base projection 404 of the base 106.
[0068] In some aspects, the cross 100 may be part of a crucifix. In some aspects, the crucifix may include the cross 100 and a depiction of the body of Jesus. In some aspects, the depiction of the body of Jesus may be configured to be attached to the cross 100.
[0069] While various embodiments are described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. For example, in some alternative aspects, the vertical member 104 may include the attach block, and the horizontal member 102 may include the attach block cavity. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0070] Additionally, while the processes described above as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of description. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, and some steps may be performed in parallel.