Devices and methods for displaying decorative ornaments

Abstract

Arrangements and methods for connecting and mounting decorative ornaments, for example, beads, crystals, or gems, are disclosed. The arrangements and methods are particularly useful in mounting ornaments in decorative fixtures, such as chandeliers. In one aspect, an arrangement is provided that includes a first ornament having two mounting apertures and a second ornament having at least one mounting aperture; and at least one connector for connecting the first ornament to the second ornament whereby when hung the two apertures of the first ornament are laterally disposed from each other. Multiple pre-formed connectors are disclosed for use in connecting ornaments, such as ornament chains. Mounting hooks, mounting devices, and mounting arrangements are also provided for attaching ornaments to a support, for instance, mounting devices fabricated from thin plate, for example, by laser cutting. Aspects of the invention may be used for large fixtures, such as large chandeliers, to minimize or prevent the twisting of long chains of ornaments and to support the loading of larger ornaments.

1 . A device for displaying decorative ornaments, the device comprising: 
 at least one mounting means adapted to mount the device to a support structure;    at least one elongated spine mounted to the at least one mounting means; and    at least one mounting post projecting from the elongated spine, the at least one mounting post adapted to accept at least one perforated decorative ornament;    wherein the mounting means, spine, and mounting post are fabricated from at least one plate.    
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means, spine, and mounting post are fabricated from at least one thin plate.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the thin plate comprises a plate having a thickness less than about 0.050 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated spine comprises at least two elongated substantially parallel spines.  
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one mounting post comprises at least one pair of mounting posts projecting from the substantially parallel spines.  
   
   
       6 . The device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least two elongated substantially parallel spines comprise a first spine and a second spine, and wherein the at least one pair of mounting posts comprise a first mounting post projecting from the first spine and a second mounting post projecting from the second spine.  
   
   
       7 . The device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least one pair of mounting posts comprise at least one pair of mounting posts bent to retain the at least one perforated ornament.  
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the device is fabricated from at least one thin plate by means of one or more of the following machining processes: blanking, milling, drilling, sawing, water-jet cutting, electron beam machining, laser cutting, electrical discharge machining, and plasma beam machining.  
   
   
       9 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the device is fabricated from at least one thin plate by means of laser cutting.  
   
   
       10 . A method for fabricating a device for displaying decorative ornaments, the method comprising; 
 providing a thin plate; and    machining the thin plate to provide: 
 at least one elongated spine; and  
 at least one mounting post projecting from the elongated spine, the at least one mounting post adapted to accept at least one perforated decorative ornament.  
   
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one elongated spine comprises at least two substantially parallel spines.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one mounting post comprises at least one pair of mounting posts projecting from the at least two substantially parallel spines.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises machining the thin plate to provide at least one mounting means adapted to mount the device to a support structure.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein machining the thin plate comprises one or more of blanking, milling, drilling, sawing, water-jet cutting, electron beam machining, laser cutting, electrical discharge machining, and plasma beam machining.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein machining the thin plate comprises laser cutting.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the at least two substantially parallel spines define a plane, and the method further comprises deflecting the at least one pair of mounting posts wherein each mounting post is directed substantially perpendicular to the plane.  
   
   
       17 . A decorative ornament arrangement comprising: 
 at least one mounting means adapted to mount the arrangement to a support structure;    at least two substantially parallel spines mounted to the at least one mounting means;    a plurality of pairs of mounting posts projecting from the parallel spines; and    a plurality of perforated ornaments mounted to the plurality of pairs of mounting posts;    wherein the mounting means, spines, and mounting posts are fabricated from at least one plate.    
   
   
       18 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least two substantially parallel spines and the plurality of pairs of mounting posts are fabricated form at lest one thin plate.  
   
   
       19 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the thin plate comprises a plate having a thickness less than about 0.25 inches.  
   
   
       20 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one mounting means comprises at least one aperture adapted to mount the arrangement to a support structure.  
   
   
       21 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least two substantially parallel spines comprise a first spine and a second spine, and wherein the plurality of pairs of mounting posts comprises a first set of mounting posts projecting from the first spine and a second set of mounting posts projecting from the second spine.  
   
   
       22 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of pairs of mounting posts comprise a plurality of pairs of bent mounting posts which retain the plurality of perforated ornaments.  
   
   
       23 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the at least two substantially parallel spines and the plurality of pairs of mounting posts are fabricated from thin plate by means of one or more of the following machining processes: blanking, milling, drilling, sawing, water-jet cutting, electron beam machining, laser cutting, electrical discharge machining, and plasma beam machining.  
   
   
       24 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the at least two substantially parallel spines and the plurality of pairs of mounting posts are fabricated from thin plate by means of laser cutting.  
   
   
       25 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the arrangement comprises an ornamental chain.