Methods for displaying decorative ornaments
View Patent ↗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 method of assembling at least a first decorative ornament having at most a first aperture and a second aperture and a second decorative ornament having at most a first aperture and a second aperture,
the method comprising:
inserting a first end of a first connector into the first aperture of the first ornament and bending the first end to engage the first aperture of the first ornament;
inserting a second end of the first connector into the first aperture of the second ornament and bending the second end to engage the first aperture of the second ornament;
inserting a first end of a second connector into the second aperture of the first ornament and bending the first end to engage the second aperture of the first ornament; and
inserting the second end of the second connector into the second aperture of the second ornament and bending the second end to engage the second aperture of the second ornament.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the first connector and the second connector comprises one of a wire, a rod, a pin, and a post.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the method comprises a method of assembling a chain of ornaments.
4. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the method provides a chain having reduced load on the first and second connectors compared to a load on a single connector between the ornaments.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the method provides a chain having about 50% reduced load on the first and second connectors compared to the load on the single connector between the ornaments.
6. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the chain comprises at least 3 ornaments.
7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the at least 3 ornaments comprise octagonal ornaments, each octagonal ornament consisting of two apertures.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein after bending the first end of the first connector to engage the first aperture of the first ornament, the method further comprises terminating the first end of the first connector.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein after bending the first end of the second connector to engage the second aperture of the first ornament, the method further comprises terminating the first end of the second connector.
10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises fabricating the first and second connectors from plate.
11. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein fabricating the first and second connectors from plate comprises laser cuffing at least one of the first and second connectors from plate.
12. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a load on the first decorative ornament is substantially evenly distributed between the first aperture and the second aperture.