GB2158710A - Ornamental artificial foliage - Google Patents

Abstract

A foliar structure comprises a filamentary stalk-like support (1), to one end of which is secured a plastics or fabric artificial leaf (6) and the other end of which is formed as an enlarged tubular socket (3) for receiving the cylindrical head (4) of a pin or needle (5) by means of which the foliar structure can be fitted to a branch or twig of real wood or an artificial (e.g. plastics) branch or twig. The filamentary support (1) may also have branching portions (2) carrying separate artificial leaves (6) at the free ends so that the foliar structure secured by a pin (5) to a branch may incorporate two or more leaves. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ornamental artificial foliage The present invention relates to ornamental artificial foliage, and particularly to an artificial foliar structure which can be fitted to natural twigs or branches.

As is known, there is currently a good market for artificial flowers, the use of which can be advantageous or necessary in many specific cases, and the production of which has reached significant stylistic excellence.

Artificial foliage, on the other hand, is not so freely available, and the current artificial foliage production techniques do not give the same aesthetically satisfying results. This limitation can be attributed in the main to the difficulty of making artificial branches and twigs for carrying artificial leaves, having an exterior configuration and coloration sufficiently resembling the real thing.

The present invention seeks therefore to avoid this problem and to provide an artificial foliar structure which is aesthetically satisfactory and constructionally simple. Such a foliar structure may allow various different foliage compositions to be obtained according to different requirements, and in particular may be directly and easily fitted to twigs and branches of natural trees and bushes.

According to the present invention there is provided an artificial foliar structure comprising a substantially linear stalk-like support at one end of which is fitted an artificial leaf of suitable material, and at the other end of which is substantially tubular portion, for receiving a pin with a cylindrical head the dimensions of which are such as to allow it to be fitted securely into the said tubular portion with the pin projecting therefrom for intersection into a natural or artificial branch.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show exemplary foliar structures in exploded and partially exploded views respectively, Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a foliar structure is fitted to a branch; Figure 4 illustrates a bare wooden branch fitted with a plurality of foliar structures formed as embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the foliar structure of the invention is constituted by a substantially filamentary stalk-like element 1 of suitable, conveniently flexible, plastics material, which diverges at one end into a series or more or less sinuous branches 2.

The opposite end 3 of the said filamentary element on the other hand, has a portion with an open-ended tubular configuration into which is fitted a suitably dimensioned cylindrical head 4 of a fixing pin 5.

At the free ends of the said branches 2, there are fitted by means of adhesive or welding, a corresponding number of artificial leaves 6 made of plastics material, fabric, plastics laminate or like material. These leaves, obviously, may have any desired shape or edge configuration, preferably representing the shape and edge configuration of natural leaves.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the foliar structures can be fixed by inserting the pins 5 into bare wooden branches 7 which are readily available. A branch bearing a plurality of such foliar structures sufficient to clothe the branch in foliage and make it aesthetically pleasing is illustrated in Figure 4.

In addition to fixing artificial foliage to wooden branches or the like, the invention can also be employed for attaching artificial flowers to such branches, and the scope of the invention is to be interpreted accordingly.

1. An artificial foliar structure comprising a substantially linear stalk-like support at one end of which is fitted an artificial leaf of suitable material, and at the other end of which is a substantially tubular portion, for receiving a pin with cylindrical head the dimensions of which are such as to allow it to be fitted securely into the said tubular portion with the pin projecting therefrom for insertion into a natural or artificial branch.

2. An artificial foliar structure as Claimed in Claim 1, in which the said linear support is constituted by a substantially filamentary element of flexible plastics material having at least one substantially sinuous branch.

3. An artificial foliar structure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in combination with a fixing pin securely fitted thereto with the said cylindrical head thereof fixed in the tubular portion of the said linear stalk-like support.

4. An artificial foliar structure as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the said artificial leaf or leaves fitted to the end of the said substantially linear stalk-like support and/or to the branch or branches thereof are secured by adhesive or welding and are made of plastics material, fabric, or laminate or the like.

5. An artificial foliar structure as Claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the or each said leaf has a configuration representing a natural leaf.

6. An artificial foliar structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

7. An ornamental display comprising one or more artificial foliar structures as claimed in any preceding Claim, secured to one or more natural twigs or branches by means of the said fixing pins.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ornamental artificial foliage The present invention relates to ornamental artificial foliage, and particularly to an artificial foliar structure which can be fitted to natural twigs or branches. As is known, there is currently a good market for artificial flowers, the use of which can be advantageous or necessary in many specific cases, and the production of which has reached significant stylistic excellence. Artificial foliage, on the other hand, is not so freely available, and the current artificial foliage production techniques do not give the same aesthetically satisfying results. This limitation can be attributed in the main to the difficulty of making artificial branches and twigs for carrying artificial leaves, having an exterior configuration and coloration sufficiently resembling the real thing. The present invention seeks therefore to avoid this problem and to provide an artificial foliar structure which is aesthetically satisfactory and constructionally simple. Such a foliar structure may allow various different foliage compositions to be obtained according to different requirements, and in particular may be directly and easily fitted to twigs and branches of natural trees and bushes. According to the present invention there is provided an artificial foliar structure comprising a substantially linear stalk-like support at one end of which is fitted an artificial leaf of suitable material, and at the other end of which is substantially tubular portion, for receiving a pin with a cylindrical head the dimensions of which are such as to allow it to be fitted securely into the said tubular portion with the pin projecting therefrom for intersection into a natural or artificial branch. Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show exemplary foliar structures in exploded and partially exploded views respectively, Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a foliar structure is fitted to a branch; Figure 4 illustrates a bare wooden branch fitted with a plurality of foliar structures formed as embodiments of the invention. Referring now to the drawings, the foliar structure of the invention is constituted by a substantially filamentary stalk-like element 1 of suitable, conveniently flexible, plastics material, which diverges at one end into a series or more or less sinuous branches 2. The opposite end 3 of the said filamentary element on the other hand, has a portion with an open-ended tubular configuration into which is fitted a suitably dimensioned cylindrical head 4 of a fixing pin 5. At the free ends of the said branches 2, there are fitted by means of adhesive or welding, a corresponding number of artificial leaves 6 made of plastics material, fabric, plastics laminate or like material. These leaves, obviously, may have any desired shape or edge configuration, preferably representing the shape and edge configuration of natural leaves. As can be seen in Figure 3, the foliar structures can be fixed by inserting the pins 5 into bare wooden branches 7 which are readily available. A branch bearing a plurality of such foliar structures sufficient to clothe the branch in foliage and make it aesthetically pleasing is illustrated in Figure 4. In addition to fixing artificial foliage to wooden branches or the like, the invention can also be employed for attaching artificial flowers to such branches, and the scope of the invention is to be interpreted accordingly. CLAIMS

1. An artificial foliar structure comprising a substantially linear stalk-like support at one end of which is fitted an artificial leaf of suitable material, and at the other end of which is a substantially tubular portion, for receiving a pin with cylindrical head the dimensions of which are such as to allow it to be fitted securely into the said tubular portion with the pin projecting therefrom for insertion into a natural or artificial branch.

2. An artificial foliar structure as Claimed in Claim 1, in which the said linear support is constituted by a substantially filamentary element of flexible plastics material having at least one substantially sinuous branch.

3. An artificial foliar structure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in combination with a fixing pin securely fitted thereto with the said cylindrical head thereof fixed in the tubular portion of the said linear stalk-like support.

4. An artificial foliar structure as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the said artificial leaf or leaves fitted to the end of the said substantially linear stalk-like support and/or to the branch or branches thereof are secured by adhesive or welding and are made of plastics material, fabric, or laminate or the like.

5. An artificial foliar structure as Claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the or each said leaf has a configuration representing a natural leaf.

6. An artificial foliar structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

7. An ornamental display comprising one or more artificial foliar structures as claimed in any preceding Claim, secured to one or more natural twigs or branches by means of the said fixing pins.