GB2243012A - Display system - Google Patents

Abstract

In a support system for flora or other decorative articles there is provided a joint comprising a ball in a socket, the ball being connected to a support for a floral or decorative arrangement and the socket being connected to a handle or other engageable part, the ball and socket joint permitting of moving the support for the flora or other decorative article relative to the handle, <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Support System" Description of Invention The present invention relates to support systems, parts thereof and is primarily but not exclusively concerned with support systems for floral arrangements.

It is well known to arrange flowers in a supporting bed of water absorbent foam such as the foam sold under the Registered Trade Mark OASIS, the stems of the flowers being inserted into the foam where they are securely held and since the foam is water absorbent the flowers may be kept relatively fresh.

If the floral arrangement is merely to be supported on a surface or in a vase, there is no additional problem. However, if the floral arrangement is to be carried or is to be otherwise supported, there is then the additional problem of support or attachment of the foam plus floral arrangement to a support structure or handle of a posy for example.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide a joint in or for a supporting structure, said joint including a first part adapted for connection to a first member and a second part connected to said first part wherein said connection means enables said first part of said second part to be connected in alternative relative positions and wherein said second part is adapted for connection to a second member and wherein said connection between said first part and said second part enables said first and second parts to be established in a relatively fixed position.

The connection between said first part and said second part may comprise a form of universal joint and conveniently may comprise a ball and socket joint.

To ensure that the two parts may take up a relatively secure position relative to each other, preferably there is sufficient friction between said ball and socket to ensure that if relative movement therebetween is necessary, a positive and intentional force has to be applied.

As an alternative to friction between the parts, it is further envisaged that additional locking means may be included and, for example, clamp means may be operative to increase the clamping force between the ball and socket so as to prevent movement of the two parts. Alternatively one of said parts may be provided with a projection movable into or out of engagement with the other, engagement with the other preventing movement between the two parts.

Preferably the connection between the two parts permits of swivelling movement. Conveniently where a ball and socket type joint is provided, 360" of relative swivelling movement is possible.

Preferably movement between the two parts is such that two members connected thereto may be moved through an angle relative to each other of at least 45" and conveniently through an angle of 70" or 80".

Preferably said first part or said second part both may be made from a resilient material which conveniently may comprise a plastics.material and preferably the arrangement of the inter-engaging formations on said first and second parts is such that one or both may be resiliently deformed to permit of the two parts to take up their engaged relationship and wherein the resilience of the material maintains the two parts in their engaged relationship in the absence of an appreciable separating force.

Preferably said first member comprises a handle or other manually engageable part and said second member comprises a support for a floral arrangement.

Conveniently said support for a floral arrangement may comprise a base or holding part to which or in which is supported foam or similar material adapted to receive and support flowers or the like. Such foam may be water absorbent to prolong the life of the flowers.

Preferably said first and said second parts may each be provided with a spigot or socket with which connection may be made with said first and second members or alternatively threaded or bayonet type connecting means may be provided and complementary connecting means provided on said first and second members so that said joint and said first and second members may be readily connected to each other in secure relationship.

It is further envisaged that said first and/or said second part may have additional connecting means whereby, for example, said first part or said second part may be connected to a manually holdable part or support member and the other of said parts may support a plurality of floral arrangements or other decorative articles.

It is further envisaged that a first part may have connected thereto in a movable manner a plurality of second parts and, for example, said first part may be formed with a plurality of sockets into which are located a plurality of balls, one for each socket, each of said balls including an extension therefrom adapted to or being capable of connection to a second member, for example a support for a floral arrangement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, we provide a support system comprising a plurality of elongate members and a plurality of joint members, said elongate members being readily connectable to said joint members and said joint members being provided with connecting means adapted for connection to a floral support or support for other decorative articles.

The connecting means provided on said joint members may if desired be movable relative to the remainder of the joint to adjust the position of the floral arrangement or decorative article supported thereby and said elongate members may be straight, curved or of any desired configuration to enable a plurality of such elongate members and said joints to form any desired functional or decorative structure.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a sectional view through one embodiment of joint of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the joint shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a view of the joint shown in Figures 1 and 2 connecting a floral arrangement support to a handle; FIGURE 4 illustrates the support assembly; FIGURE 5 illustrates various alternative assemblies using the joint shown in Figures 1 and 2; FIGURE 6 illustrates a joint as shown in the assembly of Figure 4.

Referring first to Figure 1, the joint shown therein comprises a first part 10 in the form of a socket, a second part 11 having a ball 12 and connecting member. in the form of a socket 13, the ball 12 and socket 13 being connected by a spigot part 14.

The first part 10 has a socket closed by a closure cap 15 which itself forms a connecting socket 16 and between the closure member 15 and ball 12 is a "compression" pad member 17.

The joint shown in Figure 1 is shown in perspective view in Figure 2 and it will be seen that the socket part 10 has a cut-out indicated generally at 19 which permits of relative movement of the second part 11 relative to the first part in a direction whereby they may be moved through an angle of approximately 80" to each other.

It is envisaged that the socket part 10 may be provided with one or more transverse cut-outs as shown at 19, for example there may be one diametrically opposed to the part 19 or three such cut-outs 19 could be provided arranged symmetrically around the socket part 10 at approximately 1200 angles to each other.

The provision of the transverse cut-out 19 not only enables considerable degree of movement between the first and second parts but also it renders the region 20 of the socket part sufficiently flexible for some deformation to take place to enable the ball 12 to be inserted into the socket through the upper end thereof.

The ball and socket joint shown also permits of swivelling movement through 3602 between the two parts of the joint.

The assembly may then be closed by the closure member 15 after insertion of the pressure pad 17, the complete assembly ensuring that there is sufficient friction between the ball 12 and the socket 10 to prevent undesired movement between the ball and socket.

Referring now in addition to Figure 3, one arrangement of the joint of the present invention is shown in which it is being used to connect a handle 25 to a cage 26 in which is enclosed floral foam for the support of a floral arrangement.

The handle is provided with a spigot shown in dotted outline at 27 which engages within the socket 15 and the cage 26 can be provided with a spigot which engages within socket 13.

The movement permitted by the joint enables the cage 26 and hence the floral arrangement to be moved slightly relative to the handle 25 thus enabling the posy to be carried in a manner whereby it shows off to the best effect the floral arrangement supported by the floral foam in cage 26.

An alternative position of the cage 26 is shown in broken outline at 30 in which it can be seen that it has been moved through an angle of approximately 90" from the other illustrated position.

Referring now to Figure 4, an alternative arrangement is shown in which a plurality of floral foam containing cages or other decorative arrangements are supported from a stem.

The arrangement comprises a base part 35 having a base member 36 and a helical spring 37 which may be inserted into a foam base 38 in a manner whereby the base member 35 is securely supported by the foam base which may also support a floral arrangement around the base 35, the base member 36 being provided with a spigot (not shown) to which is secured a first elongate or stem member 40.

At the upper end of the stem 40 there is provided a joint member 41, shown in more detail in Figure 6. The joint member 41 comprises a first part 42 having a socket 43 at one end thereof and a spigot 44 at the other end. The joint member 41 is formed with a socket shown in dotted outline at 45 into which is located the ball part 46 of a second part generally indicated at 47.

The second part 47 comprises a ball 46 and a socket or other connecting part 48 connected to the ball 47 by a spigot 49.

The arrangement between the ball and socket is such that relative movement may take place between the two parts. However, the frictional engagement between the two parts is such that undesired movement is prevented thus enabling the two parts to take up a relatively fixed position relative to each other in any one of a number of different relative positions.

Referring back to Figure 4, it can be seen that a cage of floral foam 50 has been secured into the socket 48 of the joint 41 and a suitable floral arrangement may be secured thereto.

The assembly shown in Figure 4 comprises a further stem like member 51 on the upper end of which is secured a further joint 52 the same as the joint 41 and as shown in detail in Figure 6. Once again a cage containing floral foam 53 is secured to the joint 52 so that a floral arrangement may be secured thereto.

A further stem like elongate member 53 is secured to the upper end of joint 52 and has in turn secured thereto a further joint member 54 of the type as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The joint 54 has secured thereto a cage containing floral foam 55 so that a floral arrangement may be arranged at the top of the display formed by the assembly shown in Figure 4.

It will be appreciated that the stem like members 40, 51 and 53 may be of any configuration and the joints connecting the different members may support floral arrangements or any other decorative item or combination thereof.

It is envisaged for example that the assembly may comprise an archway or may be arranged in the construction of a building, outline of a ship or any other desired shape, the joints with their connecting members and floral support means enabling the structure to be decorated with flowers or other flora and/or other decorative means such as candles, baubles etc.

Referring now to Figure 5, a joint 60 is shown which is the same as the joint shown in Figures 1 and 2 and various other items are illustrated in the drawing showing the various combinations which may be used with the joint 60 to enable the construction of virtually any shape or configuration of assembly.

A clip member to enable securing of a floral arrangement or other decorative arrangement to a piece of furniture is shown at 61, the clip member being described in detail in British Patent Application 8725568 published as 2,211,881A.

To enable the joint 60 to be secured itself to a piece of floral foam a spring type connector 62 may be used which is engaged with the foam to provide firm securement to the joint 60 relative to a foam base.

Alternative members for securing to the joint 60 comprise a stem 63 as already described with reference to Figure 4 and a handle for a posy, for example, 65 as described with reference to Figure 3.

Articles that may be supported by the joint 60 comprise a cage type member 66 in which floral foam may be enclosed such as already described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, a further stem is shown at 67 which stem may be curved or of any desired configuration to enable an assembly to be constructed.

An alternative shape of cage is shown at 68 and it will be appreciated that a cage or piece of floral foam of any desired shape may be provided with suitable connecting means for connecting to the joint 60.

As an alternative to the connection of floral foam for a floral arrangement, a cup like member may be connected to the joint 60, the cup like member holding a candle or flowers, plants or any other desired item.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are merely examples of an enormous range of assemblies and structures that may be achieved by using the joint of the present invention.

Whereas the primary use of the joint is for the attachment of supports for floral arrangements, it is envisaged that it may be used for any suitable purpose.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in the terms or means for performing the desired function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (29)

1. A joint in or for a supporting structure, said joint including a first part adapted for connection to a first member and a second part connected to said first part by connection means which permits of said first part and said second part being connected in different relative positions and wherein said second part is adapted for connection to a second member and wherein said connection between said first part and said second part permits of said first and second parts being established in a relatively fixed positon.

2. A joint according to Claim 1 in which the connection betweeri the first part and said second part comprises a form of universal joint.

3. A joint according to Claim 2 in which the connection between said first part and said second part comprises a ball and socket joint.

4. A joint according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which there is sufficient friction between said first part and said second part to ensure that if relative movement therebetween is necessary, a positive and intentional force has to be applied to produce said relative movement.

5. A joint according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which locking means are included to releasably secure the relative position of the first and second parts.

6. A joint according to Claim 5 in which the locking means comprises clamp means which is operative to increase the clamping force between the first part and second part so as to prevent relative movement of the two parts.

7. A joint according to Claim 5 in which one of said parts is provided with a projection which is movable into or out of engagement with the other of said parts, said engagement preventing movement between the two parts.

8. A joint according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connection between the two parts permits of swivelling movement.

9. A joint according to Claim 8 when appendant to Claim 3 in which 360" of relative swivelling movement is possible.

10. A joint according to any one of the preceding claims in which movement between the two parts is such that the first and second members which are connected to respective ones of the two parts may be moved through an angle relative to each other of at least 45".

11. A joint according to Claim 10 in which the first and second members may be moved through an angle relative to each other of up to 800.

12. A joint according to any one of the preceding claims in which at least one of said first part or said second part is made from a resilient material.

13. A joint according to Claim 12 in which the resilient material is plastics material.

14. A joint according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 when appendant to Claim 7 in which interengaging formations on said first and second parts are arranged such that one or both may be resiliently deformed to permit of the two parts taking up an engaged relationship and wherein the resilience of the material maintains the two parts in their engaged relationship in the absence of any appreciable separating force.

15. A joint according to any one of the preceding claims in which said first member comprises a handle or other manually engageable part and said second member comprises a support for a floral arrangement.

16. A joint according to Claim 15 in which said support for floral arrangement comprises a base or holding part which supports foam or similar material adapted to receive and support flora.

17. A joint according to Claim 16 in which the foam is water absorbent.

18. A joint according to any one of the preceding claims in which said first and second parts are each provided with a spigot or socket with which connection may be made with respective ones of said first and second members.

19. A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 17 in which said first and second parts each are provided with threaded or bayonet type connecting means which complement connecting means provided on respective ones of said first and second members so that said first and second members readily are connected to each other in secure relationship.

20. A joint according to any one of the preceding claims in which at least one of said first or said second parts provides additional connecting means whereby one of said parts is connected to a manually holdable part or support member and the other of said parts supports a plurality of floral arrangements or other decorative articles.

21. Ajoint according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first part has connected thereto in a movable manner a plurality of second parts.

22. A joint according to Claim 21 in which said first part is formed with a plurality of sockets into which. are located a plurality of balls, one for each socket, each of said balls including an extension therefrom adapted for or being capable of connection with a second member.

23. A joint substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A support system comprising a plurality of elongate members and a plurality of joint members, said elongate members being readily connectable to said joint members and said joint members being provided with connecting means adapted for connection to a support for flora or other decorative articles.

25. A support system according to Claim 24 in which the connecting means provided on said joint members is movable relative to the remainder of the joint to adjust the position of the flora or other decorative article supported thereby.

26. A support system according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 in which said elongate members are straight, curved, or of other configuration which permits of a plurality of such elongate members and said joints forming various functional or decorative structures.

27. A support system substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A joint having any novel feature or novel combination of features as described herein or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

29. A support system having any novel feature or novel combination of features as described herein or as shown in the accompanying drawings.