GB2310134A - Apparatus and method for forming decorative displays - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING DECORATIVE DISPLAYS The present invention relates to a modular apparatus and method for forming decorative displays.

Decorative displays and flower arrangements are commonly used for visual enhancement and decoration. Many decorative displays incorporate colourful materials to maximize visual appeal. Flowers are often used in decorative displays to further accent and create an atmosphere of warmth and beauty.

For example, decorative wreaths are often displayed during the holidays (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Halloween). Furthermore, garlands, comprising a decorative string of flowers or other suitable material, are commonly used to accent windows, beds, tables, fireplaces, doorways and arches, for every day decoration, or for special occasions such as weddings and parties. In addition, flowers are commonly strategically arranged in vases or other suitable containers to form decorative centre-pieces.

Such decorative displays may incorporate organic flora or synthetic reproductions. In recent years, the popularity of silk flowers has grown dramatically due in large measure to the availability of high quality silk reproductions of popular flowers and the minimal maintenance associated with silk flower displays. It is also known in the prior art to use a urethane foam material, known by the generic name oasis", for providing a support base into which flower stems (either silk or organic) are inserted, for maintaining the inserted flowers in the desired decorative configuration. The oasis material further provides a means for retaining water for prolonging the life of organic displays, as it possesses sponge-like qualities.

A number of devices are known for forming decorative arrangements with flowers or other decorative materials.

For example, Christmas wreaths are typically formed on a wire frame which anchors and supports a large number of flowers and/or other decorative material while remaining hidden from view. However, such conventional decorative frame structures possess a number of disadvantages. Since these frames typically comprise rigid wire structures, they lack design flexibility and are not adaptable to different configurations. In addition, these prior art frames often rely on securing the display material (e.g. flowers) by bending wire about a portion of'the material (e.g. the flower stem); over time however, repeated bending of the wire (i.e. when changing flowers) can cause the wire to break, thereby rendering the frame structure unable to secure the display material.

One known prior art device, disclosed in GB-A-2224438, comprises a modular frame of plastics material, in which a plurality of spaced circular rings are each connected along circumferential edges by one or more longitudinally extending frame members thereby forming a hollow cylindrical frame. Each modular frame is formed by a pair of semi-cylindrical halves which may be selectively separated and reassembled for housing a quantity of oasis material within the cylindrical frame structure such that flower stems may be inserted therein for forming a decorative display. A plurality of these prior art devices may be connected end-to-end to form simple substantially linear arrangements. However, this prior art device is limited by a number of disadvantages. First, torque transmitted to the oasis material by extending flowers inserted therein causes the oasis material to rotate within the cylindrical frame, thereby failing to maintain the desired visual effect and exposing parts of the frame.

Second, since the devices may only be connected end-to-end, the number of possible arrangements is strictly and unduly limited. In addition, when connected end-to-end, the prior art devices are substantially free to pivot relative to each other thereby yielding an unstable configuration. As a result, structures formed by linking the prior art devices require a high degree of external structural support to maintain the desired configuration.

GB-A-2107582 discloses a floral pomander comprising a spherical cage formed by two interlocking cage members and housing "oasis" material. The pomander is decorated with flowers and/or foliage by inserting the stems into the absorbent foam material.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a simple flower arranging apparatus capable of securely housing oasis material such that, when mounted horizontally, flowers extending therefrom are held in place. In addition, there exists a need for a simple, modular flower arranging apparatus having a structure which allows modules to be connected in a variety of ways for creating diverse display configurations.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming decorative displays, the apparatus comprising: at least one frame section; said at least one frame section being adapted to house a material for supporting decorative display; said at least one frame section defining means for connecting adjacent frame sections thereto such that connected frame sections form a substantially rigid structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming decorative displays, the apparatus comprising: first and second frame sections; said frame sections being capable of mating engagement thereby forming a modular frame unit; said modular frame unit including means for interconnecting a plurality of modular frame units together in side-by-side, end-to-end, and side-to-end relation thereby allowing the formation of compound decorative structural configurations.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming decorative displays, the apparatus comprising: first and second frame sections; said frame sections being capable of mating engagement to form a modular frame unit; said first and second frame sections each having at least one projecting anchoring pin; said modular frame structure having front and rear ends and left and right side portions and including means for interconnecting a plurality of modular frame units together thereby forming decorative structural configurations; said means for interconnecting including a hood attached to said front end and a pair of tabs forming a hood-receiving catch connected to said rear end, said side portions further including a plurality of outwardly extending lateral clips for interconnection with corresponding lateral clips attached to other modular frame units thereby facilitating the connection of modular frame units in side-to-side and side-to-end relation; said frame unit defining an interior for housing a supply of foam material such that said anchoring pins secure said material for supporting decorative display material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming decorative displays, the method including the steps of: diagramming a decorative display configuration comprised of a plurality of interconnected modular frame units; labelling portions of said display configuration with indicia corresponding to specific decorative material; connecting a plurality of modular frame units together to form a framework for said display configuration corresponding to said diagram; and, attaching decorative material corresponding to said indicia to corresponding portions of said framework thereby resulting in a decorative display.

It is to solving the aforementioned disadvantages and limitations of the prior art that embodiments of the instant invention are directed. In an embodiment, the instant invention is directed to an apparatus for arranging floral and/or other craft-related decorative material which improves upon the prior art by providing connectable modular units each comprising a frame for housing and anchoring a quantity of foam "oasis" or other suitable material which is capable of retaining flower stems and moisture such that the "oasis" material, and flowers inserted therein, remain fixed securely in place thereby maintaining the desired visual effect. The modular units may be of any desirable shape.

In an embodiment, the instant invention further improves upon the prior art by providing a plurality of outwardly extending connectors for allowing modules to be connected in a large number of structurally stable end-toend, side-by-side, and side-to-end configurations, thereby vastly increasing the diversity and complexity of display configurations possible while eliminating the need for external structural support.

In one aspect, the instant invention further provides a method for forming decorative arrangements which includes user friendly instructional materials indicating how to assemble a number of modules in particular configurations with flowers (or other display material, for example, other craft-related material) arranged in a colour coded or other desirable manner, e.g. by flower variety, to produce a variety of display configurations.

In a particular embodiment, each module of the instant invention comprises a frame having a plurality of spaced circular rings each connected along a circumferential edge by one or more longitudinally extending frame members thereby forming a hollow cylindrical frame. The modular frame may be plastics or any other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, each modular frame is formed by a pair of semi-cylindrical halves which may be selectively separated and reassembled for placing a quantity of oasis material within the cylindrical frame structure such that flower stems may be inserted therein for forming a decorative display. Each modular frame further incorporates a plurality of oasis material anchoring pins, extending inwardly for partially piercing the oasis material so as to anchor the material relative to the modular frame. In addition, each modular frame incorporates a front end having an integrally formed hook for providing a connection point for additional modules.

Each modular frame further includes a plurality of outwardly extending side connectors in the form of clips adapted to connect to corresponding clips on adjacent connecting modules to connect modules in side-by-side, side-to-end, and end-to-end configurations.

The instant invention provides an improved apparatus and method for forming decorative arrangements with flowers or other decorative materials.

In an embodiment, the instant invention provides an improved flower display device having means for fixedly securing foam material therein such that flowers inserted in said foam material are held firmly in place.

In an embodiment, the instant invention provides an improved modular device for forming decorative arrangements, which apparatus can be connected with other devices in end-to-end, side-by-side, and/or side-to-end, configurations for forming desired displays including decorative shapes, letters, numbers, etc.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example of the invention in assembled form; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the example disassembled; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the example; FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the example; FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the example; FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the example; FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the example; FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the example; FIG. 9 is a view of a C-shaped structure formed by interconnecting devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 10 is a view of an L-shaped structure formed by interconnecting devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 11 is a view of a T-shaped structure formed by interconnecting devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 12 is a view of a structure formed by the sideby-side connection of two devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 13 is a view of a structure formed by an offset side-by-side connection of two devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 14 is a view of a structure formed by the sideto-end connection of two devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 15 is an end view of devices depicted in Figure 12; FIG. 16 is a view of a square structure formed by interconnected devices in accordance with the invention; FIG. 17 is a view of the square structure shown in Figure 16 and including numerical indicia identifying the location of specific display material in accordance with the method of forming a decorative display; and, FIG. 18 is a view of the square structure shown in Figure 17 having decorative display material added thereto in accordance with the numerical indicia.

With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a device according to the present invention in assembled form. FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the device 10 in disassembled form. As shown in FIG. 2, the device comprises first and second mating sections, 12 and 14 respectively.

Each of said first and second mating sections, 12 and 14, comprises a plurality of ribs or frame elements 16a-d which may be rectangular, triangular, semi-circular (as shown), or any other suitable shape, each connected at substantially diametrically opposed end points to rectangular frame members 18 and 20 respectively. Each rectangular frame member 18 and 20 incorporates mounting pins 22 along one side thereof and corresponding pin receptacles 24 along an opposite side. Accordingly, first and second mating sections 12 and 14 can be detachably connected by inserting pins 22 on each section into corresponding pin receptacles 24 on the opposing section, thereby forming the assembled device 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-8.

Accordingly, halves 12 and 14 are capable of housing a quantity of urethane foam material (e.g. "oasis" material) (not shown), or any other suitable, preferably porous, matter, within the cylindrical frame structure 10 such that flower stems may be inserted therein for forming a decorative display. Each modular frame 10 further incorporates a plurality of anchoring pins 32 extending inwardly for partially piercing inserted foam "oasis" material, upon the joining of mating sections 12 and 14, thereby anchoring the material relative to the modular frame. Anchoring pins 32 are designed to fix the "oasis" material relative to structure 10 such that the forces applied by inserted flowers (or other decorative material) do not cause the "oasis" material to rotate or otherwise move within structure 10 thereby changing the orientation of the floral display.

Each rectangular frame member 18 and 20 further incorporates a front end having an integrally formed hook 26, and a rear end having projecting guide flanges 28 forming a hook-receiving catch for reasons that will soon become apparent. In addition, frame members 18 and 20 each have a plurality of outwardly projecting clips 30 connected along at least one side thereof. Furthermore, member 18 may incorporate additional outwardly projecting clips 30 along a rear member 19 thereof, such that the guide flanges 28 are disposed therebetween. As a result, when mating sections 12 and 14 are joined together as depicted in FIGS.

1 and 3-8, the module 10 is formed having outwardly projecting clips 30 along two opposing sides and the second or rear end 19 of the rectangular frame structures 18 and 20, and an integrally formed hook 26 connected to the front end. Hooks 26 and clips 30 allow individual modules 10 to be selectively connected for forming a variety of side-byside, end-to-end, and/or side-to-end configurations, a few examples of which are depicted in FIGS. 9-18. As is now apparent, a wide variety of structures may be fabricated by connecting individual modules 10 together by interconnecting hooks 26 and clips 30.

As best depicted in FIGS. 12-15, modules connected by aligned engagement of clips 30 form a substantially rigid structure which is self supporting. With specific reference to FIG. 14 there is depicted a side-to-end configuration wherein the vertical module fully supports the cantilevered horizontal module. Accordingly, the modules are not substantially free to pivot and the decorative structure is maintained without the need for excess external support.

First and second mating sections 12 and 14 may also be in non-mated or disassembled form. When used in the nonmated configuration, sections 12 and 14 may each receive a quantity of "oasis" material which is secured by anchoring pins 32. Accordingly, rectangular frame members 18 and 20 provide a substantially flat surface such that structures formed by connection of sections 12 and 14 can be placed flush to a flat surface such as a wall.

First and second mating sections 12 and 14 may also be hingedly connected as by the use of a "living hinge", between the two sections, or by any means which permits the two sections to remain connected but to be opened and closed by hinging the sections relative to each other.

A method of forming decorative displays utilizing modules 10 is disclosed as an integral part of the instant invention. According to the instant method, detailed instructions are provided for a user to reference in fabricating decorative displays. The instant invention contemplates instructional materials which specify: (a) the number of modules 10 required for a particular display structure; (b) the manner in which modules 10 are interconnected to form the particular display structure; and, (c) the type and colour of display material (e.g.

flowers) to be inserted within each module, or section of each module, for creating the desired visual effect.

Specifically, in an embodiment, the instant method teaches subdividing each module 10 into at least three zones I, II, III, in FIG. 17. The instructional materials may specify the size, type, and colour of flowers (or other display material) that are to be inserted into each zone of each module 10 for creating a specific visual effect.

The method includes the steps of providing a diagram of a decorative floral configuration which the user desires to create using one or a plurality of interconnected modular frame units, the diagram including a twodimensional arrangement of grids or zones I, II, III, IV, V, and VI, etc., labelling each grid or zone with indicia corresponding to a specific decorative material, e.g.

flowers, connecting two or more modular frame units together (if more than one modular frame unit is to be used to create the display), and inserting decorative material such as flowers into the oasis material in accordance with the indicia provided in the zones depicted on the instructional diagram. It is contemplated that each zone may by further sub-divided such that a single zone accepts a desired variety of decorative display material. In this way, a simple process for forming heretofore difficult-toarrange floral displays is provided with which the ordinary individual can create a virtually limitless number of arrangements in very little time using very few materials.

As is now apparent, the instant invention provides an improved apparatus and method for forming decorative arrangements that is simple, versatile, and user friendly.

The instant invention thus allows even the most inexperienced user to create floral arrangements quickly and easily by providing an inexpensive device and simple instructional materials.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope in accordance with the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims (28)

1. An apparatus for forming decorative displays, the apparatus comprising: at least one frame section; said at least one frame section being adapted to house material for supporting decorative display; said at least one frame section defining means for connecting adjacent frame sections thereto such that connected frame sections form a substantially rigid structure.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for connecting comprises a plurality of outwardly extending clips.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said means for connecting comprises an outwardly extending hook.

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising two tabs providing a catch for receiving a hook on an adjacent frame section.

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one frame section includes at least one anchoring pin for securing decoration support material within said frame section.

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one frame section includes a plurality of rib elements.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a pair of said frame sections are capable of mating engagement thereby forming a modular frame unit defining a decoration support material chamber.

8. An apparatus for forming decorative displays, the apparatus comprising: first and second frame sections; said frame sections being capable of mating engagement thereby forming a modular frame unit; said modular frame unit including means for interconnecting a plurality of modular frame units together in side-by-side, end-to-end, and side-to-end relation thereby allowing the formation of compound decorative structural configurations.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said modular frame unit is generally circular in cross-section.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said modular frame unit is generally rectangular in crosssection.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said modular frame unit is generally oval in cross-section.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said modular frame unit is generally elliptical in crosssection.

13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said modular frame unit is generally diamond-shape in crosssection.

14. An apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein said means for interconnecting includes a plurality of outwardly extending clips.

15. An apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein said means for interconnecting further comprises an outwardly extending hook.

16. An apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 15, wherein said frame sections include at least one anchoring pin for securing decoration support material within said frame section.

17. An apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 16, wherein said frame sections include a plurality of rib elements.

18. An apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 17, comprising two tabs providing a catch for receiving a hook on an adjacent frame section.

19. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18, further comprising decorative support material which is capable of retaining and supporting flower stems inserted therein.

20. An apparatus for forming decorative displays, the apparatus comprising: first and second frame sections; said frame sections being capable of mating engagement to form a modular frame unit; said first and second frame sections each having at least one projecting anchoring pin; said modular frame structure having front and rear ends and left and right side portions and including means for interconnecting a plurality of modular frame units together thereby forming decorative structural configurations; said means for interconnecting including a hook attached to said front end and a pair of tabs forming a hook-receiving catch connected to said rear end, said side portions further including a plurality of outwardly extending lateral clips for interconnection with corresponding lateral clips attached to other modular frame units thereby facilitating the connection of modular frame units in side-to-side and side-to-end relation; said frame unit defining an interior for housing a supply of foam material such that said anchoring pins secure said material for supporting decorative display material.

21. A method for forming decorative displays, the method including the steps of: diagramming a decorative display configuration comprised of a plurality of interconnected modular frame units; labelling portions of said display configuration with indicia corresponding to specific decorative material; connecting a plurality of modular frame units together to form a framework for said display configuration corresponding to said diagram; and, attaching decorative material corresponding to said indicia to corresponding portions of said framework thereby resulting in a decorative display.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said step of diagramming is performed on written instructional materials.

23. A method according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein said display material includes live flowers.

24. A method according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein said display material includes dry flowers.

25. A method according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein said display material includes artificial flowers.

26. A method according to any of claims 21 to 25, wherein said display material includes craft items other than floral material.

27. A frame section, for apparatus for forming decorative displays, said frame section being substantially as described in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

28. Apparatus for forming decorative displays, substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.