GB2489944A

GB2489944A - Adjustable stand for funeral floral displays

Info

Publication number: GB2489944A
Application number: GB1106100.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margaret Dempster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-11
Filing date: 2011-04-11
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Also published as: GB201106100D0

Abstract

A stand for use with floral tributes, funeral memorials and the like comprises an adjustable 4 frame that in use can accommodate at least one plastic-backed foam block of the type used for the insertion of flowers, the block being of one of a number of commercially available sizes. The frame may have ground spikes 1 provided with collars 2 allowing it to be securely mounted on the ground. The stand is suitable for use with real or artificial flowers. In use, the stand is less liable to being blown over by the wind when compared to existing stands for floral tributes reducing the work of groundskeepers.

Description

Adjustable Stapd fQrfupen[FIoLa[Di$plajs This invention is a modular component system that provides a method to securely set up funeral memorials, sympathy tributes and other flower displays. This is achieved, using a modular component system disclosed herein that incorporates different bracket types and spikes that adapt to fit different shapes and sizes of floral bases (Styrofoam) for funeral flower decorations in any floral arrangement. The system is designed to take standard commerdally available Styrofoam frames or basis. The flowers are fixed to these foam support which -are, in turn, mounted onto and supported by the adjustable stands.

The larger systems come with adjustable height, adjustable width and adjustable length poles. This is a range of stands specifically for funeral and flower arrangements.

Once assembled, these stands require to be pushed into the ground using the spikes provided.

The base of the flower display (or Styrofoam material) will be secured onto the stand by the hooks and pin connectors provided.

This Modular Components system allows can be disassembled into compact flat pack storage when not in use.

Council workers often complain of the extra work they need to do when they are maintaining the grounds of graveyards due to the currently commercially available flower displays that eventually are blown over the grounds. This does create extra work for the workers who have to maintain the grounds. As a result, some Councils and local authorities have withdrawn permission, preventing mourners from placing floral displays on family and friends graves.

This is due to space issues and the potential mess caused by displays falling or blowing over. The invention herein described provides upright stands that will stop displays from blowing onto the grass and take up very little ground space due to their small "footprint".

In most cases the headstone is not available till 3-6 months after the burial.

This invention allows a tribute to be set up prior to the headstone being fitted.

These structures can be used with fresh or artificial flowers; artificial flowers are very popular in the grave yard. Memorials and sympathy tributes made with artificial flowers can be placed at the head of a grave till a head stone is erected. The flowers can be recycled after the memorial is no longer required.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with difference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the main system assembly.

Figurel shows-ground spike, item (1), to be attached to the spike-to-pole convertor, item (2), by screwing together clockwise. Item (2), spike to pole connector with stopper is attached to item (3) 3 way connector; then the hook item (4a) is attached to the 3 way connector, item (3). The 3 way connector is connected to the adjustable poles, item (5). Item (5) is then attached to the 4 way connector, item (7). Thumbscrew, item (6), holds item (5), adjustable poles together and provides a degree of adjustment. Item (7), the 4 way connector, joins the vertical adjustable poles and the spike-to-pole connector, item (2). The corner connector, item(S), joins to, item (5), a vertical adjustable poles to item (9), the right angled spike.

Alternative Embodiment Figure 2 shows a perspective view, exploded which is constructed in the same way as previously described in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is the same as figure 1 up to component (7) the four way connector, where item (7) is connected to the back hook (4b).

Alternative Embodiment I Bracket spjkes For smaller floral arrangements, a range of brackets with one spiked leg is offered. These require to be pushed into the ground for it to stand securely.

Differently configured designs of brackets are and shown to allow the user to attach multiple floral arrangements. The floral bases (Styrofoam shapes) can be attached by bolting to the stand hinge. When bolting the floral arrangement to the bracket spikes they are made secure. Standard bolts screws and washers are used to attach the foam basis to the structure.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows-the bracket spikes, which includes the ground spike, item(1), to be attached to item (2) vertical stopper pole, which in turn is then attached to brackets (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7).

Alternative Embodiment 2 As shown in Figure 4, a pair of upright structures including item (10) which is a swivel rectangular bracket. A plastic back Styrofoam shape (prior art and commercially available) is attached a these swivel rectangular brackets (10) joining the pair together and so forming the basis of the flower or memorial arrangement.

Figure 5 Shows a perspective view (sketch) to illustrate the structure as shown in figure 4 in it's application, where the spikes are pushed into he ground, therefore not expose, and the plastic backed Styrofoam is attached to the structure. Flowers are then attached to and arranged onto the foam material.

Claims

Claims 1. The invention disclosed is a memorial and floral tribute stand for external use in soil, earth or grass that can be adjusted to different heights widths and lengths, so accommodating commercially available plastic backed foam material for insertion of flowers, whether artificial or real.
2. The up right stands secure small and large floral displays.
3. The assemblies take up very little ground space
4. The spikes fit securely into the soil around the grave and require only pushing into the ground to stand securely.
5. The hooks built into the structure secure the plastic backed foam floral display bases onto the stand thus preventing the floral displays from blowing over onto the grass or adjacent ground.
6. The stoppers are attached to (item 2) the spike-to-connector pole to prevent the stands sinking too far into the ground when floral arrangements are attached.
7. The stands can be used for flower displays other than memorial or funeral services, such as weddings, celebrations or decoration in a standard domestic garden.