US20100146740A1

US20100146740A1 - Safety corsage mounting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20100146740A1
Application number: US12/316,387
Authority: US
Inventors: Ann L. Sturges
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-12
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2010-06-17

Abstract

A corsage mounting apparatus including a tube shaped stem holding structure with a safety pin attached. The stem or stems of flowers being used in a corsage are inserted into the tube and secured to the apparatus. The apparatus, including the corsage, can then be fasted to an article of clothing by using the apparatus's safety pin.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically corsages have been worn as fashion accessories during formal occasions. Corsages are traditionally pinned to the front portion of a dress or suit near the shoulder. Corsages are attached using straight pins, which can often result in injury to the corsage wearer because there is no protective covering over the sharp end of the straight pin.
Using the traditional straight pin attachment method, the stem of the flower or flowers of the corsage is damaged when the straight pin is pushed through the stem of the flower. The stem can also be bent or broken as the result of accidental contact with the corsage. Through the natural movements of the corsage wearer, the stems can bend or break as a result of the straight pin attachment method.
Over at least several decades, attempts have been made to achieve replacements for the conventional long straight corsage-mounting pins. The inventor does not know of an alternative corsage mounting apparatus that provides both structural support and protection to the stems of the flowers of the corsage and protection to the wearer from the pins used to attach the corsage. The inventor does not know of any corsage holders that can be sealed at one end such that it can hold liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a single elongated tubular shaped piece of plastic or metal, referred to as the tubular support body, which is attached to a safety pin. By tubular, the inventor means a thin-walled structure in the shape of a tube, being substantially cylindrical with a hollow opening passing throughout the length of the structure. The tubular support body has an inner and an outer diameter, which varies depending on the size and quantity of the flower stems being used in the corsage, but typically does not exceed an inner diameter of more than one inch.
The tubular support body is typically open on both ends, but the inventor also envisions an alternative embodiment of the invention where one of the ends is closed such that the only opening to the inside of the tubular support is through the top. By having only one open end, the corsage wearer can prevent leakage from the flower stem.
The said safety pin envisioned by the inventor utilizes a rotating clasp that is rotated when the user intends to remove or replace the pin. A safety pin that is compressed to remove and replace the pin under the clasp on the head of the pin could also be used in the invention, but is more difficult to use than the rotating clasp type of safety pin.
The invention is used to create a corsage by having the person making the corsage insert a flower stem or stems, depending on the appearance of the corsage, into the hollow interior of the tubular support body. Flower stems can be inserted in one or both openings in the tubular support body depending on the desired appearance of the corsage. The inventor envisions using floral tape wrapped along the length of the flower stems and the length of the tubular support body to secure the corsage flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body and attached safety pin.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body and attached safety pin.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body with one angled end.

FIG. 4 is a side isometric view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body, attached safety pin, five flowers making up the corsage and florist's tape used to secure the said flowers to said apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the apparatus with six flowers making up a corsage. The apparatus is obstructed by the flowers and is represented by hidden lines.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus with one end of the elongated tubular support body angled and a flower attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As previously described, the invention is an improved corsage mounting apparatus. In the following description of the invention, florist is intended to mean any person using flowers, either real or fake, to create a corsage with the described invention. The word corsage encompasses both corsages and boutonnieres and any device used to secure flowers to the body of a person.
FIGS. 1-2 demonstrate one embodiment of the invention, which comprises an elongated tubular support body 20 with a safety pin 10 attached thereto. The elongated tubular support body 20 has an internal cavity which is accessible through openings at either end of the elongated tubular support body 20. The inventor envisions the safety pin 10 molded directly into the elongated tubular support body 20. In alternative embodiments, the safety pin 10 could also be fastened to the elongated tubular support body 20 with an adhesive, rivets, twist ties, zip ties or other process that would result in the safety pin 10 being attached to the elongated tubular support body 20. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated tubular support body 20 is made of a polymer, but in alternative embodiments it could also be made any material capable of providing support to the stem of a flower, including metal, wood, or composites. In the preferred embodiment, the safety pin 10 is of the type that utilizes a roller clasp to secure the pin while it is being worn. Any type of safety pin could be used that allows the user to secure the sharp end of the pin to prevent the user from being stuck with the pin during use.
In the preferred embodiment, the improved corsage mounting apparatus is used to secure at least one flower 30 to the wearer of said at least one flower 30. The stem(s) of the at least flower 30 pass through the internal cavity of the elongated tubular support body 20, which is accessible through either end of the elongated tubular support body 20. At least one flower 30 can be placed in both ends of the apparatus at the same time for a fuller corsage depending on the preferences of the user. In the preferred embodiment, the stem(s) of the at least one flower 30 are secured to the elongated tubular support body 20 by wrapping the stem(s) with florist tape 50 (best seen in FIG. 4). Florist's tape is defined as any tape that can be used to attach a flower stem to the elongated tubular support body.
The number of flowers 30 attached to the apparatus can vary greatly depending on the choices of the florist. FIGS. 4-5 demonstrate one use of the apparatus where multiple flowers 30 have been attached to the elongated tubular support body 20 to create a corsage. FIG. 6 demonstrates the use of one flower 30 attached to the elongated tubular support body 20 to create a corsage. The number of flowers 30 that can be used is limited by the diameter of the opening in the elongated tubular support body 20 and the diameter of the stems of the flowers 30 used by the florist.
FIG. 3 describes one embodiment of the invention, where one end of said elongated tubular support body 20 is cut at an angle for aesthetic reasons and to allow the florist to attach multiple flowers 30 and different heights onto said elongated tubular support body 20. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment with one end of said elongated tubular support body angled, but the inventor also envisions an embodiment where both ends of said elongated tubular support body 20 are angled.
FIG. 7 demonstrates an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the elongated tubular support body 20 is open only at one end, preferably the top end. The internal cavity is filled with a solution that prolongs the life of a cut flower 30, typically a sugar-water solution. The top of the elongated tubular support body 20 is fitted with a cap 40 that allows the stem of a flower 30 to pass through it and enter the internal cavity of the elongated tubular support body 20 without allowing the fluid of the internal cavity to escape. Such caps are known to the art and will not be described in detail.
The above described embodiments are merely examples of the invention as envisioned by the applicant. They are in no way intended to limit the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A corsage mounting apparatus, which comprises:

an elongated tubular support body with an internal cavity,

wherein said tubular support body has openings to said internal cavity at both ends;

a safety pin in fluid connection with said elongated tubular support body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one flower stem,

wherein said at least one flower stem passes through said internal cavity of said elongated tubular support body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising said flower stem secured to said tubular support body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising said flower stem secured to said elongated tubular support body with florist's tape.

5. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said elongated tubular support body is open only on one end.

6. The apparatus of claim 5,

wherein said open end of said elongated tubular support body is fitted with a cap that seals around said open end of said tubular support body and around said flower stem to prevent liquid from escaping from said internal cavity of said elongated tubular support body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6,

wherein said elongated tubular support body is a polymer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein at least one of said ends of said elongated tubular support member is angled.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one flower stem,

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising said flower stem secured to said tubular support body.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising said flower stem secured to said elongated tubular support body with florist's tape.

12. The apparatus of claim 11,

wherein only one of said ends of said elongated tubular support body is open.

13. The apparatus of claim 12,

wherein said only one open end of said elongated tubular support body is fitted with a cap that seals around said only one open end of said tubular support body and around said flower stem to prevent liquid from escaping from said internal cavity of said tubular support body.

14. The apparatus of claim 13,

wherein said elongated tubular support body is a polymer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein a portion of said safety pin is molded into said elongated tubular support body.

16. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said safety pin is fluidly connected to said elongated tubular support body with an adhesive.

17. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said safety pin is fluidly connected to said elongated tubular support body with rivets.