Plant husbandry – Flower holder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-24
2001-03-20
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Flower holder
C047S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202345
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure for supporting objects within the passenger cabin of an automobile for providing pleasing aesthetics to obtain a level of calmness while driving and to provide a natural fresh scent.
BACKGROUND
Automobiles are designed so that the driver and any passengers are seated in a compartment which is usually an enclosed space having exterior doors and windows.
In order to circulate air, vents, and sometimes air conditioning is provided. Besides having fresh air circulated into the passenger cabin of an automobile, the driver or passengers may sometimes prefer that the air be scented with a desired fragrance for providing a more appealing smell for the passengers and driver.
Different varieties of air fresheners are available for use in an automobile. Air fresheners range from simple aerosol spray to scented items which usually hang on the rear-view mirror.
These air fresheners usually consist of an imitation odor such as “new-car”, pine or other scent.
Many years ago, the prior art included a receptacle mounted to the dashboard of an automobile for the placing of a flower and stem.
However, the prior art does not address a device which is connected to a standard cigarette lighter receptacle which would allow the placement of fresh flowers in the cabin of an automobile to be used not only as an air freshener but also as a decorative ornament.
Receptacles for receiving flowers and temporarily fixing the position of the flowers relative to a structure is well known in the prior art.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,496 issued to Koistinen, discloses a support structure for small floral arrangements for use at weddings which utilize a multipurpose hanger.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a holder which can be temporarily attached to the cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile which will permit the placement of a flower within the cabin of an automobile for aesthetic beauty as well as for the pleasant scent it will provide to the interior cabin space.
It is further an object of the invention to provide a holder which, instead of a holding flower, can be used for holding a cigar within the cabin of an automobile.
It is also an object of the invention to design the holder so it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention is a holder which can be attached to an automobile's cigarette lighter receptacle that is part of a car's dashboard. The holder is sufficiently rigid so it can support the weight of an object placed inside without substantial deformation.
The preferred use of my invention will be to hold a single flower or small floral arrangement. A flower or flowers, with stems inserted into the holder, will provide a fresh scent and aesthetic beauty to the interior cabin of an automobile and which will be in plain sight of the driver. Alternatively, the holder can also be utilized for placement of an expensive cigar therein and utilize an optional cover to preserve the freshness of the cigar. The purpose of my invention is thus to provide an attractive yet unobtrusive, stationary, and spill-proof vase suitable for prominently displaying a flower or small floral arrangement within the passenger cabin of an automobile so as to artistically enhance and beautify its interior, stimulate the passengers′ visual and olfactory senses, and effect calmness by imparting the scents and visual aesthetics of nature into the passengers′ automotive environment.
VARIED EMBODIMENTS
The holder can either be of single piece construction or made of two or more separate sections. The following embodiments are considered as part of my invention:
A. Integral Section and Glass Holder.
The holder comprises two pieces: 1) a test-tube shaped member capable or retaining water; and 2) an integral body having two sections; the first section being a elongated holding member for receiving the test-tube shaped member and the second section being a support member extending perpendicularly away from the first section.
The support member has a male distal first end that is designed to be inserted within an automobile's cigarette lighter receptacle temporarily securing the holder in a fixed position relative to the automobile dashboard.
The test-tube shaped member can be made of plastic but more preferably, it is made of tempered glass such as PYREX® and can be removed from the elongated holding member. Since my invention anticipates holding a flower stem and water, over time algae and possibly mold and bacteria will grow if the holder is not periodically cleaned. A tempered glass test-tube is preferred because of its durability and also for its ease of cleaning. The test-tube member can be removed from the elongated holding member, and cleaned. The test-tube member can thereafter be re-inserted into the elongated holding member for subsequent use.
The integral body is preferably made of a plastic material such as polyurethane although any material may be used so long as it serves reduce the chances of damage such as breakage to the test-tube member while within the elongated member.
Various artistic designs can be etched, painted, engraved, embossed, or stenciled onto the elongated holding member. The elongated holding member can also be made in different colors and exterior circumferential shapes; all to provide aesthetic pleasure to the viewer.
Although the integral body, which comprises the elongated holding member and support member, is preferably made of a plastic material, each member can be made of differing or multiple materials and permanently bonded or connected to one another.
For example, the elongated holding member, may be made of copper having decorative etched designs on its outer wall, while the support member is made of plastic and bonded to a portion of the elongated holding member. Other materials of construction for the elongated holding member include wood and aluminum.
B. Integral Section Only.
The holder is comprised of a single piece having two sections; the first section being an elongated holding member having a hollow interior and an aperture so that objects can be inserted into the hollow interior; and the second section being a support member extending perpendicularly away from the holding member. The support member has a distal first end that can be inserted within an automobile's cigarette lighter receptacle temporarily securing the holder in a fixed position relative to the automobile dashboard.
As for embodiment “A” described above, the elongated holding member may include artistic designs and may even be made of a different material than the support member.
C. Multiple Sections and Glass Holder.
In this embodiment, my invention comprises three sections: 1) a test-tube shaped member preferably made of tempered glass such as PYREX®; 2) a elongated holding member into which the test-tube shaped member can be inserted and removed; and, 3) a support member. The support member has a distal male end that can be inserted and temporarily secured within an automobile's cigarette lighter receptacle.
A means is utilized to connect the support member to the elongated holding member. Any number of embodiments can be employed as a functional connecting means. Such embodiments include but are not limited to the following:
1. Support member having a second end comprising two prongs which frictionally engage the circumference of the elongated holding member;
2. Support member having a second end comprising a male threaded end for engagement with a female threaded end positioned on said elongated holding member;
3. Support member having female threaded end for threadably engaging a threaded male end located on the elongated holding member; or
4. The elongated holding member having a tapered outer circumference distant from the aperture opening and the support member having a ring end so that the tapered end of the elongated holding member can be partially inserted into the ring end of the horizontal member until frictional contact is obtained.
Arant Gene W.
Gellner Jeffrey L.
Poon Peter M.
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