Supports – Floral supports
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-04
2003-05-20
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Floral supports
C248S346030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06565047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stand and method for displaying decorative wreaths, and more particularly pertains to a stand for displaying decorative wreaths for use as table decorations and a method for so displaying such wreaths.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Devices for displaying decorative wreaths are known. Conventionally, wreaths are displayed by hanging them from doors or on walls, or mounting them thereon. Wreath mounting devices commonly include simple wall fasteners, such as nails, screws and hooks. Wreath hangers include the sectional wreath hanger as disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,553,823 and D Pat. No. 374,168, both the Protz, Jr.; as well as the decorative wreath hanger disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,851 to Knudsen, Sr., et al. Such devices all present the same limitation, namely, that only one side of the wreath may be displayed. That is, while one side of the wreath is visible by an observer, the other side of the wreath, facing the wall or door, is hidden. Accordingly, the full decorative potential of the wreath cannot be exploited. Further, wall-and-door wreath display devices also require either fixing the wreath to a wall or door and hanging the wreath therefrom. Accordingly, such devices do not provide for display of the wreath on tables, countertops or other similarly arrayed surfaces. The portability of the wreath also is compromised.
Wreath supporting devices include free-standing easels. Such devices have the advantage allowing the wreath to be displayed other than on a wall or door. However, easels are space-consuming and generally are unsuitable for displaying wreaths on tables and countertops. Additionally, while easels provide a certain portability, they are cumbersome and require the wreath to be removed from the easel for transport, or even for movement from one surface to another. Also, easels still obscure one side of the wreath, thereby preventing the full decorative potential of the wreath from being realized. Moreover, where the wreath is irregularly shaped, such as a valentine, it must be manipulated on the easel to stay in the most decorative position.
Other display devices support floral arrangements, including decorative wreaths, by attaching to the floral arrangement or decorative wreath at a central point at or near the bottom thereof. However, such devices are either limited to the size of wreath they can support without collapsing or having the wreath topple over or list to one side, or they are too large and/or heavy to be portable and useful for display on a tabletop or other similar surface.
What is needed is a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that allows both sides of the wreath to be seen. What is further needed is a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that allows the wreath to be displayed on a counter or tabletop or other flat surface. What is further needed is a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that allows a wreath to be displayed in a vertical alignment. What is further needed is a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that is portable. What is further needed is a method of displaying a decorative wreath that permits the entire decorative potential of the wreath to be viewed. What is further needed is a method of displaying a decorative wreath that permits the wreath to be displayed in a vertical alignment on a tabletop or counter or other horizontal flat surface.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that permits both sides of the wreath to be seen. The present invention further provides a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that allows the wreath to be displayed on a counter or tabletop or other flat surface. The present invention further provides a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that allows a wreath to be displayed in a vertical alignment. The present invention further provides a stand for displaying a decorative wreath that is portable. The present invention further provides a method of displaying a decorative wreath that permits the entire decorative potential of the wreath to be viewed. The present invention further provides a method of displaying a decorative wreath that permits the wreath to be displayed in a vertical alignment on a tabletop or counter of other horizontal flat surface.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The wreath display stand of the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular base having a width, a depth, front and back edges, and two lateral edges; two substantially vertical wreath support arms, each further comprising a support attachment arm securably attached to a point on the back edge of the base and extending therefrom in a substantially horizontal manner toward the front edge of the base, a support extension that is continuous with the support attachment arm and extends vertically therefrom in an upward direction, and a wreath attachment arm that is continuous with the support extension at an end thereof that is opposite an end of the support extension that is continuous with the support attachment arm; a substantially rectangular stabilizing frame arrived above the base by a distance sufficient to stabilize the stand when the wreath is displayed in the substantially vertical display alignment in conjunction therewith, the frame also having a width, a depth, front and back edges, and two lateral edges; a plurality of stabilizing rods extending between the base and the stabilizing frame and connecting the frame to the base; and a wreath stabilizing brace securably attached to the stabilizing frame at a central point on the back edge thereof, the brace comprising a brace attachment bar having an end securably attached to a central point of the front edge of the frame and extending therefrom in a substantially horizontal plane to a central point of the back edge thereof, a brace attachment arm that is continuous with the brace attachment bar and is perpendicular to the frame and the base, and a wreath stabilizing arm attached to the brace attachment arm and extending therefrom in a substantially horizontal plane arrayed above and parallel to a plane of the frame by a distance sufficient to stabilize the bottom of the wreath in the substantially vertical display alignment, the wreath stabilizing arm further extending in a direction away from the back edge of the frame and toward the front edge thereof.
The base is configured to sit on a horizontal flat surface. The four edges of the base are arrayed in a common horizontal plane. The width of the base is sufficient to support the wreath in a substantially vertical display alignment when the wreath is displayed in conjunction with the stand.
The front and back edges and the lateral edges of the frame also are arrived in a common horizontal plane. The width of the frame is substantially identical to the width of the base; however, the depth of the frame is less than that of the base. The front edge of the frame is in a common vertical plane with the front edge of the base, and the lateral edges of the frame also are in common vertical planes with the lateral edges of the base. The second horizontal plane of the frame is substantially parallel to that of the base. The frame is securably attached to each of the vertical support arms at a point on the back edge of the frame.
Each of the wreath support arms is configured to support one lateral side of the wreath in the substantially vertical display alignment. Each of the stabilizing rods has a length and two ends. One end of each stabilizing rod is attached to an edge of the base, the other end being securably attached to the corresponding edge of the stabilizing frame. The length of each stabilizing rod is substantially equal to the distance that the stabilizing frame is arrayed above the base. The rods further stabilize the stand when the wreath is displayed in conjunction therewith.
In an alternate embodiment, the wreath support arms of the stand do not include support attachment arms. Rather an end of the support e
Atico International USA, Inc.
Braun Leslie A.
Gibbons Del Deo Dolan Griffinger & Vecchione
Wujciak A. Joseph
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