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US4418496A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Support structure for small floral arrangement

Assignee: Dakota Plastics Co
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Filing: 1982-08-25
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Granted: 1983-12-06
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Expires: 2002-08-25
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Abstract

Abstract A support structure for small floral arrangements for use during occasions such as weddings and the like, the support structure including a multipurpose hanger for supporting ribbon bows, flowers and greens from the end of a church pew or bench along the aisle to provide an attractive display of decorative items in position for easy observation by those attending the occasion. The hanger includes a clip portion engaging the top edge portion of the pew and a vertical leg portion having structural features which facilitate the optional support of a ribbon bow, a water pick, or a water-soaked floral foam block in a secure and stable manner.

Inventors

  • 👤 Arnold A. Koistinen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 14:39
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G5/00; A01G5/04

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 315 words
Support structure for small floral arrangements for use during occasions such as weddings and the like, the support structure comprising grasping means for mounting upon a member having two vertical sides and a horizontal surface transversely of the two vertical sides, the grasping means adapted for resting upon the horizontal surface and to biasingly engage each of the two vertical sides, the grasping means including an elongated sheet of resilient material embodying a generally straight elongated and inclined intermediate portion, a vertical depending first portion extending downwardly from the upper end of said inclined portion, a second portion on the lower end of said inclined portion and joined thereto by an arcuate integral connecting portion, the first vertical depending portion being generally flat throughout its vertical extent for engagement of one side thereof with one of said verticalsides, the intermediate portion forming an included angle of less than 90° with said one side of said first portion and extending a greater distance in a horizontal direction from the upper end of said vertical depending portion than in a vertical direction from the upper end of said vertical depending portion, said second portion extending downwardly from and inwardly toward said one side of said vertical depending first portion and terminating downwardly in an inwardly and upwardly curving coiled portion for frictional engagement with the other of said vertical sides at a point a spaced distance below the level of the lower end of said inclined intermediate portion, displacement of said coiled portion away from said one side of said depending first portion resulting in an increase of the radius of curvature of said arctuate integral connecting portion and an increase in the included angle between said depending first portion and said intermediate portion, whereby more than minimal spacing changes between said coiled portion and said one side of said vertical depending first portion may be accommodated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 315 words
Support structure for small floral arrangements for use during occasions such as weddings and the like, the support structure comprising grasping means for mounting upon a member having two vertical sides and a horizontal surface transversely of the two vertical sides, the grasping means adapted for resting upon the horizontal surface and to biasingly engage each of the two vertical sides, the grasping means including an elongated sheet of resilient material embodying a generally straight elongated and inclined intermediate portion, a vertical depending first portion extending downwardly from the upper end of said inclined portion, a second portion on the lower end of said inclined portion and joined thereto by an arcuate integral connecting portion, the first vertical depending portion being generally flat throughout its vertical extent for engagement of one side thereof with one of said verticalsides, the intermediate portion forming an included angle of less than 90° with said one side of said first portion and extending a greater distance in a horizontal direction from the upper end of said vertical depending portion than in a vertical direction from the upper end of said vertical depending portion, said second portion extending downwardly from and inwardly toward said one side of said vertical depending first portion and terminating downwardly in an inwardly and upwardly curving coiled portion for frictional engagement with the other of said vertical sides at a point a spaced distance below the level of the lower end of said inclined intermediate portion, displacement of said coiled portion away from said one side of said depending first portion resulting in an increase of the radius of curvature of said arctuate integral connecting portion and an increase in the included angle between said depending first portion and said intermediate portion, whereby more than minimal spacing changes between said coiled portion and said one side of said vertical depending first portion may be accommodated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the lower end of said first portion includes an outstanding lip supporting upstanding peg means for supporting a water container for small floral arrangements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein fastener means is mounted proximate the upper end of the first portion for fastening a decorative member thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein groove means is disposed transversely a lower end portion of the first portion for forming a scored cutoff indicia of a terminal residual section of the first portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the upper end portion of said first portion includes a transverse arranged notch adapted to receive a strand for supporting a decorative member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 46 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the lower end portion of the first portion includes a fastener member, and a box means engagingly supported by an intermediate surface of the first portion and the fastener member, and floral foam block means retained in the box means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the box means includes a pan for catching and retaining excess water that may drip from water-soaked foam block means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the box means includes a mating structure for engagement with said first portion, and with the fastener member, to maintain the box means from tipping.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 96 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said fastener member includes a laterally extending support lip positioned below the upper end of the outer leg, a tapered peg extending upwardly from said lip in spaced relation to said first portion, a tray means haing a bottom and an upstanding peripheral wall, said foam block being removably supported in said tray means and receiving any water associated therewith, the bottom of said tray means including an opening receiving the tapered peg for supporting the tray means with the peg forming a watertight closure for said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 49 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said tray means includes a foam block retaining cage extending upwardly from the peripheral wall and upstanding pointed pegs on said bottom for impaling the floral foam block to retain the block in stable position in the tray means and cage.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-12-05 1987-06-06 1987-12-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-12-05 1991-06-06 1991-12-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-12-05 1995-06-06 1995-12-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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