Abstract:
Floral arranging teaching aids and methods of use include a translucent, transparent, solid or penetrable medium base member of selected shape and size and optionally having one or more visible cores or targets therein, with optional openings extending from the surface through the base member and toward or to the target. Multiple real or simulated flower stems, the latter typically consisting of a dowel and an enlarged top segment or portion which is color-coded to simulate the various flowers, are inserted into the openings or into the solid penetrable medium, or through a chart wrapped around the base member and having correspondingly color-coded prints thereon that may align with corresponding openings, to indicate where the dowels are to be inserted in the openings or in the penetrable medium. Arrangement of the real or simulated flower stems in selected or correspondingly color-coded prints in the penetrable medium or through the color-coded base member openings, facilitates instruction in the art of flower arranging.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference prior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/503,783, Filed Sep. 22, 2003. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to floral arranging teaching aids and methods of use and in one embodiment, to a floral arranging teaching aid which is characterized by a transparent or translucent block or structure of selected size and shape, with a flat or otherwise stable bottom and one or more visible cores or targets therein and having multiple base member stem openings, each extending toward or to the target. Various charts may be provided for wrapping around the base member, which charts are typically constructed of thin plastic or tissue paper having chart stem dots or prints in selected locations, some or all of which prints may be color-coded and superimposed on corresponding ones of the base member stem openings. Multiple real or simulated flower stems are extended through the dots or prints into the underlying openings to create a real or simulated floral arrangement. The simulated flower stems are each typically characterized by a dowel having an enlarged top portion which is typically color-coded to match the respective color-coded chart stem prints and are used to simulate selected flowers. This simulation is completed by inserting the respective stem dowels of the simulated flower stems through the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints and into the underlying base member stem openings to support the respective simulated flower stems in the base member at selected angles and depths. When the desired combination of simulated flower stems is inserted in the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints, real or artificial flowers can be correspondingly arranged in a vase or in a container provided with a penetrable medium such as an expanded foam, including “wet foam”, or an alternative stem-supporting medium, including dry expanded foam, using an optional underlying floral diagram as additional decoration.  
         [0003]     In another embodiment the floral arrangement teaching aids include a penetrable medium such as an expanded dry or wet foam base of selected consistency, shape and size and the respective simulated flower stems are typically sharpened and inserted through correspondingly-shaped color-coded chart stem prints applied to the base. Alternatively, the base can be selectively marked and the simulated flower stems inserted directly therein at the marked locations. Accordingly, flower arranging techniques can be taught using the base member and the various charts shaped for wrapping around the base member and positioning over the penetrable medium, including expanded foam, such as dry or wet foam, which charts have corresponding, typically color-coded chart stem prints thereon at selected locations for receiving correspondingly color-coded simulated and real or artificial flower stems. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a transparent or translucent base member cube fitted with multiple base member stem openings which are drilled or molded to contact or approach a visible core target located inside the base member;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a typical flexible chart provided with multiple chart stem prints thereon, some of which chart stem prints are color-coded and all of which typically coincide with corresponding ones of the base member stem openings illustrated in  FIG. 1  when the chart is applied to the base member;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of typical simulated flower stems characterized by stem dowels and simulated color-coded flowers on the ends thereof;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second flexible chart having all color-coded stem prints thereon which match the respective color codings on the simulated flowers located on the simulated flower stems illustrated in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the chart illustrated in  FIG. 4 , shaped and folded to fit over the base member illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the respective color-coded chart stem prints superimposed on the corresponding underlying base member stem openings located in the base member;  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the base member and chart combination illustrated in  FIG. 5  with various simulated flower stems inserted through correspondingly color-coded stem prints on the chart and into the underlying base member stem openings in the base;  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a completed simulated flower arrangement with a simulated flower stem inserted through each one of the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints in the chart;  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a typical floral diagram, upon which is placed a vase or flower container, typically provided with “wet foam” for receiving a chart and real or artificial flowers and arranging the flowers in the configuration of the floral arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the floral diagram illustrated in  FIG. 8 , with a chart positioned over the “wet foam” for matching the real or artificial flower stems and the respective chart stem prints on the chart;  
         [0014]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a bridal floral arrangement teaching aid, more particularly illustrating an expanded foam penetrable medium supported by a base having a handle for gripping by a bride or bridesmaid, with a flexible chart stretched over the underlying expanded foam and color-coded to receive various simulated flower stems;  
         [0015]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view, partially in section, of an alternatively shaped handle for the expanded foam base illustrated in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 12  is a typical flexible chart having a flexible elastic band around the periphery thereof for fitting over the underlying expanded foam medium illustrated in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an expanded foam substrate fitted with the flexible chart illustrated in  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of typical non-color coded simulated flower stems for insertion in the expanded foam substrate through the flexible section chart as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the bridal floral arrangement teaching aid and selected ones of the simulated flower stems illustrated in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a ring floral arrangement teaching aid provided with an expanded foam ring which receives a correspondingly-shaped ring chart provided with color-coded chart stem prints for receiving a collection of simulated flower stems in an alternative simulated teaching aid arrangement;  
         [0021]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a rectangular floral arrangement teaching aid, including an expanded foam rectangle for receiving a correspondingly-shaped rectangle chart having color-coded chart stem prints for receiving the color-coded or generic simulated flower stems in a simulated flower arrangement;  
         [0022]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of an expanded foam cone fitted with a cone chart having color-coded chart stem prints for receiving the corresponding simulated flower stems and creating a cone-shaped simulated flower arrangement;  
         [0023]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the cone floral arrangement teaching aid illustrated in  FIG. 18 , more particularly illustrating placement of the cone chart on the underlying expanded foam cone;  
         [0024]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a sphere floral arrangement teaching aid, more particularly illustrating an expanded foam sphere provided with a shaped sphere chart fitted with color-coded chart stem prints for receiving the various simulated flower stems to create an alternative simulated flower arrangement;  
         [0025]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the sphere floral arrangement teaching aid illustrated in  FIG. 20 , more particularly illustrating the sphere chart in place over the expanded foam sphere for receiving the respective simulated flower stems at the corresponding color-coded chart stem print positions; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 22  is a cube floral arrangement teaching aid constructed of expanded foam or other penetrable medium and including cube markings representing color-coded chart stem locations for receiving corresponding simulated flower stems and creating an alternative cube simulated flower arrangement. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the drawings in a preferred embodiment a cube floral arranging teaching aid  1  of this invention includes a base member  2 , which is transparent or at least translucent, and includes base member sides  3 , a base member top  4  and a flat base member bottom  5 , typically in the configuration of a cube, as indicated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the base member  2  can be constructed in any geometrical shape, including a polygon, trapezoid, pyramid and the like, in non-exclusive particular, so long as the base member  2  is constructed of a transparent or translucent material and has a flat bottom for stability. A visible core or target  7  is provided in the interior of the base member  2  and may be characterized by a disc, sphere or the like, preferably having a distinctive color so as to be clearly visible in the base member  2 . More than one target  7  can be provided in the base member  2 , depending upon the desired size thereof. Multiple base member stem openings  6  are also provided in the base member  2  and extend from the respective surfaces of the base member sides  3  and the base member top  4  downwardly, angling toward or to the target(s)  7 . The base member stem openings  6  may extend to the target or targets  7  or they may project toward the target(s)  7  as desired, for purposes which will be hereinafter further described. The base member stem openings  6  may either be drilled in the base member  2  toward the target(s)  7  or may be shaped in the base member  2  at selected depths and spacing during a molding process or processes known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 4  and  5  of the drawings a cube chart  8  is illustrated, having chart sides  9 , each of which typically includes a side margin  10  on the extending end thereof. The cube chart  8  is typically constructed of thin plastic or paper, such as tissue paper and further includes a chart top  11 , with fold lines  12  provided along the periphery of the chart top  11  to define the chart sides  9 . Multiple chart stem prints  13  are provided on the chart sides  9  and the chart top  11  and, as further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and at least some of the chart stem prints  13  may include color-coded chart stem prints  14 , for purposes which will be further hereinafter described. As in the case of the cube chart  8  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the flexible cube chart  8  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is characterized by chart sides  9 , having side margins  10 , a chart top  11  and fold lines  12  that define the respective chart sides  9 . In each case, the color-coded and non-color-coded chart stem prints  13  illustrated in  FIG. 2  and the all color-coded chart stem prints  14  illustrated in  FIG. 4  are spaced-apart and arranged on the respective chart sides  9  and chart top  11 , such that folding and taping or gluing of the cube chart  8  over the base member  2  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings causes each of the mixed lot of chart stem prints  13 , as well as the all color-coded chart stem prints  14 , as the case may be, to be superimposed over a corresponding one of the base member stem openings  6  in the base member  2 . In each case, the side margins  10  extend downwardly from the respective chart sides  9  and typically around the bottom area of the base member  2  to simulate a flower container or vessel, as further illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 6  and  7  of the drawings in a preferred embodiment of the invention simulated flower stems  15  are provided, each of which include a stem dowel  16  of selected length, preferably having a dowel point  17  at one extending end and a first simulated flower  18 , a second simulated flower  19 , a third simulated flower  20  and a fourth simulated flower  21  of selected shape and color provided at the opposite end of the stem dowel  16 , respectively ( FIG. 3 ). In another preferred embodiment of the invention the first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20  and the fourth stimulated flower  21  provided on each of the stem dowels  16  are shaped in a different configuration and are color-coded to match the color-coded chart stem prints  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings. Accordingly, referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings, various flower arranging patterns can be simulated by inserting each respective stem dowel  16  of the corresponding first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20  and fourth simulated flower  21  through either the chart stem prints  13  illustrated in  FIG. 2  or the color-coded chart stem prints  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 4  and  5 , such that each stem dowel  16  extends into the corresponding underlying base member stem openings  6  in the base member  2  and are supported therein as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Insertion of each respective stem dowel  16  into a selected one of the non-color-coded chart stem prints  13  on a cube chart  8  facilitates random orientation of the respective first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20 , and fourth simulated flower  21  to create a simulated flower arrangement of selected diversity. Likewise, insertion of each respective stem dowel  16  into the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints  14  on a cube chart  8  illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 4  and  5  of the drawings creates a preselected color-coded flower arrangement, since the first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20  and fourth simulated flower  21  are designed to match the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints  14  in the cube chart  8 . In like manner, the stems of real flowers may be color-coded or the stems of flowers having various colors inserted in the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints  14  to create an actual flower arrangement.  
         [0030]     It will be appreciated that the possible combinations of the first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20  and fourth simulated flower  21  in the respective chart stem prints  13  and color-coded chart stem prints  14  of the respective cube charts  8  facilitate extensive variation in the number of simulated flower arrangements that can be accomplished using the cube floral arranging teaching aid  1 , simply by using various charts having different combinations of the chart stem prints  13  and color-coded chart stem prints  14  on the cube charts  8 .  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings, under circumstances where it is desired to develop a live or artificial flower arrangement of varying color and/or type in a flower receptacle  22  of selected size and shape, which includes a mass of a penetrable medium of selected consistency such as an expanded dry or wet foam  23  for receiving and holding the various arranged flower stems  28  of the arranged flowers  27 , a selected pre-printed floral diagram  24  is initially positioned beneath the flower receptacle  22 , as illustrated. A chart, typically having the same or a similar print configuration as the cube chart  8  covering the base member  1 , is then positioned over the top of the expanded dry or wet foam penetrable medium  23  ( FIG. 9 ). The arranged flower stems  28  of the respective arranged flowers  27  are then inserted through the respective chart stem prints  13  and color-coded stem prints  14  on the cube chart  8 , into the expanded dry or wet foam  23 , typically in alignment with the diagram flower simulations  25  provided on the floral diagram  24 , and in accordance with the orientation of the first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20  and the fourth simulated flower  21  illustrated in  FIG. 7  of the drawings. Simulated greenery  26  may also be placed in proper arrangement around the arranged flowers  27 , as further illustrated in the floral diagram  24 . The stems of real flowers can also be inserted in the color-coded chart stem prints  14 , as described above.  
         [0032]     It will be appreciated from a consideration of the drawings and the above, that applicants&#39; floral arranging teaching aids in the above-described embodiments are characterized by diversity and simplicity in the teaching of floral arranging, in that they may include a transparent or translucent base member  2  of selected size, shape and number of base member openings  6 , each extending toward or to the target  7  in the base member  2 , or a penetrable medium such as an expanded foam substrate or base for receiving the respective simulated flower stems  15 . Furthermore, the desired number of first simulated flower  18 , second simulated flower  19 , third simulated flower  20  and fourth simulated flower  21  in any desired combination, may be provided on corresponding stem dowels  16  to create the number of simulated flower stems  15  deemed necessary to teach the desired flower arrangement. It will be further appreciated that each chart, such as the cube chart  8 , may be constructed of a shape and size to correspond to the selected base member  2 , with the respective chart stem prints  13  and/or color-coded chart stem prints  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4  of the drawings, respectively, corresponding to the underlying base member stem openings  6  in the correspondingly shaped base member  2 . Moreover, the provision of chart stem prints  13 , illustrated in  FIG. 2  having no color coding, along with the color-coded chart stem prints  14 , facilitates ingenuity and creativity in designing a variety of floral arrangements having a selected number and variety of real flower stems, as well as the simulated flower stems  15  placed in various positions in the chart stem prints  13  and extending into the corresponding base member stem openings  6 , for this purpose.  
         [0033]     It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the base member  2  can be used as a base for insertion of the respective simulated flower stems  15  directly without the use of a cube chart  8  or the like, under circumstances where it is desired to create a flower arrangement of selected color diversity without the guidance provided by the color-coded chart stem prints  14 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-15  of the drawings in an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention a bridal floral arrangement teaching aid is generally illustrated by reference numeral  30  and includes one or more expanded foam or alternative penetrable medium sections  31 , embedded or mounted on a base  31   b , from which extends a handle  31   a  ( FIG. 15 ). In an alternative embodiment of the invention the handle  31   a  may be bent as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , to facilitate a more secure positional grasp by a bridesmaid or bride. As further illustrated in  FIGS. 10, 12 ,  13  and  15 , a flexible, typically thin plastic section chart  32  is typically provided with a drawstring or an elastic band  33  around the periphery thereof ( FIG. 12 ) and also includes multiple color-coded and selectively spaced and arranged chart stem prints  14  for receiving selected ones of either the non-color-coded simulated flower stems  15 , having stem dowels  16  and dowel points  17  as illustrated in  FIG. 14  or the color-coded simulated flower stems  15  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as desired. Accordingly, selected ones of the simulated flower stems  15  can be inserted in the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  to simulate a typical flower arrangement and various combinations of the simulated flower stems  15  can be used in other desired combinations of the color-coded chart stem prints  14  to create a simulated flower arrangement of desired appeal. Referring again to  FIG. 15  of the drawings it will be appreciated that the expanded foam sections  31  can be constructed or characterized by either a dry or wet expanded foam material, or an alternative penetrable medium, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, for receiving the respective stem dowels  16  of the corresponding simulated flower stems  15 .  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 16  of the drawings the ring floral arranging teaching aid  35  is generally illustrated by reference numeral  35  and includes an expanded foam or alternative penetrable medium ring  36 , typically characterized by a plastic ring base  36   a  for support and fitted with a correspondingly-shaped, flexible or molded ring chart  37 . The expanded foam ring  36  includes an inner ring base surface  36   b , an outer ring base surface  36   c  and a top ring base surface  36   d , as further illustrated in  FIG. 16 . In like fashion, the inner ring chart  37  is characterized by an inner ring chart surface  38  that fits over the inner ring base  36   b  of the ring chart  37 , an outer ring chart surface  39  that engages the outer ring base surface  36   c  and a top ring chart surface  40  that fits over the corresponding top outer ring base surface  36   d  of the ring chart  37 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when the ring chart  37  is fitted over the correspondingly-shaped expanded foam ring  36 , the respective color-coded chart stem prints  14  located on the ring chart  37  will serve to guide the insertion of the corresponding simulated flower stems  15 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 14 , respectively, wherein the corresponding stem dowels  16  are projected through the respective color-code chart stem prints  14  to create a ring arrangement teaching aid  35  complete with the simulated flower stems  15  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  with respect to the bridal floral arrangement teaching aid  30 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 17  of the drawings a rectangular floral arrangement teaching aid  42  is illustrated and includes a typically expanded foam rectangle  43  of selected size and having an inner rectangle surface  43   a , an outer rectangle surface  43   b  and a top rectangular surface  43   c , respectively. A molded or flexible rectangle chart  46  is similarly shaped and includes an inner rectangle chart surface  47 , an outer rectangle chart surface  48  and a top rectangle chart surface  49  which correspond, respectively, to the inner rectangle surface  43   a , the outer rectangle surface  43   b  and the top rectangle surface  43   c  of the expanded foam rectangle  43 . Accordingly, when the expanded foam rectangle  43  receives the corresponding rectangle chart  46 , the respective simulated flower stems  15  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 14  can be inserted through the corresponding color-coded chart stem prints  14  provided on the rectangle chart  46 , into the underlying expanded foam rectangle  43  and a simulated flower arrangement of selected design can be created.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 18 and 19  of the drawings in another preferred embodiment of the invention a cone floral arrangement teaching aid  51  is illustrated and includes an expanded foam cone  52  of selected size and proportion, fitted with a flexible or molded cone chart  53 , such that the cone chart  53  is wrapped around or placed over the expanded foam cone  52  to typically define a chart seam  53   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . The cone chart  53  is provided with multiple color-coded chart stem prints  14  as further illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , for receiving the corresponding stem dowels  16  of simulated flower stems  15 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 14  and creating a simulated floral arrangement shaped in the configuration of a cone, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIGS. 20 and 21  of the drawings in another preferred embodiment of the invention a sphere floral arrangement teaching aid  55  is illustrated and is characterized by a typically expanded foam sphere  56  of selected size, having a sphere chart  57  constructed for covering the expanded foam sphere  56 , as illustrated in  FIG. 21  of the drawings. The sphere chart  57  is further provided with color-coded chart stem prints  14  which guide a user in inserting the respective stem dowels  16  of the simulated flower stems  15 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 14 , respectively, through the sphere chart  57  and into the expanded foam sphere  56  to create a simulated flower arrangement of selected diversity. In another aspect of this invention the expanded foam sphere  56  may be provided with sphere markings  58 , as further illustrated in  FIG. 20 , such that the respective stem dowels  16  are inserted in the expanded foam sphere  56  at the intersection of the respective sphere chart markings  58  and/or in the open spaces approximately equally spaced from the intersections of the sphere markings  58 , to create a simulated flower arrangement without the necessity of providing a sphere chart  57 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 22  of the drawings a cube floral arrangement teaching aid  59  is provided and includes an expanded foam cube  60  having cube markings  61 , which typically, but not necessarily, correspond to random markings, for purposes of illustration. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the respective cube markings  61  may be placed in any desired pattern on each face of the expanded foam cube  60  for receiving the various stem dowels  16  of the simulated flower stem  15  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 14 , as desired.  
         [0040]     It is understood that the floral arrangement teaching aids illustrated in  FIGS. 10-22  are illustrative, in that the respective penetrable medium members and corresponding charts can be shaped in any desired configuration and any combination and spacing of chart stem prints for insertion of the respective stem dowels  16 , as desired.  
         [0041]     Accordingly, while the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0042]     Having described my invention with the particularity set forth above, what is claimed is: