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&#39;s safety pin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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. 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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 
       [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body and attached safety pin. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body and attached safety pin. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus showing the elongated tubular support body with one angled end. 
           [0011]      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&#39;s tape used to secure the said flowers to said apparatus. 
           [0012]      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. 
           [0013]      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 
       [0014]    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. 
         [0015]      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. 
         [0016]    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&#39;s tape is defined as any tape that can be used to attach a flower stem to the elongated tubular support body. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]      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. 
         [0019]      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. 
         [0020]    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.