Abstract:
An artificial pumpkin stem apparatus that includes a stem portion with an attachment portion. There is also a mounting plate that includes a shaft-engaging portion. The shaft is connected to the attachment portion of the stem at a first end and is associated with the shaft-engaging portion of the mounting plate between the first and second ends of the shaft. A source of light may also be attached at the second end of the shaft.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional patent application serial no. 60/196,691 filed Apr. 13, 2000. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to an artificial pumpkin stem and light holder.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Pumpkins are often carved in association with the celebration of Halloween within the United States. A common problem associated with carving pumpkins includes having the stem break off thereby, making removal of a carved lid more difficult. The use of an artificial that would not break off when the stem is grasped would thereby alleviate this problem.  
           [0004]    Also, carved pumpkins or Jack-O-Lanterns are often illuminated using a candle or other such illumination means. Candles can pose fire risks, as well as, contaminate the flesh of the pumpkin with carving deposits. Such contamination would not allow the pumpkin to be utilized for food purposes or consumption after it has been displayed. It is known to use battery-operated lights that sit on the bottom of the interior carved-out portion of a pumpkin. Such lights may again pose a risk of contamination to the flesh of the pumpkin and the light is usually covered with material that is commonly associated with the interior of a carved pumpkin. The light therefore would need to be cleaned after such use.  
           [0005]    Therefore, a light that could be associated with an artificial stem portion that would not sit on the bottom of the pumpkin, but would rather be associated with the carved lid and illuminate downwardly would be advantageous.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to cure those deficiencies outlined above and provide an artificial pumpkin stem and light that is both safe and economical.  
           [0007]    The present invention concerns an artificial pumpkin stem apparatus that includes a stem portion having an attachment portion. There is also included a mounting plate that has a shaft engaging portion. Further included is a shaft that is connected to the attachment portion of the stem and a first end of the shaft, and the shaft also engages the shaft engaging portion of the mounting plate between the first and second ends of the shaft. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a side view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a rear view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is an enviromental view of an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 7 generally shows an artificial pumpkin stem and lightholder apparatus  5  for detachable connection to a carved pumpkin  10 .  
         [0017]    The apparatus  5  includes a stem portion  15 , a threaded shaft  20 , a mounting plate  25  and a light  30 .  
         [0018]    The stem portion  15  is formed from an appropriate material such as plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, etc. to have the appearance of an actual pumpkin stem. In the depicted embodiment, the stem portion  15  has an asymmetrical shape having a plurality of ridges formed thereon to simulate the shape of a real pumpkin stem. The stem portion  15  may include a surface coating of paint or dye to add to the realistic appearance of the stem portion  15 . The coloring may, alternatively, be integrally included with the stem portion; for example, color may be molded into a plastic during a thermal forming operation.  
         [0019]    In the depicted embodiment, the stem portion includes an attachment portion  35  connected to the base  40  of the stem portion  15 . The attachment portion  35  can be a hex nut, elongated nut, weld nut or other suitable attachment device. The attachment portion  35  can be connected to the base  40  of the stem portion  15  utilizing any appropriate methods, such as, adhesives, glues, welding, brazing, or molding the attachment portion  35  integrally with the stem portion  15  when manufacturing the stem portion  15 .  
         [0020]    The attachment portion  15  is adapted to receive a threaded shaft  20 . The threaded shaft  20  may be permanently attached to the attachment portion  15 , by gluing, soldering, brazing, or welding the shaft to the attachment portion  15 . Alternatively, the shaft  20  may be removeably engaged by threading the shaft  20  into the attachment portion  15 .  
         [0021]    The mounting plate  25  is a substantially planer body made of a suitable material such as, metal or plastic. In the depicted embodiment, the mounting plate is circular in shape, but any suitable shape, such as, square, rectangular, oval, etc. can be utilized by the present invention. The mounting plate  25  includes a shaft engaging portion  60  to engage the shaft  20  as the mounting plate is tightened into position. The shaft engaging portion  60  is attached to the mounting plate  25  using any appropriate method, such as welding, brazing, gluing at a location on the plate  25  where a hole  65  is formed to allow passage of the shaft  20  through the plate  25 . As with the attachment portion  35 , the shaft-engaging portion  60  may be a hex nut, elongated nut, weld nut, or other suitable attachment device. Alternatively, threads may be formed on the inner walls of the hole  65  to mate with the shaft  20 .  
         [0022]    Also included on the mounting plate  25  are tabs  45  and  50  that are connected to the mounting plate  25  on the bottom surface  55  of the mounting plate  25 . The tabs  45 ,  50  may be attached using any suitable method, such as, welding, brazing, soldering, or gluing. The tabs allow for the mounting plate  25  to be tightened when engaging the threaded shaft  20 .  
         [0023]    The apparatus  5  also includes a light  30  that has a similar light attachment portion  70  to that of the shaft engaging portion  60  and attachment portion  35 . The light attachment portion  70  may be of a similar design as those previously outlined for the shaft engaging portion  60 , and the attachment portion  35 .  
         [0024]    The light is battery operated and may be of any suitable design known in the art, as long as it has the appropriate attachment portion  70  for engaging the shaft  20 . A suitable design of the light  30  should include a compartment for housing the batteries and appropriate circuitry as well as a lightbulb for emitting light into the interior of a pumpkin  10 .  
         [0025]    In use, the stem portion  15  is connected to the threaded shaft  20  via the attachment portion  35 . The shaft  20  is then used to pierce the lid  75  of a carved pumpkin, which has had its real stem removed. The shaft  20  pierces the lid  75  from the exterior portion  80  of the lid  75  towards the interior portion  85  of the lid  75 . The mounting plate  25  is then threadably engaged through the hole  65  by the shaft  20  and tightened using the tabs  45 ,  50  formed on the mounting plate  25 . The mounting plate  25  is tightened until the plate is flush with the bottom surface  90  of the carved lid  75 , and the stem portion  15  is securely positioned on the exterior portion  80  of the carved lid  75 .  
         [0026]    Once the stem portion  15  is secured, the light  30  may then be threadably connected to the shaft  20  via the light connecting portions  60 .  
         [0027]    The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.  
         [0028]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced other than is specifically described.