Abstract:
The present invention is a floral arrangement and the like made of a hard, durable substance, like metal, stone, composite, or otherwise, that can be used as a permanent decoration on gravestones, burial plaques, or in any other location where a permanent floral or other decorative arrangement may be desired. The arrangement can include twigs, mosses, grasses, flags, or any other object that can be included in a floral arrangement, all of which can be made of the same hard, durable substance as the flowers themselves. Such an invention will allow the user to place an attractive, permanent display on gravestones, burial plaques, or other locations. It will eliminate the need to replace or remove natural or silk floral displays that have lost their luster. The present invention can achieve the aesthetic look of natural or silk flowers, thus achieving permanence and avoiding costly replacements or unattractively aged arrangements.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Nonprovisional Utility Patent Application claims the benefit of Provision Patent Application No. 62/259,236, filed on Nov. 24, 2015, on behalf of the same inventor of this current Nonprovisional Patent Application, Patricia Ann Safriet. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The inventor developed the idea of her current invention after noticing and experiencing a problem that she had become all too familiar with. People often wish to honor and commemorate their loved ones who have passed away by placing flowers on their tombstones or at other places where their remains are interred. It is not uncommon for people to place fresh flowers on the graves of their loved ones, whether directly on their graves or tombstones, or, oftentimes, in a vase that may be affixed to their gravestone or other burial marker. The problem with fresh flowers, though they are beautiful, is that they are expensive, simply do not last, and soon become an unsightly decoration that must be removed. One can somewhat alleviate the short-lived nature of a natural floral arrangement through the use of silk or plastic flowers, which can look quite natural. However, even such replacements for the real thing deteriorate overtime, especially when exposed to the elements, and themselves must be replaced. 
         [0005]    The inventor got her inspiration for a permanent, beautiful memorial, that can withstand the elements, from outdoor statues and sculptures that are often made of metal. Such statues and sculptures can be made to look quite realistic, detailed, and beautiful through readily known manufacturing techniques, like computer numeric control or casting. The inventor thought to herself that floral arrangements for use on burial monuments or markers could be made in the same way. Such floral arrangements could be detailed, even seemingly delicate, and could withstand the passage of time and the destructive effects of the elements. Floral arrangements, cast in metal or some other hard, durable substance can come in infinite varieties and in many different sizes. They can range from a single flower, or a few flowers, affixed to a grave marker, monument, or crypt door to elaborate floral arrangements than can be permanently affixed to an existing vase or urn on a grave marker or monument. The arrangements can also be attached to, or can be made as an integral part of, new vases or urns that can be affixed to grave markers or monuments. Flowers made of metal or other hard, durable substances can be a permanent fixture on the grave markers or monuments of loved ones, honoring their memories while avoiding the appearance of unsightly decorations, or the need to periodically replace such decorations. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention discloses a new device that can be used as a permanent decoration on gravestones, grave markers, crypts, or in any other location where a permanent floral or other decorative arrangement may be desired. The preferred embodiment of said device is a floral arrangement of a similar design to natural or silk floral arrangements. Instead of being comprised of natural cut flowers or silk flowers, the present invention is comprised of a hard, durable, substance. Said substance can be metal, can be stone, can be a composite material, or can be any other type of hard, durable substance that maintains its form over time. Said floral arrangement can be of any design that can be imagined, much like a natural or silk floral arrangement. The floral arrangement can be in a vase or urn, made of a similar material as the floral arrangement, or can be on or in another type of container, like a saddle container that is made of a similar material as the floral arrangement and is placed atop a gravestone or other type of marker. The floral arrangement can also be mounted on, or in, an urn or vase that is already part of an existing burial monument or other structure. The present invention is not limited to devices that contain only flowers but includes any other type of objects that can be included in a floral arrangement, like twigs, grasses, moss, or even flags and banners, all of which can be made of the same hard, durable substance as the rest of the arrangement and the container for the arrangement. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a floral arrangement  1  mounted atop a burial headstone  3  and another embodiment of the present invention as a floral arrangement  1  that is mounted in a vase or urn  2  that is mounted at the base  17  of the burial marker, next to said headstone  3 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows the invention arranged similarly to the arrangement in  FIG. 1  while more clearly showing the container of the floral arrangement  1  that is above the headstone  3 . Said arrangement  1  is mounted in a saddle container  4  that is mounted atop said headstone  3 . Said saddle container  4  has mounting brackets  5  attached thereto, and said mounting brackets  5  have holes  6  for screws. The saddle container  4  can be affixed to the headstone  3  by the use of screws that attach said brackets  5  to said headstone  3 . Said saddle container  4  may also have drainage holes  7  at the bottom of the sides of said saddle container  4 . 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3 and 4  simply show the present invention as floral arrangements  1  placed in vases or urns  2  on the bases  17  of different types of burial monuments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the floral arrangement  1  of the present invention can be mounted to a baseplate  8 . Said baseplate  8  can be affixed atop the opening of a vase or urn  2 . Said baseplate  8  may have holes  6  for screws, allowing said baseplate  8  to be affixed to the top of the vase or urn  2  by means of inserting screws through said holes  6  and screwing said screws into entry points  9  on said vase or urn  2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows the underside of the type of baseplate  8  that is used in  FIG. 5  and illustrates how the holes  6  for screws may be arranged. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the present invention where the baseplate  8  fits inside the vase or urn  2 , rather than being attached to the top of the vase or urn  2 . FIG.  7  also illustrates embodiments of the present invention as a single flower  10  and as a floral arrangement  1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising a floral arrangement  1  within a basket  11 . Said basket can be mounted on the base  17  of the burial monument, next to the headstone  3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of the baseplate  8  that can be used to mount the basket  11  in  FIG. 8  to the burial monument.  FIG. 9  illustrates the underside of said baseplate  8  with the dotted line illustrating where said basket  11  would be attached on the other side of said baseplate  8 . Said baseplate  8  can have holes  6  for screws and can be mounted to the burial monument by means of screws. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show embodiments of the present invention as they would appear on grave markers  13  that are flat to the ground.  FIG. 10  shows the current invention as a floral arrangement  1  on one baseplate  8  and a flag  12  on another baseplate  8 . Said floral arrangement  1  and flag  12  extend vertically from the flat grave marker  13  and can be affixed to said grave marker  13 .  FIG. 11  simply shows a floral arrangement  1  and flag  12  on the same baseplate  8 , but is otherwise the same as  FIG. 10 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a ring  14  with a floral arrangement  1  on the top of said ring  14 . Said ring  14  is mounted to the door  15  of a crypt, as may be found in a mausoleum, through means of mounting brackets  5  that have holes  6  for screws. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a collection of three flowers  10  (specifically roses) gathered with a bow  16  and affixed to a grave marker  13 , which is flat on the ground. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a collection of three flowers  10  (specifically roses) gathered with a bow  16  and affixed on top of a gravestone or headstone  3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention will be described by presenting a more detailed description of the attached drawings of some of the embodiments of the invention. Each of the components of the invention, including the floral arrangement  1  or flowers  10 , the vase or urn  2 , mounting brackets  5 , baseplate  8 , flag  12  or banner, ring  14 , bow  16 , and the saddle container  4 , basket  11 , or other type of container, can be comprised of a hard, durable, substance. Said substance can be metal, can be stone, can be a composite material, or can be any other type of hard, durable substance that maintains its form over time. The preferred embodiment of the invention is made of metal and can be manufactured using techniques that are well known in the art, like through the use of machine tools operated by computer numeric control. If the components are made of metal or other substance that can hardened after cooling or setting, said components can also be formed by die casting or any other method that is known in the art for forming hard, durable objects from metals or other substances that harden after cooling or setting. If the components are made of stone, they can be sculpted by mechanical or manual methods that are known in the art, like through the use of machine tools operated by computer numeric control. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a floral arrangement  1  mounted atop a burial headstone  3  and another embodiment of the present invention as a floral arrangement  1  that is mounted in a vase or urn  2  that is mounted at the base  17  of the burial marker, next to said headstone  3 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows the invention arranged similarly to the arrangement in  FIG. 1  while more clearly showing the container of the floral arrangement  1  that is above the headstone  3 . Said arrangement  1  is mounted in a saddle container  4  that is mounted atop said headstone  3 . Said saddle container  4  has mounting brackets  5  attached thereto, and said mounting brackets  5  have holes  6  for screws. The saddle container  4  can be affixed to the headstone  3  by the use of screws that attach said brackets  5  to said headstone  3 . In addition to the use of brackets  5 , said saddle container  4  can be affixed to said headstone  3  by means of glue, putty, or some other strong, permanent adhesive that is known in the art. Said glue, putty, or other adhesive can on its own, or through the introduction of a sealant that is known in the art, like silicone, prevent air or moisture from coming between said saddle container  4  and said headstone  3 . Said saddle container  4  may also have drainage holes  7  at the bottom of the sides of said saddle container  4  in order to allow water or other fluids to drain out of said container  4 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3 and 4  simply show the present invention as floral arrangements  1  placed in vases or urns  2  on the bases  17  of different types of burial monuments. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the floral arrangement  1  of the present invention can be mounted to a baseplate  8 . Said baseplate  8  can be affixed atop the opening of an urn or vase  2 . Said baseplate  8  may have holes  6  for screws, allowing said baseplate  8  to be affixed to the top of the vase or urn  2  by means of inserting screws through said holes  6  and screwing said screws into entry points  9  on said vase or urn  2 . Said entry points  9  may be pre-drilled holes that will allow a screw to be screwed into said vase or urn  2  without damaging said vase or urn  2 . In addition to, or as an alternative to, the use of said screws to attach said baseplate  8  to said vase or urn  2 , said baseplate  8  can be affixed to said vase or urn  2  by means of glue, putty, or some other strong, permanent adhesive that is known in the art. Said glue, putty, or other adhesive can on its own, or through the introduction of a sealant that is known in the art, like silicone, prevent air or moisture from entering said vase or urn  2 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows the underside of the type of baseplate  8  that is used in  FIG. 5  and illustrates how the holes for screws may be arranged. One might find that larger baseplates  8  require more holes  6 , and smaller baseplates  8  require fewer holes  6 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the present invention where the baseplate  8  fits inside the vase or urn  2 , rather than being attached to the top of the vase or urn  2 . The circumference of the baseplate  8  is smaller than the circumference of the top of the vase or urn  2  but is the same circumference as a portion of the neck of the vase or urn  2 . Rather than being affixed to the top of the vase or urn  2 , the baseplate  8  can be put into the vase or urn  2  and sealed inside said vase or urn  2  at a point within the neck of said vase or urn  2  by means of glue, putty, or some other strong, permanent adhesive that is known in the art. Said glue, putty, or other adhesive can on its own, or through the introduction of a sealant that is known in the art, like silicone, prevent air or moisture from entering said vase or urn  2 .  FIG. 7  also illustrates embodiments of the present invention as a single flower  10  and as a floral arrangement  1 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising a floral arrangement  1  within a basket  11 . Said basket can be made of the same hard, durable substance as the floral arrangement  1 . Said basket can be mounted on the base  17  of the burial monument, next to the headstone  3 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of the baseplate  8  that can be used to mount the basket  11  in  FIG. 8  to the burial monument.  FIG. 9  illustrates the underside of said baseplate  8  with the dotted line illustrating where said basket  11  would be attached on the other side of said baseplate  8 . Said baseplate  8  can be manufactured as part of the basket  11  or can be affixed thereto by means of welding, or through the use of screws and/or a permanent adhesive, as described above. Said baseplate can have holes  6  for screws and can be mounted to the burial monument by means of screws and/or a permanent adhesive, as described above. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show embodiments of the present invention as they would appear on grave markers  13  that are flat to the ground.  FIG. 10  shows the current invention as a floral arrangement  1  on one baseplate  8  and a flag  12  on another baseplate  8 . Said floral arrangement  1  and flag  12  extend vertically from the flat grave marker  13  and can be affixed to said grave marker  13  through the use of screws and/or a permanent adhesive, as described above.  FIG. 11  simply shows a floral arrangement  1  and flag  12  on the same baseplate  8 , but is otherwise the same as  FIG. 10 . In both  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the floral arrangements  1  are comprised of three roses, representing the Christian holy trinity, and the flags are American flags. Different flags or floral arrangements can be used to reflect the country, faith, or other attributes of the person being honored. The embodiments of the present invention in  FIGS. 10 and 11  are well suited for recognizing fallen soldiers and may be of interest to the military or the United States government. 
         [0029]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a ring  14  with a floral arrangement  1  on the top of said ring  14 . Said ring  14  may be mounted to the door  15 , or to the wall, of a crypt, as may be found in a mausoleum, through means of mounting brackets  5  that have holes  6  for screws. Said floral arrangement  1  and ring  14  can be manufactured as a single piece or can be affixed together using any means described above. 
         [0030]      FIG. 13  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a collection of three flowers  10  (specifically roses) gathered with a bow  16  and affixed to a grave marker  13 , which is flat on the ground. 
         [0031]      FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of the present invention as a collection of three flowers  10  (specifically roses) gathered with a bow  16  and affixed on top of a gravestone or headstone  3 . 
         [0032]    The means of mounting the baseplates  8  to the urns or vases  2  in  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7  are best used when the vases or urns  2  already exist and are, usually, made of stone, like marble or granite. Such vases or urns  2  are often already incorporated into existing monuments. However, the present invention can be made to include its own vase or urn  2  or other container that can be mounted to a monument or other location. If the vase or urn  2  or other container is made along with the floral or other arrangement, said arrangement need not be mounted to the vase or urn  2  or other container as described above. The container and the arrangement can be manufactured as a single piece through the use of machine tools operated by computer numeric control, formed from the same cast, or carved from the same stone, or the arrangement can be welded to the container, if both the arrangement and container are made of metal. Also other methods that are known in the art can be used to manufacture a container with an arrangement on it or within it. 
         [0033]    The attached figures and the descriptions thereof are meant to be illustrative, but not limiting. The arrangements can contain other objects in addition to, or in place of, flowers, like fruit, twigs, plants, leaves, or other decorative objects that can be used in place of floral arrangements for decorative or memorial purposes. Also, embodiments of the present invention can be mounted in ways that are different than those described but are obvious or are well-known in the art. Also, the present invention can be modified to fit many different styles of grave monuments, including, but not limited to, gravestones, grave markers, and crypts or mausoleums. Also, use of the present invention need not be limited to use on burial monuments but can be used anywhere that one might want to erect a memorial, like in a park, on a fountain, or anywhere that one might want to place a permanent floral or other decorative arrangement.