Method, apparatus and kit for attaching artificial flowers to non-blooming live vegetation to simulate blooming thereof

Novel methods, apparatus and kits to provide a new presently-untapped market for state-of-the-art artificial flowers presently sold only as part of artificial plant assemblies that include artificial stems, branches, leaves, etc., the invention comprising various novel improved means, as well as kits including such means, for attaching such artificial flowers to non-blooming (pre-bloom, post-bloom or never-bloom) live vegeation having live stems, branches, leaves, etc., to simulate blooming thereof, for easy care-free instant yard beautification, said kits being devoid of artificial plant stems, branches, leaves, etc.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to gardening/landscaping and the like, and more particularly to methods, apparatus and kits for attaching artificial flowers to any pre-bloom, post-bloom or never-bloom live vegetation (growing plant life with live stems, branches and leaves) to resemble blooming live vegetation, such use of artificial flowers being already known in U.S. Patent prior art such as Brown, Jr. 2,514,177 (1950), Flynn 3,137,610 (1964) and Kingston 6,058,648 (2000).

The prior art also teaches patentability of non-relevant kits for use of artificial flowers, as in U.S. Patents to Garry 5,733,612 (1998), Litwin et al 4,600,612 (1986) and Deraney 6,017,596 (2000).

Kingston and Deraney refer to “the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.” (emphasis added), which attest to the worldwide extent of the flourishing live-looking artificial flowers/plant industry.

Since artificial-bloom vegetation is sold in the same stores as live-bloom vegetation, they obviously satisfy independent markets. However, it is also very important to note that artificial flowers are sold not separately, but as part of an artificial plant assembly, such as a vine or a plant main stem or trunk having leaves and flower stems attached thereto, there being no conversion kit available, for example.

The specific structures of artificial plants and flowers may vary, but a common feature (for purposes of manufacturing and assembly economy, even as between different plant assemblies, to simplify parts inventory and manufacture/assembly procedures) is a straight (free of sharp bends) and uniform-cross section plastic stem frictionally insertable through leaf and flower passages therefor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Almost every yard, whatever the size, has non-blooming live vegetation of some kind (wild bushes and vines, sturdy weeds, tree sprouts, pre-bloom or post-bloom plants, etc.) during some part of the growing season that could be quickly, easily and inexpensively beautified by attachment of artificial flowers thereto. It is believed that use of artificial flowers with live vegetation may actually enhance the real flower appearance of artificial flowers.

Some of the objectives and advantages of the invention are as follows:(a) Experimentation has shown that the live look of non-blooming live vegetation (never-bloom, pre-bloom or post-bloom) can be used to support artificial flowers, and most strangers will believe such to be live flowers, even on close inspection thereof.(b) Use as in (a) above on non-blooming live vegetation involves no initial cost, except for the artificial flowers, and minimal maintenance and care, or no care.(c) Artificial blooms endure the entire growing season, or even year around, as desired, and bloom types and/or colors can be easily located and/or changed as desired.(d) The invention contemplates no or minimal structure changes in prior art artificial flowers per se presently marketed as artificial plants, so that a new conversion market can be supplied with existing artificial flower structures.(e) The invention contemplates a unique easy gardening landscaping method implemented by marketing (as in a kit) of artificial flowers devoid of artificial support therefor (main and flower stems, branches and/or leaves) for use with live non-blooming vegetation, to serve an additional market not presently served, for additional industry sales volume and savings to the consumer, who doesn't need or want the artificial support members, but needs additional flowers for larger live bushes, etc.(f) Artificial flowers are advertised as “washable” and are easily applied to and removed from live vegetation, for storing, cleaning and/or change to different yard locations as yard live vegetation changes, and for year-to-year variety.(g) Artificial flowers allow pre-bloom and post-bloom application to short-time blooming bushes (lilac, forsythia, etc.) and permits any desired bloom color, during the entire growing season.(h) Yard color provided by artificial flowers does not require a true match of flowers to the live vegetation leaves. For example, an artificial tulip tree bloom can be applied to a lilac or forsythia live bush, especially for, but not limited to, more remote peripheral yard areas where such details cannot even be detected, the bloom presence and color being the important feature.(i) With non-blooming live vegetation, instant yard color is provided and retained, in deep shade areas, without need for watering, fertilizing, use of pesticides, etc.(j) Instead of frictionally/slidably receiving the free end of the plastic stem of an artificial plant assembly, the socket or passage in the base of the artificial flower can receive, or the flower base can be formed to include, as in an artificial flower kit, means such as a pin, clip or other adapter means, for fastening the prior art artificial flowers to live vegetation stems or branches of varying shape and size against loosening or dropping off caused by the elements, such as rain, wind, heat, etc., and any flower that does drop off can be simply replaced.(k) The real-looking artificial flowers can be modified as follows for increased yard enjoyment, as around a deck, patio or other area:(i) made of glow-in-the-dark material or(ii) made to include a receptacle (seeFIGS. 2,2aand2b) for liquid scents, liquid hummingbird food and/or animal repellant.(l) Another modification of the invention comprises elongated support means similar to a soft copper wire having slidably assembled thereon, or attached thereto, a plurality of individual artificial flowers that can be positioned wherever desired along the wire, so that artificial flowers can be repeatedly assembled on, and removed from, live vegetation in the manner of a string of lights on a Christmas tree, the diameter and color of the support means being such as to be substantially invisible on live vegetation with leaves, the flexibility of the support means being such as to permit twisting thereof around small live branches to retain the flowers thereon in any desired position, the support means being devoid of any artificial stems, branches or leaves.(m) The invention is specially beneficial for gardeners who are seniors (a growing population segment and market) or handicapped who can add yard color without excessive exertion, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a typical prior art artificial simulated blooming plant10assembled (apparently by hand) from molded plastic and fabric parts including a main stem12having a pointed end14adapted to be inserted into the ground16and a plurality (only three are shown, but five or more are common) of integral flower and leaf stems18to each of which leaf members20and an artificial flower (silk, for example)22are attached.

FIG. 2is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the artificial flower22and its attachment to an artificial flower stem18in a manner so that the assembled flower can be easily removed from and replaced on the stem18as a unit, conveniently without separation of the flower parts described below.

Typically, the flower22per se is assembled by placing the silk petal member24with the central opening26over the first tubular member28and then retaining the petal member in place by inserting the second tubular member30downwardly through the petal opening26and through the tubular member28. The plant assembly is completed by inserting each artificial flower stem18through any desired number of leaf members20and finally through tubular member30of a flower22.

Tubular member30may have other live flower details, such as the simulated stamen32, to enhance a live look.

The leaf members20are designed, assembled and applied like the flowers22, in that theFIG. 4three-leaf silk cutout34(similar to the five-petal cutout24ofFIG. 3) has a central opening26and is retained by tubular members similar to members28and30ofFIG. 2, so that the flower stem18can be inserted through the member30. However, details of the leaf members20are not important, since the invention contemplates no use of any artificial leaves that could differ from the live vegetation leaves.

It is important to note that the artificial flower stem18ofFIG. 2can, instead, in practice of the invention, be a same-size cut free end of a live vegetation stem or branch19, as shown inFIG. 2a.

It has been discovered that the above prior art artificial flower structure conveniently enables practice of the invention with little or no structural changes, thus virtually eliminating concerns of redesign, manufacture, testing, cost studies and the many other questions normally involved in commercialzation of inventions.

InFIG. 2a, member30is formed with an integral cup-like receptacle31for materials such as scents, liquid hummingbird food, animal repellant, etc. InFIG. 2b, the cup-like receptacle33is formed by a separate member35frictionally retained in prior art passage38. Receptacles31and33are more easily cleaned and refilled than a full-size hummingbird feeder, as recommended by bird experts to protect the birds against diseases caused by deteriorated food.

As seen inFIGS. 2,2aand5-7, tubular members28and30together provide a “base”36for the flower22, as referred to above and in the claims, the passage38through member30being the referenced “passage or socket” receiving the stem18of plant10. Obviously, the specific flower structure details can vary, but a main object of the invention is to provide a kit to facilitate use and increase sales of prior art artificial flowers that are already in production for use in artificial plants, whatever the flower design may be.

Obviously, a straight pin attaching means37(preferably one with a suitable head enlargement39and included in a kit) can be inserted loosely through the much larger through passage38and into the live stem or branch46, but the push pin-type adapter40may be preferred not only for assembly convenience, but more importantly for stability of the flower attachment by body42. Pin37may be inserted through the passage60ofFIG. 6aor the passage60aofFIG. 2c, where the diameter of live stem19is too small for frictional engagement. Also, pin37with safety head39, may be merely manually forced through the artificial flower in any direction/position and into or through a live branch as shown inFIGS. 2aand2d.

FIGS. 6aand6billustrate a separate clip-type adapter40a, which may be a molded plastic part having a first portion50adapted to be frictionally inserted into passage38(or socket38a) and a second portion comprising a pair of resilient jaws52, preferably having teeth54or other gripping surface and adapted to be spread sufficiently to grip a live stem or branch46of substantially variable shape and size (unlike the uniform shape and size of the artificial stem or branches18for insertion into a same-size passage38) to secure the artificial flower22thereon when the jaws are released.

While the jaws52could be formed to extend axially from the first portion50, as inFIG. 8, the non-parallel or angular relationship of portion50and the jaws52might provide a greater degree of best-positioning of the artificial flower22on the live vegetation46, especially on lower-growing vertical live vegetation stems or branches that will be viewed from above.

Incidentally, combining artificial flowers with non-blooming live vegetation is not limited to outdoor gardening—it can be practiced with live house plants for similar reasons, to enhance the live look of artificial flowers, for a live flowering plant look, possibly with a scent, perFIG. 2aor2b.

Although combining artificial flowers with live vegetation is known, the crowded art leaves room for improvement as to how it can best be accomplished, for which reference is made toFIGS. 5-8,9and10illustrating several novel prior art-compatible options, particularly adapted for, but not limited to, use of artificial flowers having a base with a passage to receive an artificial stem.

InFIGS. 5,6aand6b, the flower through-passage38, or the closed-end41(in some flowers) socket38ainFIG. 2care already available to frictionally receive either the free end of a live vegetation stem (19inFIG. 2a) or a separate adapter attaching means (40inFIG. 5or40ainFIGS. 6aand6b) for connecting the artificial flower to a live vegetation stem or branch.

More specifically, adapter attaching means40inFIG. 5comprises a plastic or other body42frictionally engaged in passage38or socket38a(FIG. 2a) having a pin44extending therefrom (in the manner of a bulletin board push pin) for insertion into the live vegetation stem or branch46having a shape or size preventing frictional insertion thereof directly into passage38or socket38a. Body42and pin44may be axially off-set, as shown at44a.

FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate integral pin53and clip56means for attaching artificial flower22to live vegetation46, as distinguished from the separate pin and clip means40and40a, respectively, of FIG.5andFIGS. 6aand6b. That is, inFIGS. 5 and 6, the attachment adapter means40and40aare separate members received in passage38of the prior art tubular member30, while inFIGS. 7 and 8, the pin53and clip56are formed as integral parts of tubular member30per se, a simple optional design change that can be included in any prior art artificial flower structure to eliminate separate adapter members40and40aand make the flower attachment means self-sufficient. It is noted that theFIG. 8structure permits the prior art assembly of artificial flowers by inserting tubular member30downwardly through tubular member28.

Further, while pin and clip flower attaching means are described above, other convenient means are possible, such as the wire-type means ofFIGS. 9 and 10, for example. Another means is theFIG. 7well-known simple and very inexpensive twist tie55, with or without the passage57formed through tubular member30, to snugly attach an artificial flower of any design or structure to a live vegetation branch46. Obviously, other acceptable means may be possible.

FIG. 9illustrates schematically wire-type support of a plurality of artificial flowers22for application of the flowers, as on a live vegetation larger bush, generally in the manner of a string of Christmas tree lights. Here, again, it is preferable to minimize design changes to prior art artificial flowers. Thus, inFIG. 9, an elongated wire-like support58, which can be made of any suitable material such as soft metal or plastics, etc., preferably wire that retains a shape to which it is bent, connects a plurality of artificial flowers22of any design or structure, frictionally and slidably along support58, which extends through a passage60formed in each flower base36(the transverse passage60through the assembled tubular members28and30inFIG. 6a, for example), as shown schematically inFIG. 9, whatever the specific flower base36design may be. Alternatively, clip adapters, such as those already described above, or any other suitable attaching means may be employed to connect flowers22to support58, which is very important for attaching flowers where desired on the live vegetation, unlike the fixed position of Christmas tree lights on the electrical cord. It is understood that base36ofFIG. 9can include any or all of the base structures of drawingFIGS. 2-8.

The important properties and function of the support58are described in Item (l) above—it must be capable of being twisted/wound around a small live branch (as at59ofFIG. 9) to hold a flower location thereon, which is not possible with the relatively large and stiff electrical conductor wires of Christmas tree lights.

FIG. 10illustrates live vegetation, such as a bush62, to which some flowers22are applied/attached by an elongated wire-type support58, other flowers22being attached individually, where desired or needed, for whatever reason, as by the above described separate or integral pin or clip adapters. The support58, which is purposely made visible to illustrate the invention, would, of course, be hidden from view within a leafy live vegetation bush, just as the proposed pin, clip or other adapters would be.

It is important to note that the cross-referenced U.S. Provisional Patent Application included color photograph drawing Figures of non-blooming tree sprout, lilac, forsythia, lily, house plant and other unidentified live vegetation converted to very live-looking blooming vegetation in accordance with the invention, such photographs not being included in the drawings hereof, to avoid the added costs and possible other requirements/complications of U.S. and foreign applications.

One of such photographs vividly evidenced the unnecessary cost to a consumer to acquire artificial flowers22ofFIG. 1for attachment to non-blooming live vegetation by scavenging the same from artificial vegetation such as plant10and discarding the unwanted main stem12, stems18and leaves20, which comprise at least half of the artificial plant material. A kit comprising the invention solves the above problem.

The mere and obvious lack of a conversion kit, as proposed and claimed herein, strongly suggests patentability of an unfulfilled need, in view of recorded unpaid testimonials of amateur gardeners to whom the invention was explained in confidence after their amazement at the pleasing simulated blooming of private-yard experimental use of the invention, despite mismatch of the artificial flower and the live vegetation leaves.

It must be appreciated that, in order to illustrate details of the invention,

FIG. 2cillustrates a tapered passage38bto frictionally receive either a uniform-diameter artificial flower stem18of an artificial plant assembly10at the upper smaller passage diameter (or a same-diameter live stem or branch), or a range of larger-diameter live vegetation stems or branches19tightly wedged into the tapered passage38bfrom the larger-diameter lower end thereof.

It is emphasized that the invention contemplates sale of artificial flowers alone (as in a kit, for example) without artificial stems, branches or leaves, but with one or more alternative (including or in addition to a flower base passage) integral and/or separate attaching means (such as a pin, clip, wire-type elongated support, twist tie, tapered passage or other suitable means) and copyrighted instructions for securing the artificial flower(s) to non-blooming live vegetation to simulate live blooming vegetation.FIG. 11is a diagramatic illustration of the contents of a conversion kit comprising the invention, the attachment means of which may be a commercially available prior art straight pin or tie, for example.

In other words, while no single drawing figure illustrates all of the integral and/or separate attaching means illustrated in the drawings, it is intended and apparent that an artificial flower and/or a conversion kit can include any one or a combination of or all of such attaching means, or some other equivalent attaching means, along with copyrighted instructions for use thereof, to solve the following problems: The prior art drawing figures illustrate typical straight and uniform-diameter stems to be frictionally engaged in like-diameter passages in the flower base and leaf members. However, live vegetation plants, bushes, etc., have stems and branches of varying shapes and dimensions (too small or much too large) that cannot be frictionally engaged in, or even inserted into, the prior art flower passages—thus, the need for the various disclosed attaching means, as in a kit, each of which alone may be sufficient for most attaching situations, but all or some combination of which will most likely suffice.

A Conversion kits embodying the invention are intended to contain artificial flowers alone and novel or prior art attaching means that are or may be needed for conversion, and to not contain what is obviously not needed (artificial stems, branches, and leaves, etc.), all in a single complete handy do-it-yourself package. It is apparent that a new market can be easily and naturally developed by any and all artificial flower manufacturers, whatever their specific artificial flower structures might be, to the mutual benefit of manufacturers and consumers alike. However, a kit embodying the invention may simply comprise only a plurality of artificial flowers of any design or structure, without artificial stems, branches or leaves, to be attached in any way by the consumer, as by a tie or straight pin, and instructions for use of said kit.

It is apparent that as used herein and in the claims, the terms “artificial flower” and “artificial flowers” mean a flower or flowers alone, devoid of any other artificial plant parts such as vines, stems, branches, leaves, etc., obviously not needed for conversion of non-blooming live vegetation to simulated-blooming live vegetation.

Although the invention and certain embodiments thereof have been disclosed and described in such clear and concise terms as to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the same, including the methods, apparatus and kits for combining artificial flowers with non-blooming live vegetation, it is to be understood that other embodiments and modifications may be possible within the scope of the invention, and no limitations are intended, except as recited in the appended claims.