Mounting apparatus for a window decoration and window decoration including the same

A wreath is provided. The wreath includes a candle holder having a support portion, a container having a recess extending from the support portion, and a first threaded portion extending from the support portion away from the container. A support wire formed into a ring shape is fixed to opposite sides of the candle holder such that the recess of the container faces toward a center of the ring shape. A plurality of plant components are arranged around the support wire, the plant components substantially obstructing the support wire from view. A coupling member has a second threaded portion. The coupling member is removably coupled to the candle holder via the first and second threaded portions. An engagement unit has a first end part held in position between the coupling member and the candle holder and a second end part held in position between a window and a window sill or a door and a threshold, and an elongated support bracket extending between the first end part and the second end part to support the wreath in a central portion of the window or door.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus for a window decoration and window decoration including the same. The present invention also relates to a method of mounting a window decoration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During various times of the year people mount various symbolic decorations throughout their homes. One such decoration is a wreath, which is typically mounted at Christmas time. A wreath typically includes pine needles (man-made or natural), flowers, berries, pine cones, or the like. Wreaths may be mounted on doors, in windows, or on walls. Candles are also sometimes mounted in windows during the Christmas season. However, it is believed that there are no commercially available window decorations that incorporate wreaths and candles together because of the obvious risk of fire.

Additionally, in order to mount a wreath in a window, a wreath is typically either hung by a string tie or positioned on the window sill and leaned against the window. However, using a string tie to mount the wreath may require a nail or other hanging device to be added to the window. Moreover, the string tie, which extends upwardly from the wreath may be visible, thereby detracting from the decorative value of the wreath. Finally, mounting the wreath using a string tie requires the user to do additional work including tying the string around the wreath, measuring the desired length of the string, cutting the string, mounting a hanging device on the window for supporting the wreath via the string tie. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved mounting apparatus for mounting a wreath in a window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wreath is provided. The wreath includes a candle holder having a support portion, a container having a recess extending from the support portion, and a first threaded portion extending from the support portion away from the container. A support wire formed into a ring shape is fixed to opposite sides of the candle holder such that the recess of the container faces toward a center of the ring shape. A plurality of plant components are arranged around the support wire, the plant components substantially obstructing the support wire from view. A coupling member has a second threaded portion. The coupling member is removably coupled to the candle holder via the first and second threaded portions. An engagement unit has a first end part to be held in position between the coupling member and the candle holder and a second end part held in position between a window and a window sill or a door and a threshold, and an elongated support bracket extending between the first end part and the second end part to support the wreath in a central portion of the window or door.

A mounting apparatus is also provided for mounting a decoration. The mounting apparatus includes a support bracket having an elongated vertical support with first and second opposite ends, and a U-shaped insert extending from the first end thereof. The insert is for disposal between a window and a window sill or a door and a threshold. A holder for supporting a decoration is removably connected to the second end of the vertical support.

A method of mounting a wreath is also provided. The wreath includes a candle holder with a support portion, a container having a recess extending upwardly from the support portion, and a first threaded portion extending downwardly from the support portion, a support wire formed into a ring shape being fixed to opposite sides of the candle holder, a plurality of plant components arranged around the support wire to substantially obstruct the support wire from view, a coupling member having a second threaded portion being removably coupled to the candle holder via the first and second threaded portions, and an engagement unit having a first end part to be held in position between the coupling member and the candle holder. The first end part has an accommodating portion for accommodating the first threaded portion and a second end part to be held in position between a window and a window sill or a door and a threshold. The engagement unit further includes an elongated support bracket extending between the first end part and the second end part. The method includes removing the coupling member from the candle holder by disengaging the first threaded portion from the second threaded portion, positioning the accommodating portion of the first end part of the engagement unit around the first threaded portion, coupling the second threaded portion of the coupling member to the first threaded portion such that the first end part of the engagement unit is retained between the coupling member and the candle holder, and positioning the second end part of the engagement unit between a window and a window sill or a door and a threshold so that the elongated support bracket supports the wreath in a central portion of the window or door, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in this section in connection with the preferred embodiments and methods. The invention according to its various aspects is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the attached claims read in view of this specification.

As best shown inFIGS. 1 to 3B, a mounting apparatus2for a decoration3(seeFIGS. 4 to 6) includes a candle holder4having a container8disposed on a support portion10. The container8is shaped to hold an electronic candle lamp11(seeFIG. 4). The support portion10may be a horizontal plate. A support wire12is formed into a ring with ends14and16secured to the support wire12. The support wire12is shown inFIG. 1in dashed lines. The ends14and16of the support portion10may be gradually tapered and flattened so as to be easily welded to the support portion10. Alternatively, the ends14and16can be secured to the support portion10by another fastening element, e.g. a screw (not shown).

A capping member18is removably coupled to the support portion10. The capping member18has a loop20disposed opposite to where the capping member18is coupled to the support portion10. The loop20can be used to hang the decoration3(seeFIG. 6).

A support bracket22includes a vertical support24supporting the mounting apparatus2and decoration3(seeFIG. 4or5). The support bracket22also includes a first end part26disposed at a first end of the vertical support24and a second end part28disposed at a second end of the vertical support24. The second end part28includes an end plate31for retention between a window and a window sill or a door and a threshold, and a rear plate29for contacting the edge of the window or door. The vertical support24, end plate31and rear plate29form a U-shaped bracket for accommodating the edge of the window or door (seeFIGS. 5 and 7, respectively). That is, a window or door can be closed on the second end part28such that the support bracket22is retained in the upright position.

The vertical support24is preferably between 6 and 12 inches long to support the decoration3in the central portion of a window. In particular, the vertical support24may be about 10 inches in length. The end plate31may be about 2 inches long in order to be able to accommodate the edge of a window or the edge of a door. Accordingly, the wreath3and mounting apparatus2can be easily mounted in a number of different ways. Specifically, as best shown inFIG. 7, the U-shaped bracket defined by the end plate31, vertical support24, and the rear plate29can be hung on an edge of a door50so that the wreath3is suspended in front of the door50. Alternatively, as best shown inFIG. 5, the mounting apparatus2can be inverted so that the U-shaped bracket is positioned on a window sill42below an open window40so that the U-shaped bracket accommodates an edge of the window40when the window40is closed so that the wreath3is supported in front of the window40.

The first end part26may be an intermediate coupling plate with an accommodating portion30extending therethrough. The accommodating portion30may be a hole extending through the intermediate coupling plate26as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3B. Alternatively, the accommodating portion30may have other shapes. For example, the accommodating portion30may be a ring or a partial ring shape.

Also as best shown inFIG. 2, the candle holder4further includes a threaded rod32extending downwardly from the support portion10. The threaded rod32is received in the hole30in the first end part26. As best shown inFIG. 3A, the capping member18includes a recess34having an inner surface with a threading35for engaging the threaded rod32of the candle holder4. Thus, when the threaded rod32is received through the hole30in the first end part26, the capping member18can be screwed onto the candle holder4via the threaded rod32and threaded recess34,35thereby securing the first end part26between the support portion10and the capping member18.

As best shown inFIG. 4, the decoration3is supported by the mounting apparatus2. The decoration3may be a wreath. The support wire12supports a plurality of plant components36aand36b. The plant components36aand36bmay include pine needles, leaves, pine cones, flowers, berries, or the like. The outline of the wreath3is shown by dashed lines for simplicity sake. A bow38is optionally attached to the support wire12or plant components36aand36b. The electronic candle lamp11may be supported by the candle holder4so that the lamp11is in a central portion of the decoration3, for example, in an opening in the wreath3. Because the candle11is an electronic lamp that is secured in the container8of the candle holder4, the mounting apparatus2does not create a fire hazard.

One of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the position of the threaded rod32and the inner surface threading35may be reversed without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, the recess34with the inner threading35may be formed on the bottom of the support portion10and the threaded rod32may be formed on the capping member18so that the inner threading35and the threaded rod32engage each other in a similar manner as described above. Similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, the treaded rod32, which would extend from the capping member18, would engage the hole30in the first end part26so that the first end part26is interposed between the candle holder4and the capping member18. The capping member18may alternatively be referred to as a “coupling member” as it is removably coupled to the support portion10to retain the first end part26therebetween.

As best shown inFIG. 5, the decoration3is mounted in a window40by the mounting apparatus2. The second end part28is interposed between the window40and a window sill42so that the decoration3is displayed in a central portion of the window40. The weight of the window40on the second end part28along with the accommodation of the edge of the window40in the U-shaped bracket formed by the end plate31, rear plate29, and vertical support24maintains the mounting apparatus2and decoration3in an upright position. As best shown inFIG. 6, the decoration3may alternatively be hung by the loop20of the mounting apparatus2. For example, the decoration3may be hung by a cord44on a door46. The loop20may also be used to suspend the decoration3from a ceiling. Accordingly, a user may easily mount the decoration3in a window, on a door, or on a wall or ceiling.

As best shown inFIG. 7, the wreath3may alternatively be hung on the door50above a knob52via the support bracket22. In his case, the U-shaped bracket formed by the vertical support24, the end plate31, and the rear plate29is disposed on the edge of the door50. The door50can then be closed and the wreath3is suspended in front of the door50. That is, the second end part28of the mounting apparatus2is retained between the door and a threshold54.

The decoration3may be a wreath, which is typically displayed during the holidays. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other decorations can be mounted using the mounting apparatus2.