Abstract:
Provided is a decorative support apparatus for pumpkins mimicking the appearance of Halloween or other holiday character themed hands and legs comprised of two separate leg sections and two separate arm sections. The leg section includes anchors for digging into and securing the pumpkin as well as being configured to support the mass of the pumpkin. The arm section is likewise inserted into the side of the pumpkin via anchors.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation of Design Patent Application No. 29/227,670 entitled PUMPKIN SUPPORT AND DECORATING DEVICE and filed on Apr. 14, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Technical Field  
         [0004]     This disclosure relates to a pumpkin stand. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to support structures insertable into a pumpkin.  
         [0005]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0006]     Halloween is a celebration well known in Western countries, and is marked by ghosts, monsters, black magic, vampires, zombies, and other spooky or scary elements. Despite the sinister connotations, it is a festive occasion, with young children going “trick-or-treating” wherein children dress up in costumes and trek from house to house asking for candy and other sweets. Children are not the only ones having fun, however, and adults often decorate their houses and yards with elaborate ornaments consistent with the Halloween theme to greet trick-or-treaters with an impressive presentation. Adults find this activity enjoyable because they are basking in the Halloween atmosphere alongside their children, and feel nostalgic about simpler, younger times as a child being concerned not with the struggles and responsibilities of grown-up life, but with merely the maximization of spoils from the night.  
         [0007]     One of the most well recognized Halloween decorations is the Jack O&#39;Lantern. Although accounts vary, it is said that there was a clever fellow by the name of Jack who was able to convince the devil not to take his soul upon his death. When Jack died, he was apparently too sinful to enter heaven, but could not enter hell because of his promise with the devil. Jack was thus relegated to roaming the earth looking for a resting place, with only a piece of burning coal as his guide in the dark night. Thereafter, Jack placed the coal in a carved-out turnip, and thus earned the moniker “Jack of the Lantern,” or simply “Jack O&#39;Lantern.” 
         [0008]     While in contemporary times, a pumpkin is substituted for the turnip and varying faces are carved into the surface, the decoration continues to light the way for nocturnal travelers, particularly eager trick-or-treaters. The interior of the pumpkin is hollowed out, and a lid is carved out of the top portion to permit insertion and removal of the light source placed within. Openings representative of eyes, a nose, and a mouth are carved out to permit fragments of the light to escape the interior of the pumpkin. The finished Jack O&#39;Lantern is typically placed on windowsills, porches and patios, and front yards.  
         [0009]     Considering the universality of the Jack O&#39;Lantern as an autumn and Halloween decoration, a number of devices for holding gourd-related fruit have been disclosed. One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,654 to Henson discloses a stand for displaying a pumpkin utilizing a tripod structure and an elongate body decoration extending along the tripod structure. While this apparatus prevented fluid pooling at the underside of the pumpkin, the apparatus was too large to be used indoors, and so it was strictly relegated to use in a yard. Additionally, wind or other forces easily tipped over the display, particularly with abnormal surface conditions, despite there being a counterweight on the tripod.  
         [0010]     Decorations on pumpkins have previously been applied using toothpicks having attached decorative elements. However, toothpick-based decorations rotated too much within the pumpkin, and were too easily removed.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     In light of the foregoing limitations, the present invention was conceived. Provided is a plurality of support stands and attachments for stabilizing and decoratively enhancing in a consistent fashion the display of a pumpkin.  
         [0012]     A plurality of stands is provided for attachment at various intervals, cooperatively supporting the pumpkin across a range of surface configurations. The stands simulate the appearance of feet, and include a metatarsus section and a plurality of toe members. The metatarsus section defines a depression where the pumpkin is received and is further secured by pumpkin attaching anchors protruding from the depression. The toe members include a toenail section where stickers may be attached and which further help stabilize the pumpkin.  
         [0013]     A plurality of arm and hand simulating appendages is also provided and each appendage thus includes an arm and a hand section. The hand section is comprised of a plurality of finger members having a fingernail section where stickers may be attached. The arm section includes an appendage securing member which sinks into the surface of the pumpkin and holds it in place. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pumpkin with the present invention attached thereon;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the pumpkin stand and decorative element attached to a pumpkin;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the pumpkin stand and decorative element attached to the pumpkin;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pumpkin attaching anchor as integrally formed with the pumpkin stand; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an appendage securing member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0021]     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , by way of example only and not of limitation, pumpkin  10  in the form of a Jack O&#39;Lantern is shown with respect to the present invention, comprised of right and left support stands  30  and  31 , and right and left appendages  60  and  61 . The right and left support stands  30 ,  31  and right and left appendages  60 ,  61  collectively define a pumpkin attachment apparatus which serves as decoration for the pumpkin  10 . Pumpkin  10  need not be a Jack O&#39;Lantern. Any fruit or vegetable having a firm yet pierceable outer shell, typically a member of the gourd family such as squash and melon, carved or otherwise, may be substituted.  
         [0022]     The features of the support stands  30 ,  31  will now be described. Right and left support stands  30  and  31  are configured to position pumpkin  10  in a desirable orientation and to lift the same to prevent moisture buildup and rotting of the pumpkin  10 . Any fluids accumulating on the surface of pumpkin  10  will naturally flow to the lowest part, and will eventually drop off the face. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the separate stands  30 ,  31  allow for variable interval mounting on pumpkin  10  and therefore accommodate varying shapes and sizes, including deformed pumpkins unable to stand properly alone. This configuration also permits the pumpkin  10  to be placed upright on abnormal locations, such as slanted, rocky, or jagged surfaces. Additionally, right and left support stands  30  and  31  are configured to simulate the appearance of feet such as animal feet, and are accordingly comprised of a metatarsus section  38  and a toe section  39 .  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , metatarsus section  38  is defined by circular periphery wall  32 , sidewall  34 , and bottom floor  35  which collectively define a depression  90 . It should be noted that the circular periphery wall  32  need not be configured in a circular shape but may be configured in a variety of alternative shapes and configurations including elliptical, compound curves, etc. The depression  90  holds pumpkin  10  in place by distributing the gravitational force of pumpkin  10  across the entire surface of metatarsus  38 . Furthermore, even distribution is accomplished by the rounded corners between bottom floor  35  and sidewall  34  and between bottom floor  35  and circular periphery wall  32 . Additional reference may be had to  FIG. 3 , showing depression  90  created by circular periphery wall  32 , sidewall  34  and bottom floor  35 .  
         [0024]     Pumpkin  10  is secured to right and left support stands  30  and  31  via pumpkin attaching anchors  40 . With reference now to  FIG. 4 , pumpkin attaching anchor  40  has blade  43 , pumpkin insertion end  42 , and metatarsus end  41 . When inserted into the pumpkin, its crust encapsulates blade  43 . Blade  43  gradually tapers from metatarsus end  41  to pumpkin insertion end  42 , and four such blades  43  are arranged in a cross-shaped configuration although the blades may be formed to have any cross-sectional configuration including, but not limited to, rounded, square, rectangular, etc. The cross-shaped configuration retards rotational movement, because any such force applied is met with resistance from blade  43  and the crust of the pumpkin. Furthermore, the taper in blade  43  permits easy insertion and removal, yet safety is maintained by blunting the pumpkin insertion end  42 . By way of example only and not of limitation, the individual blades  43  comprising pumpkin attaching anchor  40  are integrally formed with each other and with bottom floor  35 . However, the blades  43  may be formed as separate components which may be later attached to the bottom floor  35 . Further movement of the pumpkin  10  is prevented by surface bumps  44  on metatarsus  35  which dig slightly into the pumpkin surface and generate resistance.  
         [0025]     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , toe section  39  includes a plurality of toe members  36 . While improving stability, toe members  36  enhance decorative appearance of the pumpkin attachment apparatus. Any variety of foot-like configurations may be utilized and may include a four-toed monster foot as shown, a five-toed human skeleton foot, a witch&#39;s boot, or any other feet associated with the thematic characters of the holidays throughout the year. Additionally, toe section  39  includes toenail section  37  for attaching sticker  57  of varying colors thereon and which still further enhances the decorative appearance of the pumpkin attach apparatus. The shapes of the toenail section  37  may be varied across toe members  36  or the toenail section  37  may be of consistent shape throughout. The shape of the sticker  57  may generally correspond to the shape of toenail section  37 . The surface of toenail section  37  is smooth so as to enable maximum adhesion of the sticker  57  although the surface of toenail section  37  may be provided in any surface finish including a roughened or bumpy surface finish.  
         [0026]     With references to the figures, the features of the appendages  60 ,  61  will now be described. Right and left appendages  60 ,  61  are configured to enhance thematic visual appeal and simulate an arm and a hand. Furthermore, the configuration of the right and left appendages  60 ,  61  allows the decoration to be leaned against a vertical surface and prevents the rolling of pumpkin  10 . Each one of the appendages  60 ,  61  comprises a hand section  64  and an arm section  63 . Hand section  64  includes finger members  66  and fingernail section  67 . Any number of members shaped in different appearances may be utilized. In a preferred embodiment mimicking the appearance of a mutated monster, four finger members are fashioned. Additional example embodiments include finger members appearing to be human skeleton hands, and a witch&#39;s decrepit hands. Like the toe section  57  described above, fingernail section  67  is a shaped to receive sticker  77 , and accordingly the surface may be smooth to maximize adhesion of the same.  
         [0027]     Right and left appendages  60  and  61  are attached to pumpkin  10  via appendage securing member  80  which extends perpendicularly from the lateral axis  62  of the appendage at arm section  63  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The single appendage securing member  80  allows right and left appendages  60  and  61  to be inserted in a variety of angles to simulate varying states of being. For example, placement which is substantially parallel to the ground will give the appearance of a zombie walking slowly and steadily toward its intended victim while pointing the fingers toward the air will give the appearance of a rabid ogre rushing to attack. Furthermore, pointing the fingers toward the ground will provide a more restive, peaceable appearance.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , appendage securing member  80  is preferably integrally formed with appendage  60  and has a pumpkin insertion end  81  and an appendage attachment end  83 . Multiple appendage securing blades  85  are arranged in a cross-shaped configuration and have a first taper section  87  and a second taper section  88 . Appendage securing blade  85  is preferably of sufficient size and length to support the weight of appendage securing member  80  and in comparison to the pumpkin attaching member  40  in  FIG. 4 , is substantially larger. The first taper section  87  reduces the size of the point of insertion while maintaining safety by effectively blunting pumpkin insertion end  81  and eliminating sharp corners. The force required to insert appendage securing member  80  into the pumpkin  10  remains the same as that which was described above for the blades  43  of the pumpkin attaching anchors  40 .  
         [0029]     This description of the various embodiments of the present invention is presented to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and other inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.