Abstract:
A stand displaying a member of the cucurbitaceae family includes a support for holding the member of the cucurbitaceae family. A figure associated with the support cooperates with the member of the cucurbitaceae family to complete a display.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pumpkin stand. In more particular, the present invention relates to a stand to display a member of the cucurbitaceae family and in particular, a pumpkin during the Halloween season. 
     People enjoy decorating their houses and lawns for holiday seasons and particularly Halloween. Traditionally, people carve pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns land place candles within the jack-o-lanterns thereby illuminating a face carved into the pumpkin. The jack-o-lanterns typically are displayed on the front steps or on the lawn of a residence. 
     Over time, more innovative lawn displays for Halloween have become popular. For instance, leaf bags are now made of an orange color having a black face printed into the orange background. When a bag is filled with leaves, the bag resembles the shape of a pumpkin and the black face projects an image of a jack-o-lantern. 
     There are many different innovative Halloween decorations including those disclosed in the Murray U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,820 which discloses low voltage lighted novelty decorations. One of the decorations which can be illuminated is a pumpkin configuration. 
     The Bucek U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,045 discloses a decorative light fixture covering for outdoor and indoor lights. The decorative light fixtures are designed to enclose existing shaded lights, lampposts and carriage lamps. One decorative light fixture coverings disclosed in the Bucek patent includes a jack-o-lantern figure. 
     The Shin U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,018 discloses a candy tree with a conical shape having wrapped candies adhesively and non-permanently attached to the candy tree. The candies cover the entire surface of a plastic or styrofoam cone which form the principal part of the tree. Decorative elements include a pumpkin being disposed on the top of the tree. 
     The Wu U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,111 discloses a decorative lighting string with expandable and shrinkable three-dimensional units. The Wu patent discloses a decorative lighting string having pumpkin figures as the expandable and shrinkable three-dimensional units. 
     The Kumar Des. U.S. Pat. No. 412,369 discloses a cauldron-shaped votive candle holder. One of the cauldron-shaped votive candle holders disclosed in the Kumar design patent includes a design of a jack-o-lantern. 
     The Crowell U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,095 discloses a carrying bag. One of the carrying bags disclosed in the Crowell patent includes a bag having a jack-o-lantern design. 
     The Weder U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,945 discloses a number of self-erecting containers. One of the self-erecting containers disclosed in the Weder patent includes a handle and an outer cover for the container resembling a jack-o-lantern. The basket having the jack-o-lantern cover can be used as a trick or treat basket on Halloween. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a stand for displaying a member of the cucurbitaceae family. The stand includes a support for holding the member of the cucurbitaceae family. A figure associated with the support cooperates with the member of the cucurbitaceae family to complete a display. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stand of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the stand of the present invention being secured in a selected position. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the top support member of the present invention as viewed along the section line A—A in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention creating a display in a form of a goblin. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention creating a display in a form of a pirate. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention creating a display in a form of a totem. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention creating a display in a form of a headhunter. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the present invention creating a display in a form of a witch. 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the present invention creating a display in a form of a gargoyle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A stand of the present invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 at  10 . A FIG. 14 is securely positioned onto a support frame  12 . A member of the cucurbitaceae family  16  is secured to the support frame  12  such that the member of the cucurbitaceae family  16  cooperates with the FIG. 14 to complete a display. What is meant by the display is a presentation of the member of the cucurbitaceae family  16  cooperating with the FIG.  14 . 
     In this application the FIG. 14 includes a representation of any form. The FIG. 14 can represent any animate, inanimate, fictional, mythical, or spiritual form including a human, an animal, or a mythical creature. The list of the types of FIG. 14 is illustrative of the types of FIG. 14 within the scope of this invention and is not to be limiting the scope of the invention in any way. 
     In one alternative, the FIG. 14 is incomplete because a feature of the FIG. 14 is missing. The member of the cucurbitaceae family  16  is substituted for the missing feature of the FIG. 14 to create the display. In a second alternative, the member of the cucurbitaceae family  16  may be an accessory to a complete FIG. 14 to create the display. 
     The cucurbitaceae family, also known as the gourd family, includes the cucurbita genus, which include pumpkins and squashes, but includes other genus such as the cucumis genus, which includes cucumbers. All members of the cucurbitaceae family capable of replacing a missing feature of the FIG. 14 or provide an accessory to the FIG.  14  and thereby create the display are within the scope of this invention. 
     A pumpkin  16 , of the cucurbitaceae family and the cucurbita genus, is the preferred replacement of a feature or accessory to the FIG.  14  and as such will be referred to throughout this application. Although a pumpkin  16  is being referenced, the present invention is not limited only to pumpkins but is inclusive of members of the cucurbitaceae family. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support frame  12  includes a first leg  18  connected to a second leg  20  by a bottom support member  22  proximate a first end  24 ,  26  of the first and second legs  18 ,  20 , respectively. The first and second legs  18 ,  20  are also connected proximate second ends  28 ,  30 , respectively, by a top support member  32 . The bottom support member  22  is longer than the top support member  32  causing the first ends  24 ,  26  of the first and second legs  18 ,  20  to be spaced further apart than the second ends  28 ,  30  of the first and second legs  18 ,  20 . Spacing the first ends  24 ,  26  of the first and second legs  18 ,  20  apart gives the support frame  12  stability because the first ends  24 ,  26  act as a portion of a base for the support frame  12 . Additionally, it is advantageous to space the second ends  28 ,  30  proximate each other such that the second ends  28 ,  30  support the pumpkin  16 . 
     An angled member  34  is fixedly attached to a front side of the first and second legs  18 ,  20  proximate the first ends  24 ,  26 . The angled member  34  is positioned below the bottom support member  22  and creates a channel between a vertical portion  36  of the angled member  34  and the front side of the first and second legs  18 ,  20 . What is meant by the front side is the side of the support frame  12  which contacts and displays the FIG. 14. A flat, bottom surface  40  of the FIG. 14, is positioned adjacent to a horizontal portion  38  of the angled member  34  when the FIG. 14 is supported by the support frame  12 . 
     A third leg  42  is pivotally attached to the first and second legs  18 ,  20  by the cooperation of a bottom stabilizing member  44  with a surface defining a through bore within a bottom cylindrical portion  46  attached to the bottom support member  22  as best illustrated in FIG. 2. A top stabilizing member  48  is pivotally attached to a top cylindrical portion  50  fixedly attached to the top support member  32  by the cooperation of the top stabilizing member  48  with a surface defining a through bore within the top cylindrical portion  50  as best illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     The bottom cylindrical portion  46  is fixedly attached to a back side of the bottom support member  22  substantially in the center of the bottom support member  22 . The top cylindrical portion  50  is fixedly attached to a back side of the top support member  32  substantially in the center of the top support member  32 . What is meant by the back side is the side opposite or 180 degrees away from the front side. Because the first and second legs  18 ,  20  slant toward each other in a substantially symmetrical fashion, the bottom cylindrical portion  46  and the top cylindrical portion  50  are substantially aligned when centrally positioned on the bottom and top support members  22 ,  32 , respectively. 
     The bottom stabilizing member  44  is attached to the third leg  42  proximate a first end  52  of the third leg  42 . The bottom stabilizing member  44  is generally L-shaped having an end of a shaft  54  attached to the third leg  42  and a shank  56  extending downwardly from the shaft  54 . The shank  56  is positioned through the surface defining the through bore in the bottom cylindrical portion  46  thereby creating a first pivotal attachment of the third leg  42  to the first and second legs  18 ,  20  proximate the first ends  24 ,  26 ,  52  of the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42 , respectively. 
     The top stabilizing member  48  is attached to the third leg  42  proximate a second end  58 . The top stabilizing member  48  is generally L-shaped having an end of a shaft  60  attached to the third leg  42 . Extending upwardly from the shaft  60  of the top stabilizing member  48  is a shank  62  which cooperates with the surface defining the through bore within the top cylindrical portion  50  thereby creating a second pivotal engagement of the third leg  42  with the first and second legs  18 ,  20 . 
     One skilled in the art will realize that having the shank  56  extending downwardly from the shaft  54  of the bottom stabilizing member  44  and having the shank  62  extending upwardly from the shaft  60  of the top stabilizing member  48  prevents the third leg  42  from accidentally detaching from the first and second legs  18 ,  20 . To disengage the third leg  42  from the first and second legs  18 ,  20  a force must be applied to either the bottom or top stabilizing member  44 ,  48  which disengages either shank  56 ,  62  from the bottom or top cylindrical portions  46 ,  50 , respectively. One skilled in the art will recognize that the bottom stabilizing member  44  and the top stabilizing member  46  are attached to the third leg  42  in a planar configuration. 
     A length of the shaft  54  of the bottom stabilizing member  44  is longer than a length of the shaft  60  of the top stabilizing member  48  causing the second end  58  of the third leg  42  to be proximate the second ends  28 ,  30  of the first and second legs  18 ,  20  thereby allowing each of the second ends  28 ,  30 ,  58  of the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42 , respectively, to engage the pumpkin  16 . The first end  52  of the third leg  42  is a distance from the first and second legs  18 ,  20 , thereby creating a more stable base for the support frame  12 . Preferably, the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42  as well as the bottom support member  22 , the top support, member  32 , the bottom stabilizing member  44  and the top stabilizing member  48  are constructed from a steel material having a circular cross-section. 
     The bottom support member  22  and top member  32  are preferably welded to the first and second support legs  18 ,  20  in a planar configuration. 
     A hook  63  is welded to the front side of the top support member  32  and extends outwardly from the front side. Each member of the support frame  12  is finished with a powder finish which coats and also prevents the support frame  12  from rusting or deteriorating. 
     The FIG. 14 has a flat profile and contact the front sides of the first and second legs  18 ,  20 . A surface  66  defining an aperture is proximate a top surface  64  of the FIG.  14 . The surface  66  defining the aperture cooperates with the hook  63  attached to the top support member  32  thereby securing the FIG. 14 to the support frame  12 . A bottom surface  40  of the FIG. 14 is preferably flat and cooperates with the flat portion  38  of the angled member  34 . The flat, bottom surface  40  of the FIG. 14 is positioned between the vertical portion  36  of the angled member  34  and the support frame  12  such that the FIG. 14 is retained proximate the support frame  12 . 
     The FIG. 14 can be made of many different forms. The FIG. 14 of the present invention includes a goblin  70  with a pumpkin  16  replacing a head of the goblin  70  to complete the display as illustrated in FIG.  4 . The FIG. 14 includes a pirate  72  having a pumpkin  16  replacing the head of the pirate  72  to complete the display as illustrated in FIG.  5 . The FIG. 14 also includes a totem  74  having a pumpkin  16  for a head to complete the display illustrated in FIG.  6 . The FIG. 14 includes a headhunter  76  having a pumpkin  16  for a head to complete the display as illustrated in FIG.  7 . The FIG. 14 also includes a witch  78  having a pumpkin  16  for a head to complete the display as illustrated in FIG.  8 . The FIG. 14 also includes a gargoyle  80  having a pumpkin  16  for a head to complete the display as illustrated in FIG.  9 . FIGS. 4-9 are illustrative of the FIG.  14  and the displays as defined by the present invention but are not to be construed as limiting of the scope of FIG. 14 or displays included in the present invention. 
     Preferably, the FIG. 14 are constructed of a corrugated, black plastic which provides an aesthetically pleasing configuration while providing a strong resilient material capable of withstanding the wind and the elements. The FIG. 14 are preferably approximately 32 inches in height by 28 inches in width although the width and height can vary provided that the distance from the flat, bottom surface  40  of the FIG. 14 to the surface  66  defining the aperture remains the same and the top surface  64  of the FIG. 14 does not extend beyond the second ends  28 ,  30 ,  58  of the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42 , respectively. 
     To display a pumpkin  16 , the pumpkin  16  is preferably carved into a jack-o-lantern having a face. The support frame  12  is placed in a selected location and the third leg  42  is rotated away from the first and second legs  18 ,  20  such that the top and bottom stabilizing members  48 , 44  are substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom support members  32 ,  22 , thereby maximizing the base area covered by the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42 . By positioning the top and bottom stabilizing members  48 ,  44  in a perpendicular position to the top and bottom support members  32 ,  22 , the support frame  12  is substantially in a tripod configuration. 
     To secure the support frame  12  in the selected location, the first ends  24 ,  26 ,  52  of the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42  are preferably pressed into a surface  84  supporting the support frame as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Alternatively, if the first ends  24 ,  26 ,  52  of the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42  cannot be pressed into the surface  84  supporting the support frame  12 , a sand bag  86  or any other suitable weight may be placed over the first stabilizing member  44  thereby preventing the support frame  12  from moving as further illustrated in FIG.  2 . The pivotal engagement of the third leg  42  with the first and second legs  18 ,  20  allows the stand to be stored in a minimal amount of space by rotating the third leg  42  towards either the first or second legs  18 ,  20  as illustrated by arrow  88  illustrated in FIG.  1 . Positioning the third leg  42  adjacent to either the first or second leg  18 ,  20  flattens the support frame  12  making the stand  10  easier to transport or ship. 
     With the support frame  12  secured in the selected location, a FIG. 14 is secured to the support frame  12  by disposing the surface  66  defining the aperture within the FIG. 14 about the hook  63 . The flat, bottom surface  40  of the FIG. 40 is positioned adjacent to the flat portion  38  of the angled member  34  such that the vertical portion  36  of the angled member  34  and the front side of the support frame  12  retain the FIG. 14 proximate the support frame  12 . In the preferred embodiment the second ends  28 ,  30  of the first and second legs  18 ,  20  lean toward the third leg  42  relative to the first ends  24 ,  26  of the first and second legs  18 , 20  thereby allowing gravity to aid in retaining the FIG. 14 proximate the support frame  12 . 
     Once the support frame  14  is secured in the selected positioned, the jack-o-lantern  16  is placed on the second ends  28 ,  30 ,  58  of the first, second and third legs  18 ,  20 ,  42 , respectively. Preferably, the second ends  28 ,  30 ,  58  of the first, second and third legs  18 , 20 , 42  are pointed which allows the second ends  28 ,  30 ,  58  to easily penetrate the pumpkin  16  and thereby secure the pumpkin  16  to the support frame  12 . The carved face of the pumpkin  16  is placed in cooperation with the FIG. 14 such that the carved face acts as the face of the FIG.  14  and the pumpkin  16  acts as the head of the FIG. 14 to complete the display as best illustrated in FIGS. 4-9. To aid in the effect of a jack-o-lantern  16  acting as the head of the FIG. 14, an illuminating device such as candle or a battery operated light may be placed within the interior of the jack-o-lantern  16  allowing the face of the jack-o-lantern  16  to be readily seen at night. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.