Abstract:
A plastic grid or framework arrangement is used to support and position a series of bowls that hold flower arrangements, candles, letters, and other decorative elements. This grid is deployable in water fountains, indoor and outdoor pools, and other small bodies of water during festive occasions or for longer term decorative display. A special feature of this invention is that the grid itself does not float and is positioned below the surface of the water, and thus is not readily visible. Buoyancy is provided at the hubs that form nodes in the grid. The hubs also support floating bowls containing various decorative elements. The resulting effect is that the various decorative elements appear to be floating on the surface while the sub-surface grid structure maintains their relative positioning, keeping the bowls from clumping together at the edges or in the corners of the pool or fountain. The framework can take the form of a grid or ring or other shapes and can be assembled quickly from a kit of components and can be easily dis-assembled and stored for future use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/210,478 filed Aug. 27, 2015 and entitled “FLOATING FLOWER HOLDER” by Anne Marie Swain and Curtis Swain the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated in total by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a floating grid that can be assembled to support decorative elements such as flowers or candles in a small body of water. 
         [0004]    Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The prior art discloses various floating devices that support decorative elements such as flowers and candles for use in small bodies of water such as swimming pools or ponds. The following U.S. and foreign patent references are typical. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,718 discloses a floating candle device comprising: a candle enclosure, a candle base having upper and lower portions, a grommet dimensioned and configured to fit into said opening in said lower portion of said candle base, wherein said floating candle device is arranged with other floating candle devices into letters and shapes (FIGS. 1-6; Column 7, Lines 67-69; Column 8, Lines 1-4; Claims 7-11). 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,042 discloses an artificial lily pad made with polyester fabric flower petals, molded polypropylene or polyethylene stamens and stigmata, ethylene vinyl acetate leaves, polystyrene foam pads, and a bottom anchor ring. An anchor weight is attached to the bottom anchor ring by a monofilament nylon line which is colorless in water (FIGS. 1-3; Column 2, Lines 49-58; Claim 1). 
         [0008]    2007/0107117 discloses a fountain kit for outfitting a swimming pool that comprises a water fountain assembly and a water pump assembly, including a plurality of fountain water outlets interconnected by a common conduit, which common conduit and which water outlets are mountable in adjacency to an upper pool periphery (FIGS. 1-8; Paragraphs [0042]-[0046]; Claims 16-21). 
         [0009]    WO 2014197517A1 discloses a water purification apparatus comprising injection moulded floating non-toxic, biodegradable, and recyclable polymer planar structures (claim 2; FIG. 4). 
         [0010]    2007/0137100 discloses a floatable plant cultivation system (FIGS. 2 and 3). 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,838 discloses a floatable unit for displaying foliage on ponds (FIGS. 2 and 6). 
         [0012]    The following patents show other floating plant structures of possible relevance: U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,903; 2012/0174480 A1; and, 2008/0230010 A1. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 1,188,198 discloses a floating plant support system for artificial flowers. 
         [0013]    The following non-patent literature articles describe structure of possible relevance. 
         [0014]    Adminkak “Flower vase arrangement” kianaa.com, Mar. 2, 2014 http://kianaa.com/diy/arrangment/flower-vase-arrangement/ discloses the use of “tape to make a grid on wide open bowls and vases. The grid makes it easier to decorate flowers.” 
         [0015]    1Man1Garage, “Floating Pavilion for Outdoor Party Lighting in a Pool or Pond. Decorate the large platform to suit your needs and Decor,” Etsy.com, accessed: July 2016. https://www.etsy.com/listing/195649848/floating-pavilion-for-outdoor-party discloses “a solid foam core that keeps the wood shell able to ride out a gentle roll of waves, underneath is an anchor point hidden from view to tether the platform to each other, or solid ground.” 
         [0016]    The following U.S. patent references may also be relevant: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,033,326, 7,406,798, 7,000,347, 5,934,796, 5,758,452, 5,722,347, 4,588,618, 3,089,155, 2,531,562, 2015/0027047, 2002/0184818. 
         [0017]    The following foreign patent references may also be relevant: 
         [0018]    WO 2005110167A1 JPH 1136122A 
         [0019]    It was in the context of the above priori art that the present invention arose. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    A plastic grid or framework arrangement is used to support and position a series of bowls that hold flower arrangements, candles, letters, and other decorative elements. The grid is deployable in water fountains, indoor and outdoor pools, ponds, and other small bodies of water during festive occasions or for longer term decorative display. An important feature of this product is that the grid itself does not float and is positioned below the surface of the water, and thus is not readily visible. Buoyancy is provided at the hubs that form nodes in the grid. The hubs also support floating bowls having a sealed air chamber, according to the preferred embodiment, and containing various decorative elements. Another possible alternative embodiment is a bowl without bottom slots and without a float chamber. The resulting effect is that the decorative elements appear to be floating on the surface while the sub-surface grid structure maintains their relative positioning, keeping the bowls from clumping together at the edges or in the corners of the pool or fountain. 
         [0021]    The invention can be assembled quickly from a kit of standardized components and can be quickly dis-assembled and stored for future use. The spokes that radiate from each of the hubs include an end cap that can be easily snapped into position on the hubs when the apparatus is assembled. The underlying floating framework can take several forms including a grid or a ring and may also include horizontal and vertical extensions for extending the decorative elements in a plane horizontal or vertical to the plane of the framework. When the user is finished with the display it is easily disassembled by pulling the spoke end caps out of the hubs and unsnapping them from the retention springs securely held in one of a plurality of pockets in each hub. After disassembly, the entire set of components can be stored in a compact box or bag and saved for reuse at a subsequent event. 
         [0022]    The invention may be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  show a triangular grid framework for supporting decorative flower holders using hubs that have six spoke engaging pockets according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  show an alternative framework arranged in the form of a ring. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E  illustrate details of a six pocket hub and further indicating how the spoke retention springs are inserted into each hub pocket. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  show a square grid framework for supporting decorative flower holders using hubs that have four spoke engaging pockets according to another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G  illustrate details of a four pocket hub and further indicating how the spoke retention springs are inserted into each hub pocket. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates the manner in which the spoke end caps snap into and engage the retention springs in the pockets of a four pocket hub. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F  illustrate details of a spoke end cap. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C  illustrate how a decorative element support bowl is attached to a hub and how the spokes radiate from the hub. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C  illustrate the hub and spoke frame arrangement of  FIGS. 8A-8C  with the decorative element support bowl removed and replaced by the float subassembly visible above the hub. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F  illustrates the decorative element support bowl prior to the attachment of the float chamber cap  82 . 
           [0033]      FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E  illustrate another embodiment of the decorative bowl in which the bottom of the float is formed by the bottom of the bowl. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E and 12F  show different views of a float subassembly. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and 13E  show different views of an float base. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E  show different views of a float top. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C  illustrate a typical spoke. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and 16E  illustrate a spoke such as seen in  FIGS. 15A-15C  with end caps attached. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D and 17E  illustrate the U-shaped retention leaf spring including the convex bump which is received in each of the hub pockets and which hold the end caps of the spokes in position. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C  illustrate an embodiment of the invention which includes vertical and horizontal extenders for the decorative element holding bowls. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C and 19D  illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the spokes are curved. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D  illustrate the manner in which a curved spoke of  FIGS. 19A-19D  engages a hub. 
           [0043]      FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21C  illustrate an alternative framework employing only horizontal extenders so that all decorative elements live essentially in the same horizontal plane. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]    During the course of this disclosure like numbers will be used to identify like elements according the different views of the invention. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 1A-1C  show a triangular grid framework for supporting decorative flower holder bowls  18  using hubs  12  that have six spoke engaging pockets  32  according to the preferred embodiment  10  of the invention. The bowls  18  support flowers  16 , or candles, or other decorative objects. Spokes  14  connect to the hubs  12  in a series of repeating patterns suggestive of triangles. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2A-2C  show an alternative framework arranged in the form of a ring  20 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate details of the six pocket hub  12  and further indicating how the spoke retention spring clips  34  are inserted into and permanently attached in each of the hub pocket  44 . Each hub  12  includes a top side  24 , a base  26 , a sidewall  28  and a hollow central aperture  30 . Six slots  32  are located evenly spaced around the sidewall  28 . Six springy clips  34 , described in detail in  FIGS. 17A-17E , are insertable in the pockets  44  as seen in  FIGS. 3E and 3D . The clips  34  include a flat first arm section  36 , a flat bottom section  38  and a second opposing arm section  40 . Second arm section  40  includes a convex bump  42  that selectively engages the detent  60  on the spoke end cap  22  shown in further detail in  FIGS. 7A-7F . Each of the pockets  44  includes an aperture  46  for framing the protruding bump  42  which in turn is engages with the detent  60  on the end cap  22 . The top  24  of the hub  12  includes a circumferential flat flange portion  48  and a downward side panel  50  that depends therefrom. The six pockets  44  on the hub  12  are spaces 60 degrees apart and, accordingly, can be used to form triangular grid frameworks as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  or the circular framework of  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate a square grid framework  52  which can be formed with hubs  54  which only have four pockets or slots  54 . Details of a four pocket hub  54  are shown in  FIGS. 5A-5F . It is similar in construction to the six pocket hub  12  except that it has only four pockets  44  evenly spaced 90 degrees apart. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates the manner in which the spoke ends  22  slides into slots  32  then engage the retention spring  34  in the pockets  44  of a four pocket hub  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7F  each spoke end cap  22  includes a top, head section  56 , a pin-like portion  58  and a concave detent  60  for selectively engaging the bump  42  on the retention spring  34 . A spoke receiving pocket  62  is located in the head  56  of the spoke end cap  22 . Downward pressure on the end cap head  56 , as seen in  FIG. 6A , forces the pin section  58  into the pocket  32  until the pin  58  is completely inserted into the pocket  32  and is held in that position by the engagement of convex bump  42  with concave detent  60 . Disassembly is accomplished by pulling up on the spoke cap head  56  until the force is sufficient to case the bump  42  to disengage from the detent  60 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrates how a decorative element support bowl is attached to a hub  54  and how the spokes  14  radiate from the hub  54 . Also shown is a bowl  18  including a float chamber  64  located in the center of the bowl. The bowl  18  also locks the spoke ends  22  in position in pockets  32  of hubs  54 . The basic frame including the hub  54  and spokes  14  are intended to remain just below the waterline and are not readily seen. The float chamber  64  located in the center of the bowl  18  and in conjunction with the buoyancy of the bowl  18  itself causes the apparatus to float in such a manner that only the bowl  18  is visible above the waterline. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate the hub  54  and spoke frame arrangement of  FIGS. 8A-8C  with the decorative bowl  18  replaced by a separate float element  65  visible above the hub. There are circumstances where it may be desirable not to have a decorative element support bowl  18  at a hub node but need to have the rest of the framework in place and in a balanced position just below the waterline. In this embodiment the float  65  alone locks the end caps  22  in position in pockets  32  of hub  54 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 10A-10F  illustrates details of a bowl subassembly  18  having a chamber  64  located in the center thereof and also illustrates the location of four dogleg tabs  66  for engaging via rotating motion the circumferential flat flange portions  48  of the four spoke hub  54 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 11A-11E  illustrates another embodiment of the decorative bowl  72  in which the bottom of the float is formed by the bottom of the bowl  18 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 12A-12F  show different views of a float subassembly  65 . Float  65  includes dogleg tabs  66  for engaging that flange portions  48  of the four spoke hub  54 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 13A-13E  illustrates the base  80  of a float and  FIGS. 14A-14E  illustrate the top  82  which mates with base  80  to form float  65  shown in  FIG. 12F . The top  82  of the independent, standalone float  65  is also the same as the top  82  of the float chamber  64  in bowl  18  and can be welded or bonded by conventional means to base  80  or the bottom of bowl  18 . The seal or bond is hermetic so the bowl  18  does sink or fill with water from below. 
         [0056]    It is clear from the above that the float can either be stand alone and separate as in embodiment  65  or can be integrated into the structure of the bowl  18  itself where the bottom  64  of the bowl  72  forms the bottom of the integrated float as seen in  FIGS. 11A-11E . 
         [0057]    A typical straight spoke  14  is shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C . Spoke  14  has an hour glass-like shape and includes a top rib  84 , and intermediate connecting section  86  and a bottom rib  88 . The shape is the inverse of the shape of the opening  62  in the end cap  22  so that the two mate and stay mated due to the force of friction or by means of thermal or adhesive bonding. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 16A-16E  show a typical spoke  14  with a pair of end caps  22  attached. 
         [0059]    As previously described,  FIGS. 17A-17E  illustrate the U-shaped locking leaf-type retention spring  34  including the convex bump  42  which is received in the hub pockets  44  and hold the end caps  22  of the spokes  14  in properly assembled position. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 18A-18C and 21A-21C  illustrate a ring embodiment of the invention in which vertical extenders  94  can be used to raise the height of the decorative bowl  18  substantially above the height of the water surface. Horizontal extenders  96  can also be used to extend the framework and the invention in a plane horizontal to the water surface and the plane of the rest of the framework. Curved spokes  92  are used to connect the hubs  54  together to form a relatively smooth ring-like structure.  FIGS. 19A-19D  illustrate the alternative embodiment in which the spokes  92  are curved and  FIGS. 20A-20D  illustrate the manner in which the curved spoke  92  of  FIGS. 19A-19D  engages a four pocket hub  54 . 
         [0061]    The invention is typically used in the following manner. First, the user determines the size and shape of the framework array and the number and type of decorative items based on the size and shape of body of water and the specific objectives of the display. Second, using the kit of components, the grid is assembled next to the body of water by snapping the spokes  14  into the hubs  12  or hubs  54 . Third, the spokes  14  are than locked into place using either a standalone float subassembly  65  or a bowl  18 . Fourth, the decorative elements  16  are attached to or contained in the bowls  18 . Additional bowls  18  can be attached to the spokes  14  in between hubs  12  if required. As the array is assembled, it can be slid into the water. The array can also be assembled in the water. 
         [0062]    If required, additional spokes  14  can be added on the outside of the array in order to locate the decorative elements  16  in bowls  18  away from the edge of the pool or fountain. In an open body of water, anchors can be attached to the array in order to keep it in place. 
         [0063]    When no longer in use the decorative array  10 ,  20 ,  52 ,  90  and  98  can easily be removed from the water and disassembled for storage and future use. 
         [0064]    The invention has several advantages over the prior art, namely: 
         [0065]    A. The grid is formed using plastic materials with a specific gravity greater than 1.0. These materials can be transparent or colored to match the bottom of the pool. 
         [0066]    B. The spokes  14  can be formed in various lengths in order to provide maximum flexibility in the configuration of the array. The spokes have end fittings or caps  22  that are permanently attached. These caps  22  enable quick attachment to the hubs  12 ,  54  in such a way as to stabilize the grid framework during assembly. 
         [0067]    C. The spokes  14  snap into the hubs  12 ,  54  from above and are retained by spring clips  34  pre-assembled into the hubs  12 ,  54 . The spokes  14  are further locked into position when the float subassembly  65  or a bowl  18  is locked into place on the top of the hub  12 . The bowls  18  will hold the decorative elements  16  and the floats  65  can be locked into place on top of the hubs  12 ,  54  where no bowls are required. 
         [0068]    D. It is possible to attach bowls  18 , with decorative items  16  in them, to the spokes  14  in between the connecting hubs  12 . 
         [0069]    E. The floats  65  and the bowls  18  provide the buoyancy to keep the grid from sinking too far below the surface of the water. 
         [0070]    F. The size and configuration of the grid is quite variable according to the number of hubs  12 ,  54  and lengths of spokes  14  and  92 . 
         [0071]    G. Hubs  12  with six (6) evenly spaced slots  32  will produce a hexagonal array. Hubs  54  with four (4) evenly spaced slots  32  to hold spokes  12  will produce a rectangular array. 
         [0072]    H. Curved spokes  92  will produce a circular array. The radius of curvature will define the overall size of this array. 
         [0073]    I. Vertical extension fittings  94  can be attached to bowls  18  to provide a platform for decorative arrangements at various heights above the surface of the water. 
         [0074]    J. Once the array is constructed with the spokes  14 ,  92  locked into place in the hubs  12 ,  54  the whole grid can be maneuvered easily. This allows for construction of the grid on land and so it can to be easily slid into the water for final positioning. 
         [0075]    K. If required the grid can be easily modified once it has been deployed in the water. 
         [0076]    L. The locking mechanism that keeps the elements of the array in place is unique and easy to use. In the case of a bowl  18  and hub  54 , the lower protruding portion  64  acts as a pilot to guide into the slotted cylindrical opening  30  after the spoke caps have been inserted into pockets  32  and held in place by springs  34 . Once the base of float  64  of bowl  18  is fully seated, the bowl is rotated about 60° so that the dog legged tabs  66  engage the underside of top flange  48  and are held in place by friction and/or the natural springiness of the plastic compartments. Additional security can be obtained by adding a small rib or bump (not shown) to the underside of flange  48  so the tabs  66  don&#39;t back out. The locking with a standalone float  65  is accomplished in exactly the same way, namely, the base  80  is inserted in the slotted cylindrical opening  30  and then rotated until the dog legged tabs  66  fully engage the underside of the top flange  48 . 
         [0077]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof and several alternative embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made to the structure and form of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as a whole.