Patent Publication Number: US-2004040923-A1

Title: Modular holders or candles, flowers or other items

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001] Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable  
       DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX  
       [0003] Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] This invention relates generally to the field of displays and more specifically to modular holders suitable for creating arrays of holders for candles, flowers or other items.  
       [0005] Holders for items such as candles, flowers and the like have both a utilitarian and a decorative aspect. The decorative potential of a holder would be augmented if the configuration of the holder permitted its inclusion into a wide variety of stable arrays of identical holders. Holders are widely available as single units that do not provide a convenient means of creating such arrays. Similarly, candelabra are available which hold multiple candles, but are rigid and not amenable to a multitude of configurations. The present invention encompasses a modular holder capable of either standing alone or being creatively incorporated into a multitude of stable arrays of identical holders.  
       [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,795,124 discloses units for making a candelabrum of varying configurations. Each unit is a square block with a central candle receiving hole and a rod-receiving hole at each corner. Blocks are interconnected by passing rods through the rod receiving holes of more than one block. The application of this invention is limited in that it is suitable only for holding candles. A further limitation arises from the fact that the rods joining individual units are long relative to the unit, creating the opportunity for slippage of the blocks along the rods. This slippage is a potential source of instability in arrays of these candleholders.  
       [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,384 discloses boxlike display stands. Each of the six faces of an individual display stand has an aperture. One or more of the apertures have projecting bosses. The display stands may be interconnected by passing a boss of one stand through an aperture of another, allowing a multitude of possible arrays. However, the numbers of possible arrays that can be created with these display stands are drastically limited, because they must be connected to each other face to face. For example, these displays do not allow a cantilevered stacking of the units. In addition, when one box is connected to the top of another, the topmost aperture of the lower box cannot receive an item to display.  
       [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,458 discloses identical modular candleholders capable of forming arrays of candleholders. Each module has at least three legs. The upper part of each leg has a socket suitable for receiving either a candle or the lower part of the leg of an identical module. Arrays of candleholders are created inserting the legs of some modules into the sockets of others. However, these holders are limited to holding candles. In addition, there is no means for preventing the rotation of a leg within a socket, creating a potential source of instability in an array of candleholders.  
       [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,230 discloses three distinct units for configuring holders in a multitude of possible arrays. The three units are holding units for holding candles, plants and the like; connecting units for connecting holding units side by side, and plug in units for connecting one holding unit above another. By varying the use of the three units relative to the other, a variety of arrays is possible. However, the invention sacrifices simplicity to achieve configurability. Specifically the invention requires three distinct non-interchangeable units to achieve the multitude of configurations. Moreover, unintended disturbances are likely to easily alter the arrays because the interconnections are base on circular connectors, permitting rotation of one unit around another.  
       [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,616 discloses a set of modular elements for making candelabra. Each module has a pair of parallel candleholders connected at their bottom by an L-shaped or curved bridging section. The set consists of modules with successively smaller bridges, such that a module fits along the inner edge or on top of the module with the next larger bridge, placing each candleholder of a module immediately adjacent to the candleholder of the module with the next larger bridge. However, the number of possible arrays limited, because each module can be coupled to at most two modules, each coupling having only two possible configurations.  
       [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,907 discloses modular tube rack arrays. The tube racks of the arrays have fasteners on their exterior walls such that a horizontal array of tube racks may be formed by fastening the tube racks to each other. However, the number of possible arrays is limited because tiered arrays cannot be formed.  
       [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,563 discloses hexagonal candleholders that are stackable. The bottom of one candleholder fits into the hexagonal opening of another candleholder, allowing vertical stacking. In addition, each candleholder has six sloping lower walls extending outward from a smaller hexagonal base toward a larger hexagonal perimeter, and six sloping upper walls extending from the larger hexagonal perimeter toward the hexagonal opening. The candleholders may be stacked by arranging the candleholders such that three alternate lower walls of one candleholder rest against one upper wall each of three other candleholders. However, the candleholders are not securely connected to each other when in an array, and therefore the arrays formed are vulnerable to disturbances.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] The primary object of the invention is to provide a holder which may be used alone or as one of multiple modular units in one of a multitude of possible stable arrays of holders.  
       [0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.  
       [0015] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a modular holder suitable for holding candles, flowers and the like. The modular holders may be used alone, or may be incorporated into a stable array of holders. On top of each holder are four upwardly opening sockets. On the bottom of each holder, vertically aligned with the sockets, are four legs suitable for insertion into the sockets. Arrays of holders are formed by inserting the legs of a holder or holders into the sockets of other holders. The identical legs are equilateral polygonal prisms and the sockets complementary equilateral polygonal sockets. The method of inserting the legs of one holder into the sockets of another allows the creation of a large number of possible unique arrays of holders. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, of an array of two modular holders of the invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the socket region of a modular holder in FIG. 1.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 a  is an enlarged view of the leg region of a modular holder in FIG. 1.  
     [0020]FIG. 3 b  is a cross sectional view of the leg in FIG. 3 a.    
     [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a three-tiered array of the modular holders of FIG. 1, in which the lowest tier is comprised of a single row of modular holders.  
     [0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a three-tiered array of the modular holders of FIG. 1, in which the lowest tier is comprised of three rows of modular holders.  
     [0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two-tiered array of modular holders, in which the modular holders of the upper tier are rotated with respect to the modular holders of the lower tier.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0024] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.  
     [0025] In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates, in perspective view, an exploded view of a possible array of two representative modular holders suitable for holding candles, flowers and the like. The modular holder, generally designated  10 , comprises four transversely spaced vertical or upright support members  12 , rigidly attached by four lower horizontal support members  14  and four upper horizontal support members  22 . On top of each vertical support member  12 , is an axial recess or socket  16 . There is a leg  18  below each vertical support member  12 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the legs  18  are vertically aligned with the sockets  16  in each modular holder, such that the legs  18  of one modular unit may be inserted into the sockets  16  of an identical modular holder. It is clear that, the legs  18  of an upper modular holder perform as male coupling parts and the sockets  16  of lower modular holders are complementary female coupling parts.  
     [0026] Also illustrated in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises an annulus  20  that is rigidly attached to the upper horizontal support members  22 , located medially to the horizontal support members  22  and sockets  12 . The annulus  20  forms an aperture in the horizontal plane defined by the sockets  12  and upper horizontal support members  22 . The aperture of the annulus  20  is suitable for accepting a container. A container  24  for holding items may be removably placed through the aperture formed by the annulus  20 . The container  24  is not illustrated for the lower modular unit because it would not add to the understanding of the present invention. The container  24  has a lower container part  26 , having a horizontal perimeter or circumference sufficiently small to pass through the aperture formed by the annulus  20 , and an upper container part  28 , having a horizontal perimeter or circumference sufficiently large such that the container  24  cannot pass through the aperture formed by annulus  20 . The annulus  20  is to be considered as one possible embodiment, and is not meant to be limiting in any way. An alternate configuration may replace the annulus with a solid surface connected to the four upper horizontal support members  14 , with a central aperture in the surface. It will readily be seen that other possible means of holding a container will fall within the scope of this invention. Similarly, the configuration of the container  24  is shown by way of example, and is not meant to be limiting in any respect. In alternative embodiments, the container  24  may be rigidly attached to and coextensive with the annulus  20 , or the container  24  may be supported by a floor connected to the vertical support members  12 . In such alternate embodiments, the container  24  may lack an upper container part  28 , instead having a uniform container  24  circumference, or the container circumference  24  may vary in a way not related to the container&#39;s  24  function. It will readily be seen that other possible container configurations will fall within the scope of this invention.  
     [0027] Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged view of one socket region of the modular holders in FIG. 1. It can be seen that the socket  16  is octagonal and is suitable for receiving an octagonal prism. FIG. 3 a  shows an enlarged view of a leg  18  of the modular holders in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 a  shows that the leg  18  is an octagonal prism. FIG. 3 b  is a cross sectional view of the leg  18  in FIG. 3 a  showing that the octagon of the prism is equilateral. Because of the octagonal shape of the legs  18  and sockets  16 , a connection formed by inserting the leg into the socket  16  is highly resistant to rotation of the leg  18  within the socket. This resistance to rotation results in greater stability of the arrays formed by the modular units. Moreover, the octagonal shape of leg  18  and socket  16  allows the user to vary the relative orientation of modular units in the array by rotating a modular holder about its leg  18  before insertion into the socket  18  of another modular holder.  
     [0028] It is to be understood that the octagonal shape of the leg  18  and socket  16  is to be considered only an example of one possible embodiment, and is not meant to be limiting. The legs  18  and sockets  16  may be in the shape of any other equilateral polygon, such as square or hexagon, so long as both leg  18  and socket  16  share the same shape.  
     [0029] In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 4 a three-tiered array of interconnected modular holders of FIG. 1 in which the lowest tier has a single row of modular holders. The modular holders of the array in FIG. 4 are shown without containers  24  so that the relationships between holders will not be obscured. Because each modular holder is a duplicate of the others, only some of the elements are indicated with reference numerals, which correspond to those utilized in FIG. 1. In the array of FIG. 4, the legs  18  of an upper modular holder are inserted into the sockets  16  of two lower modular holders, such that two legs  18  of the upper holder are inserted into two sockets  16  each of two lower modular holders. In the array illustrated in FIG. 4, note that the upper modular holder that is supported by the two lower modular holders is cantilevered. The cantilevered arrangement is possible because all of the modular holders are selfsupporting.  
     [0030] In accordance with another important feature of the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 5, a three-tiered array of interconnected modular holders of FIG. 1. in which the lowest tier has three rows of modular holders. As in FIG. 4, the modular holders of the array in FIG. 5 are shown without containers  24 , and only some of the elements are indicated with reference numerals that correspond to those utilized in FIG. 1. The array of FIG. 5 is created by providing that no more than one inserted leg  18  of an upper modular holder occupy the sockets  16  of a particular lower modular holder. Rather, each leg  18  of the upper holder is inserted into the socket  16  of a distinct holder. Insertion of the legs  18  into the sockets  16  provides a stable connection  26  between the holders, in part because the octagonal shape of legs  18  and sockets  16  prevents rotation of a lower modular holder about a leg  18  of an upper modular holder. The polygonal shape of the legs and sockets provides additional stability and resistance to changes in configuration that may result from accidental disturbances.  
     [0031] Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a two-tiered array of interconnected modular holders of FIG. 1. In accordance with another important feature of the present invention, the modular holders of the second tier are not aligned with the modular holders of the lower tier, but rather are rotated forty-five degrees before inserting the legs  18  of the upper tier into the sockets  16  of the lower tier. The rotation of the modular holders of the second tier is made possible by the octagonal shape of the legs  18  and sockets  16 . Despite the rotation, the connection remains resistant to changes in configuration that may result from accidental disturbances because of the octagonal shape of the legs  18  and sockets  16 .  
     [0032] It is of course evident that a great many other possible arrays are possible by varying the number and orientation of the individual modular holders. The arrays presented here are by way of example and are not meant to be limiting in any respect. Other arrays are may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
     [0033] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.