Abstract:
A reusable wreath frame assembly is configured to receive and hold wreath material. The frame assembly includes a frame that is configured to form the back of a wreath and there is provided a multi-link fastening assembly secured to the frame and operative to assume a fastened mode where the multi-link fastening assembly extends from the frame and wraps around the wreath material to secure the wreath material to the frame. Wreath material supported on the frame assembly can be removed at the end of a season, for example, and the frame assembly can be stored and in the future can be reused to hold and support new wreath material.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Each year millions of people across the world flock to Christmas tree farms in search of the perfect wreath to serve as a focal point of their seasonal decorations. Wreaths of all styles are a part of Christmas traditions in many households and remain so over generations. Composed of lush greenery and articulate ribbonry these wreaths are truly a piece of artistry and skillful craftsmanship. However, each year these extravagant wreaths are merely discarded at the end of the holiday season. While the greenery and decorative ornamentation may be withered, it is unnecessary to shed the entire wreath. Disposing of millions of wreaths each year is not only wasteful but also economically inefficient for the consumer. 
     Wreath manufacturers often struggle to keep up with the large influx of demand for these popular wreaths during the holiday season. Most wreaths are handmade and customized to the consumer&#39;s desire, which can be a tedious process for the craftsman. Constructing a symmetrical and uniform wreath for the customer can be a difficult task when given only select materials and criteria. In addition, the cost of such a piece is often driven up based on the time and detail put into construction. Having a base frame from which to construct each wreath would not only expedite the production process but would also lead to less discarded decorations at the end of the season. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a basic framework in which occasional wreaths of all types can be manufactured. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a reusable wreath frame assembly. The reusable wreath frame assembly is configured to at least partially encircle wreath material and retain the wreath material to the frame. In one exemplary embodiment the wreath frame assembly comprises a frame structure and a multi-link fastener that is mounted to the frame structure. The multi-link fastener is adapted to extend at least partially around the wreath material and connects to bind and secure the wreath material to the adjacent frame structure. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the reusable wreath frame assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but showing wreath material secured to a portion of the frame assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the wreath frame assembly. 
         FIG. 3A  is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate embodiment for one link of a multi-link fastening assembly that forms part of the wreath frame. 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but showing wreath material secured to the frame assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With further reference to the drawings, particularly  FIG. 1 , the reusable wreath frame assembly of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  10 . Frame assembly  10  includes a frame structure indicated generally by the numeral  12 . Frame structure  12  includes an inner member  12 A, outer member  12 B and frame connectors  12 C. It should be noted that the inner member  12 A and outer member  12 B are concentric and may have varying diameters. Frame connectors  12 C are circumferentially spaced around the frame structure  12 . Together the inner member  12 A, outer member  12 B and frame connectors  12 C form a full circle support structure for wreath material  14 . Frame structure  12  can be constructed of various materials such as metal, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. As shown in  FIG. 2  the frame structure  12  serves as a foundation or support for wreath material  14 . Wreath material  14  may be composed of a variety of materials that are conventionally incorporated into wreaths. Exemplary material includes greenery, bows, ribbons and even craft articles. It should be appreciated that the frame structure  12  discussed above and shown in the drawings is an exemplary embodiment and that other designs are envisioned. For example, the frame structure may not include two spaced apart members but could comprise a round or arcuate annular structure or, for example, could include a single curved member. 
     Secured to the frame structure  12  is a series of multi-link fastening assemblies, each being generally referred to by the numeral  20 . See  FIG. 3  for example. As can be seen from the drawings, each multi-link fastening assembly  20  is designed to assume a fastened mode or an unfastened mode. When disposed in the fastened mode, each multi-link fastening assembly  20  extends around or wraps around a portion of wreath material  14  supported on the frame structure  12 . See  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 1  shows each multi-link fastening assembly in an unfastened or open mode. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , the multi-link fastening assembly  20  includes a series of interconnected rigid links. In one embodiment, the multi-link fastening assembly includes a base  20 A and a lever  20 B pivotally connected together. A hook or inner connector  20 C is pivotally connected to the lever  20 B. A connector  20 G connects the base  20 A to the frame structure  12 . Note that connector  20 G is in the form of a loop connector that extends through the frame connector  12 C. This enables the base  20 A to be moved or rotated with respect to the frame structure  12 . Note that base  20 A, lever  20 B, interconnector  20 C and connector  20 G are all interconnected to one portion of the frame structure  12 . 
     Also forming a part of the multi-link fastening assembly  20  is a catch  20 H and a catch connector  20 I. See  FIG. 3 . Catch  20 H includes a turned lip  20 J. Connector  20 I is a loop-type connector that extends through an opening in the frame connector  12 C and allows the catch  20 H to move or rotate with respect to the frame structure. As will be discussed below, in the fastened mode, the interconnector or hook  20 C extends over a bunch or group of wreath material and hooks into the lip  20 J of the catch  20 H. In one embodiment, when fastened around wreath material, the multi-link fastening assembly  20  tends to compress the wreath material and hold the wreath material firmly and securely about the frame structure  12 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the multi-link fastener  20  in an inoperative disconnected position while  FIG. 4  shows the multi-link fastener  20  in an operative and connected position with wreath material  14  retained on the frame structure  12 . In this embodiment, the multi-link fastening assembly  20  is an over-center latch mechanism. When the over-center latch mechanism is in the connected position the base  20 A and lever  20 B are generally positioned such that over-center latch mechanism remains latched. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the configuration of the multi-link fastening assembly is such that the compression of the wreath material tends to cause the multi-link fastening assembly  20  to remain latched. Note the orientation of the pivot pin  21  that connects the base  20 A to the lever  20 B and its relationship to the pivot axis of interconnector or hook  20 C that is pivotally connected to the lever  20 B. The compression of the wreath material as viewed in  FIG. 4  exerts an upward force and, because of the orientations of the pivot axes just described, the interconnector or hook  20 C remains latched or connected to the latch  20 H. In order to release the over-center configuration, one engages the remote end of the lever  20 B and rotates the same generally clockwise as viewed in  FIG. 4 . This will enable the interconnector  20 C to be disengaged from the lip  20 J of the catch  20 H. 
     In another embodiment, the lever  20 B can be fastened or locked to a base  20 A. Note in  FIG. 3  where the base  20 A includes a pair of ears  20 D, with each ear having an opening  20 E. Further, the lever  20 B includes a pair of openings  20 F. When the lever  20 B is rotated onto the base  20 A, shown in  FIG. 4 , the openings  20 E and  20 F align. A locking pin (not shown) can be inserted through the openings  20 E and  20 F, effectively locking the lever  20 B to the base  20 A. This assures that the wreath material supported on the frame structure and partially encircled by the multi-link fastening assembly  20  is retained on the frame structure. 
       FIG. 3A  shows an alternate design for the catch  20 H. Note that in this design, catch  20 H includes a series of hook-shaped lips. This allows the effective length of the multi-link fastening assembly  20  to be adjusted to accommodate varying sizes of wreath material  14  to be secured to the frame structure  12 . 
     The present invention can be used to construct wreathes of all types. Wreath material is gathered and consolidated into bunches. As described above, the specific wreath material employed can comprise various types of material (artificial or non-artificial). The size of the individual bunches can vary. They can vary in length and effective diameter. Typically, the bunches are sized to be secured on the frame structure such that a single bunch is retained by one or two fasteners. One of the advantages of the reusable wreath frame assembly of the present invention lies in its flexibility. Note that each end of the multi-link fastening assembly  20  is movably connected to the frame structure  12 . This allows the various rigid links that comprise the assembly to be manipulated and adjusted around the bunch of wreath material  14  being secured to the frame structure  12 . This greatly facilitates the adjustment and closure of the fastening assembly  20 . In addition, all of the individual links, in the embodiment shown herein, are movably connected to adjacent links. This too facilitates the manipulation and placement of the links around the wreath material prior to completing the fastening arrangement. 
     The wreath frame assembly  10  makes constructing a wreath elementary and allows consumers to create unique wreaths using a plethora of materials that can be shaped and secured within the wreath frame structure. This reusable wreath frame assembly  10  is not only economical and environmentally friendly, but it also allows for and encourages creativity on the part of consumers. That is, while the reusable wreath frame assembly can be decorated with wreath material by a professional wreath maker, it encourages typical consumers to try their hand at creating a wreath by bunching wreath material together and securing it within the various fasteners that are mounted around the frame structure. Aside from encouraging creativity, the present invention provides an economical frame structure for a wreath that can be reused time after time. Over time, the present invention will reduce the cost of wreaths because the basic frame structure can easily be reused. 
     Finally, the reusable wreath frame assembly of the present invention has the advantage of being easy to use. The fasteners  20  are not complicated and are easy to manipulate by hand. Moreover, the fasteners are of the type that do not require precision in assembling the wreath material. The fasteners are flexible inasmuch as they are designed to encompass and retain bunches of wreath material of varying sizes. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the structures and mechanisms shown in the drawings and described herein are exemplary embodiments for the reusable wreath frame. Both the frame structure  12  and the multi-link fastening assembly  20  can vary in design. That is, the frame structure  12  can be constructed in various ways using various materials. The same holds true for the multi-link fastening assembly  20 . Various interconnective link designs can be employed to form a fastening assembly for engaging and retaining the wreath material  14  about the frame structure  12 . 
     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.