Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 7th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 13th July, 1888
JOHN CHEAL, JOSEPH CHEAL and ALEXANDER CHEAL, trading under the style of
J. Cheal & Sons Nurserymen, Florists &c. Crawley, Sussex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is a simple wire frame, made with wires branching from a central stem, each
wire terminating with a ring, so arranged that it shall hold the flower in the exact
position and facing in the direction desired.
For instance when required for arranging dahlias in bunches for exhibition, the
frame would be constructed with branches according to the number of blooms required,
a branch for each bloom, with its terminal ring, so arranged that it should form a half-
circular boquet. If required to form a bunch of flowers for a vase, the frame would
be made in a circular pyramidal shape; or for a hand-boquet of a circular form but
flatter.
The frames would be constructed of various kinds and sizes of wire and made in
any shape or design required for the arrangement of cut-flowers.
The terminal rings would also be made in various sizes to suit different flowers.
DL
2
I 1
2
.
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Wire Frame for Supporting Cut Flowers.
We JOHN CHEAL, JOSEPH CHEAL, and ALEXANDER CHEAL, trading under the
style of "J. Cheal & Sons," Nurserymen and Florists &c., Crawley, Sussex, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention for A WIRE FRAME FOR SUPPORTING OUT
FLOWERS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings and to the letters and figures marked
thereon :-
In arranging cut flowers, more especially Dahlias, Roses and other flowers of which
the blossom is large and heavy comparod with the strength of the stalk it is usual to
attach some artificial support, but this involves the expenditure of considerable time
and trouble and is not always so perfectly satisfactory as could be desired.
Now our invention relates to the construction of light branching frames of wire,
each branch of which terminates in a ring or eye through which the stem of a flower
may be inserted and by which the flower itself is supported exactly where it is
required, and the stalk is allowed to pass freely downwards towards the water
supply.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 a
side elevation of a wire frame for supporting cut flowers, of the shape which we
prefer for the exhibition of Dahlias, constructed in accordance with our invention;
a, a, a, are wire branches, preferably made of rather soft (annealed) wire so that they
may be without difficulty bent into any required position in order that the flower may
be adjusted to display itself to the greatest advantage; at their free extremities these
wires are bent to form rings or eyes b, b, b, each of which is intended to support one
flower, the stalk of which is to be passed through the ring until the back of the flower
rests on the ring. c is a stem which may be formed either by the union of several
of the branch wires united by solder or otherwise, or of a stouter wire or rod to which
the branches may be soldered or otherwise fixed.
The frames may be made of shapes suitable for various requirements, for instance
when required for supporting Dahlias at flower shows the frame may be constructed
with branches corresponding with the number of blossoms to be exhibited on it, one
branch for each blossom, so arranged that the flowers form a semi circular bouquet ;
the frame shown in the drawings is of this kind.
If required to form a bunch of flowers for a vase, the frame may be made in a
circular pyramidal shape; or for a hand bouquet, of a circular form, but flatter than
the preceding one, and so on of various sizes shapes and designs according to the
required arrangement of the cut flowers.
The terminal rings we make of various sizes to suit different flowers.
In preparing flowers for exhibition the stalk of each flower is passed through one
of the rings so that the back of the flower or its calyx rests on the ring. When all
the rings on one frame are filled the stalks are lightly tied together and a few leaves

page_text: or other green filling inserted among and beween the flowers to fill the blank space
and conceal the wire.
By using our invention flowers can be arranged for exhibition in much less time
and with much less labour than in the ordinary manner, and this enables them to be
sent in less time after they are gathered, and, consequently, in fresher condition,
moreover flowers arranged in these stands, being so well supported, last longer than
those less efficiently supported.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
Constructing wire frames for supporting cut flowers substantially as herein before
described and set forth.