Magnetic floral attachment device

Abstract

The invention provides a magnetic floral attachment device which includes a T-shaped flower receiving body and a magnetic component to be placed on opposite sides of an article of clothing so as to secure the flower in place. The attachment device is an improved mechanism for attaching floral arrangements, such as corsages or boutonnieres, to garments in that it eliminates the use of floral pins which can cause damage to skin or clothing and provides an improved means with a unique shape and magnetic grip to firmly hold the floral arrangement in place.

Description

This application claims the benefit of provisional APPLICATION NO. 06\574,969 filed on MAY 24, 2004.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a floral attachment device meant to attach floral arrangements to garments and, more particularly, to a magnetic floral attachment device.

2. Background of the Invention

It is common practice for people to decorate their clothing with floral arrangements, such as corsages and boutonnières, on special occasions.

Traditionally, floral arrangements meant to be worn on a person's body have been attached by straight pins directly to the individual's clothing. The use of a pin as a method of attachment is problematic for many reasons. The pin's sharp piercing end can easily pierce the user's skin, causing pain or even drawing blood which can stain a garment upon contact. Piercing floral stems can also produce moisture that can stain fine clothing.

Using a pin for floral attachment involves piercing a garment twice at the spots where the pin enters and exits the garment. This can leave permanent holes in a garment, or even lead to tears if the arrangement is heavy or the garment is made of delicate fibers. This problem is heightened by the fact that pinning an arrangement to clothing can be awkward and may require several attempts, and several pin holes, before the arrangement is attached precisely in the location desired.

Additionally, using a straight pin for floral attachment does not always provide the most secure positioning for the flowers. The pin can loosen from the garment, resulting in movement of the arrangement from the desired location, or even causing it to fall from the garment completely.

There is, accordingly, a need for a more effective and efficient floral attachment device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide an effective magnetic system to attach floral arrangements to garments. The magnetic floral attachment device addresses the issue of how a floral arrangement can be attached to a garment without piercing the garment and, thus, provides significant advantages for all users. The invention can adjust easily to accommodate a wide range of flower arrangement styles and sizes, and it is less awkward to handle than a straight pin or other attachment devices in that it does not involve any sharp ends or edges which can pierce clothing, skin, or floral stems. Embodiments of the present invention are also distinguished from pin and non-pin systems for attaching floral arrangements to garments in that they are uniquely designed to stay securely attached to a garment without loosening or moving from side to side and cannot readily be seen from the frontal view.

In one embodiment, the magnetic floral attachment device includes a clear T-shaped base to which flowers are attached with floral tape. The top of the T-shaped base has a metal plate attached to the back. The device also includes a separate rectangular magnetic component. The T-shaped base will be placed outside the garment and the rectangular magnet will be placed inside the garment in the same position as the top of the T-shaped base. The two pieces of the device will attract strongly enough to hold a flower arrangement in place on an individual's garment. The unique design of the base will keep the floral arrangement from moving from side to side.

In another embodiment, the T-shaped base is made of metal in a color that will easily blend with the floral arrangement. The metal base placed outside the garment will attract to the magnetic component that is placed inside the garment sufficiently to hold a floral arrangement in place. In another embodiment, the metal T-shaped base will have one or a plurality of pliable arms which extend horizontally from its vertical edge. These arms will be used to strap the device to the stems of the floral arrangement in the event floral tape is not used or if extra security is desired.

While the present discussion describes the use of an all, or partial, metal base with a separate magnetic component, the invention contemplates a variety of materials and magnetic properties. In additional alternative embodiments, the base is magnetized and the component to be placed inside the garment is not; in still another alternative embodiment, both the T-shaped base and separate rectangular component are magnetized to form the strongest of attractions. Further, the materials used for the T-shaped base and rectangular component can be varied to include any material which exhibits magnetic properties.

The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be more fully explained by the attached drawings and descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Twelve drawings are included in this application:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the attachment device using a T-shaped base made of clear non-metal material with an attached metal component which will be used to attract a separate magnetic component through a garment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the FIG. 1 embodiment showing the alignment of the metal and magnetic components.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the attachment of a floral arrangement to a garment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in which the attachment device includes an all metal T-shaped base which will be used to attract a separate magnetic component through a garment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the alternative embodiment in FIG. 5 showing the alignment of the top horizontal portion of the T-shaped base and the magnetic component.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5 illustrating the attachment of a floral arrangement to a garment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment in which the attachment device includes an all metal T-shaped base which will be used to attract a separate magnetic component through a garment. The T-shaped base also includes two horizontal arms extending from the vertical portion of the base which can be bent over the stems of the floral arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the second alternative embodiment in FIG. 9 showing the alignment of the top vertical portion of the T-shaped base and the magnetic component.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the second alternative embodiment in FIG. 9 illustrating the attachment of a floral arrangement to a garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 provides an improved means for securing a floral arrangement to a garment by providing a T-shaped body with a horizontal head to which flowers are attached with floral tape which keeps the floral arrangement from moving from side to side, thus keeping it more stable on the garment than a floral pin can. It also provides a magnetic means to secure the arrangement so as to not damage the garment or skin as a floral pin can, and provides a structure that can be hidden from frontal view, as it is positioned underneath the floral arrangement. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment. It shows a clear, non-metal T-shaped base 10 which is placed on the outer surface of the garment 14. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically. Floral arrangements are attached to the bottom of the T-shaped base 10 with floral tape. The top of the T-shaped base 10 extends horizontally in order to keep the attached floral arrangement stationary. The top of the T-shaped base has a metal plate 12 attached to the back. The metal plate 12 is rectangular in shape and almost completely covers the back of the top horizontal portion of the T-shaped base 10. The part of the magnetic floral attachment device which is placed inside the garment 14 is a rectangular magnetic component 16 approximately the same size as the top of the T-shaped base 10. The magnet 16 compliments the shape of the metal plate 12 in order to provide for maximum attraction and minimal side to side movement of the attached floral arrangement.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment showing the T-shaped base 10 on the outer side of the garment 14 and the magnet 16 on the inside. The top portion of the T-shaped base 10 has a metal plate 12 attached to the back. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically and provides the space to which the floral arrangement will be attached with floral tape. The magnet 16 is placed on the inside of the garment 14 aligned with the top of the base 10 and metal plate 12. The strong attraction between the metal plate 12 and the magnet 16 will allow the device to attach securely to the garment 14.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment which shows the alignment of the top of the T-shaped base 10 and attached metal plate 12 with the magnet 16. The alignment of both pieces 12 and 16 provide for the strong attraction through the garment 14. This attraction will keep the attached floral arrangement securely attached to the garment 14.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the attachment device with a floral arrangement 18 inserted for illustration. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the T-shaped base 10 on the outer side of the garment 14 and the magnet 16 on the inside. The top portion of the T-shaped base 10 has a metal plate 12 attached to the back. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically and provides the space to which a floral arrangement 18 will be attached with floral tape 20. The magnet 16 is placed on the inside of the garment 14 aligned with the metal plate 12. The strong attraction between the metal plate 12 and the magnet 16 will allow the device to attach securely to the garment 14.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention showing an all metal T-shaped base 10 which is placed on the outer side of the garment 14. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically. Floral arrangements are attached to the bottom of the T-shaped base 10 with floral tape. The top of the T-shaped base 10 extends horizontally in order to keep the attached floral arrangement stationary. The component of the magnetic floral attachment device which is placed inside the garment 14 is a rectangular magnetic component 16 approximately the same size as the top of the T-shaped base 10. The magnet 16 compliments the shape of the top of the T-shaped base 10 in order to provide for maximum attraction and minimal side to side movement of the attached floral arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment showing the T-shaped base 10 on the outer side of garment 14 and the magnet 16 on the inside. The top portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends horizontally. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically and provides the space to which the floral arrangement will be attached with floral tape. The magnet 16 is placed on the inside of the garment 14 aligned with the top of the T-shaped base 10. The strong attraction between the top of the metal T-shaped base 10 and the magnet 16 will allow the device to attach securely to the garment 14.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the second embodiment which shows the alignment of the top horizontal portion of the T-shaped base 10 with the magnet 16. The alignment of both pieces 10 and 16 provide for the strong attraction through the garment 14. This attraction will keep the attached floral arrangement securely attached to the garment 14.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the attachment device with a floral arrangement 18 inserted for illustration. FIG. 8 shows the T-shaped base 10 on the outer side of the garment 14 and the magnet 16 on the inside. The top portion of the metal T-shaped base 10 aligns with placement of the magnet 16 on the opposite side of the garment 14. The strong attraction between the metal and magnet will allow the device to attach securely to the garment 14. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically and provides the space to which the floral arrangement 18 is attached with floral tape 20.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment. It shows the all metal T-shaped base 10 with two small horizontal arms 10a and 10b extending from the vertical portion of the base which is placed on the outside of garment 14. Floral arrangements are attached to the bottom of the T-shaped base 10 by bending the two pliable arms 10a and 10b over the stems of the floral arrangement. The top of the T-shaped base 10 extends horizontally in order to keep the attached floral arrangement stationary. The component of the magnetic floral attachment device which is placed inside the garment 14 is a rectangular magnetic component 16 approximately the same size as the top of the T-shaped base 10. The magnet 16 compliments the shape of the top of the T-shaped base 10 in order to provide for maximum attraction and minimal side to side movement of the attached floral arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the third embodiment showing the T-shaped base 10 on the outer side of the garment 14 and the magnet 16 on the inside. The top portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends horizontally. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically and provides the space to which the floral arrangement will be attached with floral tape. Pliable metal arms 10a and 10b can be bent over the stems of the floral arrangement in order to attach it to the device. The magnet 16 is placed on the inside of the garment 14 aligned with the top of the base 10. The strong attraction between the top of the metal T-shaped base 10 and the magnet 16 will allow the device to attach securely to the garment 14.

FIG. 11 is top view of the third embodiment which shows the alignment of the top horizontal portion of the T-shaped base 10 with the magnet 16. The alignment of both pieces 10 and 16 provide for the strong attraction through the garment 14. This attraction will keep the attached floral arrangement securely attached to the garment 14.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the third embodiment of the attachment device with a floral arrangement 18 inserted for illustration. FIG. 12 shows the T-shaped base 10 on the outer side of the garment 14 and the magnet 16 on the inside. The top portion of the metal T-shaped base 10 aligns with placement of the magnet 16 on the opposite side of the garment 14. The strong attraction between the metal and magnet will allow the device to attach securely to the garment 14. The bottom portion of the T-shaped base 10 extends vertically and provides the space to which the floral arrangement 18 is attached by bending pliable metal arms 10a and 10b over the stems of the floral arrangement 18.

Claims

1. A magnetic floral attachment device comprising:

(a) a T-shaped body and a magnetic component,

(b) said T-shaped body made of magnetically attractive metal including a horizontal head portion and an elongated vertical shaft portion to which a floral arrangement may be affixed with floral tape, said T-shaped body to be placed against the outer surface of a garment,

(c) said magnetic component which is elongated in complimentary relation to said horizontal head portion of said T-shaped body, said magnetic component to be placed on the interior surface of a garment directly complimentary to said horizontal head portion of said T-shaped body so as to produce a magnetic attraction of such force to securely attach said floral arrangement to said garment.

2. A magnetic floral attachment device as defined in claim 1, wherein said T-shaped body is made of pliable magnetically attractive metal material and which further includes an arm or plurality of arms extending perpendicularly from said elongated vertical shaft portion, said arm or plurality of arms to be bent over a stem or stems as a means to secure said floral arrangement.

3. A magnetic floral attachment device comprising:

(a) a T-shaped body and a magnetic component,

(b) said T-shaped body made of non-magnetically attractive material including a horizontal head portion and elongated vertical shaft portion to which a floral arrangement may be affixed with floral tape, said horizontal head portion which includes a magnetically attractive metal plate affixed posteriorly thereto, said T-shaped body to be placed against the outer surface of a garment,

(c) said magnetic component which is elongated in complimentary relation to said magnetically attractive metal plate of said T-shaped body, said magnetic component to be placed on the interior surface of a garment directly complimentary to said magnetically attractive metal plate of said T-shaped body so as to produce a magnetic attraction of such force to securely attach said floral arrangement to said garment.

4. A magnetic floral attachment device as defined in claim 3, wherein said T-shaped body is made of pliable non-magnetically attractive material and which further includes an arm or plurality of arms extending perpendicularly from said elongated vertical shaft portion, said arm or plurality of arms to be bent over a stem or stems as a means to secure said floral arrangement, and which further includes a magnetically attractive metal plate affixed posteriorly to horizontal head portion of said T-shaped body.

5. A method for fastening a floral arrangement to a garment without penetration, comprising:

(a) providing a T-shaped body and a magnetic component,

(b) affixing stems of said floral arrangement to front of said T-shaped body,

(c) providing a magnetically attractive metal surface on posterior of top horizontally extending portion of said T-shaped body,

(d) placing said T-shaped body on outer surface of a garment,

(e) providing said magnetic component of size in relation to said top horizontally extending portion of said T-shaped body,

(f) placing said magnetic component on inner surface of said garment in relation to said top horizontally extending portion of said T-shaped body,

whereby said floral arrangement is attached to said garment in a secure manner.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein a pliable arm or plurality of arms extend from the vertical portion of the T-shaped body, bending said arm or plurality of arms to bind stems of said floral arrangement to said T-shaped body.