Bracket for ornamental supports

Abstract

An ornamental display stand for lawn and garden accessories comprises a plurality of rods having a first end and a second end, a plurality of upper brackets and a plurality of lower brackets. The upper brackets are positioned near the first end of the plurality of rods and comprise a plurality of holes for receiving the rods. The lower brackets are positioned near the second end of the plurality of rods and comprise a plurality of holes for receiving the rods. A first rod is rigidly joined with one of the holes of each of the upper and lower brackets. A second rod and a third rod are engagable with holes of the upper and lower brackets.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ornamental iron lawn and garden accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to support stands for displaying various lawn and garden products.

For aesthetic purposes, lawns and gardens have long been decorated with hanging plants, birdhouses, birdfeeders, globes and the like. Such items are routinely hung from tree branches or posts or poles planted firmly into the ground. Alternatively, portable stands that are anchorable in the ground are used to display various ornamental items. Such stands are typically comprised of vertical rods having one or more hooks at the top end for suspending ornamental items. At the bottom end, the stands typically have multiple prongs spaced apart from each other for providing a stable platform in order to support the weight of the ornamental items. These stands provide an attractive and easily transportable method for displaying ornamental items. However, the hooks and prongs extending into various directions take up an excessive amount of space, making shipping and storage of such stands cumbersome. For stands having solid welded construction, disassembly to reduce their space consumption for storage is not possible. For stands that can be disassembled, disassembly is inconvenient due to the time required for disassembly and the resulting necessity of reassembling the stand at a later time. Also, consumers may find it difficult to assemble stands comprising many loose parts. It is, therefore, disadvantageous for manufacturers to require consumers to assemble stands that are shipped or stored unassembled.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ornamental display stand for lawn and garden accessories comprises a plurality of rods having a first end and a second end, a plurality of upper brackets and a plurality of lower brackets. The plurality of upper brackets is positioned near the first end of the plurality of rods and comprise a plurality of holes for receiving the plurality of rods. The plurality of lower brackets is positioned near the second end of the plurality of rods and comprise a plurality of holes for receiving the plurality of rods. A first of the plurality of rods is rigidly joined with one of the plurality of holes of each of the plurality of the plurality of the upper and lower brackets. A second rod and a third rod of the plurality of rods are engagable with holes of the upper and lower brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a two-rod ornamental stand of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows an unassembled two-rod bracket of the present invention for use with a two-rod ornamental stand.

FIG. 2B shows the bracket of FIG. 2A as connected with a two-rod ornamental stand.

FIG. 2C shows the base of a two-rod ornamental stand with a crossbar in an expanded position.

FIG. 2D shows the base of a two-rod ornamental stand with the crossbar in a collapsed position.

FIG. 3A shows the base of a three-rod ornamental stand of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a three-rod bracket connected with a three-rod ornamental stand.

FIG. 4A shows the base of a four-rod ornamental stand of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a four-rod bracket connected with a four-rod ornamental stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows two-rod ornamental stand 10 of the present invention. Two-rod ornamental stand 10 includes brackets 12A-12D, first rod 14A, second rod 14B, and anchor 16. Stand 10 is also shown with optional accessory attachment 18 for supporting birdhouse 20. Hanging basket 22 is supported by second rod 14B.

First rod 14A is comprised of hook 30 at first end 26 and prong 32A at second end 28. Hook 30 is used to support hanging basket 22, another lawn and garden decoration, or any other item. In one embodiment, hook 30 extends approximately 18 inches (˜45.72 cm) from rod 14A. Prong 32A is formed by shaping first rod 14A into horizontal and vertical segments at second end 28 and provides a portion of a base for supporting stand 10. Prong 32A is spaced apart from the main body of first rod 14A and provides a counter rotational force to stand 10 from the gravitational forces applied to stand 10 by birdhouse 20 and hanging basket 22. Prong 32A can either be rested on a level surface or sunk into a soft surface, such as sand or dirt. In one embodiment, the length of the horizontal portion of rod 14A is approximately 12 inches (˜30.48), and the length of prong 32A is approximately 9 inches (˜22.86 cm). In one embodiment of stand 10, rod 14A is comprised of V₂ inch (˜1.27 cm) iron rod. The length of rod 14A depends on the desired height of stand 10. Thus, the final height of rod 14A, after shaping hook 30 and prong 32A, varies depending on the desired elevation of basket 22 or birdhouse 20. In one various embodiments, the final height of rod 14A varies from approximately 72 inches (˜182.88 cm) to approximately 86 inches (˜218.44 cm).

Second rod 14B includes ornamentation 34 at first end 26 and prong 32B at second end 28. Ornamentation 34 is for decorative purposes, and in other embodiments a hook can be fashioned at first end 26 of second rod 14B for supporting a hanging basket or another item. Prong 32B is formed by shaping second rod 14B into horizontal and vertical segments at second end 28 and provides a portion of a base for supporting stand 10 along with prong 32A. Prong 32B is spaced apart from the main body of second rod 14B and provides a counter rotational force to stand 10 from the gravitational forces applied to stand 10 by birdhouse 20 and hanging basket 22, in a direction opposite of prong 32A. In conjunction with prong 32A, prong 32B can either be rested on a level surface or sunk into a soft surface, such as sand or dirt. In one embodiment, rod 14B is approximately ½ inch (˜1.27 cm) in diameter. The length of rod 14B depends on ornamentation 34 and such that the final height of rod 14B matches that of rod 14A. Prong 32B is generally shaped similar to prong 32A. However, in other embodiments the size of any hook used with rod 14B and the size of prong 32B can vary.

Brackets 12A and 12B are used to rigidly link first rod 14A and second rod 14B at first end 26. In one embodiment, brackets 12A and 12B are spaced approximately 6 inches (˜15.24 cm) apart from each other. Brackets 12A and 12B include means for receiving accessory attachment 18. Accessory attachment 18 includes a stop for adjusting the height of accessory attachment 18. Accessory attachment 18 is free to rotate in brackets 12A and 12B such that the orientation of birdhouse 20 can be adjusted.

Brackets 12C and 12D are used to rigidly link first rod 14A and second rod 14B at second end 28. In one embodiment, brackets 12C and 12D are spaced approximately 6 inches (˜15.24 cm) apart from each other. Brackets 12C and 12D include means for receiving anchor 16. Anchor 16 is comprised of shaft 36 and crossbar 38. Shaft 36 extends from between rods 14A and 14B straight down and provides an additional anchor point for stand 10. Crossbar 38 includes two additional prongs 40A and 40B, which are bent down from crossbar 38 and provide counter rotational forces to stand 10 from the gravitational forces applied to stand 10 by birdhouse 20 and hanging basket 22, in directions opposite than that of prongs 32A and 32B. Anchor 16 is free to rotate in brackets 12C and 12D such that the orientation of anchor 16 can be adjusted.

In other embodiments of stand 10, first rod 14A, second rod 14B and anchor 16 include different combinations of straight and spaced prongs for providing additional support to stand 10 or for fitting stand 10 into tight places, such as corners. For example, in one embodiment, prong 32A of first rod 14A comprises a straight prong that extends straight down from the main body of first rod 14A (i.e. rod 14A includes no horizontal portion). Similarly, in another embodiment, second rod 14B includes a straight prong extending straight down from the main body of second rod 14B. Also, in another embodiment of anchor 16, shaft 36 includes a prong spaced away from shaft 36 by fashioning a horizontal portion and vertical portion of shaft 36, and anchor 16 does not include cross bar 38.

FIG. 2A shows unassembled two-rod bracket 12A of the present invention for use with two-rod stand 10. Bracket 12A is representative of brackets 12A-12D. Bracket 12A comprises first half 42A and second half 42B, which are identical to each other. When fitted together, half 42A and half 42B form holes 44A, 44B and 44C, which are spaced evenly across halves 42A and 42B. A plurality of halves 42A and 42B are fitted around, and joined with, first rod 14A and second rod 14B to form brackets 12A-12D. As shown in FIG. 1, brackets 12A and 12B are spaced near first end 26 of stand 10, and brackets 12C and 12D are spaced near second end 28 of stand 10.

FIG. 2B shows bracket 12A of FIG. 2A as connected with two-rod ornamental stand 10. First half 42A and second half 42B of bracket 12A are positioned around first rod 14A and second rod 14B to form holes 44A-44C.

Brackets 12A and 12B comprise hole 44C having a diameter for receiving accessory attachment 18. The diameter of the rod comprising accessory attachment 18 is approximately ½ inch (˜1.27 cm). Likewise, brackets 12C and 12D comprise holes 44C having a diameter for receiving shaft 36 of anchor 16. In one embodiment, the diameter of shaft 36 and crossbar 38 are approximately ½ inch (˜1.27 cm). Thus, brackets 12A-12D include means compatible for receiving either anchor 16 or accessory attachment 18.

First and second halves 42A and 42B are welded to each other and to first rod 14A and second rod 14B such that rods 14A and 14B cannot rotate in holes 44A and 44B, nor can brackets 12A and 12B slide along rods 14A and 14B. Preferable weld sites are located on mating edges of half 42A and half 42B along mating line AA at points A, B, C and D. In one embodiment, welds are made at points A and D and extend approximately ⅓ of the way around rods 14A and 14B, respectively. The welds are sufficiently large to bond half 42A and 42B along line AA and to also join rods 14A and 14B with each half. In another embodiment, the welds at points A and D are done on the underside of bracket 12A. Thus, hole 44C is formed such that accessory attachment 18 can rotate freely inside hole 44C of brackets 12A and 12B. Brackets 12C and 12D are similarly welded to rods 14A and 14B. Thus, hole 44C is formed such that shaft 36 of anchor 16 can rotate freely inside hole 44C of brackets 12C and 12D.

FIG. 2C shows the base of two-rod ornamental stand 10 with crossbar 38 in an expanded position. Crossbar 38 is rotated so that prongs 40A and 40B provide stabilizing support to stand 10 in directions different from prongs 32A and 32B. Stand 10 is positioned with crossbar 38 rotated so that prongs 32A, 32B, 40A and 40B are spaced ninety degrees from each other, thus giving stand 10 a wide, stable base on which to stand. In order to further stabilize stand 10, prongs 32A, 32B, 40A and 40B, along with shaft 36, can be sunk into the ground.

FIG. 2D shows the base of two-rod ornamental stand 10 with crossbar 38 in a collapsed position. For shipping or storage purposes, it is desirable to collapse stand 10 such that it occupies the least amount of space. Stand 10 can be collapsed into a substantially smaller item, without any disassembly, by rotating crossbar 38. Crossbar 38 is rotatable in hole 44C of brackets 12C and 12D such that prongs 40A and 40B can be aligned with prongs 32A and 32B. Crossbar 38 can be rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until the prongs line up. As shown in FIG. 2D, crossbar 38 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as indicated by arrows E in FIG. 2C) until prongs 32A and 40A, and prongs 32B and 40B are adjacent one anther. Crossbar 38 is positioned along shaft 36 so that when prongs 32A, 32B, 40A and 40B are resting on a flat surface, crossbar 38 is beneath the horizontal segments of first rod 14A and second rod 14B. Prongs 40A and 40B are bent downward from crossbar 38 so that they will fit inside prongs 32A and 32B when rotated to align with prongs 32A and 32B.

Likewise, accessory attachment 18 is easily rotated in hole 44C of brackets 12A and 12B to orient, for example, birdhouse 20 in a preferred direction. Accessory attachment 18 is also easily removed from brackets 12A and 12B for storage of stand 10.

In order to employ stand 10, anchor 16 is inserted into brackets 12C and 12D and rotated to a preferred orientation, once stand 10 is transported to a desired location. Then, stand 10 is positioned upright and prongs 32A-32D and shaft 36 can be sunk into the ground or rested on a smooth surface. Finally, any desired accessory attachment 18 could be inserted into brackets 12A and 12B and rotated to a preferred orientation. Thus, ornamental display stand 10 provides a convenient and simple lawn and garden display stand for which little assembly is required.

FIG. 3A shows the base portion of three-rod ornamental stand 46 of the present invention. Three-rod ornamental stand 46 comprises first rod 48A, second rod 48B, third rod 48C, anchor 50 and a plurality of brackets similar to bracket 52. First rod 48A, second rod 48B and third rod 48C comprise prongs 54A, 54B and 54C, respectively, at a lower portion of stand 46. Rods 48A-48C are secured at their lower end utilizing bracket 50. Typically two brackets similar to bracket 52 spaced approximately 6 inches (˜15.24 cm) from each other are used at the lower portion of stand 46. Prongs 54A-54C are formed by shaping rods 48A-48C into horizontal and vertical segments at their lower end. Prongs 54A-54C provide a stable base for keeping stand 46 standing upright. Prongs 54A-54C can either be rested on top of a level surface or sunk into a soft surface, such as dirt or sand. The brackets near the lower end of rods 48A-48C include means for securing anchor 50. Anchor 50 typically comprises a straight shaft for sinking straight into the ground for anchoring stand 46.

Rods 48A, 48B and 48C can comprise any combination of hooks or ornamentation at an upper end, such as hook 30 or ornamentation 34 shown on two-rod stand 10 in FIG. 1. Rods 48A-48C are secured at their upper end utilizing brackets similar to bracket 52. Typically two brackets similar to bracket 52 spaced approximately 6 inches (˜15.24 cm) from each other are used at the upper portion of stand 46. The brackets near the upper end of rods 48A-48C include means for securing an accessory attachment, such as attachment 18 of FIG. 1. Thus, three-rod ornamental stand 46 provides a convenient means for displaying lawn and garden accessories. Three-rod ornamental stand 46 is similar in construction to two-rod ornamental stand 10 in that bracket 52 is rigidly connected to at least one rod while attachments and anchors are allowed to rotate within brackets similar to bracket 12A-12D.

FIG. 3B shows three-rod bracket 52 of the present invention connected with three-rod ornamental stand 46. Bracket 52 is comprised of first half 56A and second half 56B. Half 56A and half 56B are identical to each other. When halves 56A and 56B are joined together, holes 58A-58D are formed evenly throughout bracket 52. First half 56A and second half 56B are positioned around first rod 48A to form holes 58A and 58D. Hole 58D has a diameter for receiving anchor 50 or accessory attachment 18. Thus, bracket 52 includes means compatible for receiving either anchor 50 or accessory attachment 18, which are also compatible with stand 10.

First half 56A and second half 56B are welded to each other and to first rod 48A such that rod 48A cannot rotate in hole 58A, nor can bracket 52 slide along rod 48A. Preferable weld sites are located on mating edges of half 56A and half 56B along mating line BB at points F, G, and H. In one embodiment, welds are made at points H and F and weld F extends approximately ⅓ of the way around rod 48A. Welds F and H are sufficiently large to bond half 56A with half 56B along line BB, and weld F also joins rod 56A with each half. In another embodiment, the welds at points F and H are done on the underside of bracket 52. Thus, hole 58D is formed such that anchor 52, or an attachment, can rotate freely inside hole 58D. Also, rods 48B and 48C are inserted into holes 58B and 58C, respectively, and are allowed to freely rotate within holes 58B and 58C. Therefore, rods 48B and 48C can rotate in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction (as indicated by arrows I in FIG. 3A) to collapse around rod 48A. Thus, ornamental display stand 46 provides an easily transportable, easily set-up and conveniently storable lawn and garden display stand.

FIG. 4A shows the base of four-rod ornamental stand 60 of the present invention. Stand 60 comprises first rod 62A, second rod 62B, third rod 62C, fourth rod 62D, anchor 64 and a plurality of brackets similar to bracket 66. Rods 628A-62D comprise prongs 68A, 66B, 66C and 66D, respectively, at a lower portion of stand 60. Rods 62A-62D are secured at their lower end utilizing bracket 66. Typically two brackets similar to bracket 66 spaced approximately 6 inches (˜15.24 cm) from each other are used at the lower portion of stand 60. Prongs 68A-68D are formed by shaping rods 62A-62D into horizontal and vertical segments at their lower end. Prongs 62A-62D provide a stable base for keeping stand 60 standing upright. Prongs 68A-68D can either be rested on top of a level surface or sunk into a soft surface, such as dirt or sand. The brackets near the lower end of rods 62A-62D include means for securing anchor 64. Anchor 64 typically comprises a straight shaft for sinking straight into the ground for anchoring stand 60.

Rods 62A, 62B, 62C and 62D can comprise any combination of hooks or ornamentation at an upper end, such as hook 30 or ornamentation 34 shown on two-rod stand 10 in FIG. 1. Rods 62A-62D are secured at their upper end utilizing brackets similar to bracket 66. Typically two brackets similar to bracket 66 spaced approximately 6 inches (˜15.24 cm) from each other are used at the upper portion of stand 60. The brackets near the upper end of rods 62A-62D include means for securing an accessory attachment, such as attachment 18 of FIG. 1. Thus, four-rod ornamental stand 60 provides a means for displaying lawn and garden accessories. Four-rod ornamental stand 60 is similar in construction to two-rod ornamental stand 10 in that bracket 66 is rigidly connected to at least one rod while attachments and anchors are allowed to rotate within the brackets similar to brackets 12A-12D.

FIG. 4B shows bracket 66 of the present invention connected with four-rod ornamental stand 60. Bracket 66 is comprised of first half 70A and second half 70B. Half 70A and half 70B are identical to each other. When halves 56A and 56B are joined together, holes 72A-72E are formed evenly distributed throughout bracket 66. First half 72A and second half 72B are positioned around first rod 62A and second rod 62B to form holes 72A, 72B and 72E. First half 70A and second half 70B are welded to each other and to first rod 62A and second rod 62B such that rods 62A and 62B cannot rotate in holes 72A or 72B, respectively, nor can bracket 66 slide along rods 62A and 62B. Preferable weld sites are located on mating edges of half 70A and 70B along mating line CC at points J, K, L, and M. The welds are sufficiently large to bond half 70A with 70B along line CC and to also join rods 62A and 62B with each half. In another embodiment, the welds at points J and M are done on the underside of bracket 66. Thus, hole 72E is formed such that anchor 64, or an attachment, can rotate freely inside hole 72E. Also, rods 62C and 62D are inserted into holes 72C and 72D, respectively, and are allowed to freely rotate within holes 72C and 72D. Therefore, rods 62C and 62D can rotate in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction (as indicated by arrows N in FIG. 4A) to collapse around rods 62A and 62B. Thus, ornamental display stand 60 provides an easily transportable, easily set-up and conveniently storable lawn and garden display stand.

The brackets of the present invention provide uniform spacing of the rods comprising each stand, the accessory attachments and the anchors. This allows for optimal operation and ease of manufacture of each stand. The uniform spacing of the rods enable each stand to have a stable base on which to rest, and allows for easy rotation of the rods within the brackets. Since each bracket has the same diameter holes and the same spacing, the same brackets can be used for each embodiment of each stand. Also, any embodiment of any stand can receive the same accessory attachments and anchors. Thus, the same bracket halves can be used for every embodiment of two-rod stand 10, three-rod stand 46 or four-rod stand 60, respectively, regardless of the configuration of the rods, anchor or accessory. Therefore, only three distinct bracket halves need be manufactured to employ the various embodiments of the invention described herein. The spacing of the rods provided by the brackets also enables each stand to be easily painted with electrostatic painting processes such that paint uniformly covers each surface of the final assembled and welded stand.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An ornamental display stand for lawn and garden accessories, the display stand comprising:

a plurality of rods comprising: a first end; and a second end;

a plurality of upper brackets positioned near the first end of the plurality of rods, each of the upper brackets comprising a plurality of holes for receiving the plurality of rods;

a plurality of lower brackets positioned near the second end of the plurality of rods, each of the lower brackets comprising a plurality of holes for receiving the plurality of rods;

wherein a first of the plurality of rods is rigidly joined with one of the plurality of holes of each of the plurality of the plurality of the upper and lower brackets;

wherein a second rod and a third rod of the plurality of rods are engagable with one of the plurality of holes of the plurality of upper and lower brackets.

2. The ornamental display stand of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of rods includes a hook for suspending a lawn and garden accessory at the first end.

3. The ornamental display stand of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rods include means for anchoring the ornamental display stand at the second end.

4. The ornamental display stand of claim 1 wherein the second rod is removable from the plurality of holes in the plurality of upper and lower brackets.

5. The ornamental display stand of claim 4 wherein the second rod comprises an accessory attachment and is rotatable within the plurality of upper brackets.

6. The ornamental display stand of claim 4 wherein the second rod comprises an anchor and is rotatable within the plurality of lower brackets.

7. The ornamental display stand of claim 4 wherein the third rod is rigidly joined with the plurality of holes in the plurality of upper and lower brackets.

8. The ornamental display stand of claim 7 wherein a the plurality of rods include a fourth and a fifth rod that are rotatable in the plurality of holes of the plurality of upper and lower brackets.

9. The ornamental display stand of claim 4 wherein the third rod is rotatable in the plurality of holes in the plurality of upper and lower brackets.

10. The ornamental display stand of claim 9 wherein a rod is rotatable in the plurality of holes in the plurality of upper and lower brackets.

11. An ornamental display stand for lawn and garden accessories, the display stand comprising:

a first support rod comprising: a first end; and a second end for providing an anchoring means for the display stand;

a second support rod comprising: a first end; and a second end for providing an anchoring means for the display stand;

a first pair of brackets for linking the first support rod and the second support rod at the first ends, wherein the first pair of brackets include first sockets for receiving an additional rod;

a second pair of brackets for linking the first support rod and the second support rod at the second ends, wherein the second pair of brackets include second sockets for receiving the additional rod; and

wherein the first support rod is rigidly joined with the first pair of brackets and the second pair of brackets.

12. The ornamental display stand of claim 11 wherein at least one of the support rods includes a hook for suspending an ornamental display stand.

13. The ornamental display stand of claim 111 wherein an additional rod comprises an accessory attachment and is rotatable in and removable from the first sockets.

14. The ornamental display stand of claim 11 wherein the additional rod comprises an anchor and is rotatable in and removable from the second sockets.

15. The ornamental display stand of claim 11 wherein the second support rod is rotatable within the first pair of brackets and the second pair of brackets, and the additional rod comprises a third support rod rotatable in the first and second sockets such that the second support rod and the third support rod collapse around the first support rod.

16. The ornamental display stand of claim 11 wherein the second support rod is rigidly joined with the first pair of brackets and the second pair of brackets, and the additional rod comprises a third support rod rotatable in the first and second sockets such that the third support rod collapses around either the first support rod or the second support rod.

17. The ornamental display stand of claim 17 wherein the first pair of brackets and the second pair of brackets include third sockets and fourth sockets, respectively, for rotatably receiving a fourth support rod such that the fourth support rod collapses around either the first support rod or the second support rod.

18. A method for fabricating an ornamental display stand, the method comprising:

positioning a plurality of rods in a plurality of first half-sockets of a plurality of first half-brackets;

positioning a plurality of second half-brackets adjacent the first half-brackets such that a plurality of second half-sockets align with the first-half sockets to form a plurality of rod sockets; and

joining at least one of the plurality of rods with the first half-brackets and the second half-brackets such that remaining rods of the plurality of rods are free to rotate in the plurality of rod sockets.

19. The method of claim 18 and wherein each half-bracket further includes a socket for rotatably receiving a second and third of the plurality of rods.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein a second of the plurality of rods is rigidly joined with the first half-bracket and the second half-bracket.

21. The method of claim 20 and wherein each half-bracket further includes a hole for rotatably receiving a third and fourth of the plurality of rods.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein each half-bracket further includes a half-socket for rotatably receiving one of the plurality of rods.