WALL VASE PICTURE HANGER

Abstract

A container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising a body having a front panel, a back panel, an open top, a bottom panel and side panels, said body adapted to receive one or more decorative items, one or more dividers contained in said body and forming vertical chambers, each chamber having an opening at said top, and an object removably attached to said front panel, and wherein the decorative items are located within said chambers and extend through the chamber openings and around the object.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The apparatus of the present invention relates to decorating or embellishing an object that may be hung on a wall or sit on a table. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container device for supporting and displaying an object, such as a clock, framed picture or photograph, or memorial item, and ornamental or decorative items (such as for example flowers or banners) around the object. The device can be hung on a wall or sit on a table.

2. General Background of the Invention

Items or objects are hung on a wall or set on a table for presentation and/or decoration. These items are often sentimental or valued items that may be meaningful to an owner, such as a photographs of family or accomplishments, unique paintings or memorials, and the owner may wish to embellish these items with flowers, banners, or other decorative or ornamental items.

The following table provides an example of possibly relevant U.S. Patents, which are incorporated herein by reference. The table lists these patents in numerical order, the order of listing otherwise having no significance.

	TABLE
PAT/PUB. NO.	DESCRIPTION	ISSUE/PUB DATE
1,518,207	Standing support for pictures	Dec. 09, 1924
	and the like
D134,365	Combined picture frame and	Nov. 17, 1942
	flower holder
2,695,473	Plate suspending device.	Nov. 30, 1954
D267,557	Combined flower vase and	Jan. 11, 1983
	picture frame
EP0329876A1	Decorative plant picture	Aug. 30, 1989
	assembly
5,174,054	Picture frame	Dec. 29, 1992
5,218,774	Frame flower display	Jun. 15, 1993
WO1998046067A1	Flower container with select-	Oct. 22, 1998
	able presentation inserts
5,870,856	Flower container with select-	Feb. 16, 1999
	able presentation inserts
6,510,638	Picture frame	Jan. 28, 2003
6,564,490	Picture plant assembly	May 20, 2003
D532,334	Photograph holding pot	Nov. 21, 2006
	planter
D547,074	Picture frame with	Jul. 24, 2007
	graduation tassel retainer

Various decorative pieces can be seen at the following web sites, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

Frame Incorporated with Flower Holder—http://www.weddingbycolor.com/irishpocahontas/milestones/20626;

Square Vase Photo Frame—http://www.customweddingshop.com/square-glass-vase-with-photo-frame-5058-prdl.htm; and

Photo Flower Vase—http://www.personalizationmall.com/Personalized-Wedding-Photo-Flower-Vase-i26849.item?productid=8912&sdest=Search&sdestid=22793112.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,518,207 discloses a single strip of material that is folded and used as a standing support for pictures and the like which allows one to hold both a picture and provide an ornamental setting for such, utilizing one or more flowers, patriotic or other emblems.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,473 discloses a combined planter and suspending device that holds and retains an ornamental plate on a wall and receives growing plants or the like around the plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,054 discloses a picture frame which has a front display member including a flat viewing window and an outwardly bulged channel forming a border for the window. A backing panel is positioned behind the display member to hold behind the viewing window a picture and various loose items, for example, a medal, rolled-up document, flower, etc., within the border channel. Resilient detent mechanisms are molded into the front display member releasably to hold the backing member in position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,856 discloses a multiple metal piece easily assembled flower container having selected beautiful metallic, plastic coated, plated, and/or painted surfaces. It has an outside picture frame assembly to position selectable presentation inserts serving, for example: as ornamentation, such as surrounding attractive wood lattices; as art work; as literary work; as photography work; and/or as commercial informative work. A top molding has depending portions and a bottom has upturned bottom sides. Surrounding sides are fitted above with the depending portions and the top molding, and below with the upturned bottom sides and the bottom. The selectable presentation inserts are likewise fitted above and below. Vertically arranged moldings are likewise fitted above and below to additionally contain in place within this resulting picture frame assembly, both the selective presentation inserts and the surrounding sides. These vertical moldings are secured to both the top molding and the bottom. Preferably an excess water drain is optionally provided in the bottom, a drip pan is then optionally secured to the bottom to contain the excess water, a wick assembly extends from the bottom down to the drip pan, and an optional hanger suspends the flower container from an overhead structure, when the container is serving as a hanging flower basket.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,638 discloses a picture frame which incorporates a plurality of flowers disposed between a pair of spaced apart glass panels which, in turn, are mounted onto the frame body around the center opening. The frame body has text shaped from a soft metal. The flowers may be pressed or dried. The number, configuration, and location of flowers could be modified.

International Application No. WO1998046067A1 discloses a flower container having an outside picture frame assembly to position selectable presentation inserts serving as ornamentation. The flower container can function as a hanging basket.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D267,557 discloses an ornamental design for a combined flower vase and picture frame.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D134,365 discloses a combination frame and flower holder.

U.S. Design Patent No. D532,334 discloses an ornamental design for a photograph holding pot.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,774 discloses a frame which houses flowers for display.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment can be a container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising a body having a front panel, a back panel, an open top, a bottom panel and side panels, the body adapted to receive one or more decorative items, one or more dividers contained in the body and forming vertical chambers, each chamber having an opening at the top, and an object removably attached to the front panel, and wherein the decorative items are located within the chambers and extend through the chamber openings and around the object.

In one embodiment, there are a plurality of dividers in the space.

In one embodiment, there is one divider located in the center of the body and two dividers located on either side of the center divider.

In one embodiment, the body is sized and shaped so that the body is not easily seen behind the object.

In one embodiment can be a container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising a body having a front panel, a back panel, an open top, a bottom and side panels, the front panel being configured to hang an object on the body and the back panel being configured to attach the body to the wall, a space in between the front panel and back panel for holding one or more decorative items, and a plurality of vertical chambers in the space that extend downwardly from the top and receive the the one or more decorative item, and wherein the decorative items extend above the open top and around the object.

In one embodiment, the side panels are ¼ inch wide.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises one or more dividers in the space.

In one embodiment, there are six chambers.

In one embodiment, the body is watertight.

In one embodiment can be a container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising a body having a front panel, a back panel, a bottom and side panels, a hollow space within the body for holding one or more decorative item, a first hole provided on the back panel and used to attach the body to a wall with a fastener or securing means, and a second hole provided on the front panel, wherein the fastener or securing means extends through the first hole and the second hole and hangs an object on the body and the wall.

In one embodiment, the side panels can be ⅛ to ⅜ inches wide.

In one embodiment, the object can be a picture frame.

In one embodiment, the object can be a photograph.

In one embodiment, the object can be a mirror.

In one embodiment, the object can be a clock.

In one embodiment, the object can be a memorial item.

In one embodiment, the decorative item can be a flower.

In one embodiment, the decorative item can be a banner.

In one embodiment, the present invention can further comprise an open top and wherein the decorative item extends above the open top and around the object.

In one embodiment, the present invention can further comprise one or more dividers in the hollow space.

In one embodiment, there can be five dividers.

In one embodiment, one divider can be located in the center of the hollow space and two dividers are located on either side of the center divider.

In one embodiment, the present invention can further comprise a hook on the front wall.

In one embodiment, the present invention can further comprise a plurality of hooks on the front wall.

In one embodiment, the present invention can provide a container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising a body having a front panel, a back panel, a bottom and side panels, a hollow space within the body for holding one or more decorative item, a fastener or securing means that attaches the body to a wall, and a hook provided on the front panel and used to attach an object to the body.

In one embodiment, the present invention can further comprise a back stand on the back panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention holding a frame/object;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention holding a frame/object and decorative items;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention holding decorative items;

FIG. 5 is a partial back view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing dividers; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention can be seen in FIGS. 1-15 and includes a container device 10 that can be hung on a wall 17 and can have a framed picture or photograph, mirror, clock, memorial or any other object 16 attached to the device. Device 10 has open top 13, bottom 25, sides 27, 28, front panel 11 and back panel 12, as seen in FIGS. 9-10, 12 and 14. The present invention can be made of a material that can be impermeable so that liquid, such as water, can be held in device 10 without leaking. Container device can be used with any sized or shaped object 16.

A preferred shape of device 10 can be seen, in FIG. 8, however the device can be any shape. Container device 10 can be any size as needed or required to hang an object 16 and hold one or more item 18. Device 10 can be preferably shaped and sized so that it cannot be seen behind object 16 when object 16 is hung on device 10 and on a wall 17. Width 20 of device 10 is preferably sized so that the back, of object 16 can be generally parallel to wall 17 when hung on device 10. FIG. 9 shows preferred sizes, however, the device can be any size preferred or desired by user. Device 10 is preferably about ⅛-⅜ inches wide, about 2-90 inches long, and about 2-50 inches deep. Most preferably, the width is about ¼″, the length is 7½ inches, and the depth is 6½ inches. Length 19 is the larger of the two dimensions of top 13 (see FIG. 8), while the smaller of the dimension measurements is the width 20 (see FIG. 7). Depth 21 is the distance measured perpendicular to the length 19 and width 20 (see FIG. 7).

Device 10 can have an open top 13 and a space 24. Preferably space 24 can extend from top 13 to bottom 25, in between front panel 11 and back panel 12 and sides 27, 28. Optionally, space 24 can extend less than the container sides. Flowers, banners and/or other decorative items 18 can be placed in space 24 and can extend above top 13 to surround and decorate a framed picture or photograph, mirror, clock, memorial or any other object 16, as seen in FIG. 3.

One or more dividers or baffles, such as for example those seen in FIGS. 9-12 and indicated by reference numbers 15, 29, 30, 43, 44, can occupy space 24 and can be located in between front panel 11 and back panel 12. Dividers can be flat and thin. Dividers can be used to separate and hold in place the flowers or other decorative items 18 that are placed in space 24. For example, a bouquet of flowers 18 can be placed in hollow space 24 and be arranged in between dividers 15, 29, 30, 43, 44 so that the flowers can be spread around object 16 (see FIG. 3). As another example, poles holding a banner can be placed at opposite sides 27, 28 of device 10 and dividers, such as divider 30 and divider 44, can used to prevent the poles from moving together, and thus keeping the banner extended.

Vertical chambers or channels 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) can be included in space 24 and can receive decorative items 18, such as the stems of flowers. Multiple channels can be located in device 10, each one having an opening 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 (see FIG. 12). Channel 31 has opening 37. Channel 32 has opening 38. Channel 33 has opening 39. Channel 34 has opening 40. Channel 35 has opening 41. Channel 36 has opening 42. Chambers or channels 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 can extend downwardly from top 13 and are located in between two dividers, as seen in FIG. 9-12. The decorative items 18 can extend from chambers or channels 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 above openings 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes five dividers, however there can be more or less than five dividers in space 24 depending on the size of the device and the type of ornamental items that are desired to be placed in device. For example, optionally, there can be one divider 15 located in the center of device 10. Optionally, there can be one divider and two dividers 29, 30, 43, 44 on either side of divider 15, as seen in FIGS. 10-12. Optionally, the dividers can be placed at any location in between side 27 and side 28.

The length of each divider can vary. Dividers can extend from top 13 to a point within hollow space 24. For example, optionally, dividers can be about 2¼ inches-3 inches long, or extend from the top 13 to the bottom 25. Dividers can be located within. space 24 as needed and depending on the size of container device 10. With five dividers, preferably dividers 29, 43 can be about 1½ inches from divider 15, and preferably dividers 30, 44 can be about 2½ inches from divider 15.

Cut out 26 can be included in each side 27,28 of device 10 and in chambers 31, and 36. Cut out 26 can be used to hold decorative items so that the decorative items can extend generally perpendicular to chambers 31, 36 and along the sides of object 16 to further decorate object 16. Preferably, cut outs 26 can be about ¼″-½″ long and ¼″-½″ wide; more preferably ½″ long and ½″ wide. Preferably, top portion of cut out 26 can be located about 1¼ inches from top 13 of device 10.

Device 10 can be hung on a wall. Optionally, device 10 can include a lack stand so that it can stand on a table. A hanger, such as a hook, glue or fastener, can be used for hanging the body of device on a wall. Hole 22, such as a slotted-hole seen in FIG. 5, can be included on back panel 12 of device 10 so that device can be hung on a fastener or securing means, such as a nail, screw, hook, or other tool that is used to hang objects on a wall 17. Device 10 can have more than one slotted-hole 22 on back panel 12, and can have as many slotted-holes 22 on back panel 12 as required or preferred to secure device 10 to a wall 17. The number of holes 22 can depend on the size of device and/or the size of object 16.

The apparatus of the present invention 10 can have a hanger 23, such as hook, glue, or fastener, attached to front panel 11 to hold a framed picture or photograph, mirror, clock, memorial or any other object 16 on device 10. Alternatively, device 10 can have a slotted-hole 45 on front panel 11 and a slotted-hole 22 on back panel 12 so that a fastener or securing means, such as a nail, screw, hook or other tool used to hang objects on a wall, can extend through both hole 22 and hole 45 to secure both device 10 and object 16 to wall 17.

Multiple hangers 23 can be included on the apparatus of the present invention, as needed and required depending on the size and shape of device 10 and the size and shape of the framed picture or photograph, mirror, clock, memorial or any other object 16 used with device 10.

The present invention can be made in any shape preferred or required, such as square, rectangle, V-shape, semi-circle, and other shapes.

The present invention can be made from card board, plastic, carbon fiber, ceramic, glass, and all types of metals, including brass, copper, aluminum, steel, and other similar materials.

PARTS LIST

The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Part Number Description
10          apparatus/device/container
11          front panel
12          back panel
13          top
14          fastener/securing means
15          divider/baffle
16          object/frame/mirror/clock
17          wall
18          decorative item/flowers
19          length
20          width
21          depth
22          hole
23          hanger/hook
24          space
25          bottom
26          cut out
27          side
28          side
29          divider/baffle
30          divider/baffle
31          chamber/channel
32          chamber/channel
33          chamber/channel
34          chamber/channel
35          chamber/channel
36          chamber/channel
37          opening
38          opening
39          opening
40          opening
41          opening
42          opening
43          divider/baffle
44          divider/baffle
45          hole

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising:

a) a body having a front panel, a back panel, an open top, a bottom panel and side panels, said body adapted to receive one or more decorative items;

b) one or more dividers contained in said body and forming vertical chambers, each chamber having an opening at said top; and

c) an object removably attached to said front panel, and wherein the decorative items are located within said chambers and extend through the chamber openings and around the object.

2. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side panels are ⅛-⅜ inches wide.

3. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side panels are ¼ inch wide.

4. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is a picture frame.

5. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is a photograph.

6. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is a mirror.

7. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is a clock.

8. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is a memorial item.

9. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the decorative item is a flower.

10. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the decorative item is a banner.

11. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of dividers in the space.

12. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is one divider located in the center of the body and two dividers located on either side of the center divider.

13. The container apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hanger on the front panel.

14. The container apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hangers on the front panel.

15. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is watertight.

16. The container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is sized and shaped so that the body is not easily seen behind the object.

17. A container apparatus for supporting and decorating an object on a wall, comprising:

a) a body having a front panel, a back panel, an open top, a bottom and side panels, the front panel being configured to hang an object on the body and the back panel being configured to attach the body to the wall;

b) a space in between the front panel and back panel for holding one or more decorative items; and

c) a plurality of vertical chambers in said space that extend downwardly from the top and receive the said one or more decorative item, and wherein the decorative items extend above said open top and around the object.

18. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the side panels are ⅛-⅜ inches wide.

19. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the object is a picture frame.

20. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the object is a photograph.

21. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the object is a mirror.

22. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the object is a clock.

23. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the object is a memorial item.

24. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the decorative item is a flower.

25. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the decorative item is a banner.

26. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the side panels are ¼ inch wide.

27. The container apparatus of claim 17, further comprising one or more dividers in the space.

28. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein there are six chambers.

29. The container apparatus of claim 27, wherein one divider is located in the center of the space and two dividers are located on either side of the center divider.

30. The container apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of hangers on the front wall.

31. The container apparatus of claim 1 or 17, further comprising a back stand on the back panel.

32. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the side panels are ¼ inch Wide.

33. The container apparatus of claim 17, wherein the body is watertight.

34. The inventions substantially as shown and described herein.