Although artificial flowers are aesthetically pleasing, their static nature can limit their appeal. There have been attempts to simulate a natural flower by creating an artificial flower that appears to bloom. However, these flowers are often limited to one or two rows of petals, and, moreover, the petals all appear to open to the same degree which heightens the viewer's impression that the flowers are artificial.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a realistically opening artificial flower. At a high level, the invention comprises a container presenting an artificial flower with multiple rows of petals in a closed position. Upon activation of a motion mechanism, the petals gradually open to reveal, in one aspect, a hidden sentiment. Each row of petals has a different opening and closing angle which helps to simulate the appearance of a naturally-blooming flower.
Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
In general, the invention is directed towards an artificial flower that opens in such a way as to convey a sense of realism to the viewer. This is achieved by having multiple rows of petals that slowly open upon activation of a motion mechanism. Each row of petals has a different opening angle compared to the other rows, thus mimicking a naturally-blooming flower. After the artificial flower has opened, activation of the motion mechanism causes the multiple rows of petals slowly close. Each row of petals has a different closing angle compared to the other rows which also mimics a naturally-blooming flower. In one embodiment, a sentiment is hidden within the closed petals and is slowly revealed to the viewer when the flower opens.
Referring to
The petals 110 comprise petals of varying shapes, number, colors, and sizes. In one aspect, the petals 110 may be shaped to mimic a naturally-occurring flower such as, for example, a rose or a daisy. Or, alternatively, the petals 110 may be uniquely shaped. The flower 100 may comprise multiple rows of petals 110 with a lowermost row and an uppermost row. In the illustrated embodiment, the flower 100 comprises a bottom row of petals 110, a middle row of petals 110, and a top row of petals 110. The petals 110 in the lowermost row may be of a larger size than a next row of petals 110, and so on, with the smallest sized petals 110 located in the uppermost row of petals 110. Additionally, each row of petals 110 may include a variable number of petals 110.
The petals 110 that make up the flower 100 may be constructed of paper, silk, fabric, or other suitable materials. As well, the petals 110 may be colored to mimic a naturally-occurring flower. The petals 110 are attached to a support structure that will discussed below with respect to
In the illustrated embodiment, the sepals 112 are positioned between the petals 110 and the container 114. The sepals 112 comprise one or more sepals of varying shapes, sizes and colors. The sepals 112 are attached to a base 122 (
The container 114 is used to house a mechanism for opening and closing the flower 110. The container 114 may be constructed of plastic, glass, or other suitable materials and may be shaped to simulate a vase. The container 114 may also be colored. The activating button 116 is located on the container 114 and is readily accessible to a user. In one embodiment, the activating button 116 is located near the bottom edge of the container 114. The activating button 116 is used to actuate the opening and closing of the flower 100. While activation of the mechanism in the illustrated embodiment is caused by user engagement of the activating button 116, other methods of activating the mechanism are within the scope of the present invention. Examples would be sound, light or liquid activation. Other examples would be: using a touch/capacitance sensor on the vase, using a device which detects the presence of water on the stem and then generates an electric signal or current, using a device which detects a pinch of the stem, or using a wireless signal.
The presentation platform 118 is situated adjacent to the uppermost row of petals 110. In one aspect, the presentation platform 118 is affixed to one or more vertical members that are part of the support structure of the flower 100. This aspect will be explained in greater depth below with respect to
Turning now to
The petal attachment members 124 of the bottom row 130 of petals 110 are pivotally attached to the one or more vertical members 126 such that an intervening space 128 is left between each of the petal attachment members 124. In turn, the petal attachment members 124 of the middle row 132 of petals 110 are pivotally attached to the one or more vertical members 126 such that they are vertically offset from the petal attachment members 124 of the bottom row 130 of petals 110. The petal attachment members 124 of the top row 134 of petals 110 are pivotally attached to the one or more vertical members 126 so that they are vertically offset from the petal attachment members 124 of the middle row 132 of petals 110 and vertically aligned with the petal attachment members 124 of the bottom row 130 of petals 110.
Turning to
The petal attachment members 124 are pivotally attached to the one or more vertical members 126 at the petal pivot portion 140. In one aspect, the pivotal attachment between the petal pivot portion 140 and the one or more vertical members 126 occurs by receiving a horizontal rod 127 spanning between adjacent vertical members 126 in a notch 129 in the petal attachment member 124 adjacent the petal pivot portion 140. The rods 127 provide pivot points for the petal attachment members 124 similar to a fulcrum.
Turning to
The horizontal segments 144 are operatively coupled with the petal attachment members 124. More specifically, each row of petal attachment members 124 is associated with a corresponding plane of horizontal segments 144. Each horizontal segment 144 may be received by a petal pivot slot guide of a petal attachment member 124, as discussed in greater detail below with respect to
When the flower 100 is in a generally open position, as shown in
Turning to
In a similar fashion, the petal attachment member 124 for the middle row 132 of petals “124″”) includes a petal pivot slot guide 156, the petal pivot portion 140, and a paddle portion 136″. The petal pivot slot guide 156 has a first vertically-oriented portion 162 and a second slanted-angle portion 164. The petal pivot slot guide 156 slidably receives a horizontal segment 144 corresponding to a middle plane of horizontal segments 144 of the basket 143. The notch 129 receives one of the rods 127 of the middle row of the support structure 200.
Lastly, the petal attachment member 124 for the top row 134 of petals (“124′”) has a petal pivot slot guide 168, the petal pivot portion 140, and a paddle portion 136″. The petal pivot slot guide 168 includes a vertically-oriented portion 174, and a slanted-angle portion 176. The petal pivot slot guide 168 slidably receives a horizontal segment 144 corresponding to a top plane of the horizontal segments 144 of the basket 143. The notch 129 receives one of the rods 127 of the top row of the support structure.
Turning to
Turning to
To open the flower 100, in one embodiment, a user depresses the activating button 116 located on the container 114. Upon depressing the activating button 116, the battery 180 actuates the battery-operated motor 188 which initiates movement of the gears 190 in the gearbox assembly 182. The battery-operated motor 188 generates a rotary output that is translated into a reciprocating vertical linear motion of the slidable pusher basket 141 by means of the wheel rod 196 and the yoke 198.
As the slidable pusher basket 141 moves from a first position to a second position, it causes, for example, the horizontal segments 144 to exert an upward force on the petal attachment members 124. With respect to a petal attachment member 124′ in the bottom row of petals and using
The middle row of petal attachment members 124″, however, will not begin to pivot open at the same time because the horizontal segments 144 in the middle plane of horizontal segments 144 are adjacent the vertically-oriented portions 162 of the petal pivot slot guides 156. Thus, no upward force is initially exerted on the petal attachment member 124″. As well, the third row of petal attachment members 124″ will also not yet begin to pivot open because the horizontal segments 144 in the top plane of horizontal segments 144 are adjacent the longer vertically-oriented portions 174 of the petal pivot slot guides 168.
As the slidable pusher basket 141 continues its ascent upwards, the middle row of petal attachment members 124″ will begin to pivot open before the top row of petal attachment members 124′″. This is because the vertically-oriented portions 162 of the petal pivot slot guides 156 are of a shorter length than the vertically-oriented portions 174 of the petal pivot slot guides 168. Because of this configuration, the horizontal segments 144 in the middle plane of horizontal segments will be adjacent the slanted-angle portions 164 before the horizontal segments 144 of the top row of horizontal segments 144 are adjacent the slanted-angle portions 176. Once the horizontal segments 144 of the middle plane of horizontal segments 144 are adjacent the slanted-angle portions 164, the upward force causes the petal attachment members 124″ to pivot open. Likewise, once the horizontal segments 144 of the top plane of horizontal segments 144 are adjacent the slanted-angle portions 176, the upward force causes the petal attachment members 124′″ to pivot open.
The relative opening angles of the bottom, middle and top rows of the flower 100 are determined by the relative configuration of the petal attachment members 124 of the respective rows and their slot guides. In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom row of petals 110 opens to approximately a 90 degree angle between the paddle portion 136′ and the vertical members 126, the middle row of petals 110 opens to an angle between 85 degrees and 75 degrees between the paddle portion 136″ and the vertical members 126, and the upper row of petals 110 opens to an angle between approximately 70 degrees and 55 degrees between the paddle portion 136′″ and the vertical members 126.
When the user wishes to close the flower 100, the user again depresses the activating button 116 and the flower 100 begins to close by a reversal of the above-described method. Again, the relative closing angles of the bottom, middle, and top rows of the flower 100 are determined by a relative configuration of the petal attachment members 124 and the slot guides thereon. In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom row of petals 110 close to approximately a 10 to 15 degree angle between the paddle portion 136′ and the vertical members 126, the middle row of petals 110 close to approximately a 5 to 10 degree angle between the paddle portion 136″ and the vertical members 126, and the upper row of petals 110 close to an angle between approximately 0 degrees and 5 degrees between the paddle portion 136′″ and the vertical members 126.
Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments of the flower described have had multiple rows of petals that open at different angles, a similar realistic, natural blooming effect can be achieved by altering the opening angle and/or rate of individual petals on a single row of petals. Further, while the flower has been shown as being in a vase or container, the flower could take on the appearance of fresh cut flowers without the need for a vase. The motion mechanism could be inside the stem or concealed by the petals. Other versions could include a base giving the appearance of a window box planter. The base could include the motion mechanism and be covered with a top resembling dirt or grass with holes therein where users may insert the stems of flowers of their own choosing. The stems would couple with the motion mechanism inside the base which would power the opening of the flowers by transferring motion from inside the base up through the stem to the petal moving mechanism. Other modifications would be within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent from time to time without departing from the scope of embodiments of the inventions. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20130078395 A1 | Mar 2013 | US |