Apparatus to suspend bouquets in a vehicle

Abstract

A sleeve apparatus includes a sleeve member with a top opening and a bottom opening. At least one slot is cut into a wall of the sleeve member of a size smaller than the top opening. A larger bouquet of cut stems can be suspended by the edges of the top opening. A smaller bouquet of cut stems can be suspended by the edges of the slot. A suspension strap is attached to the sleeve member to allow it to be hung off the headrest of a car seat.

Claims

1. A sleeve apparatus retaining at least two bouquets of cut stems of plants, the bouquets being of different size with respect to each other, the apparatus comprising: a) a sleeve member having an open top and an open bottom, said open top of a size sufficient to support by engagement with edges defining the open top, a bouquet of cut stems of a relative largest size which is receivable within the sleeve member through the open top, in a manner to keep the bouquet of cut stems from slipping through the sleeve member through the open bottom as a result of engagement with the edges defining the open top; b) a first bouquet of cut stems received within the sleeve member through the open top, said first bouquet being of a size sufficient to engage the edges defining the open top and be supported thereby to keep the first bouquet from slipping through the sleeve member and through the open bottom; c) a first cutout slot in a wall of the sleeve member of a size sufficient to receive a second bouquet of cut stems of a size smaller than the bouquet of relative largest size, within the sleeve member in a manner supported by edges defining the first cutout slot to prevent the second bouquet from falling through the sleeve member and through the open bottom of the sleeve member, as a result of engagement with the edges defining the first cutout slot; d) a second bouquet of cut stems received within the sleeve member through the first cutout slot, said second bouquet being of a size sufficient wherein it is supported by the edges defining the first cutout slot preventing the second bouquet from slipping through the sleeve member and through the open bottom of the sleeve member, as a result of engagement with the edges defining the first cutout slot; and e) a suspension strap attached to the sleeve member and of a size sufficient to hang from a headrest of an automobile seat.

2. The sleeve apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a) a second cutout slot in the wall of the sleeve member of a size sufficient to receive a third bouquet of cut stems of a size smaller than the second bouquet within the sleeve member in a manner supported by edges defining the second cutout slot to prevent the third bouquet from falling through the sleeve member and though the open bottom of the sleeve member, as a result of engagement with the edges defining the second cutout slot; and b) a third bouquet of cut stems received within the sleeve member through the second cutout slot, said third bouquet being of a size wherein it is supported by the edges defining the second cutout slot preventing the third bouquet from slipping through the sleeve member and through the open bottom of the sleeve member, as a result of engagement with the edges defining the second cutout slot.

3. The sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is made of flexible fabric.

4. The sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is comprised of two panels, each having two edges, and attached to each other at the edges to form the sleeve member.

5. The sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suspension strap is adjustable in length.

6. The sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suspension strap can be adjusted by having a hook and loop arrangement to allow adjustment of suspension strap.

7. The sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is comprised of one panel folded having two edges and having its edges attached to each other to form the sleeve member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Having briefly described the invention, the same will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description made with reference to the appended figures wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the top of the sleeve apparatus of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the bottom of the sleeve apparatus of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of the bouquet suspension sleeve member of the sleeve apparatus in accordance with the invention from one side thereof;

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view from the other side thereof, as in FIG. 3, of the sleeve member for suspending bouquets in accordance with the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing cutouts in the sleeve member of the invention for suspending two different size bouquets;

(7) FIG. 6 is a partially disassembled view showing two panels which are secured together to form the sleeve member of the sleeve in accordance with the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a partial view of a handle assembly in accordance with the invention with a hook and loop attaching mechanism for having the strap of the sleeve member be adjustable for allowing use with different headrest sizes;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a strip of material which is a single strip from which an alternate embodiment al the apparatus of the invention can be made, and showing two different size slots cut into the strip;

(10) FIG. 9 shows the strip of FIG. 8 having been folded over and sewn together to join two ends thereof to form a sleeve;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an apparatus in accordance with the invention manufactured from the single strip of FIG. 8 and showing a suspension handle attached thereto;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 10 in perspective view;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus with a suspension strap having a section which separates into two ends which connect to each other with a hook and loop arrangement to allow adjustment; and

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates the apparatus of the invention with bouquets carried therein and suspended off the headrest of an automotive vehicle's seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) In general, the apparatus of the invention may be formed of a generally rectangular shape, flexible material. First slots are cut and sewn into the material while in a flat position before the apparatus is assembled. Thereafter, in one embodiment, ends of a single material strip are sewn together to form a circumferential shape. The seam of the strip, which has been sewn to itself is then positioned in the middle of what becomes the back wall. A suspension handle is next attached down the length of each side of the apparatus. Other embodiments of the apparatus can have different shapes, such as a cone like shape with or without a closed bottom, as trapezoid shape, a sling-strap configuration or any shape that can suspend bouquets from the headiest of a vehicle.

(16) When in use, the apparatus is simple. Pre-arranged bouquets can be merely dropped into the appropriate opening of the apparatus. The bouquets are at once suspended for transport without damaging the respective bouquets being suspended therein.

(17) Having generally described the invention, the remaining discussion is made with reference to the appended figures from which the invention and its use will become more readily apparent.

(18) FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view from the top an embodiment of the sleeve apparatus 11 in accordance with the invention. The sleeve apparatus 11 includes a sleeve member 13 making up a generally circumferential shape of having a top opening 15 and a bottom opening 23. To allow different size bouquets to be suspended at the same time, a slot 19 of a size smaller than opening 15 is cut into a wall of the sleeve member 13 of the sleeve apparatus 11. This slot 19 is sized to allow the stems of a bouquet of smaller size than that receivable and supported through top opening 15 to be inserted into slot 19 and retained therein by edges (not numbered) defining the slot.

(19) In a more specific aspect, there is also provided a second slot 31 which is sized to support a small bouquet or even a single flower stem allowing up to three bouquets to be suspended and held in a single apparatus in a manner where the bouquets do not become damaged and are suspended in an apparatus which is easy and simple to construct and flexible to use.

(20) FIGS. 3 and 4 show plan view of two different sides of the suspension apparatus 11 of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a side of the suspension apparatus 11 where both slots 19 and 31 are shown on one side. FIG. 4 illustrates the back side with no slots being shown.

(21) FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the two slots 19 and 31 on the sleeve member 13 of the invention.

(22) As shown in FIG. 6, when assembling the sleeve member 13 of the invention, in one embodiment it may be made up of two panels 13a and 13b making up the member 13 of the sleeve apparatus 11. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the two panels are partially connected at one horizontal edge of each, the panels can then be folded over and secured at horizontally located edges 25 to form the sleeve member 13 of the suspension apparatus 11. These panels 13a and 13b make up the sleeve member 13 of the apparatus 11 and can be made of materials like a flexible fabric.

(23) FIG. 7 illustrates in partial view one embodiment of the handle attachable to the sleeve member 13 with a hook and loop connecting arrangement 27, 29. This connecting arrangement allows adjustment of the length of the strap so that it can be adjusted in length to accommodate different size headrests.

(24) As may be appreciated, the device can be made of different materials, preferably a flexible fabric can be used to provide ease of foldability and storage. With respect to a hook and loop connecting arrangement 27, 29, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, different adjustable mechanisms can be used, including such arrangements as a double strap with an adjustable buckle to allow adjustment of the length of the strap to a desired length.

(25) FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative material arrangement for manufacturing the apparatus 11 of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a single strip of fabric 31 having two edges 23. As illustrated in FIG. 9 the fabric is folded over itself and the edges 23 are connected and sewn together in an alternative embodiment of the sleeve member 31. As further illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, a suspension strap 17 can be attached to the apparatus 11 and for maximum support and security, the strip extends along the length of each side to which it is connected to the sleeve member 13 of the apparatus 11.

(26) In a further alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 12, the strap 17 is reversible so it can hang from the headrest of a seat, either towards the front or towards the back. FIG. 13 illustrates an arrangement where there is a seat 101 having a headrest 103 on the top thereof. The strap 17 hooks around and is suspended from the headrest 103 to suspend the apparatus of the invention with bouquets therein off of the headrest 103 of a car seat 101.

(27) While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated, and shown in various terms or certain embodiments, or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall in the breadth and scope in the claims here appended.