COLLAPSIBLE VASE-TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

A transportable vase holder includes a top, bottom, right-side, and left-side portions (sheets) that are pivotably connected to each other and may be positioned to form the shape of a box. At one end of the portions (the front), flaps extend from top, bottom, and side portions. Each flap is pivotably connected to the portion from which it extends such that when the top, bottom, and side portions are positioned to form the shape of a box, the flaps may be configured to keep the portions in the shape of a box. The top portion includes a slot configured to receive a vase. One flap is configured to fold over a seat belt when the vase holder is set on a vehicle seat and the seat belt is placed over the front of the holder, and thereby secure the holder in place with relative to the seat belt and seat.

Claims

1. A vase holder comprising: (a) a top sheet having a front edge, a back edge, a right edge, a left edge, and configured with a vase-retaining hole therein; (b) a right-side sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, a back edge, and a front edge, wherein the right-side sheet is pivotably connected to the top sheet at the top edge of the right-side sheet and the right edge of the top sheet; (c) a left-side sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, a back edge, and a front edge, wherein the left-side sheet is pivotably connected to the top sheet at the top edge of the left-side sheet and the left edge of the top sheet; (d) a bottom sheet having a front edge, a back edge, a right edge, and a left edge, wherein the bottom sheet is pivotably connected to the right-side sheet at the right edge of the bottom sheet and the bottom edge of the right-side sheet, and wherein the bottom sheet is pivotably connected to the left-side sheet at the left edge of the bottom sheet and the bottom edge of the left-side sheet; (e) at least one side flap pivotably connected to at least one of the group consisting of the front edge of the right-side sheet and the front edge of left-side sheet, wherein the side flap is configured with a slot; (f) a bottom flap pivotably connected to the bottom sheet at the front edge of the bottom sheet; (g) a top flap pivotably connected to the top sheet at the front edge of the top sheet; (h) a retaining slot positioned in at least one of the group consisting of the bottom flap and the top flap; and (i) a retaining tab attached to at least one of the group consisting of the top flap and the bottom flap and configured to coincidently fit within and engage the side flap's slot and the retaining slot.

2. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein the top sheet, bottom sheet, right-side sheet, left-side sheet, top flap, bottom flap, and side flap are formed from a single piece of material.

3. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein the top sheet, bottom sheet, right-side sheet, left-side sheet, top flap, bottom flap, and side flap are formed from two or more pieces of material.

4. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein at least one of the top sheet, bottom sheet, right-side sheet, left-side sheet, top flap, bottom flap, and side flap is formed of cardboard.

5. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein at least one of the top sheet, bottom sheet, right-side sheet, left-side sheet, top flap, bottom flap, and side flap is formed of wood.

6. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein at least one of the top sheet, bottom sheet, right-side sheet, left-side sheet, top flap, bottom flap, and side flap is formed of plastic.

7. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein at least one of the top sheet, bottom sheet, right-side sheet, left-side sheet, top flap, bottom flap, and side flap is formed of metal.

8. The vase holder of claim 1 wherein the vase-retaining hole in the top sheet is substantially circular.

9. A method of securing a vase to a seat, the method comprising: (a) providing a vase holder comprising: (i) a top sheet having a front edge, a back edge, a right edge, a left edge, and configured with a hole therein; (ii) a right-side sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, a back edge, and a front edge, wherein the right-side sheet is pivotably connected to the top sheet at the top edge of the right-side sheet and the right edge of the top sheet; (iii) a left-side sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, a back edge, and a front edge, wherein the left-side sheet is pivotably connected to the top sheet at the top edge of the left-side sheet and the left edge of the top sheet; (iv) a bottom sheet having a front edge, a back edge, a right edge, and a left edge, wherein the bottom sheet is pivotably connected to the right-side sheet at the right edge of the bottom sheet and the bottom edge of the right-side sheet, and wherein the bottom sheet is pivotably connected to the left-side sheet at the left edge of the bottom sheet and the bottom edge of the left-side sheet; (v) at least one side flap pivotably connected to at least one of the group consisting of the front edge of the right-side sheet and the front edge of left-side sheet, wherein the side flap is configured with a slot; (vi) a bottom flap pivotably connected to the bottom sheet at the front edge of the bottom sheet; (vii) a top flap pivotably connected to the top sheet at the front edge of the top sheet; (viii) a retaining slot positioned in at least one of the group consisting of the bottom flap and the top flap; and (ix) a retaining tab attached to at least one of the group consisting of the top flap and the bottom flap and configured to coincidently fit within and engage the side flap's slot and the retaining slot; (b) pivoting the side flap toward one of the group consisting of the front edge of the left-side sheet and the front edge of the right-side sheet; (c) aligning the retaining slot with the side flap's slot by either pivoting the bottom flap toward the top sheet or pivoting the top flap toward the bottom sheet; (d) positioning the vase holder relative to a seat having a seat bottom and a back rest so that the back edge of the top sheet is touching the back rest and the bottom sheet is toughing the seat bottom; (e) positioning a seat belt across the front edge of the left-side sheet and the front edge of the right-side sheet, thereby restraining movement of the vase holder away from the back rest; (f) inserting the retaining tab into the retaining slot and the side flap's slot by either pivoting the bottom flap toward the top sheet or pivoting the top flap toward the bottom sheet.

10. A vase holder comprising: (a) a top sheet having a hole therein, (b) a bottom sheet, (c) a right-side sheet, (d) a left-side sheet, (e) a top flap extending from and pivotably connected to the top sheet, (f) a bottom flap extending from and pivotably connected to the bottom sheet, (g) a first side flap extending from and pivotably connected to one of the group consisting of the right-side sheet and the left-side sheet, (h) a first pivot joint configured to join the top sheet and the right-side sheet; (i) a second pivot configured to join the top sheet and the left-side sheet; (j) a third pivot joint configured to join the bottom sheet and the right-side sheet; (k) a forth pivot joint configured to join the bottom sheet and the left-side sheet; (l) an adhesive joint configured to join the top, bottom, right-side, and left-side sheets into a contiguous structure; (m) a retaining slot positioned in at least one of the group consisting of the bottom flap and the top flap; and (n) a retaining tab attached to at least one of the group consisting of the top flap and the bottom flap and configured to coincidently fit within and engage the retaining slot.

11. The vase holder of claim 10 further comprising a second side flap extending from and pivotably connected to one of the group consisting of the right-side sheet and the left-side sheet.

12. The vase holder of claim 10 wherein the top, bottom, right-side, and left-side sheets are not joined into a contiguous structure.

13. The vase holder of claim 10 wherein the top, bottom, right-side, and left-side sheets are joined into a contiguous structure using the adhesive joint.

14. The vase holder of claim 10 wherein the adhesive joint includes an adhesive tab and an adhesive strip.

15. The vase holder of claim 10 wherein the adhesive joint is part of a pivot joint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder secured to a vehicle seat using a seat belt according to an aspect of the invention and holding a flower-laden vase.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder according to an aspect of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a fully assembled configuration.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a partially assembled configuration with belt-retention and structural flaps in an open (unassembled) configuration.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a partially assembled configuration with belt-retention and structural flaps in an open (unassembled) configuration.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a partially assembled configuration with side structural flaps in a closed (assembled) configuration.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a partially assembled configuration with side and bottom structural flaps in a closed (assembled) configuration.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a partially assembled configuration with side and bottom structural flaps in a closed (assembled) configuration and engaged with a seat belt.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in an assembled configuration with side, bottom, and top structural flaps in a closed (assembled) configuration and engaged with a seat belt captured in place between the top and bottom flap.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in an assembled configuration with side, bottom, and top structural flaps in a closed (assembled) configuration and engaged with a seat belt captured in place between the top and bottom flaps, shown securing a flower-laden vase in the holder and in place relative to seat belt (and seat).

[0017] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vas holder in an open configuration ready to be flattened.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view illustrating the exemplary vas holder in a flattened configuration.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary structural design for a cardboard vase holder.

[0020] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view illustrating the vase holder of FIG. 13 in an assembled configuration.

[0021] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary vase holder in a partially assembled configuration with belt-retention and structural flaps in an open (unassembled) configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the summary above, and in the description below, reference is made to particular features of the invention in the context of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The features are described in the context of the exemplary embodiments to facilitate understanding. But the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. And the features are not limited to the embodiments by which they are described. The invention provides a number of inventive features which can be combined in many ways, and the invention can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts. Unless expressly set forth as an essential feature of the invention, a feature of a particular embodiment should not be read into the claims unless expressly recited in a claim.

[0023] Except as explicitly defined otherwise, the words and phrases used herein, including terms used in the claims, carry the same meaning they carry to one of ordinary skill in the art as ordinarily used in the art.

[0024] Because one of ordinary skill in the art may best understand the structure of the invention by the function of various structural features of the invention, certain structural features may be explained or claimed with reference to the function of a feature. Unless used in the context of describing or claiming a particular inventive function (e.g., a process), reference to the function of a structural feature refers to the capability of the structural feature, not to an instance of use of the invention.

[0025] Except for claims that include language introducing a function with means for or step for, the claims are not recited in so-called means-plus-function or step-plus-function format governed by 35 U.S. C. 112(f). Claims that include the means for [function] language but also recite the structure for performing the function are not means-plus-function claims governed by 112(f). Claims that include the step for [function] language but also recite an act for performing the function are not step-plus-function claims governed by 112(f).

[0026] Except as otherwise stated herein or as is otherwise clear from context, the inventive methods comprising or consisting of more than one step may be carried out without concern for the order of the steps.

[0027] The terms comprising, comprises, including, includes, having, haves, and their grammatical equivalents are used herein to mean that other components or steps are optionally present. For example, an article comprising A, B, and C includes an article having only A, B, and C as well as articles having A, B, C, and other components. And a method comprising the steps A, B, and C includes methods having only the steps A, B, and C as well as methods having the steps A, B, C, and other steps.

[0028] Terms of degree, such as substantially, about, and roughly are used herein to denote features that satisfy their technological purpose equivalently to a feature that is exact. For example, a component A is substantially perpendicular to a second component B if A and B are at an angle such as to equivalently satisfy the technological purpose of A being perpendicular to B.

[0029] Except as otherwise stated herein, or as is otherwise clear from context, the term or is used herein in its inclusive sense. For example, A or B means A or B, or both A and B.

[0030] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary vase holder 10 placed on a seat bottom 18a of a vehicle seat 18 and secured in place against the backrest 18b using a seat belt 16. A vase 12 holding flowers 14 is placed in a hole of the vase holder 10 and is thereby secured in place relative to the seat 18.

[0031] FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and back perspective views of the exemplary vase holder 10, respectively. The back of the vase holder 10 is the side that faces toward the backrest of the vehicle seat when secured in seat. The front of the vase holder 10 is the side that faces away from the backrest. The bottom of the vase holder 10 is the side that faces the seat bottom. The top of the vase holder 10 is the side that faces away from the seat bottom. The vase holder 10 includes a top portion 10y, a right-side portion 10x, a left-side portion 10w, a bottom portion 10v, a closed end 10u, and an open end 10z. The top portion 10y includes a vase slot (hole) 10a configured to receive a vase. As shown, the hole 10a is circular but holes of other geometric shapes may be used (e.g., square, hexagonal, octagonal). The closed end 10u includes a number of movable flaps that can be placed in one configuration to provide structural support for an assembled vase holder 10 and in a second configuration so that the vase holder 10 may be placed in a substantially flat unassembled configuration for ease of transport or storage. The vase holder 10 may be constructed from a variety of relatively stiff materials such as cardboard or plastic or metal.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating the flaps of the closed end 10u in an open (unassembled) configuration. In this exemplary embodiment, the vase holder 10 has a top flap 10c, a right-side flap 10h, a bottom flap 10f, and a left-side flap 10d. The top flap 10c includes a retaining tab 10b. The side 10d, 10h and bottom 10f flaps include slots 10e, 10i, 10g respectively, configured to receive the retaining tab 10b when the flaps are in the closed (assembled) configuration. The right-side flap 10h is pivotably connected to the right-side portion 10x through, e.g., a hinge joint or a fold in carboard or plastic. The left-side flap 10d is pivotably connected to the right-side portion 10z. The top flap 10c is pivotably connected to the top portion 10y. The bottom flap 10f is pivotably connected to the bottom portion 10v. Other configurations of flaps may be used so long as they provide the structural support for the vase holder 10 when in the assembled position.

[0033] FIGS. 5-9 are front perspective views illustrating the steps to place the flaps 10c, 10d, 10f, 10h in the closed position to assemble the vase holder 10 for use in transporting a vase. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the right-side 10h and left-side 10d flaps are pivoted in to close the closed end, as indicated by the dashed curved arrows 50. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom flap 10f is then pivoted up to overlay the closed right 10h and left 10d flaps, as indicated by the dashed curved arrow 60. As illustrated in FIG. 7, to complete assembly of the closed end 10u, the top flap 10c may be pivoted down to overlay the closed bottom flap 10f, as indicated by the dashed curved arrow 70. As illustrated in FIG. 8, to secure the vase holder 10 in a vehicle seat, a seat belt 16 is run over the closed bottom flap 10f before closing the top flap 10f over top of the seat belt 16. When in the closed configuration, the slots 10e, 10i, 10g of the left-side flap 10d, right-side flap 10h and bottom flap 10f align to receive the retaining tab 10b. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the vase holder is placed in its fully assembled and secured configuration when the top flap 10c is pivoted down 70 and the retaining tab 10b is inserted into the slots 10e, 10i, 10g to secure the flaps 10c, 10d, 10f, 10h in place.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the assembled and secured vase holder 10 holding a flower-containing vase 12 that has been place into the vase holder 10 through the hole 10a. The top portion 10y serves to constrain the vase 12 against lateral motion when in transport.

[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 11-12, once the vase 12 has been transported and removed from the vase holder 10, the holder 10 may be released and disassembled by remove the retaining tab 10b from the slots 10e, 10i, 10g, pivoting the top flap 10c up, releasing the seat belt 16, pivoting the bottom flap 10f down, pivoting the left-side 10d and right-side 10h flaps out, and then flattening the holder 10 by translating the top and bottom portions of the holder 10 in opposite directions, as illustrated with the dashed arrows 110a, 110b in FIG. 11 to realize the flattened configuration illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary structural design that may be used for the manufacture of an exemplary vase holder 110. FIG. 14 is a front perspective view illustrating the dimensions of the vase holder 110 when assembled. The vase holder 110 includes a top portion 110y, a right-side portion 110x, a left-side portion 110w, a bottom portion 110v, a top flap 110c, a right-side flap 110h, a bottom flap 110f, and a left-side flap 110d. The top portion 110y includes a vase slot (hole) 110a configured to receive a vase. The top flap 110c includes a retaining tab 110b. The side 110d, 110h and bottom 110f flaps include slots 110e, 110i, 110g respectively, configured to receive the retaining tab 110b when the flaps are in the closed (assembled) configuration. As depicted in FIG. 13, the vase holder 110 is constructed from a single sheet of material (e.g., cardboard) that has been cut 131 in spots to separate components and pressed in spots to form pivotable connections (folds) 133 between components. (Alternatively, separate components may be pivotably joined together using, e.g., hinge joints.) The left-side portion 110w includes a tab 135 for adhesively engaging a strip 137 of the bottom portion 110v to form the vase holder. The adhesive engagement may be, e.g., through glue or tape that is added when forming the holder 110 or covered double-sided tap that is placed on the tab 135 or strip 137 before forming the holder 110. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the holder may be stored or shipped to resellers or end users who may engage the adhesive tab 135 to the adhesive strip 137 to form the holder 110 for use as described with reference to the exemplary holder 10 of FIGS. 1-12. The top 110y and bottom 110v portions have dimensions l 136 and w 134 that correspond to the length (l) and width (w) of the assembled holder 110 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The side portions 110w and 110x have dimensions l 136 and h 132 that correspond to the length (l) and height (h) of the assembled holder 110 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The top 110c and bottom 110f flaps have dimensions h 132 and w 134 that correspond to the height (h) and width (w) of the assembled holder 110 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The side flaps 110d, 110h have dimensions h 132 and w/2 138 that correspond to the height (h) and the width (w) of the assembled holder 110 as illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0037] An alternative embodiment of a vase holder 150 is depicted in FIG. 15. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1-12. The main difference is that the bottom flap 150f (rather than the top flap) is used to secure the holder 150 via a seat belt. Thus, the vase holder 150 includes a top portion 150y, a right-side portion 150x, a left-side portion 150w, a bottom portion 150v, an open end 150z and a closed end comprising a top flap 150c, a right-side flap 150h, a bottom flap 150f, and a left-side flap 150d. The top portion 150y includes a vase slot (hole) 150a configured to receive a vase. The bottom flap 150f includes a retaining tab 150b. The side 150d, 150h and top 150f flaps include slots 150e, 150i, 150g respectively, configured to receive the retaining tab 150b when the flaps are in the closed (assembled) configuration. The right-side flap 150h is pivotably connected to the right-side portion 150x through, e.g., a hinge joint or a fold in carboard or plastic. The left-side flap 150d is pivotably connected to the right-side portion 150z. The top flap 150c is pivotably connected to the top portion 150y. The bottom flap 150f is pivotably connected to the bottom portion 150v. When in the closed configuration, the slots 150e, 150i, 150g of the left-side flap 150d, right-side flap 150h and top flap 150c align to receive the retaining tab 150b. Other configurations of flaps may be used so long as they provide the structural support for the vase holder 150 when in the assembled position. For example, a single side flap (right or left) instead of right and left side flaps may be used to provide the structural support.

[0038] While the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the basic scope of the invention. And features described with reference to one embodiment may be combined with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above, without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow.