Decorative floral ornament, arrangement containing same, and method of using same

Abstract

A decorative floral ornament includes a hollow tubular main stem having opposed base and upper ends. The ornament also includes a head, attached to the upper end of the main stem and formed from plural interconnected tubular segments. The head is attached to the main stem at a central hub, which has a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly therefrom. An outer edge portion of the head includes a plurality of secondary segments interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments. The ornament also includes a flexible filament extending through, and interconnecting the head and the main stem. In general, the head includes at least three primary segments, with distal ends thereof interconnected by secondary segments, and all of the segments connected together by the elastic filament. The central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together.

1 . A decorative floral ornament comprising:
 a main stem which is a hollow tube formed from metal or plastic, the main stem having a base end and an upper end;   a head attached to the upper end of the main stem, the head formed from a plurality of interconnected tubular segments and comprising a central hub defining a point of attachment to the main stem, a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly from the central hub, and a plurality of secondary segments defining an edge portion interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments, wherein the distal end of each primary segment is connected to at least two secondary segments; and wherein the primary and secondary segments cooperate to define a plurality of adjacent petal outline shapes supported by the stem, and   a flexible filament extending through and interconnecting the main stem and the tubular segments of the head,   wherein the stem is formed with sufficient strength to support the head on the upper end thereof when the stem is installed in a substrate,   wherein the head comprises at least three of the primary segments interconnected by the flexible filament, distal ends of the primary segments being interconnected by secondary segments, wherein the central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together,   and wherein the combination of the stem and the head, including the petal outline shapes, configures the ornament as a stylized flower.   
     
     
         2 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular segments are formed of a metal material. 
     
     
         3 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular segments are formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein the head comprises at least five primary segments, the distal ends of which are connected by at least two secondary segments extending therebetween and arranged to define an angle. 
     
     
         5 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein each of the tubular segments extends substantially in a straight line throughout its length. 
     
     
         6 . A decorative arrangement comprising a container, a substrate disposed in the container and a plurality of decorative floral ornaments according to  claim 1  arranged with their base ends inserted in the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . A method of assembling an arrangement of decorative floral ornaments in a container having an opening at an upper end thereof, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) placing a substrate inside of the container via the opening;   (b) inserting a base end of the main stem of a first decorative floral ornament according to  claim 1  in the substrate in a manner such that the first decorative floral ornament becomes fixed in position in relation to the container; and   (c) inserting a base of the main stem of a second decorative floral ornament according to  claim 1  in the substrate in a manner such that the second decorative floral ornament becomes fixed in position in relation to the container.   
     
     
         8 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein, when the ornament is oriented with the main stem substantially vertical and the base of the main stem below the upper end thereof, a first one of the primary segments extends upwardly from the central hub, and a second one of the primary segments extends downwardly from the central hub. 
     
     
         9 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein the petal outline shapes are arranged radially around the hub. 
     
     
         10 . The decorative floral ornament of  claim 1 , wherein all components of the head are configured be oriented along a common plane. 
     
     
         11 . A decorative floral ornament comprising:
 a main stem which is a hollow tube formed from metal or plastic, the main stem having a base end and an upper end;   a head attached to the upper end of the main stem, the head formed from a plurality of interconnected tubular segments and comprising:   a central hub defining a point of attachment to the main stem,   a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly from the central hub, and   a plurality of secondary segments defining an edge portion interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments,   where the distal end of each primary segment is connected to at least two secondary segments; wherein the primary and secondary segments cooperate to define a plurality of adjacent petal outline shapes arranged radially around the hub and supported by the stem, and wherein all components of the head are configured be oriented along a common plane and   a flexible filament extending through and interconnecting the main stem and the tubular segments of the head,   wherein the stem is formed with sufficient strength to support the head on the upper end thereof when the stem is installed in a substrate,   wherein the head comprises at least three of the primary segments interconnected by the flexible filament, distal ends of the primary segments being interconnected by secondary segments, wherein the central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together,   and wherein the combination of the stem and the head, including the petal outline shapes, configures the ornament as a stylized flower.