U.S. patent application number 10/159548 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for self-watering plant holder.
Invention is credited to Cooper, Edwin A..
Application Number | 20020189163 10/159548 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26856064 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020189163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper, Edwin A. |
December 19, 2002 |
Self-watering plant holder
Abstract
A self-watering plant holder having a central, upright post with
four horizontal radial arms extending outwardly thereof. A plant
container, such as a bucket with a handle, is mounted on each
radial arm. A base extends radially outwardly in a preferred
embodiment from the lower end of the post to support the post. A
manifold is mounted to the post, and houses a chamber with a
closure for the addition of water and/or fertilizer. Watering lines
extend from the manifold into one or more of the plant containers
for watering and/or feeding the plants.
Inventors: |
Cooper, Edwin A.; (Athens,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jason H. Foster
Kremblas, Foster, Phillips & Pollick
7632 Slate Ridge Blvd.
Reynoldsburg
OH
43068
US
|
Family ID: |
26856064 |
Appl. No.: |
10/159548 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60296713 |
Jun 8, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 7/042 20130101;
A01G 27/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/39 |
International
Class: |
A47G 007/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0003] (Not Applicable)
Claims
1. A plant holder comprising: (a) an upright post having an upper
end and a lower end; (b) first and second arms extending radially
from the post; (c) first and second plant containers connected to
the first and second radially extending arms, respectively, the
plant containers containing plants; (d) a manifold mounted to the
post, the manifold having a housing defining a chamber for
containing water; and (e) at least one watering line having a
sidewall defining an internal passage, said watering line being
mounted at a first end to the manifold with the watering line's
internal passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and said
watering line having a nozzle at a second end near a respective
plant container.
2. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
manifold chamber has a closure adapted to permit matter to be
placed in the chamber for mixing with water in the chamber.
3. The plant holder in accordance with claim 2, further comprising
a water source in fluid communication with the chamber for
conveying water into the chamber.
4. The plant holder in accordance with claim 3, further comprising
a timer interposed between the manifold and the water source, the
timer having a valve for connecting and disconnecting the source of
water from the manifold's chamber at predetermined times.
5. The plant holder in accordance with claim 3, further comprising
a plurality of watering lines, each watering line having a sidewall
defining an internal passage, each of said watering lines being
mounted at a first end to the manifold with the watering line's
internal passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and each
of said watering lines having a nozzle at a second end near a
respective plant container.
6. The plant holder in accordance with claim 5, wherein at least
some of the watering lines extend from the manifold into the plant
containers.
7. The plant holder in accordance with claim 5, wherein at least
some of the watering lines have misting nozzles positioned near a
respective plant container for spraying water in a mist onto the
plant.
8. The plant holder in accordance with claim 5, further comprising
at least one variable orifice valve interposed between the manifold
and the watering lines.
9. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
manifold removably mounts to the post.
10. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
manifold is integral with the post.
11. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the post
is mounted at its lower end in the Earth.
12. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
a base mounted to the post's lower end, the base extending radially
outwardly from the post for supporting the post.
13. The plant holder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the base
includes a plurality of base members extending radially outwardly
from the post.
14. The plant holder in accordance with claim 13, further
comprising at least one adapter resting upon at least one of the
base members for receiving a plant container and supporting the
container on the base member.
15. The plant holder in accordance with claim 14, further
comprising third and fourth arms extending radially from the
post.
16. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
a third plant container positioned beneath the first plant
container, for receiving water that falls from the first plant
container.
17. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
a planar pan near the lower end of the post, the pan having a floor
extending radially outwardly from the post to upright sidewalls
defining a reservoir containing soil and at least one plant.
18. The plant holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
shading material mounted above at least one of the radial arms.
19. A plant holder comprising: (a) an upright post having an upper
end and a lower end; (b) first and second arms extending radially
from the post; (c) first and second plant containers connected to
the first and second arms, respectively, the plant containers
containing plants; (d) a manifold mounted to the post, the manifold
having a housing defining a chamber formed therein for containing
water, and a closure formed in the housing, said closure being
adapted to permit matter to be placed in the chamber; (e) a
plurality of watering lines, each line having a sidewall defining
an internal passage, each of said watering lines being mounted to
the manifold with its internal passage in fluid communication with
the chamber, and each of said watering lines having a nozzle near a
respective plant container; (f) a water source adapter in fluid
communication with the chamber for connecting a water source
conduit to the manifold; (g) a base mounted to the post's lower
end, the base extending radially outwardly from the post for
supporting the post; and (h) a third plant container positioned
beneath the first plant container, for receiving water that falls
from the first plant container.
20. The plant holder in accordance with claim 19, wherein at least
some of said watering lines extend from the manifold into the plant
containers for watering the plants.
21. The plant holder in accordance with claim 19, further
comprising third and fourth arms extending radially from the
post.
22. A plant holder comprising: (a) an upright post having an upper
end and a lower end; (b) first and second arms extending radially
from the post for connecting first and second plant containers
containing plants to the first and second arms, respectively; (c) a
manifold mounted to the post, the manifold having a housing
defining a chamber formed therein for containing water; (d) a
plurality of watering lines, each line having a sidewall defining
an internal passage, each of said watering lines being mounted to
the manifold with its internal passage in fluid communication with
the chamber, and each of said watering lines having a nozzle near a
respective one of the arms.
Description
(b) CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/296,713 filed Jun. 8, 2001.
(d) REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX
[0002] (Not Applicable)
(e) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for holding
plants, and more specifically to an apparatus that waters the
plants which are held by it.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] In order to have the soil and light that gardens require,
most gardeners plant their gardens in the soil around their homes.
However, as real estate becomes more expensive, and as more people
dwell in apartments and condominiums, the previously common house
with a yard has become more rare. Thus, those who desire a garden
may be limited in their choices.
[0008] One alternative to a garden in a yard is potted plants,
which ordinarily can be grown anywhere. However, potted plants must
be watered frequently if they are indoors, and potted plants take
up a lot of floor or shelf space relative to their production of
flowers or fruit compared to plants grown in the ground.
[0009] In order to make efficient use of space, various structures
have been invented that hold potted plants. However, these
structures do not provide an optimal gardening environment.
Therefore, the need arises for a plant hanging structure that
maximizes the convenience of gardening while minimizing the space
consumed by the plants.
(f) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is a plant holder. The plant holder includes
an upright post having an upper end and a lower end. First and
second arms extend radially from the post, and first and second
plant containers are connected to the first and second arms,
respectively.
[0011] A manifold is mounted to the upright post, and the manifold
has a housing defining a chamber. The chamber is formed in the
housing and is for containing water. A closure, such as a lid, is
formed in the housing. The closure is adapted to permit matter,
such as fertilizer, to be placed in the chamber.
[0012] A plurality of watering lines is mounted to the manifold
with each line having a sidewall defining an internal passage. The
internal passages of the watering lines are in fluid communication
with the chamber. Each of the watering lines has a nozzle near a
respective plant container.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, a water source adapter is mounted
to the manifold in fluid communication with the chamber for
connecting a water source conduit to the manifold. A base is
mounted to the post's lower end and extending radially outwardly
from the post for supporting the post.
(g) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a view in perspective illustrating the preferred
manifold.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view in perspective illustrating an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating an alternative embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view in perspective illustrating an alternative
base.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a view in perspective illustrating a sun shade for
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view in section illustrating an adapter that
supports a plant container over a base member.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating an alternative embodiment
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention
which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be
resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended
that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific term includes all
technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to
accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or
term similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct
connection, but include connection through other elements where
such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled
in the art.
(h) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The preferred plant holder 10 is shown in FIG. 1 having a
central upright post 12 extending upwardly from a base 14. The base
14 is a rectangular, and preferably square, arrangement of attached
structures. The central post 12 extends telescopically at its lower
end into an upwardly extending receiver 26 in a base hub 20. The
radial base members 16, 17, 18 and 19 extending radially outwardly
from the base hub 20. The radial base members 16-19 insert
telescopically into four radially directed receivers 22 on the base
hub 20. Screws insert through the receivers 22 and seat against the
outer surfaces of the radial base members 16-19 in order to hold
the radial base members in the receivers. A square circumferential
member extends entirely around the radial members 16-19 and mounts
at ends of the radial members 16-19 opposite the base hub 20 in a
similar manner to the attachment of the radial base members 16-19
to the receivers 22.
[0026] Of course, other bases will be understood to be equivalent
by the person having ordinary skill from the disclosure herein. For
example, the base can be triangular, circular or any other
geometric shape that provides stability to the central post,
thereby preventing it from falling over. Alternatively, the base
can comprise radial members only, i.e., without a circumferential
member (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, a smaller base can be used if it
is attached, such as by stakes, to the ground on which it rests.
These alternative bases are examples of some other possible bases.
A person of ordinary skill will recognize that other bases are
possible, but are too numerous to list.
[0027] The structural members of the plant holder 10 are preferably
steel square tubing that is welded together in a conventional
welding process. For example, the narrower members can be one and
one-half inch square tubing, and the wider members can be two inch
square tubing. Square tubing of these dimensions fits together
telescopically as described above. However, it will become apparent
that the members can be made of other metals, plastic, wood,
composite or virtually any other structural material. The members
can be injection molded, cast, extruded, pultruded or formed in
other conventional forming processes.
[0028] At its upper end, the central post 12 extends telescopically
into a downwardly extending receiver 28 of a hanger hub 30. The
hanger hub 30 is essentially identical to the base hub 20, except
that the hanger hub 30 is inverted, and is preferably positioned
about six to seven feet above the lower surface of the base 14 due
to the height of the post 12. The hanger receivers 32 extend
radially outwardly, and preferably horizontally, from the
downwardly extending receiver 28 and the radial arms 36, 37, 38 and
39 insert telescopically at inner ends into the hanger receivers
32. Screws are mounted through the receivers 32 to seat against the
inserted radial arms 36-39 for fastening the parts together.
[0029] The radial arms 36-39 extend radially outwardly of the
central post 12, terminating at ends spaced about two feet from the
axis of the central post 12. Of course, this distance, the number
of radial arms and the shapes of the arms can be changed from the
preferred embodiment shown, as will be recognized by the skilled
artisan. Rigidly mounted on the upper edge of the radial arms 36-39
are U-shaped retainers 40, 41, 42 and 43, which serve a purpose
described next.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the plant containers 46 and 48 are
mounted to the radial arms 36 and 38, respectively. Each of the
plant containers 46 and 48 is preferably a conventional bucket
having a handle that extends upwardly from rotational attachment at
one side of the container, over the respective radial arm (near its
end), to rotational attachment at the opposite side of the
container. The uppermost points of the buckets' handles are
preferably inserted within the U-shaped retainers 40-43 to prevent
rolling of the handles off of the radial arms 36-39.
[0031] A manifold 60 is mounted on the exterior of the central post
12 intermediate, and preferably about halfway, along the post's
height by conventional threaded U-bolts. Of course, the manifold 60
could be mounted within the central post 12 or formed integrally
with the central post. A chamber 62 (see FIG. 3) is formed within
the manifold 60 for receiving and dispensing water. The preferred
manifold 60 is made of one and one-half inch PVC pipe with a lower
end that has a hose fitting 64 onto which a conventional garden
hose can be mounted. The fitting 64 has a passage through which
water in the passageway of a hose can pass. The passage in the
fitting 64 extends into the chamber 62, thereby directing water
flowing under pressure through a connected hose to flow into the
chamber 62. The preferred fitting 64 is a quick-connect fitting,
but can be a simple conventional threaded garden hose fitting
[0032] The upper end of the manifold is angled at 45 degrees and a
closure, which is preferably the screw-on cap 66, is removably
mounted to the upper end of the housing of the manifold 60. Upon
removal of the cap 66, the chamber 62 is accessible to add
material, such as fertilizer, insecticide, selective herbicide,
minerals, or other matter that is desired to mix with or be
suspended in water flowing into the chamber 62 through the fitting
64. The water preferably flows into the chamber 62 somewhat
turbulently, thereby mixing the water with the added material.
[0033] Four branched tubing outlets 70, 71, 72 and 73 are mounted
to the sidewall of the manifold 60. The outlets 70-73 are rigid,
T-shaped tubes that have passages extending from fluid
communication with the chamber 62 to two opposing ends spaced from
the manifold 60. Thus, the outlets 70-73 permit water in the
chamber 62 to flow out of the manifold 60.
[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible watering
lines 80-83 are mounted to the ends of the outlets 70 and 72 that
are spaced from the manifold 60. The watering lines 80-83 extend
upwardly to the outermost ends of the radial arms 36-39. The
watering line guides, preferably metal washers, are mounted at the
outermost ends of the radial arms 36-39, and the watering lines
80-83 extend through the apertures thereof. The guides maintain the
positions of the ends of the watering lines 80-83 above the plant
containers, and prevent the watering lines from flailing when the
water first begins to flow.
[0035] The watering lines 84-87 are mounted to the ends of the
outlets 71 and 73 that are spaced from the manifold 60. The
watering lines 84-87 are able to extend downwardly into plant
containers that are positioned on or around the base 14. For
example, if plant containers are positioned in the openings in the
base 14 between the radial members 16-19, the watering lines 84-87
can be placed with their ends in the containers.
[0036] Of course, watering lines 80-87 could be integral with the
central post, or they could extend along the inside of a hollow
central post. Additionally, the watering lines could have fittings
on their ends that attach the lines together when the plant holder
is assembled.
[0037] Once the plant containers with plants therein are positioned
on the plant holder 10, the manifold 60 is filled with water and
the water is directed out of the manifold 60 under pressure through
the watering lines 80-87 into the plant containers. Any material
added to the chamber 62 mixes with the water when it enters the
chamber and is conveyed to the plants via the watering lines 80-87.
The water or water/material mixture pours out of the watering lines
80-87 into the plant containers.
[0038] The water and fertilizer in the manifold 60 flows more
easily through the lower watering lines 84-87 than the upper
watering lines 80-83. Therefore, it may be desirable to eliminate
the lower watering lines 84-87 and water lower plant containers by
water dripping down into the lower containers through openings in
the upper containers. Alternatively, it is possible to mount
manually actuated valves 76 and 78 to the outlets 73 and 71,
respectively. The valves 76 and 78 can control the size of orifices
through which water can flow out of the manifold 60 into the lower
watering lines 84-87. By increasing or decreasing the size of the
orifices, the resistance to the flow of water is correspondingly
adjusted. This adjustment permits the amount of water going to the
upper plants to be equal to the amount of water going to the lower
plants.
[0039] The manifold 60 can be filled merely by filling the chamber
62 through the cap 66, such as with a pitcher of water.
Alternatively, the manifold 60 can be filled manually by turning on
a spigot to which a hose connected to the fitting 64 is attached.
Water will flow into and out of the manifold 60 until the spigot is
turned off. Alternatively, the watering action can be controlled by
a conventional watering timer mounted to the plant holder 10, the
water spigot, the manifold 60 or otherwise interposed between the
water source and the manifold 60. This timer turns the flow of
water into the manifold 60 on and off, thereby permitting regular,
automatic watering of the plants.
[0040] The ends of the watering lines 80-87 have nozzles that cause
the water flowing out to form a stream that gently waters the
plants. Alternatively, the watering lines 80-87 can have nozzles
that form a mist that not only waters the soil of the containers,
but also falls onto the leaves, flowers, fruit and stems of the
plants.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.
7, the plant holder 310 has a shade 312. The shade 312 is
preferably a fabric on a frame 314 that is mounted to the hanger
hub 330. The shade 312 is positioned to block or reduce the
sunlight falling on one or more of the plants in the plant
containers mounted on the plant holder 310. The fabric is
preferably a conventional shading fabric or netting.
[0042] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIG. 4, the upright post 112 is mounted in the Earth beneath the
plant holder 110. This is contemplated to be any ground surface,
such as soil, sand, gravel or a mixture that is normally present
for walking upon. However, concrete, asphalt pavement, wooden and
plastic decks and other materials are walked upon and the upright
post 112 can be mounted therein. Therefore, the definition of Earth
for the purposes of this invention includes any surface that can be
walked upon by an average person, included, without limitation,
those that have been discussed above.
[0043] The upright post 112 is preferably a common "four by four"
made of wood but could be a metal, concrete, composite or other
kind of post of any size. The post 112 inserts at its lower end
into the Earth and at its upper end inserts telescopically into the
hanger hub 130, which is essentially identical to the hanger hub 30
described above except for the dimensions of the downwardly
extending receiver 128. The receiver is enlarged to accept the
larger four-by-four wooden post 112. The manifold 160 mounts to the
upright post 112 with conventional fasteners, and has a pair of
T-shaped outlets 170 and 171 to which the watering lines 180-183
are mounted.
[0044] The plant holder 110 functions essentially the same as the
plant holder 10 described above, except that there are no lower
watering lines. This is because any lower plants can be placed
directly beneath the upper plant containers to receive any water
that drips out of openings in the floors of the upper plant
containers. Of course, lower watering lines could be added as an
alternative.
[0045] Also contemplated is a plant holder 210 having a base that
is made of a pan 200 that is mounted to a central post 212, as
shown in FIG. 6. The pan 200 has a floor 202 with a rigidly
attached upwardly extending receiver 204 into which the central
post 212 extends telescopically. A pan sidewall 206 is formed at
the peripheral edge of the floor 202, thereby forming a reservoir
with the floor 202 in which soil and plants can be placed and
retained. The weight of the soil, plants and water in the pan 200
keeps the plant holder 210 from falling over.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the radial arms 36-39 are
positioned directly above the radial base members 16-19,
respectively, of the base 14. The plant containers that are hung on
the radial arms 36-39 can have apertures in the bottoms thereof to
permit the water poured into them to drip out into containers
positioned on the base directly beneath. However, because the
radial arms 36-39 are positioned directly over the radial base
members 16-19, it may be difficult to place plant containers
directly beneath the radial arms 36-39. However, an adapter can be
used that enables one to place the plant containers directly over
the radial members 16-19 of the base. Such an adapter 400 is shown
in FIG. 8.
[0047] The adapter 400 rests over a radial base member 402 of a
base. The adapter 400 has a lower U-shaped member 404 and an upper
U-shaped member 406. The lower member 404 extends over the radial
base member 402 and rests upon the radial base member 402 and the
ground on which the radial base member 402 rests. The upper member
406 is rigidly mounted to the lower member 404, and has an upper
surface 408 upon which a plant container can rest. The wider upper
member 406 provides much more lateral support for a plant container
than the radial base member 402.
[0048] Alternatively, the hanger hub 30 can be formed with a
rotatable joint between the receivers 32 and the downwardly
extending receiver 28. Such a joint would permit rotary motion of
the hanger hub 30 relative to the receiver 28, which contains the
upright post 12. This rotary motion permits realignment of the
radial arms 36-39 directly over the open portions of the base 14
between the radial members 16-19 (or any other part of the base) so
that water poured into the plant containers mounted on the radial
arms 36-39 drips down into the plant containers mounted in the open
portions of the base 14. This eliminates or decreases the need for
watering lines extending downwardly from the manifold 60.
[0049] In a still further alternative embodiment, the arms 636,
637, 638 and 639 can be positioned rigidly over the openings in the
base 620. This is shown in FIG. 9 in which an alternative set of
arms for holding the plant containers is also illustrated.
[0050] It is also possible to have more than one vertical level of
horizontal radial arms on which plant containers can hang. For
example, the plant holder 510 has a first level of radial arms 536
and 538 at the top of the central post 512, and another level of
radial arms 540 and 542 mounted to the central post 512 between the
bottom and the top of the central post 512. The radial arms 540 and
542 can be longer or shorter than the radial arms 536 and 538.
[0051] While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various
modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit of
the invention or scope of the following claims.
* * * * *