U.S. patent application number 10/427415 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-16 for clamp.
Invention is credited to Davies, Robert J..
Application Number | 20030193002 10/427415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25260536 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030193002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davies, Robert J. |
October 16, 2003 |
Clamp
Abstract
A plant stand designed to be mounted on a railing of a
structure, such as a deck, is provided. The plant stand includes a
generally vertical frame having a proximal end connected to a base
plate. A clamp connected to the base plate is designed to
selectively clamp a railing of the structure between a body of the
clamp and the base plate. A plurality of plant supports are coupled
with the frame for supporting plants thereon. In first and second
embodiments of the plant stand, the plant supports are spaced apart
from and coupled with the frame via support arms. In the second
embodiment, the support arms are adjustable by way of a plurality
of brackets secured to legs of the frame.
Inventors: |
Davies, Robert J.; (Wamego,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHOOK, HARDY & BACON
1200 MAIN STREET
ONE KANSAS CITY PLACE
KANSAS CITY,
MO
64105-2118
US
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Family ID: |
25260536 |
Appl. No.: |
10/427415 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10427415 |
May 1, 2003 |
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09832052 |
Apr 10, 2001 |
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6557806 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/231.71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/022 20130101;
A47G 7/041 20130101; F16M 11/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/231.71 |
International
Class: |
E04G 005/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A clamp comprising: a plate having upper and lower surfaces; a
shaft coupled with the plate, wherein the shaft includes an
internally threaded bore; a bolt threadably received in the bore of
the shaft; and a carriage coupled with the shaft via the bolt and
selectively movable toward and away from the base plate.
2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the carriage has a body and a
sleeve, wherein the sleeve is slidably received on the shaft in
telescoping fashion.
3. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the carriage is received on the
bolt, wherein the sleeve is generally tubular in nature and has an
opening therein, wherein the bolt is received in the opening,
wherein the shaft is received in the opening, and wherein an outer
circumference of the shaft is slightly less than a circumference of
the opening, whereby tightening the bolt draws the carriage toward
the plate.
4. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a longitudinal axis
and wherein the shaft is coupled with the plate such that the
longitudinal axis of the shaft is generally perpendicular to the
lower surface of the plate.
5. The clamp of claim 4, wherein the carriage has a first portion
with an upper surface which is generally parallel to the lower
surface of the base and wherein movement of the carriage moves the
upper surface of the first portion toward and away from the lower
surface of the base to clamp items therebetween.
6. The clamp of claim 5, wherein the carriage has a body and a
sleeve, wherein the first portion of the carriage is on the body,
and wherein the upper surface of the first portion is generally
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve.
7. The clamp of claim 4, wherein the shaft is coupled with and
spaced apart from the base via a support.
8. The clamp of claim 7, wherein the support has a proximal end
which is coupled to the upper surface of the support and a distal
end which is coupled to a proximal end of the shaft.
9. A clamp for selectively mounting an object to a railing of a
deck, the clamp comprising: a base plate having upper and lower
surfaces, wherein the lower surface abuts the railing when the
clamp is coupled thereto; a shaft coupled with the base plate; a
carriage slidably received on the shaft for selective movement
toward and away from the base plate; and means for moving the
carriage toward and away from the base plate.
10. The clamp of claim of 9, wherein the shaft has a longitudinal
axis and wherein the longitudinal axis of the shaft is generally
perpendicular to the lower surface of the base plate.
11. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the shaft has an internally
threaded bore therein, wherein the means for moving the carriage
toward and away from the base plate includes a bolt theadably
received in the bore in the shaft, wherein the carriage is received
on the bolt and wherein tightening the bolt moves the carriage
toward the base plate.
12. The clamp of claim 11, wherein carriage has a body and a
sleeve, wherein the body has a first portion with an upper surface
that is generally parallel to the lower surface of the base plate,
and wherein the upper surface of the first portion abuts the
railing when the clamp is coupled thereto, whereby the railing is
positioned between the lower surface of the base plate and the
upper surface of the first portion of the carriage.
13. The clamp of claim 12, wherein the sleeve includes an opening
and wherein the shaft is slidably received in the opening.
14. The clamp of claim 13, wherein the sleeve is generally tubular
in nature, wherein the opening in sleeve has a shape that
corresponds to a shape defined by an outer surface of the
shaft.
15. The clamp of claim 14, wherein the outer surface of the shaft
defines a cylinder.
16. The clamp of claim 12, wherein the body has a second portion
that is generally perpendicular to the first portion, whereby the
first and second portions cooperate to define a generally L-shaped
member for receiving a portion of the railing when the clamp is
coupled thereto.
17. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the shaft is coupled with and
spaced apart from the base plate via a support, wherein the support
has a proximal end which is coupled to the upper surface of the
support and a distal end which is coupled to a proximal end of the
shaft, and wherein the support extends upwardly from the upper
surface of the base plate at a non-perpendicular angle such that
the distal end of the support is not directly above the upper
surface of the base plate, whereby the shaft is next to the base
plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
application Ser. No. 29/126,615, entitled "Plant Stand", filed Jul.
18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. D446,403, from U.S. application Ser.
No. 29/126,614, entitled "Plant Stand", filed Jul. 18, 2000, now
U.S. Pat. No. D446,402, and from U.S. application Ser. No.
09/832,052, entitled "Deck Mountable Plant Stand", now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,557,806.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a stand for holding plants.
More particularly, this invention relates to a plant stand designed
to be mounted to a horizontal railing of a structure, such as a
deck to permit a user to support plants thereon in an aesthetically
pleasing arrangement and to provide a natural privacy wall.
[0004] Numerous types of devices exist for supporting and
displaying potted plants. Most of the plant stands of the prior
art, however, are designed only to serve the function of providing
an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of the plant supports.
[0005] In today's increasingly populated society, more and more
people are living in close proximity to one another while the
desire for privacy increases. For example, large numbers of people
live in apartment buildings with decks directly adjacent one
another. For aesthetic reasons, many people place potted plants
directly on the railings of the deck. However, there is a need for
a way to arrange plants on a deck in a vertical orientation such
that the foliage of the plants provide a natural privacy screen
between the user and their neighbors.
[0006] Other problems of the plant stands of the prior art include
the absence of a method of securing the containers of the plants to
the plant stand such that they are not accidentally knocked off the
decks by a person or the weather.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a plant stand which can be
securely attached to a railing of a deck and securely support
plants in a vertical arrangement there above. The present invention
fills these and other needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to overcome the above-stated problems and
limitations, and to achieve the noted objects, there is provided a
deck mountable plant stand with various ways to secure the
container of the plant to the plant stand.
[0009] In general, the plant stand includes a generally vertical
frame having a proximal end which is coupled to a base plate. A
clamp is coupled with the base plate and designed to clamp a
portion of a railing of a deck between the base plate and the
clamp. A plurality of plant supports are coupled with the frame in
various locations.
[0010] In first and second embodiments of the plant stand, the
plant supports are coupled with the frame via support arms. The
support arms space the plant supports away from legs of the frame.
In the second embodiment, the support arms are removably coupled
with brackets on the frame such that the user may selectively
position and arrange the location of the plant supports on the
plant stand.
[0011] A first method of securing the containers of plants to the
plant stand includes a generally vertical prong generally centrally
located on an upper surface of a plate of the plant support and
extending upwardly therefrom. The prong is sized to be received in
an aperture in the base of the container. The prong in turn sticks
up into the soil in the plant and prevents the container from
sliding off the plant support.
[0012] A second method of securing the container of a plant to the
plant stand includes a plurality of L-shaped brackets partially and
slidably received in horizontal openings in the plant support. The
L-shaped brackets can be moved toward and away from each other to
clamp containers of varying sizes. Once in the desired clamping
orientation, the L-shaped brackets can be mechanically secured in
placed via thumb screws.
[0013] In a third embodiment of a plant stand of the present
invention, the plant supports are positioned directly on the frame
to provide an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
[0014] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed
description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the
attached figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0015] The objects and features of the invention noted above are
explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which
like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of a
plant stand of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plant support of the
plant stand taken generally along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a base
plate and clamp of the plant stand of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a plant support for a plant stand of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the alternate
embodiment of the plant support of FIG. 4 with a portion thereof
cut-away for clarity;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of a second embodiment of
a plant stand of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a base
plate and clamp of the plant stand of FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view taken generally along
the line 8-8 in FIG. 6 and illustrating the removable connection
between a support arm and a bracket;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of a third embodiment of a
plant stand of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of
a clamp for securing the base of a plant stand of the present
invention to a railing;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp of FIG. 10
clamping a thin railing; and
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp of FIG. 10
clamping a thick railing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to
FIG. 1, numeral 10 generally designates a deck mountable plant
stand of the present invention. The stand 10 has a frame 12, a base
plate 14 connected thereto, a clamp 16 connected to the base plate
14, and a plant support 18 coupled with the frame for supporting a
plant 20 thereon. In a first embodiment of the present invention,
as illustrated in FIG. 1, the stand 10 also includes a support arm
22.
[0029] The frame 12 is preferably an inverted U-shaped member
having a first leg 24 and a second leg 26. The frame 12 has a
generally vertical longitudinal axis, which is generally parallel
to the legs 24, 26, and a proximal end 28 and a distal end 30.
[0030] The frame 12 is preferably constructed of solid bar stock
having a square cross-section. It is, of course, within the scope
of the present invention to fabricate the frame 12 out of wood or
another suitable rigid material, or to have a non-square
cross-section (such as circular, triangular, etc.) or to use hollow
tubing stock. The bar stock for the frame 12 is preferably bent to
the desired shape in accordance with known procedures whereby the
distal end 30 is at an apex of the frame 12 and the proximal end 28
of the frame 12 is at the lower ends of the legs 24, 26 and is
connected to the base plate 14.
[0031] The base plate 14 is preferably also constructed of metal
and is preferably a generally flat metal plate. The base plate 14
has an upper surface 32 and a lower surface 34. The proximal end 28
of the frame 12 is connected to the upper surface 32 of the base
plate 14, preferably by welding. The lower surface 34 of the base
plate 14 is designed to abut and rest on an upper surface 36 of a
horizontal railing 38 of a deck when in use.
[0032] A first embodiment of the clamp 16, as illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 3, preferably includes a rod 42 and a carriage 44. The rod is
preferably threaded and has a proximal end 46 and a distal end 48.
The proximal end 46, in the first embodiment, is preferably
connected to the lower surface 34 of the base plate 14 adjacent a
rear edge 50. A rear portion 52 of the base plate 14 overhangs the
railing 38 such that the rod 42 depends downwardly from the lower
surface 34.
[0033] The carriage 44 includes a body 54 and a sleeve 56. The body
54 is preferably an L-shaped member having a horizontal portion 58
and a vertical portion 60. The body 54 may be fabricated from two
separate pieces or, alternatively, may simply be a short piece of
angle iron. The horizontal portion 58 has an upper surface 62 which
is designed to abut a lower surface 64 of the railing 38. The
vertical portion 60 of the body 54 has an inner surface 66,
designed to abut a side 68 of the railing 38, and an outer surface
70. The sleeve 56 is connected to the outer surface 70 of the
vertical portion 60 of the body 54 and includes a longitudinal bore
72 therethrough. The rod 42 is received in the bore 72 of the
sleeve 56 and the carriage 44 is slidable thereon toward and away
from the base plate 14. A nut 74 is threadably received on the rod
42, whereby tightening of the nut 74 moves the carriage 44 toward
the base plate 14 and thereby clamps the railing 38 between the
base plate 14 and the horizontal portion 58 of the body 54 of the
carriage 44.
[0034] A first embodiment of the plant support 18 is illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 9. The plant support 18 is preferably a flat
metal plate and, for aesthetic and safety reasons, is preferably
circular in nature. The plate 76 has an upper surface 78 and a
lower surface 80. In order to make sure that a plant 20 positioned
on the plant support 18 stays thereon until a user desires the
plant to be removed, the first embodiment of the plant support 18
also includes a generally vertical prong 82 extending upwardly from
the upper surface 78 of the plate 76. The prong 82 is designed to
be received in an aperture 84 in a base 86 of a container 88 of the
plant 20.
[0035] In the first and a second embodiment of the plant stand 10
disclosed herein, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the plant
supports 18 are coupled with the frame 12 by support arms 22. The
support arm 22 is preferably made of the same material as the frame
12. In the first embodiment, the support arm 22 is generally
L-shaped having an extension section 90 and proximal and distal
ends 92, 94. In the first embodiment, the proximal ends 92 of the
plant supports 18 are preferably welded to the frame 12. The distal
ends 94 are in turn welded to the lower surfaces 80 of the plant
supports 18.
[0036] In the second embodiment, and as pictured in FIGS. 6 and 8,
the support arms 22 are generally Z-shaped and are removably
coupled with the frame 12 via a bracket 96. In this embodiment, the
support arm 22 has a downwardly turned proximal portion 98 which is
received in a vertical opening 100 in the bracket 96. It has been
found beneficial to provide the bracket 96 with the opening 100
therein by using a short piece of tubing welded to one of the legs
24, 26 of the frame 12. Additionally, in order to prevent the
support arms from swinging back and forth and pivoting in the
opening 100, it has been found beneficial to provide the opening
100 and the mating proximal portion 98 with non-round
cross-sections, such as the square cross-sections illustrated. By
providing a plurality of brackets 96 spaced vertically along the
legs 24, 26, a user may selectively adjust the orientation,
arrangement and height of the plant supports and the distances
therebetween to accommodate a wide variety of different sized and
shaped plants 20.
[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the plant
support 18. In this embodiment, instead of providing the plant
support as a flat metal plate, the plant support is provided by a
plurality of support members 102 extending radially outwardly from
a central location 104. The support members 102 have distal ends
106 with horizontal openings 108 therein. A horizontal portion 110
of an L-shaped bracket 112 is then slidably received in the opening
108 of the support member 102. Opposing L-shaped brackets 112 may
then be moved towards each other until they abut and clamp sides
114 of the container 88. Once the brackets are in the proper
location up against the sides 114 of the container 88, the L-shaped
brackets 112 are maintained in place by way of thumb screws 116
provided in the support members 102 which cooperate with the
horizontal portion 110 of the L-shaped bracket 112.
[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the clamp
16. In this embodiment, the clamp includes two downwardly depending
rods 42 with each receiving its own carriage 44. In this
embodiment, the rear portion 52 of the base plate 14 does not
overhang the railing 38. Instead, and as best illustrated in FIG.
7, the rear edge 50 of the base plate is spaced back from the side
68 of the railing 38. In order to provide this arrangement, the
rods 42 are J-shaped with the proximal ends 46 connected to the
upper surface 32 of the base plate adjacent opposite ends thereof.
In this embodiment, the nut 74 has been replaced with wing nuts 118
and a washer 120. Additionally, the horizontal portion 58 has been
bent upwardly to provide for an acute angle between the horizontal
portion 58 and vertical portion 60. This slight upward bend of
horizontal portion 58 has been found to provide beneficial clamping
pressure.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the plant stand 10
of the present invention. In this embodiment, the frame 12 again
has first and second legs 24, 26 and a proximal end 28. However, in
this embodiment, the frame 12 is generally V-shaped and the plant
supports 18 are mounted directly on the frame 12.
[0040] FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a third embodiment of the
clamp 16. In this embodiment, the J-shaped rod 42 of the second
embodiment has been replaced by an angled support 120 and shaft
122. The angled support 120 has a proximal end 124 which is secured
to the upper surface 32 of the base plate 14 and a distal end 126
which extends rearwardly beyond the rear edge 50 of the base plate
14. The distal end 126 is connected to the shaft 122 such that the
angled support 120 holds and maintains the shaft 122 in a generally
vertical orientation.
[0041] The shaft 122 has a proximal end 128, which is connected to
the distal end 126 of the angled support 120, and a distal end 130.
The distal end 130 contains a bore 132 therein which is internally
threaded.
[0042] As with the other embodiments, the clamp also includes a
carriage 44 having a body 54 in a sleeve 56. The sleeve 56 has an
inner diameter slightly greater than an outer diameter of the shaft
122 such that the sleeve is slidingly and telescopingly received on
the shaft 122. A bolt 134 with a wing nut head 136 couples the
sleeve 56 with the shaft 122 and is threadably received in the bore
132. This arrangement, while still providing the desired
adjustability of the first and second embodiment, does so in a
safer manner as it does not have the distal end 48 of the rod 42
protruding outwardly from the clamp 16.
[0043] Multiple combinations and mixing and matching of the various
embodiments are well within the scope of the present invention.
Other modifications which are within the scope of the present
invention include the positioning of a plant hanger bar 138
intermediate the legs 24, 26 of the frame 12 and positioned
adjacent a distal end 30. The plant hanger bar 138 permits a user
of the plant stand 10 to hang a plant 20 intermediate the first and
second legs 24, 26. Another modification contemplated would be the
inclusion of a third plant support 18 to the third embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 9. The third plant support 18 would be placed
in the V of the frame 12 with the outer periphery of the plate 76
of the plant support 18 being supported by the legs 24, 26 (not
illustrated).
[0044] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the structure. 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
invention.
[0045] 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.
* * * * *