U.S. patent application number 10/318162 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-13 for floating planter for plants and fish.
Invention is credited to Bulk, Peter.
Application Number | 20030208954 10/318162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29406551 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030208954 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bulk, Peter |
November 13, 2003 |
Floating planter for plants and fish
Abstract
A decorative floating planter simulating an island with recesses
for above-water pot holders and a floating underside support from
which hangers for a pot for an oxygenating underwater plant and a
protective netting for surrounding the underwater plant is hung.
The upper pot holders allow for seasonal changing of the plants by
replacing the pots in their cavities. The pots may have either
closed bottoms or bottoms with centrally located holes. The island
may have passageways downward through the island structure to open
into the water, allowing roots to reach the water. Cavities are
formed in the island which function as "Frog Huts" for amphibious
creatures. The floating planter is made of a closed cell plastic
foam decorated with signs, moss, and other structures shaped and
colored to simulate an island paradise.
Inventors: |
Bulk, Peter; (Freehold,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
29406551 |
Appl. No.: |
10/318162 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60378659 |
May 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 63/006 20130101;
A01G 9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/39 |
International
Class: |
A47G 007/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A decorative floating planter for use in a pond or other
comprising; a buoyant floating simulated island having a generally
arcuate top surface and a generally flat bottom surface; said
floating island defining at least one recess within said top
surface of a predetermined size and so configured as to receive a
plant pot for a decorative plant for display; and said simulated
island having the appearance of a tropical island; whereby plant
pots of the-same size having different seasonal plants therein may
be periodically exchanged by removing the plant pots existing in
said at least one recess and substituting replacement plant pots
having different plants therein.
2. The floating planter of claim 1, said island defining a large,
single recess generally centrally located in said island for
receiving a large pot.
3. The floating planter of claim 2, said island defining at least
two small recesses spaced from said large recess located in said
island for receiving small pots.
4. The floating planter of claim 2, said island further defining at
least one recess so sized and located as to serve as a shelter for
an amphibious animal, whereby frogs and newts may occupy said
shelters.
5. The floating planter of claim 4, said island further comprising
a readable sign near each of said shelter recesses indicating its
function as a shelter.
6. The floating planter of claim 1, said upper surface of said
island comprising a plurality of painted nodules and simulated moss
so placed and configured as to simulate a natural island.
7. The floating planter of claim 1, wherein said island is
constructed of a closed cell plastic foam.
8. The floating planter of claim 1, wherein said island defines
passageways therethrough from at least one of said recesses to said
underside whereby the roots of a plant within a pot placed therein
having a central hole through its base wall is free to grow
downward through said passageway to enter the water of the
pond.
9. The floating planter of claim 1, further comprising: a frame
attached to said island bottom surface and generally conforming to
the peripheral dimensions thereof; an underwater pot for holding an
underwater oxygenating plant; and a plurality of hangers suspending
said underwater pot from said frame; whereby said oxygenating plant
provides cover for fish while oxygenating the pond water.
10. The floating planter of claim 9, wherein said frame is
rectangular and is constructed of plastic pipe and fittings so as
to be buoyant when assembled.
11. The floating planter of claim 10, further comprising a
generally tubular net having an upper opening and a lower opening,
said net being attached around said upper frame and depending
downward therefrom, whereby said net surrounds said underwater pot
and oxygenating plant.
12. The floating planter of claim 11, wherein said net has an upper
sleeve surrounding said pipe of said frame so as to exclude large
fish from entering the net.
13. The floating planter of claim 12, said net comprising a draw
string at its lower opening for opening and closing said lower
opening whereby access is provided to said underwater pot when open
and stabilizing weight is supported within said net when
closed.
14. A decorative floating planter for use in a pond or other
comprising; a buoyant floating simulated tropical island having a
generally arcuate top surface and a generally flat bottom surface;
said floating island defining at least one centrally located recess
within said top surface of a predetermined size and so configured
as to receive a large plant pot for a decorative plant for display;
said floating island defining at least two small recesses spaced
from said large recess located in said island for receiving small
pots; said floating island defining at least one recess so sized
and located as to serve as a shelter for an amphibious animal,
whereby frogs and newts may occupy said shelters; a frame attached
to said island bottom surface and generally conforming to the
peripheral dimensions thereof; an underwater pot for holding an
underwater oxygenating plant; and a plurality of hangers suspending
said underwater pot from said frame; said frame being rectangular
and constructed of pipe segments and fittings so as to be buoyant
when assembled; a generally tubular net having an upper opening and
a lower opening, said net being attached around said upper frame
and depending downward therefrom, whereby said net surrounds said
underwater pot; and said net comprising a draw string at its lower
opening for opening and closing said lower opening whereby access
is provided to said underwater pot when open and stabilizing weight
is supported within said net when closed; whereby said oxygenating
plant provides cover for fish while oxygenating the pond water; and
whereby plant pots of the same size having different seasonal
plants therein may be periodically exchanged by removing the plant
pots existing in said at least one recess and substituting
replacement plant pots having different plants therefor.
15. The floating planter of claim 14, wherein said island is
constructed of a closed cell plastic foam.
16. The floating planter of claim 15, wherein said island defines
passageways therethrough from at least one of said recesses to said
underside whereby the roots of a plant within a pot placed therein
having a central hole through its base wall is free to grow
downward through said passageway to enter the water of the
pond.
17. The floating planter of claim 14, wherein said pipe segments
and fittings are plastic.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/378,659, filed May 9, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to planters. More
particularly, the present invention relates to decorative planters
for use in a pond.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Decorative planters for a garden scape are common. It is
also common to have water features such as fountains and ponds.
Some ponds have fish kept therein for decorative purposes or, in
larger ponds for fishing. Fixed decorative planters are commonly
used around the pond or on islands in the pond. The landscaping
effort and cost are significant to build such a garden scape. It
would be desirable to provide a decorative floating island which
has facilities for displaying live plants thereon and which can be
retrieved for plant replacement. It would also be desirable if that
floating island provided cover for small breed and recently hatched
fish to protect them from being eaten by mature fish until they
reach a larger size. It would further be desirable if that floating
island included water-oxygenating plants which may serve as cover
for fish. It would also be desirable if the floating island had a
natural appearance with simulated rocks, moss, and recesses for
amphibians such as frogs and newts.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,108, issued Nov. 17, 1998, to Scheuer,
describes a floating planter box with stabilizing means and a
suspended anchoring device. The planter box holds soil for
planting.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,755, issued Jul. 11, 2000, to Tepper,
describes a floating biofiltration system where netting is secured
to the bottom of the floating structure to contain both the
filtration plant and the fish that will feed off it.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,670,571, issued Mar. 2, 1954, to Waldron,
describes a plant growing structure wherein the plants used in the
structure are interchangeable.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,094, issued Dec. 14, 1993, to Wolverton
et al., also describes a plant growing structure wherein the plants
used in the structure are interchangeable and has the function of
water purification.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,588, issued Dec. 11, 1984, to Lewis,
III, et al., describes a hanging netted structure for holding pots
of aquatic plants to be cultivated.
[0011] Japanese Patent No JP6,178,626, Published Jun. 28, 1994, and
granted to Hayamizu Kazuhiko, describes a moored raft on water
having vegetating terrestrial plants, locating the upper parts of
the roots in a space between the base of the raft and the water
surface and immersing the lower parts of the roots in water,
whereby cultivation takes place.
[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is a decorative floating planter
simulating an island with recesses for above-water pot holders and
a floating underside support from which hangers for a pot for an
oxygenating underwater plant and a protective netting for
surrounding the underwater plant are hung. The upper pot holders
allow for seasonal changing of the plants by replacing the pots in
their cavities. The pots may have either closed bottoms or bottoms
with centrally located holes. The island may have passageways
downward through the island structure to open into the water,
allowing roots from plants in pots with bottom holes to reach into
the water. Cavities are formed in the island which function as
"Frog Huts" for amphibious creatures.
[0014] The floating planter is made of a closed cell plastic foam
and can be decorated with signs moss, and other structures shaped
and colored to simulate an island paradise. There is a lower
structure secured to the underside of the floating planter which
adds stability to the upper island and for optionally suspending an
oxygenating plant and for providing a haven for newly hatched fish.
The lower structure has a rectangular support made of plastic pipe
which serves as additional floatation. A closed netting is
suspended from the rectangular support and surrounds the pot and
oxygenating plant so as to keep larger fish from its interior. The
plant pot is suspended from the rectangular support by hangers. The
netting has a drawstring at its lowest point to allow access to the
pot. A weight such as a rock is placed within the netting area for
added stability and the draw string pulled tight to close the
netting during use.
[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a floating decorative planter for displaying seasonal
decorative plants in a water or pond setting.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a
decorative planter as above which resembles an island.
[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
decorative planter as above which has simulated moss, natural
coloring, and provides recessed areas for amphibious creatures such
as frogs.
[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
decorative planter as above having an understructure giving
additional floatation to the floating island and supporting an
oxygenating plant and pot.
[0019] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
decorative planter as above having a suspended netting surrounding
the oxygenating plant to protect fish hatchlings from larger fish
while the plant provides cover for the hatchlings.
[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes
described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a floating
planter for plants and fish according to the present invention as
viewed above a pond surface.
[0023] FIG. 2A is a section view drawn along lines 2A-2A of FIG.
1.
[0024] FIG. 2B is a detail view of a "Frog Hut" and sign of the
inventive floating planter of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 2C is an elevation view of the inventive floating
planter of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 2D is a section view similar to that of FIG. 2A with
the plant pots exploded outward from their recesses in the floating
planter.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the floating planter of FIG.
1 with a floating understructure suspending a pot for an
oxygenating plant and a surrounding protective netting.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the understructure of FIG. 3
as attached to the floating planter(shown in phantom lines).
[0029] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The primary purpose of the invention is to provide a
floating planter for the display of tropical and annual flowering
plants in water gardens and fish ponds. Additionally, the planter
provides shelter for amphibians, shade for the pond, and attractive
breeding environment for fish and a safe haven for new
hatchlings.
[0031] The present invention is a decorative floating planter
simulating a floating tropical island with recesses for above-water
pot holders and a floating underside support from which hangers for
a pot for an oxygenating underwater plant and a protective netting
for surrounding the underwater plant depend. The upper pot holders
allow for seasonal changing of the plants by replacing the pots in
their cavities. The pots may have either closed bottoms or bottoms
with centrally located holes. The island may have passageways
downward through the island structure to open into the water,
allowing roots from plants in pots with bottom holes to reach into
the water. Cavities are formed in the island which function as
"Frog Huts" for amphibious creatures. The floating planter is made
of a closed cell plastic foam and can be decorated with signs,
moss, and other structures shaped and colored to simulate an island
paradise. The oxygenating plant acts as cover for fish hatchlings
while the netting excludes larger fish.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an environmental
perspective view of the floating planter of the present invention.
Floating island planter 10 displays potted flowering plants FP and
floats in pond P and includes a closed cell plastic foam island 12
having surface nodules 14 which are painted and decorated with
simulated moss M to resemble an island paradise. The island 12 has
cavities 16 (frog huts) to serve as a home for amphibious animals
such as frog F and newts. A large pot receiver 18 (see FIG. 2A) is
a recess in the upper central portion of the island 12 and serves
as a receptor for a large pot 20. Smaller pot receivers 22 (see
FIG. 2A) are recesses distributed around and spaced from the large
pot receiver 18 and serve a receptors for small pots 24. The large
and small pots contain seasonal plants which may be replaced by
removing their pots from their respective pot recesses and
replacing them with pots having a new seasonal plant planted
therein.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, there is shown a section view of
the island, a detail view of a "Frog Hut" and sign, an elevation
view, and a section view similar to that of FIG. 2A with the plant
pots exploded outward from their recesses in the floating island
planter. The island 12 has an upper exposed surface 26 decorated to
resemble a tropical island and an island underside 28 upon which
the island floats. The pots 20 and 24 may have solid bottoms, which
contain all plant roots, or they may have centrally located
openings allowing plant roots to grow through as seen in FIG. 2A.
The island 12 may have respective root passages 19 and 23 for large
pot 20 and small pots 24 corresponding to the bottom openings to
allow the plant roots to grow downward into the water. Recesses 16
in the island upper surface 26 may act as cover for amphibians such
as frog F, and signs S are placed nearby.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, island 12 is attached to pipe
frame 32 generally along the periphery of its bottom side 28. Pipe
frame 32 is rectangular in shape and comprises pipe segments 34
attached at four corners by pipe elbow fittings 36. Pipe frame 32
is preferably plastic pipe which, when assembled, is buoyant. Pipe
frame 32 provides stability to island 12 and is attached to island
12 by ties 38 fastening around pipe frame pipe segments 32 and
through tie fastening bores 39 through the outer periphery of the
underside 28 of island 12. The ties may be common zip ties.
[0035] Net 40 is tubular and generally cylindrical or conical in
shape, having an upper opening and a lower opening and is supported
at its upper opening by net upper sleeve 42 surrounding pipe frame
32. Net 40 may be installed on pipe frame 32 during its assembly or
sewn over the pipe frame. Net 44 depends from pipe frame 32 and
descends to a lower-end 44 having draw string 46 for closing off
the net at the lower-end 44. A weight 48, such as a stone, is
placed within net 40 before closing tie string 46, to stabilize the
island and maintain the shape of net 40 or anchor the island if the
net reaches the bottom of the pond. A submerged pot 50 is suspended
from pipe frame 32 by hangers 52 having hooks 54 to engage the pipe
frame 32. The pot 50 is suspended within the net 40 and supports
the growth of an oxygenating aquatic plant A. The plant A helps
oxygenate the water and serves as cover for fish spawning and the
resulting hatchlings H. The net keeps the plant in an enclosed
mass, resulting in the desired fish cover. The draw string allows
for opening of the net for access to the oxygenating plant pot.
[0036] The island 12 may be made of any closed cell plastic foam
such as polystyrene or polyurethane. It may be of any desired size
and may have any desired number and size of recesses to carry an
appropriate number of potted decorative plants. As an example, an
island may have a length of about 24 inches and an irregular width
of about 18-21 inches with a maximum depth of about 12 inches. The
large center planter recess is 8 inches in diameter and 5 inches in
depth. The smaller side planter recesses or 4 inches in diameter
and 35/8 inches in depth. There are two "Frog Hut" recesses of
about 4 inches in diameter and 4 inches in depth. The signs are
cross-made from wood, the cross member being three inches wide and
the posts being quarter inch dowels, 6 inches long. Another example
has a similarly sized island body with a large center planter
recess of 12 inches in diameter and 7 inches in depth, and no
smaller recesses. This example has two "Frog Hut" recesses of about
4 inches in diameter and 4 inches in depth.
[0037] The inventive island paradise planter enables the user to
have a variety of non-aquatic annual flowering plants along with
aquatic plants in a pond or water garden. The planter pots are
easily removable for seasonal plantings. Preferably, annual or
tropical plants are contained in the removable pots. Examples of
such plants are Impatien's, Begonia's and Geraniums. The island
provides shade for a pond, which helps prevent algae growth and
provides for oxygenation of the water by the submersible plant. The
island provides shelter for amphibians such as frogs, newts, etc.
The oxygenating plant and net create a desirable place for fish
spawning and a safe haven for fish hatchlings. An example of an
appropriate oxygenating plant useful in the present invention is
the Anacharis plant.
[0038] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *