U.S. patent application number 10/930279 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for rotatable plant stand.
Invention is credited to Lehman, David B., Lehman, Hope P..
Application Number | 20050081439 10/930279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34526352 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050081439 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lehman, Hope P. ; et
al. |
April 21, 2005 |
Rotatable plant stand
Abstract
A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant includes a
base member. A top member is supported by the base by way of a
bearing member so that the top member is rotatable about a central
axis, and this rotation may be automated. In some embodiments, the
top member has a peripheral edge that is geometrically the same as
the peripheral edge of the base member. In some embodiments, the
base and members have opposed cavities with the bearing member
being nested in the cavities. In some embodiments, the top member
has a skirt portion that depends downwardly to form a chamber that
receives the base member. The base member may be provided with
wheels or may be a pedestal. The top member may include a water
reservoir and may provide a pot for the plant. A method of caring
for the plant by rotation is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Lehman, Hope P.; (Evergreen,
CO) ; Lehman, David B.; (Evergreen, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIMOTHY J MARTIN, PC
9250 W 5TH AVENUE
SUITE 200
LAKEWOOD
CO
80226
US
|
Family ID: |
34526352 |
Appl. No.: |
10/930279 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60499229 |
Aug 29, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 7/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
047/039 |
International
Class: |
A47G 007/04 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to a
support surface, comprising: (A) a base member adapted to be
supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface and
having a base peripheral edge; (B) a top member supported by said
base member in substantially parallel relation thereto and having a
top member peripheral edge that is substantially geometrically the
same as said base peripheral edge; and (C) a bearing member
interposed between said base member and said top member whereby
said upper top member is rotatable about a central axis with
respect to said base member.
2. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 including a
plurality of wheels secured to said base member opposite said top
member.
3. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said base
member is configured as a pedestal.
4. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said base
member and said top member are configured substantially
identically.
5. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein at least
one of said base member and said top member has a cavity formed
therein, said bearing member being nested in said cavity.
6. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said top
member is configured as a water reservoir operative to hold a
supply of water for a plant.
7. A rotatable plant stand according to claim wherein 1 said top
member is configured as a pot for a plant.
8. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 including a drive
operative to rotate said top member relative to said base
member.
9. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said top
member is configured as a Christmas tree stand.
10. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to
a support surface, comprising: (A) a base member adapted to be
supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface and
having a base member upper surface and a base member lower surface
opposite the base member upper surface, said base member upper
surface having a base cavity formed centrally therein; (B) a top
member supported by said base member in substantially parallel
relation thereto and having a top member upper surface and a top
member lower surface opposite the top member upper surface, said
top member lower surface having a top cavity formed centrally
therein, said base member and said top member oriented such that
the top member lower surface faces said lower member upper surface
with the base cavity and the top cavity in opposed relation; (C) a
bearing member interposed between said base member and said top
member with a lower portion of said bearing member nested in the
base cavity and with an upper portion of said bearing member nested
in the top cavity, said upper top member thereby being rotatable
about a central axis with respect to said base member.
11. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 10 including a
plurality of wheels secured to said base member opposite said top
member.
12. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to
a support surface, comprising: (A) a base member adapted to be
supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface; (B) a
bearing member disposed on said base member; and (C) a water
reservoir adapted to supply a source of water to the plant, said
water reservoir being supported by said bearing member for rotation
relative to said base member.
13. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 12 including a
plurality of wheels secured to said base member opposite said top
member.
14. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 12 including a pot
portion secured to said water reservoir opposite said base
member.
15. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to
a support surface, comprising: (A) a base member adapted to be
supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface and
having a base peripheral edge; (B) a top member supported by said
base member in substantially parallel relation thereto and
including a central portion surrounded by a top member peripheral
edge and a skirt portion depending from the top member peripheral
edge thereby to form a chamber to nestably receive said base
member; and (C) a bearing member interposed between said base
member and said top member whereby said upper top member is
rotatable about a central axis with respect to said base
member.
16. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 15 wherein said
bearing member is annular in shape.
17. A method of caring for a plant, comprising: (A) providing a
plant stand that includes a top member rotatably journaled with
respect to a base member; (B) placing a potted plant on said plant
stand; and (C) rotating said potted plant at spaced-apart selected
time intervals over desired angular amount.
18. The method according to claim 17 including a step of moving the
potted plant from one location to another while the potted plant is
supported on said plant stand.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention broadly concerns the care and
nurturing of plants. Particularly the present invention is directed
to stands for rotating plants relative to a light source. More
specifically the present invention is directed to a plant stand
that includes components that move relative to each other and that
may be provided with wheels to facilitate the movement of a plant
placed thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] All living things need the warmth and light of the sun to
grow and remain healthy. Many plants require a source of light to
prosper, and it is well know that a plant will respond directly to
the direction incident light. Plants tend to grow towards the
location of the light source, such as the sun. For example, a
dieffenbachia plant will lean heavily to the side which it receives
sunlight. Yucca plants share the same characteristic, although they
do not respond to direct sunlight but rather indirect light.
[0003] Many plants are large in size and mass. Thus, the plant, the
medium in which it is planted and the potting container can have
substantial in weight. To move such plants is therefore not a small
task. Yet, it is often beneficial to turn the plant so that one
side of the plant will not be heavy sided compared to the other.
Sometimes it may be beneficial to move a plant out of direct
sunlight yet return it to the original position.
[0004] A disadvantage of current plant containers is that they are
neither readily rotatable nor movable from one location to another.
Where plants and their respective containers are on wheeled
supports, damage may be done to flooring or the plant may tip over
and spills may occur during movement. Where a plant is displayed on
an elevated plant stand, it can be very difficult to change the
position of the plant. Usually, the only way of changing the
plant's position is to actually rotate the pot itself relative to
the elevated stand. This may become cumbersome for the homeowner
and inconvenient. Furthermore, manual methods of rotating the plant
may be faulty and a plant may not get the proper location that it
needs.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists to provide a convenient method for
a person to easily rotate and move plants of all sizes. There is a
further need to be able to automate this rotation. That is, there
is a need for a reliable easy to use, durable plant stand designed
to easily and possible automatically rotate plants. There is a
further need for plant stands that are easy to move when holding
heavy plants. The present invention is directed to meeting those
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and useful plant stand that is simple in construction and easy to
use.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
durable plant stand that can be rotated so as to rotate a plant
placed upon it.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
plant stand that can be used to move the position of a plant and
that is particularly useful for moving heavy plants.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
rotating plant stand that efficiently accommodates plants of
various sizes.
[0010] Still a further object of the present invention is to
provide a decorative plant stand having a pleasing symmetric
appearance.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a plant stand that prevents plants from tipping upon being
moved.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is provide a
rotating plant stand that can also be moved in order to position a
plant in the best location to receive sunlight.
[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a rotating plant stand that allows the rotation of the plant in
order for the plant to thrive and grow evenly on all sides of the
plant.
[0014] According to the present invention, then, a rotatable plant
stand is provided. The plant stand is adapted to support a plant
relative to a support surface. Broadly, the plant stand includes a
base member that may rest substantially horizontal to the support
surface with the base member having a base peripheral edge. A top
member is then supported by the base member in substantially
parallel relation thereto. The top member has a top member
peripheral edge. A bearing member is interposed between the base
member and the top member such that the top member is rotatable
about a central axis with respect to the base member.
[0015] In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the
base member peripheral edge and the top member peripheral edge are
substantially geometrically the same. The base member may be formed
as a pedestal. In some embodiments, the top member is configured as
a water reservoir adapted to supply of source of water to the
plant. The water reservoir may be formed integrally with a pot
portion, if desired. In still other embodiments, the top member may
include a skirt portion that depends downwardly from the top member
peripheral edge thereby to form a chamber to nestibly receive the
base member. In yet another embodiment, the top member may be
configured as a Christmas tree stand.
[0016] In any of the embodiments, if desired, may be secured to the
base member opposite the top member so that the plant stand may
roll on the support surface. The base member and the top member may
be configured substantially identically, again if desired. In
addition, at least one of the base member and the top member may
have a cavity formed therein so that the bearing member is nested
in the cavity. The bearing member may be a thrust bearing and, if
desired, may be annular in shape.
[0017] The present invention is also directed to a method of caring
for a plant. Here, the method broadly includes a plant stand that
includes a top member rotatably journaled with respect to a base
member. A potted plant is then placed on the plant stand. The
method then includes the step of rotating the plant at spaced apart
selected time intervals over a desired angular amount. The method
may, if desired, include the step of moving the potted plant from
one location to another while the potted plant is supported on the
plant stand. This, for example, may be accomplished by wheels.
[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention when taken together with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to a
first embodiment of the present invention shown with a plant
supported thereon;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plant stand shown in
FIG. 1 but without the plant;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the plant stand
shown in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to a
second embodiment of the present invention supporting a plant in a
manner similar to that of FIG. 1 but having wheels attached to the
base;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view in cross-section of the plant stand of
FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to a
third embodiment of the present invention shown in an upright
position upholding a plant;
[0026] FIG. 8(a) is an exploded side view in elevation of the plant
stand shown in FIG. 7 wherein the water reservoir form part of the
plant stand;
[0027] FIG. 8(b) is an exploded view, similar to FIG. 8(a), wherein
the water reservoir is integral with a plant pot for the plant
stand;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion
of the plant stand shown in FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the base and bearing member
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12(a) is an exploded side view in partial cross-section
showing a water reservoir secured in a first orientation to the
base and bearing member of FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 12(b) is an exploded side view in partial cross-section
similar to FIG. 12(a) showing the water reservoir secured in a
second orientation to the base and bearing member of FIG. 11;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a side view in cross-section diagrammatically
showing another embodiment of the present invention having a
motorized control in order to automatically rotate a plant placed
thereon;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG.
13, but showing the plant stand provided wheels;
[0035] FIG. 15 is an exploded side view in cross-section showing a
simplified version of the plant stand according to the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 16 is an exploded view in perspective showing the
simplified plant stand of FIG. 15;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the plant
stand according to the present invention illustrated as a Christmas
tree stand;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the Christmas tree
plant stand shown in FIG. 17; and
[0039] FIG. 19 is a side view in cross-section showing a second
embodiment of a Christmas tree plant stand of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0040] The present invention is directed to an ascetically pleasing
plant stand that is sturdy and durable. The invention is
constructed so as to support a plant while having the ability to
efficiently rotate and laterally relocate a plant in order to
maximize the growth and health thereof. The ensuing descriptions of
the exemplary embodiments of a movable plant stand of the present
invention specially relate to a plant stand that is designed to
uphold and transport plants of various sizes, weights and shapes.
One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, however, that
the present invention has other applications other than those
described herein and can support other items.
[0041] Generally the broad form of the present invention includes a
plant stand comprising two pieces, such as disks, that rotate
relative to each other and that may also be moved laterally by easy
methods. These pieces may vary in size and geometry to accommodate
plants of various sizes. The general form of the present invention
may include a base disk and a top disk that are of geometrically
similar size and shape and which rotate with respect to one another
on a thrust bearing. The invention, if desired, can further
include, wheels to permit rolling the stand and a plant located
thereon. An optional motorized drive and appropriate controls may
also be employed.
[0042] As is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a first exemplary embodiment
of plant stand 10 according to the present invention is depicted.
As shown in FIG. 1, stand 10 is supported substantially
horizontally on a surface 11 in an upright position. As is shown in
FIGS. 1-4, plant stand 10 has a base member 12 having a base
peripheral edge 13 and a top member 14 having a top peripheral
edge. Top member 14 is substantially parallel to base member 12. A
plant pot 16 is depicted resting on top member 14, and pot 16 is
shown to house plant 18. Top member 14 rotates relatively to base
member 12 by means of a thrust bearing interposed between base
member 12 and top member 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that top
member 14 may rotate plant 18 towards the sunlight in order to
create even growth.
[0043] As is further illustrated in these figures, each of base
member 12 and top member 14 are constructed as circular disks out
of wood with their respective peripheral edges 13 and 15 having a
geometric shape that is substantially the same. Indeed, as shown in
this embodiment, base member 12 and top member 14 are constructed
substantially identically. While base member 12 and top member 14
are shown to be made of wood, base member 12 and top member 14
could be made of any suitable material such as plastic, composites,
metal, ceramic, etc.
[0044] As illustrated, the underside of top member 14 has a
generally cylindrical cavity 19 formed therein. Likewise the upper
side of base member 12 as a similar cavity 17. Cavities 17 and 19
receive a thrust bearing 20 so that base member 12 and top member
14 can rotate with respect to one another about a common central
axis "A". As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thrust bearing 20 consists
of a base plate 22 and a top plate 24. As is known, plates 22 and
24 ride on ball bearings or thrust bearings to provide a low
fiction rotation. Thrust bearing 20 accordingly supports top disk
14 for rotation relative to base disk 12 in a plane generally
parallel to the plane of the base disk 12.
[0045] In greater detail it may be seen that the depths of cavities
13 and 15 are selected to accommodate thrust bearing 20 in a manner
such that base member 12 and top member 14 are spaced apart from
one another. Thus, a small gap is located between base member 12
and top member 14. The small gap is necessary to accommodate thrust
bearing 20 and to permit easy rotation. Bearing 20 permits top
member 14 to rotate in either direction relative to base member 12.
Base plate 22 of thrust bearing 20 is located in cavity 17 and is
secured therein by means of suitable fasteners, such as screws 26.
Similarly, top plate 24 of thrust bearing 20 is located in cavity
19 and is secured therein by means of suitable fasteners, again,
such as screws 28. However, it should be understood that any means
could be used for attaching base member 12 to top member 14 but
allow for a turning motion of top member 14. Such means include
thrust bearings, ball bearings, or other bearings in a ring
formation or other formation within a plate, a simple thin walled
ring or belt of bearings, sliders, grooves and frictionless mating
surfaces, and the like. Base member 12 and top member 14 are each
provided with access ports 46 and 48, respectively, to allow access
to screws 26 and 28 thereby to permit mounting of the thrust
bearing.
[0046] A modified embodiment of the plant stand of FIGS. 1-4 is
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, plant stand 10'
includes a top member 14' rotatably secured by a thrust bearing 20'
to a base member 12'. Plant stand 10' is provided with a plurality
of castors 36 attached to base member 12' in order that plant stand
10' can be rolled into different positions. Castors 36 may be of
any type generally know in the field of rolling devices. For
example, each castor 36 can include a fastening plate 38 and
mounting ring 40. As shown by FIG. 6, castors 36 are fastened to
base member 12 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 42 that extend
through appropriately sized mounting holes in fastening plate 38.
Naturally, other fasteners could be used, including bolts, glue,
pin, nails, press-studs, rivets, or other fasteners. Any number of
desired castors or wheels can also be used in order to provide
sufficient stability to the modified plant stand 10'. Conversely
the base plate could be wheeled on four or more castors.
[0047] FIGS. 7 and 8(a) illustrate a third embodiment of the
present invention. Here, plant stand 110 is adapted to support a
plant 118 that is potted in a suitable container 116. Plant stand
110 includes a base member 112 that is provided with a plurality of
castors or wheels 136 mounted to the underside of base 112. Once
again, a top member 114 is rotatably supported on base 112 by means
of a thrust bearing 120. Top member 114 may be rotated relative to
base 112 so that the plant 118 may be repositioned relative to a
source of light. Similar to plant stand 10', plant stand 110 may be
rolled from location to location, as desired.
[0048] Plant stand 110, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), however,
departs from plant stand 10 and 10' in that top member 114 is
formed as a water reservoir that may receive and supply water to
nourish plant 118 or to provide an overflow should excess water be
placed in container 116. To this end, top 114 has an upstanding
sidewall 150 so that it is pan-shaped in configuration to provide a
water chamber 152 between sidewall 150 and container 116.
[0049] FIG. 8(b) illustrates a modification to the plant stand of
FIGS. 7 and 8(a). Here, the top member 114' that is in to form of a
water reservoir is shown to be integrally formed with a plant pot
portion 160 which can hold potting material and the plant 118.
[0050] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. Here, a plant stand 210 includes a base
member including base member 212 formed by a flat plate 214 and a
pedestal or column 215 that extends in an upright manner from base
214 therefrom to terminate in a top portion 216. Top portion 216
has a flat top surface 218 in which a cylindrical cavity 213 is
formed. A top member 222 is rotatably secured to top 218 of column
215 by means of a thrust bearing 220 received in cavity 213 of top
portion 216. Top member 222 is similar in construction to top
member 14 described with respect to the first embodiment of the
present invention, and it should be understood that top member 222
includes a cylindrical cavity that receives top plate 224 of thrust
bearing 220. Bottom plate 226 of thrust bearing 220 is positioned
in cavity 213 and is fastened there by means of suitable screws. As
is illustrated in FIG. 9, a plant 230 received in container 232 may
be placed on top member 222 from rotation relative to base member
212.
[0051] FIGS. 11, 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate another embodiment of
the plant stand of the present invention. With reference to these
figures, it may be seen that plant stand 250 includes base member
252 formed as a latticework of arcuate metal rods including a
circular outer peripheral rod 254 and a plurality of generally
C-shaped inner rods 256. Base member 252 may be depicted as
supported by a plurality of castors 258, and a thrust bearing 260
is supported on an upper portion of base member 252.
[0052] With specific reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), it may be
seen that top member 262 may be mounted in two alternative
orientations. Here, top member 262 includes a central portion 264
and a sidewall 266 that form a chamber 268. As shown in FIG. 12(a),
top member 262 may be mounted to first bearing 260 by screws 270
that extend through holes 274 in central portion 264 in a first
orientation so that sidewall 266 forms an annular skirt that
depends downwardly from central portion 264. Here, base member 252
may nest in chamber 268. Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 12(b),
top member 262 may be mounted so that sidewall 266 upwardly
projects from the plant stand thereby defining a water reservoir
for a plant placed therein. In this configuration, gaskets 272 may
be provided so that screws 270 will seal relative to central
portion 262 when screws 270 extend through holes 274 in central
portion 264.
[0053] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a motorized version of a plant
stand according to the present invention. First, with respect to
FIG. 13, it may be seen that a plant stand 310 includes a base 312
that is adapted to rest on a support surface. Base member 312
includes an upper wall 313 upon which a disk-shaped top member 314
is rotatably disposed on an annular bearing 320. Gear 322 is
rotatably journaled on upper wall 313 and is supported in a bearing
324 positioned in a central bore thereof. Gear 322 is secured to
top member 314 in any suitable manner and is driven by a drive gear
326 that is operated by motor 328 that is connected to a power
source (not shown). Thus, when motor 328 turns gear 326, this
drives gear 322 and correspondingly rotates top 314 relative to
base 312.
[0054] With further reference to FIG. 13, it may be appreciated
that a controller 330 may be used to control motor 328 to drive top
314 in any desired manner. For example, controller 330 may include
timing circuitry that is operative to intermittently drive top
member 314 to rotate a plant placed thereon. The time interval
between the drive events may be selected to be of any duration. It
is contemplated that a drive event take place on intervals of
n.times.24 hours where n equals a positive integer. Moreover, the
annular mount of rotation may be as selected. Again, it is
conceived that such rotation either by 90.degree., 120.degree. or
180.degree. depending on the amount of rotation of the plant that
is desired.
[0055] In FIG. 14, the motor driven plant stand is modified as
plant stand 410 wherein base member 412 again includes an upper
wall 413 and a lower wall 415. Top member 414 is again rotatably
supported on a annular thrust bearing 420 and is driven by a motor
428 through gears 426 and 422 with this construction being
substantially the same as that described with respect FIG. 13.
[0056] In FIG. 14, however, lower wall 415 is provided with a
plurality of castors 436. Castors 436 perform substantially the
same function as castors 36 or 136, described above. To this end,
castors 436 allow plant stand 410 to be rolled from one location to
another. Controller 430 again acts to intermittently drive top
member 414 at desired time intervals and for desired angular
degrees of rotation.
[0057] A simplified version of a plant stand is illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and 16. In this figures, plant stand 510 includes a base
member 512 that includes an annular channel 513 extended around the
periphery thereof. A lower portion of an annular thrust bearing 520
is nested in channel 513, and a top member 514 is supported on
annular thrust bearing 520 so that it may rotated relative to base
member 512. Here, an annular channel 517 is formed in the underside
of top member 514 with this channel 517 being geometrically
congruent with channel 513 so that an upper portion of thrust
bearing 520 may nest also in channel 517. Base member 512 is
provided with a lower depending annular skirt 518 which adapted to
rest on a support surface and support top member 514 in a slightly
elevated manner. Top member 514 has a downwardly depending annular
skirt 516 that extends around the periphery of base 512 when
assembled so as to form a chamber 521 to nestably receive base
member 512.
[0058] The plant stand according to the present invention may be
used to support a decorative tree, such as a Christmas and the
like. Thus, as is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a plant stand in the
form of tree stand 610 is illustrated. Tree stand 610 includes a
base member 612 provided with castors 636 so that stand 610 may be
rolled from one location to another. Base member 612 includes an
annular channel 613 in which a thrust bearing 620 is nested.
[0059] Base member 612 supports a top 614 that is configured as a
Christmas tree stand. Here, top member 614 includes a lower wall
616 that is provided with an annular channel 617 that is
geometrically similar to channel 613 so as to nest thrust bearing
620 therein. When assembled, top member 614 may rotate relative
base member 612. Top member 614 further has a frustoconical
sidewall 618 that extends upwardly from lower wall 616 and supports
a centrally located cylindrical wall 630 that has a bottom wall 632
in order to form a cup-shaped chamber 634 adapted to receive the
trunk 611 of a Christmas tree. Suitable bolts 640 are provided to
tighten on the trunk 611 as is known in the art.
[0060] Finally, with reference to FIG. 19, a modified Christmas
tree stand 710 is shown. Here, tree stand 710 includes a base
member 712 that is supported by castors 720 and which in turn
supports a thrust bearing 730, as should now be appreciated by the
skilled artisan having read the forgoing description of the other
embodiments. Top member 714 configured as a Christmas tree stand
having a frustoconical sidewall 716 that supports a centrally
located cylindrical wall 740. Sidewall 716 and cylindrical wall 740
may be formed integrally with respect to one another. Top member
714 is supported on thrust bearing 730 by a height adjusting
assembly 750 so that top member 714 may be raised and lowered with
respect to base member 712 while at the same time being rotatably
supported thereon. Sidewall 716 includes an opening 718 so that
access may be had to the height adjusting assembly 750. In this
manner, top member 714 may be raised to a desired height wherein
top member 714 does not rest on the support surface but wherein the
tree stand 710 may be rolled therealong. When situated in a desired
location, top member 17 may be lowered so that its peripheral edge
710 rests on the support surface.
[0061] It should be appreciated from the foregoing, that the plant
stand according to the present invention may also include any
method that may implemented by this structure. Particularly, this
method may include the rotating of plant supported on the plant
stand and drive events that are spaced apart by selected time
intervals and wherein the rotation event rotates the plant for
desired angular amount. The method may also include the movement of
the plant from one location to another while the plant is supported
therein.
[0062] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that
the various features described may be employed with any of the
embodiments set forth in this description. It should therefore be
further appreciated that the present invention is defined by the
following claims construed in light of the prior art so that such
modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention without departing from the inventive
concepts contained herein.
* * * * *