U.S. patent application number 10/900036 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for potting table.
Invention is credited to David B. Lehman, Hope P. Lehman, Timothy J. Martin, Bruce Westermo.
Application Number | 20060032117 10/900036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35798611 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060032117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lehman; Hope P. ; et
al. |
February 16, 2006 |
Potting table
Abstract
An apparatus for use in potting plants includes a tray upon
which potting materials may be placed. The tray has a generally
planar base portion with a peripheral edge. A support mechanism is
secured relative to the upper surface of the tray and is rotatable
about a rotation axis. A plate structure sized to support a plant
receptacle is supported on the support mechanism for common
rotation therewith. In one form of the invention, a rim extends
upwardly from an upper surface around a majority of the edge so
that a gap exists in the rim. In another form of the invention, the
plate structure has a retaining element positioned to engage the
support mechanism to resist radial displacement during rotation.
The tray may include a handle. The rotational axis may be offset
from the center of the tray to provide a work area for placing the
potting materials.
Inventors: |
Lehman; Hope P.; (Evergreen,
CO) ; Lehman; David B.; (Evergreen, CO) ;
Westermo; Bruce; (San Diego, CA) ; Martin; Timothy
J.; (Lakewood, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARTIN & HENSON, P.C.
9250 W 5TH AVENUE
SUITE 200
LAKEWOOD
CO
80226
US
|
Family ID: |
35798611 |
Appl. No.: |
10/900036 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 9/081 20130101;
A01G 9/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
047/039 |
International
Class: |
A47G 7/00 20060101
A47G007/00 |
Claims
1. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting
materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle,
comprising: (A) a tray adapted to be placed on a support surface
for supporting potting materials thereon and including (1) a
generally planar base portion having an upper surface, a lower
surface and a peripheral edge and (2) an upstanding rim portion
extending upwardly from and around a majority of the peripheral
edge of said base portion, said rim having a gap formed therein;
(B) a support mechanism secured relative to the upper surface of
said base portion and rotatable about a rotational axis that is
generally perpendicular to said base portion; and (C) a plate
structure adapted to be supported on the support mechanism for
common rotation therewith when in a supported state, said plate
structure sized and adapted to support a plant receptacle thereon
for common rotation therewith whereby the plant receptacle may be
rotated relative to said tray.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base portion is
generally polygonal in shape with said base portion and said rim
portion having common vertices.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the gap is located at one
of said vertices.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tray includes a tray
handle disposed proximate to said rim portion.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tray is constructed
of a material including plastics, masonite and lexan.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rim portion is
formed as an upturned extension of said base portion.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base portion has a
central axis extending perpendicularly from the upper surface
thereof and wherein the rotational axis of said support mechanism
being generally parallel to and offset from the central axis, said
plate structure and base portion being sized such that, when said
plate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of
said base portion has an exposed working area that is sufficiently
sized to allow access to potting materials placed thereon.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plate structure has
a lower plate surface adapted to engage said support mechanism and
an upper surface opposite the lower surface, said plate structure
being removably supported on said support mechanism.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plate structure
includes a lip extending upwardly of the upper surface and
surrounding a peripheral plate edge.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lip is formed and
sized to allow said support plate to be inverted and place over
said support mechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism
for storage in a stored state.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including means for retaining
said support plate in the stored state.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including at least one magnet
disposed on one of said platform and said plate structure, said
magnet operative to help retain said plate structure on said
platform when in both the supported and stored states.
13. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plate structure
includes a retaining element disposed on the lower surface and
positioned to engage said support mechanism thereby to resist
radial displacement of said plate structure relative to said
rotational axis.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including a plurality of
retaining elements in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive
said platform.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said retaining element
is defined by at least one magnet disposed on one of said platform
and said plate structure, said magnet operative to help retain said
plate structure on said platform when in the supported state.
16. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said support mechanism
includes a platform affixed to said support mechanism and adapted
to support said plate structure.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said platform is formed
as a flat disc.
18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plate structure
including centering marks on an upper surface thereof.
19. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting
materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle,
comprising: (A) a generally planar base having an upper surface and
adapted to be placed on a support surface and to support potting
materials thereon; (B) a support mechanism secured to said base and
rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally perpendicular
to said base; and (C) a plate structure having an upper surface and
a lower surface and adapted to be removably supported on the
support mechanism for common rotation therewith, said plate
structure including at least one retaining element disposed on the
lower surface thereof and positioned to engage said support
mechanism thereby to define a supported state and to resist radial
displacement of said plate structure relative to the rotational
axis, the upper surface of said plate structure being sized and
adapted to support a plant receptacle whereby the plant receptacle
may be rotated relative to said base.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said tray includes a
tray handle disposed on an edge of said base portion.
21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said support mechanism
includes a platform affixed to said support mechanism and adapted
to support said plate structure.
22. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said base has a central
axis extending perpendicularly from the upper surface thereof and
wherein the rotational axis of said support mechanism is generally
parallel to and offset from the central axis, said plate structure
and base being sized such that, when said plate structure is in the
supported state, the upper surface of said base has an exposed
working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access to potting
materials placed thereon.
23. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said plate structure is
generally configured as a circular dish including a lip extending
upwardly and outwardly from a central dish portion.
24. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said lip is formed and
sized to allow said support plate to be inverted and place over
said support mechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism
for storage in a stored state.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24 including means for retaining
said support plate in the stored state.
26. Apparatus according to claim 19 including a plurality of
retaining elements in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive
said platform.
27. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said retaining element
is defined by at least one magnet disposed on one of said platform
and said plate structure, said magnet operative to help retain said
plate structure on said platform when in the supported state.
28. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting
materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle,
comprising: (A) a generally planar base having a peripheral edge
and adapted to be placed on a support surface, said planar base
having a central axis extending perpendicularly from an upper
surface thereof; (B) a support mechanism secured to said base and
rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally parallel to and
offset from the central axis of said base; and (C) a plate
structure having an upper plate surface, a lower plate surface and
a surrounding plate edge, said plate structure adapted to be
supported on the support mechanism in a supported state for common
rotation therewith and sized to support a plant receptacle thereon
whereby the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to said base,
said plate structure and said base being sized such that, when said
plate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of
said base has an exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to
allow access to potting materials placed thereon.
29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said base is a tray
including an upstanding rim extending upwardly from and around said
peripheral edge, said rim having at least one gap formed
therein.
30. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said tray is
rectangular having vertices wherein said gap is formed at at least
one of said vertices.
31. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said tray includes a
tray handle affixed to said rim and located distal to said
rotational axis.
32. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said support mechanism
includes a bearing adapted to provide said rotation about said
rotational axis and a platform affixed to said support mechanism
and adapted to support said plate structure.
33. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said plate structure
includes a lip extending upwardly and outwardly from a surrounding
plate edge.
34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said lip is formed and
sized to allow said support plate to be inverted and place over
said support mechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism
for storage in a stored state.
35. Apparatus according to claim 34 including means for retaining
said support plate in the stored state.
36. A method for potting a plant comprising: (A) providing a tray
that includes a rotatable support mechanism thereon; (B) supporting
a receptacle for a plant on the rotatable support mechanism; (C)
placing potting materials and tools onto a working area located on
an upper surface of said tray; (D) positioning a plant in said
receptacle; and (E) transferring potting materials from the work
area to the receptacle thereby to pot said plant in said
receptacle.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention broadly concerns the care and
maintenance of plants, especially household plants. More
particularly, the present invention is directed to potting and
repotting of household plants in their respective receptacles. The
invention specifically concerns apparatus to facilitate the potting
and repotting of plants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Plants are appreciated for many reasons and it is
understandable that people wish to remove them from their natural
habitat in order to display and nurture them in a wide variety of
locations. One common means of providing plant portability is to
put the plants in pots or receptacles which can then be selectively
placed in a home, office, floral nursery or outdoors. These
receptacles can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.
Oftentimes the receptacles can be quite large and bulky to
handle.
[0003] To provide such portability the plant needs to be placed in
the pot, along with the soil and possibly drainage gravel, fillers,
watering lines and any other items. This typically involves
locating a work surface for the pot and the required materials and
then going through the process of inserting and positioning the
soils, gravels, fillers, and plants within the pot.
[0004] This procedure has its problems. A first problem is that one
does not always have a dedicated work area or table set aside for
plant potting and so a kitchen table or other multi-use area is
chosen for the task. The soils, water, gravels, and such can spill
over onto the work area and floor creating a mess. Another problem
stems from the fact that the pot can be heavy or large and thus
hard to position and move to gain access to all regions of the
pot's perimeter, whether for the plant potting or for decorating
the pot with paint or attachments or for wrapping, etc. In these
cases, one has to bend over the pot or reach around it to gain such
access. This can be annoying and time consuming at the least and
lead to back or shoulder injury at the worst. In addition, many
pots are rough on their bottom surface and can scratch the surface
they are placed upon or tear covers, such as newspaper or plastic
sheet, used to protect the work surface.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need to alleviate the aforementioned
problems and make plant potting a simple and more enjoyable
process. It would be desirable to have a portable, easily storable,
work surface which can be placed on a table or countertop and which
would contain or confine the potting materials and the subsequent
mess that the task can produce. It would further be desirable to
have a means of easily accessing the full perimeter of the pot by
supporting it on a rotatable turntable. The present invention is
directed to meeting these needs, among others.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
apparatus and method that is useful in the potting of plants.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus that can support a plant receptacle and potting materials
for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus that allows rotation of a receptacle for a plant such
that potting and/or other planting materials can be distributed
easily to all regions of the receptacle.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus that effectively protects a support surface to reduce the
likelihood of damage from a plant receptacle, tools and/or potting
materials during the potting or repotting of a plant.
[0010] Still a further object of the present invention is to
provide an apparatus useful in the potting or repotting of a plant
that is simple to use and easy to store when not in use.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an apparatus useful in the potting or repotting of a plant
that is relatively inexpensive so as to be available for a large
segment of the population.
[0012] According to the present invention, then, an apparatus is
adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a
plant to be potted in the plant receptacle. In one embodiment, the
apparatus includes a tray that is adapted to be placed on a support
surface for supporting potting materials thereon. The tray includes
a generally planar base portion having and upper surface, a lower
surface and a peripheral edge. The tray also includes an upstanding
rim portion extending upwardly from and around a majority of the
peripheral edge of the base portion. This rim has a gap formed
therein. A support mechanism is secured relative to the upper
surface of the base portion of the tray and is rotatable about a
rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to the base
portion. A plate structure is then adapted to be supported on the
support mechanism for common rotation therewith when in the
supported state. The plate structure is sized and adapted to
support a plant receptacle thereon for common rotation therewith
such that the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to the tray.
The support mechanism may have a rotational bearing and a platform
that is affixed to the bearing for rotation therewith. This
platform, in the disclosed embodiments, is in the form of a flat
disk. Optional registrations marks helpful to align a plant
receptacle on the plate structure may be provided.
[0013] In the disclosed embodiments, the base portion is generally
polygonal in shape with the base portion and rim having common
vertices. The gap is located, then, at one of the vertices. The
tray may also include a tray handle that is disposed proximately to
the rim portion. Further, the tray may be constructed of a material
such as plastics, masonite and lexan. The rim portion may be formed
of as an upturned extension of the base portion.
[0014] Further, in the disclosed embodiment, the base portion has a
central axis that extends perpendicularly from the upper surface.
The rotational axis of the support mechanism is generally parallel
to and offset from the central axis. Here, the plate structure and
the base portion are sized so that, when the plate structure is in
the supported state, the upper surface of the base portion has an
exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access to
potting material placed thereon.
[0015] The plate structure, in the disclosed embodiment, has a
lower plate surface adapted to engage the support mechanism and an
upper surface opposite the lower surface. Here, the plate structure
is removably supported on the support mechanism. The plate
structure may have a lip that extends upwardly from its upper
surface with this lip surrounding the peripheral plate edge. This
lip is formed and sized to allow the support plate to be inverted
and placed over the support mechanism thereby to enclose the
support mechanism for storage in a storage state. Means are
provided for retaining the support plate in the stored plate. For
example, this retaining means may be magnets or clips. Where
magnets are provided, such magnets may also help retain the plate
structure in the supported state.
[0016] The plate structure may also include a retaining element
disposed on the lower surface and positioned to engage the support
mechanism thereby to resist radial displacement of the plate
structure relative to the rotational axis during rotation thereof.
For example, these retaining elements may be in the form of posts
adapted to nestably receive the platform of the support mechanism.
Alternatively, the retaining element may be a circular ridge that
can nestably receive the platform. Further, as noted above, the
retaining elements can be one or magnets disposed on either
platform of the support structure or the plate structure
itself.
[0017] The present invention also contemplates a method for potting
a plant. The method may include any of the steps inherent in the
above-described structure. Broadly, however, the method includes
the step of providing a tray that includes a rotatable support
mechanism thereon. The method then includes the step of supporting
a receptacle for a plant on the rotatable support mechanism and
placing potting materials and tools onto a working area located on
an upper surface of the tray. The method further includes the step
of positioning a plant in the receptacle and transferring potting
materials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot the
plant in the receptacle.
[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 when
taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention shown on a support surface and itself
supporting potting materials, a tool and a plant in a
receptacle;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view in cross-section of the
first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 with a plant
receptacle thereon;
[0021] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are side views in cross-section of the
first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 respectively
showing a receptacle in a supported state and with the apparatus in
the stored state;
[0022] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are plan views of the first embodiment
of the present invention respectively showing the apparatus in a
state ready to support a receptacle and with the apparatus in the
stored state;
[0023] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are enlarged side views in cross-section
of the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1
respectively showing a receptacle in a supported state and with the
apparatus in the stored state;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tray shown in FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the
plate structure;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the
plate structure;
[0027] FIG. 9 is an exploded, partial sectional view of a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a second embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention showing a receptacle in
the supported state; and
[0029] FIG. 11 is a partial, sectional view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in the stored
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The present invention generally concerns a potting table
which is portable and may be placed on an existing work surface
such as a table or counter top. Furthermore, the present invention
concerns a potting table which can support a plant receptacle, or
pot, and which provides for a working area where soils and tools
may be placed and contained during the potting process. In
addition, the present invention concerns a plant receptacle support
which can freely rotate with respect to the table and thus provide
a convenient means for inserting plants and materials into the pot.
The present invention also concerns a potting table which can be
conveniently stored when not in use.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus
10 that is adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting
materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle. Here,
apparatus 10 is illustrated resting on a support surface 12 such as
a counter top, table top or the like, and is situated near an edge
13 thereof. Apparatus 10 includes a tray 22 and a plate structure
50 described more thoroughly below. A plant receptacle 16 with
plant 14 potted therein is depicted in a supported state wherein
receptacle 16 is rotatably supported on plate structure 50. Potting
material 18 and tool 20 are shown in this figure resting on working
area 44.
[0032] The structure of apparatus 10 may be more fully appreciated
in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b). In these
Figures, it may be seen that tray 22 is polygonal in shape. Here,
specifically, tray 22 is rectangular so as to have four vertices 34
at the corners of a generally planar base portion 26. Although the
tray 22 shown in this embodiment is rectangular in plan, one can
appreciate that other planar shapes, such as a square, hexagon, or
other polygon can be utilized. The tray 22 may be constructed of a
variety of light yet relatively stiff materials including Masonite,
Lexan, plastic and the like.
[0033] An upstanding rim portion 28 extends around a majority of
the peripheral edge 29 of the base portion 26 of tray 22. The rim
portion 28 is formed upwardly of the base portion 26 and is sized
to provide a side wall in order to help retain the potting
materials 18, water, tools 20, and any other items conventionally
used in potting or repotting the plant 14 in work area 44 of
apparatus 10. The rim portion 28 contains a gap 30 placed at one of
the vertices 34 and is sized to allow any loose materials and
liquids to drain off of the base portion 26 when the tray 22 is to
be cleaned. Naturally, more than one gap 30 can be formed on the
rim portion 28. A handle 24 having a hand-hold opening 25 is formed
proximate to rim portion 28 and may be an extension of the rim
portion 28 that projects generally parallel to the base portion 26.
Handle 24 offers a convenient means for carrying the tray 22. In
addition, tray 22, including base portion 26 and rim portion 28,
may be formed as a one-piece, integral molded construction.
[0034] With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3(a) and 5(a), it may be seen
that apparatus 10 includes a support mechanism 36 and a plate
structure 50. The support mechanism 36 includes a bearing 38 and
platform 40 and is intended to provide a means of supporting the
plate structure 50 and to provide its free rotation with respect to
the tray 22. The bearing 38 is any one of a variety of commercially
available turntable bearings such as those found in "lazy susans."
As is known to the ordinary skilled artisan, these bearings are
mechanisms which attach to two planar surfaces and provide a
load-bearing support of one upon the other and allow a low-friction
rotation of one with respect to the other.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2 and 5(a), the bearing 38 is affixed by
screws 72 to the base 26 of tray 22 and by screws 73 to platform
40. In this manner, the bearing 38 carries the loads placed upon
the platform 40 and allows rotation of platform 40 and the
associated load with respect to the tray 22 about rotational axis
"R" that is generally perpendicular to the base 26. One skilled in
the art can appreciate that means other than screws 72,73 are
available for affixing the bearing 38 and platform 40 including
adhesives, bolts and direct forming of the bearing 38 onto the tray
22 and platform 40 during manufacturing. The platform 40 is a
circular disc with an upper platform surface 42 and a peripheral
platform edge 43 and may be constructed of a variety of light yet
relatively stiff materials including Masonite, Lexan, and plastics.
The platform 40 also includes one or more magnets 66 mounted within
the platform 40 and positioned to be flush with the platform
surface 42.
[0036] Plate structure 50 fits upon the platform 40 of support
mechanism 36 in two different states: in a supported state as shown
in FIGS. 1, 3(a), 4(a) and 5(a) and in a stored state as shown in
FIGS. 1, 3(b), 4(b) and 5(b). When in the supported state, the
plate structure 50 is intended to hold a plant receptacle 16 (and
any plant potted therein) for rotation about axis "R". When in the
stored state, the plate structure 50 is inverted and retained on
tray 22 with support mechanism 36 enclosed thereby. To this end,
the plate structure 50 is circular and dish-shaped in
configuration. Also, as seen in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), base portion
51 of plate structure 50 has an upper surface 52 and a lower
surface 54. A frusto-conical sidewall 53 extends upwardly from base
portion 51 and terminates in an outwardly turned lip 56. Sidewall
53 provides a barrier to contain loose potting materials that may
spill from the plant receptacle 16 during the potting process.
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 2, 4(b), 5(a), 5(b) and 7, the plate
structure 50 may be seen to have an engagement element in the form
of a circular ridge 60 located on the lower surface 54 to define a
cavity 61 which nests with the platform 40 to secure the plate 50
from sliding with respect to the platform 40 while in use in the
supported state. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the upper surface 52 of
plate structure 50 has a series of concentric centering marks 64
inscribed or painted onto the surface 52 which act as a visual aid
for centering the plant receptacle 16 onto the plate 50. These
marks 64 can have radii chosen to match the base radii of
conventional plant receptacles.
[0038] As mentioned, FIGS. 1, 3(b), 4(b) and 5(b) show the plate
structure 50 in the stored state. In this stored state, the plate
50 is inverted and placed over the support mechanism 36 thereby
enclosing it. The plate 50, along with sidewall 53, is sized and
shaped such that the lip 56 contacts the tray base 26 and the upper
surface 52 of plate 50 contacts the platform 40 when in the stored
state. In this embodiment, the plate 50 is constructed of a
ferro-magnetic material such as steel or iron. Thus, the magnets
66, mounted within the platform 40, magnetically retain the plate
structure 50 onto the platform 40. These magnets 66 also contact
the lower surface 54 of plate 50 when in the supported state and
serve to aid in holding the plate 50 onto the platform 40.
[0039] The bearing 38 is located on the base 26 of tray 22 such
that it provides a conveniently sized working area 44 on base 26.
FIGS. 1, 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) show this relationship. In
FIGS. 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) it is seen that tray 22 has a
central axis "C" which extends perpendicular to the base 26. The
bearing 38 is mounted such that its axis of rotation "R" is offset
from axis "C" and is positioned close to the rim 28 of tray 10.
Plate structure 50 is sized such that its lip 56 is positioned
close to, but within the confines of, the rim portion 28 of tray
22. As also illustrated in the Figures, handle 24 of tray 22 is
located on an edge of the rim portion 28 opposite of the location
of rotational axis "R".
[0040] As previously discussed, when in the supported state, the
engagement element of plate structure 50 mates with the platform 40
of support mechanism 36. In the first exemplary embodiment, the
engagement element is shaped as a concentric ridge 60 which forms a
plate cavity 61 within which the platform 40 fits when the plate is
in the supported state. The ridge 60 is sized and shaped such that
the support surface 42 contacts the lower surface 54 of plate 50
and ridge 60 encloses the platform edge 43. In this manner, the
plate 50 is secured from sliding with respect to the platform 40
while in use in the supported state.
[0041] A second embodiment of an apparatus for supporting a plant
receptacle and potting materials for a plant is shown in FIGS.
8-11. This embodiment varies from the first exemplary embodiment in
the engagement structure of the plate on the rotatable platform and
in the retention of the plate in the stored state. With reference
to these Figures, then, apparatus 110 includes a tray 122 and a
plate structure 150. Tray 122 has a base portion 126 and an
upstanding rim portion 128 similar to tray 22. A bearing 138 is
fastened to base portion 126 by suitable screws so that support
platform 140, and a supported receptacle 16 may rotate relative to
tray 122. The engagement of the plate structure 150 onto support
platform 140, when in the supported state, is accomplished by four
posts 162 positioned concentrically around the lower surface 154 of
plate structure 150 such that the posts 162 nestably capture the
platform edge 143 of support platform 140 and center the plate
structure 150 upon the support platform 140. This second embodiment
also includes lock tabs 166, attached with screws 172 to the base
portion 126, wherein the lock tabs 166 serve to releasably secure
the plate structure 150 to the base 126 when in the stored state,
as shown in FIG. 11. The lock tabs 166 are Z-shaped flexible,
plastic tabs with a latch portion 168 which captures the lip 156 of
the plate structure 150 and which can be pulled back with a digit
of the hand to either insert the plate structure 150 in the stored
position or to release it from the stored position. As indicated in
FIG. 10, the lock tabs 166 are sized such that they do not
interfere with the rotation of the plate structure 150 when in the
supported state.
[0042] From the foregoing, it should also be appreciated that the
present invention contemplates a method for potting a plant. This
method may include any steps inherent in the above-described
structures. Broadly, though, the method includes the step of
providing a tray that includes a rotatable support mechanism
thereon. The method then includes the steps of supporting a
receptacle for a plant on the rotatable support mechanism and
placing potting materials and tools onto a working area located on
an upper surface of the tray. The method includes the steps of
positioning a plant in the receptacle and transferring potting
materials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot said
plant in said receptacle.
[0043] 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 present invention is defined by the following claims
constructed in light of the prior art so that modifications or
changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained
herein
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