Vertical cultivation system, components thereof, and methods for using same

• US 10,292,338 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2017
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Organized Thought, LLC
• Original Assignee: Organized Thought, LLC
• Inventors: Haughton, Francis, Haughton, Lyndsey, Kerstetter, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Claude J
• Application Number:
  US15/614,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20170354099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 362235
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/022 Pots for vertical horticulture
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses

Abstract

A light wall for cultivating at least one plant indoors may be provided. The light wall may include a first side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side. The light wall may further include a first lighting structure unit disposed within sides of the light wall, and may include a first set of mechanical devices configured to enable movement of the light wall. The first lighting structure may be configured to provide light to the at least one plant through at least the first side. The first set of mechanical devices may be configured to enable movement at least along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first side.

Claims

1. A light wall for cultivating at least one plant indoors, comprising:

a first side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side;

a first lighting structure unit housed within a space defined by the sides of the light wall;

a first set of mechanical devices configured to enable movement of the light wall;

wherein;

the first lighting structure unit is configured to provide light to the at least one plant through at least the first side;

the first set of mechanical devices is configured to enable movement at least along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first side;

the first side has a vertical dimension and a depth dimension;

the front side has the vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension;

the first lighting structure unit comprises a first light column and a first light source;

the first light column is configured to physically support and provide power to the first light source;

the first lighting structure unit further comprises a light mover disposed along the top side;

the light mover is attached to the first light column; and

the light mover is configured to move at least along an axis substantially perpendicular to the front side.

2. The light wall of claim 1, wherein the first set of mechanical devices comprises a set of wheels disposed on the bottom side.

3. The light wall of claim 2, wherein:

the set of wheels are swiveling caster wheels; and

the set of wheels is further configured to enable movement at least along an axis substantially perpendicular to the front side.

4. The light wall of claim 1, wherein the first lighting structure unit comprises a set of reflectors configured to substantially direct light out of the first side.

5. The light wall of claim 1, wherein the first lighting structure unit comprises a set of reflectors configured to direct light out of the first side and the second side.

6. The light wall of claim 1, further comprising a transparent pane disposed along the first side.

7. The light wall of claim 6, further comprising a hinge between an edge of the transparent pane and an edge of one of the top side, the bottom side, the front side, and the back side.

8. The light wall of claim 1, wherein:

the vertical dimension is within 15% of 4 feet;

the depth dimension is within 15% of 54 inches; and

the horizontal dimension is within 15% of 15 inches.

9. The light wall of claim 1, wherein:

the vertical dimension is within 15% of 6 feet;

the depth dimension is within 15% of 54 inches; and

the horizontal dimension is within 15% of 15 inches.

10. The light wall of claim 1, wherein:

the first lighting structure unit further comprises a second light column and a second light source; and

the second light column is configured to physically support and provide power to the second light source.

11. The light wall of claim 10, wherein the first light column is disposed along the top side and the second light column is disposed along the bottom side.

12. The light wall of claim 1, wherein:

the first lighting structure unit further comprises a second light source; and

the first light column is configured to physically support and provide power to the second light source.

13. The light wall of claim 1, wherein the first light column is disposed along the top side.

14. The light wall of claim 1, further comprising a second lighting structure unit.

15. The light wall of claim 14, further comprising a third lighting structure unit.

16. The light wall of claim 1, further comprising a mobile carriage, wherein:

the mobile carriage is disposed at least on the bottom side; and

the first set of mechanical devices is disposed on a bottom surface of the mobile carriage.

17. A light wall for cultivating at least one plant indoors, comprising:

a first side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side;

a first lighting structure unit housed within a space defined by the sides of the light wall;

a first set of mechanical devices configured to enable movement of the light wall;

wherein;

the first lighting structure unit is configured to provide light to the at least one plant through at least the first side;

the first set of mechanical devices is configured to enable movement at least along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first side;

the first side has a vertical dimension and a depth dimension;

the front side has the vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension;

the first set of mechanical devices comprises a first set of trolley wheels;

the first set of trolley wheels are disposed on the front side or the back side; and

the first set of trolley wheels are located closer to the top side than the bottom side.

18. The light wall of claim 17, wherein:

first lighting structure unit comprises a set of reflectors configured to direct light out of the first side and the second side.

19. The light wall of claim 17, wherein:

the first lighting structure unit further comprises a second light column and a second light source; and

the second light column is configured to physically support and provide power to the second light source.

20. A light wall for indoor plant cultivation, comprising:

a first side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side; and

a first lighting structure unit housed within a space defined by the sides of the light wall;

wherein;

the first lighting structure unit includes a first light column with a first light fixture, a ballast box, and a set of reflectors;

the first light column is affixed to the bottom side;

the first light fixture is configured to receive a light bulb;

at least the first side and the second side permit the passage of light; and

the set of reflectors is configured to direct light out of the first side and the second side.