Composite tree

• US 20070033867A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Schooley, John, Henry, Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US11/407,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20070033867A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/40.500
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 23/043 Transplanting devices for grasping, undercutting or transporting the root ball A01G23/046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/005 Reservoirs connected to flower-pots through conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/022 Pots for vertical horticulture
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 1/007 Artificial trees
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating

Abstract

A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The base may include one or more openings. A first portion of at least one of the living plants may be coupled in one of the openings such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the opening to form a branch of the composite tree. A first portion of the living plant may include at least a portion of the root system of the living plant. In some embodiments, a composite tree may include one or more systems forming and/or coupled to the composite tree. Systems may perform various functions (e.g., providing heat and/or nutrients to a living plant).

Claims

1. A composite tree, comprising:

a base comprising an artificial trunk portion; and

one or more living plants positioned in a portion of the base, at least one of the living plants forming a branch of the composite tree.

2. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein at least one of the living plants comprises a living tree.

3. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein the base comprises one or more openings, wherein a first portion of at least one of the living plants is coupled in one of the openings such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the opening to form a branch of the composite tree.

4. The composite tree of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the living plant comprises the roots of the living plant.

5. The composite tree of claim 3, wherein the living plant comprises a living tree, wherein the second portion comprises at least a portion of the trunk of the living tree.

8. The composite tree of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation system configured to provide water to at least one of the living plants.

9. The composite tree of claim 1, further comprising a system at least partially disposed in the base configured to deliver nutrients to at least one of the living plants.

10. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a receptacle, the composite tree further comprising at least one sensor coupled in one of the receptacles, the sensor configured to detect at least one environmental condition in the receptacle.

11. The composite tree of claim 1, further comprising a system for controlling a temperature of at least one of the living plants.

12. The composite tree of claim 1, further comprising a heater configured to provide heat to at least one of the living plants.

13. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein the artificial trunk portion comprises synthetic bark.

14. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an insulating layer.

15. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an interior member and an exterior layer, wherein the interior member supports an upper portion of the composite tree, wherein the exterior layer comprises an artificial tree trunk.

17. The composite tree of claim 1, wherein the base is partially hollow.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

18-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A composite tree, comprising:

one or more living plants; and

a base comprising one or more openings, wherein at least one of the openings is configured to accept at least a first portion of one or more of the living plants such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the base;

wherein at least a portion of the base forms at least a portion of a trunk of a composite tree, and wherein at least one of the living plants forms a branch of the composite tree.

29. The composite tree of claim 27, wherein the base comprises a tubular member, and wherein at least one of the openings is positioned about a circumference of the tubular member.

30. The composite tree of claim 27, further comprising at least one extension extending from a side of the base, wherein the extension comprises an opening configured to receive a living plant.

33. The composite tree of claim 27, wherein at least one of the living plants comprises a living tree, wherein the second portion of the living tree comprises at least a portion of the trunk of the living tree.

35. The composite tree of claim 27, wherein at least one of the openings is configured to accept a container, and wherein at least one of the living plants is rooted in the container.

28. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

36-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A method of constructing a composite tree, comprising:

providing a base comprising one or more openings and an artificial trunk portion; and

positioning one or more living plants in at least one of the openings in the base, wherein at least one of the living plants forms a branch of the composite tree.

41-375. -375. (canceled)