Support for plants and the like

• US 5,450,691 A
• Filed: 05/11/1993
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vermil Marketing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vermil Marketing, Inc.
• Inventors: Christie, Kenneth R., Christie, Molly C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Downs, Joanne C.
• Application Number:
  US08/060,606
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 47/82, 47/83, 47/66, 47/66 C
• US Class Current: 47/83
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/023 Multi-tiered planters

Abstract

A support for plants, flowers and the like to assist horticulturists create novel is provided and in one embodiment, includes framework surrounding an upstanding central tube. The framework consists of a plurality of vertically spaced, circular rings which decrease in diameter from bottom to top. Vertical supports span adjacent rings and are spaced about the circumference of the framework. A retaining ring surrounds the bottom of the tube adjacent its bottom and has two pair of diametrically extending arms with downturned ends to support the tube in an upright manner. A second retaining ring surrounds the tube adjacent the top of the framework. The downturned ends of this retaining ring snap over the top of the framework to hold the framework and tube in place. Matting lines the interior of the framework to define an within the framework to be filled with soil. Plants, flowers and the like can be planted in the soil through the matting. The framework can be placed in an existing flower pot or can stand alone. Accessories of various shapes such as a sphere can be attached to the top of the tube above the framework to increase the variety of arrangements that can be created. In a second embodiment, the upstanding central tube is removed and the framework is used only in conjunction with the matting. In yet another embodiment, the matting is replaced with moisture retaining material to allow cut flower arrangements to be created.

Claims

1. A support for plants and the like comprising:

a first frame having a plurality of first spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass;

a first matting lining the interior of said first frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said first matting defining a first soil receptacle within said first frame;

at least one second frame vertically spaced from said first frame and having a plurality of second spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass;

second matting lining the interior of said at least one second frame and defining a second soil receptacle within said at least one second frame, said second soil receptacle being isolated from said first soil receptacle, wherein said first and second soil receptacles can be independently filled with soil allowing plants and the like to be planted along one or both of said first and at least one second frames with their roots passing through said spaces and matting and taking hold in said soil; and

support means to space said at least one second frame above said first frame.

2. A support as defined in claim 1 wherein said first frame includes a central tubular member surrounded at least partially by a framework constituted by said first frame elements and retaining means acting between said framework and said tubular member.

3. A support as defined in claim 2 wherein said tubular member extends vertically above said framework to constitute said support means, said at least one second frame being removably attachable to said tubular member.

4. A support as defined in claim 3 wherein said framework is generally conical in configuration and decreases in diameter from bottom to top.

5. A support as defined in claim 4 wherein said retaining means includes at least one retainer surrounding said tubular member and including a plurality of outwardly extending arms, said arms engaging with said framework.

6. A support as defined in claim 3 wherein said at least one second frame is generally spherical in configuration.

7. A support as defined in claim 2 wherein said retaining means is in the form of a weld between said framework and said tubular member.

8. A support as defined in claim 7 wherein said framework is generally bowl-shaped and has a circular base through which said tubular member passes, said base being welded to said tubular member to constitute said retaining means.

9. A support as defined in claim 1 including two or more second frames vertically spaced from one another, said support means spacing said two or more second frames above said first frame.

10. A support as defined in claim 9 including two second frames, one of said two second frames being generally bowl-shaped and the other of said two second frames being generally spherical-shaped.

11. In combination, a flower pot to be filled with soil and a support for plants and the like supported by said flower pot, said support comprising:

a first frame having a plurality of first spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass;

a first matting lining the interior of said first frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said first matting defining a first soil receptacle within said first frame;

at least one second frame vertically spaced from said first frame and having a plurality of second spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass;

second matting lining the interior of said at least one second frame and defining a second soil receptacle within said at least one second frame, said second soil receptacle being isolated from said first soil receptacle, wherein said flower pot and said first and second soil receptacles can be filled with soil allowing plants and the like to be planted along said first and at least one second frames with their roots passing through said spaces and matting and taking hold in said soil; and

support means to space said at least one second frame above said first frame.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said flower pot has a shoulder therein spaced from the bottom thereof and wherein said support rests on said shoulder.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said at least one second frame is removably attached to said support means.

14. A planter comprising:

a first frame having a plurality of first spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass;

a first matting lining the interior of said first frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said first mating defining a first soil receptacle within said first frame;

at least one second frame vertically spaced from said first frame and having a plurality of second spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass; and

second matting lining the interior of said at least one second frame and defining a second soil receptacle within said at least one second frame, said second soil receptacle being isolated from said first soil receptacle;

support means to spaced said at least one second frame above said first frame; and

soil filling one or both of said first and second soil receptacles wherein plants can be planted vertically independently along said first and second frames with their roots passing through said respective first and second matting and taking hold in said soil.

15. A planter as defined in claim 14 wherein said first frame is supported on a soil bed.

16. A planter as defined in claim 14 wherein said first frame is supported by a flower pot.

17. A planter as defined in claim 14 wherein said at least one second frame is removably attached to said support means.

18. A planter as defined in claim 17 wherein said first frame includes a central tubular member surrounded at least partially by a framework constituted by said first frame elements and retaining means acting between said framework and said tubular member.

23. A planter as defined in claim 18 wherein said retaining means is in the form of a weld between said framework and said tubular member.

24. A planter as defined in claim 17 including two or more second frames vertically spaced from one another, said support means spacing said two or more second frames above said first frame.

19. A planter as defined in claim 19 wherein said tubular member extends vertically above said framework to constitute said support means, said at least one second frame being removably attached to said tubular member.

20. A planter as defined in claim 19 wherein said framework is generally conical in configuration and decreases in diameter from bottom to top.

21. A planter as defined in claim 20 wherein said retaining means includes at least one retainer surrounding said tubular member and including a plurality of outwardly extending arms, said arms engaging with said framework.

22. A planter as defined in claim 21 wherein said at least one second frame is generally spherical in configuration.

25. A support for plants and the like comprising:

a first generally upright frame having a plurality of first spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass, said first frame including a central tubular member surrounded at least partially by a framework constituted by said first frame elements and retaining means acting between said framework and said tubular member, said retaining means including at least one retainer surrounding said tubular member and having a plurality of outwardly extending arms, said arms engaging with said framework;

a first matting lining the interior of said first frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said first matting and first frame defining a first soil receptacle within said first frame;

at least one second frame attached to said first frame, said second frame having a plurality of second spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass; and

a second matting lining the interior of said second frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said second matting and said at least one second frame defining a second soil receptacle within said second frame wherein said first and second soil receptacles can be filled with soil allowing plants to be planted along said first and second frames with their roots passing through said respective matting and taking hold in said soil.

26. A support for plants and the like comprising:

a first generally upright frame having a plurality of first spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots of plants and the like may pass, said first frame including a central tubular member surrounded at least partially by a framework constituted by said frame elements; and

retaining means acting between said framework and said tubular member, said retaining means being in the form of a weld between said framework and said tubular member, said framework being generally bowl-shaped and having a circular base through which a tubular member passes, said base being welded to said tubular member to constitute said retaining means;

a first matting lining the interior of said first frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said first matting and first frame defining a first soil receptacle within said first frame;

at least one second frame attached to said first frame, said second frame having a plurality of second spaced frame elements defining spaces therebetween through which roots of plants and the like may pass; and

a second matting lining the interior of said second frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said second matting and said at least one second frame defining a second soil receptacle within said second frame wherein said first and second soil receptacles can be filled with soil allowing plants to be planted along said first and second frames with their roots passing through said respective matting and taking hold in said soil.

27. A planter comprising:

a first generally upright frame having a plurality of first spaced frame elements defining spaces through which roots and the like may pass, said first frame including a central tubular member surrounded at least partially by a framework constituted by said first frame elements and retaining means acting between said framework and said tubular member, said retaining means including at least one retainer surrounding said tubular member and having a plurality of outwardly extending arms, said arms engaging with said framework;

a first matting lining the interior of said first frame and adapted to allow roots of plants and the like to pass, said first matting and first frame defining a first soil receptacle within said first frame;

at least one second frame attached to said first frame, said second frame having a plurality of second spaced frame elements defining spaces therebetween through which roots of plants and the like may pass;

a second matting lining the interior of said second frame and adapted to allow roots and plants and the like to pass, said second matting and said at least one second frame defining a second soil receptacle within said second frame; and

soil filling at least one of said first and second soil receptacles to allow plants to be planted along said first and second frames with their roots passing through said respective matting and taking hold in said soil.