Collapsible plant support

• US 9,717,188 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chad M. Legus, Josue Salazar Jr
• Original Assignee: Josue Salazar Jr
• Inventors: Legus, Chad M., Salazar, Jr., Josue
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLERKLEY, DANIELLE A
• Application Number:
  US14/251,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20150289454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 47 241, 47 296, 47 31, 47 311, 47 44, 47 45, 47 70
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 13/0243 Protective shelters for young plants, e.g. tubular sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/12 Supports for plants; Trellis for strawberries or the like trellis-work for vines A01G17/06; stays for trees, props for vines A01G17/14
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/70 by moulding using a particular moulding technique, see the relevant technique , e.g. by injection B29C45/14467
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/06 Rods, e.g. connecting rods , rails, stakes shafts B29L2031/75; poles, masts, posts B29L2031/766
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7004 for plants or flowers

Abstract

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network.

Claims

1. A collapsible plant support structure comprising:

a collapsible coil having a bottom end and a top end;

a unitary base coupled to said bottom end of said collapsible coil, said unitary base having a bottom surface configured to rest on a flat surface, a top surface configured to support a planter, and a plurality of receivers, said top surface defining a recess in which said collapsible coil is disposed; and

a plurality of retainers coupled to said bottom end of said collapsible coil and said top end of said collapsible coil, said retainers adapted to restrain said collapsible coil in a deployed position, said plurality of retainers including a plurality of vertical support structures each including

a first coil engaging feature adapted to engage a portion of said collapsible coil at said top end of said collapsible coil,

a second coil engaging feature adapted to engage a portion of said collapsible coil at said bottom end of said collapsible coil, and

a rigid member coupled between said first coil engaging feature and said second coil engaging feature; and

wherein

each receiver of said plurality of receivers is configured to receive a terminal end of a respective one of said vertical supports.

2. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said vertical support structures remain entirely at or above said bottom of said collapsible plant support structure.

3. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein:

said collapsible coil tends to contract from said deployed position; and

said support structures restrain said collapsible coil from contracting from said deployed position.

4. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said plurality of retainers includes a plurality of flexible elements coupled between said bottom end of said collapsible coil and said top end of said collapsible coil.

5. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of flexible elements is a cord.

6. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of said collapsible coil is greater than 12 inches.

7. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said base is a rigid structure, whereby said collapsible plant support is stabilized by weight placed on said base.

8. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 7, wherein said base includes a plate.

9. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said base includes a pan.

10. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said base is directly connected to said bottom end of said collapsible coil.

11. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said base is rigidly affixed to said bottom end of said collapsible coil.

12. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein a diameter of said collapsible coil at said top end is substantially the same as a diameter of said collapsible coil at said bottom end.

13. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 1, wherein said collapsible coil is cylindrical.

14. A collapsible plant support structure comprising:

a collapsible coil having a bottom end and a top end;

a unitary base coupled to said bottom end of said collapsible coil and adapted to support said collapsible plant support on a flat horizontal surface, said unitary base having a to surface and a plurality of receivers, said to surface configured to support a planter and defining a recess in which said bottom end of said coil is disposed; and

a plurality of retainers coupled to said bottom end of said collapsible coil and said top end of said collapsible coil, said retainers adapted to restrain said collapsible coil in a deployed position, said retainers including a plurality of vertical support structures, and wherein

each receiver of said plurality of receivers is configured to receive a terminal end of a respective one of said vertical support structures.

15. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein said base is directly connected to said bottom end of said collapsible coil.

16. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein said base is rigidly affixed to said bottom end of said collapsible coil.

17. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein a diameter of said collapsible coil at said top end is substantially the same as a diameter of said collapsible coil at said bottom end.

18. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein said collapsible coil is cylindrical.

19. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein said vertical support structures are rigid.

20. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein said plurality of vertical support structures includes more than two vertical support structures.

21. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 20, wherein said plurality of vertical support structures includes more than three vertical support structures.

22. The collapsible plant support structure of claim 14, wherein said base includes a pan.