US 12,234,935 B1Granted

Coupling joint for structures with recessed interior surfaces

OwnerJames A. Strasserinventor

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Abstract

A kit for forming a garden structure, includes connecting bodies and connecting joints. The connecting bodies include a first connecting body having a first open end, a second connecting body having a second open end, and a third connecting body extending between a third open end and a fourth open end. The connecting joints include a first connecting joint and a second connecting joint. The first connecting joint includes a first base, a first extending body dimensioned to fit with the first open end of the first connecting body and a second extending body dimensioned to fit within the third open end of the third connecting body. The second connecting joint include a second base, a third extending body dimensioned to fit within the second open end of the second connecting body, and a fourth extending body dimensioned to fit within the fourth open end of the third connecting body.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of using a kit to form a gardening structure, the method comprising:

(a) inserting a first outwardly protruding body of a first connecting joint into a top open end of a first connecting body such that a cube base of the first outwardly protruding body abuts against a first annular face of the first connecting body;
(b) inserting a second outwardly protruding body of a second connecting joint into a top open end of a second connecting body such that a cube base of the second outwardly protruding body abuts against a top annular face of the second connecting body;
(c) coupling the first connecting joint and the second connecting joint with a lateral connecting body;
(d) inserting an outwardly protruding body of a first anchoring joint into a bottom open end of the first connecting body via a first interference fit;
(e) inserting an outwardly protruding body of a second anchoring joint into a bottom end of the second connecting body via a second interference fit;
(f) anchoring either the first anchoring joint or the second anchoring joint into the ground;
(g) allowing a plant to grow on the gardening structure such that the gardening structure is a trellis;
and
(h) irrigating fluid between an interior of the lateral connecting body and an interior of the first connecting body via a fluid pathway defined by at least the cube base and the first connecting body of the first connecting joint in order to water the plant.

6 more elements

A method of using a kit to form a gardening structure, the method comprising:

(a) inserting a first outwardly protruding body of a first connecting joint into a top open end of a first connecting body such that a terminating face of the first outwardly protruding body extends across an inner surface of the first connecting body defining the top open end and a cube base of the first connecting joint abuts against a first annular face of the first connecting body;
(b) inserting a second outwardly protruding body of a second connecting joint into a top open end of a second connecting body such that a terminating face of the second outwardly protruding body extends across an inner surface of the second connecting body defining the top open end and a cube case of the second connecting joint abuts against a top annular face of the second connecting body;
(c) coupling the first connecting joint and the second connecting joint with a lateral connecting body;
(d) inserting an outwardly protruding body of a first anchoring joint into a bottom open end of the first connecting body via a first interference fit;
(e) inserting an outwardly protruding body of a second anchoring joint into a bottom end of the second connecting body via a second interference fit;
(f) anchoring either the first anchoring joint or the second anchoring joint into the ground;
(g) allowing a plant to grow on the gardening structure such that the gardening structure forms a trellis;
and
(h) irrigating fluid between an interior of the lateral connecting body and an interior of the first connecting body via a fluid pathway defined by at least the cube base and the first outwardly protruding body in order to water the plant.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/242,778Filed 6 Sep 2023 · continuation
Priority: 6 Jun 2018
Granted: 25 Feb 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

F16L 37/02
Couplings of the quick-acting type: in which the connection is maintained only by friction of the parts being joined
A01G 9/12
Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses ; Edging for beds, lawn or the like: supports for plants; Trellis for strawberries or…
A01G 17/06
Supports for hops, vines, or trees: trellis-work
E04B 1/585
Of substantially circular form: with separate connection devices