Umbrella planter

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention pertains generally to flower pots or planters, and more specifically to a pot which mounts around an umbrella pole commonly associated with patio furniture.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment umbrella planter fully assembled about an umbrella pole and on top of a patio table.

#FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment planter of FIG. 1 by exploded view, thereby exposing various interconnection features.

#A preferred embodiment umbrella planter 30 is shown fully assembled in FIG. 1 about an umbrella pole 20 on top of a patio table 10. Umbrella planter 30 includes pot half 100, pot half 101, drip tray half 200 and drip tray half 201. Dirt or other plant growth media may be added to pot halves 100, 101 and flowers or other plants grown therein. The weight of planter 30 is carried by patio table 10, thereby allowing some tolerance of fit about umbrella pole 20. Each of the pot halves 100, 101 and the tray halves 200, 201 are preferably formed from molded plastic, and may be manufactured from a variety of polymers and co-polymers which are known to be suitable for outdoor pots and furniture.

#As will become more apparent after consideration of FIG. 2 and each of the individual components, planter halves 100 and 101 are of identical geometry and so may be formed from a common mold. Similarly, drip tray halves 200, 201 are also of identical geometry and so may also be formed from a common mold. The entire planter 30 requires only two molds, thereby reducing tooling costs to a range typically associated with general use planters not capable of surrounding an umbrella pole. The two molds may be formed as two cavities within a single mold, reducing tooling costs further.

#FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment planter 30 by exploded projected view, without the non-inventive pole 20 and table 10. For reference purposes, the elements of pot half 100 have been numbered with even numbers. Corresponding parts of pot half 101 have been numbered with the next subsequent odd number. As aforementioned, both halves 100 and 101 are formed from a common mold. Drip tray halves 200 and 201 have been similarly referenced, and, in addition, parts of similar function to pot halves 100, 101 have been numbered with similar ones and tens place digits. So, for example, pot half 100 has a vertical wall 102 for retaining dirt and plant matter within pot half 100, and drip tray 200 has a vertical wall 202 for retaining moisture and other leakage from pot half 100 within drip tray 200. Pot half 101 has a corresponding vertical wall 103, and drip tray half 201 has a corresponding vertical wall 203.