Device for supporting plants and related method
OwnerWilliam W. Stevenson, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plant support device includes a base that connects to a supporting post. The base may comprise a plate including a series of receptacles that connect to the supporting post and position the post in a generally vertical orientation. The receptacles may be formed as cups extending from the base, or as recesses formed into the base. The base may be releasably connected to the floor of a container such as a flowerpot or planter. The base may further include spacers capable of creating an aeration gap within the container. The base may also include slots that limit the rotation of the base when positioned within the container. The supporting post may be formed from a series of axially connectable pole sections.
Claims14
A plant support system for use with a plant container including a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the support system comprising:
- a supporting post including a first end and a second end, wherein the post is capable of supporting plants of various heights;
- and
- a base plate configured to insert into the container and to rest above the bottom wall, the base plate comprising:
- a top surface and a bottom surface,
- at least one drain aperture, extending through the base plate from the top surface to the bottom surface, operable to permit the flow of fluid therethrough,
- a plurality of upstanding receptacles extending above said top surface, each upstanding receptacle having an open upper end spaced from and above said top surface and a closed lower end at said top surface, each upstanding receptacle being adapted to removably receive and support said first end of the supporting post at the upstanding receptacle closed lower end to secure the post in a generally upright position,
- a second plurality of recessed receptacles extending below said bottom surface, each recessed receptacle having an open upper end at said top surface and a closed lower end spaced from and below said bottom surface, each recessed receptacle being adapted to removably receive and support said first end of the supporting post at the recessed receptacle closed lower end to secure the post in a generally upright position;
- a plurality of angularly spaced slots extending radially inward from the periphery of the plate;
- and
- wherein the plurality of slots is configured to engage a plurality of angularly spaced ribs extending inwardly from the side wall of the plant container, prohibiting the rotation of the base plate about its axis.
A support system for use with a plant container including a generally circular bottom wall and a generally frusto-conical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the support system comprising:
- a supporting post including a first end and a second end for supporting plants of various heights;
- and
- a base plate adapted to rest above the bottom wall comprising:
- a top surface and a bottom surface;
- at least one drain aperture extending through the base plate from the top surface to the bottom surface to permit flow of fluid therethrough;
- a plurality of receptacles each adapted to receive in removable friction fit engagement an end portion of the supporting post and to secure the post in a generally upright position;
- a plurality of short slots defined therethrough extending radially inward from the periphery of the base plate at respective first angularly spaced locations, wherein the slots are operable to receive and engage respective ribs extending inward from the container wall;
- a plurality of indentations defined in the periphery of the base plate at second angularly spaced locations alternating between said first angularly spaced locations, said indentations having a different shape than the shape of the slots;
- wherein the receptacles comprise first cups having a closed end at said top surface and an open upper end extending upward from said top surface, and second cups having an open upper end at said top surface and a closed bottom end extending downward from and below the bottom surface, wherein said closed bottom ends of said second cups support the base plate on the bottom wall of the container with said bottom surface spaced from the bottom wall.
A plant support system for use with a plant container including a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the support system comprising:
- a supporting post including a first end and a second end, wherein the post is capable of supporting plants of various heights;
- and
- a base plate configured to insert into the container and to rest above the bottom wall, the base plate comprising:
- a top surface and a bottom surface,
- at least one drain aperture, extending through the base plate from the top surface to the bottom surface, operable to permit the flow of fluid therethrough,
- a plurality of upstanding receptacles extending above said top surface, each upstanding receptacle having an open upper end spaced from and above said top surface and a closed lower end at said top surface, each upstanding receptacle being adapted to removably receive and support said first end of the supporting post to secure the post in a generally upright position, and
- a plurality of recessed receptacles extending below said bottom surface, each recessed receptacle having an open upper end at said top surface and a closed lower end spaced from and below said bottom surface, each recessed receptacle being adapted to removably receive and support said first end of the supporting post to secure the post in a generally upright position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.