# US 8,464,463 B1 · Plant screening apparatus

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- Number: US 8,464,463 B1
- Document ID: US8464463B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 12/939,774
- Filed: 2010-11-04
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-04
- Applicants: Tamila J. Fraser
- Inventors: Tamila J. Fraser
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464463B1

## CPC

- A01G 13/10: Devices for affording protection against animals, birds or other pests (scaring or repelling devices A01M29/00)
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)

## Abstract

A plant screening apparatus is provided for preventing pest damage to a plant while permitting access to light, water and nutrients. The plant screening apparatus includes a base member for positioning on a support surface. The base member has a central opening for positioning the base member around a plant. A screen is coupled to the base member and a support assembly is coupled to the base member. The screen is supported by the support assembly such that the screen is positioned to enclose an interior space designed for containing the plant.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A plant screen assembly comprising:
a base member having a central opening such that said base member is adapted for positioning on a support surface around a plant;
a mesh screen coupled to said base member;
a support assembly coupled to said base member and said screen such that said screen is positioned to enclose an interior space adapted for containing the plant; and
said screen having an upper portion positioned distal to said base member, a lower portion positioned proximate said screen and a middle portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said lower portion flaring outwardly and arcuately away from said base member, said upper portion tapering inwardly and arcuately to an apex of said screen, wherein a horizontal plane may be positioned said upper and lower portions to defined a hemisphere shaped section of said screen including said apex.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
said base member having an annular collar forming said central opening, said collar having a cylindrical shape; and
said base member having a flange extending from said collar.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, wherein said flange extends continuously around a circumference of said collar.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, wherein said flange is planar.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The assembly of claim 4, wherein said flange extends outwardly from a bottom edge of said collar to form a right angle between an upper surface of said flange and an outer surface of said collar.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further including said support assembly having an array of spaced supports.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The assembly of claim 6, wherein said array of spaced supports is shaped such that said screen is supported in a bulbous shape extending from said central opening.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The assembly of claim 6, further including said support assembly having an array of spaced bearing members extending transversely across said central opening relative to said array of supports.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The assembly of claim 6, further comprising:
a plurality of receivers coupled to said base member around said central opening; and
said array of supports having end portions inserted into said receivers such that said array of supports is coupled to said base member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein each receiver is an elongate tube positioned on an interior surface of a collar of said base member.

### Claim 11

A plant screen assembly comprising:
a base member having an annular collar forming a central opening such that said base member is adapted for positioning on a support surface around a plant;
a planar flange extending continuously around a circumference of said collar, said flange extending outwardly from a bottom edge of said collar to form a right angle between an upper surface of said flange and an outer surface of said collar;
a flexible mesh screen coupled to said base member, said screen having an upper portion positioned distal to said base member, a lower portion positioned proximate said screen and a middle portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said lower portion flaring outwardly and arcuately away from said base member, said upper portion tapering inwardly and arcuately to an apex of said screen, wherein a horizontal plane may be positioned said upper and lower portions to defined a hemisphere shaped section of said screen including said apex;
a support assembly coupled to said base member such that said screen is positioned to enclose an interior space adapted for containing the plant;
said support assembly having an array of spaced supports, said array of spaced supports being shaped such that said screen is supported in a bulbous shape extending from said central opening;
said support assembly having an array of spaced bearing members extending transversely across said central opening relative to said array of supports, said array of spaced bearing members being shaped such that said screen is supported in said bulbous shape extending from said central opening;
a plurality of receivers coupled to said base member around said central opening, each receiver being an elongate tube positioned on an interior surface of said collar of said base member;
said array of supports having end portions inserted into said receivers such that said array of supports is coupled to said base member; and
said array of bearing members having end portions inserted into said receivers such that said array of bearing members is coupled to said base member.