Plant husbandry – Stand for holding a plant or growing medium receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-23
2001-11-13
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Stand for holding a plant or growing medium receptacle
C047S067000, C047S904000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314674
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the displaying of plants, and, more particularly, to the displaying of plants by those not blessed with the talent of having a “green thumb”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Plastic baskets for the hanging display of plants are well known. Equally known is the hanging of a wire basket in which the plant and potting soil are retained, within a coconut fiber liner set into the basket. As will be appreciated by users of such display baskets, the wire basket is in the form of a “cage” welded to the desired shape, and coated to provide a rust resistent surface. As is also understood, the coconut fiber liner is permeable to allow outside air to penetrate to the roots of the plant, while allowing excess water added to the potting soil to seep out.
As will become clear from the following description, the support structure of the present invention, allows for the plants to be displayed hanging from an overhead position, as well as standing on the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the support structure according the invention includes two or more legs extending downwardly from an underside of the wire basket—and preferably includes three legs spaced at 120° intervals about the basket. In the preferred embodiment set out, such legs are detachably connected to sockets secured to the wire basket about its outside periphery, with the sockets being welded in position. When, for example, it is desired to hang the basket to display plants, the legs can be separated from the sockets and stored. On those occasions where it is desired to stand the basket on the ground for display, the legs can be inserted into the sockets—with the arrangement used to previously hang the basket then being removed.
As described, the support structure of the invention includes a bowl internal of the basket, and adjacent to its bottom, for receiving the coconut fiber liner placed within. To support the weight of the potting soil and the plant set into the liner, a cover is included for the bowl, apertured about its surface to allow excess water to pass into the bowl to be collected. In those circumstances where the potting soil might tend to dry, the bowl can also be provided, according to the invention, with a wick extending upwardly through an opening provided within the bottom of the coconut fiber liner, to allow collected water to be drawn up into the soil by capillary action. In such embodiment, and to allow a sufficient reservoir for collecting the water and for dispensing it through the wick, the bowl is selected of a diameter of the order of 5″-6″.
As will be appreciated, with this arrangement as set forth, even a rank amateur would not have to worry about over-watering the plant, and would not have to worry about the plant not receiving enough water to grow healthily. At the same time, the opportunity is presented for displaying the basket support structure either as a “hanging cocobasket”, or as a “standing cocobasket”.
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patent: 688427 (1997-09-01), None
patent: 9084464 (1997-03-01), None
Brodsky Charles I.
Nguyen Son T.
Poon Peter M.
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