Supports – Staff type – Stand or base
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-28
2001-03-13
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Staff type
Stand or base
C047S040500, C248S516000, C248S524000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199818
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a support device for supporting a substantially vertical pole. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support device for use in combination with a plant receptacle to support and provide stability to a garden umbrella, parasol, rotary clothes line, or bamboo cane or the like as typically used to support young plants or saplings or the like. Thus, in the Specification, the word “pole” is used with a very broad meaning.
BACKGROUND ART
Garden umbrellas or the like are usually supported by inserting the umbrella pole through a central aperture formed in a garden table. The lower end of this pole is then inserted into a container, via an aperture therein. The container is situated below the table and is usually filled with water or sand for added stability. However, in the absence of the table, this method of support is inadequate for supporting the considerable weight of a garden umbrella or the like.
Commonly used methods for supporting a rotary clothes line comprise inserting a length of tube or a spike into the ground. In the case of concrete patios, this involves a permanent installation which cannot be moved. In the case of inserting a tube or spike into a lawn, it is especially advantageous to be able to vary the position of the clothes line so that particular areas of the lawn do not get worn due to constant treading. Also, in wet weather, the ground becomes wet and muddy, resulting in the possibility of the installation working loose, which is clearly disadvantageous.
It is known to provide support to the stems of plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, runner beans, etc., and to support saplings throughout their early stages of growth. Typically, such plants or saplings are grown in easily transportable pots or receptacles, prior to being transplanted into the ground. Fruit bearing plants such as tomatoes generally require more support than, for example, young saplings which are inherently more rigid and carry less weight.
A commonly used method of supporting plant stems within plant receptacles, is to use lengths of bamboo cane, or the like, inserted vertically into the earth within the receptacle next to the plant. The stem of the plant may then be loosely tied to the cane in stages as the plant grows. However, a common problem when using bamboo canes, is that they provide only limited support in windy conditions, the canes themselves being easily damaged. It is particularly difficult to provide the plants with adequate support when using a cane inserted into the soil within a small receptacle, since the length of cane inserted within the limited depth of the soil within the receptacle is typically relatively short when compared with the overall vertical length of the cane. In the event that the support, in this case bamboo canes, collapses, then substantial damage occurs to the plant.
A plant support device has been disclosed in published Patent Specification GB2307170A which encloses the stem of a plant. However, although the arrangement disclosed in GB2307170A is clearly effective in supporting the stem of a plant as long as the support device itself is sufficiently stable, it is often difficult to ensure that the support device is in fact stable, thereby reducing its effectiveness. Furthermore, it is often the case that a simple cane, inserted into the soil within a plant receptacle, is more advantageous, under certain circumstances, than more complicated plant support devices, for instance if space is limited. Therefore, it is clearly advantageous to provide a plant support device, such as for example, that disclosed in GB2307170A or, alternatively, a simple cane or the like, with additional stability.
The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved support device.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a support device for supporting a substantially vertical pole within an open-topped receptacle, the device comprising a substantially vertical open-topped tube secured to a first substantially flat plate, a second substantially flat plate, and securing means adapted to secure said two plates to one another with part of the receptacle trapped therebetween.
Preferably, the first substantially flat plate is locatable within the receptacle and the second substantially flat plate is locatable outside the receptacle.
Alternatively, the first substantially flat plate is locatable outside the receptacle such that the open-topped tube passes through an aperture in the receptacle and the second substantially flat plate is locatable within the receptacle, the second substantially flat plate being provided with an aperture to receive the open-topped tube therethrough.
Preferably, said receptacle has a substantially flat bottom portion, and said plates are locatable on respective sides of the bottom portion, to trap the bottom portion therebetween.
Advantageously, said securing means comprises a plurality of fasteners passing through each of said plates and through apertures formed in the receptacle.
Advantageously, the support device further comprises spacing means adapted to space the second plate from the receptacle.
Conveniently, the support device further comprises stabilizing means extending substantially horizontally from the receptacle.
Advantageously, part of said stabilising means is receivable within the gap thus formed between the receptacle and the second plate.
Preferably, said stabilizing means comprises a plurality of arms.
Advantageously, said tube is provided with a drainage aperture at its lower end.
Conveniently, said tube is provided with at least one resiliently deformable element secured thereto, the or each resiliently deformable element having at least one surface engageable with the pole when the pole is received within the tube, and being adapted to accommodate poles of various dimensions.
Preferably, the or each resiliently deformable element is secured to the tube at the upper end of the tube.
Advantageously, the open-topped tube is also open at its lowermost end, the securing means comprising a cylindrical element secured to the second substantially flat plate, the cylindrical element being insertable through an aperture in the receptacle, such that the cylindrical element may be received within the open lowermost end of the open-topped tube.
Conveniently, the cylindrical element is an interference fit within the lowermost end of the open-topped tube.
Preferably, the cylindrical element and lowermost end of the open-topped tube are threadedly engageable.
Advantageously, said cylindrical element is provided with an axial bore, said axial bore being open at the uppermost end of the cylindrical element.
Conveniently, the support device further comprises a sleeve, said sleeve being sized to fit over the open-topped tube, such that at least part of the sleeve extends above the uppermost end of the open-topped tube.
Preferably, said tube has a stepped bore, thereby providing a plurality of bore portions, each bore portion having a different diameter.
Advantageously, the support device further comprises a plurality of said open-topped tubes.
Conveniently, said plurality of tubes are each secured to a single first substantially flat plate.
Preferably, the support device comprises a plurality of said cylindrical elements.
Advantageously, said plurality of cylindrical elements are each secured to a single said second substantially flat plate.
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patent: 3298642 (1967-01-01), Taylor
patent: 3350043 (1967-10-01), Apple
patent: 3729157 (1973-04-01), Haff
patent: 3733040 (1973-05-01), Rocquin
patent: 4148455 (1979-04-01), Oliver
patent: 4544351 (1985-10-01), Marsicano
patent: 4585201 (1986-04-01), Pursell
patent: 4750702 (1988-06-01), Neil et
King Anita M.
Lumen Intellectual Property Services
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