GB2473522A

GB2473522A - A plant pot assembly with plant support means

Info

Publication number: GB2473522A
Application number: GB201009552A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin John Hollyoake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-14
Filing date: 2010-06-08
Publication date: 2011-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-08
Also published as: GB2473522B; GB2473483A; GB0916027D0; GB201009552D0

Abstract

A plant pot assembly with plant support means comprises a pot100which is arranged to receive a plant and a plant support200. The pot comprises a base110and side walls111which extend from the base and which terminate at an open periphery112of the pot. The pot further comprises means113for receiving the plant support, wherein said means is arranged to extend substantially within the plant pot. The support enables the pot and/or plant to be carried and is detachably coupled to the means for receiving the plant support. The support may have a detachable grip means215. The assembly may have biasing means for biasing the support within channels provided on the support and the plant support receiving means. The assembly may also comprise a saucer or tray300which has means310to attach it to the bottom of the pot and the biasing means may be provided by the saucer.

Description

Plant Pot Assembly The present invention relates to a plant pot assembly.

Plants are typically grown in pots and the like, thereby enabling the plant to be repositioned as desired. However, when moving a potted plant, it is common for branches and foliage to project near the eyes and facial region of the carrier and thus obstruct the carriers view or even injure the carrier. Moreover, the lifting of large pots can injure the carrier's back. In addition, it is found that when carrying tall plants, the top of the plant can snag against the top of a door frame or ceiling, for example, and thus become damaged.

In order to support tall plants, stakes are typically pushed into the soil within the pot and the plant is secured to the stake using ties, for example. However, upon pushing the stake into the soil, it is found that this can damage the plant roots. The stake is also found to become loose over time. Accordingly, it is common for a plant to be supported using string that is secured to a roof of a greenhouse, for example. However, this renders the plant immovable.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plant pot assembly, the assembly comprising a pot which is arranged to receive a plant and a plant support, the pot comprising a base and side walls which extend from the base and which terminate at an open periphery of the pot, the pot further comprising means for receiving the plant support, wherein said means is arranged to extend substantially within the plant pot.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises coupling means for detachably coupling the support with the means for receiving the plant support, said coupling means being arranged to substantially restrict rotational and translational movement of the support with respect to the pot. Preferably, the support further enables the pot and/or plant to be manoeuvred when the support is coupled to the pot, by lifting the support. The support thus preferably further serves as a handle for lifting and manoeuvring the pot and plant.

The plant pot assembly preferably further comprises a grip which is detachably secured to the support. The grip is preferably arranged to receive the support within a channel disposed within the grip. The channel preferably tapers from a first end to a second end thereof. The channel is preferably further arranged to receive securing means for securing the grip to the support.

Preferably, the coupling means comprises a male connector element disposed on the plant support which is arranged to couple with a female connector element disposed within the means for receiving the plant support.

The support preferably comprises an elongate shaft and the male connector element is preferably disposed at one longitudinal end thereof.

The means for receiving the plant support preferably comprises an elongate sleeve which is arranged to extend substantially along the length of the pot. Preferably, the sleeve is supported at a first end thereof, proximate to the open periphery of the pot, and at a second end thereof, to the base of the pot.

Preferably, the female connector element is disposed substantially within the sleeve at the second end thereof and preferably comprises a first and second convoluted channel. The male connector element preferably comprises a first and second projection which are arranged to extend within the first and second channel. Preferably, the male and female connector elements provide a bayonet type connection.

The assembly preferably further comprises biasing means for biasing the support and thus the first and second projections within the first and second channels.

Preferably, the sleeve extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pot.

The sleeve is preferably coupled at the first end thereof, proximate to the open periphery of the pot by a bridge member. The bridge member comprises pot engaging means which is arranged to engage with bridge engaging means disposed on the pot.

The assembly preferably further comprises a tray for receiving the pot. Preferably, the tray comprises pot engaging means for detachably coupling with tray engaging means disposed on the pot. The pot engaging means preferably comprises at least one projection which is arranged to couple with at least one slot disposed upon the pot.

Preferably, the pot engaging means is sealed with respect to an interior of the tray so that material which passes from the pot into the tray cannot pass out from the tray through the pot engaging means The tray preferably comprises locking means for releasably locking the tray with respect to the pot.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the plant pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the pot of figure 1, taken across the intersection of the pot rim with the side wall of the pot, as viewed across line A-A; Figure 3a is a sectional view of the pot of figure 1, taken across the base of the pot, as viewed across line B-B; Figure 3b is a sectional view of the collar, taken across line C-C of figure 3a; Figure 3c is a plan view of the base of the pot of figure 1; Figure 4a is a magnified view of the insert and projections of the plant support; Figure 4b is a longitudinal sectional view of the grip of the plant support; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of the tray, taken across line D-D of figure 1.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a plant pot assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 10 comprises a pot 100 for receiving a plant (not shown), a plant support 200 and a tray 300 for retaining any water and/or material which passes into the tray 300 from the pot 100.

The pot 100 is substantially circular in horizontal cross-section and comprises a base 110, a frustoconical side wall 111 which diverges outwardly from the base 110 and which terminates at an underside of a pot rim 112. The rim 112 is substantially cylindrical in shape and forms an open periphery of the pot 100. The pot 100 further comprises an elongate sleeve 113 which is substantially cylindrical in shape and which is arranged to extend along the pot 100 substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pot 100, but is displaced from the longitudinal axis of the pot 100 and thus a central region thereof. The sleeve 113 is detachably coupled at one end thereof, to the pot 100 at the intersection of the pot rim 112 with the side walls 111 and at the other end thereof, to the base 110 of the pot 100.

Referring to figures 2 of the drawings, the sleeve 113 is coupled to the pot 100 at the one end by a bridge member 114 which is arranged to extend from an upper region of the sleeve 113 to the intersection of the pot rim 112 with the side walls 111 disposed proximate to the sleeve 113. The bridge member 114 comprises a substantially planar wedge shape having an arcuate distal edge which substantially conforms to the interior curvature of the pot rim 112. A proximal end of the bridge member 114 comprises a collar 114a which is arranged to receive the sleeve 113. The member 114 further comprises an aperture 115 or seat formed therein which is arranged to releasably hold a plug 116 that may be used to close the upper end of the sleeve 113.

The distal edge comprises a first projection 117 which extends away from the member 114 in substantially the same plane as the member 114, and a second projection 118 which extends along the length of the distal edge, substantially transverse to the plane of the member 114 toward the base 110 of the pot 100. At the intersection of the pot rim 112 with the side wall 111 there is provided an upwardly extending flange 119 which extends around a portion of the interior of the pot 100 and which forms a channel that is arranged to receive the second projection 118. As the second projection 118 is inserted within the channel 120, the first projection 117 is arranged to snap-locate within a recess 121 formed on the inner side of the rim 112, to couple the bridge member 114 and thus the upper region of the sleeve 113 to the pot 100.

The lower region of the sleeve 113 is arranged to sealingly locate within a substantially circular aperture 122 formed within the base 110 of the pot 100, as illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings. The aperture 122 comprises a peripherally extending collar 123 which is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a first portion 123a which extends to the interior of the pot 100 from the base 110 and a second portion 123b which extends to the underside of the pot 100 from the base 100. The first collar portion 123a is arranged to provide a friction fit around the lower region of the sleeve 113, whereas the second portion 123b comprises a first and second passage 124a, 124b formed with the side walls thereof with corresponding sections of each passage 124 being arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other. Each passage 124a, 124b comprises an inlet 125a disposed on an upper region of the second collar portion 123b and extends substantially along the length of the second portion 123b to a lower region thereof. Each passage 124a, 124b subsequently extends through approximately 90° around the second portion 123b and then terminates at a stop 125b positioned intermediate the upper and lower regions thereof.

Referring to figure 4a of the drawings, the plant support 200 comprises a substantially elongate tube 210 which is arranged to extend within the sleeve 113 between the upper and lower regions thereof. The tube 210 comprises first and second projections 211a, 211b disposed upon the tube 210 at a longitudinal end thereof, which are arranged to extend substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube 210. The first and second projections 211a, 211b are arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other and are arranged to separately extend within the first and second passages 124a, 124b formed within the second collar portion 123b. The projections 211a, 211b extend from an insert 212 that is arranged to partially extend within the tube 210 at the lower end thereof. The thickness of the tube wall creates a step 213 (as shown in figure 4 of the drawings) between the insert 212 and the tube 210 which is arranged to abut an upper edge of the collar 123 and thus prevent the tube 210 from over extending into the sleeve 113. The insert 212 may be secured within the tube 210 using a screw thread (not shown) or by pushing the insert 212 therein and then crimping the tube wall, for example.

Referring to figure 4b of the drawings, the plant support 200 is arranged to receive a grip 215 at an upper region thereof, for assisting a user in gripping the plant support 200 when lifting the pot 100, for example. The grip 215 comprises a spherical body having a frusto-conical channel 216 formed therein for receiving the plant support 200.

The grip 215 is arranged to slide over the upper region of the support 200 with the narrow end of the channel 216 facing the lower region of the support 200. An 0-ring 217 or similar is then placed over the upper region of the support 200 and positioned proximate the wide opening of the channel 216, such that when a user holds the grip 215 to lift the pot 100, the grip moves along the support 200 to encompass the 0-ring 217 in the channel 216 and thus prevent any further movement of the grip 215 along the support 200 toward the upper region thereof. In order to remove the grip 215, the user must first release the 0-ring 217 from the channel 216 by moving the grip 215 toward the lower region of the support 200. Once the 0-ring 217 has been removed from within the channel 216, the 0-ring 217 and grip 215 can then be separately passed along the support 200 and removed therefrom.

The base 110 of the pot 100 comprises a female connector element 126 for coupling with a male connector 310 element disposed upon the tray 300. The female connector 126 comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 127 having an opening 128 disposed at the underside of the base 110 and a plurality of slots 129a, 129b (only two of which are illustrated in figures 3a and 3c for clarity) formed on the inside walls the housing 127 which extend substantially longitudinally of the housing 127 and which are angularly separated from each other. The female connector 126 further comprises a head 130 disposed upon the housing 127. The head 130 comprises an internal diameter which substantially corresponds to the internal diameter of the housing 127, but comprises an external diameter less than the external diameter of the housing 127 to form a shoulder 131. The slots 129a, 129b separately terminate at the shoulder 131 and at one end of a plurality of elongate apertures 132 disposed within a side wall of the head 130, and which extend around a portion of the head 130.

Referring to figure 5 of the drawings, the male connector element 310 disposed on the tray 300 comprises a substantially cylindrical boss 311 having a diameter which substantially corresponds to the internal diameter of the housing 127 at the base 110 of the pot 100. The boss 311 is disposed substantially at the centre of the tray 300 and comprises a plurality of projections 312a, 312b (only two of which are illustrated in figure 5 for clarity) disposed at a longitudinal position along the boss 311 which substantially corresponds to the separation of the shoulder 130 of the housing 127 from the base 110 of the pot 100. The projections 312a, 312b are angularly spaced around the boss 311 at an angular spacing substantially corresponding to the angular spacing of the longitudinal slots 129a, 129b in the female connector housing 127. In this manner, the boss 311 can be inserted within the female connector housing 127 by first aligning the projections 312a, 312b on the boss 311 with the longitudinal slots 129a, 129b respectively, on the female connector housing 127. Once fully inserted, such that the projections 312a, 312b extend into the one end of the elongate apertures 132 disposed within the head 130, the tray 300 can then be rotated to rotate boss 311 so that the projections 312a, 312b on the boss 311 extend upon the shoulder 130 above the housing 127, to secure the tray 300 to the pot 100.

The base 110 of the pot 100 comprises a plurality of drainage apertures 131 so that any excess water, for example, within the pot 100 can drain away into the tray 300. The male connector 310 disposed upon the tray 300 is sealed with respect to the interior of the tray 300 and thus ensures that any material which passes from the pot 100 into the tray 300 cannot escape from the tray 300 through the male connector 310.

The base 110 of the pot 100 further comprises a locking recess 132 formed on the underside thereof, which is arranged to locate with one of a plurality of resiliently flexible barbs 313a, 313b (only two of which are illustrated in figure 5 for clarity) disposed around the periphery of the tray 300. The base 110 of the pot 100 further comprises a plurality of arcuate recesses 133 (only one of which is illustrated in figure 5 for clarity) formed on the underside thereof which extend through an angular range around a periphery of the base 110, at a radial distance from the centre of the base which substantially corresponds to the radial distance of the barbs 313a, 313b from the centre of the tray 300.

In use, the sleeve 113 is passed through the collar 114a on the bridge member and a lower end of the sleeve 113 is supported within the first collar portion 123a on the base of the pot 100. The first and second projections 117, 118 on the bridge member are then snap-located within respective channels 121, 120 disposed at the intersection of the pot rim 112 with the side wall 111, to support the sleeve to the pot rim 112. The plug 116 may then be removed from the aperture 115 in the bridge member 114 and used to close the open end of the sleeve 113.

The boss 311 on the tray 300 is then suitably aligned with the female connector housing 127 and inserted therein. Once the boss 311 has been fully inserted, one of the barbs 313a will locate within the arcuate recess 133 at one end thereof, while the other barb 313b will impinge on the underside of the base 110 of the pot 100, causing the tray 300 to deform slightly. The boss 311 is then rotated so that the projections 312a, 312b disposed thereon extend over the shoulder 131 of the female connector 126 and so that the barb 313a moves along the arcuate recess 133. Once the tray 300 has been fully rotated with respect to the pot 100, namely once the projections 312a, 312b extend to the end of the elongate apertures 132 above the shoulder 131, the barb 313b will snap-locate within the locking recess 132, under the resilient bias of the tray 300. The barb 313b will then serve to prevent any rotation of the tray with respect to the pot 100 and thus any inadvertent removal of the tray 300 from the pot 100.

The tube 210 is then inserted into the sleeve 113 so that the projections 211a, 211b on the insert 212 extend to the lower region of the sleeve 113 and engage within the passages 124a, 124b formed within the second collar portion 123b. The separation of the projections 211a, 211b from the lower end of the tube 210 is greater than the separation of the circumferentially extending passages 124a, 124b within the second collar portion 123b from the lower end of the second portion 123b. Accordingly, before the projections 211a, 211b can enter the circumferentially extending section of passages 124a, 124b, the support 200 must be pushed into the collar 123 against the resilient bias of the tray 300, so that the projections 211 a, 211 b align with the passages 124a, 124b. The tube 210 is then rotated through approximately 90° and then released so that the bias on the tray 300 causes the tube 210 to move upwardly along the second collar portion 123b toward the stop 125b. The bias on the tray 300 subsequently prevents the tube 210 from moving away from the stop 125b and the projections 211 a, 211 b prevent the tube 210 from rotating with respect to the pot 100.

The pot 100 can then be filled with soil or similar (not shown) and a plant (not shown) positioned therein. If required, the plant (not shown) can be secured to fixing means 214, such as hooks and loops disposed upon the tube 210, using ties (not shown) for example, to prevent the plant (not shown) from bending during strong winds. When it is desired to move the pot 100 and plant (not shown), the pot 100 can be lifted by lifting the tube 210 thereby obviating the requirement to bend and thus lift the pot 100.

If required, the tube can be removed by first pushing the tube 210 into the collar 123 against the bias of the tray 300, and then rotating the tube 210 so that the projections 211a, 211b can pass out from the collar 123. The tube 210 can then be lifted from the sleeve 113 and the plug 116 inserted into the open upper end thereof to prevent any dirt or similar falling into the sleeve 113 and obstructing the passages 124a, 124b in the second collar portion 123b. If it is desired to remove the tray 300, the tray 300 may be flexed away from the base 110 of the pot 100 causing the barb 313b to move out from the locking recess 132, thereby enabling the tray 300 to rotate with respect to the pot 100.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the plant pot assembly of the present invention provides a simple yet effective means of supporting a plant and manoeuvring a pot comprising a plant.

Claims

Claims 1. A plant pot assembly, the assembly comprising a pot which is arranged to receive a plant and a plant support, the pot comprising a base and side walls which extend from the base and which terminate at an open periphery of the pot, the pot further comprising means for receiving the plant support, wherein said means is arranged to extend substantially within the plant pot.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising coupling means for detachably coupling the support with the means for receiving the plant support.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said coupling means is arranged to substantially restrict rotational and translational movement of the support with respect to the pot.
4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support further enables the pot and/or plant to be manoeuvred, when the support is coupled to the pot, by lifting the support.
5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support further serves as a handle for lifting and manoeuvring the pot.
6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises an elongate shaft.
7. An assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising a grip which is detachably secured to the support.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the grip is arranged to receive the support within a channel disposed within the grip.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the channel tapers from a first end to a second end thereof.
10. An assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the channel is further arranged to receive securing means for securing the grip to the support.
11. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the means for receiving the plant support comprises an elongate sleeve which is arranged to extend substantially along the length of the pot.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the sleeve is supported at a first end thereof, proximate to the open periphery of the pot, and at a second end thereof, to the base of the pot.
13. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the coupling means comprises a male connector element disposed on the support which is arranged to couple with a female connector element disposed within the means for receiving the plant support.
14. An assembly according to claim 13 as appended to claim 6, wherein the male connector element is disposed at a longitudinal end of the shaft.
15. An assembly according to claim 13 as appended to claim 11, wherein the female connector element is disposed substantially at the base of the pot.
16. An assembly according to claim 13 or 15, wherein the female connector comprises a first and second convoluted channel.
17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the male connector element comprises a first and second projection which are arranged to extend within the first and second channel.
18. An assembly according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the male and female connector elements provide a bayonet type connection.
19. An assembly according to claims 16 and 17, further comprising biasing means for biasing the support and thus the first and second projections within the first and second channels.
20. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the sleeve extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pot.
21. An assembly according to claims 11 or 20, wherein the sleeve is supported at a first end thereof, proximate to the open periphery of the pot by a bridge member.
22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the bridge member comprises pot engaging means which is arranged to engage with bridge engaging means disposed on the pot.
23. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a tray for receiving the pot.
24. An assembly according to claim 23 as appended to claim 19, wherein the biasing means is provided by the tray.
25. An assembly according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the tray comprises pot engaging means for detachably coupling with tray engaging means disposed on the pot.
26. An assembly according to claim 25, wherein the pot engaging means comprises at least one projection which is arranged to couple with at least one slot disposed upon the pot.
27. An assembly according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the pot engaging means is sealed with respect to an interior of the tray so that material which passes from the pot into the tray cannot pass out from the tray through the pot engaging means
28. An assembly according to any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the tray further comprises locking means for releasably locking the tray with respect to the pot.
29. An assembly substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.