Patent Application
20090278013
The present invention relates in general to support brackets that suspend an object thereon for display purposes. More particularly the present assembly is most useful for supporting either one or multiple circular various sized flower pot(s) thereon for aesthetic purposes. Also, the assembly is universal as it is functional with any size flower pot of user choice.
Within the known prior art numerous designs and various configurations for support means have been used for display and suspension of flower pots thereon. The most common flower support structures include rope such as macramé hangers that contain the flower pot therein and suspend the pot from an above surface. Such macramé hangers are somewhat useful and decorative but have inherent disadvantages. Namely, macramé hangers must be wrapped around the pot and the plant stems and leaves must be threaded through openings in the macramé. This is most time consuming, inconvenient and also can easily damage the plant when positioning the pot therein or during removal there from.
Other support means include plastic hooks with extension legs that attach onto the flower pot. These types of support hooks are most unsightly and greatly distract from the beauty of the plant. Most importantly these supports are restricted in use as they must be hung from an above surface, such as a ceiling or the like.
Other types of flower pot displays include upright stands all of which provide a circular base for containment of the pot. These types of stands are not aesthetically appealing and again distract from the beauty of the plant. Furthermore, these stands must be situated on the floor thus restricting floor space.
The closets related prior art include the following U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,686, No. 5,074,504, No. D394,576 and No. D362,175.
The '686 is entitled “TRAY SUPPORT APPARATUS”. It is similar in structure as it has attachment means on the top and bottom, and a top notch for capture of the top rim of the pot. However, the apparatus is not functional without a pair of notches, the top notch is for the rim of the pot and the bottom notch is for support of a drip tray. Due to the construction of the top notch it cannot support a flower pot that does not include a drip tray in combination. Thus the present invention is much more functional and eliminates the need for an additional notch and/or the need for a drip tray.
The '504 entitled “FLOWERPOT HOLDER” is somewhat similar as it does include one notch for support of the rim of the pot therein. However, it is mounted with one centralized fastener. More importantly, due to the shape of the notch it is not truly functional with various sized pots as suggested. In reality, the shape of the downward hook is not favourable for use with smaller type pots having smaller rims. The hook member is much too large and uses much of the internal space if used with a small pot. The most important problem with this reference is that the hook member is shaped strait down yet outwardly pointed, and the backside of the notch is not perpendicular with the vertical flat backside support surface. In use, this causes problems with various sized pots resulting in a holder that is not universal, unlike the present invention. It is a further advantage of the present invention to be re-movably attached with two identical fasteners each of the same length. If two fasteners were used with the '504 reference is would be more useful. Namely two fasteners will not allow the holder to pivot, thus two fasteners resolve this problem. Even if the '504 reference were to be attached with two fasteners, each would need to be extremely long, another disadvantage of which the present invention clearly resolves due to this new novel shape and size.
The '576 reference is somewhat similar as it is functional with one notch yet it is formed from two independent pieces. This reference is only functional with a rim having the identical shape as the notch itself. More importantly the most obvious disadvantage is that during installation the user must manually hold the pot and each of the pieces in place while simultaneously installing the fastener. This is most time consuming and problematic for the user. Also this further requires removal of the fastener and top member if the pot is to be removed. The present invention is clearly much more functional, more cost efficient, is less labor-intensive to install and overall is much more aesthetically pleasing.
The '175 reference is somewhat similar as it is installed with two fasteners and is functional with one notch. However, again due to the specific shape of the notch it is again not universal. The most important disadvantage of all of these references is the shape of the notch itself. Each reference includes a horizontal flat surface for support of the rim thereon. In actual use this proves to be a detrimental disadvantage. Namely, during installation the straight outward edge tends to interfere and this further restricts universal use with various types of pots. To resolve this problematic issue the present invention includes a slight downward curvature of which is much more functional and allows for overall enhanced performance.
More importantly, all of the known prior art do not provide a universal assembly that can support any type of flower pot of user choice.
It is therefore contended there is a need for a new and novel type of support and display assembly for flower pots that overcomes the inherent disadvantages and problems associated with the prior art. Namely, an assembly that is universal and allows the end user to either mount the flower pot(s) on a vertical surface, such as a fence and/or depending on the configuration it can be mounted from an above structure, such as the ceiling and/or it can be independent and functional as a complete free standing assembly. More importantly, the assembly is universal as it can easily support one or multiple pots and various sized pots of user choice and/or combinations thereof.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel bracket assembly that is used for support and display of a potted plant thereon. The assembly incorporates a main universal bracket that is integrally formed having no moving parts. Due to the unique shape and size of the main universal bracket it can easily be mounted onto any vertical surface of choice, such as a fence (wire or a wooden) a wall or the like.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a main universal bracket that can be used independently for vertical mounting and/or it can be used in combination with additional optional components that allow for alternative mounting features. The alternative mounting features allow for mounting the assembly from a horizontal surface and/or onto an upright stand. Also, multiple brackets can be used in combination thus allowing for numerous configurations of choice.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a potted plant display assembly that is easily manufactured, is cost effective, can be made from numerous materials of choice, is easy to use, is aesthetically appealing and allows the end user to display their potted plants in a variety of ways.
Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into consideration with the following specification and drawings.
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. As depicted in
The first semi-circular outwardly protruding section (16) defining a first horizontal depth resulting, in a first edge portion (26). The second semi-circular outwardly protruding section defines a second horizontal depth, resulting in a second edge portion (28). Thus it can be seen the first edge portion (26) and the second edge portion aesthetically merge together. The second edge portion (28) and the vertical elongated notch (20) form a downwardly projecting pointed gripping element (30). The vertical elongated notch (20) has a lower bottom downwardly rounded ledge (32) that is cut forming an opening between the downwardly projecting pointed gripping element (30) and the partially outwardly protruding third section (22). Thus it can be seen the lower bottom downwardly rounded ledge (32) and the partially outwardly protruding third section (22) aesthetically merge together.
It is to be understood that the actual shape and size of the downwardly projecting pointed gripping element (30) is extremely important. The applicant experimented and thru tedious trial and error determined that this unique shape and size allows for various sized pots to be utilized. This shape and size is especially important for small flower pots as this configuration provides more interior space for the plant and/or soil.
The vertical flat backside is re-movably attached onto a support structure of user choice, such as onto a fence (34) or the like. It is to be understood any type of fence (wooden or wire) is optional. Furthermore, any type of fastener of user choice is inherent. For example, screws, nails, or the like are sufficiently functional. However, the applicant have found when the main universal bracket (12) is to be attached onto a chain-link fence a most efficient fastener is sold by Gardner Bender, entitled “Shark Tooth Anchor™”.
As illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the noted first horizontal depth preferably measures 1 inch which is half the distance of the second horizontal depth, respectively. Furthermore, lower bottom downwardly rounded ledge (32) is preferably in vertical alignment with the first edge portion (26). Still further, the semi-S-curved inwardly reseeding lower section (24) has a central section that is in vertical alignment with the lower bottom downwardly rounded ledge (32) and the first edge portion (26). Again it is to be noted this overall configuration of shape and size is critical to achieve the end results of universal function.
It can now be seen that when the pre-existing pot (14) is slide-ably engaged within the universal bracket assembly (12) the projecting pointed gripping element (30) partially extends downwardly into the pre-existing pot (14) against an inside surface of the rim (36). The rim (36) is engaged within the noted receptacle and the circular side wall (38) rests against the partially outwardly protruding third section (22). Thus resulting in the weight of the pre-existing pot (14) being fully supported by the lower bottom downwardly rounded ledge (32) of the vertical elongated notch (20) with the partially outwardly protruding third section (22) in combination, thus further resulting in the pre-existing pot (14) being securely supported in an upright position by the main universal bracket (12) and the support structure, such as the fence (34) in combination.
It is to be noted the above universal bracket assembly as taught above can be used completely as itself for supporting one flower pot thereon. However, if preferred optional features can be sold in addition therewith depending on engineering choice and/or end user needs. For example, the following provides some optional features of which are most functional and highly appealing.
Referring now to
In
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In reference to
In reference now to
Another option for the present invention is to include upon the flat bottom end (40-B) of the elongated rectangle attachment means for attaching a pedestal thereto so as to allow the elongated rectangle (40) to be supported on a flat horizontal support surface. It is to be understood any suitable type of attachment means and/or pedestal of choice may be incorporated. Therefore, the pedestal as hereafter described is only exemplary and thus the invention is not to be limited thereto.
In reference now to
It is to be clearly understood that all of the components of the universal bracket assembly can be interchanged in numerous configurations and/or interconnected by various attachment means of engineering or end user choice. Also, the main universal bracket 12 can be sold independently or the overall universal bracket assembly can be sold as a kit, including numerous fasteners, one or more elongated rectangles (40) and/or multiple support legs, and/or any combinations thereof.
It can now be seen herein presented a new and novel universal bracket assembly for display of potted plants that is functional for support of any type or size of flower pot(s) having a rim. More importantly the invention is cost effective to produce/sell, is aesthetically pleasing and can be interconnected onto an overhead support structure, a vertical support structure or positioned on a horizontal support surface. Also, multiples of the assembly can be supported simultaneously.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses.
