This disclosure relates to agriculture, and more particularly to plant selectively expandable planting systems.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Agricultural systems, including, hydroponic systems, are increasingly used for various plant growing operations. These systems are known to support conventional pots and planting structures. Various indoor plumbing systems have been adapted to spray or otherwise allow for a user to manually water the plants.
Known agricultural systems are disadvantaged in that they: (1) are not selectively assembled; (2) and do not allow for selective and dynamic placement of plants and plant holders; and (3) do not have internal watering systems that may be selectively connected.
Accordingly, a need exists for dynamic planting grid assembly having internal watering system.
A planting apparatus is disclosed. The planting apparatus includes: a main vertical member connectable to a planting pot, wherein the vertical member is cylindrical-shaped and includes a plurality of openings along a cylindrical-surface thereof. Embodiments of the planting apparatus include a planting pot having a base having conical frustum-shaped walls and a base surface, wherein the base includes interior annular walls for receiving an end of the main vertical member.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” The term “based upon” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.”
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the depictions are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,
In one embodiment, the clamps 14 include a hallow channel for fluid communication of water between vertical members such as member 16 and members 18. The clamps 14 may be fluidly connected to an outlet on the main member 16 and an inlet on the member 18, for example.
The supplemental vertical members 18 are cylindrical-shaped preferably having a bottom cap 19. The vertical members 18 may be integrally formed or formed from one or more components. For example, in one embodiment, the cylindrical-shaped member 18 is integrally formed and the end cap 19 is press fit around an outside surface. In one embodiment, the vertical members 16 and 18 are formed of a first and second half-cylindrical portions, 7 and 9, respectively, which are friction fit together using an elongated tongue 11 and groove 21 such as shown in
Each vertical member 18 may include a spout 30 for receiving and holding a plant or for receiving water. The vertical members 18 may receive an adapter 32 and then another vertical member 18, thereby extending a vertical height that the plant holder 10 may reach. The vertical members 16 and 18 must be sized and adapted to support a plant, an internal hose, compost, soil or other planting material, and water. The vertical members 16 and 18 can be filled with composting materials, slow release fertilizers, or worms to aid in decomposition.
As shown in
The vertical members 18 are preferably attached to the main vertical member 16 via one or more clamps 14. As shown in the figures, two clamps are used with adequate spacing between clamps on the members 16 and 18. The clamps 14 are press-fit onto the members 16 and 18. In one embodiment, the clamps 14 are formed with a slightly smaller opening than a diameter of the members 16 and 18. In this way, the clamps 14 may be urged to clasp the members and then urged or pulled off when desired.
Components of the plant holder 10 are preferably plastic, plastic-polymer-based, and/or resin, however, one or more of any known material sufficient in strength and durability and will suffice. The material is preferably ridged or semi-ridged.
As
In one embodiment, the hose is porous. In one embodiment, the hose 106 comprises sections within the vertical members 16 and 18 that are semi-porous. In one embodiment, the hose 106 is capped at an end 109. In one embodiment, one or more of the caps 109 include a spray end configured to spray out an amount of water to an exterior of the vertical members. In one embodiment, each vertical member 16 and 18 includes a hose section traversing from one of the valves 107. In this way, water flow to each of the vertical members may be selectively controlled.
The hose 106 and/or hose sections may be adhered or connected to inner walls of the vertical members 16 and 18. In one embodiment, portions of the hose 106 are connected to a top portion of the members 16 and 18, thereby supporting positioning of hose sections within the vertical members 16 and 18.
The basin 42, in one embodiment, includes pegs 62 sized and configured for pass though into the first ring 42. In this way, the first ring 44 is rigidly secured and water-tight. The second ring 46 is press-fit into the first ring 44. In one embodiment, the first and second rings include corresponding teeth 64 and grooves 66 for press-fit. Similarly, the third ring 48 is press-fit into the second ring 46 using corresponding teeth 64 and grooves 66. The third ring 48 may include an annular, angled flange 68. The basin 42 is preferably sized and configured to add stability to the plant holder 10.
In one embodiment, the first ring 44 includes a plurality of teeth 70, which aid in support and water displacement.
A console 230 may be included into the grid system 200. The console can include a display screen for providing information to a user about operation of the system 200 including measurements from one or more sensors. The sensors can be placed throughout the system 200 including, e.g., within the water pipes 250, within one or more of the vertical members 16, such as within the hose 106 of the vertical members 16. One or more of a soil pH, phosphorus, potassium (k), organic matter, conductivity, and/or total dissolved solids may be measured and displayed on the console 230. In one embodiment, a hose 251 is attached to the console 230 from the manifold 250. Water flows through the hose 251, which is then monitored for any one of the abovementioned measurements.
Each grid section 202 includes a plurality of socket-forming recesses 208 and a plurality of protruding portions 210. The protruding portion 210 is sized and adapted for substantially fitting into the recess 208 of another grid. In this way, each grid 202 may be selectively attached to another grid to create a working grid system 200. Preferably, each grid 202 includes a plurality of the protruding portions 210 and a plurality of the recesses 208. The recesses 208 are preferably formed on each side of a grid 202, while the protruding portions 210 are formed on adjacent sides of the sides having the recesses 208. In one embodiment, the protruding portions 210 are cylindrical in shape. In one embodiment, the recesses 208 are correspondingly cylindrical in shape, with a circumferential gap that is less than half the circumference. In this way, the protruding portion 210 must be laterally inserted into the recess 208, i.e., inserted from above or below a top surface of the grid 202.
The grids 202 and 222 are preferably injection molded of a suitable structural plastic material. The plastic material may also be reinforced with minerals, fibrous materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, carbon or fibers), combinations thereof or the like. In another non-limiting example, the grids 202 may be formed of a metal or metal alloy. In one embodiment, the grids are formed of HDPE plastic.
As
The flap 322 may be a cut-out of the member 316 and may function to provide support for plant stalks or limbs. The opening 320 may be sized and adapted for various plant types. For example, heavier plants may require a larger opening. In various embodiments, the flap 322 may simply be removed, thereby leaving an opening without support. The bird feeder 300 preferably includes a base 304, which may be configured to: (1) attached to a grid 202; and (2) receive a hose for supplying water and nutrients to the plant roots within the vertical member 316.
While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative embodiments, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other embodiments, unless stated otherwise.
This application is a continuation application, claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/151,286 filed Oct. 3, 2018, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 62/567,701 filed on Oct. 3, 2017 and Provisional Application No. 62/607,062 filed on Dec. 18, 2017, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62567701 | Oct 2017 | US | |
62607062 | Dec 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16151286 | Oct 2018 | US |
Child | 17547725 | US |