CA1229813A - Special locking clip with apparatus for carrying plural plants to a watering station - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Apparatus for carrying plants periodically to a watering station while ensuring that said plants are uniformly exposed to light. The apparatus includes at least one conveyor in the form of an endless cable disposed about a pair of spaced drums. One of the drums is driven by a motor to cause the cable to be circulated about the drums. The cable supports a plurality of plant hangers at spaced locations there along. Each hanger is arranged so that when a plant is suspended therefrom it is in a first orientation arranged to trip a sensor at the watering station to water the plant. The hanger is also arranged to automatically assume a second orientation when no plant is suspended therefrom. In the second orientation the hanger does not trip the sensor at the watering station. The cable is arranged to be driven at a slower speed during watering operations and at a higher speed during plant loading and unloading operations. By virtue of the movement of the conveyor through the greenhouse each plant is uniformly exposed to light reaching the conveyor.
The present invention also includes a special form of the hanger means having a locking clip, so that the hanger means will be positively held on the conveyor means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF l`HE INVENTION
This invention relates yenerally to a special ].ocking clip which can be associated wi-th conveying apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for conveying plan-ts through a greenhouse for e~fectincJ watering and even illurnination thereof.
The grow.incJ of house plants on a mass basis i.n a cJreenhouse is normally accomplished by growing each plant in a.il individual pot or con-tainer~ The pots or containers are commonly ~acked as closely together as possible on a tctbletop or horizontctl surface in order to conserve space. Periodic wa~ering o t~e plants is canmonly accc~tplished manually by havinc~ greenhouse per~
sonnel move from plant to plant in accordance with the prescr;bed schedule, with water being applied from a hose or other spray device connected to a reservoir or other water source. Alterna-tively, dripper lines, overhead spray devices, or per~orated ~oses can be used to spray the plants on a mass basis. While the latter arranc~ements can be accc~tplished quicker than manual watering, the us~ of such means does not result in the precise uniorm watering of the plants. Moreover, these techniques also have other disad-vantages, namely water wastage and wetting Oe surrounding areas.
Furtherstill, the storage of plants in a greenhouse at ixed locations on the table or horizontal surEace for watering and yrowiny results in a varying exposure of light to the plants, depending upon the location of the plants as well as any changes in natural light which may or may not be augmented by aeti~ical light. Such action ~requently results in uneven growth or matura-tion an obviously undesirable ef~ect for commercial enterprises.
O~JECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it i5 the general object of the instant invention to provicle apparatus which overc~tes the disadvantages o~ prior art methods in the apparatus or growincJ plants on a com-mercial basis.
It is another object o the instant invention to provicle a conveyor system ~or plants for ef~ecting the automatic wa~er;n~

thereof .
It is a urthee object o the instant invert iOI' to 8~3 provide a conveyor system for plants for insurirg that the plants receive uniform illumination.
It is still a further object of the instant invention to provide a conveyor system for plants which have been arranged for automatic low speed operation to effect the watering thereof and hic~her s~eed operation to effect the loading and unloadinc~
thereo.
Yet another obj~ct of the invention is to provide a special locking clip which can be used with the conveyor system of the invention. This lockiny clip in one of at least two forms is designated hanger means that can assume either a first orientation or a second orientation with respect to the conveyor means. Each hanger means is arranged to support a plant thereon, with each of the hanger means being held in the firs~ orientation when the plant is supported thereon and being in the second orientation when the plant is not supported thereon. Sensing means are located at the watering s~ation for co-acting with the han~er means when the han~er means is in the first orientation to actuate the watering means. On the other hand, when there is no plant beincJ supported on the hal~er means, the hanger means will be in a second orientation which will not actuate the waterin~ means~
SUM~ Y OF THE INVENTION
__ These and other objects of the instant in~ention are achievecl by providincJ a~plratus for carryiry plural plants to a wate~rin~ station. The apparatus comprises an enclless loop conveyor means and Sll~pOrC means there~or. ~rive means are provided for causincJ the conveyor means to be circulated to f~le wateriny station. PluraL han~er means are mounted ~t spaced ]ocations on the conveyor means Eor movement therewith~ Each o~
the hanyer means is arranged to assume either a first orientation or a second orientation with respect to the conveyor means. Each of the hanger means is arranged to support a plant thereon, ~;th the hanyer means ~eing in the first orientation when a plant is s,uppGrted thereon and in the second orientation when a plant is not supported thereon. Sensing means are provided located at the wateriny station for coacting with the hanger means when the hanger means is in the second orientation. In this position the sensing means causes watering means located at the waterinc~ sta-tion to water the plant.
The present invention also includes a special orm of the hanger means having a locking clip, so that the hanger mear~s will be positively held on the conveyor means.
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the instant invention will be readily appreciated as the same bacomes better understood by reference to the following detailed descrip-tion when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
DESCRIPTION OF THE_DRAWING
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a plant conveying system for disposition in a greenhouse and inclucling plural plant ConVeyincJ apparatus constructed in accc)rdar)ce with the inst~lnt invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlar~ed sectional view taken along line 2-2 o~ Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional v;ew taken along line ~-3 o F`i~.

2;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken alon~ line 4-~of Fic3. 1;

Fig~ 5 is an enlargec3 perspective view of a portion of the cable support structure oE the subject invention;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken aLong line 6-6 of Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing a modified hanger with the present invention;
Ficy. 8 i9 an enlarged three dimensional view showing the association of a locking clip with the hanger means; and Fig. 9 is an en3arged sectional view taken along the lines of 9~9 of Fi~. 8.

DETAII.~D DESCRIPTION O~ PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
~ .
Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at 20 in Fig. 1 a plant watering conveyor system constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The s~stem basically comprises a plurality of plant conveying apparatus 22 each of which is arranged to be mounted within a building, such as a conventional commercial greenhouse~ only one wall o~ which 23 is shown. The cJreenhouse includes at least one roof portion (not shown) throucJh which light passes to reach at least a portion of each apparatus 22 of the system. ~ach of the apparatus 22 is constructed in an identical manner and basically includes a con-veyor :Loop 24 on wh;ch p'Lural plant hangers (to be described later) are mounted at equally spaced locations. Hence only a single conveyor apparatus will be described hereina~t~?r. The neans ~or drivin~ the plural conveyor apparatus comprises a common elc?ctric motor and associated drive assembly which îs common to all oE the conveyor apparatus.

~ f~ L~ ~

Each conveyor apparatus is arranged to carry plural plants 25 (Fig. 2) in a circulating loop past an associate~ water~
in~ station 28. The system is arranged so that each time a plant reaches the watering station it i5 automatically watered. Thus, the system 22 basically comprises the con~eyor loop 24 which is ~reerably in the form of an endless st~el cable 26 extending about a pair of cylin~rical drums 30 and 32. The drums 30 and 32 ~re arranyed to be spaced apart by a distance to accomodat0 any length yreenhouse~ The drum 30 is coupled to drive means 34 to e~fect the rotation of the drum. The drums 30 and 32 and the conveyor 24 are supp~rted in horizontal orientation within the greenhouse at an elevated position. The means for supporting those components ~ill be described later. The portion of the cable 26 spanning the two drums 30 and 32 is supported at intermediately spaced loc~tions via plural support roller assemblies 36. Each cable 26 includes plural plant hangers 38 mounted thereon at equadistantly spaced locations.
Each of the hangers 38 is constructed so as to automati-cally assume one of two orientations depending on whether or not it i5 supporting a plant therefrom. In the first orientation, that is when it is supporting a plant, the hanger automatically assurnes an orientation which cooperates with sensor means (to be described l~ter) at the watering station 28 to automatically actlvate the watering means to water the plant when it reaches that station~ When the hangers are in the second orientation, which they automatically assume when no plant is suspended there~rorn, the hangers do not actuate the sensor 50 that no water-ing occurs when the empty hanger passes the watering station.

The details vf a typical hanger 38 will now be conside~ed and are best understood by reference to Figs~ 3 and 5. However~
beEore describing the construction of hanger 38 a ~rie~ descrip-tion of the ~able 26 is in order. As can be seen cable 26 is of conventional construction, such as braided steel cable and is o~
circular profile. The cable 26 is in the form of an endless loop e~tendinc~ tightly about the two drums 30 and 32.
The hanger 38 is a generally assymetrical C-shaped mem~er includinc~ an arcuate upper leg portion 40, an arcuate lower leg portion 42 and an intermediate portion 44. The intermediate portion is formed by a pair of arms 46 and 48 extending at an obtuse anyle with respect to each other. The arcuate end portion 40 extends frosn the end of arm 46 while the arcuate end portion ~2 extends from the end of arm 48. Arcuate portion 42 is curved upwards so that it fvrms a hook-like configuration for supporting the hook 50 of a conventional hanging basket 52 holding plant 25 therein. The arcuate portion 40 of the hanger 38 terminates in an arcuate recess 54 at the free end of portion 40~ This recess serves as the means for mounting the hanger on the cable. To that end the cable is snap-fit into the recess throu~h its open mouth 56. As can be seen the mouth 56 exterlds sufficiently about the periphery o~ the pa~sac~eway 54 so that when the cable is located within the passageway the hanger can pivot with respect to the lonc~itudillal axis of the cahle withvut ~alling off the cable. In orcler to l~revent the hanger froln slippin(J lonclitudin~lly on the ca~le a pair of rin(l-like stops 58 are disposed on each side oE
the hallcler at the pivoting connection (See Fig. 5).
As can be seen in FicJ. 3 when a plant 2~ is hung fror hook porti~n 42 of the han~er 3~ the weight on the han~er causes ~ ~ ~ . . .

it to assume the firs~ orientation wherein its arm portion 4~ is di~osed generally verticcllly and with the arcuate end portion ~0 extending a substantial height above the elevation of the plane of the cable loop. It is in this first orientation that the portion 40 i5 arra~ ed to contact a sensor mechanism (to be described later) to effect the watering operation. When the plant 26 i5 removed from the ha~ er 3U the nat~ral twist of the cable causes lt to rotate or pivot the hanger inward with respect to the lon~itudinal axis o the cable 26 to the second orisntation and which is shown by phantom lines in Fig. 6. In this second orientation the upper arcuate arm portion 4~ is disposed almost laterally of the cable 2fi so as to avoid actuatiny the water initiatin~ sensor or solenoid actuating arm 7~.
~ eferring now to Fig. 6 it can be seen that each watering station consists of a watering conduit or spray tube 7U which is connected to a source of water sup~ly (not shown). The free end of the spray tube 7~ is in the form o~ a nozzle 72 directed at the position at which plant ~S will be located when carried by a hanyer 38 to the watering station. Each watering station 2U also includes actuatable valve means 74 for controllin~ the flow o water throu(~h conduit 70 and out nozzle 7~. The valve means 7~
basically comprises an electrically opecated solenoid valve of any suitahle conventional type. The solenoid is connectecl in the electrical circuit of the system 2~ via plural conductors 76. The actu;ltion of the solenoid value to cause it to open is effected by the movement oE its contactor arm 78. Thus, when contactor arm 7 is moved an associated relay in the solenoid valve 7~ is actuated, whereupon water is enabled to flow from the water source through conduit 7U and out no2zle 7~.

_ ~ _ The actuator arm 78 of valve 74 is oriented so that it is located just slightly above the horizontal plane in which the cable loop 26 is located. Accordingly when a plant 25 is suspen-ded from a hanger 38 so that the hanger i5 rotated to the position shown in Fig. 6 the arcuate portion 40 of the han~er 3~ extends above the plane of the cable loop, whereupon when the hanger is carried to the wateriny station the actuator arm is tripped by hangar's arcuate portion 40. This action causes the solenoid valve to open, whereupon the plant 25 suspencied from the ha~yer is sprayed with water~ If the hanger 38 is empty ti.e. not carrying a plant) the hanger will be in the second orientation shown în phantc~n in Fig. 6. In this orientation the upper arcuate leg 4U
of the han3er 38 is disposed almost laterally of the plane of the cable loop 26 and is hence bolow the free end of solenoid actuator arm 78. Accordingly, the actuator a~n is not tripped, whereupon the solenoid valve 74 remains closed and no water is enabled t~
pass through conduit 70.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the details o the two drums 3~ and 32 will no~ be described. As can be seen drum 3U
is the drive drum and basically c~mprisas a wheelike tubular member havin-~ a central hub 80 from which project a plur31ity o~
radiaL spokes 82. Each spoke is secured to the inner periphery of the drum 30. R .stationary vertical support shaft 84 is mountecl vertically from a support plate or bracket 86. The hub ~0 of the drum is mounted on the free e~d 88 of tha support shaft and is held in place by means (not sho~n). The su~)port shat ~4 thus serves as an axle ~or th~ drum 30 so that the drum 30 can rotate about the lon~itudinal axis o~ the shaft ~4. A ring~ e sup~rt leclge 90 axtends about the periphery o the drum 30 adjacent its _ g _ lower edge 92 and is welded in place. This support ledye servss as the means for supporting the cable 26 about the periphery oE
the drum so that the cable does not fall off, The drum 30 is arranged to be driven by the drive means 34. To that end the drum 30 includes a link chain 94 extending about its periphery adjacent its upper edge 96. The link-chain is welded in place and forms a set of gear teeth fo~ engagement by gear means of the drive means ~to be described hereinafter).
The gear means basically comprises a hori~ontally dispos-ed spur gear 98 fixedly mounted on the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft 100~ The upper end of shaft 100 includes a bevel gear 102. The shaft 100 is journaled in a motor mounting bracke~
104 via pair of bushings 106. The teeth o~ spur gear 98 are arranged to engage the links of chain 94 so that when sha~t 100 is rotated the rotary action imparted to gear 98 is imparted to drum 30. The rotation of bevel gear 102 is e~fected via a cooperating bevel gear 108 which is mounted on a horizontally extending drive shaft 110, The shaft 110 comprises the rotary output sha~t of the system's common motor 112. The motor 112 is a conventional electrical motor and mounted on the motor mount bracket 102. The drive shaft 110 being common to all o~ the plural conveyor apparatus of the sy~tern is an elongated rnember which is coupled to each conveyor apparatus 22. Thus, as Ca11 be seen in FigO 1 the drive shat 110 extends horizontally from the left most con~eyor apparatus 22 to the next sucessive conveyor apparatus 22 and frorn there to the next sucessive conveyor apparatus and so forth. At each conv2yor apparat-ls a bevel gear 108 i5 located on the shaft 110. This bevel gear cooperates with the other portions of the drive means located at that conveyor apparatus e.~.~ the bevel 8~3 gear 102 and the other associated components, for effecting the rotation of drum 30 as just described heretofor.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention each conveyor apparatus is arranged to be driven at two different speeds. Thus when plants are loaded or unloaded from the conveyor the system is arranged to operate at a faster speed than it oper-ates in moving the plants to and ~rom the watering station.
The support plate 86 serves as the means for mounting the conveyor apparatus. In particular the motor housing 104 is mounted on plate 86. As can be seen in Fig. 2 the support plate includes a downwardly extending flange 120 from which a roller 122 projects radially inward on a journeled shaft 124. The roller L22 includes an annular recess 126 in its periphery adapted to receive the top edge 96 of the drum 30. This roller thus acts to hold the drum in position against the tension applied by the cable 26. The support plate 86 is mounted in the huilding via two pair of longi-tudinally extending angle brackets 128 welded to the top side o the support plate 86.
The other or passive drum 32 is constructed in a basic-ally similar manner to drum 30 and hence the common components are given the same reference numerals as drum 30. As can be seen in Fig. 4 the cable 26 also extends about the periphery of drum 32 and rests on its ring-like ledge 90~ In orcler to keep the cable loop 26 taut the support plate 86 of the drum 32 also includes a downwardly extending flange 130 which receives one end of an adjustable turn buckle assembly 132. The turn buckle assembly 132 includes a threaded rod 134 terminating in a flanged end 136 and extendin~ through an opening 138 in the support bracket flange 130. The other end of rod 134 extends into a threaded sleeve 140 38~;~

of the turn huckle assembly. A second threaded rod 142 of the turn buckle assembly includes a ~readed en~ 144 which i~ l~cated in the opposi~e end of the sleeve 140. The frse end of rod 1-12 is in the form of a hook 146. The hook 146 engages an eyelet 148 of a pin 150 anchored in the wall 23. Thus, as will ~e appreciated by those skilled in the art by the rotation of the sleeve 4U the rod portions 134 and 142 of the turn buckle assembly are brought closer together. This action applies tension to the ca~le via the support plate 86, the associa~ed roller 12~, and the drum 32.
Since the cable loop can extend for a substantial distance e.g., 100 feet or more, between the drums plural roller means 36 ar~ utilized to support the cable between the drums.
~e~erring now to Fig. 5, the details of a typical roller support means 36 will now be descr;bed. As can be seen the roller means 36 basically comprises a roller 160 having a peripheral groove 162 for supporting the cable 26 thereon. The roller 160 is mounted on a support rod 164. The support rod 164 includes a horizontally disposed free end on wh;ch the roller is located. The roller is held in place on the free end of the support rod via a bolt head 166 and an associated washer 168, The remaining portion o~
support rod 164 includes a vertically extending section termina-tlny in a threaded end 170. The end portion 170 extends upward hetween the vertical ~lan~les of a pair of right angle support bars 17~, The support bars are mounted by means (not shown~ to the building. The threaded portion 170 of the support rod ex~ending between the 1anges of members 172 is held in place via an opposed pair of nuts 174 and assc~:iated washers 176. Thus, hy tightening the nuts 174 the support ro~ lfi4 is rig;dly secured to the ~embers 172, and hence to the building.

- ~2 -2g~3 In accordance with the commercial embodiment o~ the instant invention the drums 30 and 34 are each 30 i~ches (~6.2 ~entimeters3 in diameter, the cable is ~ inch l6.35 milimeters~ in diameter and formed of galvanized steel and ~he motor is ~ horse~
power.
The motor is arranged to be operated at two speeds so that with the gear system as disclosed ~hen it operates at the slower speed the cable circulates at approximately 30 feet t9.14 meters~ per minute while at the Past speed the cable circulates at ~pproximately 60 feet (l8,28 met~rs) per minute.
Operation oE the system as described heretofor is as Eollows~ Plants are loaded and unloaded from each conveyor appara-tus at either end thereof~ During the loading and unloading of the apparatus drive is operated at the faster speed~ As each han-ger reaches an end where the loading or unloading is to occ~r the person at that end either hangs a plant on the hanger 38 or remov-es a plant from the hanger, When a plant is hung on the hanger 3 it causes the hanger to ro~ate from the phantom line position shown in Fig. 6 to a solid line position thereat. Each succeeding plant is suspended in the same manner. Conversly when plants are unloaded from the hange~s each hanger pivots to the phantom line position shown in Fig. 6.
As each hanger suspenclin~ a plant therefrom reaches the watering station its arcuate portion 40 oontacts the solenoid valve actuator arm 78. This action causes the solenoid va1ve to open and sprayiny to co~nence, whereupon the plant is watered.
The watering action occurs without stoppaye of the conveyor. It is of course to be understood by those skilled in the art~ that if desired the conveyor can be automatically stopped when the sol~n ~ ` ~ ~

oid valve actuator arm is trippecl in order to provide greater watering time.
Alternatively, each solenoid valve may be constructed to include a built-in delay so that when the valve is opened it remains open for a predeteL-mined period of time~ irrespective of the position of the actuator arm. In such a case watering the plant can continue even slightly after the actuator arm moves out of contact with the arcuat:e portion 40 of the hanger 38.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the apparatus of the instant invention applies two distinct advantages namely the automatic watering of plants suspended from hangers on the conveyor while also ensuring that each plant is exposed uniformly to light in the greenhouse by ~irtue of its movement thèrethrough. With uniorm light exposure and e~fective preclse watering the plants are more certaln to mature essenti~lly at the same time, thereby enhancing the abilit~ of the commercial grower to fullfill commitments for delivery of mature plant~ as of a specified date.
Another form of the hanger 38 (identified as 38a~ is shown in Figs. 7, B and 9. In this form of the hanger, the arcuate recess 54 is replaced with a locking clip lO2, ~hich îs slidably received on base 104 that extends from arcuate portion 41)a~ As shown in Fig. 8 r the base lU4 is integrally molded to arcuate portion 40a and more particularly connects with legs 105 extending from arcuate portion 40a (Fig. 9). As further shown in Fig. ~, the legs 105 are spaced from outer fingers 106 that also extend ~rom arcuate portion 40a. A recess 108 existing hetween each pair of legs lOS and Figs 106 serves to receivecl ledges lO~
extending upwardly from the lock anc~ clip 102.

Also integrally molded to the legs 1~5 is a lug 110 having an arcuate recess 112 that is compar~ble to arcuate recess 54 and open mouth 56 of hanger means 38a as shown in FiCJ. 69 However, the recess 112 is generally semi-circular and orientated in a ccmpletely downward sense or is open in a downward direction as shown in Fig. 9. Thus, when the locking clip 102 is slid into place, the complimentary recess 114 of the locking clip is associated with recess 112 of the lug 110 to form a generally circular opening through ~hich the cable 26 passes. In this way, the hanger means 38a is positively, but releasably locked or held onto the cable 26. It is preferred that this lockin~ of hanger means 38a on cabl~ 26 be a generally loose attachment or holcling so that the hanger can readily pivot with respect to tha cable.
Also, where desired, ring-like stops at 58 (Fig.
5) can also be provided ~cr use with hanger 38a, although in many cases the stops 58 will not be needed. This is because the lock and clip lD2 can be so dimensioned with respect to the lug 110 that a relatively tiyht interfitting between the lock and clip 102 and the lut~ 110 iS achieved. This tends t~ prevent lateral movement or sliding of the hanc~er means on the cable.
The lock and clip 102, basically comprises an outer wall 116, which terminates in shoulders 118 that are further define~ by the led~es 108.
In view o~ the foregoing construction and wth reference to Fig. 8, it can be seen that the lock arld clip 10~ can be easily slid upon the lu~ 110 so that the ledges lOB are received between legs 105 and outerfin~ers 106 of the base 104. A1so, the shou1der 120 in the base 104 serves to receive and hold a complimelltary inner shoulder 122 on the lock and clip 102. Thus the use o~ the locking clip form of the invention overcomeg variations in cable dia~eter or changes in cable diameter oc~urring with changes ln temperatursO
It must be pointed out at this juncture while the invan-tion has been discussed in terms of commercial growing of house-plants, it is of course to be recogni~ed that this sub~ect invention has application to ~rowing of any type of vegetation which can be suspended from the hanger means of the system.
Without ~urther elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of serviceO

Claims (25)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Apparatus for carrying plural plants to a watering station comprising endless conveyor means, support means for supporting said conveyor means, drive means for causing said conveyor means to be circulated past said watering station, plural hanger means mounted at spaced locations on said conveyor means for movement therewith, each of said hanger means being pivotally connected to said cable, each of said hanger means being arranged to assume either a first orientation or a second orientation with respect to said conveyor means, each of said hanger means being arranged to support a plant thereon, with each of said hanger means being in said first orientation when a plant is supported thereon and being configured to automatically assume said said second orientation when a plant is not supported thereon, and sensing means located at said watering station for coacting with said hanger means when said hanger means is in said first orientation, and wherein when said hanger means does not support a plant, it will move to said second orientation so that said watering means will not be actuated, and wherein when said hanger means is in said first orientation, the watering means at said watering station effecting the watering of the plant carried by said hanger means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hanger means is pivotably connected through said conveyor means and is configured to automatically assume said second orientation when a plant is supported thereon.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said hanger means is arranged to automatically assume said first orientation when a plant is not supported thereon.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said conveyor means is in the form of a loop of cable and wherein said hanger means are pivotably mounted on said cable loop so that said hanger means assumes said second orientation under a twisting action imparted by said cable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hanger means comprise a generally assymetrical C-shaped member having upper and lower legs which are interconnected by an intermediate section, said upper leg having said passageway therein and being arranged to contact said sensor means when said hanger is in said first orientation, said lower leg forming a hood for suspending a plant therefrom.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said legs is arcuate in shape and wherein said intermediate section comprises a pair of arms making an obtuse angle with each other, with each of said legs being located at the end of a respective arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 having means for precluding said hanger means from sliding with respect to said cable.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said hanger means are each formed of a material which is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said hanger means is formed of glass-filled polypropylene.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is disposed within a structure allowing light to reach at least one portion of said conveyor, whereupon the movement of said plants by said conveyor also results in their uniform illumination by said light.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means is arranged to move said conveyor at one of at least two pre-selected speeds, with the higher of said speeds being used to enable plants to be loaded and unloaded on said hanger means.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises motor means and wherein said conveyor means comprises a first drum coupled to said motor means and a second drum spaced substantially from said first drum, said conveyor means additionally comprising a cable loop extending about said drums, said motor means causing said first drum to be rotated, whereupon said cable means is caused to circulate about said drums.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said conveyor means conditionally comprises a chain loop disposed about said first drum and cooperating with gear means associated with said motor for rotating said first drum.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising roller means for supporting said cable between said drums.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said conveyor means includes a chain loop disposed about said drum and cooperating with gear means associated with said motor for rotating said first drum.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said drive means comprises motor means and wherein said conveyor means comprises a first drum coupled to said motor means and a second drum spaced substantially from said first drum and wherein said conveyor means comprises a cable loop extending about said drums, said motor means causing said first drum to be rotated whereupon said cable means is caused to circulate about said drum.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said conveyor means additionally comprises a chain loop disposed about said first drum in cooperating with gear means associated with said motor for rotating said first drum.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 additionally comprising roller means for supporting said cable between said drums.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said drive means is arranged to move said conveyor at one of at least two pre-selected speeds, the higher speed of said two selected speeds being used to enable the loading and unloading of plants on said hangers.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising plural conveyor means, each arranged to carry plural plants to an associated, respective watering station and wherein said drive means is common to all of said conveyor means.

21. Apparatus for carrying plural plants to a watering station comprising endless loop conveyor means, support means for supporting said conveyor means in the form of a loop of a cable, drive means for causing said conveyor means to be circulated past said watering station, plural hanger means mounted at spaced locations on said conveyor means for movement therewith, each of said hanger means being pivotally connected to said cable loop so that said hanger means being arranged to assume either a first orientation or a second orientation with respect to said conveyor means or each of said hanger means being arranged to support a plant thereon, with each of said hanger means being in said first orientation when a plant is supported thereon and being configured to automatically assume said second orientation when a plant is not supported thereon, and sensing means located at said watering station for coacting with said hanger means when said hanger means is in said first orientation, and wherein when said hanger means does not support a plant, it will move to said second orientation so that said watering means will not be actuated, and wherein when said hanger means does not support a plant, it will move to said second orientation so that said watering means will not be actuated, and wherein when said hanger means is in said first orientation, the watering means at said watering station effecting the watering of the plant carried by said hanger means, said hanger means being pivotally mounted on said cable loop so that said hanger means assumes said second orientation under a twisting action imparted by said cable, said hanger means comprising a generally assymetrical C-shaped member having upper and lower legs which are interconnected by an intermediate section, said upper leg having said passageway therein and being arranged to contact said sensor means when said hanger is in said first orientation, said lower leg forming a hook for suspending a plant therefrom.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein each of said legs is arcuate in shape and wherein said intermediate section comprises a pair of arms making an obtuse angle with each other, with each of said legs being located at the end of a respective arm.

23. Hanger means for use in connection with a cable, said hanger means being arranged to assume either a first orientation or a second orientation, said hanger means being arranged to support a weight thereon, with said hanger means being in said first orientation when a weight is supported thereon and being configured to automatically assume said second orientation when a weight is not supported thereon.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said hanger means comprise a generally assymetrical C-shaped member having upper and lower legs which are interconnected by an intermediate section, said upper leg having said passageway therein and being arranged to contact sensor means when said hanger is in said first orientation, said lower leg forming a hook for suspending a plant therefrom.

25. The hanger means of claim 24 including a locking means removably connecting said hanger means to said cable.