GB2067837A

GB2067837A - Solar powered rotating stand

Info

Publication number: GB2067837A
Application number: GB8100316A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DCL ELEC; HOUSE OF SYLVESTERS ENTERPRISE
Current assignee: DCL ELEC; HOUSE OF SYLVESTERS ENTERPRISE
Priority date: 1980-01-23
Filing date: 1981-01-07
Publication date: 1981-07-30
Also published as: JPS56109523A; DE8100924U1; DE3101249A1; KR830004767A; CA1167645A

Abstract

A rotating stand for a plant holder comprises a fixed base member 2 carrying at least one solar cell 6, a motor 12 energized by said solar cell, and an upper platform member 36 rotatably attached to said base member and driven by said motor. The use of such a stand promotes symmetrical growth of plants, without the disadvantages involved in supplying external power to known motorized rotators. The speed of rotation varies with the intensity of illumination, this further promoting symmetrical growth. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rotorplant This invention relates to the area of rotating plant holders.

It is frequently the case when growing plants that it is very difficult to achieve symmetrical growth. There is a pronounced tendency in some cases for the entire plant to bend toward the light source. In other cases the side of the plant facing the light source develops much more quickly.

Again, the colours of the plant can be dramatically effected by an uneven light source. These are problems which are difficult of solution to the average householder who does not want to devote a a disproportionate amount of time to plant care.

The problems are magnified in the case of hobbyists and others who have an interest over and above the general attractiveness of the plant.

Thus, for example, for those entering plant shows, symmetry is often a condition precedent to success, since it is frequently one of the specified attributes on which awards are based. Similarly, florists and plant growers are able to benefit greatly through increased sales where their plants get off to a good start in terms of symmetry.

It is therefore clear that plant symmetry is an important goal in decorative plant growing.

Furthermore, it is clear that the achievement of symmetry depends on the presence of an even light source on all sides of the plant. The solution to the problem must therefore be aimed at provision of such an even light source.

It is most frequently the case that plant growers simply rely on a regular turning of the plant manually to attempt to ensure equal light to all sides of the plant. This is frequently combined with a system of special lighting. This procedure has little to recommend it. It requires regular attendance at the growing site, the most obvious drawback. Where combined with a special lighting arrangement the whole set-up is often very unattractive, thus destroying the decorative value of the plants.

Such procedures are really only useful for those whose only interest in the plants is for show purposes.

It is known to provide a motorized platform upon which to place a plant pot for rotation. Thus, for example, U.S. Patent 3,360,885 granted January 2, 1968, to St. Clair describes such a rotating arrangement. In the past these devices have generally been powered by electricity from the household circuits. The disadvantages of such a system are numerous and obvious. For example, the electrical supply cord to the household outlet is unsightly and interferes with cleaning, etc. This factor is worsened where there is no conveniently located outlet and the use of an extension cord is required. An additional difficulty arising out of the use of a household outlet is that an outlet would have to be taken up by each such plant holder used, and there are in most residences a limited number of outlets available.

A further difficulty with the usual electrical type rotator is that the unit must be activated and deactivated at the beginning and end of each day.

Otherwise, the unit is simply wasting electricity during hours of darkness. This problem is magnified during holidays or vacation times when there is likely to be no one available at the appropriate times for activating and deactivating the mechanism.

It is therefore evident that a number of the problems associated with manual turning of plants are also present in the electrical units powered by household circuits.

The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a rotating plant holder powered by one or more solar energy cells. The unit is thus simply placed in a window or other preferred location, and the incident light on the cells causes the unit to rotate.

Thus the invention provides a rotating plant holder comprising a fixed base member containing at least one solar energy cell, a motor energized by said solar cell, and an upper platform member rotatably attached to said base member and driven by said motor.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the following drawings, in which Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the plant rotator of the invention, and Figure 2 shows the motor and gear reducer combination.

The base member 2 is illustrated as being of cylindrical shape. This is the preferred shape, although clearly many other shapes could be used as desired. The side of the cylinder 4 contains solar energy cells 6. These cells can be fitted to the base in any convenient manner. Preferably the base is hollow, the cells are set into the wall of the base, and the electrical connections are by means of wires within the hollow base. Thus the leads 8 from cells 6 terminate at the terminals 10.

The motor 12 is fixed to the base 2 and is connected electrically by leads 14 to the terminals 10. Electrical energy to drive the motor is thus supplied by cells 6 via the terminals 13. Obviously a relatively very low rate of rotation is required at the final output. It is therefore necessary to introduce a gear reduction mechanism between the motor 12 and the final output.

Thus the gear reducer unit 16 is attached to the motor shaft and transmits power from the motor to a main gear 18 via the gear 20 incorporated into the shaft 22 of the gear reducer 16.

The centre shaft 24 is fixed in the base 2.

Bearing support 26 is incorporated into the centre shaft 24. The inner race 28 of the bearing 30 is fixed to the centre shaft 22. The outer race 32 is free to rotate on the ball bearings.

The main gear 18 is fixed to the outer race 32 of the bearing 30, preferably by friction fit.

Similarly, centre cap 34 of upper platform 36 is fixed to the outer race 32 of the bearing 30, again preferably by friction fit.

Thus when power is transmitted from shaft 22 of gear reducer 16 to the main gear 18, the upper platform 36 is free to rotate with the outer race 32 of the bearing 30.

The upper platform 36 has a top surface which is preferably flat. Combined with the supports 38 extending from centre cap 34, this configuration concentrates the mass toward the centre cap 34, and thus reduces torque required of the motor 12.

Supports 38 extend outwardly and upwardly from cap 34 to meet the lower surface of platform 36, this construction assisting to reduce the effects of off-centre loading of the platform during rotation.

The preferred cylindrical configuration for the base has the advantage that a series of solar cells placed around a portion of the side will allow for more direct sunlight to strike one or other of the cells in the series throughout a larger portion of the day.

The advantages arising from the use of the above described device are readily apparent. It is not necessary to utilize scarce utility supplied energy for a merely decorative use. Further, there is no requirement to turn the system "on" or "off", once it is positioned.

Apart from the labour and energy saving features noted, the invention has the additional advantages that the motor can be controlled to rotate the plant more quickly when there is a high light incidence and more slowly when less light is available. Thus the device tends not only to give the plant even directional exposure, but also more even exposure in terms of quantity of light.

While the invention has been described in detail in respect of the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotating plant holder comprising a fixed base member having associated therewith at least one solar energy cell, a motor energized by said solar cell, and an upper platform member rotatably attached to said base member and driven to rotate by said motor.

2. The rotating plant holder of claim 1 wherein said platform is attached to said base through a bearing on a central shaft.

3. The plant holder of claim 1 wherein said base member is in the form of a cylinder and said motor is affixed to said cylinder.

4. The plant holder of claim 1 wherein said base member is in the form of a cylinder and said at least one solar cell is affixed to the side of the said cylinder.

5. The plant holder of claim 1 wherein said base member contains a plurality of said solar cells connected in series.

6. The plant holder of claim 1 wherein said motor drives said upper platform through a speed reducing gear mechanism.

7. The plant holder of claim 3 wherein said upper platform has a hollow cylindrical or hollow frusto conical configuration closed at the top end and open at the bottom end, a radius at the lower end approximately equal to that of said base member and sides of such a height that the lower periphery of the said platform is positioned adja'cent the upper periphery of the said disc.

8. The plant holder of claim 7 wherein the said motor and gear reducing mechanism is fixed to the top of said disc and is enclosed by the said upper platform.

9. The plant holder of claim 7 wherein the top surface of said platform is of flat configuration and is provided with a central cap and a series of radial stiffeners.

10. A rotating plant holder comprising: a fixed base member having associated therewith at least one solar energy cell, said base member comprising a cylinder having said at least one cell affixed to the side thereof, a motor energized by said at least one cell and an upper platform member rotatably attached to said base member and driven to rotate by said motor, said upper platform having a hollow cylindrical or frusto conical configuration closed at the upper end and open at the lower end, a radius at said lower end approximately equal to that of said base member and a side surface of a height such that the lower ede of the said side surface is positioned adjacent the upper edge of the side surface of said base member.

11. A rotating plant holder substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.