GB2220118A - A support - Google Patents

Abstract

The support comprises a circular base 20 having a tubular support member 23 extending upwardly therefrom. The support member 23 can receive a stick 28. The support is positioned in a plant pot 24 so that growing medium 26 covers the base. The weight of the growing medium prevents tipping of the stick 28 to which a plant 27 can be tied. <IMAGE>

Description

A SUPPORT The invention relates to a support and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a device for supporting a plant in a plant pot.

In order to support a plant growing in compost in a plant pot, it is common to use a stick inserted into the compost, ties being used to attach the stem of the plant to the stick. However, composts are generally a light, soft material and the weight of the plant can cause the stick to be displaced sideways in the compost and the support is thereby lost. This problem is illustrated in Fig.l of the accompanying drawings in which a plant 10 is growing in compost 12 contained in a conventional pot 13. A support stick 14 is intended to remain in a vertical position as shown in full lines so that one or more ties 15 can be used to train the plant vertically.

However, the weight of the plant will frequently cause the stick to move into either of the displaced positions shown in broken lines creating a slot 16 in the compost so that the stick no longer provides a firm support for the plant.

An object of the present invention is to provide a support which will help to reduce the foregoing problems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a support for an article comprising a support member extending upwardly from a lateral portion, the lateral portion being locatable beneath a mediumsin which the article is positioned.

The article is preferably a plant which is growing in the medium.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a support for a plant comprising a lateral portion in the form of a base having an upwardly extending support member thereon, the base being locatable within a plant pot so that the support member can extend through a growing medium in the pot to enable a plant in the pot to be supported.

With either arrangement, the medium can cover the lateral portion so that the support member is held firm thereby inhibiting any tendency to tip.

Preferably the lateral portion extends from a lower end of the support member.

The lateral portion may be formed with a plurality of perforations for drainage. In that way the support will not interfere with drainage of the growing medium.

The lateral portion may be sheet-like and may have a circular periphery enabling it to be easily positioned at or towards the bottom of a pot.

Preferably the support member supports an element such as a stick to which a plant stem can be conveniently secured. The support member may be tubular to receive the stick. Conveniently, the upper end of the tubular support member will normally lie above the level of the medium.

In order to support the lower end of the stick or other element, a surface, e.g., a surface of the lateral portion, may be provided.

Where the support member is a tube, the support may be formed with one or more apertures which will enable water to be poured into the tube to water the medium. The aperture or apertures may be formed in the tube. .

Conveniently, the support may be formed as a one piece moulding in plastics material.

A support in accordance with the invention for a growing plant will now be described by way of example with reference to the remaining accompanying drawings in which: Fig.2 is a perspective view of one form of support in accordance with the invention, and Fig.3 is a perspective view similar to Fig.1 showing the support of Fig.2 in position in a plant pot, the plant pot and the growing medium therein being shown partly broken away.

The support comprises a circular base 20 (constituting the aforesaid lateral portion) formed with a number of perforations 22. Although four perforations are shown in Fig.2, it will be understood that the base may either be unperforated or provided with any suitable number of perforations.

The base 20 is integral with a support member in the form of a tube 23 extending upwardly from a position adjacent an edge of the base 20.

In use, the support is located in a plant pot 24 so that the base 20 lies on or adjacent the bottom 25 of the plant pot. The plant pot is filled with compost 26 until the upper surface of the compost lies adjacent, preferably slightly below, the upper end of the support tube 23. A plant 27 is then placed in the compost in the usual way and a support stick 28 is inserted in the support member 23. One or more suitable ties 29 can then be used to tie the plant to the stick. The lower end of the stick 28 rests on a surface portion of the base 20 which acts as a stop.

The stick 28 will be supported very firmly by the support member 23 as the weight of the compost on the base 20 will inhibit tipping movement of the support member and the stick. Therefore, the problem encountered with the arrangement shown in Fig.1 is avoided.

It will be appreciated that the support member 23 could be made so as to extend above the upper surface of the compost 26 by a considerable distance so as to act as a direct support for the plant itself so as to avoid using a stick. In such a case, the support member 23 may be a solid vertical rod extending from the base 20.

The diameter of the base 20 and the height of the support member 23 is selected to suit plant pots of various diameters and heights. In that way, a range of supports can be provided for the full range of plant pots. As with plant pots, the support may be used time and time again.

It is envisaged that the lower end of the support member 23 may be provided with one or more apertures 30 as shown in broken lines in Fig.3. The apertures may be used as a drainage point for water which can be poured into the upper end of the tubular support member 23 with or without the stick in place to water the compost, the water escaping the apertures 30 into the growing medium.

The support may be used to support, say, an artificial plant positioned in a suitable medium in a plant pot or other container.

Claims (14)

1. A support for an article comprising a support member extending upwardly from a lateral portion, the lateral portion being locatable beneath a medium in which the article is positioned.

2. A support according to Claim 1 in which the lateral portion extends from a lower end of the support member,

3. A support according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the lateral portion is formed with a plurality of perforations for drainage.

4. A support according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the lateral portion is substantially sheet-like.

5. A support according to any preceding Claim in which the lateral portion is circular.

6. A support according to any preceding Clalm in which-the support member supports an element to which the article can be secured.

7. A support according to Claim 6 in which the element is a stick.

8. A support according to Claim 6 or 7 in which the support element is tubular.

9. A support according to Claim 6, 7 or 8 in which a surface forms a stop for the stick.

10. A support according to Claim 9 in which the surface is formed by part of the lateral portion.

11. A support according to Claim 8, 9 or 10 in which the support is formed with one or more apertures which will enable water when poured into the tubular support element to water the medium.

12. A support according to Claim 11 in which the tube is formed with said one or more apertures.

13. A support according to any preceding Claim in which the support is formed as one piece from plastics, material.

14. A support according to any preceding Claim in which the support member extends upwardly from a position adjacent an edge of the lateral portion.