GB2290211A

GB2290211A - A plant support

Info

Publication number: GB2290211A
Application number: GB9511801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley William Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-15
Filing date: 1995-06-09
Publication date: 1995-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-09
Also published as: GB9511801D0; GB2290211B

Abstract

A device (2) for attachment to a wall of a plant container and for use in retaining in position a plant-support member inserted into the plant container, which device (2) comprises a clip portion (12) for engaging with an upper rim of the wall of the plant container, and first and second tongue portions (16, 18) which extend away from the clip portion (12) and which project inwardly of the plant container, the first and the second tongue portions (16, 18) each having at least one aperture (20, 22) for receiving the plant-support member, and the first and the second tongue portions (16, 18) being positioned one above the other such that during use of the device (2) the plant-support member extends through the aperture (20) in the first tongue portion (16) and through the aperture (22) in the second tongue portion (18). <IMAGE>

Description

A PLANT SUPPORT This invention relates to a plant support and, more especially, this invention relates to a device for attachment to a wall of a plant container for use in retaining in position a plant-support member inserted into the plant container.

Support for growing plants in containers such for example as pots is conventially achieved by tethering the plant to a plant-support member such for example as a cane. The plant-support member is pushed into a growing medium such for example as soil in the plant container. Where the growing medium in the plant container is firm and compact, then there is no problem in securely fixing the plant-support member.

However, if the growing medium in the container is not firm and compact, then it may not be possible to fix the plant-support member sufficiently firmly in the growing medium simply by pushing the lower end of the plant-support member in the growing medium.

In order to overcome the above mentioned problem, my United Kingdom Patent No. 2254767B discloses a device for attachment to a wall of a plant container and for use in retaining in position a plant-support member inserted into the plant container. The use of the device of my patent enables the plant-support member firmly to be secured in the plant container irrespective of the firmness of the growing medium in the plant container.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device which is like the device disclosed in my United Kingdom Patent No. 2254767B but which is able to enable the plant-support member even more securely to be retained in position in the plant container irrespective of the firmness of the growing medium in the plant container.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for attachment to a wall of a plant container and for use in retaining in position a plant-support member inserted into the plant container, which device comprises a clip portion for engaging with an upper rim of the wall of the plant container, and first and second tongue portions which extend away from the clip portion and which project inwardly of the plant container from the wall, the first and the second tongue portions each having at least one aperture for receiving the plant-support member, and the first and the second tongue portions being positioned one above the other such that during use of the device the plant-support member extends through the aperture in the first tongue portion and through the aperture in the second tongue portion.

Because the plant-support member passes through the apertures in the first and the second tongue portions, the plant-support member is especially firmly secured in position.

Preferably, the apertures in the first and the second tongue portions are each such as resiliently to grip the inserted plant-support member. This resilient gripping further helps firmly to retain the plant-support member in position.

If desired, the device may be one in which the first and the second tongue portions each have more than one of the apertures. Thus, where the device is used on different sized plant containers, an appropriate aperture in each of the first and the second tongue portions can be chosen for receiving the plant-support member. If the first and the second tongue portions should be longer than is necessary for use with a chosen size of plant container, then the first and the second tongue portions can simply be left or trimmed down to size as may be desired.

Preferably, the device is one in which the clip portion has first and second limbs for straddling the rim of the plant container.

The device may be one in which the first limb is for extending downwardly along the outside of the wall of the plant container, and in which the first limb is bowed for causing the first limb firmly to press on the outside of the wall of the plant container in order firmly to locate the device on the rim of the plant container.

If desired, the clip portion may be in two parts which are releaseably connected together. The formation of the clip portion in the two parts may facilitate manufacture of the device of the invention, for example by moulding.

When the clip portion is in two parts which are releaseably connected together, then the device may be one in which the first limb has a slot for receiving a releaseable locking portion on the other part of the device. The releaseable locking portion may have a ridged portion for gripping in the slot of the first limb.

In an alternative construction, the second limb has a slot for receiving a releaseable locking portion on the other part of the device. The releaseable locking portion may have a ridged portion for gripping in the slot of the second limb.

The device may include at least one locking member for fitting over the first limb and for use in causing the device to be a firm fit on the rim of the plant container.

The first limb may have a ridged portion for use in retaining the locking member on the first limb.

The ridged portion for use in retaining the locking member on the first limb may have ridges which slope such as to facilitate the pushing of the locking member into position along the first limb and also to resist the removal of the locking member once it is in position on the first limb.

The locking member may be a two-section locking member having a slot in its base through which the first limb passes. Alternatively, the locking member may be a flat locking member having a slot through which the first limb passes. Any suitable and appropriate type of locking member may be employed.

The device of the present invention may be made of any suitable and appropriate materials. Presently preferred materials are resilient plastics materials such for example as polypropylene.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first device for attachment to a wall of a plant container; Figure 2 shows a first locking member for use with the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 1 on a plant container in the form of a pot; Figure 4 is an enlarged section through part of the device and plant container shown in Figure 3 and shows also the use of the locking member of Figure 2 and a plant-support member in the form of a cane; Figure 5 shows a second locking member; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second device for attachment to a wall of a plant container; Figure 7 shows the device of Figure 6 in a separated condition; ; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third device for attachment to a wall of a plant container; and Figure 9 shows the device of Figure 8 in a separated condition.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a device 2 for attachment to a wall 6 of a plant container 8. The device 2 is for use in retaining in position a plant-support member 10 inserted into the plant container 8.

The device 2 comprises a clip portion 12 for engaging with an upper rim 14 of the wall 6 of the plant container 8. The device 2 also comprises a first tongue portion 16 and a second tongue portion 18.

The first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 extend away from the clip portion 12, substantially at right angles as can be seen from Figures 1 and 4. The first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 project inwardly of the plant container 8 from the wall 6.

The first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 each have an aperture 20, 22 respectively. The apertures 20, 22 are for receiving the plant-support member 10 as shown in Figure 4. Also as shown in Figure 4, the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 are positioned one above the other such that during use of the device 2, the plant-support member 10 extends through the aperture 20 in the first tongue portion 16 and through the aperture 22 in the second tongue portion 18.

The apertures 20, 22 in the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 are such as resiliently to grip the inserted plant-support member 10. This is because the apertures 20, 22 are each surrounded by resilient tabs 24 which are formed by slits 26 in the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18. The tabs 24 deflect downwardly as shown in Figure 4 and grip the sides of the plant-support member 10.

The clip portion 12 has a first limb 28 and a second limb 30. The first and the second limbs 28, 30 straddle the rim 14 of the plant container 8 as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The first limb 28 is longer than the second limb 30. The first limb 28 extends downwardly along the outside of the wall 6 of the plant container 8. The first limb 28 is bowed as shown in Figure 1 for causing the first limb 28 firmly to press on the outside of the wall 6 of the plant container 8 in order firmly to locate the device 2 on the rim 14 of the plant container 8.

The device 2 is held in position on the rim 14 of the plant container 8 by a locking member 32 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The locking member 32 is for fitting over the first limb 28 and for causing the device 2 to be a firm fit on the rim 14 of the plant container 8. The locking member 32 is a U-section locking member as shown. The locking member 32 has a slot 34 in its base. The first limb 28 passes through the slot 34.

The first limb 28 has a ridged portion 36 for use in retaining the locking member 32 on the first limb 28. The ridged portion 36 has ridges 38 which slope such as to facilitate the pushing of the locking member 32 into position along the first limb 28 and also to resist the removal of the locking member 32 once it is in position on the first limb 28. Figure 4 shows the locking member 32 in position on the first limb 28. It will be seen that the locking member has been pushed up the ridged portion 36 until it extends under the rim 14 of the plant container 8 and acts to lock the device 2 to the rim 14 of the plant container 8.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown an alternative locking member 40 which is flat as shown and which has a slot 42 extending from one edge 44 of the locking member 40. The first tongue portion 16 passes through the slot 42.

The plant container 8 is in the form of a pot.

The pot has a base 46 which is provided with water drainage apertures 48 as shown. Plant containers 8 other than the illustrated pot may be used and the plant containers 8 may have curved sides or straight sides.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a second device 2 which is similar to the device 2 shown in Figure 1 but which is made in two parts.

Similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numberals for ease of comparison and understanding.

As can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, the device 2 is such that the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 and the second limb 30 constitute one part 50.

The first tongue portion 16 constitutes the other part 52. The first limb 28 is provided with a bent over portion 54 and a slot 56 as shown. The slot 56 receives a releaseable locking portion 58 on the other part 50 of the device 2 as shown. The releaseable locking portion 58 has a ridged portion 60 for gripping in the slot 56 in the part 52. The ridged portion 60 has ridges 62 which slope towards the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 and thus facilitate the pushing together of the two parts 50, 52 and which also facilitate the locking together of the two parts 50, 52 when they are in their desired position.The releaseable locking portion 58 enables the distance between the apertures 20, 22 and the clip portion 12 to be varied, thereby to enable the device 2 to be used with plant containers 8 of different sizes, or alternatively, to give various positions for the apertures 20, 22 in plant containers of the same size. During use of the device 2 as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first limb 28 is provided with a locking member 32 of the type shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a third device 2 which is similar to the two part device 2 shown in Figures 6 and 7 but which has a different releaseable locking arrangement. More specifically, in Figures 8 and 9, it is the second limb 30 that is provided with the slot 56, and the releaseable locking portion 58 is formed to extend from the first limb 28. Figure 8 also shows the locking member 32 in position on the first limb 28.

Figures 8 and 9 also illustrate how the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18 can be provided with more than one aperture 20, 22. In Figures 8 and 9, the first tongue portion 16 is provided with two of the apertures 20, and the second tongue portion 18 is provided with two of the apertures 22. The two sets of apertures 20, 22 can be used for locating the plant-support member 10 at different positions in the same plant container 8. Alternatively, if only the inner set of apertures 20, 22 is required, then the outer set of apertures 20, 22 can be removed if desired by cutting the first and the second tongue portions 16, 18.

Because the tongue portions 16, 18 are disposed one above the other with the apertures 20, 22 in registry, the plant-support member 10 can be securely located in position. The plant-support member 10 can be arranged to engage the centre of the base 46 of the plant container 8 or, alternatively, as would occur in Figure 4, the plant-support member 10 can engage the circumferential edge of the base 46 where it joins the wall 6. The use of the registering apertures 20, 22 one above each other makes the secure fixing of the plant-support member 10 less dependent upon the firmness of the growing medium (not shown) in the plant container 8.

The device 2 may be made of a plastics material or it may be made of a metal. Where a plastics material is employed, then the device 2 can conveniently be moulded.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, a support member other than the illustrated cane may be employed. The various ridges 38, 62 may asymmetrical in section, each having a sloping leading edge and a trailing edge that is substantially at right angles td the general plane of the appropriate portion containing the ridges. As an alternative to having the tabs 24 and the slits 26, apertured rubber gromets could be located in the apertures 20, 22 in order resiliently to grip the plant-support member 10. Different locking members can be employed to suit different types of rims on different types of plant containers.

Claims

1. A device for attachment to a wall of a plant container and for use in retaining in position a plant-support member inserted into the plant container, which device comprises a clip portion for engaging with an upper rim of the wall of the plant container, and first and second tongue portions which extend away from the clip portion and which project inwardly of the plant container from the wall, the first and the second tongue portions each having at least one aperture for receiving the plant-support member, and the first and the second tongue portions being positioned one above the other such that during use of the device the plant-support member extends through the aperture in the first tongue portion and through the aperture in the second tongue portion.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the apertures in the first and the second tongue portions are each such as resiliently to grip the inserted plant-support member.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the first and the second tongue portions each have more than one of the apertures.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the clip portion has first and second limbs for straddling the rim of the plant container.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which the first limb is for extending downwardly along the outside of the wall of the plant container, and in which the first limb is bowed for causing the first limb firmly to press on the outside of the wall of the plant container in order firmly to locate the device on the rim of the plant container.

6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the clip portion is in two parts which are releaseably connected together.

7. A device according to claim 6 in which the first limb has a slot for receiving a releaseable locking portion on the other part of the device.

8. A device according to claim 7 in which the releaseable locking portion has - a ridged portion for gripping in the slot of the first limb.

9. A device according to claim 6 in which the second limb has a slot for receiving a releaseable locking portion on the other part of the device.

10. A device according to claim 9 in which the releaseable locking portion has a ridged portion for gripping in the slot of the second limb.

11. A device according to any one of claims 4 - 10 and including at least one locking member for fitting over the first limb and for use in causing the device to be a firm fit on the rim of the plant container.

12. A device according to claim 11 in which the first limb has a ridged portion for use in retaining the locking member on the first limb.

13. A device according to claim 12 in which the ridged portion for use in retaining the locking member on the first limb has ridges which slope such as to facilitate the pushing of the locking member into position along the first limb and also to resist the removal of the locking member once it is in position on the first limb.

14. A device according to any one of claims 11 - 13 in which the locking member is a U-section locking member having a slot in its base through which the first limb passes.

15. A device according to any one of claims 11 - 13 in which the locking member is a flat locking member having a slot through which the first limb passes.

16. A device for attachment to a wall of a plant container and for use in retaining in position a plant-support member inserted into the plant container, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.