GB2349325A

GB2349325A - Modular plant support

Info

Publication number: GB2349325A
Application number: GB0004810A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-13
Filing date: 2000-03-01
Publication date: 2000-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-01
Also published as: GB0004810D0; GB2349325B; GB9905701D0

Abstract

A modular plant support 10 having a base framework 12 and a top framework 14 having mutually engageable parts, whereby the top sits on the base. The plant support 10 may be made from plastics or wrought iron and slot together by means of ferrules 24, 32. The base 12 may be adapted to fit a plant pot 52.

Description

TITLE : Plant Supports DESCRIPTION This invention concerns plant supports. in order that it may grow tall and/or climb, a plant requires a support, such as a cane or trellis onto which the plant cane be attached. For indoor plants a trullis or the like is not a feasible option but a cane or stick does not look particularly attractive.

To provide a more attractive plant support, however, the problem exists of coping with growth of the plant. A too large support has to be provided initially which may look unsightly for some time, until the plant has grown sufficiently to conceal it.

An object of this invention is to provide a modular plant support.

According to this invention there is provided a modular plant support comprising a base framework and a top framework having mutually engageable parts, whereby the top can sit on the base.

The plant support of the invention optionally has intermediate framework members, which may be interposed between the base and the top to increase the height of the plant support.

The preferred plant supports of the invention are made of wrought iron, although plastics material may be a suitable alternative.

The base preferably comprises a plurality of upstands, preferably four equally spaced circumferentially around a notational circle. The upstands may be in pairs provided as components of the same rod or the like formed or bent to provide a base link between the two. In a preferred embodiment the base is formed from two such upstand pairs with the base links joined at their crossover.

At the base of or higher up the upstands one or more support rings may be joined to each upstand.

The upstands of the base preferably flare outwards over a lower part thereof from each end, whereby the base is formed on a shape to fit a typical plant pot. The upper parts of the base upstands preferably extend parallel to each other.

The top framework will have a corresponding number of legs to the base upstands and the legs preferably extend outwardly and then downwardly from a generally central point on which a decorative finial may be provided. Again the top may be formed from two rods or the like each formed or bent to form a pair of legs.

To connect the base framework, one preferably has a ferrule on the end of each leg or upstand respectively, into which the end of the other can slot.

Preferably the ferrules are on ends of the upstands.

The intermediate framework members are preferably constructed in a similar way to the top and bottom frameworks. They preferably comprise a plurality of rods or the like spaced around and joined to one or more supporting rings. One set of rod ends are preferably provided with connectors, such as ferrules to enable them to be connected to one of the base or the top frameworks, whilst the other set of ends are arranged to be connected to the other of the base or top frameworks. Suitably, intermediate frameworks may be connected to each to increase the height of the plant support as desired.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first plant support of the invention; Figure 2 shows a second plant support of the invention fitted in a plant pot and supporting a plant ; Figure 3 shows a third plant support of the invention; Figure 4 shows a fourth plant support of the invention; Figure 5 shows a fifth plant support of the invention; Figure 6 shows a first top component for a plant support of the invention; Figure 7 shows a second top component for a plant support of the invention; Figure 8 shows a third top component for a plant support of the invention; Figure 9 shows a fourth top component for a plant support of the invention; Figure 10 shows a fifth top component for a plant support of the invention; Figure 11 shows a first base component as used in the plant support of Figure 1; Figure 12 shows a second base component as used in the plant support of Figure 3; Figure 13 shows a third base component as used in the plant support of Figure 4; Figure 14 shows a fourth base component as used in the plant support of Figure 5.

In the following description like components have been given the same reference number for ease of understanding.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a modular plant support 10 comprises a base 12, a top 14 and an intermediate component 16, each formed as open framework of wrought iron.

The base 12 (also shown in Figure 11 of the drawings) has a bottom ring 18 to which are welded two rods, each bent to provide a pair of opposite upstands 20 that are also welded at their crossover. The upstands 20 have major parts that flare outwardly from the bottom rings 18 and mirror top ends that extend parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the plane of the bottom ring 18. A top ring 22 is joined across the upstands 20. The base is accordingly shaped so as to fit within a conventional plant pot.

At the top of each upstand 20 is a ferrule 24, each of which receives an end of a rod 26 of the intermediate component16. The component 16 has four rods 26 arranged equally spaced about upper and lower rings 28,30. The bottom end of each rod is sized to fit into a corresponding ferrule 24 of the base and top ends each have a ferrule 32.

The ferrules 32 are to receive bottom ends of rods 34 forming the top component 12. The rods 34 are bent to form two pairs of legs that are joined at an apex.

To decrease the height of the plant support the intermediate component can be omitted or to increase the height of the support further intermediate components 16 can be added on top of the base or of each other.

Figure 2 of the drawings shows a plant support 50 in use fitted onto a plant pot 52 and supporting a plant 54 in an attractive manner.

Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a slight modification to the plant support of Figure 1, in that its base 60 does not have a top ring 22. The base 60 is shown on its own in Figure 12 of the drawings.

Turning to Figure 4 of the drawings a plant support 70 is shown that has another different base component 72 as also shown in Figure 13. The base component 72 has no bottom ring and its upstands 74 have their support ring 76 joined at the point where each upstand is bent to be perpendicular. Furthermore, instead of being of straight metal rod, the plant support 70 is made of twisted rod. The plant support 70 has two intermediate components 16 instead of one.

Figure 5 shows another plant support 80 having two intermediate components 16. The embodiment of Figure 5 is similar to that of Figure 4 except for a different base construction. The base 82 has its upstand ring 84 just below the ferrules 24 instead of lower down the upstands. The base 82 is shown in Figure 14 on its own.

Finally, Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings show a variety of top components 12, each with a different finish 90,92,94,96 and 98 respectively. The top component of Figure 10 can be seen in use in the plant support of Figure 2.

The various top intermediate and base components for plant supports of the invention can be put together to give a variety of styles and heights for plant supports not limited to those described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A modular plant support comprising a base framework and a top framework having mutually engageable parts, whereby the top sits on the base.
2. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is made from wrought iron.
3. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is made from plastics material.
4. A modular plant support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base has a plurality of upstands.
5. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are four upstands, spaced circumferentially around a notional circle.
6. A modular plant support as claimed in any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the upstands are in pairs provided as components of the same rod or the like formed or bent to provide a base link between the two.
7. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base is formed from two upstand pairs with the base links joined at their crossover.
8. A modular plant support as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein one or more support rings are joined to each upstand at the base of or higher up the upstands.
9. A modular plant support as claimed by any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the upstands of the base flare outwards over a lower part thereof from each end, whereby the base is formed of a shape to fit a typical plant pot.
10. A modular plant support as claimed by any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the upper parts of the base upstands extend parallel to each other.
11. A modular plant support as claimed by any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the top framework has a corresponding number of legs to the base upstands.
12. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the legs of the top framework extend outwardly then downwardly from a generally central point.
13. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 12, wherein the generally central point has a decorative finial thereon.
14. A modular plant support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the top framework is formed from two rods, each formed or bent to form a pair of legs.
15. A modular plant support as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 14, wherein the base framework is connected by means of a ferrule on the end of each leg or upstand into which the end of the other can slot.
16. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 15, wherein the ferrules are on the ends of the upstands.
17. A modular plant support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein there are framework members intermediate the top and bottom frameworks, and these are constructed in a similar way to the top and bottom frameworks.
18. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 17, wherein the intermediate framework members comprise a plurality of rods or the like, spaced around and joined to one or more supporting rings.
19. A modular plant support as claimed in claim 18, wherein the ends of the rods are provided with connectors such as ferrules, to enable them to be connected to one of the base or the top frameworks, whilst the other set of ends are arranged to be connected to the other side of the base or top frameworks.
20. A modular plant support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 11, Figures 2 and 10, Figures 3 and 12, Figures 4 and 13, Figures 5 and 14, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8 or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.