GB2517984A

GB2517984A - A device for potting plants

Info

Publication number: GB2517984A
Application number: GB1315994.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Jeffreys
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-09
Filing date: 2013-09-09
Publication date: 2015-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-09
Also published as: GB2517984B; GB201315994D0

Abstract

A device for potting plants comprises a table having at least one aperture configured to receive a plant pot and a frame configured to support the table comprising four legs. The table may further comprise an aperture configured to receive a tray for containing compost. The legs are preferably hinged for movement between retracted and extended positions. The device may comprise a lid hinged to the table.

Description

A DEVICE FOR POTTING PLANTS

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a device for potting plants, in particular to support a pot while a plant is being potted.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 with the lid closed.

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 with pots in place on the device.

Figure 8 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 with the lid closed.

Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 with the lid closed and the legs folded.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

Referring to figures ito 9, an embodiment 10 of a device according to the invention comprises: A table 12 having at least one aperture 14 through it configured to receive a plant pot 16 such that the plant pot is supported by the table, A frame IS configured to support the table comprising four legs 20 hinged by means of hinges 21 to the frame and movable between a retracted position in which the legs are retracted towards the base of the table and an extended position in which the legs extend at an angle from the table, and A folding leg support strut 22 associated with each leg to retain the leg in the extended position.

In this embodiment the device comprises a first aperture 14 and a second aperture 24 each configured to receive a plant pot and a third aperture 25 configured to receive a tray, for example a tray 27 usable to contain compost during a polling operation.

Plant pot herein means a receptacle for holding and supporting the growth of one or more plants, including receptacles adapted to stand stably on a flat surface and receptacles adapted to be supported from above in the manner of a hanging basket.

Such receptacles may comprise plant pots as known in the art, baskets such as hanging baskets, mesh containers or nets, or trays, and are not limited to the shape of the receptacle, for example having a frustroconical, rectilinear, or bowl shape, and may have one or more apertures within them to allow drainage.

The apertures 14, 24 may be shaped to receive a chosen shape of plant pot. In this embodiment the first and second apertures are substantially circular, so being configured to receive a plant pot having a circular cross-section such as a frustroconical plant pot or a hanging basket 16 as shown in figure 7 which may have a rounded base.

In this embodiment the third aperture is rectangular, so being adapted to receive a rectangular tray.

In this embodiment the leg support strut 22 is hinged to each upper leg portion by a hinge 26 at a first end of the strut, and to the table by a hinge 28 at the second end, the strut having a hinge 30 midway along it, as known in the art for such folding frames.

A safety catch may be provided associated with a leg or a leg support strut to prevent the leg or the leg support strut from being moved accidentally.

In this embodiment the device further comprises a lid 32 hinged to the table by means of hinges 33 and movable between a closed position in which it covers the table and an open position at an angle to the table such that the apertures are accessible, and a lid support strut 34 at each end of the lid to support the lid in the open position, the lid support strut being hinged to the lid by means of a hinge 36 at a first end of the strut, and to the table by a hinge 38 at the second end, the strut having a hinge 40 midway along it, as known for such folding support struts.

In this way the device may be used as follows: The legs may be moved from the retracted position to the extended position and the table may then be stood on the legs, the leg support strut being positioned automatically by means of the hinges as the legs are moved, The length of the legs may be adjusted as described below and the lid may be opened, A plant pot may be placed into an aperture, extending through it to below the level of the base of the table, A compost tray may be filled at ground level from a compost bag and then placed in an aperture ready for use of the compost in polling a plant.

The device provides a stable support means for the plant pot during polling, at a convenient working height, and suitable to support a pot or basket that has a round base and so will not stand stably on the ground or on a conventional table.

In this embodiment the legs comprise: Four upper leg portions 42 each comprising a tubular member hinged to the table provided at or adjacent to the corners of the table and movable by means of the hinges between a first folded position and a second extended position, the tubular members having open lower ends 44, and A left and a right lower leg portion 46 each formed from a U-shaped tubular member having substantially parallel arms 48, the ends of each arm being inserted into the open lower ends of the upper leg portions.

U-shaped herein means having two parallel arms 46 joined at one of their ends by a cross member 50. The cross member and the parallel members may be joined by curved portions. The cross member may have at least a portion of its length substantially at right angles to the parallel members.

In other embodiments the lower portions may have other configurations, for example linear tubular members not joined to other lower portion members, or H-shaped tubular members in which two parallel members are joined by a cross member part way along their length.

In this way the legs form a folding structure having a pair of legs at each of the left and right sides, each having a U-shaped foot.

In this embodiment the legs comprise extension locking means 52 associated with each upper leg portion 42 configured to hold the lower leg portions at a position within the upper leg portions. Such extension locking means may comprise a compression device that ads to apply friction between the upper and the lower leg portion as the compression device is actuated. Such a compression device may comprise a rotating collar that moves on a thread provided on the upper leg portion, as known in the art for telescopic devices of adjustable length.

In this embodiment as shown in figure 9 in a partially folded configuration with the legs partially retracted, the left hand pair of legs 54 is dimensioned to be closer together than the right hand pair 56 and configured such that the left hand pair may pass between the right hand pair in order to fold the legs from the extended to the retracted position.

In this embodiment the legs further comprise four feet 58 attachable to legs, one at each corner of the U-shaped lower leg portion. The feet 55 may be removable to facilitate folding.

In this embodiment the frame comprises a table support portion 60 comprising a rectilinear arrangement of tubular members configured to support the table. In this embodiment the legs are attached to the table support portion by means of hinges 21.

The table and lid may be formed from materials such a moulded polymer or sheet material such as sheet metal, such an enamelled or coated metal. In preferred embodiments they are formed from moulded polymer. The frame may be formed from tubular engineering materials such as extruded metal tubing, for example in aluminium or steel, or moulded polymer. In some embodiments the table and/or the frame may be formed from wood or from a wood/resin composite, with adjustments to the detailed design as will be apparent to the skilled person.

The tabLe 12 in this embodiment comprises a moulded polymer component having an upper surface and a surrounding rim 62 configured to fit over the table support portion 60. The rim 62 comprises a recess 64 around its circumference allowing the lid to fold down to overlap the upper portion of the table. The table comprises a handle 66 and the lid comprises an aperture 68 configured such that the handle may protrude through the recess when the lid is closed to allow easy carrying of the device.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.