WO1998019582A1 - Support flottant - Google Patents

Support flottant Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998019582A1
WO1998019582A1 PCT/AU1997/000597 AU9700597W WO9819582A1 WO 1998019582 A1 WO1998019582 A1 WO 1998019582A1 AU 9700597 W AU9700597 W AU 9700597W WO 9819582 A1 WO9819582 A1 WO 9819582A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ballast
floating support
water
unit
lower portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1997/000597
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Norman Laurence Harris
Original Assignee
Garris Holdings Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Garris Holdings Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Garris Holdings Pty. Ltd.
Priority to AU41054/97A priority Critical patent/AU714032B2/en
Publication of WO1998019582A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998019582A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
    • A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
    • A47G7/04—Flower tables; Stands or hangers, e.g. baskets, for flowers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a floating support and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a floating support for supporting a garden pot on a body of water such as a pool or a lake .
  • the Applicant initially developed the present invention to better utilise the space occupied by domestic swimming pools particularly during cooler months when usage is minimal. Moreover, the Applicant developed this invention to allow for the maintenance or growing of plants on the swimming pool and thus enhance the utilisation of the space of the swimming pool and improves its aesthetics. Embodiments of this invention allow this to occur with minimal risk of cross contamination between the water in the swimming pool and soil or other growing medium in the garden pot from which the plant derives nutrients . Notwithstanding that the invention was initially developed for use with swimming pools, it can of course be used in any other body of water such as a pond or lake on a golf course or in the lobbies of hotels etc.
  • a floating support for supporting a garden pot on a body of water comprising: buoyancy means ; ballast holding means supported by the buoyancy means and provided with a lower, portion for holding ballast, an upper portion for holding a garden pot at a predetermined level, and at least one opening below said predetermined level and above the water line of the body of water, so that excess water within said garden pot or the upper portion can flow through the at least one opening and into the body of water.
  • said buoyancy means is provided with a through hole for accommodating the ballast holding means, and the lower portion has an outer diameter less than the diameter of a length of the through hole opposite the lower portion so that a first annular space is formed therebetween whereby water flowing out through the at least one opening passes via the first annular space into the body of water.
  • the ballast is a liquid ballast held within the lower portion; and, baffle means is disposed in the lower portion for baffling movement of the liquid ballast.
  • said baffle means comprises a side wall of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the lower portion to form a second annular space therebetween, and one or more baffles fixed to an inside of the side wall.
  • said baffle means comprises a centrally located tube extending axially therethrough through which the excess water from the pot or upper portion can flow to add to the liquid ballast, and wherein particles carried by the excess water settle in the liquid ballast at the bottom of the lower portion and are thereby substantially trapped within the ballast holding means.
  • baffle means is supported above a bottom inside surface of the ballast holding means to prevent sealing of a lower end of the tube so that excess water flowing down through the tube is able to flow into the lower portion.
  • the bottom inside surface is provided with one or more spaced apart projections for supporting the lower end of the tube above the bottom inside surface.
  • the lower end of the tube is castellated to prevent sealing thereof and allow water to flow from the upper portion through the tube into the lower portion.
  • said floating support further comprises a plate supported on an upper end of the baffle means and on which the garden pot rests, the plate extending to at least the side wall of the baffle means and provided with a central hole for registration with the tube, and one or more upstanding protrusions for spacing a bottom surface of the garden pot above an upper surface of the plate.
  • said plate extends beyond the periphery of the side wall and is arranged to rest on an annular shoulder formed on an inside of the ballast holding means between the upper portion and the lower portion.
  • the plate is formed integrally with the baffle means.
  • said support further comprises anchoring means for holding the buoyancy means at a substantially fixed location on the body of water, the anchoring means comprising a tether which is coupled at one end or intermediate its length to the buoyancy means or the ballast holding means and at one end or at both of its ends to a fixed point.
  • said tether is buoyant so as to float on the surface of the body of the water.
  • an undersurface of said buoyancy means is provided with at least one recess
  • the floating support further comprises a buoyant connection device comprising two spaced apart but connected pins, wherein each pin is adapted to sit within a recess of a different buoyancy means so that two buoyancy means can be connected together by said connecting means .
  • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a floating support device in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the buoyancy unit of the floating support device shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside of the buoyancy unit shown in Figure 2;
  • FIG 4 is an exploded view of the ballast holding unit, baffle unit and plate of the floating support device in Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a side view of a connection unit to connect two floating support devices, as shown in Figure 1, together;
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of the connection device shown in Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a side view showing how two floating devices are connected together with a connection device of the type shown in Figure 5 ;
  • FIG. 8 is an underside plan view of the ballast holding unit
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a baffle unit incorporated in the floating support device.
  • Figure 10 is an underside view of a bottom portion of the baffle unit shown in Figure 9.
  • a floating support 1 comprising a buoyancy unit 2 and a ballast holding unit 3 for holding ballast.
  • the ballast holding unit 3 is arranged to be supported by the buoyancy unit 2.
  • the ballast holding unit 3 has a space to receive an object (such as a plant pot 100) to be supported by the floating support 1.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 has sufficient buoyancy so as to float when plant pot 100 (and associated plants) is supported in the ballast holding unit.
  • the buoyancy of unit 2 may also be made sufficient to assist in maintaining a person's head above water so that floating support 1 may act as a safety device although this is not its primary function nor an essential feature.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 is substantially annular as can be best seen in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 is provided with a central opening or through hole 4 therein.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 can be made as a hollow sealed unit, or from a solid buoyant material such as polystyrene foam.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 is provided with recessed holes 5 in its undersurface 6.
  • the undersurface 6 is the surface that is submerged when the floating support 1 is in use.
  • the recessed holes 5 are provided to enable one floating support 1 to be connected with a second floating support device 1, as shown in Figure 7.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 is substantially dome-shaped as can be best seen in Figure 2, and has a curved surface 7 which is located above the surface of the liquid 8 when the floating support 1 is in use. Whilst the buoyancy unit 2 is described and depicted as being of dome-shape, other shapes may also be used, eg. hexagonal, octagonal, circular etc., or in the shape of any other natural or man-made object, eg. rock, a volcano, boat, etc.
  • the ballast holding unit 3 comprises a side wall 10, a base
  • Flange 13 extends outwardly from the side wall 10 about the opening
  • the side wall 10 of the ballast holding unit 3 has an upper or first portion 14a and a lower or second portion 14b.
  • the first portion 14a extends from the opening 12 to an intermediate location 15 that is located between the base 11 and the opening 12 of the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the second portion 14b extends from the intermediate location 15 to base 11. Outer surface 16 of the first portion 14a fits snugly against the surface 17 of the buoyancy unit 2 inside the opening 4.
  • the first portion 14a has both a larger inner and outer diameter than portion 14b so that a shoulder, or ledge 18 is formed on the inside of the ballast holding unit 3 adjacent intermediate location 15. This also results in an annular space 19 being formed between outer surface 20 of the second portion 14b and the surface 17 of the buoyancy unit 2 inside the opening 4, as best seen in Figure 1.
  • Openings 21 are provided at a predetermined level being at an upper region of the second portion 14b of the side wall
  • the openings 21 act as drainage openings as will be later herein described.
  • a baffle unit 22 (refer Figure 4) may be provided for insertion into the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the baffle unit 22 is substantially tubular with openings at both of its ends.
  • four baffles 23 are provided in the baffle unit 22 extending in the vertical direction between its openings and radially from a central settlement tube 52.
  • the baffle unit 22 is inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 such that it is located beneath the intermediate location 15.
  • the baffle unit 22 fits near the inside surface of the second portion 14b so as to maintain a small gap therebetween.
  • a platform 24 is provided in the base 11 of the ballast holding unit 3 in order to support the baffle unit 22 a short distance above the base 11. Moreover, the upper surface of the platform 24 is provided with spaced projections such as ridges 38 to lift the bottom of sediment tube 52 from platform 24. This ensures that the bottom of tube 52 does not become blocked, enabling sediment to pass at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3.
  • a plate 25 is insertable into the ballast holding unit 3 to rest on the shoulder 18 and the baffle unit 22.
  • the plate 25 is provided with a central opening 26 which registers with upper end of settlement tube 52, and has a plurality of upstanding protrusions in the form of ridges 27 radiating from the central opening 26 to the periphery of the plate 25.
  • the object (ie. flower pot 100) to be supported by the floating support 1 rests on the ridges 27 of the plate 25.
  • the plate 25 may be formed so that its surface slopes downwardly from its periphery to the central opening 26.
  • An attachment member 40 may be provided in the undersurface of the ballast holding unit 3 to enable the floating support device 1 to be attached to a support (not shown) .
  • the platform 24 is formed as a depression in the undersurface of the ballast holding unit 3 in which the attachment member 40 is provided, extending diametrically.
  • the attachment member 40 is provided with holes 42 therein.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show a connection unit 30 which may be used to connect together two floating supports 1.
  • the connection unit 30 has a base portion 31 with a pair of pins 32 extending therefrom at spaced locations.
  • the base 31 is substantially flat.
  • the pins 32 are able to engage in the recessed holes 5 in the undersurface 6 of the buoyancy unit 2.
  • the flat base 31 of the connection unit 30 enables it to fit flush against the undersurface 6 of the buoyancy unit 2.
  • connection unit 30 shows how a connection unit 30 is used to connect together two floating supports 1.
  • the pins of a connection unit 30 engage in recessed holes 5 of two respective floating supports 1.
  • the connection unit 30 is buoyant so that its buoyancy maintains it in engagement with two adjacent support devices 1. This avoids the need to use positive locking arrangements or devices to maintain connection or coupling between a plurality of floating supports 1. Although such arrangements can of course be used.
  • connection units 30 can be used to connect together several floating support devices 1.
  • the ballast holding unit 3 is first inserted into the opening 4 of the buoyancy unit 2 such that the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3 rests on the buoyancy unit 2.
  • Ballast material preferably water
  • the baffle unit 22 is inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 and rests on the platform 24. Any water that is displaced from the ballast holding unit 3 when the baffle unit 22 is inserted is able to escape from the openings 21 into the space 19.
  • Plate 25 is lowered into the ballast holding unit 3 and rests on the shoulder 18 and the baffles 23 of the baffle unit 22.
  • the object to be supported by the floating support eg. a plant pot 100, is then inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 and rests on the plate 25.
  • the plant pot 100 is received in the space 36 in the ballast holdings unit 3 that is surrounded by the first portion 14a of the side wall 10.
  • the floating support 1 can then be located in a pond or a pool and will float on the surface of the water therein.
  • the plant in the plant pot 100 may be periodically watered as necessary. Any excess water from such watering or from any other source eg. rain, is able to flow along the plate 25, through the opening 26, sediment tube 52 and into the ballast holding unit 3. Any sediment that flows through the opening 26 with any such excess water sinks to the base 11 at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3. Collection of any sediment at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3 ensures that sediment does not escape from the ballast holding unit 3 (via the openings 21) to enter the swimming pool or pond in which the floating support 1 is located.
  • the baffles 23 prevent or at least minimise water loss (via the openings 21) from any rocking motion of the floating support 1.
  • any rocking or surging motion which does occur eg. due to turbulence in the pond or pool in which the floating support 1 is located
  • the baffle unit 22 provides stability to the ballast water in the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the baffle unit 22 acts as a support for the plate 25 consequently also acts as a support for the plant pot 100 that is supported by the floating support 1.
  • the ballast material used is water.
  • other ballast material may be used, such as other liquids or even solid matter.
  • the baffle unit 22 may be omitted if the size and/or configuration of the solid ballast is such that it cannot be accommodated between the baffles 23.
  • an alternative support (not shown) is provided to support the plant pot 100 and for the plate 25 to rest upon.
  • a filter may be provided to filter any water which may otherwise pass from the ballast holding unit 3 through the holes 21. In this way, the filter prevents sediment escaping from the ballast holding unit 3 into the pool or pond in which the floating support 1 is located.
  • the filter may be provided as a mesh screen ring provided on the inside surface of the second portion 14b adjacent and covering the holes 21.
  • an alternative support may be provided to support the plant pot 100 and for the plate 25 to rest upon.
  • a support that may be used (when solid ballast is used) is a support plate (not shown) that is fixedly attached to the side wall 10 inside the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the plate 25 is of sufficient strength and rigidity to support the weight of the plant pot 100 resting thereon.
  • Such a support plate may be fixedly attached to the side wall 10 just beneath the lowermost level of the holes 21.
  • a filter in the form of a mesh screen ring is provided adjacent the holes 21 as previously herein before described. Sediment then collects on the support plate, rather than pass to the base 11 at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the attachment member 40 may be used to anchor the floating support 1 to one or more points at the edge of the pool or pond.
  • This attachment may be by way of a tether such as a cord or cable (not shown) which passes through the holes 42 in the attachment member 40. Ends of the cord or cable are then fixed to points about the pool.
  • the cord or cable may be clear buoyant tubing. The buoyancy of the tubing allows automatic pool cleaning apparatus to pass unhindered. Clear tubing is also almost not visible when used to attach the floating support 1 as herein described.
  • a lower rim of the buoyancy unit 2 between surfaces 6 and 7 is provided with a bevel 50 to reduce the possibility of the cord or cable catching and snagging with the floating support 1.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 may have an overall diameter of 500mm and a height of approximately 220mm.
  • the shoulder 18 provided at the intermediate location 15 may have a width of approximately 5mm.
  • the buoyancy unit 2 may be used as a form that is able to accept a variety of mouldings (not shown) to enhance its visual appearance. Such mouldings may be of various shapes . Such a moulding may be retained in position with the buoyancy unit 2 at the upper edge of the opening 4 that is above the liquid surface 8 of the pond or pool.
  • Such mouldings are provided with a flange which rests upon the buoyancy unit 2 adjacent the opening 4.
  • the moulding covers the buoyancy unit 2 and may provide a decorative effect.
  • the ballast holding unit 3 is then inserted into the opening 4 of the buoyancy unit 2.
  • the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3 overlies the flange of the moulding such that the flange of the moulding is sandwiched between the buoyancy unit 2 and the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the weight of the ballast in the ballast holding unit 3 ensures that the flange of the mounding is securely held in place between the buoyancy unit 2 and the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3.
  • the lower edge of the moulding fits snugly around the buoyancy unit 2 at the surface of the liquid 8.
  • the baffle unit 22 and plate 25 can be formed as a single integral unit as shown as item 22' in Figures 9 and 10.
  • the features which correspond to those of unit 22 are indicated by identical but primed reference numbers.
  • Unit 22' includes four baffles 23' which extend radially from settlement tube 52' and run the full vertical height of the unit 22'. The baffles 23' are evenly spaced to divide the unit 22' into quarters.
  • Plate 25' has a central opening 26' which is in registration with upper end of the settlement tube 52'. Further, the radius of the plate 25 extends beyond that of the circumferential wall of unit 22' to form a lip 56, which can rest on shoulder 18. Lower end 58 of settlement tube 52' is castellated to form a plurality of openings 60 which allow sediment to escape into ballast holding unit 3. This allows one to dispense with the ridges 38 so that tube 52' sits flush on platform 24. In this instance, the baffles 23' may stop short of tube 52' or can be provided with apertures near their lower ends to allow equalisation of liquid levels within the holding unit 3.

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  • Revetment (AREA)

Abstract

Support flottant (1) pour une plante en pot (100). Le support est formé d'un élément de flottement (2) et d'un élément (3) porteur de lest inséré dans une ouverture (4) formée dans l'élément de flottement (2). L'élément (3) porteur de lest se compose d'une partie supérieure (14a) et d'une partie inférieure (14b). Le bord supérieur de la partie inférieure (14b) comporte une rangée d'ouvertures (21). On verse dans l'élément (3) porteur de lest de l'eau de lestage jusqu'à hauteur des ouvertures (21), puis un élément de séparation (22) est placé dans la partie inférieure (14b). Un tube (52) à sédiments prolonge l'élément de séparation (22). L'élément de séparation (22) est recouvert d'un plateau (25) qui comporte une ouverture centrale communicant avec le tube (52) à sédiments. Le pot contenant la plante (100) repose sur le plateau (25). L'eau et/ou les résidus s'écoulant hors du pot (100) passent à travers l'ouverture (26) et descendent le long du tube (52) pour venir s'ajouter au liquide de lest. Les sédiments se déposent au fond de l'élément (3) par effet de gravité. L'excès d'eau s'ajoutant au lest est évacuée par les ouvertures (21) pour rejoindre la masse d'eau sur laquelle le support (1) flotte.
PCT/AU1997/000597 1996-11-06 1997-09-11 Support flottant WO1998019582A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU41054/97A AU714032B2 (en) 1996-11-06 1997-09-11 Floating support

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO3464A AUPO346496A0 (en) 1996-11-06 1996-11-06 Floating support device
AUPO3464 1996-11-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998019582A1 true WO1998019582A1 (fr) 1998-05-14

Family

ID=3797775

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1997/000597 WO1998019582A1 (fr) 1996-11-06 1997-09-11 Support flottant

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AUPO346496A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998019582A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SG87009A1 (en) * 1998-10-27 2002-03-19 Johns Hopkins Singapore Pte Lt Informatics system weaves
NL2006230C2 (nl) * 2010-10-15 2012-04-17 Jalmaja Holding B V Teelsamenstel en werkwijze voor het telen van gewassen.
WO2012050449A1 (fr) * 2010-10-15 2012-04-19 Holding B.V.Jalmaja Ensemble de culture et procédé pour faire croître des cultures
WO2014170514A1 (fr) * 2013-04-18 2014-10-23 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Dispositif de flottaison pour plantons d'hélophytes

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3927491A (en) * 1974-12-30 1975-12-23 Robert S Farnsworth Process and apparatus for growing plants
DE2934494A1 (de) * 1979-08-25 1981-03-26 Hölter, Heinz, Prof. Dr.sc., Dr.-Ing., 45964 Gladbeck Innenblumentopf mit membranbewaesserung und klemmvorrichtung gegen aufschwimmen
DE2935957A1 (de) * 1979-09-06 1981-03-26 Werner 2000 Hamburg Klein-Treskow Schwimmende hydrokultur
US4355484A (en) * 1981-09-08 1982-10-26 Mandish Theodore O Hydroponic tray and method of manufacture
US4926584A (en) * 1987-03-31 1990-05-22 Hiroshi Horibata Apparatus for hydroponic farming

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3927491A (en) * 1974-12-30 1975-12-23 Robert S Farnsworth Process and apparatus for growing plants
DE2934494A1 (de) * 1979-08-25 1981-03-26 Hölter, Heinz, Prof. Dr.sc., Dr.-Ing., 45964 Gladbeck Innenblumentopf mit membranbewaesserung und klemmvorrichtung gegen aufschwimmen
DE2935957A1 (de) * 1979-09-06 1981-03-26 Werner 2000 Hamburg Klein-Treskow Schwimmende hydrokultur
US4355484A (en) * 1981-09-08 1982-10-26 Mandish Theodore O Hydroponic tray and method of manufacture
US4926584A (en) * 1987-03-31 1990-05-22 Hiroshi Horibata Apparatus for hydroponic farming

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DERWENT, Accession Number 97-301476/28, Class Q34, Q42, Q68; & JP,A,09 112 792 (RINBUSSAN), 20 October 1995. *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SG87009A1 (en) * 1998-10-27 2002-03-19 Johns Hopkins Singapore Pte Lt Informatics system weaves
NL2006230C2 (nl) * 2010-10-15 2012-04-17 Jalmaja Holding B V Teelsamenstel en werkwijze voor het telen van gewassen.
WO2012050449A1 (fr) * 2010-10-15 2012-04-19 Holding B.V.Jalmaja Ensemble de culture et procédé pour faire croître des cultures
WO2014170514A1 (fr) * 2013-04-18 2014-10-23 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Dispositif de flottaison pour plantons d'hélophytes

Also Published As

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