WO2013040566A2

WO2013040566A2 - Universal plant support system

Info

Publication number: WO2013040566A2
Application number: PCT/US2012/055773
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael P. Moormeier
Original assignee: Growers Plastics
Priority date: 2011-09-15
Filing date: 2012-09-17
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Also published as: WO2013040566A3

Abstract

Embodiments provide plant support systems, including bases and support rods. Plant support system bases may include a rigid body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a plant support rod aperture extending from the upper surface through the body and intersecting the lower surface at a non-normal angle. In embodiments, a plant support rod and plant support material may be provided as part of the system.

Description

UNIVERSAL PLANT SUPPORT SYSTEM

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 61/627,050, filed September 15, 201 1 , entitled "Universal Plant Support System," the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments herein relate to the supporting of plants, and more particularly to adjustable systems for supporting plants grown in many types of media and growing systems.

Background

[0003] Many options are available to the grower for the means by which plants are cultivated. Presently, there are many forms of media in which plants are grown, and still more systems and configurations for the delivery of water, nutrients, and light to these plants. Across this expanse of media and cultivation methods, there remains the problem of how to support these plants to improve the plant yield and keep the plants from becoming damaged.

[0004] The approaches attempted thus far have typically been adaptations of other products not designed for the purpose of plant support. For example, growers have used bamboo poles with twist ties, tomato cages, metal screens, chicken wire, plastic garden trellis, and string to support plants. Known approaches are typically unable to accommodate multiple types of media and horticulture systems. The known approaches are typically not designed to work across the broad range of growing systems. Some products that are effective in limited situations have no means by which they can be adjustably positioned in proximity to the plants, or cannot be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and numbers of plants.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0006] FIGS. 1 A-1 D are various views of an illustrative multi-purpose base, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C are various views of an illustrative self-supporting base, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of an illustrative plant support rod, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illustrative self-supporting base with plant support rods having plant support material attachment portions, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an illustrative plant support system utilizing a self-supporting base, plant support rods and trellis netting, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illustrative plant support system utilizing a multi-purpose base, plant support rods and trellis netting or similar material attached to a flood and drain or ebb and flow hydroponic horticulture system, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0012] FIGS. 7A-7B are side and top views, respectively, of an illustrative multipurpose base attached to a lip of a saucer in which a plant may be placed, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a side view of an illustrative plant support system utilizing a self- supporting base with a single plant in a traditional pot or container, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a side view of an illustrative plant support system using multiple multi-purpose bases with a hydroponic system with multiple plants.

Detailed Description of Disclosed Embodiments

[0015] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the

accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0016] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

[0017] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed

embodiments.

[0018] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0019] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "A B" or in the form "A and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one of A, B, and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "(A)B" means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.

[0020] The description may use the terms "embodiment" or "embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.

Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).

[0021] With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. [0022] Embodiments herein provide plant support systems for supporting plants grown and flowered in many types of media and horticulture systems. In some embodiments, a plant support system may include a multi-purpose angled base with plant support rod attachment points allowing for the attachment of upright support rods and attachment tabs for the attachment of the multi-purpose base to many types of horticulture systems (e.g., trays or saucers) at one or more points. In some

embodiments, a plant support system may include a self-supporting base with an area to hold a plant and water and plant support rod attachment points allowing for the attachment of upright support rods. In some embodiments, plant support rods used in a plant support system may include a plant support material attachment portion for adjustably securing and tensioning trellis netting or similar material to the plant support rods.

[0023] In some embodiments, the disclosed plant support system may

advantageously provide a universal plant supporting system for all types of horticulture systems. In some embodiments, the disclosed plant support system may

advantageously provide a universal plant supporting system for all types of growing media. In some embodiments, the disclosed plant support system may be

advantageously fully adjustable. In some embodiments, the disclosed plant support system may advantageously provide a universal plant supporting system that can be used with trellis netting, trellis, chicken wire, string, or any other material to support plants.

[0024] FIGS. 1 A-1 D are various views of illustrative multi-purpose base 10, in accordance with various embodiments. In particular, FIG. 1 A provides a first side view of multi-purpose base 10, FIG. 1 B provides a second side view of multi-purpose base 10, FIG. 1 C provides a plan view of multi-purpose base 10, and FIG. 1 D provides a perspective view of multi-purpose base 10. Multi-purpose base 10 may be formed of a rigid material (such as a rigid metal or plastic) and may include body 2 with upper surface 1 and lower surface 7. In some embodiments, lower surface 7 of body 2 is not parallel to upper surface 1 of body 2. For example, lower surface 7 and upper surface 1 may be oriented at an angle Θ of approximately 20 degrees. Multi-purpose base 10 may also include plant support rod aperture 3, which may extend from upper surface 1 through body 2 and intersect lower surface 7 at a non-normal angle. As used herein, the term "non-normal angle" refers to angles other than 90 degrees. Plant support rod aperture 3 may be configured to receive a plant support rod (e.g., plant support rod 14 discussed in detail below).

[0025] In some embodiments, fastening multi-purpose base 10 to a plant container includes securing lower surface 7 against an upper surface of a lip of the plant container. In such embodiments, the non-normal angle between plant support rod aperture 3 and lower surface 7 may cause plant support rod aperture 3 (and thus a plant support rod received in plant support rod aperture 3) to be angled away from the plant container. This may advantageously allow a user to create tension between multiple plant support rods (each received, for example, in a multi-purpose base) by pulling the plant support rods toward the center of the plant container in order to attach some plant support material (e.g., trellis netting) to the plant support rods. This mechanism may advantageously allow the use of plant support rods in many different types of growing systems using many different types of media. This and related features are described in further detail below.

[0026] Multi-purpose base 10 may also include one or more attachment tabs 4. In some embodiments, attachment tab 4 may extend laterally from body 2. In some embodiments, attachment tab 4 may allow multi-purpose base 10 to be removably attached to a wide variety of growing systems using mechanical or other methods of attachment. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1 C and 1 D, attachment tab 4 may include fastener aperture 6. Fastener aperture 6 may extend from upper surface 9 of attachment tab 4 through lower surface 13 of attachment tab 4, and may be

countersunk to accept an angled screw head or other mechanical fastener. In some embodiments, lower surface 13 of attachment tab 4 is continuous with lower surface 7 of body 2.

[0027] Multi-purpose base 10 may also include a slot 8. In some embodiments, slot 8 may be disposed in lower surface 7 of body 2 and may extend longitudinally from first side surface 21 of body 2 to second side surface 19 of body 2. In some

embodiments, first side surface 21 may be opposite second side surface 19. In some embodiments, slot 8 may have a width configured to accommodate a lip of a plant container when multi-purpose base 10 is installed on the plant container and the lip is disposed within slot 8. Multi-purpose base 10 may also include set screw aperture 5 in body 2. Set screw aperture 5 may be disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of slot 8. In some embodiments, a set screw may be disposed in set screw aperture 5 when a lip of a plant container is disposed in slot 8. The set screw may be secured to hold the lip of the plant container (e.g., a tray or saucer) within slot 8. In use, a user may slide multi-purpose base 10 so that slot 8 receives a lip of a plant container and apply torque to a set screw in set screw aperture 5 to secure multi-purpose base 10 onto the plant container. This mechanism may advantageously allow multi-purpose base 10 to be used in many different types of growing systems. In some embodiments, other fasteners may be used to hold the lip of a plant container within slot 8. In some embodiments, the shape of multi-purpose support 10 (such as the shape of body 2 and/or attachment tab 4) may be different than the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1 A-1 D.

[0028] FIGS. 2A-2C are various views of illustrative self-supporting base 12, in accordance with various embodiments. In particular, FIG. 2A provides a side view of self-supporting base 12, FIG. 2B provides a side view of self-supporting base 12 with plant support rod 14 received in plant support rod aperture 1 1 , and FIG. 2C provides a plant view of self-supporting base 12. Self-supporting base 12 may include rigid body 17 and plant support rod apertures 1 1 . Although four plant support rod apertures 1 1 are illustrated in FIG. 2C, any number of plant support rod apertures 1 1 may be included in self-supporting base 12. Plant support rod apertures 1 1 may extend from upper surface 23 through body 17, and may intersect lower surface 25 at a non-normal angle. For example, the angle phi between the axis of plant support rod aperture 1 1 and the normal of lower surface 25 may be approximately 20 degrees. In some embodiments, a plant support rod aperture intersects upper surface 23 at a non-normal angle (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B).

[0029] In some embodiments, body 17 may be shaped as a ring, with a plurality of plant support rod apertures disposed around the ring. In some embodiments, body 17 may be integral with a lip of a plant container that includes plant holding portion 32 (FIG. 2C). A single plant or several individual plants can be placed in plant holding portion 32, and plant holding portion 32 may provide for the catching and holding of water. Thus, self-supporting base 12 may be integral with a plant container. As shown in FIG. 2C, plant support rod 14 may be coupled to self-supporting base 12 by way of plant support rod aperture 1 1 , allowing for the attachment and suspension of trellis netting or other plant support material to support the stalk and branches of the plant or plants.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view of illustrative plant support rod 14, in accordance with various embodiments. Plant support rod 14 may be formed of one or more flexible materials, such as fiberglass, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. The flexibility of plant support rod 14 may allow for the tensioning and adjustment of trellis netting or similar plant supporting material when the material is secured to an end of plant support rod 14. The width and length of plant support rods (such as plant support rod 14) may be adjustable to provide any widths and lengths desired to customize the system for the end user. Plant support rods (which may include plant support material portions, as discussed below) may allow a grower to adjust the height at which trellis netting or similar material is secured, thereby holding and supporting the trellis netting or similar material horizontally at any level the grower chooses. Height adjustment of the plant support material may be effected by sliding the material along the support rod to another location, and may use a coupling element, such as an o-ring or flexible band. This horizontally supported trellis netting or similar material allows for the plants to be supported in many places equally, and allows the grower to choose the shape of the plant by manipulating where the stalks and/or branches are placed in the trellis netting or similar material.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of illustrative self-supporting base 12 with plant support rods 14 having predefined plant support material attachment portions 16, in accordance with various embodiments. Any number of plant support rods 14 may be used, including a number smaller than the number of plant support rod apertures in self-supporting base 12, and the lengths of plant support rods 14 may vary depending on the user's preference. As illustrated in FIG. 4, one end of each of the plant support rods 14 may be received in a plant support rod aperture of self-supporting base 12 (which may include plant holding portion 32), with the other ends of plant support rods 14 including plant support material attachment portions 16 and extending away from self-supporting base 12. In some embodiments, plant support material attachment portions 16 may allow for the securing and tensioning of plant support material. Plant support rods 14 with plant support material attachment portions 16 may be used similarly with multi-purpose base 10 (FIG. 1 ), with one end of each of the plant support rods 14 received in a plant support rod aperture 3 of multi-purpose base 10, with the other ends of plant support rods 14 including plant support material attachment portions 16 and extending away from multi-purpose base 10.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, plant support material attachment portion 16 may include multiple ridges, each ridge extending

circumferentially about plant support rod 14. These ridges may be used to secure and tension plant support material to plant support rods 14 at various distances from self- supporting base 12. Other attachment mechanisms may be used in addition to or instead of ridges in plant support material attachment portion 16.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of illustrative plant support system 33 utilizing self-supporting base 12, plant support rods 14 and trellis netting 18, in accordance with various embodiments. Plant support rods 14 may be inserted into plant support rod attachment points (e.g., plant support rod apertures 1 1 of FIGS. 2A-2C) and trellis netting 18 (or other plant supporting material, such as string, wire, mesh, net, or other suitable material) may be attached to plant support material attachment portions 16.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of illustrative plant support system 34 utilizing multiple multi-purpose bases 10, plant support rods 14 and trellis netting 18 or similar material attached to a flood and drain or ebb and flow hydroponic horticulture system

15, in accordance with various embodiments. Multi-purpose bases 10 are secured to the flood and drain or ebb and flow hydroponic horticulture system 15 (e.g., via attachment tabs 4 of FIGS. 1A-1 D). Plant support rods 14 are inserted into plant support rod attachment points (e.g., plant support rod apertures 3 of FIGS. 1 A-1 D) and trellis netting 18 (or other plant supporting material, such as string, wire, mesh, net, or other suitable material) may be attached to plant support material attachment portions

16. The use of a flood and drain or ebb and flow hydroponic horticulture system 15 in FIG. 6 is merely illustrative; multi-purpose base 10 may be used with any horticulture system.

[0035] FIGS. 7A-7B are side and top views, respectively, of illustrative multipurpose base 10 attached to lip 17 of saucer 24 in which a plant may be placed, in accordance with various embodiments. As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1 D, lip 17 may be received in slot 8 and may be abutted against a top surface 27 of slot 8. A set screw may be disposed in set screw aperture 5 and tightened down to secure multi-purpose base 10 to saucer 24. In some embodiments, this configuration may advantageously allow a plant in a tray, saucer, or other horticulture device to be advantageously placed in proximity to a plant support rod extending from plant support rod aperture 3.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a side view of illustrative plant support system 35 utilizing self- supporting base 12 with single plant 30 in traditional pot or container 26, in accordance with various embodiments. Plant support rods 14 extend from self-supporting base 12 and are used to secure plant support material 18 (such as trellis netting). As shown, plant 30 may be supported at both branches and stalks at many places. Plant support material may be provided as a single element (one level/layer), or multiple plant support materials/elements may be used in combination in a plant support system.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a side view of illustrative plant support system 37 using multiple multi-purpose bases 10 with a hydroponic system 20 with multiple plants 30 in containers 26. Plant support rods 14 extend from multi-purposes bases 10 and are used to secure plant support material 18 (such as trellis netting). As shown, plants 30 may be supported at both branches and stalks at many places.

[0038] Thus, the plant support systems described herein may be advantageously adjusted to support plants regardless of the type of horticulture system, the type of media used, or the type of plant grown.

[0039] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1 . A plant support system base, comprising:

a rigid body having an upper surface and a lower surface;

a plant support rod aperture extending from the upper surface through the body and intersecting the lower surface at a non-normal angle.

2. The plant support system base of claim 1 , further comprising:

an attachment tab extending laterally from the body;

3. The plant support system base of claim 2, wherein the attachment tab includes a fastener aperture extending from an upper surface of the attachment tab through a lower surface of the attachment tab.

4. The plant support system base of claim 3, wherein the lower surface of the attachment tab is continuous with the lower surface of the body.

5. The plant support system base of claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the body is not parallel to the upper surface of the body.

6. The plant support system base of claim 1 , further comprising:

a slot in the lower surface extending longitudinally from a first side surface of the body to a second side surface of the body, the second side surface opposite the first side surface.

7. The plant support system base of claim 6, wherein the slot has a width configured to accommodate a lip of a plant container when the lip is disposed within the slot.

8. The plant support system base of claim 6, further comprising:

a set screw aperture in the body disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the slot.

9. The plant support system base of claim 1 , wherein the aperture intersects the upper surface at a non-normal angle.

10. The plant support system base of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of apertures extending from the upper surface through the body and intersecting the lower surface at a non-normal angle.

1 1 . The plant support system base of claim 10, wherein the body is shaped as a ring.

12. The plant support system base of claim 1 , wherein the body is integral with a lip of a plant container.

13. A plant support system comprising:

the plant support system base of any of claims 1 -12; and

a plant support rod.

14. The plant support system of claim 13, wherein the plant support rod comprises a plant support material attachment portion.

15. The plant support system of claim 14, wherein the plant support material attachment portion comprises a plurality of ridges, each ridge extending

circumferentially about the support rod.

16. The plant support system of claim 13, further comprising a plant support material configured for coupling to the plant support rod.