Patent US4381838A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4381838A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Support system for potted plants
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-11-21
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Granted: 1983-05-03
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Expires: 2000-11-21
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a system for supporting potted plants in closed environment such as a nursery, wherein the plants are supported by flexible wires under tension. A pair of truss members are parallely disposed and ridigly set on the ground. Each truss member is provided with a plurality of support bars. A plurality of intermediate vertical structures are provided, and each one is provided with a plurality of spacer bars. A metal tube is used to connect the top of the truss members with a concrete foundation on the ground for support. A plurality of substantially parallel and flexible wires are connected to the truss members and are tensioned to provide rigidity. The wires are supported vertically by a plurality of support bars connected to each intermediate member.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph D. Boogaart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:52
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/14; A01G9/143; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for supporting a plurality of plants in flanged pots off the ground comprising a plurality of wire sets each comprising two substantially parallel horizontally disposed flexible wires; means coupled to each flexible wire for providing tension to the wire and rendering the wires rigid in a vertical direction; a plurality of means disposed at predetermined intervals for bearing vertical loads due to the weight of the potted plants; and means for bearing a horizontal load due to the tension on the wires, whereby the flanged pots are supported by the parallel wires.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for supporting a plurality of plants in flanged pots off the ground comprising a plurality of wire sets each comprising two substantially parallel horizontally disposed flexible wires; means coupled to each flexible wire for providing tension to the wire and rendering the wires rigid in a vertical direction; a plurality of means disposed at predetermined intervals for bearing vertical loads due to the weight of the potted plants; and means for bearing a horizontal load due to the tension on the wires, whereby the flanged pots are supported by the parallel wires.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for bearing a horizontal load due to the tension of the wires comprises a first truss member anchored to the ground and coupled to one end of each of said wires and a second truss member anchored to the ground coupled to the other end of each of said wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for providing tension to each wire comprises a turn buckle attached to said truss member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each means for bearing vertical loads comprises an upwardly tapered trapezoidal member, a pair of plates attached to each bottom corner of said trapezoidal members and a plurality of spacer bars each having at least two holes through which the wires are inserted thereby bearing the vertical loads on the wires and maintaining a uniform spacing between the parallel wires.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the holes on each spacer bar are disposed in the same horizontal plane thereby causing each wire set to lie in a horizontal plane, and each wire of a wire set supporting one side of the flange of a pot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the holes on each spacer bar are not disposed on a horizontal plane and one wire of a wire set engages the flange of the pot and the other wire supports the bottom of the pot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least one of said holes is open on a side of the spacer bar whereby the wire to be inserted in the hole can be removed and placed in another hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said truss member comprises a vertically tapered trapezoidal member; a rod disposed parallel to each side of the trapezoidal member; and a plurality of strut means for attaching each rod to each side of the trapezoidal member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said truss member comprises a truncated pyramidal member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of increasing the capacity and efficiency of an enclosed nursery for growing potted plants comprising the steps of: erecting an upwardly tapering structure for supporting a plurality of wires; disposing a plurality of wire sets, each comprising two parallel wires, on said structure, whereby the wire sets are disposed in a stepped fashion; disposing a plurality of flanged pots with plants between each wire set.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of increasing the capacity and efficiency of an enclosed nursery for growing potted plants comprising the steps of: erecting an upwardly tapering structure for supporting a plurality of wires; disposing a plurality of wire sets, each comprising two parallel wires, on said structure, whereby the wire sets are disposed in a stepped fashion; disposing a plurality of flanged pots with plants between each wire set.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |