US5501038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planted pot self-positioning plant support device
Assignee: Suncast Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1995-02-27
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2015-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A rod like plant support is held in a plant pot adjacent the side wall of the latter. The holder is in the form of a flat discoid base plate, with an integral socket upstanding from a central portion thereof. A rod engages into and upstands from the socket. A number of integral fingers radially outwardly project from the discoid base plate generally within its plane. The length of each finger is adjustable to fit plant pots having varying internal diameters or varying configurations. Preferably, length adjustment of the fingers is made by cutting end portions thereof along transverse weak lines. In this way, not only is the plant support immobilized within the plant pot, but also, the relative position of the upstanding tie-rod is adjustable relative to plant foliage configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Antoine Gregoranto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/12; A01G9/122; A01G9/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A self-positioning device for supporting in upstanding fashion inside a flower pot an elongated plant holder defining a lower end portion, said flower pot having a base wall, a side wall and a top mouth, said self-positioning device comprising: (a) a generally flat base plate member defining a top face, adapted for spacedly laying next to said base wall of said flower pot, said base plate member being adapted to be embedded into a layer of earth; (b) a first socket member integral with said base plate member, upwardly protruding from said top face and defining an open outer top free end, said first socket member adapted to receive said lower end portion of said elongated plant holder in said open outer top free end and to support said plant holder in upright position; (c) a number of radial finger members, extending radially outwardly from said base plate member integrally thereof and substantially within the plane thereof, said finger members being cross-sectionally V-shaped, with the apices thereof being downwardly directed, for direct engagement against said flower pot base wall; and (d) means for adjusting the length of each said finger member; wherein said self-positioning device is adaptable to any one of flower pots of different sizes and shapes and wherein said self-positioning device enables selective positioning of said first socket member within said flower pot to accommodate any one of a variety of plant foliage configurations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A self-positioning device for supporting in upstanding fashion inside a flower pot an elongated plant holder defining a lower end portion, said flower pot having a base wall, a side wall and a top mouth, said self-positioning device comprising: (a) a generally flat base plate member defining a top face, adapted for spacedly laying next to said base wall of said flower pot, said base plate member being adapted to be embedded into a layer of earth; (b) a first socket member integral with said base plate member, upwardly protruding from said top face and defining an open outer top free end, said first socket member adapted to receive said lower end portion of said elongated plant holder in said open outer top free end and to support said plant holder in upright position; (c) a number of radial finger members, extending radially outwardly from said base plate member integrally thereof and substantially within the plane thereof, said finger members being cross-sectionally V-shaped, with the apices thereof being downwardly directed, for direct engagement against said flower pot base wall; and (d) means for adjusting the length of each said finger member; wherein said self-positioning device is adaptable to any one of flower pots of different sizes and shapes and wherein said self-positioning device enables selective positioning of said first socket member within said flower pot to accommodate any one of a variety of plant foliage configurations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said length-adjusting means includes a number of lengthwisely spaced transverse grooves made in said finger members to facilitate the cutting of said finger members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein said base plate member further defines a bottom face and wherein said apices of said V-shaped finger members define a common plane which is downwardly offset relative to said base plate member bottom face, whereby said base plate member overhangs spacedly over said flower pot base wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 3, wherein said finger members radially extend inwardly relative to the outer periphery of said base plate member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 2, further comprising a second socket member upwardly projecting from said base plate member, said first and said second socket members being tangentially adjacent and integrally linked to one another at their respective outer periphery, whereby said first and said second socket members gain structural stiffness due to the greater total cross-section thereof, relative to said first socket member alone and wherein said second socket member defines an open outer top free end, said first and said second socket member open outer top free ends being of different sizes to be engaged by and accommodate plant holders of different sizes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 5, further comprising a stay plate member edgewisely anchored on said base plate member and integrally attached to said second socket member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second socket members and said stay plate member are aligned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said V-shaped finger members defines two upwardly-extending sides and wherein each said finger member comprises an end wall which provides structural integrity to each said finger member by linking said two upwardly extending sides to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein there are at least three said finger members, of which at least two finger members are directed in generally opposite directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A self-positioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein there are five said finger members, said finger members being circumferentially equidistant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |