GB2363070A - Pole-mounted receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A receptacle 1, eg for holding food or plants, has an aperture in its base from which a locating tube 2, possibly integral with the base, extends upwardly. The upper end of the tube has resilient fingers 3 which can be clamped by a mechanism 5 against a supporting pole 4 passing through the tube and aperture. The tube may be of constant diameter or tapered and may have an inner surface of gripping material, eg rubber, possibly provided as a separate sleeve. Such sleeve may be provided in varying diameters to allow fixation to different sized poles.

Description

2363070 SUPPORTED RECEPTACLE The present invention relates to a receptacle

which can be supported on an upright member. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a garden pot or planter which can be supported on a pole.

Garden pots or planters can normally only be arranged vertically one above another if they are supplied integrally in that manner. It would be desirable to be able to achieve such a vertical arrangement but supplied in a compact form. It would also be desirable to be able to fasten pots around poles. It would be a further advantage if, in either situation, the heights of the pots or planters could be varied in accordance with the wishes of the customer.

GB2295965 (granted to us) discloses a receptacle with a recess in the underside of its base with a view to its supporting means fitting within that recess. The major use envisaged for GB22959565 is a receptacle to go round the pole of a parasol.

However in order to be used for garden pots or planters as envisaged above it is preferable if the supporting means is situated at the top of the upright locating tube and there is therefore no necessity for a recess in the underside of the base. Indeed such a recess might render the structure less stable.

Accordingly the present invention provides a receptacle having an aperture formed in the underside of its base, an upright locating tube extending from and having its bore aligned with said aperture, said locating tube having supporting means arranged to engage an upright receptacle-supporting member extending though said locating tube whereby said receptacle can be supported in an elevated position by said receptacle-supporting member the upper end of said locating tube being located above the base.

Preferably said supporting means is located at or near the top of said locating tube.

Preferably said supporting means is removable from said locating tube.

Said supporting means can be separate from or integral with said locating tube and comprises a clamp which may be mounted either on said locating tube or on said upright receptacle-supporting member.

Said locating tube is conveniently moulded integrally with the base of the receptacle but alternatively a separate locating tube can be used.

Said locating tube can either have completely vertical sides or can be upwardly or downwardly tapering.

Said receptacle is conveniently made of plastic material e.g. polypropylene but it is envisaged that other materials such as china, porcelain, terracotta, earthenware, pottery, wood, metal or glass may alternatively be used.

The invention can refer to a single such receptacle or to two or more receptacles arranged to engage the same said upright receptaclesupporting member.

Figure I is an elevation partly in section of a receptacle in accordance with the invention.

Referring to figure I the illustrated receptacle 1 is shown partly cut away to reveal an integral locating tube 2 which is fitted through an aperture in its base and extends upwardly to the open top of the receptacle. The locating tube 2 terminates in resilient spring fingers 3 which are urged against an uprIght-supporting pole 4 by clamping arrangement 5.

The locating tube 2 and main body of the receptacle I are formed from suitable plastic material such as polypropylene although other materials may be employed, particularly for locating tube 2 in order to provide the required friction and resilience.

The locating tube 2 and especially its spring finger portion may optionally be lined with suitable gripping material such as rubber or the like in order to enable the receptacle to be securely located without damaging the surface of the supporting pole 4. Replaceable sleeves of gripping material may be provided in a variety of thicknesses in order to allow a locating tube of standard size to engage with upright receptaclesupporting members of various diameters and profiles.

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Claims (16)

1. A receptacle having an aperture formed in the underside of its base, an upright locating tube extending from and having its bore aligned with said aperture, said locating tube having supporting means arranged to engage an upright receptacle-supporting member extending though said locating tube whereby said receptacle can be supported in an elevated position by said receptacle-supporting member the upper end of said locating tube being located above the base.

2. A receptacle as. claimed in claim I wherein said supporting means is removable from said locating tube.

3. A receptacle as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises a clamping arrangement which in use attaches said locating tube to said upright receptacle-supporting member.

4. A receptacle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said clamping arrangement comprises a generally circular clamp which can be tightened round resilient spring figures extending upwardly from said tube.

5. A receptacle as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said clamping arrangement is located above the base of the receptacle and clamps said locating tube against said upright receptacle-supporting member.

6. A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said locating tube has an external threaded portion and said clamping arrangement comprises a nut which can be screwed onto said threaded portion to urge said spring fingers radically inwards.

7. A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said locating tube extends upwardly from the base towards the mouth of said receptacle.

8. A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said locating tube has a constant diameter.

9. A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said locating tube has a diameter which tapers upwardly or downwardly.

I O.A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said locating tube is moulded integrally with the base of the receptacle.

1 LA receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said locating tube is provided with gripping material on its inner surface.

12.A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim wherein said clamping arrangement comprises a sleeve of elastomeric material which engages said tube and is adapted to grip said upright receptacle-supporting member.

13. A receptacle as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a generally circular clamp which can be tightened around a portion of said sleeve which extends beyond said tube to grip said upright receptaclesupporting member.

14. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more cut-out portions are provided at the edge thereof which are adapted to support a receptacle for food, drink, flowers or plants.

15.A receptacle as claimed in any previous claim which is constructed, shaped and dimensioned to be used as a container for plants, flowers, decorations, food or drink.

16. A receptacle substantially as described hereinabove with reference to the accompanying drawing.

16.A receptacle substantially as described herein above with reference to figure I in the accompanying drawing.

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I. A Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A receptacle having an aperture formed in an un-recessed portion of the underside of its base, an upright locating tube extending upwardly from and having its bore aligned with said aperture, said locating tube having s upporting means disposed above said basp:and arranged to engage an upright receptacle-supporting member extending though said locating tube whereby said receptacle can be supported in an elevated position by said receptacle-supporting member.

2. A receptacle as claimed in claim I wherein said supporting means is located at or 10 near the top of said locating tube.

3. A receptacle as claimed in any claim I or claim 2 wherein said locating tube terminates at the mouth of said receptacle.

15 4. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said supporting means is removable from said locating tube.

5. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said supporting means comprises a clamping arrangement which in use attaches said locating tube to said 20 upright receptacle-supporting member.

6. A receptacle as claimed in claim 5 wherein said clamping arrangement comprises a generally circular clamp which can be tightened round resilient spring figures extending upwardly from said locating tube.

7. A receptacle as claimed in claim 6 wherein said locating tube has an external threaded portion and said clamping arrangement comprises a nut which can be screwed onto said threaded portion to urge said spring fingers radially inwards.

30 8. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said locating tube has a constant diameter.

9. A receptacle as claimed in any of claims I to 7 wherein said locating tube is tapered upwardly or downwardly.

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ce 10. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said locating tube is moulded integrally with the base of the receptacle.

11. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said locating tube is provided with gripping material on its inner surface.

12.A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said clamping arrangement comprises a sleeve of elastomeric material which engages said locating tube and is adapted to grip said upright receptacle-supporting member.

10 13. A receptacle as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a generally circular clamp which can be tightened around a portion of said sleeve which extends beyond said tube to grip said upright receptacle\supporting member.

14. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more cut-out portions are provided at the edge thereof which are adapted to support a receptacle for food, drink, flowers or plants.

15. A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim which is constructed, shaped and dimensioned to be used as a container for plants, flowers, decorations, food or drink.