US20100011661A1

US20100011661A1 - Apparatus for suspending flowerpot(s) or container(s)

Info

Publication number: US20100011661A1
Application number: US12/218,314
Authority: US
Inventors: Christian McLaughlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-15
Filing date: 2008-07-15
Publication date: 2010-01-21

Abstract

The invention provides a means to suspend a single or a series of flower pots and or containers. The invention is comprised of a plank like body having at least one flat edge into which is molded or cut a cavity, or a series of cavities. Each cavity affords the entry of a flowerpot or container. Each cavity contains a weight bearing shoulder an angled inner wall, upon which the lip and body of a flowerpot or container may rest, flanked by a supporting finger which enters the flowerpot or container holding it against the angled inner wall and all components are spatially situated to compliment the lip and or body of a common flowerpot or container.

Description

BACKGROUND

This invention provides for a means to suspend a single or series of flowerpots, or other containers, which may or may not hold plants.
Traditionally potted plants have been grown in containers set on level surfaces and or attached to preexisting structures such as walls, posts, fences or overhead fixtures by means of screws, wires, hooks or the like. Prior art hangers of this class have several disadvantages, for example: (1) the hangers are limited to a single flowerpot or container; (2) the hangers need to receive fasteners for adhering the hangers to preexisting structures; (3) the preexisting structures, often walls or posts, are permanently damaged by the attachment mechanism; (4) the number of flowerpots and or containers that may be displayed are limited by the available space on the preexisting structures; (5) the flowerpots and containers are not readily and easily removable from the hangers; (6) the hangers do not readily accommodate a wide variety of flowerpots or containers; (7) several hangers are comprised of various parts and movable components; (8) and the hangers are aesthetically not pleasing.
There is a need for a mechanism that allows flowerpots or containers to be suspended, that maximizes the number of flowerpots or containers that may be displayed in a given area, that limits the need for specific preexisting physical structures, that allows for easy interchangeability of flowerpots or containers while accepting a wide variety of flowerpots or containers and that maintains desirable aesthetic qualities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism, method and aesthetically pleasing means to conveniently hang a single or large number of flowerpots and or containers. The invention may be suspended from an overhanging structure or supported by a base that rests on a suitable surface.
To achieve the objectives, the body of the invention may be made a various materials, but most easily can be constructed of plastic or wood. The body of the invention is a long board or plank like structure with at least one flat edge that can accommodate a novel notching system to receive and support a flowerpot or other containers of various shapes and sizes. The notching system may be repeated over the length of the wall or walls of the board or plank in such a way as to maximize the number of flowerpots and or containers that may be conveniently inserted over the length of the board or plank while allowing sufficient space for such things as plant growth. A vertical series can allow for each pot or container to drain into the one below it, while allowing each flowerpot or container the ability to remain aerated. A container or drip-tray can easily be attached to any of the notches, or at the bottom most end of a series, to capture excess water and prevent unwanted drainage from the system.
The nature of the board or plank like body allows the invention to be easily suspended from an overhead structure or stood upright from a base placed on a suitable surface. The ability for the series to be vertical provides for an efficient use of space while affording an aesthetically pleasing display.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned features of the invention will be further clarified by the following detailed description when considered with references to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, is a magnified perspective side view of the notching system illustrating its major components;

FIG. 2, is a magnified perspective side view of the novel notching system illustrating its acceptance of a flowerpot or container;

FIG. 3, is a magnified perspective side view of the novel notching system in a series;

FIG. 4, is a magnified perspective side view of the novel notching system in a series, illustrating its acceptance of flowerpots or containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Main Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a magnified perspective side view of the novel notching system utilized in the apparatus. The notching system is molded or cut into the flat edge of a board or plank like body 1 (FIG. 1). The upper portion of the notching system, best shown in FIG. 1, creates an inverted cavity 2 (FIG. 1). One end of the cavity forms a finger like extension 3 (FIG. 1). The finger like extension flanks a recessed shoulder 4 (FIG. 1) and angled inner wall 5 (FIG. 1). The finger like extension and recessed shoulder afford a mouth or opening 6 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 2 shows the insertion of a flowerpot or container 7 into the novel notching system.
FIG. 3 shows the novel notching system repeated in series over a flat edge or the flat edges of a board or plank like body 1 (FIG. 3). The upper portion of the notching system creates an inverted cavity 2 (FIG. 3). One end of the cavity forms a finger like extension 3 (FIG. 3). The finger like extension flanks a recessed shoulder 4 (FIG. 3) and angled inner wall 5 (FIG. 3). The finger like extension and recessed shoulder afford a mouth or opening 6 (FIG. 3).
FIG. 4 shows the insertion of a series of flowerpots or containers 7 (FIG. 4) into the novel notching system.

Preferred Embodiment

The length of the board or plank like body 1 (FIG. 3) determines the number of repetitive notches that may be located on each flat edge of the body, and hence the number of flowerpots or containers that may be suspended by the system. It is best to distribute an equal number of identical notches along each flat edge, allowing for an equal number of flowerpots or containers to be affixed to each side, therefore providing balance to the overall apparatus. The system can be suspended from an overhead structure using the connecting eyehole or eyelet. The system may also be affixed to a base and stood vertically from any surface having sufficient dimensions to support said base. The mouth 6 (FIG. 1), cavity 2 (FIG. 1), finger like extension 3 (FIG. 1) and shoulder 4 (FIG. 1) are large enough to accommodate a wide variety of flowerpot or container rims as illustrated in FIG. 2. The inner wall 5 (FIG. 1) is angled in such a way as to compliment the outer wall of a wide variety of flowerpots and or containers while allowing said flowerpots or containers to sit in a level position, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The angled inner wall is designed to allow the weight of the flowerpot or container to be distributed across the surface area of said angled inner wall, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The geometry of the notch system combined with the weight of the flowerpot or container affords resistance to the unwanted dislodging of the flowerpot or container from the apparatus. Thus since the invention allows for a series of flowerpots or containers to be easily suspended along an axis, it maximizes the amount of utilizable space, provides for drainage between the vertical flowerpots or containers, allows for aeration of the flowerpots or containers and provides an aesthetically pleasing means to display such flowerpots or containers.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with some particularity, this should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiment. Many other modifications and variations in the invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. What I claim as my invention is a three-dimensional devise for suspending a flowerpot or container, comprised of a body having at least one flat edge into which is molded or cut, a cavity, for the entry of a flowerpot or container, which said cavity contains a weight bearing shoulder and angled inner wall, upon which the lip and body of a flowerpot or container may rest, flanked by a supporting finger which enters the flowerpot or container holding it against the angled inner wall and all components are spatially situated to compliment the lip and or body of a common flowerpot or container.

2. The structure of claim one in which the devise is repeated in a series down the edge of a board or plank like body, creating a means to suspend multiple flowerpots or containers in one system.

3. The structure of claim two in which a hole or eyelet is placed at one end of the board or plank, allowing said board or plank to be suspended from, or attached to, an overhead structure.

4. The structure of claim two in which one end of the board or plank is fit to a base, allowing said board or plank to stand upright when the base is placed on a suitable surface.