Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to the area of rotating plant
holders.
It is frequently the case when growing plants that it is
very difficult to achieve symmetrical growth. There is a pronounced
tendency in some cases for the entire plant to bend toward the light
source. In other cases the side of the plant facing the light source
develops much more quickly. AgainJ the colours of the plant can be
dramatically effected by an uneven llght source. These are proble~s
which are difficult of solution to the average householder who does
not want to devote a disproportionate amount of time to plant care.
The problems are magnified in the case of hobbyists and
others who have an interest over and above the general attractiveness
of the plant. Thus, for example, for those entering plant shows,
symmetry is often a condition precedent to success, since it is
frequently one of the specifled attributes on which awards are based.
Similarly, florists and plant growers are able to benefit greatly
through increased sales where their plants get off to a good start in
terms of symmetry.
It is therefore clear that plant symmetry is an important
goal in decorative plant growing. Furthermore, it is clear that the
achievement of symmetry depends on the presence of an even light
source on all sides of the plant. The solution to the problem must
therefore be aimed at provision of such an even light source.
It is most frequently the case that plant growers simply
rely on a regular turning of the plant manually to attempt to ensure
equal light to all sides of the plant. This is frequently combined
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with a system of special lighting. This procedure has little to
recommend it. It requires regular attendance at the growing site, the
most obvious drawback. Where combined with a special lighting
arrangement the whole set-up is often very unattractive, thus
destroying the decorative value of the plants.
Such procedures are really only useful for those whose only
interest in the plants is for show purposes.
PRIOR ART
It is known to provide a motorized platform upon which to
place a plant pot for rotation. Thus, for example, U.S. Patent
3,360,885 granted January 2, 1968, to St. Clair describes such a
rotating arrangement. In the past these devices have generally been
powered by electriclty from the household circuits. The disadvantages
of such a system are numerous and obvious. For example, the
electrical supply cord to the household outlet is unsightly and
interferes with cleaning, etc. This factor is worsened where there is
no conveniently located outlet and the use of an extension cord is
required. An additional difficulty arising out of the use of a
household outlet is that an outlet would have to be taken up by each
such plant holder used, and there are in most residences a limited
number of outlets available.
A further difficulty with the usual electrical type rotator
is that the unit must be activated and deactivated at the beginning
and end of each day. Otherwise, the unit is simply wasting elec-
tricity during hours of darkness. This problem is magnified during
holidays or vacation times when there is likely to be no one available
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~t the appropriate times ~or activating and deactivating the
mechanism.
It is therefore evident that a number of the problems
associated with ~anual turning of plants are also present in the
electrical units powered by household circuits.
The present invention overcomes these difficulties by pro-
viding a rotating plant holder powered by one or more solar energy
cells. The unit is thus simply placed in a window or other preferred
location, and the incident light on the cells causes the unit to
rotate.
Thus the invention provides a rotating plant holder com-
prising a fixed base member containing at least one solar energy cell,
a motor energized by said solar cell, and an upper platform member
rotatably attached to said base member and driven by said motor.
The preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
plant rotator of the invention, and
Figure 2 shows the motor and gear reducer combination.
The base member 2 is illustrated as being of cylindrical
shape. Tllis is the preferred shape, although clearly many other shapes
could be used as desired. The side of the cylinder 4 contains solar
energy cells 6. These are standard silicon type solar cells
generating, for example, 0.5 volts*. These cells can be fitted to the
base in any convenient manner. Preferably the base is hollow, tlle
cells are seL into the wall of tlle base, and the electrical connections
are by means of wires within the hollow base. Thus the leads ~ from
* known per se and commercially available
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cells 6 terminate at the terminals 10.
The motor 12 is fixed to the base 2 and is connected
electrically by leads 14 to the terminals 10. Motor 12 is functional
at .3S to 1.5 volts at 25 mA current. Electrical energy to drive the
motor is thus supplied by cells 6 via the terminals 10. Obviously a
relatively very low rate of rotation is required at the final output.
It is therefore necessary to introduce a gear reduction mechanism
between the motor 12 and the final output.
Thus the gear reducer unit 16 is attached to the motor shaft
and transmits power from the motor to a main gear 18 via the gear 2~
incorporated into the shaft 22 of the gear reducer 16. &ear reducer 16
has a step down ratio of, for example, 1/1000 to 1.
The centre shaft 24 is fixed in the base 2. Bearing support
26 is incorporated into the centre shaft 24. The inner race 28 of the
bearing 30 is fixed to the bear~ng support 26~ The outer race 32 is
ree to rotate on the ball bearings.
The main gear 18 is fixed to the ollter race 32 of the bearing
30, preferably by friction fit. Similarly, centre cap 34 of upper
platform 36 is fixed to the outer race 32 of the bearlng 30, again
preferably by friction fit.
Thus when power is transmitted from shaft 22 of gear reducer
16 to the main gear 18, the upper platform 36 is free to rotate with
the outer race 32 of the bearing 30.
The upper platform 36 has a top surface which is preferably
flat. Combined with the supports 38 extending from centre cap 34, thLs
confi~uration concentrates tlle mass toward the centre cap 34, and thus
reduces ~or4ue required of the motor 12. Suppor~s 38 extend outwardly
and u?wardly from the cap 34 to meet the lower surface of platform 36,
* known per se and commercially available
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this construction assisting to reduce the effects of off-centre
loading of the platform during rotation.
The preferred cylindrical configùration for the base has the
advantage that a series of solar cells placed around a portion of the
side will allow for more direct sunlight to strike one or other of the
cells in the series throughout a larger portion of the day.
The advantages arising from the use of the above described
device are readily apparent. It is not necessary to utilize scarce
utility supplied energy for a merely decorative use. Further, there
is no requirement to turn the system "on" or "off", once it is
positioned.
Apart from the labour and energy saving features noted, the
invention has the additional advantages that the motor can be
controlled to rotate the plant more quickly when there is a high light
incidence and more slowly when le~s light is available. Thus the
device tends not only to give the plant even directional exposure, but
also more even exposure in terms of quantity of light.
While the invention has been described in detail in respect
of the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary
it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
