Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02639543 2008-08-29
STAND FOR PLANTS OR THE LIKE
This invention relates to a stand which can be used to support plants
or similar items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
US Patents 4,101,038 (Craig) issued July 18, 1978, 3,035,708
(Freeman) issued October 12, 1959 and 3,003,646 (Wolf) issued October 10, 1961
disclose arrangements including a pole which can be mounted to stand
vertically
with various attachments carried off the pole for supporting articles such as
plant
pots.
Devices of this type which are inexpensive to manufacture 'arid
convenient to package and ship are however not readily available. Such devices
usable on a balcony by apartment residents for supporting plant pots would be
valuable to allow the residents some ability to simply and conveniently store
and
cultivate plants. As such balconies are generally made of concrete, installing
any
mounting devices to the ceiling is generally difficult or commonly not allowed
by the
apartment owners. A post of this type can act as a space saver for
conveniently
mounting the articles to be carried in a single location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the invention to provide a stand which can be
supported between a floor and ceiling.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an
Apparatus for supporting plants pots and the like comprising:
,
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a tubular post;
a top plate attached to the post for engaging a ceiling surface or other
upper abutment surface;
a boftom base member attached to the post for engaging a floor or
other lower support surface such as a rail of a balcony;
the post being adjustable in length to bring the top plate and the
bottom plate into engagement with the surfaces to hold the post vertical;
a spring mounted on the post for engaging components of the post
which act to force the top plate and the bottom base member apart so as to
apply
forces on the ceiling surface and the floor surface to hold the post tight;
a plurality of collars mounted on the post at spaced positions along the
post;
and a plurality of generally outwardly extending wire hangers mounted
on each of the collars of the post so as to extend outwardly from the post.
Preferably the hangers are adjustable in angle relative to the
respective collar around the post.
Preferably the hangers each include a down-turned inner end for
engaging into a respective receptacle of the respective collar at the post for
rotation
around the inner end.
Preferably the collars are mounted on the post for vertical adjustment
movement and 360 degree rotational movement and are located at a required
vertical position on the post by a transverse locating pin within a hole in
the post.
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Preferably the length of the post is adjustable by providing a rotatable
nut engaging a threaded rod movable longitudinally of the post.
Preferably the length of the post is adjustable by providing a rotatable
nut engaging a threaded rod movable longitudinally of the post and wherein the
spring is a helical coil spring located between the nut and an end of the
post.
Preferably the position of the threaded rod relative to the end of the
post is selected such that the spring is partly compressed when the top plate
and the
bottom base member are in engagement with the ceiling surface and floor
surface
respectively.
Preferably the threaded rod is attached to the top plate.
Preferably the top plate includes screw holes.
Preferably the bottom base member has four legs extending outwardly
from the post for engaging the floor surface at angularly spaced positions
around the
post.
Preferably the bottom base member is formed from two vertical planar
plate portions crossing at right angles at the boftom of the tubular post.
Preferably the two vertical planar plate portions crossing at right angles
at the bottom of the tubular post each have two slots extending downwardly
from a
top edge into each of which a bottom end portion of the tubular post is
inserted.
Preferably the two vertical planar base plate portions crossing at right
angles at the bottom of the tubular post are arranged with one having a
joining slot
extending from the top edge downwardly and the other having a joining slot
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extending from the bottom edge upwardly so that the joining slots inter-engage
to
hold the base plate portions crossing at right angles.
Preferably the tubular post includes an upper tubular post portion and
a lower tubular post portion and an insert tubular post portion all of the
same
diameter and arranged to be connected end to end co-axially by an inserted
joining
piece.
Preferably the joining piece comprises a pair of joining plate portions
crossing at right angles and arranged with one having a joining slot extending
from
the top edge downwardly and the other having a joining slot extending from the
bottom edge upwardly so that the joining slots inter-engage to hold the
joining plate
portions crossing at right angles, the joining piece so formed having an upper
piece
extending into the upper tubular post portion with outer edges of the upper
piece
engaging as a sliding fit into the upper tubular post portion and a lower
piece
extending into the lower tubular post portion with outer edges of the lower
piece
engaging as a press fit into the lower tubular post portion to hold them end
to end
and co-axial. The piece which is a press fit is thus intended to remain in
place and
thus can be shorter because there is less tendency to twist because of the
closer
tolerances. The other piece is a sliding fit to be inserted during
installation and
therefore needs to be longer to prevent the larger tolerances from allowing
twisting
under load.
The fact that the joining piece is formed of two plates at right angles
allows the joining piece to be inserted in tubes which have a pronounced
longitudinal
,
CA 02639543 2008-08-29
.
seam since the angular orientation of the plate portions can be arranged to
avoid the
seam. Also the plate pieces allow a channel through the joined posts for
threading
of wires or the like.
This joint can be used in other types of post portions for joining them
5 end to end and is not limited to the post described hereinafter.
Preferably each of the joining plate portions of the joining piece has a
projecting shoulder portion projecting outwardly from the outer edge thereof
to
extend between the upper and lower post portions to prevent the joining piece
from
moving longitudinally in the post portions in the event that the frictional
fit becomes
loose.
Preferably each of the joining plate portions has a longer end and a
shorter end so that than the other of the joining plate portions where the
ends each
have a hole arranged such that the hole intersects the slot and the holes are
aligned.
This can be used to hold the post portion attached to the joint for painting
or powder
coat.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an
apparatus for supporting plants pots and the like comprising:
a tubular post;
a top plate attached to the post for engaging a ceiling surface;
a bottom base member attached to the post for engaging a floor
surface;
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the post being adjustable in length to bring the top plate and the
bottom plate into engagement with the ceiling and floor to hold the post
vertical;
a spring mounted on the post for engaging components of the post
which act to force the top plate and the bottom base member apart so as to
apply
forces on the ceiling surface and the floor surface to hold the post tight;
a plurality of collars mounted on the post at spaced positions along the
post;
and a plurality of generally outwardly extending wire hangers mounted
on each of the collars of the post so as to extend outwardly from the post;
wherein the bottom base member is formed from two vertical planar
plate portions which can be connected so as to cross at right angles at the
bottom of
the tubular post
wherein the tubular post includes an upper tubular post portion and a
lower tubular post portion and an insert tubular post portion all of the same
diameter
and arranged to be connected end to end co-axially by an inserted joining
piece;
and wherein the joining piece comprises two planar joining plate
portions which can be connected so as to cross at ric}ht angles and arranged
with
one having a joining slot extending from the top edge downwardly and the other
having a joining slot extending from the bottom edge upwardly so that the
joining
slots inter-engage to hold the joining plate portions crossing at right
angles, the
joining piece so formed having an upper piece extending into the upper tubular
post
portion with outer edges of the upper piece engaging as a sliding fit into the
upper
, .. . ..... .. .. . . ,
. . , . . .. . . . { . . . . .
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tubular post portion and a lower piece extending into the lower tubular post
portion
with outer edges of the lower piece engaging as a pres fit into the lower
tubular post
portion to hold them end to end and co-axial.
The invention therefore provides a pole planter created as a space
saver to hold multiple hanging plants for balcony or apartments. The pole
planter
can also be used in residential homes, commercial locations, on the front
step, on
patios or anywhere where there are two solid horizontal planes with a distance
between 7.5 feet to 10 feet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is side elevational view partly in cross-section of the stand
according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the base of the stand of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale of the top end
only of the stand of Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are side elevational views of the joint and the
components of the joint of the stand of Figure
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The stand for supporting plants pots includes a tubular post 10 formed
by three pieces including a top piece 11, a bottom piece 12 and a intermediate
piece
13 which can be inserted to provide an increased length when required.
A top plate 14 is attached to the post for engaging a ceiling surface. A
bottom base member 15 is attached to the post for engaging a floor surface. A
pair
of collars 16 and 17 are mounted on the post at spaced positions along the
post.
Each comprises a sleeve 18 and a top flange 19 with a series of spaced holes
20
around the flange. Each collar carries a series of generally outwardly
extending wire
hangers 21 mounted on each of the collars 16, 17 of the post so as to extend
outwardly from the post. Each wire hangers has a down-turned inner end portion
22
extending vertically through the hole so that each hanger is adjustable by
rotation
around the inner end in angle relative to the respective collar around the
post.
The collars 16, 17 are mounted on the post for vertical adjustment
movement and are located at a required position on the post by a transverse
locating pin 23 within a selected hole 24 in the post. The collars can also
rotate
around the post through 360 degrees.
The post is adjustable in length by providing a rotatable nut 30
engaging a threaded rod 31 movable longitudinally of the post to bring the top
plate
14 and the bottom base 15 into engagement with the ceiling and floor to hold
the
post vertical. A spring 32 mounted on the post for engaging a top bushing 33
of the
post which act to force the top plate 14 attached to the rod 31 and the botfom
base
,
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member 15 apart so as to apply forces on the ceiling surface and the floor
surface to
hold the post tight.
The length of the post is adjusted by rotating the nut on the threaded
rod on the post until the helical coil spring 32 located between the nut and
the
bushing of the post is partly compressed when the top plate and the bottom
base
member are in engagement with the ceiling surface and floor surface
respectively.
The top plate includes screw holes 14A.
The bottom base member 15 has four legs extending outwardly from
the post for engaging the floor surface at angularly spaced positions around
the
post. The bottom base member is formed from two vertical planar plate portions
40
and 41 crossing at right angles at the bottom of the tubular post where the
two
vertical planar plate portions each have two slots 42 and 43 extending
downwardly
from a top edge 44 into each of which a bottom end portion 45 of the tubular
post is
inserted.
The two vertical planar base plate portions cross at right angles at the
bottom of the tubular post by one having a joining slot 46 extending from the
top
edge downwardly and the other having a joining slot 47 extending from the
bottom
edge 48 upwardly so that the joining slots inter-engage to hold the base plate
portions crossing at right angles.
As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 the upper tubular post portion and the
lower tubular post portion and the insert tubular post portion all of the same
diameter
and arranged to be connected end to end co-axially by an inserted joining
piece 50.
CA 02639543 2008-08-29
The joining piece comprises a pair of joining plate portions 51 and 52
crossing at
right angles and arranged with one having a joining slot 54 extending from the
top
edge downwardly and the other having a joining slot 53 extending from the
bottom
edge upwardly so that the joining slots inter-engage to hold the joining plate
portions
5 crossing at right angles. The joining piece 50 so formed has an upper piece
55
extending into the upper tubular post 11 portion with outer edges of the upper
piece
engaging as a sliding fit into the upper tubular post portion and a lower
piece 56
extending into the lower tubular post portion with outer edges of the lower
piece
engaging as a press fit into the lower tubular post portion to hold them end
to end
10 and co-axial.
Each of the joining plate portions of the joining piece has a projecting
shoulder portion 57 projecting outwardly from the outer edge 58 thereof to
extend
between the upper and lower post portions to hold ends of the upper and lower
post
portions spaced.
Each of the joining plate portions has a longer end 59 and a shorter
end 60 so that than the other of the joining plate portions where the ends
each have
a hole 61, 62 arranged such that the hole 62 intersects the slot 54 and the
holes 61
and 62 are aligned.
The pole planter is capable of holding one to eight 12 inch pots around
the circumference of the pole. Also, the pole planter may be positioned in a
corner
and the plants hung to one side of the pole by positioning the eight swiveling
brackets 4 enabling the ultimate use of space.
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The post has been split into two parts for packaging and transporting.
The main post portion is 4.0 feet long and can be provided in lengths from 3.5
feet to
4.5 feet corresponding with the overall length needed.
The stand can also be used to hang clothes to dry. For instance, shirts
on a hanger may be directly hung on the brackets defined by the rods 4.
Due to the provision of the spring, the stand can be used where frost
may change the dimension between the top and bottom horizontal surfaces.
Thus the design has the following features:
The base stand is comprised of two flat plate parts and the tube joint -is
also comprised of two flat plate parts for easy transportation.
The swivelling hanger component is made of the flange welded or
joined to a round sleeve, which also revolves 360 degrees around the stand,
and is
adjustable in height using holes with pin inserted, into up-right poles.
The heavy duty spring has been added to the tensioning apparatus.
The base is formed from the two flat metal parts, where the parts are
assembled together to provide a base for the stand and four notched slots to
accept
the round tube. These parts are easily fitted together by hand. When downward
pressure is applied to assembled planter, the four slots in the base (shown in
drawings) apply vertical pressure to the tube and creates a strong and
flexible joint.
These also provide a crossed portion in the center which extend into the tube
to
firmly hold the tube. The bottom edge of the parts is recessed at the center
to
provide outer edge parts which engage the floor surface. Thus pressure on the
floor
,
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surface can slightly distort the plate to tighten the slots and hold the tube
more
effectively.
The joint is formed of two flat metal parts, where the two parts are
assembled and welded, join the tubes together end to end. The joint is also
used to
extend the planter to 10 feet, by supplying an extra 2 foot long tube and
joint. The
joint fits snugly to one end of tube and more loosely on the opposite end,
allowing
easy assembly.
Note: the unique design of the joint (locating on 4 points of inner
diameter of tube) is based on 3 factors that it is simple and cost effective
to
manufacture, it is easily assembled, and provides a secure strong joint, it
fits all
sizes and types of tubing, meaning that when tubing is of the welded type,
leaving a
welded seam down the length and inside of the tube. The joint is installed by
revolving the joint to a spot where it does not interfere with the welded
joint.
The swiveling hanger component includes the short tube and
connected it to the flange that accepts the swivelling hangers. The assembled
unit
revolves 360 degrees around the base tube. The hangers swivel, and the
assembled
unit revolves by holding the short tube by hand and turned. The height of the
hanger
component is adjusted by using the holes provided and inserting a pin into
hole.
Tightening of the post between the floor and ceiling is provided by the
spring which is typically 2 inches long x 1"outside diameter x 1/2" inside
diameter.
The wire is rectangular 1/8"x 3/16". A rectangular shape, commonly found in
the
automotive industry, used in the rocker-valve operations in motors.
,
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After the rod is adjusted within the nut to the required length to cause
the top and bottom of the post to contact the ceiling and floor respectively,
the spring
is compressed by further turning the nut. The spring is compressed to the
required or
predetermined pressure, which is sufficient to properly locate the structure
while
being insufficient to cause structural damage, by rotating the nut to a
location on the
rod fully compressing the spring and then by turning back the nut two turns in
the
opposite direction. This compressed state of the spring provides a number of
advantages. First, when the material expands and contracts due to heat and
cold,
the spring reacts to balance consistent value of pressure.
This arrangement using the spring to measure and control the force
applied by the post between the floor and ceiling ensures that the installer,
commonly an unskilled person, avoids continuing to apply screw force to a
situation
where damage occurs to the floor, ceiling or post.
The spring is flexible and applies consistent upward pressure to the top
plate. When vertical pressure is supplied to mid elevations of the pole, the
pressure
to the top plate is always applied to the middle of the plate, as the spring
supplies
pressure to the nut and stud and further to the top plate. Rather than a
situation
where if the components are so rigid that any side or vertical pressure to the
pole
would transfer pressure to one side of the perimeter of the plate.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
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scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
