Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Mobile light-deprivation greenhouse
Field of the Invention
The invention is a horticultural tool directed towards enhancing the quality
of short-day
photoperiodic plants by selectively blocking their exposure to the sun.
Background of the Invention
The trend towards legalizing marijuana is creating new markets for high-
quality
cannabis; commercial growing facilities are springing up to meet the demand.
More
importantly, individuals are gaining the freedom to legally cultivate a small
number of
cannabis plants for personal use. Their legal situation is quite similar to
that which
governs people wishing to brew their own beer or to grow their own tobacco.
Expert cannabis growers utilize a horticultural technique known as "light-
deprivation".
Light-deprivation exploits the plant's natural "short-day photoperiodicity"
trait by
subjecting it to periods of artificial darkness, thereby simulating late-
season (short-day)
growing conditions. The plant's natural response is to prematurely sprout
flowers,
thereby exposing the buds to optimal, mid-summer conditions. Light-deprivation
can
advance flowering by approximately 2 months so practicing it rewards the
grower with a
much better harvest than if the same plants had spent their peak mid-summer
growth
period producing leafy foliage instead of high-value flowers.
Both cannabis and tobacco are short-day photoperiodic plants suitable for
cultivating
with the present invention. Other useful or decorative plants exhibit short-
day
photoperiodism (basil, green onion, coffee, chrysanthemum, poinsettia and many
more).
The mobile greenhouse described below is therefore a multi-purpose gardening
tool
and its use is not limited to cultivating cannabis. Cannabis (like tobacco) is
one of many
short-day photoperiodic plants and is used herein as an illustrative example
to describe
and claim the present invention. Users located in jurisdictions where growing
cannabis
with this device is still illegal may use it for growing other plants.
Ideal growing conditions
Since cannabis evolved under a hot tropical sun, its genetic makeup responds
optimally
to intense natural sunlight shining directly onto its flower buds. No
horticultural system
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based on artificial indoor lighting can match the full-spectrum energy and
intensity of the
sun so outdoor growing is inherently better-suited to producing a higher-
quality product,
particularly if it is combined with the use of light-deprivation to lengthen
the period
during which the flower buds are exposed to the more intense light.
Over 100 "cannabinoids" have been identified and while the psychoactive effect
of THC
has been the focus of public attention, the cannabis plant's full array of
cannabinoids
has great potential for providing humanity with beneficial medicines.
Furthermore; the
complex mix of cannabinoids and terpenes contained in sun-ripened and
organically-
grown cannabis provides recreational users with a more enjoyable and savory
experience than ingesting indoor-grown, commercial-grade marijuana.
Highest-quality cannabis can only be grown under ideal conditions. Therefore,
in order
to maximize the plant's benefit to society, it must be grown in a light-
deprivation
greenhouse that can provide the following 3 modes of operation:
1) The greenhouse must include a cloaking mechanism that can deploy an opaque
light-deprivation membrane over the plants in a manner that triggers the
plant's
short-day photoperiodic flowering response. .
2) The greenhouse must also be able to deploy a translucent membrane over the
plants that protects them from wind and cold while still allowing
photosynthesis to
proceed.
3) Since translucent greenhouse coverings attenuate at least 10% of the light
passing through them; and since an impermeable membrane also inhibits proper
plant ventilation; the ideal light-deprivation greenhouse must also be able to
retract both its opaque and its translucent membranes, thereby enabling
complete ventilation and allowing the sun to shine directly onto the plant's
prematurely-sprouted flowers. Ideally, good ventilation of the plants is also
maintained while the light deprivation and translucent coverings are in place.
Indoor cannabis producers who cultivate their plants in a light-tight room can
easily
practice light-deprivation; simply by turning off their grow-lights to
simulate shorter days.
Practicing light-deprivation in a greenhouse or outdoors is a much more
difficult task; a
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grower relying on solar illumination must deploy some sort of light-cloaking
device over
their plants to shorten the period during which sunlight can shine on them.
Prior art devices
To accomplish that light-cloaking task, one relevant prior-art device is US
patent
number 9295202: "Automated canopy greenhouse" by Wallace et al. The Wallace
light-
occlusion mechanism (seen at www.cgs420.com) provides a means for selectively
darkening the growing space inside a large greenhouse; it utilizes a
stationary electric
motor, in combination with a torsion spring to control the travel of cable-
driven trolleys
constrained to travel over a semicircular path, thereby deploying an opaque
planar
sheet or over a quonset-style greenhouse structure. It cannot provide all
three of the
environmental conditions listed above.
Another relevant prior-art cloaking device is US application number
20170071139
entitled: "Greenhouse with synchronizing cover assembly and method for
inducing plant
photoperiodism in plants" by Fence, Johah et at. Their light-cloaking
mechanism (seen
at www.emeraldkingdomgreenhouse.com) operates quite differently; it utilizes a
pair of
mobile electric motors that move in concert to rotate an end of two rolls of
opaque
planar sheet material such that each roll deploys over a curved side of a
greenhouse
structure. It too cannot provide all three of the conditions required for
optimal growth.
Goals of the invention
- Given that the prior-art greenhouse cloaking devices cannot provide all
three of
the environmental conditions needed for optimal yield and quality of a short-
day
photoperiodic crop.
- And given that the prior art light-deprivation devices conceived for
commercial-
scale growing are too big, complex and expensive to scale down to the modest
needs of an individual wishing to grow a small number of high-quality plants
for
personal use.
- And given that, due to shading from nearby buildings, small backyard growers
are often challenged by a lack of sunlight. During each day, the sunlit
portion of
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their property moves so stationary plants cannot enjoy optimal growth. That
problem can only be solved by moving each plant to a location that maintains
its
exposure to direct sunlight. Alternatively, the problem can be addressed by
augmenting weakened natural sunlight with artificial lighting.
- And given that, the external shading problem caused by nearby buildings
is
compounded by internal shading from within each plant's dense foliage.
Internal
shading can be mitigated by pruning and attaching the growing foliage onto a
trellis in a manner that allows more sunlight to penetrate past the plant's
low-
value leafy foliage onto its higher-value flower buds.
- And given that, in temperate climates far from the equator, even when the
sun is
shining directly onto a plant, its intensity is not sufficient for optimal
growth.
Ideally, the intensity of sunlight falling on each plant is somehow amplified
to
simulate the solar conditions it would experience in its native habitat nearer
the
equator.
- And given that, small-scale cannabis growers will be challenged by
stringent
legal requirement to provide security around their plants in order to prevent
their
crop from being stolen by thieves or accessed by underaged users.
The overall goal of the present invention is to provide a light-deprivation
greenhouse
that eliminates all of the drawbacks and challenges noted above.
The invention in its general form will first be succinctly summarized, and
then its
implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with
reference to the
drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate
the
principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The
invention in its
broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined,
in each of
the individual claims which conclude this Specification.
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Summary of the Invention
A mobile greenhouse for cultivating short-day photoperiodic plants comprised
of:
1. a wheeled growing pot for containing a quantity of plant growing media and
configured to form a mobile plant-growing dolly;
2. a trellis-cage affixed onto the plant-growing dolly over its growing pot;
the trellis-
cage being configured for supporting a light-modifying hood that encloses any
foliage growing therein and also configurable for supporting foliage growing
therein;
Optionally included with 1 and 2:
3. an opaque light-deprivation hood that removably fits over the trellis-cage
to
prevent sunlight from reaching the plant foliage growing therein;
4. a translucent greenhouse hood that removably fits over the trellis-cage to
prevent
inclement weather from damaging the plant foliage growing therein;
5. a reflective solar collector panel that is removably affixed to the mobile
greenhouse and formed to concentrate sunlight onto the plant foliage growing
therein;
6. a motion-sensing security system affixed to the mobile greenhouse and
configured to alert the user of illegal activity;
7. one or more artificial lights that are adjustably attached to the trellis-
cage for
illumination of plant foliage that is growing therein.
8. an opaque light-deprivation hood that includes separable seams and curtain-
propping members which enable the user to convert the light-occluding hood
into
an openable reflective solar curtain that amplifies the intensity of sunlight
shining
into the mobile greenhouse.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG 1 illustrates an overview of the mobile greenhouse in its translucent
mode.
FIG 2A illustrates a folded configuration of the plant growing dolly shown in
FIG I.
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FIG 2B illustrates the semi-folded configuration of the growing dolly shown in
FIG 1.
FIG 2C illustrates the mobile configuration of the growing dolly shown in FIG
1.
FIG 2D illustrates the parked configuration of the growing dolly shown in FIG
1.
FIG 3 illustrates the parked growing dolly of FIG 2D when prepared for
planting.
FIG 4 illustrates the growing dolly of FIG 3 with a plant growing inside its
trellis-cage.
FIG 5 illustrates the mobile greenhouse of FIG 1 and the growing dolly of FIG
4.
FIG 6 illustrates the mobile greenhouse of FIG 1 configured for light
deprivation.
FIG 7 illustrates the use of a solar reflector to concentrate light onto the
trellis-cage.
FIG 8 illustrates the effect of pruning the plant inside the trellis-cage of
FIG 7.
FIG 9 illustrates another embodiment of the solar reflector shown in FIG 7.
FIG 10 illustrates the mobile greenhouse of FIG 9 when its crop is ready for
harvest.
FIG 11 illustrates the mobile greenhouse of FIG 4 with supplementary lighting.
FIG 12 illustrates details of FIG 11, including the trellis-cage's internal
trellis-strings.
FIG 13 illustrates a light-deprivation hood that can be converted into a solar
reflector.
FIG 14 illustrates the reflector hood being reconfigured into a light-
deprivation hood.
FIG 15 illustrates the supports used to fully configure the reflector of FIG
13.
FIG 16 illustrates a large-scale view of the reflector supports shown in FIG
15.
FIG 17 illustrates another large-scale view of the reflector supports shown in
FIG 15.
FIG 18 illustrates the solar reflector shown in FIG 15 when it is fully
opened.
Additional subject matter drawings filed within 12 months
FIG 19 illustrates another embodiment of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 1
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FIG 20 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 21 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 22 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 23 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 24 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 25 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 26 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 27 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 28 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 29 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 30 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 31 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 32 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 33 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
FIG 34 illustrates another aspect of the mobile greenhouse of FIG 19
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
FIG 1 is an overview illustration showing mobile greenhouse 2 in front of user
1 and
parked outdoors on ground 7. Trellis-cage 6 is affixed onto plant-growing
dolly 3 and
plant 4 is supported inside it. Translucent cage-hood 5 is draped onto the
trellis-cage to
protect the plant from inclement weather.
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The plant-growim dolly
FIG 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D better illustrate the foldable style of plant-growing
dolly 3 that
may be a preferred element of the mobile greenhouse shown in FIG 1. Note that
foldability of the growing dolly 3 is desirable however it is not necessary;
it merely
facilitates compact storage of the mobile greenhouse while not in use. A non-
folding
version of wheeled growing pot 10 with a non-telescoping handle (not
illustrated) may
also be used to configure the invention. To minimize solar heating of plant
media 12,
growing pot 10 will preferably have a light-reflective outer surface.
FIG 2A shows dolly 3 in its fully-folded configuration. FIG 2B shows it
partially unfolded
to form the box-shaped mobile growing-pot 10 used for cultivating the plant 4
shown in
FIG 1 and having dolly-wheels 8 for mobility. FIG 2C shows the fully unfolded
dolly with
its extended handle 9 gripped by user 1 so that, when tilted onto its wheels,
it can be
rolled about. FIG 2D shows the dolly tilted forward onto the ground in its
parked
configuration.
The mobile greenhouse
FIG 3 illustrates the plant-growing dolly 3 of FIG 2D after user 1 has added
several
components that partially prepare it for use as a mobile light-deprivation
greenhouse.
Growing-pot 10 has been filled with growing media 12; preferably it is a mix
of organic
soil and natural nutrients that is formulated for growing cannabis. To prevent
any of the
growing media from escaping through joints in foldable growing pot 10, an
impermeable, form-fitting pot-liner 11 may be inserted prior to filling the
pot with growing
media 12. To enable proper drainage, the bottom of pot 10 and liner 11
typically have a
grid of small holes pierced through their bottom panel (not visible). To
maximize their
drainage efficiency, the user will typically place a small amount of gravel
over the
drainage holes before filling the pot with growing media 12. A low-profile
basin (not
illustrated) may be provided so the user can slide it under growing-pot 10 to
collect
irrigation runoff.
Security measures
Cannabis legislation typically classifies the plant as a controlled substance
that must be
grown under tight security; this applies to both large commercial growers and
to private
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citizens growing just a few plants for personal use. To satisfy that
requirement, the
present invention offers a variety of robust security features.
FIG 3 illustrates electronic security system 13; it enables the mobile
greenhouse to
meet that legal requirement by providing 7 different layers of security
functions which
thwart thieves or deny access to unauthorized or underaged persons. The mobile
greenhouse's 7 cumulative layers of security operate as follows:
1. Electronic security system 13 utilizes an internal accelerometer-based
motion
sensor to detect when an unauthorized person is tampering with the mobile
greenhouse 2. The security system housing 13 is shown affixed to dolly 3 by
simply embedding its housing into the surface of growing media 12 however it
can be affixed at any location on the greenhouse structure that imparts motion
or
vibration to the sensor.
If unauthorized motion or vibration of the structure is detected by the armed
system then it sounds an alarm siren to alert the user or other authorized
persons to the potentially illegal situation. The alarm sensitivity threshold
may be
adjustable to address different security threats: a higher threshold will only
trigger
the entire greenhouse is moved while a lower threshold will activate the siren
if
someone merely brushes against any part of it.
Arming and disarming the motion-sensing alarm may be accomplished using a
keypad on housing 13 to enter the system's password. Preferably, the
arming/disarming task is accomplished using a wireless key-fob transmitter
similar to those used to wirelessly lock or unlock an automobile.
2. The electronic security system 13 may also detect unauthorized persons
moving
in the vicinity of the parked mobile greenhouse through the use of a non-
contacting sensor instead of an accelerometer-based contact sensor. Suitable
non-contacting sensors are available that utilize Passive Infrared (PIR)
technology. Microwave or ultrasonic sensors may also be used to detect the
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approach of unauthorized persons. Arming and disarming this more robust
embodiment of the security system is accomplished as described above.
3. Upon triggering of an alarm state, the electronic security system 13 may
activate
a silent alarm state that automatically and wirelessly sends a pre-programmed
text message or email alert to user 1 informing them that an intruder is on
their
property potentially interfering illegally with secure cannabis growing device
2.
4. The electronic security system 13 may also activate a nearby surveillance
camera (not illustrated) that visually captures the person causing the alarm.
This
data would permit the homeowner to safely and securely call 911 with complete
law enforcement information, regardless of where the user might be located
during the incident.
5. To provide maximum security, the electronic security system 13 may also
include
an electric fence energizer that is grounded to the mobile greenhouse's metal
trellis-cage. An intruder touching any part of the cage will instantly receive
a
harmless but startling electric shock. The shock may also initiate the alarm
siren
and electronic messaging procedures described above. This electro-shock
feature might also be used for deterring wild animals such as deer or
groundhogs from eating the crop.
6. Furthermore, in addition to the 5 electronic countermeasures outlined
above, the
metal trellis-cage acts as a locked physical barrier that impedes an
intruder's
ability to access the cannabis growing therein.
7. And finally, the device's user instructions inform growers that (if
required by local
law) their mobile greenhouse must only be used in a locked restricted-access
growing environment. For personal-use growers, simply using their mobile
greenhouse within the confines of a fenced-in backyard meets that legal
requirement (provided it has a securely locked gate). Courts have ruled that
any
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person scaling a homeowner's fenced-in compound or breaking through its
locked gate is committing a break and enter offence. Regardless of any legal
requirement, using the present invention within a locked environment is a
prudent
security measure for all growers.
Using the mobile light-deprivation greenhouse in combination with one or more
of the
above 7 measures will give the crop a high enough level of security to meet
any legal
requirement.
The trellis-cage
FIG 4 illustrates the dolly 3 shown in FIG 3 after trellis-cage 6 has been
affixed to it to
form mobile greenhouse 2. The attached trellis-cage provides adequate space
for
optimally cultivating the single cannabis plant seedling 4 however several
seedlings
may be grown to maturity in the same space, albeit with a somewhat reduced
yield per
plant. A light-modifying hood is selectable placed over the trellis-cage as
needed for
optimal plant growth therein.
User 1 grasps handle 9 and wheels plant 4 about as needed to locate and orient
it for
optimal exposure to the sun. In its most basic embodiment, the mobile
greenhouse
(without a hood attached over its trellis-cage), the user can simply wheel the
dolly
indoors to protect the growing plant from periods of inclement weather.
Similarly, the
most basic embodiment (claim 1) can be used to wheel the plant indoors in
order to
subject it to periods of light-deprivation in a darkened room. Homeowners
might wheel
their greenhouse inside their residence for either of these purposes however a
nearby
garden shed or windowless garage may suffice. A user of the most basic
embodiment
may also practice light-deprivation by draping any light-cloaking membrane
over the
frame formed by trellis-cage 6 (a bed-blanket, an opaque tarp etc).
The trellis-cage's 6 sides are substantially rectangular grills, typically
made of metal
rods 20 welded into a regular mesh pattern and typically surrounded by edge
members
for joining the grills to form the cage. Strengthening elements may be added
near the
fixation points joining trellis-cage 6 onto growing-pot 10. The regular grid
spacing of the
cage's mesh size is wide enough for user 1 to reach into the trellis-cage for
tending and
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pruning the foliage growing therein. Typical grid mesh spacing ranges between
4 and 6
inches; in the example depicted in FIG 4, the trellis-cage uses a 6-inch grid
mesh that
enables user 1 to easily access anywhere within its 36" x 36" x 54" growing
space.
The bottom wire-mesh panel of trellis-cage 6 is securely bolted onto the rim
of growing
pot 10 using appropriately configured adaptor plates and clamping fixations
(not
illustrated), thereby annexing a growing room onto mobile growing pot 10 for
cultivating
the foliage of plant 4. Once the trellis-cage and growing pot are joined
together, the
user can grip any portion of the cage-mesh to tilt and dolly the pot about,
thereby
obviating the need for dolly handle 9. If a handle 9 is present, the back
panel of trellis-
cage 6 may be bolted to it, thereby reinforcing the structural integrity of
the fully
assembled greenhouse 2. To provide additional load bearing capacity, diagonal
bracing
wires (not illustrated) may be tensioned between opposite corners inside the
cage.
Internal support for optimal pruning
Expert growers improve their plant's productivity with constant pruning and
training of its
budding foliage onto an anchoring trellis. Productivity is particularly
abundant when a
trellis is used in conjunction with pruning practices known as "super
cropping",
"scrogging" and "marijuana topping". To enable the trellis-cage 6 to provide
optimal
support for these practices, user 1 will typically complete the assembly and
preparation
of their mobile greenhouse by lacing the cage-mesh of its trellis-cage 6 with
a trellis-
support-string 19 (not visible in FIG 4). Trellis-support-strings 19 (visible
in FIG 12) are
laced in a crisscross pattern across the cage to form a 3D support structure.
The
resulting multilevel support grid enables new growth from plant 4 to be
anchored at
many locations within the trellis-cage 6, thereby spacing apart its dense
matrix of
maturing flower buds for equal and optimal exposure to the sun.
The trellis-cage 6 is typically shipped disassembled and in a flat-pack
configuration. Its
sides are user-assembled along the cage's orthogonal edges using metal clips,
plastic
ties or wire wrappings, thereby forming a secure metal room into which foliage
grows
from the plant seedling 4 located in pot 10 below. Note that the trellis-cage
6 depicted
throughout this specification overhangs the rim of its underlying growing pot
10, by a
substantial amount, thereby providing a substantially larger volume of
trellised
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greenhouse space for nurturing a larger crop. Its wide horizontal dimension
maximizes
the plant's exposure to the sun, thereby improving both its yield and its
quality.
The illustrated large overhang of trellis-cage 6 past the rim of growing-pot
10 is
advantageous however in some circumstances it will be preferable to have a
trellis-cage
width that is narrow enough to fit through a doorway. For example: an
apartment-
dweller cultivating a tobacco plant on their balcony might wish to bring their
plant
indoors for periods of shelter from cold weather or for periods of light-
deprivation inside
a darkened room. To do so they would need to use a trellis-cage that is narrow
enough
to fit through their balcony door. Alternatively (if no legal height or width
restrictions
apply) the user could reorient how the elongated trellis-cage shown in FIG 4
is fastened
to the mobile growing pot 10 such that the resulting tall and narrow mobile
greenhouse
can fulfill their need.
The height of trellis-cage 6 may be dimensioned to help the user restrict the
height of
their plant if that is required by law in their particular legal jurisdiction.
For example: the
trellis-cage shown in FIG 4 is 36 inches high, thereby helping to insure that
the height of
plant 4 remains within that limit. Similarly, if a width restriction exists in
a user's
particular legal jurisdiction, dimensioning the trellis-cage accordingly will
help to insure
the plant remains legal while still promoting optimal health and productivity.
The mobile greenhouse
FIG 5 illustrates the dolly shown in FIG 4 with its light-modifying hood
comprised of
translucent cage-hood 5 draped over the support-frame formed by trellis-cage
6. User 1
selectively deploys the translucent cage-hood as needed to shield plant 4 from
the
effects of inclement weather conditions.
Cage-hood 5 is made of commonly available translucent greenhouse film and
fashioned
into a form-fitting hood that slides easily over trellis-cage 6. The
translucent hood is
sized and shaped such that it can be easily deployed onto its support frame as
shown
or else removed, folded and stored nearby until needed again. The cage-hood is
dimensioned to hang down into contact with ground 7, thereby forming a fully
enclosed
greenhouse environment around plant 4.
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Translucent cage-hood 5 may include one or more access flaps (not
illustrated). The
flaps can be opened to enable user 1 to reach through the mesh of trellis-cage
6 for
cultivating plant 4. Each access flap may include an edge fixation such as
zippers or
hook-and-loop fasteners that enables it to be left open to help ventilate the
greenhouse
for optimal growth.
Light-deprivation
FIG 6 illustrates the dolly shown in FIG 4 with its light-modifying hood
comprised of
opaque light-deprivation cage-hood 14 draped over trellis-cage 6. User 1
selectively
deploys this cage-hood as needed to trigger the short-day photoperiodic
response of
plant 4 (explained in Background above).
Cage-hood 14 is made of commonly available opaque fabric that is fashioned
into a
loose-fitting hood that slides easily over trellis-cage 6. The opaque hood is
sized and
shaped such that it can be easily deployed onto its support frame as shown or
else
removed, folded and stored nearby until needed again. Opaque cage-hood 14 will
typically be sized slightly larger than the translucent cage-hood 5 shown in
FIG 5,
thereby enabling the user to overlay it and leave the translucent protection
layer in place
while still being able to selectively subject plant 4 to periods of darkness.
Note that in FIG 6, opaque light-deprivation hood 14 is shown with a dark
coloured outer
surface. Since a dark outer surface would absorb solar energy that might
overheat a
plant growing inside, in a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of hood 14
is highly
reflective. White or aluminized fabric is preferable to the black fabric
depicted in FIG 6.
Solar energy amplification
FIG 7 illustrates the use of a reflective panel 15A to concentrate additional
sunlight onto
trellis-cage 6. The (white or aluminized) reflective panel 15A is affixed to
the back of
greenhouse 2 such that user 1 can easily move and orient the greenhouse and
reflective towards the sun, thereby enabling supplementary sunlight to be and
reflected
onto the shaded side of plant 4.
To increase the effective area of panel 15A, angled side panels 15B and 15C
may be
hingedly affixed to it, thereby increasing the intensity of sunlight being
reflected onto
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trellis-cage 6 (fixation details not illustrated). As each day progresses,
user 1 may
occasionally move and reorient greenhouse 2 to repoint it approximately
towards the
sun, thereby improving its growth rate.
Note that trellis-cage 6 provides plant 4 with unrestricted outdoor
ventilation so heat is
immediately convected away. The result is that even during hot summer weather
the
plant cannot be damaged by the additional solar energy being reflected onto
it; a
thermophilic, heliophilic plant such as cannabis will thrive in the amplified
sunlight.
FIG 8 illustrates the effect of optimally cultivating the young plant 4 shown
in FIG 7. It
also illustrates a stabilizing support structure that can be affixed to
trellis-cage 6 to help
prevent high winds from blowing onto reflective panels 15A, 15B and 15 and
toppling
greenhouse 2.
To prevent wind-toppling, one or more propping members 30A and 30B, are
affixed
onto trellis-cage 6, preferably engaged onto its forward outer corners as
shown. FIG 16
illustrates a suitable prop attachment fixture that adjustably engages onto
the cage's
wire-mesh construction.
Prop members 30A and 30B stabilize the extremities of the parked greenhouse 2
for
maximum support geometry. The effective prop-lengths may be lengthened to
raise
and pivot greenhouse 2 about its wheels 5, thereby tilting it back as shown in
FIG 2C.
The backwards tilt serves to better orient reflective panel 15 towards the sun
as well as
to better balance the greenhouse over its center of mass for better resistance
to wind-
toppling.
FIG 9 illustrates another embodiment of the solar reflector shown in FIG 7.
Instead of
folding three hinged panels, a single reflector panel 15 is provided that is
held by a
tensioned-bowed frame of thin flexible edge members. A tensioned upper cable
at 16A
and a rigid floor member at 16B enable the reflector panel 15 to stand alone
with the
weight of mobile greenhouse 2 acting as a wind anchor. Additional anchoring
may be
provided by tent pegs (not illustrated).
FIG 10 illustrates the mobile greenhouse of FIG 9 when plant 4 is fully
matured and
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ready to harvest. To facilitate drying and curing the ripened flowers, the
user may
simply cut through the base of the plant's main stem and then detach trellis-
cage 6 from
growing dolly 3 with the mature plant still supported on its internal trellis-
strings (strings
19 are visible in FIG 12). The trellis-cage and its spaced-apart harvest of
mature
flowers can then be hung upside down in a darkened and well-ventilated room
for
convenient curing.
Auxiliary liqhting
FIG 11 illustrates the mobile greenhouse 2 of FIG 4 when equipped with one or
more
supplementary electric lighting units for use during cloudy weather.
Electrical cord 18
adjustably suspends electric lightbulb 17 from any location on the upper grid-
mesh of
trellis-cage 6. By adjusting the height and location of each lightbulb 17, the
user can
optimize their effect to suit that plant's current state of growth.
When one or more lightbulbs 17 are used in conjunction with a translucent cage-
hood 5
(as shown in FIG 5) greenhouse 2 becomes better-suited for early-season
sprouting of
seedlings or late-season crop-finishing in colder weather. The lightbulbs
serve to both
illuminate plant 4 for better photosynthesis and to heat the inside of the
mobile
greenhouse to combat the effects of cold weather. To further enhance the
plant's
growing environment, a "CO2 Grow Bag" (not illustrated) may be hung inside the
translucent cage-hood 5 to enrich the atmosphere with CO2.
FIG 12 is a large-scale view of FIG 11, showing the trellis-cage's internal
trellis-strings
19. The crisscrossed trellis-strings are laced throughout the volume of
trellis-cage 6,
thereby forming an orthogonal support matrix that enables cultivation of plant
4 using
the advanced pruning techniques described above.
Dual-mode trellis-cage hood
FIG 13 illustrates a dual-mode trellis-cage hood 21 that can serve as either
an opaque
light-deprivation hood or as a reflective solar energy amplifier.
Convertible hood 21 is shown partially opened into its solar-reflector mode.
The upper
edge of opaque, reflective fabric panel 22 is affixed to the upper rear edge
of trellis-cage
6 using fabric loop-tabs, edge-sleeves, hook-clips or similar curtain
attachment means
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(not illustrated). Panel 22 thereby forms a curtain which hangs down the back
of the
trellis-cage to seal against the ground and reflect incident sunlight back
onto plant 4.
Side and top curtain-panels 23A, 23B, 24, 25A and 25B are contiguous with the
fabric of
back panel 22 and can be wrapped around the sides and top of trellis-cage 6 to
fully
enclose it when light-deprivation is required (see FIG 6).
When curtain-panels 22, 23A, 23B, 24, 25A and 25B are wrapped over and around
trellis-cage 6, their edges meet to form joinable seams along 26. Seams 26 are
selectively joinable using zippers, snaps, VelcroTM strips or the like that
enable the user
to either open the hood into its light-amplification mode or close it into its
light-
deprivation mode. Roll-up sides and top panels (not illustrated) are also
within the
scope of this convertible light-deprivation trellis-cage hood embodiment.
FIG 14 illustrates the convertible hood 21 when the user has nearly closed its
seams 26
to configure its light-deprivation mode. When linear fixations 26 are fully
closed, the
convertible hood 21 will resemble the opaque hood 14 in FIG 6. The interior of
the
underlying trellis-cage 6 thereby becomes dark enough to trigger the short-day
photoperiodic response of plants growing therein.
FIG 15 illustrates the convertible hood 21 when it is almost fully configured
into its open,
solar-reflector mode. Top panel 24 is swung up and back towards the back of
greenhouse 2 where it will hang adjacent to back-panel 22. Reflector-curtain
support
rod 27A is shown floating near its operative position on the top of trellis-
cage 6 and
support rod 27B is shown fully engaged into its operative position. Support
rods 27A
and 27B affix to the top of trellis-cage 6 and cantilever past its left and
right ends. When
affixed in place, they provide support for hanging reflector curtains 25A and
25B at an
angle that reflect additional sunlight onto plant 4.
FIG 16 is a large-scale view of the curtain support rods shown in FIG 15. The
mesh of
trellis-cage 6 provides convenient purchase points for affixing and
cantilevering support
rods 27A and 27B outboard of the trellis-cage. Reflective side-curtains 25A
and 25B
can be hung onto hooked rod-ends 29A, 29B for support at the desired
reflection angle.
To affix support rod 27B to trellis-cage 6, fixation-hooks 28 are engaged
under cage-
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mesh rods 20.
FIG 17 is another large-scale view of FIG 15. Curtain support rod 27B is
cantilevered
past the right end of trellis-cage 6; its tip serves as a fixation point for
curtain support-
hook 29B. To prevent the reflective fabric of the large panel formed by 23B
and 25B
from collapsing to the ground, support-hook 29B is engaged through whichever
one of
the linear plurality of curtain support¨holes 31 used to suspend the
reflective side-
curtain at its best angle for reflecting supplementary sunlight onto plant 4.
FIG 18 illustrates the fully-opened configuration of the convertible hood 21
shown in FIG
15. Curtain support-rods 27A and 27B are affixed to the top of trellis-cage 6
and
support-hooks 29A and 29B are positioned for engagement into one the linear
plurality
of the curtain support-holes 31A and 31B. Note that, for neatness, outer
panels 23A
and 23B may be folded back and secured against panels 25A and 25B as shown.
Note
also that reflective curtain 21 is suspended such that gusts of wind will
cause it to billow
instead of acting like a sail that could topple the parked mobile light-
deprivation
greenhouse.
Commercial embodiment
The foregoing describes a mobile light-deprivation greenhouse embodiment that
is
ideally suited for use by an individual growing a single short-day
photoperiodic plant
(such as cannabis or tobacco) that is legally grown for personal use. A large
commercial grower can however make use of the present invention by deploying a
large
plurality of mobile light-deprivation greenhouses inside a fenced-in compound.
To use
this commercial embodiment (not illustrated), workers must move about the
array of
parked mobile greenhouses and cover each plant with its light-deprivation hood
as
needed. For optimal results, workers must also prune and anchor foliage onto
each
greenhouse's internal trellis as well as deploy its translucent hood as
needed.
Using this commercial embodiment is more labour-intensive than when using the
highly
mechanized prior art light-deprivation greenhouses. There are however
compensatory
savings due to low capital costs and easy scalability. Existing commercial
grow-ops
based in large greenhouses are inherently synergistic with use of the present
invention.
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They typically include fenced-in areas that could serve as a secure parking
lot for a
large number of the mobile light-deprivation greenhouse described above. Since
the
cannabis harvested from this embodiment of the invention is of inherently
higher quality
than its indoor-grown counterpart, the commercial grower can market it as a
"sun-
ripened" vintage-quality premium product that can be sold at a higher price.
Improved ventilation embodiment (for refiling within 12 months of the content
above)
The foregoing describes an embodiment of the mobile light-deprivation
greenhouse that
requires that plants being grown therein be hermetically sealed inside an
impermeable
trellis-cage hood for substantial periods of time. Deploying either of its
cage-hoods
results in a lack of plant ventilation; a condition that retards growth and
fosters disease.
Poor ventilation is particularly problematic when using the light-deprivation
hood
because (prior to the autumnal equinox in mid-September), the hood must
enclose the
plants and shield them from sunlight for long periods every day (up to 4 hours
at mid-
latitudes).
A remaining inventive challenge is therefore to devise a way to ventilate the
cage-hood
without admitting light that would disrupt early flowering. To address that
challenge, the
embodiment described below enables good plant ventilation under all
operational
scenarios, including during light-deprivation. Other features are disclosed
that aid plant
growth and facility ease of use.
Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention 2 that provides optimal
ventilation
and optimal growth of light-deprived plants. To enable optimal root aeration
wheeled
growing pot 10 forms a plant-growing dolly constructed with one or more
horizontal slots
34 formed through its perimeter wall. The plant roots breath through an air-
permeable
"landscaping fabric" liner 36 that is placed inside growing pot 10 to prevent
growing
media 12 from spilling through root-aeration slots 34.
Note that for optimal plant nourishment and harvest quality, the roots of
plants 4 require
a large volume of growing media 12 (preferably an organic compost mix). The
mobile
greenhouse 2 depicted in Figure 19 has a growing-pot dimensioned to contain
approximately 60 gallons of soil; an amount that might weigh approximately 500
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pounds. To enable user 1 to maneuver such a heavily laden growing-pot 10, the
mobile
greenhouse 2 may be fashioned in the general shape of a wheelbarrow as shown.
Wheelbarrow handle extensions 35A and 35B may be attached to its growing pot
rim
extension 33, thereby improving the leverage with which user 1 can maneuver
the
heavy greenhouse when optimizing its solar exposure.
Handle extensions 35 are typically detachable so that they can also serve as
propping
members to prevent the greenhouse from toppling over in high winds (see Figure
32).
The location of the growing pot's wheels 8 and its feet 32 may be adjustably
positioned
with respect to the structure's center of gravity, thereby improving the
user's mechanical
advantage when levering the heavy load into its mobile configuration.
The width of growing pot 10 and its rim 33 is typically dimensioned small
enough to
enable the entire greenhouse to be wheeled through a standard residential
doorway,
thereby enabling plants to be sprouted indoors during winter and moved
outdoors in the
spring. Note that the rim extension 33 overhangs can serve as handholds that
enable
two or more people to lift and carry the entire greenhouse 2 up or down a
stairway if
needed.
Note also that rim 32 extends far enough past growing pot 10 to provide enough
horizontal space for including closable vents 38A and 38B. Each closeable vent
can be
adjustably opened to enable fresh air to flow upwards into trellis-cage 6.
When no
cage-hood is present (as shown in Figure 19) the vents 38 are typically left
closed so
that their reflective upper surface can augment the amount of sunlight that is
reflected
onto plants 4 (see Figure 25 to understand the complete solar reflecting
apparatus).
Note also that rim 32 surrounds an opaque area such that the bottom of trellis-
cage 6 is
fully sealed against light penetration from below. This provides a more robust
way of
preventing light from entering cage 6 compared to the skirted cage-cover 5
shown in
Figure 1 (that must seal against the ground to prevent light from entering
from below).
Figure 20 illustrates the effect of cultivating plants 4 inside the greenhouse
structure
shown in Figure 19 (or in Figure 1). To achieve such high productivity, user 1
has made
use of the trellis strings 19 (shown in Figure 19) to optimally prune each
plant (as
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referred to further above) while constraining its enhanced growth onto its
surrounding
trellis strings. This process maximizes the number of flowers within the
greenhouse
while regularizing their location along a 3D grid that optimizes light
penetration and
growth. To further enhance solar exposure of the flowers, trellis-cage 6 is
occasionally
moved and reoriented by user 1 so that its long side faces toward the changing
position
of the sun. By facilitation light penetration and intensity, the plants can
have a high
proportion of their leafy foliage pruned away so that their high-value flowers
are more
directly exposed to the sun; by providing plants 4 with optimal growing
conditions, the
few remaining leaves on each plant will still be able to provide an adequate
area of
photosynthesis for fueling optimal growth throughout each plant.
To achieve the optimal plant growth illustrated in Figure 20, user 1 must also
deploy the
light-deprivation cage-hood shown in Figure 21 (covering the cage as needed to
provoke early flowering). The user will also deploy the translucent cage-hood
shown in
Figure 28 (covering the cage as needed to protect the crop from inclement
weather).
Whenever possible, the user will refrain from covering the trellis-cage 6 with
either of its
two trellis-cage hoods. During favorable conditions, the plants should be left
exposed to
natural wind and sun as shown in Figure 20; this provides them with optimal
ventilation
and provokes optimal photosynthesis. To further improve each plant's growing
environment, the two cage-hoods will be folded into their flat "cassette"
format and then
used to concentrate solar energy onto them (described below and shown in
Figures 24,
25 and 26).
Figure 21 shows the embodiment of Figure 20 after its light-deprivation
trellis-cage
hood 14 has been deployed to simulate shorter days (in the case of cannabis, a
daily
12-hour darkness regime is needed to provoke flowering). The illustrated
example of
cage-hood 14 is comprised of seven hinged panels that enable the user to
rapidly open
or close it as required. Back panel 22 is hinged along it upper edge to top
panel 24 and
along its left and right edges to end-panels 23B and 25A. To facilitate
compact folding,
front panels 23A, 25B and 25C are hinged as shown in Figure 22. To provide
light-
tightness, all panels fit closely onto growing-pot rim 33 along their lower
edges and their
upper edges close tightly against top panel 24.
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To provide a lightweight and easy to use trellis-cage hood 14, its seven
panels may
(preferably) be made of corrugated plastic such as CoroplastTM. The panels
used to
form the light-deprivation trellis-cage hood must be opaque and preferably
reflective on
at least one side.
The translucent version of the greenhouse's cage-hood assembly (shown fully-
folded as
43 in Figure 24 and fully-deployed in Figure 32) is configured to transmit as
much light
as possible and to also have good resistance to UV light degradation; a
suitable choice
for these panels is therefore Coroplast's "CoroClearTM" product; a corrugated
plastic
panel that has been optimized for greenhouse use. Note that for reason's
explained
below (under Figure 25), the translucent cage-hood assembly's back panel 22 is
preferably made of the same opaque and reflective material that is used
throughout the
light-deprivation version of the cage-hood.
Figure 22 shows the opaque trellis-cage hood of Figure 21 when it is partially
folded
into a configuration that allows sunlight to penetrate through trellis-cage 6
and onto
plants 4. Panels 23A and 23B have been detached from trellis-cage 6 and
hingedly
swung about against the back panel 22. Similarly, panels 25A, 25B and 25c have
been
swung around towards their rear storage location. Top panel 24 is shown
partially
swung up and back towards its rear storage configuration; it swings over and
against
the back of the five (previously-stored) side panels, thereby capturing and
constraining
all the other hinged panels into a compact flat "cassette" format. Once folded
into a flat
cassette format, the panels may be secured in place using snap-tabs, hook-and-
loop-
tabs, magnets or similar fixation means that prevent the folded cage-hood
cassette from
inadvertently swinging open.
The hinged panel assembly 14 also includes fixation means for temporarily
affixing its
hinged panels around the trellis-cage. A preferred fixation embodiment is to
embed
small magnets along the panel-edges (not illustrated). Each embedded magnet is
edge-positioned such that, when the panels are swung nearly flush against the
(metal)
trellis-cage 6, they are magnetically attracted towards the cage and held in
place to
hermetically seal the enclosure. Windy conditions may require a more secure a
more
secure fixation means so appropriately configured VelcroTM tabs or mechanical
clips
CA 3018838 2018-09-28
may also be used to prevent inadvertent opening of a closed trellis-cage hood.
Figure 23 shows the opaque trellis-cage hood of Figure 21 and Figure 22 after
all of its
seven panels have been fully folded into a flat "cassette" configuration 42
for easy
removal and storage. The back panel 22 includes a plurality of hook-type clips
41 that
are positioned for engagement onto the back of trellis-cage 6. This clip-on
cassette
configuration enables the user to quickly exchange an opaque light-deprivation
cassette
for a translucent weather-protection cassette and vice versa. In both cases,
the
cassette can be easily opened and then closed around trellis-cage 6 to affect
its desired
hood-function. At any time, the closed growing cage (as in Figure 21) can be
reopened
into the configuration of Figure 32 to enable unrestricted exposure of plants
4 to their
natural environment.
Note that opaque panel 22 will typically include a highly reflective surface
facing onto
cage 6 (either aluminized or pure white). This reflective panel configuration
enables
cassette 42 to remain stored onto to cage 6 at all times with the added
benefit of
augmenting the amount of sunlight shining onto plants 4 (they receive both
direct rays
and reflected rays). To achieve this solar concentration benefit, the user
need only
point the face of panel 22 approximately towards the sun as it moves from east
to west
during the day; for example (in the northern hemisphere) greenhouse 2 could
remain
pointed directly South-East during the morning and then repointed 90 degrees
to point
directly South-West during the afternoon. At all times, plants 4 would receive
some
level of extra illumination (reflected from the rear). The reflective upper
surface of
sliding vents 38A and 38B would add to the amount of sunlight that shines onto
plants 4
(reflected from below).
Figure 24 illustrates the two cage-hood cassettes used to provide either light-
deprivation or weather-protection. Opaque cage-hood cassette 42 is mounted
onto the
back of trellis-cage 6 where it can be opened or closed for light-deprivation
when
needed. When folded into its flat cassette format it reflects supplementary
sunlight onto
plants 4.
Translucent cage-hood cassette 43 is shown detached from the greenhouse for
storage
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until inclement weather occurs. When needed, the user replaces opaque cassette
42
with the translucent one 43 and then unfolds it around cage 6 to protect the
plants until
conditions improve. Note that in its preferred embodiment, translucent
cassette 43 has
the same reflective back panel 22 as the one used in the light-deprivation
cassette 42.
When they are folded into the cassette configuration shown, the two cage-hood
cassettes perform the same solar-reflector function when they are mounted onto
the
back of the trellis-cage 6 as shown.
Figure 25 illustrates a means for converting either of the unused cassettes
into an
auxiliary solar reflector; a configuration that further augments the amount of
sunlight
shining onto each plant. To convert the greenhouse's unused trellis-cage
cover, cords
44A and 44B are used to suspend the (unused) cassette 43 against the lower
edge of
trellis-cage 6 (or into one of the growing pot's root-aeration slots (34 in
Figure 19)).
When the unused cassette is horizontally suspended in front of the trellis-
cage as
shown, its large reflective surface is orthogonally positioned with respect to
the vertical
reflective surface of light-deprivation cassette 42; together they focus an
even greater
amount of sunlight onto plants 4.
An alternative to using cords 44 for positioning the unused cassette 43 for
use as a
solar reflector is to unfold its top panel (24 in Figure 22) so that it can
serve as a
ground-prop along its outboard edge (this configuration not illustrated).
To concentrate even more reflected sunlight onto plants 4, panels 23A and 23B
may be
swung flush against the west end of trellis-cage 6 as shown so that the
morning sun,
rising in the east is reflected from the west onto the plants. This three-
plane "corner
cube reflector" focusses maximum sunlight onto the plants while its open-air
ventilation
prevents any heat build-up (the direction nomenclature used above assumes that
the
greenhouse is in the northern hemisphere and is pointed south; opposite
directions will
apply in the southern hemisphere).
Figure 26 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 25 when configured for use
during the
afternoon (instead of during the morning). The east end of trellis-cage 6 is
now blocked
by folded reflective panels 25A and 25B, thereby reflecting the afternoon sun
onto the
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plants from three sides (from the north, from the east and from underneath).
Figure 27 illustrates an embodiment of the light-deprivation hood 14 that
enables
optimal ventilation of the plants being grown therein. Top panel 24 includes a
3-sided
gasket 45 that is made of open-cell foam. The open-cell foam used to form
gasket 45 is
typically configured such that it forms a dark-colored micro-labyrinth through
which
warm air rising from inside the closed light-deprivation hood 14 can escape
freely but
without any light being transmitted back towards the plants that would disturb
their early
flowering process.
The underside of the overhang 37 formed by the extended pot-rim 33 includes
one or
more lower vent intake apertures 46 (see Figure 28). Lower intakes 46 enable
incoming
air to feed a "chimney effect" ventilation that rises inside of the darkened
light-
deprivation growing environment. Air enters the lower intakes 46 whereupon
solar-
driven convection causes it to travel horizontally toward the opened vents (38
in Figure
19). The fresh incoming air then rises through the growing plants and exits
the
deployed light-tight cassette 42 via its open-celled upper gasket 45.
Figure 28 is a bottom view of the greenhouse shown in Figure 27; its light-
deprivation
cassette having been replaced with its unfolded translucent cassette 43. The
vent
intake apertures 46A and 46B are formed through vent floor 38C and 38D so the
height
of growing-pot rim 33 creates a "light-baffle" tunnel that enables air to
enter from below
at the front and exit upwards from the rear (at 38A and 386). Since the airway
into
sealed trellis-cage 6 is serpentine pat, it prevents any light from entering
from below.
Note that the interior of the light-baffle tunnel will typically be painted
black in order to
minimize reflective light transmission. Note also that the intake apertures
may be
covered by an air filter such as PollenTecTm screen that prevents insects,
pollen or
spores from entering the greenhouse and degrading its eventual harvest.
Figure 29 is another bottom view of the greenhouse shown in Figure 27
illustrating how
electric fans 54a and 54B may be used to augment the natural convection used
to drive
ventilation. It also illustrates use of a wire to electrically ground the
growing plants to
earth; a growing technique that some experimenters have found increases plant
vigor.
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To connect the plants growing inside growing box 10 to ground, electrically
conductive
wire 48 is embedded in their growing media and the routed to exit via watering
drain
hole 53A. To complete the electrical circuit, wire 48 is connected to metal
grounding
plate 49, thereby grounding plants 4 whenever and wherever the mobile
greenhouse is
parked. The other illustrated drain hole (53B) is used for another growth
enhancement
function (see watering wick 51 and pan 52 in Figure 34).
Figure 30 is a bottom view of the greenhouse shown in Figure 27 that better
illustrates
how vent intake aperture 46 feeds air into a horizontal light-baffle tunnel
formed
between the upper and lower faces of growing-pot rim 33. Light-baffle tunnel
47 is
typically painted black to minimize internal reflections; air entering via
aperture 46 must
traverse the width of trellis-cage 6 whereupon it enters the growing
environment via an
(opened) vent slider (see 38 in Figure 31).
Note that pivot-pin holes 55 may be provided at various locations around the
perimeter
of growing pot rim 33. The pivot-pin holes are used to either secure the
detachable
wheelbarrow handle extensions (35A and 35B in Figure 19) or to pivot the
handle
extensions for use in bracing the structure in a manner that prevents it from
toppling
over in high winds (see Figure 32).
Figure 31 is a large-scale top view of the greenhouse shown in Figure 30
showing
construction details of its aeration liner 36, its trellis-cage 6, its light-
baffle 47 and its
sliding air vent closure 38.
Figure 32 illustrates how detachable wheelbarrow extension handles 35a and 35b
may
be repositioned on growing pot 10 (as shown in Figure 19) and reused as props
that
prevent the greenhouse from toppling over in high winds. To enable this
propping
function, wheelbarrow handles 35 include pins 56 which engage into the pin-
holes 55
formed around the perimeter of growing pot rim 33. Engaging a single pin (such
as
56C) will enable the prop to swing down to the ground as shown and brace the
structure
during windy weather.
Figure 33 illustrates the greenhouse of Figure 19 when configured for grow
many small
potted plants 4A, 4B and 4C. No growing media is placed in in growing pot 10
and a
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plurality of vertically tiered rows of plants are arrayed within trellis-cage
6. Each tier of
plants is supported translucent shelving 50 (50A supporting plants 4A, 50B
supporting
plants 4B etc.). To convert the greenhouse for this mode of operation, the
trellis cords
19 shown in Figure 19 are typically unstrung the cage 6 to make room for
shelves 50.
This usage mode will typically be practiced indoors during the winter as a
precursor to
carrying the greenhouse 2 outdoors to take advantage of summer weather. When
used
indoors, artificial lighting may be suspended inside that cage (see Figure
11).
Figure 34 illustrates a means for automatically watering plants by wicking
water
upwards into the mass of growing media contained within growing pot 10. To
accomplish this, wicking cord 51 is buried within the growing media and hangs
down
below the growing pot into a pan filled with water (wicking cord 51 exits the
growing pot
via drain-hole 53B shown in Figure 29). The user need only periodically refill
pan 52;
capillary action will draw water up cord 51 and maintain correct growing media
hydration
for optimal plant growth.
Conclusion
The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing
how the
invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only
exemplary.
The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects, is further described
and
defined in the claims which now follow.
These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of
the
variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be
restricted to
such variants but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention
as is implicit
within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for
clarity, described in
the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a
single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for
brevity,
described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided
separately or in
any suitable subcombination.
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