Abstract:
An assembly for hanging potted plants is disclosed which is capable of holding more than one planted pot at a time, and repotting of the plant without removal from the assembly. The assembly includes a ring attached to a hook used to hang the assembly from the ceiling or used as a handle to transport the assembly. A cage is connected to the ring and includes a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions and a generally S-shaped configuration. The planted pot can be securely held to the assembly in a variety of ways. A cable or chain can be associated with the ribs for tightly surrounding the plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot. A platform may be attached to the ribs for supporting a plant pot thereon. Also, a ring may be attached to the ribs for holding a plant pot therein.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from provisional application Serial No. 60/187,416 filed Mar. 7, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to hanging plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hanging plant pot assembly utilizing multiple downwardly, upwardly and outwardly extending ribs to removably secure a plant pot.  
           [0003]    Existing plant hanging devices are generally comprised of an upper hook attached to a plant pot by wires, rope or plastic sections which extend from the hook. The plants are usually planted in plastic pots when offered for sale. Sometimes the wires or rope are attached to the pot by woven macrame, but more typically hooks or knots are inserted through apertures in an upper lip of the pot.  
           [0004]    The above arrangement allows for plant seeds or starter plants to be easily placed in the pot soil at a minimal cost. Growth is then promoted until the plant reaches a desired specimen size. It is then brought to market for sale. Very little consideration has been given to the greater and long term use of the hanger device.  
           [0005]    As many hanging plants continue to grow, plant limbs and vines are given no support for normal growth and as new limbs and leaves grow from the center, existing leaves and limbs are covered and compaction occurs. The weight of layered compaction promotes mold, fungus, mildew, heat and insect infestation as well as soured moisture and water. Air and sunlight cannot reach all of the plant and a degenerative cycle begins. All hanging plants eventually grow beyond the use of their pot and become root bound, which stifles growth and can even result in plant death.  
           [0006]    The average consumer attempts to nurture the plant until it dies, while more experienced gardeners attempt to transplant the plant to a larger pot with new soil. However, the design of existing plant hanging devices complicates this process. Due to the growth and density of the now larger plant, the interior portion where the wires or rope are attached to the pot is difficult to access. Due to the tangled limbs and vines of the plant about the supporting wires, the gardener must use cutters to remove the pot supports. As the hanging devices are not easily replaced, an effort is made to retie or hook the cut wires to the new pot. However, the new pot may not have apertures or slots through which to hook or tie the wires.  
           [0007]    Even if the pot conveniently has such apertures, many plant limbs are bruised, bent or even broken during this transplantation process. If a new plant hanging device is used, the limbs and vines must be untangled from the old device and repositioned and re-woven on the new one so as to balance the plant and give the aesthetic look the plant had before. This further bruises and breaks plant limbs, defeating the effort of a major incentive of gardeners and plant hobbyists which is to increase growth and health in the plant. Once the plant outgrows the new pot, the process must be repeated to transplant the plant yet again.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for a plant hanging device which allows plant pots of varying shapes and sizes to be securely hung. What is also needed is a plant hanging device which allows plant transplantation into larger pots without having to remove the plant from the device. What is further needed is a plant hanging device which promotes plant growth while being aesthetically pleasing. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention resides in a plant pot hanging assembly which removably fits snugly to any size plant pot while beautifying the surrounding environment. The assembly generally comprises a ring attached to a hook which can be hung from a ceiling or the like, or used as a handle to transport the plant. A cage is connected to the ring. The cage comprises a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions and a generally S-shaped configuration which are slidably connected to the ring at one end thereof, and extend downwardly from the ring and spaced from one another to form the cage. A plate may be threadably attached to the hook and compressible onto the ring to hold the ribs in place on the ring. Alternatively, a cross-bar is interconnected between the hook and the ring, and configured to permit the hook to slidably move relative to the cross-bar for the distribution of the weight of the assembly.  
           [0010]    Means are associated with a plurality of resiliently flexible and/or malleable ribs for securely holding a potted plant to the assembly. Such means can comprise a cable or flexible strap associated with the ribs and capable of tightly surrounding the plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot. Alternatively, the securement means can comprise a chain which is capable of being adjusted in length so as to tightly engage the pot plant by interconnection between slit-ring loops extending from the ribs. The assembly may include a platform which is attached to a plurality of the ribs and capable of supporting a plant pot thereon. The assembly may also include a ring attached to a plurality of ribs which is capable of holding the plant pot therein. The assembly may include one or more of these securement means for holding one of more potted plants at any given time.  
           [0011]    Aside from being ornately designed with loops and S-shaped wire extensions, which are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, the ribs are also configured to securely hold plant pots of varying sizes. Thus, when the plant becomes root bound, or otherwise grows out of its pot, the pot can be removed and the plant re-potted without having to remove it from the assembly, preventing plant limbs from becoming bent or broken during the transplantation process.  
           [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly embodying the present invention and holding several plant pots within a cage thereof;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly similar to FIG. 1, and having a platform attached to the cage thereof, and holding a plant pot;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a top view of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of a hook assembly used in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another hook assembly used in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a partly exploded view of an assembly embodying the present invention and having a plant grown therein and removed from a pot for transplantation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with an assembly, generally referred to in the drawings by the reference number  10 , for hanging potted plants. The assembly  10  includes a hook assembly  12  which supports a cage  14  that holds potted plants.  
         [0021]    The cage  14  is comprised of a plurality of resilient, flexible and/or malleable ribs  16  having curled extensions and loops  18 . The ribs  16  are generally bowed or S-shaped so as to be connected to the hook assembly  12  at one end thereof, and brought together around a potted plant at the opposite end thereof. Preferably, the ribs  16  are comprised of a metal which is resilient and durable. The circular loops and extensions  18  face both inwardly and outward of the cage  14 . Such circular extensions and loops  18  provide the assembly  10  an aesthetic appearance and design mimicking that of vines and tendrils of a plant. Although as few as three ribs  16  can be used, preferably there are four or even six ribs  16  which are spaced from one another to form the cage  14 .  
         [0022]    With reference to FIG. 3, these ornate ribs  16  and extensions  18  not only serve aesthetic purposes, but also serve as anchors and friction points which support the potted plant, and allow vines and tendrils of the potted plant to grow thereon and spread.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIGS.  3 - 5 , the hook assembly  12  includes a hook  20  having a ring  22  associated therewith, and supporting the ends of the ribs  16 . Preferably, the ribs  16  are looped around, or otherwise attached to, the ring  22  such that they can be slid from one position to another, in order to enable the user to selectively place the positioning of the ribs  16 . This may become important when a potted plant is secured between two ribs  16  which must be adequately spaced from one another, as discussed more fully herein.  
         [0024]    With reference now to FIG. 4, a first preferred embodiment of the hook assembly  12  is illustrated wherein the hook  20  includes a threaded end  24  extending through a plate  22 . The ring  22  includes a cross-bar  28  or bottom plate having a nut  30  though which the threaded end  24  of the hook  20  can be inserted. As the threaded end  24  of the hook  20  is passed through nut  30 , plate  26  increasingly exerts pressure on the ring  22  and rib connections  32  so as to hold the ribs  16  in place. Instead of a threaded hook  20  and nut  30  arrangement, the hook assembly  12  can be designed so that the pressure plate  26  is slid into contact with the ring  22  to hold the ribs  16  in place.  
         [0025]    The hook  20  may vary in size, but must be of sufficient size and strength to support the potted plant from a ceiling or the like. Preferably, the hook  20  is diamond-shaped so as to allow the gardener to easily grasp the hook  20  for transportation from one location to another while still providing a vertical attachment means.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 5, another form of a hook assembly  12 ′ is illustrated wherein the hook  20  is connected to the ring  22  via a cross-bar  34 . The hook  20  is looped around the cross-bar  34 , or ortherwise attached thereto so that it can slide relative to the cross-bar  34  allowing proper distribution of the weight of the assembly  10  when hung vertically by hook  20 .  
         [0027]    Referring back to FIG. 1, a plant pot  36  is placed within the rib cage  14 , often at a lower end of the ribs  16 , and a cable  38  or the like comprised of nylon or other similar durable material, is wrapped around the pot  36  and threaded through adjoining circular rib extensions  18 . The cable  38  is tightened so that the ribs  16  contact the pot  36  in such a manner so as to securely hold the pot  36  in place. The cable  38  may include a zipper clamp  40  which can be used to conveniently tighten the cable  38 , as well as release the cable  38  when necessary. It may be desirable to hook open-ended extensions and loops  18  onto the plant pot  36  in order to more securely hold the pot  36 , as illustrated in the drawings.  
         [0028]    Although it is preferred to secure a plant pot  36  at a bottom end of the cage  14 , it is to be understood that plant pots may be secured along the length of the cage  14 . Due to the multiple circular loops and extensions  18  facing inwardly, cables  38  can be threaded through these extensions  18  at roughly the same plane to hang more than one plant pot  36 . Thus, the assembly  10  can be filled with as much greenery as possible while the plants are small, or plants which require less sunlight, do not grow vertically to a great extent or natural droop downwardly can be positioned within the assembly  10  in order to maximize the use thereof.  
         [0029]    Other means of securing can be used instead of the cable  38 . For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the use of a chain  42  which is encircled about the plant pot  36  and connected to slit-ring loops created by open-ended extensions  18 . The chain  42  can be adjusted in length by inserting the proper link between two open-ended extensions  18 .  
         [0030]    Yet other means of securing and holding potted plants are possible using the present invention. Referring back to FIG. 1, a circular ring  44  can be connected between two or more ribs  16  and sized such so as to hold a plant pot  36  of the desired dimension. Typically, the ring  44  includes hooks  46  which are insertable into small sleeve tubes  48  fixed to the ribs  16 . Alternatively, the ring  44  includes the sleeve tubes  48 , and rib extensions  18  are inserted into the sleeve tubes  48  to hold the ring  44  in place.  
         [0031]    Referring to FIG. 2, another means of securely holding a potted plant, or other articles, to the assembly  10  is the inclusion of a platform  50  which is disposed within the cage  14  and connected to a plurality of ribs  16 . Such a platform  50  can be permanently attached to the ribs  16 , such as by welding, or include apertures or sleeve tubes for the insertion of rib extensions  18 , as described above. The platform  50  can be used not only to place plants thereon, but also other items of interest or decoration. The platform  50  can be mesh sheeted so as to facilitate cleaning and allow water and plant debris to fall through the platform  50 .  
         [0032]    It should be understood that such securement means are not necessarily limited to holding items within the cage. For example, the plant holder ring  44  can be attached to several ribs  16  in a manner such that it resides without the cage  14 . Likewise, a platform  50  can be so arranged. When multiple assemblies  10  are placed adjacent one another, additional rib extensions  18  can interlink the assemblies  10  to create a vine-like effect.  
         [0033]    The assembly  10  can also include decorative motifs  52 , such as the humming bird illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The decorative motifs can include leafs, flowers, nymphs, butterflies, etc. Preferably, such motifs  52  should keep with the overall theme of the assembly  10 .  
         [0034]    With reference to FIG. 6, after some time the plant  54  will outgrow its present pot  36 . In order to transplant the plant  54  to a larger pot, the pot  36  is removed from the assembly  10 . The exact process of removing the plant pot  36  will of course depend upon the manner in which it is supported by the assembly  10 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cable  38  is loosened, preferably using the zipper-like sliding clamp  40  which allows the cable  38  to be pulled through the clamp  40  and tightened around various diameter pots  36 . Once the old plant pot  36  is removed, the roots and soil  56  of the plant  54  are revealed, and may be loosened in preparation of transplantation. This is particularly desirable when the plant  54  has become root bound. A larger pot (not illustrated) may contain additional soil as needed and the roots and soil  56  are placed therein. The cable  38  is then looped around the new pot and tightened to secure the ribs  16  to the pot. In the event a plastic pot is used, the cable  38  may be freely positioned as it may actually be tightened to such a degree that the pot deforms somewhat in response to the pressure applied.  
         [0035]    As can be appreciated by the reader, the plant  54  does not have to be removed from the assembly  10  during this procedure. This is advantageous as the limbs, vines and tendrils of the plant  54  are not damaged to such an extent as when a gardener must clip off or untangle the vines to completely transfer the plant  54  to a new pot and hanger as described above. When the process is completed, the plant  54  and assembly  10  have the same general appearance as before the transplantation process with as little damage as possible, while allowing the plant  54  to further grow and thrive. Aside from this benefit, the assembly  10  of the present invention allows a gardener to hang potted plants of varying sizes and shapes, and even more than one potted plant at a time as described above. The assembly  10  is aesthetically pleasing as it imitates an extension of the potted plant and can also be ornately decorated according to the desires of the gardener.  
         [0036]    Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.