Abstract:
A modular plant support system for aquatic environments assembled from a plurality of elements to facilitate varying configurations. The modular plant support system generally includes a generally planar platform, a base or basket, and at least one platform support member extending between the generally planar platform and the base to operably couple the platform and the base. The platform is capable of receiving a potted plant thereon, and the base has a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion providing an interior cavity. The modularity and flexible connectivity coupled with the structural stability of the system enables the respective aquatic plant to be selectively placed at the optimal aquatic elevation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The current application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional patent application filed on Aug. 19, 2003, entitled “Modular Aquatic Plant Support Assembly” having Ser. No. 60/496,292, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to aquatic plant stands and, more particularly, to a modular plant support system for aquatic environments that can be assembled from a plurality of elements, where the modular units can be attached to achieve optimal elevation and connectivity to achieve stability and desired plant configurations within aquatic environments.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional plant stands are generally basic and fixed in nature, and are typically designed to be assembled from a plurality of rigid elements to support plants in an environment on land and not for aquatic environments such as aquariums, water gardens, or ponds. An aquatic environment can provide challenges that typical plant stands cannot withstand.  
         [0004]     Some aquatic plants grow with their crowns (where the stem meets the soil or potting medium) at or near the surface of the water. Other plants grow from several feet under the surface of the water. Other plants can grow in the range somewhere between these exemplary depths. Many pond guides and practices currently recommend using bricks as a base for plants and objects in ponds, e.g., when elevation off of the floor of the aquatic environment is needed. Boards, cinder blocks, milk crates, or other makeshift structures are often used to elevate aquatic plants. However, bricks or cinder blocks can possibly leech harmful materials into the water, affecting aquatic life. Additionally, water gardens or ponds may have liners that are vulnerable to punctures by such makeshift structures. Also, some aquatic plants grow several feet above the surface of the water (e.g., canna lilies). Such plants, as well as other aquatic plants, can be blown over or dislodged by the wind or other aquatic life, e.g., fish or waterfowl. Further, an aquatic environment is not static. Water typically sloshes back and forth, disrupting the stability of plants within the aquatic environment. These makeshift structures do little to prevent the aquatic plants from tipping over within the aquatic environment, and therefore lack the necessary stability.  
         [0005]     Broadly speaking, conventional approaches do disclose various plant support devices for water gardens, aquariums, and other bodies of water. However, none of these approaches or systems allows the plant support device to be adjusted to the optimal water depth while maintaining the necessary stability and support and the desired aquatic plant configurations and arrangements within the aquatic environment.  
         [0006]     For example, some prior art approaches disclose buoyant receptacles for aquatic plants. These buoyant receptacles typically take on the form of floating pots, collars, or planter boxes. However, these buoyant apparatuses incur limitations. For instance, the receptacles determine the quantity, size, and weight of the plants placed in the floating receptacles. Additionally, such receptacles do not provide the optimal growth depth for those aquatic plants whose optimal growth depth is below the water surface. Also, while these receptacles often have an anchoring weight, the receptacles drift by either dragging the respective anchoring weight or by the slack that is innate within the line.  
         [0007]     As a result, there is a need for an aquatic modular plant support system that substantially solves the innate drawbacks and restrictions presented with these conventional concepts and designs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The aquatic modular plant support system of the present invention substantially departs from conventional concepts and designs, and in doing so provides a modular system that supports aquatic plants within an aquatic environment while maintaining optimal elevation, stability, support, and desired aquatic plant configurations and arrangements.  
         [0009]     In the aquatic modular plant support system of the present invention, a potted plant is capable of being supported on a platform that is generally planar. The platform is operably coupleable to a base or basket by at least one platform support member, which extends between the platform and the base. The base has a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion, which provides the base or basket with an interior cavity.  
         [0010]     An objective and advantage of the present invention is the flexible connectivity and modularity of the aquatic plant support system and also its stability, lateral support, and various selective configurations within the aquatic environment. The plant support stand of the present invention may have units that can be connected and stacked together to enable the placement at an optimal depth below the water surface while maintaining the stability of the system within the aquatic environment.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that is bio-friendly.  
         [0012]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that is stable and substantially prevents the aquatic plant from being dislodged or tipped over within the aquatic environment by conditions such as strong winds, sloshing water, aquatic life, and the like.  
         [0013]     Still another object of the present invention is to create an aquatic modular plant support system that allows the plants to be maintained at optimal depths within the aquatic environment.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that eliminates the need for makeshift structures for elevation and support such as bricks, boards, cinder blocks, milk crates, and the like.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that can be used on the floor of the aquatic environment, wherein the floor is not necessarily level.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that is itself stable within the aquatic environment.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that is able to support plants contained in pots of various sizes and shapes.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular plant support system that can be interconnected to other units to provide both stability and flexible configurations for different sizes, quantities, and shaped aquatic plants and pots.  
         [0019]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular support plant system that is adaptable to other uses, such as supporting pumps, filters, strainers or clarifiers, decorative items, pond lighting within, and the like within the aquatic environment.  
         [0020]     A further object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular support plant system that is both flexible and stable enough to be adapted to use outside of the aquatic environment.  
         [0021]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular support plant system which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable so that it can be disassembled and reassembled to form different configurations.  
         [0022]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic modular support plant system constructed at least in part of interchangeable or standardized components and component connections to promote increased modularity and diverse configurations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system of the present invention holding a potted plant within the system.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system of the present invention wherein the support members are an integral part of the platform.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system of the present invention wherein the plant&#39;s oversized pot is supported by the platform and secured by the upper post members.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system of the present invention wherein the plant&#39;s unique shaped pot is supported by the basket lid and secured by the post members.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system of the present invention wherein the plant&#39;s pot is both supported and secured by the railing.  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the platform of the present invention wherein the platform contains peg receiving apertures that receive pegs for selectively securing pots of various sizes and shapes.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a modular aquatic plant support system wherein the basket contains a plurality of apertures and the platform also functions as a basket lid.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a representation of various connectivity configurations and arrangements between two or more modular aquatic plant support assemblies of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     Referring now generally to  FIGS. 1-10 , there is shown, in various embodiments, an aquatic modular support plant system or assembly, generally designated  10 , for use in an aquatic environment such as a pond, stream, water garden, tank or the like to hold an aquatic plant pot  11 , ( FIGS. 3-7 ) or an article  13  (not shown), such as a pump, filter, strainers or clarifiers, decorative items, lighting, and the like.  
         [0034]     Referring primarily now to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown an embodiment of the aquatic modular support plant system  10 , which may be positioned on the floor or ground of an aquatic environment. The assembly  10  can be constructed of a durable, resilient, shape-retentive material such as rubber, plastic, or metal. Other materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art, however, are also envisioned. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the system  10  includes a base or basket  20 , a basket lid  30 , base members  40 , support or post members  50 , a platform  60 , support or post members  70 , and a railing  80 .  
         [0035]     Basket  20  can include a bottom portion  22 , a plurality of sides  24 , and an inner cavity region  25 . Basket  20  also contains a top region  23 , which is generally parallel to the bottom portion  22 , that may either be open to the water, or contain the basket lid  30  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . Basket lid  30 , bottom portion  22 , and/or plurality of sides  24  may each contain a plurality of apertures  26 . Apertures  26  can accommodate the passage of water and may take on various sizes and shapes. Alternatively, basket lid  30 , bottom  22 , and/or sides  24  may each be solid. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , bottom portion  22  may be larger in size than top region  23  so as to add stability to the system  10 . Alternatively, bottom portion  22  and top region  23  may be the same size, or top region  23  may be larger in size than bottom portion  22 . Also, inner cavity region  25  or basket  20  may hold weight devices or elements  15  (not shown) such as rocks, bags of dense material, bio-friendly bio-mediums, or other weights or aquatic focused elements to stabilize system  10  or provide additional aquatic environmental benefits. The weight devices or elements  15  may be inserted into inner cavity region  25  through the top region  23 , for example by opening basket lid  30  if one is employed, or alternatively through a door located on one or more of sides  24 .  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , basket lid  30  can contain connectivity apertures  32 . Connectivity apertures  32  allow basket lid  30  and basket  20  to interface such that a connectivity portion  28  of basket  20  protrudes through aperture  32  when basket lid  30  operably engages down onto basket  20 . When basket lid  30  and basket  20  are interfaced such that connectivity portion  28  protrudes through aperture  32 , connectivity portion  28  is in position to interface with post members  50 , or other system  10  portions or structures. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , basket lid  30  can be connected to basket  20  by one or more hinges  33  and rests on top region  23  of basket  20  when in the closed position. A locking mechanism  35 , or another engagement structure known to one of ordinary skill in the art, can be used to lock the basket lid  30  in the closed position. In another alternative embodiment, basket lid  30  and basket  20  are operably engaged by, e.g., nesting, mounting, or clipping, so that basket lid  30  is, e.g., on top of basket  20 , flush with the top region  23  of the plurality of sides  24 , or any distance inside inner cavity region  25  of basket  20 . As demonstrated, a myriad of methods, structures, and techniques can be employed to connect basket  20  and basket lid  30 .  
         [0037]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , connectivity portions  28  can be an integral portion of basket  20 . Alternatively, connectivity portions  28  can be separate pieces that are permanently attached to basket  20  by attachment means known to one of ordinary skill in the art such as welding, gluing, adhering, fastening, etc. In another alternative embodiment, connectivity portions  28  can be modular pieces that can be connected to and disconnected from basket  20 . In still another alternative embodiment, basket lid  30  contains connectivity portions  28 , which can be connected to basket lid  30  by the means described above. In still another embodiment, basket  20  may be operably engaged with other system  10  structures or portions by other attachment means such as clips, fasteners, or other attachment means known by one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0038]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , bottom portion  22  may contain a plurality of base member receiving apertures  29  (not shown) that receive a plurality of base supports or members  40 . Base members  40  can provide additional support for the basket  20  on the floor of the aquatic environment or other surface within the environment. Base members  40  may also be adjustable such that when assembly  10  rests on the aquatic floor, one or more base members  40  may be adjusted to accommodate an uneven or slanted surface so that the surfaces of basket lid  30  and bottom portion  22  are generally parallel with respect to the respective water surface. This adjustability of the base members  40  with respect to the basket  20  allows the system  10  to be adjusted to a level position and substantially stable when used in an aquatic environment that does not have a level ground or floor. The system  10  may also contain rotatable ball-and-socket joints, feet extensions, flexible or malleable supports, and the like to allow additional adjustability and stability on an uneven floor. Base members  40  can also consist of various shapes and sizes. Alternatively, bottom portion  22  simply serves as the base member such that system  10  rests on the aquatic environment ground or floor. In another alternative embodiment, only a single base member  40  operably engages with basket  20 . In this embodiment, base member  40  can be larger in size than bottom portion  22  and is attached to one or more receiving apertures  29 . In still another alternative embodiment, base member  40  is an integral piece of basket  20 , or is attached to basket  20  by means known to one of ordinary skill in the art as described above.  
         [0039]     Each post member  50  can have a distal end  52  and a proximate end  54 . Post members  50  may have a circular cross-section (as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), or other shapes and configurations as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, post members  50  may consist of various sizes and lengths, as demonstrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , proximate end  54  operably connects with the connectivity portion  28  of basket  20 . Connectivity aperture  32  can be smaller in diameter than proximate end  52  such that when basket lid  30  is interfaced with basket  20  and proximate end  54  of each post member  50  is operably connected with connectivity portion  28  of basket  20 , basket lid  30  is secured and flush with sides  24 . Moreover, distal end  52  of each post member  50  is in position to interface with platform  60 , or other system  10  portions or structures. Alternatively, the shape and size of connectivity apertures  32  are slightly larger than proximate end  54  such that post members  50  can slide through apertures  32  to operably connect with connectivity portions  28 .  
         [0040]     In still another alternative embodiment, post members  50  are an integral part of basket  20 . In this alternative embodiment, the shape and size of connectivity apertures  32  are slightly larger than post members  50  such that post members  50  can slide through connectivity apertures  32  when basket lid  30  is operably engaged down onto basket  20 . Alternatively, other system  10  portions or structures may be operably engaged down onto basket  20  whereby the integral post members  50  slide through the respective apertures. In another alternative embodiment, system  10  does not have a lid  30 , but instead, integral post members  50  are in position to interface with platform  60 , or other system  10  portions or structures. In another alternative embodiment, post members  50  are integrally connected to basket lid  30 . In still another alternative embodiment, in the space between post members  50  there is a wall, which can be of a mesh-type, wire-type, or wall with or without apertures. In yet another alternative embodiment, post members  50  may operably engage with basket  20 , basket lid  30 , platform  60 , railing  80 , or other system  10  structures or portions by other attachment means such as clips, fasteners, pins, male/female connectors such as post member  50  inserting into a sleeve, hole, or slot, or other attachment or connectivity means known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0041]     Platform  60  can include a bottom surface  61 , a top surface  62 , and a plurality of sides  63 . Platform  60  can take on many different shapes, sizes, and have additional features. For instance, platform  60  can have arch shaped sides  63 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  5 , and  8 - 9 , which provides arcuate bracing. Platform  60  can also have walls, tabs, or finger-like projections extending up or down to provide lateral support and stability to the respective plants, a reinforced bottom to provide additional stability and support, or an integral ring on the top surface  62  to laterally support a plant. Additional shapes, sizes, and features known to one of ordinary skill in the art are also envisioned.  
         [0042]     Platform  60  can also include connectivity apertures  64 , which facilitates connectivity between the distal end  52  of post members  50  and the proximate end  74  of post members  70 . In facilitating connectivity, connectivity apertures  64  can be the same shape and slightly larger than distal end  52  such that when distal end  52  is inserted through connectivity aperture  64  in direction from the bottom surface  61  to the top surface  62 , distal end  52  protrudes through connectivity aperture  64  above top surface  62  so that proximate end  74  may be connected to distal end  52  thereby securing platform  60  between post members  50  and  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Alternatively, connectivity apertures  64  may facilitate connectivity between other assembly  10  portions or structures, for instance between connectivity portion  28  and proximate end  54 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Referring back to  FIGS. 1-3 , platform  60  may also contain a plurality of apertures  66 . These apertures  66  can facilitate structural connectivity, plant securement, the passage of water, and may be constructed and designed of various sizes and shapes to achieve these goals. An aquatic plant  11  may be supported on the top surface  62  of platform  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 .  
         [0043]     Each post member  70  can have a distal end  72  and a proximate end  74 . Post members  70  may have a circular cross-section (as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), or other shapes and configurations as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, post members  70  may consist of various sizes and lengths, as demonstrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . As described above, proximate end  74  operably connects with the distal end  52  of post member  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when distal end  52  of post member  50  is inserted through connectivity aperture  64  of platform  60  and proximate end  74  of post member  70  is connected with distal end  52  of post member  50 , platform  60  is secured between post members  50  and post members  70 . Moreover, distal end  72  of each post member  70  is in position to interface with railing  80 , or other system  10  portions or structures. In an alternative embodiment, post members  70  are an integral part of platform  60 . In still another alternative embodiment, the space between post members  70  may contain a wall as previously described above with respect to post members  50 .  
         [0044]     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the system  10  can include railing  80 . Railing  80  can have connectivity member apertures  81  (not shown) for receiving the distal end  72  of post members  70 . In an alternative embodiment, support members  50  (or  70 ) are an integral part of railing  80 . Railing  80  also contains a plant growth aperture  82 . Plant growth aperture  82 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , receives a plant or pot  11  there through such that the railing  80  provides additional lateral support and securement. The plant growth aperture  82  may consist of various sizes, shapes, number of apertures, and supporting configurations.  
         [0045]     Referring primarily now to  FIGS. 4-7 , there is shown various embodiments of an aquatic modular support plant system  10 , which may be positioned on the floor or ground of an aquatic environment. In the following embodiments, system  10  consists of various structures or portions described in the previous embodiment, however, not all of the elements are utilized. Instead, each of the following embodiments illustrates the modular aspect and flexibility of system  10 , which allows the user to provide the optimal elevation within the aquatic environment for the respective aquatic plant while maintaining structural stability, lateral support, adaptability to different size and shaped plants or pots  11 , and desired system configurations and arrangements.  
         [0046]     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , post or support members  50  may be an integral part of platform  60 . More specifically, distal ends  52  (or  72 ) can be an integral part with sides  63  or any other portion of platform  60 . Alternatively, support members  50  may be an integral part of basket  20 , railing  80 , or other system  10  structures or portions. Moreover, support members  50  (or  70 ) can have various sizes and shapes, such as the V-shape or U-shape. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the proximate ends  54  (or  74 ) abut the top region  23  of the basket lid  30  and the platform  60 . In another alternative embodiment, the proximate ends can abut the basket  20 , the railing  80 , or other system  10  structures or portions. The support members  50  (or  70 ) have attachment apertures or slots  92  as do the respective abutting system  10  structure or portion, such as basket  20  and platform  60  shown in  FIG. 4 . Attachment apertures or slots  92  allow support members  50  (or  70 ) to be operably connected with basket  20 , platform,  60 , or railing  80  with a fastener device such as the clip  94 . One portion of clip  94  can insert or snap into slots  92  on support member  50  while another portion of clip  94  can insert or snap into slots  92  on the respective system  10  structure or portion. Other fastener devices may also be utilized, such as a pin, bolt, or other fastener devices known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0047]     In an alternative embodiment, support members  50  abut the sides of basket  20 , platform  60 , or railing  80  and are connected to each other by such fastener devices as previously described. In still another alternative embodiment, support members  50  can connect to the respective platform  60 , railing  80 , or basket  20  by being inserted into a slot, sleeve, groove, hole, etc. in the respective assembly  10  structure or portion. In still another alternative embodiment, top surface  62  of two platforms  60  may be operably engaged and connected with fastener devices such as clip  94  such that support members  50  of the two respective platforms  60  extend opposite directions of each other. In this embodiment, one set of support members  50  can be used for the securement of potted plant  11  or attachment of another system  10  structure or portion while the other set of support members  50  operably connects with another system  10  structure or portion such as basket  20 , platform  60 , or railing  80 .  
         [0048]     Additionally,  FIG. 4  clearly illustrates the modularity aspect of system  10  in that more than one platform  60  with integral support members  50  (or  70 ) can be stacked upon the basket  20 , the railing  80 , or another platform  60 , in order to obtain the desired elevation level for plant  11  within the aquatic environment. The modularity aspect is not limited to stacking multiple platforms  60 , but may include, for example, multiple baskets  20 , railings  80 , or other system  10  structures or portions.  
         [0049]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , assembly  10  supports and secures an aquatic plant pot  11  that does not securely fit within plant growth aperture  82  of railing  80 . Plant pot  11  is generally larger in size than platform  60 . Platform  60  supports pot  11  while post members  70  provide lateral support and secure the oversized pot  11 . This embodiment, however, is not limited to oversized pots. Instead, plant pots  11  having various shapes and sizes, e.g., hexagon, octagon, cylindrical, or any other unique shape, may be supported and secured.  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , basket lid  30  supports plant pot  11  while post members  50  (or post members  70 ) provide lateral support and secure the uniquely shaped plant pot  11 . In an alternative embodiment, basket lid  30  may be replaced with platform  60 . In still another alternative embodiment, post members  50  are an integral part of basket lid  30 , and such an integral piece is operably engaged to basket  20  by attachment means such as clips, fasteners, or other attachment means known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , railing  80  supports and secures plant pot  11  by wedging plant pot  11  into growth aperture  82  until growth aperture  82  and plant pot  11  are operably engaged. Alternatively, plant pot  11  may be of such size and shape that basket lid  30  supports plant pot  11  while growth aperture  82  of railing  80  provides lateral support and secures plant pot  11 . In still another alternative embodiment, plant pot  11  may contain a rim or collar such that the collar operably engages with railing  80  as the plant pot  11  is slid through growth aperture  82 .  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown another embodiment of platform  60  of an aquatic modular support plant system  10 . In this embodiment, platform  60  contains a plurality of peg receiving apertures  67 , which receives a plurality of pegs  68 . Pegs  68  may be inserted around the periphery of plant pots  11  on platform  60 . Apertures  67  may consist of various shapes, sizes, spacing, and configurations while pegs  68  may also be consist of various shapes and sizes. In addition, this aperture  67  and peg  68  system can be implemented in other structures of the system  10 , such as the basket lid  30 . In using the aperture  67  and peg  68  system, the user can easily support and secure various shaped and sized pots by simply placing the pot  11  on the platform  60  and inserting the pegs  68  into apertures  67  such that the inserted pegs  68  provide lateral support and securement to the respective plant pot  11 . As is apparent, this aperture  67  and peg  68  system is useful in adapting the system  10  to receive and support various sized and shaped plant pots  11  and is easily modified. In an alternative embodiment, the apertures  67  consist of a lattice type configuration. In the lattice type configuration, pegs  68  can insert into apertures  67 , or alternatively, operably engage with the platform  60  portion of the lattice configuration.  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown another embodiment of basket  20 . In this embodiment, sides  24  of basket  20  having a mesh-type or lattice-type configuration/design that provides basket  20  with numerous apertures  26 . Moreover, bottom portion  22  may also be constructed in such a mesh-type or lattice-type design. The mesh-type or lattice-type design is beneficial in that it allows the basket  20  and other system  10  structures and portions to be made out of wire or metal-based material as well as other materials known by one of ordinary skill in the art. Also, the mesh-type or lattice-type design may lend greater strength, be easier to mold, provide smaller and more numerous apertures  26  that are able to contain smaller particles or other materials within the cavity  23 , allows a powder coating for rust resistance, and provide easier means for connectivity between two or more assemblies  10  for additional support and stability.  
         [0054]      FIG. 9  also demonstrates that platform  60  may serve a dual function as basket lid  30  and support platform  60 . In this embodiment, connectivity portion  28  of basket  20  protrudes through connectivity aperture  64  of platform  60  when platform  60  operably engages down onto basket  20 . Moreover, platform  60  is secured in place when connectivity portion  28  is inserted into distal end  52  of post members  50  (or distal end  72  of post members  70 ).  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , it is shown that system  10  may consist of various shapes and sizes. Moreover, an assembly  10  may be configured with one or more other assemblies  10  so as to provide plant support stands in numerous desired configurations. These desired configurations allow the user to arrange aquatic plants in desired aesthetic and functional arrangements. Also, more than one system  10  may be used to support and secure plant pots  11  that are in odd shapes, e.g., rectangular, T-shaped, or other various shaped pots or planters. In order to maintain stability, each system unit  10  may be connected to another system unit  10  by various mechanisms, such as connectors, locking mechanisms, elastic connections, matingly compatible structures, clamps, hooks, brackets, and a myriad of other like methods, techniques, and structures known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0056]     In use, system  10  can be assembled by modular structures or portions. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , system  10  can be assembled by attaching base members  40  to the bottom portion  24  of basket  20 . Then, weight devices or elements  15 , such as rocks, bio-friendly bio-mediums, etc., can be inserted into the inner cavity region  25 . Basket lid  30  can then be engaged down onto the top region  23  of basket  20  such that apertures  32  allow connectivity portion  28  to slide through apertures  32  resulting in a protruding portion extending above the surface of basket lid  30 . Once the basket lid  30  is engaged with the basket  20 , the proximate ends  54  of post members  50  are engaged with the protruding portions of connectivity portions  28  such that connectivity portions  28  insert into proximate end  54  until proximate end  54  becomes flush with the top surface of basket lid  30  thereby securing basket lid  30 . Platform  60  can then be engaged down onto post members  50  such that distal ends  52  insert into connectivity apertures  64  of platform  60  resulting in a portion of distal ends  52  protruding through connectivity apertures  64  and above the top surface  62 . Proximate ends  74  of post members  70  can then be engaged with distal ends  52  such that distal ends  52  insert into proximate ends  74  until proximate ends  74  are flush with the top surface  62 , thereby securing platform  60  and leaving distal ends  72  capable of connecting with railing  80 . Railing  80  can be engaged down onto distal ends  72  such that distal ends  72  insert into connectivity member apertures  81 . After system  10  is assembled, plant pot  11  can be inserted into growth aperture  82  resulting in plant pot  11  being supported and secured by system  10 . Thereafter, system  10  containing plant pot  11  can be inserted into the respective water environment.  
         [0057]     Other variations of the foregoing example are also possible. For instance, many of the assembly structures or portions may be assembled in different orders, without certain structures or portions from the foregoing example, with the foregoing structures or portions in different locations, by using more than one of the respective structures or portions, or by using different connectivity mechanisms. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , system  10  can be assembled as in the foregoing example except without railing  80 . This system  10  variation allows the user to support and secure plant pots  11  that are uniquely shaped and larger in size than railing  80  or platform  60 . Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , system  10  can be assembled without railing  80 , post members  70 , platform  60 , and base members  40 . In this example, plant pot  11  is supported and secured by basket lid  30  and post members  50 . In another example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , system  10  can support and secure plant pot  11  by assembling basket  20 , basket lid  30 , support members  50  as in the foregoing examples except that railing  80  is engaged with support members  50 .  
         [0058]     In another example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , system  10  may contain platform  60 , which contains a peg  67  and peg receiving aperture  68  system. The peg  67  and peg receiving aperture  68  system allows the user to secure and support plant pot  11  without necessarily having other system  10  structures or portions such as, for example, support members  70  or railing  80 . Moreover, this embodiment of platform  60  may also be engaged down onto basket  20  replacing basket lid  30 . In still another example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , basket lid  30  can be replaced with platform  60  such that connectivity apertures  64  receive connectivity portions  28  when platform  60  is engaged down onto basket  20 .  
         [0059]     In yet another example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , system  10  can be assembled by abutting proximate ends  54  of support members  50 , which are an integral part of platform  60 , onto the top surface of basket lid  30 . Clips  94  can be inserted into attachment apertures or slots  92  on both support members  50  and basket  20 . After the platform  60  with integral support members  50  is connected to basket  20 , then another platform  60  with integral support members  50  can be connected to the previously attached platform  60 . In attaching the second platform  60 , the support members  50  of the second platform  60  are placed so that they abut the top surface  62  of the first platform  60 . Then the clips  94  are inserted or snapped into slots or apertures  92  thereby connecting the two platforms  60  to each other. A potted plant  11  can then be placed on the second platform  60  and secured using the peg  67  and peg receiving aperture  68  system described above in regards to  FIG. 8 .  
         [0060]     As can be seen from the previously described embodiments and examples, system  10  allows the user to achieve optimal elevation within the water environment, adequate securement for the respective plant pot  11 , proper stability for system  10 , and flexibility and adaptability for various sized and shaped plant pots  11 . Moreover, various assemblies  10  may be arranged into desired configurations, as shown for example in  FIG. 10 , which allows the user to achieve both functional and aesthetic goals within the respective water environment. The previously described embodiments and examples of system  10  can consist of various structures or portions that are modular. In addition to system  10  consisting of modular structures and portions, system  10  may consist of one entirely integral piece, or system  10  may consist of both integral portions or structures and other portions or structures that are modular. Moreover, the system  10  structures and portions may be connected by other attachment means such as clips, fasteners, or other attachment means known to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0061]     Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details limit the scope of the invention other than as specifically set forth in the following claims, taking into consideration reasonable equivalents thereof.