Abstract:
A plant pot and support structure for supporting a plant growing in the pot including the plant pot, at least one pillar connected to the plant pot, and at least one mesh supported by and connected to the pillar. The plant grows upwardly through, and is supported by, the mesh. The pillars are connected to and supported by the plant pot. The mesh is suspended in a horizontal plane allowing the plant to grow up and through the openings in the mesh, which in turn provides support to the plant. In doing so, the plant does not need to divert its growth resources toward strengthening its stalk and can maximize its fruit or flowering yield. In another embodiment, there is disclosed a plant pot having a sidewall that includes at least one bore extending downwardly along the sidewall.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/753,234, which was filed on Jan. 16, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains to a support structure for a plant. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a support structure for a potted plant in which the support structure is supported by the plant&#39;s pot. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Gardeners are always trying to increase the yield of their plants using different planting techniques. It is well-known that flowering and fruiting plants produce a higher yield when given a support structure that allows the plant to divert more of its energy to producing the flowers or fruit, rather than strengthening its stalks to support itself. For instance, tomato plants and peonies are known to require substantial support to keep from falling over under their own weight. But even plants that can stand on their own still benefit from external support in order to maximize the plant&#39;s yield. This is typically accomplished by securing the plant to support stakes or placing a generally cylindrical metal frame, or cage, in the soil around the plant. As the plant grows, its branches and stalks begin to droop or lean outwardly under their own weight. The metal frame provides support to the outer stalks and keeps them from drooping over. 
         [0006]    When plants are grown in larger volumes, it is also known that a mesh, or netting, can be horizontally suspended above a group of plants. The mesh, or netting, is supported at its ends or around its edges. The plants then grow up and through the horizontal mesh, and use the mesh for support, rather than use its resources. This allows the plant to allocate those resources to fruit or flower production that would otherwise have gone into strengthening its stalk and branches. 
         [0007]    However, there are shortcomings in the prior art that the present invention seeks to overcome. For example, metal frames function primarily to keep the plant from drooping to the side. But these may not provide adequate support, particularly to the plant&#39;s central stalks. Support stakes are no better because it is tedious to secure the plants to the stakes, and the stakes can easily be toppled because they are simply driven into the soil. 
         [0008]    Suspending a mesh or netting over the plants can provide the adequate support needed. However, this is only a suitable solution when there is a group of plants. Even still, once the plants have grown through the mesh and are being supported by it, the individual plants cannot be moved without either destroying the plant or the mesh. 
         [0009]    Thus, there remains a need for a support structure for a potted plant that provides adequate support and allows each individual plant pot to be moved. 
         [0010]    The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art by providing a support structure for a planted pot which allows each pot to be individually moved, and which also provides adequate support to the entire plant by providing a support structure that is connected to the pot itself, rather than simply being placed in the soil along with the plant. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides a support structure for a plant in a pot that is connected to, and extends upwardly, from the pot. 
         [0012]    The support structure comprises: (a) at least one pillar that is connected to the pot; and (b) a mesh supported by and connected to the pillar, whereby the plant grows upwardly through, and is supported by, the mesh. 
         [0013]    The present invention further provides a plant pot and support structure comprising: (a) a plant pot; (b) at least one pillar secured to the plant pot and extending upwardly therefrom; and (c) at least one mesh supported by and connected to the pillar. 
         [0014]    The plant pot can have a sidewall that includes a bore for receiving an end of the pillar, one respective bore being provided to receive each provided pillar. 
         [0015]    The plant pot and support system can include at least three pillars in which the mesh is connected to and supported by each pillar. 
         [0016]    The mesh can comprise a grid, webbing, netting, a screen, a lattice, or any other suitable type of reticulated grid structure. The mesh can comprise any suitable type of material, including metal, wood, polymer materials, textiles (e.g., string), or combinations or composites thereof. 
         [0017]    The plant pot and support structure can include a second mesh, wherein the first and second meshes are positioned at a different elevation (or distance) from the each other and from the plant pot. 
         [0018]    The plant pot and support structure can further include at least one extension pillar that is connected to and extends upwardly from each pillar provided. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the invention can comprise a plant pot having a sidewall that includes at least one bore, or through-hole, for receiving an end of a pillar, one respective bore being provided to receive each provided pillar. 
         [0020]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention hereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a plant pot showing bores for receiving the pillars; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial view showing one embodiment for securing a pillar to an extension pillar; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the plant pot and support structure showing an optional second mesh secured to a plurality of extension pillars; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention showing the plant pot having a sidewall that includes at least one bore, or through-hole. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    In accordance with the present invention, and as shown generally in  FIG. 1 , there is provided a support structure  10  for a plant (not shown) in a pot  12  that is connected to, and extends upwardly, from the pot  12 . As described in further detail below, the support structure  10  is connected to and supported by the pot  12 . 
         [0027]    The support structure  10  comprises: (a) at least one pillar  14  that is connected to the pot  12 ; and (b) a mesh  16  supported by and connected to the pillar  14 , whereby the plant grows upwardly through, and is supported by, the mesh  16 . The pot  12  can comprise any suitable type of material which is well-known in the art, including terra cotta, plastic, or the like. Preferably, the pot  12  comprises a plastic polymer material so that it can be easily manufactured, such as by injection molding. 
         [0028]    The pillar  14  is an elongated stick-like strut, or column, that extends in a generally upward direction. The pillar  14  has a base end  18  and an extension end  20 . The pillar  14  can comprise any suitable type of material, including metal, wood, polymer materials, reinforcement materials (e.g., glass, carbon fiber, etc.), or combinations or composites thereof. The plant pot  12  and support structure  10  can include at least three pillars  14   a,    14   b,    14   c,  in which the mesh  16  is connected to and supported by each pillar  14   a,    14   b,    14   c.  Optionally, the pillar  14  can include a plurality of holes  22   a,    22   b,  etc. to assist in attaching the mesh  16 . 
         [0029]    The support structure  10  can be used with only one pillar  14 , so long as adequate means are provided for supporting the mesh  16 , such as providing a mesh  16  frame (not shown) to encircle and support the perimeter of the mesh  16  and to connect to the pillar  14 . Preferably, the support structure  10  includes at least three pillars  14   a,    14   b,    14   c.  And even more preferably, the support system includes four pillars  14   a,    14   b,    14   c,    14   d.  As described in further detail below, when three or more pillars  14  are provided, the mesh  16  does not require a mesh frame, and the mesh  16  can be secured directly to each pillar  14 . 
         [0030]    Means for securing  24  the base end  18  of the pillar  14  to the pot  12  are also provided. The means for securing  24  can include any suitable type of structure or device that is well-known in the art. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the means for securing  24  can include a bore, or elongated recess or hole, in a sidewall  26  of the pot  12  for receiving the base end  18  of the pillar  14 . Alternatively, the means for securing  24  can also include connecting the base end  18  of the pillar  14  to the sidewall  26  of the pot  12  using an adhesive or a mechanical fastener, such as screwing the base end  18  to the sidewall  26 , using at least one ring clamp, or the like. The pillar  14  can also be integrally formed with the pot  12 , such as being one unitary plastic piece. More permanent means for securing  24  can also be used when the materials are appropriate, such as welding or soldering. The invention is intended to cover any type of structure for securing the base end  18  of the pillar  14  to the sidewall  26  of the pot  12  that is well-known in the art and suitable for use herewith. 
         [0031]    The mesh  16  can comprise a grid, webbing, netting, a screen, a lattice, or any other suitable type of reticulated grid structure. The mesh  16  can be rigid or flexible, depending upon the material forming the mesh  16 . It can include openings  28  that are as small or as large as needed for each particular application. For instance, some plants may require large openings  28  to accommodate for large stalks, while other plants might benefit more from a finer mesh  16  having smaller openings  28 . Preferably, the openings  28  are about 1″ to about 4″ wide. The mesh  16  can comprise any suitable type of material, including metal, wood, polymer materials, textiles (e.g., string), or combinations or composites thereof. 
         [0032]    There are also means for attaching  30  the mesh  16  to the pillar  14 . Any suitable type of means that is well-known in the art can be used. For example, twist-ties can be inserted through one of the holes  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  in the pillar  14  and then secured to the mesh  16 . Any other suitable type of fastener can also be used, including string, zip-ties, and so forth. The pillar  14  can also optionally include a plurality of hooks (not shown) along its length for engaging the mesh  16 . 
         [0033]    Optionally, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , the support structure  10  can include a second mesh  16   b,  wherein the first mesh  16   a  and the second mesh  16   b  are positioned at different elevations (or distances) from the each other and from the plant pot  12 . In this regard, the multiple meshes  16   a,    16   b  can be used to support the plant at various heights. Also, further additional meshes (not shown) can be added ongoing as the plant continues to grow upward. 
         [0034]    In order to accommodate continued vertical growth of the plant, the support structure  10  can optionally include at least one respective extension pillar  32  that is connected to and extends upwardly from each pillar  14  provided. The extension pillar  32  is connected to and extends upwardly from the extension end  20  of the pillar  14 . The extension pillar  32  can be connected to the extension end  20  of the pillar  14  using any suitable means, including but not limited to, a mechanical fastener or an adhesive. 
         [0035]    In addition, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the extension end  20  of the pillar  14  and the extension pillar  32  can have complementary surfaces to permit interfitment with each other. For example, the extension end  20  of the pillar  14  can be hollow and have a circular cross-section, and the extension pillar  32  can have an outer cylindrical surface that is also circular. The outer diameter  34  of the extension pillar  32  can be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the extension end  20  of the pillar  14 , thereby allowing the extension pillar  32  to be inserted into the extension end  20  of the pillar  14 . Alternatively, the outer diameter  34  of the extension pillar  32  can be tapered, as shown. Thus, the pillar  14  and the extension pillar  32  can be quickly, easily, and securely attached to each other. 
         [0036]    In addition, the pillars  14  and extension pillars  32  can either extend straight up from the pot  12  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ), or the pillars  14  and extension pillars  32  can flare, or extend, outwardly as they extend up from the pot  12 . Preferably, the pillars  14  and extension pillars  32  can flare, or extend, outwardly from each other to accommodate plants that are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. It is known that many plants grow outwardly as they grow taller. For instance, the bottom of the pot  12  might have a diameter of 11″, while the top of the top has a diameter of 13″. The pillars  14  and extension pillars  32  can extend upwardly and away from each other until they are about 23″ from each other. 
         [0037]    Furthermore, although the pot  12  is shown as being generally cylindrical or conical in the drawings, it is to be understood that the pot  12  can be any suitable shape. For instance, it can have a square or rectangular cross-section at the top so that pots can be abutted against each other easily. The pot  12  can also be any suitable size, ranging from being only several inches wide at the top to having a volume of twenty gallons or more. 
         [0038]    Optionally, cross-braces (not shown), or struts, can be connected between the pillars  14  to provide additional cross-strength as desired. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the invention can comprise a plant pot  112  having a sidewall  126  that includes at least one bore  124 , or through-hole. 
         [0040]    The bore  124  can receive an end  18  of a pillar  14 , one respective bore  124  being provided to receive each pillar  14 . The sidewall  126  includes at least one substantially vertically-oriented member  128 , or post, that is secured to the sidewall  126 . The member  128  can be secured to the exterior side  130  of the sidewall  126 , the interior side  132  of the sidewall  126 , or positioned within the sidewall  126 . Preferably, and as shown in the drawings, the member  128  is positioned to the exterior side  130  of the sidewall  126 . 
         [0041]    The bore  124  extends co-axially with the member  128 , running downwardly through the member  128 . Preferably, the bore  124  extends the entire length of the member  128 , although optionally it can extend as little as one inch deep into the member  128 . Although the bore  124  can have a consistent diameter along the entire length thereof, the bore  124  can optionally be tapered so that its diameter narrows downwardly along the length of the bore  124 . In this regard, the bore  124  can receive pillars  14  of varying diameters and each pillar can be secured into a bore  124  by simply inserting the pillar  14  into the bore  124  until the pillar  14  is snugly and frictionally engaged into the bore  124 . If necessary, the various pillars can be cut at the extension end  20  so that each extension end  20  extends the same distance above the plant pot  112 . 
         [0042]    According to the invention described above, a support structure for a plant is provided which provides adequate support to the plant because the support structure is connected to, and extends upwardly, from the pot rather than being staked into the soil in the pot. Furthermore, the support structure allows the plant and the pot to be repositioned or moved as desired.