Abstract:
A rack for supporting a plurality of containerized plants has at least one brace supported by and extending between a pair of longitudinally extending rails. The brace is moveable relative to the rails for adjusting the longitudinal position of the brace along the rails such that the brace is positioned to engage at least one of the containers of the containerized plants. In use, one of the containerized plants may be placed in a receiving area defined in part by the brace. The brace may be moved along the rails until the brace engages the container. Then the brace is secured to the rails to resist movement of the brace away from the container along the rails. Some embodiments of the rack are relatively easy to assemble and disassemble. The rack may also be modular to facilitate expansion of the rack to support additional plants.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/769,403 filed Jun. 27, 2007, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the display of containerized plants and more particularly to display racks and methods for supporting one or more plants that are grown or stored in containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Trees and other relatively large plants or shrubs are often sold by a commercial nursery or a garden center for subsequent transplantation into the ground by a customer. The roots of the plants are typically disposed in a suitable container that also contains soil or another suitable growth or plant food source medium to cover the roots so as to protect the roots from air and to retain moisture. The subsequent transplantation thus involves removing the plant (and typically the accompanying soil) from the container and burying the root system. 
         [0004]    Vendors often display containerized plants of this sort by standing the containers upright on a display surface and more typically on the ground or floor. Although the containers typically have a flat base to help keep the tree upright, large plants that are stored or displayed in this manner are at risk of being tipped over by high winds, fork lifts or carts that bump into the plants, or by employees or customers. 
         [0005]    This can result in damage to the plant and/or the soil/growing medium falling out of the overturned container, thereby leaving some or all of the roots exposed to air and requiring clean-up efforts and additional labor to set the plants upright again. 
         [0006]    There is a need, therefore, for a display rack for supporting containerized plants in a stable, upright orientation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One aspect of the invention is a rack for supporting a plurality of containerized plants, each of which includes a plant having an above-ground plant portion and roots connected thereto, and a container containing the roots. The rack has a pair of opposing rail supports. The rail supports have bases for engaging a surface. A pair of longitudinally extending rails extend between and are supported by the rail supports. At least one brace is supported by and extends between the rails. The rails support the brace above the surface when the bases of the rail supports are engaged with the surface. The brace is slidable relative to the rails for adjusting the longitudinal position of the brace along the rails such that the brace is positioned to engage at least one of the containers of the containerized plants. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the invention is a modular rack for supporting a plurality of containerized plants, each of which includes a plant having an above-ground plant portion and roots connected thereto, and a container containing the roots. The rack has three rail supports. The rail supports have bases for engaging a surface. The three rails supports include left and right rail supports and an intermediate rail support positioned between the left and right rail supports. A first pair of rails extends between and is releasably secured to the left rail support and the intermediate rail support. A second pair of rails extends between and is releasably secured to the right rail support and the intermediate rail support. The rack also has a plurality of braces. The braces are supported by the rails. The rails support the braces above the surface when the bases of the rail supports are engaged with the surface. The braces are slidably mounted on the rails for adjusting the positions of the braces along the rails. 
         [0009]    Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of holding a plurality of containerized plants. Each of the containerized plants includes a container and a plant. The plant has an above-ground plant portion and roots connected thereto. The container contains the roots. The method includes releasably securing the ends of a pair of rails to a pair of rail supports such that the rails extend between and are supported by the rail supports. A container of one of the containerized plants is placed in a receiving area defined in part by a brace slidably mounted on and extending between the rails. The brace is slid toward the container along the rails until the brace engages the container. The brace is secured to the rails while the brace is engaging the container to resist sliding movement of the brace away from the container along the rails. 
         [0010]    Still another aspect of the invention is a display rack for supporting a containerized plant. The containerized plant includes a container and a plant disposed at least in part within the container and extending outward therefrom. The display rack has at least one rail support for supporting the display rack on a support surface. At least two elongate brace rails extend longitudinally of the display rack. The brace rails are supported by the at least one rail support in transversely spaced relationship with each other above the support surface. At least one cross-brace extends transversely between, and is supported by, the brace rails at a longitudinal location along said brace rails above the support surface. The cross-brace is configured to at least in part contact the container of said containerized plant to support said containerized plant in an upright orientation thereof. The at least one cross-brace is moveable relative to said brace rails to selectively adjust the longitudinal location of said cross-brace on said brace rails to any of an infinite number of longitudinal positions along the brace rails. 
         [0011]    Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention, alone or in any combination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of one embodiment of a display rack for supporting one or more containerized plants in an upright configuration, with containerized plants being supported by the display rack; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation thereof; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view thereof, with upper portions of the containerized plants cut away; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the rack of  FIGS. 1-3 , with the containerized plants omitted; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross section taken in the plane including line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  wherein the section is taken through one embodiment of a cross-brace of the display rack; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross section taken in a plane including line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4  wherein the section is taken through a second embodiment of a cross-brace of the display rack; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate a sequence in which a containerized plant is displayed in the rack of  FIGS. 1-5  according to one embodiment of a method of supporting a containerized plant; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective of a second embodiment of a display rack for supporting one or more containerized plants; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9B  is a partially exploded view of the display rack of  FIG. 9A  illustrating one way of securing a secondary rail to the rack; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9C  is a partially exploded view of another embodiment of the display rack illustrating another way of securing a secondary rail to the display rack; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective of one embodiment of a modular display system for supporting a plurality of containerized plants; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the display system of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1-5 , one embodiment of a display rack for supporting one or more containerized plants is generally designated at  101 . Containerized plants  103  supported by the display rack  101  conventionally comprise a container  105  (also sometimes referred to as a pot, or a planter) and a plant  107 . The plant  107  has an above-ground portion  111  and roots  113  that are contained in the container  105  along with a growth or food source medium  115  (e.g., soil, peat, or the like) to protect the roots from exposure to air and retain moisture. The plant  107  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  is a tree. However, the term plant as used herein is intended to refer to plants other than trees, such as shrubs, bushes or other plants that may be potted in a container for display and subsequent transplantation. 
         [0027]    The container  105  has a flat bottom, or base  117  and a circumferential sidewall  119  extending up from the base at an angle relative to the vertical so that the diameter (broadly, the cross-sectional dimension) of the container increases from the base toward an open top of the container to facilitate removal of the roots  113  and growing medium  115  from the container when it comes time to transplant the plant  107 . It is understood, however, that the container  105  may be of uniform cross-sectional dimension along its depth (i.e. height). The container  105  may include a lip  121  extending radially (i.e, transversely out from the sidewall  119  (e.g., at the top of the container) as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , although it is not uncommon for plant containers to have little or no lip. 
         [0028]    The container  105  has a capacity to hold a volume that is large enough to contain the roots  113  and growing medium  115  for the plant  107 . Larger plants generally require larger capacity containers. In one embodiment of the invention, the container  105  suitably has a capacity to hold at least about 1 gallon, more suitably at least about 2 gallons, still more suitably at least about 5 gallons, and even more suitably at least about 10 gallons. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that the container  105  described above is conventional and is but one example of containers that are used for containing plants to be transplanted at a remote location. Any suitable plant container is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the plant container  105  of the illustrated embodiment may be constructed of plastic, rubber, metal, clay, ceramic, wire, or other suitable material. Other container shapes and sizes are also contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, a piece of burlap (not shown) or other flexible material may be wrapped and secured around the roots and roots  113  and growing medium  115  to contain them within the scope of the invention. 
         [0030]    The display rack  101  generally comprises at least two rail supports  133  longitudinally spaced from each other for seating on the ground or floor (broadly, the support surface on which the display rack stands), elongate brace rails  131  supported by the rail supports and extending longitudinally in transversely spaced relationship with each other, and more suitably parallel spaced relationship with each other, and at least one and more suitably at least two cross-braces  135  extending transversely between and supported by the brace rails for supporting a containerized plant  103  on the display rack. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , an additional pair of rails  141  (that are not used for supporting the cross-braces and therefore are not referred to herein as brace rails) are also supported by the rail supports  133  and extend longitudinally in transversely spaced relationship, and more suitably parallel spaced relationship, with each other. 
         [0031]    The rail supports  133  of the illustrated display rack  101  are suitably spaced from each other such that the brace rails  131  and additional rails  141  extend entirely between the rail supports (i.e., the rail supports define the longitudinal ends of the display rack). It is contemplated, however, that the rail supports  133  may be spaced longitudinally nearer to each other with the brace rails  131  and/or the additional rails  141  extending longitudinally outward beyond one or both of the rail supports without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0032]    The rail supports  133  are of substantially identical construction to each other, with each of the illustrated rail supports being constructed of multiple frame elements  147  that are connected together such as by welding or by suitable fasteners to form a substantially rigid frame  145 . In one particularly suitable embodiment, the frame elements  147  comprise metal (e.g., steel) tubing  147  having rectangular cross sections (e.g., at least one inch square in size) and an interior longitudinally extending channel. It is understood, however that the frame elements  147  may be other than rectangular in cross-section, and may be solid. It is also contemplated that these frame elements  147  may other than metal, such as wood, plastic, or other suitable material capable of retaining the weight of the containerized plants without buckling or breaking. In other embodiments the rail supports may be other than a frame comprised of multiple frame elements, such as a separate pair of transversely spaced legs or support posts, or of a single piece construction such as a molded piece or a piece cut from wood or metal stock. 
         [0033]    The base  137  of the rail support  133  illustrated in  FIG. 3  suitably comprises an elongate frame element of the frame  145  that defines the outermost transverse sides  151  of the rail support  133  (and hence of the display rack  101 ). The base  137  also has a footprint D 1 , which refers herein to the transverse spacing between locations at which the rail support contacts the support surface  139  on which the display rack stands, defined by the length of the elongate frame element that forms the base. In one particularly suitable embodiment the footprint D 1  of the rail support base  137  is greater than a transverse spacing D 2  between the brace rails  131  to provide stability to the rack  101  against the rack itself tipping over once containerized plants  103  are supported by the rack. As one example, the footprint D 1  of the illustrated base  137  is suitably in the range of about 3 to about 4 feet while the transverse spacing D 2  between the brace rails  131  is in the range of about 1 to about 2.5 feet. It is understood, though, that the base footprint D 1  and/or the brace rail spacing D 2  may be other than as set forth above depending on the size of the display rack, and that the footprint D 1  may be substantially equal to the brace rail spacing D 2  without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0034]    However, the spacing D 2  between the brace rails  131  is in any event at least as great as and more suitably greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the base  117  of the container  105  to allow the container to be positioned between the brace rails. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the spacing D 2  between the brace rails  131  is suitably greater than the largest cross sectional dimension of the container  105  (e.g., the cross sectional diameter of the top of the tapered container). In other embodiments (not shown) in which the container  105  has a tapered side wall  119  (e.g., the cross-section dimension increases from the base  117  to the top of the container), the spacing D 2  is suitably no greater than and is more suitably less than the cross-sectional dimension of the top of the container such that the brace rails  131  may engage sidewall  119  of the container. 
         [0035]    It is also contemplated that in other embodiments (not shown) the base  137  of the rail support  133  need not be a single piece or otherwise generally continuous element. For example, the base  137  may instead comprise two or more legs or support posts that are spaced transversely from each other such that the transverse outermost legs define the transverse sides of the rail support. It is even contemplated that each rail support may comprise two or more discrete, transversely spaced members, such as two non-connecting legs or support posts or two separate frames, each supporting a respective one of the brace rails  131 . In such an embodiment, the transverse spacing between the brace rails may be adjusted by the spacing of the rail support members. 
         [0036]    The illustrated brace rails  131  as well as the additional rails  141  are suitably constructed of an elongate metal tube that is generally square in cross-section and has a longitudinally extending interior channel. The rails  131 ,  141  are suitably open at their longitudinally opposite ends for connecting the rails to the rail supports  133  as will be described later herein. It is understood, however, that the rails  131 ,  141  may be constructed of wood, plastic or other suitable material capable of supporting the weight of the containerized plants  103  held by the display rack  101 . It is also understood that the rails  131 ,  141  may be other than square in cross-section, and/or solid instead of a tube, without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the additional rails  141  are disposed lower (e.g., closer to the support surface  139  upon which the display rack  101  stands) than the brace rails  131  and transversely outward from the brace rails to provide additional stability to the display rack as well as to provide for lifting the entire display rack (with containerized plants  103  therein) without disturbing the containerized plants as will be described later herein. As an example, the illustrated rails  141  are disposed a distance (i.e., at a height) D 4  above the support surface in the range of about 4 to about 8 inches while the brace rails  131  are disposed a distance D 3  from the support surface of about 0.75 to about 3 feet (e.g., about 0.75 to about 2 feet). These additional rails  141  are also space transversely from each other a distance D 5  greater than the spacing D 2  of the brace rails  131 , with the additional rails spaced transversely inward from the side  151  of the rail support a distance D 6  that is less than the transverse spacing D 7  of the brace rails  131  from the side  151  of the rail support  133 . As a further example, the distance D 6  of the illustrated display rack  101  is suitably in the range of about 4 to about 16 inches, and more suitably in the range of about 6 to about 10 inches, and still more suitably in the range of about 8 to about 9.5 inches. 
         [0038]    It is understood, however, that the spacings D 2 , D 3 , D 4  D 5  and/or D 6  may be other than as set forth in the above example without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also contemplated that the spacing D 6  of the additional rails  141  from the respective sides  151  of the rail supports  133  may be substantially equal to the spacing D 7  of the brace rails  131  from the sides of the rail supports (i.e., the spacing between the additional rails  141  may be equal to the spacing D 2  between the brace rails  131 ). 
         [0039]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the brace rails  131  are suitably releasably connected to the rail supports  133 , such as by rail mounts  149 , to allow for disassembly and storage/transportation of the display rack  101  in a disassembled condition. The illustrated rail mounts  149  are generally in the form of cylindrical pins that are secured to and extend longitudinally from the frames  145  (i.e., from the rail supports  133 ). These pins  149  are suitably sized in cross-section for insertion into the open longitudinal ends  153  of the brace rails  131  and additional rails  141 , and more suitably sized in cross-section for friction or interference fit with the brace rails within the longitudinal channels therein. It is understood, though, that the brace rails  131  and additional rails  141  may be releasably connected to the rail supports  133  by other suitable means without departing from the scope of this invention. It is also contemplated that the brace rails  131  and/or the additional rails  141  may be more permanently secured to the rail supports, such as by being welded thereto or formed integrally therewith. 
         [0040]    With particular reference now to  FIGS. 4-6 , the cross-braces  135  are suitably configured for mounting on the brace rails  131  and supporting the containerized plants  103  in the display rack  101 . More suitably, one or more of the cross-braces  135  is configured to permit adjustment of the longitudinal location of the cross-brace relative along the brace rails  131 , and even more suitably to permit sliding movement of the cross-brace along the brace rails  131 . For example, each of the illustrated cross-braces  135  comprises an elongate support member  163  and a pair of transversely spaced mounting assemblies  169  at or adjacent transversely opposite sides of the elongate support member for mounting the cross-brace on the brace rails  131 . In particular, the mounting assemblies  169  are spaced from each other in accordance with the spacing D 2  between the brace rails  131 . 
         [0041]    As illustrated best in  FIG. 5 , the support member  163  of each cross-brace  135  is in the form of a generally rectangular panel having longitudinally opposite sides  179  that extend the length of the support member between the mounting assemblies  169  of the cross-brace. In one particularly suitable embodiment, at least a segment  155  of one longitudinal side  179  of the support member is non-linear, or contoured (and in the illustrated embodiment, arcuate) in general accordance with the contour of the container side wall  119 . It is understood, however, that the longitudinal sides  179  of the cross-brace  135  support member  163  may each be contoured in this manner, or the contours of each longitudinal side of the support member may be different to accommodate different shaped or sized containers  105 . It is also contemplated that the longitudinal sides of the support member may both be straight within the scope of this invention. Also, while the cross-brace support member  163  of the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a panel, it is understood that the support member may have any suitable form such as a rod, beam, tube or other structure that is capable of contacting and supporting the containerized plants  103 . 
         [0042]    The mounting assemblies  169  of each cross-brace  135  of the illustrated embodiment suitably comprise a flange member  171  depending from and connected to (such as by being formed integrally with or being formed separate from and secured to) the support member  163  of the cross-brace  135  generally at the transversely opposite sides of the support member. The flanges  171  are spaced from each other and located on the cross-brace  135  such that the flanges seat down over the outsides of the respective brace rails  131  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , with the underside of the support member  163  resting on (i.e., supported by) the tops of the brace rails. One of the mounting assemblies  169  (i.e., at one transverse side of the cross-brace  135 , further comprises a transverse member  177  connected to and extending transversely inward from the flange  171  in spaced relationship with the support member  163  of the cross-brace with the spacing being generally in accordance with the vertical cross-sectional dimension of the brace rail. The mounting assembly  169  at the opposite transverse side of the cross-brace  135  further comprises a stop member  173  (such as in the form of an angle iron as illustrated in  FIG. 6  or other suitable form) depending from the underside of the cross-brace support member  163  in transversely spaced relationship with the corresponding flange member  171  with the spacing being in accordance generally with the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the brace rail  131 . 
         [0043]    In this configuration, the mounting assembly  169  having the transverse member  177  inhibits lifting of that side of the cross-brace  135  off of the brace rail  131  while the stop member  173  of the opposite mounting assembly and the flanges  171  inhibit transverse movement of the cross-brace on the brace rails. Such a cross-brace configuration allows the illustrated cross-braces  135  to be removeable from the brace rails  131  as well as to be slidable longitudinally along the brace rails when mounted thereon. It is understood, however, that the mounting assemblies may be constructed other than as described above and illustrated herein. 
         [0044]    Each of the illustrated cross-braces  135  further comprises a locking system  161  for inhibiting the cross-brace against sliding movement relative to, or removal of the cross-brace from, the brace rails  131 . The locking system  161  of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , for example, is a resistance type locking system including a set screw positioned in the mounting assembly  169  for tightening the set screw against the brace rail  131  to increase resistance to movement of the cross-brace  135  relative to the brace rail  131 . Loosening the set screw  185  allows sliding movement of the cross-brace  135  on the rails  131 . This locking system  161  allows the cross brace  135  to be adjusted to any of an infinite number of longitudinal positions along the brace rails in contrast to systems that allow the cross brace to be adjusted to only one of a plurality of predetermined or indexed positions (e.g., as in a locking system having a spring-biased detent that engages recesses or openings when the cross brace is in one of the predetermined or indexed positions). It is contemplated that other suitable locking systems may be used, including locking systems that do not allow adjustment of the cross brace to an infinite number of longitudinal positions, or that the locking system may be omitted, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0045]    The cross-brace  135  illustrated in  FIG. 6  may be removed from the brace rails  131  (and hence the display rack  101 ) by releasing the locking mechanism  161  and lifting the locking mechanism side of the cross-brace up off of the brace rail, as indicated by the arrow  181  in  FIG. 6 . There is suitably enough flex in the cross-brace  135  and/or brace rails  131  to allow the end of the cross-brace to be lifted high enough to provide clearance between the depending flange  171  of the mounting assembly and the rail  131 . Then the cross-brace  135  can be moved transversely in the direction of arrow  183  ( FIG. 6 ) until the transverse member  177  of the opposite mounting assembly  177  clears the other brace rail  131 , thereby allowing the cross-brace to be completely removed from the brace rails  131  without separating the rails from the rail supports  133 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a cross-brace  135 ′ constructed for sliding movement on the brace rails  131  but otherwise not removeable from the brace rails without some disassembly of the display rack  101 . This makes the cross-brace  135 ′ more resistant to unauthorized removal of the cross-brace from the rack  101 , or inadvertent loss of the cross-brace. The mounting assemblies  169 ′ at the transverse sides of the cross-brace  135 ′ each comprise a hollow tube segment  191  sized for receiving a respective one of the brace rails  131  therethrough. To mount the cross-brace  135 ′ on the brace rails  131 , the mounting assemblies  169 ′ of the cross-brace are placed onto the brace rails (e.g., with the rails extending through the tube segments  191  of the mounting assemblies) before the rails are secured to the rail supports  133 . Removal of the cross-brace  135 ′ from the brace rails  131  similarly requires disassembly of the rails from the rail supports  133  and the sliding of the cross-brace off of the rails. The cross-brace  135 ′ of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  includes a locking system  161  similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 6  to substantially secure the cross-brace in its desired longitudinal location along the brace rails  131 . 
         [0047]    It is also contemplated that in other embodiments the cross-brace may be configured so as to be removable from one of the brace rails  131  while being non-removable (but still slidable along) the other brace rail without some disassembly of the display rack. For example, while not illustrated in the drawings, one of the brace rails (or both) may be cylindrical and the mounting assembly tube segment (similar to that of  FIG. 7 ) may be cylindrical tube segment that receives the cylindrical brace rail therethrough to allow pivoting movement of the cross-brace about the brace rail. 
         [0048]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in one embodiment the cross-braces  135  are arranged on the brace rails  131  in corresponding pairs of opposed cross-braces, with each pair of opposed cross-braces being used to define container holding areas  167  in which the containerized plant  103  is supported in the display rack  101 . In particular, the contoured segments  155  of each of the opposed cross-braces  135  face each other to together hold a containerized plant  103  therebetween with the contoured segments abutting against the side wall  119  of the container  105 . Providing multiple pairs of opposed braces  135  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  thus allows for a plurality of containerized plants  103  to be supported by the display rack  101 . In particular, because the cross-braces  135  are adjustable longitudinally along the brace rails  131 , containerized plants  103  of different sizes may be supported by the display rack  101  at the same time. Further, braces  135  can be added to the rails  131  (or removed therefrom) depending on the need to accommodate a certain number and/or certain sizes of the containerized plants  103 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate a sequence in which a pair of cross-braces  135  of the display rack  101  are used to support a containerized plant  103  therein according to one embodiment of a method for supporting a containerized plant in an upright orientation. As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , one of the cross-braces  135  is mounted on the brace rails  131  at a desired longitudinal location along the rails and is generally secured against longitudinal movement by the locking system  161 . The container  105  of the containerized plant  103  is placed between the brace rails  131  adjacent the contoured segment  155  of the cross-brace  135 . For example, the side wall  119  of the container  105  is suitably positioned against (e.g., in contact with) the contoured segment  155  of the cross-brace  135 . The other cross-brace  135  (e.g., from an opposed pair of the cross-braces) is then mounted on the brace rails  131  ( FIG. 8B ) on the longitudinally opposite side of the container  105  in spaced relationship with (e.g., out of contact with) the container  105 . It is understood that the second cross-brace  135  may alternatively be mounted on the brace rails  131  in sufficiently spaced relationship with the first cross-brace prior to the container  105  being positioned therebetween. As illustrated in  FIG. 8C , the second cross-brace  135  is then slid along the brace rails  131  until the contoured segment  155  of the second cross-brace contacts the side wall  119  of the container  105  to secure the container between the cross-braces. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, such as where the container  105  is sufficiently flexible, enough squeezing force may be applied to the container side wall  119  by the opposed pair of cross-braces  135  to slightly deform the container (e.g., from its initial generally circular shape to a slightly oval shape).  FIG. 8D , for example, illustrates one container  105 ′ that has been squeezed into a deformed (oval) shape by the cross-braces  135  of the display rack  101  and an undeformed container  105  that is still generally circular in shape. Deforming the container  105 ′ in this manner not only ensures that the container is clamped securely in the rack  101  by the cross-braces  135 , but also allows the container to pivot or rock a little bit between the cross-braces  135  (e.g., as the containerized plant  103  sways in the wind) while remaining securely clamped between the braces. Once the container  105 ′ of the containerized plant  103  is clamped between the braces  135 , the locking system  161  of the second cross-brace is set to the state in which it resists movement of the brace along the rails  131  (e.g., by tightening the set screw  185 ). 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the containerized plant  103  is clamped in the display rack  101 , the container  105  is suitably supported above the support surface  139  by the cross-braces  135 . In the illustrated embodiment the cross-braces  135  suitably contact the container sidewall  119  near the top of the container, and more suitably just below the lip  121  of the container where such a lip is present. In another embodiment, the cross-braces  135  suitably engage the container  105  at a location that is closer to the top of the container  105  than its base  117 , more suitably at least about two thirds of the way from the base of the container to its top, and still more suitably at least about three fourths of the way from the base of the container to its top. The process is repeated with additional containerized plants  103  until each of the plurality of containerized plants that is to be supported by the display rack  101  is clamped into and supported by the rack (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 ). 
         [0052]    The display rack  101 , with or without containerized plants  103  supported in the rack, is suitably transportable without removing the plants from the rack and/or disassembling the rack. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the brace rails  131  and additional rails  141  are arranged relative to each other as discussed previously herein so as to allow a fork lift  199  (or fork lift attachment to a front end loader) to be positioned under the lower rails  141  and lift the rack  101  together with all of the containerized plants  103  held thereon. The fork lift  199  can carry the display rack  101  to its desired location and set it on the support surface  139 . Transporting the rack  101  in this manner allows a relatively long rack or rack subsection (e.g., up to about 12 feet or more in length) and the plants  103  thereon to be moved together as a unit by the fork lift  199 . 
         [0053]    While in the illustrated embodiments all of the cross-braces  135  are at least slidable longitudinally along the brace rails  131  (if not entirely removeable therefrom), it is understood that one or more of the cross-braces may be permanently secured to the brace rails against removal from and sliding thereon. For example, a pair of fixed cross-braces may be used as an opposed pair of braces so as to define a fixed container holding area  167  therebetween for holding a set size or range of sizes of the containers  105 . In other embodiments, a respective pair of cross-braces  135  may comprise a fixed cross-brace and an adjustable cross-brace. It is understood that the number of cross-braces  135  used may vary depending on the number of containerized plants  103  to be supported by the display rack  101 . It is even contemplated that a single adjustable cross-brace  135  may be used, e.g., in combination with one of the rail supports  133 , to support a containerized plant  103  therebetween. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate another embodiment of a display rack  201  for supporting containerized plants  103  in an upright orientation. The display rack  201  is substantially identical to the display rack  101  with the addition of a secondary rail  241  releasably secured to the rail supports  133  to extend longitudinally in spaced relationship, and more suitably parallel spaced relationship, with one of the additional rails  141  above the support surface  139  on which the display rack stands. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9B  the secondary rail  241  has short arms  227  ( FIG. 9B ) that are received in open ends  253  of the frame elements  147  of the frame  145 . A locking system (not shown), such as a set screw, pin or other suitable locking system may be used to hold the arms  227  in the frame elements  147 . In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  145  is constructed so that the opening  253  is into a substantially horizontal frame element  147 . The secondary rail  241  and additional rail  141  define a space therebetween for receiving additional containerized plants (e.g., smaller containerized plants) for support by the rails  241 ,  141  as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . Although the illustrated embodiment includes only one secondary rail  241 , it understood that an identical secondary rail may be added to the opposite side of the rack. As illustrated in  FIG. 9C , a secondary rail  241 ′ may have L-shaped arms  227 ′ that are receivable into openings  253 ′ into vertical frame elements of the frame  145  to secure the secondary rail to the rack  201  without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0055]    The display racks  101 ,  201  described above and illustrated in the various drawings are also suitably constructed for configuration into a modular display system. One embodiment of a such a modular display system  301  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The display system  301  suitably comprises an entire display rack, such as the display rack  101  of  FIGS. 1-6 , with an additional rail support  133 ′, brace rails  331  and additional rails  341  arranged longitudinally adjacent to the rack  101  and connected thereto. In particular, as best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , additional rail mounts  149 ′ are provided on the opposite face of one of the rail supports  133  of the display rack  101  so that the brace rails  331  and additional rails  341  are supported by the additional rail support  133 ′ and the rail support  139  of the display rack  101 . In such a configuration, the entire modular display system  301  may be lifted by a fork lift  199  to carry the system and the containerized plants  103  therein to other locations. 
         [0056]    When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0057]    As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.