Abstract:
A growing apparatus in which a plant is grown includes a container having a bottom and a surrounding wall member attached to the bottom, and a perforated partition located in the container above the bottom. The container further includes a plurality of holders extending upwardly from the bottom and attached to the surrounding wall. Each holder includes a first portion which vertically engages the perforated partition to hold the partition a predetermined distance above the bottom, and a second portion which horizontally engages the perforated partition to hold the surrounding wall member adjacent the partition. The perforated partition further includes a planar base and a skirt depending from the base, whereby the skirt is engaged by the first portion and the second portion of the container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/374,309, filed Apr. 27, 2007; which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/796,201 filed May 1, 2006, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/796,147, filed May 1, 2006; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to improvements in the construction of an existing commercially available product known as a self-watering planter sold under the trademark Earthbox® (U.S. Reg. No. 1,906,561), or the like. The Earthbox® self-watering planter container is the subject of several U.S. patents granted to Blake Whisenant—see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,584; 5,193,306; 5,379,547; 5,524,387; 5,555,675, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0003]    The Earthbox® container typically includes a planting container, a perforated partition spaced from the bottom of the container, and a water overflow means to keep the water level at a maximum below the perforated container when in use, among other elements. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, a growing apparatus in which a plant is grown includes a container having a bottom and a surrounding wall member attached to the bottom, and a perforated partition located in the container above the bottom. The container is preferably rectangular further includes a plurality of holders extending upwardly from the bottom and attached to the surrounding wall. Each holder includes a first portion which vertically engages the perforated partition to hold the partition a predetermined distance above the bottom, and a second portion which horizontally engages the perforated partition to hold the surrounding wall member adjacent the partition. The perforated partition is likewise preferably rectangular and further includes a planar base and a skirt depending from the base, whereby the skirt is engaged by the first portion and by the second portion of the container. 
         [0005]    In a preferred embodiment, the perforated partition includes a series of reinforcing bosses extending between the skirt and the planar base. These reinforcing bosses strengthen the perforated partition vertically as well as horizontally. In addition, the perforated partition includes a reinforcing rib extending between opposed sides of the skirt. This reinforcing rib strengthens the perforated partition vertically as well as horizontally. More preferably, the perforated partition includes at least two of the reinforcing ribs which meet at an intersection; and then the container includes a support upstanding from the bottom which engages the reinforcing ribs at the intersection to vertically support the perforated partition at the intersection. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the bottom of the container includes a plurality of spaced pin receiving holes in which respective pins of respective caster wheels can be mounted to extend exteriorly from the bottom. 
         [0007]    Also in one embodiment, each holder is formed as an upstanding member. This upstanding member is connected at a bottom end to the planar base of the bottom, and connected at a side to the adjacent surrounding wall member. In addition, this upstanding member is unconnected at a top free end, such that a top of the upstanding member below the free end forms the first portion which vertically supports the skirt and a side of the free end forms the second portion which horizontally engages the skirt. 
         [0008]    Further in one embodiment, the container includes a pair of opposing indentations located at intersections of the bottom and the surrounding wall, as in centrally along opposed longitudinal walls. Then, one of the indentations includes an upper horizontal surface with an overflow opening provided therein. 
         [0009]    Still further in one embodiment, the partition includes a horizontal cut-out along a side thereof, as in a corner. Then, the container includes a dam structure located below the cut-out. This dam structure, together with the surrounding wall member, horizontally encloses the bottom of the container located below the cut-out. However, the dam structure includes openings therein to permit water to flow through the dam structure. 
         [0010]    It is an advantage of the present invention that a sturdy and easily used growing apparatus is provided in which plants can be easily grown. 
         [0011]    It is also an advantage of the present invention that the integrity of the container and the location of the partition are maintained during use. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention are stated in or apparent from detailed descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of the invention found hereinbelow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an apparatus including a growing container with a staking system attached according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an end elevation view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an isometric top, end and side view showing the interior of the growing container depicted in  FIG. 1  without the growing medium plants, etc.; and in particular it depicts the outer growing container with the perforated partition spaced vertically from the bottom of the container. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an isometric top, end and side exploded view of a portion of the container and one outrigger as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an isometric bottom, side and end exploded view of the container and outrigger as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded and enlarged isometric bottom, end and side view depicting a rim clamp and a portion of a vertical stake used for attachment to the rim of the container. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged isometric bottom, side and end view with portions cut away depicting the inter-engagement means between the perforated partition and the inside of the bottom and sides of the container. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an isometric bottom, end and side view of the perforated partition depicting the strengthening webs and gussets molded into the partition. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an isometric top, end and side view of the perforated partition of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an isometric top, end and side view showing the interior of the growing container depicted in  FIG. 3  and without the perforated partition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    With reference now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements,  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a growing apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention. Growing apparatus  10  includes an Earthbox® type container  12 , which is depicted as a truncated rectangular structure and which has been formed by an integral blow molding or the like. As shown in the Whisenant patents noted above, container  12  holds, above a partition beneath which a reservoir is formed, a growing medium and fertilizer for growing plants such as tomato plants, green peppers, etc. 
         [0024]    At the outer lower ends container  12  there is a staking system  20  which includes a pair of outriggers  14 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1-2  and  4 - 6 , each outrigger  14  is configured to have lateral feet  16  that extend outward from the side of the container  12  and a longitudinal foot  18  that extends outward from the end along the longitudinal axis of the container  12 . The purpose of the outriggers  14  are to provide additional stability to the planted container  12 ; and additionally to provide a support function for a remainder of staking system  20  which includes two vertical stakes  22 , two connectors  24  and a horizontal interconnecting stable bar or element  26  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown, the bottom of vertical stake  22  is received in and extends upwards from a hole  28  having a closed bottom end which is provided in the free end of each respective longitudinal foot  18 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts the arrangement of the perforated partition  30  within the lower portion of the container  12 . As depicted, the opposite ends of the partition have cut-outs  32 . When growing apparatus  10  is assembled, the growing medium (not shown) is placed on top of partition  30  and additionally in the cut-outs  30  at the corners of the container  12  down to the bottom of container  12 . Thus, the growing medium in the cut-outs  32  provide a wicking function for water, located in the lower reservoir portion  82  of the container  12  below the perforated partition  30 , to the growing medium located above partition  30  and mostly otherwise filling container  12 . 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , each outrigger  14  is provided with vertically oriented pins  36  that engage with and into the bottom of the container  12 . As further depicted in the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , spaced pin receiving holes  38  which are closed (see  FIG. 10 ) are integrally moulded in the horizontal base of the container  12  to receive respective pins  36 . When viewed from above as in  FIG. 10 , closed holes  38  appear as an upstanding cylinder  38 ′ as shown in the one corner, which cylinder  38 ′ in this case is also formed with other elements as discussed below. Also, as depicted most clearly in  FIG. 5 , the lateral feet  16  of each outrigger  14  have bushings or defined holes  40  into which the vertical pins of respective casters or other wheels  42  may be inserted to provide mobility for moving a planted growing apparatus  10  around. Such ease of mobility is an advantage in that the entire growing apparatus  10  can be moved from one place to another as desired such as might be desired due to weather changes, the position of the sun during the afternoon, etc. Furthermore, the use of caster wheels  42  makes it much more easier to move the container  12  when completely planted because the container  12  when planted contains water and growing medium of substantial weight. If desired, a caster pin hole can also be provided at the end of longitudinal foot  18  extending up through closed hole  28  as well to add two additional castor wheels to additionally help support the weight and/or mobility of growing apparatus  10 . Alternatively, the pins of the caster wheels can be inserted directly in closed holes  38  is staking system  20  is not used or not currently being used. 
         [0027]    As also depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vertical stakes  22  are reinforced or held securely at the level of the rim  48  of the container  12  through the use of a rim clamp  50 . As depicted in the exploded view in  FIG. 6 , the rim clamp  50  includes an upper clamp element  52  and a bottom clamp element  54  which inter-engage. When inter-engaged, both elements  52 ,  54  define aligned holes  56  and  58  through which the vertical stake is inserted during assembly of the staking system  20 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when completely assembled, upper rim clamp  52  and bottom rim clamp  54  are engaged and held tightly together by means of a carriage bolt  60  and a wing nut  62  passing therethrough in respective holes  64  and  66 —both of which have a square end as depicted for hole  64  so bolt  60  can be inserted into either element  52  or  54 . Clamp elements  52  and  54  are obviously secured over and under the overturned rim  48  of container  12  so that when wing nut  62  is tightened rim clamp  50  is thus rigidly attached to container  12 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  also depicts the arrangement of the bottom portion of the container  12  which utilizes concave indentations  68   a  and  68   b  at the longitudinal center of each intersection of the side and bottom. In horizontally larger (as shown best in phantom in  FIG. 2 ) indentation  68   a,  a water overflow opening  70  is formed. Overflow opening  70  is simply a vertical hole and is used for easy water drainage whenever the height of water in container  12  is temporarily above opening  70  as sometime occurs when the reservoir  82  (discussed below) is overfilled inadvertently (or purposefully, to bring the water level up to its maximum desired height). Opening  70  is resistant to blockage, as anything tending to block the opening  70  which is smaller than opening  70  is pulled by gravity through opening  70 . It will also be noted that the other, smaller concave indentation  68   b  is provided for aesthetics and symmetry. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a partial cut-away view of the longitudinal corner of the perforated partition  30  engaging the lower interior portion of the container  12 .  FIG. 7  also shows that integral, vertically gusseted bosses or holders  74  are located somewhat spaced from the outer wall of the container  12  so as to provide an inter-engagement means for partition  30 . In particular, this engagement means is in the form of a free end  79  for the depending skirt  76  formed around the outer periphery of the perforated partition  30 . Also the perforated partition  30  has integral strengthening gusseted bosses  78  as well as integral webs or ribs  80  running across and lengthwise along the bottom of the perforated partition  30 . Bosses  78  and ribs  80  provide strength so that the perforated partition can support the vertical weight of a growing medium and plants and other items which are utilized to grow plants. Bosses  78  and ribs  80  also provide horizontal strength so that when skirt  76  is trapped behind free end  79  of holders  74  of container  12 , the sidewalls of container  12  will not bow out under the pressure/weight of the growing medium and water contained in container  12  during use. It will be appreciated that the area in  FIG. 7  located below the perforated partition  30  and above the horizontal bottom of the growing container  12  is the water reservoir  82  where water is held during use, but only up to a certain maximum level depending upon the vertical location of the water overflow opening  70  as shown in  FIG. 5  and discussed above. 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is an isomeric view of the bottom of the perforated partition  30  showing its outer skirt  76  as well as the sideways and lengthways support webs or ribs  80  in addition to integral gusseted bosses  78  which are arranged around the inner and lower periphery of the perforated partition  30 . Also depicted are the cut-out corners  32  as well as a hole  86  in the most right hand corner of  FIG. 8  for allowing a water filler pipe  88  to be inserted through the partition  30  into the lower water reservoir  82  of an assembled container  12 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view depicting the top of the perforated partition  30  and showing the circular hole  86  in the corner and the cut-out corners  32  provided in at least one corner of the perforated partition  30 . The tube  88  or the like is snuggly received in hole  86  before the growing medium is added and extends above rim  48 . After the growing medium is added and growing of plants commences, water for the plants is easily poured down tube  88  and into reservoir  82  when/as needed; and as often as desired without fear of over-watering since any excess water will drain out of water overflow opening  70 . It will be noted that perforated partition  30  has no perforations immediately above and around overflow opening  70 , and a cut-out  72  in skirt  76  which accommodates the height of indentation  68   a.    
         [0032]    Depicted in  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the bottom of container  12  showing a dam structure  90  provided below where the cut-out  32  of perforated partition  30  is located (at both ends). Dam structure  90  is formed of upstanding pillars  92  with vertical flanges  94  extending therefrom toward adjacent pillars  92 ; and at the location of cylinder  38 ′, pillars  92  and flanges  94  are formed integrally therewith above cylinder  38 ′. The flanges  94  do not touch or meet, but instead provide a small vertical passage. In addition, it will be appreciated that skirt  76  is raised (does not extend as low) at the location of cut-out  32 , while pillars  92  are shorter than holders  74 . Thus, during use, water is easily transported over and around pillars  92  and flanges  94  into the growing medium deposited in cut-out  32  when reservoir  82  has water therein, but the coarser growing medium is largely dammed up behind dam structure  90  during use. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  also depicts upstanding supports  98  extending from the bottom of container  12 . Supports  98  are located at the intersections of ribs  80 , and extend up to the intersections. Supports  98  thus vertically support ribs  80  and hence perforated partition  30  at these locations to help prevent a downward bowing of perforated partition  30  during use. 
         [0034]    It should be apparent that the improvements depicted provide for ease of manufacture and use of the disclosed growing apparatus  10 . For example, the container  12  itself may be injection molded so as to integrally form the rim  48 , the water overflow opening  70  and the openings or holes  38  for outrigger  14  or castors  42 . Furthermore, it should be apparent that the perforated partition  30  may be injection molded to provide a strengthened horizontal base for supporting the growing medium, the fertilizer and the plants among other elements when the growing apparatus  10  is completely assembled and operational. 
         [0035]    In addition, it should be apparent that the design of the container  12  itself is aesthetically pleasing and that the design of the rim clamp is more aesthetically pleasing than the flexible ties utilized in the prior art for tying vertical wooden stakes to the interior of prior Earthbox® containers. 
         [0036]    While the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention.