Patent Publication Number: US-2020296901-A1

Title: Upside-Down Planter

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application does not claim priority from any other application. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter of this application relates to upside-down planters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Upside-down planters have numerous advantages that account for their popularity, for example, to save space, fewer weeds and relocation opportunities. However, proponents and opponents alike agree that there is a major disadvantage: low production. Once the soil and plant are provided in the planter, access to the interior of the planter is difficult if not impossible and such access would increase production drastically since any soil and root system deficiencies can be addressed. Designs for upside-down planters are needed to address this disadvantage. 
     While the subject matter of this application was motivated in addressing disadvantages associated with upside-down planters, it is in no way so limited. The disclosure is only limited by the accompanying claims as literally worded, without interpretative or other limiting reference to the specification, and in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 
     Other aspects and implementations are contemplated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the various disclosures are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. The drawings may be considered to represent scale. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an inventive upside-down planter according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a portion of a side sectional view of the  FIG. 1  invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front side elevation view of the  FIG. 1  invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear side elevation view of the  FIG. 1  invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 1  invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the  FIG. 1  invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the  FIG. 1  invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the  FIG. 1  invention according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the  FIG. 1  invention according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the  FIG. 1  invention according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the  FIG. 1  invention according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary method step of use of the upside-down invention according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary method step of use of the upside-down invention, subsequent to the method step of  FIG. 12 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary method step of use of the upside-down invention, subsequent to the method step of  FIG. 13 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary method step of use of the upside-down invention, subsequent to the method step of  FIG. 14 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary method step of use of the upside-down invention, subsequent to the method step of  FIG. 15 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the invention according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the invention according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial sectional view of an exemplary component of the invention according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an inventive upside-down planter according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a side elevational view of an inventive upside-down planter according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a side elevational view of an inventive upside-down planter according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a side elevational view of an inventive upside-down planter according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a side elevational view of an inventive upside-down planter according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
     The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” as used in the claims herein are used in conformance with long-standing claim drafting practice and not in a limiting way. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” are not limited to one of such elements, but instead mean “at least one”. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary planter  10  is illustrated according to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention. A major structure of the planter  10  is a body or housing (or container)  24  that defines a cavity (from this view, cavity shown to be at least partially filled with soil  47 ). In one exemplary embodiment, the body  24  is configured as a cylinder having a circular horizontal cross section. It should be understood that other horizontal cross-section configurations are contemplated for the body  24 , including any geometric configurations, such as polygons, quadrilaterals, parallelograms, triangles, pentagons, squares, rectangles, hexagons, pentagons, tetragons, etc. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1  and for this exemplary embodiment, the body  24  is configured as two halves or sections  26  (first section) and  28  (second section) exhibiting a pair of sectional lines  32  and  35  extending vertically when in a closed position (in this closed position, the body  24  defines the cavity). That is, the first section  26  is a separate and discrete structure relative to the second section  28 . The sections  26  and  28  are secured together by mechanical fasteners and/or locking mechanisms (discussed more thoroughly subsequently) including latches and hinges. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , it should be understood that body  24  may be comprised of more than two sections, or none at all. For example, the body  24  of planter  10  can be a continuous structure having no sections. Alternatively, the body  24  of planter  10  can comprise three sections, four sections, five sections, six sections, etc. As discussed previously, each section would be secured to an adjacent section by mechanical fasteners and/or locking mechanisms. In the embodiment shown, the two sections  26  and  28  are releasably secured together by a pair of mechanical fasteners (locking mechanisms). Exemplary mechanical fasteners are latches  30  vertically spaced apart over sectional line  32 . In this embodiment, the latches  30  are flexible biasing latches  30  described more thoroughly subsequently. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1  and referring to a method of use for planter  10 , soil  47  is provided through the top of the body  24  and a plant  34  having roots in the soil  47  extends from the bottom or lower end of the body  24 . At the top or upper end of the body  24  of planter  10  is a rim collar  22  having openings to receive ends of support lines or cables  16 . One end of each support cable  16  is a loop end  18  that slidingly engages a support ring  20  secured under the rim collar  22 . Each support cable  16  extends from the support ring  20  to have opposite ends meet at a retaining collar  14 . Rotational secured in the retaining collar  14  is a swivel loop  12  that is capable of rotating 360 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the sectional view illustrates an exemplary use of the planter  10 . In this embodiment, soil  47  is elevationally above another material  46 . Material  46  may be a different material entirely such as fertilizer or could be a different soil material having a different composition or consistency. In other embodiments, soil  47  can be beneath material  46 . In other embodiments still, there can be a different number of layers of material inside planter  10  including only soil  47  or only material  46 , or one or more layers of material in addition to soil  47  and material  46  at various elevational levels. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , rim collar  22  is illustrated as being formed by material of body  24  being bent or folded over with support ring  20  at the apex. An exemplary material for support ring  20  is a metal or a plastic such as a thermoformed plastic. In one embodiment, support ring  20  is retained at the apex of rim collar  22  by tension from the support cables  16 . In this embodiment, the support ring  20  is able to slide along the apex of the rim collar  22  and around the body  24  of the planter  10 . In other embodiments, support ring  20  is secured to the rim collar  22  by an adhesive. Each loop end  18  of the support cables  16  has a loop collar  29 . While the rim collar  22  is integral with the material of the body  24  of the planter  10 , other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the rim collar  22  can be a separate and discrete structure secured to a top portion of the body  24  by an adhesive. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the body  24  of planter  10  has a bottom wall (floor)  42  with an opening  60 . A seal  48  (shown and described more thoroughly subsequently) is removably secured in opening  60  and receives a portion of plant  34 , and in this case, the stem  41  of plant  34 . Roots  40  and stem  41  of plant  34  are illustrated extending through material  46  and soil  47 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a front side of planter  10  is illustrated and characterized by latches  30 . Seal  48  can be seen extending from opening  60  (not referenced here) of bottom wall  42  of body  24 . It should be understood that the seal  48  can be thought of as a bushing between the plant  34  and the bottom wall  42  of the body  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a rear side of planter  10  is illustrated and characterized by a mechanical bearing  50  not previously referenced or described. An exemplary mechanical bearing  50  is a hinge that extends along sectional line  35  of body  24  and connects sections  26  and  28  of body  24 . Hinge  50  has a pair of leaves  52 , one leaf  52  secured to section  26  and the other leaf  52  secured to section  28 . Both leaves  52  are secured to, or integral with, the knuckle  51  of hinge  50 . Knuckle  51  is hollow and receives a pin (not show or referenced) that extends through the knuckle  51  and provides the rotation or pivot action of hinge  50 , and correspondingly, sections  26  and  28  of planter  10 . It should be understood that while one continuous structure for hinge  50  is shown, other embodiments are contemplated such as a plurality of smaller hinges  50  secured to sections  26  and  28  along sectional line  35 . Still further, other types of mechanical bearings or hinges are contemplated such as: a coach hinge, a H hinge, a tee hinge, a HL hinge, a counterflap hinge, a self-closing hinge, a double action spring hinge, etc. It should be understood that in embodiments of the planter  10  with some of these other hinges, such as a double action spring hinge, the latches  30  may not be needed to maintain the sections  26  and  28  of planter  10  in a closed orientation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , top and bottom views of planter  10 , respectively, are shown without soil  47  and material  46 . One or more small openings  66  in bottom wall  42  are provided for ventilation. Seal  48  is shown with a slot  63  extending from a periphery of seal  48  to a centrally located opening  62 . The slot  63  allows the seal  48  to be opened (spread apart) to receive a plant ultimately in opening  62 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an exploded view of planter  10  is illustrated. The two components  30 A and  30 B of each latch  30  is shown and described more thoroughly subsequently. Support ring  20  is shown as not a continuous structure having a discontinuous region  73  which allows for slightly opening or spreading apart support ring  20  to facilitate positioning the support ring  20  over the body  24  of planter  10  into the rim collar  22 . Opening  60  is readily shown having a half of opening  60  in bottom wall  42  of section  26  and an other half of opening  60  in bottom wall  42  of section  28 . Rim collar  22  is shown with gaps  21  configured to receive loop ends  18  of respective support cables  16  which have engaged support ring  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a close-up view of the interaction of the loop ends  18  of respective support cables  16  engaging support ring  20  is illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a close-up view of the seal  48  secured in the bottom wall  42  of planter  10  is illustrated. It should be understood that a groove (not shown or referenced) is formed around the periphery of the seal  48  to receive the periphery portions of opening  60  established in the bottom wall  42 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a sectional view of body  24  is illustrated to emphasize the top view structure of the hinge  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a sectional view of body  24  is illustrated to emphasize the structure of one latch  30  of the pair. An exemplary latch  30  has a base  30 B attached (secured) to section  26  and a flexible biasing member  30 A attached (secured) to section  28 . The flexible biasing member  30 A is biased toward body  24 , and therefore, in the closed orientation shown, applies pressure on base  30 B to maintain sections  26  and  28  in the closed orientation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-16 , a method of use for planter  10  is shown and described. Referring to  FIG. 12 , planter  10  is in the open orientation wherein from the closed orientation (see  FIG. 11 ), a force was applied to sections  26  and  28  to spread the sections apart. The force on sections  26  and  28  needs to overcome the force component provided by the biasing of latches  30 . Periphery groove  96 , discussed previously, in seal  48  is shown for the first time which receives bottom wall  42  portions defining opening  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a plant  34  with soil  47  on the roots placed in the cavity defined by the body  24  of planter  10 . The stem  41  of plant  34  is placed in the slot and opening of seal  48  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , optional material  46  is provided in the space of the cavity between the bottom wall  42  and soil  47 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , sections  26  and  28  of body  24  are pivoted toward each other until latch components  30 A and  30 B engage to maintain the planter  10  in the closed orientation. In this closed orientation, sectional line  32  is established again. The loop ends  18  of the support cables  16  are provided on support ring  20  and the opposite ends of the support cables  16  are provided through the gaps  21  of rim collar  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , swivel loop  12  is provided over a support structure  57  such as a rod or hook. Shown in this figure is a hand  55  manipulating the soil  47 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17-19 , exemplary different mechanical fasteners (locking mechanisms) are shown and described according to various non-limiting embodiments of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a portion of a planter  200  is illustrated with a mechanical fastener  201 . Mechanical fastener  201  has a base  206  secured to a first section of planter  200  and a hook  202  that is secured to a second section of the planter  200 . Hook  202  has a curved portion (hook)  210 . Base  206  has a lever  208  capable of pivot action on pivot pin  207 . Lever  208  pivots in the plane of the page (pivot axis is perpendicular to the plane of the page) and includes a finger portion  212  configured for finger engagement. Mechanical fastener  201  has a drawer  204  with one end that is secured in lever  208  and an opposite end that engages the curved portion  210  of hook  202  in a locked/closed position when the lever  208  is resting against the base  206  as shown. In this locked/closed position, the first and second sections of body  24  of planter  200  are pressed, locked and closed together. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 17 , to unlock the mechanical fastener  201 , the finger portion  212  is engaged to lift the lever  208  from the base  206  and pivot the lever  208  about pivot pin  207  (lever  208  pivots in the plane of the page). Pivoting the lever  208  in this manner moves the drawer  204  in the left direction (from this view) and releases the drawer  204  from the hook  202  and curved portion  210 . Releasing the drawer  204  from hook  202  unlocks the mechanical fastener  201  and releases the first section of the body  24  from being pressed against the second section. In this manner, the body  24  and planter  200  are in the open/released orientation/position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a portion of a planter  220  is illustrated with a mechanical fastener  221 . Mechanical fastener  221  has a first base  222  secured to a first section of planter  220  and a second base  224  that is secured to a second section of the planter  220 . The second base  224  has an engagement member  230  extending upwardly from the second base  224 . Base  222  includes a pivot pin  226  and a drawer  228  pivotably secured on pivot pin  226 . Drawer  228  pivots out of the plane of the page (pivot axis is in the plane of the page). One end of the drawer  228  is secured on pivot pin  226  and an opposite end  232  engages the engagement member  230  of second base  224  in a locked/closed position as shown. In this locked/closed position, the first and second sections of body  24  of planter  220  are pressed, locked and closed together. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 18 , to unlock the mechanical fastener  221 , the drawer  228  is engaged to pivot the end  232  of drawer  228  away from the engagement member  230  (drawer  228  pivots out of the plane of the page). Pivoting the drawer  228  in this manner releases the drawer  228  from the engagement member  230  and the second base  224  and thereby unlocks the mechanical fastener  221 . Unlocking the mechanical fastener  221  releases the first section of the body  24  from being pressed against the second section. In this manner, the body  24  and planter  220  are in the open/released orientation/position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a portion of a planter  240  is illustrated with a mechanical fastener  241 . Mechanical fastener  241  has a first base  242  secured to a first section  26  of planter  240  and a second base  250  that is secured to a second section  28  of the planter  240 . Both first and second bases  242  and  250  have central linear segments that provide the securement to the respective first and second sections  26  and  28 . At opposite ends of each central linear segment are pin supports that extend perpendicularly from the respective central linear segments of the respective first and second bases  242  and  250 . A longitudinal draw pin  245  has a first portion  246  that extends through the pin supports of the first base  242  and the draw pin  245  has a second portion  248  that extends through the pin supports of the second base  250 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 19 , a spring  252  extends over the first portion  246  of the draw pin  245  between the pin supports of the first base  242 . It should be understood that draw pin  245  is capable of sliding along the longitudinal axis, back and forth, through the first and second bases  242  and  250 . Moreover, the draw pin  245  is capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis. A terminal end of the draw pin  245  is a finger member  244  outside the first base  242  to facilitate engagement of the draw pin  245  to enact the sliding and/or the rotation. While not seen in this view, it should be understood that the second portion  248  of the draw pin  245  has a knob is received in a groove in the second base  250  which keeps the second section  28  pressed against the first section  26  and maintains the body  24  in the closed, locked orientation shown. However, rotating the draw pin  245  until the knob is released from the groove in the second base  250  allows the spring  252  to bias the second base  250  away from the first base  242 , and therefore, moves the second section  28  of the body  24  away from the first section  26  thereby opening the body  24  and the planter  240 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , an exemplary planter  300  is illustrated according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers used in this figure that are the same reference numbers as used previously represent the same structures/components already described. Accordingly, the structures/components having the same reference numbers may not be described again. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 20 , in this view, planter  300  is in the open orientation/position. A body  324  of the planter  300  is configured with at least two halves or sections  326  (first section) and  328  (second section). Moreover, the planter  300  has at least one groove surrounding the circumferential periphery of the body  324 . In this embodiment, there are at least two grooves  364  and  334  surrounding the circumferential periphery of the body  324 . To close planter  300 , section  326  and section  328  are pressed together to close body  324  and establish the closed orientation/position. Next, a support ring  320  is provided over the body  324  and positioned under the rim collar  22 . Then at least one retaining ring is provided in at least one of the grooves to secure the sections  326  and  328  together in the closed orientation. In this embodiment, a first retaining ring  333  is provided in groove  364  and a second retaining ring  363  is provided in groove  334 . In this manner, the body  324  remains in the closed, locked orientation wherein the first and second retaining rings  333  and  363  function as the mechanical fasteners described in the previous embodiments as latches. It should be understood that in this embodiment, a single mechanical fastener can secure the sections  326  and  328  together in the closed orientation. Moreover, more than two grooves and retaining rings are contemplated for other embodiments. 
     It should be understood that any of the planters described throughout this document can have any number, and any style or configuration, of mechanical fasteners along any of the sectional lines of the planter. It should be further understood that each sectional line can have the same, or differently configured, mechanical fasteners. In fact, the hinges over each sectional line  35  of  FIGS. 4 and 21  can be replaced with any of the latches described throughout this document. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , an exemplary planter  301  is illustrated according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers used in this figure that are the same reference numbers as used previously represent the same structures/components already described. Accordingly, the structures/components having the same reference numbers may not be described again. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 21 , a rear side view of planter  310  is illustrated and characterized by having at least two or more hinges that extend along sectional line  35  of body  24 . In this embodiment, hinges  350 ,  351  and  352  connect sections  26  and  28  of body  24 . It should be understood that there can be two hinges, or more hinges, depending on the length of the body of the planter. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , an exemplary planter  400  is illustrated according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers used in this figure that are the same reference numbers as used previously represent the same structures/components already described. Accordingly, the structures/components having the same reference numbers may not be described again. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 22 , planter  400  is illustrated and characterized as having at least two mechanical fasteners  402  over one, or both, of sectional lines  32  and  35  of body  24 . It should be understood that over one, or both, of sectional lines  32  and  35  of body  24 , there can be two of the same mechanical fasteners as shown, or two different mechanical fasteners. Moreover, it should be understood that over one, or both, of sectional lines  32  and  35  of body  24 , there can be only one mechanical fastener, or three or more mechanical fasteners with any combination of mechanical fasteners being the same, or different, configurations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , an exemplary planter  410  is illustrated according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers used in this figure that are the same reference numbers as used previously represent the same structures/components already described. Accordingly, the structures/components having the same reference numbers may not be described again. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 23 , planter  410  is illustrated and characterized as having at least three sectional lines  32 ,  35  and  37 . Accordingly, body  24  of planter  410  has three sections  26 ,  27  and  28  (section  28  not shown or referenced). Mechanical fasteners  412  are over one, or more, of sectional lines  32 ,  35  and  37  of body  24 . It should be understood that over one, two or all, of the sectional lines  32 ,  35  and  37 , there can be one, two or more of the same mechanical fasteners; or one, two or more different mechanical fasteners in any combination. 
     It should be understood that any planter described throughout this document can have any number of sections with any number of sectional lines. Moreover, it should be understood that any planter described throughout this document can have any number of mechanical fasteners secured to the planter body over one or more of the sectional lines. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , an exemplary planter  420  is illustrated according to another non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers used in this figure that are the same reference numbers as used previously represent the same structures/components already described. Accordingly, the structures/components having the same reference numbers may not be described again. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 24 , planter  420  is illustrated and characterized as having any number of sectional lines; only one sectional line  35  shown. Accordingly, body  24  of planter  420  has any number of sections; only two sections  26  and  28  shown. Any number of mechanical fasteners can be used for each sectional line. Illustrated are three different mechanical fasteners  422 ,  424  and  426 . It should be understood that less than three, or more than three, mechanical fasteners can be used. Moreover, all the mechanical fasteners can be a different style or configuration as shown. Alternatively, two or more of the mechanical fasteners can be the same style or configuration. Still further, although the style or configuration of mechanical fasteners for this embodiment are latches, it should be understood any number of hinges can be included with mechanical fasteners  422 ,  424  and  426 . 
     It should be understood that embodiments of the planters disclosed throughout this document can be devoid of any latches and/or hinges. To releasably secure the sections together of the body of the planter, this embodiment relies upon the support ring  20  secured under the rim collar  22 . That is, the support ring  20  is the mechanical fastener to secure and lock the sections of the body together in a closed orientation to establish the cavity which receives the plant. Each support cable  16  could still extend from the support ring  20 . 
     In compliance with the statute, the various embodiments have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the various embodiments are not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise disclosures of putting the various embodiments into effect. The various embodiments are, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.