Patent Publication Number: US-2022217918-A1

Title: Integrated horticultural grow rack kit

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/916,638, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. Ser. No. 62/869,070, filed Jul. 1, 2019, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a compact plant growing assembly kit, and in particular to a plant growing assembly including frame members, top and base caps, and lights, where the assembly may be integrally packaged within the top and base caps for transport and sale. 
     Horticulture is known as the science and art of the development and sustainable production of cultivated plants. Horticultural crops are diverse and can include all manner of plants. Indoor growing of plants is a popular activity and various equipment is available to consumers for promoting growing, including various lighting, watering and shelf systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,036 B2 to Best Coast Growers discloses a tubular grow rack that can be assembled in many different sizes, is collapsible, and can support hanging objects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a cost-effective, pre-engineered, free-standing, all-in-one horticultural plant growing assembly that is configurable into a packaged orientation for convenient storage and shipment, and an assembled orientation in which plants may be disposed on a shelf with a light positioned above the plants. The plant growing assembly of the present invention further eliminates the need to spend hours researching, purchasing, and assembling multiple equipment options to effectively grow a multitude of plants, such as  cannabis , tomatoes, lettuce, decorative indoor plants, etc. Additionally, the assembled configuration of the plant growing assembly of the present invention is aesthetically designed for use in any residential space. 
     According to one form of the present invention, a horticultural plant growing assembly includes a pair of casings, with each casing having a bottom and a side wall defining a perimeter of each casing. Each side wall of each casing includes an upper edge with a flange. The flanges of the casings are correspondingly shaped to be engaged together to define a cavity between the bottoms of the casings. The plant growing assembly further includes a light system with lights for projecting light, and a plurality of frame members, with the frame members being connectable together to form a frame. The light system is selectively attachable to the frame. The plant growing assembly is selectively configurable into a packaged configuration and an assembled configuration. In the packaged configuration, the frame members and the light system are contained within the cavity when the flanges of the casings are engaged together. In the assembled configuration, the frame members are connected together to form the frame with the light system attached to the frame, and with the frame engaged with and extending upward from at least one of the casings whereby the at least one of the casings has a shelf configured to support a plant with the light system being disposed above the shelf. 
     According to an aspect, the light system includes a light driver assembly and a plurality of light panels configured to be assembled to form a light fixture. The light driver assembly and the light fixture are configured to be selectively attachable to the frame, and the light driver assembly and the plurality of panels are contained within the cavity in the packaged configuration. 
     According to another aspect, each of the plurality of light panels is selectively connectable to the light driver assembly to receive electrical power therefrom. An underside of each light panel includes an array of LED lights, and an upside of each light panel includes heat sinks. 
     According to yet another aspect, the light driver assembly includes a pair of light intensity switches. One of the pair of light intensity switches is configured to selectively adjust intensity of red spectrum light and another one of the pair of light intensity switches is configured to selectively adjust intensity of white/blue spectrum light. 
     According to a further aspect, the horticultural plant growing assembly further includes a pair of fan assemblies, each of the fan assemblies including a carbonated filter. The pair of fan assemblies is configured to be selectively attachable to the frame, and the pair of fan assemblies is contained within the cavity in the packaged configuration. 
     According to yet a further aspect, each of the pair of fan assemblies is connectable to the light driver assembly to receive electrical power therefrom. 
     According to still another aspect, the light fixture is adjustably mountable to the frame whereby distance between the light fixture and the shelf is selectively vertically adjustable. 
     The plant growing assembly kit provides a system that is collapsible into a convenient orientation for transport and sale with no shipping waste, and when assembled is useable in various configurations for growing plants, where all manner of plants may be grown using the invention. The kit thus provides a pre-engineered, all-in-one horticultural grow product for growing plants that includes everything, less the seedlings, containers and dirt, to grow plants indoors that is an all-in-one solution. These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. The invention thus provides a self-contained, pre-packaged, modularized rack and shelf system for growing plants indoors. Its components are designed to be convertible to various rack styles and provides adjustable lighting variations to support the expedited growth of a wide variety of plants. The product is all-inclusive providing most grow components, step-by-step grow recipes, and is designed to minimize shipping waste. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plant growing assembly kit in accordance with the present invention shown in a disassembled and packaged orientation for transport and sale; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the plant growing assembly kit of  FIG. 1  shown in a partially opened orientation; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of pre-packaged components of the plant growing assembly kit of  FIG. 1  shown removed from the bottom shelf and top cap upon opening; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of frame components of the frame assembly of the plant growing assembly kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are close-up perspective assembly views of a selected corner of the frame assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the frame assembly shown installed to the bottom shelf; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial exploded top perspective view of the frame assembly of  FIG. 6  shown with a pair of upper cross members and a LED driver prior to mounting to the frame assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the frame assembly of  FIG. 7  shown with the upper cross bars and LED driver mounted to the frame assembly; 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of LED light panels of a light system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention shown with hanger brackets for mounting the LED light panels; 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the interconnected LED light panels and hanger brackets of  FIG. 9A  shown with an adjustable suspension system for mounting the LED light panels to the frame assembly; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the frame assembly kit of  FIG. 8  shown with the light system mounted thereto, and with a front reflective shade and a fixed reflective panel prior to installation; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of  FIG. 10  shown with the front reflective shade, fixed reflective panel and a top cap mounted onto the frame assembly to form a plant growing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the plant growing assembly of  FIG. 11 , shown with a screen installed and a plurality of grow bags placed on the plant growing assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the numbered elements in the following written description correspond to like-numbered elements in the figures. A plant growing assembly or grow rack kit  18  in a packaged orientation for storage, transport and/or sale is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The plant growing assembly kit  18  is used to construct a plant growing assembly  20 , such as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the plant growing assembly kit  18  is formed in the packaged orientation by way of a packaging case  22  formed by a base or bottom member or pan or shelf  24  and a top member or top cap  26  with an outer wrapper  28  applied there over. The wrapper  28  includes an integrated carrying handle  30  for ease of lifting that projects through an opening  32  in the wrapper  28  when disposed about the bottom shelf  24  and top cap  26 . Of note, when in the packaged orientation of  FIG. 1 , the bottom shelf  24  and top cap  26  form a clam shell arrangement with additional disassembled components for constructing the assembly  20  contained in the cavity  34  ( FIG. 2 ) formed between the bottom shelf  24  and top cap  26 , including frame components, LED lights, a rack, and growing containers for plants, as well as other accessories. The plant growing assembly  20  is thus conveniently packaged when in the orientation of  FIG. 1 , such as for store display and transport, including for shipping and for a user to transport the kit  18  from a store to a point of use, such as the residence of the purchaser. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment the kit  18  includes all of the equipment needed for a user to grow plants via assembly  20  with the exception of dirt and seeds, thus providing a self-contained, portable and easy to assemble and use system for growing plants. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the base shelf  24  has a tray-like configuration with a bottom  36  surrounded by an upright side wall  38  extending from the bottom  36 , thereby forming a cavity. The upright side wall  38  of the base shelf  24  defines an upper or outer edge  40  about the perimeter of the base shelf  24 . Similarly, the top cap  26  includes an internal bottom, an upright side wall  42  extending from the bottom, with the upright side wall  42  of the top cap  26  defining an upper or outer edge  44  about the perimeter of the top cap  26 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the upper edges  40  and  44  include correspondingly shaped perimeter flanges that create an interference fit or tongue-and-groove connection between the base shelf  24  and top cap  26  whenever they are connected together to form the packaging case  22 . In other words, whenever the members  24  and  26  are engaged or connected together, their respective perimeter flanges enclose or seal the perimeters of the two members  24  and  26  together in a clam shell arrangement to form the enclosed cavity  34  within which other components of the assembly  20  may be stored in a disassembled orientation. The base shelf  24  and top cap  26  thus form casings for the packaging case  22  in the packaged orientation of  FIG. 1 . 
     Both the base shelf  24  and top cap  26  are symmetrical and shaped as rectangles in the illustrated embodiment, though other shapes are also possible. The interior surface or bottom  36  of the base shelf  24  is tapered from its four corners towards an interior front-middle region  37  of the base shelf  24  so that water accumulated in the interior surface or on the bottom  36  is directed for collection to a low point. The interior front-middle region  37  of the base shelf  24  may also include a drain opening (not shown) to drain the water out of the interior of the base shelf  24 . Alternatively, water may be removed via a syringe. 
     In the illustrated embodiment the base shelf  24  and top cap  26  are molded from Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) material. In the packaged orientation of  FIG. 1 , the base shelf  24  and top cap  26  may additionally be secured together by a pair of nylon straps  46  wrapped around the two members  24 ,  26  when they are engaged together, for which purpose each of the base shelf  24  and top cap  26  include pairs of retention grooves  48  disposed on opposed sides, with the grooves  48  being molded into the members  24 ,  26 . The retention grooves  48  assist in ensuring that straps  46  remain in place about members  24 ,  26 . The retention grooves  48  may additionally provide reinforcement for the securing with straps  46 . Although members  24 ,  26  in the illustrated embodiment are constructed of EPP, which provides excellent energy absorption, high strength properties, superior durability, lightweight, resistance to water, chemicals, and most oils, and is recyclable, it should be appreciated that other suitable plastic materials may be used, as well as alternative materials. The base shelf  24  and top cap  26  may be constructed to be identical with the flanges of their top edges  40 ,  44  configured to mate together, such as when rotated 180 degrees with respect to each other. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the wrapper  28  may be constructed of cardboard with the overlapping end flaps that include the handle  30  and opening  32  being glued in place in the packaged orientation of  FIG. 1 . Optionally, the outer wrapper  28  may include exterior product graphics and/or detailed growing instructions for specific plants or assembly and use instructions may be pre-printed on the underside of the outer wrapper  28 . 
     As understood from  FIG. 2 , when the plant growing assembly kit  10  is in the packaged orientation, the hollow cavity  34  of the packaging case  22  is configured to retain in pre-determined positions various pre-packaged hardware components and accessories of the plant growing assembly kit  18 , which will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the hardware components of the plant growing assembly kit  18  include a pre-packaged frame component bundle  50 , a light system comprising a LED driver  52  and a set of light panels packaged in a light panels box  54 , a rolled-up front reflective shade  56 , a set various accessories packaged in an accessories box  58 , and a scrog screen  60 . It will be understood that the base shelf  24  and top cap  26  are also part of the hardware components of the plant growing assembly kit  18  and are used to construct the plant growing assembly  20 , as will be described below. 
     In the illustrated embodiment the frame component bundle  50  includes the following frame members or components: four vertical posts  62 , three face beams  64 , one front fan mount  66 , and four side or end beams  68 , such as shown in  FIG. 4 , and two upper cross bars  69 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . It will be understood that the frame members included in the frame component bundle  50  form a frame or frame assembly  70  of the plant growing assembly  20 . It is contemplated that each of the frame members is stamped out of cold-rolled steel, such as 16-gauge steel, such that the frame assembly  70  of the plant growing assembly  20  provides for a rigid structure. It is further contemplated that all steel components of the frame assembly  70  may be treated for rust resistance, including being powder coated. Alternatively, the frame components may be constructed of aluminum, plastic or another material. In addition to the above noted frame members, the frame component bundle  50  also includes two light support brackets  72 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  and discussed in more detail below. 
     Each vertical post  62  has an L-shaped cross-section and is formed as a symmetrical and elongate angle with a pair of equal flanges. Each vertical post  62  includes a plurality of stamped holes  74  and tapered slots  76 , such as shown for example in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , disposed on each flange and at both ends of each vertical post  62  for engagement with front fan mount  66 , face beams  64  and side beams  68 . Each vertical post  62  also includes apertures at specific locations along the length that are used for attaching other components and accessories to each vertical post  62 , as discussed further below. 
     Each face beam  64  is formed as an elongate angle with unequal flanges and having the length approximately equal to the length of each vertical post  62 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , each face beam  64  includes stamped holes  78  and tabs  80  disposed at opposed ends for engagement with respective vertical posts  62 . Each face beam  64  also includes a plurality of holes at specific locations along the length that are used for attaching other components and accessories to each face beam  64 , as discussed further below. The front fan mount  66  is formed as an elongate angle with unequal flanges, where a significantly wider flange of the front fan mount  66  forms a panel that defines various holes, openings and apertures that are used for attaching other hardware components and accessories to the front fan mount  66 , as discussed further below. The length of the front fan mount  66  is equal to the length of each face beam  64 . The front fan mount  66  includes stamped holes  78  and tabs  80  disposed at opposed ends in like manner to face beams  64  for engagement with respective vertical posts  62 . 
     Each side beam  68  is formed as an elongate angle with unequal flanges and having the length of approximately half of the length of each face beam  64 . Each side beam  68  includes stamped holes  78  and tabs  80  disposed at opposed ends for engagement with respective vertical posts  62  ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ). Each side beam  68  also includes a plurality of holes at specific locations along the length that are used for attaching other components and accessories to each side beam  68 , as discussed further below. 
     Each upper cross bar  69  is formed as a symmetrical and elongate L-shaped angle with a pair of equal flanges and having a length approximately equal to the length of each side beam  68 . Each upper cross bar  69  also includes a pair of ends  82  ( FIG. 7 ) with each end  82  including a hole used for attachment of each upper cross bar  69  to a respective face beam  64  and front fan mount  66 . Each upper cross bar  69  also includes a notch  84  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) disposed generally at the center of each upper cross bar  69  that is used as a locator and a retaining groove for hanging and supporting the LED lights, as discussed further below. 
       FIGS. 4-8  illustrate the interconnection of the frame members to form the frame  70 , and additionally illustrate the engagement of the frame  70  with the bottom shelf  24  as part of the assembly process of forming grow rack assembly  20 . In particular, frame  70  is installed within bottom shelf  24  whereby the side wall  38  surrounds the lower portion of frame  70 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , screws  86  and nuts  88  may be used to fixedly connect the frame members together. 
     As discussed above, the light system packaged in the plant growing assembly kit  18  includes the LED driver  52  and the set of light panels, described in more detail below. As can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the LED driver  52  includes a metal housing  90  with a pair of pre-wired water-resistant rotary switches  92 , an on/off switch  94 , and three quick-connectors  96  for attachment of electric cables for LED lights. LED driver  52  additionally includes a pre-wired power cord with grounded 115V plug (not shown). The set of LED light panels, pre-packaged in the light panels box  54 , are three separate ultra-thin, reinforced aluminum extruded light panels  98 , such as shown in  FIG. 9A , that are configured to interlock together to form a LED light fixture  100 , such as shown in  FIG. 9B . Each light panel  98  includes lights on the underside, such as arrays of LED lights, and approximately half an inch ventilation holes strategically located throughout each panel  98  to dissipate radiant heat from the LED lights. The upper side of each light panel  98  includes a corrugated surface acting as heat sinks for passive cooling. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , each panel  98  further includes a pre-wired quick-connect water-resistant input cable  102  to electrically connect each panel  98  to a respective quick-connector  96  of the LED driver  52 . Panels  98  are connected together, including via a pair of support brackets  72 . The support brackets  72  include an angled flange that extends over all three panels  72 , with each bracket  72  being secured to each of the three LED panels  98 , such as by way of fasteners. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , adjustable cable or rope hangers  104  are secured to each of the support brackets  72 , which, as understood from  FIG. 10 , enable the position of the LED light fixture  100  to be vertically adjustable when installed to frame  70 . In the illustrated embodiment rope hangers  104  are fully adjustable and are tear and rust resistant, and are made from ⅛″ diameter solid braided polypropylene rope. Each rope hanger  104  includes an internal zinc-plated steel gear with a push button  106 , which provides the means for vertical adjustment, and a carabiner clip  108  on one end of each rope hanger  104 , as shown in  FIG. 9B , for attachment to respective side beams  68  of frame  70 . As understood from  FIG. 10 , the rope hangers  104  extend over cross bars  69 , with the respective ropes being slidably engaged within notches  84  for guiding and positioning the LED light fixture  100 . It should be appreciated that the vertical position of the LED light fixture  100  may be adjusted based on the size or height of the plant being grown using growing assembly kit  18 . 
     The LED light fixture  100 , in cooperation with the LED driver  52 , form a dimmable spectrum LED light system, when assembled. The light system is configured to establish consistent photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) values across the entire plant canopy area for enhanced plant growth. Additionally, the light system is configured to selectively apply different light spectrums during specific plant growth stages for the best growth of a variety of plants. An adjustable spectrum is created with two rotary switches  92  that allow the user to adjust the intensity of the red spectrum and white (blue) spectrum independently to provide more versatility for crops like lettuce that can be challenging to grow successfully indoors. For example, lettuce enjoys higher blue spectrum and less red spectrum during its grow cycle for fuller and denser heads, whereas tomatoes and  cannabis  prefer higher red spectrum with the blue spectrum during the vegetable phase and a great deal of red spectrum during the flower/fruiting phases. 
     The dimmable spectrum LED light system provides a number of benefits for successful indoor growing of a variety of plants. For example, the light system is configured to emit full spectrum lighting, which provides plants everything they desire from natural sunlight. The system is spectrum dimmable with Max. PPFD&gt;700 umol/m2/s @ 2 ft above plant canopy using reflectors. The light system provides 80% energy savings as compared to traditional high-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps. The LED driver  52  is damp rated for wet locations. The light system is operable with wide voltage power supply AC100-240V, 50/60 Hz, PF&gt;0.9. The light system has a wide range of working temperature; from −20° C. to 40° C., and relative humidity of 40% RH. The light system is also environmentally friendly, as it does not contain pollutants or harmful substances under ROHS. Additionally, the light system of the plant growing assembly kit  18  is operable to provide at least the following spectrums and wavelength: blue 400-470 nm, which promotes chlorophyll and carotenoid for photosynthesis and leaf production; red 610-720 nm, which promotes chlorophyll absorption for photosynthesis and photoperiodism; and IR 720-1000 nm, which promotes cell growth influences blooming and sprouting. 
     The front reflective shade  56 , shown in  FIG. 3  in a rolled-up configuration for packaging, includes a plastic pull chain  110  and weighted stabilizing bar  112  ( FIG. 10 ). The front reflective shade  56  is adapted to selectively fully expand and retract into the rolled-up configuration via pull chain  110 . The front reflective shade  56  is made of a relatively thick Mylar film that includes a highly durable diamond-textured surface on the interior side of the reflective shade  56 . Only in the rolled-up configuration for packaging, the front reflective shade  56  additionally contains a fixed reflective panel  114 , shown in an expanded configuration in  FIG. 10 , that is rolled over in the front reflective shade  56 . The fixed reflective panel  114  is made of the same material as the front reflective panel  56  and also includes the highly durable diamond textured surface on the interior side of the fixed reflective panel  114 . 
     The set of various accessories pre-packaged in the accessories box  58  includes the previously mentioned pair of rope hangers  104  ( FIG. 9B ), and additionally includes a plurality of grow bags  116  ( FIG. 12 ), a timer (not shown), a thermometer/hygrometer (not shown), pH control kit (not shown), a soil tester (not shown), and a plug adapter (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the grow bags  116  are collapsible 3-gallon aeration fabric pots that are made from high-quality nonwoven fabric and include built-in handles  118 . The grow bags  116  promote root expansion through better aeration, prevent a circling root structure, and are permeable allowing excess water to drain through the fabric and into the front-middle region  37  of the base pan  24 . The grow bags  116  are durable and reusable for several growing seasons. The timer is a heavy-duty 7-day programmable plug-in unit to control the plant lighting cycle on a typically grounded 115V/15 Amp residential outlet. The timer includes a built-in battery backup, clear LCD digital display, automatic on/off function. The timer is also programmable for Daylight Savings, and is UL listed. 
     The supplied thermometer/hygrometer is an all-in-one pre-calibrated gauge for measuring internal temperature and humidity of the grow area. The thermometer/hygrometer includes an easy-to-read display that displays daily high and low temperature/humidity results, and a magnetic mount for attaching the thermometer/hygrometer to one of the vertical posts  38  in the grow area. The pH control kit provides for maximum plant growth by monitoring pH levels of the water and nutrient mixture given to the plants. The kit includes an 8 oz. jar of pH “up”, an 8 oz. jar of pH “down”, a test tube, a 1 oz. indicator, and a vial. The soil tester is a three-in-one meter designed to better understand plant condition by monitoring soil moisture, soil pH value, and light level. The tester includes a double-needle detection technology that enhances the speed and accuracy of analyzing soil moisture and pH levels. The tester does not need batteries. The plug adapter is a 3-wire outlet adapter that converts any standard indoor electrical outlet into a ground fault (GFCI) protected outlet. The adapter includes a bright “red” light indicator that indicates when the power is “ON”. The tester also includes test and reset buttons that allow for periodic testing of the adapter. The adapter is compatible with 15-amp U-ground outlets and plugs, 2 or 3 wire, and includes a trip level of 4-6 mA and is UL and CUL listed. 
     The scrog screen  60  is a wire trellis, which is utilized to provide additional plant support and to control vertical growth during the flowering stage. It maintains evenness in the plant canopy by allowing the grower to gently bend the stems to force the plant to grow laterally and diminish light intensity. The wire trellis includes a 16-gauge vinyl-coated welded-wire steel mesh. As shown in  FIG. 12 , screen  60  may be retained in a desired orientation via a pair of trellis bungees  120  that are attachable into apertures in posts  62 , where bungees  120  are also contained within kit  18 . 
     The plant growing kit  18  further includes a pair fan assemblies  122 , shown for example in  FIG. 10 . Each fan assembly  122  includes an interior granulated carbon filter sandwiched between a pair of safety grilles to remove unwanted odor from inside of the plant growing assembly  20 . The plant growing kit  18  additionally includes a trimming scissors (not shown), a nutrient kit (not shown), and a hardware bag (not shown) that contains fasteners, including screws  86  and nuts  88  for attaching selective frame components together, as well as fasteners for attaching the light system to the frame assembly, and brackets and fasteners for attaching the fixed reflective panel  114  to the frame assembly  70 , which will be described in more detail below. 
     According to the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the frame assembly  70  of the plant growing assembly  20  is constructed by first connecting opposing ends of a pair of vertical posts  62  via a pair of side beams  68  to form a first side  124  of the frame assembly. As best shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the pair of vertical posts  62  are connected by respective tapered slots  76  of each vertical post  62  receiving and securely engaging with respective tabs  80  of each respective side beam  68 . A screw  86  with locknut  88  are used to secure/reinforce the connection. A second side  126  of the frame assembly  70  is constructed in the same manner as described above. The three face beams  64  and the front fan mount  66  are then used to interconnect upper and lower ends of the first and second sides  124 ,  126  to form the frame assembly  70 . The first and second sides  124 ,  126  are interconnected in the same manner as described above, i.e. by engaging respective tapered slots  76  of each vertical post  62  with respective tabs  80  of each respective face beam  64  and front fan mount  66 , and securing the connection with a screw  86  and locknut  88 . It will be understood that the front fan mount  66  is used to interconnect the upper ends of the first and second sides  124 ,  126 , with the significantly wider flange of the front fan mount  66  serving as a front side or front face of the frame assembly  70  and of the plant growing assembly  20 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the frame assembly is then placed into the interior surface of the base shelf  24 , with lower face beams  64  and side beams  68  sitting flush on a raised edge  128  disposed around a perimeter of the interior surface of the base shelf  24 . With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the two upper cross bars  69  are mounted between the upper face beam  64  and the front fan mount  66 . A screw  86  and locknut  88  are used to secure each end flange  82  of each upper cross bar  69  to respective upper face beam  64  and front fan mount  66 . The LED driver  52  is then also mounted between the upper face beam  64  and the front fan mount  66  by using four truss head machine screws, with a pair of the screws  130  inserted through the front fan mount  66  ( FIG. 8 ) and another pair of the screws (not shown) inserted through the upper face beam  64 . The pair of rotary switches  92  and the on/off switch  94  of the LED driver assembly  52  are fitted into respective apertures  132  and  134  of the front fan mount  66  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the LED light fixture  100  is formed by nestling light panels  98  together with a tongue and groove joint and further securing the connection by the two support brackets  72  that are each coupled to each light panel  98 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9B , the smaller flange of each support bracket  72  is coupled to each light panel  98  by three stainless-thin hex head screws and wing nuts. An end of the rope hanger  104 , that is opposite the end with the carabiner clip  108 , is then attached to each support bracket  72  through the hole in the larger flange of each support bracket  72 . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the LED light fixture  100  can then be maneuvered into the frame assembly  70  by each of the pair of rope hangers  104  extending over respective upper cross bars  69  and attaching with the carabiner clip  108  to respective center holes in the opposing upper side beams  68 . It will be understood that the notch  84  on each upper cross bar  69  serves as an indicator and retaining groove for the placement of each rope hangers  104 . It should also be appreciated that once the LED fixture  100  is installed in the frame assembly  70 , the LED fixture  100  can be vertically adjusted, i.e. raised or lowered, by pressing the push button  106  of each of the rope hangers  104 . The installation of the light system is completed by plugging cables  102  of the LED light fixture  100  into respective connectors  96  of the LED driver  52 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 10 , the pair of fan assemblies  122  are mounted into respective apertures  136  in the front fan mount  66  ( FIG. 8 ). The pair of fan assemblies  122  with carbonated filters are designed to pull ambient room air through the front bottom of the plant growing assembly  20 , up through the plant canopy, through the LED light fixture  100 , up into the top portion of the plant growing assembly  20 , and out the front face of the front fan mount  66  through the carbonated filters. This provides the needed airflow for superior plant growth and to aid in the reduction of odors that may form inside the plant growing assembly  20  filled with plants. Each fan assembly  122  features an airflow of 110 CFM, 2600 RPM, and a noise level of 47 dBA. Each fan assembly  122  is fastened to the exterior face of the front fan mount  66  and includes a 120V cord that plugs into an outlet on the LED driver  52 . 
     The fixed reflective panel  114  is secured to the sides and back of the frame assembly  70 , such as shown in  FIG. 10 , using push rivets and Velcro provided in the hardware bag of the plant growing kit  18 . It will be understood that the reflective surface of the fixed reflective panel  114  is faced inward. The front reflective shade  56  is then mounted by first attaching corner brackets  138  to the vertical posts  62  at the front side of the frame assembly  70 , and then mounting the front reflective shade  56  into the brackets  138  ( FIG. 11 ), as spring-loaded ends of the front reflective shade  56  are adapted to clip into the corner brackets  138 . The front reflective shade  56  is designed as a roll-up window shade providing ease of access during plant maintenance. It will be understood that the reflective surface of the front reflective shade  56  is faced inward. The top cap  26  is then fitted over the top of the frame assembly  70 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . It will be appreciated that top cap  26  may now be turned into a useable top shelf or ergonomic work surface for typical horticultural or other needs. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , unfolded grow bags  116  may now be placed onto the interior surface of the base shelf  24 . The pair of trellis bungees  120  may now be attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the end hooks of each bungee  120  attach through pre-punched holes in diagonally positioned vertical posts  62  such that the pair of trellis bungees  120  form an “X” pattern. The trellis bungees  120  are used to provide support for the scrog screen  60 , which is placed over the trellis bungees  120 . It will be appreciated that the bungees  120  may be attached to form a different pattern and that the screen  60  is vertically repositionable as the trellis bungees  120  may be attached to other holes along the height of the posts  62 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the frame assembly  70  is approximately four feet high by four feet wide and two feet deep, with the bottom shelf  24  and top cap  26  dimensioned accordingly. It should be appreciated, however, that alternative sizes and configurations may be employed. 
     The present invention thus provides a plant growing rack assembly system that is collapsible into a convenient orientation for transport and sale with no shipping waste, and when assembled is useable and adjustable to suit different planting requirements for growing a variety of plants, including decorative flowering plants, fruits, vegetables and other plants, including legalized growing of cannabis. The provided kit thus provides a pre-engineered, all-in-one horticultural grow product for growing plants that includes everything, less the seedlings and soil/dirt, to grow plants indoors. It is an all-in-one solution eliminating the need for the consumer to spend hours researching equipment options. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the plant growing assembly  80  has a generally rectangular configuration, including the shelves and frame when assembled. It should be appreciated that alternative configurations may be employed within the scope of the present invention. Still further, the illustrated frame may also be alternatively configured, including having more or fewer frame members, and altered orientations for such supports and manner of interconnection thereof. Accordingly, changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.