Patent Publication Number: US-2017359969-A1

Title: Portable Suspended Trellis and Planter System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The field of the present invention relates generally to hanging planter systems that are used to grow plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to such planter systems that are configured to suspend a planter below a structure and which comprise a trellis that beneficially supports one or more upwardly growing plants, such as vines and the like. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such planter systems that are portable. 
     B. Background 
     Gardening is an activity that is enjoyed by many people throughout the world. One popular type of gardening is commonly referred to as container gardening, which is the growing of plants in planters, plant pots and other types of containers. Container gardening is particularly popular for persons who do not have access to an area of land or other space for planting an outdoor garden and for persons who desire to grow plants in the deck, patio or balcony areas of a home, apartment or office. As well known by gardeners and other plant growers, many types of plants can be beneficially grown in a container, including flowering plants for decorative purposes and vegetable or fruit bearing plants to produce vegetables or fruit for consumption. One feature of container gardening is that the plant and its growing medium, typically soil, are placed together in the same container, with the plant growing from the growing medium. As a result, a benefit of most container growing systems is that the containers and the plant or plants growing therein are at least somewhat portable. One exception to the portability of container growing systems are the very large generally immovable containers which are occasionally utilized in container gardening. 
     Many gardeners and others enjoy growing vine plants for decorative and/or the vegetables or fruit that these types of plants produce. Although many of these plants can be grown in unsupported manner, such that the plants grow generally downward, most vine plants benefit by being grown next to a support structure, such as a trellis or the like, on which the vine can grow in a generally upward direction so as to expose more of the plant to sun and air. Most often, the trellis or other support structure is fixedly mounted in the ground or attached to a fence, wall or other permanent or at least semi-permanent structure so the trellis can allow the vines to grow upward while supporting the weight of the plant and any vegetables or fruit that are produced by the plant. While vine type plants are most commonly grown in the ground, generally immediately adjacent to the trellis, vines can be grown from a planter, plant pot or other container in a manner that allows the plant to grow upward over the trellis. In this grown-in-the-ground configuration, neither the container nor the vine plant are portable. 
     As well known, vine plants are also grown in containers, such as planters, plant pots and the like in a manner that generally allows the container and plant to be at least somewhat portable. In one configuration, the container is configured to be suspended below a beam, ceiling or other support structure with the vines of the plant, including the flowers, vegetables or fruit thereof, allowed to grow over the container and downward toward the ground, floor or other surface above which the container is suspended to produce a hanging vine effect. In fact, it is generally well known that many people hang plant pots indoors or outdoors, such as on a patio or balcony, with a vine type plant growing in the plant pot and hanging down. In another configuration, the container has a trellis attached to, mounted in or otherwise associated therewith such that the vine plant can grow generally upward from the container and across the trellis. Typically, this type of plant growing system is configured for use with the container resting on the floor, deck, patio, ground or other surface. It is known, however, to suspend such a container/trellis system from a surface, such as a ceiling, roof or beam, with the plant being allowed to grow upward from the container on the trellis. The trellis portion of this type of system is not intended to support the vine in a wide, spread out manner, such as is common for fixed trellises. 
     Plant growing systems comprising a plant pot and a trellis attached to or otherwise associated with the plant pot are known in the prior art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 425,745 to Brown and U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,861 to Wuthrich disclose plant growing systems that have a trellis structure that clips onto or otherwise attaches to or near the upper edge of a plant pot. The trellises disclosed in these patents are configured in a generally cylindrical or conical shape with support posts that are connected by circumferentially disposed rings. Neither system describes the plant pot as being suspended from a ceiling, beam or other structure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,820 to Moss discloses a plant growing system comprising a planter having a water reservoir, a vertically disposed pole extending upward from at or near the center of the planter, a pole cap at the top of the pole and a plurality of strings attached to the pole cap and extending to the outer walls of the planter to form a cylindrical or conical, depending on the size of the pole cap relative to planter, trellis that supports vine plants above the planter. The system also does not disclose that it is known to support the planter and trellis thereof above the floor, ground or other surface. U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,135 to Laycock discloses a framed box-like planter casing configured to be supported from a wall, window or other partition with one or more plant pots positioned therein that have plants growing therefrom. The planter can also have integrated sprinklers and/or drip irrigation bubblers associated therewith for ease of watering the plants. Although the planter casing can be suspended from a wall, window or other partition, this plant growing systems does not show that it is known to suspend an individual plant container and trellis from a ceiling, beam or other structure so the plant will grow on the trellis above the floor, ground or other surface. 
     What is needed, therefore, is an improved plant growing system that allows a vine type of plant to beneficially grow across a trellis associated with a planter or other container that is suspended from a ceiling, roof, beam or other structure. Such a system should be configured with a planter or other container that contains the plant growing medium from which a vine type of plant grows and a trellis on which the plant can expand across to improve the growing thereof for ornamental and/or vegetable or fruit producing benefits. The improved plant growing system should be configured to be portable so the user thereof can move the planter, trellis and plant, with the plant growing in the planter and across the trellis, from one location to another. Preferably, the plant growing system should be adaptable for incorporation of various plant watering components to allow the user to easily and effectively provide water to the plant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The portable suspended trellis and planter system of the present invention solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a new and improved plant growing system that allows the user to suspend a planter and a trellis associated therewith below a ceiling, roof, beam or other overhead structure in a manner that allows the plant to grow upward across the trellis. The planter of the present system contains the soil or other plant growing medium from which the plant grows and the trellis supports the upper portions of the plant as it expands across the trellis to help it grow and provide the desired ornamental and/or crop producing benefits. The suspended trellis and planter system of the present invention is self-contained, structurally, such that the system is easily and completely portable, allowing the user thereof to move the planter, trellis and plant from one location to another without having to remove or otherwise risk harming the growing plant. In one configuration, the trellis and planter system of the present invention incorporates components, including a tube or other water line connected to a supply of water and holes, spray nozzles or the like, that drip, spray or otherwise dispense water to the plant to allow the user to easily and effectively provide water to the plant. The trellis and planter system of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. 
     In one general aspect of the present invention, the trellis and planter system comprises an upper support member that is suspended below a support surface, a lower support member in spaced apart relation to and positioned below the upper support member, a trellis disposed between and interconnecting the upper and lower support members and a planter suspended below the lower support member. Preferably, each of the upper and lower support members and the planter are elongated and the trellis is substantially flat. The trellis can be made out of one or more wire members and substantially fill the entire space between the upper and lower support members so as to support the plants across the entire trellis. One or more support devices engage and suspend the upper support member, and therefore the system, in an easily removable manner so the system and plants can be moved without harm to the plants. One or more planter support devices position the planter below the lower support member such that the plants grow upwardly and are supported by the trellis. Water can be delivered to the upper support member so as to drip through one or more apertures in the tubular upper support member or be delivered to one or more spray devices configured to spray water onto the plants when they are supported by the trellis. The upper support member and surface support devices should be cooperatively configured so the user of the system can easily, quickly and safely remove the upper support member from the surface support devices when he or she desires to move the plants to a different location. In one embodiment, the surface support members are hooks that are configured to engage a cylindrical or tubular shaped upper support member. The trellis can be formed from a single wire member that is threaded through a plurality of eye bolts that are attached to the upper and lower support members. Alternatively, the trellis can be formed from a wire mesh or other material. 
     Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved plant growing system that is configured for growing a plant on a suspended trellis and planter that provides the advantages discussed above and overcomes the disadvantages and limitations associated with presently available plant growing systems. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide an improved trellis and planter system that comprises a planter containing a plant growing medium in which grows a plant, a trellis associated with the planter over which the plant can grow and trellis support members which allows the system to be suspended below a ceiling, roof, beam or other structure with the planter being spaced above the floor, deck, patio, ground or other surface. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide an improved trellis and planter system that comprises a planter containing a plant and a trellis associated with the planter so the plant can grow across the trellis with the components of the system being configured to be suspended from a structure and configured to be portable so the user of the system can move the planter, trellis and plant from one location to another without having to dig up or otherwise risk harm to the plant. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide an improved trellis and planter system that, although it can be utilized with a variety of plants, is particularly configured to beneficially grow vine type of plants and allow such plants to spread across the trellis so as to improve the ornamental and/or crop bearing benefits of the plant. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a portable suspended trellis and planter system incorporating components that facilitate watering the plant growing from the planter and spreading out across the trellis for ease and benefit of the user when providing water to the plant. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a portable suspended trellis and planter system that generally utilizes conventional trellis and planter components so the system is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. 
     The above and other objectives of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a trellis and planter system that is configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the system suspended from a structure and a plant growing from the planter and across the trellis; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the trellis and planter system of  FIG. 1  shown without the plant, structure and structure supports to better illustrate the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the trellis and planter system of  FIG. 1  showing a possible path for a single wire trellis; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the trellis and planter system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a second embodiment of the trellis and planter system of  FIG. 1  showing the use of a water line to deliver water to the system so it can be beneficially distributed to the plant; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the upper horizontal support of  FIG. 5  with the trellis supports removed to illustrate the holes through which water can pass to drip onto the plant; and 
         FIG. 7  is an alternative configuration for the upper horizontal support for the trellis and planter system of the present invention showing the use of a water tube inside the upper horizontal support to deliver water to spray devices that spray water on the plant being supported by the trellis of the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed text and drawings are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and only represent several possible ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the figures and description provided herein are primarily directed to a rectangular shaped planter, a trellis made out of wire to support the plant on the system and tubular support members, persons skilled in the art will readily understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying the present disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited as the system of the present invention can be utilized with a variety of different configurations and materials for the planter, trellis and support members. 
     An improved trellis and planter system comprising the components of and which is configured pursuant to one embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as  10  in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The trellis and planter system  10  is configured to suspend a trellis  12  and planter  14  below a support structure  16 , such as a ceiling, roof, beam, cross-member or a variety of other surfaces so that one or more plants  18  can be grown in the planter  14  in a manner that allows the plants  18  to spread out across the trellis  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The system  10  further comprises an upper support member  20  and a lower support member  22 , with the trellis  12  being disposed between and interconnecting the upper support member  20  and the lower support member  22 . In a typical configuration, one or more surface support devices  24  will connect to and suspend the upper support member  20  below and in spaced apart relation to a support surface  26  of the support structure  16 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the system  10  is portable, the one or more support devices  24  will removably support the upper support member  20  of the system  10  so the user thereof can move the trellis  12 , planter  14  and plants  18  from one location to another without having to remove the plants  18  from the trellis  12  or planter  14 . For instance, depending on the time of year and/or other factors, the user may desire to move the plants  18  from one end of a patio, balcony, building or other support structure  16  to the other so the plants  18  may get more or less sunlight. With the system  10  of the present invention, the user can easily, quickly and safely move the plants  18  while in the planter  14  and spread out across the trellis  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper support member  20  is suspended below lower surface  26  of support structure  16  by one or more surface support devices  24 . The upper support member  20  can be a variety of different sizes and configurations. In the preferred embodiment, the upper support member  20  is elongated and configured to be supported in a generally horizontal position below the lower surface  26 . The upper support member  20  can be a pipe, tube or other cylindrically shaped member that is made out of a variety of materials, including plastic, metal or composite materials. Alternatively, upper support member  20  can be a square or rectangular wooden member, such as a  2   x   4  or the like. As set forth in more detail below, in one embodiment the upper support member  20  is a hollow tubular member selected so as to allow water to be delivered to the plants  18  through upper support member  20  or through one or more water lines that are disposed inside or otherwise associated with upper support member  20 , such as being attached or otherwise secured thereto. The upper tubular member  20  and the support devices  24  should be cooperatively configured so the upper tubular member  20  can be supportedly engaged by the support devices  24  in a manner that supports the system  10  below support structure  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the upper tubular member  20  and the one or more support devices  24  are cooperatively configured such that the upper tubular member  20 , and as a result the system  10 , is removably supported by the support devices  24 . As set forth in more detail below, in this manner the user can move the system  10  from one location to another without having to remove the plants  18  from the trellis  12  and/or planter  24 , which would be likely to harm or even kill the plants  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the upper support member  20  is suspended in spaced apart relation to the lower surface  26  of the support structure  16 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , for ease of removing the upper support member  20  from the support device  24  when the user desires to move system  10 . 
     The lower support member  22  is suspended below and in spaced apart relation to the upper support member  20  by trellis  12 , which interconnects the upper support member  20  and the lower support member  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . As with the upper support member  20 , the lower support member  22  can be provided in a variety of different sizes and configurations. In the preferred embodiment, lower support member  22  is elongated and configured to be supported in a generally horizontal position at the bottom of trellis  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The lower support member  22  can be a pipe, tube or other cylindrically shaped member that is made out of a variety of materials, including plastic, metal or composite materials. Alternatively, lower support member  22  can be a square or rectangular wooden member, such as a  2   x   4  or the like. Generally, for ease and lower cost of manufacturing, the upper support member  20  and lower support member  22  will have the same configuration, such as tubular, and be manufactured out of the same materials. If desired, the lower support member  22  can be a hollow tubular member that is also selected to allow water to be delivered to the plants  18  in the planter  24  through the interior of the lower support member  22  or through one or more water lines that are disposed inside or otherwise associated with lower support member  20 , such as being attached or otherwise secured thereto. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the lower support member  22  is configured to support planter  14  below lower support member  22 . In a preferred embodiment, the planter  14  is suspended below the lower support member  22  by one or more planter support devices  28 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a wide variety of planter support devices  28  can be utilized to support the planter  14  below the lower support member  22 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the planter support devices  28  are a pair of looped wire members  30  that attach to the lower support member  22  and loop around the bottom end  32  of planter  14  to suspend the planter  14  below lower support member  22 . In  FIG. 5 , the planter support devices  28  are a pair of clips or clip like members, shown as  36  therein, that interconnect the lower support member  22  and the planter  14  to suspend planter  14  in spaced apart relation below the lower support member  22 . Plants  18  planted in the planter  14  will grow upward from the planter  24  and spread across trellis  12  disposed between the upper  20  and lower  22  support members, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, the planter support device(s)  28  are configured to support the planter  14  such that the top end  34  of the planter  14  is in spaced apart relation to lower support member  22  so the user can have sufficient room to work the soil or other growing medium in the planter  20  and, as necessary, perform other gardening tasks that are associated with growing plants  18 , including activities such as removing weeds, trimming plants, applying nutrients and the like. As also shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment of the system  10  of the present invention, the planter support devices  28  are also configured to support the bottom end  32  of the planter  14  in spaced apart relation to the floor, deck, patio, ground or other surface  36 . 
     As set forth above and shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the trellis  12  interconnects the upper support member  20  and lower support member  22  in a manner that suspends the lower support member  22  in spaced apart relation below upper support member  20 . In the preferred embodiment, both the upper support member  20  and lower support member  22  are horizontally disposed and the trellis  12  fills a generally square or rectangular shaped area, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . Trellis  12  can be made out of a wide variety of materials and be provided in a variety of different configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the trellis  12  comprises one or more wire members  38  that are strung between the upper support member  20  and lower support member  22 . The components for trellis  12 , such as the wire members  38 , and the configuration thereof should be selected so as to provide a sufficient structure for plants  18  to spread across and, in the case of vine plants, attach themselves to or to be attached to by the user of system  10 . In one embodiment of the system  10  of the present invention, the trellis  12  is configured from one or more wire members, such as wire member  38 , strung between the upper  20  and lower  22  support members by threading the wire member  38  through eye bolts or other devices attached to each of the upper  20  and lower  22  support members, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The wire threading pattern of  FIG. 3  is one possible manner in which a single wire member  38  can be utilized to form trellis  12  into a series of angled lines that substantially fill the space between the upper  20  and lower  22  support members. In alternative embodiments, trellis  12  can be made out of wire mesh or similar materials that are formed or selected so as to substantially fill the space between upper  20  and lower  22  support members and provide sufficient area for the plants  18  to engage the trellis  12  so as to be supported thereby. As with the upper  20  and lower  22  support members, the wire member  38  or other material selected for trellis  12  is preferably selected so as to be relatively lightweight to ease in the movement of system  10 , yet strong enough to support the planter  14  and plants  18 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the trellis  12  has a trellis width TW and a trellis height TH, as shown in  FIG. 2 , that is sufficiently wide and high to fill the area between upper  20  and lower  22  support members and beneficially support the plants  18  as they grow upward and across trellis  12 . As an example, trellis width TW can be four to eight feet and the trellis height can be four to five feet. These measurements are provided merely for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the dimensions of the present invention in any manner. In the preferred embodiment, the trellis  12  is provided with a generally flat shape with the trellis width TW being significantly greater than the trellis depth TD of trellis  12 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, the trellis depth TD is one to three inches or less. The flat configuration of trellis  12  will provide a better shaped support surface for the plants  18  and make it easier for the user to move the system  10  from one location to another. 
     As set forth above, the planter  14  is suspended below and supported by the lower support member  22  such that it is positioned below the trellis  12  so plants  18  will grow upward from planter  14  and engage the trellis  12 . The planter  14  can have a variety of different shapes and configurations. In the preferred embodiment, however, planter  14  is elongated, unlike prior art growing systems that use plant pots and the like, so as to at least somewhat extend the trellis width TW of the trellis  12 . In one embodiment, planter  14  has an elongated rectangular shape with a length of four to six feet with a width and height of approximately twelve to eighteen inches. The above shape and measurements are provided merely for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the dimensions of the planter  14  of the present invention in any manner, as the planter  14  can be of virtually any size and made into a generally square, oval or other shape. Planter  14  can be made out of wood, plastic, ceramic, metal and a variety of other materials or combinations of various materials, as are commonly utilized for planters and the like. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the planter  14  needs to be sized and configured to hold the planting medium in which the plants  18  grow and support the plants  18  as they grow. Planter  14  must be of sufficient strength to support the weight of the plants  18 , planting medium and the quantity of water expected to be in the planting medium at any given time. The upper support member  20 , trellis  12  and lower support member  22 , as well as the various support devices  24 / 28  and their respective connections, must also be of sufficient strength to support the weight of a water-logged planter  14  and the plants  18  therein. 
     In one configuration of the system  10  of the present invention, the system  10  comprises a supply of water  40  that connects to the upper support member  20  by one or more water lines  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7 . The water line  42  can deliver water from the supply of water  40  to the upper support member  20  in a manner that can beneficially disperse that water to the plants  18  on the trellis  12  and in planter  14  to assist the user with watering plants  18 . In one embodiment, the water line  42  delivers water to the interior of the tubular upper support member  20  so that the water can drip down from the upper support member  20  through one or more apertures  44  in the upper support member  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , along the wire members  38  of trellis  12 . Alternatively, the water line  42  can extend inside tubular lower support member  22  or be attached to the outside of or otherwise associated with the lower support member  22 . In another embodiment, the water line  42  can connect to one or more tubes  46  disposed inside, attached to or otherwise associated with upper support member  20  so as to deliver water to one or more spray devices  48 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The spray devices  48  can be positioned on upper support member  20  so as to spray water therefrom in a generally downward direction to spray water onto the plants  18  supported by trellis  12 . Water not taken up by leaves or vines of plants  18  can drip or otherwise flow down into planter  14  to be utilized by plants  18 . 
     In use, the user will attach the system  10  of the present invention to support structure  16  by using on or more support devices  24 , which will typically extend downward from the support surface  26  of support structure  16 . The support devices  24  can be hooks, as shown, or a wide variety of different types of devices that are capable of supporting, preferably removably, the system  10  by connecting to the upper support member  20 . With the system  10  suspended below the support structure  16 , the weight of planter  14  will extend the trellis  12  to its full trellis length TL. Planter  14  is then filled with the desired plant medium, such as soil or the like, and the plants  18  are planted in the planter  14  so they can begin to grow therefrom. The plants  18  will grow upward and engage the trellis  12  so as to be supported generally vertically thereby, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . With the upper support member  20  in spaced apart relation to the support surface  26  of support structure  16 , the user can easily grasp the upper support member  20  when he or she desires to move the system  10  to a new location. With the top end  34  of the planter  14  in spaced apart relation to lower support member  22 , the user will have room to work on the plants  18  and/or the soil or other growing medium in planter  14 . When the user does decide to move the plants  18  to a different location, he or she can move the entire system  10  as a single unit, thereby eliminating the need to remove the plants  18  from planter  14  and/or disconnect the plants  18  from the trellis  12 . Instead, he or she merely needs to grasp the upper support member  20 , disengage it from the support devices  24  (such as the hooks shown), move the entire system  10  to a new location and then place the upper support member  20  on the support devices  24  at the new location. 
     While there are shown and described herein one or more specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.