Patent Publication Number: US-2018027749-A1

Title: Plant Framing System

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to plant surround devices and more specifically to detachable, multi-purpose surround frame systems adaptable to multiple plants. The present invention is of particular use to gardeners, landscapers and florist and provides interchangeable water or lighting applications, aesthetic value and a snap together body design. 
     Gardeners and plant enthusiasts all over the world are always looking for new and exciting ways to maintain and decorate their gardens, pots, landscapes and showcase their plants. The present invention allows for indoor or outdoor use, several different interchangeable applications of lighting or water and provides a two piece snap together body design for easy, repeated application and removal. 
     The invention (herein referred to as the plant frame) provides a snap together body design that allows the plant frame to surround any size plant. Other known designs force the gardener to struggle with limbs, leaves and flowers, potentially harming the plant. The plant frame unsnaps and is placed around the base of a plant and snaps back together and unsnaps for removal, thus solving any issues with the size of the desired plant to be surrounded. Known prior art may be placed around a small plant, but after the plant grows, presents an issue of removing the surround from, the now larger plant. The plant frames snap together design eliminates the application and removal issues. 
     The plant frame&#39;s body design provides a slightly sloping top surface and access avenues on the underside for water or lighting applications. The plant frame&#39;s sloping top surface allows natural rain water collection, directing water to the center opening, supplying water directly to the plants root system. The plant frame&#39;s sloped top surface assists in the watering needs of the surrounded plant. However, the plant frames underside body design with access avenues, allows for a watering application to be applied in drought or desert conditions and may be connected continuously to multiple plant frames. The plant frame with the water application in place insures the survival of the surrounded plant, thus solving water depravation issues. 
     The aforementioned underside body design of the plant frame&#39;s access avenues for water or lighting provide an interchangeable option. In an environment where the watering application may not be necessary, a lighting application may be applied for a nighttime display. The lighting application may be connected continuously to multiple plant frames. The optional, interchangeable water and lighting element of the plant frame provides different effects in one apparatus, thus saving the user from purchasing another item to obtain a different effect. 
     It would be expedient, therefore, to provide an improved apparatus and method for applying and removing a plant surround system that prevents potential harm to the surrounded plant with interchangeable water and lighting option those possess continuous connection abilities that ensures survival of surrounded plants and minimizes expenses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of this invention, herein referred to as the plant frame, to provide a decorative multipurpose plant surround for indoor or outdoor use with a two piece snap together body design which eliminates the disadvantages of other plant surround devices. 
     Further, it is also a primary object of the plant frame to provide an underside body design with access avenues that support interchangeable water or lighting applications with continuous connection capabilities between multiple plant frames. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a plant frame comprises a decorative sloping top surface with a center opening for a plant to grow through, a two piece snap together body and the underside access avenues for water or lighting applications. Said two piece snap together body design facilitates a safe application and removal process. Said two piece body unsnaps and is placed at the base of the plant and snaps together allowing the desired plant to grow through said center opening. Said underside access avenues allow for water or lighting applications and provide optional continuous connections between multiple plant frames. 
     An advantage of the plant frame is the provisions of a two piece snap together body design that allows the plant frame to surround any size plant and eliminates damaging the plant in the application and removal process. 
     Another advantage of the plant frame is the provision of underside access avenues, which allows the plant frame to have water tubing applied in conjunction with a drip device to assist with the surrounded plants survival. The water tubing may be continuously connected to multiple plant frames or singularly and then to a water timer or directly to a water faucet. 
     Another advantage of the plant frame is the provision of an underside access avenue that allows multiple lighting application options. The lighting application provides for a translucent body glow, a top surface cutout light display or a said center opening plant illumination. The lighting may be connected continuously to multiple plant frames or singularly and powered by solar or an electric source. 
     A further advantage of the plant frame is the provision of underside access avenue which provides the option for water or a lighting application as an interchangeable aspect. A water or lighting application may be removed and replaced with the opposite effect, avoiding the added expense of purchasing another device possessing a different effect. 
     Another advantage of the plant frame is it&#39;s versatility for indoor or outdoor use and can surround a plant on the ground/landscape or in a pot/planter. 
     Another advantage of the plant frame is the sloping top surface which provides assistance with natural rain water collection directed to the said center opening, feeding the surrounded plant at its root base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The forgoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which reference characters to the same part throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention designed for use as a multipurpose plant surround of the top surface as it would display on a surface surrounding a plant. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention designed for use as a multipurpose plant surround in view of the top surface as it would display on a surface surrounding a plant displaying possible lighting cutouts. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention designed for use as a multipurpose plant surround with the body separated. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention designed for use as a multipurpose plant surround specifically detailing the main structural parts of the underside. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention designed for use as a multipurpose plant surround specifically detailing the water and lighting access avenue areas of the underside. 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention designed for use as a multipurpose plant surround from the underside, separated. 
         FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B  is a perspective view specifically detailing the snap together mechanism, detached. 
         FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  is a perspective view specifically detailing the side access openings for the water and light, right side up and of the underside means for continuous connection. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view specifically demonstrating the water application in place using Alpha labels. 
         FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  is a perspective view specifically demonstrating the optional lighting applications in place using Alpha labels. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view demonstrating different applications and continuous connections. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in  FIG. 1A  of the present invention (herein after referred to as the Plant Frame) an upper section  2  and a lower section  4  of the plant frame is shown in the complete form as it would appear in a garden, pot or landscape. A center opening  8  and a top center opening perimeter edge  7  of said center opening  8  provides means for a plant to grow through. The top surface of the plant frames said upper section  2  and said lower section  4  slopes slightly inwardly and downwardly from a top perimeter edge  5  to said top center opening perimeter edge  7  of said center opening  8  means for natural water collection. A separation wall  6  means for said upper section  2  and said lower section  4  to separate, allowing the Plant Frame the ability to surround any size plant. A side wall  10  extends from the said top perimeter  5  to the surface which the plant grows from and completely around the design.  FIG. 1A  is in the form, as it would display the translucent lighting, illuminating throughout the entire body of the Plant Frame. In  FIG. 1B  lighting cutouts  25  and  26 , display a suggestive design for the Plant Frame with the lighting applied to the underside. The light would shine through the cutouts  25  &amp; 26  for an evening display. 
       FIG. 1C  is a top/side view of said upper section  2  and said lower section  4 , separated. A receptacle arm  12  means for receiving a snap together Post  13  (see  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B ) of the invention&#39;s snap together mechanism, joins said upper section  2  with said lower section  4 . A cutout  16  means for said receptacle arm  12  to extend across said separation wall  6  and snap together said upper section  2  with said lower section  4 . An access avenue  14  provides for a water or lighting application to pass through said separation wall  6  allowing water or lighting to be present in the underside plant frame body cavities. A side access  18  means for receiving and exiting water or lighting applications in said side wall  10 , said side access  18  is provided in the embodiment on both sides of the plant frame opposite of each other. Said side access  18  allows water or lighting applications to enter one side and exit the opposite side through said side access  18  providing the means for continuous connection between multiple Plant Frames. 
       FIG. 2A  shows the underside of the Plant Frame with specific detailing aspects of supporting walls. The support walls  24  provide structural support and provide for water and lighting access avenues. Said separation walls  6  allow body separation and supports the snap together features and access avenues. Said side wall  10  supports the perimeter of the body and allows for side access. 
       FIG. 2B  shows the underside of the Plant Frame with specific detailing aspects of the water and light application access avenues. Access avenues  20  are designed for lighting only, access avenues  18 ,  14  &amp;  22  are for water or lighting. Said side access  18  is displayed on opposite sides of the Plant Frame in said wall  10 , allowing the water or light applications to enter one side and exit the opposite side, for continuous connections. (see  FIG. 5 ) The water access avenues  18 ,  14  and  22  allow the water supply to flow through said side access  18  in said side wall  10 , through said access avenue  14  in said separation wall  6 , through said access avenue  14  in said wall  24  and through the access avenue  22  in center opening  8 , to supply the plant with water at the root base. The water source may end in said opening  8  or may “T” off continuing through the plant frame in an opposite direction through said access avenue  14  in said wall  24 , through said access avenue  14  in said separation wall  6  and out said side access  18  to another Plant Frame (see  FIG. 5  for further clarification). 
       FIG. 2B  also specifically details the lighting access avenues. The lighting access avenues are  18 ,  14 ,  20  and  22 , and support multiple lighting applications. One optional application; the light wiring and lights enters said side access  18  in said side wall  10  proceeding through said access avenues  14  in said separation wall  6 , through said access  14  in said wall  24 , utilizing said access avenues  20  to illuminate the cavities in the underside of the Plant Frame (see  FIG. 6A , E wires) The for mentioned optional lighting application is beneficial for use with a translucent body style or the cut out design as displayed in  FIG. 1B . 
     Other optional lighting applications are a single light in center opening  8  or a ring of lights in center opening  8 . (see  FIG. 68 ). The light wiring enters said side access  18  in said side wall  10  through said access avenue  14  in said separation wall  6 , through said access avenue  14  in said wall  24 , through said access avenue  22  into said center opening  8  with a single light F (see  FIG. 68 ) or multiple lights G. Said side access  18  in said side wall  10  allows the lighting application to enter one side of the Plant Frame and exit the opposite side utilizing said side access  18  in said side wall  10  and connect continuously to other Plant Frames (see  FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B , H). 
       FIG. 2C  shows all the aspects from  FIGS. 2A &amp; 2B  of the Plant Frame separated, exposing said separation wall  6  and said cutout space  16 , for the snap together said receptacle arm  12 . Said access opening  18  is viewed on both sides of the Plant Frame as well as said access avenue  14 , where it lines up together on both sides in said separating wall  6 . 
       FIGS. 3A &amp; 38  are specifically detailed to address the snap together parts.  FIG. 3A  is the underside view of said upper section  2 , revealing the snap together posts  13  and the receptacle arm cutout  16  in said wall  6 .  FIG. 38  displays a top/side view of said upper section  2  and said lower section  4  separated, revealing said receptacle arm  12  and said cutout  16  in said wall  6 . Said cutout  16  allows the said receptacle arm  12  to extend from said lower section  4 , across said wall  6 , utilizing said cutout  16  to snap together with said snap together post  13  into the receiver  138 . 
       FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  are a side view specifically displaying the Plant Frame upside down with said access opening  18  in said wall  10 .  FIG. 4B  is a side vies of the plant frame as it would appear on a surface upright, displaying said access opening  18  in said side wall  10 . 
       FIG. 5  displays the water supply to flow through said side access  18  in said side wall  10 , through said access avenue  14  in said separation wall  6 , through said access avenue  14  in said wall  24  and through the access avenue  22  in center opening  8 , to supply the plant with water at the root base. The water source may end in said opening  8  or may “T” off continuing through the plant frame in an opposite direction through said access avenue  14  in said wall  24 , through said access avenue  14  in said separation wall  6  and out said side access  18  to another Plant Frame. 
       FIG. 6A  displays an optional lighting application; the wire E is beneficial for use with a translucent body style or the cut out design as displayed in  FIGS. 1B  and H is the optional continuous connection. 
       FIG. 68  displays other optional lighting applications with a single light in said center opening  8  or a ring of lights in said center opening  8  and the optional continuous connection. 
       FIG. 7  is a display of different applications continuously connected.