Patent Abstract:
An expandable hydroponic growing system comprising a multiple of upper bases, lower bases and bars connecting the bases in a fashion that the upper bases (and lower bases) can be conveniently pulled together or pushed farther apart.

Full Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is a non-provisional patent application which claims the benefit of provisional application serial number 61/052441, filed May 12, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Efficient use of space in controlled environment agriculture generally requires a means to change the distance between maturing plants. Most often, spacing is accomplished through the use of labor because of the high costs and complexity associated with automated systems. 
         [0003]    The present invention features an expandable hydroponic growing system is advantageous in that it can reduce the labor requirements by increasing the automation of re-spacing via an inventive arrangements of connector bars and bases. 
         [0004]    Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a generic expandable hydroponic growing system of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of an expandable hydroponic growing system of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  shows a top view of the arrangement of the lower bases in relation to each other. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2C  shows a top view of the arrangement of the upper bases in relation to each other. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the lower or upper bases in relation to each other, where the bases are cylindrical instead of cubical 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the system with plants disposed within the upper bases. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an alternative expandable hydroponic growing system of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the arrangement of the lower base components in relation to each other. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of the arrangement of the upper base components in relation to each other. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the system in a semi-expanded position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the system in a folded position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows a buoyancy structure with deep walls and a cavity. This buoyancy structure may be a base/component itself or be attached to a base/base component. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  shows a cross section of the buoyancy structure shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the present invention features an expandable hydroponic growing system. In some embodiments, the system comprises a first lower base  7100 , a second lower base  7110 , a third lower base  7120  and a fourth lower base  7130 . 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the lower bases are arranged in a rectangle configuration with respect to each other. For example, the first lower base  7100  is at a first corner of the rectangle, a second lower base  7110  is at a second corner of the rectangle, a third lower base  7120  is a third corner of the rectangle and a fourth lower base  7130  is at a fourth corner of the rectangle configuration. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the system comprises a first upper base  7200 , a second upper base  7210 , a third upper base  7220  and a fourth upper base  7230 . In some embodiments, the upper bases are arranged in a rectangle configuration  400  with respect to each other. For example, the first upper base  7200  is at a first corner of the rectangle, a second upper base  7210  is at a second corner of the rectangle, a third upper base  7220  is a third corner of the rectangle and a fourth upper base  7230  is at a fourth corner of the rectangle configuration. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the rectangle configuration is a square configuration. In some embodiments, when the rectangle configuration is a square configuration, the bar pairs are of the same length. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the system further comprises pairs of bars. For example, a first bar pair  7520  comprises a first bar  7500  and a second bar  7502 . The first bar  7500  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first bottom base and the second end pivotably connects to the second upper base. The second bar  7502  having a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the lower second base and the second end pivotably connects to the first upper base. The ends of the bars can pivotably connect to any appropriate location on the bases. In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases directly. In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases through a tab that extends from the bases. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the system comprises a second bar pair  7522 , which comprises a third bar  7504  and a fourth bar  7506 . The third bar  7504  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the second bottom base  7110  and the second end pivotably connects to the third upper base  7220 . The fourth bar  7506  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the lower third base  7120  and the second end pivotably connects to the second upper base  7210 . In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases directly. In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases through a tab that extends from the bases. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the system comprises a third bar pair  7524 , which comprises a fifth bar  7508  and a sixth bar  7510 . The fifth bar  7508  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the third bottom base  7120  and the second end pivotably connects to the fourth upper base  7230 . The sixth bar  7510  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the sixth bar  7510  pivotably connects to the fourth base  7130  and the second end pivotably connects to the third upper base  7220 . In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases directly. In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases through a tab that extends from the bases. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the system comprises a fourth bar pair  7526 , which comprises a seventh bar  7512  and an eighth bar  7514 . The seventh bar  7512  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the seventh bar  7512  pivotably connects to the fourth bottom base  7130  and the second end pivotably connects to the first upper base  7200 . The eighth bar  7514  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the eighth bar  7514  pivotably connects to the lower first base  100  and the second end pivotably connects to the fourth upper base. In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases directly. In some embodiments, the ends of the bars pivotably connect to the bases through a tab that extends from the bases. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the first lower base is disposed directly below the first upper base, the second lower base is disposed directly below the second upper base, the third lower base is disposed directly below the third upper base, and the fourth lower base is disposed directly below the fourth upper base. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, in a folded position, the first ends of the bars are pushed closer together. In an expanded position, the first ends of the bars are pushed farther apart, see for example,  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the respective two bars of each bar pair slide pass each other on a same plane. In some embodiments, as an option, the respective two bars of each bar pair are pivotably hinged at their respective mid-regions. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the system may be extended beyond four bases with additional bases. For example, the first base  7100  may be linked to an additional upper base and the first upper base  7200  may be linked to an additional lower base via a pair of bars in a similar fashion to the first, second, third and fourth pair of bars of the system. 
         [0029]    The scope of the above system covers the expandable hydroponic growing systems  50  and  55  which are discussed in detailed below. In some specific embodiments of the present invention discussed below, the term “connector” is an example of a “bar”, and the term “base component” is an example of a “base”. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C  the present invention features an expandable hydroponic growing system  50 . In some embodiments, the system comprises a first lower base  100 , a second lower base  110 , a third lower base  120  and a fourth lower base  130 , wherein each lower base has a first interior side (e.g.,  102 ,  112 ,  122 ,  132 ), a second interior side (e.g.,  104 ,  114 ,  124 ,  134 ), a first exterior side (e.g.,  106 ,  116 ,  126 ,  136 ) and a second exterior side (e.g.,  108 ,  118 ,  128 ,  138 ). 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the lower bases are arranged in a rectangle configuration  300  with respect to each other. For example, the first lower base  100  is at a first corner  310  of the rectangle, a second lower base  110  is at a second corner  320  of the rectangle, a third lower base  120  is a third corner  330  of the rectangle and a fourth lower base  130  is at a fourth corner  340  of the rectangle configuration. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the system  50  comprises a first upper base  200 , a second upper base  210 , a third upper base  220  and a fourth upper base  230 . In some embodiments, each upper base has a first interior side (e.g.,  202 ,  212 ,  222 ,  232 ), a second interior side (e.g.,  204 ,  214 ,  224 ,  234 ), a first exterior side (e.g.,  206 ,  216 ,  226 ,  236 ) and a second exterior side (e.g.,  208 ,  218 ,  228 ,  238 ). In some embodiments, the upper bases are arranged in a rectangle configuration  400  with respect to each other. For example, the first upper base  200  is at a first corner  410  of the rectangle, a second upper base  210  is at a second corner  420  of the rectangle, a third upper base  220  is a third corner  430  of the rectangle and a fourth upper base  230  is at a fourth corner  440  of the rectangle configuration. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the rectangle configuration  300 / 400  is a square configuration. In some embodiments, when the rectangle configuration is a square configuration, the bar pairs are of the same length. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the system  50  further comprises pairs of bars. For example, a first bar pair  520  comprises a first bar  500  and a second bar  502 . The first bar  500  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first exterior  106  side of the first bottom base and the second end pivotably connects to the first exterior side  216  of the second upper base. The second bar  502  having a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first exterior side  116  of the lower second base and the second end pivotably connects to the first exterior side  206  of the first upper base. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the system  50  comprises a second bar pair  522 , which comprises a third bar  504  and a fourth bar  506 . The third bar  504  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first interior  112  side of the second bottom base  110  and the second end pivotably connects to the first interior side  222  of the third upper base  220 . The fourth bar  506  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first interior side  122  of the lower third base  120  and the second end pivotably connects to the first interior side  212  of the second upper base  210 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the system  50  comprises a third bar pair  524 , which comprises a fifth bar  508  and a sixth bar  510 . The fifth bar  508  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first exterior  126  side of the third bottom base  120  and the second end pivotably connects to the first exterior side  236  of the fourth upper base  230 . The sixth bar  510  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the sixth bar  510  pivotably connects to the first exterior side  136  of the lower fourth base  130  and the second end pivotably connects to the first exterior side  226  of the third upper base  220 . 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the system  50  comprises a fourth bar pair  526 , which comprises a seventh bar  512  and an eighth bar  514 . The seventh bar  512  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the seventh bar  512  pivotably connects to the second interior  134  side of the fourth bottom base  130  and the second end pivotably connects to the second interior side  204  of the first upper base  200 . The eighth bar  514  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the eighth bar  514  pivotably connects to the second interior side  104  of the lower first base  100  and the second end pivotably connects to the second interior side  234  of the fourth upper base. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the first lower base is disposed directly below the first upper base, the second lower base is disposed directly below the second upper base, the third lower base is disposed directly below the third upper base, and the fourth lower base is disposed directly below the fourth upper base. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, in a folded position, the first ends of the bars are pushed closer together. In an expanded position, the first ends of the bars are pushed farther apart, see for example,  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the respective two bars of each bar pair slide pass each other on a same plane. In some embodiments, as an option, the respective two bars of each bar pair are pivotably hinged at their respective mid-regions (e.g.,  530 ,  532 ,  534 , and  536 ). 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the system  50  may be extended beyond four bases with additional bases. For example, the first interior side  102  of the first base  100  may be linked to an additional upper base  162  and the first interior side  202  of the upper base  200  may be linked to an additional lower base  160  via a pair of bars in a similar fashion to the first, second, third and fourth pair of bars of the system. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the present invention also features an expandable hydroponic growing system  55 . In some embodiments, the system  55  comprises a first lower base component  1000 , a second lower base component  1010 , a third lower base component  1020  and a fourth lower base component  1030 . Each of the lower base components has a first interior side (e.g.,  1002 ,  1012 ,  1022 ,  1032 ), a second interior side ( 1004 ,  1014 ,  1024 ,  1034 ), a first exterior side ( 1006 ,  1016 ,  1026 ,  1036 ) and a second exterior side ( 1008 ,  1018 ,  1028 ,  1038 ). In some embodiments, the lower base components are arranged in a rectangle configuration  3000  with respect to each other. For example, the first lower base component  1000  is at a first corner  3010  of the rectangle, a second lower base component  1010  is at a second corner  3020  of the rectangle, a third lower base component  1020  is a third corner  3030  of the rectangle and a fourth lower base component  1030  is at a fourth corner  3040  of the rectangle configuration. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the interior side of a base (or a base component) is the side of the base that faces another base (or base component) within the imaginary rectangle, e.g.,  300  or  3000 , or  400  or  4000 . For example, the first interior side  102  of first base  100  faces first interior side  132  of fourth base  130 , etc. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the system  55  further comprises a first upper base component  2000 , a second upper base component  2010 , a third upper base component  2020  and a fourth upper base component  2030 . In some embodiments, each upper base components has a first interior side (e.g.,  2002 ,  2012 ,  2022 ,  2032 ), a second interior side (e.g.,  2004 ,  2014 ,  2024 ,  2034 ), a first exterior side ( 2006 ,  2016 ,  2026 ,  2036 ) and a second exterior side ( 2008 ,  2018 ,  2028 ,  2038 ). In some embodiments, the upper base components are arranged in a rectangle configuration  4000  with respect to each other. For example, the first upper base component  2000  is at a first corner  4010  of the rectangle, a second upper base component  2010  is at a second corner  4020  of the rectangle, a third upper base component  2020  is a third corner  4030  of the rectangle and a fourth upper base component  230  is at a fourth corner  4040  of the rectangle configuration. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the system  55  comprises a first connector pair  5020 , which comprises a first connector  5000  and a second connector  5002 . In some embodiments, the first connector  5000  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the second interior side  1004  of the first lower base component The second end of the first connector pivotably connects the first interior side  2012  of the second upper base component. The second connector  5002  has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second connector pivotably connects to the first interior side  1012  of the second lower base component, and the second end pivotably connects to the second interior side  2004  of the first upper base component; 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the system  55  comprises a second connector pair  5022 , which comprises a third connector  5004  and a fourth connector  5006 . The third connector  5004  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the second interior side  1014  of the second lower base component. The second end of the third connector pivotably connects the second interior side  2024  of the third upper base component. The fourth connector  5006  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the second interior side  1024  of the third lower base component. The second end pivotably connects to the second interior side  2014  of the second upper base component; 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the system  55  comprises a third connector pair  5024 , which comprises a fifth connector  5008  and a sixth connector  5010 . For example, the fifth connector  5008  having a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first interior side  1022  of the third lower base component. The second end of the fifth connector pivotably connects the second interior side  2034  of the fourth upper base component. The sixth connector  5010  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the sixth connector pivotably connects to the second interior side  1034  of the fourth lower base component. The second end pivotably connects to the first interior side  2022  of the third upper base component. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, the system  55  comprises a fourth connector pair  5026 , which comprises a seventh connector  5012  and an eighth connector  5014 . For example, the seventh connector  5012  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first interior side  1032  of the fourth lower base component. The second end of the seventh connector pivotably connects the first interior side  2002  of the first upper base component. The eighth connector  5014  has a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably connects to the first interior side  1002  of the first lower base component. The second end pivotably connects to the first interior side  2032  of the fourth upper base component 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the rectangle configuration  3000 / 4000  is a square configuration. In some embodiments, when the rectangle configuration is a square configuration, the bar pairs are of the same length. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, the first lower base component  1000  is disposed directly below the first upper base component  2000 , the second lower base component  1010  is disposed directly below the second upper base component  2010 , the third lower base component  1020  is disposed directly below the third upper base component  2020 , and the fourth lower base component  1030  is disposed directly below the fourth upper base component  2030 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, in a folded position, the first ends of the bars are pushed closer together, and in an expanded position, the first ends of the bars are pushed farther apart. In some embodiments, the respective two bars of each bar pair slide pass each other on a same plane. In some embodiments, optionally, the respective two bars of each bar pair are pivotably hinged at their respective mid regions (e.g.,  5030 ,  5032 ,  5034 ,  5036 ). 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, the system  55  may be extended beyond four base components with additional base components. For example, the first interior side  1002  of the first base component  1000  may be linked to an additional upper base component  1062  and the first interior side  2002  of the upper base component  2000  may be linked to an additional lower base component  1060  via a pair of connectors in a similar fashion to the first, second, third and fourth pair of connectors of the system. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, one or more of the base components comprise an outwardly extending tab (see  FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, the tab is perpendicular to the surface that it attaches to or perpendicular to a tangent line at the point where it attaches to the base. The tab may be a location connectors pivotably attach to the base components. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, one or more of the upper bases (or base components) comprises a hollow opening. For example, a plant may be secured in the hollow opening, wherein leaves of the plant exit the upper portion of the hollow opening and root of the plant exits the lower portion of the opening, see for example  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the upper bases (or base components) comprise a buoyancy component to allow the upper bases to float in a liquid, for example water. The buoyancy component may have its buoyancy from the shape of the component. For example, the shape may be like that of a boat, where there is a deep wall that keeps water out and allows the buoyancy component to float like a boat, see for example  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the upper bases (or base components) are secured to a buoyancy component to allow the upper bases to float in a liquid, for example water. In some embodiments, the buoyancy component derives its floating characteristics from the material that it is constructed from. Materials which float in a liquid, e.g., water, that can be used to form a buoyancy component are well known in the art. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the lower bases (or base components) comprise a buoyancy component or is secured to a buoyancy component to allow the lower bases to float in a liquid, for example water. In some embodiments, the buoyancy of the lower bases (or base components) is less than that of the buoyancy of the upper bases (or base components) so that the expandable hydroponic growing system can float in a liquid (e.g., water) with the upper bases (or base components) being closer to the liquid (e.g., water) surface, and the lower bases (or lower base components) floating below the upper bases (or base components). In some embodiments, the buoyancy from the lower bases (or base components) pushes the lower bases (or base components) upwards, which causes the present hydroponic system to be biased in an expanded position. In practice, the extent of which the present hydroponic system is expanded may be controlled by a restriction component, such as the size of the pond that the hydroponic system is disposed in or a rope that is tied around the bases (base components) of the system. 
         [0057]    The upper and lower bases or base components of the present system are not limited to any geometrical configurations. In some embodiments, one or more of the upper bases (or base components) has a cubical shape, see for example  FIG. 1 . 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, one or more of the lower bases (or base components) has a cubical shape see for example  FIG. 1 . 
         [0059]    In some embodiments, one or more of the upper bases (or base components) has a cylindrical shape, see for example  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, one or more of the lower bases (or base components) has a cylindrical shape, see for example  FIG. 9 . 
         [0061]    Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0062]    Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8