Patent Abstract:
A gardening cage having self-irrigating and self-fertilizing devices. In a typical embodiment, the cage includes panels having a frame that includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical rungs. The panels are connected so that rungs of respective panels cascade with respect to rungs of the adjacent panel. In a typical embodiment, the bottom rungs of each panel include irrigating holes so that water injected into the rungs can be dispensed around the periphery of the vines. The water is typically suppled to the cage by a hose that connects to a water inlet that feeds the holes. Several cages can be placed side by side and can be fitted with “T” fittings that branch off the supply hose and feed the individual cages via the water inlet fitting.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
   I. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of produce gardening and more particularly to a gardening cage apparatus and system. 
   II. Description of the Related Art. 
   Gardening cages are used for a variety of crops such as pole beans, cucumbers or any blooming vine growers, including smaller plants such as peppers, bush beans and the like. A very popular use of cages is for tomato plants. Most tomato cages provide inadequate support for plants with heavy fruit. Present cages typically require significant tying and staking of vines to the cage. Tying and staking is not only time-consuming but can cut the vines thereby causing disease and insect infestation. Present irrigation techniques often result in the use of too much water since irrigation is not gradual. Therefore, water tends to puddle and run-off. In addition, present irrigation techniques can wet leaves and vines causing rot and detrimental growth such as mold and fungus. In addition, water on the leaves can cause tomato bacterial wilt, a major killer of tomato vines and tobacco masaic virus (TMV). These cages also tend to be flimsy and topple over or fall apart as they tomato vines grow. 
   SUMMARY 
   In general, the invention features a gardening cage having self-irrigating and self-fertilizing devices for use with a 11 types of blooming vine growing plants, particularly tomatoes. In a typical embodiment, the cage includes three panels having a frame that includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical rungs. The panels are connected so that rungs of respective panels cascade with respect to rungs of the adjacent panel. The cascading orientation provides structural advantages as well as the ability to be broken down and folded on itself for ease of storage and transport. Although several geometric arrangements are contemplated, a triangular arrangement of the panels is typical. The cage allows tomato vines to be trained as they grow within the cage, thereby providing good support. The self-irrigating features allow the vines to be watered inexpensively and with ease. In a typical embodiment, the bottom rungs of each panel include irrigating holes so that water injected into the rungs can flow out of the holes, nozzles or drippers along the base of the cage, thereby dispensing water around the periphery of the vines. The water is typically suppled to the cage by a hose that connects to a water inlet that feeds the holes. The cage is typically set around the tomato plant with the ground engaging the legs being placed in the ground for sturdy support. Several cages can be placed side by side and can be fitted with “T” fittings that branch off the supply hose and feed the individual cages via the water inlet fitting. 
   In general, in one aspect, the invention gardening cage apparatus, including a plurality of geometrically arranged panels connected by common corners and being in a cascaded arrangement, each of the panels having a plurality of horizontally and vertically arranged hollow rungs, a plurality of T-connectors connecting adjacent horizontal rungs, a second plurality of T-connectors connecting vertical rungs, wherein both plurality of connectors further connect vertical rungs and horizontal rungs to one another, thereby coupling the hollow interiors of all rungs creating an internal interconnected matrix, stakes connected to bottom horizontal rungs of each of the panels, a water inlet connected to one rung of one of the panels, the water inlet being coupled to the internal matrix and a plurality of irrigation orifices located on the bottom horizontal rungs, the orifices being coupled to the matrix. 
   In one implementation, the apparatus further includes an fertilization coupling connected to a rung adjacent the water inlet. 
   In another implementation, the rungs include deformable flanges. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus includes a button connected to one of the flanges. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus further includes one or more button holes located on the plurality of connectors. 
   In another implementation, the buttons align with the button holes when the rungs are inserted into the connectors, thereby creating a secure fit. 
   In still another implementation, the apparatus includes an elbow on each panel connecting a horizontal rung of one panel to a vertical rung of an adjacent panel. 
   In yet another implementation, the apparatus includes tips located on one end of the stakes. 
   In another implementation, the tips are oriented in a common plane. 
   In another aspect, the invention features a gardening cage kit, including a gardening cage having a plurality of geometrically arranged panels connected by common corners and being in a cascaded arrangement, each of the panels having a plurality of horizontally and vertically arranged hollow rungs, a plurality of T-connectors connecting adjacent horizontal rungs, a second plurality of T-connectors connecting vertical rungs, wherein both plurality of connectors further connect vertical rungs and horizontal rungs to one another, thereby coupling the hollow interiors of all rungs creating an internal interconnected matrix, stakes connected to bottom horizontal rungs of each of the panels, a water inlet connected to one rung of one of the panels, the water inlet being coupled to the internal matrix and a plurality of irrigation orifices located on the bottom horizontal rungs, the orifices being coupled to the matrix, wherein the panels are adapted to be connected and disconnected from each other. 
   In one implementation, the kit further includes a hose adapted to be connected to the water inlet. 
   In another implementation, the kit further includes a fertilizer coupling adapted to be connected to a rung of the cage. 
   In another implementation, the kit further includes a protective sheath adapted to fit over the cage. 
   In another implementation, the sheath is plastic. 
   In another implementation, the sheath is netting. 
   One advantage of the invention is that the cage provide support from being blown over in the wind. 
   Another advantage is that tomato vines can grow through the rungs without becoming overgrown upon itself. 
   Another advantage is that tying and staking is eliminated. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that the self-irrigating features allows uniform irrigation to the roots, but keeps water away from the leaves and stems thereby preventing rot and detrimental growth such as mold and fungus. 
   Another advantage is that the self-irrigating system allows gradual watering thereby allowing good absorption into the soil and roots and prevents puddling and water run-off. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that the cage can be folded and stored. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that several cages can be interconnected and provided with a single water source for self-irrigation of all cages. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that the triangular panel orientation forces vines to buttress and reinforce each other rather than expanding outward, thereby increasing self-support. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that due to increased structure and growth control more than one plant can be grown in an individual cage. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that the cage can be used on both even and uneven ground and even on patios and decks. 
   Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of an embodiment of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a left side view of an embodiment of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a right side view of an embodiment of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a close up view of an embodiment of a panel of a gardening cage; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a single panel of an embodiment of a gardening cage; and 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a close up view of an embodiment of a connector and portion of a rung. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to  FIG. 1  that illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100 . The cage  100  typically includes several panels arranged geometrically. In a typical embodiment, three panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  are arranged in a triangular orientation, generally defining three corners A, B, C of the cage  100 . The triangular orientation of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  offers several advantages. One such advantage is that vine growing plants such as tomatoes, which normally tend to grow outward, now grows inward on itself, which encourages vines to buttress and reinforce each other. In addition, by growing inwards, the vines tend to grow through the panels and on through the rungs (see below), thereby obviating the need for staking and tying. The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  include a plurality of horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  and connectors  140 ,  160 ,  190  that connect the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  to one another. The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  further include elbows  165  that interconnect the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  with vertical rungs (see below). 
   The cage  100  further includes a water inlet  105  that can include one or more barbed fittings  106  to receive a water source such as a hose and to connect to inlets on adjacent cages, if connected. The inlet  105  can include an extension  107 , if necessary, and a coupling  108  to the cage  100 . The cage  100  can further include a fertilizer coupling  110 . The fertilizer coupling  110  allows fertilizer to be added directly into the cage  100 . 
   In a typical embodiment, the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  and vertical rungs (as discussed further in the description below, are hollow tubular bodies. The connectors  140 ,  160 ,  190  and elbows  165  are also typically hollow and tubular. Therefore, all rungs of all panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  are coupled together creating a continuous water channel matrix throughout the cage. It is appreciated that when fertilizer is added to the fertilizer coupling  110 , the fertilizer can mix with the water injected into the cage  100  and mix within the entire matrix formed by the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 . Therefore, any water injected into the inlet  105  fills the entire inner hollow space of the cage  100 , provided that the cage  100  has no exit for the water. It is appreciated in the descriptions below, particularly with respect to  FIG. 2 , that the cage  100  does have an exit for the water. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100 . As described above, the cage  100  includes three panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  that are arranged in a triangular orientation. The triangular orientation of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  offers several advantages. The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  include a plurality of horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  and connectors  140 ,  160 ,  190  that connect the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  to one another. 
   The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  further include elbows  165  that interconnect the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  with vertical rungs (see below). The cage  100  further includes a water inlet  105  that can include one or more barbed fittings  106  to receive a water source such as a hose and to connect to inlets on adjacent cages, if connected. The inlet  105  can include an extension  107 , if necessary, and a coupling  108  to the cage  100 . The cage  100  can further include a fertilizer coupling  110 . 
   As described above, all rungs of all panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  are coupled together creating a continuous water channel throughout the cage. Therefore, any water injected into the inlet  105  fills the entire inner hollow space of the cage  100 , provided that the cage  100  has no exit for the water. However, the bottom rungs of each of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  are irrigating rungs  137 ,  157 ,  187 , each having irrigating orifices  138 ,  158 ,  188 . The irrigating orifices  138 ,  158 ,  188  allow water that has been injected into the cage  100  to be released from the irrigating rungs  137 ,  157 ,  187 . It is appreciated that the orifices  138 ,  158 ,  188  can be simple holes or more complicated nozzles and drippers. Therefore, as water and fertilizer is mixed within the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 , the resulting mixture is gradually released from the orifices  138 ,  158 ,  188  for controlled gradual watering and fertilizing of the plants within the cage  100 . It is further appreciated that with a predictable rate of release, water flow into the cage can be controlled and adjusted as needed. For example, the rate of the water into the cage can be slightly greater than the release rate in order to store water within the cage for release. With a set amount of water stored within the cage, the rate of water into the cage can then be matched with the release rate so that a set amount of water remains within the cage  100 . It is appreciated that several injection and release rates are possible. 
     FIG. 2  further illustrates a bottom view of cage stakes  115 . The cage stakes  115  are used to insert the cage into the soil of the garden, or alternatively as stands if the cage  100  is used on a solid surface such as a deck or patio. In a typical embodiment, the stakes have sharp ends so that they can be easily inserted into the ground. Furthermore, the stakes  115  are typically hollow tubes but are typically also isolated from the continuous water matrix as described above. In this way, too large a flow of water from the bottoms of the stakes  115  into the ground is prevented. In another embodiment, if deeper irrigation is desired, the hollow stakes  115  can be coupled to the water matrix so that additional water flows from the tips of the stakes  115  directly into the ground. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100 . As described above, the cage  100  includes three geometrically arranged panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 . The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  include a plurality of horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  and connectors  140 ,  160 ,  190  that connect the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  to one another. The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  further include elbows  165  that interconnect the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  with the vertical rungs  136 ,  156 ,  186 . The panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  further include connectors  141 ,  161 , 190  that connect the vertical rungs  136 ,  156 ,  186  to one another. 
   In a typical embodiment, the connectors  140 ,  161 ,  190  and the connectors  141 ,  161 ,  191  are of the same type, which are typically “T” type connectors. Both the connectors  140 ,  161 ,  190  and the connectors  141 ,  161 ,  191  are discussed in further detail in the description below. 
   The cascading arrangement of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In the arrangement shown, the panel  130  is the “lowest” of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 . The panel  180  is the “middle” panel and the panel  150  is the “highest” panel. The relative terms of low, middle and high refer to the orientation of the top-most horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  of each of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 . It us further illustrated that horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185  that are adjacent to each other at the corners A, B, C. are also cascaded with respect to each other. The pattern of this cascading arrangement is repeated throughout the matrix defined in the cage  100 , all the way to the bottom-most horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185 . IT is further appreciated that the vertical rungs  136 ,  156 ,  186  of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  are also relatively cascaded with respect to vertical rungs  136 ,  156 ,  186  of adjacent panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 . In a typical embodiment, the stakes  115  are arranged generally parallel to one another. It is further illustrated that the bottom most tips  116  of the stakes  115  generally share a common plane of orientation, which can typically be represented a deck or patio floor. In situations in which the cage  100  is used in gardens, the ground is uneven and does not generally define a plane of orientation. In these implementations, the stakes  115  are used to puncture the ground for securement. As such, the tips  116  are formed with points that allow for better insertion into the ground. Due to the cascading arrangement of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180 , it is further appreciated that each stake  115  has two common adjacent panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  associated with it. In addition, due to the cascading arrangement. If stake  115  has a different length in order to accommodate both the cascading arrangement and ultimately the common planar arrangement of the tips  116  of the stakes  115 . 
   As described above, the cage  100  further includes the water inlet  105  including one or more barbed fittings  106 , the extension  107 , if necessary, and a coupling  108  to the cage  100 . The cage  100  can further include the fertilizer coupling  110 , which includes a connector  111  and an elbow  112  having an opening  113 , into which fertilizer can be added. In a typical embodiment, the fertilizer coupling  110  is located toward the lower-most portion of the cage  100  and connected to a vertical rung  136  adjacent the water inlet  105 , although it can be located at other locations along the cage. By being low and adjacent to the water inlet  105 , injected water can better mix the fertilizer upon entrance into the cage matrix. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100 ,  FIG. 5  illustrates a right side view of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100  and  FIG. 6  illustrates a left side view of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100 . These different perspectives give a further appreciation of the orientation of the panels  130 ,  150 ,  180  in a typical embodiment as discussed in further detail in the description above. Only a few of the horizontal rungs  135 ,  155 ,  185 , vertical rungs  136 ,  156 ,  186 , connectors  140 ,  160 ,  190  and connectors  141 ,  161 ,  191  have been labeled as representatives of each given panel  130 ,  150 ,  180 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a close up view of an embodiment of the panel  130  of a gardening cage  100 . This close up view illustrates the horizontal rungs  135  and vertical rungs  136  of panel  130 . The connectors  140 ,  141  connecting horizontal rungs  135  and vertical rungs  136  are further illustrated. The corners A, B as well as a connector  161  and horizontal rung  155  for panel  150  and a connector  191  and horizontal rung  185  for panel  180  are also illustrated. It is thus appreciated that vertical rungs on the corners A, B of the cage are common to adjacent panels  130 ,  150  and  130 ,  180 . Thus, as illustrated, the corner vertical rungs are labeled vertical rungs  136 ,  186  and vertical rungs  136 ,  186 . A similar orientation is appreciated for corner C. 
   As described above, the cage  100  further includes the water inlet  105  including one or more barbed fittings  106 , the extension  107 , if necessary, and a coupling  108  to the cage  100 . The inlet  105  further optionally includes an elbow  109  connected between the coupling  108  and the extension  107 . In another embodiment, the extension or the fitting can be directly connected to the coupling  108  without the need for the elbow  109 . The cage  100  further includes the fertilizer coupling  110 , which includes a connector  111  and an elbow  112  having an opening  113 , into which fertilizer can be added. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a single panel  150  of an embodiment of a gardening cage  100 . The isolated panel  150  is shown as representative of one of the panels of the cage  100  in order to illustrate the isolated details of a single panel. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates a close up view of an embodiment of a connector and portion of a rung. The portion of rung  130  is shown for illustrative purposes. One connector  141  is further shown for illustrative purposes. In a typical embodiment, the end of the rung  130  is split into several deformable flanges  130   a . One or more of he flanges can include a button  130   b . Correspondingly, the connector  141  has a hole  141   a  adjacent each of its openings. As such, the flanges  130   a  can be inserted into one of the openings of the connector  141 . During insertion, the button  130   b  aligns with the hole  141   a  and snaps into place thereby securing the rung  130  to the connector  141 . When the rung  130  is to be removed from the connector, the button  130   b  can be depressed which clears it of the hole  141   a , thereby allowing the rung  130  to be removed from the connector  141 . When it is desired to disassemble the cage  100 , respective buttons on the various connectors can be depressed that allows the end of the rungs to be removed from respective connectors. It is appreciated that the cage  100  can be easily disassembled and stacked or folded upon itself. 
   It is appreciated that several modifications can be made including but not limited to the number of panels, rungs and connectors used in the cage. 
   Several additional cages can be connected to one another thereby allowing several adjacent plants and vines to be grown next to each other. 
   Additional apparatuses can be added to the cage  100  to create a cage kit and system. A plastic sheath that mimics the overall shape of the cage  100  can be added that fits over the cage  100 . The sheath can be zippered to allow the sheath to be easily placed and removed. The sheath can thereby provide protection from frost or other weather and optionally provide a greenhouse setting. Many plants, typically tomatoes grow faster with warm soil. The sheath can help to keep surrounding soil warm. Similarly a netted sheath can be added to the cage  100  to protect plants from borer insects, birds, squirrels and other pests, but allow pollinating insects to enter to reach the buds. 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0