An Improved Device for Potting or Shifting Plants.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
An Improved Device for Potting or Shifting Plants.
I MOSTYN FREDERICK LLOYD TRINGHAM of Pengraig, Aberporth, Cardigan,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
The object of this invention is the potting or shifting of plants in such a manner
as to preserve their roots from injury, and by the use of which it will not be
necessary to break the pot in order to remove the plant as is so often the case in
means as hitherto adopted.
For this purpose my improved device consists of a ring or frame, preferably
constructed of wire, which when in position in a flower pot, rests upon the bottom
thereof beneath the mould and the plant contained in the said pot. This ring or
frame has jointed to it four wires or light rods of a length sufficient to reach a little
above the top edge of the top to which the device is to be applied. The outer
ends of these wires or rods have jointed to them cross pieces or wires forming two
handles, each of which is connected to two of the said wires or rods, the latter and
the cross-pieces or wires thus forming two separate handles.
My improved device may also be applied to square or other shaped boxes in
which case I prefer to construct the lower or supporting frame of square or other
shape in lieu of a ring or circular shape.
And in order to fully understand my said invention and the manner of its
application, I will describe the same with reference to the accompanying sheet of
drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan of the device with the handles extended, Fig. 2
is a perspective view shewing it in position in a flower pot, the latter being in
dotted lines, and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the device suitable for use in
square boxes.
a is the ring or frame made of twisted wire or it may be of plain wire or similar
light material. The said ring is provided with cross wires at a coiled around it
and each other, and terminating in eyes or loops a³. To these loops are jointed the
wires or rods 6 which may be plain or twisted as desired. The ends of these wires
or rods are formed with eyes for joining them loosely to the loops a² and to two
wires or cross pieces e forming handles.
In applying my invention I proceed as follows: Before the plant and mould or
earth is put into the pot I place my improved device therein, the ring a resting
upon the bottom of the pot and the handles bc projecting slightly above, and
bearing against the top edge thereof-as shown in Fig. 2. The plant is then
placed in position in the pot and the mould or earth filled in. Thus, the ring or
frame a a lies centrally underneath the plant and when it is required to pot or
shift the latter all that is necessary is to catch hold of the handles c and lift the
device, together with the plant and its surrounding mould bodily out of the pot.
By this means all damage to the roots is obviated, and it will not be necessary
to break the pot as had so often to be done hitherto in potting plants.
When using my improved device with square or other shaped boxes I make
the frame a square and join to its corners the four rods or wires 6 as shewn
in the diagram Fig. 3, in other respects the device is similar to that already
described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
(1.) In means for potting or shifting plants the use of a circular or other
shaped wire frame a provided with cross wires a¹ and eyes or loops a² in combination
with rods or wires and handles c substantially as described and shewn in the
drawings and for the purposes specified.
(2.) The improved device for potting or shifting plants, substantially as described
and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.