Patent ID: 6845588

Claim:
An apparatus for automatic irrigation of plants, comprising: a frame having opposing, spaced apart upper and lower portions; means for attaching said upper portion of said frame to a support so as to suspend said apparatus therefrom; a threaded shaft that extends downwardly from said upper portion of said frame towards said lower portion thereof; an adjuster nut in threaded engagement with said shaft above said upper portion of said frame for selectively adjusting a length of said shaft that extends below said upper portion; a tension spring having an upper end mounted to a lower end of said shaft, said tension spring comprising: a coil tension spring having a first hook at said upper end thereof that passes through a bore in said lower end of said shaft, and a second hook at said lower end thereof; a gate member mounted to a lower end of said tension spring proximate said lower portion of said frame, said gate member having a bore through which said second hook of said tension spring passes, said gate member comprising a lower edge portion that extends transversely across said flexible tubing in said receiving area and being free from direct engagement with said frame so as to be free to shift on said lower end of said tension spring; a receiving portion of said frame for holding a section of flexible tubing in a position intermediate said gate member and said lower portion of said frame; and means for attaching a plant container to said gate member so that said plant container is suspended therefrom; so that in response to an increased weight of water in said container said gate member is drawn downwardly against said tubing so as to pinch off flow therethrough, and in response to a reduced weight of water in said container said gate member is retracted upwardly from said tubing so as to reopen flow therethrough.