Patent ID: 8499492

Claim:
A plant support assembly comprising: an elongated support having a non-circular cross section, said elongated support configured to be inserted into a support surface so as to provide a generally vertical support when inserted in a generally horizontal support surface; a ring clip comprising a clip portion configured for releasably attaching to said elongated support and a ring portion configured to receive a portion of a plant therethrough; wherein said ring clip is flexible to facilitate opening of said clip portion to receive said elongated support therein, and wherein said clip portion engages said elongated support and said non-circular cross section limits rotation of said clip portion about said elongated support; wherein a plurality of said elongated supports are arranged in a selected pattern at the support surface and extend therefrom, and wherein said plant support assembly further comprises a connecting element that is configured to connect to each of said elongated supports at or near an upper region of said elongated supports distal from the support surface to retain said elongated supports in the selected pattern; wherein said connecting element comprises a frame portion that is shaped to generally correspond to the selected pattern; wherein said connecting element comprises a plurality of generally C-shaped connectors that receive a portion of a respective elongated support therein to connect said connecting element to said elongated supports; wherein each of said elongated supports comprises a plurality of stop elements spaced along said elongated support, and wherein said stop elements limit movement of a respective one of said connectors along the respective elongated support when said respective connector is connected to the respective elongated support and engages the respective stop element; and wherein said stop elements comprise disc portions, and wherein the diameters of said disc portions are greater than a diameter of the cross dimensions of said elongated support between said disc portions, and wherein said generally C-shaped connectors of said connecting element engage and rest on said disc portions when said connecting element is engaged with said elongated support.