Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention pertains generally to illumination, and more particularly to an apparatus for illuminating a pot containing flowers, plants or simulations thereof. In one preferred embodiment, a telescopic light base couples to a flower pot of indeterminate size, while safely and securely supporting a light for ornamental illumination of the flower pot and contents. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Illumination was likely purely utilitarian in the earliest times, when fire was revered for heat, warmth, the illumination of caves and other dark areas, and extension of daylight. However, and particularly with the advent of electric lights, there has been a marked and extensive blending of utilitarian functions with artistic, ornamental, or otherwise attractive and pleasant illumination. 
   The blending of function is apparent in the illumination of plants, flowers, and simulations thereof. A number of artisans have combined illumination with plants in containers, as illustrated for exemplary purposes in U.S. Pat. No. 1,419,152 by Lansing et al, entitled “Electric flower lamp;” Des 234,221 by Upchurch, entitled “Lamp or the like;” Des 242,941 by Nagata, entitled “Combined lamp and planter or similar article;” and Des 323,794 by Wianecki, entitled “Combined planter and lamp;” the teachings of each which are incorporated herein by reference. While suitable for plant ornamental and perhaps utilitarian illumination, depending upon the design, each of these incorporate a pot of particular size and geometry directly into the construction of the light fixture. Consequently, it is impossible to apply the same light fixture to a different pot volume or geometry. Also, the combination of pot directly with stand makes the assembly somewhat larger and more difficult to both ship and inventory. Finally, in the event of a need for service or other need to access or remove the light fixture, the pot must first be emptied of dirt and plants. 
   Other artisans have added ornamental illumination through lights incorporated directly into or supported on the pot. Exemplary of this technique, and incorporated herein by reference, are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,349,864 by Smith, entitled “Lighted plant stand;” 5,741,061 by Lehmann et al, entitled “Light-up planter;” 5,951,154 by Carl et al, entitled “Illuminating box-shaped planter with light assembly, light element channel, and glass panel for multidirectional lighting;” United Kingdom patent application 2,230,684 A by Hall, entitled “Illuminated plant holder;” and Japanese laid-open application 6-217645 A by Matsuzaki et al, entitled “Ornamental pot”. A number of these patents provide interesting and ornamental up-lighting of plants within the pot, but these suffer from the similar limitation of being restricted to the pot for which the lighting was designed or is fitted with. Furthermore, while up-lighting provides artistic effect with grasses and other ornamental plants, flower blossoms and some other plants tend not to be effectively displayed by upward illumination. Finally, many of these incorporate the lights adjacent the top rim of the pot, but the lights used will also directly illuminate the pot wall. Consequently, attention is not only drawn to the pleasant plant above the pot upper edge, but also and in many cases more intensely down to the pot. As may be apparent, in many instances it is undesirable to illuminate the pot and not more intensely illuminate the plant above. 
   Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,248 by Peters, entitled “Planter hanger,” the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, illustrates a plant hanger with an illuminating light above the pot. This patent provides a more universal adaptation to diverse pots than much of the prior art described herein above, though being limited to small pots and locations providing sufficiently secure anchoring to permit the pot of chosen size to be safely suspended. 
   In other known instances, a designer will install a light fixture in a particular location upon a building, such as on a wall or the like, and illuminate one or more plants adjacent the building-mounted light. While commonly used, and suited to any type of pot, this approach is limited to locations where suitable building structure exists. Furthermore, the cost of installation is very high, and the ability to rearrange does not practically exist, since the fixture must be relocated at great expense. Finally, with structural installations it is much more difficult to illuminate just one plant, and instead a larger general area is illuminated, even when well-focused reflector bulbs are employed. 
   Without the structural installation, lamp poles of the prior art are simply too top-heavy and readily tipped to be safely and reliably used with prior art pots. Nevertheless, there are a variety of known lighting structures and fixtures which are exemplary of those used or readily coupled with lamp posts or poles, including for exemplary purposes and not limiting thereto U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,511 by Lindsay, entitled “Structures for lighting fixtures;” Des 277,511 by Patel, entitled “Outdoor light;” and Des 448,510 by Milicia, entitled “Outdoor lighting fixture;” the contents of each which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster&#39;s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first manifestation, the invention is a telescopic light base which couples a decorative light fixture to a diverse plant container so that the decorative light fixture may then illuminate a content of the diverse plant container. A ground-engaging pad has a plant container support. A telescopic support is variable in length, and coupled at a first end to the ground-engaging pad. A pot upper rim retention arm is coupled with the telescopic support distal to the ground-engaging pad, and operatively passes within a sidewall of the diverse plant container when the telescopic support is contracted, to thereby capture the diverse plant container between ground-engaging pad and pot upper rim retention arm. The pot upper rim retention arm is extracted from within the diverse plant container sidewall when the telescopic support is expanded, to thereby release the diverse plant container. A lamppost connector is provided adjacent to the pot upper rim retention arm. 
   In a second manifestation, the invention is a method of capturing and illuminating a plant container. According to the method, a telescopic member is expanded between a base and a retaining arm. The plant container is brought to rest upon the base adjacent to the telescopic member, and the telescopic member is contracted between base and retaining arm. Responsive thereto, the retaining arm is engaged with the plant container. A lamp carried upon the telescopic member is energized. 
   In a third manifestation, the invention is a telescopic light base which couples a decorative light fixture to a diverse plant container, in further combination with the diverse plant container having a bottom, sidewalls and an open top, so that the decorative light fixture may then illuminate a content of the diverse plant container. A generally planar ground-engaging pad has a plant container top support surface. A telescopic pole support of variable length extends generally normal to the generally planar ground-engaging pad and is coupled at a first end to the ground-engaging pad. A pot upper rim retention arm is coupled with the telescopic support, distal to the ground-engaging pad, and is engaged with a sidewall of the diverse plant container when the telescopic support is contracted, to thereby capture the diverse plant container between ground-engaging pad and pot upper rim retention arm. The pot upper rim retention arm is disengaged from the diverse plant container sidewall when the telescopic support is expanded to thereby release the diverse plant container. A lamppost connector is provided adjacent to the pot upper rim retention arm; and a lamp is supported upon the telescopic support. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a lamppost support base having a ground-engaging pad, a telescopic pole support, and a pot upper rim retention arm carried upon the telescopic pole support. 
   A first object of the invention is to provide illumination for containers of diverse size and contents, including but not limited to living plants, plant simulations and the like. A second object of the invention is to enable the illumination to be readily moved to different locations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a safe, secure and stable fixture which may be used indoors or out. A further object of the invention is to enable illumination to be focused upon desirable features of interest. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact structure which is adapted to many diverse fixtures as well as diverse containers, and which may be readily manufactured, inventoried, and shipped. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment telescopic light base designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention, coupled to a plant container and suspending a light fixture over the plant container, from a side plan view. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a second preferred embodiment telescopic light base designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a side plan view. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment pot clamp designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from projected view. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the second preferred embodiment telescopic light base of  FIG. 2  from a top plan view, with an enclosing and weatherproofing cover partially cut away. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a mobile support for a decorative light fixture. The fixture is readily associated and retained with a pot of diverse geometry, and may then be used to illuminate the contents of the pot. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a pot  1  of indeterminate shape, geometry and composition may contain therein a plant  2 . also of indeterminate shape, geometry and composition. A light pole  5  is suspended adjacent to pot  1  and plant  2  by first preferred embodiment telescopic light base  100 , and supports thereon a lamp  6  having downwardly projecting rays  7 . The particular light pole  5  and lamp  6  are not critical to the present invention, and may comprise any of the myriad of designs commercially available, known or otherwise as illustrated in the Lindsay, Patel, and Milicia patents incorporated by reference herein above. Most preferably, telescopic light base  100  includes a lamppost connection  140  suitable for connecting to standard light poles  5 , which for many manufactured light poles  5  would mean a threaded mechanical coupling such as internally threaded coupling  126  and suitable access to twist-on wire connectors or other suitable electrical connection. Additional features may be incorporated into lamppost connection  140 , though not specifically illustrated, including joint packing, suitable gaskets, or other equivalent apparatus and methods to prevent or reduce an ingress of contaminants. 
   In addition to lamppost connection  140 , telescopic light base  100  includes telescopic pole  120 , which extends a variable distance between lamppost connection  140  and base  110 . In preferred embodiment telescopic light base  100 , a smaller diameter fixed rod-like member  122  is fixed in position upon base coupling member  121 , and a larger diameter sleeve  124  slides co-axially and generally concentrically about rod-like member  122 . Member  122  is referred to herein as being rod-like, since the important characteristic is the elongate consistent exterior geometry, which permits a member such as larger diameter sleeve  124  having a larger internal dimension than the external geometry of member  122  to telescope thereabout. While in the preferred embodiment telescopic light base  100 , rod-like member  122  and sleeve  124  are illustrated as being generally cylindrical, it will be understood that rectangular, other polyhedron or even other cross-section geometries may be used, and rod-like member  122  is not even required to have the same exterior shape as the interior of sleeve  124  to permit suitable telescoping therebetween. The cylindrical geometry illustrated in  FIG. 1  simply illustrates one preferred embodiment. For increased strength, aesthetics, and improved moisture shedding, base coupling member  121  is illustrated as an inverted cone, though once again, there are a virtually limitless number of geometries which may be used. 
   Adjacent to lamppost connection  140  is a pot clamp  130  which couples with and extends transverse from telescopic pole  120  at coupler member  132 . Pot clamp  130  then turns in a direction more parallel to telescopic pole  120  than coupler member  132  and holding arm  134 . Holding arm  134  is designed to slide down and into an interior of pot  1  until coupler member  132  interferes with pot  1 . Once so positioned, pot  1  is captured internally by holding arm  134 , along a top rim by coupler member  132 , and along the outer wall by telescopic pole  120 . Completing the capture of pot  1  is base  110 , which rigidly couples to base coupling member  121  at telescoping pole base plate  111 . Additional springs, friction devices such as simple bushings or the more elaborate clamps commonly found on camera tripod stands and the like, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders and suspensions such as found on chairs and in automotive bottle jacks, or any other suitable locks or means to urge or lock telescopic pole  120  in a direction or position are contemplated herein for use. However, the simple forces of gravity and friction which arise between the various illustrated components will, for most applications, suffice to capture pot  1  and maintain light pole  5  in a vertical orientation. 
   From telescoping pole base plate  111 , base  110  then extends through a narrow neck region  112  to a larger pot base plate  114 . The specific geometries for each portion of base  110  is not critical, though it is preferable for aesthetic appearance, weight and materials to use a relatively small telescoping pole base plate  111  and an even smaller neck  112 . Pot base plate  114  in the preferred embodiments, as shown for exemplary purposes in  FIG. 4 , is somewhat oval to accommodate a wide variety of pot diameters or shapes, though again any suitable shape and dimension which provides good support for both pot  1  and resistance to motion therewith is suitable. Too narrow a strip will lead larger pots  1  to rock when even gently disturbed on such a strip, while too large a size for pot base plate  114  will adversely affect visual appearance, packaging size and weight, and aesthetic appearance when a smaller pot is supported thereon. 
   In the preferred embodiment, base  110  is fabricated from a single sheet or plate, but again there is no requirement for the same. Instead, base  110  may be fabricated from many diverse geometries, including but not limited to perforate or otherwise inconsistent materials, and may be textured, or otherwise have an irregular surface as may be desired. Additionally, rather than being a single integral plate, it is further contemplated herein that provision may be made for pot base plate  114  to slide or be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of telescopic pole  120 , such as by overlapping more or less with neck  112 . 
   While not specifically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that an electrical cord may be provided which will ultimately connect to lamp  6 . The source of energy for lamp  6  may be determined by the intensity of light desired and the environment which telescopic lamp base  100  has been designed for. In the preferred embodiment, telescopic lamp base  100  is designed for exterior illumination of reasonably large pots, so an AC line plug would typically be plugged into a 120 VAC wall socket. The 120VAC is next typically passed through a transformer, to yield a low voltage output such as a 12 Volt output. The lower voltage is safer in the exterior environment, and the use of a transformer can isolate the circuit from ground, providing even greater safety. Additionally, this circuit will normally remain operational independent of temperature. The 12 Volt AC output is then coupled to one or more telescopic lamp base units  100 . In this embodiment of  FIG. 1 , such a transformer might, for exemplary purposes only and not limited thereto, be placed directly within telescopic pole  120 . Nevertheless, and as is well known in the art of exterior illumination, other placements of transformers and other sources of power such as but not limited to electronic transformers, solar panels, and batteries may also or alternatively be used. Likewise, the particular type and nature of bulb used within lamp  6  will readily be determined by one reasonably skilled in the art, in consideration of the power source and capacity, desired illumination intensity, illumination pattern, color temperature, operating conditions, desired safety, and other operating parameters too numerous to specifically list herein, but known to those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a second preferred embodiment telescopic light base  200  with abase  110 , pot clamp  130 , and lamppost connection  140  of like construction to first preferred embodiment telescopic light base  100 . From this illustration, the angle and proportionate length of holding arm  134  are visible, though both may be varied depending upon the particular geometry of pot  1 . In fact, where a slightly malleable material is used for the fabrication of holding arm  134 , holding arm  134  may be bent to suit the needs of a particular pot geometry. 
   Between lamppost connection  140  and base  110 , telescopic light base  200  differs from telescopic light base  100 . First of all, rod-like member  224  slides within an inner diameter of sleeve  222 , and so the arrangement of rod-like member and sleeve is inverted when compared with telescopic light base  100 . This simply illustrates one of the many contemplated alternative constructions which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the present disclosure, each which are considered incorporated herein. 
   Additional aesthetic and functional benefit is obtained in telescopic light base  200  through the inclusion of a small pot  250 . Pot  250 , which will be better understood with reference to  FIG. 4 , has a top rim  252  which defines the upper edge. At some distance below top rim  252 , by an amount which will be selected at the time of design by a designer, is cover plate  254 , which in combination and cooperation with fasteners  255 , lip  253 , and divider wall  251  encloses and seals chamber  256 . Passing through a sealed hole  257  formed in the wall of pot  250  is power cord  262 , which extends between AC line plug  260  and transformer  264 . A power switch  258  may be interposed between transformer  264  and AC line plug  260  through wire  263 , to allow power to be disconnected through toggling of switch  258 . A low-voltage output, such as 12 VAC, is conducted through wire  266  ultimately to lamp  6 . Most preferably, the point at which wire  266  passes through divider wall  261  will also be sealed. As may be apparent, it is possible to completely seal transformer  264  and all high voltage components within chamber  256 . If lip  253  is sufficiently below top rim  252 , it will be possible to provide simulated or live plants within pot  250  above and isolated from chamber  256 . Additionally, and where desired, one or more small drain or weep holes may be provided through the wall of pot  250  to the exterior thereof to permit excess moisture to pass from within pot  250  out therefrom, just as such holes are provided in ordinary plant pots today. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment pot clamp  230  which is designed to accommodate a wider range of sizes and geometries of pots than pot clamp  130 . More specifically, interposed between coupler member  232  and holding arm  234  is a spring  236 , which may take any suitable geometry and composition. In this embodiment, holding arm  234  may have a much greater curvature than holding arm  134 , and spring  236  will then permit movement to capture even very round pots, which might otherwise be difficult to capture with holding arm  134 . Coupler member  232  closely resembles coupler member  132 , other than any geometry necessary to couple with spring  236 . 
   As should be apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention will accommodate a very wide range of component geometries, each which may be fabricated from many different types of materials, the selection which would be apparent to those reasonably skilled in the field upon review of the present disclosure. Consequently, while the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.

Technology Category: 4