Assembly for hanging potted plants

Abstract

An assembly for hanging potted plants is disclosed which is capable of holding more than one planted pot at a time, and repotting of the plant without removal from the assembly. The assembly includes a ring attached to a hook used to hang the assembly from the ceiling or used as a handle to transport the assembly. A cage is connected to the ring and includes a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions and a generally S-shaped configuration. The planted pot can be securely held to the assembly in a variety of ways. A cable or chain can be associated with the ribs for tightly surrounding the plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot. A platform may be attached to the ribs for supporting a plant pot thereon. Also, a ring may be attached to the ribs for holding a plant pot therein.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional application Serial No. 60/187,416 filed Mar. 7, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to hanging plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hanging plant pot assembly utilizing multiple downwardly, upwardly and outwardly extending ribs to removably secure a plant pot.

[0003] Existing plant hanging devices are generally comprised of an upper hook attached to a plant pot by wires, rope or plastic sections which extend from the hook. The plants are usually planted in plastic pots when offered for sale. Sometimes the wires or rope are attached to the pot by woven macrame, but more typically hooks or knots are inserted through apertures in an upper lip of the pot.

[0004] The above arrangement allows for plant seeds or starter plants to be easily placed in the pot soil at a minimal cost. Growth is then promoted until the plant reaches a desired specimen size. It is then brought to market for sale. Very little consideration has been given to the greater and long term use of the hanger device.

[0005] As many hanging plants continue to grow, plant limbs and vines are given no support for normal growth and as new limbs and leaves grow from the center, existing leaves and limbs are covered and compaction occurs. The weight of layered compaction promotes mold, fungus, mildew, heat and insect infestation as well as soured moisture and water. Air and sunlight cannot reach all of the plant and a degenerative cycle begins. All hanging plants eventually grow beyond the use of their pot and become root bound, which stifles growth and can even result in plant death.

[0006] The average consumer attempts to nurture the plant until it dies, while more experienced gardeners attempt to transplant the plant to a larger pot with new soil. However, the design of existing plant hanging devices complicates this process. Due to the growth and density of the now larger plant, the interior portion where the wires or rope are attached to the pot is difficult to access. Due to the tangled limbs and vines of the plant about the supporting wires, the gardener must use cutters to remove the pot supports. As the hanging devices are not easily replaced, an effort is made to retie or hook the cut wires to the new pot. However, the new pot may not have apertures or slots through which to hook or tie the wires.

[0007] Even if the pot conveniently has such apertures, many plant limbs are bruised, bent or even broken during this transplantation process. If a new plant hanging device is used, the limbs and vines must be untangled from the old device and repositioned and re-woven on the new one so as to balance the plant and give the aesthetic look the plant had before. This further bruises and breaks plant limbs, defeating the effort of a major incentive of gardeners and plant hobbyists which is to increase growth and health in the plant. Once the plant outgrows the new pot, the process must be repeated to transplant the plant yet again.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a plant hanging device which allows plant pots of varying shapes and sizes to be securely hung. What is also needed is a plant hanging device which allows plant transplantation into larger pots without having to remove the plant from the device. What is further needed is a plant hanging device which promotes plant growth while being aesthetically pleasing. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention resides in a plant pot hanging assembly which removably fits snugly to any size plant pot while beautifying the surrounding environment. The assembly generally comprises a ring attached to a hook which can be hung from a ceiling or the like, or used as a handle to transport the plant. A cage is connected to the ring. The cage comprises a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions and a generally S-shaped configuration which are slidably connected to the ring at one end thereof, and extend downwardly from the ring and spaced from one another to form the cage. A plate may be threadably attached to the hook and compressible onto the ring to hold the ribs in place on the ring. Alternatively, a cross-bar is interconnected between the hook and the ring, and configured to permit the hook to slidably move relative to the cross-bar for the distribution of the weight of the assembly.

[0010] Means are associated with a plurality of resiliently flexible and/or malleable ribs for securely holding a potted plant to the assembly. Such means can comprise a cable or flexible strap associated with the ribs and capable of tightly surrounding the plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot. Alternatively, the securement means can comprise a chain which is capable of being adjusted in length so as to tightly engage the pot plant by interconnection between slit-ring loops extending from the ribs. The assembly may include a platform which is attached to a plurality of the ribs and capable of supporting a plant pot thereon. The assembly may also include a ring attached to a plurality of ribs which is capable of holding the plant pot therein. The assembly may include one or more of these securement means for holding one of more potted plants at any given time.

[0011] Aside from being ornately designed with loops and S-shaped wire extensions, which are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, the ribs are also configured to securely hold plant pots of varying sizes. Thus, when the plant becomes root bound, or otherwise grows out of its pot, the pot can be removed and the plant re-potted without having to remove it from the assembly, preventing plant limbs from becoming bent or broken during the transplantation process.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly embodying the present invention and holding several plant pots within a cage thereof;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly similar to FIG. 1, and having a platform attached to the cage thereof, and holding a plant pot;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top view of an assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of a hook assembly used in accordance with the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another hook assembly used in accordance with the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 6 is a partly exploded view of an assembly embodying the present invention and having a plant grown therein and removed from a pot for transplantation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with an assembly, generally referred to in the drawings by the reference number 10, for hanging potted plants. The assembly 10 includes a hook assembly 12 which supports a cage 14 that holds potted plants.

[0021] The cage 14 is comprised of a plurality of resilient, flexible and/or malleable ribs 16 having curled extensions and loops 18. The ribs 16 are generally bowed or S-shaped so as to be connected to the hook assembly 12 at one end thereof, and brought together around a potted plant at the opposite end thereof. Preferably, the ribs 16 are comprised of a metal which is resilient and durable. The circular loops and extensions 18 face both inwardly and outward of the cage 14. Such circular extensions and loops 18 provide the assembly 10 an aesthetic appearance and design mimicking that of vines and tendrils of a plant. Although as few as three ribs 16 can be used, preferably there are four or even six ribs 16 which are spaced from one another to form the cage 14.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 3, these ornate ribs 16 and extensions 18 not only serve aesthetic purposes, but also serve as anchors and friction points which support the potted plant, and allow vines and tendrils of the potted plant to grow thereon and spread.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the hook assembly 12 includes a hook 20 having a ring 22 associated therewith, and supporting the ends of the ribs 16. Preferably, the ribs 16 are looped around, or otherwise attached to, the ring 22 such that they can be slid from one position to another, in order to enable the user to selectively place the positioning of the ribs 16. This may become important when a potted plant is secured between two ribs 16 which must be adequately spaced from one another, as discussed more fully herein.

[0024] With reference now to FIG. 4, a first preferred embodiment of the hook assembly 12 is illustrated wherein the hook 20 includes a threaded end 24 extending through a plate 22. The ring 22 includes a cross-bar 28 or bottom plate having a nut 30 though which the threaded end 24 of the hook 20 can be inserted. As the threaded end 24 of the hook 20 is passed through nut 30, plate 26 increasingly exerts pressure on the ring 22 and rib connections 32 so as to hold the ribs 16 in place. Instead of a threaded hook 20 and nut 30 arrangement, the hook assembly 12 can be designed so that the pressure plate 26 is slid into contact with the ring 22 to hold the ribs 16 in place.

[0025] The hook 20 may vary in size, but must be of sufficient size and strength to support the potted plant from a ceiling or the like. Preferably, the hook 20 is diamond-shaped so as to allow the gardener to easily grasp the hook 20 for transportation from one location to another while still providing a vertical attachment means.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, another form of a hook assembly 12′ is illustrated wherein the hook 20 is connected to the ring 22 via a cross-bar 34. The hook 20 is looped around the cross-bar 34, or ortherwise attached thereto so that it can slide relative to the cross-bar 34 allowing proper distribution of the weight of the assembly 10 when hung vertically by hook 20.

[0027] Referring back to FIG. 1, a plant pot 36 is placed within the rib cage 14, often at a lower end of the ribs 16, and a cable 38 or the like comprised of nylon or other similar durable material, is wrapped around the pot 36 and threaded through adjoining circular rib extensions 18. The cable 38 is tightened so that the ribs 16 contact the pot 36 in such a manner so as to securely hold the pot 36 in place. The cable 38 may include a zipper clamp 40 which can be used to conveniently tighten the cable 38, as well as release the cable 38 when necessary. It may be desirable to hook open-ended extensions and loops 18 onto the plant pot 36 in order to more securely hold the pot 36, as illustrated in the drawings.

[0028] Although it is preferred to secure a plant pot 36 at a bottom end of the cage 14, it is to be understood that plant pots may be secured along the length of the cage 14. Due to the multiple circular loops and extensions 18 facing inwardly, cables 38 can be threaded through these extensions 18 at roughly the same plane to hang more than one plant pot 36. Thus, the assembly 10 can be filled with as much greenery as possible while the plants are small, or plants which require less sunlight, do not grow vertically to a great extent or natural droop downwardly can be positioned within the assembly 10 in order to maximize the use thereof.

[0029] Other means of securing can be used instead of the cable 38. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the use of a chain 42 which is encircled about the plant pot 36 and connected to slit-ring loops created by open-ended extensions 18. The chain 42 can be adjusted in length by inserting the proper link between two open-ended extensions 18.

[0030] Yet other means of securing and holding potted plants are possible using the present invention. Referring back to FIG. 1, a circular ring 44 can be connected between two or more ribs 16 and sized such so as to hold a plant pot 36 of the desired dimension. Typically, the ring 44 includes hooks 46 which are insertable into small sleeve tubes 48 fixed to the ribs 16. Alternatively, the ring 44 includes the sleeve tubes 48, and rib extensions 18 are inserted into the sleeve tubes 48 to hold the ring 44 in place.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, another means of securely holding a potted plant, or other articles, to the assembly 10 is the inclusion of a platform 50 which is disposed within the cage 14 and connected to a plurality of ribs 16. Such a platform 50 can be permanently attached to the ribs 16, such as by welding, or include apertures or sleeve tubes for the insertion of rib extensions 18, as described above. The platform 50 can be used not only to place plants thereon, but also other items of interest or decoration. The platform 50 can be mesh sheeted so as to facilitate cleaning and allow water and plant debris to fall through the platform 50.

[0032] It should be understood that such securement means are not necessarily limited to holding items within the cage. For example, the plant holder ring 44 can be attached to several ribs 16 in a manner such that it resides without the cage 14. Likewise, a platform 50 can be so arranged. When multiple assemblies 10 are placed adjacent one another, additional rib extensions 18 can interlink the assemblies 10 to create a vine-like effect.

[0033] The assembly 10 can also include decorative motifs 52, such as the humming bird illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The decorative motifs can include leafs, flowers, nymphs, butterflies, etc. Preferably, such motifs 52 should keep with the overall theme of the assembly 10.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 6, after some time the plant 54 will outgrow its present pot 36. In order to transplant the plant 54 to a larger pot, the pot 36 is removed from the assembly 10. The exact process of removing the plant pot 36 will of course depend upon the manner in which it is supported by the assembly 10. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cable 38 is loosened, preferably using the zipper-like sliding clamp 40 which allows the cable 38 to be pulled through the clamp 40 and tightened around various diameter pots 36. Once the old plant pot 36 is removed, the roots and soil 56 of the plant 54 are revealed, and may be loosened in preparation of transplantation. This is particularly desirable when the plant 54 has become root bound. A larger pot (not illustrated) may contain additional soil as needed and the roots and soil 56 are placed therein. The cable 38 is then looped around the new pot and tightened to secure the ribs 16 to the pot. In the event a plastic pot is used, the cable 38 may be freely positioned as it may actually be tightened to such a degree that the pot deforms somewhat in response to the pressure applied.

[0035] As can be appreciated by the reader, the plant 54 does not have to be removed from the assembly 10 during this procedure. This is advantageous as the limbs, vines and tendrils of the plant 54 are not damaged to such an extent as when a gardener must clip off or untangle the vines to completely transfer the plant 54 to a new pot and hanger as described above. When the process is completed, the plant 54 and assembly 10 have the same general appearance as before the transplantation process with as little damage as possible, while allowing the plant 54 to further grow and thrive. Aside from this benefit, the assembly 10 of the present invention allows a gardener to hang potted plants of varying sizes and shapes, and even more than one potted plant at a time as described above. The assembly 10 is aesthetically pleasing as it imitates an extension of the potted plant and can also be ornately decorated according to the desires of the gardener.

[0036] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for hanging potted plants, comprising:

a hook;

a ring associated with the hook;

a cage connected to the ring, comprising a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions connected to the ring at one end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom and spaced from one another to form the cage; and

means associated with the plurality of ribs, for securely holding a potted plant to the assembly.

2. The assembly of

claim 1, wherein the ribs are generally S-shaped in configuration.

3. The assembly of

claim 1, wherein the ribs are slidably connected to the ring.

4. The assembly of

claim 1, including a plate threadably attached to the hook and compressible onto the ring to hold the ribs in place on the ring.

5. The assembly of

claim 1, including a cross-bar interconnected between the hook and the ring, the cross-bar being configured to permit the hook to slidably move relative thereto for the distribution of the weight of the assembly.

6. The assembly of

claim 1, wherein the securement means comprises a cable associated with the ribs and capable of tightly surrounding a plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot.

7. The assembly of

claim 1, wherein the securement means comprises a chain which is capable of being adjusted in length so as to tightly engage a plant pot by interconnection between slit-ring loops extending from the ribs.

8. The assembly of

claim 1, wherein the securement means comprises a platform attached to a plurality of the ribs and capable of supporting a plant pot thereon.

9. The assembly of

claim 1, wherein the securement means comprises a ring attached to a plurality of ribs and capable of holding a plant pot therein.

10. An assembly for hanging potted plants, comprising:

a hook;

a ring associated with the hook;

a cage connected to the ring, comprising a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions and a generally S-shaped configuration slidably connected to the ring at one end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom and spaced from one another to form the cage;

a plate threadably attached to the hook and compressible onto the ring to hold the ribs in place on the ring; and

means associated with the plurality of ribs, for securely holding a potted plant to the assembly.

11. The assembly of

claim 10, wherein the securement means comprises a cable associated with the ribs and capable of tightly surrounding a plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot.

12. The assembly of

claim 10, wherein the securement means comprises a chain which is capable of being adjusted in length so as to tightly engage a plant pot by interconnection between slit-ring loops extending from the ribs.

13. The assembly of

claim 10, wherein the securement means comprises a platform attached to a plurality of the ribs and capable of supporting a plant pot thereon.

14. The assembly of

claim 10, wherein the securement means comprises a ring attached to a plurality of ribs and capable of holding a plant pot therein.

15. An assembly for hanging potted plants, comprising:

a hook;

a ring associated with the hook;

a cage connected to the ring, comprising a plurality of resilient ribs having curled extensions and a generally S-shaped configuration slidably connected to the ring at one end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom and spaced from one another to form the cage;

a cross-bar interconnected between the hook and the ring, the cross-bar being configured to permit the hook to slidably move relative thereto for the distribution of the weight of the assembly; and

means associated with the plurality of ribs, for securely holding a potted plant to the assembly.

16. The assembly of

claim 15, wherein the securement means comprises a cable associated with the ribs and capable of tightly surrounding a plant pot and bringing the ribs into secure contact with the plant pot.

17. The assembly of

claim 15, wherein the securement means comprises a chain which is capable of being adjusted in length so as to tightly engage a plant pot by interconnection between slit-ring loops extending from the ribs.

18. The assembly of

claim 15, wherein the securement means comprises a platform attached to a plurality of the ribs and capable of supporting a plant pot thereon.

19. The assembly of

claim 15, wherein the securement means comprises a ring attached to a plurality of ribs and capable of holding a plant pot therein.