Rotatable plant stand

Abstract

A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant includes a base member. A top member is supported by the base by way of a bearing member so that the top member is rotatable about a central axis, and this rotation may be automated. In some embodiments, the top member has a peripheral edge that is geometrically the same as the peripheral edge of the base member. In some embodiments, the base and members have opposed cavities with the bearing member being nested in the cavities. In some embodiments, the top member has a skirt portion that depends downwardly to form a chamber that receives the base member. The base member may be provided with wheels or may be a pedestal. The top member may include a water reservoir and may provide a pot for the plant. A method of caring for the plant by rotation is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly concerns the care and nurturing of plants. Particularly the present invention is directed to stands for rotating plants relative to a light source. More specifically the present invention is directed to a plant stand that includes components that move relative to each other and that may be provided with wheels to facilitate the movement of a plant placed thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All living things need the warmth and light of the sun to grow and remain healthy. Many plants require a source of light to prosper, and it is well know that a plant will respond directly to the direction incident light. Plants tend to grow towards the location of the light source, such as the sun. For example, a dieffenbachia plant will lean heavily to the side which it receives sunlight. Yucca plants share the same characteristic, although they do not respond to direct sunlight but rather indirect light.

Many plants are large in size and mass. Thus, the plant, the medium in which it is planted and the potting container can have substantial in weight. To move such plants is therefore not a small task. Yet, it is often beneficial to turn the plant so that one side of the plant will not be heavy sided compared to the other. Sometimes it may be beneficial to move a plant out of direct sunlight yet return it to the original position.

A disadvantage of current plant containers is that they are neither readily rotatable nor movable from one location to another. Where plants and their respective containers are on wheeled supports, damage may be done to flooring or the plant may tip over and spills may occur during movement. Where a plant is displayed on an elevated plant stand, it can be very difficult to change the position of the plant. Usually, the only way of changing the plant's position is to actually rotate the pot itself relative to the elevated stand. This may become cumbersome for the homeowner and inconvenient. Furthermore, manual methods of rotating the plant may be faulty and a plant may not get the proper location that it needs.

Therefore, a need exists to provide a convenient method for a person to easily rotate and move plants of all sizes. There is a further need to be able to automate this rotation. That is, there is a need for a reliable easy to use, durable plant stand designed to easily and possible automatically rotate plants. There is a further need for plant stands that are easy to move when holding heavy plants. The present invention is directed to meeting those needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful plant stand that is simple in construction and easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a durable plant stand that can be rotated so as to rotate a plant placed upon it.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plant stand that can be used to move the position of a plant and that is particularly useful for moving heavy plants.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotating plant stand that efficiently accommodates plants of various sizes.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a decorative plant stand having a pleasing symmetric appearance.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a plant stand that prevents plants from tipping upon being moved.

Another object of the present invention is provide a rotating plant stand that can also be moved in order to position a plant in the best location to receive sunlight.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotating plant stand that allows the rotation of the plant in order for the plant to thrive and grow evenly on all sides of the plant.

According to the present invention, then, a rotatable plant stand is provided. The plant stand is adapted to support a plant relative to a support surface. Broadly, the plant stand includes a base member that may rest substantially horizontal to the support surface with the base member having a base peripheral edge. A top member is then supported by the base member in substantially parallel relation thereto. The top member has a top member peripheral edge. A bearing member is interposed between the base member and the top member such that the top member is rotatable about a central axis with respect to the base member.

In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the base member peripheral edge and the top member peripheral edge are substantially geometrically the same. The base member may be formed as a pedestal. In some embodiments, the top member is configured as a water reservoir adapted to supply of source of water to the plant. The water reservoir may be formed integrally with a pot portion, if desired. In still other embodiments, the top member may include a skirt portion that depends downwardly from the top member peripheral edge thereby to form a chamber to nestibly receive the base member. In yet another embodiment, the top member may be configured as a Christmas tree stand.

In any of the embodiments, if desired, may be secured to the base member opposite the top member so that the plant stand may roll on the support surface. The base member and the top member may be configured substantially identically, again if desired. In addition, at least one of the base member and the top member may have a cavity formed therein so that the bearing member is nested in the cavity. The bearing member may be a thrust bearing and, if desired, may be annular in shape.

The present invention is also directed to a method of caring for a plant. Here, the method broadly includes a plant stand that includes a top member rotatably journaled with respect to a base member. A potted plant is then placed on the plant stand. The method then includes the step of rotating the plant at spaced apart selected time intervals over a desired angular amount. The method may, if desired, include the step of moving the potted plant from one location to another while the potted plant is supported on the plant stand. This, for example, may be accomplished by wheels.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown with a plant supported thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plant stand shown in FIG. 1 but without the plant;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the plant stand shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to a second embodiment of the present invention supporting a plant in a manner similar to that of FIG. 1 but having wheels attached to the base;

FIG. 6 is a side view in cross-section of the plant stand of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to a third embodiment of the present invention shown in an upright position upholding a plant;

FIG. 8(a) is an exploded side view in elevation of the plant stand shown in FIG. 7 wherein the water reservoir form part of the plant stand;

FIG. 8(b) is an exploded view, similar to FIG. 8(a), wherein the water reservoir is integral with a plant pot for the plant stand;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plant stand according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the plant stand shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the base and bearing member according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12(a) is an exploded side view in partial cross-section showing a water reservoir secured in a first orientation to the base and bearing member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12(b) is an exploded side view in partial cross-section similar to FIG. 12(a) showing the water reservoir secured in a second orientation to the base and bearing member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view in cross-section diagrammatically showing another embodiment of the present invention having a motorized control in order to automatically rotate a plant placed thereon;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 13, but showing the plant stand provided wheels;

FIG. 15 is an exploded side view in cross-section showing a simplified version of the plant stand according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view in perspective showing the simplified plant stand of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the plant stand according to the present invention illustrated as a Christmas tree stand;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the Christmas tree plant stand shown in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a side view in cross-section showing a second embodiment of a Christmas tree plant stand of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to an ascetically pleasing plant stand that is sturdy and durable. The invention is constructed so as to support a plant while having the ability to efficiently rotate and laterally relocate a plant in order to maximize the growth and health thereof. The ensuing descriptions of the exemplary embodiments of a movable plant stand of the present invention specially relate to a plant stand that is designed to uphold and transport plants of various sizes, weights and shapes. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, however, that the present invention has other applications other than those described herein and can support other items.

Generally the broad form of the present invention includes a plant stand comprising two pieces, such as disks, that rotate relative to each other and that may also be moved laterally by easy methods. These pieces may vary in size and geometry to accommodate plants of various sizes. The general form of the present invention may include a base disk and a top disk that are of geometrically similar size and shape and which rotate with respect to one another on a thrust bearing. The invention, if desired, can further include, wheels to permit rolling the stand and a plant located thereon. An optional motorized drive and appropriate controls may also be employed.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a first exemplary embodiment of plant stand 10 according to the present invention is depicted. As shown in FIG. 1, stand 10 is supported substantially horizontally on a surface 11 in an upright position. As is shown in FIGS. 1-4, plant stand 10 has a base member 12 having a base peripheral edge 13 and a top member 14 having a top peripheral edge. Top member 14 is substantially parallel to base member 12. A plant pot 16 is depicted resting on top member 14, and pot 16 is shown to house plant 18. Top member 14 rotates relatively to base member 12 by means of a thrust bearing interposed between base member 12 and top member 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that top member 14 may rotate plant 18 towards the sunlight in order to create even growth.

As is further illustrated in these figures, each of base member 12 and top member 14 are constructed as circular disks out of wood with their respective peripheral edges 13 and 15 having a geometric shape that is substantially the same. Indeed, as shown in this embodiment, base member 12 and top member 14 are constructed substantially identically. While base member 12 and top member 14 are shown to be made of wood, base member 12 and top member 14 could be made of any suitable material such as plastic, composites, metal, ceramic, etc.

As illustrated, the underside of top member 14 has a generally cylindrical cavity 19 formed therein. Likewise the upper side of base member 12 as a similar cavity 17. Cavities 17 and 19 receive a thrust bearing 20 so that base member 12 and top member 14 can rotate with respect to one another about a common central axis “A”. As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thrust bearing 20 consists of a base plate 22 and a top plate 24. As is known, plates 22 and 24 ride on ball bearings or thrust bearings to provide a low fiction rotation. Thrust bearing 20 accordingly supports top disk 14 for rotation relative to base disk 12 in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the base disk 12.

In greater detail it may be seen that the depths of cavities 13 and 15 are selected to accommodate thrust bearing 20 in a manner such that base member 12 and top member 14 are spaced apart from one another. Thus, a small gap is located between base member 12 and top member 14. The small gap is necessary to accommodate thrust bearing 20 and to permit easy rotation. Bearing 20 permits top member 14 to rotate in either direction relative to base member 12. Base plate 22 of thrust bearing 20 is located in cavity 17 and is secured therein by means of suitable fasteners, such as screws 26. Similarly, top plate 24 of thrust bearing 20 is located in cavity 19 and is secured therein by means of suitable fasteners, again, such as screws 28. However, it should be understood that any means could be used for attaching base member 12 to top member 14 but allow for a turning motion of top member 14. Such means include thrust bearings, ball bearings, or other bearings in a ring formation or other formation within a plate, a simple thin walled ring or belt of bearings, sliders, grooves and frictionless mating surfaces, and the like. Base member 12 and top member 14 are each provided with access ports 46 and 48, respectively, to allow access to screws 26 and 28 thereby to permit mounting of the thrust bearing.

A modified embodiment of the plant stand of FIGS. 1-4 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, plant stand 10′ includes a top member 14′ rotatably secured by a thrust bearing 20′ to a base member 12′. Plant stand 10′ is provided with a plurality of castors 36 attached to base member 12′ in order that plant stand 10′ can be rolled into different positions. Castors 36 may be of any type generally know in the field of rolling devices. For example, each castor 36 can include a fastening plate 38 and mounting ring 40. As shown by FIG. 6, castors 36 are fastened to base member 12 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 42 that extend through appropriately sized mounting holes in fastening plate 38. Naturally, other fasteners could be used, including bolts, glue, pin, nails, press-studs, rivets, or other fasteners. Any number of desired castors or wheels can also be used in order to provide sufficient stability to the modified plant stand 10′. Conversely the base plate could be wheeled on four or more castors.

FIGS. 7 and 8(a) illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. Here, plant stand 110 is adapted to support a plant 118 that is potted in a suitable container 116. Plant stand 110 includes a base member 112 that is provided with a plurality of castors or wheels 136 mounted to the underside of base 112. Once again, a top member 114 is rotatably supported on base 112 by means of a thrust bearing 120. Top member 114 may be rotated relative to base 112 so that the plant 118 may be repositioned relative to a source of light. Similar to plant stand 10′, plant stand 110 may be rolled from location to location, as desired.

Plant stand 110, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), however, departs from plant stand 10 and 10′ in that top member 114 is formed as a water reservoir that may receive and supply water to nourish plant 118 or to provide an overflow should excess water be placed in container 116. To this end, top 114 has an upstanding sidewall 150 so that it is pan-shaped in configuration to provide a water chamber 152 between sidewall 150 and container 116.

FIG. 8(b) illustrates a modification to the plant stand of FIGS. 7 and 8(a). Here, the top member 114′ that is in to form of a water reservoir is shown to be integrally formed with a plant pot portion 160 which can hold potting material and the plant 118.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, a plant stand 210 includes a base member including base member 212 formed by a flat plate 214 and a pedestal or column 215 that extends in an upright manner from base 214 therefrom to terminate in a top portion 216. Top portion 216 has a flat top surface 218 in which a cylindrical cavity 213 is formed. A top member 222 is rotatably secured to top 218 of column 215 by means of a thrust bearing 220 received in cavity 213 of top portion 216. Top member 222 is similar in construction to top member 14 described with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention, and it should be understood that top member 222 includes a cylindrical cavity that receives top plate 224 of thrust bearing 220. Bottom plate 226 of thrust bearing 220 is positioned in cavity 213 and is fastened there by means of suitable screws. As is illustrated in FIG. 9, a plant 230 received in container 232 may be placed on top member 222 from rotation relative to base member 212.

FIGS. 11, 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate another embodiment of the plant stand of the present invention. With reference to these figures, it may be seen that plant stand 250 includes base member 252 formed as a latticework of arcuate metal rods including a circular outer peripheral rod 254 and a plurality of generally C-shaped inner rods 256. Base member 252 may be depicted as supported by a plurality of castors 258, and a thrust bearing 260 is supported on an upper portion of base member 252.

With specific reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), it may be seen that top member 262 may be mounted in two alternative orientations. Here, top member 262 includes a central portion 264 and a sidewall 266 that form a chamber 268. As shown in FIG. 12(a), top member 262 may be mounted to first bearing 260 by screws 270 that extend through holes 274 in central portion 264 in a first orientation so that sidewall 266 forms an annular skirt that depends downwardly from central portion 264. Here, base member 252 may nest in chamber 268. Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 12(b), top member 262 may be mounted so that sidewall 266 upwardly projects from the plant stand thereby defining a water reservoir for a plant placed therein. In this configuration, gaskets 272 may be provided so that screws 270 will seal relative to central portion 262 when screws 270 extend through holes 274 in central portion 264.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a motorized version of a plant stand according to the present invention. First, with respect to FIG. 13, it may be seen that a plant stand 310 includes a base 312 that is adapted to rest on a support surface. Base member 312 includes an upper wall 313 upon which a disk-shaped top member 314 is rotatably disposed on an annular bearing 320. Gear 322 is rotatably journaled on upper wall 313 and is supported in a bearing 324 positioned in a central bore thereof. Gear 322 is secured to top member 314 in any suitable manner and is driven by a drive gear 326 that is operated by motor 328 that is connected to a power source (not shown). Thus, when motor 328 turns gear 326, this drives gear 322 and correspondingly rotates top 314 relative to base 312.

With further reference to FIG. 13, it may be appreciated that a controller 330 may be used to control motor 328 to drive top 314 in any desired manner. For example, controller 330 may include timing circuitry that is operative to intermittently drive top member 314 to rotate a plant placed thereon. The time interval between the drive events may be selected to be of any duration. It is contemplated that a drive event take place on intervals of n×24 hours where n equals a positive integer. Moreover, the annular mount of rotation may be as selected. Again, it is conceived that such rotation either by 90°, 120° or 180° depending on the amount of rotation of the plant that is desired.

In FIG. 14, the motor driven plant stand is modified as plant stand 410 wherein base member 412 again includes an upper wall 413 and a lower wall 415. Top member 414 is again rotatably supported on a annular thrust bearing 420 and is driven by a motor 428 through gears 426 and 422 with this construction being substantially the same as that described with respect FIG. 13.

In FIG. 14, however, lower wall 415 is provided with a plurality of castors 436. Castors 436 perform substantially the same function as castors 36 or 136, described above. To this end, castors 436 allow plant stand 410 to be rolled from one location to another. Controller 430 again acts to intermittently drive top member 414 at desired time intervals and for desired angular degrees of rotation.

A simplified version of a plant stand is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. In this figures, plant stand 510 includes a base member 512 that includes an annular channel 513 extended around the periphery thereof. A lower portion of an annular thrust bearing 520 is nested in channel 513, and a top member 514 is supported on annular thrust bearing 520 so that it may rotated relative to base member 512. Here, an annular channel 517 is formed in the underside of top member 514 with this channel 517 being geometrically congruent with channel 513 so that an upper portion of thrust bearing 520 may nest also in channel 517. Base member 512 is provided with a lower depending annular skirt 518 which adapted to rest on a support surface and support top member 514 in a slightly elevated manner. Top member 514 has a downwardly depending annular skirt 516 that extends around the periphery of base 512 when assembled so as to form a chamber 521 to nestably receive base member 512.

The plant stand according to the present invention may be used to support a decorative tree, such as a Christmas and the like. Thus, as is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a plant stand in the form of tree stand 610 is illustrated. Tree stand 610 includes a base member 612 provided with castors 636 so that stand 610 may be rolled from one location to another. Base member 612 includes an annular channel 613 in which a thrust bearing 620 is nested.

Base member 612 supports a top 614 that is configured as a Christmas tree stand. Here, top member 614 includes a lower wall 616 that is provided with an annular channel 617 that is geometrically similar to channel 613 so as to nest thrust bearing 620 therein. When assembled, top member 614 may rotate relative base member 612. Top member 614 further has a frustoconical sidewall 618 that extends upwardly from lower wall 616 and supports a centrally located cylindrical wall 630 that has a bottom wall 632 in order to form a cup-shaped chamber 634 adapted to receive the trunk 611 of a Christmas tree. Suitable bolts 640 are provided to tighten on the trunk 611 as is known in the art.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 19, a modified Christmas tree stand 710 is shown. Here, tree stand 710 includes a base member 712 that is supported by castors 720 and which in turn supports a thrust bearing 730, as should now be appreciated by the skilled artisan having read the forgoing description of the other embodiments. Top member 714 configured as a Christmas tree stand having a frustoconical sidewall 716 that supports a centrally located cylindrical wall 740. Sidewall 716 and cylindrical wall 740 may be formed integrally with respect to one another. Top member 714 is supported on thrust bearing 730 by a height adjusting assembly 750 so that top member 714 may be raised and lowered with respect to base member 712 while at the same time being rotatably supported thereon. Sidewall 716 includes an opening 718 so that access may be had to the height adjusting assembly 750. In this manner, top member 714 may be raised to a desired height wherein top member 714 does not rest on the support surface but wherein the tree stand 710 may be rolled therealong. When situated in a desired location, top member 17 may be lowered so that its peripheral edge 710 rests on the support surface.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing, that the plant stand according to the present invention may also include any method that may implemented by this structure. Particularly, this method may include the rotating of plant supported on the plant stand and drive events that are spaced apart by selected time intervals and wherein the rotation event rotates the plant for desired angular amount. The method may also include the movement of the plant from one location to another while the plant is supported therein.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the various features described may be employed with any of the embodiments set forth in this description. It should therefore be further appreciated that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that such modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.

Claims

1. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to a support surface, comprising:

(A) a base member adapted to be supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface and having a base peripheral edge;

(B) a top member supported by said base member in substantially parallel relation thereto and having a top member peripheral edge that is substantially geometrically the same as said base peripheral edge; and

(C) a bearing member interposed between said base member and said top member whereby said upper top member is rotatable about a central axis with respect to said base member.

2. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 including a plurality of wheels secured to said base member opposite said top member.

3. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said base member is configured as a pedestal.

4. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said base member and said top member are configured substantially identically.

5. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said base member and said top member has a cavity formed therein, said bearing member being nested in said cavity.

6. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said top member is configured as a water reservoir operative to hold a supply of water for a plant.

7. A rotatable plant stand according to claim wherein 1 said top member is configured as a pot for a plant.

8. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 including a drive operative to rotate said top member relative to said base member.

9. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 1 wherein said top member is configured as a Christmas tree stand.

10. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to a support surface, comprising:

(A) a base member adapted to be supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface and having a base member upper surface and a base member lower surface opposite the base member upper surface, said base member upper surface having a base cavity formed centrally therein;

(B) a top member supported by said base member in substantially parallel relation thereto and having a top member upper surface and a top member lower surface opposite the top member upper surface, said top member lower surface having a top cavity formed centrally therein, said base member and said top member oriented such that the top member lower surface faces said lower member upper surface with the base cavity and the top cavity in opposed relation;

(C) a bearing member interposed between said base member and said top member with a lower portion of said bearing member nested in the base cavity and with an upper portion of said bearing member nested in the top cavity, said upper top member thereby being rotatable about a central axis with respect to said base member.

11. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 10 including a plurality of wheels secured to said base member opposite said top member.

12. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to a support surface, comprising:

(A) a base member adapted to be supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface;

(B) a bearing member disposed on said base member; and

(C) a water reservoir adapted to supply a source of water to the plant, said water reservoir being supported by said bearing member for rotation relative to said base member.

13. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 12 including a plurality of wheels secured to said base member opposite said top member.

14. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 12 including a pot portion secured to said water reservoir opposite said base member.

15. A rotatable plant stand adapted to support a plant relative to a support surface, comprising:

(A) a base member adapted to be supported on a substantially horizontal to a support surface and having a base peripheral edge;

(B) a top member supported by said base member in substantially parallel relation thereto and including a central portion surrounded by a top member peripheral edge and a skirt portion depending from the top member peripheral edge thereby to form a chamber to nestably receive said base member; and

(C) a bearing member interposed between said base member and said top member whereby said upper top member is rotatable about a central axis with respect to said base member.

16. A rotatable plant stand according to claim 15 wherein said bearing member is annular in shape.

17. A method of caring for a plant, comprising:

(A) providing a plant stand that includes a top member rotatably journaled with respect to a base member;

(B) placing a potted plant on said plant stand; and

(C) rotating said potted plant at spaced-apart selected time intervals over desired angular amount.

18. The method according to claim 17 including a step of moving the potted plant from one location to another while the potted plant is supported on said plant stand.