TREE WATERING AND FERTILIZING APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus that can be used to irrigate and fertilize the base of a tree and to protect the roots thereof. The present invention comprises a tree ring having a bottom half that serves as a root harrier and a top half that serves as a barrier to retain water around a tree while the water percolates to the root system of the tree. An inlet fitting is attached to a water supply and directs water into an irrigation valve that is in fluid communication with a fertilizer dispenser. As the water flows through the irrigation valve and out a distribution fitting, the water flow siphons fertilizer from the fertilizer dispenser and mixes it with the water before it is released through a distribution fitting to irrigate the base of a tree or shrub.

Claims

1. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus comprising: a tree ring having a top section, a bottom harrier, a top shelf, a through hole having an outer end and an inner end, a valve hole, a dispenser hole, a distribution hole, and a feed tube within said top shelf; a fertilizer dispenser having a top opening and a dispenser tube that is inserted into said dispenser hole: a fertilizer valve that is connected to said dispenser tube; an irrigation valve having a feed hole that transversely extends into an irrigation hole; an inlet fitting that is inserted into said outer end of said through hole; wherein said irrigation valve is inserted into said valve hole such that said irrigation hole is aligned with said outer end and said inner end of said through hole, and such that said feed hole aligns with said feed tube; and wherein said feed tube is in fluid communication with said dispenser hole.

2. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising, a plurality of teeth extending from said bottom barrier.

3. tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a grade level line indicator in between said top section and said bottom barrier.

4. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an accessory hole.

5. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said irrigation valve further comprises a top section to which a handle is attached.

6. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said irrigation valve further comprises a bottom face from which a plurality of latching feet extend.

7. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said irrigation valve can be rotated within said valve hole so as to align said irrigation hole with said outer end and said inner end of said through hole.

8. A tree watering and fertilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fertilizer dispenser further comprises a dispenser lid.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functional similar elements. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention as it is used around a tree or shrub;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a section of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the fertilizer dispenser as used in the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the irrigation valve that connects to the tree ring of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows a close-up view of the irrigation valve as it is assembled into the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Certain terminology is used in the following descriptions for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of the device and instruments and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0024] Although the present invention can be used in connection with any type of irrigation application, it is especially suited for irrigation applications in connection with trees and shrubs. Accordingly, the present invention will be described herein with reference to tree irrigation applications. However, the preferred system of the present application may also be adapted for use on lawns, or flower applications.

[0025] Reference will be made to the drawings in which various elements of the present invention will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art make and use the invention.

[0026] The present invention comprises a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 that is placed around the base of a tree and comprising a tree ring 10, a fertilizer dispenser 20, a fertilizer valve 30, an irrigation valve 40, an inlet fitting 50, and a distribution hole 60. It is well-established that the preferred method of watering a tree is at the base spread over a large area around the base of the tree without irrigating the fruits or leaves growing from the branches of the tree. Such method of irrigation ensures that the water is spread around the tree so as to encourage root growth in all directions. The tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 of the present invention is partly buried into the ground around the base of the tree 200. The inlet fitting 50 is connected to a water supply and the fertilizer dispenser 20 is in fluid communication with the distribution hole 60 through which water infused with fertilizer exits to irrigate the base of the tree 200.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 of the present invention as it would be used around a tree 200. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 of the present invention to depict in greater detail the various components that comprise the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100.

[0028] As shown in. FIG. 3, the tree ring 10 has a top section and a bottom section with a grade level line indicator 11 in between the two. The bottom section comprises a bottom barrier 12 that extends downward from said grade level line indicator 11. In addition, a plurality of ground piercing teeth 14 extend downwardly from said bottom barrier 12. The top section comprises an inner barrier 15 that extends upward from said grade level line indicator 11 and an outer barrier 16 both of which share the same center of curvature. Further, a top shelf 17 is formed between the inner barrier 15 and the outer barrier 16. A valve hole 18 and a dispenser hole 19 are located on the top shelf 17. A feed tube 21 located within the top shelf 17 connects the valve hole 18 to the dispenser hole 19. Formation of the feed tube 21 within the top shelf 17 requires a feed tube cover 21a to form part of the feed tube 21 and serve as a cover that is permanently and seal ingly attached within the top shelf 17. The top shelf 17 and the teed tube cover 21a are joined to form the feed tube 21 within the top shelf 17 connecting the valve hole 18 to the dispenser hole 19. A through hole 55 transverse to the valve hole 18 extends through the top shelf 17 The through hole 55 has an inner end and an outer end. Furthermore, an accessory hole 71 located within the top shelf 17 allows an accessory itemto be attached thereto. Finally, the tree ring 10 is formed by two half rings joined together by connectors 75 at a slit 72. Alternatively, a slit 72 severs the tree ring 10 on one side so that the tree ring 10 can be opened and wrapped around the base of a tree 200.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the fertilizer dispenser 20 is primarily, but not always, conical in shape so as to funnel the fertilizer therein through a dispenser tube 22 to which a fertilizer valve 30 is attached. Further, the fertilizer dispenser 20 has a top opening 23 through which fertilizer is added and on which a dispenser lid 24 is placed to serve as a cover. The dispenser lid 24 has a handle 25 used to place or remove the dispenser lid 24.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the irrigation valve 40 has a handle 41 on the top resting ora stem 42 attached to a body 43 that is primarily, but not always, cylindrical in shape. The body 43 has an irrigation hole 44 that extends from one side of the body 43 through the other in a straight direction. In addition, a feed hole 45 extends within the body 43 transversely to the irrigation hole 44. The feed hole 45 has a diameter that is smaller than that of the irrigation hole 44 and the feed hole 45 extends into the irrigation hole 44. Furthermore, a first o-ring is attached to the o-ring channel 46 around the top section of the body 43 while a second o-ring is attached around the bottom section of the body 43. Further, a plurality of latching feet 48 protrude downward from the bottom face of the body 43. Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, a nub 49 extends radially outward from the handle 41 to serve as a stopper against pegs 49a on the top shelf 17 that restricts rotation of the irrigation valve 40 so that the feed hole 45 does not align with the inlet fitting 50.

[0031] Hereinafter, an explanation on the methods of assembling the product of the present invention, the installation thereof to a tree, and the operating states thereof will be given.

[0032] For the assembly of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 of the present invention, the tree ring 10 is placed around a tree 200, preferably concentric to the tree, at a predetermined distance from the base of the trunk of the tree. Then the tree ring 10 is pushed down until the bottom section is buried in the ground and the grade level line indicator 11 is at ground or grade level. The ground piercing teeth 14 aid in the process of digging and burying the bottom section of the tree ring 10. The ground piercing teeth 14 have edges, as shown in FIG. 6, that facilitate in the process of digging and burying the bottom section of the tree ring 10.

[0033] Once the tree ring 10 is installed around the tree 200, the inlet fitting 50 is inserted into the outer end of the the through hole 55 from the outer side of the tree ring 10. Then the irrigation valve 40 is inserted into the valve hole 18 until the irrigation hole 44 aligns with the through hole 55 and the feed hole 45 aligns with the feed tube 21. Then the inner end of the through hole 55 located in the inner side of the tree ring 10 becomes the distribution hole 60 aligned and adjacent to the irrigation hole 44. Then the fertilizer dispenser 20 is attached to the tree ring 10 by inserting the dispenser tube 22 into the dispenser hole 19. Finally, an accessory, such as a light, can be inserted into the accessory hole 71.

[0034] After the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 is assembled and installed around a tree 200, a water supply hose 300 is connected to the inlet fitting 50 and the fertilizer dispenser 20 is filled with liquid fertilizer while the fertilizer valve 30 is in the off or closed position. Finally, the dispenser lid 24 is placed on the fertilizer dispenser 20 so as to serve as a lid or cover, as shown FIG. 7.

[0035] Finally, with the watering and fertilizing apparatus 100 of the present invention assembled, installed around a tree 200, and connected to a water supply 300, the water supply is turned on and the irrigation valve 40 is turned to the open or on position to allow the water flow from the inlet fitting 50 through the distribution hole 60 and around the base of the tree 200. Thereafter, the fertilizer valve 30 is turned to the open or on position so that the liquid fertilizer can flow through the dispenser tube 22 into the feed tube 21 such that the water flowing through the distribution fitting 60 siphons the liquid fertilizer and mixes it within the water flowing out around the base of the tree 200. The water and/or fertilizer being distributed on the tree 200 is controlled with the irrigation valve 40 and the fertilizer valve 30, respectively.

[0036] It is understood that the described embodiments of the present invention as discussed above are illustrative only, and that modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this invention is not to be regarded as limited to the embodiments disclosed, but to he limited only as defined by the appended claims herein.