APPARATUS FOR HANGING OF A PLANT INSIDE OF A VASE OR POT

Abstract

An apparatus for the hanging of a small potted plant inside of a larger pot or a vase is provided. The apparatus has a plurality of adjustable horizontal arms which both rotate and telescopingly extend. The plurality of adjustable horizontal arms are secured to the underside of a main securing base which holds the smaller potted plant. Vertical securing arms with hooks are secured around the top rim/lip of the larger pot or vase.

Claims

1) An apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot comprising: a main securing base having a top and a bottom; a first horizontal arm located under the main securing base; a second horizontal arm located under the main securing base; a first vertical securing arm having a top and a bottom; a second vertical securing arm having a top and a bottom; and a first securing mechanism attached to the first vertical securing arm and a second securing mechanism attached to the second vertical securing arm wherein the first and the second securing mechanism are temporarily secured to a vase or pot.

2) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 wherein the first horizontal arm has a length and wherein the length of the first horizontal arm is adjustable.

3) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 wherein the second horizontal arm has a length and wherein the length of the second horizontal arm is adjustable.

4) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 wherein the first and the second securing mechanism of the first vertical securing arm and the second vertical securing arm are hooks.

5) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 wherein the first vertical securing arm and the second vertical securing arm are made of beads.

6) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 5 wherein the beads of the first vertical securing arm and the beads of the second vertical securing arm are secured within an opening slot of the first horizontal arm and the second horizontal arm.

7) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 further comprising: an opening in the main securing base wherein the opening of the main securing base receives a pin and wherein the pin secures the main securing base to the first horizontal arm and to the second horizontal arm.

8) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 further comprising: an opening in the first securing mechanism and an opening in the second securing mechanism wherein the opening of the first securing mechanism and the opening of the second securing mechanism each receive a pin and wherein the pin secures the securing mechanisms to a rim of the vase or pot.

9) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 wherein the first horizontal arm and the second horizontal arm rotate from a perpendicular orientation to a non-perpendicular orientation.

10) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 further comprising: a first unit of the first horizontal arm and a second unit of the first horizontal arm.

11) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 10 further comprising: an extended rectangular protrusion of the first unit of the first horizontal arm; and an elongated slot of the second unit of the first horizontal arm wherein the extended rectangular protrusion of the first unit of the first horizontal arm is locked into the elongated slot of the second unit of the first horizontal arm in a first orientation and not locked into the elongated slot of the second unit of the first horizontal arm in the second orientation.

12) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 11 wherein an overall length of the first horizontal arm is adjusted by sliding the extended rectangular protrusion of the first unit within the elongated slot of the second unit of the first horizontal arm.

13) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 further comprising: a locking mechanism located under the main securing base wherein the locking mechanism locks the first horizontal arm with respect to the second horizontal arm.

14) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 1 wherein the main securing base is circular.

15) The apparatus for the hanging of a plant within a vase or pot of claim 7 wherein the pin has a head and wherein the head of the pin rests flush with the top of the main securing base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for hanging of a potted plant inside of a larger pot or vase in an extended orientation in one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the device holding a potted plant within a larger pot or vase (the second planter).

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates perspective view of the bottom of the apparatus for hanging of a potted plant inside of a larger pot or vase.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one of the horizontal arms and one of the hanging vertical securing arms of the device.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the main securing base and the two horizontal arms.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded top view of one of the horizontal arms in one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded bottom view of the horizontal arm of FIG. 6.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of the main securing base and the two horizontal arms.

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates the two horizontal arms of the device.

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of the center of the main center securing base in one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates the horizontal arms of the main securing base rotated into a non-perpendicular orientation.

[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device hanging within a larger pot or vase.

[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device hanging within an alternative, larger pot or vase.

[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hook of the hanging vertical securing arm secured to the rim/lip of the larger pot or vase.

[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hook of the device in one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hook of the device in an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates the horizontal locking pin of the pivot pin.

[0028] FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative locking mechanism which is used to attach a first unit and a second unit of one of the horizontal arms wherein the first unit and the second unit are not yet locked together.

[0029] FIG. 19 illustrates the alternative locking mechanism of one of the horizontal arms of FIG. 18 in the locked orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] An apparatus for the hanging of a small potted plant inside of a larger pot or a vase is provided. The apparatus has a plurality of adjustable horizontal arms which both rotate and telescopingly extend. The plurality of adjustable horizontal arms are secured to the underside of a main securing base which holds the smaller potted plant. Vertical securing arms with hooks are secured around the top rim/lip of the larger pot or vase.

[0031] Referring now to the figures, an apparatus 1 for hanging of a potted plant 100 inside a larger pot or vase 280 is provided. The apparatus 1 may have a main securing base 10, at least a first horizontal arm 30 and a second horizontal arm 50. The apparatus 1 further has a plurality of vertical securing arms 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d. Preferably, the apparatus 1 is made of a durable material such as metal or plastic.

[0032] The main securing base 10 is preferably circular in shape. The main securing base 10 has a top 11, a bottom 12 and a diameter 13. The main securing base 10 has an opening 14 in the center of the main securing base 10. A pivot pint 15 is located within the opening 14 and secures the main securing base 10 to the first horizontal arm 30 and the second horizontal arm 50.

[0033] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the first horizontal arm 30 may have a first end unit 31, a center unit 32 and a second end unit 33. In an embodiment, the second horizontal arm 50 may have a first end unit 51, a center unit 52 and a second end unit 53. In an embodiment, the center unit 32 of the first horizontal arm 30 may be located between the first end unit 31 and the second end unit 33. In an embodiment, the center unit 52 of the second horizontal arm 50 may be located between the first end unit 51 and the second end unit 53. The center units 32, 52 may each be connected to their corresponding end units 31, 33, 51, 53.

[0034] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of vertical securing arms 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, may have a top end 61, a bottom end 62 and a length 63. A hook 65 (or other securing mechanism) may be located at the top end 61 of the securing arms 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d. In one embodiment, the hook 65 may have an opening 66 which receives a securing screw 300 (FIG. 14). The screw 300 allows a user to more securely secure the hook 65 to the upper lip 281 (FIG. 1) of the vase or pot 280. In one embodiment, the hook 65 may be replaced with alternative sized and shaped hooks 65. In particular, in this embodiment, the hook 65 may simply be the top portion of the securing arm 60 which may be selectively attached to the remainder of the securing arm 60 via beads 80 in a similar manner as the send end units 31, 33, 51 and 53 are attached to the beads 80 (as discussed below in more detail). The alternative shaped hooks 65 of the vertical securing arms 61a-d may be used depending on the type and shape of larger pot or vase 280 the present device 1 is used in connection with.

[0035] In one embodiment, the length 63 of the securing arms 60a-60d may be made of a plurality of beads 80. The plurality of beads 80 may be secured together so that the vertical securing arms 60a-60d are generally semi-rigid. The plurality of beads 80 may each have a diameter 81.

[0036] In an embodiment, the first end units 31, 51 and the second end units 33, 53 may have an opening slot 90 having a width 91. In an embodiment, the diameters 81 of each of the plurality of beads 80 may be greater than the width 91 of the opening slots 90 whereas the connection points 85 between any two of the plurality of beads 80 has a width less than the width 91 of the opening slots 90. As a result, a user may adjustably and selectively secure the securing arms 60a-60d to the first end units 31, 51 and second end units 33, 53 at the opening slots 90 as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a user selecting the lowest hanging point for the device 1; however, a user may insert any two adjacent beads 80 around the opening slots 90 at a location further up on the vertical securing arms 60a-60d as illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0037] In an embodiment, the vertical securing arms 60a-60d may be replaced with a generally cylindrical shaft as shown in FIGS. 14-16. In this embodiment, a shaft 390 of the vertical securing arms 60a-d may be secured into the opening slot 90 of the horizontal arms 30, 50 in a similar manner as the beads 80 of the securing arms 60a-60d of the embodiment of FIG. 1. A base 400 of the vertical securing arms 60a-60d may be used to support the horizontal arms 30, 50.

[0038] In one embodiment, the center units 32 and 52 of the horizontal arms 30, 50 may each have an elongated slot 120. The elongated slot 120 may receive a pin 121 attached to the first end units 31, 51 and second end units 51, 53. As a result, a user may slide the first end units 31, 51 and second end units 33, 53 inward or outward with respect to the main securing base 10. Moving the first end units 31, 51 and second end units 33, 53 inward or outward with respect to the main securing base 10 allows the overall diameter 200 (FIG. 1) of the device 1 to be increased or decreased, depending on the size of the potted plant 100 and the larger pot 280.

[0039] In an embodiment, the center pivot pin 15 may allow the first horizontal arm 30 to rotate with respect to the second horizontal arm 50. In particular, a user may move the horizontal arms 30, 50 from a generally perpendicular orientation with respect to each other (as shown in FIG. 9) to an alternative angle (as shown in FIG. 11). In the alternative angle configurations a user may more easily insert the potted plant 100 onto the main securing base 10 or, a user may leave the horizontal arms 30, 50 in the non-perpendicular orientation to hold the potted plant 100 depending on shape of the exterior larger pot or vase 280. For example, a user may use the device 1 to hang a potted plant 100 in an oval or rectangular pot or vase 280 wherein the non-perpendicular horizontal arm configuration is more effective.

[0040] In an embodiment, the bottom 12 of the main securing base 10 may have a locking mechanism 75. The locking mechanism 75 may have knurled edges 78 to allow a user to rotate the locking mechanism 75. The pivot pin 15 may allow the user to lock the locking mechanism 75 so that the first horizontal arm 30 and the second horizontal arm 50 are locked in the desired orientation (such as FIG. 9 or FIG. 11). For example, FIG. 11 illustrates the locking mechanism 75 securing the first horizontal arm 30 and the second horizontal arm 50 at approximately 60 degrees/120 degrees with respect to each other.

[0041] In an embodiment the pivot pin 15 may be a generally cylindrical pin with a head portion 67 (FIG. 17). The bottom of the pivot pin 15 may receive a locking horizontal pin 44 which locks the horizontal arms 30, 50 underneath the bottom 12 of the main securing base 10. More specifically, the horizontal arms 30, 50 and the main securing base 10 may be temporarily secured together via the horizontal pin 44 locking into a horizontal opening 45 of the pivot pin 15. In an embodiment the top 67 of the pivot pin 15 may rest flush with the top surface 11 of the main securing base 10 so that a potted plant 100 placed on the main securing base 10 does not wobble as a result of the top 67 of the pivot pin 15 extending above the top surface 11 of the main securing base 10.

[0042] To use the apparatus 1, a user first determines how far down the user wants the securing main securing base 10 of the apparatus 1 to hang with respect to the top of the hooks 65. In particular, if the interior pot 101 having the plant 100 is tall, the user may wish to have the main securing base 10 hang down from the hooks 65 lower so that the top 102 of the interior pot 101 is generally concealed by the larger exterior pot or vase 280. If the interior pot 101 having the plant 100 is short, the user may wish to have the center main securing base 10 be closer to the hooks 65 so that the plant 100 is properly displayed in the exterior larger pot or vase 280.

[0043] As stated above, a user may select the distance that the main securing base 10 hangs down from the hooks 65 by selecting precisely which beads 80 the user slides the opening slots 90 through (for the bead embodiment). Preferably, a user selects the same beads 80 on each securing arm 60a-60d so that the main securing base 10 is level. Once the user selects the distance the main securing base 10 will hang down from the top of the hooks 65, the user then may adjust the total length of the horizontal arms 30, 50 by sliding the first end units 31, 33 and the second end units 51, 53 with respect to the center units 32, 52. This will adjust the overall length 200 of each of the horizontal arms 30, 50. For an external pot or vase 280 having a large diameter rim/lip 281, the user will need to expand the overall length of the horizontal arms 30, 50. For an exterior pot or vase 280 having a smaller diameter rim/lip 281, a user telescopingly contracts the horizontal arms 30, 50 so that the hooks 65 fit over and lock onto the rim/lip 281 of the larger pot or vase 280.

[0044] In an embodiment, a user may also rotate the horizontal arms 30, 50 with respect to each other. In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal arms 30, 50 are roughly ninety degrees with respect to each other; however, a user may elect an alternative configuration depending on size and shape of the larger pot or vase 280 used (as shown in FIG. 11).

[0045] Finally, in an embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the horizontal arms 30, 50 of the device 1 may have an alternative locking mechanism other than the one shown in, for example, FIG. 3. In particular, in this alternative embodiment, the horizontal arms 30, 50 may have at least a first unit 600 and a second unit 601. The first unit 600 may have an extended rectangular protrusion 605 which may be placed within an elongated slot 602 of the second unit 601 and then rotated to lock the first unit 600 to the second unit 601. The extended rectangular protrusion 605 is first placed in the elongated slot 602 at a ninety degree angle. Once the extended rectangular protrusion 605 is in the elongated slot 602, the first unit 600 is rotated into a parallel orientation with respect to the second unit 602 (as shown in FIG. 19). The narrow width of the elongated slot 602 prevents the first unit 600 from becoming disengaged with the second unit 601 while the first unit 600 and the second unity 601 are in a parallel orientation of FIG. 19. In the parallel orientation (with one unit 600 being located over the other unit 601 as shown in FIG. 19) the first unit 600 may slide forward and backward with respect to the second unit 601 while the units 600, 601 are still secured to each other. As a result, the overall length of the horizontal arms 30, 50 may be adjusted. This embodiment of the horizontal arms 30, 50 may be used alternatively to the pin 121 and slot 120 mechanism of FIG. 3.

[0046] Although embodiments of the invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.