Terrarium Lid Spacer

Abstract

Improvements in a space for a terrarium or clone propagation enclosure that allows for displacement to provide even horizontal air flow between the lid and the propagation enclosure. The spaces are configured for installation on the top corners of the enclosure and creates an intermediate environment. With the installation of the spacer(s), the plants are provided with an initial exposure to the future growth environment when the dome is removed to improve adaptation to the drier, more windy conditions, causing them little to no stress when the dome is removed. The spacers can be stacked to increase the air gap between the lid and the enclosure. The lid spacers fit within the lid to retain the lid and minimize side-to-side movement. It also allows for a more stable structure if multiple stacked growing chambers are transported or used with the spacers installed.

Claims

1. A terrarium lid spacer comprising: a perpendicular walled structure; each side of the perpendicular walled structure having a front wall and a back wall connected by a saddle; each front wall and back wall being spaced to accept a tray between said front wall, said back wall and said saddle therein between; above said saddle is a head feature that connects each said perpendicular saddle; said head feature being sized to approximate a dimension between said front wall and said back wall; said head being sized to accept and support a lid on an outside of said head and above said saddle.

2. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, that is configured to provide an air gap between said tray and said lid.

3. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, wherein said perpendicular walled structure is configured to engage on a corner of said tray.

4. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, is constructed from plastic.

5. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 4, is injection molded.

6. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, further includes at least one indicium.

7. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 6, wherein said indicium is a lightning bolt.

8. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, wherein a dimension between an inside of said front wall and said back wall provides an interference fit to said tray.

9. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, further includes a corner opening between said perpendicular sections.

10. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 9, wherein said corner opening allows for air flow through said perpendicular walled structure.

11. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, further includes at least a second spacer stacked on top of said spacer.

12. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, further includes four spacers, wherein each spacer is paced on a perpendicular corner of said tray.

13. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 2, wherein said air gap is greater than 0.001 inches.

14. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 2, wherein a single spacer creates and air gap of between ⅛ inch and 1 inch.

15. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, further includes a shoulder above said saddle.

16. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 15, wherein said shoulder is configured to support said lid.

17. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, wherein said lid further includes at least one vent.

18. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 17, provides air flow into said air gap and out of said at least one vent.

19. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, wherein said tray provides a propagation chamber for growing clones.

20. The terrarium lid spacer according to claim 1, is configured to support said spacer on top of two perpendicular walls of said tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a clone tray with a dome that is elevated on multiple terrarium lid spacers.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the terrarium lid spacer.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the terrarium lid spacer.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the terrarium lid spacer.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the terrarium lid spacer.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of three stacked terrarium lid spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

[0027] While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the technology. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0028] It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters.

Item Numbers and Description

[0029] 10 propagation dome 11 tray

[0030] 12 lid 14 lower lip

[0031] 15 upper lip 16 lid side wall

[0032] 17 upper vents 20 terrarium lid spacer

[0033] 21 back wall

[0034] 22 front wall 23 back wall

[0035] 24 front wall 30 head

[0036] 31 outer wall radius 32 shoulder.

[0037] 33 inner wall radius 34 saddle

[0038] 35 top 40 indicia

[0039] 90 flow through 92 height

[0040] 93 upper head 94 saddle portion

[0041] 95 corner gap 96 width

[0042] 97 gap 98 air flow

[0043] 99 air gap 100 void.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a clone tray with a dome that is elevated air gap 99 on multiple terrarium lid spacers 20 placed on the corners of the growing chamber 10. The spacer(s) 20 fits onto the corners of a clone tray to support the propagation dome 12 above the tray 11, thereby creating an air gap 99. The air gap 99 allows air flow 98 into, flow through 90 and gently up through the clones and out the upper vents 17 and / or out the side of the growing chamber 10, creating an intermediate environment that affords the clones more acclimatization before the dome 12 is removed completely. The clones experience less shock, taking less time to become mature plants, saving vegetative time and energy. The air gap 99 is a minimum of 0.001 inches and is preferably between ⅛ inch and 1 inch.

How the Terrarium Lid Spacer Works

[0045] One terrarium lid spacer 20 is placed on each of the four corners of the upper lip 14 of the clone tray 11. The spacers 20 can be stacked (shown and described in other figures) to create a larger gap for clones made from taller cuttings. The spacers 20 are designed so the side wall 16 of the lid 12 fits and sits on the lower lip 15 of the lid. The spacer 20 has a lower portion that simulates the lid lip 15 and an upper portion that simulates the upper lip 14 of the tray.

How to Use the Terrarium Lid Spacer

[0046] As the cuttings develop roots, they no longer rely on their stems and leaves to hydrate, so dome vents 17 are slowly opened more and more each day until they are completely open. After the dome vents 17 have been fully opened for 24 hours, the spacers 20 are installed to create an air gap 99 between the tray 11 and propagation dome 12. With the dome vents 17 fully open, it is too humid and there is zero air movement inside the dome 12. The new clones aren’t prepared for a windier, drier environment and show signs of stress when the dome 12. is removed. After 48 hours of acclimatization, the propagation dome 12 can safely be removed, and the rooted clones are ready for transplant immediately. Using the spacer creates healthier, stronger clones.

[0047] While this figure shows four spacers 20 placed on all four corners, two or three spacers 20 could be used to support the dome 12. It is further contemplated that two spacers could be placed on one side to set the dome 12 at an angle, or a single spacer 20 could be used with diminished performance.

[0048] It is also contemplated that the spacer 20 could be designed to fit only along the elongated sides to space the dome 12, but this embodiment would result in a less stable spacer.

[0049] [ 53] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the terrarium lid spacer 20. This view is looking into the corner where the spacer 20 would bridge perpendicular sides of the propagation dome (not shown). The spacer 20 is configured to straddle the perpendicular walls of the tray where the walls of the tray (not shown) would pass through the gap(s) 97. The walls of the tray would be restrained between the back walls 21 / 23 and the front walls 22/ 24 of the spacer 20. The gap 97 between the front walls 22 / 24 and back walls 21 /23 provides a clearance or a slight interference fit to the tray walls. A slight interference fit helps retain the spacer 20 if the propagation dome is moved or bumped. Between the front walls 22 / 24 and the back walls 21 / 23 is a saddle 34 that is configured to rest on the top edge of tray (not shown). The edge of the tray will sit and be secured in the saddle portion 94 of the spacer 20. Above the saddle portion 94 is an upper head 93.

[0050] The upper head 93 has a head 30 that is shaped to approximate the upper edge of the tray. The head 30 allows the dome (not shown) to be elevated by approximately the height of the head 30 to allow air to flow into the propagation dome from any direction around the propagation dome. The top 35 has a width 96 that approximates the width of the tray. At a top 35 of the spacer 20 is a wall that connection and supports the perpendicular bridge sections with an outer radius 31 and an inner wall radius 33. A shoulder 32 provides a width transition between the saddle portion 94 and the upper head 93. At the perpendicular transition is a corner gap 95 with a void 100 that also allows for air passage. The void 100 extends from inside the spacer 20 to outside of the spacer 20.

[0051] The spacer 20 is preferably injection molded from plastic, but other materials and manufacturing methods are contemplated based upon manufacturing requirements and cost considerations.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the terrarium lid spacer 20, FIG. 4 shows a front view of the terrarium lid spacer 20 and FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the terrarium lid spacer 20. These collective plan views and sectional view provides a between understanding of the construction of the spacer 20. From the top plan view, broken lines have been included to show the wall thicknesses. The shoulder 32 on the perpendicular arms extend outside of the inner wall radius 33 and the outside wall radius 31. This view also shows indicia 40 extending from the sides of the spacer 20. While some figures show a “lighting bolt” indicia, other shapes are contemplated based upon ownership or customization. The top plan view shows that the two perpendicular sides have gap(s) 97 where the walls of the tray (not shown) can pass and be stabilized by the two perpendicular walls of the tray.

[0053] Referring to the side and sectional views the gap 97 where the wall of the tray can pass between the back wall 21 and the front wall 22 / 24 is more visible. The bridge transition between the perpendicular walls is shown between the top 35 and the bottom of the inner wall radius 33. The void 100 or corner clearance is shown at the intersection of the perpendicular components or wings. The sectional view shows the overall height 92 of the spacer 20 along with the head 30 in the upper head 93 section above the saddle portion 94.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of three stacked terrarium lid spacer 20, 20A and 20B. Because the spacer(s) 20 are configured to approximate the upper lip 14 of the tray 11 and the lid 12 side wall 16 one or a plurality stack of spacer(s) 20 can be utilized to obtain the desired air between the tray 11 and the lid 12 with the outer upper lip 15 resting on the shoulder 32 of the uppermost spacer 20. Each spacer 20 provides an air gap of approximately the upper head 93, and this figure the air gap 99 is approximately 3 times the dimension of the upper head 93 that is less than the overall height 92 of each individual space 20.

[0055] While this figure shows three stacked spacers 20, there could as few as one spacer 20 to provide a gap for air flow to two spacers 20, three spacers 20 or more depending upon the user preference. After using the spacers 20 they can be reused, or removed and used on another propagation dome.

[0056] While the spacer 20 is shown for a rectangular tray with perpendicular wall, the spacer can be configured for radiused wall trays or round trays.

[0057] Thus, specific embodiments of a terrarium lid spacer have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0058] Not Applicable.