초록 ▼

A hydroponic growing unit having a base shaped to hold liquid, the outer periphery of the base defined by an outer, vertical base wall. The unit has a vertical plant support wall forming a generally annular enclosure, the support wall mounted on the wall of the base to extend above the base and to e

A hydroponic growing unit having a base shaped to hold liquid, the outer periphery of the base defined by an outer, vertical base wall. The unit has a vertical plant support wall forming a generally annular enclosure, the support wall mounted on the wall of the base to extend above the base and to enclose space above the base. There is at least one opening in the support wall providing access to the enclosed space and to the inner surface of the support wall. The opening is normally closed by at least one wall panel forming part of the support wall. The unit has vertical light means mounted in the center of the annular enclosure. Planting block support means are arranged on the inner surface of the support wall near the top and planting blocks, in which plants are planted, are mounted on the support means in a circle to have the plants face the central light means. A watering member is associated with each support means to provide water, pumped from the base, to the top of each block mounted on the support means.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A hydroponic growing unit having: a base, the outer periphery of the base defined by an outer, vertical, base wall, the base shaped to hold liquid; a vertical, plant support wall mounted on the base wall to extend above the base and to enclose a cylindrical space above the base, at leas

I claim: 1. A hydroponic growing unit having: a base, the outer periphery of the base defined by an outer, vertical, base wall, the base shaped to hold liquid; a vertical, plant support wall mounted on the base wall to extend above the base and to enclose a cylindrical space above the base, at least one opening in the support wall providing access to the enclosed space and to the inner surface of the support wall; the support wall having at least one wall panel movable to selectively open or close the opening, the remainder of the support wall stationary on the base; and spaced-apart, mounting means, for use in mounting growing plants in the unit, on the inner surface of the support wall, including the wall panel wherein all the mounting means are located near the top of the support wall and arranged in a circle about the support wall. 2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base is in the shape of an annular trough, the trough having inner and outer vertical side walls and a bottom wall joining the side walls with the outer side wall of the trough forming the base wall. 3. A unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the trough has a well formed therein for collecting the liquid in the trough, the well sized to receive a pump for pumping liquid from the well. 4. A unit as claimed in claim 1 including a watering inlet associated with each mounting means, each watering inlet supported by the top of the support wall and connected via tubing, and a pump in the well, to the liquid in the base. 5. A unit claimed in claim 1 including a watering inlet associated with each mounting means, each watering inlet supported by the of the support wall and connected via tubing, and pump in the well, to the liquid in the base. 6. A unit as claimed in claim 1 including a growing block suspended from each mounting means, the block comprising plant growing material encased in a cover, the block extending generally over the height of the support wall and having an inner surface facing inwardly toward the center of the support wall, the cover on the inner surface having openings providing access to the growing material within the cover, the openings permitting the plants to be planted in the growing material. 7. A unit as claimed in claim 1 including a growing block suspended from each mounting means, the block comprising plant growing material encased in a cover, the block extending generally over the height of the support wall and having an inner surface facing inwardly toward the center of the support wall, the cover on the inner surface having openings providing access to the growing material within the cover, the openings permitting the plants to be planted in the growing material. 8. A unit as claimed in, claim 1 wherein the support wall has two diametrically opposed openings therein, each opening closed by two end wall panels, each end wall panel hinged to the support wall, the end wall panels forming part of the support wall when closed. 9. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support wall has two diametrically opposed openings therein, each opening closed by two end wall panels, each end wall panel hinged to the support wall, the end wall panels forming part of the support wall when closed. 10. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base is in the shape of an annular trough, the trough having inner and outer vertical side walls and a bottom wall joining the side walls with the outer side wall of the trough forming the base wall. 11. A unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the trough has a well formed therein for collecting the liquid in the trough, the well sized to receive a pump for pumping liquid from the well. 12. A unit as claimed in claim 1 including lighting means mounted on the unit in-the axial center of the cylindrical space. 13. A unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein the lighting means has a light source, the light source comprising transparent tube open at both ends, the transparent tube having a light source at each end, and light source support means at each end, the light source support means being open to pass air through the lighting means. 14. A unit as claimed in claim 13 including a ventilating fan at the bottom of the tube for drawing air into the tube to heat it and to cool the light sources, the air emerging from the top of the tube into the enclosure to provide heat to the plants growing in the enclosure. 15. A unit as claimed in claim 13, including a top light support mounted on the top of the air support wall and supporting the top end of the tube centrally within the support wall. 16. A unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein the lighting means comprises a transparent light tube open at both the top and bottom, and at least one light source in the tube. 17. A unit as claimed in claim 16 including a ventilating fan at the bottom of the tube for drawing air into the tube to heat the air and to cool the light source, the emerging from the top of the tube into the cylindrical space to provide heat to plants growing in the growing blocks within the space. 18. A unit as claimed in claim 1 including lighting means mounted on the unit in the axial center of the cylindrical space. 19. A unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein the lighting means comprises a transparent light tube open at both the top and bottom, and at least one light source in the tube. 20. A unit as claimed in claim 19 including a ventilating fan at the bottom of the tube for drawing air into the tube to heat the air and to cool the light source, the air emerging from the top of the tube into the cylindrical space to provide heat to plants growing in the growing blocks within the space.