IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0923051
(2004-08-23)
|
등록번호 |
US-7458475
(2008-12-02)
|
우선권정보 |
CA-2444459(2003-10-15) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
25 인용 특허 :
15 |
초록
▼
A modular, tree-like structure for holding or hanging potted plants is suitable as an indoor flower/herbs stand. A base on casters supports a height adjustable central stem. The central stem is assembled using a coupling device having means rotatably connecting a plurality of branch arms with bracke
A modular, tree-like structure for holding or hanging potted plants is suitable as an indoor flower/herbs stand. A base on casters supports a height adjustable central stem. The central stem is assembled using a coupling device having means rotatably connecting a plurality of branch arms with brackets, or flower basket hooks, for supporting a plurality of potted plants in a horizontally tiered arrangement and un-obstructing tree configuration. The combination of various length/size brackets in a multi-tier arrangement which can rotate independent from the central stem, allows for an increased number of potted plants to be adequately displayed on a given floor surface.
대표청구항
▼
I claim: 1. In a display tree-like structure of the type having a stem made of a plurality of end-to-end connected stem elements and a plurality of branches for holding objects, a multi-purpose coupling device for connecting two consecutive stem elements, comprising: a stem connector having a lower
I claim: 1. In a display tree-like structure of the type having a stem made of a plurality of end-to-end connected stem elements and a plurality of branches for holding objects, a multi-purpose coupling device for connecting two consecutive stem elements, comprising: a stem connector having a lower plug and an upper plug joined by a stopping ring, said stopping ring extending at the exterior of said stem connector between said plugs; a first branch support comprising a smaller base and a larger base connected by an inner and an outer wall, said outer wall defining a frusto-conical body, said inner wall forming an axially aligned cylindrical bore, said first branch support further comprising a friction ring extending radially inwardly within said axially aligned cylindrical bore and comprising a first and a second friction surface, wherein said first friction surface is defined in a mating plane containing said larger base and is configured to engage said stopping ring of said stem connector while allowing rotation of said first branch support about said stem connector, a plurality of branch arm connectors; and a plurality of V-shaped slots and associated pockets formed in said frusto-conical body for receiving the branch arm connectors supporting said plurality of branches. 2. The coupling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a stem element having an internal diameter configured to receive at least a portion of said stem connector, wherein each plug has a tapered outer wall and an annular cross-section increasing towards said stopping ring until an external diameter D is provided proximate to said stopping ring, , the diameter D being substantially equal to the internal diameter of said stem element wherein at least a portion of said stopping ring is configured to engage with said stem element when said stem connector is received in said stem element. 3. The coupling device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each plug comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs. 4. The coupling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axially aligned cylindrical bore has a diameter D2, and is sized to slide over said upper plug until a friction surface of said friction ring becomes in registry with a contact surface of said stopping ring. 5. The coupling device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said friction ring is formed adjacent to said large base and has a diameter D3 less than D2 and D3 greater than D, and wherein a diameter D1 of said stopping ring is smaller than said diameter D2 for enabling rotation of said branch support around said stem. 6. The coupling device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a second branch support mounted on top of and in symmetry with said first branch support. 7. The coupling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein respective V-shaped slots on said first and second branch supports receive one branch arm connector in associated opposite pockets, whereby said branch connector provides a safety lock for said coupling device. 8. The coupling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of V-shaped slots provide access to the associated pocket for each branch arm connector. 9. The coupling device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tips of the plurality of V-shaped slots are directed towards the associated pocket. 10. The coupling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of branch arm connectors have a body and a shoe, said shoe integrally formed with said body and sized to snap fit into said associated pocket. 11. In a display tree-like structure of the type having a stem made of a plurality of end-to-end connected stem elements and a plurality of branches for holding objects, a multi-purpose coupling device for connecting two consecutive stem elements, comprising: a stem connector having a lower plug and an upper plug joined by a stopping ring, said stopping ring extending at the exterior of said stem connector between said plugs; a first branch support comprising a smaller base and a larger base connected by an inner and an outer wall, said outer wall defining a frusto-conical body, said inner wall forming an axially aligned cylindrical bore defined by an inner wall, a friction ring extending radially inwardly within said axially aligned cylindrical bore configured to engage said stopping ring of said stem connector while allowing rotation of said first branch support about said stem connector, a plurality of branch arm connectors; a plurality of V-shaped slots and associated pockets formed in said frusto-conical body for receiving the branch arm connectors supporting said plurality of branches; and a stem element having an internal diameter configured to receive at least a portion of said stem connector, wherein each plug has a tapered outer wall and an annular cross-section increasing towards said stopping ring until an external diameter D is provided proximate to said stopping ring, the diameter D being substantially equal to the internal diameter of said stem element such that at least a portion of said stopping ring is configured to engage with said stem element when said stem connector is received in said stem element, wherein said axially aligned cylindrical bore has a diameter D2, and is sized to slide over said upper plug until a friction surface of said friction ring becomes in registry with a contact surface of said stopping ring. 12. The coupling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein each plug comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs. 13. The coupling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said friction ring is formed adjacent to said large base and has a diameter D3 less than D2 and D3 greater than D, and wherein a diameter D1 of said stopping ring is smaller than said diameter D2 for enabling rotation of said branch support around said stem. 14. The coupling device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said plurality of V-shaped slots provide access to the associated pocket for each branch arm connector. 15. The coupling device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tips of the plurality of V-shaped slots are directed towards the associated pocket. 16. The coupling device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of branch arm connectors have a body and a shoe, said shoe integrally formed with said body and sized to snap fit into said associated pocket. 17. The coupling device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a second branch support mounted on top of and in symmetry with said first branch support. 18. The coupling device as claimed in claim 17, wherein respective V-shaped slots on said first and second branch supports receive one branch arm connector in associated opposite pockets, whereby said branch connector provides a safety lock for said coupling device. 19. In a display tree-like structure of the type having a stem made of a plurality of end-to-end connected stem elements and a plurality of branches for holding objects, a multi-purpose coupling device for connecting two consecutive stem elements, comprising: a stem connector having a lower plug and an upper plug joined by a stopping ring, said stopping ring extending at the exterior of said stem connector between said plugs; a first branch support comprising a smaller base and a larger base connected by an inner and an outer wall, said outer wall defining a frusto-conical body, said inner wall forming an axially aligned cylindrical bore defined by an inner wall, a friction ring extending radially inwardly within said axially aligned cylindrical bore, wherein said axially aligned cylindrical bore has a diameter D2 sized to slide over said upper plug until a friction surface of said friction ring becomes in registry with a contact surface of said stopping ring while allowing rotation of said first branch support about said stem connector, a second branch support mounted on top of and in symmetry with said first branch support; a plurality of branch arm connectors; and a plurality of V-shaped slots and associated pockets formed in said frusto-conical body for receiving the branch arm connectors supporting said plurality of branches, wherein said friction ring is formed adjacent to said large base and has a diameter D3 less than D2 and D3 greater than D, and wherein a diameter D1 of said stopping ring is smaller than said diameter D2 for enabling rotation of said branch support around said stem. 20. The coupling device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a stem element having internal diameter configured to receive at least a portion of said stem connector, wherein each plug has a tapered outer wall and an annular cross-section increasing towards said stopping ring until an external diameter D is provided proximate to said stopping ring, the diameter D being substantially equal to the internal diameter of said stem element such that at least a portion of said stopping ring is configured to engage with said stem 21. The coupling device as claimed in claim 20, wherein each plug comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs. 22. The coupling device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said plurality of V-shaped slots provide access to the associated pocket for each branch arm connector. 23. The coupling device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the tips of the plurality of V-shaped slots are directed towards the associated pocket. 24. The coupling device as claimed in claim 23, wherein each of said plurality of branch arm connectors have a body and a shoe, said shoe integrally formed with said body and sized to snap fit into said associated pocket. 25. The coupling device as claimed in claim 19, wherein respective V-shaped slots on said first and second branch supports receive one branch arm connector in associated opposite pockets, whereby said branch connector provides a safety lock for said coupling device.
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