초록 ▼

A planter system includes an adjustable height and angular orientation planter and an optionally adjustable irrigation system for controllably supplying water to the planter and/or surrounding terrain. The planter is configured to controllably travel up and down a vertical support, such as a section

A planter system includes an adjustable height and angular orientation planter and an optionally adjustable irrigation system for controllably supplying water to the planter and/or surrounding terrain. The planter is configured to controllably travel up and down a vertical support, such as a section of a planter pole or other suitable vertical support structure, from a highest to a lowest position using a pulley and winch, block and tackle, rotating shaft, continuous pulley driven belt, continuous sprocket driven chain, lead screw, ball screw, a ballast, hydraulics, pneumatics, spring or other lifting subsystem. The irrigation system may be configured to supply water to the planter and or to the surrounding terrain. The planter is carried along the pole, allowing it to be controllably rotated at any height along the travel.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A planter system comprising an adjustable height planter assembly, a hollow support structure having a top end and a bottom end, raising and lowering means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure along a continuum of heights, from a lowe

What is claimed is: 1. A planter system comprising an adjustable height planter assembly, a hollow support structure having a top end and a bottom end, raising and lowering means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure along a continuum of heights, from a lowest position to a highest position, tether assembly operably coupling the adjustable height planter assembly to the raising and lowering means, a pulley at a raised height, said tether assembly extending, within the hollow support, from said raising and lowering means over said pulley to said adjustable height planter assembly, said adjustable height planter assembly being suspended from the tether, and said raising and lowering means being configured to move the planter assembly along a continuum of heights, from a lowest position to a highest position by controllably adjusting the tether assembly from which the planter assembly is suspended, and said planter assembly comprising a planter container configured to hold contents comprising a plant in a growing medium, said planter container having substantially uncovered and remains substantially uncovered throughout the entire range of motion, including at the highest position, allowing the contents to be exposed to light and supplied water throughout the entire range of motion, and said planter assembly further comprising a drainage aperture, said drainage aperture being positioned and sized to automatically release from the planter assembly liquid accumulated in the planter container while contents are held in the planter container, and said planter system further comprising a plurality of rollers disposed between the hollow support structure and the planter assembly, said plurality of rollers maintaining a space between the hollow support structure and the planter assembly, protecting the hollow support structure from marring when the planter assembly moves relative to the hollow support structure, and facilitating movement of the planter assembly relative to the hollow support structure, and said planter system further comprising a locking assembly apart from the raising and lowering means, said locking assembly configured to releasably secure and hold the weight of the planter assembly at a locking height, said locking assembly comprising a fastener associated with the planter assembly and a corresponding aperture, at the locking height, associated with the hollow support structure, whereby, upon locking, the locking assembly prevents the planter assembly from moving below the locking height and, upon unlocking, the locking assembly allows the planter assembly to move relative to the support structure along a continuum of heights, from the highest position to the lowest position. 2. A planter system according to claim 1, means for moving the planter assembly relative to the hollow support structure comprising at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a winch operably coupled to said tether, said winch being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 3. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the hollow support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter assembly, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a winch operably coupled to said tether, said winch being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and a control means inside said hollow support structure, accessible from outside said hollow support structure, operably coupled to the winch and configured to control operation of said winch. 4. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter assembly, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a rotatable shaft operably coupled to said tether, said rotatable shaft being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 5. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter asssembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a rotatable shaft operably coupled to said tether, said rotatable shaft being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said rotatable shaft including a control means accessible outside the support structure. 6. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous pulley driven belt operably coupled to said tether, said continuous pulley driven belt being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 7. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter assembly, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous pulley driven belt operably coupled to said tether, said continuous pulley driven belt being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said continuous pulley driven belt including a control means accessible outside the support structure. 8. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter assembly, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous sprocket driven chain operably coupled to said tether, said continuous sprocket driven chain being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 9. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter assembly, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous sprocket driven chain operably coupled to said tether, said continuous sprocket driven chain being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said continuous sprocket driven chain including a control means accessible outside the support structure. 10. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a block and tackle lifting means adapted to raise said planter. 11. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether coupled to a ballast, said ballast being slidably contained in the support structure and configured to facilitate movement of the planter. 12. A planter system according to claim 1, further comprising an irrigation unit attached to the hollow support, said irrigation unit having an outlet at about the highest position, a solenoid valve controlling the supply of water to the irrigation unit, said irrigation unit automatically supplying water to the planter assembly in the highest position. 13. A planter system according to claim 12, said irrigation unit supplying water to surrounding terrain beyond the planter container. 14. A planter system according to claim 13, said irrigation unit comprising a pop-up sprinkler head configured to pop-up at the top end of said hollow support structure, and plumbing means for supplying water to said sprinkler head, said plumbing means being contained within said hollow support structure and including a fluid coupling configured for connection to an external water supply. 15. A planter system according to claim 12, further comprising, a base plate attached to the hollow support structure, a plurality support spikes configured to engage said base plate and be removably forced into underlying terrain for support, and a hose bib for fluidly coupling a water supply to said irrigation unit. 16. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the hollow support structure comprising at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a winch operably coupled to said tether, said winch being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said pulley, tether and winch being contained within the hollow support structure. 17. A planter system according to claim 16, said irrigation unit comprising a rotary sprinkler head at the top end of said support structure, and plumbing means for supplying water to said rotary sprinkler head, said plumbing means being contained within said support structure and including a fluid coupling configured for connection to an external water supply. 18. A planter system according to claim 16, said irrigation unit comprising a stationary sprinkler head at the top end of said support structure, and plumbing means for supplying water to said stationary sprinkler head, said plumbing means being contained within said support structure and including a fluid coupling configured for connection to an external water supply. 19. A planter system according to claim 1, said adjustable height planter assembly further comprising an adjustable height planter carriage, the planter container being rotatably supported by said planter carriage, said planter support being suspended from the tether. 20. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter support, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a rotatable shaft operably coupled to said tether, said rotatable shaft being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 21. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter support, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a rotatable shaft operably coupled to said tether, said rotatable shaft being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said rotatable shaft including a control means accessible outside the support structure. 22. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter support, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous pulley driven belt operably coupled to said tether, said continuous pulley driven belt being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 23. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter support, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous pulley driven belt operably coupled to said tether, said continuous pulley driven belt being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said continuous pulley driven belt including a control means accessible outside the support structure. 24. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter support, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous sprocket driven chain operably coupled to said tether, said continuous sprocket driven chain being adapted to retract and extend said tether. 25. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said tether being coupled to said planter support, at least one pulley defining the highest position, said pulley guiding said tether, a continuous sprocket driven chain operably coupled to said tether, said continuous sprocket driven chain being adapted to retract and extend said tether, and said continuous sprocket driven chain including a control means accessible outside the support structure. 26. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a block and tackle lifting means. 27. A planter system according to claim 19, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a tether coupled to a ballast, said ballast being slidably contained in the support structure and configured to facilitate movement of the planter support. 28. A planter system according to claim 19, said planter container being removable from said planter carriage. 29. A planter system according to claim 28, said means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a subsystem from the group consisting of a tether and pulley, a winch, a windlass, a block and tackle, a compression spring, an extension spring, a rack and pinion, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a lead screw assembly, a ball screw assembly and a ballast. 30. A planter system according to claim 29, further comprising an irrigation unit configured to supply water to the planter. 31. A planter system according to claim 29, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a plurality of components, and said planter system further comprising a raceway containing said plurality of components of said means for controllably adjusting the height of the planter relative to the vertical support, and said raceway being adapted for attachment to a signage support structure. 32. A planter system according to claim 29, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a plurality of components, and said planter system further comprising a raceway containing said plurality of components of said means for controllably adjusting the height of the planter relative to the vertical support, and said raceway being adapted for attachment to a wall. 33. A planter system according to claim 29, said planter further comprising a planting receptacle and a plurality of and planting pots in said planting receptacle. 34. A planter system according to claim 29, further comprising an irrigation unit configured to supply water to the surrounding terrain. 35. A planter system according to claim 29, further comprising an irrigation unit configured to supply water to the planter assembly and to surrounding terrain. 36. A planter system according to claim 35, said irrigation unit comprising a pop-up sprinkler head at the top end of said support structure, and plumbing means for supplying water to said pop-up sprinkler head, said plumbing means being contained within said vertical support and including a fluid coupling configured for connection to an external water supply. 37. A planter system according to claim 36, said planter carriage including a plurality of hangers configured to support a plurality of objects. 38. A planter system according to claim 1, said planter container containing a plurality of removable, replaceable and rotatable planter vessels, said planter vessels enabling segregation, independent removal and replacement and growth limitation, said planter container supporting said planter vessels in spaced apart relation, and insulation material provide in spaces between said planter vessels. 39. A planter system according to claim 1, further comprising a waterfall assembly including a reservoir at the bottom end of said hollow support structure, said planter container having a peripheral edge, said planter container being above the reservoir, and an irrigation unit configured to supply water through a pipe extending beyond the peripheral edge of the planter container, said reservoir being configured to catch water supplied through a pipe extending beyond the peripheral edge. 40. A planter system according to claim 1, said irrigation unit comprising an emitter from the group consisting of bubblers, sprayers and drippers. 41. A planter system according to claim 40, said irrigation unit comprising a rotary sprinkler head at the top end of said support structure, and plumbing means for supplying water to said rotary sprinkler head, said plumbing means being contained within said support structure and including a fluid coupling configured for connection to an external water supply. 42. A planter system according to claim 40, said irrigation unit comprising a stationary sprinkler head at the top end of said support structure, and plumbing means for supplying water to said stationary sprinkler head, said plumbing means being contained within said support structure and including a fluid coupling configured for connection to an external water supply. 43. A planter system according to claim 1, means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure comprising a subsystem from the group consisting of a tether and pulley, a winch, a windlass, a block and tackle, a compression spring, an extension spring, a rack and pinion, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a lead screw assembly, and a ballast. 44. A planter system according to claim 1, said means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the hollow support being electrically operated. 45. A planter system according to claim 44, and said planter system further comprising a photovoltaic subsystem operably coupled to said means for controllably moving the planter assembly, said photovoltaic subsystem comprising a photovoltaic panel operably coupled to a charging circuit, operably coupled to a battery. 46. A planter system comprising an adjustable height planter assembly, a raceway having a top end and a bottom end, raising and lowering means for controllably moving the planter assembly relative to the support structure along a continuum of heights, from a lowest position to a highest position, a tether assembly operably coupling the adjustable height planter assembly to the raising and lowering means, a pulley in said raceway structure, said tether assembly extending, within the raceway, from said raising and lowering means over said pulley to said adjustable height planter assembly, said adjustable height planter assembly being suspended from the tether, and said raising and lowering means being configured to move the planter assembly along a continuum of heights, from a lowest position to a highest position by controllably adjusting the tether assembly from which the planter assembly is suspended, and said planter assembly comprising a planter container configured to hold contents comprising a plant in a growing medium, said planter container having a top that is substantially uncovered and remains substantially uncovered throughout the entire range of motion, including at the highest position, allowing the contents to be exposed to light and supplied water throughout the entire range of motion, and said planter assembly further comprising a drainage aperture , said drainage aperture being positioned and sized to automatically release from the planter assembly liquid accumulated in the planter container while contents are held in the planter container, and said planter system further comprising a locking assembly apart from the raising and lowering means, said locking assembly configured to releasably secure and hold the weight of the planter assembly at a locking height, said locking assembly comprising a fastener associated with the planter assembly and a corresponding aperture, at the locking height, associated with the raceway structure, whereby, upon locking, the locking assembly prevents the planter assembly from moving below the locking height and, upon unlocking, the locking assembly allows the planter assembly to move relative to the support structure along a continuum of heights, from the highest position to the lowest position. 47. A planter system according to claim 46, said raceway being attached to a pole.