초록 ▼

An irrigation system that includes a carriage may move along a predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage supports one or more exit ports that are fed plant growth material by a pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands are configured and arranged to straddle the carria

An irrigation system that includes a carriage may move along a predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage supports one or more exit ports that are fed plant growth material by a pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands are configured and arranged to straddle the carriage as it moves along the predetermined path. The one or more plant stands form a chamber into which plant roots may extend, and into which the one or more exit ports are able to discharge their plant growth material. The one or more plant stands may include side panels and a cap to reduce infiltration of light and contaminants, and to enhance the plant root-plant growth material interface and absorption rates. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may include friction reducing elements that facilitate transverse movement. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may be supported by a modular framework.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A plant stand suitable for use with an irrigation system, the plant stand comprising: a. a first frame having a top member, opposing side members and a bottom member;b. a second frame having a top member, opposing side members and a bottom member, with the respective bottom members spaced apart f

1. A plant stand suitable for use with an irrigation system, the plant stand comprising: a. a first frame having a top member, opposing side members and a bottom member;b. a second frame having a top member, opposing side members and a bottom member, with the respective bottom members spaced apart from each other by a distance that is greater than a distance between the top members;c. a framework positioned on a flooring structure, wherein said framework includes first and second rails parallel with respect to one another, wherein said first and second rails are configured such that they are elevated from said flooring structure via said framework, and wherein the respective bottom members are engaged with said first and second rails such that said first and second frames are moveable with respect to said framework along a length of said first and second rails;d. a carriage including a body and a platform, wherein said platform is moveable between a first position and a second position in a reciprocal manner along a partial length of said first and second rails;e. a guide assembly arranged to constrainingly engage the carriage as it moves between the first and second positions, wherein the guide assembly is engaged with the framework and positioned between said first and second rails; and,f. a delivery arrangement having an intake portion and a discharge portion, wherein said discharge portion is operatively connected and arranged to conduct growth material from said intake portion to said discharge portion. 2. The plant stand of claim 1, further comprising a plant holder, with the plant holder secured to one of the first or second frames, and wherein the plant holder includes an aperture that is configured and arranged to allow a plant root to extend therethrough. 3. The plant stand of claim 1, further comprising a plant holder, with the plant holder secured to one of the first or second frames, and wherein the plant holder includes a pocket having an aperture, with the aperture configured and arranged to allow a plant root to extend therethrough. 4. The plant stand of claim 1, further comprising a plant holder, with the plant holder secured to one of the first or second frames, and wherein the plant holder is able to form a trough between the first and second side members of the frame to which it is secured. 5. The plant stand of claim 1, further comprising a cap, wherein the cap is configured and arranged to cover a gap that is formed between the top members of the first and second frames. 6. The plant stand of claim 1, further comprising a panel, with the panel configured and arrange to extend between side members of the first and second frames. 7. The plant stand of claim 1, further comprising a crossbar that extends between the opposing side members of at least one of the first and second frames, the crossbar configured and arranged to support a portion of a plant holder. 8. The plant holder of claim 2, wherein the holder comprises flexible, opaque material. 9. A framework suitable for use with an irrigation system, the framework comprising: a. a first sub-frame having a center post extending upward from a flooring structure;b. a second sub-frame having a center post extending upward from said flooring structure, with the second sub-frame spaced from the first sub-frame;c. a guide assembly connected to the center posts of the first and second sub-frames;d. a first rail and a second rail parallel with respect to one another, wherein said first and second rails are configured such that they are elevated from said flooring structure via said framework, and wherein side guide assembly is positioned between said first and second rails;e. a carriage including a body and a platform, wherein said platform is moveable between a first position and a second position in a reciprocal manner along a partial length of said first and second rails, wherein said guide assembly arranged to constrainingly engage said carriage as it moves between said first and second positions;f. a delivery arrangement having an intake portion and a discharge portion, wherein said discharge portion is operatively connected and arranged to conduct growth material from said intake portion to said discharge portion;g. a first frame having a top member, opposing side members and a bottom member, wherein said bottom member of said first frame is engaged with said first rail; and,h. a second frame having a top member, opposing side members and a bottom member, wherein said bottom member of said second frame is engaged with said second rail. 10. The framework of claim 9, wherein the guide assembly comprises crossbeams and a guide member, wherein a crossbeam is connected to each of the center posts of the sub-frames, wherein the guide member is connected to the crossbeams and wherein the guide member includes a carriage engagement portion. 11. The framework of claim 10, wherein the carriage engagement portion comprises a slot that extends along a longitudinal length of the guide member. 12. The framework of claim 9, wherein each sub-frame further comprises an outer post, with the outer post connected to the center post by a crossbar. 13. The framework of claim 9, wherein each sub-frame comprises an outer post, the framework further comprising a rail, wherein the rail is connected to the outer posts of the first and second sub-frames, and wherein the rail is substantially parallel to the guide assembly. 14. The framework of claim 12, wherein each sub-frame further comprises a second outer post, with the second outer post connected to the crossbar. 15. A carriage assembly suitable for used in an irrigation system, the carriage assembly comprising: a. a first carriage comprising a body having a platform with first and second surfaces, a first strut and a second strut, with the first and second struts being substantially parallel, and with the first and second struts generally orthogonal to a plane defined by the second surface of the platform, and with each of the first and second struts including at least one friction reducing element, wherein the at least one friction reducing element is configured and arranged to support the first carriage as it is moved from a first position to a second position;b. a second carriage comprising a body having a platform with first and second surfaces, a first strut and a second strut, with the first and second struts being substantially parallel, and with the first and second struts generally orthogonal to a plane defined by the second surface of the platform, and with each of the first and second struts including at least one friction reducing element, wherein the at least one friction reducing element is configured and arranged to support the second carriage as it is moved from a first position to a second position;c. a link, wherein the link operatively connects the first carriage and the second carriage together such that the first and second carriages are able to move concurrently;d. a framework supporting said first and second carriage and engaging said first and second carriage such that said first and second carriage are moveable along a partial length of said framework, said framework comprising: i. a first sub-frame having a center post extending upward from a flooring structure;ii. a second sub-frame having a center post extending upward from said flooring structure, with the second sub-frame spaced from the first sub-frame;iii. a guide assembly connected to the center posts of the first and second sub-frames; andiv. a first rail and a second rail parallel with respect to one another, wherein said first and second rails are configured such that they are elevated from said flooring structure via said framework, and wherein side guide assembly is positioned between said first and second rails. 16. The carriage assembly of claim 15, wherein the link is a beam. 17. The carriage assembly of claim 15, wherein the link is a tube. 18. The carriage assembly of claim 15, wherein the link is a portion of a plant growth material delivery arrangement. 19. The carriage assembly of claim 15, wherein at least one platform is configured and arranged to support a discharge portion of a plant growth material delivery arrangement. 20. The carriage assembly of claim 15, wherein one of the struts of one of the first or second carriages further comprises an extension, wherein the extension has an end portion to which one end of a connecting element may be attached.