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[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/378,659, filed May 9, 2002.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to planters. More particularly, the present invention relates to decorative planters for use in a pond.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Decorative planters for a garden scape are common. It is also common to have water features such as fountains and ponds. Some ponds have fish kept therein for decorative purposes or, in larger ponds for fishing. Fixed decorative planters are commonly used around the pond or on islands in the pond. The landscaping effort and cost are significant to build such a garden scape. It would be desirable to provide a decorative floating island which has facilities for displaying live plants thereon and which can be retrieved for plant replacement. It would also be desirable if that floating island provided cover for small breed and recently hatched fish to protect them from being eaten by mature fish until they reach a larger size. It would further be desirable if that floating island included water-oxygenating plants which may serve as cover for fish. It would also be desirable if the floating island had a natural appearance with simulated rocks, moss, and recesses for amphibians such as frogs and newts.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,108, issued Nov. 17, 1998, to Scheuer, describes a floating planter box with stabilizing means and a suspended anchoring device. The planter box holds soil for planting.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,755, issued Jul. 11, 2000, to Tepper, describes a floating biofiltration system where netting is secured to the bottom of the floating structure to contain both the filtration plant and the fish that will feed off it.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,670,571, issued Mar. 2, 1954, to Waldron, describes a plant growing structure wherein the plants used in the structure are interchangeable.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,094, issued Dec. 14, 1993, to Wolverton et al., also describes a plant growing structure wherein the plants used in the structure are interchangeable and has the function of water purification.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,588, issued Dec. 11, 1984, to Lewis, III, et al., describes a hanging netted structure for holding pots of aquatic plants to be cultivated.
[0011] Japanese Patent No JP6,178,626, Published Jun. 28, 1994, and granted to Hayamizu Kazuhiko, describes a moored raft on water having vegetating terrestrial plants, locating the upper parts of the roots in a space between the base of the raft and the water surface and immersing the lower parts of the roots in water, whereby cultivation takes place.
[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
[0013] The present invention is a decorative floating planter simulating an island with recesses for above-water pot holders and a floating underside support from which hangers for a pot for an oxygenating underwater plant and a protective netting for surrounding the underwater plant are hung. The upper pot holders allow for seasonal changing of the plants by replacing the pots in their cavities. The pots may have either closed bottoms or bottoms with centrally located holes. The island may have passageways downward through the island structure to open into the water, allowing roots from plants in pots with bottom holes to reach into the water. Cavities are formed in the island which function as “Frog Huts” for amphibious creatures.
[0014] The floating planter is made of a closed cell plastic foam and can be decorated with signs moss, and other structures shaped and colored to simulate an island paradise. There is a lower structure secured to the underside of the floating planter which adds stability to the upper island and for optionally suspending an oxygenating plant and for providing a haven for newly hatched fish. The lower structure has a rectangular support made of plastic pipe which serves as additional floatation. A closed netting is suspended from the rectangular support and surrounds the pot and oxygenating plant so as to keep larger fish from its interior. The plant pot is suspended from the rectangular support by hangers. The netting has a drawstring at its lowest point to allow access to the pot. A weight such as a rock is placed within the netting area for added stability and the draw string pulled tight to close the netting during use.
[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a floating decorative planter for displaying seasonal decorative plants in a water or pond setting.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a decorative planter as above which resembles an island.
[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a decorative planter as above which has simulated moss, natural coloring, and provides recessed areas for amphibious creatures such as frogs.
[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide a decorative planter as above having an understructure giving additional floatation to the floating island and supporting an oxygenating plant and pot.
[0019] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a decorative planter as above having a suspended netting surrounding the oxygenating plant to protect fish hatchlings from larger fish while the plant provides cover for the hatchlings.
[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
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[0029] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
[0030] The primary purpose of the invention is to provide a floating planter for the display of tropical and annual flowering plants in water gardens and fish ponds. Additionally, the planter provides shelter for amphibians, shade for the pond, and attractive breeding environment for fish and a safe haven for new hatchlings.
[0031] The present invention is a decorative floating planter simulating a floating tropical island with recesses for above-water pot holders and a floating underside support from which hangers for a pot for an oxygenating underwater plant and a protective netting for surrounding the underwater plant depend. The upper pot holders allow for seasonal changing of the plants by replacing the pots in their cavities. The pots may have either closed bottoms or bottoms with centrally located holes. The island may have passageways downward through the island structure to open into the water, allowing roots from plants in pots with bottom holes to reach into the water. Cavities are formed in the island which function as “Frog Huts” for amphibious creatures. The floating planter is made of a closed cell plastic foam and can be decorated with signs, moss, and other structures shaped and colored to simulate an island paradise. The oxygenating plant acts as cover for fish hatchlings while the netting excludes larger fish.
[0032] Referring to
[0033] Referring to FIGS.
[0034] Referring to
[0035] Net
[0036] The island
[0037] The inventive island paradise planter enables the user to have a variety of non-aquatic annual flowering plants along with aquatic plants in a pond or water garden. The planter pots are easily removable for seasonal plantings. Preferably, annual or tropical plants are contained in the removable pots. Examples of such plants are Impatien's, Begonia's and Geraniums. The island provides shade for a pond, which helps prevent algae growth and provides for oxygenation of the water by the submersible plant. The island provides shelter for amphibians such as frogs, newts, etc. The oxygenating plant and net create a desirable place for fish spawning and a safe haven for fish hatchlings. An example of an appropriate oxygenating plant useful in the present invention is the Anacharis plant.
[0038] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.