US20170013794A1 - Plant growing heavy weight bearing support assembly - Google Patents
Plant growing heavy weight bearing support assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20170013794A1 US20170013794A1 US15/218,659 US201615218659A US2017013794A1 US 20170013794 A1 US20170013794 A1 US 20170013794A1 US 201615218659 A US201615218659 A US 201615218659A US 2017013794 A1 US2017013794 A1 US 2017013794A1
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- Prior art keywords
- platform
- posts
- support assembly
- elongated
- bottom platform
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
- A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
- A01G31/06—Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/12—Supports for plants; Trellis for strawberries or the like
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
- Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
- Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to indoor farming, and more particularly, is concerned with a high load-bearing modular support assembly for enabling and facilitating flexible, scalable and dynamic, hydroponic and/or aeroponic indoor vertical farming.
- the present invention is directed to an innovation that overcomes the aforementioned, as-of-yet unsolved, deficiencies and problems, via the provision of a high weight-bearing plant growing support assembly, apparatus and system enabling and facilitating a flexible and scalable dynamic indoor vertical farming system, which will foster revitalization of abandoned and/or inactive commercial and residential buildings.
- a plant growing support assembly includes:
- the plant growing support apparatus include:
- the plant growing support apparatus includes:
- FIG. 1 presents a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a plant growing apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention
- FIG. 2 presents a bottom isometric view of the apparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 presents a side elevation view of the apparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1 , illustrating examples of positions to which a load-bearing intermediate platform of the apparatus can be manually raised or lowered;
- FIG. 4 presents a side elevation view of the apparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1 , illustrating an example of a position to which a light-bearing top platform of the apparatus can be lowered by concurrent operation of a pair of height control mechanisms;
- FIG. 5 presents a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a plant growing system in accordance with another aspect of the present invention
- FIG. 6 presents another top isometric view of the system originally introduced in FIG. 5 , the system being illustrated at an orientation rotated ninety degrees from that in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 presents a bottom isometric view of the system as originally introduced in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 8 presents an top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of plant grow cells of the plant growing system.
- FIG. 9 presents a diagram of the cooperative relationship between the operational components of the systems of FIGS. 5 and 8 .
- the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.
- the plant growing apparatus 100 includes a plant growing support assembly 102 , according to another aspect of the present invention, and a pair of height control mechanisms 104 incorporated with the support assembly 102 .
- the support assembly 102 of the plant growing apparatus 100 includes a bottom platform 106 , a plurality of vertically-disposed elongated posts 108 , a top platform 110 and an intermediate platform 112 disposed between the upper/top and lower/bottom platforms.
- a plurality of elongated posts 108 and preferably four posts, are spaced-apart from one another and extend upright and generally parallel to one another.
- the posts 108 at their lower end portions 108 A extend upwards from, and are affixed to, the bottom platform 106 , preferably at respective spaced apart corners 106 A thereof.
- the top platform 110 has a plurality of spaced-apart couplers 114 disposed about elongated posts 108 and affixed at respective corners 110 A of the top platform 110 , which define passages 116 therethrough that slidably receive an uppermost length 108 D of the upright corner posts 108 along corresponding upper portions 108 B thereof.
- the intermediate platform 112 has a plurality of spaced-apart couplers 118 disposed about an intermediate length 108 C, or portion, of the elongated posts 108 affixed at respective corners 112 A of the intermediate platform 112 , which define passages 120 therethrough that slidably receive the upright corner posts 108 along corresponding intermediate portions 108 C thereof.
- the upright, or vertically-disposed, corner posts 108 each have a respective series of apertures 122 formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along the posts 108 , such that different sets of the apertures 122 (in this case sets of four apertures) aligned with one another are defined at varying heights along the posts 108 .
- the couplers 114 , 118 of the respective top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 have respective apertures 124 , 126 formed therethrough that may be aligned with respective ones of the different sets of the apertures 124 of the upright corner posts 108 by raising and lowering the top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 relative to the posts 108 .
- a plurality of fasteners 128 are provided that fit through selected aligned ones of the different sets of the apertures 122 of the upright corner posts 108 and the apertures 124 , 126 of the couplers 114 , 118 of the top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 so as to retain the top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 respectively at user-selected elevations along the corresponding upper and intermediate portions 108 B, 108 C of the posts 108 .
- the bottom platform 106 of the support assembly 102 includes a peripheral frame 130 formed by a plurality of elongated members 132 —preferably four members disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions 132 A thereof so as to form the plurality of corners 106 A of the bottom platform 106 .
- the support assembly 102 may also have a plurality of braces 134 and a plurality of caster wheel devices 136 .
- Each brace 134 which, by way of example but not limitation, may be a flat triangular shaped metal plate (as shown), is disposed adjacent to one of the corners 106 A of the bottom platform 106 and rigidly affixed thereto, and forms right angles between the lower end portion 108 A of one of the upright corner posts 108 and a respective end portion 132 A of one of the elongated members 132 of the peripheral frame 130 of the bottom platform 106 .
- Each caster wheel device 136 is disposed below and mounted to one of the corners 106 A of the bottom platform 106 so as to mobilize the support assembly 102 for movement relative to a support surface (not shown).
- the bottom platform 106 also has an interior framework 138 spanning between and rigidly affixed to the elongated members 132 of the peripheral frame 130 of the bottom platform 106 .
- the interior framework 138 of the bottom platform 106 may have a lattice structure defining an array of openings 140 through the bottom platform 106 and a mesh 142 affixed to the interior framework 138 and extending across the openings 140 .
- the top platform 110 of the support assembly 102 includes a peripheral frame 144 formed by a plurality of elongated members 146 (preferably four, as shown), each of the individual members having opposite ends 146 A welded, or otherwise fixedly attached, to couplers 114 .
- the elongated members 146 are disposed in a rectangular configuration (as shown) and together with the couplers 114 rigidly affixed to respective end portions 146 A of adjacent pairs of the elongated members 146 , form the plurality of corners 110 A of the top platform 110 .
- variations of the rectangular geometry shown in the Figures are contemplated.
- the top platform 110 also has an interior framework 148 spanning between and rigidly affixed to the elongated members 146 of the peripheral frame 144 .
- the interior framework 148 of the top platform 110 has a lattice structure defining an array of openings 150 through the top platform 110 .
- the intermediate platform 112 of the support assembly 102 includes a peripheral frame 152 formed by a plurality of elongated members 154 (e.g., preferably four members, as depicted in the accompanying Figures).
- the elongated members 154 are disposed in a rectangular configuration and, together with the couplers 118 , are rigidly affixed to respective end portions 154 A of adjacent pairs of the elongated members 154 , to form the plurality of corners 112 A of the intermediate platform 112 .
- the intermediate platform 112 also has an interior framework 156 spanning between and rigidly affixed to the elongated members 154 of the peripheral frame 154 .
- the interior framework 156 of the intermediate platform 112 has a lattice structure defining an array of openings 158 through the intermediate platform 112 and a mesh 160 affixed to the interior framework 156 and extending across, or spanning, the openings 158 .
- the bottom platform 106 may be disposed spaced above the support surface (not shown), and in a horizontal plane, by the plurality of caster wheel devices 136 .
- the respective top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 are supported at different elevations above the bottom platform 106 , and thus the support surface, and along and in substantially parallel horizontal planes by the upright corner posts 108 .
- the elongated members 132 , 146 and 154 of the respective bottom, top and intermediate platforms 106 , 110 and 112 , and the corresponding interior frameworks 138 , 148 and 156 thereof, may, by way of example but not limitation, be in the form of elongated hollow bars or rods of rectangular cross-section constructed of steel or a similar rigid material, such as one-by-one inch square bars.
- the mesh 142 , 160 of the respective bottom and intermediate platforms 106 , 112 may, by way of example but not limitation, be in the form of squares of one-half inch (1 ⁇ 2′′) stainless steel material or the like.
- the upright corner posts 108 may be in the form of elongated hollow bars or rods of rectangular cross-section made of steel or the like, such as one-by-one inch, two-by-two inch or three-by-three inch square bars.
- the lattice structure of the interior frameworks 138 , 148 and 156 may by way of example but not limitation be four-by-four interior square frames.
- the couplers 114 , 118 may by way of example but not limitation be comprised of hollow annular collars constructed from steel or the like, of such size to accommodate the bars or rods forming the posts 108 .
- Each of the pair of height control mechanisms 104 of the plant growing apparatus 100 extends between and is mounted to upper end portions 108 D of a selected adjacent pair of the plurality of upright corner posts 108 extending beyond a corresponding pair of the couplers 114 of the top platform 110 . Also, each of the height control mechanisms 104 is coupled to the top platform 110 at a respective one of the couplers 114 disposed at one of a diagonally opposite pair of the corners 110 A of the top platform 110 .
- the height control mechanisms 104 being concurrently operable to selectively raise or lower the top platform 110 along the upright corner posts 108 , apply respective lifting forces at one of the diagonally opposite pairs of corners 110 A of the top platform 110 , so as to minimize possible binding of the top platform 110 relative to the upright corner posts 108 during lowering or raising of the top platform 110 along the length of the posts 108 .
- each of the height control mechanisms 104 of the plant growing apparatus 100 includes an actuator 162 and a pulley-and-cable arrangement 164 .
- Each actuator 162 has a main body 166 received between and fixedly coupled to a pair of cantilevered flanges 167 extending inwardly from the uppermost length/end 108 D of the upright corner posts 108 extending above one of the diagonally-opposite one pair of the corners 110 A of the top platform 110 .
- each height control mechanism 104 is fixedly coupled (at second pulley 170 ) to an opposing pair of cantilevered flanges 171 extending inwardly from the uppermost length/end 108 D of an adjacent uppermost length/end 108 D of an adjacent post 108 .
- Each pulley-and-cable arrangement 164 includes a first pulley 168 , a second pulley 170 and a length of cable 172 .
- the first pulley 168 is coupled to the one end 162 A of the actuator 162 and is extendable from and retractable towards the main body 166 of the actuator 162 .
- the second pulley 170 is coupled to the upper end 108 D of one of the upright corner posts 108 extending through one of the diagonally opposite one pair of the corners 110 A of the top platform 110 .
- the cable 172 is connected at a first end 172 A to the one of the diagonally opposite one pair of the corners 110 A of the top platform 110 , extends therefrom about and between the first and second pulleys 168 , 170 and is connected at a second end 172 B, being opposite to the first end 172 A, to the one end 162 A of the actuator 162 such that the concurrent operation of the actuators 162 to extend and retract the one end 162 A of each actuator 162 and the first pulley 168 therewith, away from and toward the main body 166 of the actuator 162 , results in the top platform 110 being either lowered or raised along the length of the posts 108 .
- the actuators 162 may be operated, by way of example but not limitation, using either hydraulic or pneumatic pressure.
- intermediate platform 112 can be vertically translated (as shown by directional arrow Y 1 ) upward to a raised position identified by intermediate platform 112 ′ and couplers 118 ′, through extension of cable length 172 .
- intermediate platform 112 along with corresponding couplers 118 , can be translated downward (as shown by directional arrow Y 2 ) to a lowered position identified by intermediate platform 112 ′′ and couplers 118 ′′, through retraction of cable length 172 .
- upper platform 110 can be vertically translated (as shown by directional arrow Y 3 ) along with corresponding couplers 114 , for example to a lowered position as indicated by upper platform 110 ′ and couplers 114 ′.
- the plant growing system 174 basically includes the support assembly 102 and the pair of height control mechanisms 104 of the plant growing apparatus 100 , as described in detail previously above.
- the support assembly 102 includes the bottom platform 106 , supported and mobilized by the corner caster wheel devices 136 , and the top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 , vertically spaced apart from one another and the bottom platform 106 by the upright corner posts 108 , being rigidly affixed at the corners 106 A of the bottom platform 106 .
- the intermediate platform 112 and the posts 108 are connectible to one another so as to retain the intermediate platform 112 at a selected elevation above the bottom platform 106 and along the intermediate portion 108 C of the posts 108 . Also, the intermediate platform 112 may be disconnected from the posts 108 to manually raise or lower the intermediate platform 112 relative to the posts 108 .
- the pair of height control mechanisms 104 are concurrently operable to raise or lower the top platform 110 relative to the posts 108 to a selected elevation at which the top platform 110 is then connectible to the posts 108 to retain the top platform 110 at the selected elevation above the bottom platform 106 and along the upper portions 108 B of the posts 108 .
- the plant growing system 174 may also include an array of light modules 176 , an array of plant grow cells (or racks) 178 , a water and nutrient reservoir 180 , one or more pumps 182 , a control board 184 and a user interface 186 .
- the array of light modules 176 which may, by way of example but not limitation, be Light Emitting Diode (LED) light panels, are supported on the interior framework 148 of the top platform 110 so as to emit light in a downward direction.
- the array of plant grow cells 178 which may, by way of example but not limitation, be tray grow cells 188 , as seen in FIGS. 5-7 , or pyramidal grow cells 190 , as seen in FIG.
- the reservoir 180 , the one or more pumps 182 and the control board 184 may be supported on the interior framework 138 and mesh 142 of the bottom platform 106 .
- the one or more pumps 182 may include an air or pneumatic pump 192 , a nutrient pump 194 and a pneumatic or hydraulic pump 196 .
- a water supply line 198 extends respectively between the pump 192 , the reservoir 180 and the array of plant grow cells 178 .
- a nutrient supply line 200 extends respectively between the pump 194 and the plant grow cell array 178 .
- the pump 196 communicates with the height control mechanisms 104 , such as via wires 202 running through hollow interiors of the upright corner posts 108 .
- a significant space such as seven feet, may be provided between the top and intermediate platforms 110 , 112 so as to enable the adjustment of the desired spacing therebetween to accommodate, for example, the various hardware supported upon the lower platform 106 , the tray grow cells 188 on the intermediate platform 112 , etc.
- the platforms 106 , 110 , 112 are constructed to have very high load bearing capabilities, such as, by way of example but not limitation, loads of up to 2000 pounds or more, which enable application of the support assembly 102 for the growth of a wide variety of farm produce.
- the reservoir 180 may, by way of example but not limitation, hold a purified, chilled, volume of water enhanced with 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide.
Abstract
A plant growing apparatus of a hydroponic and/or aeroponic plant growing system includes a support assembly and a pair of height control mechanisms. The support assembly includes a bottom platform, supported and mobilized by corner caster wheel devices, and top and intermediate platforms, vertically spaced apart from one another and the bottom platform by upright corner posts rigidly affixed at the corners of the bottom platform. The intermediate platform may be manually raised or lowered along the posts. The height control mechanisms are concurrently operable to raise or lower the top platform along the posts. In addition to the plant growing apparatus, the plant growing system also includes light modules supported by the top platform, plant grow cells supported by the intermediate platform below the light modules, and a water reservoir and pump on the bottom platform and connected in communication with the plant grow cells and height control mechanisms.
Description
- This U.S. Non-provisional patent application is a Continuation of co-pending parent of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/814,788, filed on Jul. 31, 2015, which, in turn, claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional patent application No. 62/193,767, filed on Jul. 17, 2015. Each application identified above is hereby incorporated-by-reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates generally to indoor farming, and more particularly, is concerned with a high load-bearing modular support assembly for enabling and facilitating flexible, scalable and dynamic, hydroponic and/or aeroponic indoor vertical farming.
- There is an increasingly popular view that the Earth's population growth will outstrip resources essential to food production within the next 30 years and, furthermore, that upwards of 80 percent of this additional population will primarily reside within urban centers. Usable farmland and fresh water supplies are being depleted at an ever-increasing pace. Presently, the United States is the largest producer of food crops in the world. The United States' agricultural industry has created most of the innovations responsible for today's modern farming practices. But, this has come at a cost, with innovation-driven farm practices responsible for many of the most pressing issues surrounding food safety and production sustainability. Today, a vast majority of foods are produced that are over-processed, loaded with harmful chemicals, and virtually devoid of nutritional value and taste. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that efforts are now heavily redirected away from the present deleterious farming practices which predominantly take place outdoors away from our cities.
- Indoor farming within city boundaries—and, more particularly, indoor vertical farming—is not new. However, its growth has been stymied and it has failed to gain the traction necessary for mainstream appeal and acceptance. Despite the growing desire for organic foods and the popularity of hydroponic growth of food plants, most manifestations of indoor vertical farming have been relatively small, spotty individual efforts, such as, for example, greenhouses on rooftops or perhaps spread across a few acres of ground, or crude setups in relatively small warehouses. These limited efforts are at least partly due to underdeveloped strategies resulting from narrowly-focused thinking.
- At the same time, it is well known that many cities have excessive inventories of inactive commercial and residential buildings (e.g. office buildings, warehouse complexes, apartment complexes, strip malls, old hotels and the like) and it would be highly desirable to see them revitalized into useful establishments. It would seem that the development of technologies that would enable these buildings to support growth of a wide variety of farm produce would provide substantial economic benefits in the form of jobs that cannot be exported or outsourced, and sustainability benefits in terms of enhanced food security and safety.
- Many hydroponic growing systems have been developed outdoors within greenhouses or similar structures. In fact, it is likely that at least some individuals have successfully attempted to create indoor plant growth systems that function indoors where they are not vulnerable to insects and vermin, adverse weather conditions, and utilize artificial lighting so that they are not reliant on natural lighting from Mother Nature. However, a major obstacle remains when it comes to the challenge of economically beneficial conversion of such excessive indoor spaces for creating indoor vertical farming. That is, until now, there has been a lack of adequate equipment having the necessary characteristics, such as high load-bearing capability (enabling growth of heavier vegetables, potatoes, etc.), highly-efficient use of space, and a flexible design lending itself to scalability, which would greatly facilitate implementation of plant growing modules that could be easily transported from location to location along a support surface (e.g. an underlying floor), combinable to form optimized plant growing systems, and easily disassembled and reconfigured, or transformed, for maximizing efficient implementation across myriad varying application-specific pre-existing indoor space configurations.
- Accordingly, there remains a need in the farming science and industry arts for an innovation that would overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and problems that remain unsolved—and thereby retard the implementation of indoor vertical farming—while also serving to revitalize abandoned and/or inactive commercial and residential buildings, and simultaneously creating jobs.
- The present invention is directed to an innovation that overcomes the aforementioned, as-of-yet unsolved, deficiencies and problems, via the provision of a high weight-bearing plant growing support assembly, apparatus and system enabling and facilitating a flexible and scalable dynamic indoor vertical farming system, which will foster revitalization of abandoned and/or inactive commercial and residential buildings.
- In one aspect of the present invention, a plant growing support assembly includes:
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- a bottom platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions thereof so as to form a plurality of corners of the bottom platform;
- a plurality of elongated posts being spaced apart from one another and disposed about and rigidly affixed to respective ones of the plurality of corners of the bottom platform so as to extend upright therefrom and parallel to one another;
- a top platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of the elongated members so as to form therewith a plurality of corners of the peripheral frame of the top platform, the couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive the elongated posts along corresponding upper portions of the posts; and
- an intermediate platform having a plurality of spaced apart couplers, being disposed and affixed at respective corners of the intermediate platform, which define passages therethrough that slidably receive the elongated posts along corresponding intermediate portions of the posts;
- wherein the elongated posts have respective pluralities of apertures formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along the posts such that different sets of the pluralities of apertures, being aligned with one another, are defined at different heights along the posts;
- also wherein the couplers of the top and intermediate platforms have respective apertures formed therethrough that align with respective ones of the different sets of the apertures of the posts; and
- further wherein fasteners are fitted through selected aligned ones of the different sets of the apertures of the elongated posts and the apertures of the couplers so as to retain the top and intermediate platforms respectively at selected elevations along the corresponding upper and intermediate portions of the posts.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the plant growing support apparatus include:
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- a bottom platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions thereof so as to form a plurality of corners of the bottom platform;
- a plurality of elongated posts being spaced apart from one another and disposed about and rigidly affixed to respective one of the plurality of corners of the bottom platform so as to extend upright therefrom and parallel to one another;
- a top platform having a plurality of spaced apart couplers, being disposed and affixed at respective corners of the top platform, which define passages therethrough that slidably receive the elongated posts along corresponding upper portions of the posts; and
- an intermediate platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of the elongated members so as to form therewith a plurality of corners of the peripheral frame of the intermediate platform, the couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive the elongated posts along corresponding intermediate portions of the posts;
- wherein the elongated posts have respective pluralities of apertures formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along the posts such that different sets of the pluralities of apertures, being aligned with one another, are disposed at different heights along the posts;
- also wherein the couplers of the top and intermediate platforms have respective apertures formed therethrough that align with respective ones of the different sets of pluralities of the apertures of the posts; and
- further wherein fasteners are fitted through selected aligned ones of the different sets of the apertures of the elongated posts and the apertures of the couplers so as to retain the top and intermediate platforms respectively at selected elevations along the corresponding upper and intermediate portions of the posts.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the plant growing support apparatus includes:
-
- a bottom platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions thereof so as to form a plurality of corners of the bottom platform;
- a plurality of elongated posts being spaced apart from one another and disposed about and rigidly affixed to respective ones of the plurality of corners of the bottom platform so as to extend upright therefrom and parallel to one another;
- a top platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of the elongated members so as to form therebetween a plurality of corners of the peripheral frame of the top platform, the couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive the elongated posts along corresponding upper portions of the posts; and
- an intermediate platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of the elongated members so as to form therebetween a plurality of corners of the peripheral frame of the intermediate platform, the couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive the elongated posts along corresponding intermediate portions of the posts;
- wherein the elongated posts have respective pluralities of apertures formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along the posts such that different sets of the pluralities of apertures, being aligned with one another, are disposed at different heights along the posts;
- also wherein the couplers of the top and intermediate platforms have respective apertures formed therethrough that align with respective ones of the different sets of pluralities of the apertures of the posts; and
- further wherein fasteners are fitted through selected aligned ones of the different sets of the apertures of the elongated posts and the apertures of the couplers so as to retain the top and intermediate platforms respectively at selected elevations along the corresponding upper and intermediate portions of the posts.
- These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
- The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:
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FIG. 1 presents a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a plant growing apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 presents a bottom isometric view of the apparatus originally introduced inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 presents a side elevation view of the apparatus originally introduced inFIG. 1 , illustrating examples of positions to which a load-bearing intermediate platform of the apparatus can be manually raised or lowered; -
FIG. 4 presents a side elevation view of the apparatus originally introduced inFIG. 1 , illustrating an example of a position to which a light-bearing top platform of the apparatus can be lowered by concurrent operation of a pair of height control mechanisms; -
FIG. 5 presents a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a plant growing system in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 presents another top isometric view of the system originally introduced inFIG. 5 , the system being illustrated at an orientation rotated ninety degrees from that inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 presents a bottom isometric view of the system as originally introduced inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 8 presents an top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of plant grow cells of the plant growing system; and -
FIG. 9 presents a diagram of the cooperative relationship between the operational components of the systems ofFIGS. 5 and 8 . - Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
- The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. - Referring now particularly to
FIGS. 1 through 4 , there is illustrated an exemplary implementation of a plant growing apparatus, generally designated 100, according to an aspect of the present invention. Theplant growing apparatus 100 includes a plant growingsupport assembly 102, according to another aspect of the present invention, and a pair ofheight control mechanisms 104 incorporated with thesupport assembly 102. Thesupport assembly 102 of theplant growing apparatus 100 includes abottom platform 106, a plurality of vertically-disposedelongated posts 108, atop platform 110 and anintermediate platform 112 disposed between the upper/top and lower/bottom platforms. A plurality ofelongated posts 108, and preferably four posts, are spaced-apart from one another and extend upright and generally parallel to one another. Theposts 108 at theirlower end portions 108A extend upwards from, and are affixed to, thebottom platform 106, preferably at respective spaced apartcorners 106A thereof. - The
top platform 110 has a plurality of spaced-apart couplers 114 disposed about elongatedposts 108 and affixed atrespective corners 110A of thetop platform 110, which definepassages 116 therethrough that slidably receive anuppermost length 108D of the upright corner posts 108 along correspondingupper portions 108B thereof. Similarly, theintermediate platform 112 has a plurality of spaced-apart couplers 118 disposed about anintermediate length 108C, or portion, of theelongated posts 108 affixed atrespective corners 112A of theintermediate platform 112, which definepassages 120 therethrough that slidably receive the upright corner posts 108 along correspondingintermediate portions 108C thereof. - Preferably, the upright, or vertically-disposed, corner posts 108 each have a respective series of
apertures 122 formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along theposts 108, such that different sets of the apertures 122 (in this case sets of four apertures) aligned with one another are defined at varying heights along theposts 108. Thecouplers intermediate platforms respective apertures apertures 124 of the upright corner posts 108 by raising and lowering the top andintermediate platforms posts 108. Also, a plurality offasteners 128 are provided that fit through selected aligned ones of the different sets of theapertures 122 of the upright corner posts 108 and theapertures couplers intermediate platforms intermediate platforms intermediate portions posts 108. - More particularly, the
bottom platform 106 of thesupport assembly 102 includes aperipheral frame 130 formed by a plurality ofelongated members 132—preferably four members disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another atadjacent end portions 132A thereof so as to form the plurality ofcorners 106A of thebottom platform 106. Thesupport assembly 102 may also have a plurality ofbraces 134 and a plurality ofcaster wheel devices 136. Eachbrace 134, which, by way of example but not limitation, may be a flat triangular shaped metal plate (as shown), is disposed adjacent to one of thecorners 106A of thebottom platform 106 and rigidly affixed thereto, and forms right angles between thelower end portion 108A of one of the upright corner posts 108 and arespective end portion 132A of one of theelongated members 132 of theperipheral frame 130 of thebottom platform 106. Eachcaster wheel device 136 is disposed below and mounted to one of thecorners 106A of thebottom platform 106 so as to mobilize thesupport assembly 102 for movement relative to a support surface (not shown). Thebottom platform 106 also has aninterior framework 138 spanning between and rigidly affixed to theelongated members 132 of theperipheral frame 130 of thebottom platform 106. Theinterior framework 138 of thebottom platform 106 may have a lattice structure defining an array ofopenings 140 through thebottom platform 106 and amesh 142 affixed to theinterior framework 138 and extending across theopenings 140. - The
top platform 110 of thesupport assembly 102 includes aperipheral frame 144 formed by a plurality of elongated members 146 (preferably four, as shown), each of the individual members having opposite ends 146A welded, or otherwise fixedly attached, to couplers 114. Preferably, theelongated members 146 are disposed in a rectangular configuration (as shown) and together with thecouplers 114 rigidly affixed torespective end portions 146A of adjacent pairs of theelongated members 146, form the plurality ofcorners 110A of thetop platform 110. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, variations of the rectangular geometry shown in the Figures are contemplated. Accordingly, although it is preferable to incorporate four peripheral members to form a rectangular periphery, variations on the quantity ofperipheral members peripheral frameworks bottom platform 106, upper/top platform 110 andintermediate platform 112. Thetop platform 110 also has aninterior framework 148 spanning between and rigidly affixed to theelongated members 146 of theperipheral frame 144. Theinterior framework 148 of thetop platform 110 has a lattice structure defining an array ofopenings 150 through thetop platform 110. - The
intermediate platform 112 of thesupport assembly 102 includes aperipheral frame 152 formed by a plurality of elongated members 154 (e.g., preferably four members, as depicted in the accompanying Figures). Theelongated members 154 are disposed in a rectangular configuration and, together with thecouplers 118, are rigidly affixed torespective end portions 154A of adjacent pairs of theelongated members 154, to form the plurality ofcorners 112A of theintermediate platform 112. Theintermediate platform 112 also has aninterior framework 156 spanning between and rigidly affixed to theelongated members 154 of theperipheral frame 154. Theinterior framework 156 of theintermediate platform 112 has a lattice structure defining an array ofopenings 158 through theintermediate platform 112 and amesh 160 affixed to theinterior framework 156 and extending across, or spanning, theopenings 158. - By way of example, but not limitation, the
bottom platform 106 may be disposed spaced above the support surface (not shown), and in a horizontal plane, by the plurality ofcaster wheel devices 136. Also, by way of example but not limitation, the respective top andintermediate platforms bottom platform 106, and thus the support surface, and along and in substantially parallel horizontal planes by the upright corner posts 108. Theelongated members intermediate platforms interior frameworks mesh intermediate platforms interior frameworks couplers posts 108. - Each of the pair of
height control mechanisms 104 of theplant growing apparatus 100 extends between and is mounted toupper end portions 108D of a selected adjacent pair of the plurality of upright corner posts 108 extending beyond a corresponding pair of thecouplers 114 of thetop platform 110. Also, each of theheight control mechanisms 104 is coupled to thetop platform 110 at a respective one of thecouplers 114 disposed at one of a diagonally opposite pair of thecorners 110A of thetop platform 110. Thus, theheight control mechanisms 104, being concurrently operable to selectively raise or lower thetop platform 110 along the upright corner posts 108, apply respective lifting forces at one of the diagonally opposite pairs ofcorners 110A of thetop platform 110, so as to minimize possible binding of thetop platform 110 relative to the upright corner posts 108 during lowering or raising of thetop platform 110 along the length of theposts 108. - More particularly, each of the
height control mechanisms 104 of theplant growing apparatus 100 includes anactuator 162 and a pulley-and-cable arrangement 164. Eachactuator 162 has amain body 166 received between and fixedly coupled to a pair ofcantilevered flanges 167 extending inwardly from the uppermost length/end 108D of the upright corner posts 108 extending above one of the diagonally-opposite one pair of thecorners 110A of thetop platform 110. Likewise, eachheight control mechanism 104 is fixedly coupled (at second pulley 170) to an opposing pair ofcantilevered flanges 171 extending inwardly from the uppermost length/end 108D of an adjacent uppermost length/end 108D of anadjacent post 108. Each pulley-and-cable arrangement 164 includes afirst pulley 168, asecond pulley 170 and a length ofcable 172. Thefirst pulley 168 is coupled to the oneend 162A of theactuator 162 and is extendable from and retractable towards themain body 166 of theactuator 162. Thesecond pulley 170 is coupled to theupper end 108D of one of the upright corner posts 108 extending through one of the diagonally opposite one pair of thecorners 110A of thetop platform 110. Thecable 172 is connected at afirst end 172A to the one of the diagonally opposite one pair of thecorners 110A of thetop platform 110, extends therefrom about and between the first andsecond pulleys second end 172B, being opposite to thefirst end 172A, to the oneend 162A of theactuator 162 such that the concurrent operation of theactuators 162 to extend and retract the oneend 162A of each actuator 162 and thefirst pulley 168 therewith, away from and toward themain body 166 of theactuator 162, results in thetop platform 110 being either lowered or raised along the length of theposts 108. Theactuators 162 may be operated, by way of example but not limitation, using either hydraulic or pneumatic pressure. - The operation and function of motor driven linear actuator or pulleys rotated by drive cords or belts is well known. For example, descriptions of various conventional means for employing such arrangements using a power unit to extend and retract a cord to move an attached assembly is clearly described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,461 to Kingsborough, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,898 to Jobe, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20130241384, which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Furthermore, various mechanisms are commercially available for producing controlled movement of a mechanical element or a connecting point thereof. For example, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders are commonly used to produce forceful movement of arms and other mechanical elements of numerous mechanical, prosthetic, and or robotic devices. By way of example, commercially-available pneumatic and hydraulic linear actuators can be found on the following Internet websites: www.robotshop.com; www.greencocylinders.com; www.directindustry.com; and www.thomsonlinear.com.
- As best shown in
FIG. 3 , by action of theactuators 162intermediate platform 112, along withcorresponding couplers 118, can be vertically translated (as shown by directional arrow Y1) upward to a raised position identified byintermediate platform 112′ andcouplers 118′, through extension ofcable length 172. Likewise, in similar fashion,intermediate platform 112, along withcorresponding couplers 118, can be translated downward (as shown by directional arrow Y2) to a lowered position identified byintermediate platform 112″ andcouplers 118″, through retraction ofcable length 172. In similar fashion, as best depicted byFIG. 4 ,upper platform 110 can be vertically translated (as shown by directional arrow Y3) along withcorresponding couplers 114, for example to a lowered position as indicated byupper platform 110′ andcouplers 114′. - Referring now primarily to
FIGS. 5-9 , there is illustrated a plant growing system, generally designated 174, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. Theplant growing system 174 basically includes thesupport assembly 102 and the pair ofheight control mechanisms 104 of theplant growing apparatus 100, as described in detail previously above. To summarize, thesupport assembly 102 includes thebottom platform 106, supported and mobilized by the cornercaster wheel devices 136, and the top andintermediate platforms bottom platform 106 by the upright corner posts 108, being rigidly affixed at thecorners 106A of thebottom platform 106. Theintermediate platform 112 and theposts 108 are connectible to one another so as to retain theintermediate platform 112 at a selected elevation above thebottom platform 106 and along theintermediate portion 108C of theposts 108. Also, theintermediate platform 112 may be disconnected from theposts 108 to manually raise or lower theintermediate platform 112 relative to theposts 108. The pair ofheight control mechanisms 104 are concurrently operable to raise or lower thetop platform 110 relative to theposts 108 to a selected elevation at which thetop platform 110 is then connectible to theposts 108 to retain thetop platform 110 at the selected elevation above thebottom platform 106 and along theupper portions 108B of theposts 108. - In addition to the
plant growing apparatus 100, theplant growing system 174 may also include an array oflight modules 176, an array of plant grow cells (or racks) 178, a water andnutrient reservoir 180, one ormore pumps 182, acontrol board 184 and auser interface 186. The array oflight modules 176, which may, by way of example but not limitation, be Light Emitting Diode (LED) light panels, are supported on theinterior framework 148 of thetop platform 110 so as to emit light in a downward direction. The array of plant growcells 178, which may, by way of example but not limitation, be tray growcells 188, as seen inFIGS. 5-7 , or pyramidal growcells 190, as seen inFIG. 8 , are supported on theinterior framework 156 and mesh 160 of theintermediate platform 112 below thelight modules 176 so as to receive the light emitted by thelight modules 176 disposed above the plant growcells 178. Thereservoir 180, the one ormore pumps 182 and thecontrol board 184 may be supported on theinterior framework 138 and mesh 142 of thebottom platform 106. The one ormore pumps 182 may include an air orpneumatic pump 192, anutrient pump 194 and a pneumatic orhydraulic pump 196. Awater supply line 198 extends respectively between thepump 192, thereservoir 180 and the array of plant growcells 178. Anutrient supply line 200 extends respectively between thepump 194 and the plant growcell array 178. Thepump 196 communicates with theheight control mechanisms 104, such as viawires 202 running through hollow interiors of the upright corner posts 108. By way of example but not limitation, a significant space, such as seven feet, may be provided between the top andintermediate platforms lower platform 106, the tray growcells 188 on theintermediate platform 112, etc. Significantly, theplatforms support assembly 102 for the growth of a wide variety of farm produce. Further, thereservoir 180 may, by way of example but not limitation, hold a purified, chilled, volume of water enhanced with 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. - The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (19)
1. A plant growing support assembly, comprising:
a bottom platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions thereof so as to form a plurality of corners of said bottom platform;
a plurality of elongated posts being spaced apart from one another and disposed about and rigidly affixed to respective ones of said plurality of corners of said bottom platform so as to extend upright therefrom and parallel to one another;
a top platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of said elongated members so as to form therewith a plurality of corners of said peripheral frame of said top platform, said couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive said elongated posts along corresponding upper portions of said posts; and
an intermediate platform having a plurality of spaced apart couplers, being disposed and affixed at respective corners of said intermediate platform, which define passages therethrough that slidably receive said elongated posts along corresponding intermediate portions of said posts;
wherein said elongated posts have respective pluralities of apertures formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along said posts such that different sets of said pluralities of apertures, being aligned with one another, are defined at different heights along said posts;
also wherein said couplers of said top and intermediate platforms have respective apertures formed therethrough that align with respective ones of said different sets of said apertures of said posts; and
further wherein fasteners are fitted through selected aligned ones of said different sets of said apertures of said elongated posts and said apertures of said couplers so as to retain said top and intermediate platforms respectively at selected elevations along said corresponding upper and intermediate portions of said posts.
2. The support assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of braces each disposed adjacent to one of said corners of said bottom platform and rigidly affixed to a lower end portion of one of said elongated posts and said end portion of one of said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said bottom platform.
3. The support assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of caster wheel devices being spaced apart and disposed below and mounted to said respective corners of said bottom platform so as to mobilize said support assembly.
4. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein said bottom platform also has an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said bottom platform.
5. The support assembly of claim 4 wherein said interior framework of said bottom platform has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said bottom platform.
6. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein said top platform also has an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said top platform; and also wherein said interior framework has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said top platform.
7. A plant growing support assembly, comprising:
a bottom platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions thereof so as to form a plurality of corners of said bottom platform;
a plurality of elongated posts being spaced apart from one another and disposed about and rigidly affixed to respective one of said plurality of corners of said bottom platform so as to extend upright therefrom and parallel to one another;
a top platform having a plurality of spaced apart couplers, being disposed and affixed at respective corners of said top platform, which define passages therethrough that slidably receive said elongated posts along corresponding upper portions of said posts; and
an intermediate platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of said elongated members so as to form therewith a plurality of corners of said peripheral frame of said intermediate platform, said couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive said elongated posts along corresponding intermediate portions of said posts;
wherein said elongated posts have respective pluralities of apertures formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along said posts such that different sets of said pluralities of apertures, being aligned with one another, are disposed at different heights along said posts;
also wherein said couplers of said top and intermediate platforms have respective apertures formed therethrough that align with respective ones of said different sets of pluralities of said apertures of said posts; and
further wherein fasteners are fitted through selected aligned ones of said different sets of said apertures of said elongated posts and said apertures of said couplers so as to retain said top and intermediate platforms respectively at selected elevations along said corresponding upper and intermediate portions of said posts.
8. The support assembly of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of braces each disposed adjacent to one of said corners of said bottom platform and rigidly affixed to a lower end portion of one of said elongated posts and said end portion of one of said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said bottom platform.
9. The support assembly of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of caster wheel devices being spaced apart and disposed below and mounted to said respective corners of said bottom platform so as to mobilize said support assembly.
10. The support assembly of claim 7 wherein said bottom platform also has an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said bottom platform.
11. The support assembly of claim 7 wherein said interior framework of said bottom platform has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said bottom platform.
12. The support assembly of claim 7 wherein said intermediate platform also has an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said intermediate platform; and also wherein said interior framework has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said intermediate platform and a mesh affixed to said interior framework and extending across said opening.
13. A plant growing support assembly, comprising:
a bottom platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and rigidly affixed to one another at adjacent end portions thereof so as to form a plurality of corners of said bottom platform;
a plurality of elongated posts being spaced apart from one another and disposed about and rigidly affixed to respective ones of said plurality of corners of said bottom platform so as to extend upright therefrom and parallel to one another;
a top platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of said elongated members so as to form therebetween a plurality of corners of said peripheral frame of said top platform, said couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive said elongated posts along corresponding upper portions of said posts; and
an intermediate platform having a peripheral frame formed by a plurality of elongated members being disposed in a rectangular configuration and a plurality of spaced apart couplers being rigidly affixed to respective end portions of adjacent pairs of said elongated members so as to form therebetween a plurality of corners of said peripheral frame of said intermediate platform, said couplers defining passages therethrough that slidably receive said elongated posts along corresponding intermediate portions of said posts;
wherein said elongated posts have respective pluralities of apertures formed therein at equal vertical spacing from one another along said posts such that different sets of said pluralities of apertures, being aligned with one another, are disposed at different heights along said posts;
also wherein said couplers of said top and intermediate platforms have respective apertures formed therethrough that align with respective ones of said different sets of pluralities of said apertures of said posts; and
further wherein fasteners are fitted through selected aligned ones of said different sets of said apertures of said elongated posts and said apertures of said couplers so as to retain said top and intermediate platforms respectively at selected elevations along said corresponding upper and intermediate portions of said posts.
14. The support assembly of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of braces each disposed adjacent to one of said corners of said bottom platform and rigidly affixed to a lower end portion of one of said elongated posts and said end portion of one of said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said bottom platform.
15. The support assembly of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of caster wheel devices being spaced apart and disposed below and mounted to said bottom platform so as to mobilize said support assembly.
16. The support assembly of claim 13 wherein said bottom platform also has an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of aid bottom platform.
17. The support assembly of claim 16 wherein said interior framework of said bottom platform has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said bottom platform.
18. The support assembly of claim 13 wherein said top platform also an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said top platform; and also wherein said interior framework has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said top platform.
19. The support assembly of claim 13 wherein said intermediate platform also has an interior framework spanning between and rigidly affixed to said elongated members of said peripheral frame of said intermediate platform; and also wherein said interior framework has a lattice structure defining an array of openings through said intermediate platform and a mesh affixed to said interior framework and extending across said openings.
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