IP Library Granted Patent US 9,572,309
Granted Patent B2
US 9,572,309 · App. 14/311,997 · Granted Feb 21, 2017

Adjustable planter disk

Inventors: Brian J. Russell (Aurora, IL); Michael R. Vogler (Oswego, IL); Michael Thuma (La Grange, IL)
Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
A01G27/008A01G9/02A01G27/00A01G27/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,572,309
App. No.
14/311,997
Granted
Feb 21, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adjustable planter disk comprised of a circular disk constructed of a single resin composite sheet is disclosed. The sheet has a first terminating end that overlaps, or partially overlaps, a second terminating end. The sheet includes a peripheral edge and center hole. The first terminating end rotates overtop the second terminating end and latches thereto using a pair of hooks on the first terminating end and a series of corresponding holes on the second terminating end to create differing radii. The sheet is divided into a plurality of sectors, each sector including a living hinge that runs from the peripheral edge to the center that allows for the first terminating end to extend and contract. Additionally, along the peripheral edge of the circular are a plurality of water drainage holes.

Claims (11)

1. An adjustable planter disk for insertion within a plant container comprising:

a circular disk of a sheet type material having a first terminating end that overlaps, or partially overlaps, a second terminating end said sheet type material being divided into a plurality of sectors, each said sector including an integrally formed living hinge to an adjacently positioned sector, said circular disk includes a peripheral edge and center point, said peripheral edge being constructed and arranged to cooperate with the internal surface of a plant container for supporting said planter disk above a bottom surface of said plant container; and

at least one hook on said first terminating end that cooperates with a corresponding at least one aperture on said second terminating end for determining an outer radii of said peripheral edge of said adjustable planter disk wherein said planter disk includes a convex upper surface, whereby application of a load to said upper surface causes said outer radii to increase.

2. The adjustable planter disk of claim 1 , including at least one pair of said at least one hooks and at least one pair of said at least one apertures, said at least one pair of hooks and said at least one pair of apertures sized and shaped for interlocking engagement therebetween.

3. The adjustable planter disk of claim 1 , wherein said second terminating end includes a series of said pairs of apertures spaced apart and arranged to cooperate with said at least one pair of hooks for interlocking engagement therebetween, whereby engagement with each said at least one pair of apertures provides a different outer radii of said planter disk.

4. The adjustable planter disk of claim 3 , wherein altering said outer radii of said planter disk alters the convexity of said planter disk.

5. The adjustable planter disk of claim 3 , wherein said planter disk includes a central aperture.

6. The adjustable planter disk insert of claim 3 , wherein said first terminating end of said planter disk includes at least one pair of secondary hooks that cooperate with a corresponding at least one pair of secondary apertures on said second terminating end for determining the outer radii of said adjustable planter disk.

7. The adjustable planter disk of claim 1 , wherein said peripheral edge includes a rib thereabout, said rib constructed and arranged as a frictional contact point within an interior surface of said plant container.

8. The adjustable planter disk insert of claim 1 , wherein said sheet type material is constructed of a resin material.

9. The adjustable planter disk insert of claim 1 , including at least one pair of removal apertures, said at least one pair of removal apertures sized to cooperate with a zip tie for manual removal of the planter disk from the plant container.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: SUNCAST TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048840/0588 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2014
From: RUSSELL, BRIAN J.; THUMA, MICHAEL; VOGLER, MICHAEL R.
To: SUNCAST TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 033158/0845 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150366144A1 · Dec 24, 2015