Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Compact plant growing unit
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to plant growing devices but
more particularly to a compact plant growing unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Home based agriculture is growing in popularity. Hydroponic systems
are part of that trend. The problem is that some of those systems are
quite large and take up a lot of room, which makes it difficult for people
living in small housing to have them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for a compact plant growing system that has a very small
footprint.
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[005] Another advantage is that the invention can be used for soit based
agriculture.
[006] Another advantage is that the invention can be used simply as a
waterfall.
5[007] In order to do so, the invention comprises a body having an interior
volume, a front portion, a top portion, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a
basin portion forming part of the bottom of the body and extending
outwardly from the bottom panel and the front portion and adapted to
hold water therein. At least one opening in the front portion, wherein
each of the opening includes a gutter member extending outwardly and
upwardly from the front portion. A tube member placed within each of
the opening and extending into the interior volume of the body. A water
hose located within the interior volume of the body and extending
between the basin portion and the top portion of the body, the water
hose including at least one nozzle therethrough, wherein the water hose
is adapted to allow water to pass from the basin portion, upwards and
through the water hose, and outwards from the at least one nozzle
opening, such that plants that are growing within each of the at least
one tube member receive water that is ejected from the water hose. A
pump member located within the interior volume of the body adapted to
force water located within the basin portion upwards and through the
water hose, and outwards from the at least one nozzle opening.
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[008] Preferably, the body is shaped forming a rectangular volume including a
front panel, a back panel, and two opposite side panels.
[009] The front panel and the two opposite side panels each include at least
one of the opening, a tube member within each of the opening, and a
gutter member upon each of the opening.
[0010] The front panel can include two the openings, each having a tube
member within therein, and a gutter member thereupon, and wherein
the two openings are placed in a vertical configuration.
[0011] The front panel includes four of the openings, and the two opposite
side
panels each include one of the openings, wherein ail six of the openings
include a tube member therethrough and a gutter member thereupon.
[0012] The hydroponic unit can be comprised of a light source adapted ta
promote plant growth.
[0013] The top panel of the body includes an opening for aeration.
15[0014] The body further includes a back portion having a hole therethrough
adapted to receive a wall fastener therein in order ta hang the
hydroponic unit on a wall.
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[0015] The hydroponic unit is adapted to recirculate water that was ejected by
the water hose, flot used be the plants, and that drops back down into
the basin portion.
[0016] The hydroponic unit has a water outlet ta allow for water ta circulate
sa
as ta prevent stagnation.
[0017] The hydroponic unit is further comprised of a tray member having a
bottom surface and at least one side portion, and is adapted ta be
removably connected within the top portion of the body, the tray
member having an opening through the at least one side portion; and a
spout member located on the top portion of the body and passing
therethrough, such that the spout member aligns with the opening of the
tray member, and are adapted such that the tray member and the spout
member can receive water from the water hase and allow it ta fall down
from the top portion of the body and into an extended portion of the
basin ta thereby create a waterfall effect.
[0018] A clear plastic caver member prevents water from a waterfall from
splashing by having a collector member being angled downward sa as ta
direct water into a water collecting opening leading into the basin portion.
[0019] The front portion is inclined relative ta a vertical axis sa as ta
reduce
water splashing from said fountain assembly.
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[0020] The light source is clipped on the rear of the top portion.
[0021] A lip member protects the clear plastic cover member against unintended
damage by a user when removing the fountain assembly and reverting to
a non-fountain assembly display.
5[0022] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0023] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0024] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
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designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do flot depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0025] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a botter understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
15BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Fig. 1 Isometric view of the invention.
[0027] Fig. 2 Top view showing the interior of the body.
[0028] Figs. 3a-b lsometric views of a small footprint model without and with
the clear cover.
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[0029] Fig. 4 lsometric view favoring the top and showing a tray holding water
for the waterfall.
[0030] Fig. 5 lsometric view showing a light source clipped.
[0031] Fig. 6 See through isometric view showing the pump.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] A compact hydroponic unit (10) has a body (12) having an interior
volume defined by a front portion (14), two side panels (16), a top panel
(18), a top portion (19), a bottom panel (20), and a back panel (22). The
front portion (14) has a basin portion (24) to collect water from a waterfall
(not shown) exiting from a spout member (26).
[0033] There are a plurality of openings (28) on the front portion (14) as
well as
the side panels (16) from which emerge plants (not shown). The
openings are further comprised of gutters (29) to prevent dripping during
watering. The protruding gutters (29) also help in holding mesh baskets
(not shown) which are often used to hold plants and which are inserted
inside tube members (30).
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[0034] A water outlet (44) allows for water ta circulate sa as ta prevent
stagnation.
[0035] The openings (28) are the extemal part of the tube members (30)
configured and sized ta hold plants generally held with rock wool or such
material usually used in hydroponics and aeroponics. The openings (28)
are inclined sa as ta direct water inward.
[0036] In waterfall mode, a pump member (13) recirculates the water from the
basin portion (24) through a water hase (25), into a tray member (31)
and onto the spout member (26). A clear plastic caver member (40)
prevents the water of the waterfall from splashing. The angle from a
collector member (42) is going downward sa as ta direct water into a
water collecting opening (38) leading into a basin portion (24). The front
portion (14) can be inclined a few degrees off the vertical sa as ta reduce
water splashing from the fountain assembly.
15[0037] In hydroponic or aeroponic mode, the pump member (13) takes water
from the basin portion (24) runs it through the water hase (25) and
sprinkles it through nozzles (32). In sou l mode, the watering is done
manually.
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[0038] Typically, the hydroponic unit (10) can be put on a kitchen counter but
one or more holes (23) in the back panel (22) can be used if one wants
to hang the hydroponic unit (10) on a wall.
[0039] The top panel (19) has an opening (21) to provide aeration for the
interior
of the body (12).
[0040] A light source (46) can be installed above or clipped at a clipping
location
(27).
[0041] A lip member (44) to protect the clear plastic cover member (40)
otherwise it can be damaged when a user removes it in order to
discontinue using the fountain assembly and revert to a non-fountain
assembly display.
[0042] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
[0043] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
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ta one skilled in the art, and ail equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended ta be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the
foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
5 invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will
readily occur ta those skilled in the art, it is not desired ta limit the
invention ta the exact construction and operation shown and described,
and accordingly, ail suitable modifications and equivalents may be
=
resorted ta, falling within the scope of the invention.
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