US3731429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tomato vine support
Assignee: Orthman Manufacturing Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of vertically spaced apart concentric ring assemblies are adjustably and removably cantilevered to a post. Each of the ring assemblies includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart concentric rings defining a frustro conical shape. A ledge is provided outwardly of the top ring. A bracket on the cantilever engages a pair of vertically spaced apart shoulders on the face of the cross of a T-shaped post.
Inventors
- 👤 H Orthman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A tomato vine support comprising; at least one ring assembly including a plurality of concentric vertically spaced apart rings secured together and being progressively larger in diameter from the bottom to the top of the assembly, said concentric vertically spaced apart rings being substantially open along their axial center extending above and below said ring assembly to provide an unobstructed opening for a ground plant to grow upwardly into said ring assembly and be supported thereby, a single post connected to the outer periphery of said ring assembly to provide the only support for said ring assembly, said ring assemblies connected to said post are further defined as including post connecting means for detachably connecting said ring assemblies to said post in selected vertical positions, and said post being T-shaped in cross section and including vertically spaced apart s shoulders on the outer face of the cross of said post, and said post connecting means including a channel shaped member having vertically spaced apart openings for receiving said shoulders when said channel shaped member is in mating engagement with said post with the legs of said channel extending along the opposite side edges of said cross, and said legs of said channel including horizontally inwardly extending elements for engaging the back side of said cross to maintain said channel and post in mating engagement with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A tomato vine support comprising; at least one ring assembly including a plurality of concentric vertically spaced apart rings secured together and being progressively larger in diameter from the bottom to the top of the assembly, said concentric vertically spaced apart rings being substantially open along their axial center extending above and below said ring assembly to provide an unobstructed opening for a ground plant to grow upwardly into said ring assembly and be supported thereby, a single post connected to the outer periphery of said ring assembly to provide the only support for said ring assembly, said ring assemblies connected to said post are further defined as including post connecting means for detachably connecting said ring assemblies to said post in selected vertical positions, and said post being T-shaped in cross section and including vertically spaced apart s shoulders on the outer face of the cross of said post, and said post connecting means including a channel shaped member having vertically spaced apart openings for receiving said shoulders when said channel shaped member is in mating engagement with said post with the legs of said channel extending along the opposite side edges of said cross, and said legs of said channel including horizontally inwardly extending elements for engaging the back side of said cross to maintain said channel and post in mating engagement with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said inwardly extending elements are spaced apart At their inner free ends to provide an opening in which the staff of said T-shaped post is received.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said post connecting means interconnects each of said plurality of rings and said outer ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said plurality of concentric vertically spaced apart rings are substantially open vertically and horizontally to provide a plant maximum exposure to the sun.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein an outer ring is in concentric horizontal spaced relation to the uppermost ring of said ring assembly and connected thereto to provide an upper peripheral ledge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said secured together rings are further defined as being secured together by peripherally spaced apart ring interconnecting elements extending perpendicularly between each of said plurality of rings and said outer ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said one ring assembly is one of a plurality of ring assemblies vertically spaced apart in axial alignment on said post.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
A tomato vine support comprising; a plurality of vertically spaced apart ring assemblies, each assembly including a plurality of concentric vertically spaced apart rings progressively larger in diameter from the bottom to the top of each assembly, an outer ring being provided which is in concentric horizontal spaced relation to the uppermost ring of said ring assembly to provide an upper ledge, each assembly having an unobstructed center axial opening with a diameter equal to the diameter of the smallest and lowest ring, a plurality of connecting elements peripherally spaced around each ring assembly extending perpendicularly between each of said plurality of rings and said outer ring, and a single post positioned outside said ring assemblies and connected to the outer end of one of said connecting elements for each ring assembly to provide the only support for said ring assemblies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
A tomato vine support comprising; a plurality of vertically spaced apart ring assemblies, each assembly including a plurality of concentric vertically spaced apart rings progressively larger in diameter from the bottom to the top of each assembly, an outer ring being provided which is in concentric horizontal spaced relation to the uppermost ring of said ring assembly to provide an upper ledge, each assembly having an unobstructed center axial opening with a diameter equal to the diameter of the smallest and lowest ring, a plurality of connecting elements peripherally spaced around each ring assembly extending perpendicularly between each of said plurality of rings and said outer ring, and a single post positioned outside said ring assemblies and connected to the outer end of one of said connecting elements for each ring assembly to provide the only support for said ring assemblies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said post is T-shaped in cross section and includes vertically spaced apart shoulders on the outer face of the cross of said post, and said post connecting element includes a channel shaped member having vertically spaced apart openings for receiving said shoulders when said channel shaped member is in mating engagement with said post with the legs of said channel extending along the opposite side edges of said cross, and said legs of said channel include horizontally inwardly extending element for engaging the back side of said cross to maintain said channel and post in mating engagement with each other.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |