Display Rack Adapted for Plant Display

Abstract

A plant display rack allowing for the display and storage of plants in a stacked configuration above the underlying floor. The rack system features a support rack having a plurality of vertical supports elevating a plurality of pairs of horizontally disposed support members above the floor. A plurality of support shelves configured for an engagement with the horizontal support members each have slanted plant support surfaces. The slanted surfaces coerce runoff water to an exit aperture to a reservoir positioned on the display rack. An optional secondary reservoir may be provided to collect runoff water from the individual reservoirs of multiple display racks, and water the plants thereon subsequent to collection.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 365,042, filed on Jul. 16, 2010, and is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention herein disclosed relates generally to the art of racks employed in retail and other locations. More particularly, it relates to a standardizeable display rack adapted for the ongoing display of plants, which provides a means to engage plant support racks which collect water and eliminate drainage on store floors as well as collect runoff from multiple elevated shelves of plants being watered for re-use.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]Modern industrialized countries have retail and wholesale establishments which deal in home improvement products and generally feature a nursery section providing plant supplies as well as plants themselves. Large national home improvement stores have come to be a primary source of house plants and landscaping plant...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]It is another object of this invention to provide such a device which maximizes display space while minimizing used floor space.

[0026]Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide such a rack which will allow for watering of plants displayed thereon, yet prevent runoff water from reaching the floor.

Problems solved by technology

As is apparent, such shelves using four foot by eight foot plywood to support the plants are large and unsightly.

Consequently, due to the need for watering, many stores severely limit their potential display area for plants indoors since the plants either must be moved outdoors for watering, or, watered indoors where the floor surface can be damaged, or worse, cause puddling of drained water which renders the area of the indoor store unsafe for customers who might slip and injure themselves.

Further, the wide single layer shelves can make it hard for customers to reach plants situated in the middle of the shelf.

Because of this single layer shelving and display of plants for sale in such venues, the outdoor patio area is generally larger than it need be, were the plants to be displayed in shelves spaced and stacked on racks in multiple layers, and customers have a much harder time getting to the plants.

However, a four foot by eight foot plywood conventional shelf, uses up 32 square feet of valuable floor space, which is more than three times the amount of the smaller rack, but provides 30% less display in this excessive use of floor space.

In many places, these outdoor areas can become unpleasant for humans and plants alike due to cold temperatures, hot temperatures, and storms.

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