Container support and ornamental container support unit

Abstract

To provide a container support that is made of a light-transmitting material and that effectively dissipates heat emitted from a light source that illuminates a container containing an ornamental object, even when the light source is provided on a base. [Solution] The container support comprises a base 4 that is placed on a support surface and on which a translucent container is placed, a lower light source 8 that is provided in the center of the base 4 and illuminates the container from below, and a plurality of bottom members that are evenly arranged on the underside of the base 4 around the area where the lower light source 8 is located in a planar view and that form a gap between the underside and the support surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container support that supports a container made of a light-transmitting material for containing an ornamental object. [Background technology]

[0002] A known configuration for supporting a container that contains an object of appreciation is, for example, that disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this configuration, the pot body that contains the object of appreciation is supported by a base, and the pot body is illuminated by an illumination unit supported on an illumination support unit that stands upright from the base, and a second illumination unit provided in a groove on the periphery of the base.

[0003] However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the base is made of plastic, the second lighting unit is placed in a hole formed in the upper surface of the base, and the lower surfaces of the base and the lighting unit are in surface contact with the mounting surface. As a result, heat emitted from the lighting unit is difficult to dissipate from the contact surface, and in some cases, this could cause thermal damage to the base or heat the pot body, which could have a negative impact on the object of appreciation placed inside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 2600211 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a container support and an ornamental container support unit that have the function of effectively dissipating heat emitted from a light source that illuminates the container even when a light source is installed on the base. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problem, the present invention provides a container support comprising: a base that is placed on a support surface and on which a translucent container is placed; a lower light source that is provided in the center of the base and illuminates the container from below; and a plurality of bottom members that are evenly arranged on the underside of the base around the area where the lower light source is located in a planar view, forming a gap between the underside and the support surface.

[0007] With this configuration, the heat generated when irradiated from the lower light source can be dissipated through the gap between the underside of the base formed by the bottom member and the surface to be placed on, thereby suppressing temperature rise.

[0008] It is preferable that the container further comprises at least three support members that are removably attached to the upper surface of the base and support the bottom periphery of the container.

[0009] According to this configuration, the support member can also provide a gap between the base and the container, so that heat from the lower light source can be dissipated even more effectively.

[0010] The support member preferably has a mounting portion whose upper surface rises in a plurality of steps toward the outside of the base.

[0011] According to this configuration, containers of different outer sizes can be placed on the placement section.

[0012] It is preferable that the support member has at least one screw hole at its lower end, the base has a through hole and a recess on its underside into which the through hole opens, and the bottom member has a through hole positioned in the recess and communicating with the through hole, and is screwed into the screw hole via the through hole while protruding from the underside of the base.

[0013] According to this configuration, the support member and the bottom member can be attached at the same time, which is excellent in workability.

[0014] It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a holding member attached to the base and extending upward, and an upper light source provided on the holding member for irradiating the container from above.

[0015] With this configuration, the translucent container can be illuminated with light from both above and below, making it possible to effectively illuminate the ornamental members contained within the container.

[0016] The base is preferably made of a thermally conductive material, has a recess on its upper surface in which the lower light source is disposed, and has an opening that passes through a part of the lower surface of the recess to the lower surface of the base.

[0017] According to this configuration, heat generated when light is emitted from the lower light source can be more effectively released to the outside via the base.

[0018] The lower light source is preferably removable from the base.

[0019] This configuration allows the lower light source to be easily replaced with a preferred one.

[0020] The upper light source is preferably removable from the holding member.

[0021] With this configuration, the upper light source can be easily replaced with a preferred one.

[0022] The container may contain ornamental items including aquatic plants, ornamental plants, collectible items, and decorative items.

[0023] In addition, as a means for solving the above problem, the present invention provides an ornamental container support unit comprising: a translucent container in which an object to be viewed is contained; and a container support for supporting the container, wherein the container support is placed on a surface to be placed on, a base on which the container is placed; a downward light source provided in the center of the base to illuminate the container from below; and a plurality of bottom members arranged evenly on the underside of the base around the portion where the downward light source is located in a planar view, forming a gap between the underside and the surface to be placed on.

[0024] With this configuration, the heat generated when irradiated from the lower light source can be dissipated through the gap between the underside of the base formed by the bottom member and the surface to be placed on, thereby suppressing temperature rise. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, by providing a bottom member that forms a gap between the underside of the base and the mounting surface, the heat generated by the light source can be properly dissipated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an ornamental container support unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the container support of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing the container support of FIG. 2 as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the base, the support member, and the bottom member of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state of FIG. 4 as seen from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., terms including "upper," "lower," "side," and "end") will be used as necessary. However, the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meanings of these terms do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the proportions of the dimensions and the like do not necessarily correspond to reality.

[0028] 1 shows an ornamental container support unit 1 according to this embodiment. The ornamental container support unit 1 comprises a container support 2 and a container 3 supported by the container support 2.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container support 2 includes a base 4, a support member 5, a bottom member 6, a holding member 7, a lower light source 8, and an upper light source 9.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base 4 is made of an aluminum alloy and is configured as a plate-like body having a rectangular shape in plan view with four arc-shaped corners. A recess 10 that is circular in plan view is provided in the center of the base 4, and the center portion of this recess 10 forms an opening 11 that is also circular in plan view and penetrates the underside. Furthermore, through holes 4a are formed on the inside and outside of the four corners of the base 4, and recesses 12 into which both through holes open are formed on the underside of these portions. Furthermore, a groove 13 is formed on the underside of the base 4, extending from the center of one side to near the opening 11. Screw holes 13a are formed in two locations in the longitudinal direction on the bottom surface of the groove 13.

[0031] The support member 5, like the base 4, is made of aluminum alloy and is configured as a plate-like body with a certain thickness (width). A pair of screw holes 5a are formed in the underside of the support member 5. Both side surfaces of the support member 5 are flat, but both end surfaces are curved. These curved surfaces protrude and extend upward. A mounting portion 14 is formed in the upper part of the support member 5. The mounting portion 14 has a stepped structure that increases in height toward the outside of the base 4, with a horizontal surface 14a on the lowest step and a vertical surface 15a of a guide piece 15 protruding upward from there. This stepped structure allows containers 3 of different outer sizes to be mounted on steps of an appropriate height.

[0032] The bottom member 6 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and formed into a disk shape. A pair of through holes 6a are formed in the bottom member 6. The bottom member 6 is placed in the recess 12 of the support member 5. The bottom member 6 is attached to the base 4 together with the support member 5 by inserting a male screw 16 into the through hole 6a of the bottom member 6 and the through hole 4a of the base 4 and screwing it into the screw hole 5a of the support member 5.

[0033] The holding member 7 has an upper end and a lower end bent at right angles to the vertical portion. The protruding tip of the upper end widens into a disk shape, and the upper light source 9 is attached to its underside. Although not shown, wiring from the upper light source 9 extends downward along the center of the front surface of the vertical portion and is pulled out and extends from the bottom side of the lower end. The lower end has through-holes (not shown) formed in two locations on the tip side. The holding member 7 is fixed to the base 4 by threading male screws 7a through these through-holes into screw holes 13a formed in the groove portion 13 of the base 4.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower light source 8 is disk-shaped and includes an annular outer frame 8a and a light diffusion lens 8b disposed inside the outer frame, and has a configuration in which, for example, an LED element is built in. A switch 8c is provided on the outer frame so that the light source can be turned on and off. The lower light source 8 can be easily attached to and detached from the recess 10 of the base 4. Note that the lower light source 8 is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and various types can be used as long as they can be placed in the recess 10 of the base 4. Furthermore, the planar shape of the recess 10 may be changed depending on the shape of the light source to be placed.

[0035] The upper light source 9 has a configuration in which a plurality of light sources 9b (e.g., LED elements) are integrally provided on a disk-shaped substrate 9a. These light sources 9b are evenly arranged at five locations along the circumferential direction of the substrate 9a. The upper light source 9 can be easily attached to and detached from the upper end of the holding member 7 by means of screws or the like. However, the upper light source 9 is not limited to the illustrated form, and various modified examples can be applied, including the substrate shape, the number and arrangement of light sources, and the attachment means.

[0036] The container 3 is made of a translucent material, such as plastic or glass. The top of the container 3 is removable, allowing ornamental items such as aquatic plants, ornamental plants, collectible items, and decorations to be stored inside.

[0037] The container support 2 having the above-described structure is assembled as follows.

[0038] The bottom members 6 are placed in the recesses 12 formed in the bottom surface of the base 4. Male screws 16 are inserted into the through holes 6a formed in the bottom members 6, and the threaded portions are made to protrude toward the upper surface of the base 4 through the through holes 4a formed in the base 4. Next, the protruding threaded portions are screwed into the screw holes 5a of the support members 5 placed on the upper surface of the base 4. This allows the support members 5 and the bottom members 6 to be fixed to the base 4 at the same time.

[0039] In this fixed state, the bottom member 6 protrudes from the bottom surface of the base 4, and when the base 4 is placed on a support surface, a gap is formed between the support surface and the bottom surface of the base 4. Furthermore, the support members 5 are fixed so that the guide pieces 15 are positioned on the outside, and are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0040] Next, the lower end of the holding member 7, to which the upper light source 9 has been attached in advance, is placed in a groove 13 formed in the bottom surface of the base 4. Then, a male screw 16 is inserted through a through hole formed in the lower end and screwed into the screw hole 13a, thereby fixing the holding member 7 to the base 4. Furthermore, the lower light source 8 is placed in the recess 10 of the base 4. Through these steps, the container support 2 is completed.

[0041] The top of the container 3 is removed and an ornamental item such as a foliage plant is placed inside. The container 3 is then placed on the completed container support 2. Specifically, the container 3 is placed on the horizontal surface 14a of the mounting portion 14. At this time, the vertical surface 15a of the guide piece 15 prevents the container 3 from shifting outward.

[0042] When the container 3 is placed, the upper light source 9 and the lower light source 8 are lit. Because the container 3 is translucent, light is irradiated from both above and below onto the ornamental component housed within the container 3, further enhancing the decorativeness of the ornamental component. In addition, because the base 4 is made of an aluminum alloy, it effectively reflects light, enhancing the overall decorative effect.

[0043] If the upper light source 9 or the lower light source 8 is left lit for a long time, it will generate heat, but since the upper light source 9 is separated from the container 3, the heat is dissipated to the surroundings and the temperature does not rise. Furthermore, the heat emitted from the lower light source 8 is dissipated to the surroundings through the opening ^^ portion 11 in the base 4 and the gap formed by the bottom member 6 between the base 4 and the surface on which it is placed. Moreover, since the base 4 is made of an aluminum alloy with excellent thermal conductivity, the heat is also dissipated to the surroundings through the base 4. Therefore, the temperature of the lower light source 8 does not rise either.

[0044] The ornamental container support unit 1 has the following advantages. (1) The base 4 is made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity and is provided with an opening 11. In addition, a bottom member 6 is disposed on the bottom surface of the base 4, and the bottom member 6 forms a predetermined gap between the base 4 and the surface on which it is placed. Therefore, even if the lower light source 8 generates heat, the heat can be released to the surroundings, effectively preventing problems such as thermal damage and performance degradation due to temperature rise. (2) The container 3 is supported via the support member 5 provided on the base 4, so that the light from the lower light source 8 can be appropriately irradiated onto the container 3, enhancing decorativeness. In addition, the heat generated by the lower light source 8 is less likely to affect the ornamental components inside the container 3. (3) Because the upper light source 9 and the lower light source 8 illuminate the ornamental component from above and below, the ornamental component can be illuminated three-dimensionally and uniformly, resulting in an excellent lighting effect. In addition, because the container 3 is translucent, light is diffused from the container 3, providing an indirect lighting effect. Therefore, the container 3 can also function as ambient lighting in a room. (4) The upper light source 9 and the lower light source 8 are detachable, allowing various selections to be made according to the user's preferences and applications. (5) Since the container 3 is translucent, the condition of the ornamental members contained therein can be easily confirmed, and therefore, the ornamental members can be maintained in an appropriate condition at all times. (6) Ornamental components can be freely selected from not only plants but also decorative items, allowing for a variety of uses according to the user's preferences and purposes.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the base 4 is made of an aluminum alloy, but various materials with excellent thermal conductivity can be used. For example, aluminum, ceramic, brass, etc. can be used. Also, a body made of a synthetic resin material or the like may have its surface coated with a material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as copper plating.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the support member 5 has only one step, but it may have two or more steps. This allows a plurality of containers 3 with different outer sizes to be appropriately supported using any of the steps.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the support members 5 are provided at four locations, but there is no particular limit to the number as long as it is three or more. In addition, as long as the container 3 can be stably supported, it is not necessary to arrange them evenly in the circumferential direction.

[0049] The container support 2 of the present invention can be used to support and illuminate a variety of translucent containers, including not only ornamental plants but also small aquariums, terrariums, collection display cases, diorama display cases, etc. For example, it can also be used to display gemstones and mineral specimens, and by adjusting the color and brightness of the lower light source 8 and upper light source 9, it is possible to obtain optimal lighting effects tailored to the characteristics of the exhibits.

[0050] The heat dissipation structure of this invention is particularly effective when using heat-generating light sources such as LEDs. Because the durability and lifespan of a light source are significantly affected by its operating temperature, the heat dissipation structure of this invention extends the lifespan of the light source. The gap formed by the bottom member 6 is preferably 5 mm or more, which allows for efficient heat dissipation through natural convection. Furthermore, because the base 4 is made of a thermally conductive material, heat generated from the lower light source 8 is dispersed throughout the base 4 and dissipated over a wide surface area, preventing localized temperature increases.

[0051] The lower light source 8 and the upper light source 9 may be provided with a control function to adjust brightness and color. For example, by providing a switch with a dimming function or a control function that can be remotely operated using a remote control or smartphone app, the appearance of the ornamental components can be adjusted according to the situation and preference. This allows for lighting effects that suit the time of day and purpose, such as switching from bright, natural colors during the day to soft, warm colors at night. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1...Ornamental container support unit 2...Container support 3…Container 4...Foundation 5...Support member 6...Bottom member 7...Holding member 8…Lower side light source 9…Upper side light source 10...Recess 11...Opening 12...Recess 13...Groove 14...Placement section 15...Guide piece 16...Male thread

Claims

1. a base placed on a placement surface on which a translucent container is placed; a lower light source provided at the center of the base and irradiating the container from below; a plurality of bottom members that are evenly arranged on a lower surface of the base around a portion where the lower light source is located in a plan view, and that form a gap between the lower surface and the placement surface; A container support comprising:

2. The container support of claim 1 further comprising at least three support members removably attached to an upper surface of the base and supporting a bottom periphery of the container.

3. The container support according to claim 2 , wherein each of the support members has a mounting portion whose upper surface rises in a plurality of steps toward the outside of the base.

4. Each of the support members has at least one screw hole at a lower end thereof; the base has a through hole and a recess in a lower surface thereof into which the through hole opens, The container support described in claim 3, wherein the bottom member is positioned in the recess and has a through hole communicating with the through hole, and is screwed into the screw hole through the through hole while protruding from the underside of the base.

5. a holding member attached to the base and extending upward; an upper light source provided on the holding member and irradiating the container from above; The container support of claim 1 , further comprising:

6. The container support of claim 1, wherein the base is made of a thermally conductive material, has a recess on its upper surface in which the lower light source is placed, and has an opening that allows a portion of the lower surface of the recess to penetrate through the lower surface of the base.

7. The container support of claim 1 , wherein the lower light source is removable from the base.

8. The container support of claim 5 wherein the top light source is removable from the retaining member.

9. The container support of claim 5, wherein ornamental items including aquatic plants, ornamental plants, collectible items, and decorative items are housed within the container.

10. a translucent container for containing an object to be viewed; a container support for supporting the container; Equipped with The container support is a base that is placed on a placement surface and on which the container is placed; a lower light source provided at the center of the base and irradiating the container from below; a plurality of bottom members that are evenly arranged on a lower surface of the base around a portion where the lower light source is located in a plan view, and that form a gap between the lower surface and the placement surface; An ornamental container support unit comprising:

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