Floating planter for plants and fish

Abstract

A decorative floating planter simulating an island with recesses for above-water pot holders and a floating underside support from which hangers for a pot for an oxygenating underwater plant and a protective netting for surrounding the underwater plant is hung. The upper pot holders allow for seasonal changing of the plants by replacing the pots in their cavities. The pots may have either closed bottoms or bottoms with centrally located holes. The island may have passageways downward through the island structure to open into the water, allowing roots to reach the water. Cavities are formed in the island which function as “Frog Huts” for amphibious creatures. The floating planter is made of a closed cell plastic foam decorated with signs, moss, and other structures shaped and colored to simulate an island paradise.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A decorative floating planter for use in a pond or other comprising; 
 a buoyant floating simulated island having a generally arcuate top surface and a generally flat bottom surface;    said floating island defining at least one recess within said top surface of a predetermined size and so configured as to receive a plant pot for a decorative plant for display; and    said simulated island having the appearance of a tropical island;    whereby plant pots of the-same size having different seasonal plants therein may be periodically exchanged by removing the plant pots existing in said at least one recess and substituting replacement plant pots having different plants therein.    
     
     
         2 . The floating planter of  claim 1 , said island defining a large, single recess generally centrally located in said island for receiving a large pot.  
     
     
         3 . The floating planter of  claim 2 , said island defining at least two small recesses spaced from said large recess located in said island for receiving small pots.  
     
     
         4 . The floating planter of  claim 2 , said island further defining at least one recess so sized and located as to serve as a shelter for an amphibious animal, whereby frogs and newts may occupy said shelters.  
     
     
         5 . The floating planter of  claim 4 , said island further comprising a readable sign near each of said shelter recesses indicating its function as a shelter.  
     
     
         6 . The floating planter of  claim 1 , said upper surface of said island comprising a plurality of painted nodules and simulated moss so placed and configured as to simulate a natural island.  
     
     
         7 . The floating planter of  claim 1 , wherein said island is constructed of a closed cell plastic foam.  
     
     
         8 . The floating planter of  claim 1 , wherein said island defines passageways therethrough from at least one of said recesses to said underside whereby the roots of a plant within a pot placed therein having a central hole through its base wall is free to grow downward through said passageway to enter the water of the pond.  
     
     
         9 . The floating planter of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a frame attached to said island bottom surface and generally conforming to the peripheral dimensions thereof;    an underwater pot for holding an underwater oxygenating plant; and    a plurality of hangers suspending said underwater pot from said frame;    whereby said oxygenating plant provides cover for fish while oxygenating the pond water.    
     
     
         10 . The floating planter of  claim 9 , wherein said frame is rectangular and is constructed of plastic pipe and fittings so as to be buoyant when assembled.  
     
     
         11 . The floating planter of  claim 10 , further comprising a generally tubular net having an upper opening and a lower opening, said net being attached around said upper frame and depending downward therefrom, whereby said net surrounds said underwater pot and oxygenating plant.  
     
     
         12 . The floating planter of  claim 11 , wherein said net has an upper sleeve surrounding said pipe of said frame so as to exclude large fish from entering the net.  
     
     
         13 . The floating planter of  claim 12 , said net comprising a draw string at its lower opening for opening and closing said lower opening whereby access is provided to said underwater pot when open and stabilizing weight is supported within said net when closed.  
     
     
         14 . A decorative floating planter for use in a pond or other comprising; 
 a buoyant floating simulated tropical island having a generally arcuate top surface and a generally flat bottom surface;    said floating island defining at least one centrally located recess within said top surface of a predetermined size and so configured as to receive a large plant pot for a decorative plant for display;    said floating island defining at least two small recesses spaced from said large recess located in said island for receiving small pots;    said floating island defining at least one recess so sized and located as to serve as a shelter for an amphibious animal, whereby frogs and newts may occupy said shelters;    a frame attached to said island bottom surface and generally conforming to the peripheral dimensions thereof;    an underwater pot for holding an underwater oxygenating plant; and    a plurality of hangers suspending said underwater pot from said frame;    said frame being rectangular and constructed of pipe segments and fittings so as to be buoyant when assembled;    a generally tubular net having an upper opening and a lower opening, said net being attached around said upper frame and depending downward therefrom, whereby said net surrounds said underwater pot; and    said net comprising a draw string at its lower opening for opening and closing said lower opening whereby access is provided to said underwater pot when open and stabilizing weight is supported within said net when closed;    whereby said oxygenating plant provides cover for fish while oxygenating the pond water; and    whereby plant pots of the same size having different seasonal plants therein may be periodically exchanged by removing the plant pots existing in said at least one recess and substituting replacement plant pots having different plants therefor.    
     
     
         15 . The floating planter of  claim 14 , wherein said island is constructed of a closed cell plastic foam.  
     
     
         16 . The floating planter of  claim 15 , wherein said island defines passageways therethrough from at least one of said recesses to said underside whereby the roots of a plant within a pot placed therein having a central hole through its base wall is free to grow downward through said passageway to enter the water of the pond.  
     
     
         17 . The floating planter of  claim 14 , wherein said pipe segments and fittings are plastic.