Flower pot hanger

Abstract

A hanger or stand for flower pots is disclosed. The stand includes a tower having at least one substantially vertical edge. The tower is configured to stand upright on a substantially horizontal surface. At least one support notch is provided in the tower along the substantially vertical edge. The support notch is configured to receive a portion of an upper rim of a flower pot such that the tower grips and supports a flower pot at a single circumferential location along the upper rim of the flower pot. When the rim of the pot is engaged in the support notch, the flower pot is securely supported by the tower in an elevated position. A pot hanger designed to be hung or mounted on a substantially vertical surface is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flower pot hanger comprising: 
 (a) a tower having at least one substantially vertical edge, the tower being configured to stand upright on a substantially horizontal surface;    (b) at least one support notch in the substantially vertical edge of the tower, the support notch being configured to receive a portion of an upper rim of a flower pot such that the tower supports and grips the flower pot at a single circumferential location along the upper rim of the flower pot;    whereby the flower pot is securely supported by the tower in an elevated position.    
     
     
         2 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the tower comprises a plurality of substantially vertical panels, each vertical panel including at least one substantially vertical edge having at least one support notch therealong.  
     
     
         3 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the tower comprises two substantially vertical panels, each vertical panel having first and second opposed substantially vertical edges having at least one support notch therein.  
     
     
         4 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 3 , wherein each substantially vertical panel includes a longitudinal slot for mating engagement with the other vertical panel to form the tower.  
     
     
         5 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the plurality of substantially vertical panels includes at least one decorative cutout or recess therein.  
     
     
         6 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 5  wherein the decorative cutout or recess includes at least one decorative insert therein.  
     
     
         7 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 1  wherein tower and the support notch therein is configured to receive and grip a portion of a rim of a round flower pot having a substantially cylindrical upper rim portion and a shell portion having a substantially frusto-conical outer surface.  
     
     
         8 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 7 , wherein the support notch in the substantially vertical edge is shaped such that it provides an inclined support surface extending at an angle from the substantially vertical edge, a generally horizontal ledge extending inwardly from an upper end of the inclined surface, a generally vertical inner wall, and a downwardly depending finger, wherein the ledge at least partially supports the flower pot beneath a portion of the substantially cylindrical upper rim of the pot, the inclined support surface at least partially supports the flower pot on a portion of the substantially frusto-conical outer surface of the pot, and the downwardly depending finger captures the rim of the pot when the rim of the pot is engaged in the notch, and wherein the weight of the flower pot acts to maintain engagement of the flower pot in the notch.  
     
     
         9 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the tower includes a bottom end, a plurality of substantially vertical edges, and at least one support notch along each substantially vertical edge, each support notch being vertically positioned along a substantially vertical edge such that each support notch is positioned at an elevation above the bottom end that is different than another elevation of at least one other support notch.  
     
     
         10 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of support notches is vertically positioned at an elevation that is different than elevations of the other support notches.  
     
     
         11 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of support notches are vertically positioned such that they form a substantially helical pattern around the tower.  
     
     
         12 . A flower pot hanger according to  claim 1  wherein the tower includes a footprint having a largest diameter which is substantially equal to or less than a maximum diameter of the flower pot.  
     
     
         13 . A plant hanger for suspending a flower pot, the hanger comprising a one-piece substantially planar pot support member having a substantially vertical edge including at least one support notch therein, wherein the support notch in the substantially vertical edge is shaped such that it provides a substantially horizontal ledge, an inclined substantially planar support surface, and a downwardly depending finger along the substantially vertical edge, wherein a portion of an upper rim of the flower pot can be received and securely supported in the support notch such that the flower pot is securely suspended by the plant hanger at an elevated position.  
     
     
         14 . A plant hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the substantially vertical edge of the pot support member includes a plurality of vertically spaced support notches therein.  
     
     
         15 . A plant hanger according to  claim 13  further comprising a substantially flat horizontal base portion, whereby the substantially planar pot support member is stably supported on a floor or table.  
     
     
         16 . A plant hanger according to  claim 13  wherein the pot support member and the support notch therein are configured to grip a round pot having a substantially cylindrical upper rim and a shell portion having a substantially frusto-conical outer shape.  
     
     
         17 . A plant hanger according to  claim 16 , wherein the support notch in the substantially vertical edge is shaped such that it provides an inclined support surface extending at an angle from the substantially vertical edge, a generally horizontal ledge extending inwardly from an upper end of the inclined surface, a generally vertical inner wall, and a downwardly depending finger, wherein the ledge at least partially supports the flower pot beneath a portion of the substantially cylindrical upper rim of the pot, the inclined substantially planar support surface at least partially supports the flower pot on a portion of the substantially frusto-conical outer surface of the pot, and the downwardly depending finger captures the rim of the pot when the rim of the pot is engaged in the notch, and wherein the weight of the flower pot acts to maintain engagement of the flower pot in the notch.  
     
     
         18 . A plant hanger according to  claim 13  further comprising a mounting means for mounting the pot support member on a substantially vertical surface.  
     
     
         19 . A plant hanger according to  claim 18  wherein the mounting means includes at least one bracket connected to the pot support member, the bracket being designed for attachment to the substantially vertical surface with one or more removable fasteners.  
     
     
         20 . A plant hanger for suspending one or more round flower pots of the type having a substantially cylindrical upper rim and a shell portion having a frusto-conical outer surface, the plant stand comprising at least one an inclined support surface extending at an angle from the substantially vertical edge, a generally horizontal ledge extending inwardly from an upper end of the inclined surface, a generally vertical inner wall, and a downwardly depending finger, wherein the ledge at least partially supports the flower pot beneath a portion of the substantially cylindrical upper rim of the pot, the inclined substantially planar support surface at least partially supports the flower pot on a portion of the substantially frusto-conical outer surface of the pot, and the downwardly depending finger captures the rim of the pot when the rim of the pot is engaged in the notch, and wherein the support ledge, the inclined support surface, and the finger are in permanent fixed arrangement relative to each other.  
     
     
         21 . A plant hanger according to  claim 20  wherein the plant hanger is configured to be supported atop a substantially flat horizontal surface.  
     
     
         22 . A plant hanger according to  claim 20  wherein the plant hanger is configured to be mounted or hung on a substantially vertical surface.