Modular aquatic plant support system

Abstract

A modular plant support system for aquatic environments assembled from a plurality of elements to facilitate varying configurations. The modular plant support system generally includes a generally planar platform, a base or basket, and at least one platform support member extending between the generally planar platform and the base to operably couple the platform and the base. The platform is capable of receiving a potted plant thereon, and the base has a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion providing an interior cavity. The modularity and flexible connectivity coupled with the structural stability of the system enables the respective aquatic plant to be selectively placed at the optimal aquatic elevation.

1 . An aquatic plant support system comprising: 
 a base at least partially submergible in an aquatic environment, the base having a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion providing an interior cavity;    a generally planar platform;    at least one platform support member extending between the generally planar platform and the base to operably couple the platform and the base; and    a railing portion and at least one railing support member, wherein the at least one railing support member extends between the generally planar platform and the railing portion to operably couple the platform and the railing portion.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral side portion includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of apertures define a generally lattice configuration for the at least one peripheral side portion.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion includes at least one foot support member adapted to provide stability for the base.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a lid operably engageable with the base.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the lid is selectively engageable to the base to provide selective access to the interior cavity.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the platform functions as the lid.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is larger in cross-section than the top portion to create a tapered shape for the base.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is constructed of a polymer material.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is constructed of a metal wire material.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one platform support member is integrally coupled to the generally planar platform.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the railing portion includes peripheral edges providing an aperture capable of receiving a potted plant.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity is adapted to house objects selected from a group consisting of: at least one weight, at least one bio-media element, a pump, at least one rock, at least one brick, and at least one lighting fixture.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one platform support member is tubular in shape.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one tubular platform support member is selectively coupleable to at least the base.  
   
   
       16 . An aquatic plant support system comprising: 
 a base at least partially submergible in an aquatic environment, the base having a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion providing an interior cavity;    a generally planar platform capable of receiving a potted plant thereon; and    at least one platform support member extending between the generally planar platform and the base to operably couple the platform and the base.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further including a second generally planar platform and at least one platform support coupling member, wherein the at least one platform support coupling member extends between the platform and the second platform to operably couple the platform and second platform.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one peripheral side portion includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of apertures define a generally lattice configuration for the at least one peripheral side portion.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the bottom portion includes at least one foot support member adapted to provide stability for the base.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 16 , further including a lid operably engageable with the base.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the lid is selectively engageable to the base to provide selective access to the interior cavity.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the platform functions as the lid.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the bottom portion is larger in cross-section than the top portion to create a tapered shape for the base.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the base is constructed of a polymer material.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the base is constructed of a metal wire material.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one platform support member is integrally coupled to the generally planar platform.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the interior cavity is adapted to house objects selected from a group consisting of: at least one weight, at least one bio-media element, a pump, at least one rock, at least one brick, and at least one lighting fixture.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one platform support member is tubular in shape.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one platform support member is selectively coupleable to at least the base.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the generally planar platform includes a plurality of apertures capable of selectively receiving at least one pot support member therein.  
   
   
       32 . An aquatic plant support system comprising: 
 a base at least partially submergible in an aquatic environment, the base having a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion providing an interior cavity;    a generally planar platform, wherein the platform is operably engageable with the base and capable of supporting a potted plant thereon; and    at least one support member extending away from the platform, wherein the at least one support member provides a lateral support boundary capable of keeping the supported potted plant on the platform.    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the platform is selectively engageable to the base to provide selective access to the interior cavity.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the platform includes a plurality of apertures capable of selectively receiving the at least one support member therein.  
   
   
       35 . An aquatic plant support system comprising: 
 a base at least partially submergible in an aquatic environment, the base having a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion providing an interior cavity;    a railing portion and at least one railing support member;    wherein the at least one railing support member extends between the base and the railing portion to operably couple the base and the railing portion; and    wherein the railing portion is adapted to securely receive a potted plant therein.    
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one peripheral side portion includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of apertures define a generally lattice configuration for the at least one peripheral side portion.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one railing support member is integrally coupled to the railing portion.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the interior cavity is adapted to house objects selected from a group consisting of: at least one weight, at least one bio-media element, a pump, at least one rock, at least one brick, and at least one lighting fixture.  
   
   
       40 . An aquatic plant support system comprising: 
 a means for providing base support on a floor of, and at least partially submergible in an aquatic environment;    a means for receiving a potted plant; and    a means for operably coupling the means for providing base support and the means for receiving a potted plant.    
   
   
       41 . A method of supporting a potted plant within an aquatic environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base at least partially submergible in an aquatic environment, the base having a bottom portion, a top portion, and at least one peripheral side portion defining an interior cavity;    providing a generally planar platform capable of securely receiving a potted plant;    providing at least one platform support member;    positioning the at least one platform support member between the generally planar platform and the base, and thereby operably coupling the platform and the base with the at least one platform support member;    placing the base on a floor of an aquatic environment; and    placing a potted plant on the generally planar platform.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one peripheral side portion includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of apertures define a generally lattice configuration for the at least one peripheral side portion.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41 , further providing at least one foot support member adapted to provide stability for the base.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41 , further providing a lid operably engageable with the base.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the generally planar platform includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , further inserting at least one pot support member into one of the plurality of apertures providing support to the potted plant.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 41 , further providing a second generally planar platform capable of receiving a potted plant thereon, the second generally platform operably coupleable to at least one platform coupling support member.