Garden column assembly and associated method of manufacture

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved structural support and/or decorative column that includes a substantially-hollow column member including a first attachment point for attaching a first end of the substantially-hollow column member to a structure and, optionally, a second attachment point for attaching a second end of the substantially-hollow column member to the structure. The improved structural support and/or decorative column also includes one or more support members for supporting one or more plants or the like fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member. The improved structural support and/or decorative column further includes a primary fluid delivery line disposed substantially within the interior of the substantially-hollow column member and one or more secondary fluid delivery lines coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for delivering a fluid to the proximity of the one or more support members fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member and the one or more plants or the like supported thereby.

1 . An improved structural support and/or decorative column, comprising: 
 a substantially-hollow column member comprising a first attachment point for attaching a first end of the substantially-hollow column member to a structure and a second attachment point for attaching a second end of the substantially-hollow column member to the structure;    one or more support members for supporting one or more plants fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member;    a primary fluid delivery line disposed substantially within the interior of the substantially-hollow column member; and    one or more secondary fluid delivery lines coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for delivering a fluid to the proximity of the one or more support members fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member and the one or more plants supported thereby.    
   
   
       2 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid delivery timer coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for selectively allowing fluid to be delivered by the primary fluid delivery line and the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines.  
   
   
       3 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more flow-limiting valve devices coupled to the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines for selectively limiting the amount of fluid to be delivered by the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines.  
   
   
       4 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member comprises one of a substantially-circular, substantially-hollow column member and a substantially-square, substantially-hollow column member.  
   
   
       5 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member comprises a plurality of components.  
   
   
       6 . A method for providing an improved structural support and/or decorative column, comprising: 
 providing a substantially-hollow column member comprising a first attachment point for attaching a first end of the substantially-hollow column member to a structure and a second attachment point for attaching a second end of the substantially-hollow column member to the structure;    providing one or more support members for supporting one or more plants fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member;    providing a primary fluid delivery line disposed substantially within the interior of the substantially-hollow column member; and    providing one or more secondary fluid delivery lines coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for delivering a fluid to the proximity of the one or more support members fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member and the one or more plants supported thereby.    
   
   
       7 . The method for providing an improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 6 , further comprising providing a fluid delivery timer coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for selectively allowing fluid to be delivered by the primary fluid delivery line and the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines.  
   
   
       8 . The method for providing an improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 6 , further comprising providing one or more flow-limiting valve devices coupled to the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines for selectively limiting the amount of fluid to be delivered by the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines.  
   
   
       9 . The method for providing an improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member comprises one of a substantially-circular, substantially-hollow column member and a substantially-square, substantially-hollow column member.  
   
   
       10 . The method for providing an improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member comprises a plurality of components.  
   
   
       11 . An improved structural support and/or decorative column, comprising: 
 a substantially-hollow column member comprising a first attachment point for attaching a first end of the substantially-hollow column member to a structure;    one or more support members for supporting one or more plants fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member;    a primary fluid delivery line disposed substantially within the interior of the substantially-hollow column member; and    one or more secondary fluid delivery lines coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for delivering a fluid to the proximity of the one or more support members fixedly or removably attached to the substantially-hollow column member and the one or more plants supported thereby.    
   
   
       12 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member further comprises a second attachment point for attaching a second end of the substantially-hollow column member to the structure.  
   
   
       13 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 11 , further comprising a fluid delivery timer coupled to the primary fluid delivery line for selectively allowing fluid to be delivered by the primary fluid delivery line and the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines.  
   
   
       14 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more flow-limiting valve devices coupled to the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines for selectively limiting the amount of fluid to be delivered by the one or more secondary fluid delivery lines.  
   
   
       15 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member comprises one of a substantially-circular, substantially-hollow column member and a substantially-square, substantially-hollow column member.  
   
   
       16 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member comprises a plurality of components.  
   
   
       17 . The improved structural support and/or decorative column of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially-hollow column member is substantially rigid and provides support for at least a portion of the structure to which it is attached.