Collapsible plant support

Abstract

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible plant support structure comprising:
 a coil having an axis, a bottom end and a top end, said bottom end being configured to rest on a planar surface, said coil being collapsible along said axis and having sufficient rigidity to support a plant disposed within said coil;   a flexible material coupled to said coil and defining a plurality of openings to facilitate the passage of parts of said plant therethrough, said flexible material configured in a generally cylindrical shape and being coupled to said coil at a plurality of locations to limit the expansion of said coil and the movement of said material with respect to said coil.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said coil includes a substantially straight wire that is secured in a helical position at least in part by said flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible sleeve, and wherein:
 at least a portion of said coil is disposed in said flexible sleeve; and   said flexible material is fastened to said flexible sleeve.   
     
     
         4 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible material is in a mesh configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of openings includes a uniform array of rectangular openings, said openings being wider and taller than a portion of said material between said openings. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said coil includes a wire having a natural helical shape. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 6 , wherein said flexible material is connected directly to said wire. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining feature operative to retain said coil in a compressed position when said collapsible plant support structure is not in use. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 8 , wherein said retaining feature includes a toggle button and loop fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said coil is formed from spring steel. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of openings includes a uniform array of rectangular openings. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein said openings are wider and taller than portions of said flexible material between adjacent ones of said openings. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of openings occupies a majority of a surface of said flexible material configured in said generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible plant support structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible sleeve, and wherein:
 at least a portion of said coil is disposed in said flexible sleeve; and   said flexible sleeved is fastened to said flexible material in a helical configuration around said generally cylindrical shape of said flexible material.