US 12,268,134 B2
Plant holder with integrated lighting fixture and aesthetic features
Silvino Michael Suarez, Los Lunas, NM (US)
Filed by Silvino Michael Suarez, Los Lunas, NM (US)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/719,128.
Application 17/719,128 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/550,237, filed on Dec. 14, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/178,729, filed on Apr. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/128,666, filed on Dec. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0232779 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. A01G 9/02 (2018.01); A01G 9/24 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 9/02 (2013.01) [A01G 9/249 (2019.05)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, the apparatus comprising:
a container capable of holding a plant, the container having at least one sidewall enclosing an interior space with an opening at a top of the container, wherein the container, and the at least one sidewall of the container, are formed from a quantity of cast concrete, wherein the at least one sidewall terminates at a rim of the container in a location proximate to the top of the container, and wherein a top rim surface of the sidewall is positioned substantially horizontal;
at least one lighting device integrated into the at least one sidewall of the container, wherein the at least one lighting device is capable of illuminating at least one of a central region above the container or an exterior surface of the sidewall of the container; and
a power supply connected to the at least one lighting device, the power supply having a solar power unit having a photovoltaic (PV) panel capable of generating an electric current from sunlight and a battery capable of storing electrical power generated from the PV panel, wherein the solar power unit is positioned within the sidewall of the container proximate to the rim, and wherein the PV panel is positioned fully recessed in a channel formed in the substantially horizontal top rim surface of the sidewall, the channel being non-intersecting with an interior surface of the sidewall or the exterior surface of the sidewall, wherein a planar face of the PV panel faces vertically outwards, and wherein the planar face is located substantially coplanar with the substantially horizontal top rim surface of the sidewall.