Berl M Thomas

US Patent:

60854626, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Aug 24, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/295118

Inventors:

Berl M. Thomas - Bradenton FL

Assignee:

Speedling, Inc. - Sun City FL

International Classification:

A01G 902

US Classification:

47 87

Abstract:

A molded plant tray is provided in the form of a unitary molded plastic member formed of relatively light foamed plastic and having downwardly extending tapered plant cells for receiving planting medium in which individual seedlings are grown. The plant tray is provided with integral drive member receiving groove means in the form of U-shaped grooves along bottom portions of intermediate walls that define the plant cells. An alignment groove can also be provided perpendicular to the drive member receiving groove means and bisecting the length of the drive member receiving groove means for accurate positioning of the plant tray relative to drive members. In a second embodiment a relatively hard plastic insert is molded, manufactured or adhesively secured to create a dual body tray in the molded plastic member and defines the plant cells.

US Patent:

59340185, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

Jul 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/126228

Inventors:

Berl M. Thomas - Bradenton FL

Assignee:

Speedling, Incorporated - Sun City FL

International Classification:

A01G 902

US Classification:

47 87

Abstract:

A molded plant tray is provided in the form of a unitary molded plastic member formed of relatively light foamed plastic and having downwardly extending tapered plant cells for receiving plating medium in which individual seedlings are crown. The plastic member is provided with a plurality of parallel, U-shaped indexing rod-receiving grooves defined on the bottom surface of the plastic member by portions of the intermediate walls that define the plant cells. The indexing rod-receiving grooves are complementary in shape to a plurality of indexing rods arranged in parallel spaced relation in a drum shape rotatable about a longitudinal axis and spaced to receive the indexing rods as they rotate about the longitudinal axis. A U-shaped alignment member-receiving groove is also provided, and is defined on the bottom surface of the plastic member by portions of the intermediate walls to extend perpendicular to the central axes of the indexing rod-receiving grooves. The alignment member-receiving groove is complementary in shape to a ring extending around the perimeter of the drum shape.

US Patent:

D4199138, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

Nov 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

D/095938

Inventors:

Berl M. Thomas - Bradenton FL
Nathan Musgrove - Athens GA

Assignee:

Speedling, Inc. - Sun City FL

International Classification:

1102

US Classification:

D11156

US Patent:

55202365, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Oct 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/141662

Inventors:

Berl M. Thomas - Bradenton FL
Robert D. Moffitt - New Smyrna Beach FL

Assignee:

Speedling, Inc. - Sun City FL

International Classification:

E06B 908

US Classification:

160120

Abstract:

A novel greenhouse curtain system has a plurality of movable curtains oriented vertically one above the other to form a flexible wall. Each curtain is supported by a fixed upper edge, and the vertical position of the lower extent of each curtain may be adjusted by means of a traveling spindle used to furl or unfurl the curtain. The traveling spindle rises and descends as the curtain is furled (raised) or unfurled (lowered), and is rotated by a tensioned cable wrapped in opposite directions around two drums aligned concentrically one on end of the roller bar. The cable is anchored on one end below one of the drums, and is wrapped in opposite manner respectively around both drums and passes vertically to a pulley, and then to a driving means such as a winch. The dimensions of the drums are such that the curtain remains in stable position as long as there is no movement of the cable to or from the driving means. Sealing means is engaged by each roll when the roll is lowered to its full extent to provide a weather seal.