CA2036476A1 - Shield for trees - Google Patents
Shield for treesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2036476A1 CA2036476A1 CA002036476A CA2036476A CA2036476A1 CA 2036476 A1 CA2036476 A1 CA 2036476A1 CA 002036476 A CA002036476 A CA 002036476A CA 2036476 A CA2036476 A CA 2036476A CA 2036476 A1 CA2036476 A1 CA 2036476A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- openings
- shield
- tree
- bands
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000001503 joint Anatomy 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 206010000496 acne Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004124 hock Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002574 poison Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012783 reinforcing fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000454 talc Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052623 talc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Buffer Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
SHIELD FOR TREES ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The shield serves to surround tree trunks especially along city streets in order to protect the same against damage by snow plows and other moving vehicles. For small trees, one shield, mainly containing rubber reclaimed from used tires, is wrapped spacedly around the tree trunk and held in curved condition by means of rigid straps. For tree trunks of greater diameter, at least two sheets of the same material are joined together and made to surround the tree trunk being held around the same by suitable strapping. In this latter case, the lower portion of the sheet forms a skirt composed of a plurality of tongues which can be spread out to make room for any protruding tree roots. In both embodiments, each sheet has elongated openings to increase the transverse flexibility of the sheet, to permit easy curving of the same around the tree.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to shields for protecting trees especially city trees.
In cities located in northern. climates, the trees must be protected against damage by moving vehicles and more particularly, snow-clearing plows during the winter-time. It is standard practice to secure a plurality of upright wooden two-by-fours by means of metallic straps and clips around the tree trunk - just before the start of the winter season and to remove the same in the spring. This is a time-consuming operation and, furthermore, the two by-four are often stolen for use as fuel.
Due to the longitudinal rigidity of the two-by-fours, they often damage the roots of a young tree when impacted.
It is also standard practice to protect the tree trunk of young trees with a metallic shield formed of upright metal slats interconnected by rings. Such metallic shields are often distorted or broken by passing vehicles and they are time-consuming to repair. Also, their upkeep is expensive because since they are made of steel, they mutt be painted every year or so .
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the general object of the invention to provide a shield for trees which will obviate the above-noted disadvantages in that they are especially arranged to protect tree trunlcs against snow plow and the like.
It is an object of the invention to provide such shields mainly made of rubber reclaimed from used tires, which may be reinforced with fibers, if desired, resulting in a protector which cannot be damaged and has a minimum of upkeep and yet will efficiently protect a tree trunk against impact.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shield of the character described, especially adapted for young trees in that it spacedly surrounds the tree, so as to permit tree growth and to better protect the same and its roots against snow plows and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shield of the invention is or protecting against impact trees as found on city streets. It comprises at least one flexible generally rectangular sheet, mainly containing rubber reclaimed from used tires and having a thickness of at least one-half inch. The sheets are preferably provided with at least one transverse row of vertical openings to increase the transverse flexibility of the sheet, so that it can. be wrapped around a tree trunk while having a maximum sheet thickness for proper resistance to impact. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of each sheet is also provided with integral tongues adapted to plead apart, so as to enclose the protruding roots ox the tree surrounded by the sheets. The tongues are separated by slits I
which are longitudinally aligned with the openings. The slits also increase the transverse flexibility of the sheet.
In a second embodiment, especially for small trees, one sheet is kept in a cylindrical shape with the lateral edges of the sheet abutting against each other by means of rigid straps which ore tightened against the curved sheet spacedly from the top to the bottom of the sheet to provide intermediate sheet zones in which the sheet forms bulges, these bulges preferably provided with rows of openings.
BY I EN DE S OR I PUT I ON OF TO E DRAW I NO S
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tree shield in position around a mature tree trunk;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the tree shield in position around the trunk of a young tree;
Figure 3 is a plan section taken along line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a plan section taken along line 4-4 of . Figure 2;
Figure 5 it a perspective view of the rigid band used for securing the sheet in the embodiment of Figure 2;
Figure 6 it an elevation ox one the sheets used in Figure l;
Figure 7 is an elevation ox the sheet used in Figure 2;
. 25 Figure 8 is a partial vertical section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6; and Figure 9 is an enlarged elevation talc en within circle 9 of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The ~1rst embodiment of thy tree shield is used for mature trees and is shown in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 8. A sheet 10, of substantially uniform thickness, for instance between one-half inch and one inch and mainly containing rubber reclaimed from used tires, with or without reinforcing fibers, is used to make the shield. Mach sheet is of rectangular shape, having a bottom edge 12, a top edge 14, and side edges 16. Top edge 14 may be straight but is preferably a decrypter edge, as shown. The sheet 10 is provided with a transverse row of vertically-disposed, elongated openings 18, which are of rectangular shape but preferably with rounded ends 20, said openings being generally parallel to the side edges 16. The bottom portion of the sheet is provided with a series of vertically-extending slits 22 originating at the bottom edge 12 anal terminating below the lower ends of the openings 18, being vertically aligned with these opening 18. These slits define there between a series of tongues 24 depending at their top end from sheet 10. The tongues 24 are f fee to spread apart, as shown in Figure 1. Between the top ends of openings 18 and the top edge 14, there is defined a first opening free zone 26, and between the lower ends of the openings 18 and the top ends of slits 22, there is formed an intermediate opening free zone 28. Preferably, as shown in Figure 8, the outer surface 30 of each sheet 10 is wormed for decorative purposes with integrally-molded round bosses or pimples 32 equally spaced all over the outer surface 30.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, for a large diameter tree S trunk A, two or more sheets 10 are wrapped around the tree trunk directly against the tree trunk bark B and held it position by means ox thin flexible metal straps 34 tightly attached by conventional clips 36. As shown, the side edges 16 of the sheets 10 are in direct abutment forming butt joints. The straps 34 are applied against the opening free Jones 26 and 28. Preferably, in zone 28, there are two traps 34 respectively disposed at the top and bottom of the zone adjacent the bottom edge of the openings 18 and top edges of slits 22, respectively disposed at the top and bottom of the zone adjacent the bottom edges of the openings 18 and top edge of slits 22, respectively. The sheets 10, being made of rubber, are compressible to a certain extent and form a hock absorbing means to resist impact ox a stow plow or the like vehicle hitting the tree. Due to the provision of slits 22, the Tony 24 are capable of spreading apart to leave room for protruding roots of the tree, while protecting the same against impact. The openings 18 increase the transverse flyability of the sheets, so that for a given sheet thickness, the same can be bent about a shorter radius of curvature. This latter feature is particularly useful for surrounding a small diameter tree trunk, such as the tree trunk C illustrated in Figure 2.
The sheet for such a tree trunk is shown at 38 in v v Jo Figures 2, 4, 7 and 9, and the fastening means to hold the sheet 38 around the tree trunk C is more particularly shown in Figure 5. Each sheet 38 is made ox the same material as sheet 10, has thy same uniform thickness and is of rectangular shape, providing a bottom straight edge 40, a top decorative edge 42 and straight side edges 44. The sheet is provided with two transverse rows of vertically-disposed elongated openings 46 and 48. All the openings are of rectangular shape, with rounded ends 50 and 52, respectively. The openings 46 of the top row are respectively aligned with the openings 48 of the bottom row and all the openings are substantially parallel to the side edges 44. There is defined a top opening free zone 54 extending between the top edge 42 and the top ends 50 of openings 45. A further intermediate opening free zone 56 is defined between the bottom ends of openings 46 and the top ends of openings 48. Finally, a bottom opining free zone 58 extends between the bottom ends of bottom openings 48 and the bottom edge 40 of the sheet 38. The outer surface 60 of the sheet 38 it preferably provided with pimples 62, similar Jo pimples 32 of the sheet 10.
As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, a single sheet is wrapped around a tree trunk C, for instance of a maximum diameter of 7 inches, with the side edges 44 in abutment, so as to form a free standing cylindrical element 64 spacedly surrounding the tree trunlc C, as shown by the spacing 66 in Figure 4. This cylindrical element 64 is obtained by the use of rigid sheet metal bands I of a length in accordance with the width of the Jo -3 'Pi sheet 38 and provided with outwardly-bent ears 70, each having a hole 72 or receiving a bolt and nut 74, which serves to tighten the two ears 70 against each other. When tightened, the bands 68 rigidly maintain the sheet 38 in its cylindrical shape, as shown at 64 with the zones of the side edges 44 immediately surrounded by the band in forced abutment. The bands are located in the top, intermediate and bottom zones 54, 56 and 58, respectively.
The portions of the cylindrical sheet element 64 between the bands bulge outwardly, as shown in Figure 2, and, therefore, in these portions, the elide edges 44 are spaced apart and arrant in direct abutment. Similarly, the portions I of the side edges 44 below the bottom bend 68 normally are spaced apart, and this permits to maze room for any protruding part ox the tree trunk at ground level.
The poison 66 between the cylindrical element 64 and the tree trunk C has teen found to further increase the resistance to damage which might be in listed by a snow plow or the like on the small diameter tree trunk. This spacing 68 also allows or tree growth during suite a few years even if the 20 shield is kept in place year round.
The present invention relates to shields for protecting trees especially city trees.
In cities located in northern. climates, the trees must be protected against damage by moving vehicles and more particularly, snow-clearing plows during the winter-time. It is standard practice to secure a plurality of upright wooden two-by-fours by means of metallic straps and clips around the tree trunk - just before the start of the winter season and to remove the same in the spring. This is a time-consuming operation and, furthermore, the two by-four are often stolen for use as fuel.
Due to the longitudinal rigidity of the two-by-fours, they often damage the roots of a young tree when impacted.
It is also standard practice to protect the tree trunk of young trees with a metallic shield formed of upright metal slats interconnected by rings. Such metallic shields are often distorted or broken by passing vehicles and they are time-consuming to repair. Also, their upkeep is expensive because since they are made of steel, they mutt be painted every year or so .
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the general object of the invention to provide a shield for trees which will obviate the above-noted disadvantages in that they are especially arranged to protect tree trunlcs against snow plow and the like.
It is an object of the invention to provide such shields mainly made of rubber reclaimed from used tires, which may be reinforced with fibers, if desired, resulting in a protector which cannot be damaged and has a minimum of upkeep and yet will efficiently protect a tree trunk against impact.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shield of the character described, especially adapted for young trees in that it spacedly surrounds the tree, so as to permit tree growth and to better protect the same and its roots against snow plows and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shield of the invention is or protecting against impact trees as found on city streets. It comprises at least one flexible generally rectangular sheet, mainly containing rubber reclaimed from used tires and having a thickness of at least one-half inch. The sheets are preferably provided with at least one transverse row of vertical openings to increase the transverse flexibility of the sheet, so that it can. be wrapped around a tree trunk while having a maximum sheet thickness for proper resistance to impact. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of each sheet is also provided with integral tongues adapted to plead apart, so as to enclose the protruding roots ox the tree surrounded by the sheets. The tongues are separated by slits I
which are longitudinally aligned with the openings. The slits also increase the transverse flexibility of the sheet.
In a second embodiment, especially for small trees, one sheet is kept in a cylindrical shape with the lateral edges of the sheet abutting against each other by means of rigid straps which ore tightened against the curved sheet spacedly from the top to the bottom of the sheet to provide intermediate sheet zones in which the sheet forms bulges, these bulges preferably provided with rows of openings.
BY I EN DE S OR I PUT I ON OF TO E DRAW I NO S
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tree shield in position around a mature tree trunk;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the tree shield in position around the trunk of a young tree;
Figure 3 is a plan section taken along line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a plan section taken along line 4-4 of . Figure 2;
Figure 5 it a perspective view of the rigid band used for securing the sheet in the embodiment of Figure 2;
Figure 6 it an elevation ox one the sheets used in Figure l;
Figure 7 is an elevation ox the sheet used in Figure 2;
. 25 Figure 8 is a partial vertical section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6; and Figure 9 is an enlarged elevation talc en within circle 9 of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The ~1rst embodiment of thy tree shield is used for mature trees and is shown in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 8. A sheet 10, of substantially uniform thickness, for instance between one-half inch and one inch and mainly containing rubber reclaimed from used tires, with or without reinforcing fibers, is used to make the shield. Mach sheet is of rectangular shape, having a bottom edge 12, a top edge 14, and side edges 16. Top edge 14 may be straight but is preferably a decrypter edge, as shown. The sheet 10 is provided with a transverse row of vertically-disposed, elongated openings 18, which are of rectangular shape but preferably with rounded ends 20, said openings being generally parallel to the side edges 16. The bottom portion of the sheet is provided with a series of vertically-extending slits 22 originating at the bottom edge 12 anal terminating below the lower ends of the openings 18, being vertically aligned with these opening 18. These slits define there between a series of tongues 24 depending at their top end from sheet 10. The tongues 24 are f fee to spread apart, as shown in Figure 1. Between the top ends of openings 18 and the top edge 14, there is defined a first opening free zone 26, and between the lower ends of the openings 18 and the top ends of slits 22, there is formed an intermediate opening free zone 28. Preferably, as shown in Figure 8, the outer surface 30 of each sheet 10 is wormed for decorative purposes with integrally-molded round bosses or pimples 32 equally spaced all over the outer surface 30.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, for a large diameter tree S trunk A, two or more sheets 10 are wrapped around the tree trunk directly against the tree trunk bark B and held it position by means ox thin flexible metal straps 34 tightly attached by conventional clips 36. As shown, the side edges 16 of the sheets 10 are in direct abutment forming butt joints. The straps 34 are applied against the opening free Jones 26 and 28. Preferably, in zone 28, there are two traps 34 respectively disposed at the top and bottom of the zone adjacent the bottom edge of the openings 18 and top edges of slits 22, respectively disposed at the top and bottom of the zone adjacent the bottom edges of the openings 18 and top edge of slits 22, respectively. The sheets 10, being made of rubber, are compressible to a certain extent and form a hock absorbing means to resist impact ox a stow plow or the like vehicle hitting the tree. Due to the provision of slits 22, the Tony 24 are capable of spreading apart to leave room for protruding roots of the tree, while protecting the same against impact. The openings 18 increase the transverse flyability of the sheets, so that for a given sheet thickness, the same can be bent about a shorter radius of curvature. This latter feature is particularly useful for surrounding a small diameter tree trunk, such as the tree trunk C illustrated in Figure 2.
The sheet for such a tree trunk is shown at 38 in v v Jo Figures 2, 4, 7 and 9, and the fastening means to hold the sheet 38 around the tree trunk C is more particularly shown in Figure 5. Each sheet 38 is made ox the same material as sheet 10, has thy same uniform thickness and is of rectangular shape, providing a bottom straight edge 40, a top decorative edge 42 and straight side edges 44. The sheet is provided with two transverse rows of vertically-disposed elongated openings 46 and 48. All the openings are of rectangular shape, with rounded ends 50 and 52, respectively. The openings 46 of the top row are respectively aligned with the openings 48 of the bottom row and all the openings are substantially parallel to the side edges 44. There is defined a top opening free zone 54 extending between the top edge 42 and the top ends 50 of openings 45. A further intermediate opening free zone 56 is defined between the bottom ends of openings 46 and the top ends of openings 48. Finally, a bottom opining free zone 58 extends between the bottom ends of bottom openings 48 and the bottom edge 40 of the sheet 38. The outer surface 60 of the sheet 38 it preferably provided with pimples 62, similar Jo pimples 32 of the sheet 10.
As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, a single sheet is wrapped around a tree trunk C, for instance of a maximum diameter of 7 inches, with the side edges 44 in abutment, so as to form a free standing cylindrical element 64 spacedly surrounding the tree trunlc C, as shown by the spacing 66 in Figure 4. This cylindrical element 64 is obtained by the use of rigid sheet metal bands I of a length in accordance with the width of the Jo -3 'Pi sheet 38 and provided with outwardly-bent ears 70, each having a hole 72 or receiving a bolt and nut 74, which serves to tighten the two ears 70 against each other. When tightened, the bands 68 rigidly maintain the sheet 38 in its cylindrical shape, as shown at 64 with the zones of the side edges 44 immediately surrounded by the band in forced abutment. The bands are located in the top, intermediate and bottom zones 54, 56 and 58, respectively.
The portions of the cylindrical sheet element 64 between the bands bulge outwardly, as shown in Figure 2, and, therefore, in these portions, the elide edges 44 are spaced apart and arrant in direct abutment. Similarly, the portions I of the side edges 44 below the bottom bend 68 normally are spaced apart, and this permits to maze room for any protruding part ox the tree trunk at ground level.
The poison 66 between the cylindrical element 64 and the tree trunk C has teen found to further increase the resistance to damage which might be in listed by a snow plow or the like on the small diameter tree trunk. This spacing 68 also allows or tree growth during suite a few years even if the 20 shield is kept in place year round.
Claims (5)
1. A shield for protecting trees against impact, comprising: a flexible sheet of generally rectangular shape and containing mainly rubber reclaimed from used tires and of a thickness of at least half an inch, said sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge and lateral edges and adapted to be wrapped around a tree trunk, and strap means to maintain said sheet wrapped around a tree trunk.
2. A shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said sheet is provided with a transverse row of spaced, elongated openings, generally parallel to said lateral edges, said openings increasing the transverse flexibility of said sheet, so as to enable curving of the same around a smaller radius of curvature than would otherwise be possible for a given sheet thicknes.
3. A shield as defined in claim 2, further including a transverse row of spaced slits generally parallel to said lateral edges, said slits extending from said bottom edge towards, but short of, said elongated openings, said slits defining depending tongues therebetween, which can be spread outwardly to enclose tree roots.
4. A shield as defined in claim 2, further including an additional transverse row of elongated openings longitudinally aligned with the openings of the first-named row, respectively, terminating short of the latter openings, all said openings terminating short of the top and bottom edges of said sheet, so as to define an opening free top zone; an opening free intermediate zone located between the two rows of openings and an opening free bottom zone adjacent said bottom edge; and wherein said strap means include rigid bands surrounding said opening free zones; and means to tighten said bands, the latter causing bulging of said sheet in the areas between said bands and containing said rows of openings.
5. A shield as defined in claim 4, wherein said bands are made of sheet metal and each forms a circle with outwardly-bent ears at its respective ends, aid ears provided with holes for receiving a bolt-and-nut assembly for tightening the ears one against the other, said bands retaining the lateral edged of said sheet in abutting relationship to form a butt joint in the region of said sheet within said bands.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US48046490A | 1990-02-15 | 1990-02-15 | |
| US07/480,464 | 1990-02-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2036476A1 true CA2036476A1 (en) | 1991-08-16 |
Family
ID=23908077
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002036476A Abandoned CA2036476A1 (en) | 1990-02-15 | 1991-02-15 | Shield for trees |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2036476A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2173033A1 (en) * | 2000-08-29 | 2002-10-01 | Francisco Moreno Lopez S L | Procedure for manufacturing tree protectors involves forming two layers by mixing isotactic resin with styrene, cobalt octoate, methylethylacetone peroxide and incorporating sand and paraffin |
-
1991
- 1991-02-15 CA CA002036476A patent/CA2036476A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2173033A1 (en) * | 2000-08-29 | 2002-10-01 | Francisco Moreno Lopez S L | Procedure for manufacturing tree protectors involves forming two layers by mixing isotactic resin with styrene, cobalt octoate, methylethylacetone peroxide and incorporating sand and paraffin |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19960817 |
|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19960817 |