FR2944183A1 - Elevating wire guiding device for use in arboriculture and viticulture, has folded part inserted between stop unit and arm and withdrawing arm in direction of stop unit against which arm is slidingly supported - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a fixing unit (4) fixing a metal rod to a corner stake (2). A pivoting unit i.e. stop unit (5), pivots a metal rod (3) with respect to the stake so that an arm i.e. strand (33), and a maintaining unit i.e. loop (34), of an elevating wire (R) can pass from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, where the stop unit is fixedly integrated to the stake. The metal rod comprises a folded part (32) forming a spring, inserted between the stop unit and the arm, and withdrawing the arm in a direction of the stop unit against which the arm is slidingly supported.

Description

The subject of the present invention is, in the field of trellising in arboriculture and viticulture, a device for guiding the so-called lift wire. As the vegetation grows, the young shoots elongate substantially vertically, and the foliage grows so that after a certain time this vegetation tends to fall back under the effect of its own weight. In order to remedy this problem, it is known to proceed with the trellising of this vegetation, which consists in binding these stems to trellising wires, so-called connecting wires, extending between stakes. It is also known to use, in addition to said son linkers, so-called lift son, arranged on either side of the stakes, near the top thereof, and between which vegetation is intended to be contained. In the autumn, after the operation of the size, the lifting threads are unhooked from the stakes, to be hanging up only in the spring during the trellising and lifting operation, which makes it possible to increase the leaf surface, to promote the maturation of grapes or the administration of products for the treatment of this vegetation. Such a lifting is to bring the son raisors on both sides of the vegetation and keep them tightened. In order to limit the amplitude of movement of the lift son, and also to prevent them from lying on the ground, devices are used to guide and maintain the lifting son. Numerous guiding devices, spreaders and lifters are known, each consisting of a folded metal rod and essentially comprising at one end a fixing means on a stake, and at the other end, at the end of an arm, a means for maintaining a lifting thread. Such a device can be dual, namely have a symmetrical element for simultaneously raise two son. Whatever the embodiment of these devices, it has two states, a closed state where the lift son are kept close together and enclose the vegetation, and an open state where the lift son are kept apart, leaving free vegetation. In general, when these devices are in the closed position, they cooperate with locking means allowing them to maintain the position, these means being in the form of either hooks integral with the stakes, or staple for maintaining the lifting son or hook integral with the holding means of a lift wire, and able to hook the other lift wire or the holding means thereof. These devices move to the open position automatically after release of the locking means, either by gravity under the effect of the push of the vegetation, or, for the most part, by elasticity of the device, the wire of which it is then being shaped as a spring . The present applicant has thus developed many of these devices, and in particular those described in the documents FR2840766, FR2866783, FR2891696, FR2893818, FR2903570, FR2914536.

These devices all give more or less satisfaction whether from the point of view of maintenance that from the point of view implemented. Some, however, have advantages, in particular that they can be implemented mechanically, while others require manual intervention.

However, these devices however have some disadvantages, some is accused of being too cumbersome when they are in the raised position, that is to say, they encroach in the road between two rows of vines, while d others need to move down the nearest linker wire to allow their use, which can be detrimental to the maintenance of vegetation. The object of the present invention is to remedy these various drawbacks by proposing a device for guiding the so-called lift wire which, in the raised position, is only slightly larger than the pegs which carry them, and which do not hinder installing a linker wire at its most operational location. The thread guide device, said lift device according to the invention, comprises a spring-shaped metal rod, shaped by folding, comprising at one end a fixing means on a stake, and at the other end, at the end of a arm, a means for holding a lifting wire, and designed to be able to be moved between two extreme positions, one said closed where the lifting wire is raised to constrain the vegetation and the other so-called open where the take-up wire is lowered to release the vegetation, and it is essentially characterized in that it comprises in addition to said metal rod, on the one hand a means for connecting said metal rod to said constituent stake and a pivoting means of said rod relative to said stake so that said arm and its holding means of a lifting wire can pass from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, and secondly abutment means intended to be fixedly secured to said post, above the location of said pivot means, but below said holding means of a take-up wire when in the closed position; and in that said metal ring comprises a folded portion which forms a spring, interposed between said pivoting means and said arm, and shaped so as to return said arm towards said stop means against which said arm comes into sliding support. It will be understood that the combination of the elastic return and the possibility that the arm bears against the abutment means tends to pivot the metal ring so that the holding means of the lifting wire takes a closed position, and that the open position is obtained by rotating the metal ring in the other direction that is to say by constraining the elastic return force. According to an additional characteristic of the guiding device according to the invention, the folded part which forms a spring consists of a folded part which extends on the side opposite to that in which the arm provided with the holding means of the lifting thread, and which comprises at least one fold allowing said part to bypass the possible presence of a linker wire. According to another additional characteristic of the guide device according to the invention, the pivoting means and the abutment means each consist of a shaft extending perpendicularly from one side of the stake itself perpendicular to the row of vines. According to an additional feature of the guide device according to the invention, the metal rod is secured to the stake through an intermediate piece comprising the fixing means and the stop means. According to a particular embodiment, the intermediate piece is in the form of a folded metal ring, at least partially surrounding the stake and secured to the latter being engaged in notches when said peg is angle-type, or in latches when said stake is profiled type with latches, while the two end segments of said rod project parallel to a face of said post to form the fastening means and the stop means. According to another particular embodiment, when the stake consists of a pawl profile, the intermediate piece consists of a bracket intended to be fitted on two sides of said post, and one side of which is provided with openings allowing engagement with said pawls. while the other comprises the shafts constituting the pivoting means and the stop means. According to a particular embodiment of the guiding device according to the invention, the metal ring is generally U-shaped, it comprises a longer branch constituting the arm provided at its end with a holding loop of a take-up wire and suitable to bear against the abutment means, while the shorter leg consists of a strand having at its end a loop intended to be pivotally mounted on the fastening means, and which is incorporated in the folded portion forming a spring.

According to a variant of the particular embodiment of the guide device according to the invention, the two strands intersect at the folded portion forming a spring. This configuration makes it possible to accentuate the spring effect of the folded part which forms spring. The advantages and characteristics of the guiding device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents several non-limiting embodiments thereof.

In the accompanying drawing: - Figure 1 shows a schematic elevational view of a thread guide device said lifter according to the invention mounted on a stake. FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d show schematic views in elevation of the same device on the same post, in different positions of its use. - Figure 3 shows a schematic elevational view of the same thread guide device said lifter mounted on the same stake in an alternative embodiment. FIG. 4 represents a diagrammatic elevational view of another embodiment of the so-called lift guide device according to the invention mounted on a stake. FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show diagrammatic front, side and top views, respectively, of another embodiment of a portion of the yarn guiding device according to the invention and of a peg. FIGS. 6a and 6b show diagrammatic views, respectively in elevation and in plan, of another embodiment of a part of the yarn guiding device and a peg. - Figures 7a and 7b show schematic views, respectively in elevation and in plan, of another embodiment of a portion of the wire guide device and a peg.

With reference to FIG. 1, it is possible to see a device 1 for guiding the so-called lift wire according to the invention, mounted on a peg 2. The peg 2 is of the angle-type, that is to say it is of section L, it comprises a flange 20 disposed parallel to the alignment of the pegs 2 and provided with holes 21 for fixing a wire holder, not shown, and a flange 22 perpendicular to this alignment and in which are practiced notches 23.

The guiding device 1 comprises a metal rod 3 of spring quality comprising folds, a means 4 for fixing the metal rod 3 on the stake 2, and a means 5 of abutment secured to the post 2. The fixing means 4 and the means 5, 5c and 5c, each comprise essentially a shaft 40 and 50, respectively, arranged perpendicular to the flange 22, being engaged and each clamped in a notch 23, the means 4 fastener being disposed lower than the abutment means 5.

The metal ring 3 comprises at one end a bend 30 in the form of a loop, intended to be threaded onto the shaft 40 of the fastening means 4 so as to allow the pivoting of the metal ring 3 with respect to the stake 2. The bending 30 loop shape is formed at the end of a strand 31 of a portion 32 consisting of several strands and plies, and of which extends a strand, or arm, 33 which abuts against the stop means 5, and whose free end 34 is folded in the form of a loop intended to receive a so-called lift wire R. The part 32 is folded, and shaped into a spring element, so as to return the strand 33 against the abutment means 5. note that the shaft 40 and the shaft 50 are provided, at least at their free end, with a washer, respectively 41 and 51, for containing respectively the fold 30 and the strand 33.

The spring function of the part 32, in association with the abutment means 5 against which the strand 33 is supported, causes the pivoting of the metal ring 3 and thus the lifting of the loop 34, and consequently the lifting thread R, which abuts on the edge of the wing 22 of the stake 2, thus ensuring the guidance and maintenance of vegetation.

The portion 32 is folded so as to give it spring characteristics, but also to partly bypass a linker wire L which passes along the wing 20, and secondly power, or almost. Part 32 thus consists of a substantially U-shaped extension, one branch of which is constituted by the strand 31 while the other branch consists of the strand 33, both joined by a transverse strand 35, the strands 33 and 31 comprising each a fold, respectively 36 and 37, to bypass the linker wire L. It will be noted further that the strands 31 and 33 intersect. Referring also to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, we can see different steps of the use of the device 1 according to the invention, during the transition from the closed position, Figure 2a, to the open position, Figure 2d.

The transition from the closed position to the open position consists in passing the loop 34 from a position close to the post 2 to a position spaced apart from the post 2, that is to say, to make the raising thread R vegetation clamping position at a position of loosening vegetation.

The change of position is achieved by exerting on the part 32 a force E which goes from the bottom to the top, to rotate the metal ring 3 on the shaft 40 through the strand 31. The movement consists in constraining the effort restoring force exerted by the part 32, by sliding the strand 31 on the abutment means 5, until passing a point where the return force is not sufficient to rotate the metal ring 3, that is to say that is to say where the return force is directed towards the pivot axis, or that the lever arm of the strand 31 is greater than that of the strand 33, as is the case in Figures 2c and 2d.

Referring to Figure 3, we can see two metal rods 3 mounted symmetrically on the same pole 2, on the same shaft 40 and whose strands 31 are supported on the same abutment means 5, so as to allow the guide and the maintaining two raising wires R, not shown, arranged on either side of the stake 2. Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the device according to the invention can be seen, which differs essentially in the form of the part 32, and more particularly on the one hand in that the strands 31 and 33 do not cross, and secondly in that the fold 37 of the strand 33 is shaped to form a notch likely to snap on the shaft 50 when the device 1 is in the open position.

The part 32 can take many forms that are not all represented, the essential thing being that it can resiliently return the strand 33 to the abutment means 5. All the embodiments described above, are mounted on a post 2 of the type angle which is one of the most widespread. However, there is another type of stakes very common, the pawl latches, which is not adapted to receive the guiding device 1 as described above, except to use a specific interface as shown in Figures 5a , 5b and 5c.

A peg 6 with latches 61 consists of section section C, comprising four faces, two opposing 60 longitudinally provided pawls 61, and a face 62 having a longitudinal opening 63. As shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, to be able to adapting a guide device according to the invention to a peg 6, using an intermediate piece consisting of a bracket-shaped plate 7, comprising two wings 70 and 71, one of which 71 is pierced with openings 72 intended to allow one engagement on the latches 61, while the other 70, intended to come into contact with the face 62, has holes, not visible, for mounting a fastening means 4 and a stop means 5. After engagement of the wing 71 on the pawls 61, they are crushed to consolidate the binding.

Referring now to Figures 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b, it can be seen that the intermediate piece for securing the ring 3, possibly two, to a stake 2 or 6, may consist of a metal ring 8 or 9 bent. In FIGS. 6a and 6b, the peg is a notched corner bar 23, the ring 8 is generally U-folded to form two branches 80 and 81 each engaged in a notch 23 so as to project from the flange 22, while that the remainder 82 of the ring 8 extends internally between the two wings 22 and 20 to be folded on the outside of the wing 20, the branches 80 and 81 respectively constituting the fixing means and the stop means. In FIGS. 7a and 7b, the stake is a section 6 with pawls 61, the ring 9 is generally U-folded to form two branches 90 and 91 which project from the face 62. The remainder 92 of the ring 9 is folded to fit the angle formed by the face 62 and a face 60 having pawls 61, in which the bases of the branches 90 and 91 are engaged, the branches 90 and 91 respectively constituting the fixing means and the stop means.

Claims (2)

1) Thread guide device said lifter comprising a metal rod (3) of spring quality, shaped by folding, having at one end a fixing means on a stake (2; 6), and at the other end, at the end of an arm (33), means (34) for holding a lifting wire (R), and designed to be able to be moved between two extreme positions, one said closed where the lifting wire (R) is raised to constrain the vegetation and the other so-called open where the lifting wire (R) is lowered to release vegetation, characterized in that it comprises in addition to said metal ring (3), on the one hand means (4) connecting said metal rod to said stake (2; 6) constituting and pivoting means of said rod (3) relative to said stake (2; 6) so that said arm and its means (34) for holding a thread lifter (R) can pass from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, and secondly a means (5) for abutment intended be fixedly secured to said pole (2; 6), above the location of said pivoting means (5), but below said means (34) for holding a take-up wire (R) when in the closed position; and in that said metal rod (3) has a folded portion (32) which forms a spring, interposed between said pivoting means (4) and said arm (33), and shaped so as to bias said arm (33) towards said abutment means (5) against which said arm (33) abuts slidingly. 2) Guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the folded portion (32) which forms spring consists of a folded portion which extends on the opposite side to that in which extends the arm (33) provided with the means (34) for maintaining a lifting wire (R), and which comprises at least one fold (36, 37) allowing said portion (32) to bypass the possible presence of a wire linker (L). Guide according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the pivot means (4) and the abutment means (5) each consist of a shaft (40, 50) extending perpendicularly from one face (22; 62) of the peg (2; 6) itself perpendicular to the row of vines. 4) Guiding device according to claim 3, characterized in that the metal rod (3) is secured to the peg (2; 6) through an intermediate piece (7; 8; 9) having the fixing means (4; 80; 90) and the stop means (5; 81; 91). 5) Guiding device according to claim 4, characterized in that the intermediate piece is in the form of a folded metal ring (8; 9), at least partially surrounding the stake (2; 6) and secured thereto by being engaged in notches (23) when said post (2) is of angle type, or in pawls (61) when said post is of profiled type (6) with pawls, while the two end segments (80, 81 90, 91) of said rod (8; 9) protrude parallel to a face (22; 62) of said post (2; 6) to form the fixing means and the stop means. 6) Guiding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the stake consists of a profile (6) with latches (61), the intermediate piece consists of an angle (7) intended to be adapted on two sides (60). 62) of said stake (6) and one face (71) of which is provided with openings (72) allowing engagement with said latches (61) while the other comprises the shafts (40, 50) constituting the means ( 4) and the stop means (5). 7) Guiding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal ring (3) is generally U-shaped, it comprises a longer branch constituting the arm (33) provided at its end with a loop (34) for maintaining a lifting thread (R) and able to bear against the abutment means (5), whereas the shorter branch consists of a strand (31) comprising at its end a loop (30) intended to to be pivotally mounted on the fastening means (4), and which is incorporated in the folded spring portion (32). 8) Guiding device according to claim 7, characterized in that the two strands (31, 33) intersect at the folded portion forming a spring (32).