GB2027323A

GB2027323A - Plant layering apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2027323A
Application number: GB7921422A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Wavin BV
Current assignee: Wavin BV
Priority date: 1978-06-23
Filing date: 1979-06-20
Publication date: 1980-02-20
Also published as: DK264079A; GB2027323B; FR2428969A1; IE781259L

Abstract

There is provided a plant layering peg for training plants. It is mounted on a support wire (1) arranged above and substantially parallel to a row of plants (2). The peg has a body portion (3) with a hook (4) for attachment to the wire (1). A spool (6) is rotatably mounted on a spool spindle (5) formed in the body portion (3). A plant support cord (9) is led from the spool (6) around a friction post or bollard (10). In use as the plant (2) grows the lower portion, having no fruit, is layered along the ground, the friction post or bollard preventing inadvertent rotation of the spool (6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to mouldable plastics articles The present invention relates to a device for training plants and in pa rticular to a plant layering peg.

In the growing of plants, particularly under glass, increasing use is made of layering techniques whereby rows of plants are layered along the ground or soil so that only the top portion of the plant, bearing fruit is held upright. As the plant grows, the lower portion on which there is no fruit is layered along the ground and the top portion is kept substantially upright by means of a length of support cord which is tied to the plant and to a layering peg.

The layering peg is hooked or connected to a support wire which is above and substantially parallel to the crop row. As the plant grows, the support cord is removed from the layering peg and the layering peg is moved horizontally along the wire. This allows portion of the plant to lie along the crop row.

There are some severe disadvantages with the present construction of layering pegs, in that firstly, present constructions of layering peg are relatively difficult to operate and further very often, in use, damage the plant by jerking it. There is thus need for an improved construction of layering peg.

According to the invention there is provided a plant layering peg for mounting on a support wire arranged above and substantially parallel to a crop row, comprising a body portion having means for attachment to the support wire, so as to be capable of sliding along it, a spool for a plant support cord, rotatably mounted on part of the body forming a spool spindle and a restraint means mounted on the body portion intermediate the spool and the plant which provides a frictional resistance to the passage of the cord off the spool and hence to rotation of the spool.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a plant layering peg according to the present invention, with the spool removed, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional, enlarged view in the direction of the arrows 11-11 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spool, Fig. 4 is a front view of the layering peg, Fig. 5 is a side view of the layering peg in a position of use, Fig. 6 is a side view of an alternative construction of layering peg with the spool removed, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spool, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows VIII- VIII of Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is a side view of an alternative construction of layering peg with the spool removed, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrowsX-X of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrowsXI-XI of Fig. 9, Fig. 12 is a side view of a still further alternative construction of layering peg according to the invention, and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the spool of Fig. 12 shown upside down.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, there is provided a plant layering peg for mounting on a support wire 1 so as to be capable of sliding along it. The support wire 1 is arranged above and substantially parallel to a crop row comprising a number of plants 2 only one of which is shown in Fig. 5. The plant layering peg has a body portion 3 of a moulded plastics material. The body portion 3 is of substantially L shape having two legs.

Means for attachment to the support wire 1 namely a hook 4 is formed adjacent the free end of one of the legs which also forms a spool spindle 5 which, in use has its axis upwardly inclined to the horizontal. The spool spindle 5 is tapered towards its free end that is to say towards the free end of the leg. This can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Mounted on the spool spindle 5 is a spool 6 having an interior tapered hole 7 and a spud 8 for anchoring a support cord 9 when wrapped round it. The maximum diameter of the spool spindle is greater than the maximum diameter of the spool hole. A restraint means namely a bollard or friction post 10, is formed on the other leg of the body portion 3. The surface of the friction post 10 has a vee shape as can be seen from Fig. 2.

In use, the layering peg is hung by the hook4from a support wire, and the support cord 9 is led round the friction post 10 and is connected to the plant 2 at 11. As the plant grows and it is desired to layer the plant, the spool 6 is rotated by hand, releasing the support cord 9. As the support cord 9 is released, the weight of the plant 2 will cause the support cord to move downwards. The support cord will not move rapidly because ofthefriction post 10. It will be appreciated that the friction post 10 does not provide any resistance to rotation of the spool 6 when the support cord 9 is being un-wound from it.

At the same time, the layering peg may be pushed along the support wire 1, thus layering the plant.

It will be appreciated that in addition to the friction post 10 providing resistance to the rotation of the spool when the layering peg is supporting a plant, that the weight of the plant on the cord will act downwardly on the spool 6 to cause the spool 6 to move down on the spool spindle 5 thus tending to jam the spool on the spool spindle and resist rotation of the spool 6.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, there is illustrated an alternative construction of layering peg according to the invention, parts similar to those described already, are identified by the same reference numer als. The only difference between this alternative embodiment and that described already, is that there is formed in the body portion 3 a spindle 20 of I section, chamfered at 21 to receive the spool 6 and provided with two tapering rails 22, which ensure that the effective diameter of the spindle 20 tapers.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive there is illustrated a still further alternative construction of layer ing peg according to the invention which is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs.

6 to 8 inclusive. The only difference between this layering peg and that previously described is that the means for attachment to the support wire 1 is a hook indicated generally by the reference numeral 30 formed from an elongated entry slot 31 having a mouth 32 for reception of the support wire, communicating at its other end at 33 intermediate the ends of a further transverse slot 34 one end of which 35 is adapted to bear against the support wire. It will be noted that at this end 35 the transverse slot 34 is tapered so that in use it will tend to grip the wire.

It will also be noted that the general formation of the body portion 3 is slightly different to that of the previous embodiments, this shape facilitates moulding from a plastics material.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13 there is illustrated a still further alternative construction of layering peg according to the invention, again parts similar to those described already are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment of the invention there is provided a spool spindle 40 of cylindrical shape. The means for attachment of the support wire 1 is again a hook indicated generally by the reference numeral 41 formed by an elongated entry slot 42 communicating at its other end intermediate the ends of a transverse slot 43. There is provided a spool 44 which has a cylindrical hole 45.

The spool 44 is provided with four spuds or projections 46 which in use are adapted for engagement with the body portion to prevent rotation of the spool. In operation, to rotate the spool, the spool is pushed upwards on the spool spindle40 thus releasing the spuds 46 from engagement with the body portion 3 and hence allowing the spool to be rotated.

The layering pegs described above are particularly suitable for manufacture from a plastics material.

Further, it will be appreciated that the layering peg according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use as a tomato layering peg.

Claims

1. A plant layering peg for mounting on a support wire arranged above and substantially parallel to a crop row, comprising a body portion having means for attachment to the support wire, so as to be capable of sliding along it, a spool for a plant support cord, rotatably mounted on part of the body forming a spool spindle and a restraint means mounted on the body portion intermediate the spool and the plant which provided a frictional resistance to the passage of the cord off the spool and hence to rotation of the spool.

2. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 1 in which the restraint means is a friction post, the degree of restraint being determined by the number of turns of the cord around the post.

3. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 2 in which the friction post has a vee shaped outer surface.

4. A plant layering peg as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body portion is of substan tially "L" shape having two legs, its restraint means being formed on one leg and its spool spindle formed on the other leg, which also incorporates adjacent its free end the means for attachment to the support wire.

5. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 4 in which the spool spindle is tapered towards the free end of the leg and the spool has a hole with the same degree oftaper. of taper.

6. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 5 in which the maximum diameter of the spool spindle is greater than the maximum diameter of the spool hole whereby the weight of the plant on the cord causes the spool to move down on the spindle and resist rotation of the spool.

7. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 4 in which the spindle is cylindrical and the spool has a cylindrical hole and its outer surface is adapted for engagement with the body portion for prevention of rotation of the spool, movement of the spool towards the free end of the leg disengaging the spool from the body portion.

8. A plant layering peg as claimed in any preceding claim in which the means for attachment to the support wire is a hook formed in the body portion.

9. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 8 in which the hook comprises an elongated entry slot, having a mouth for reception of the support wire, communicating at its other end intermediate the ends of a transverse slot, one end of the said transverse slot, in use, bearing on the support wire.

10. A plant layering peg as claimed in claim 9 in which the end of the said transverse slot bearing on the support wire is tapered to grip the wire.

11. A plant layering peg as claimed in any preceding claim for tomatoes.

12. A plant layering peg as claimed in any preceding claim manufactured of a plastics material.

13. A plant layering peg substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A plant layering peg substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A plant layering peg substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A plant layering peg substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.