GB2115262A - Plant protection devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A cage for setting around a plant or sapling has a set of posts (3) which can be spiked into the ground through an opaque base (1). At the top, the posts support a translucent cover (2) of similar shape to the base, and further similar members can be carried at intervals up the posts. The base, cover and intermediate members are made in two or more parts which can be joined to encircle the plant. Around their peripheries there is a wrapper (4), of netting if just for physical protection, or of translucent plastics sheeting for that and thermal gain. For individual plant protection, the base/cover shape may be annular, while a row of plants may be collectively protected by a cage where the base and cover are elongate members which each provide an array of apertures for the plant stems. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to plant protection devices This invention relates to plant protection devices and is primarily concerned with supporting and guarding young saplings or bushes, or soft fruits such as raspberries and strawberries.

In certain areas young trees are very vulnerable to theirshoots and bark being chewed or eaten by animals, such as deer, and a plantation can be devastated by this. Fencing off the entire area is the usual expedient, but one break in the fence can be fatal, and if it is not sufficiently high, or if its foot is not buried deeply enough, then it can be jumped or burrowed under. Also, it has to stay in place as long as there are very young trees to protect, it deteriorates with age and is generally not re-usable elsewhere.

An alternative is to protect each sapling individually, and when that protection is no longer necessary to have it easily removable and usable elsewhere.

Another desirable aim with small plants which cannot be kept tended is to prevent them being swamped by quicker growing vegetation, such as bracken, while they become established.

According to the present invention there is provided a plant protection cage comprising a split base for joining around the foot of a plant and for covering a surrounding area, a splitcoverforjoining around the plant higher up, means for supporting the cover from the ground, and a flexible wrapper for securing to the peripheries of the base and cover to enclose the portion of the plant between them.

The wrapper may be netting or a plastics sheet.

The cover support is conveniently a set of posts evenly distributed around the plant and extending through the base to spike into the ground. Each post may be secured to the cover by a transverse pin arrangement, and the base too may be secured in this way, possibly to hold it slightly clear of the ground. One or more intermediate split supports may be carried by the posts.

Preferablythe base will be opaque to prevent growth nearthe plant stem, while the cover may be clear or translucent.

For a single plant, the preferred shape is cylindrical, with the base and cover of circular disc-like form.

However, the same principlescan be applied to the support and protection of a row of soft fruit, such as raspberries. Generally much time and effort is requited in tying up the canes individually to horizontalwires and they almostalways need netting against birds. For this purpose, the base and cover may be elongated split strips, their join forming apertures for canes at regularly spaced intervals.

For a better understanding of the invention, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cage for a sapling, Figure 2 is a plan view of a segment which can make up part of the cage of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a plan view of a modified cage, and Figure 5 is a plan view of another protective cage.

The cage of Figure 1 is cylindrical, having a circular base 1, a cover 2 of the same size and shape supported on posts 3, and a wrapping 4 completing the drum-like structure. The base 1 and cover 2 have central apertures 5 and 6 respectively, and are made up of two or more moulded plastics segments which can be joined together around a growing plant or sapling.

In one form, the base 1 is made up from two opaque semi-circular elements, one of which is shown in Figure 2. Each has a notch at the centre of the diameter and these combine to form the hole 5.

Along the diameter there are press studs 7 and sockets 8 which complement each other so that two similar elements can be clipped together around the plant. There are radial grooves 9 in the upper surface so that rain is directed inwardly to soak directly around the bole and roots. The base can also act as a platform for manure or fertilizer, which will progressively leach out and permeate down through the roots. Around the curved periphery there are integrally moulded hooks 10 by which the wrapping 4 can be attached.

This base will prevent growth of other vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the protected plant, and act as a mulch by reducing evaporation of moisture from the root zone.

The cover 6 is of generally similar construction, but is perferably of transparent or at least translucent plastics material so as not to shade the protected part of the plant. It has hooks 11 around its periphery for attaching the upper edge of the wrapping 4.

The posts 3 are spiked into the ground through upstanding spigots 12 in the base 1, and each can then be secured by means of a pin 13 through one of several slots 14 in the post registered with holes in the spigot. Thus, if desired, the base 1 can be held just clear of the ground instead of resting upon it.

The cover 2 is also held by means of transverse pins through the posts. With a number of slots for each post the cover 2 can be set at different heights, or an intermediate disc indicated in outline at 15 in Figure 1 can be fitted. This will be of similar construction and will join together to embrace and support an intermediate zone of the stem of the plant.

Generally, the wrapping will be plastics netting with reinforced top and bottom edges. A length of this is wrapped around the skeleton cage with the edge portions being engaged under and over the hooks 10 and 11. It may be desired to protect from frost, or to provide a greenhouse effect, in which case a transparent plastics film may be used instead of or over the netting. It will have reinforced upper and lower edges with holes for engagement by the hooks.

If a particularly tall sapling needs protection, then such cages can be stacked one on top of the other, with means for mutually securing them. Alternatively, longer posts may be employed, with several intermediate discs 15 and either a single large wrapping 4 or a number of individual ones as used on the standard size.

Generally, part of the plant will project up through the aperture 6. In most cases, enough of the plant will be protected within the cage, but if desired there could be provided a domed or conical cage to fit over the top of the cover 2 and completely enclose the plant.

It may be that a semi-circular member with a great many hooks is too expensive and complicated to mould. Therefore, the base 1 and cover 2 may each be composed of several narrow-angled sectors, clipping together along their radial sides. The joints may form the grooves 9 referred to above.

There could be more posts, or just three. But for uniformity of moulding each element or sector will have provision for at least one post and the posts will be evenly distributed around the central vertical axis. They may be of plastics, wood or metal.

Figure 4 shows a variation where the central aperture corresponding to holes 5 and 6 is very much greater. This may be necessary for the cover 2, for example, where the top of a bush is branching out and should not be restricted, or where the trunk is large.

Figure 5 shows a version intended for supporting and protecting raspberry canes. The base 21 is generally rectangular and made up from two similar strips 22 each with a serrated edge 23 along one of the longer sides. These edges clip together at the tips of the serrations, forming diamond shaped apertures which surround the canes. On the ground, they will define the active root spacing, and any canes that are too remote will be cut out or prevented from growing. At the intermediate or cover level, the combined serrations will hold the canes in place, allowing them only limited freedom of movement.

The opposite longer edges 24 are formed with hooks 25 for attaching netting or plastic sheeting, and the shorter edges have studs 26 and sockets 27 for connecting further strips end to end along the line of raspberries, for as far as necessary. The wrapping and post support arrangement is similar to that of Figure 1.

It will be appreciated that many different configurations may be adopted to cater for different types of plants.

It is also possible to use only half a cage, or even less in a suitable corner, to protect a plant growing against a wall.

CLAIMS (Filed on 22-2-83) 1. A plant protection cage comprising a split base for joining around the foot of a plant and for covering a surrounding area, a split cover for joining around the plant higher up, means for supporting the cover from the ground, and a flexible wrapper for securing to the peripheries of the base and cover to enclose the portion of plant between them.

2. A cage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting means are posts spikable into the ground through locating apertures in the base.

3. A cage as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting means are adapted for holding the base clear of the ground.

4. A cage as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, and further comprising at least one intermediate split member for joining around the plant between the cover and base, also carried by the supporting means.

5. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover and base are generally annular and the cage is substantially cylindrical.

6. A cage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover and base are elongated and their respective parts, when joined, form a series of discrete apertures for embracing a plurality of plants in a row.

7. A cage as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ends of the cover and base parts are adapted to join to ends of similar parts of another such cage, thereby to extend the cage along the row.

8. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is opaque.

9. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover is translucent.

10. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper is netting.

11. A cage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wrapper is transparent plastics film.

12. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to be combinable with another such cage, one above the other.

13. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising means for enveloping the head of a plant projecting above said cover.

14. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base and cover are provided with hooks or projections on their peripheries for attaching the wrapper.

15. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is adapted to direct water in towards the plant stem(s).

16. A plant protection cage substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. such cages can be stacked one on top of the other, with means for mutually securing them. Alternatively, longer posts may be employed, with several intermediate discs 15 and either a single large wrapping 4 or a number of individual ones as used on the standard size. Generally, part of the plant will project up through the aperture 6. In most cases, enough of the plant will be protected within the cage, but if desired there could be provided a domed or conical cage to fit over the top of the cover 2 and completely enclose the plant. It may be that a semi-circular member with a great many hooks is too expensive and complicated to mould. Therefore, the base 1 and cover 2 may each be composed of several narrow-angled sectors, clipping together along their radial sides. The joints may form the grooves 9 referred to above. There could be more posts, or just three. But for uniformity of moulding each element or sector will have provision for at least one post and the posts will be evenly distributed around the central vertical axis. They may be of plastics, wood or metal. Figure 4 shows a variation where the central aperture corresponding to holes 5 and 6 is very much greater. This may be necessary for the cover 2, for example, where the top of a bush is branching out and should not be restricted, or where the trunk is large. Figure 5 shows a version intended for supporting and protecting raspberry canes. The base 21 is generally rectangular and made up from two similar strips 22 each with a serrated edge 23 along one of the longer sides. These edges clip together at the tips of the serrations, forming diamond shaped apertures which surround the canes. On the ground, they will define the active root spacing, and any canes that are too remote will be cut out or prevented from growing. At the intermediate or cover level, the combined serrations will hold the canes in place, allowing them only limited freedom of movement. The opposite longer edges 24 are formed with hooks 25 for attaching netting or plastic sheeting, and the shorter edges have studs 26 and sockets 27 for connecting further strips end to end along the line of raspberries, for as far as necessary. The wrapping and post support arrangement is similar to that of Figure 1. It will be appreciated that many different configurations may be adopted to cater for different types of plants. It is also possible to use only half a cage, or even less in a suitable corner, to protect a plant growing against a wall. CLAIMS (Filed on 22-2-83)

1. A plant protection cage comprising a split base for joining around the foot of a plant and for covering a surrounding area, a split cover for joining around the plant higher up, means for supporting the cover from the ground, and a flexible wrapper for securing to the peripheries of the base and cover to enclose the portion of plant between them.

2. A cage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting means are posts spikable into the ground through locating apertures in the base.

3. A cage as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting means are adapted for holding the base clear of the ground.

4. A cage as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, and further comprising at least one intermediate split member for joining around the plant between the cover and base, also carried by the supporting means.

5. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover and base are generally annular and the cage is substantially cylindrical.

6. A cage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover and base are elongated and their respective parts, when joined, form a series of discrete apertures for embracing a plurality of plants in a row.

7. A cage as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ends of the cover and base parts are adapted to join to ends of similar parts of another such cage, thereby to extend the cage along the row.

8. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is opaque.

9. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover is translucent.

10. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper is netting.

11. A cage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wrapper is transparent plastics film.

12. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to be combinable with another such cage, one above the other.

13. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising means for enveloping the head of a plant projecting above said cover.

14. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base and cover are provided with hooks or projections on their peripheries for attaching the wrapper.

15. A cage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is adapted to direct water in towards the plant stem(s).

16. A plant protection cage substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.