GB2148684A

GB2148684A - Apparatus for protecting a plant

Info

Publication number: GB2148684A
Application number: GB08329566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Harding Monteith Hogg
Original assignee: CORRUPLAST Ltd
Current assignee: CORRUPLAST Ltd
Priority date: 1983-11-04
Filing date: 1983-11-04
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB8329566D0; GB2148684B

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for protecting a plant such as an individual young tree 2 during growth comprising a collapsible tubular housing 3, made from in the embodiments described a single sheet of plastics material such as Correx (Registered Trade Mark), supported substantially upright so that the plant 2 can be housed therewithin. The apparatus 1 includes securing means in the form of a wire tie 4 adapted in use to extend from the housing 3 and to engage an upright support member such as a wooden stake 5 driven into the ground 6 and for securing the housing 3 substantially upright, and means in the form of a U-shaped brace 7 adapted to maintain the cross-sectional shape of the housing 3 (square in the embodiment shown) by engaging part only of a major surface, the outer as shown, of the housing 3 as considered in a direction transverse to the length of the housing 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for protecting a plant The invention relates to apparatusforprotecting a plant such as a young tree during growth.

Individual plants such as young trees are often protected during their initial growth period by an individual shelter, often known as a tree-shelter, which is essentially an open ended housing in which the young tree and a stake to support the housing upright, are received. The stakes not only limitthe volume ofthe housing in which the tree can grow, but can physically adversely affect the condition ofthe growing plant becausethe stake is usuallytreated with a preservative which harms sensitive young shoots ofthe plant as it grows. Also, it is often difficult to fixthe housing to the stake in the field.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided appar anus for protecting a plant such as a young tree during growth, comprising a tubular housing which in use is supported substantially upright so that a plant can be housed therewith in, securing means adapted in use to extend from the housing and to engage an upright support memberfor securing the housing substantially upright, and means adaptedto maintainthe cross-sectional shape of the housing in use by engaging partonlyof a majorsurface ofthe housing as considered in a direction transverse to the length of the housing.

Thus using the invention it is possibleto prevent or hinder collapsing ofthe housing inwardly onto a plant growing therein. There may betwo sets of securing means and shape maintaining means spaced apart over the length of the housing intermediate the ends thereof.

The reach securing means maybe a U-shaped tie the free ends ofwhich are externallyofthe housing for securing to an externally situated upright support member.

Themajorsurfaceofthehousing engaged bythe shape-maintaining means may be an inner surface or an outer surface.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. lisa schematic perspective view of apparatus according to the invention showing two different forms of shape-maintaining means; Figs 2 and 3 show respectively part transverse cross-sectional and perspective views of apparatus having a third form of shape-maintaining means; and Fig 4 shows a elevational view ofthe apparatus with the housing collapsed for storage and/or transport.

Referring to the drawing, in which like parts are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in Fig. 1 apparatus 1 for protecting a plant such as an individual young tree 2 during growth comprising a collapsible tubular housing 3, made from in the embodiments described a single sheet of plastics material such as Correx (Registered Trade Mark), supported substantially upright so that the plant 2 can be housed therewithin.The apparatus 1 includes securing means in the form of a wire tie 4 adapted in use to extend from the housing 3 and to engage an uprightsupportmembersuch as a wooden stake 5 driven into the ground 6 and for securing the housing 3 substantially upright, and means in the form of a U-shaped brace 7 adapted to maintain the crosssectional shape ofthe housing 3 (square in the embodiment shown) by engaging part only of a major surface of the housing 3 as considered in a direction transverse to the length ofthe housing 3.

In Fig 1 ,the upper as viewed means 7 to maintain the cross-sectional shape of the housing comprises a single length of stiff galvanized wire bentto have two spaced intermediate loops or eyes 8 and free legs 9 which are shorter than a side ofthe housing, sayjust over half the length of one side as clearly shown. The overall shape is a U as previously described. The wire tie 4 is also of U-shape, the web ofthe U being internally of the housing 3 and the limbs orlegs 10 extending outside the housing, the spacings of the eyes 8 and legs 10 being such that each leg 10 can pass through a respective eye 8.

The lower as viewed means 7 to maintain the cross-sectional shape ofthe housing (Fig. 1) also comprises a single length ofstiffgalvanized wire of U-shape, similartothe upperone, but bent to have onlya single intermediate loop or eye 11 through which both legs 10 of the wire tie 4 extend. In both embodiments, the legs 10 extend through slots 12 in one side ofthe housing,theties being 'shot'through the Correx (Registered Trade Mark) while that material is a flat sheet so thatthe legs form the slots 12 through which they pass. Alternatively, the slots 12 would be formed first and the legs are then threaded through each one.The sheet of Correx is than folded about crease lines 14formedthereintoform a squaresection open ended tubular housing, the edges of the sheet being overlapped and welded togetherto form the housing.

The free ends of the legs ofthe wire ties are bent to form loops which prevent the shape-maintaining meansfromfalling off.

The legs 9 of the shape-retaining means are spaced apartjustenoughsnuglyto receivethewidth ofthe housing 3 so thatthey embracethe housing 3 with the legs extending over part ofthe outersurface of opposite side walls of the housing. The whole shape retaining means 7thus extends over part of the outer major surface of the housing, and can slide to and fro along the legs 10. This enables the housing to be collapsed substantially flat by opening out opposite crease lines 14' and 14" so that sides 15 and 16 lie on and substantially parallel to sides 17 and 18, as shown in Fig 4. The legs 10 pivot upwardly or downwardly (the latter in Fig 4) with the shape-retaining means 7 adjacent the ends, so being free of the sides ofthe housing to enable collapsing totake place.

In use, a young tree 2 is planted and a stake 5 is driven into the ground adjacent thereto, sufficiently close to the tree 2 to be embraced by the legs 10. The housing 3 is erected to the Fig 1 position from that of Fig 4, and is slipped carefully overthe tree to rest on the ground. The legs 10 ofthe ties are then passed round the stake 5 and tied togethertightlyto provide a firm connection. The housing 3 is then maintained upright and provides an individual green-housefor the tree actively to promote its growth while protect ingot.

Figs 2 and 3 show a similarapparatus 1,though in thiscasetheshape-maintaining means 7 is a U-or channel-shaped brace, saddle or bracket which extends over part of a major surface which is the interior surfaceofthe housing 3. The brace7 is secured to the housing by lugs 19which pass through the brace and the wall ofthe housing to extend to the exterior where they bear holes or eyelets 20 through which the legs of the U-shaped wire tie 4 pass. In this casethetie 4 is entirely outside the housing.

The embodiment shown in Figs 2 and 3 is used in a similarmannertothe embodiment of Fig 1.

In both embodiments, thetie and brace could extend round a corner, ratherthan be in the centre of one wall ofthe housing.

Also, in orderto hinderthe growth of weeds during growth, there could be a separate perforate mat with a central hole to receive the trunk ofthe tree. The mat is perforated for aeration of the ground and has a slit running from one edge to the hole so that the mat can be offered up to and passed round the tree trunk in a direction transverse to its length. The mat lies on the ground in use and the stake can be driven through it.

Claims

1. Apparatus for protecting a plant such as a young tree during growth, comprising a tubular housing which in use is supported substantially uprightso that a plant can be housedtherewithin, securing means adapted to extend from the housing for connection with an upright support memberfor supporting the housing substantially upright, and means adapted to maintain the cross-sectional shape of the housing by engaging part only of a major surface ofthe housing as considered in a direction transverse to the length of the housing.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, there being two sets of securing means and shape maintaining means spaced apartoverthe length ofthe housing intermedi ate the ends thereof.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 3, the or each securing means in a U-shaped tie, the free ends of which are externally of the housing for securing to an externallysituated uprightsupport member.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, the major surfaceofthe housing engaged by the shapemaintaining means being an outer surface ofthe housing.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, the shapemaintaining means comprising a U-shaped member, the limbs being connected by a web member which has a closed loop intermediate its length.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the free ends of the or each securing means passing through the our a respective closed loop ofthe shape-maintaining means.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 4, the shapemaintaining means comprising a U-shaped member, the limbs being connected by a web member which has two spaced apart closed loops intermediate its length.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, each free end of the or each securing means passing through a respective closed loop of the or a respective shapemaintaining means.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the shape-maintaining means being formed in one piece from wire.

10. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4, the major surface of the housing engaged by the shape-maintaining means being an inner surface of the housing.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, the shapemaintaining means comprising a U-, channel-shaped brace, saddle or bracket, with lugs spaced apart on the web and projecting in a direction opposite to the direction ofthe limbs, the lugs having eyes or holes for receiving the securing means and projecting through a wall of the housing to the exterior.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the housing being open at the top.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 1 2, the housing being substantially square in cross-section.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim the housing being collapsible to be substantially flat with the securing means and shape-retaining means lying in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the collapsed housing.

15. Apparatusfor protecting a plant such as a young tree during growth, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Acombination of a stake driven into the ground and apparatus according to any preceding claim secured thereto by the securing means, a plant being situated in the housing.