GB2212377A - Cloche with hinged frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A cloche 1 comprises a frame consisting of two spaced-apart ground engaging supports 2 mounted to a ridge pole 3 by hinges 4. A plastics cover 5 is attached to the frame and is weighted by battens 6 which may be secured to the ground by pegs 7. The hinges 4 are formed from square section plastics tubing 22 cut intermediate its ends along three walls to provide a hinge portion 23 and sockets on either side for receiving a support 2 and one end of the ridge pole 3 respectively. The tubing 22 also acts as a ferrule. The cloche may comprise two spaced frames 2, 3 one frame being taller than the other, or three frame members hingedly connected at their tops to form a tripod. <IMAGE>

Description

The intention relates to cloches.

Various types of cloches are currently in use. One type comprises sheets of glass or clear plastics material in co-operating frames held in position by various means.

This type of cloche construction can be difficult to store or transport and additionally if glass is used in the construction it may bet susceptible to damage. Another type of cloche comprises a flexible plastic sheet stretched over a U-shaped hoop frame and generally held in position by topsoil arranged over its free edge to secure the plastics sheet into the ground. Again this can be cumbersome to move from one location to another and has the added disadvantage that access to the plants being protected is difficult, There is therefore a need for a cloche which overcomes these problems.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a cloche.

According to the invention, there is provided a cloche comprising a free-standing, collapsible, ground engaging frame and a cover attached to the frame, the frame comprising at least three support members, adjacent support members being hingedly interconnected by a hinge means In a' particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the 'hinge means comprises at least two sockets for reception of adjacent support members and a hinge between the sockets.

Preferably the socket extends substantially around a support member adjacent a free end thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the hinge means comprises at least a two part member, the parts being fixed together to form a hinge member.

In a jpreferred embodiment of the invention the hinge means is a one piece hinge member.

In one embodiment of the invention the hinge member is formed from a length of flexible tubing, partially cut intermediate the ends thereof to form a pair of sockets having a hinge therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge member is of tubular plastics material.

Preferably the hinge member is of box section plastics mateia1.

In one embodiment of the invention stop means are provided to limit the hinging movement between the support members.

Preferably one support member projects across the free end of the adjacent support member to restrict relative movement between the support members.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge member is of moulded plastics material. The hinge member is preferably moulded in one piece.

In one embodiment of the invention the framework comprises a paof uprights and a ridge member extending between the uprights at the upper ends thereof. In this case the ridge member is typically hingedly connected to the uprights at opposed free ends thereof.

In ctne embodiment of the invention the cover is of a flexible material, preferably polytene material.

In oLe embodiment of the invention the cover is provided wSthlbattens to maintain the cover relatively taut in use.

Preferably pegs are provided for releasably retaining the battens in the ground.

In a further embodiment of the invention the frame comprises at least three ground engaging support members, all hingedly joined together at one end. Typically there are three ground engaging support members which are arranged in use, to form a tripod.

In one embodiment of the invention each hinge comprises a plurality of interconnected sockets, the sockets being mounted for pivotal movement therebetween.

Preferably each socket comprises a plastics tube, each tube having a flap hingedly mounted to the tuber the flaps being joined for pivotal movement between the tubes.

The flap of each tube may be integrally formed with the tube.

Preferably the flap comprises an extension of one side wall of the tube.

In another embodiment the invention provides a cloche comprising at least two spaced-apart frames and the cover extends, in use, over the frames.

Preferably one of the frames is higher than the other when mounted in an erected position.

Typically the cover extends, in use, to provide a groundsheet between the frames.

Preferably the free end of the cover is carried by a batten.

In another aspect the invention also provides a hinge member for a collapsible framework such as a cloche, tent, or the like comprising at least two sockets for reception of adjacent support members of a framework and a hinge between the sockets about which the sockets are moved on erection or collapsing of the framework.

In one embodiment of this s aspect of the invention the socket extends substantially around a support member adjacent a free end thereof.

In one case the hinge member comprises at least two parts fixed together.

In another case the hinge member is in one piece, In another embodiment of the invention the hinge member is formed from a length of flexible tubing, partially cut intermediate the ends thereof to form a pair of sockets having a hinge therebetween.

In one case the hinge member is of tubular plastics material.

In another case the hinge member is of box section plastics material.

In one embodiment of the invention the hinge member is moulded in one piece.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following descolption thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cloche according to the invention in an erected configuration, Fig, 2 is an end elevational view of the cloche of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of a frame of the cloche of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a hinge portion of the cloche in one configuration, Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the hinge portion of Fig. 4 in another configuration, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cloche in a stored configuration, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of cloche according to another embodiment of the invention, tig. 8 is a perspective view of the cloche of Fig.

7 in the stored position, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of portion of a cloche frame according to another embodiment of the invention showing an alternative hinge arrangement, Fig. 10 is a respective view of a cloche according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 11 is a side view of the cloche of Fig. 10, in use, and Fig. 12 is a view of the cloche in Fig. 10 in a collapsed flat position.

Referting to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 6 there is illustrated a cloche according to the invention Andicbted generally by the reference numeral 1. The cloche 1 comprises a frame consisting of two spaced-apart ground-engaging supports 2 mounted to a ridge pole 3 by hinges 4, and a plastics cover 5 attached to the frame and stretched between the frame and battens 6 attached to the cover;5 along each side edge, and secured to the ground by pegs 7.

In this case, the supports 2 and ridge pole 3 are joined by hinges 4 formed from a square section plastics tube 22, transterJely cut along three walls intermediate its ends, the remaining wall providing a hinge portion 23. Tacks 25 secure the tube 22 to the support 2 and ridge pole 3 allowing the end of the ridge pole 3 to project across the end of the support 2 to limit the movement between the support 2 and ridge pole 3. The tube 22 also acts as a ferrule to prevent splitting of the ends of the support 2 and ridge pole 3 by the tacks 24 when in use.

In use, the cloche 1 is erected as illustrated in Fig. 1, however, if it is desired to move the cloche, it can be quickly collapsed by removing the supports 2 and pegs 7 from ;the ground, and by folding the supports 2 about the hinges 23 against the ridge pole 3 and rolling the cover 5 around the collapsed frame as illustrated in Fig. 6.

During cultivation access to any plants contained within the cloche 1 is relatively simple. By extracting the pegs 7 on one side of the cloche 1 the batten 6 can be lifted up towards the ridge pole 3, and be laid on or over the ridge; pole 3 to allow free access to the plants within the cloche 1. When work within the cloche 1 is completed the batten 6 can be returned to the ground and secured again thereto by the pegs 7.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, there is illustrated a cloche according to another embodiment of the invention, indlfated generally by the reference numeral 30. The cloche 30 comprises a frame consisting of three groundengaging struts 31 pivotally joined by a hinge 32 at one end and forming a tripod about which is secured a plastics material cover 33. Each strut 31 has a pointed end 34 for easy.insertion into the ground. In use, the cloche 30 can be etected as shown in Fig. 7 and when not in use it can be collapsed as shown in Fig. 8.

Referring now to Fig. 9, there is illustrated portion of a cloche according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, being largely of similar construction to the cloche 30 illufltrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and like parts are assigned the tame reference numerals. In this case the groundengaging struts 31 are pivotally joined by a hinge indicated generally by the reference numeral 41, comp ising a number of box section plastics tubes 42, each having a flap 43 pivotally attached thereto, the flap 43 comprising an extension of one side wall of the tube 4Z, and the flaps 43 of each tube 42 being joined together by any jultable means such as riveting or welding.

Referring to Figs. 10 to 12 there is illustrated another cloche 50 according to the invention. The cloche in this caselis particularly for use with growbags 51 or the like and comprises two spaced-apart frame elements 52, 53 one of which is higher, in use than the other and a cover 54 which extends in use to provide a grounasheet portion as well as a cover for the frame elements 52, 53. Each of the frame elements is of the same general construction as the frame described above with reference to Pigs. 1 to 6 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

The rover 54 is attached to each of the ridge poles 3 as illustrated and the free end of the cover is attached to a batten 56 which acts to weigh the cover 54 in the closed position illustrated. To access the growbags 51 the batten 56 is lifted to open the cover.

The invention provides a collapsible cloche which is easy to use and gives convenient access to plants when in use, and it is aleo easily transported and stored.

The frame member according to the invention and described above particularly for use with cloches may also be used in other collapsible frameworks such as tents or the like.

Claims (1)

1. | A cloche comprising a free-standing, collapsible, ground engaging frame and a cover for attachment to the frame, the frame comprising at least three support members, adjacent support members being hingedly interconnected by a hinge means.

2. A cloche as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hinge means comprises at least two sockets for reception of adjacent support members and a hinge between the sockets.

3. A cloche as claimed in claim 2 wherein the socket extends substantially around a support member adjacent a free end thereof.

4. A cloche as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the hinge means comprises at least a two part member, the parts being fixed together to form a hinge member.

5. A cloche as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the hinge means is a one piece hinge member.

6. A cloche as claimed in claim 5 wherein the hinge member is formed from a length of flexible tubing, partially cut intermediate the ends thereof to form a pair of sockets having a hinge therebetween.

7. A cloche as claimed in claim 6 wherein the hinge member is of tubular plastics material.

8. A cloche as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the hinge member is of box section plastics material.

9. i A cloche as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein stop means are provided to limit the hinging movement between the support members.

104 ! A cloche as claimed in claim 9 wherein one support member projects across the free end of the adjacent support member to restrict relative movement between the support members.

11. A cloche as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hinge member is of moulded plastics material.

12. A cloche as claimed in claim 11 wherein the hinge member is moulded in one piece.

13. A cloche as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the framework comprises a pair of uprights and a ridge member extending between the uprights at the upper ends 1thereof.

14. A cloche as claimed in claim 13 wherein the rides member is hingedly connected to the uprights at opposed free ends thereof.

15. A cloche as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover is of a flexible material.

16. A cloche as claimed in claim 15 wherein the cover is of a polytene material.

17. A cloche as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the cover is provided with battens to maintain the cover relatively taut in use.

18. A cloche as claimed in claim 17 wherein pegs are provided for releasably retaining the battens in the ground.

19. j A cloche as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the frame comprises at least three ground engaging suppott members, all hingedly jointed together at one end.

20. A cloche as claimed in claim 19 wherein there are three ground engaging support members which are arranged in use, to form a tripod.

21. A cloche as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein each | hinge comprises a plurality of interconnected sockets, the sockets being mounted for pivotal movement therebetween.

22. 1 A cloche as claimed in claim 21 wherein each socket comprises a plastics tube, each tube having a flap hingeuly mounted to the tube, the flaps being joined for pivotal movement between the tubes.

23. A cloche as claimed in claim 22 wherein the flap Ef each tube is integrally formed with the tube.

24. A cloche as claimed in claim 22 or 23 wherein the flap comprises an extension of one side wall of the tube.

25. A cloche as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 wherein the cloche comprises at least two spaced-apart framer and the cover extends, in use, over the frames.

26. A cloche as claimed in claim 2S wherein one of the frames is higher than the other when mounted in an erected position.

27. A cloche as claimed in claim 25 or 26 wherein the cover extends, in use, to provide a groundsheet between the frames.

28. | A cloche as claimed in any of claims 25 to 27 wherein the free end of the cover is carried by a batten.

29. A cloche substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, 30, A cloche substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A cloche substantially as hereinbefore desct$bed with reference to Fig 9 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A cloche substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

33. A hinge member for a collapsible framework such as a cloche, tent, or the like comprising at least two sockets for reception of adjacent support members of a from work and a hinge between the sockets about which the sock huts are moved on erection or collapsing of the framework.

34. A hinge member as claimed in claim 33 wherein the socket extends substantially around a support member adjacent a free end thereof.

35. 1 A hinge member as claimed in claim 33 or 34 wherein the hinge member comprises at least two parts fixed together.

36. t A hinge member as claimed in claim 33 or 34 wherein the hinge member is in one piece.

37. A hinge member as claimed in claim 36 wherein the hinge member is formed from a length of flexible tubing, partially cut intermediate the ends thereof to form b pair of sockets having a hinge therebetween.

38. S A hinge member as claimed in claim 37 wherein the hinge member is of tubular plastics material.

39. A hinge member as claimed in claim 37 wherein the hinge member is of box section plastics material.

40. A hinge member as claimed in any of claims 33 to 39 which is moulded in one piece.

41. A hinge member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.