GB2232051A

GB2232051A - Plant supports

Info

Publication number: GB2232051A
Application number: GB8912686A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Cooper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-02
Filing date: 1989-06-02
Publication date: 1990-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-02
Also published as: GB2232051B; GB8912686D0

Abstract

To provide firm anchorage in the ground, a plant support has three or more spikes 14 positioned radially outwardly from its axis for engagement in the ground. The spikes may be integrally formed with body part 10 over which extension members 20 may be fitted to provide the required height. Rods 30 with hooked ends may connect a plurality of supports to form a framework which may have a netting or plastics cover. <IMAGE>

Description

Plant Support Arrangements This invention relates to arrangements for supporting plants when growing in the ground.

It is common practice to use canes to support young plants, the canes being pushed into the ground by hand.

However, these canes are not altogether satisfactory in that they tend to break, split or splinter and can injure the hand.

Also, in order to provide firm support for plants, the canes have to be pushed quite deep into the ground and this can be difficult if the ground is hard or if a stone is encountered.

I have now devised plant supports which overcome these difficulties. In accordance with this inventiton, there is provided a support which comprises an elongate element having at least three elongatte spikes projecting from one end but spaced radially outwards from the axis of the elongate element.

Preferably this support comprises a plastics injections moulding. Because it has at least three (preferably four) spikes positioned radially outwards from the longitudinal axis of the support, the support is very stable when spiked into the ground and does not have to be driven into the ground as far as normal canes used hitherto.

Preferably once the support has been spiked into the ground, it may be extended upwards to the required height by adding elongate extension members arranged to couple end-to-end.

Preferably each extension member has a socket at one end for fitting over the upper end of the ground support, or for fitting over the upper end of a preceding extension member. In this manner the supports can be built up to modular heights.

Preferably connecting rods with hooked ends are provided, for interconnecting supports (or their extension members) which are spiked into the ground at adjacent positions.

If for example a number of supports are positioned in a square or rectangle and joined by such connecting rods, the connecting rods can be used to support netting or plastic covers.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a ground support, extension member and connecting rod in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 2 is a view showing ways in which the components of Figure 1 may be used.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a ground support 10 which comprises an elongate rod-like element 12 having a number of elongate spikes 14 projecting from one end, these spikes 14 being positioned radially outwards from the axis of the elongate element 12 and positioned at equal angular intervals and joined to the end of element 12 by radially extending elongate portions 15. There are four spikes 14 in the example shown, but in general there may be three or more: also, there may be an additional spike projecting from the end of the element 12 along its axis. The element 12 has a rounded upper end and the component comprises a one-piece injection moulding.

FIGURE 1 further shows an elongate, rod-like extension member 20, which also comprises a one-piece injection moulding. Member 20 is formed with a socket 22 at one end and its other end is rounded. The socket 22 fits over the upper end of the ground support 10 and then the upper end of this extension member may receive the socket end of an identical extension member for further extending the support, and so on.

FIGURE 1 also shows an elongate connecting rod 30 formed at each end with an open hook 32 for engaging around the element 12 of the ground supports or around the extension members 20. The connecting rod is also a one-piece plastics injection moulding.

In use the ground support 10 is spiked into the ground and then one or more extension members 20 are coupled endto-end onto the ground support to the required height. As the plant grows, further extension members can be added as and when needed.

The ground support 10 provides a firm engagement with the ground and therefore a firm support for the plant.

Referring to Figure 2, a number of ground supports 10 can be spiked into the ground at adjacent positions e.g. on a square or rectangle, and then the plastics connecting rods 30 can be hooked around adjacent ground supports or the extension members 20 of adjacent ground supports. Separating rods 31, identical to the connecting rods 30, can be hooked around already-installed connecting rods 30, as shown in Figure 2. The connecting rods and separating rods can be used to support netting or plastic covers. Advantageously, the connecting rods 30 can be adjusted vertically on the ground supports or the extension members as the plants grow, and also the separating rods 31, can be adjusted horizontally along the connecting rods 30 to alter the areas of the squares or rectangles defined by the rods 30, 31 to suit the plants as they grow.

Claims

Referring to drawings page 1 there is shown a ground support to which comprises an elongate rod-like element 12 having a number of elongate spikes 14 projecting from one end, these spikes 14 being positioned radially outwards from the axis of the elongate element 12 and positioned at equal angular intervals and joined to the end of element 12 by radially elongate portions 15. There are four spikes 14 in the example shown, but in general there may be three or more: Also, there may be an additional spike projecting from the end of the element 12 along its axis. The element 12 has a rounded upper end and the component comprises a one-piece injection moulding.

Drawings page 1 further shows an elongate, rod-like extension member 20, which also comprises a one-piece injection moulding. Member 20 is formed with a socket 22 at one end and its other is rounded. The socket 22 fits over the upper end of the ground support 10 and then the upper end of this extension member may receive the socket end of an identical extension member for further extending the support, and so on.

AMENDMENT. CLALMS I. THE EXTENDABLE PLASTIC GARDEN CANE, COMPRISES OF SOLID PLASTIC WITH A ROUNDED PORTION AT ONE END AND A WIDER PUSH FIT JOINT AT THE OTHER END, AS IN DIAGRAM ( I/
2.20-22 ) 2. THEREFORE EACH EXTENSION MEMBER HAS A SOCKET AT ONE END FOR FITTING OVER THE PRECEDING EXTENSION MEMBER, IN THIS MANNER MODULAR HEIGHTS GAN BE ACHIEVED.
3. TWO PLASTIC CANES CAN THEREFORE BE FITTED TOGETHER, AND AS CAN BE SEEN IF THE CANES ARE OF 3'3" LENG@@S , ONE SIMPLE MOVEMENT CONVERTS THE EXTENDED PLASTIC CANE, TO EXCESS OF SIC FEET, ( SEE DIAGRAM I/2, 20A, 22A, 20, 22,) AS FITTED IN EXTENDED MODE END TO END