GB2233202A

GB2233202A - Cloches

Info

Publication number: GB2233202A
Application number: GB9014576A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerry Brook; Brian Land
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-29
Filing date: 1990-06-29
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-29
Also published as: GB8914980D0; GB9014576D0; GB2233202B

Abstract

A cloche for placing over plants to protect the plants and improve the growing conditions therebeneath consists of two elongate ground engaging side members 12, which are releasably connected to an upper hollow elongate member 14 by struts 16 to form a frame of substantially triangular shape in cross-section. A flexible covering formed from a tube is releasably connected at the sides thereof to the side members and is stretched over the upper member so that the tension of the cover maintains the frame in position. The layers of the tube can be spaced-apart over at least part of the distance between the upper member and the side members to provide a double glazing effect. Fluid under pressure for treating the plants is supplied to the interior of the upper member and is sprayed through holes or jets in the upper member onto the plants. The side members, upper member, struts and the tubular cover are formed of plastics materials. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements in or relating to cloches* This invention relates to cloches for placing over plants to protect the plants and improve the growing conditions therebeneath.

One known form of cloche for protecting plants is constructed from two rectangular sheets of glass connected together along one side edge by one or more metal clips to form a cover of triangular shape in cross-section.

Although such known cloches are capable of being dismantled when not in use, they suffer from the disadvantages that the sheets of glass are liable to be fractured unless carefully packed and the metal clips are subject to corrosion in an outdoor environment which limits the useful life of such cloches.

Furthermore, it is necessary with such conventional cloches to periodically remove them to enable the plants therebeneath to be watered, treated with fertiliser, insecticides, fungicides or the like. This again can lead to damage of the conventional cloche and is a time consuming operation, particularly where a number of such cloches are disposed in end-to-end relationship in rows extending, for example, across a field.

The object of this invention is to provide a cloche, capable of being dismantled when not in use to facilitate storage, in which at least one of the above disadvantages are alleviated.

According to this invention, a cloche for placing over and protecting plants comprises two spaced-apart elongate ground engaging side members, an upper elongate member, disposed between and above the side members, connection means for releasably connecting the upper member to the side members, and a sheet of transparent or translucent flexible sheet material extending between the side members and supported by the upper member.

Preferably, the sheet material is tensioned to maintain the connection of the upper member to the side members with the side members in spaced-apart relationship.

Preferably, also, the sheet of material passes over the upper elongate member so as to be supported thereby.

The material is, preferably, a tube having the side members connected to the diametrically opposite sides thereof and the central portion of the tube passes over the upper member.

Preferably, the layers of the tube are spaced-apart over at least part of the distance between the side members and the upper member.

The side members may be disposed within the diametrically opposite sides of the tube so that the layers of the tube are spaced-apart over at least part of the distance between the side members and the upper member.

Alternatively, or in addition, spacing means may be provided for spacing apart the layers of the tube in the region adjacent to the upper member and/or the side members.

Preferably, fluid supply means is provided for supplying fluid to the plants beneath the cloche with the cloche in situ.

Preferably, also, the upper member is hollow and is provided with one or more holes or spray jets through which fluid supplied to the interior of the upper member is sprayed onto the plants therebeneath.

A connector is, preferably, provided at one end of the upper member which is adapted to be connected to a hosepipe to supply fluid to the interior of the upper member Preferably, the end of the upper member remote from the end having the hosepipe connection is provided with an additional connector to enable the upper member to be connected in fluid communication with the upper member of a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship.

Preferably, also, the additional connector is provided with a restriction to maintain the pressure of the fluid in the upper member.

The side members are, preferably, provided at their ends with connection means to enable the side members of the cloche to be connected to the corresponding side members of a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship or to enable an end piece to be connected thereto to close the end of the cloche.

Preferably, the connection means for releasably connecting the upper member to the side members comprises one or more struts releasably connected between the upper member and the side members.

Preferably, also, the side members, the upper member, and the struts are formed of a plastics material, such as polypropylene.

The flexible sheet material is, preferably, a plastics material, such as low density polyethylene.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described1 by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cloche with parts omitted for the sake of clarity; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative cloche with parts omitted for the sake of clarity; Figure 3 is a partly sectioned side elevation of the cloche shown in Figure 2 of the drawings; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of a connector.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, in one embodiment of the invention, a cloche for protecting plants indicated generally at 10 comprises two elongate spaced-apart side members 12 formed of cylindrical rods or tubes of polypropylene. The members 12 are releasably connected to an upper elongate member 14 disposed between the side members 12 at a higher level by struts 16.

The upper member 14 is formed of a hollow cylindrical tube of polypropylene of the same or a similar diameter to the side members 12 and the struts 16 are formed of smaller diameter polypropylene rods, the ends of which fit into bores or holes formed in the side members 12 and the upper member 14.

The framework consisting of the side members 12, the upper member 14 and the struts 16 has a covering 18 formed from a lay flat tube of low density polyethylene located thereon. The side members 12 are positioned within the tube at diametrically opposite sides thereof and the central portion of the tube passes over and is supported by the upper member 14. Additional small apertures are provided in the covering 18 adjacent to the side members 12 to enable the struts 16 to be inserted therethrough into the associated bores or holes in the side members 12.

The covering 18 is stretched over the upper member 14 so that the tension of the covering 18 maintains the connection of the side members 12 to the upper member 14 by the struts 16 with the side members 12 in spaced-apart relationship to form the triangular cross-sectional shape of the cloche 10.

The location of the side members 12 within the tube forming the covering 18 provides an air space between the layers of the tube over a major portion of the distance between the side members 12 and the upper member 14 giving a double-glazing effect improving the insulation properties and reducing the risk of the plants being overheated or scorched in bright sunlight.

Additional spacing members (not shown) can be interposed between the layers of the tube in the vicinity of the the upper member 14 to increase the spacing between the layers of tube and improve the double-glazing effect.

A connector 20 is provided at one end of the upper member 14 to enable a hosepipe (not shown) or the like to be connected thereto to supply fluid under pressure to the interior of the member 14. The fluid can be water for irrigating the plants or may be a liquid fertiliser, insecticide, fungicide or the like. The upper member 14 has four spaced-apart holes or spray nozzles 22 provided therein through which the fluid is sprayed onto the plants enabling them to be treated without having to remove the cloche.

The end of the upper member 14 remote from the connector 20 is either provided with a blanking plug (not shown) to close the end of the member 14 when only one cloche 10 is being used or is provided with an additional connector (not shown) to enable the upper member 14 to be connected in fluid communication with a corresponding upper member of a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship therewith.

The ends of the side members 12 have longitudinally extending blind bores 24 formed therein in which plastic pegs (not shown) are inserted to allow the cloche 10 to be connected to a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship therewith. In addition, the bores 24 can be utilised to secure an end panel (not shown) to the cloche 10 to close the or each end thereof.

The side members 12 have one or more transversely extending holes (not shown) formed therein through which securing pegs (not shown) are driven into the ground to secure the cloche 10 in a desired position over the plants which are to be protected thereby.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention a cloche indicated generally at 30 comprises two elongate spaced-apart side members 32 formed of hollow triangular cross-section tubes of polypropylene. The members 32 are releasably connected to an upper elongate member 34 disposed between the side members 32 at a higher level by struts 36.

The upper member 34 is also formed of polypropylene and is a hollow triangular shape in cross-section.The struts 36 are formed of hollow polypropylene tubes, the ends of which fit onto clips 38 connected to the side members 32 and the upper member 34.

Each clip 38 fits around two sides of the associated side member 32 or upper member 34 and is provided with either one or two projections 40 which fit inside the end of the associated strut 36.

The framework consisting of the side members 32, the upper member 34 and the struts 36 has a covering 42 formed from a lay flat tube of low density polyethylene located thereon.

The side members 32 are each provided with a longitudinally extending slot 44 in the base through which the associated side of the tube forming the covering 42 is inserted. A rod 46 is inserted into the associated side member 32 and passes through the tube to secure the covering 42 to the side members 32.

The covering 42 passes over and is supported by the upper member 34 and the tension in the covering 42 maintains the connection between the side members 32, the upper member 34, the struts 36 and the associated clips 38 and also maintains the spaced-apart relationship between the side members 32 and the triangular cross-sectional shape of the cloche 30.

Spacing members (not shown) are interposed between the layers of the tube of the covering 42 in the vicinity of the upper member 34 and the side members 32 to form an air space and provide a double-glazing effect.

A connector 48 is provided at one end of the upper member 34 to enable a hosepipe (not shown) or the like to be connected thereto to supply fluid under pressure to the interior of the member 34. The fluid can be water for irrigating the plants or may be a liquid fertiliser, insecticide, fungicide or the like. The upper member 34 has longitudinally spaced-apart holes or spray nozzles 50 provided therein through which the fluid is sprayed onto the plants enabling them to be treated or irrigated without having to remove the cloche 30.

The end of the upper member 34 remote from the connector 48 is either provided with a blanking plug (not shown) to close the end of the member 34 when only one cloche 30 is being used or is provided with an additional connector 52 to enable the upper member 34 to be connected in fluid communication with a corresponding upper member of a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship therewith.

The connector 52 shown in Figure 4 of the drawings is a double-ended connector, each end of which is provided with serrations 54 to grip the interior of the member 34.

Each end of the connector 52 has a tapered bore 56 and a insert 58 having complementary shaped tapered ends is inserted therein to force the serrations 54 into engagement with the member 34. The insert 58 forms a restriction to the fluid flow therethrough which maintains the pressure in the member 34 and improves the spray of fluid onto the plants.

The ends of the side members 32 can have plastic pegs (not shown) inserted therein to allow the cloche 30 to be connected to a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship therewith. In addition, an end panel (not shown) can be secured to the ends of the side members 32 in similar manner to close the or each end thereof.

The side members 32 are secured to the ground by securing pegs 60 which are driven into the ground and have a recess 62 on one side which engages over the associated side member 32. The pegs 60 are also provided with an additional recess 64 which enables the side member 32 to be raised and located therein to give additional ventilation to the plants if required.

In a modification, the size of the cloches 10 and 30 can be increased by providing a larger size of tube to form the coverings 18 and 42. Intermediate side members are then connected by additional struts between the upper members and the associated side members to form a cloche of pentagonal shape in cross-section.

The construction of the cloches 10 and 30 from components of plastics material overcomes the problems of corrosion encountered with conventional cloches and the utilisation of a coverings 18 and 42 of flexible plastic tube and elongate members for the framework enables the components of the cloches 10 and 30 to be dismantled and formed into a roll occupying minimal space when the cloches 10 and 30 areto be stored.

Although the above described cloches are particularly designed to be used for protecting plants, it will be appreciated they can be used for other purposes, such as tents or shelters, without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims

What we claim is:

1. A cloche for placing over and protecting plants comprising two spaced-apart elongate ground engaging side members, an upper elongate member, disposed between and above the side members, connection means for releasably connecting the upper member to the side members, and a sheet of transparent or translucent flexible sheet material extending between the side members and supported by the upper member.

2. A cloche according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet material is tensioned to maintain the connection of the upper member to the side members with the side members in spaced-apart relationship.

3. A cloche according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sheet of material passes over the upper elongate member so as to be supported thereby.

4. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material is a tube having the side members connected to the diametrically opposite sides thereof and the central portion of the tube passes over the upper member.

5. A cloche according to Claim 4, wherein the layers of the tube are spaced-apart over at least part of the distance between the side members and the upper member.

6. A cloche according to Claim 5, wherein the side members are disposed within the diametrically opposite sides of the tube so that the layers of the tube are spaced-apart over at least part of the distance between the side members and the upper member.

7. A cloche according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein spacing means is provided for spacing apart the layers of the tube in the region adjacent to the upper member and/or the side members.

8. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein fluid supply means is provided for supplying fluid to the plants beneath the cloche with the cloche in situ.

9. A cloche according to Claim 8, wherein the upper member is hollow and is provided with one or rore holes or spray jets through which fluid supplied to the interior of the upper member is sprayed onto the plants therebeneath.

10. A cloche according to Claim 9, wherein a connector is provided at one end of the upper member which is adapted to be connected to a hosepipe to supply fluid to the interior of the upper member

11. A cloche according to Claim 10, wherein the end of the upper member remote from the end having the hosepipe connection is provided with an additional connector to enable the upper member to be connected in fluid communication with the upper member of a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship.

12. A cloche according to Clair 11, wherein the additional connector is provided with a restriction to maintain the pressure of the fluid in the upper ember.

13. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side members are provided at their ends with connection means to enable the side members of the cloche to be connected to the corresponding side members of a similar cloche disposed in end-to-end relationship or to enable an end piece to be connected thereto to close the end of the cloche.

14. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means for releasably connecting the upper member to the side members comprises one or more struts releasably connected between the upper member and the side members.

15. A cloche according Claim 14, wherein the side members, the upper member, and the struts are formed of a plastics material.

16. A cloche according to Claim 15, wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.

17. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible sheet material is a plastics raterial.

18. A cloche according to Claim 18, wherein the plastics material is low density polyethylene.

19. A cloche constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figure 1 or Figures 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying drawings.