GB2258796A

GB2258796A - Plant support.

Info

Publication number: GB2258796A
Application number: GB9114982A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Clifton Barnard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-11
Filing date: 1991-07-11
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-11
Also published as: GB2258796B; GB9114982D0

Abstract

A plant is supported by an arrangement comprising a panel (9) of semi-rigid plastic mesh which is retained at its corners by four supports (1). Each support comprises a rod having upper and lower arms (6, 7) which extend outwardly from the rod. During assembly the rods are arranged with their upper and lower arms (6, 7) facing inwardly. The panel (9) is then moved into position and the rods rotated to capture the panel (9) between the upper and lower arms (6, 7). <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT FOR USE IN HORTICULTURE This invention relates to a support for use in horticulture and to an arrangement for supporting a plant which utilizes said support.

Many plants require to be supported as they grow. Traditionally, canes are used for this purpose.

However, with plants such as chrysanthemums and dahlias several canes may be required for each plant and each stem must be individually tied to a cane. This is a time-consuming process which, if overlooked, can result in stems breaking as the flowers open.

According to the present invention there is provided a support for use in horticulture, which support comprises a rod having a first section which can be driven into the ground, and first and second arms which extend outwardly from said rod and which, in use, can retain a panel of mesh therebetween.

Preferably, the rod includes an upper section which extends upwardly from said upper arm.

Advantageously, the first section of said rod has a pointed end to facilitate insertion of said support in the ground.

If desired, the rod and the upper and lower arm may be coated in a plastics material to inhibit corrosion.

The present invention also provides an arrangement for supporting a plant, which arrangement comprises a panel of mesh supported by at least one support in accordance with the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a support in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing four supports in use.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a support which is generally identified by reference numeral 1. The support 1 comprises a rod 2 having a lower section 3, a spacer section 4 and an upper section 5.

An upper arm 6 is welded to the rod 2 and extends outwardly therefrom. A lower arm 7 is also welded to the rod 2 and extends outwardly therefrom below the upper arm 6.

Referring now to Figure 2, in use, four supports 1, la, lb, ic are driven into the ground using a hammer against the top 8 of the rod 2. The supports 1 can be rotated about their vertical axes by applying pressure to their upper arms 6.

Initially, the supports 1 and lc are rotated so that their upper and lower arms face one another, and the supports la and ib are rotated so that their upper and lower arms face one another.

A panel 9 of semi-rigid plastic mesh is then placed over the supports 1, la, ib, and lc which are then rotated through 180 degrees to the position shown in Figure 2. It will be seen that the panel 9 is retained between the lower arm 7 and the upper arm 6 of each support.

As the plants grow their stems grow upwardly through the panel 9 and are supported by the mesh.

Various modifications to the embodiment described are envisaged. For example the support could be coated in plastic to resist corrosion. The bottom of the rod 2 could be pointed to facilitate inserting the rod 2 in the ground. Whilst the upper section 5 is preferred to facilitate hammering the rod 2 into the ground it is not essential and could be dispensed with.

Typically the upper arm 6 and lower arm 7 will be separated by 2.5 cm and will be of the same length (typically 2.5 cms) although they could be of different lengths if desired. The overall length of the support will vary according to the nature of the plants to be supported. Typically, the length will vary from 40 cms to 90 cms.

If desired a rod 2 could be provided with two or more sets of upper and lower arms to support panels at different heights.

Although it is preferred that the upper arm 6 and the lower arm 7 extend perpendicularly outwardly from the rod 2 they could be inclined upwardly if desired. Alternatively, the lower arm 7 could be inclined upwardly and the upper arm 6 inclined downwardly.

Whilst it may be necessary to drive the rod 2 into the ground using a hammer it may, of course, be possible to simply push the rod 2 into soft ground.

The panel 9 is preferably made of semi-rigid plastic. However, it could also comprise wire or plastic coated wire.

Claims

Claims:

1. A support for use in horticulture, which support comprises a rod (2) having a first section (3) which can be driven into the ground, and first and second arms (6, 7) which extend outwardly from said rod (2) and which, in use, can retain a panel (9) of mesh therebetween.

2. A support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said rod (2) includes an upper section (5) which extends upwardly from said upper arm (6).

3. A support as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first section (3) of said rod (2) has a pointed end to facilitate insertion of said support (1) in the ground.

4. A support as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said rod (2) and said upper and lower arm (6, 7) are coated in a plastics material to inhibit corrosion.

5. A support for use in horticulture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

6. An arrangement for supporting a plant, which arrangement comprises a panel of mesh supported by at least one support as claimed in any preceding Claim.