GB2287390A

GB2287390A - Plant support

Info

Publication number: GB2287390A
Application number: GB9505252A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Carney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-15
Filing date: 1995-03-15
Publication date: 1995-09-20
Also published as: GB9505252D0

Abstract

A plant support comprising a stabilising member 2 which in use underlies a plant to be supported, and a stake 10, 12 extending from the stabilising member, the plant being tied to the stake in use. <IMAGE>

Description

"Plant SupPort" This invention relates to a plant support.

Conventional plant supports for supporting tall plants which are embedded in soil or compost contained in a plant pot are known to comprise simple stakes which are driven into the soil or compost adjacent the stem of the plant. The plant may then be tied onto or otherwise attached to the stake. This arrangement provides the plant with some support but in practice, if the plant is tall and/or heavy, the amount of support provided to the plant by the simple stake is insufficient to prevent the plant from toppling when subjected to force or gradually over time. In addition to being known for their role in supporting house plants in plant pots, conventional stakes are of course known for their use in supporting plants which grow in an outside environment and have similar disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a plant support comprising a stabilising member which in use is disposed under a plant, and a stake which extends from the stabilising member, the plant being attached to the stake in use.

The plant may be attached direct to the stake or may be attached to a sleeve which can fit over or otherwise be attached to the stake.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a plant support system comprising a plant support hereinbefore defined, and a sleeve which is attachable to the plant support.

The stabilising member is attached to the stake to increase the amount of support provided to the plant by the stake and may also perform other functions, such as helping the plant to be removed from the pot during repotting operations or aiding drainage.

In one embodiment, the stake is permanently attached to the stabilising member. In use, the stabilising member is located at a sub-soil level, usually below the root system of the plant and the stake extends upwardly from the stabilising member. The angle between the stake and the stabilising member may be, for example, between 450 and 135". Generally an angle of about 900 (for example 80 to 100 ) will be convenient. The stake will usually extend from the mid-point of one face of the stabilising member but may also extend from an area adjacent to or at the periphery of the face of the stabilising member.

In a further embodiment, the stake and the stabilising member each comprise a separate component, and the stake is detachable from the stabilising member. In this embodiment, the stake can be releasably coupled to the stabilising member; for example, being held in place in an aperture in the stabilising member by friction between the stake and the walls of the aperture in a simple push-fit arrangement such that it can be removed easily. Alternatively, the stake and the stabilising member may be provided with interlocking formations which may cooperate to lock the two components together.

The stabilising member may have an aperture to receive the stake. The aperture may be of any shape which cooperates with the stake. Mention may be made of apertures having circular or cruciform cross-sections.

The aperture may, in fact, be a combination of crossand circle-shaped apertures for example, having a circular aperture at the junction of the arms of the cross-shaped aperture. More than one aperture may be provided in the stabilising member. Each aperture in the stabilising member may be of a different size and/or shape to the others.

The stake may comprise a conventional cane (such as bamboo cane) which can fit into an aperture in the stabilising member. The stake may alternatively be in the form of a conventional moss pole or a plastics or metal rod manufactured for the purpose. The plastics or metal rod may have a cruciform cross-section which fits into a cruciform aperture in the stabilising member. Advantageously, conventional designs of moss pole also have cruciform cross-sections and can be received in the cruciform aperture. Where the aperture(s) of the stabilising member is a combination aperture comprising a cruciform and a circular aperture, a diverse range of stakes may be received within the stabilising member to form the support member. Thus the same support member may be used with a number of different stakes, the stake selected being determined by the plant(s) to be supported.

The support member may be of plastics material or of metal, and the stabilising member may incorporate a weight.

Optionally the stake and/or the sleeve is at least partially hollow so that it may also act as a reservoir for water, for example for evaporation from apertures in the stake. The stake and/or the sleeve may also act as a conduit for water flowing into the soil and may have apertures near the base of the stake (for example at a sub-soil level) to allow escape of the water from the stake and/or the sleeve.

Where several apertures are provided in the stake these may be located at intervals along its length, and are usually equally spaced. Similarly, the sleeve may incorporate one or more apertures, preferably at intervals near the end of the sleeve which is connected to the stake. One or more apertures may additionally be provided in the stabilising member for drainage.

Generally, the stabilising member will be in the form of a plate which is preferably generally circular although different shapes are also contemplated, for example rectangular, cruciform, oval or any other suitable shape may be used. Advantageously the stabilising member will be of a shape which fits into standard plant pot sizes.

The stabilising member may be substantially planar such as the above-mentioned plate or may have a relatively large depth in relation to its length and breadth (or diameter). For example, the stabilising member may conveniently comprise a plant pot to which the stake is attached. Alternatively the stabilising member may be dish shaped so that the plant pot as a whole can sit onto the stabilising member which also performs the function of holding water.

In one embodiment, the stabilising member is circular in plan view and in side view it has a curved upper surface with a high central point and downwardly sloping sides such that overall, the stabilising member has an inverted dish-shaped appearance.

Other embodiments of the invention include support members for structural items such as greenhouses, bean poles, cold frames, cloches, wind breaks, fences, walls, compost boxes etc.

More than one stake may be provided attached to a single stabilising member. In addition, each stake may have one or more side arms. Also, the sleeve may have one or more side arms which extend from the sleeve at an angle.

The present invention also provides a construction system comprising one or more support members as defined above and one or more elongate members.

Connection means may be provided to connect elongate members to each other or to support members. Elongate members may comprise bars which may be connectable to the support member directly.

Advantageously, the sleeve and elongate member can comprise tubes or bars which can connect to the support members and/or adaptors.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of supporting a plant, comprising providing a support member according to the invention, locating a plant above the stabilising member such that at least some of the weight of the plant bears upon the stabilising member, and attaching the plant to the stake or to a sleeve engaging with the stake.

Further according to the invention there is provided a plant support for use in a method of supporting a plant as defined above, the plant support comprising a stabilising member and a stake.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a plant support of the invention in use in a flower pot; Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 partially buried underground; Fig. 3a shows the same embodiment in use with a growbag; Fig. 3b shows the same embodiment forming a base for a frame; Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment in which the stake is disposed at an angle to the stabilising member; Fig. 5a shows the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 connected to a sleeve member having a side arm; Fig. 5b shows the embodiment of Fig. 5a in use to form a wind break and cloche; Fig. 6 shows an end view of a cloche formed using a third embodiment; Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the cloche shown in Fig.6;; Fig. 8 shows a plan view of a cold frame constructed using the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 9 shows a side view of the cold frame of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 shows a trellis using the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 11 shows a second trellis also using the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 12 shows a third trellis also using the same embodiment; Fig. 13 shows a fourth trellis also using the same embodiment; Fig. 14 shows a fifth trellis using the same embodiment; Fig. 15 shows a bean pole arrangement using the third embodiment; Fig. 16 shows a bean pole constructed using the first embodiment; Fig. 17 shows a compost box constructed using the first embodiment; Fig. 18 shows a greenhouse constructed using the first embodiment; Fig. 19 shows a fence constructed using the first embodiment; Fig. 20 shows a shed constructed using first embodiment;; Fig. 21 shows a perspective side view of a plate for use in a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 22 shows a perspective front view of the plate shown in Fig. 21; and, Fig. 23 shows a view from beneath the plate shown in Figs. 21 and 22.

Referring now to Fig. 1 a plant support generally designated as 1 comprises a stabilising member in the form of a plate 2 which is generally circular and is chosen to be of a size to fit inside a flower pot 5 and substantially cover the base thereof. Extending from the plate 2 is a tubular stake 10. A tubular sleeve 12 fits over the stake 10 and optionally makes a firm push-fit connection with the stake 10.

In use, the plant support 1 is located in the bottom of a flower pot 5 with the stake 10 extending generally upwardly. The sleeve 12 is located over the stake 10, the flower pot 5 is filled with compost and a plant (not shown) such as a house plant is planted therein.

The plant is tied to the sleeve 12 in a conventional manner for example using string or plastic or wire ties. The weight of the compost and the plant on the plate 2 stabilizes the structure and helps to prevent the plant from toppling. Excess water in the compost may drain through apertures (not shown) in the plate 2.

One advantage conferred by the use of the plant support 1 is that when the plant is being removed from the pot 5 (for example, during re-potting) the entire contents of the pot 5 can be transferred by lifting stake 10 to move the plant support 1, the compost and the plant to another pot. This obviates the damaging effects upon the delicate root system of a plant often caused by depotting.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the embodiment described above may be embedded in the soil in a garden rather than in a flower pot and may be used as described above. Alternatively, the embodiment may be used in conjunction with a growbag 4 on the surface of the soil or on a slab as shown in Fig. 3. A growbag 4 is disposed over the top of the stake 10 and is preferably punctured through its centre by the stake 10 such that the stake 10 extends upwardly through the growbag 4 which covers the plate 2.

The sleeve 12 is located over the stake 10 and is pushed downwards into the compost or soil until it abuts the plate 2. Elongate members 13 may be connected to sleeves 12 to form a frame. Connectors 15 may be used at the joints between sleeves 12 and elongate members 13 and may be adapted to secure different numbers of sleeves 12 and elongate members 13 together in different configurations.

The sleeves 12, elongate members 13, adaptors 15 and plant supports 1 can also provide an irrigation system as well as a support for the plants. Water can be pumped through the hollow sleeves 12, elongate members 13 and adaptors 15 and can be delivered to the stakes 10 where it enters the soil and/or compost and/or growbag through apertures (not shown) in the stakes 10 and/or sleeves 12. The apertures may be provided in the lower portions of the stakes 10 and/or sleeves 12 so as to be buried in use, or may be provided above ground in sleeves 12 and/or elongate members 13 to provide a sprinkler system.

Optionally, individual sleeves 12 and/or stakes 10 may serve as individual water reservoirs, which allow water to drain through the apertures adjacent the plate 2 or allow it to evaporate from above the soil, such as from moss-poles integral with a sleeve 12 (not shown) to increase the humidity of the air surrounding the plant.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a second embodiment designated generally as 20 is shown located in a flower pot 5.

Plant support 20 comprises a plate 2 as previously described and a stake 22 which extends from the plate 2 at an angle of approximately 80". A sleeve 12 may be fitted to the stake 22 as previously described.

Naturally, the number of stakes 22 and the angles between the plate 2 and the stakes 22 may be selected to fit requirements of the plant support 20.

Referring now to Fig. 5a, a plant support 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with a modified form of sleeve 25 which has an upright section 25a and a side arm section 25b which extends from the section 25a at an angle of approximately 350 thereto.

Fig. 5b shows the sleeve 25 shown in fig. 5a used in conjunction with the embodiment of Fig. 4 to provide a cloche 26 and windbreak 27. Alternatively, the cloche 26 may be provided alone by using a third embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 wherein the stabilising member is provided by a rectangular planar portion 3 from which a single stake 22 extends at an angle of 600. Sleeves 12 are slotted onto the stakes 22 and are linked at their top ends by horizontal elongate members 13 which are fastened to sleeves 12 via adaptors 15.

The resulting structure is then covered with polythene to provide a cloche 26. The polythene may be fastened to sleeves 12 and elongate members 13 by clips 28.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, a cold frame is constructed using plant supports 1 embedded in soil.

Sleeves 12 are located on the stakes 10, elongate members 13 are fastened to the sleeves 12 via adaptors 15 as previously described and a net 28 or glass sheet 29 is disposed over the resulting framework. Glass sheets 29 and/or nets 28 may be rested on circular ledges 32 which may be integral with certain of the adaptors 15 or attached to the sleeves 12. The glass sheets 29 or the net 28 may be fixed in place by clips 30.

Referring now to Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 a trellis of various designs may be constructed using the plant support 1 according to the first embodiment, upwardly extending sleeves 12 and horizontal elongate members 13.

Referring now to Fig. 15, a bean pole 35 may be constructed using the modified embodiment shown in use in Fig. 6. As previously described, the bean pole 35 comprises upwardly extending sleeves 12 which join at their tops and are linked by horizontal elongate members 13. Fig. 16 shows an alternative design 36 of bean pole utilising the plant support 1 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 17 shows a compost box 38 and a compost bay 39 which are constructed using the first embodiment 1 which provides the foundation for walls 40 of the box 38 and bay 39. The box 38 and bay 39 are easily constructed using modular wall elements 42 and plant supports 1. The box 38 and bay 39 or any other structural item made using the system of the invention can therefore be re-modelled as desired or removed without effort or special equipment.

Fig. 18 shows a greenhouse 43 constructed using the system of the invention. A number of designs of plant supports are shown. Corner members 6 have two rectangular planar portions 44 arranged at right angles to each other which comprise the stabilising member.

An upwardly extending stake 10 is provided as previously described. Side members 7 have stabilising members which comprise a single rectangular portion 45.

The framework of the greenhouse 43 comprises sleeves 12 and elongate members 13 as previously described which are joined by adaptors 15 also as previously described.

The framework of the greenhouse 43 may be covered by polythene or Perspex (TM) sheets as desired. The greenhouse 43 may also be re-modelled, extended or removed as desired.

Fig. 19 shows a design for a fence constructed using the plant support 1 as a foundation for fence posts 48 over which the fence posts are disposed. Fence sections 50 are attached to fence posts 48 via clips 52.

Fig. 20 shows a design for a garden shed 54 using plant supports 1 as foundations for the shed 54.

Referring now to Fig. 21, a fourth embodiment of the invention has a stabilising member comprising a domeshaped plate 60 which is circular in plan view and which has sides 61 which slope downwardly to a rim 62.

The plate 60 as illustrated has six apertures 63, although the number and size of such apertures may of course be varied. The plate 60 has two supporting internal walls 65 which extend diametrically across the plate 60 from the rim 62 to support the sides 61 and the upper surface of the plate 60. The walls 65 intersect one another at 66. Apertures 63 provide drainage and oxygenation of the soil in which the plant is located.

The plate 60 also has a pillar 66 which extends upwardly from an area adjacent the rim 62. The angle between the pillar and the plate is usually approximately 90" but may be any angle, for example, between 45" and 1350.

The pillar 66 can extend through the surface of the plate 60 to terminate at the level of the rim 62, and can intersect with one of the walls 65 as is shown in Fig. 3. However, the pillar can simply extend from the surface of the plate without passing through it, although the first arrangement provides greater strength. The pillar may also be supported by shores 72, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The pillar 66 has a composite aperture 70 therein as best seen in Fig. 23. The aperture 70 has a generally circular cross-section with four arms 71 extending outwardly of the circle at approximately 90" to one another, thereby superimposing a cruciform-shaped aperture on top of the circular aperture. This arrangement permits the aperture 70 to receive a diverse range of stakes.

The plate 66 can receive a number of stakes.

Preferably the stake is in the form of a plastics rod (not shown) of cruciform cross-section and four arms to cooperate with the pillar 66 and be received within the aperture 70. The arms of the rod fit into the arms 71 of the pillar 66. Alternatively, the stake can be in the form of a conventional garden cane (not shown) which can be received within the aperture 70 without extending into the arms 71. Alternatively, the stake can be in the form of a conventional moss pole which has a circular or a cruciform base for cooperation with the aperture 70. Different shapes and diameters of aperture and stake can, of course, be used. The plate can have several apertures of different shapes and sizes to allow use of a number of different stakes with the same plate.

Preferably, the stake is inserted into the aperture and forms a tight fit thereby holding the stake in the aperture. Interlocking formations (such as a catch not shown) can be provided to secure the stake and the plate together during use whilst allowing separation after use by manipulating the plate or the stake.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1 A plant support comprising a stabilising member which in use is disposed under a plant, and a stake which extends from the stabilising member, the plant being attached to the stake in use.

2 A plant support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the stake is permanently attached to the stabilising member.

3 A plant support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the stake is releasably attached to the stabilising member.

4 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the angle between the stake and the stabilising member is between 450 and 900.

5 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stake joins the stabilising member at an area adjacent to or at the periphery of the stabilising member.

6 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stake and the stabilising member have interlocking formations to lock them together.

7 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stabilising member has an aperture to receive the stake.

8 A plant support as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the aperture is cruciform.

9 A plant support as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the aperture is a combination of a cross-shaped aperture and a circular aperture.

10 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein more than one aperture is provided in the stabilising member.

11 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, having a sleeve which is attachable to the support member.

12 A plant support as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the sleeve and/or the stake provides a reservoir or conduit for water to irrigate the plant.

13 A plant support as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, wherein the sleeve and/or the stake has one or more apertures therein to allow the escape of water.

14 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stabilising member is in the form of an inverted dish.

15 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stabilising member is circular or oval.

16 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stabilising member is in the form of a container having side walls which can restrain compost and a plant.

17 A plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the stake has a side arm extending therefrom.

18 A construction system comprising one or more plant supports as claimed in any preceding Claim and one or more elongate members.

19 A construction system as claimed in Claim 18, including connection means to connect elongate members to each other or to plant supports.

20 A method of supporting a plant, comprising providing a plant support as claimed in any preceding Claim, locating a plant above the stabilising member such that at least some of the weight of the plant bears upon the stabilising member, and attaching the plant to the stake or to a sleeve engaging with the stake.

21 A plant support for use in the method of Claim 20, the plant support comprising a stake and a stabilising member.

22 A plant support as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23 A construction system as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

24 A method of supporting a plant as hereinbefore described.