GB2305346A - Self extending plant cane - Google Patents

Abstract

A self extending plant cane has a housing section 1 that is the largest of several sections. Other sections 2 and 3 are each smaller in turn and are extended to allow a further attachment area for a growing plant. A spike 5 is inserted into the ground 6, having a stop 4. Friction rings 7 assist in the extension, with protective caps 8 providing protection from weather and giving guidance to the extending section. The caps 8 also provide access for a lubricant on their removal.

Description

Title : Selt Extending Plant Cane This invention relates to a support cane for plants and trees that is able to extend, increasing its length to adapt to the progessing height of the growing subject. This offers the ability to use the same cane consistently during the growth of a plant, and reuse it to aid the growth of others on further occasions.

Plant support canes are already known and have been used for many years as a simple method of supporting a small plant or tree, fron its early stages to prevent damage to undeveloped or fragile stems, to assisting in the overall support of much larger stems preventing them fron breakage.

A common cause of plant damage during growth is weather related, consistent with high winds and poor weather subjection during growth. This is overcome by inserting a long section of vertical natural or similar cane into the ground and leaning or tying the subject to its length.

The length of the cane normally far exceeds that of the secured subject owing to the expected area required for growth. This results in unsightly canes towering over much smaller plants or trees for long periods. Other common problems relating to natural or similar canes is their tendency to become damaged and require replacement many times over. This being due to the natural weakness of the cane fibre.

Storage of longer natural or similar canes also requires a great deal of space, including height coverage. They are often stored in external buildings demanding space in most instances.

Natural or similar canes also demand restaking after a period of insertion in the ground, this is common to most areas of placement, and is the result of the plant or tree requiring a larger cane, or movement of earth, and other relative causes following a period of installation. This requires the cane to be removed and inserted to establish a strengthened support, or possibly the insertion of a new cane. This action can be very damaging to existing roots at the base of the subject, as the cane often passes through them to gain solid posture in a different area of the ground.

The reuse of canes constantly results in many millions being produced and disposed of each year unnecessarily.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved plant or tree support cane, that is able to self extend to the height of the plant or tree as it grows, therefore remaining in one position until its use may be no longer required. Being produced from a permanent material that will not require replacement, and will offer compact storage abilities to the user.

An eiibodiment of how the invention works will now follow with reference to the three accompanying diagrams, which show as follows Fig 1 : Full outline view of several sections, almost fully extended.

Fig 2 : An exploded view of the connecting and extending system, prior to extension.

Fig 3 : An exploded view of the connecting and extending system, following extension.

The self extending plant cane is generally designated 1, and comprise various hollow lengths of tubing inserted within each others interior, decreasing in diameter as each section progesses forming a narrow length at the final section. The housing section tube 1, as shown in Fig 1 is the larger of the several tubes. This lay be able to completely contain all further tubes once all are retracted, to enable storage.

This is due to all tube sections each being larger in diameter than the following tube in turn. To the base of the housing section tube 1 is situated a spike insert 5 as shown in Fig 1. This is provided to allow the cane to be easily inserted into the ground 6, once the desired location has been chosen.

Once inserted as shown in Fig 1, a stop 4 provides a level plane that resists further passage into the earth. This would possibly form a level horizontal flange around the entire circumference of the housing section tube 1, this flange stop 4 would benefit from being larger in diameter than the spike insert body 5 below. This would allow it to prevent further passage of the cane into the earth following the insertion of the smaller spike insert 5 below it, owing to the flat plane of the flange being a poor shape for insertion into the ground, and presiding to rest on the surface.

When all sections of tube are inserted within each other, not shown, a smaller cane is presented and is suitable for use on supporting small, or recently planted subjects. As the plant or tree grows the second extension tube 2, as shown in Fig 1, would preferably be extended from its housing with the housing tube 1. This would provide a further stage on which to attach and support the growing subject. The stability of the tubes extension is assisted by a friction ring 7 as shown in Fig 1, 2, & 3. This friction ring 7 would be produced from a suitable composition such as a rubber or plastic varient, and would circulate the exterior surface of the inner tube portion 3. As the tubes would be produced to allow sufficient width and spacing for free movement, the friction ring 7 would contact directly with the inner wail of the larger housing tube 2, and in all furthering housing tubes.In a more retracted position, as shown in Fig 2, the amount of tube 3 within the housing section 2 is increased with the friction ring 7 being in a lower position. On extension of the inner tube section 3 from within the housing section 2, the amount of tubing 3 within tube 2 is decreased, with the friction ring 7 being located in a much higher position, as shown in Fig 3.

As the overlap section of both corresponding tubes is reduced when extended, as shown in Fig 3, the friction ring 7 offers a restricted and improved support of the joint.

This will help prevent bending and breakage at this normally weakened area, due to the portion of stress being taken up by the friction rings presence.

As the subject continues to develop and grow, further sections may be extended as with those shown in Fig 2, and 3, to result in a cane similar to that shown in Fig 1.

Although three sections are shown in Fig 1, as an almost fully extended version, it is possible to have several additional lengths and sections to form the fully or partially extended cane. As a space is presented between the two corresponding sections of tube, due to the cavity allowing for the movement of the friction ring 7, access for water and dirt is available where the housing section ceases, and the protruding extension section appears. Access of these unwanted materials may be prevented by installing a removable cap 8, as shown in all Figures. This would insert around the rim of the housing tube, in each section, being removably secured in place. The extending section is allowed to pass through a suitably sized hole at its centre to create a sealed collar to the rim of the housing section, shown on section 2 in Fig 2 a 3.

Should the housing tube require lubrication the cap 8 may be removed to allow the insertion of a lubricant within the cavity between the outer surface of the interior section and the inner wall of the housing section. This would aid the free movement of the friction ring 7, and therefore that of the reliant extending sections.

The presence of the removable cap 8 would also provide added stability to the extending tube within the housing, as the friction ring 7 will be providing some play at the opening rim of the housing tube, within which the extending tube 3, in Fig 2 & 3, will be allowed to move to some extent. The centralised position of the hole within the removeable cap 8, through which the extending section 3, in Fig 2 & 3, passes, would be level with true vertical position of the protruding extension section, maintaining a more secure vertical position on each stage.

Once fully extended the final section of cane 3, as shown in Fig 1, would be revealed. This section would normally be many times smaller in diameter to the previous sections, and may be produced of a solid material to aid strength. To the tip of this section may be a top cap 9, as shown in Fig 1, this allows for a point at which the final section can be gripped to allow extension, and also to act as a closure cap to the fully retracted cane.

On full or partial extension of all sections of tube, as shown as a three section example in Fig 1, the subject will be allowed to complete its growth, uninterrupted, without the need to restake, offering support throughout at all times.

The interior and exterior shapes of the tubing sections are variable, providing that they correspond to allow each other to extend and retract. The length of each section is also variable as is the amount of sections used.

It may also be possible to produce a cane that does not require friction rings 7, but simply provides tubes that insert almost exactly within each other, offering friction from the two surfaces contacting within.

The removal of the caps 8 is also possible in relation to a version with no friction rings 7, as the opening at the rim of the housing section would be very minimal, although the previously mentioned benefits of such an opening would be prevented.

It can also be suggested that an air hole should be situated at the surface of top cap 9 and that section 3 may be hollow as with sections 1 & 2, as shown in Fig 1. This would allow air to pass freely through the extent of the cane easing the movement of each section.

Claims (9)

1) A self extending plant cane has various tubes that slide within each other to form a sectional length that can be extended during the growth of a plant or tree, neans to secure the length into the ground is provided by a spiked insert, a friction ring assists during the extension or retraction of each section, with protective caps applied to each upward opening to offer protection and access for a lubricant.

2) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 1 wherein, hollow tubes are sized to fit within each other.

3) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 2 wherein, the hollow tubes descend in diameter upon the extension of each section.

4) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 3 wherein, each section is extended to increase the size of the cane length during the growth of a plant or tree.

5) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the plant or tree may be secured to its length, at any stage of its extension.

6) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 5 wherein, a friction ring around the interior sections offers assistance on extension.

7) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 6 wherein, upon extension a protective cap sited on the upward openings offers guidance and protection from weathering.

8) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 7 CLAIMS wherein, the protective cap offers access tor a lubricant when required.

9) A self extending plant cane as claimed in claim 8 wherein, a spiked end is inserted into the ground.