GB2310581A

GB2310581A - Plant supports

Info

Publication number: GB2310581A
Application number: GB9604183A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Thomas Kennedy; David Jones; John Arlett
Original assignee: AGRIFRAMES Ltd
Current assignee: AGRIFRAMES Ltd
Priority date: 1996-02-28
Filing date: 1996-02-28
Publication date: 1997-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-28
Also published as: GB2310581B; GB9604183D0

Abstract

A plant support comprises a vertical leg (72) and a generally horizontal arm (74), a first feature (76) at the top of the leg and a second feature (80) at the end (78) of the arm, wherein one of the two features is a loop and the other of the two features is shaped so that, in use, it can be inserted into the loop of a like plant support and the two plant supports prevented from separating by linear movement in any horizontal or vertical direction; the first feature may be a loop and the second feature a hook.

Description

PLANT SUPPORTS This invention relates to plant supports that are used to support plants in flower beds and the like or to prevent large plants from smothering neighbouring plants in a bed.

One example of such a plant support is produced by Link Stakes Limited of 30 Warwick Road, Upper Boddington, near Daventry, Northamptonshire NNll 6DH and is illustrated in the Drawings, wherein: - Fig.l is a perspective view from below of a first plant support in accordance with the prior art; Fig. 2 is a detail from a perspective view from above of the plant support of Fig. 1; and, Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above of three of the plants supports of Fig. 1, shown linked together to form a tripod in a flower bed.

As shown by Figs 1 to 3, this first prior art plant support 10 is formed, such as by simple bending, from plastic coated galvanised steel rod to have a vertical leg 12 joined to a generally horizontal arm 14 by a loop 16 which lies in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to horizontal arm 14; the free end 18 of horizontal arm 14 terminates in a downwardly directed hook 20. Hook 20 is also slightly directed back towards and lies in a vertical plane substantially parallel to vertical leg 12; having an included angle of approximately 80 with horizontal arm 14. Loop 16 is generally an incomplete circle of relatively small width; as shown most clearly (and exaggerated) in Fig. 2 there is a gap 22 between vertical leg 12 and horizontal arm 14.

In use, the vertical legs 12 of several supports 10 are forced into the ground, with the hook 20 of one support inserted into the loop 16 of another support; as illustrated in Fig. 3. The supports would form a frame, surrounding a plant (not shown). The main problem with this first prior art plant support is that the supports too readily become unhooked, one from the other. Supports are only held together by the simple insertion of the relatively short hook into an eye and the generally outwards pressure generated by the supported plant. It has been found that any significant movement of the supported plant, such as may be created by a wind, unhooks and separates the plant supports; thus defeating their purpose.

Another example of such a plant support is the "TUFF LINK" plant support that used to be produced by Tuff-Link Limited of TuffLink House, Station Road, Padiham, Lancashire BB12 7AR and as illustrated in the Drawings, wherein: Fig. 4 is a part perspective view from above of a second plant support in accordance with the prior art; Fig. 5 is a part side elevation of the plant support of Fig. 4; and, Fig. 6 is a perspective view from above of three of the plants supports of Fig. 4, shown linked together to form a tripod.

As shown by Figs 4 to 6, this second prior art plant support 40 is formed, such as by simple bending, from plastic coated steel rod to have a vertical leg 42 joined to a generally horizontal arm 44 by a dog leg 46 which lies in a vertical plane substantially parallel to vertical leg 42; the free end 48 of horizontal arm 44 terminates in a reversely directed R-shaped hook or clip 5. Hook 50 lies in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to horizontal arm 44.

In use, the vertical legs 42 of several supports 40 are forced into the ground and the hook 50 of one support clipped around the bend 52 in the dog leg 46 of another support; as illustrated by Fig. 6. The supports would form a frame, surrounding a plant (not shown). The main problem with this second prior art plant support is the difficulty in clipping a hook around a dog leg; the gauge of rod from which these supports have to be made results in hooks of the dimensions used being very inflexible. If the hook is opened up to make it easier to clip around a dog leg it becomes much easier for any significant movement of the plant supports towards one another to push the hook off the dog leg, separating the two plant supports.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved plant support that cannot, in use, readily be separated from like plant supports.

According to the present invention, a plant support comprises a vertical leg and a generally horizontal arm, a first feature at the top of the leg and a second feature at the end of the arm, wherein one of the two features is a loop and the other of the two features is shaped so that, in use, it can be inserted into the loop of a like plant support and the two plant supports prevented from separating in any horizontal direction. Thus, when in the ground, plant supports in accordance with the present invention can effectively be locked one to the other.

A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a leg joined to an arm with the first feature at the junction of the arm and leg and the arm terminating in the second feature, the other of the two features being so shaped that, in use, it can be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support for one relative orientation between the plant supports, but prevents separation of the two plant supports for other relative orientations between the two plant supports.

The other of the two features may be a hook. The loop may be of non-circular shape with the external separation distance of the free end of the hook from the arm greater than one internal width of the loop and less than another internal width of the loop. The leg, the arm, the loop and the hook may all lie substantially in the same plane. The one internal width of the loop may be substantially parallel to the leg.

In use, plant supports in accordance with this first embodiment of the present invention have the leg of one plant support forced generally vertically into ground, the hook end of the arm of a like plant support inserted into the loop of said one plant support with said like plant support oriented out of the plane of said one plant support and then have the leg of said like plant support forced generally vertically into the ground. In this position the hook of said like plant support cannot be removed from the loop of said one plant support; the two plant supports are prevented from being separated.

A second embodiment of the present invention comprises a leg joined to an arm with the first feature at the junction of the arm and leg and the arm terminating in the second feature, the plant support being formed of resilient material so that, in use, one or both of the features can distort to enable the other of the two features to be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support, but prevent separation of the two plant supports when the or both of the two features return to their undistorted shape.

The free end of the hook may flex towards and away from the horizontal arm to permit, in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to be flexed and inserted into or removed from the loop of a like plant support; the hook flexing to close the external separation distance sufficiently for the hook to pass through the loop at the one internal width and then spring out again, i.e. the two plant supports can be snap-locked together. Alternatively or additionally, the loop may flex open and close to permit, in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to open and insert into the loop of a like plant support; the loop then closing to prevent separation of the two plant supports. The loop flexes open to expand the one internal width sufficiently for the hook to pass through the loop and then spring or flex closed again, i.e. the two plant supports can be snap-locked together. To separate the plant supports either the horizontal arm of the like plant support can be twisted about its longitudinal axis, or the like plant support can be removed from the ground, so that its hook can be re-orientated to the one plant support and then removed from the loop of the one plant support.

A third embodiment of the present invention comprises the first feature formed at the top of a leg, the second feature formed at each end of a separate arm and so shaped that, in use, it can be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support for one relative orientation between an arm and a leg, but prevents separation between the two plant supports for other relative orientations between the arm and the leg. The other of the two features may be a hook. The loop may be of non-circular shape, with the external separation distance of the free end of the hook from the leg or the arm greater than one internal width of the loop and less than another internal width of the loop.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises the first feature formed at the top of a leg and the second feature formed at each end of a separate arm, one or both of the leg or the arm formed of resilient material so that, in use, one or both of the two features can distort to enable the other of the two features to be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like support, but prevent separation of the two plant supports when the or both of the two features return to their undistorted shape.

The free end of the hook may flex towards and away from the leg or the arm to permit, in use, the hook at the end of the arm or at top of the leg to be flexed and inserted into or removed from the loop at the top of the leg or at the end of the arm. Alternatively or additionally, the loop may flex open and close to permit, in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to open and insert into the loop of a like plant support; the loop then closing to prevent separation of the two plant supports. The loop flexes open to expand the one internal width sufficiently for the hook to pass through the loop and then spring or flex closed again, i.e. the two plant supports can be snap-locked together. The other of the two features may be an R-shaped hook or clip at the top of a leg with a loop at each end of an arm, the hook or clip being a snap fit in the loop.

The above and other features of the present invention are illustrated in the Drawings, wherein: Fig. 7 is a perspective view from below of a plant support in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation showing the loop of the plant support of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a perspective view from above of three of the plants supports of Fig. 7, shown locked together to form a tripod in a flower bed; Fig. 11 is a similar view to Fig 8, but for a modification to the first embodiment; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a single arm locked to two legs in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a detail showing a loop at the end of an arm of the plant support of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a similar detail of a hook at the top of a leg; and, Fig. 15 is a perspective from above of three legs and three arms of the plant support of Fig. 12, shown locked together to form a tripod in a flower bed.

As shown by Figs 7 to 10, a plant support 70 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is formed, such as by simple bending, from plastic coated galvanised steel rod to have a vertical leg 72 joined to a generally horizontal arm 74 by a loop 76 which lies in a vertical plane substantially parallel to vertical arm 74; the free end 78 of horizontal arm 74 terminates in a downwardly directed hook 80. Hook 80 lies in the same plane as vertical leg 72, horizontal arm 74 and loop 76 and is also directed back towards vertical leg 72; having an included angle of approximately 20 with horizontal arm 74. Loop 76 is of a generally tear drop shape with the apex of the drop at the intersection 82 of the vertical leg 72 and horizontal arm 74.

The external separation distance D (see Figs 7 and 8) of the free end of hook 80 from the horizontal arm 74 is less than the internal width F of the long axis of loop 76 but greater than any other internal width B of the loop, e.g. of the short axis.

In use, the vertical legs 72 of several supports 70 are forced into the ground, with the hook 80 of one support inserted into the loop 76 of another support, as illustrated in Fig. 7; where three supports form a tripod to surround a plant (not shown).

Given the planar configuration of the plant supports, they can be joined to another in one of two ways. The steel rod from which the supports are formed is inherently resilient or springy, in fact it is S.R.S. (stress relieved steel), thus one plant support can be forced into the ground, a second plant support can be forced into the ground in a chosen position relative to the first plant support and the hook of the second plant support offered up to the loop of the first plant support. The orientation of the two plant supports will be parallel and approximately vertical so that the hook will be unable to pass forwards through the loop because its external separation distance D is greater than the internal width B of the loop as met by the hook; however, it is possible to force the hook forwards through the loop because the diverging outer surfaces of arm free end 78 and hook 80 will meet the inner periphery of loop 76 and and the hook 80 can flex towards arm free end 78, reducing the external separation distance D to enable the hook to pass through the loop, whereupon the hook will return to its undistorted state.

Additionally, the loop can flex open increasing its internal diameter to enable the hook 80 to pass through the loop, whereupon the loop will close to its undistorted state. The second way is to insert the hook of the second plant support into the loop of the first plant support before the second plant support is forced into the ground; the second plant support is then orientated with respect to the first plant support so that the hook of the second plant support is aligned with the long axis of the loop and can be inserted forwards through the loop without having to flex; the hook external separation distance D being less than the loop internal width F.

Once the plant supports are in the ground, the hook cannot be removed from or forced backwards from the loop because the converging inner surfaces of arm free end 78 and hook 80 would meet the outer periphery of loop 76 and any force thereon would further open the hook, increasing the external separation distance D to be even greater than internal width B. Thus the two plant supports are locked together.

For removal, the arm of one plant support could be twisted until the plane of its hook is aligned with the long axis of the other plant support's hook. Alternatively, one or both plant supports could be removed from the ground and one plant support orientated with respect to the other plant support such that the plane of its hook is aligned with the long axis of the other plant support's loop; i.e. the reverse of the second of the above described joining operations.

Fig. 11 shows a modified plant support 110, wherein the loop 112 is twisted so that there is a positive, mechanical joint at the apex of the loop at the intersection 114 of the vertical leg 116 and horizontal arm 118. Such a joint would prevent the remote possibility of a hook being forced forwards out of a loop through the intersection; it being conceivable that a plant support in accordance with Figs 7 to 10 might be wrongly formed or subsequently damaged so that a small gap is left between leg 72 and arm 74 at the intersection 82 through which the hook of another plant support might be forced forwards, out of the loop.

As shown by Figs 12 to 15, a plant support 120 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is formed, such as by simple bending, from two lengths of plastic coated steel rod. A first length is a leg 122 at the top 124 of which is an R-shaped hook or clip 126; in fact looking much like a shepherds crook. The hook 126 lies in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal or vertical axis of the leg 122. A second length is an arm 128 having a circular loop 130 at each end 132; both loops lie in the same horizontal plane as the horizontal plane of the arm 128. The internal diameter G of each loop 130 is less than the maximum external diameter H of hook 126 but greater than external diameter I at the re-entrant curve 134 of the hook 126 when in its undistorted shape. The material of which at least leg 122 is formed is resiliently flexible and, together with the size of the hook 126, this enables a loop 130 to be forced down onto a hook 126 with the free end 136 of the hook deflecting towards leg top 124 until external dimension H is less than loop internal diameter G, permitting the loop to pass down to and be retained in the re-entrant hook curve 134 as a snaplock thereon when the hook returns to its undistorted shape.

Removal of an arm from a leg is the reverse of the above process. Additionally, the material of which arm 128 is formed can also be resiliently flexible and, together with the size of the loop 130, this enables a loop 130 to be forced down onto a hook 126 with the free end of the loop deflecting outwardly internal diameter G is greater than external dimension H, permitting the loop to pass down to and be retained in the re-entrant hook curve 134 as a snap-lock thereon when the loop returns to its undistorted shape.

In use, several legs 122 are forced into the ground and the loops 130 of arms 128 are then forced and locked onto the leg hooks 126, with the loops 130 of adjacent arms 128 each locked onto the same leg hook 126 as illustrated in Fig. 12; where three legs and three arms are locked together into a tripod to surround a plant (not shown). Unlike the first embodiment, the loops and hooks do not lie in the same plane.

Plant supports in accordance with the first embodiment have the advantage that they can be formed as single units, with consequent savings in production and handling; whilst plant supports in accordance with the second embodiment have the advantages that the legs and arms can be of different materials and lengths. Clearly, the relative leg and arm lengths of single units of first embodiment plant supports are fixed; although it is customary to produce first embodiment plant supports with differing leg and arm lengths. The legs and arms of second embodiment plant supports can be differing lengths and selected according to a particular usage.

Plant supports in accordance with the present invention cannot, in normal usage, become separated, at least in a horizontal plane.

Although the above-described embodiments of plant supports in accordance with the present invention have all be formed by bending plastic coated wire, many other methods of manufacture could be used. For example, the loop and/hook could be formed separately and then attached to the leg/arm junction or the free end of the arm, or the plant support could be moulded from any suitable plastics material that has the requisite strength and resilience. Second embodiment plant supports can have the legs and arms formed or manufactured from different materials.

Also, first embodiment plant supports could be in two parts, with vertical loops at the top of legs and hooks formed at either end of an arm; or second embodiment plant supports could be in one part, with vertical R-clips joining a leg to an arm and the free end of the arm terminating in a horizontal loop.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A plant support comprising a vertical leg and a generally horizontal arm, a first feature at the top of the leg and a second feature at the end of the arm, wherein one of the two features is a loop and the other of the two features is shaped so that, in use, it can be inserted into the loop of a like plant support and the two plant supports prevented from separating in any horizontal direction.

2. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a leg joined to an arm with the first feature at the junction of the arm and leg and the arm terminating in the second feature, the other of the two features being so shaped that, in use, it can be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support for one relative orientation between the plant supports, but prevents separation of the two plant supports for other relative orientations between the two plant supports.

3. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the other of the two features is a hook.

4. A plant support as claimed in claim 3, wherein the loop is of non-circular shape and the external separation distance of the free end of the hook from the arm is greater than one internal width of the loop and less than another internal width of the loop.

5. A plant support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the leg, the arm, the loop and the hook all lie substantially in the same plane.

6. A plant support as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said one internal width of the loop is substantially parallel to the leg.

7. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a leg joined to an arm with the first feature at the junction of the arm and leg and the arm terminating in the second feature, the plant support being formed of resilient material so that, in use, one or both of the features can distort to enable the other of the two features to be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support, but prevent separation of the two plant supports when the or both of the two features return to their undistorted shape.

8. A plant support as claimed in claim 7 and claim 3 as dependent upon claim 1, wherein the free end of the hook can flex towards and away from the horizontal arm to permit, in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to be flexed and inserted into or removed from the loop of a like plant support.

9. A plant support as claimed in claim 7 and claim 3 as dependent upon claim 1, wherein the loop can flex open and close to permit, in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to open and insert into the loop of a like plant support; the loop then closing to prevent separation of the two plant supports.

10. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 and comprising the first feature formed at the top of a leg, the second feature formed at each end of a separate arm and the other of the two features so shaped that, in use, it can be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support for one relative orientation between an arm and a leg, but prevents separation between the two plant supports for other relative orientations between the arm and the leg.

11. A plant support as claimed in claim 10, wherein the other of the two features is a hook.

12. A plant support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the loop is of non-circular shape and the external separation distance of the free end of the hook from the leg or the arm is greater than one internal width of the loop and less than another internal width of the loop.

13. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 comprising the first feature formed at the top of a leg and the second feature formed at each end of a separate arm, one or both of the leg or the arm formed of resilient material so that, in use, one or both of the two features can distort to enable the other of the two features to be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like support, but prevent separation of the two plant supports when the or both of the two features return to their undistorted shape.

14. A plant support as claimed in claim 13 and claim 11 as dependent upon claim 1, wherein the free end of the hook can flex towards and away from the leg or the arm to permit, in use, the hook at the end of the arm or at top of the leg to be flexed and inserted into or removed from the loop at the top of the leg or at the end of the arm.

15. A plant support as claimed in claim 13 and claim 11 as dependent upon claim 1, wherein the loop may flex open and close to permit, in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to open and insert into the loop of a like plant support.

16. A plant support as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first feature is an R-shaped hook or clip at the top of a leg with a loop at each end of an arm, the hook or clip being a snap fit in the loop.

17. A plant support substantially as described with reference to or as shown by Figs 7 to 10 or Fig. 11 or Figs 12 to 15 of the Drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS:-

1. A plant support comprising a vertical leg and a generally horizontal arm, a first feature at the top of the leg and a second feature at the end of the arm, wherein one of the two features is a loop and the other of the two features is shaped so that, in use, it can be inserted into the loop of a like plant support and the two plant supports prevented from separating by linear movement in any horizontal or vertical direction.

2. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a leg joined to an arm with the first feature at the junction of the arm and leg and the arm terminating in the second feature, the other of the two features being so shaped that, in use, it can only be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support for one relative orientation between the plant supports, subsequent relative rotation between the plant supports preventing separation of the two plant supports for other relative orientations between the two plant supports.

4. A plant support as claimed in claim 3, wherein the loop is of non circular shape and the external separation distance of the free end of the hook from the arm is greater than one internal width of the loop and less than another internal width of the loop.

6. A plant support as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said one internal width ofthe loop is substantially parallel to the leg.

7. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a leg joined to an arm with the first feature at the junction of the arm and leg and the arm terminating in the second feature, the plant support being formed of resilient material so that, in use, one or both of the features can distort to enable the other of the two features to be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support, but prevent separation for any relative linear or rotational movement of the two plant supports when the or both of the two features return to their undistorted shape.

9. A plant support as claimed in claim 7 and claim 3 as dependent upon claim 1, wherein the loop can flex open and close to permit, in use, the hook end ofthe arm of one plant support to open and insert into the loop of a like plant support; the loop then closing to prevent separation of the two plant supports.

10. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 and comprising the first feature formed at the top of a leg, the second feature formed at each end of a separate arm and the other of the two features so shaped that, in use, it can be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like plant support for one relative orientation between an arm and a leg. subsequent relative rotation between the plant supports preventing separation between the two plant supports for other relative orientations between the arm and the leg.

13. A plant support as claimed in claim 1 comprising the first feature formed at the top of a leg and the second feature formed at each end of a separate arm, one or both of the leg or the arm formed of resilient material so that, in use, one or both of the two features can distort to enable the other of the two features to be inserted into and/or removed from the loop of a like support, but prevent separation for any relative linear or rotational movement of the two plant supports when the or both of the two features return to their undistorted shape.

15. A plant support as claimed in claim 13 and claim 1 1 as dependent upon claim 1, wherein the loop may flex open and close to permit. in use, the hook end of the arm of one plant support to open and insert into the loop of a like plant support.