GB2359722A - Plant stake - Google Patents

Description

2359722 PLANT STAKE This invention relates to a device for the support,

training and containment of plants, hereinafter called a Plant Stake.

Plant stakes of differing types are well known in the art, and range from Bamboo Canes in the simplest form, to relatively sophisticated plastic coated rods and tubes. All of these however have various failings in that the top of the stake normally has to have additional covering protection to prevent eye or other injury if bending or falling on the plant stake, and anything which is to be attached to the plant stake must rely on an attachment which can operate on a predominantly cylindrical or relatively regular surface.

According to the present invention, there is provided a plant stake which overcomes most, if not all of the deficiencies of normal plant stakes, in that the plant stake of the current invention incorporates mechanisms which render the top of the stake relatively harmless to falling and bending injuries, and also includes a series of positive attachment positions along the length of the stake, which can be used for either attaching the plant to the stake, or multiple stakes can be used in conjunction with string, ties or other attachments, to provide a compound frame or structure. A further embodiment of the invention is that the individual plant stakes can be used to provide a modular growing and support system when multiple stakes are used, with or without further attachment systems, to provide a Whole Life growing and support system, which will support the plant through all of the stages of its life.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: - Figure 1 shows a single stake (1), in this case constructed from metal wire, which may or may not be coated with a resin, polymer or other surfacing material, which has been preferentially twisted (2) at appropriate points along its length, and which shows an example of the top eye formation (3) and a number of attachment loops along its length (4).

k - 2 Figure 2 shows a triangular arrangement of stakes (1) which in this instance are interconnected with garden twine (5) threaded through attachment loops (4) which provides a plant containment and support structure which is versatile and easily adapted to the particular requirements of the plant at any particular point in its lifespan.

Figure 3 shows a further arrangement of stakes (1) and in this case they are formed, in conjunction with garden twine (5), in to the form of a hexagon.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement of three stakes (1) which have been tied together at their top eye (3), to form a pyramidal growing support, which can also offer further support by way of the attachment loops (4) which may also be interconnected with garden twine (5) if so desired.

The illustrations in figures 1 through 4 are intended to be as an example of the type of stake which is represented by this patent application, but should not be limited in the size of wire used, the length of the stake, the number and shape of the attachment poffits or the size and shape of the top eye, as all other variations are intended.

From the foregoing descriptions it will be readily seen that the examples as described are by no means exhaustive, and that multiple combinations of stakes, in conjunction with a variety of attachment materials are also possible and are therefore included 'm the spirit and scope of the current invention'.

17 '1, 3

Claims (5)

1. Claims

   A device for the support, training and containment of plants, which includes positive attachment, points along the length of the device and incorporates a finther attachment eye at the top of the stake.
2. 2) A device as in claim 1 which is manufactured from wire which has been preferentially twisted along its length to form the top eye and the attachment points.
3. 3) A device as in claim 2 where the size of the wire used to manufacture the device and the final dimensions of the device are appropriate to the size of the plant, which requires to be supported.
4. 4) A device as in claim 3 where the size, number and shape of the top eye and the attachment points are appropriate.
5. 5) A device as in claim 4 which can be used in multiple combination with other attachment systems to produce a compound frame or support structure