GB2360189A

GB2360189A - Plant support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2360189A
Application number: GB0006358A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Milne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-17
Filing date: 2000-03-17
Publication date: 2001-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-17
Also published as: GB2360189B; GB0006358D0

Abstract

A modular frame 1 for growing plants has vertically spaced horizontal support rings 2 connected by posts 3. The rings 2 may be of different sizes with a common footprint for connection to the posts 3. The frame 1 can be extended as the plant grows. The frame 1 may be freestanding on the ground or it may be secured to the rim of a plant pot (Figure 11).

Description

2360189 APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING PLANTS This application

relates to apparatus for developing and supporting plants. In particular it relates to apparatus to which a plant may bind and/or be supported by while it develops. An especial use of this apparatus is to train plants to grow in a particular manner.

It is often desirable to shape the growing stem and leaves of a plant to ensure best spread of the leaves in order to catch the sunshine and to enable the plant to take its best shape. Plants may attach to naturally occurring support structures such as trees, rocks or other convenient surfaces. Often, however, it is necessary to provide some form of additional support, especially when training a plant to a particular shape.

Perhaps the most commonly used method, away from walls and other preexisting structural supports is to tie the plant to stakes pushed into the ground. The stakes may be unstable and work loose, they do not provide adequate support for the branches of the plant and pushing them into the ground may damage the roots of the plant. Alternatively, chicken wire may be used for the plant to grow up through. The chicken wire needs to be retied as the plant grows.

Pot plants represent a different type of problem. They have a limited soil area and the usual method of pushing a stake into the pot can damage the roots. It is also not feasible with many pot plants to use stakes effectively as the depth of soil supporting the stake may be insufficient to enable the stake to effectively support the plant, particularly if the plant is sited outdoors in a windy area.

2 The present invention has been made from a consideration of the problems aforementioned.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plant support system which provides support for the plant as it grows whilst still giving the horticulturist an opportunity to direct its growth.

More particularly, it is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a plant support system which can be adapted through the use of modular components that can be added to extend and increase the size of the support system to accommodate growth.

In particular, it is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a plant support system which is simple to asserrible, capable of resisting environmental hazards such as windy conditions, and enables different types of plants to be supported.

It is another preferred object of the invention to provide a plant support system which can be used for supporting plants grown both in pots and in the soil.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a plant support system comprising vertical and horizontal frame members connected to form a framework for supporting a plant.

Preferably, the frame members form modules and two or more modules may be interconnected to extend the framework. In this way, the support system can be adapted to the size of the plant and the framework can be enlarged as the plant grows.

3 Advantageously, the framework is strengthened by frame members connected between adjacent vertical frame members. In a preferred construction, the same component is used for the both the vertical frame members and the strengthening frame members. In this way the number 5 of components required for assembly of the framework is reduced.

Preferably, the horizontal and vertical frame members and, where provided, strengthening frame members are made of plastics, preferably by injection moulding. The plastics may be chosen to be UV and chemical resistant.

Advantageously, the horizontal and vertical frame members are provided in a range of sizes which can be assembled to produce different sizes and/or shapes of framework. Preferably, within the range, there is a uniform variation in size of the frame members. For example, the range of sizes may be based on a scale f actor of 2.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembling a plant support system comprising vertical and horizontal frame members connectable to form a framework for supporting a plant.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a plant support system including mounting means for attaching to a plant pot or container and support means connectable to the mounting means for supporting a growing plant.

Advantageously, the mounting means comprises an annular ring member which fits around the outside of the pot or container, preferably around the rim.

4 In a preferred embodiment, the ring member is formed by a plurality of interconnected elements such that the size of the ring member may be adapted for fitting to different sizes of pots.

Advantageously, the elements comprise clips having a curved body with formations at opposite ends for connecting the clips end to end. For example, each clip may have a slot at one end sized to receive the other end of an adjacent clip.

Preferably, each clip is adapted for connecting a vertical post to support a growing plant. In a preferred embodiment, the clips connect posts forming part of the framework of the plant support system according to the first aspect of the invention. In this way, one or more horizontal support members may be arranged in spaced apart relationship above the pot or container for supporting a growing plant.

Other features, benefits and advantages of the invention in its various aspects will be apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plant frame; Figure 2 is a-plan view of a ring-shaped support member shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a post shown in Figure 1; Figures 4, 5, and 6 are plan views of different sizes of ring-shaped support members; Figure 7 shows schematically a perspective view of a second embodiment of a plant frame employing the support members shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5; Figure 8 is a side view of a connector for connecting two posts; Figures 9 and 10 are plan views showing alternative support members; Figure 11 shows schematically a side view of a third embodiment of a plant frame mounted on a plant pot; Figure 12 is a front perspective view of one of the clips of the base support ring for mounting the plant frame on the plant pot; and Figure 13 shows schematically a side view of a fourth embodiment in which the plant frame surrounds and supports the plant pot.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a plant support frame 1 according to the present invention. The frame 1 is designed to be free standing on a surface such as the soil and to support a plant (not shown) as it grows.

The frame 1 comprises four ring-shaped horizontal support members 2 vertically spaced apart and connected by vertical posts 3 with reinforcing cross-braces 4 between the posts 3 to provide structural strength and rigidity to the assembled frame 1. The assembled frame 1 forms a column 6 having a lattice structure providing three levels or tiers spaced above the surface on which the frame 1 is placed for supporting a growing plant.

One of the support members 2 is shown in Figure 2 and comprises an inner ring 5 and concentric outer ring 6. A lattice structure is provided by a number of integral radial webs 7. In this embodiment, there are three webs 7 uniformly spaced inside the inner ring 5 and six webs 7 uniformly spaced between the inner ring 5 and outer ring 6. Other arrangements of the webs 7 are possible.

The inner and outer rings 5,6 are additionally formed with integral sockets 8 uniformly spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the inner ring 5 has three sockets 8 at the positions where the webs 7 extending from the centre meet the ring 5, and the outer ring 6 has six sockets 8 at the positions where the webs 7 meet the ring 6. The sockets 8 allow posts 3 to be connected to the inner andlor outer rings 5, 6 from either side of the support members 2. Other arrangements of the sockets 8 are possible.

One of the posts 3 is shown in Figure 3 and comprises an elongate generally cylindrical member 9 having a spigot 10 of reduced crosssection at each end. The spigot 10 is sized to be a releasable push fit in a socket 8 of the support member 2 to which the post 3 is connected for assembly and disassembly of the frame 1. The member 9 is also formed with annular ribs (not shown) for axially locating ties attached to the posts 3 to support a growing plant.

The spigots 10 may be retained by friction but more preferably, the spigots 10 and sockets 8 are adapted for a snap fit engagement so that the spigots 10 are effectively retained in the sockets 8 until it is desired to 7 take the frame 1 apart. For example, the spigots may have an annular groove (not shown) and the sockets may have an internal annular rib (not shown) arranged to snap engage the groove when the spigot 10 is pushed into the socket 8 to resist removal and positively hold the spigot 10 in place until it is desired to take the frame apart. Any other suitable cooperating formations may be provided for this purpose.

The member 9 is additionally formed at each end with a respective pair of sockets 11 spaced from the end a pre-set distance. The sockets 11 are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the member 9 and extend towards the opposite end of the member 9 for connecting the cross braces 4. The number andlor arrangement of sockets 11 may be varied from that shown to allow matching of angles around the structure as appropriate. For example, one or more sockets may be provided at each end and the number and/or arrangement of sockets may be the same or different at each end.

In this embodiment, the vertical posts 3 and cross-braces 4 are designed to be provided by the same component and the sockets 11 are sized to receive the spigots 10 to connect the diagonal cross-braces 4 between adjacent posts 3. The member 9 is symmetrical about the mid-point enabling the posts 3 and cross braces 4 to be assembled either way round.

As shown the bracing is provided between alternate pairs of adjacent posts 3 of each stage but it will be understood the arrangement of the sockets 11 enables the bracing to be provided between every pair of adjacent posts 3 if required. Each stage or tier of the frame may be braced or the bracing may be omitted where it is not required. For example, alternate stages may be braced.

8 In this embodiment, four lattice support members 2 are shown vertically spaced apart and connected around the periphery of the support frame 1 by posts 3 extending between aligned sockets 8 of the outer rings 6 of adjacent support members 2 and the cross-braces 4 extend between alternate pairs of adjacent posts 3. Although all of the sockets 8 in the outer rings are employed, it will be understood this may not always be required and the number of posts 3 may be reduced from that shown.

Additionally or alternatively, posts 3 may be provided connecting the sockets 8 of the inner rings 5 of adjacent support members 2 if required.

The provision of posts 3 inside the support frame 1 may be beneficial in certain applications as providing additional locations for supporting a growing plant between the horizontal support members 2 within the support frame 1.

The frame 1 may be assembled to any desired height initially by connecting two, three, four or more of the support members 2 and the height can be increased as the plant grows by adding more support members 2. Thus, it will be appreciated that the support members 2 and posts 3 form modular units which can build up and extend an existing support frame 1 in stages to adapt the frame 1 to the size of the plant.

In this way, the horticulturist can adapt the frame 1 to individual requirements. The support members 2 provide support at spaced intervals or levels for the plant as it grows up the frame 1 and the arrangement of annular rings 5, 6 and radial webs 7 provide support surfaces at each level for attaching the plant to provide a desired shape. The posts 3 and crossbraces 4 between the support members 2 may also be used as support surfaces for attaching the plant as it grows from one level to the next.

9 In the above-described embodiment, the bottom support member 2 of the frame 1 sits on the ground. The frame 1 is free-standing and may be anchored to the ground by any suitable means attached to the bottom support member 2. In a modification (not shown), the bottom support member may be omitted and the posts connected to the first elevated support member may be pushed into the ground to locate frame.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, these show three more ring-shaped support members 12, 13, 14 which together with the support member 2 form a set of support members of different sizes.

The support members 12, 13, 14 are generally similar to the support member 2 and like reference numbers are used to indicate corresponding parts. Thus, all the support members forming the set are based on a ring structure with sockets 8 integral with each ring for connecting posts 3.

The support member 12 is the smallest of the set and has a single ring 5, the support member 2 has two concentric rings 5,6 as described previously, the support member 13 has three concentric rings 5, 6, 15, and the support member 14 is the largest of the set and has four concentric rings 5, 6, 15, 16.

In this embodiment, the support members are related by a scale factor of two between successive members of the set. For example, the support members may have diameters of 10cm, 20m, 40cm and 80cm respectively.

Such variation in size between members of the set has advantages for manufacture and assembly of the support members to produce frameworks of different sizes and shape. It will be understood, however, that varying the sizes by a fixed scale factor of two in this embodiment or any other scale factor is not essential to the invention and is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. Thus a set may be constituted by any number of support members of different sizes to suit any given application.

As is apparent from the drawings, the support members of the set are related to each other with the structure of the member 12 repeated in member 2, the structure of member 2 repeated in member 13, and the structure of member 13 repeated in member 14. In other words, the repetition of the structure with each increase in size of the support member provides a footprint of the smaller support member in the larger support member.

It will be understood that each of the support members 12, 13, 14 may be assembled with posts 3 to construct frames similar to that shown in Figure 1 but of different diameter depending on which support member is used.

Alternatively, the modular nature of the support members makes possible the construction of frames with a combination of different support members to produce frames having other than a cylindrical shape.

For example, in a second embodiment, the support members 2, 12, 15 of the above-described set are assembled one above the other to produce a plant support frame having a generally pyramidal structure as shown in Figure 7. This is possible due to the repeating structure between the support members forming the set so that there are always sockets 8 at one 25 level aligned with sockets 8 at the next level for connecting the posts 3 between the support members at two successive levels. Other combinations of the support members to produce different structures will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The posts 3 may also be provided as a set having different lengths related by a scale factor of two between successive posts of the set. For example, in this embodiment, a set of posts 3 may have lengths of 10cm, 20cm, 40cm and 80cm matching the diameters of the support members.

The posts 3 may be formed separately to each length.

Alternatively, the posts may be formed to each length by connecting two or more smaller posts end to end. For example, Figure 8 shows a connector 17 which may be used to join two posts together. In this way, one component may be used to provide different lengths of posts as desired.

The modular sizes of the posts 3 are designed together with the spacing of the sockets 11 from the ends of the body 9 so that the same components can be used for both the posts 3 and cross-braces 4 for all sizes and combinations of the support members. In this way, the number of components for assembly of a frame is reduced.

It will be appreciated that the support members may be annular as described or any other suitable shape. For example, Figure 9 shows a structure based on a quarter circle and Figure 10 shows a structure based on a half circle.

Both structures are derived from the support member 13 of Figure 5 and it will be understood they can be produced in a range of modular sizes as described above for assembly of frames of different size and shape. For example, the quarter-circle structure may be used to construct a frame for placing in a corner between walls or fencing panels and the half- circle structure may be used to construct a frame for placing against a wall or fencing panel.

12 Referring now to Figure 11, there is shown a third embodiment of a plant support frame 121 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the support frame 121 is adapted to be mounted on a plant pot 120 rather 5 than to be free-standing as in the embodiments above-described.

The frame 121 is constructed from ring-shaped horizontal support members 122 vertically spaced apart and connected by vertical posts 123. In this embodiment, two support members 122 of different diameter are shown but it will be understood they could be of the same diameter and that any number of support members 122 could be provided depending on the required height of the frame 121. The construction of the frame 121 will be apparent from the description of the previous embodiment and further detailed description is unnecessary.

To attach the frame 121 to the pot 120, a mounting ring 124 is secured to the outer face of the pot 120 around the rim 125, and the posts 123 for supporting the first level or tier of the frame 121 are connected to the ring 124. As will be appreciated, connecting the frame 121 to the mounting ring 124 avoids any damage to the root structure of the plant in the pot 120.

The attachment of the frame 121 to the pot 120 via the ring 124 may provide the frame 121 with sufficient strength and rigidity to enable the cross-braces of the first embodiment to be omitted but it will be understood that cross-braces could be used if required.

The mounting ring 124 comprises an assembly of interconnected clips 126 fitted end to end around the rim 125 of the pot 120. The number of clips 126 used depends on the size of the pot 120. There are four 13 clips 126 shown in this particular embodiment, spaced evenly around the rim 125 of the plant pot 120. However, it will be understood that more or less than four may be used.

One of the clip members 126 is shown in Figure 12 and comprises an elongate curved body 127 with spaced parallel edge lips 128,129 on the inner surface 130. The body 127 has a slot 131 formed in an enlarged portion 132 at one end and the other end is a push fit in the slot 131 of an adjacent clip 126 for assembly of the mounting ring 124. The enlarged 10 portion 132 of each clip 126 is additionally formed with transverse sockets 133,134 in the side edges for mounting the posts 123. To assemble and attach the mounting ring 124 on the pot 120, the required number of clips 126 are initially connected to form a ring 15 structure of diameter greater than the diameter of the rim 125 of the pot 120. The ring structure is then positioned around the rim 125 and the clips 126 tightened to reduce the diameter until the ring structure grips the rim 125. The mating surfaces of the clips 126 are roughened andlor ribbed so that an effective interlock is produced when each clip 126 is 20 inserted into the slot 131 of the adjacent clip 126.

In the assembled condition of the mounting ring 124 on the pot 120, the upper edge lip 128 is located on top of the rim 125 to prevent the ring 124 slipping down the outside of the pot 120. The lower edge lip 129 is seated against the outer face of the pot 120 and accommodates the taper of the rim 125 so that the posts 123 extend vertically when connected to the mounting ring 124. The arrangement of the edge lips 128,129 and sockets 133,134 is symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of the body 127 such that the clip 126 is non-handed and can be assembled either way up.

14 It will be understood that this method of mounting the frame 121 on the pot 120 may be applied to a wide range of sizes of pots or similar containers and may be used with the different sizes and shapes of frame described previously.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the mounting ring 124 may be employed to mount one or more posts 123 for supporting a growing plant without the horizontal support members 122. The posts 123 may be extended as the plant grows by the use of the connector shown in 10 Figure 8.

With reference to Figure 13, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the present invention which combines features of the embodiments already described. In this embodiment, a plant pot 220 is seated on the bottom support member 221 of a free standing frame 222 and a mounting ring 223 is incorporated into the structure of the frame 222 to connect the frame 222 to the pot 220 by connecting the base member 221 to the ring 223 with posts 224 and building up the frame 222 from the ring member 223. This arrangement makes the pot 220 more stable. 20 As will now be appreciated this invention provides a complete modular system of constructing frames for supporting, maintaining and shaping plants growing in pots or in the garden and which enables the frames to be extended to accommodate plant growth. 25 A wide variety of sizes and shapes of frames can be built from a simple set of standardised parts which are scaled with respect to each other to ensure ease of construction and manufacture.

The system can actually add to the aesthetics of the garden arrangement and the horticulturist will find many long standing garden problems solved by use of this invention.

Many variations of the basic idea above-described will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are deemed within the scope of the invention.

Claims

16 CLAIMS

A plant support system comprising a plurality of vertical frame members connected to at least one horizontal frame member to form a framework for supporting a plant wherein the vertical and horizontal frame members have interengageable locating formations for releasably connecting the frame members to assemble the framework such that the framework can be extended by adding one or more horizontal frame member spaced above said at least one horizontal frame member with vertical frame members extending between and connected to adjacent horizontal frame members.

2. A plant support system according to claim 1 including bracing frame members extending between and connected to adjacent vertical f rame members.

3. A plant support system according to claim 2 wherein the vertical frame members and the bracing frame members are the same.

4. A plant support system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame members are made of plastics.

5. A plant su pport system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each horizontal frame member is ring-shaped having at least one annular ring provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced locating formations for connecting a respective vertical frame member.

6. A plant support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the or each horizontal frame member is part ring-shaped having 17 at least one part annular ring provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced locating formations for connecting a respective vertical frame member.

7. A plant support system according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the locating formations are provided on both sides of the ring.

8. A plant support system according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein a plurality of horizontal frame members are provided in a range 10 of modular sizes.

9. A plant support system according to claim 8 wherein each larger horizontal frame member replicates the structure of a smaller horizontal frame member.

10. A plant support system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of horizontal frame members of the same size are connected by vertical frame members to form a framework with vertically spaced horizontal tiers or stages.

11. A plant support system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a plurality of horizontal frame members of different size are connected by vertical frame members to form a framework with vertically spaced horizontal tiers or stages.

12. A plant support system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the interengageable locating formations comprise spigot and socket formations.

18

13. A plant support system according to an.y one of the preceding claims wherein the interengageable locating formations are a push fit.

14. A plant support system according to any one of the preceding 5 claims wherein the interengageable locating formations are a snap fit.

15. A plant support system according to arty one of the preceding claims including a support for mounting on a pot and having locating formations for connecting vertical frame members.

16. A plant support system according to claim 15 wherein the support comprises a plurality of clips connectable together to form a ring sized to match the pot on which the base support is mounted.

17. A plant support system according to claim. 16 wherein the clips are adapted to locate the support around the rim of the pot.

18. A plant support system according to claim 17 wherein each clip has a curved body with formations at opposite ends for connecting the clips 20 end to end.

19. A plant support system according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein each clip is made of plastics.

20. A plant support system according to any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the support is incorporated in the framework between two vertically spaced horizontal frame members of which the lower member provides a base for the pot.

19

21. A plant support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A plant support system substantially as hereinbefore described with 5 reference to Figure 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A plant support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A plant support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 12 and Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A kit of parts for assembling a plant support system according to any one of the preceding claims comprising vertical and horizontal frame members connectable to form a framework for supporting a plant.

26. A modular framework for supporting a plant comprising a plurality of vertically spaced stages each comprising a horizontal frame member releasably connected to an adjacent horizontal frame member by a plurality of vertical frame members, each horizontal frame member comprising an annular or part annular ring structure having locating formations on both sides, and each vertical frame member comprises an elongate post having locating formations at each end engageable with the locating formations of the horizontal frame members to assemble the framework to any desired size.