GB2363310A

GB2363310A - A cover for inhibiting damage by cold to plants

Info

Publication number: GB2363310A
Application number: GB0014637A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracy Roofe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-16
Filing date: 2000-06-16
Publication date: 2001-12-19
Also published as: GB0014637D0

Abstract

A cover 10 for inhibiting damage by cold to plants contained within a container suspended off the ground, comprising a closure means 16 to enclose said plants therein. In one embodiment (fig 5) the cover 30 comprises a weighted polyethylene body with a drawstring and toggle arrangement.

Description

I t 2363310 A Cover for Inhibiting Damage by Cold to Plants The present

invention relates to a cover for inhibiting damage by cold to plants and to a hanging basket provided with such a cover.

5 Covers to protect plants from cold are well known and many styles are commercially available. However, of those commercially available the applicant is only aware of styles intended to be used around plants which are planted directly in the ground and plants planted in, for 10 example, raised beds or tubs.

The applicant has found that such covers as aforementioned are unsuitable for containers which are suspended off the ground, and in particular, hanging baskets.

15 According to the present invention there is provided a cover for inhibiting damage by cold to plants contained within a container suspended off the ground, which cover comprises a first closure means for, in use, releasably moving said cover to substantially enclose said plants therein.

One advantage of suitably designed arrangements is that the cover is very easy to place and remove around the plants, and does minimal damage to the plants.

Advantageously, said cover comprises a hollow body 25 having a first opening.

Preferably, said first closure means are associated with said first opening.

In this manner the cover can be readily placed and removed around the plants. The first closure means also 30 help to hang the cover from a hanging basket.

Advantageously, said cover further comprises a second opening.

Preferably, said first closure means are associated with said second opening.

35 Advantageously, said cover further comprises second closure means.

Preferably, said first closure means are associated with said second opening.

Advantageously, said second closure means are 5 associated with said second opening.

Preferably, in use, said cover encloses said container.

One advantage of this is that the cover helps to maintain the temperature of the soil within which the 10 plants are held.

Advantageously, the arrangement is such that, in use, said cover can be emplaced and removed from said container in situ.

Preferably, said hollow body is tube shaped.

15 Advantageously, said first closure means, In use, are operable to alternately emplace and withdraw said cover from around said plants.

One advantage of this Is that the cover can be lef t on a hanging basket when not in use.

20 Preferably, said cover comprises a first opening and a second opening and said first closure means are operable to emplace and withdraw said cover by moving said second opening away from and toward said first opening respectively.

25 Advantageously, said first opening is smaller in diameter than said second opening and said cover is tapered therebetween.

Preferably, further comprising a weight or weights around a lower extremity of said cover to, in use, assist 30 in the emplacement of said cover around said plants.

Advantageously, said cover further comprises retaining means for, in use, retaining said cover away from said plants.

One advantage of this is that the cover can be 35 neatly stored on the hanging basket, without spoiling the ef fect of the hanging basket.

Preferably, said retaining means comprise a nylon strap with VELCRO (M) at either end.

Advantageously, said retaining means comprises a 5 belt of nylon and a snap release and close buckle.

Preferably, said first closure means are drawstrings.

Advantageously, said cover further comprises a toggle.

10 Preferably, said f irst closure means is a length of elastic material.

Advantageously, said second closure means are drawstrings.

Preferably, said cover further comprises a toggle.

is Advantageously, said cover is constructed from polythene.

Preferably, said cover has a diameter and said diameter is between W' and 1411, preferably 811, 1011, 1211 or 1411.

20 Advantageously, said container is a hanging basket.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a hanging basket comprising a cover in accordance with the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a hanging basket; 5 Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention in a closed position in use with a hanging basket; 15 Fig. 5 shows a perspective view the cover of Fig. 4 in a retracted position; Fig 6. shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention; 20 Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of part of a f if th embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 8 shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention in use 25 with a hanging basket; and Fig. 9 shows two side views of part of the retaining means of Fig. 8, one in an open position and the second in a closed position.

Referring to Fig. 1 a conventional hanging basket is 30 generally identified by reference numeral I. Hanging basket 10 is suspended from a chain II which hangs from a bracket (not shown). The bracket is affixed to the wall of a building (not shown) so that the hanging basket is suspended above the ground. Typically, hanging basket I 35 is suspended between 1.5m and 2.5m above the ground.

Usually the hanging basket I is f illed with soil in which plants are placed in order to make an attractive decorative feature. Hanging baskets are manufactured in a range of dimensions, with 811, 1011, 121' and 1411 being a 5 typical diameters of basket.

Referring to Fig. 2 a f irst embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by reference numeral 10. Cover 10 comprises an elongate tube shaped body 12 having a first opening 14 at 10 one end thereof. The opposite end of the elongate tube shape body 12 is closed. The elongate tube shape body 12 is constructed f rom polythene so that it is flexible and lightweight. A drawstring and toggle arrangement 16 extends around the circumference of the first opening 14.

is The cover 10 is used with a hanging basket as described in Fig 1. The cover 10 is be used to protect the plants in the hanging basket from damage by cold. If a cold spell is expected, the cover 10 is brought up over the hanging basket f rom below and up to just below the 20 bottom of the chain II. Then the drawstring of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 16 is pulled to close the top of the cover 10. The toggle of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 16 is actuated to inhibit the inadvertent opening of the cover 10. The plants in the 25 hanging basket I are then enclosed within the cover 10. In this way, the temperature within the cover 10 is fractionally higher that the ambient temperature outside, thereby inhibiting damage to the plants from cold.

Once the cold spell has passed the cover 10 can be 30 removed by releasing the drawstring and toggle arrangement 16 to open the opening 14 and pulling the cover 10 off the hanging basket I. The same cover 10 can be re-used upon the onset of one or more further cold spells.

35 Referring to Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by reference numeral 20. Cover 20 comprises an elongate tube shaped body 22 having a first opening 24 at one end thereof and a second opening 26 at the other end 5 thereof. The elongate tube shape body 22 is constructed from polythene so that it is flexible and lightweight. A drawstring and toggle arrangement 28 extends around the first opening 24 and a similar drawstring and toggle arrangement 29 extends around the circumference of the 10 second opening 26.

The cover 20 is used with a hanging basket as described in Fig 1. For example, the cover 20 may be used at night to protect the plants in the hanging basket from damage by cold. The cover 20 is brought up over the is hanging basket from below and up to just below the bottom of the chain II. Then the drawstring of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 28 is pulled to close the top of the cover 20. The toggle of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 28 is actuated to inhibit the inadvertent 20 opening of the cover 20. The drawstring and toggle arrangement 29 is operated in a similar manner to close the second opening 36. It should be noted that the length of the elongate tube shaped body is sufficient to ensure that the second opening resides below the bottom of the 25 hanging basket I when in a closed position. The plants in the hanging basket 20 are then enclosed within the cover 20. In this way, the temperature within the cover 20 is fractionally higher that the ambient temperature outside, thereby inhibiting damage to the plants from cold.

30 Once the cold spell has passed the cover 20 can be removed by releasing the drawstring and toggle arrangements 28 and 29 to open the first opening 24 and the second opening 26 respectively, and pulling the cover 20 off the hanging basket I. The same cover 20 can be re 35 used upon the onset of one or more further cold spells.

Alternatively, the cover 20 can be left on the hanging basket I. By only releasing the drawstring and toggle arrangement 29, the cover 20 can be lifted up over the hanging basket I to the bottom of the chain II and 5 re-closed so that the cover is supported above the plants, but still resides on the hanging basket 1. Such operation allows even faster emplacement and removal.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 a third embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention is 10 generally identified by reference numeral 30. Cover 30 is designed to remain on the hanging basket I in between uses of the cover 30. Cover 30 comprises a body 32 which is constructed from polythene and which tapers from a relatively small first opening 34 to a relatively large 15 second opening 36. The first opening 34 is just large enough to, in use, accommodate the diameter of the chain II and the second opening 36 is just large enough to, in use, extend around the maximum diameter of the hanging basket I. A drawstring and toggle arrangement 38 is 20 arranged to run lengthwise of the body 32 so that, in use, upon actuation of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 38 the second opening 36 either moves toward or away f rom the f irst opening 34. A series of small weights 39 are located around the circumference of the 25 second opening 36.

In use, the first opening of the cover 30 is affixed to the chain II. The hanging basket 1 is then suspended from the chain II with cover 30 being so arranged that the body 32 rests on the chains of the hanging basket I.

30 If a cold spell is expected, the drawstring and toggle arrangement 38 is released so that cover 30 can be pulled down over the hanging basket 1, with some assistance from the small weights 39. Once the second opening 36 has reached the outer edge of the hanging basket I, the cover 35 30 inhibits the plants from being damaged by the cold.

Once the cold spell has passed the cover 30 can he removed to a retracted position by actuation of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 38 which pulls the second opening 36 up the chains of the hanging basket I.

5 In this position, the toggle of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 38 inhibits inadvertent movement of the cover 30 to a closed position.

Referring to Fig. 6 a fourth embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention is generally 10 identified by reference numeral 40. Cover 40 is generally similar to cover 40, with like numerals indicating like parts. However, instead of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 38 to move the cover 40 from a retracted position to a closed position, a piece of elastic 49 is 15 arranged around the circumference of the second opening 46. The length of the piece of elastic is such that, in equilibrium, the second opening is substantially closed.

In use, the cover 40 is attached to a chain (not shown) in a similar fashion to the cover 30. To move the 20 cover 40 from a retracted to a closed position a user simply expands the piece of elastic 49 so that the second opening 46 can pass over the widest point of the hanging basket. In the retracted position the tension of the piece of elastic 49 serves to inhibit the cover 40 from 25 moving from that position.

Referring to Fig. 7 a f if th embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by reference numeral 50. Cover 50 is generally similar to cover 40, with like numerals indicating like 30 parts. However, cover 50 has drawstring and toggle arrangement 59 instead of the piece of elastic. The purpose of the drawstring and toggle arrangement 59 is the same as the piece of elastic 59. However, the drawstring and toggle arrangement 59 is easy to use and 35 allows the opening 56 to be left in an open position if desired.

Referring to Fig. 8 a sixth embodiment of a cover in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by reference numeral 60. Cover 60 is generally 5 similar to cover 40 or cover 50. However, cover 60 further comprises retaining means which is a strip of nylon material 62 provided with VELCRO(TM) at either end.

In use, the strip of nylon material 62 allows the cover 60 to be rolled up and retained in the rolled up 10 position so that the cover 60 does not impair the appearance of the hanging basket.

Referring to Fig. 9 an alternative retaining means to that shown in Fig. 8 is generally identified by reference numeral 70. Retaining means 70 comprises a belt 15 72 and buckle 74. The belt 72 is constructed from nylon and the buckle 74 is a conventional 'snap' close and release arrangement.

In use, the belt 72 and the buckle 74 retain a cover (not shown) away from plants in a hanging basket (not 20 shown). The buckle 74 permits quick and easy close and release of the cover.

Claims

Claims: -

1. A cover f or inhibiting damage by cold to plants contained within a container suspended of f the ground, which cover comprises a f irst closure means for, in use, 5 releasably moving said cover to substantially enclose said plants therein.

2. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a hollow body having a first opening.

3. A cover as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said first 10 closure means are associated with said first opening.

4. A cover as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, further comprising a second opening.

5. A cover as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said first closure means are associated with said second opening.

is

6. A cover as claimed in Claim 4, further comprising second closure means.

7. A cover as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein said second enclosure means are associated with said second opening.

20

8. A cover as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein, in use, said cover encloses said container.

9. A cover as claimed in any preceding Claim, the arrangement being such that, in use, said cover can be emplaced and removed from said container in situ.

25

10. A cover as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9, wherein said hollow body is tube shaped.

11. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said f irst closure means, in use, are operable to alternately emplace and withdraw said cover f rom around said plants.

30

12. A cover as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said cover comprises a first opening and a second opening and said first closure means are operable to emplace and withdraw said cover by moving said second opening away from and toward said first opening respectively.

35

13. A cover as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, wherein said first opening is smaller in diameter than said second opening and said cover is tapered therebetween.

14. A cover as claimed in Claim 11, 12 or 13, further comprising a weight or weights around a lower extremity 5 of said cover to, in use, assist in the emplacement of said cover around said plants.

15. A cover as claimed in Claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, further comprising retaining means for, in use, retaining said cover away from said plants.

10

16. A cover as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said retaining means comprise a nylon strap with VELCRO(TM) at either end.

17. A cover as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said retaining means comprises a belt of nylon and a snap is release and close buckle.

18. A cover as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said f irst closure means are drawstrings.

19. A cover as claimed in Claim 18, further comprising a toggle.

20 20. A cover as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17, wherein said first closure means is a length of elastic material.

21. A cover as claimed in Claim 6 or any Claim dependent directly of indirectly thereon, wherein said second closure means are drawstrings.

25

22. A cover as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising a toggle.

23. A cover as claimed in and preceding Claim, wherein said cover is constructed from polythene.

24. A cover as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein 30 said cover has a diameter and said diameter is between W' and 1411, preferably 811, 1011, 1211 or 1411.

25. A cover as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said container is a hanging basket.

26. A hanging basket comprising a cover as claimed in 35 any preceding Claim.