GB2363311A - Climbing plant supports - Google Patents

Abstract

A climbing plant support to enable plants to climb up narrow vertical structures such as a drainpipe or pergola post (3) is constructed of two or more preferably wire spirals (1), preferably of equal pitch, one clockwise and the other anti-clockwise joined together, e.g. by clips (2), preferably at each turn along the length. This creates a three-dimensional form that is rigid and in contact with the vertical surface at regular intervals leaving spaces in between for the plant to intertwine around the support and structure.

Description

2363311 CLIMBING PLANT SUPPORTS This invention relates to climbing plant

supports.

5 The vertical growth of climbing plants has trad tionally been facilitated using self-supporting obelisks or by providing trellising or wires attached to vine eyes attached to a support structure such as a wall or fence. However, none of these is especially suitable for 10 enabling plants to climb up existing narrow vertical structures, for example a post or pillar.

This invention provides plants with a support which serves automatically to space the plant at an optimum 15 distance for growth from a vertical structure such as a pergola support post, fencepost or drainpipe and helps the plant grow and climb around a narrow vertical structure.

20 Broadly, the invention provides a device consisting of at least two open spirals joined at intervals to provide a structure which can be attached to a support and which serves as a support for the plant.

25 Preferably, the device comprises two lengths of wire spirals of equal pitch, one clockwise and the other anticlockwise joined together at each turn along its length. This creates a rigid three- dimensional structure that, when fixed to a vertical surface at regular intervals, 5 leaves spaces in between for the plant to intertwine around the support and structure.

The fixings between the two spirals, preferably each turn, may consist of wire crimps. These serve not only 10 to hold the two spirals together, but allow the plants to gain pnTchase easily so that they do not slip down as is the case with a simple straight wire support.

The device may be attached to the supporting vertical 15 structure, e.g. a post, drainpipe, pillar or the like by any conventional means. For wooden supports, staples may be driven into the wood. For metal or plastic ones, cable ties, as used to hold electrical cables on to support structures, are easily attached, unobtrusive and 20 effective.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

25 Figure I shows a plant support according to the invention on a vertical post with a climber growing through it Figure 2 shows the plant support on its own 30 Figure 3 shows the plant support on the vertical post Figure 4 shows the plant support attached to a drainpipe.

Referring to these drawings, the plant support is shown 35 by itself in Figure 2. In its simplest form, it consists of two open spirals of plastics coated steel wire 1 which are attached together by wire clips or crimps 2.

Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 2 attached to a post 3 by staples or cable clips 4. If a climbing plant at an early stage in its growth is located at the base of post 3, as it grows, it climbs up the structure provided by 5 the plant support according to the invention as shown in Figure 1, in which the plant is denoted 5. For simplicity, the plant illustrated has a single leader and no side shoots, but many plants will naturally produce side shoots, thus providing plant coverage to post 10 extending laterally as well as vertically.

Figure 4 shows a plant support consisting of several helical wires 1 attached together by clips 2 and located about a drainpipe 6 adjacent a wall 7. The plant support 15 is held against the drainpipe by a plurality of cable ties 8 located at vertically spaced intervals. By growing a plant up the structure shown in Figure 4, an unsightly drainpipe may be converted into an attractive floral display.

The support according to the invention may be constructed dimensioned appropriately for the purpose intended. For use in covering unsightly pipes or poles, a convenient pitch for each helix is 20 to 30 centimetres with 25 diameter 5 to 10 centimetres. Although the support is generally made in a number of standard sizes, for example 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 metres vertical extent, they may easily be fitted to a fixed length pole by purchasing a support longer than that needed and simply cutting to size using 30 standard wirecutters. The plastics coating on the wire is preferably of a non-obtrusive colour, particularly dark green.

Claims (4)

1. A plant support comprising at least two open helices of wire or like material, each being attached to an 5 adjacent helix by means of fixtures where adjacent turns of the helices abut.

2. A plant support according to Claim 1 wherein the helices are of equal pitch and diameter.

3. A plant support according to Claim 1 or 2 and consisting of two helices of opposite sense.

4. A plant support according to Claim 1 and 15 substantially as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4- A plant support according to Claim 3 wherein the 15 adjacent helices are fixed together at each point of abutment.

5. A plant support according to Claim 1 and substantially as illustrated in the accompanying 20 drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A plant support comprising at least two open helices of wire or like material, each being attached to an 5 adjacent helix by means of fixtures at each point of abutment of the adjacent turns of the helices.

2. A plant support according to Claim 1 wherein the helices are of equal pitch and diameter.

3. A plant support according to Claim 1 or 2 and consisting of two helices of opposite sense.