GB2402859A

GB2402859A - Garden support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2402859A
Application number: GB0314522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cedric Benjamin Brookes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-21
Filing date: 2003-06-21
Publication date: 2004-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-21
Also published as: GB2402859B; GB0314522D0

Abstract

A garden support apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate members 10 which can be cut to length if required. A plurality of connecting members 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are also included for joining two or more, members either coaxially, perpendicularly, to form an apex, or in another required configuration. The elongate members and connecting members can be joined together in a required arrangement to form a wide range of garden support structures such as a closable structure (86, fig 7) a ground frame (90, fig 8) a tepee structure (92, fig 8) a cloche (96, fig 8) or a support structure (100, fig 9).

Description

1 2402859 Garden Sunnort Anuaratus This invention concerns garden support

apparatus, and also a kit of parts for making a garden support structure.

It is often required in the garden to make temporary support structures or enclosures. These are often only required for a single growing season and may require to be stored for the remainder of the year. The size and shape of the structures required may vary from year to year. Whilst a number of structures have previously been proposed for such uses, these generally tend not to be particularly flexible or reusable, or are unsatisfactory in one or more other ways.

According to the present invention there is provided garden support apparatus, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate members which can be cut to a desired length if required, and a plurality of connecting members for interconnecting the elongate members into a required structure, the connecting members being configured so as to provide a friction fit for ends of the elongate members therein.

The elongate members may have a circular cross section, and may include any of straight sections; cranked sections with parts extending perpendicular to each other; or curved sections, which may curve through 90 or 1 80 .

Some or all of the elongate members may be made from a substantially rigid material, semi rigid material, or flexible material.

The connecting members may include two or more sleeve parts which provide a friction fit for ends of the elongate members therein. The connecting members may have coaxial sleeve parts and/or sleeve parts inclined relative to each other, some of which may be perpendicular to each other.

The apparatus may include connecting members with 2, 3, 4 or more sleeve parts.

The apparatus may include ground engaging members, which members preferably include a formation for receiving an end of an elongate member with a friction fit. The ground engaging members may include one or more spikes engageable in the ground, and may include a formation to provide for engagement in the ground to a required depth. Some of the ground engaging members may include connecting members.

The apparatus may include hinge members engageable with two elongate members so as to enable relative pivotal movement therebetween.

The hinge members may include formations engageable with respective elongate members, which formations permit the elongate member to rotate relative thereto. A web may be provided extending between the said formations.

The apparatus may include retention members for holding a sheet material on an elongate member such that the sheet material can extend between two or more elongate members, or an elongate member and the ground. The retention members may include a sleeve with an opening therein, which sleeve can engage over an elongate member in a friction fit.

The hinge members may act as retention members.

The sheet material may comprise any of plastics material, netting or fleece.

The apparatus may include catch members including a first portion engageable with a first elongate member, and a second portion selectively engageable with a second elongate member. The first portion may include a sleeve with an opening therein, which sleeve can engage over an elongate member in a friction fit. The second portion may be respectively engageable with a second elongate member in a snap fit, and may be in the form of a part circular member which extends for little over 180 .

The invention also provides a kit of parts usable to form a garden support structure, the kit including apparatus according to any of the preceding ten paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows side views of a number of elongate members according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows perspective views of a number of connecting members according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a plurality of perspective views of a number of ground engaging members according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows perspective views of a number of hinge members, fastening members and catch members according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically use of a retention member according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows methods of connecting apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows a first structure according to the apparatus according to the invention; and Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show different structures made from apparatus according to the invention.

The drawings show garden support apparatus suitable for making a number of structures for use in the garden. Fig. 1 shows four different elongate members. The first is a simple circular section elongate member 10 made of a plastics material which may be rigid, semi rigid, or flexible. The material can be cut to length if required. A cranked elongate member 12 is shown with a long section 14 and a short section 16 which extends perpendicularly to the section 14. If required the short section 16 can in use be pushed into the ground. Again the elongate member 12 can be cut to length if required. Two curved elongate members are also shown. The first of these 18 curves through 90 , whilst the second curved elongate member 20 curves through 180 .

1 0 Fig. 2 shows eight connecting members according to the invention. All of the connecting members are formed from a tubular plastics material of a size to receive an end of one of the elongate members 10, 12, 18, 20 in a friction fit The first of the connecting members 22 is simply a length of tubular material, usable to coaxially connect two elongates to extend their length.

A connecting member 24 is shown which comprises a tubular material bent through 90 for connecting two elongate members at right angles. A third connection member 26 is shown which is similar to the connecting member 24 but includes a third limb also extending at right angles to the other to lens of the member 26, to interconnect three perpendicular connecting members together, for instance at the corner of the structure.

A connecting member 28 has a cruciform arrangement for connecting coaxially respectively two perpendicular sets of pairs of elongate members. A connecting member 30 has a T-shaped configuration for connecting respective elongate members in this formation.

Connecting members 32, 34, 36 all permit interconnecting of a pair of inclined interconnecting members in an apex, with an interconnection to a perpendicularly extending cross member. The connecting member 32 connects to one end of an elongate member, and the connecting member 36 is similar but is opposite handed. The connecting member 34 connects to two perpendicular coaxial elongate members. i

Fig. 3 shows six methods of providing ground engaging. The first arrangement 38 comprises a sleeve 40 with a pointed closed end 42, which i sleeve 40 can receive an elongate member 10 in a friction fit. The second 44 is similar to the sleeve 40 except that an annular flange 46 is provided around the upper end of the sleeve to be engageabie with the surface of the ground to provide engagement at a required depth. The third arrangement 48 again comprises a sleeve 50 with a pointed end 52. In this instance two further outwardly pointed spikes 54 extend laterally on each side of the sleeve 50 in a trident manner.

An alternative arrangement is shown with the end 56 of a straight elongate member 10 being pointed, or a curved elongate member 18 having a pointed end 56. A sixth arrangement 51 is shown which comprises a sleeve 53 similar to the sleeve 40. Provided extending across the top of the sleeve 53 in a 'T' shape configuration is a transverse sleeve 55, which permits two elongate members to be connected together. A respective arrangement can be chosen dependent on soil condition and other parameters.

Fig. 4 shows various hinge members, retention members and catch members as follows. A catch member 58 is shown which includes a sleeve with an opening therein, which sleeve 60 fits around an elongate member so as to permit relative rotation therebetween. The sleeve 60 connects via a web 62 to a part circular sleeve 64 of similar size to the sleeve 60, but which extends for only a little over 180 so as to provide a snap fit on an elongate member 10. A tab 66 is provided on the part circular sleeve 64 to ease removal thereof from an elongate member 10 for instance when opening a structure.

A hinge member 68 is shown. The member 68 comprises two sleeves 70 similar to the sleeve 60. The sleeves 70 are joined by a web 72. Pivotal movement between elongate members 10 located in the respective sleeves is permitted by rotation of the members 10 in the respective sleeves 70. i 6

Three further hinge members 67, 69 and 71 are shown. The first such hinge member 67 is similar to the member 68, except that no web is provided.

A second such hinge member 69 is similar to the member 68 except that one I of the sleeves 73 does not have an opening therein, and will therefore require to be slid along an elongate member. A third such hinge member 71 is similar to the member 69, except that no web is included.

A mounting clip 74 is shown of a similar cross section to the sleeves 60, 70, but of shorter length. The clip 74 could be used to mount a sheet material such as a plastics sheet, netting or fleece onto an elongate member 10. In a similar manner the sleeve 60 of a catch member 58, or a sleeve 70 of a hinge member 68, could be used to mount a sheet material. A tie 76 is shown which could be used for example to tie a sheet material around any elongate member 10. A staple 78 is shown which could be used to mount an 1 5 elongate member 10 on the ground and also any sheet material mounted on the elongate member 10. A spring clip 80 is shown which can be used to clip two sides of a sheet material together which material may be located in a loop around an elongate member 10.

Fig. 5 shows another method of mounting the end of a sheet material 82 on an elongate member 10. The end of the sheet material 82 is looped around the elongate member 10 and a triangular section sprung clip 84 which is open at an apex, is located over the material 82 and member 10, such that the sides of the clip 84 extending from the open apex engage on the material 82 and member 10 to hold the material 54 on the member 10.

Fig. 6 shows use of elongate members 10 with various of the connecting members as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 shows a closable structure 86 formed by various of the components described above. A hinge member 68 mounts together elongate members 10 in the body of the structure 86 and also in the lid 88 thereof. A catch member 58 is provided to allow selective clothing of the lid 88 on the body of the structure 86, with the catch member 58 being mounted on a one of the elongate members 10 of the lid 88 and being selectively engageable with an elongate member 1 0 of the body of the structure 86.

Figs. 8,9 and 10 show various structures formed from apparatus according to the invention. A ground frame is shown at 90 formed from a plurality of elongate members 10 and connecting members 26, 30 as shown.

Netting, fleece, plastics material or other sheet material could be provided on the ground frame 90, as well as on other structures according to the invention.

1 0 A tepee structure 92 usable for instance when growing beans, is shown with a plurality of inclined elongate members 10 being interconnected and also connected to a cross elongate member 10, by connecting members 32, 34, 36. A further ground frame 94 is shown illustrating use of the connecting members 22 to join together two elongate members 1 0 to, in essence, provide 1 5 a longer elongate member 10.

A plurality of cloches are provided at 96 formed either from plurality of curved elongate members 20, or a plurality of interconnected elongate members 18 which may be interconnected by transversely extending elongate members 10. A part circular ground frame 98 is shown made using curved elongate members 18 and straight elongate members 20. One or more sections of the ground frame 98 can be permitted to open using catch members 58 and hinge members 68.

A support structure 100 is shown for example to support climbing plants to form an arch. Two rectangular structures 102 are formed with curved elongate members 18 extending therebetween to support plants so as they can grow over to form an arch.

In Fig. 10 a ground frame 104 is shown which can be opened as illustrated by the arrow 106. The ground frame 104 includes two elongate members 12 interconnected by an arrangement 51. The pointed sleeve 53 of the arrangement 51 and the cranked sections 16 provide for ground engagement. A frame part 108 is pivotally mounted to the elongate members 12 by two hinge members 68.

The frame part 108 comprises two sides, each formed of two elongate members 10 interconnected by respective connecting members 30. A connecting member 26 is provided at each end of the sides, with shorter elongate members 110 interconnecting the ends of each side. Curved elongate members 20 extend between the respective connecting members 26 and 30 on each side to define a support structure for a plastics material sheet 110, which is held on the elongate members 10 by the hinge members 68.

There is thus described a support apparatus which can be used in a wide range of different applications as required. The apparatus can readily be disassembled for compact storage and reuse in a different manner. The elongate members can readily be cut to size, and subsequently reused, and connected to other elongate members if longer elongate members are subsequently required. The apparatus is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured for long term use. In view of the friction fit of the various components no other components are required to use the apparatus.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example different shape components could be used from those described. In many instances catches may not be required, as an openable part of a structure may stay closed in view of gravity.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. s

Claims

CLAI MS

1. Garden support apparatus, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate members which can be cut to a desired length if required, and a plurality of connecting members for interconnecting the elongate members into a required structure, the connecting members being configured so as to provide a friction fit for ends of the elongate members therein.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongate members have a circular cross section.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the elongate members include any of straight sections; cranked sections with parts extending perpendicular to each other; or curved sections, which may curve through 90 or 180 .

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein some or all of the elongate members are made from a substantially rigid material, semi rigid material, or flexible material.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting members include two or more sleeve parts.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve parts provide a friction fit for ends of the elongate members therein.

7. Apparatus according to claims 5 or 6, wherein some or all of the sleeve parts are coaxial.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein some or all of the sleeve parts are inclined relative to each other.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein some or all of the sleeve parts are perpendicular to each other.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including ground engaging members.

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11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ground engaging members include a formation for receiving an end of an elongate member with a friction fit.

12. Apparatus according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the ground engaging members include one or more spikes engageable in the ground.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the ground engaging members include a formation to provide for engagement in the ground to a required depth.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein some of the ground engaging members include connecting members.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including hinge members.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the hinge members are engageable with two elongate members so as to enable relative pivotal movement therebetween.

17. Apparatus according to claims 15 or 16, wherein the hinge members include formations engageable with respective elongate members.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the formations permit the elongate member to rotate relative thereto.

19. Apparatus according to claims 17 or 18, wherein a web is provided extending between the said formations.

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20. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including retention members for holding a sheet material on an elongate member such that the sheet material can extend between two or more elongate members, or an elongate member and the ground.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the retention members include a sleeve with an opening therein, which sleeve can engage over an elongate member in a friction fit.

22. Apparatus according to claims 20 or 21, when dependent on claim 16, wherein the hinge members act as retention members.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the sheet material comprises any of plastics material, netting or fleece.

24. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including catch members which have a first portion engageable with a first elongate member, and a second portion selectively engageable with a second elongate member.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the first portion includes a sleeve with an opening therein, which sleeve can engage over an elongate member in a friction fit.

26. Apparatus according to claims 24 or 25, wherein the second portion is respectively engageable with a second elongate member in a snap fit.

27. Apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the second portion is in the form of a part circular member which extends for little over 1 80 .

28. A kit of parts usable to form a garden support structure, the kit l O including apparatus according to any of the preceding claims.

29. Garden support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. A kit of parts usable to forming a garden support structure, the kit being substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.