GB2416471A

GB2416471A - Plant support holder

Info

Publication number: GB2416471A
Application number: GB0515152A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Dodds; Alan Parry; Paris Natar
Original assignee: Gardman Ltd
Current assignee: Gardman Ltd
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2005-07-25
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-25
Also published as: GB2416471B; GB0416425D0; GB0515152D0

Abstract

The plant support holder has a base part, moveable opposed arms 9, 10 and a guide for receiving a plant support 6. The support arms each have a guide part 2,3 which align to form the guide 13 when an inwardly biassing force is applied by the user. When the user removes the forces the arms tend to their original position but are prevented from doing so by the engagement of the guide parts with the plant support. In this way the arms provide opposing forces which balance to stabilise the plant support vertically.

Description

2416471:

PLANT SUPPORT HOLDER

The present invention relates to a plant support holder. In particular it relates to a stabilised holder to maintain a plant support in a substantially vertical orientation.

Some plants are unable to support their own weight once they have grown above a certain size. It is therefore necessary to provide means to help support the weight of such plants to allow them to continue to grow successfully. The tomato plant, for example, requires additional support for the weight of its many branches, particularly when these branches begin to bear fruit. Most plants of this type will be supported by a plant support cane driven into the growing medium close to the stem.

Plant support canes are well known and are usually provided to support plants being grown directly in the earth or in conventional plant pots. Here there is generally a sufficient depth of soil or compost available to enable the plant support to be stabilized vertically.

Plant support canes are also used to support plant being grown in sealed compost containers commonly known as grow bags or growing bags. A growing bag is a rectangular shaped, sealed polythene bag containing a compost type growing medium. The growing bag is usually laid flat on the ground and the support canes pushed down into the compost through holes in the growing bag. The plants may then be loosely attached to the canes for support as they grow. The compost is relied upon to support the cane and provide vertical stability.

To optimise plant growth it is desirable that they are maintained in a vertical position. However, the shallow . . c c cee . depth and the soft nature of the growing bag compost means that, unlike those planted in directly in the earth or in plant pots, canes planted in growing bags often do not achieve vertical stability. This is exacerbated if the plant being supported bears fruit, such as tomatoes, the weight of which acts to further de-stabilise the support canes.

Various types of plant support holders are known in the prior art. Such holders typically comprise an upright connected to a clamping arrangement for receiving the support cane, and a large base structure to provide vertical stability to the stem. Such an arrangement is overly complicated, and hence expensive to manufacture, for the relatively simple function it performs. Furthermore, a large base structure and clamp arrangement does not allow for ease of storage, which is a problem as several such supports will typically be required by a grower and will need to be stored when not in use. Storage of such holders is also a problem for the retailer. In addition, the prior art holders are not generally aesthetically appealing.

It is therefore desirable to provide a plant support holder which addresses the above problems, and/or which provides improvements generally. In particular it would be desirable to provide a plant support holder which provides vertical stability to a plant support, is of simple construction, and which is easily stored when not in use.

According to the present invention there is provided a plant support holder as claimed in the accompanying claims. In an embodiment there is provided a plant support holder having a base and moveable opposed arms providing a guide for receiving a plant support and providing vertical stability thereto.

. . . . . . . . In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a stabilised plant support holder comprising at least two opposing support arms, and a guide for receiving a plant support. The support arms each have a guide part and are movable between a first position and a second biassed position, such that in the second biassed position the guide parts align to form the guide.

In this way, an inwardly force is applied by the user such that the arms are moved towards each other to the second biassed position. When the user removes the forces the arms tend to try to revert to their original position but are prevented from doing so by the engagement of the guide parts with the plant support. In this way the arms provide opposing forces which balance to stabilise the plant support vertically. This arrangement improves over the prior art as the lateral forces actively stabilise the plant support as

opposed to the passive support of the prior art.

In an embodiment, each support arm is adapted to engage the rim of a plant pot or container. In this way, the weight of the plant pot and soil provides the stability for supporting the cane, or other plant support.

In an embodiment, the arms are elastically deformable to allow them to be moved them to the second biassed position.

The elastic deformation of the arms provides the outward force which clamps the guide parts against the plant support.

In an embodiment, the arms of the stabilised plant support holder are interconnected at their bases. In an embodiment, the arms may be interconnected by one or more cross-members, and the cross-members may be a continuation of the arms.

. 1 . . . . Equally, the arms may be interconnected by a base plate, or of any other suitable means.

In an embodiment, each arm is formed from a pair of upright members. In one embodiment, the uprights of the arms are separated at their base and interconnected at their apices such that the arms are substantially vshaped members. In use, the v-shaped arrangement enables the base of the arms to be longitudinally extended away from each other relative to the growbag, such that the interconnecting cross-members provide a relatively wide, and thereby stable, base for the plant support holder upon which the growing bag can be placed.

The plant support holder utilises the weight of the growing bag to anchor the base and provide vertical stability. When not in use, the v-shaped arms may be compressed such that the plant support holder is substantially flat and can be more easily stored. The v-shaped arrangement also advantageously enables different sized plant supports to be received by the end sections by varying the degree by which the end sections overlap.

In a preferred embodiment, the sections interconnecting the apices of the upright members of the arms are curved to accommodate the plant support, and as such define the plant support guides. In use, the end sections of the arms of the stabilised plant support holder are forced inwardly and the guides overlap to define an aperture adapted to receive the plant support. When the arms are released, the guides engage the plant support which prevents the arms from returning to their original position.

In a preferred embodiment, the arms are formed of a If:: ë :.

resilient material. Therefore, when the arms are biassed inwardly to the second position they oppose the biassing force and thereby apply lateral forces to the plant support, which are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. As such, the forces balance to provide vertical stability to the plant support.

In a preferred embodiment the stabilised plant support holder is a continuous member constructed from a single length of sprung steel, or any other suitably resilient material. This has the advantage of allowing the plant support holder to be manufactured cheaply and easily. The plant support holder is plastic coated, although such is not essential, to protect the metal from corrosion. This has the added advantage of providing extra grip at the points of contact between the arms and the plant support.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a stabilised plant support holder comprising a base, opposing support arms connected to the base, and a plant support guide adapted to receive a plant support. The plant support guide interconnects the support arms at their apices. The plant support guide is formed by the overlapping end sections of support arms, but may also comprise a pre-formed cylindrical member or any other means suitable to receive the plant support. The base comprises integral cross members which extend from, and interconnect, the support arms.

However, the base may equally comprise a single plate or any other means suitable for locating and securing the support arms and receiving a growing bag thereon.

In a further aspect, the base of each support arm is shaped to conform to the shape and configuration of the rim of a plant pot or container. This base has a degree of curvature c c c c c c c < c c.

to conform to the curvature of the plant pot. The base is further shaped or bent to provide an integral hook or clip, to engage over the rim of the pot/container, to secure the holder to the pot.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the plant support holder in its unloaded state; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the plant support holder in the loaded state; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the end sections of the arms of the plant support holder engaging the plant support and providing opposing forces thereto; Figure 4 is an elevated view of the overlapping end sections of the arms of the plant support holder; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment) Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the base support of the alternative embodiment; and Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative arrangement.

Referring to Figure 1, a stabilized plant support holder 1 ..

e C C

C C

C C C C C C

comprises first 11 and second 12 upright members interconnected at their apex, such they form first 9 and second 10 v-shaped arms.

The first upright members 11 are interconnected at their base by a crossmember 5, and the second upright members 12 are interconnected at their base by a cross-member 4, such that the plant support holder 1 comprises a single continuous member.

When the plant support holder 1 is not in use, or in an unloaded state, the upright members 11, 12 are substantially perpendicular to their respective cross-members 4, 5. The end section 2 of v-shaped arm 9 and the end section 3 of v shaped arm 10 curve inwardly towards each other.

As can be seen in Figure 2, in use, a grow bag 7 is placed between the arms 9, 10 such that the weight of the growbag bears down on the crossmembers 4, 5. The weight of the growing bag 7 acts to stabilise the plant support holder in use, and as the plant grows and the moisture content of the compost increases, so the weight of the growing bag 7 and hence the stability increases.

As the arms 9,10 are v-shaped, the cross-members 4, 5 are widely spaced relative to the spacing of the upright members 11, 12 at their apices, and as such provide greater stability for the plant support holder 1.

The plant support 6 is placed between the curved end sections 2, 3 of the arms 9, 10 and extends downwardly into the compost of the growing bag 7 though a hole 8 in the upper polythene layer of the growing bag 7. a ce.

a . a a a a a a a ea a In use, a force is applied to the arms 9, 10 to bias them inwardly, such that the curved end sections 2, 3 overlap to define an opening 13 for the plant support 6. The arms 9, 10 are made of sprung steel, but equally may be made of any other resilient material. The inwardly biassing force acts to overcome the resilient forces of the arms 9, 10 and force them inwards to a position where the end sections 2, 3 overlap.

The upright members 11, 12 of the arms 9, 10 are connected by curved sections 14 such that when the ends 2, 3 overlap a substantially circular aperture is defined. The plant support 6 is inserted into the aperture 13 thereby defined.

The base of the plant support 6 is inserted into the compost of the growing bag 7. The inwardly biassing force is then removed and the resilient force of the arms 9, 10 acts outwardly to try to return them to their original position; as illustrated by the arrows of Figures 3 and 4. However, as the arms 9, 10 engage the plant support 6, they are prevented from doing so. As the returning forces of the arms 9, 1Q are equal, they balance each other such that there is no net lateral force. This balance of forces engaging the plant support 6 limits acts to clamp support 6 in position and prevent any lateral movement, and as such provides vertical stability. Any lateral movement of the base of the plant support 6 is limited by the resistance of the compost and the growing bag 7.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the support arms 9 and are separate components, connected at their bases 15 by connector 16. The connector 16 includes clips 17 for attachment to the base parts 15. The connector 16 can c c further serve as a support and locator for the plant support 6.

In a further modification shown in Figure 7, the support arms 9, 10 are again separate components. In this embodiment, the base of the support arms 15 is curved, with the arc of curvature conforming to the curve of the rim of a plant pot or container. The base portion 15 is further shaped to form hook members 18 which can engage the rim of the plant pot, forming a clip 19 to secure the respective support arms in place.

The embodiments of Figures 5, 6 and 7 provide for easier storage and transport. The support arms 9, 10 are cantilevered in the same way as the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, to provide a guide for receiving a plant support 6.

In this way there is provided a holder for a plant support which provides vertical stability, is simple in construction and thereby cheap to manufacture, is easily stored and is aesthetically appealing.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention.

Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

4 C, . . . C 4 4 4 C C 4, , 4 C C C 4 C C C C CLAIMS

1. A plant support holder, comprising: at least two opposing support arms; and a guide for receiving a plant support, wherein the support arms each have a guide part and are movable between a first position and a second biassed position, such that in the second biassed position the guide parts align to form the guide.

2. The plant support holder of claim 1 wherein the support arms provide opposing forces which stabilise the plant support vertically.

3. The plant support holder of claims 1 or 2, wherein the guide parts engage the plant support.

4. The plant support holder of any preceding claim, wherein the support arms are elastically deformable.

5. The plant support holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the support arms is adapted, in use, to engage the rim of a plant pot or container.

6. The plant support holder according any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support arms is provided with a shaped base portion to cooperate, in use, with the rim of a plant pot or container.

7. The plant support holder according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the base portion is bent to form a hook, or clip, to engage the rim of a plant pot or container, in use.

8. The plant support holder of any one of claims 1 to 4 # . :: :. .:: :: :e c wherein the support arms are interconnected at their bases.

9. The plant support holder of claim 8 wherein the support arms are interconnected by one or more cross-members.

10. The plant support holder of claim 9 wherein the interconnecting cross members are placed under a growing bag in use, such that the growing bag stabilises the base of the plant support holder.

11. The plant support holder of any of the preceding claims, wherein each support arm comprises at least two support members.

12. The plant support holder of claim 11, wherein the support members of the support arms are separated at their base and interconnected at their apices such that the support arms are substantially v-shaped members.

13. The plant support holder of claim 12, wherein the apices of the vshaped support arms form the guide parts.

14. The plant support holder to claim 12 or 13, wherein the v-shaped arms are compressible to allow the plant support holder to be substantially flattened.

15. The plant support holder of any preceding claim wherein the guide is able to receive and support plant supports of varying widths.

16. The plant support holder of any preceding claim wherein the guide is able to receive and support more than one plant support. t

17. The plant support holder of any preceding claim, wherein the plant support is a plant support cane.

18. The plant support holder of any preceding claim is formed of a single continuous member.

19. The plant support holder of any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of plant support holder is plastic coated.

20. A plant support holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a base; wherein the opposing support arms are connectable to the base

21. The plant support holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant support guide interconnects the support arms at their apices.

22. The plant support holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant support guide is formed by the overlapping end sections of support arms.

23. The plant support holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant support guide is a pre-formed member.

24. The plant support holder of any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the base comprises integral cross members which interconnect the support arms.

25. A plant support holder as hereinbefore described and with reference to and/or shown in the accompanying figures.