GB2485582A

GB2485582A - A fitment for plant support system

Info

Publication number: GB2485582A
Application number: GB201019633A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Hulf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-19
Filing date: 2010-11-19
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-19
Also published as: GB201019633D0; GB2485582B

Abstract

A fitment or connector 10 comprises a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionally comprising a means for attaching a growing twine 30 to the fitment. The means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine 30 to the fitment being spaced from one another. Two or more fitments can be configured such that the growing twine 30 can be held in a spiral fashion about the supporting cane 40. The fitment may have an aperture 18 through which the supporting cane can be passed. The means for attaching a twine may be a channel 26 which may be positioned at an angle of 85-95Âº to the longitudinal axis of the cane through the aperture. Also disclosed is a kit of parts for forming a plant growing and supporting apparatus and a plant growing and supporting apparatus.

Description

PLANT SUPPORT AND F1TTINGS THEREFOR The present invention relates to a support for plants, particularly plants of the trailing type and more specificafly, but not exclusively to a kit of parts which can be assembled in numerous ways to produce a variety of plant supports. Further, the invention relates to a fitment for use in creating a plant support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many plants need a support along or up which they can grow or trail. Trailing varieties of plants can grow prolifically along trellises or other supports because the plant can wrap itself around or attach itself to the plant support. Different designs of plant support offer a variety of qualities. For example heavy plants yielding fruits such as tomatoes need sturdy weight bearing supports, whereas lighter plants with flowers, such as clematis grow well on supports which provide multiple paths along which the plant can trail. Known garden supports such as canes provide plants such as tomatoes and clematis with only one linear path along or against which they can grow. Trellis is another well known option for assisting the growth of plants and this provides a number of paths for the plants, but is a bulky garden fixture. It is desirable to offer on the spot plant supports in a wide variety of locations by having an easily assembled plant support. Furthermore, it is desirable, that the plant support offer a variety of paths along which plants may grow. To assist in the healthy growth and development of plants it is beneficial if air can circulate around all aspects of the plant and for sunlight to be readily incident on as much of the plant as possible. It is also desirable to be able to control the trailing growth of plants by having plant supports that can be affixed in a number of directions. Typically a number of linear canes may be used. Each cane being staked into the ground or pot near to the root of the plant and then ties or string used to attach the plant to the cane. These can look untidy and detract from the aesthetic appeal of the resulting plant display; can be difficult to assemble amongst untamed plant growth; and do not offer the gardener with options for generating bespoke and creative displays.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plant support and a kit of parts for producing plant supports and fitments therefor that improves upon known plant supports or at least mitigates some of the above and/or other problems associated with known plant supports.

SUMMARY OF THE 1NVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a fitment for use in making a plant growing and supporting apparatus, the fitment comprising a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionally comprising a means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment, the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment being spaced from one another and configured such that the growing twine can be held in a spiralled fashion about the supporting cane Preferably, wherein the means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment is a channel into which the growing twine can be threaded.

Preferably, wherein the channel has two ends one or both of said ends being enlarged relative to the cross section of the channel to facilitate the threading of growing twine into the channel.

Preferably, wherein both ends of the channel are enlarged and each enlarged open end is u-shaped in cross-section and has a back face. I0

Preferably, wherein the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane is an aperture disposed substantially centrally of the fitment and wherein the means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment is disposed offset from the centre of the fitment.

Preferably, wherein the means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment is a channel and a notional longitudinal axis of the channel is positioned between about 85° and about 95° relative to the longitudinal axis of the aperture through which a supporting cane can be inserted.

Preferably, wherein the aperture is defined by four main faces which notionally defined a square and wherein the aperture is further defined by four grooves and each groove is positioned at a corner of the notional square defined by the main faces. Alternatively, the aperture is defined by four main faces which notionally defined a circle and wherein the aperture is further defined by four grooves and each groove is positioned at about 900 relative to each adjacent groove.

Preferably, the fitment is annular in shape and is made from rubber or IPE having a Shore Hardness of about 45.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a kit of parts for forming a plant growing and supporting apparatus, the kit comprising one or more fitments, one or more lengths of growing twine, optionally one or more support canes and optionally a set of instructions, the or each fitment comprising a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionally comprising a means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment, the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment being spaced from one another and configured such that the growing twine can be held in a spiralled fashion about the supporting cane by the fitment(s).

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a plant growing and supporting apparatus comprising one or more fitments, at least one length of growing twine and at least one support canes, the or each fitment comprising a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionally comprising a means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment, the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine to the fitment being spaced from one another and configured such that the growing twine is held in a spiralled fashion about the supporting cane by the fitment(s).

BRIEF DESCR1PT1ON OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A shows a plan view of a front face of a cane attaching fitment for use in creating a plant supporting and growing apparatus such as that shown in figure 2; Figure lB shows a plan view of a rear face of the cane attaching fitment of Figure 1; Figure IC shows a perspective front and side view of the cane attaching fitment of Figure 1; Figure ID shows a perspective rear and side view of the cane attaching fitment of Figure 1; and Figure 2 shows a plant supporting and growing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, utilising three cane attaching fitments such as that shown in Figures 1A to 1D along with a growing twine and a supporting cane, assembled in a plant plot in readiness for supporting and controlling the growing path of a plant to be grown in the pot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the plant supporting and growing apparatus and can attaching fitments are disclosed herein. lt will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the plant supporting and growing apparatus and can attaching fitments described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

The invention relates to a plant supporting and growing apparatus and cane attaching fitments as shown in Figures 2 and 1 A -ID respectively. The plant supporting and growing apparatus as shown in Figure 2, uses a cane 40 or other generally linear weight bearing support 40 that can be staked or pushed into soil (5) and stand in a self supporting manner, such as in a plant pot (P). One or more canes provide the main weight bearing structural support of the plant supporting apparatus. The plant supporting apparatus comprises a number, in this illustrated example) three cane attaching devices or cane attaching fitments 10. The plant supporting and growing apparatus can readily be assembled in a variety of locations for easy, on the spot support of plants.

A cane attaching device 10 is illustrated in plan view in Figures IA and lB. Each cane attaching device 10 is annular having a front face 12, rear face 14, thickness 16 and substantially central aperture 18 shaped and sized to push-fit onto a cane 40. A groove 26 or channel 26 for receiving a length of twine 30, growing cane 30 or twistable plastic 30 is formed (by being bored out of the rubber disc) in a position offset from and perpendicular to the aperture 18. The channel 26 has two open front aspects 24a, 24b. These openings 24a, 24b (which are also bored out of the rubber disc 10) facilitate the threading and unthreading of a length of plastic growing cane through the channel 26. The channel or bore 26 is open ended and as shown is circular in cross-section. Other shapes of cross-section may be equally suitable. For some applications where the length of growing material 30 is shaped alternatively to circular, other cross-sectional shapes for the channel 26 may be used.

The central aperture 18 of the cane fitment 10 preferably is shaped to mate with the cross-sectional shape of the cane 40 with which it is to be used. In this example) the cane 40 has a roughly hexagonal cross-section; the aperture 18 disposed substantially in the centre of the annular cane attaching device 10 is shaped to securely fit onto the cane 40. The aperture 18 has a substantially square main opening. Additionally, four radially angled grooves 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are positioned at each corner of the substantially square aperture to define the aperture 18 which is therefore 16-sided. The 16-sided aperture 18 has four primary edges or faces 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, each of which abuts a substantially flat face of the cane 40. These faces or edges 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d may in other embodiments of the invention be convexly shaped or otherwise curved or shaped in order to securely mate with a rounded cane or other shaped cane (not shown). The four grooves 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d each have three sides and are formed to allow the shape and/or size of the aperture 18 to be at least temporarily adjusted to enable the cane attaching device to be push-fitted onto the cane 40 and onto similar canes having similar but not identical (nor necessarily uniform) cross-sections.

The cane attaching device 10 is formed of a flexible material, such as rubber, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) having a Shore Hardness preferably of about 45. The area of material in the vicinity of the aperture 18 (in the area of the means for affixing the cane attaching device 10 to a cane 40), has to be flexible enough to allow attachment to a cane) but also it is desirable that the material can resist twisting once the plant support shape has been fashioned. As such the cane attaching device 10 has some degree of flexibility and is malleable) compressible, or elastic enough to allow the aperture 18 to open up and for the cane 40 to be pushed in between the four primary edges 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d of the attaching device. The

S

four grooves 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d assist in the opening up of the aperture 18. The natural resilience of the material from which the cane attaching device 10 is formed causes the cane attaching device 10 to at least try to return to its uncompressed or unstretched opened state once a user has inserted the cane 40. In this way the cane attaching device 10 becomes affixed or attached or pinched on to the cane 40.

in the illustrated embodiment, the component 10 is formed of a single material, in this case TPE. In other envisaged arrangements, the cane attaching component 10 may be formed of composite materials, for example a more malleable material around aperture 18 (such as a rubberised elastomeric material) and a more rigid material in the surrounding aspects of the annular device, in the present embodiment) the entire disc is formed from TPE and is coloured green for blending in, in a garden environment.

The cane attaching device 10 is moveable by relative sliding movement between the fitment 10 and the cane 40 so that the cane fitment 10 can be easily positioned at a desired location along the length of the cane 40. The cane attaching fitment 10 is configured such that once a user or gardener has positioned the attaching device 10 in the desired location and is no longer apph,'ing a force to the device; it stays fixed in its location, in Figure 2 it can be seen that three cane attaching fitments 10 have been positioned at roughly equal spacing along the cane 40.

in this arrangement the fitments 10 are provided with one groove 26. In other arrangements more than one groove or channel 26 may be formed in the fitment 10.

The growing cane receiving groove 26 is disposed with its axis at approximately 90° (degrees) relative to the axis of the aperture 18. This enables the attaching device to attach a growing cane 30 to a supporting cane 40 at approximately 90° (degrees) in an easy and secure manner without the need fDr any other ties, string or attachment means.

The groove is formed by hollowing out or boring away part of the disc-shaped attaching device 10. Alternatively, the disc 10 may be moulded and formed with the requisite groove 26 and aperture 18. Preferably two open aspects 24a, 24b which extend into the front face of the device 10 are provided for easy insertion of the growing cane 30. in other arrangements these are not provided and the growing twine 30 is pushed directly into the channel 26 by using an access in the side 16 only.

For ease of use the terminations of the groove 26 are opened out into the front face 12 to enlarge the terminations of the groove 26 to make it easier to thread a twine into the device 10. As a further preferred aspect of the device 10, the open aspects 24a, 24b do not extend entirely through the cane attaching device 10. Whereas this may be the case in alternative embodiments, the presence of a rear portion to the end opening 24a, 24b (see Figure 1C) provides a guide for further assisting the threading of growing twine 30.

The growing twine or length of twistable plastic may be a little flimsy and prone to bending when trying to be inserted into the channel 26 of the fitment 10. By providing enlarged end openings 24a, 24b and by retaining a rear portion to these openings, the plastic 30 can be encouraged to go into the channel 26 by pushing it into an open end 24a, 24b in the direction of the channel 26 but against the rear of the opening 24a, 24b which can then guide the end of the twine into the channel 26.

ln use, the cane fitments 10 are positioned onto the growing cane 40 and either before, during or after the cane fitments 10 are attached, twine or a length of plastics material 30 is threaded through the grooves 26. In one optional method of constructing a p'ant growing and supporting apparatus from the various described components, a plastic twine is threaded into the channel 26 of the fitment 10; the supporting cane 40 is then pushed into aperture 18; a free end of the plastic twine is held whilst the cane 40 is rotated (a user can simply do this by holding the free twine in one hand and the cane in the other). In this way the plastic twine 30 is curled or spiralled around the cane 40. Then a further fitment 10 can be used to secure the p'astic twine in this cur'ed position. Repeating of this process allows a twisted or curled or spiralled plant display to be easily generated. At this point, it will be readily understood by the user, that the fitments 10 can be positioned on different supporting canes 40. As such the shape, size, configuration and dimensions of plant growing and supporting apparatus that is created are many and various.

Cane fitments 10 with two channels or grooves 26 can be used as joining or connecting fitments allowing a first strand or length of plastic twine 30 to be coupled or connected to a second length of plastic twine 30. In this way, longer or higher disp'ays can be created from shorter separate lengths of twine and/or disp'ays can be linked for combining the trailing growth of one plant with that of another -this may be advantageous in creating mixed displays of flowers.

Optionally a cane attaching fitment 10 can be used as an end-stop to the plant growing and supporting apparatus by being positioned at the end 42 of the supporting cane 40. ln other arrangements, the last cane attaching fitment 10 is positioned below the terminus 42 of the supporting cane 40. Optionally, the growing twine may be compressible or otherwise terminable by manipulating its end (by crimping or squashing) so that it spreads and cannot return back through the channel 26. Other end stop means may be provided to prevent the twine returning back through the channel.

lt is preferred that the plastic twine and cane are sized and shaped similarly to the groove 26 and aperture 18 such that the fitment 10 can attach to both components using a friction fit.

lt can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the cane fitment 10, aperture 18 and channel 26 may be adjusted to accommodate growing canes and supporting canes of differing size and/or shape and/or number. For example, the fitment may be irregularly shaped, square, rectangular or triangular as examples. In other envisaged examples more than one groove 26 is provided, each for receiving a growing cane 30. In yet further envisaged examples, the or each groove or channel 26 has only one open end 24a or 24b. ln yet further envisaged examples, the or each groove or channel 26 has a cross-section shaped to match a twine and/or has a circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, rectangular and/or hexagonal shape. These are merely further examples and should not be treated as the only formats, shapes and configurations envisaged. In yet further envisaged embodiments the channel 26 has a notional longitudinal axis that is positioned anywhere between about 85° and about 95° relative to the longitudinal axis of the aperture 18 through which the supporting cane 40 can be inserted.

in yet further envisaged arrangements, aperture 18 may simply be circular, square and as such radially extending grooves 22a-22d are entirely optional. In alternative embodiments, fewer or greater than four radially extending grooves are provided, in other envisaged embodiments finer sized slits or cuts, rather than grooves may be sufficient to provide the aperture 18 with the ability to morph and adapt its shape in response to the insertion of a supporting cane 40.

it will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold tine without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fitment for use in making a plant growing and supporting apparatus, the fitmertt (10) comprising a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionalhj comprising a means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment, the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment being spaced from one another and configured such that the growing twine (30) can be held in a spiraUed fashion about the supporting cane.
2. A fitment according to claim 1 wherein the means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment is a channel into which the growing twine can be threaded.
3. A fitment according to claim 2 wherein the channel (26) has two ends one or both of said ends being enlarged (24a, 24b) relative to the cross section of the channel (26) to facilitate the threading of growing twine (30) into the channel (26).
4. A fitment according to claim 3 wherein both ends of the channel are enlarged and each enlarged open end is u-shaped in cross-section and has a back face.
5. A fitment according to any preceding claim 1 to 4 wherein the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane is an aperture disposed substantially centrally of the fitment and wherein the means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment is disposed offset from the centre of the fitment.
6. A fitment according to claim S wherein the means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment is a channel and a notional longitudinal axis of the channel is positioned between about 850 and about 950 relative to the longitudinal axis of the aperture through which a supporting cane (40) can be inserted.
7. A fitment according to either claim S or claim 6 wherein the aperture (18) is defined by four main faces (20a, 2Db, 20c, 20d) which notionally defined a square and wherein the aperture is further defined by four grooves (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) and each groove is positioned at a corner of the notional square defined by the main faces or wherein the aperture is defined by four main faces (20a, 2Db, 20c, 20d) which notionally defined a circle and wherein the aperture is further defined by four grooves (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) and each groove is positioned at about 900 relative to each adjacent groove.
8. A fitment according to any of claims 1 to 7, the fitment being annular in shape and being made from rubber or IPE having a Shore Hardness of about 45.
9. A kit of parts for forming a plant growing and supporting apparatus, the kit comprising one or more fitments (10), one or more lengths of growing twine (30)! optionally one or more support canes (40) and optionally a set of instructions, the or each fitment (10) comprising a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionally comprising a means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment, the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment being spaced from one another and configured such that the fitment(s) is operable to hold the growing twine (30) in a spiralled fashion about the supporting cane.
10. A kit of parts according to claim 9 comprising one or more fitments according to any of claims ito 8.
11. A plant growing and supporting apparatus comprising one or more fitments (10), at least one length of growing twine (30) and at least one support canes (40), the or each fitment (10) comprising a means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and additionally comprising a means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment, the means for attaching the fitment to a supporting cane and the means for attaching a growing twine (30) to the fitment being spaced from one another and configured such that the fitment(s) is operable to hold the growing twine (30) in a spiralled fashion about the supporting cane.
12. A plant growing and supporting apparatus according to claim 11 comprising one or more fitments according to any of claims 1 to 8.
13. A fitment for use in making a plant growing and supporting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
14. A kit of parts for forming a plant growing and supporting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
15. A plant growing and supporting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.