GB2556884A

GB2556884A - Polytunnel arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2556884A
Application number: GB1619778.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Whatton Rolly
Original assignee: Haygrove Ltd
Current assignee: Haygrove Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-23
Filing date: 2016-11-23
Publication date: 2018-06-13
Also published as: GB201619778D0

Abstract

A polytunnel arrangement is described that comprises a plurality of legs arranged in a row, the legs together supporting an elongate gutter element 24, the arrangement further comprising a brace 26 secured to the gutter element at a location intermediate a pair of the legs, the brace limiting deflection of the sides of the gutter element. The brace may define at least one rope anchor point 28. The brace may also provide support for an elongate shaft located within the channel defined by the gutter member and the brace may incorporate a bracket 30 through which the shaft extends.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Haygrove Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom) Redbank, LEDBURY, Herefordshire, HR8 2JL, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Roily Whatton

(51) INT CL:
A01G9/14 (2006.01)	E04D 13/064 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: GB 2255797 A CN 202187495 U JP 2000320090 A US 3664071 A JPH11241468	EP 1493884 A2 CN 201610609 U US 5140788 A
(58) Field of Search: INT CLA01G, E04D Other: WPI & EPODOC

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

HCR Patents

142 Leckhampton Road, CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, GL53 ODH, United Kingdom (54) Title ofthe Invention: Polytunnel arrangement

Abstract Title: Brace for a polytunnel gutter arrangement (57) A polytunnel arrangement is described that comprises a plurality of legs arranged in a row, the legs together supporting an elongate gutter element 24, the arrangement further comprising a brace 26 secured to the gutter element at a location intermediate a pair of the legs, the brace limiting deflection of the sides of the gutter element. The brace may define at least one rope anchor point 28. The brace may also provide support for an elongate shaft located within the channel defined by the gutter member and the brace may incorporate a bracket 30 through which the shaft extends.

26c 26c

Figure 1

01 18

1/2

26c 26c

16b Figure 4

2/2

Figure 2

01 18

Figure 3

POLYTUNNEL ARRANGEMENT

This invention relates to a polytunnel arrangement, for example for use in the cultivation of crops. In particular, the invention relates to an arrangement of the type in which a rainwater collection gutter is provided to collect rainwater draining from the cover of the polytunnel arrangement, the gutter carrying the collected rainwater to, for example, an end of the polytunnel arrangement. The collected rainwater may then be stored and subsequently used for irrigation purposes.

One design of polytunnel arrangement in common use comprises a pair of rows of legs, each leg from one of the rows and an associated leg from the other of the rows together supporting a respective cover support member, typically in the form of an arcuate member of a suitable tubular material. A cover material, for example of a suitable flexible plastics material, is supported upon the cover support members and is anchored in position using ropes, straps or the like that extend over the cover.

Often, several polytunnel arrangements of this form are provided in a side-by-side configuration, and in order to minimise the spacing therebetween and reduce the number of component parts used in such an arrangement, certain of the legs are used to support both an end of a cover support member of one of the polytunnel arrangements and an end of a cover support member of an adjacent one of the polytunnel arrangements.

Often, gutters are provided to collect rainwater draining from the covers. This is advantageous in that it allows the rainwater to be collected, stored and subsequently used for irrigation purposes. It also reduces the risk of damage to crops growing close to the sides of the polytunnel which could otherwise occur as a result of significant quantities of rainwater falling onto the crops and overwatering for the materials in which the crops are growing.

Typical gutter designs take the form of elongate metallic or plastics material elements that, in use, adopt a substantially channel shaped form. The gutter elements are typically supported adjacent the upper ends of the legs. In some polytunnel arrangement designs, the upper ends of the legs are of bifurcated form, defining a pair of limbs arranged in a V- or U-shaped configuration, each of the limbs supporting an end of a respective one of the cover support members, in use. In such arrangements, the limbs arranged in this configuration serve to support the gutter element.

Where the gutter element is of metallic form, then it may be of relatively good stiffness, and so hold the desired profile. Where of flexible plastics material form, it may adopt a shape defined by the configuration of the limbs.

In order to reduce the number of component parts in a polytunnel arrangement, for example to make materials and cost savings, it may be desirable to increase the distance between the legs in each row. As a result, the total number of legs, and number of cover support members, can be reduced. One disadvantage of increasing the leg spacing is that the gutter elements are less well supported. It is desired to use materials of relatively thin form for these elements, and as a consequence the increased leg spacing may lead to deformation of the gutter elements, in use, through the inherent strength of the gutter elements being insufficient to bear the loadings experienced in use. By way of example, the sides of the gutter element may splay apart from one another at positions between the legs.

The ropes, straps or the like used to anchor the cover in position are typically secured to rope anchor points in the form of hooks, hoops or other features associated with the legs. Another consequence of increasing the leg spacing is that the ropes, straps or the like are more widely spaced. This can lead to parts of the cover being insufficiently anchored or tensioned which, in turn, can result in parts of the cover sagging to an extent that pockets form in which rainwater can accumulate, and the additional load placed upon the cover as a result of rainwater collecting thereon can lead to stretching, ballooning or other damage to the cover material. Clearly this is undesirable.

It is an object of the invention to provide a polytunnel arrangement in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known polytunnel arrangements are overcome or are of reduced impact.

According to the present invention there is provided a polytunnel arrangement comprising a plurality of legs arranged in a row, the legs together supporting an elongate gutter element, the arrangement further comprising a brace secured to the gutter element at a location intermediate a pair of the legs, the brace limiting deflection of the sides of the gutter element.

It will be appreciated that the presence of the brace assists in reducing deformation of the gutter element, in use. As a result, the spacing of the legs may be increased without needing to use an increased thickness of material for the gutter element.

The brace preferably interconnects the edges of the gutter element. By way of example, it may hook over the edges of the gutter element.

The brace may be bolted or otherwise secured to the gutter element.

The brace may define at least one rope anchor point. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that an increase in the leg spacing need not result in the ropes, straps or the like used to anchor a cover of the polytunnel arrangement being spaced apart by an undesirably increased distance.

In some arrangements, a shaft may be located within the gutter and used to control the tension in ropes, straps or the like extending over the cover, or as a location to which an insect net or the like may be secured. Where such a shaft is provided, the brace may be designed to provide support for such a shaft. As a result, sagging of the shaft may be reduced. By way of example, a bracket may be provided upon the brace for use in supporting such a shaft.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate, diagrammatically, three embodiments of the invention, in use; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 1, in use.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 4, a polytunnel arrangement is illustrated comprising a row of legs 10 (only two of which are shown), each of which supports an end of a respective arcuate cover support member 12. As shown, each leg 10 includes an upright 14 to the upper end of which is secured, for example by welding, a generally U-shaped part 16 defining a pair of limbs 16a, 16b. As illustrated, the limbs 16a support the ends of the cover support members 12. Although not illustrated, the limbs 16b may be used to support ends of cover support members of an adjacent polytunnel arrangement.

The opposite ends of the cover support members 12 are similarly supported by respective legs 10. A flexible plastics material cover 18 extends over and is supported by the cover support members 12, the cover 18 adopting substantially the profile defined by the cover support members 12.

Ropes 20, straps or the like, extend over the cover 18 and are used to anchor the cover 18 in position. The ropes 20 may be anchored to anchor points 22 provided on the legs 10, if desired.

The U-shaped parts 16 of the legs 10 together support a gutter element 24 of generally channel shaped form. In the arrangement shown, the gutter element 24 is of rolled metallic material form, and it will be seen that strengthening ribs 24a are formed in the side walls of the gutter element 24. It will be appreciated, however, that the gutter element 24 may take a range of forms and may be of a range of materials. By way of example, it may be of a flexible plastics material that, in use, adopts substantially the profile defined by the U-shaped parts 16.

In use, rainwater impinging upon the cover 18 will tend to drain into the channel defined by the gutter element 24. Preferably the cover material extends into the channel, enhancing the water-tightness of the polytunnel arrangement and thereby reducing the risk of damage to crops growing close to the side of the polytunnel arrangement. The gutter element 24 is conveniently provided at a shallow incline so that rainwater collected within the gutter element 24 drains towards an end of the polytunnel arrangement where it may be collected for storage and subsequent use in irrigation of crops.

In accordance with the invention, a brace 26 is provided, the brace 26 being located at a position between a pair of the legs 10 and cooperating with the gutter element 24 to reinforce or strengthen the gutter element 24. As illustrated, the brace 26 is located primarily within the channel defined by the gutter element 24, including a central part 26a extending across the channel at a height spaced above the base of the gutter element 24, and a pair of side limbs 26b, each of which extends alongside a respective one of the side walls of the gutter element 24 and terminating in a hook 26c that is hooked over the upper edge of the respective side wall of the gutter element 24. The brace 26 serves, in use, to secure the side walls of the gutter element 24 to one another, reducing splaying thereof in use.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 4, welded to the brace 26 is an element 28 shaped to serve as a rope anchor point allowing the anchoring of the ropes 20, straps or the like thereto.

Additionally, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the brace 26 may carry a U-shaped bracket 30 which, in turn, serves as a support for an elongate shaft extending along the length of the polytunnel arrangement and which may be used, as described hereinbefore, in controlling the tension of anchor ropes or the like, or as a location to which an insect netting or the like can be secured.

It will be appreciated that the presence of the brace 26 is advantageous in that deformation or splaying of the sides of the gutter element 24 can be reduced. As a consequence, the leg spacing may be increased, if desired, without requiring the gutter element 24 to be formed from a material of increased thickness and stiffness. As the brace 26 may further incorporate rope anchor points, the increased leg spacing need not result in an increase in the spacing of the anchor ropes 20 or the like. Consequently, the cover 18 may be properly tensioned reducing the risk of the formation of pockets or the like in which rainwater may collect. By reducing or avoiding the formation of such pockets, the risk of damage to the cover 18 arising from rainwater or the like collecting therein may be reduced. Similarly, the presence of the bracket 30 may avoid sagging of the elongate shaft.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate variants of the arrangement described hereinbefore. In the arrangement of Figure 2, no bracket 30 is provided but otherwise this arrangement is substantially as described hereinbefore. Figure 3 illustrates an option in which neither a bracket 30 nor an element 28 serving as a rope anchor point is provided. In the arrangement of Figure 3, the brace 26 is positively secured in position on the gutter element 24, rather than relying solely upon the engagement of the hooks 26c with the edge parts of the gutter element 24, the brace 26 being bolted to the gutter element 24. The bolting of the gutter element 24 and brace 26 in this fashion further serves to reduce deformation of the gutter element 24 as it is held in position relative to the brace 26 by the securing bolts. The brace 26 is, in this arrangement, formed with arms 26d which may serve are rope anchor points, if desired.

It will be appreciated that the arrangements of Figures 2 and 3 benefit from the same advantages as those described hereinbefore in that the brace 26 reduces splaying or deformation of the gutter element 24. Consequently, leg spacing may be increased without requiring an increase in the stiffness of the material of the gutter element 24. The brace may also allow anchor rope spacing to be maintained as desired.

Whilst the arrangements described hereinbefore make use of a brace located within the channel defined by the gutter element, arrangements may also be possible in which the brace extends beneath or above the gutter element.

A number of modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangement described hereinbefore without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A polytunnel arrangement comprising a plurality of legs arranged in a row, the legs together supporting an elongate gutter element, the arrangement further comprising a brace secured to the gutter element at a location intermediate a pair of the legs, the brace limiting deflection of the sides of the gutter element.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the brace interconnects the edges of the gutter element.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the brace is arranged to hook over the edges of the gutter element.
4. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the brace is located within a channel defined by the gutter element.
5. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the brace is bolted or otherwise secured to the gutter element.

5. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the brace defines at least one rope anchor point.
7. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the brace is designed to provide support for an elongate shaft located within the channel defined by the gutter member.
8. An arrangement according to Claim 7, wherein the brace incorporates a bracket through which the shaft extends.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1619778.2 Examiner: Bryony Barcelo