IL271828B - Device for straightening and supporting a tree - Google Patents

Description

DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND SUPPORTING A TREE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the field of horticultural, in particular arboricultural, methods and tools.

BACKGROUND ART Trees may adopt a bent configuration for various reasons. Bent trees in orchards raise difficulties in operating horticultural machinery in the treatment and harvesting of the orchard. It is also accepted that bent trees have lower product yield. Often, bent trees eventually break down, posing a real hazard and resulting in loss of yield and income to the grower. Certain trees, mainly those of tropical origin, have a flexible trunk which allows them to survive extremely windy conditions imposed by typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes. The flexibility of the trunk enables it to bend rather than snapping. Occasionally the bending may result in a constant bent trunk. This phenomena is particularly abundant in orchards of tropical trees such as palm or coconut trees which are located in regions which suffer from strong unidirectional winds on a daily basis.

Devices for straightening trees are disclosed in U.S Patent Nos. 3,040,477, 4,319,428 and Chinese Patent Application Publication Nos. 101861806 and 101953277. U.S Patents Nos. 2,293,336 and 6,442,891 disclose tree braces for bent trees.

Before arriving at the present invention, the inventor had invented a device for assembly on trees, providing support to a bent tree after it has been straightened for keeping the tree in a straight configuration thus preventing it from bending again. Alternatively, the device could support to a tree which is prone to be bent, such as trees suffering wind conditions as described above. The kit comprised of a supported tree chain to be wrapped about a trunk of a bent tree at or above the bending point, a supporting tree chain to be wrapped about a base of a trunk of an adjacent tree and a cable having two ends to connect to each of the chains at each end. The two chains were supposed to be installed by the grower on two adjacent trees while the bent tree is straightened by an external machinery, and then the grower had to connect the chains using shackles to the linking cable at each one of the cable's ends. Once the device was adequately assembled by the grower, the bent tree was held straight by the aid of the device. Unfortunately, inadequate assembly of the device, mainly due to improper connection of the shackles, lead to inefficient results and even to hazardous situations. In addition, often there is no adjacent tree to provide support to the bent (or prone to bend) tree for installing the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For better understanding of the present invention and in order to exemplify how it may be implemented in practice, several embodiments are hereby described, which should be interpreted only as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures. It is noted that the sizes and scale of the embodiments presented in the figures are exemplary and non-limiting.

FIG. 1. depicts a three dimensional schematic representation of the device according to an embodiment of the invention FIG. 2 depicts a schematic side view representation of the device according to an embodiment of the invention being installed on supported and a supporting tree in accordance with FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic isometric representation of the supporting element chain end connected to a supporting anchor of the device placed inside a concrete casting according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 4 depicts a schematic front view representation of the supporting element chain end connected to a supporting anchor of the device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart diagram representing a method of straightening and/or supporting a tree according to an embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM There is a need for a device for straightening bent trees and/or supporting trees which are prone to bend, which overcomes the deficiencies of devices provided by the prior art. In particular, the use of shackles as anchoring, connecting, fixating and fastening means in a device comprising a supporting element chain and a supported tree chain connected through a cable, often times leads to erroneous installation of the device, which lead to inadequate support and may be hazardous. In addition, the use of shackles significantly contributes to the cost of the device.

There is also a need to provide an alternative to an adjacent tree for for providing support by connecting the supporting chain to it.

There is therefore a need for a device which is simple to assemble in the orchard requiring minimal operational installation steps to be carried out by the grower or person installing the device. A further aim of the invention is to provide a safe, cheaper, and efficient device for straightening bent trees and/or supporting trees which are prone to bend. A further aim of the invention is to provide a simplified method for implementing the device of the invention to straighten bent trees and/or supporting trees which are prone to bend, enabling the grower to independently install the device in the field without any professional assistance. A further aim is to provide a device which may be connected to an alternative support to a supporting tree.

SOLLUTION TO THE PROBLEM In a first aspect the invention provides a device for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising: a. a supported tree chain having two ends; b. a supporting element chain having two ends; c. a first and second securing elements (one for each chain); d. an anchoring element; e. a fastening element; and f. a cable having two ends, each end comprising a termination; wherein the supported tree chain being connected at one end to the first securing element, and at the second end to the anchoring element; the supporting element chain being connected at one end to a second securing element and at the second end connected to the fastening element; a portion of the supported tree chain connected to the first securing element is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a bent or supported tree and secured through the first securing element and a portion having the anchoring element adapted to be anchored to a first termination of the cable (being proximal to the bent/supported tree); a portion of the supporting element chain being connected to the second securing element is adapted to be wrapped about a supporting element, or connected to said supporting element, and secured through the second securing element, and the fastening element is adapted to be fastened to the second termination of the cable (being proximal to the supporting element) or through the second termination of the cable to the supporting element chain.In another aspect the invention provides a method for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising the steps: obtaining a device as defined above; straightening the tree in case that the tree is bent by providing a temporary external force; wrapping the supported tree chain about a selected pulling point of the supported tree, and securing the supported tree chain through the first securing element (the securing element of the supported tree chain); affixing the anchoring element of the supported tree chain to a termination end of the cable; connecting the end of the supporting element chain to the supporting element being distal to the cable. In embodiments where the supporting element is an adjacent tree: wrapping the supporting element chain about a supporting point at a trunk of a supporting tree, and through the second securing element of the supporting element chain. In embodiments where the supporting element is a concrete casting: connecting the end of the supporting element chain being distal from the cable to the securing anchor and casting concrete around the securing anchor; passing the end of the supporting element chain being proximal to the cable and connected to the fastening element through a termination end of the cable; and affixing the fastening element to one of the links of the supporting element chain; to obtain a straight and/or supported tree connected to a supporting tree through the two chains and the cable.

In a further aspect the invention provides a kit for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising the components of the device as described above and optionally instruction describing the method of the invention.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION The invention provides a device for straightening bent trees and/or supporting trees which are prone to bend wherein most of the components of the device are preassembled in the factory, requiring minimal steps required to be taken in the field. Furthermore the invention provides a durable, safe and economic device without compromising on the effective functionality of the device.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in example devices, the invention is not limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing from the invention and the equivalents of the claims. However, the construction and method of operation of the invention together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" along with their derivatives. These terms mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Reference is made to Figures 1 and 2 depicting a device for supporting and/or straightening a tree according to an embodiment of the invention.

The term "tree " refers to any kind of tree including horticultural trees. It includes forest trees, trees grown for industrial wood, landscape trees, trees grown for edible fruit product, and in particular tropical trees such as palm trees and coconut trees.

The term "supported tree " refers to a bent tree or a tree prone to be bent which is provided a support by the device of the invention aimed to straighten the bend of the trunk or to prevent such bend.

The term "bent tree" refers to a tree which has a trunk having a deviation from the longitudinal axis of growth being perpendicular to the ground.

The term "supporting " refers to providing an external force to a supported object, namely a tree, which at least partially is counter to the direction of the bend of the tree or the expected direction of said bend. The supporting force may be mediated from the supporting component to the supported object via another intermediate component. For example, the supporting element chain provides support to the supported tree via the connecting cable to the supported tree chain and from the latter to the supported tree as described below.

The term "straightening" refers to effecting a correction to the bend in the trunk of the tree such that the main trunk is substantially straight, i.e. essentially perpendicular to the ground along its longitudinal axis, after said correction.

The device 1 comprises a supported tree chain 2, a supporting element chain 10, first and second securing elements 4 and 12 for each chain, respectively, an anchoring element 6, a fastening element 14, and a cable 7. When the device is assembled, then the cable is connected at each end (termination) of the cable to one of the chains. When the device is disassembled, i.e. not mounted on the tree and a supporting element, then the aforementioned components can be disconnected or partially connected in a form of a kit.

The term "supported tree chain" refers to the chain which is installed on the supported tree, usually in proximity to the bend 22 on the trunk of the supported tree 21. It is noted that the chain itself provides support to the supported tree as part of the support provided to the tree by the entire device as whole.

In some embodiments, at least one of the chains is made of torus shaped metal links. In some embodiments at least one of the chains is replaced by a cable. In some embodiments at least one of the chains is replaced by a steel cable. In some embodiments at least one of the chains is replaced by a galvanized steel cable.

In some embodiments the chains are made of grade 80, grade 100, grade 120 alloy steel or a mixture thereof.

The supported tree chain 2 comprises two ends. A first end 3 connected to a first securing element 4, and a second end 5 connected to an anchoring element 6.

The term "securing element" refers to an element which comprises a first component for connecting to a chain and a second component for affixing the chain at a constant position. In some embodiments the component for affixing the chain in a constant position enables the chain to pass through it in another other end and the more pulling strain is applied on the free end of the chain the more the chain wrapping about the supported tree is tightened. It is noted that the aforementioned chain can be replaced by a cable.

In some embodiments, the securing elements secure the wrapping of the chains 2 and 10 about the supported and supporting tree, respectively and prevents the loosening of the wrapping. The securing element allows the chain to pass through it only outwards and does not allow return of the chain, as long as there is pulling force, or tension applied on the residual of the chain (the residual is the remaining part of the chain beyond the wrapping about the tree). The more tension is applied on the residual of the chain the more tighten is the wrapping.

In embodiments where the supporting element is a concrete casting, the second securing element 12 is adapted to connect to an end of the supporting element chain 10 and affix it to the concrete casting.

In some embodiments, the first securing element 4 is a forest hook. In some embodiments, the supported tree chain 2 is connected to the connecting component of the forest hook (e.g. a connecting pin as a pin of a clevis type hook). In some embodiments, when the device 1 is installed, then the residual of the supported tree chain 19 passes through the void of the forest hook 4.

In some embodiments, the first securing element 4 is a shackle. In some embodiments, the first securing element 4 is a combination of a D shackle and regular shackle. In some embodiments the supported tree chain 2 is connected at one end to the D shackle, the D shackle is connected to a regular shackle and when the device 1 is installed, then the residual of the supported tree chain 19 passes through the regular shackle.

The importance of the securing element in the anchoring element is for situations in which the tension on the cable and the chains loosens, as result for example of an opposite wind which shortens the distance between the connection points (the positions of the two securing elements).

The term "anchoring element" refers to an element which is adapted to anchor an item to which it is connected to another item at a specific position on the other item such that the other item is secured within the anchoring element. In particular, the anchoring element is adapted to be connected to the chain on one side and to anchor the chain to a termination of the cable on its other side, and comprises a component for securing the other item such that it cannot be released from the anchor element unintentionally.

In some embodiments of the invention the anchoring element 6 is adapted to anchor the end of the supported tree chain 2 to one of the terminations the linking cable, namely termination 8, which in the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 is a loop. In some embodiments, the anchoring element 6 is selected from the group consisting of a lifting hook (having a securing tongue) and a shackle. In some embodiments, the anchoring element 6 is a lifting hook, as depicted in Figure 1. In embodiments where the termination 8 of the cable, being proximal to the supported tree, is a loop then the anchoring element is anchored to the loop at the end of the cable.

In some embodiments, the anchoring element 6 is a shackle. In embodiments wherein the anchoring element 6 is a shackle, the end 5 of the supported tree chain 2 is connected to a connecting component of the shackle (e.g. a securing pin) and the loop component of the shackle is linked to loop 8 of the cable 7.

In embodiments wherein the supported tree chain 2 is replaced by a supported tree cable, then in some embodiments the securing element can be a loop, and in some embodiment the end of the cable connected to the anchoring element comprises a termination, e.g. a loop, and the cable connects to anchoring element by said termination. In some embodiments the termination of the supported tree cable is a termination which directly connects to the termination of the linking cable 7. The person versed in the art would know how choose a termination to the supported tree cable in order to enable said termination to be anchored to the termination of the linking cable 7.

The combination in which both first and second securing elements 4 and 12 and the anchoring element 14 in a single device are all shackles is excluded from the scope of the present invention.

The supported tree chain 2 has two ends 3 and 5, the former being connected to a securing element 4, and the latter being connected to an anchoring element 6. In some embodiments, one end 3 of the supported tree chain 2 is connected to a forest hook 4 and the other end 5 is connected to a lifting hook 6 as depicted in Figure 1.

The portion of the supported tree chain 2 which is connected to the first securing element 4 is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a bent or supported tree 21. To this end, in some embodiments, the length of the supported tree chain 2 should minimally be approximately (±2%) equal to the circumference of the supported tree 21 at the point of support 22. In some embodiments, the supported tree chain 2 should be long enough to complete at least one wrapping about the trunk of the supported tree, to pass through the first securing element 4, and leave a residual portion 19 of the chain to be connected to the anchoring element 6. In some embodiments, the residual portion 19 is composed of at least one link. In addition, in some embodiments, the supported tree chain 2 should be made of a material which can withhold the tension applied on the chain to keep the tree in a straight position as specified above.

The point of support, i.e. the position at which the supported tree chain should be wrapped about the trunk, should be at or above the bending area or bending point of the supported tree (or above the position prone to be bent if the tree is still straight). The higher above the bending point, the more leverage for straightening the tree 21 is acquired. In some embodiments the height 27 at which the supported tree chain is wrapped about the tree 21 is equal to the distance 26 between the planting centers of the supported tree 21 and the supporting tree 23. This portion of the supported tree chain 2 is further adapted to be secured through the securing element 4 of the supported tree chain 2. To this end, in some embodiments the chain is a torus shaped metal links chain of a size compatible with passing through a forest hook, as depicted in Figure 1. The other end 5 of the supported tree chain 2 is being connected to the anchoring element 6. The anchoring element 6 is adapted to be securely anchored to the first cable loop 8. To this end, the anchoring element 6 according to some embodiments is a lifting hook 6 as depicted in Figure 1. In some embodiments the anchoring element 6 is a shackle. In some embodiments the anchoring element 6 is a lifting hook and the cable 7 is a stainless steel cable.

The cable 7 has two terminations, numbered 8 and 9, respectively. Each termination can be selected from a variety of terminations available in the art (see for example: http://www.h- lift.com/wirerope.htm. In some embodiments, each termination is independently selected from a loop, a socket, a sleeve or a stud. The term "independently selected" means that each element can be selected from any of the listed options without any correlation to the selection made for the other element. In some embodiments at least one termination of the cable (and/or 9) is a loop. In some embodiments both terminations 8 and 9 of the cable are loops. According to some embodiments at least one of the loops 8 and 9 is secured in a thimble and a ferule 18. In some embodiments the loops 8 and 9 have a diameter sufficient for accommodating the anchoring element 6 at loop 8 and for passing the fastening element through the loop 9.

In some embodiments, the length of cable 7 should be equal or less than the inner distance between the wrapping point of the supported tree chain 2 about the bent or supported tree and the wrapping point of the supporting element chain 10 about the trunk of the supporting element (e.g. the supporting tree 23). In some embodiments, the length of cable 7 should be equal or less than the inner distance between the connection point of the anchoring element and the end 13 of the supporting element chain 10.

The term "supporting element chain" refers to a chain which is installed on a supporting element. It should be noted that the term "supported" refers to the element and no the chain, despite the fact that the chain provides support to thee supported tree as being part of the device which provides support to the supported tree as a whole.

In some embodiments the supporting element is an adjacent tree. In some embodiments where the supporting element is an adjacent tree, then the supporting element chain 10 is installed about the trunk of said adjacent tree (which may be interchangeably termed "supporting tree") in proximity to the ground.

In some embodiments the supporting element is a pole. The pole should be adequately placed in the ground to withstand the pulling forces of straightening the supported tree 21. In some embodiments the pole is casted in concrete. In some embodiments the pole comprises an ear or a ring through which the supporting element chain 10 can be secured.

The supporting element chain 10 has two ends: a first end 11 and a second end 13. In some embodiments the first end 11 is connected to a second securing element 12 and the second end 13 connected to a fastening element 14.

In some embodiments, at least one link at the end of at least one of the chains is connected to the anchoring element 6, the first and/or second securing elements 4 and/or 12, or the fastening element 14 by means of linking the link at the end of the chain to a securing pin of the respective elements. In some embodiments said pin is a pin of a clevis type hook.

The supporting element chain 10 comprises a portion being connected to the second securing element 12 which is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a supporting element (e.g. a trunk of a supporting tree 23). To this end, in some embodiments the supporting element chain should have a length at least equal to the circumference of the supporting element at the point of support and for forming a loop being linked to the loop 9 at the end of the cable 7 and fastened back to the supporting element chain 10. When the supporting element is a tree, then in some embodiments said circumference is the circumference of the trunk of the supporting tree 23 at the point of support.

In some embodiments the point of support along the trunk of the supporting tree 23 is at a circumference 24 being proximal to the ground.

The supporting element chain 10 is also adapted to be secured through the second securing element 12 upon completion of at least one wrapping about the trunk of the supporting element (e.g. a supporting tree) 23. In some embodiments, the second securing element 12 is a forest hook (as depicted in Figure 1). In some embodiments the second securing element is a shackle. In some embodiments the second securing element 12 is a combination of a D- shackle and a regular shackle.

Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4. In some embodiments, the supporting element is a concrete casting such as 28. In some of these embodiments the securing element 12 which is connected to the first end 11 of the supporting element chain 10 is a supporting anchor 12a. In some embodiments the supporting anchor 12a is anchored to concrete casting according to methods known in the art for affixing an item concrete. In some embodiments the anchor is cast inside the concrete casting. The supporting anchor can have various shapes and various means for connecting to the supporting element chain 10. In some embodiments, as the one depicted in Figures 3 and 4, the supporting anchor 12a is a plate having a disc shape comprising a through hole slot 12b for connecting the first end 11 of the supporting element chain 10 to the supporting anchor 12a. The through hole 12b may be located in the center of the plate. In some embodiments the through hole 12b is located off centered on the plate. The dimensions of the through hole are equal or slightly larger than the two out of three dimensions of the links of the chain, in order to allow insertion of the chain link of the first end 11 through the through hole slot 12b. The chain link of the first end 11 can be secured to the supporting anchor 12a, by at least one fastener 12c. The fastener 12c can be for example, a set of a pin and bolts wherein the pin is inserted through the chain link of the first end 11 on the side of the plate 12a being distal from the main chain (distal from the cable 7 and facing the ground). In some embodiment a second fastener 12d (such as a pin and bolts set) is used to affix the supporting element chain to the anchoring plate 12a which is inserted into a link of the chain adjacent to the side of the plate 12a facing the cable 7. In some embodiments the second fastener 12d is inserted through the same link (e.g. end link 11) to which the first fastener 12c was inserted, and in some embodiments it is inserted to a different link (e.g. 11a) being above the plane of the plate facing the cable 7.

In a non-limiting example the supporting anchor 12a is a plate having a diameter of 20.0 cm a thickness of 8 mm and the through hole is a pair of crossed 10 mm X 18 mm slots.

The concrete casting the supporting element 12 should have adequate specifications (dimensions, weight, tensile strength) to withstand with the forces it will be required to bear. A person versed in the art would know how evaluate the applied forces and calculate the aforementioned specifications accordingly. As a non-limiting example, a concrete casting type "Beth 30" i.e. having a minimal compressive strength at 28 days of 30 MPa, casted in a 1 mcarboy having a dimensions of 100X100X100 cm and buried 70 cm deep in a hole in a sandy soil when the supported tree is a palm tree having a height of 18-20 meters.

In some embodiment the supporting anchor 12a, in particular an anchor plate, is placed at a certain distance above the bottom of the concrete casting, horizontally above the ground and casted with concrete. To this end, in the non-limiting example provided above, the plate 12a while connected to the supporting element chain 10 is hanged in the carboy about 30 cm above the bottom of the carboy and the concrete is then casted inside the carboy.

A portion of the supporting element chain 10 being connected to the fastening element 14 is adapted to form a loop linked with the second loop 9 of the cable 7, and secured with the fastening element 14 of the supporting element chain 10 to a link 15 of the supporting element chain 10. The ability of the fastening element to be fastened at a selected point along the supported element chain 10 is what provides the necessary degree of freedom to adjust the length of the residual part 20 of the supporting element chain 10 and as an outcome adjusts the overall length between the supported tree chain 2 and the supporting element chain 10, and as an outcome - the overall tension set on the device. This degree freedom facilitates the installation of the device in the field where the distance between these two points is variable and difficult to determine in advance. In rare cases where said distance is measured and known, the residual length 20 of the supporting element chain 10 can be fixed and the fastening element can be connected directly to the proximal termination 9 of the cable 7.

In some embodiments, the fastening element 14 is a grab hook.

In some embodiments, when the required combined length of the cable 7 and portions 19 and is precisely known in advance, then the fastening element 14 can connect directly to termination 9 of the cable 7 and when the termination 9 is a loop (as shown in Figure 1), then the fastening element 14 can be a lifting hook.

To allow this, all the measurements regarding the tree to be supported are precisely known, such as the planting distance between the supported tree 21 and the location of the supporting element 23, the circumference of the trunk of the supported tree 21 at the point 22 of wrapping the supported tree chain 2, and the circumference of the point of wrapping the supporting element chain 10 about the supporting element 23.

It is noted that the selection of the specific terminations 8 and 9 of cable 7 should correspond to the selection of the anchoring element 6 and the fastening element 14 respectively, such that the anchoring element 6 would adequately anchor the supported tree chain 2 to the cable and the fastening element 14 would adequately fasten the supporting element chain 10 to the cable 7, and that altogether the device 1 would provide the adequate tension for supporting the supported tree 21 and keep it straight even under windy conditions. The person of skill in the art would know how to make the matching between the aforementioned parts.

In some embodiments, when the device 1 is installed, then the fastening element 14 is fastened to the supporting element chain 10 at a location along the supporting element chain 10. In other words, the supporting chain 10 is fastened to itself. In some embodiments when the device 1 is installed, then the fastening element 14 is fastened to one of the links 15 along the supporting element chain 10 after forming a loop through the loop 9 at the end of cable 7. To this end, loop 9 should be large enough in order to accommodate the fastening element 14. In some embodiments when the device 1 is installed on a supported tree 21 and a supporting element, (e.g. a supporting tree 22 as in Figure 2), then the fastening element 14 is pulled tightly as much as possible after it is passed through the loop 9 of the cable 7, in order to generate an adequate pulling force on the supported tree 21. Thus, in some embodiments, link 15, to which the fastening element is fastened, is the farthest link back to the supporting element chain 10 to which the fastening element can be pulled. It should be appreciated that in each application of the device link 15 may be a different link along the supporting element chain 10 according to the installation circumstances, namely primarily due to the distance between the location of the supported tree chain 2 and the supporting element chain 10 and the diameter of the trunks of the supported tree 21 and the supporting tree 23.

The device set forth in this invention can be utilized for any desired type of tree. In particular, trees having a long trunk with a large weight conferred from branching and fruit at the top of the tree are more prone to bend due to wind. In some embodiments the supported trees are palm trees or coconut trees.

Reference is now made to Figure 5depicting a chart diagram of a method for supporting and/or straightening a tree according to the invention. The method comprises the steps: - Obtaining a device 1 as described above (110). In some embodiments, obtaining the device comprises measuring the diameter of the trunk of the bent or supported tree at a selected pulling point and the diameter of the trunk of the supporting tree at the selected supporting point. These measurements are used for determining the minimal length of each of the chains, as previously described.

- Straightening the tree 21, in case that the tree is bent, by providing a temporary external supporting force (120). In some embodiments the external supporting force is applied by pulling and/or pushing the portion of the trunk above the bend until the trunk of the tree 21 is straight. It is noted that while pushing or pulling the tree are both optional, pushing is more feasible and safer. In some embodiments the bent tree 21 is straightened by an external equipment. In some embodiments this external equipment is selected from a tractor, an orchard high lift equipment or any other mechanical equipment. In some embodiment the temporary external supporting force is provided manually by pushing the trunk of the tree or by pulling it with or without the aid of a chain or a rope.

- Wrapping the supported tree chain 2 about a selected pulling point of the supported tree 21, and securing the supported tree chain 2 through the first securing element 4 (which is connected to the supported tree chain 2) (130). In some embodiments, the selected pulling point is at or above the bending area 22 of the trunk of the bent tree 21. In some embodiments, the selected pulling point is at or above an area of the trunk of the supported tree prone to bend. In some embodiments the area prone to bend is determined according to observed temporary bending of the trunk of the tree 21 during events of strong winds. In some embodiments the area prone to bend is determined according to early signs of bending of the trunk. In some embodiments the area prone to bend is determined according to identification of weakness of the trunk followed by physical examination of the strength and/or vigor of the trunk in each area of the trunk. In some embodiments the height of the position at which the supported tree chain 2 is wrapped about the trunk of the supported tree 21 is equal or approximately equal to the ground distance between the planting center of the supported tree and the center of the supporting element 23. According to some embodiments the supported tree chain 2 is wrapped such that it is tightly held on the trunk of the straightened/supported tree 21 so that it is remains in place at the selected location along the trunk of the supported tree 21. According to some embodiments the circumference of the wrapping about the supported tree 21 is slightly smaller than the circumference of the trunk of the supported tree 21, as the trunk can be slightly condensed in response to the pressure applied to it by the supported tree chain 2.In some embodiments the supporting element chain 10 is placed on the trunk such that the securing element is positioned opposite the direction of the bend. In some embodiments, especially when the device is installed on a tree which is exposed to strong winds from a particular direction 27, then the supporting element chain 10 is wrapped on the trunk of the tree such that the securing element is placed at the side pointing to said direction 27.

- Affixing the anchoring element 6 of the supported tree chain 2 to a termination 8 of the cable 7 (140). In some embodiments the termination 8 is selected from a loop, a socket, a sleeve or a stud. In some embodiments the termination 8 of the cable is a loop. In some embodiments the anchoring element 6 of the supported tree chain 2 is a lifting chain. In some embodiments the anchoring element 6 is a lifting chain and the termination 8 is a loop. According to some embodiments the anchoring element 6 is affixed to more than one cable 7 through a loop 8 of each of the cables, and each cable 7 can be further connected to a separate supporting element chain 10 which may be wrapped about a separate supporting element. Thus, according to some embodiments, the supported tree chain 2 is affixed to two cables 7 each connected at its other end to a supporting element chain 10 being wrapped about a different tree.

- In embodiments in which the supporting element is an element that can be wrapped about such as an adjacent tree: Wrapping the supporting element chain 10 about a supporting point of a supporting element, and through the second securing element 12 of the supporting element chain 10 (150). In some embodiments the supporting element is a supporting tree and the supporting element chain 10 is wrapped about a selected supporting point of the trunk. According to some embodiments the supporting element chain 10 is wrapped such that it is tightly held on the trunk of the supporting tree 23 so that it is remains in place at the selected location along the trunk of the supporting tree 23. According to some embodiments the circumference of the wrapping about the trunk of the supporting tree 23 is slightly smaller than the circumference of the trunk of the tree, as the trunk can be slightly condensed in response to the pressure applied to it by the supporting element chain 10.

- In embodiments wherein the supporting element is a concrete casting 28: Connecting or affixing the end 11 of the supporting element chain 10 being distal from the cable 7 to the supporting element 23 or placing the end of chain therein. In some embodiments, this includes connecting the end 11 of the supporting element chain 10 being distal from the cable, to the securing anchor 12a and casting concrete around the securing anchor (e.g. a plate anchor) 12a. The casting of concrete around the securing anchor 12a may be carried out as follows: - digging a hole in the ground; - placing a carboy 29 having an inlet 30 in the hole; - placing the supporting element 12 such as a plate anchor, which is connected to the supporting element chain 10 inside the carboy; optionally inserting a placer rod 31 through a link 32 of the supporting element chain to hold the end 11 of the chain at a desired eight above the bottom of the carboy; - casting concrete inside the carboy 29 through the inlet 30; - placing earth back into the hole surrounding the carboy 29 to obtain a supporting element chain 10 anchored to a concrete casting 23;In some embodiments the dimensions of the hole are at least 100X100 cm and cm deep for a 1 metric cube carboy, and a steel plate anchor having a slot to which the end of the supporting element cable is attached to is inserted into the wet concrete 30 cm above the bottom of the carboy. The placer rod may be removed after the concrete is dry.

- Passing a portion of the supporting element chain 10 comprising the end 13 connected to the fastening element 14 through a loop 9 at the free end of the cable 7 (the other end of the cable being connected to the supported tree chain 2) (160). In some embodiments, the fastening element is a grab hook.

- Affixing the fastening element 14 to one of the links 15 of the supporting element chain 10. In some embodiments, the fastening element 14 and the portion of the chain connected thereto is pulled as tightly as possible by the person installing the device, towards the supporting element before it is affixed to the supporting element chain 10.

- Releasing the temporary external support to the supported tree to obtain a straight and/or supported tree connected to a supporting tree through the device 1 of the invention.

In some embodiments, if after releasing the temporary external support, the tree is not satisfactory straight, or the combined cable 7 and the residual chain portions 19 and 20 appear to be loose, the external force is applied back again and the fastening element 14 is released from the chain and reattached to a further link 15 on the supporting element chain 10 to obtain a tighter arrangement (190).

In another embodiment, first the supported tree chain 2 is wrapped about the supported tree 21, secured through the securing element 4, and affixed through the anchoring element 6 to the cable 7, and only then, the tree 21 is pulled by connecting the distal free end of the cable to an external pulling force such as manual, a tractor or other mechanical equipment. After the supported tree 21 is straightened, the distal end of the cable is connected to the supporting element chain 10 which thereafter is wrapped about the supporting element 23 as described earlier. After the supported tree chain 2 is connected to the distal end of the cable and fastened back to itself the external pulling force can be released.

The invention further provides a kit comprising the components of the device 1 as described above, namely the supported tree and supporting element chains 2 and 10, respectively, the first and second securing elements 4 and 12, the anchoring element 6, the fastening element and the cable 7. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises the supporting anchor 12a and optionally its fastening components. In some embodiments the kit comprises all the aforementioned components of the device wherein the components are separated from each other. In some embodiments the kit comprises the components of the device wherein at least one of the chains 2 and 10 is connected to the cable 7. In some embodiments the kit comprises the components of the device wherein at least one chain is connected to the corresponding loop adapted to link to said chain at the end of the cable. In some embodiments the kit comprises the chains 2 and 10 of the device wherein at least one of the chains is connected to a first securing element 4 or second securing element 12, respectively, as described above. In some embodiments the kit comprises the supported tree chain 2 wherein the supported tree chain 2 is connected to the anchoring element 6 as described above. In some embodiment the kit comprises the supporting element chain 10 wherein the supporting element chain 10 is connected to the fastening element 15 as described above. In some embodiments the kit comprises at least one of the securing elements 4 and 12, the anchoring element 6 and the fastening element 14 provided as a separate element, i.e., not connected to the relevant chain.

In some embodiments the kit comprises a supported tree chain 2 connected at one end 3 to a first securing element 4 and at the other end 5 to an anchoring element 6, a supporting element chain 10 connected at one end 11 to as second securing element 12 and at the other end 13 to fastening element 15 and a cable 7 having two ends each end comprising an termination 8 and being compatible to the relevant anchoring element and fastening element.

In some embodiments the kit comprises a supported tree chain 2 connected at one end 3 to a forest hook 4 and at the other end 5 to a lifting hook 6, a supporting element chain 10 connected at one 11 end to a forest hook 12 and at the other end 13 to a grab hook 14 and a cable 7 having two ends each end comprising a loop, one loop 8 being compatible to connect to the lifting hook 6 and the other loop 9 being compatible to allow the grab hook 14 to pass through the loop 9.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises instructions for installing the device on a tree for supporting/straightening the tree. In some embodiment the kit comprises instructions depicting at least one of the methods described above. element 14 at the other end. A kit and method for use are also disclosed.

Claims (47)

1. A device 1 for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising: a. a supported tree chain 2 comprising two ends 3, 5; b. a supporting element chain 10 comprising two ends 11, 13; c. a first and second securing elements 4, 12; d. an anchoring element 6; e. a fastening element 14; and f. a cable 7 comprising two terminations 8, 9; wherein the supported tree chain being connected at one end to the first securing element, and at the second end to the anchoring element; the supporting element chain being connected at one end to the second securing element and at the second end to the fastening element; a portion of the supported tree chain connected to the first securing element is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a bent or supported tree and secured through the first securing element and a portion 19 connected to the anchoring element adapted to be anchored to a first termination of the cable termination; a portion of the supporting element chain being connected to the second securing element is adapted to be wrapped about or connected to a supporting element and secured through the second securing element, and the fastening element is adapted to be fastened to the second termination of the cable or through the second termination of the cable to the supporting element chain.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein each one of the terminations of the cable is independently selected from a loop, a socket, a sleeve or a stud.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein one termination of the cable is a loop and a portion of the supporting element chain being connected to the fastening element is adapted to form a loop linked with said loop of the cable, and be secured with the fastening element of the supporting element chain to a link of the supporting elementchain.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element of the supported tree chain is a forest hook.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the anchoring element of the supported tree chain is selected from a lifting hook and a shackle. 10

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein when the device is installed on a tree, theanchoring element of the supported tree chain is connected to a first termination of the cable.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the second securing element is selected from a forest hook and a securing anchor. 15

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the securing anchor is a plate 12a comprising athrough hole slot 12d, and an end 11 of the supporting element chain is secured to the plate through the through hole slot.

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the fastening element is a grab hook.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein when the device is installed on a tree, theportion of the supporting element chain connected to the fastening element of thesupporting element chain forms a loop linked to a loop being the second termination end of the cable and the fastening element is secured to one of the links of the supporting element chain.

11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cable is characterized by a length beingequal or less than the inner distance between the wrapping point of the supported treechain about the bent or supported tree and the wrapping point of the supporting element chain about the trunk of the supporting tree.

12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the supported tree chain having a length at least equal to the circumference of the trunk of the tree.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the circumference is the circumference at or above the height of a bend or a point prone to bend in the trunk of the bent tree or supported tree, respectively.

14. The device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting element chain having a length at least equal to the circumference of a single wrapping of the chain about a trunk of a supporting tree, and for forming a loop at an end of the supporting element chain.

15. The device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting element chain is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a supporting tree proximal to the ground.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the tree is a palm tree.

17. The device according to claim 1 wherein when the device is installed on the bent or supported tree, the height at which the supported tree chain is wrapped about the trunk of the bent or supported tree is equal to the ground distance between the centers of the trunks of the bent tree and the supporting tree.

18. The device according to claim 1 wherein each of the terminations of the cable is a loop secured with a thimble 17 and ferrule 18.

19. The device according to claim 1 wherein at least one termination of the cable is a loop having a diameter sufficient to allow a lifting hook connected to the supported tree chain to securely connect to said loop.

20. The device according to claim 1 wherein at least one termination of the cable is a loop having dimensions allowing the fastening element of the supporting element chain to pass through.

21. A device for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising: a. a supported tree chain comprising two ends and connected at one end to a securing element and at a second end to a fastening element; b. a supporting element chain comprising two ends, and connected at one end to a supporting anchor and at a second end to an anchoring element; c. a cable comprising two terminations; wherein a portion of the supported tree chain connected to the securing element is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a bent or supported tree and secured through the securing element and a portion having the anchoring element adapted to be anchored to a first cable termination; a portion of the supporting element chain being connected to the securing anchor and the fastening element is adapted to be fastened to the second termination of the cable or through the second termination to the supporting element chain.

22. A method for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising the steps: obtaining a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to claim 21; straightening the tree in case that the tree is bent by providing a temporary external force; connecting the supporting element chain to the supporting element; wrapping the supported tree chain about a selected pulling point of the supported tree, and securing the supported tree chain through the first securing element; affixing the anchoring element of the supported tree chain to a loop at an end of the cable; connecting the end of the supporting element chain being distal from the cable to the supporting element ; passing the end of the supporting element chain connected to the fastening element through a termination at the end of the cable; and affixing the fastening element to one of the links of the supported tree chain; to obtain a straight and/or supported tree connected to a supporting tree through the two chains and the cable.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein connecting the distal end of the supporting element chain comprises one of: (i) wrapping the supporting element chain about a supporting point at a trunk of a supporting tree, and through the securing element of the supporting element chain and (ii) connecting the end of the supporting element chain being distal from the cable to the securing anchor and casting concrete around the securing anchor.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of measuring the diameter of the trunk of the bent or supported tree at a selected pulling point and the diameter of the trunk of the supporting tree at the selected supporting point.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of preparing a supported tree chain and supporting element chain according to the measurements made according to claim 23.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the temporary external force is provided by an external equipment.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the external equipment is selected from a tractor or an orchard high lift equipment.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the anchoring element is a grab hook and the method further comprising passing a portion comprising the end of the supporting element chain and the grab hook to which it is connected to through a loop at the second end of the cable.

29. The method of claim 22 wherein the anchoring element of the supported tree chain is a shackle and the method further comprising connecting the shackle to the termination end of the cable.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein the wrapping of the chains about the trunk of the trees comprises at least one full round about the trunk of the tree.

31. The method of claim 22 wherein the termination ends of the cable are independently selected from

32. A kit for supporting and/or straightening a tree comprising: a. a supported tree chain comprising two ends; b. a supporting element chain comprising two ends; c. a first and second securing elements; d. an anchoring element; e. a fastening element; and f. a cable comprising two ends, each end comprising a termination.

33. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the first securing element is a forest hook.

34. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the anchoring element of the supported tree chain is selected from a lifting hook and a shackle.

35. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the second securing element of the supporting element chain is a forest hook or a securing anchor.

36. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the fastening element of the supporting element chain is a grab hook.

37. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the anchoring element of the supported tree chain is connected to a first loop of the cable.

38. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the cable having a length being equal or less than the inner distance between the wrapping point of the supported tree chain about the bent tree and the wrapping point of the supporting element chain about the base of the trunk of the supporting tree.

39. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the supported tree chain having a length at least equal to the circumference of the trunk of the tree.

40. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the supporting element chain having a length at least equal to the circumference of a single wrapping of the chain about a trunk of a supporting tree and for forming a loop at an end of the supporting element chain.

41. The kit according to claim 32 wherein the supporting element chain is adapted to be wrapped about a trunk of a supporting tree proximal to the ground.

42. The kit according to claim 32 wherein at least one of the termination ends of the cable is a loop secured with a thimble and ferrule.

43. The kit according to claim 32 wherein at least one of the termination ends of the cable is a loop having a diameter sufficient to allow a lifting hook of the supported tree chain to securely connect to said loop.

44. The kit according to claim 32 wherein at least the cable comprises a loop having an inner diameter at least equal to the diameter of the fastening element of the supporting element chain.

45. The kit according to claim 32 further comprising instructions for employing the kit for straightening and/or supporting a tree.

46. The kit according to claim 45 wherein the instructions comprise depiction of the method according to claim 22.

47. The kit according to claim 32 comprising a supported tree chain connected at one end to a first securing element and at the other end to an anchoring element, a supporting element chain connected at one end to a second securing element and at the other end to fastening element, and a cable having two ends each end comprising a termination being compatible to the relevant anchoring element and fastening element. For The Applicant: U ■ 1X Dr. Lior Eshdat License No. 391