SE545481C2

SE545481C2 - Plant protector with securing device

Info

Publication number: SE545481C2
Application number: SE2151257A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Fredrik Hjalmarsson; Jan-Erik Johansson; Kenneth Lundahl
Original assignee: Stattut Innovation Ab
Priority date: 2021-10-14
Filing date: 2021-10-14
Publication date: 2023-09-26
Also published as: SE2151257A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a plant protector (1) to be arranged on a top of a plant, the plant protector (1) comprises a hat (2) and a plurality of legs (3), wherein first ends (3a) of the legs (3) are attached spaced apart from each other along an outer edge (2a) of the hat (2), and each leg (3) has a length (I) between the first end (3a) and an opposite second end (3b) of the leg (3), The plant protector (1) further comprises a resilient securing device (4) to be arranged on the plant protector (1) such enclosing at least a majority of the plurality of legs (3) in a securing position (S), between the first and second ends (3a, 3b) of the legs (3). The securing device (4) is arranged to secure that the plant protector (1) remains on a top of a plant by means of a spring force (F) of the securing device (4).

Description

PLANT PROTECTOR WITH SECURING DEVICE Technical field

[0001] The invention considers a plant protector to be arranged on a top of a plant, to protect the top of the plant from grazing damage created by grazing animals. The plant protector comprises a securing device to secure that the plant protector remains on the top of a plant even in hard weather with strong winds, which otherwise might cause the plant protector to be thrown off the plant.

Background art

[0002] Grazing damage by animals may affect growth rate of a plant and may also affect the form of seedlings or the whole plant and by that impact the economic value of for example a forest or a plantation. lf the growth rate of the tree or plant is reduced, the time to yield or the yield itself normally is reduced.

[0003] Common methods to protect young trees and other plants from grazing animals are for example to spray a repellant on the plants one or several times a year during the first years after planting. Another method is fencing, where the planting area is surrounded by some kind of fence to keep grazing animals like moose and deer outside the plantation. Both these types protect tree seedlings quite well but are expensive and time consuming.

[0004] Other known plant protectors are mechanical plant protectors which mechanically protects the plant by being attached to the plant, normally near the top of the plant. SE 538 999 C2 discloses a mechanical protector to be mounted on tree plants where the protector is applied to the plant from the side, at the trunk of the tree near the top of the plant. This plant protector has to be moved upwards annually until the plant reaches a height where the risk ofgrazing ceases. This type is produced entirely from metal which entails a number of drawbacks such as high production cost and that the functionality depends on moving the plant protector on every plant repeatedly, at least once a year which is time consuming and drives the total cost. Further, the plant protector may injure grazing animals if they accidentally eat it or chews on it and if the plant protector falls off the plant it might injure an animal or human if stepping on it when lying on the ground since it is a rather sharp piece of metal.

[0005] Plant protection aimed for preventing damages to plants caused by grazing animals is essential to avoid partial or complete loss of planting stock, and economic failure of a plantation of for example trees. Thus, there is a need of a plant protector which is cheap, and which lasts over the first important years after planting a tree or another plant. Further, there is a need of a more environmentally friendly plant protector, and which is not a great danger to animals and humans. On top of this, there is a need of an improved plant protector which is secured to the top of the plant to avoid that the plant protector is thrown off the plant when the plant is subjected to wind.

Summarv of the invention

[0006] lt is an object of the invention to address at least some of the problems and issues outlined above. lt is possible to achieve these objects and others by a plant protector as defined in the attached independent claims, which by its design follows the top growth and remains on the top of the plant over time and when the plant is subjected to hard wind.

[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, a plant protector to be arranged on a top of a plant is disclosed. The plant protector comprises a hat which is arranged for receiving a top of a plant, wherein the hat comprises an outer edge. The plant protector further comprises a plurality of legs, wherein each leg comprises a first end and an opposite (preferably free) second end, wherein the first ends of the plurality of legs are attached to the outer edge of the hat and are spaced apart from each other along the outer edge of the hat. Each leg has a length which is similar with a distance between the first end and the second end of the leg, wherein each leg further comprises an inner side and an opposite outer side. The inner side faces the trunk of the plant (top) when the plant protector is arranged on a top of a plant in a mounted position, and the outer side of the leg thus faces away from the trunk of the plant when the plant protector is arranged on a top of a plant, in its mounted position thereon. The plant protector further comprises a resilient securing device, which is to be arranged on the plant protector such as enclosing at least a majority of the plurality of legs in a securing position which is a position between the first and second ends of the legs. The securing device is arranged to secure that the plant protector remains on a top of a plant by means of a spring force of the securing device, which spring force acts on at least the majority of the legs in direction from the outside towards the inside of the legs, when the resilient securing device is arranged on the plant protector in the securing position.

[0008] By such plant protector, the plant will be protected from grazing by that the protector remains on the top of the plant over time, where the hat is kept in an uppermost position and where the legs protrude downwards in the mounted position on the top and thus stabilize the protector in its mounted position on the top of the plant. By that the design, the plant protector also follows the growth of the plant upwards and is especially well adapted for trees like pine (conifers), which have short or long needles, like pine or spruce. Further, the resilient securing device makes sure that the plant protector remains on the top of the plant even in bad weather conditions, i.e. during strong winds, which may cause a swinging motion of the plant and especially the top of the plant. This may result in that a plant protector may be thrown off the plant if the plant swings back and forth, because of strong winds subjecting the plant. By complementing the plant protector with the resilient securing device, with a spring-force acting on at least a majority of the legs inwards, in direction towards the stem/trunk of the top, the plant protector is kept in place over time and also in windy locations. As mentioned above, the plant protector follows the growth of the plant and stays in position on the top whereby the plant is protected over time and doesn't need any further work efforts during the first years (5-7 years), like repositioning once a year like in prior art solutions, which is time consuming and cost driving. Other solutions like spraying repellant on the plants must also be repeated one or several times a year during the first years after planting, to protect the plant from grazing animals over time. By the inventive plant protector, a simple and cost-efficient solution for protecting a plant from grazing animals over time is thereby achieved, and which also remains on the top of the plant when the plant is subjected to strong winds.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the resilient securing device is ring-shaped, wherein the ring-shaped securing device is arranged to be applied around the legs of the plant protector by that an opening of the ring-shaped securing device is arranged to receive the plant protector, and wherein the ring-shaped securing device is resilient at least in a radial direction, which substantially is a transverse direction relative the legs. Such securing device is easy to thread over the plant protector and since it is resilient, the spring-force acts inwards on substantially all legs of the plant protector, wherein a force is applied to the legs, which prevents the legs from loosen their “grip” around the trunk of the top of the plant.

[00010] According to an embodiment, the ring-shaped securing device is a coil spring. By a coil spring is meant a spring where a winding of the spring thread runs around an “imaginary ring”, such as the coil spring meets its own end and thus runs “continuously” around “the imaginary ring", and thus forms the ring-shaped securing device. The ring-shaped securing device thus functions the same as rubber band and has a first radius from the center of the ring-shape and out to the center of the circumferentially running coil spring (similar with the center of the imaginary ring), wherein the radius of the ring-shaped securing device is substantially perpendicular to the extension ofthe legs of the plant protector when the securing device is mounted to it. The winding of the spring thread of the coil spring has a second radius from its center (the center of the imaginary ring) to the spring thread, wherein this second radius extends substantially in the same direction as the extension ofthe legs. Such a securing device may flex in the transverse direction relative the legs of the plant protector and it is easy to install and secure the plant protector on the top of the plant by first place the hat on the top such as legs protrude downwards and when the plant protector is positioned. The next step is to secure it by expanding the coil spring and thread it over the plant protector and position the coil spring somewhere between the first and second ends of the legs, and then release it, wherein the spring-force causes the coil spring to contract. By that, the legs are pushed towards the trunk of the top of the plant and the plant protector is secured. No prior art solutions provide such easy and secure solution for a maintained protection over time. Another alternative may be to use a so-called leaf spring arranged as a ring in the same way as in a start device often used in relation to a starting device of at combustion engines or similar. This is a type of flat spring which runs around a center with an increasing radius for every turn around the center. Such a spring also is resi|ient at least in a radial direction, which substantially is a transverse direction relative the legs, wherein the spring-force acts in the radial direction. Yet another option may be a plastic or metal type of open securing device /spring 4 which has a ring-shape in a closed position and comprises two free ends, each with a type of “lock” protrusion, like a ball or the like. The free ends may be entered around the legs of the plant protector by enclosing the two free ends of the spring around the legs of the plant protector and then close the ends such as the free ends grip each other and is prevented from leaving each other by means of the lock protrusions. This type is also resi|ient and causes a spring force on the legs.

[00011] According to at least one of the plurality of legs comprises a stop arranged between the first and second ends of the leg, at a stop position. The stop position is arranged at a distance from the second end of the leg, wherein the stop position determines the securing position of the plant protector. The stop may for example be positioned at a tested position somewhere along at least one of the legs, for example close to the first end of the leg (near the hat), close to the second end of the leg (near the free end) or somewhere therebetween, in a tested position. One alternative may be that the stop position is close to the end of a shortened leg, which is the at least one leg comprising the stop, whereby the legs without the stop may be longer. Preferably, at least two, three or four legs of the total number of legs (for example of twelve legs) comprise the stop. The stop is arranged for cooperation with the securing device to prevent the securing device from leaving its securing position at the plant protector. By that the plant protector comprises a stop, the plant protector may be complemented with a securing device if needed at the same time as installing it on the plant or later if the need occurs later.

[00012] According to an embodiment, the stop is a heel arranged on the outside of the at least one leg and protrudes from the same, preferably radially outwards from the outside of the leg of the plant protector. This is a simple and cost efficient solution which is possible arrange in for example an ejection molding casting tool.

[00013] According to an embodiment, the stop is a bend, wherein the second end of the at least one leg protrudes radially outwards from the plant protector after the bend. This bend functions as the stop in this solution.

[00014] According to an embodiment, the at least one leg which comprises the bend is shorter compared to a leg which do not comprise the bend. Thus, the stop is arranged at the second free end of the at least one leg which comprises the stop.

[00015] According to an embodiment, the plant protector comprises a biodegradable material. The plant protector may preferably be produced in a material which is biodegradable, which means that the plant protectorwill slowly degrade over a predetermined number of years with no or less impact on the nature. One example of material could be Fibrolon® S 7530, which is a biodegradable fiber reinforced compound with a high content of natural material, which more or less comprise a mixture of natural fibers and corn starch in a compound suitable for different production methods like injection molding or profile extrusion. The degradation time is tested to achieve a lasting protection of the plant as long as it is necessary, at least during the first 3-10 years, and the material may differ depending on the time needed for different type of plants/trees. Another positive aspect is that if the plant protector accidentally is eaten by an animal, the material is not dangerous for the animal and further, the plant protector has no sharp edges or the like which could cause injuries to the animals or human beings in contact with the plant protector. The plant protector may alternatively be produced by standard plastic material of such kind suitable for producing the plant protector in a cost-saving way, for example by injection molding or the like, and instead recycle the plant protector as plastic or reuse the plant protector on new plants, when it has served its function on older plants. Several material options are possible. lt is further an advantage, when using a biodegradable material, that all plant protectors produced are ofthe same type, preferably biodegradable and comprising a stop or several stops. By that, only the plants in areas with a problem with strong winds may be equipped with plant protectors complemented with the securing device as an option for extra security, and all other plant protectors may be without the securing device, and thus may be left for degrading, without any harm of animals and nature.

[00016] According to an embodiment, the plurality of legs is from 6 - 14 legs. By having a quite large number of legs, preferably evenly distributed along the edge of the hat and at a distance from each other, the plant protector is very well adopted to fit the top of plants like pine with a lot of needles like for example spruce and pine, and further, the legs are provided with individual flexibility and the top may be “ventilated” by the long slits between which air may stream. The width of one leg is preferably between 1 - 8% of the length of the leg. The relation between the width and the length of the legs may be crucial to achieve a good positioning and fixation over time and during installation of the plant protector on the top. Tests proves that it is positive that the legs are quite slender to achieve this. Prior art solutions comprise only up to four legs which is not even near to achieve the same functionality of staying in place on the top of the plant when the plant is growing, and thus follows the growth in a secure way.

[00017] According to an embodiment, the hat has the shape of a cone, and the legs extends tangential from the outer edge ofthe cone-shaped hat. Further, it is preferred that the hat comprises perforations to allow sun light and air to reach the top, which is important for the growth of the plant. The legs extend tangential from the edge of the hat and they protrude downwards and by that at least partly encloses the tree trunk when installed on the plant. The size of the plant protector may of course differ depending on the type of plant and of course other shapes of the hat is incorporated into the inventive concept.

[00018] The plant protector further may comprise a scent. The scent, which may be any scent suitable for the purpose -to make the plant less attractive for the grazing animals -like a repellant or the like, may be applied onto the plant protector surface or may be applied into the material of the plant protector, for long lasting effect and for further protection against grazing animals over a longer time.

Since the plant protector may be biodegradable, the scent applied into the material (as a part of the material or a material with a scent) is released over time in a better way. One example of a suitable scent or material with a scent which is effective to protect the plant, and which may be applied on the plant protector or into the material, is mutton fat.

[00019] The plant protector further may comprise a transparent material. By transparent material is meant transparent to a certain optional degree which may vary depending on the need for a specific type of plant. The transparency is chosen to ensure a sufficient amount of sunlight to the top, and the option may be that the material is transparent or semi-transparent. The choice of material may also be combined with perforations or no perforations of the hat and/or legs and may vary with the demands for different type of plants.

[00020] Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the detailed description below.

Brief description of drawinqs

[00021] The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[00022] Fig. 1a is a view of a plant protector according to the invention. [00023] Fig. 1b is a view of the inventive plant protector of Fig. 1a from above. [00024] Fig. 1c is a view of the inventive plant protector of Fig. 1a from below.

[00025] Fig. 2 is a view of a plant protector according to the invention where a securing device is about to be installed on the plant protector.

[00026] Fig. 3a-d show alternative securing devices for use in cooperation with the inventive plant protector.

Detailed description [00027] Briefly described, a plant protector 1 which protects the top of a plant over time, is provided. The inventive design makes sure that the plant protector continues to protect the top while the plant is growing over the years and also during bad weather conditions, i.e., when the plant is subjected to strong winds.

[00028] Fig. 1a-c shows the plant protector 1 according to the invention in views from the side, from above and from below. The plant protector 1 is to be arranged on a top of a plant (not visible) by that the plant protector 1 firstly comprises a hat 2. The plant protector is mainly designed to fit pine trees like pine or spruce which both have pine needles/spruce needles protruding out from the trunk of the tree/plant. The hat 2 is arranged to receive a top of a plant, by that the hat 2 preferably is designed with a cone-shape, which form is well-suited to receive the top of the plant into the hat 2, both during installation and to remain it in position at the top over time. Other shapes may of course be applicable, for example that the hat 2 has a shape of a hollow halfglobe. The hat 2 preferably comprises perforations 2b. Depending on which type of plant, perforations of the hat may be needed to not inhibit the growth of the plant. The top, at least of some plants, is sensitive and it might be crucial that sunlight and moisture reaches the top of the plant. To ensure sufficient amount of sunlight to the top, one further option could be that the material may be transparent or semi-transparent. The perforations 2b of the hat 2 may be used alone or in combination with a transparent or semi- transparent material and the perforations may vary in number and size depending on the plant or due to other functions. The hat 2 is when positioned on a top of a plant in an uppermost position, which more or less is as seen in Fig. 1a, in an upright position with the hat 2 upwards. The plant protector 1 comprises a plurality of legs 3, preferably six to fourteen legs, for example twelve legs. Each leg 3 comprises a first end 3a and an opposite second end 3b, wherein the first ends 3a of the plurality of legs 3 are attached to an outer edge 2a of the hat 2, spaced apart from each other along the outer edge 2a of the hat 2. Each leg 3 has a length l which is similar with a distance between the first end 3a and the second end 3b of the leg 3. Further, each leg 3 comprises an inner side 3c and an opposite outer side 3d, wherein the inner side 3c faces the plant when the plant protector 1 is arranged on a top of a plant, and the outer side 3d of the leg 3 thus faces away from the plant when the plant protector 1 is arranged on a top of a plant. The top of the plant (not visible) is so to speak in position inside the plant protector 1, between the legs 3, and the pine needles/ spruce needles or the like may protrude outwards from the trunk of the plant between the legs 3 of the plant protector 1. ln the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, all legs 3 are of equal length, but the legs 3 may of course have different lengths, for example, every other leg may be a bit shorter and every other leg longer, or other combinations. The legs 3 extend downward from the edge 2a of the hat 2, referring to the position of the plant protector 1 on a plant, and by that the legs 3 at least partly encloses the tree trunk when installed on the plant. The legs 3 support the plant protector 1 in its position on the top by that they enclose the tree trunk and by that the legs 3 may enclose needles and tree branches below the top, such as the plant protector 1 is kept in place over time.

[00029] The plant protector 1 further comprises that at least one of the plurality of legs 3 comprises a stop 3e arranged between the first and second ends 3a, 3b of the leg 3. The stop 3e determines a securing position S of the plant protector 1 and the stop 3e is arranged to stop a resilient securing device 4 from leaving the securing position S of the plant protector 1. This will be explained below when describing Fig. 2. The stop 3e preferably is a plurality of stops 3e, like two, three, four or more stops arranged evenly distributed on legs 3 around the circumference of the plant protector 1, for example on opposite sides as seen in Figs. 1b-c, where four stops 3e are arranged evenly distributed around the circumference of the plant protector 1. The stops 3e may have any form and may also be one or more stops 3e on each leg 3 which comprises the stop 3e. The latter that the stop 3e may prevent a motion downwards of the securing device 4 (see below), or upwards or both up- and downwards if a securing device 4 is arranged between two stops 3e of a leg 3. ln the preferred embodiment the stop 3e is a heel arranged on the outside 3d of the at least three of the legs 3 and which heel 3e protrudes from the leg 3, preferably radially outwards (relating to the plant protector) from the outside 3d of the leg 3 of the plant protector 1. An alternative solution may be that the stop 3e is a bend, wherein the second end 3b of the leg/legs 3 with the stop 3e protrudes radially outwards from the plant protector 1 after the bend 3e. This may be achieved by just bend for example three legs 3 outvvards such as the leg itself constitutes the stop 3e by protruding outwards.Preferably, the leg 3 which comprises the bend 3e is shorter compared to a leg 3 which do not comprise the bend 3e to avoid long protruding legs 3 outwards from the plant protector. The legs 3 with the bend 3e thus ends near the bend.

[00030] Further, a width w of the leg 3 is between 1 - 20 % of the length I of the leg 3, and more preferred the width w of the leg 3 is between 2 - 8 % of the length l of the leg 3. This, to ensure a slender design of the legs which is crucial to achieve a good positioning and fixation over time and to ensure an easy installation of the plant protector 1 on the top.

[00031] Due to that the legs 3 are spaced apart, a good ventilation is supplied to the top of the plant, and the number of legs 3, the distance between them as well as the length or different lengths may be elaborated within the inventive scope, to ensure good functionality both due to ventilation, protection functionality and the keeping the plant protector 1 in position over time etc.

[00032] The plant protector 1 further comprises a biodegradable material which is suitable for injection moulding, like Fibrolon® S 7530, which is a biodegradable compound with a high content of natural material. The plant protector 1 produced by injection moulding for example in Fibrolon® S 7530 or the like, is very soft and has no sharp edges and by that is gentle both to humans which handles and installs the plant protector 1 as well to animals which for example may step on the plant protector 1 if it by some reason is dropped at the ground or which accidently may be chewed at, or swallowed by, an animal. Further, the material will degrade and will therefore not leave litter all over the countryside. Further, the plant protector 1 may comprise a scent (repellant) to provide a second protection to the plant, to supplement the mechanical protection. The scent may be applied onto surfaces of the plant protector or may be incorporated into the material.

[00033] The size of the plant protector 1 may of course differ depending on the type of plant and of course other shapes of the hat is incorporated into the inventive concept. The design of the plant protector 1 makes sure it follows the growth ofthe plant and stays in position on the top, whereby the plant is protected over time and doesn't need any further efforts like repositioning after installation.[00034] The legs 3 may have a slightly outwardly extension along their length l, such as the edge 2a of the hat 2, to which the first end 3a of the legs 3 are attached, has a first diameter, and a second diameter, between the second ends 3b of the legs 3, has a slightly larger diameter compared to the first diameter. This, to enable an easy installation of the plant protector1 on the top of the plant. Alternatively, the legs 3 may have a slightly inwardly extension such as the second diameter, between the second ends 3b of the legs 3, has a slightly smaller diameter compared to the first diameter. Another option may be that the first and second diameters are equal such as the legs 3 protrudes straight down (not inwards or outwards).

[00035] Fig. 2 is a view of a plant protector 1 where the resilient securing device 4 is about to be installed on the plant protector 1. The resilient securing device 4 is arranged to be installed on the plant protector1 such as enclosing at least a majority of the plurality of legs 3 in the securing position S between the first and second ends 3a, 3b of the legs 3. By that, the resilient securing device 4 secures that the plant protector 1 remains on a top of a plant also in windy conditions. At some locations, the plant protector 1 without the securing device 4, may be perfectly kept in place over the years, but in other windier locations, the resilient securing device 4 may be needed, and that's why preferably all plant protectors 1 produced are prepared with a stop to be complemented by a resilient securing device 4. The resilient securing device 4 is any kind of spring, which by means of a spring force F acts on at least the majority of the legs 3 in direction from the outside 3d towards the inside 3c of the legs 3 of the plant protector, when the resilient securing device 4 is arranged on the plant protector 1 in the securing position S (the installation is explained below). The resilient securing device 4 may preferably be ring-shaped, wherein the ring-shaped securing device 4 is arranged to be applied around the legs 3 of the plant protector 1 by that an opening 4a of the ring-shaped securing device 4 is arranged to receive the plant protector 1, like in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3a-b. The ring-shaped securing device 4 is resilient at least in a radial direction, which substantially is a transverse direction relative the extension of the legs 3 of the plant protector 1. Preferably, the ring-shaped securing deviceis a so-called coil spring, which may be seen in Fig. 2 and 3a. The coil spring is atype where a winding of the spring thread runs around an “imaginary ring", such as the coil spring meets its own end and thus runs “continuously” around “the imaginary ring”, and thus forms the ring-shaped securing device 4. The ring- shaped securing device 4 thus functions the same as rubber band and has a first radius from the center of the ring-shape and out to the center of the circumferentially running coil spring (similar with the center of the imaginary ring), wherein the radius of the ring-shaped securing device 4 is substantially perpendicular to the extension of the legs 3 of the plant protector 1 when the securing device 4 is mounted to it. The winding of the spring thread of the coil spring has a second radius from its center (the center of the imaginary ring) to the spring thread, wherein this second radius extends substantially in the same direction as the extension ofthe legs 3. Such securing device 4 may flex in the transverse direction relative the legs 3 of the plant protector 1 and it is easy to install and secure the plant protector 1 on the top of the plant.

[00036] The first step when installing the plant protector is to first place the hat 2 on a top of a plant such as legs 3 protrude downwards and then the plant protector 1 is positioned such as the pine needles/spruce needles protrudes between the legs 3. The next step is to secure the plant protector 1 (if needed) by expanding the securing device/coil spring 4 and thread it over the plant protector 1 and position the coil spring 4 at the securing position S, on top of the stops 3e, and then release the coil spring 4, wherein the spring-force F causes the coil spring 4 to contract. By that, the legs 3 are pushed towards the trunk of the top ofthe plant and the plant protector 1 is secured to the top of the plant. Another alternative may be to use a so-called leaf spring as seen in Fig. 3b, which is arranged as a ring in the same way as in a start device often used in relation to a starting device at a chainsaw or other combustion engines. This is a type of flat spring which runs around a center with an increasing radius for every turn around the center. Such a spring also is resilient at least in a radial direction, which substantially is a transverse direction relative the legs, wherein the spring-force acts in the radial direction. The two securing devices presented above (Fig. 3a-b) may normally be metal springs, but, if possible, a plastic solution or a solution with biodegradable material may be possible. Yet another option may be a plastic or metal type ofopen securing device 4 /spring 4 as seen in Fig. 3c-d. This type has a ring-shape in its closed position and comprises two free ends 41, each with a type of “lock” protrusion 42 , like a ball or the like. The free ends 41 may be entered around the legs 3 of the plant protector 1 by enclosing the two free ends 41 of the spring 4 around the legs 3 of the plant protector 1 and then close the ends 41 of the spring 4 such as the free ends 41 grip each other and is prevented from leaving each other by means of the lock protrusions 42. This type is also resilient and causes a spring force F on the legs

[00037] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. lt will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above- described embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein and are intended to be encompassed hereby.

Claims

1. A plant protector (1) to be arranged on a top of a plant, the plant protector (1) comprising: a hat (2) arranged for receiving a top of a plant, wherein the hat (2) comprises an outer edge (2a), a plurality of legs (3), wherein each leg (3) comprising a first end (3a) and an opposite second end (3b), wherein the first ends (3a) of the plurality of legs (3) are attached to the outer edge (2a) of the hat (2) spaced apart from each other along the outer edge (2a) of the hat (2), and each leg (3) has a length (l) which is similar with a distance between the first end (3a) and the second end (3b) of the leg (3), wherein each leg (3) further comprises an inner side (3c) and an opposite outer side (3d), wherein the inner side (3c) faces the plant when the plant protector (1) is arranged on a top of a plant, and the outer side (3d) of the leg (3) thus faces away from the plant when the plant protector (1) is arranged on a top of a plant, characterized by that the plant protector (1 ) further comprises: a resilient securing device (4) which is to be arranged on the plant protector (1) such as enclosing at least a majority of the plurality of legs (3) in a securing position (S) between the first and second ends (3a, 3b) of the legs (3), wherein the securing device (4) is arranged to secure that the plant protector (1) remains on a top of a plant by means of a spring force (F) of the securing device (4), which spring force (F) acts on at least the majority of the legs (3) in direction from the outside (3d) towards the inside (3c) of the legs (3), when the resilient securing device (4) is arranged on the plant protector (1) in the securing position (S), ' “

2. Plant protector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the resilient securing device (4) is ring-shaped, wherein the ring-shaped securing device (4) is arrangedto be applied around the legs (3) of the plant protector (1) by that an opening (4a) of the ring-shaped securing device (4) is arranged to receive the plant protector (1 ), and wherein the ring-shaped securing device (4) is resilient at least in a radial direction, which substantially is a transverse direction relative the extension of the legs (3).

3. Plant protector (1) according to claim 2, wherein the ring-shaped securing device (4) is a coil spring. -------- -~¿g2§-_:_\_“_\_\_Plant protector (1) according to wclaim;§¿--~1ïl-, wherein the stop (3e) is a heel arranged on the outside (3d) of the at least one leg (3) and protrudes from the same, preferably radially outwards from the outside (3d) of the leg (3) of the plant protector (1 ). ------- protector (1) according to any of claims wherein the stop (3e) is a bend, wherein the second end (3b) of the at least one leg (3) protrudes radially outwards from the plant protector (1) after the bend (3e). ------- --¿;§_;__________Plant protector (1) according to claim wherein the at least one leg (3) which comprises the bend (3e) is shorter compared to a leg (3) which do not comprise the bend (3e). ------- --_}fj_.__“m_\_Plant protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant protector (1) comprises a biodegradable material. protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of legs (3) is from 6 - 14 legs.protector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hat (2) has the shape of a cone, and the legs (3) extends tangential from the outer edge (2a) of the cone-shaped hat (2).