US2266470A

US2266470A - Plant support

Info

Publication number: US2266470A
Application number: US253394A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry J Moran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-01-28
Filing date: 1939-01-28
Publication date: 1941-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 1958-12-16

Description

Dec. 16, 1941. H. J. MORAN PLANT SUPPORT Filed Jan. 28, 1939 Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT QFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to supports for shubbery.

One of the disadvantages experienced by growers of shrubbery during the growing season, is the tendency of the shrub or plant to sag due to the additional weight of blossoms or berries or the like. Under these conditions the shrub assumes an ungainly or unsightly appearance and very often suffers damage due to excess bending. One of the important objects of my invention is the provision of a support which will overcome this disadvantage and by which the plant may be .safely confined and more advantageously displayed.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a support which may be easily and quickly applied or removed as conditions require.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a support of the above character which is simple of construction, cheap in manufacture and efficient in operation.

Further and additional objects of my invention will become apparent from the following specifications.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like thoughts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a plan View of m invention illustrating its operation in connection with a rose bush.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of my invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the same showing a part of the elements in their operative position.

Figure 4 is a plan view of my invention illustrating the method of operation, and

Figure 5 is a top view of one of the elements of my invention shown in cross section.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l0 designates a vertical shaft or upright adapted to be driven or otherwise imbedded in the ground near the plant 7 or shrub to be supported as illustrated by the numeral I l in Figure 1. While I have illustrated the shaft or post as four-sided and being of wood it is of course understood that it may be of iron, concrete or any rigid material. The length of the shaft or post is determined by the height and character of the shrub in connection with which it is intended to be used.

Secured to the shaft III as by screw threads I! or by other proper expedient appropriate to the material of which the shaft is composed, are a plurality of hook like members l3. Referring in particular to Figure 4, the hooks l3 are positioned with respect to the post and to each other as to form four separated units, each of the units being composed of two hooks disposed on opposite sides of the post and on approximately the same plane. The openings l4 between the post and hooks of each unit are faced in the same direction and opposite the loop I5, hereinafter described, When such loop is in engagement with the hooks as better illustrated in Figure 2.

The loops or flexible elements it: are preferably of a fibrous material such as hemp, cotton rope or the like, as it has been found that such fibrous material is less injurious to the plants or shrubbery with which it comes into contact. It has also been found that hard rubber or other relatively smooth material impregnated with a resinous substance may be used to a good advantage. The length of the loop or flexible element is predetermined by the siZe and character of the shrub to be supported. Attached to each end of the flexible element l5 by means of screw threads I6 is an eye I]. The sleeve l8 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 operates to compress the material at the end of the flexible element thus furnishing a better foundation for the screw eye.

In operation, the flexible element is looped about a portion of the bush on one side of the upright and the eyes at each end of the element are respectively brought into engagement with the corresponding facing hooks of the appropriate unit. The weight of the branches confined within the loop tends to urge the element outwardly from the shaft, thetension thus created providing a more secure engagement of the eyes with the hooks. The several hook units are disposed on different planes with respect to the shaft toavoid binding or interference between the loops.

While I have illustratedthe use of four loops and four corresponding hook units it will of course be understood that under certain conditions some of such elements may be dispensed with. It will further be understood that if conditions warrant, a larger number of groups or sets of hook units and corresponding loops may be disposed at various intervals throughout the length of the shaft.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A four-sided support for plants and shrubs comprising a vertical shaft,'a plurality of hook units attached to said shaft in difierent planes and extending from all four sides thereof, each of said hook units comprising two open hooks disposed uponopposite sides of said shaft and in the same plane with and. facing eachother, and a plurality of relatively smooth flexible elements of predetermined length each having an eye secured at each end thereof adapted to detachably engage the corresponding hooks of the respec tive units.

HENRY J. MORAN.