WO2003063580A1

WO2003063580A1 - Adjustable plant support

Info

Publication number: WO2003063580A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/000121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jens Robertsson
Original assignee: Jens Robertsson
Priority date: 2002-02-01
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2003-08-07
Also published as: SE0200307L; SE0200307D0

Abstract

A plant support comprising a generally horizontal band (10) supported from vertical posts (30) inserted in the ground, the band being flexible to bend in the horizontal plane and shaped in the ends thereof to be detachably received in a connector (20) secured to the upper end of a post.

Description

TITLE

Adjustable plant support

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a plant support, and more specifically to an adjustable plant support that is structured basically to allow unlimited expansion to a desired radius and/or a desired length.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Commercially available prior art plant supports for flowers and bushes, flower bed plants, solitary plants, are typically formed as one piece elements produced from a rigid metal wire. These supports comprise a pair of vertical legs having the same length, the upper ends thereof connected through an arcuate wire portion. The radius of the arcuate portion is often dimensioned so that three or four supports are required in order to close a full circle. Among the drawbacks related with these plant supports one finds a high weight, unwieldy handling and transport, space requiring storage and a limited ability to closely adapt to the circumference of the plant placing the supports in overlapping position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overrule these and other drawbacks connected with the most common and commercially available plant supports for flowers and bushes.

This object is met by a plant support according to the accompanying claims, characterized by the features defined in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the plant support are defined by the subordinated claims. Briefly, there is provided a plant support comprising a flexible element running horizontally, both ends of the flexible element being detachably arrested in the upper end of a vertical post.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 is a partial, exploded view showing the details of the plant support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the plant support according to the invention is explained by reference to fig. 1. A supporting band 10 is formed to be detachably connected with the upper end of a standing post 30, by means of a connector 20. In a first embodiment the supporting band 10 is an elongated, flexible element that is supported between two posts 30 and arranged to run substantially in a straight path, or in an oval, arcuate path at a desired radius in a generally horizontal plane. In another embodiment the band 10 is bent to a circle, and the two ends of the band are connected to the upper end of a singular post 30 for the support of tree plants, e.g.

For example, the supporting band 10 is produced form synthetic material such as polypropylene plastics or other flexible and weather proof material. The band 10 preferably has a thickness and a section with a height/width ratio that permits flexibility in a horizontal plane, but is resistant to bending in a plane transversely thereto. The vertical side or height of the band may thus be considerably larger than the horizontal side or width thereof. As used herein, horizontal defines a direction or a plane that runs generally in parallel with the ground surface, and vertical defines a direction or a plane transversely thereto.

The supporting band 10 is formed in both ends with a connector means, such as a projection 11. The connector means may have the form of a bulge or a heel 11. Alternatively, the band 10 may have a number of successive projections 11 arranged for easy adjustment of the length of the supporting band. The projection 1 1 cooper- ates with a supplementary element on the connector 20 for detachable connection of the band 10 to the upper end of the post 30, as will be explained below.

The connector 20 comprises an upper plate 21 that covers the engagement with the band 10 and provides a grip for the hand when the connector is applied to the upper end of the post 30. To this purpose, the connector is formed in its lower side with a recess or seat 22, receiving the upper end of the post. The seat 22 is shaped for a form fit about the post end when the end is inserted in the seat 22, and may have three walls for a non-rotating engagement with a post having an angular section, as will be further explained below.

The connector 20 further comprises a socket 23 for detachably arresting the band 10. The socket 23 is open in both ends, or in generally opposite directions, for receiving and arresting the inserted end of a supporting band. Preferably, the socket has a slot or channel 24 passing through and which is formed with a section that is adapted to the band for a close fit as the band end is inserted in the socket. Alternatively, the channel 24 may be angularly arranged such that two band, inserted in the socket, extend from the socket at an intermediate angle. In the shown embodiment the socket 23 is depending from the lower side of the plate 11 , and may be formed to have a U-shape such that one (inner) leg also forms a wall in the seat 22. The other (outer) leg comprises recesses 25 shaped as holes, slots or cavities that are shaped to cooperate with the projections 11 of the supporting band in order to frictionally and detachably arrest the end of the band, inserted in the channel in the mounted position of the band. In the shown example the projection 1 1 is cup- shaped, and the recess 25 is a circular hole having a radius adapted to the cup. Alternatively, the projection of supporting band and the recess formed in the socket may be arranged as a snap engagement. The length of the socket may be adapted to the size of the plate 21, as shown. Alternatively, the socket is dimensioned as desired to extend within or outside the edge of the plate 21 in order to provide the band, received in the socket, the necessary stability in a vertical plane.

An alternative socket may comprise a second channel (not shown) that extends from the other or outer leg, transversely to the channel 24, in order to receive a third band in a T-form arrangement of the plant support. In yet an alternative embodiment (not shown), a socket is formed with two channels of limited length running in parallel, and relatively displaced to provide access to the recesses that cooperate with the projections on the band. Using a band with multiple projections arranged on a row provides the possibility of adjusting the length of the band and thus the radius of the plant support in order to encircle a plant.

The connector 20 may be produced from plastic material and is preferably molded in one piece. Alternatively, the connector is formed in another material such as light metal. In the shown example, both legs of socket 23 connect to the lower side of a circular plate 21 , alternatively though, one of the legs may be separated from the plate in order to provide a flexible retention of the projection 11 when received in the recess 25.

The post 30 provides a vertical upright that carries the supporting band 10 at a desired level. According to the shown embodiment, the post has a stiffening formation shaped as a longitudinal fold 31 such that the sides of the post extend at angularly spaced relation throughout the length of the post. Naturally, the possible alternatives for the sectional profile of the post are numerous, and the post may thus have a circular, triangular, rectangular or polygonal section. The post may also be tube shaped or formed with a homogenous section, or have an elongate or curved sectional profile throughout its length. In one alternative embodiment, the post is a tube and the connector seat is shaped as a dowel that is inserted in the tube. Locking means such as bolts or pins, e.g., may be considered for fixation of the connector to the post. It is however preferred, that the post and connector are shaped to provide a form fit and non-rotating engagement without the need for additional locking means, as the plant support is assembled.

In its lower end, the post 30 preferably is shaped with a point 32 in order to simplify the insertion of the post into the ground.

The invention provides a flexible plant support that is widely adaptable for supporting flowers/bushes and tree plants. The plant support is space saving when disassembled, the assembly is simple to perform without the use of tools, and it is produced from low weight and weather proof materials for long term use without changing the original appearance. As has been shown through the above examples, modifications of details are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A plant support comprising a supporting band (10) that is supported from a post (30), inserted in the ground, the band extending generally horizontally from the post in order to support a plant, the band being flexible in the horizontal plane and arranged to be detachably arrested in a connector (20) carried on the post, characterized by the connector (20) having a plate (21), a lower side of the plate being formed with a socket (23) having a through channel (24), the sectional profile of the channel being adapted to a sectional profile of the supporting band for receiving the ends of the band inserted in the channel, and a seat (22) formed in the lower side of the plate, the seat shaped for a form fit engagement about the upper end of the post when said end is inserted in the seat, the connector thereby non-rotationally supporting the socket (23) and the supporting band (10) in the upper end of the post without the need for supplementary locking means.

2. The plant support of claim 1, characterized by the socket (23) having a U-shape with an outer and an inner leg, the inner leg also forming a wall in the seat (22).

3. The plant support of claim 2, characterized by the post having a triangular section and the seat (22) having three walls, one of the walls providing the inner leg of the U-shaped socket (23).

4. The plant support of claim 1, characterized by the socket (23) and the supporting band (10) being formed with snap lock means for retaining the band in the socket.

5. The plant support of claim 1, characterized by the socket (23) being formed for frictionally engaging the supporting band (10).

6. The plant support of claim 4, characterized by the socket having an outer leg that is formed with two circular through holes (25) adapted to receive a cup-shaped heel (11) arranged in the ends, respectively, of the supporting band.

7. The plant support of any previous claim, characterized by the socket having two channels (24) running in parallel.

8. The plant support of any previous claim, characterized by the supporting band having multiple projections (11) arranged on a row for adjustment of the length of the mounted band.

9. The plant support of any previous claim, characterized by the socket having a second channel that extends transversely to the channel (24) to provide a T-shaped arrangement of supporting bands.

10. The plant support of any previous claim, characterized by the plate (21), the seat (22) and the socket (23) being integrally formed by molding of a plastic material or metal.