WO2009005266A2

WO2009005266A2 - Tree branch supporting device

Info

Publication number: WO2009005266A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003817
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soo Yeon Kim
Original assignee: Soo Yeon Kim
Priority date: 2007-07-05
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: KR100810091B1; WO2009005266A3; CN101541164B; CN101541164A

Abstract

The present invention relates to equipment for supporting branches of fruit trees. The present invention is a supporting equipment for protection of fruit trees in harvest seasons consisting of: the lower section fixable to the ground, the main supporting post extended from the lower prop, The length-adjusting system located at the upper part of the main supporting post which includes a movable ring-type equipment, and the branch holders connected to the upper section. The present invention enables length adjusting according to various tree lengths, and the ring equipment is designed larger than the tree trunk successfully preventing the branches from bending when tied the ring with ropes. The distances between branches are minimized making them tougher against rain and winds. The ring equipments and the holders can be easily removed and attached to different trees when needed, and adjusting the height of the holders can enable air ventilation and control sun light upgrading the productivity and quality of the harvested fruits, maximizing the profit.

Description

Description TREE BRANCH SUPPORTING DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for supporting branches of fruit trees, in particular, to protect and support branches from pressure and weight of growing fruits, leading to a safe harvest.

[2]

Background Art

[3] When fruits such as apples and pears, and vegetables such as eggplants and tomatoes grow to its maximum size, branches suffer great weight forces, it is common for the branches to easily break and lose their fruits by rainstorms. And also leaves block sunlight from fruits, resulting in lack of color, losing taste and value.

[4] In many of these cases, supporting posts were placed between the ground and branches to prevent breakage of branches due to weight of fruits.

[5] But, usage of these posts decreased productivity as a post each needed to be installed to every branch extended from tree body, resulting financial difficulties due to increased labor cost. And also the amount of space the posts possessed caused disturbance of transportation and crop dusting.

[6] Previously, a fruit tree branch sagging preventing device (Utility No.20-042705) was provided to solve these problems. Main supporting post was installed closely to tree trunk and a flange with radial shaped hangers was formed around upper part of post. Ropes attached to each hangers formed loops around branches and were attached back to hangers by clamps, ropes from upper center of tree looping around branches to support and protect from weight.

[7] But the ropes being attached to stabilized flange made the length adjustments of ropes due to different heights of trees causing increased workload by working with ladders, and the distance from flange weakened the branches against rainstorm.

[8]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[9] The object of the present invention is to overcome the previous problems. It is to provide a Tree Branch Supporting Device capable of adjusting its height according to different trees, minimize distance between ring and branch to toughen against rainstorm, decrease workload and provide convenience to users by reducing the procedure of climbing through branches for holder installation. Technical Solution

[11] To overcome these problems, the present invention comprises the lower section which is fixable to ground, the main supporting post extended from the lower prop, the length-adjusting section located at the upper part of the main supporting post which includes a moving ring tool, and the branch holders connected to the upper section.

[12]

Advantageous Effects

[13] As described above, the height of ring equipment is adjustable according to different tree length. Diameter of ring is designed to be larger than the diameter of tree trunks, and ropes are attached to the ring to successfully prevent branches from curving, also minimizing distance to branch, toughening branches against rainstorms. Rings and holders are easily removable and attachable to different trees and branches at needs, and branch supporters are designed to be closely installed to branches to safely protect branches and provide convenience to users. Height of holders are adjustable enabling air ventilation and allowing enough sunlight helping production of high quality fruits and maximizing profit.

[14]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] Below is a detailed description of the present invention in reference to accompanying drawings.

[16] Figure 1 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating tree branch supporting device.

[17] Figure 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating tree branch supporting device.

[18] Figure 3 is a view illustrating the operation state of tree branch supporting device.

[19] Figure 4 is a view illustrating the use state of tree branch supporting device.

[20] Figure 5, 6 are views illustrating the operation state of ring tool of tree branch supporting device.

[21] Figure 7, 8 are views illustrating the operation state of holder tools of tree branch supporting device.

[22] Figure 9, 10 are views illustrating the operation state of Figure 7 8

[23]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[24] As illustrated in figure 1 and figure 4, the present invention tree branch supporting device is fixed by inserting lower part into ground, the center section being the main supporting post(lθ) tied by stabilizing rope(l) to the tree trunk, and length adjustable equipment(30) on upper part of main post(lθ) which is ring equipment(20) inserted to move, holders(40) supporting branches are installed between the ring(20) and branches.

[25] Certain length of upper supporting post(lθ) is inserted into ground, lower part where it is inserted into ground is provided with lower supporter (12), forms a cylinder with certain diameter. During this process, adjustment of length of main supporting post(lθ) is possible.

[26] Upper ring equipment(20) is stabilized by vertical movement post(22) placed at upper part of main supporting post enabling relocation to a different tree, and upward and downward bars(24)(25) located at upper and lower parts other than vertical movement post(22), made of horizontal ring(27) of certain diameter.

[27] The horizontal ring(27) has influx(28) for insertion of tree trunk and branches, and on both sides of influx(28) are protrusions(28a)(28b) forms upward curves. The horizontal ring(27) is manufactured according to various sizes of trees, or reasonably, it is manufactured in sizes varying from minimum of 10cm up to 100cm.

[28] Upper part height adjusting equipment (30) is of screws (32) and controlling bolt(34) adjusting the height of vertical movement posts(22) optionally removable from screws(32).

[29] Upper part holders(40) of certain length comprises of ropes(45) consisting of upper and lower hangers (42) (43), movable holders(50) around ropes(45), ropes(45) closely attached to lower part, and branch supporters (47).

[30] Upper hangers(42) optionally connects to around horizontal ring(27), downward horizontal bars(25) and protrusions(28a)(28b). Lower hangers(43) optionally connects to movable holders(50); which mentioned later; and rope escape prevention equipment(52)(53) located at upper and lower part.

[31] Supporting grooves(47a) are formed on upper branch supporters (47) to safely support branches, and a secession preventing tool(47b) is applied to the lower part of the device to prevent ropes(45) from seceding. The branch supporters (47) are made of synthetic resins, and incisions(48) are formed in equal intervals at supporting incisions(47a) on branch holders(47) and upper part of secession preventing tool(47b), tightly closing and spreading the tree branches, successfully absorbing the pressure which the branches suffer.

[32] Upper moving holders(50) are applied to allow cross movements of surrounding tools of ropes(45), and the secession of upper and lower rope(45) is prevented by installing rope secession preventing tool(52)(53) for optional connection of lower hanger of rope(45).

[33] The operation state of the present invention can be described in regard to figure 1 and figure 2. The main supporting post(lθ) is inserted into ground in certain depth located nearby to a fruit tree in harvest season. The lower part of the main supporting post(lθ) is inserted into the ground and its vertical position is maintained by lower prop (12). The main supporting post(lθ) is tied to the tree trunk by stabilizing rope(l)

[34] Vertically moving pole(22) forming ring tool(20) is inserted via upper part of main supporting post(lθ), and the tree trunk and branches are inserted into the horizontal ring(27) of the ring tool(20) through influx(28). When vertically moving pole(22) is moved downward, ring tool(20) moves downward without any disturbance of branches, and when it reaches certain height, horizontal ring(27) of ring tool(20) located in upper part of main supporting post(lθ) is stabilized by tightening controlling bolt(34) of the length-adjusting section(30).

[35] Branches is inserted undamaged as influx(28) is relocated by spinning horizontal ring(27) of the ring tool(20).

[36] Upper hanger(42)of rope(45) forming holder tool(40) is optionally connected to downward bars(25) and horizontal ring(27), movable holder(50) to appropriate height and branch is inserted into supporting grooves (47 a) of branch holder(47). When rope(45) is connected to secession preventing tool(47b) of supporting grooves(47a), and lower movable holder (50) is connected to upper rope(45) of upper secession preventing tool, a branch is supported safely.

[37] When many tree branches are facing in one direction, and a few in the other, lower hangers (42) (43) of rope(45) is connected between downward bar(25) and horizontal ring, the branches are separated to allow air ventilation and sunlight control enabling a good harvest of fruit.

[38]

[39] In regard to figure 7 and 8, by moving moving-holder(50), in which installed to allow cross movement of rope(45), upward and downward and connecting lower hanger(43) onto upper rope(45) of secession preventing tool(52) of movable holder(50), length of rope(45) is adjusted safely supporting branches to protect fruit.

[40] In regard to figure 9 and 10, incisions (48) of branch holder(47) made of synthetic resin tightly closes and spreads tree branches, successfully absorbing the pressure which the branches suffer.

[41] In regard to figure 5 and 6, to adjust the height of ring tool(20), controlling bolt(34) is loosened, and after vertically movable bar(22) is moved appropriately along main supporting post(lθ), controlling bolt(34) is connected to screw(32) of main supporting post(lθ), height of vertically movable bar(22) is adjusted, therefore adjusting height of ring tool(20).

Claims

[1] Tree Branch Supporting Device comprising: the lower section fixable to the ground, the main supporting post(lθ) extended from the lower prop(12), The length-adjusting section(30) located at the upper part of the main supporting post which includes a movable ring-type equipment(20), and the branch holders connected to the upper section. The upper ring type equipment (20) is a horizontal ring (27) stabilized by the vertically movable post(22) in the upper part of the upper post(lθ); and numerous upward bars(24) and downward bars(25) in upper and lower parts of areas other than the vertically movable post(22), consisting of an influx(28) and upwardly curved protrusions (28a)(28b) on both sides;

[2] The device of Claim 1,

Tree Branch Supporting Device comprising of upper ring equipment (20) and holder equipment (40) for branch protection, wherein upper holder equipment being ropes (45) with equipped upper part connecting links(42) and lower part connecting links (43) ; movable holders(50) attached around upper rope(45), supporting grooves(47a), where upper rope(45) is attached closely on its lower part and branches safely placed on its upper part, and a branch holder(47) with a secession preventing tool(47b) to prevent secession by a rope attached to its lower part.

[3] The device of claim 2,

Tree Branch Supporting Device comprising of incisions(48) formed in equal intervals at supporting incision(47a) on branch holder(47) and upper part of secession preventing tool(47b).

[4] The device of claim 3,

Tree Branch Supporting Device comprising of upper part moving holder Where tools around upper rope(45) are attached so its is possible for cross movements, and on upper and lower parts, tool for preventing secession of ropes(52)(53) are facing in opposite directions.