WO2013151779A1

WO2013151779A1 - Articulated device for training and staking agricultural plants

Info

Publication number: WO2013151779A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/032836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Owen PAPWORTH
Original assignee: Papworth Owen
Priority date: 2012-04-04
Filing date: 2013-03-18
Publication date: 2013-10-10

Abstract

In a first preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates a device for staking and training a plant. The device includes a vertical support member and an articulating member selectively coupled to the vertical support member by a securing means. Further, a support arm releasably couples to the articulating member by means of a rotating mechanism. The device further contemplates that the support arm include at least one hole adapted to receive at least one tie-off or peg, the rotating mechanism includes a quick-release feature that enables a user to quickly position the support arm at any desired position about a 360-degree arc, and the articulating member securing means includes a C-shaped slot member on a body having a quick-release mechanism to allow a user to quickly secure the articulating member at any desired vertical height relative to the vertical support member at any position about a 360-degree arc.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

[01 ] Articulated device for training and staking agricultural plants. INVENTOR:

[02] Owen Papworth PRIORITY CLAIM

[03] The present invention, being filed as a Patent Cooperation Treaty application, claims benefit for all purposes, including benefit under 35 USC Section 1 1 9(e), of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61 /620,379 filed on 04 April 201 2 entitled "Articulated device for training and staking agricultural plants" by the common inventor Owen Papworth.

BACKGROUND

[04] The present invention relates to articulated members adapted for use as a staking device for agricultural plants and more particularly to a device well- adapted to train branches of agricultural plants.

[05] Commercial nurseries, home growers, and every gardener in between have staked plants using a variety of available devices from a section of straight bamboo pole to elaborate wire-frame cage devices. And, most plants seem to do so well on their own during the first half of the growing season, but sooner or later most of them fall prey to a not-too-gentle nudge from wind and rain, or their own inherent weaknesses resulting in a lopsided, down-graded landscape and resulting in lower yields to crops. [06] Although there are different strategies and opinions on the best approach to staking plants, there is little argument that many plants need to be staked - but as to the type and shape of stake, again opinions and strategies vary. This variation in stake designs is better understood by reviewing some exemplary descriptions in this art.

[07] For example, U. S. Patent No. 2,990,647 issued to C. A. Himebaugh on 1 961 -07-04 teaches a flow and vine support device having a vertical central member adapted to insert in the ground and several horizontally arranged support arms rigidly extending from this central member.

[08] Anderson teaches, in U.S. Patent No. 4,048,752 issued on 1 977-09-20, a multi-sectional support including a segment consisting of a central vertical member supporting a rigidly attached cross bar that in turn support an annular member horizontally arranged. A series of these segments interlock vertically on top of each other to extend upward from the ground.

[09] Again, rigid horizontal members coupled to a vertical upright member appear in the teaching of Tearoe in U.S. Patent No. 6,925,754 issued on 2005- 08-09.

[ 1 0] Although each of the aforementioned representative staking devices are well-adapted to support certain types of plants, there remains a need for an improved staking system that replaces the rigid horizontal members with more flexible and easy to arrange member to provide more options as to the style of staking and types of plants that the stake can support.

[ 1 1 ] The need for such an improved staking member is apparent when studying the teachings of the current art in staking. For example, the

conventional teaching instructs that - for certain bulbed plants - to set a short 6-inch stake right next to the bulb, and later, when you have to support the young plant with a two-foot stake, you merely remove the short peg and insert the 2-foot stake and to continue to replace stakes as the plants grow as it is good practice always to use stakes that are shorter than the plants.

[ 1 2] Further, the conventional art instructs that the stems of some plants - like snapdragons - should be tied two or three times to a stake to avoid strain and possible breaking. And, the selection of stakes from a variety is essential for any garden. They must be long short, heavy and light, thick and thin. And for those sprawling plants of moderate height, not stakes but twiggy brush. When plants such as petunias are half grown, push a twiggy branch (as of that cut from a privet hedge) into the ground near the plant's base, and allow the second half of growth.

[ 1 3] The conventional art teaches that setting stakes requires work and forethought. There are few plants that can be satisfactorily supported with a single stake and, therefore, success depends on setting out as many as required. Obviously, each branch need not be individually staked: If enough (usually about two to 4 in addition to the main stem) are securely anchored, the others gain support by indirection.

[ 1 4] Material selection and stake size is given further consideration. Why use a four-by-four pole when a one-by-one will do just as well? Or why use wood at all? Bamboo has long been a favorite, but even it is yielding in favor of heavy-gauge wire, and the even more desirable small-diameter aluminum pipe. No matter what material is used, it should be small enough to do the required job, which means no larger than necessary.

[ 1 5] More recently, training branches so that trees, bushes, shrubs and the like grow and develop in a controlled or more optimal manner has become more popular. So, there is also a need for a device that works well with training. The conventional wisdom in plant training includes tying the branches down or by propping the branches up from the ground - but the use of stakes is rather limited.

[ 1 6] The importance of training includes helping encourage the tree to fully develop. And, the training of the tree is often done during the summer months. Instead of cutting off the branches, they are redirected to allow for a higher density of the trees in orchards

[ 1 7] The conventional art teaches the use of an outside brace to pull or push the branches you want to train. One approach instructs the use of fence stakes to help with the growth and training, or a two-by-four leaning away from the branches can help in the training of the branches. Yet, there are no specific devices particularly well-adapted to assist training trees.

[ 1 8] In an unrelated art, articulated vertical members are somewhat known. For example, many household desktop lamps have a solid base with a two-piece vertical member having an articulation joint about mid-way up the two-piece vertical member. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,01 6, 1 53 issued on 1 991 -05-1 4 to Gismondi et al. illustrates an articulated arm lamp having a base for supporing a first and second mutually articulated arms. Similarly, U.S. Patent. No.

6,592,241 issued to Kovacik on 2003-07-1 5 teaches an articulated arm extending from a base. The lower arm section rotates relative to the base and has a rotatable attaching point at its second end for attaching a second arm member.

[ 1 9] Thus, there is a need for an articulated staking member that provides the vertical clearance and support as taught in the known art, provide adequate horizontal offset from the vertical member, yet articulate and adjust to any point in x, y, and z-axis. Such a device would not only be useful for traditional staking, but also for more modern training methods as well. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[20] The present invention, in various preferred embodiments, contemplates an agricultural plant stake that readily adapts to varying needs in size and configuration by providing an articulating point that enables one member to arrange horizontal or vertical, or any point in a 360-degree arc in a vertical plane. This articulating member attaches by means of the articulating point to a vertical member that is set in the ground. Further, a single vertical member set in the ground can support one or more articulating points and each articulating point can support one or more members, thus allowing for numerous

configurations.

[21 ] The present invention improves over the state of the art by overcoming the rigid association of horizontal members (as taught in the conventional art) to a common vertical member.

[22] Additionally, the articulating point of the present invention can take various forms to include quick-release mechanisms, friction-mount, or ratcheting type locking mechanism so to be adjusted as desired in a particular orientation.

[23] The articulation point can rotate around the z-axis and can adjust its support member in a 360-degree arc in an x-y direction, thus allowing for a full 3-dimensional range of adjustment.

DRAWING

[24] Figure 1 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[25] Figure 2 is an offset frontal view of a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

[26] Figure 3 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 2. [27] Figure 4 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 2. [28] Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[29] Possible embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings and those skilled in the art will understand that alternative

configurations and combinations of components may be substituted without subtracting from the invention. Also, in some figures certain components are omitted to more clearly illustrate the invention.

[30] Figure 1 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 0. This embodiment includes a vertical support member 1 2 adapted to insert in the ground or soil in a conventional manner. In this embodiment, the vertical support member is a round (when viewed from the top) stake or dowel as conventionally understood in this art. As such, conventional materials are contemplated including wood, bamboo, steel, plastic, aluminum, and the like. Other shapes (when viewed from the top) would also work including oval or rectangular. But, one particular advantage of the round vertical support member is that it more readily enables the articulating member to fully rotate about the vertical axis defined by the length of the vertical support member. However, those skilled in the art could adapt the articulating member to work with other shapes of the vertical member.

[31 ] The articulating member 1 4 selectively attaches to the vertical support member 1 2 and is positionable vertically at any point along the vertical support member, allowing a user to set the articulating member at any desired height. To facilitate this vertical range of positions, the articulating member 1 4 includes a quick release mechanism means for securing 1 6. In this embodiment, the means for securing consists of a body member having a horizontal slot opening on the left side, the slot extends the entire vertical distance of the body member and extends inward toward a center-line of the body. The slot is formed by - when the body member is viewed from the top - a generally C-shaped body having a through hole adapted to surround the vertical support member. The two arms of the C-shaped body flex slightly so they can be manipulated around the vertical support member. The securing means also includes a threaded fastener and mating nut that includes a large, oversized, easy to use handle. The fastener imbeds into the body of the securing means so that rotation of the handle portion does not cause the fastener to rotate. In this manner the securing means can quickly and easily be tightened on the vertical support member, thus allowing both vertical placement of the articulating member and rotation of the articulating ember about the vertical axis defined by the vertical support member.

[32] The articulating member also includes, on a side opposite the securing means 1 6, a quick release rotating mechanism 1 8 for positioning the support arm 20. The rotating mechanism consists of two mating pieces, one provided by or integrated in the articulating member. As such, it includes a plurality of teeth and a centered through hole. A mating piece with corresponding teeth selectively engages this first piece and a threaded fastener and mating nut enable selective tightening and securing the two pieces together at any orientation about a 360-degree arc in an x-y plane define parallel to the vertical axis defined by the vertical support member 1 2.

[33] The support arm 20 includes a plurality of through holes 22 spaced along its long axis. These holes enable a user to thread a tie-off through the hole so that the support arm can support a desired portion of the plant. The support arm inserts into the rotating mechanism 1 8 (see Figures 2 - 5 for a suitable rotating mechanism, for example) snugly and securely so as not to fall out under normal use. The holes 22 can also receive smaller pegs or dowel members to provide additional staking support and the ability to train the branches, if so desired.

[34] A second preferred embodiment consists of a support arm (reference 20 of Figure 1 ) and a vertical support member (reference 1 2 of Figure 1 ) as previously described in reference to the first preferred embodiment and an articulating member 1 5. The articulating member 1 5 of the second embodiment, as Figures 2 - 5 illustrate, includes a first body member 21 having a receiving member 41 adapted to selectively couple to the support arm. The first body member includes a rotating and locking mechanism 1 8, which includes a plurality of radially arranged interlocking teeth that adapt to selectively engage a corresponding mating set of teeth carried by a second body member 23. A fastening means 1 6, such as a quick-release clamp mechanism, consists of a lever 31 having a pivot assembly 33 and post 35 terminating in a support 37 on a side of the body opposite the lever enables the first and second body members 21 and 23 to separate or tighten with respect to each other. In this way, the cooperating engaging teeth of the locking mechanism 1 8 can be disengaged to allow rotation of one body member with respect to the other body member about a common axis. When the lever is in the tightened position, the cooperating teeth of the locking mechanism 1 8 prevent rotation of the first body 21 relative to the second body 23. In this embodiment the relative rotation 43 is about 270-degrees.

[35] The second body member 23 includes a C-shaped clamping member 25 having an interior surface 27 well adapted to releasably engage the vertical support member 1 4. A similar quick-release clamp mechanism 1 6, as previously described, enables selective tightening of the second body member to the vertical support member (not shown in Figures 2 - 5). As would be well understood by those skilled in the art, the quick-release clamp includes a lever 31 at a proximal end of the C-shaped clamp member. The lever engages a pivot 33 and a pin 35 terminating in a stop 37 engages a distal end of the C-shaped clamping member. This configuration of the second body member 23 enables a user to position the articulating member 1 5 at any desired height along a long axis of the vertical support member and further, the articulating member can be positioned at any point along a 360-degree arc centered on that same axis.

[36] Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims [37] I claim:

1 . A method for staking a plant, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising a vertical support member, an articulating member selectively coupled to the vertical support member by a securing means, and a support arm releasably coupled to the articulating member by means of a rotating mechanism;

providing at least one tie-off;

securing the tie-off to the device and to the plant.

2. A device for staking a plant, the device comprising:

a vertical support member;

an articulating member selectively coupled to the vertical support member by a securing means; and

a support arm releasably coupled to the articulating member by means of a rotating mechanism.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

the support arm further comprising at least one hole adapted to receive at least one tie-off or peg;

the rotating mechanism comprising a quick-release feature that enables a user to quickly position the support arm at any desired position about a 360- degree arc in a plane parallel to an axis defined by the vertical support member; and

the articulating member securing means comprising a C-shaped slot member on a body, the C-shaped slot member further comprising a quick-release mechanism to allow a user to quickly secure the articulating member at any desired vertical height relative to the vertical support member at any position about a 360-degree arc around the vertical axis defined by the vertical support member.

4. An articulating member for staking a plant, the articulating member comprising:

a first body member rotatably and selectively coupled to a second body member;

a locking mechanism adapted to engage cooperating portions of the first and second body members, the locking mechanism comprising a first plurality of engaging teeth arranged radially on the first body member and a cooperating second plurality of engaging teeth arranged radially on the second body member, a quick-release clamp mechanism adapted to releasably couple the first and second engaging teeth; and wherein

the first body member includes a receiving member and

the second body member comprises a C-shaped clamping member having a locking mechanism.

5. The articulating member of claim 4 further comprising:

a vertical support member adapted to selectively couple to the C-shaped clamping member.

6. The articulating member of claim 4 further comprising:

a support member adapted to selectively couple to the receiving member.