WO2016079765A1 - Support for vine plants, made of embossed sheet metal - Google Patents

Support for vine plants, made of embossed sheet metal Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016079765A1
WO2016079765A1 PCT/IT2014/000334 IT2014000334W WO2016079765A1 WO 2016079765 A1 WO2016079765 A1 WO 2016079765A1 IT 2014000334 W IT2014000334 W IT 2014000334W WO 2016079765 A1 WO2016079765 A1 WO 2016079765A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
section
support
sheet metal
nearly
cross
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2014/000334
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Francesco Paolo Terranova
Original Assignee
Terranova S.R.L.
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Terranova S.R.L. filed Critical Terranova S.R.L.
Publication of WO2016079765A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016079765A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G17/00—Cultivation of hops, vines, fruit trees, or like trees
    • A01G17/04—Supports for hops, vines, or trees
    • A01G17/06—Trellis-work

Definitions

  • the present invention has application in the field of elements and accessories for cultivating vine plants such as, for example, the grapevine. More precisely, the present invention refers to a support for vine plants, at least partially made of embossed sheet metal.
  • the supports are longitudinal elements (i.e. extended lengthwise) integrally connective to the ground at a first end.
  • the supports are connected to the ground in a nearly vertical position.
  • the connection of a support to the ground can be obtained by sticking in the ground a short section of the support starting from said first end.
  • transverse longitudinal elements i.e. preferably arranged horizontally
  • a vine plant being supported by such elements after having traversed the support, can grow and extend in a direction nearly parallel to the ground.
  • the present inven- tion refers to the supports of this type.
  • said transverse longitudinal elements are wires, usually metal wires termed "support wires”.
  • support it is intended to identify any one support connective to the ground at a first end, and to a transverse longitudinal element at a second end substantially opposite said first end.
  • the supports referred to by the present invention can be obtained in multiple materials.
  • the metal supports are preferably obtainable by suitably cutting metal bars or by bending a strip of smooth sheet metal, preferably flat and rectilinear, on itself, around a longitudinally-arranged axis, in a manner so as to confer a nearly circular cross section to the strip of sheet metal.
  • the metal supports are therefore generally elements with nearly cylindrical shape.
  • the support sequentially comprises, starting from the first end:
  • a fourth "transition” section is present, with length clearly less than that of the first section and at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the first section, progressively "opens” until it assumes a nearly flat conformation.
  • a fifth transition section is present with length nearly identical to that of the fourth section and at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the second section, progressively "closes” until it assumes a nearly cylindrical conformation.
  • the above-described support comprises, at the second section, a flat and rectilinear strip of sheet metal. This ensures that the support, at the second section, is easily bendable on itself, in an anelastic manner, rotating the third section with respect to the first section around a transverse axis preferably parallel to the second section.
  • the first and third section can approach each other to form a seat in which a transverse longitudinal element is housable and connectible to the support.
  • the support is bendable as a U (with the concavity directed towards the first end), i.e. in a manner such that, after bending, the first and the third section are arranged nearly parallel to each other.
  • the U-shaped bend can be obtained onsite by an operator (possibly with the aid of pliers or a similar tool) after having connected the support to the ground.
  • the transverse element In order to make a connection between the bent support and the transverse longitudinal element, it is however necessary that said transverse element be at least partially blocked between the first, second and third section of the support.
  • the transverse element is threadlike, it is necessary that, at at least one portion of the loop of the U- shaped bend, the curvature radius of the bent support is less than or equal to the radius of the cross section of the threadlike element.
  • the support is bendable as a U at the second section, it is not always possible to obtain a U-shape bend with curvature radius of desired length.
  • the transverse longitudinal element has a cross section with extremely limited area, it may not be possible to bend the support at the second section to the point of obtaining a curvature radius sufficiently small for blocking the transverse element. In these cases, it is therefore not possible to attain a connection between the bent support and the trans- verse element.
  • a second variant of the above-described support which differs from the first variant due to the fact that, at the fourth section, the strip of sheet metal from which the support has been obtained, rather than opening, is progressively flattened until it assumes, at the second section, a conformation whose cross section is flat but constituted by two layers of sheet metal superimposed on each other: a first continuous layer and a second layer constituted by two strips of sheet metal following said first layer and bent 180° thereon, in a manner so as to have the longitudinal edges nearly mating.
  • the support according to the latter variant has a greater thickness at the second section due to the presence of a double layer of sheet metal.
  • the internal diameter of the flat portion delimited by the U-shaped bend at the loop thereof is smaller, and the ability to attain a connection between the bent support and the transverse element is therefore greater.
  • the support, at the second section, rather than being rectilinear, is curved, so as to form a concavity acting as a slot for the U-shaped bend (i.e. destined to become the concavity of the U-shaped bend).
  • the support, at the second section has nearly the progression of a cylindrical (lateral) surface portion.
  • the support is bendable at the second section by rotating the third section with respect to the first section in a plane transverse to said cylindrical surface.
  • the first and the third section are aligned with each other.
  • a final difference between the first and the second support variant regards the third and the fifth section.
  • the strip of sheet metal progressively opens until it assumes, at the third section, a conformation whose cross section, rather than being nearly circular as in the first section, is U-shaped.
  • the two strips of sheet metal following the first layer are preferably arranged orthogonal to the latter, with the concavity of the U arranged on the same side as the concavity of the second section.
  • the cross section of the third section is sufficiently wide to ensure that the third section at least partially encloses the first section after the support has been bent. The third section then comes to act as a seat that partially houses the first section.
  • Object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks and to indicate a support that constitutes an improvement of the existing supports in terms of bending rigidity at the first section of the support.
  • Object of the present invention is a support extended lengthwise, made of sheet metal and comprising, in sequence, starting from a first end:
  • the support being bendable, in an anelastic manner, at the second section in a manner so as to rotate the first and the third section with respect to each other, mutually approaching them to form a seat in which an element arranged transverse to the support is housable and connective to the latter,
  • the sheet metal is embossed at least at the first section of the support.
  • the embossing not only increases the bending rigidity of the sheet metal (and hence of the support), but also renders the latter anti-slip, fa- cilitating the climbing of the plant on the support.
  • the sheet metal has surface reliefs with a height preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and still more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.
  • the ratio between the surface area portion of the sheet metal in relief (i.e. at which the surface reliefs are present) and the overall surface area of the sheet metal at the first section is preferably comprised between 0.32 and 0.62, and still more preferably between 0.40 and
  • the surface reliefs are substan- tially identical to each other and preferably have rhomboid or elliptical form.
  • each of the surface reliefs has a face that is raised with respect to the surface portion of the sheet metal at which no reliefs are present, with area preferably comprised between 0.3 mm 2 and 0.6 mm 2 , and still more preferably between 0.4 mm 2 and 0.5 mm 2 .
  • the sheet metal has a thickness preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and still more preferably between 0.4 mm and 1.5 mm.
  • the support has, at the third section, a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends of the C facing each other and being arranged at a sufficiently wide mutual distance so as to allow an at least partial housing of the first section in the third section when the support is bent at the second section.
  • the edges of the strip of sheet metal at the third section are disadvantageously exposed. Said edges are usually sharp and hence there is a high risk for an operator of the field to injure himself by grasping the support at the third section, both in the configuration in which the support is not bent at the second section, and in the configuration in which the support is bent as a U.
  • the support When the support is bent as a U, given that the first section is partially housed in the third section, the edges of the sheet metal at the third section are opposite the first section. In such configuration, therefore, there is no risk that an operator of the field can injure himself by grasping the support at the third section.
  • the support has, at the second section, a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends of the C facing each other.
  • the support comprises a fourth intermediate section between the first and the second section, having a length less than that of the first section.
  • the support has, at the fourth section, a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends of the C facing each other.
  • the edges of the sheet metal are not exposed at these sections and hence there are minimal risks that an operator of the field can injure himself by grasping the support at these sections, both in the configuration in which the support is not bent at the second section, and in the configuration in which the support is bent as a U.
  • the concavity of the C of the cross section is directed from the same side as the concavity of the second section.
  • the C of the cross section comprises a rectilinear portion having two ends, at which it is adjacent to two re- spective semicircular portions that are mutually facing at the concavities thereof.
  • the semicircular portions are symmetric to each other with respect to an axis orthogonal to the rectilinear por- tion. The rectilinear portion and the semicircular portions therefore have the same axis of symmetry.
  • the ends of the semicircular portions opposite the ends of the rectilinear portion lie at the same distance from the latter.
  • the ratio between the internal diameter of the cross section at the first section and the internal diameter of the semicircular portions is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
  • the ratio between the internal diameter of the cross section at the first section and the distance between the ends of the C of the cross section at the third section is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
  • the thickness of the support at the second section is less than the thickness of the support at the third section.
  • thickness of the support at the second, third and fourth section, it is intended the height of the cross section of the support at these sections, measured between the external surface of the rectilinear portion and the external edge of one of the semicircular portions.
  • the greater crushing of the support at the second section increases the flexibility of the support at the same.
  • FIG. 1 shows, in lateral plan view, a support according to the present invention
  • figure 2 shows the support of figure 1 in front plan view
  • figure 3 shows the support of figure 1 in cross section along the plane AA of figure 1 ;
  • - figure 4 shows the support of figure 1 in cross section along the plane BB of figure 1;
  • - figure 5 shows the support of figure 1 , in lateral plan view, U-shaped at a section thereof indicated with the reference number 4;
  • figure 6 shows a portion of another section of the support of figure 1 indicated with the reference number 3, in cross section according to a generatrix of said another section.
  • a nearly rectilinear support 1 made of sheet metal, preferably galvanized, and suitable for sustaining a vine plant for the purpose of allowing the growth thereof with the stem not set on the ground.
  • the support 1 comprises, starting from one end 2 of the same (lower end in figure 1):
  • a second section 4 at least partially concave, preferably curved, and with length less than that of the section 3;
  • a third section 5 preferably aligned with the section 1 and having a length less than that of the latter.
  • the section 4 nearly has the progression of a cylindrical surface portion, with the generatrices of the cylinder arranged preferably transverse to the sections 3 and 5.
  • the support 1 at the section 4, is bendable on itself in an anelastic manner, rotating the section 5 with respect to the section 3 around a transverse axis preferably parallel to the generatrices of said cylindrical surface, and still more preferably coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the cylindrical surface.
  • the sections 3 and 5 can approach each other to form a seat in which a transverse longitudinal element (not shown in the figures) is housable and connectible to the support 1.
  • the support 1 is bend- able as a U (with the concavity directed towards the end 2), i.e. in a manner such that, after bending, the sections 3 and 5 are arranged nearly parallel to each other, and, preferably with the section 5 at least partially fit on the section 3 (as illustrated in figure 4).
  • the support 1 is connectible to the ground, by sticking a portion of the section 3 of desired length into the ground starting from the end 2.
  • the support 1 is made starting from a strip of sheet metal, preferably flat and rectilinear, plastically deformed in a suitable manner.
  • the sheet metal is preferably made of steel and has a thickness "s" preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and still more preferably between 0.4 mm and 1.5 mm.
  • the strip of sheet metal has a width ⁇ " preferably comprised between 10 mm and 70 mm, and still more preferably between 15 mm and 45 mm, and a length "h" preferably comprised between 20 cm and 300 cm, and still more preferably between 40 cm and 250 cm.
  • the support has an internal radius of curvature ⁇ (i.e. measured at the concavity) preferably comprised between 3 mm and 20 mm, and still more preferably comprised between 5 mm and 10 mm.
  • the support 1 has, at the section 3, a cross section preferably nearly circular, shown in figure 3. This conformation is obtainable, by way of example, by bending the strip of sheet metal on itself, around a longitudinally-arranged axis.
  • the section 3 is, therefore, nearly cylindrical.
  • the internal diameter "d" of the cross section of the support 1 is preferably comprised between 3 mm and 22 mm, and still more preferably between 4 mm and 14 mm.
  • the longitudinal edges 6 and 7 of the strip of sheet metal are nearly opposite, at an extremely close distance.
  • the distance "c" between the edges 6 and 7 in the section 3 is preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, and still more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.
  • the sheet metal constituting the support 1 is embossed at the section 3. Due to the embossing, the sheet metal has surface reliefs 8 substantially identical to each other and with pref- erably rhomboid or elliptical form.
  • the reliefs 8 have a height "p" preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and still more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.
  • the ratio between the surface area of the sheet metal in relief (i.e. at which the reliefs 8 are present) and the overall surface area of the sheet metal at the section 3 is preferably comprised between 0.32 and 0.62, and still more preferably between 0.4 and 0.6.
  • Each of the reliefs 8 has a face that is raised with respect to the surface portion of the sheet metal at which no reliefs 8 are present, with area preferably comprised between 0.3 mm 2 and 0.6 mm 2 , and still more preferably between 0.4 mm 2 and 0.5 mm 2 .
  • the support 1 has, at the sections 4 and 5, a nearly C-shaped cross section, shown in figure 4.
  • the ends of the C (corresponding, as better illustrated below, to the edges 6 and 7 of the strip of sheet metal) face each other.
  • the ends 6 and 7 are arranged at a sufficiently wide mutual distance so as to allow an at least partial housing of the section 3 in the section 5 when the support 1 is bent as a U at the section 4.
  • the concavity of the C is directed from the same side as the concavity of the cylindrical surface portion of the section 4. This conformation is obtainable, by way of exam- pie, starting from the conformation of the section 3, by compressing the strip of sheet metal along a transverse plane interposed between the edges 6 and 7 (i.e. parallel to the sheet plane of figure 1), and opening the latter.
  • C-shaped section it is intended, at least with reference to the section 5, a cross section in which the ends of the C (i.e. the edges of the strip of sheet metal) 6 and 7, in addition to being at a certain distance from each other, are also at a certain distance from the "bottom wall” of the C (to the left in figure 4).
  • the strip of sheet metal partially delimits, at the section 5, a seat 9 in which the section 3 is partially housable when the support 1 is bent as a U at the section 4.
  • the C of the cross section comprises, at least at the section 5, a rectilinear portion 10 having two ends, at which it is adjacent to two respective semicircular portions 11 and 12 that are mutually facing at the concavities thereof.
  • the portion 10 therefore corresponds to the aforesaid bottom wall of the C.
  • the portions 11 and 12 are preferably symmetric to each other with re- spect to an axis orthogonal to the portion 10.
  • the portion 10 and the portions 11 and 12 therefore have the same axis of symmetry and the ends 6 and 7 lie at the same distance from the portion 10.
  • the length "k" of the portion 10 is preferably comprised between 5 mm and 30 mm, and still more preferably between 6 mm and 16 mm.
  • the internal diameter "D" of the portions 11 and 12 is preferably comprised between 2 mm and 10 mm, and still more preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm.
  • the distance between the edges 6 and 7 is equal to the length of the portion 10.
  • the ratio "d/D” between the internal diameter of the cross section at the section 3 and the internal diameter of the portions 1 1 and 12 is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
  • the ratio "d/k" between the internal diameter of the cross section at the section 3 and the distance between the ends 6 and 7 at the section 5 is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
  • the section 1 is 2 meters long, the section 13 is 14 mm long, the section 4 is 14 mm long and the section 5 is 28 mm long.
  • length of the section 4 it is intended the distance between the two end generatrices of the cylindrical surface portion.
  • the sheet metal constituting the support, object of the invention is also embossed at the section 5 and/or of the section 13.
  • the support, object of the invention is more crushed at the section 4 than at the section 5 (i.e. the thickness of the support at the section 4 is less than the thickness of the support at the section 5).
  • This increases the flexibility of the support at the section 4.
  • the external diameter of the cross section of the support at the section 3 is 7 mm
  • the thickness of the support at the section 4 is 2.5 mm
  • the thickness of the support at the section 5 is 4 mm.
  • the difference of thickness between the sections 4 and 5 ensures that there is, between the same, a fifth transition section at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the section 4, progressively opens until it assumes the conformation of the section 5.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Supports For Plants (AREA)

Abstract

The invention refers to a support suitable for sustaining a vine plant for the purpose of allowing the growth thereof with the stem not set on the ground. The support (1) is made of sheet metal, is nearly rectilinear and comprises a first section (3) at which the support is connectible to the ground, a second section (4) at least partially curved and with length less than that of the first section, and a third section (5) aligned with the first section and having a length less than that of the latter. The support is bendable, in an anelastic manner, at the second section in a manner so as to rotate the first and the third section with respect to each other, mutually approaching them to form a seat in which an element arranged transverse to the support (such as for example a support wire) is housable and connectible to the latter. The sheet metal constituting the support is embossed at the first section. The support has a nearly circular cross section at the first section. This conformation is, for example, obtainable by bending a strip of sheet metal on itself, around an axis directed longitudinally. The support has a nearly C-shaped cross section at the second and third section. This conformation is, for example, obtainable starting from the conformation of the first section, by compressing the strip of sheet metal and opening the longitudinal edges thereof. The ends of the C (corresponding to said longitudinal edges) face each other and are arranged at a sufficiently wide mutual distance so as to allow an at least partial housing of the first section in the third section when the support is bent at the second section.

Description

Support for vine plants, made of embossed sheet metal
Field of application of the invention
The present invention has application in the field of elements and accessories for cultivating vine plants such as, for example, the grapevine. More precisely, the present invention refers to a support for vine plants, at least partially made of embossed sheet metal.
In the present description, by "support" it is intended an element or a structure capable of sustaining a vine plant in order to allow the growth thereof with the stem not set on the ground. Vine plants in fact have a stem which, in the initial steps of plant development, tends to bend towards the ground under the action of its very weight. Without a support, vine plants are therefore destined to extend/grow with the stem and ramifications set on the ground. Generally, the supports are longitudinal elements (i.e. extended lengthwise) integrally connective to the ground at a first end. Preferably, the supports are connected to the ground in a nearly vertical position. By way of example, the connection of a support to the ground can be obtained by sticking in the ground a short section of the support starting from said first end.
In some branches of agriculture, such as in viticulture, it is necessary to use supports that can be connected, at a second end opposite said first end, to transverse longitudinal elements (i.e. preferably arranged horizontally); a vine plant being supported by such elements, after having traversed the support, can grow and extend in a direction nearly parallel to the ground. The present inven- tion refers to the supports of this type. By way of example, in viticulture, said transverse longitudinal elements are wires, usually metal wires termed "support wires".
In order to facilitate the description, hereinbelow in the present description, with the term "support" it is intended to identify any one support connective to the ground at a first end, and to a transverse longitudinal element at a second end substantially opposite said first end.
Review of the prior art
The supports referred to by the present invention can be obtained in multiple materials. By way of example, there are supports made of metal, wood, concrete and plastic materials. The metal supports are preferably obtainable by suitably cutting metal bars or by bending a strip of smooth sheet metal, preferably flat and rectilinear, on itself, around a longitudinally-arranged axis, in a manner so as to confer a nearly circular cross section to the strip of sheet metal. The metal supports are therefore generally elements with nearly cylindrical shape.
In the past, two support variants have been conceived, such support obtained by bending a strip of sheet metal.
According to a first variant, the support sequentially comprises, starting from the first end:
• a first section, nearly cylindrical (i.e. obtained by bending the strip of sheet metal on itself in a manner so as to confer a nearly circular cross section thereto), which is extended nearly for the entire length of the support;
• a second section, nearly flat and rectilinear (i.e. at which the strip of sheet metal has a conformation nearly identical to that possessed before being bent around said longitudinally-arranged axis), with length clearly less than that of the first section;
• a nearly circular terminal third section, at which the strip of sheet metal is shaped in a manner nearly identical to the first section but with length clearly less than the latter.
Between the first and the second section, a fourth "transition" section is present, with length clearly less than that of the first section and at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the first section, progressively "opens" until it assumes a nearly flat conformation.
Analogously, between the second and the third section, a fifth transition section is present with length nearly identical to that of the fourth section and at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the second section, progressively "closes" until it assumes a nearly cylindrical conformation.
The above-described support comprises, at the second section, a flat and rectilinear strip of sheet metal. This ensures that the support, at the second section, is easily bendable on itself, in an anelastic manner, rotating the third section with respect to the first section around a transverse axis preferably parallel to the second section. By means of a similar bending, the first and third section can approach each other to form a seat in which a transverse longitudinal element is housable and connectible to the support. Preferably, the support is bendable as a U (with the concavity directed towards the first end), i.e. in a manner such that, after bending, the first and the third section are arranged nearly parallel to each other. The U-shaped bend can be obtained onsite by an operator (possibly with the aid of pliers or a similar tool) after having connected the support to the ground.
In order to make a connection between the bent support and the transverse longitudinal element, it is however necessary that said transverse element be at least partially blocked between the first, second and third section of the support. In other words, assuming, by way of example, that the transverse element is threadlike, it is necessary that, at at least one portion of the loop of the U- shaped bend, the curvature radius of the bent support is less than or equal to the radius of the cross section of the threadlike element.
Notwithstanding the ease with which the support is bendable as a U at the second section, it is not always possible to obtain a U-shape bend with curvature radius of desired length. For example, when the transverse longitudinal element has a cross section with extremely limited area, it may not be possible to bend the support at the second section to the point of obtaining a curvature radius sufficiently small for blocking the transverse element. In these cases, it is therefore not possible to attain a connection between the bent support and the trans- verse element.
In order to overcome this drawback, a second variant of the above-described support has been conceived, which differs from the first variant due to the fact that, at the fourth section, the strip of sheet metal from which the support has been obtained, rather than opening, is progressively flattened until it assumes, at the second section, a conformation whose cross section is flat but constituted by two layers of sheet metal superimposed on each other: a first continuous layer and a second layer constituted by two strips of sheet metal following said first layer and bent 180° thereon, in a manner so as to have the longitudinal edges nearly mating.
With respect to the previously-described support, the support according to the latter variant has a greater thickness at the second section due to the presence of a double layer of sheet metal. In such a manner, given the same curvature radius, the internal diameter of the flat portion delimited by the U-shaped bend at the loop thereof is smaller, and the ability to attain a connection between the bent support and the transverse element is therefore greater.
The fact that, at the second section, the cross section of the support comprises two layers of sheet metal superimposed on each other, makes the support less easily bendable as a U with respect to the support according to the preceding variant. In order to overcome this drawback, in the second variant, the support, at the second section, rather than being rectilinear, is curved, so as to form a concavity acting as a slot for the U-shaped bend (i.e. destined to become the concavity of the U-shaped bend). By way of example, the support, at the second section, has nearly the progression of a cylindrical (lateral) surface portion. Incidentally, the support is bendable at the second section by rotating the third section with respect to the first section in a plane transverse to said cylindrical surface. Preferably, notwithstanding the presence of the concavity at the second section, the first and the third section are aligned with each other.
A final difference between the first and the second support variant regards the third and the fifth section. In particular, at the fifth section, the strip of sheet metal progressively opens until it assumes, at the third section, a conformation whose cross section, rather than being nearly circular as in the first section, is U-shaped. With reference to the cross section of the second section described above, at the third section the two strips of sheet metal following the first layer are preferably arranged orthogonal to the latter, with the concavity of the U arranged on the same side as the concavity of the second section. Preferably, the cross section of the third section is sufficiently wide to ensure that the third section at least partially encloses the first section after the support has been bent. The third section then comes to act as a seat that partially houses the first section.
The above-described supports unfortunately have, at the first section, a bending rigidity sometimes not sufficient to sustain the vine plant during the growth thereof. This is especially verified if the support is particularly long. The longer the support, indeed, the greater the bend moment will be due to the weight force of the vine plant portions coupled to the transverse longitudinal elements.
Objects of the invention
Object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks and to indicate a support that constitutes an improvement of the existing supports in terms of bending rigidity at the first section of the support.
Summary of the invention
Object of the present invention is a support extended lengthwise, made of sheet metal and comprising, in sequence, starting from a first end:
• a first section at which the support is connective to the ground;
• a second section, at least partially concave, preferably at least partially curved, and with length less than that of the first section;
• a third section having a length less than that of the first section,
the support being bendable, in an anelastic manner, at the second section in a manner so as to rotate the first and the third section with respect to each other, mutually approaching them to form a seat in which an element arranged transverse to the support is housable and connective to the latter,
wherein, according to the invention, the sheet metal is embossed at least at the first section of the support.
Advantageously, the embossing not only increases the bending rigidity of the sheet metal (and hence of the support), but also renders the latter anti-slip, fa- cilitating the climbing of the plant on the support.
Further innovative characteristics of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.
According to one aspect of the invention, due to the embossing, the sheet metal has surface reliefs with a height preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and still more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.
By "height" of a surface relief, it is intended the maximum projection of a relief from the surface portion of the sheet metal at which no reliefs are present.
According to another aspect of the invention, the ratio between the surface area portion of the sheet metal in relief (i.e. at which the surface reliefs are present) and the overall surface area of the sheet metal at the first section is preferably comprised between 0.32 and 0.62, and still more preferably between 0.40 and
0.60.
According to another aspect of the invention, the surface reliefs are substan- tially identical to each other and preferably have rhomboid or elliptical form.
According to another aspect of the invention, each of the surface reliefs has a face that is raised with respect to the surface portion of the sheet metal at which no reliefs are present, with area preferably comprised between 0.3 mm2 and 0.6 mm2, and still more preferably between 0.4 mm2 and 0.5 mm2.
According to another aspect of the invention, the sheet metal has a thickness preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and still more preferably between 0.4 mm and 1.5 mm.
According to another aspect of the invention, the support has, at the third section, a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends of the C facing each other and being arranged at a sufficiently wide mutual distance so as to allow an at least partial housing of the first section in the third section when the support is bent at the second section.
With reference to the second support variant described above, even if the conformation of the third section of the support of the prior art is such to increase the compactness of the support bent as a U, the edges of the strip of sheet metal at the third section are disadvantageously exposed. Said edges are usually sharp and hence there is a high risk for an operator of the field to injure himself by grasping the support at the third section, both in the configuration in which the support is not bent at the second section, and in the configuration in which the support is bent as a U.
In the support, object of the invention, given that the cross section of the C- shaped third section has mutually facing ends, when the support is not bent at the second section, the edges of the sheet metal are not exposed. In such configuration, therefore, there are minimal risks that an operator of the field can injure himself by grasping the support at the third section.
When the support is bent as a U, given that the first section is partially housed in the third section, the edges of the sheet metal at the third section are opposite the first section. In such configuration, therefore, there is no risk that an operator of the field can injure himself by grasping the support at the third section. According to another aspect of the invention, the support has, at the second section, a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends of the C facing each other. According to another aspect of the invention, the support comprises a fourth intermediate section between the first and the second section, having a length less than that of the first section.
According to another aspect of the invention, the support has, at the fourth section, a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends of the C facing each other.
Advantageously, given that also the cross section of the second and fourth C- shaped section has mutually facing ends, the edges of the sheet metal are not exposed at these sections and hence there are minimal risks that an operator of the field can injure himself by grasping the support at these sections, both in the configuration in which the support is not bent at the second section, and in the configuration in which the support is bent as a U.
According to another aspect of the invention, the concavity of the C of the cross section is directed from the same side as the concavity of the second section. According to another aspect of the invention, the C of the cross section comprises a rectilinear portion having two ends, at which it is adjacent to two re- spective semicircular portions that are mutually facing at the concavities thereof. According to another aspect of the invention, the semicircular portions are symmetric to each other with respect to an axis orthogonal to the rectilinear por- tion. The rectilinear portion and the semicircular portions therefore have the same axis of symmetry. Incidentally, the ends of the semicircular portions opposite the ends of the rectilinear portion lie at the same distance from the latter. According to another aspect of the invention in which the support has a nearly circular cross section at the first section, the ratio between the internal diameter of the cross section at the first section and the internal diameter of the semicircular portions is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
According to another aspect of the invention in which the support has a nearly circular cross section at the first section, the ratio between the internal diameter of the cross section at the first section and the distance between the ends of the C of the cross section at the third section is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
According to another aspect of the invention, the thickness of the support at the second section is less than the thickness of the support at the third section. By "thickness of the support" at the second, third and fourth section, it is intended the height of the cross section of the support at these sections, measured between the external surface of the rectilinear portion and the external edge of one of the semicircular portions.
Advantageously, the greater crushing of the support at the second section increases the flexibility of the support at the same.
Brief description of the figures
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof and from the enclosed drawings, given as merely exemplifying and non-limiting, in which:
- figure 1 shows, in lateral plan view, a support according to the present invention;
- figure 2 shows the support of figure 1 in front plan view;
- figure 3 shows the support of figure 1 in cross section along the plane AA of figure 1 ;
- figure 4 shows the support of figure 1 in cross section along the plane BB of figure 1; - figure 5 shows the support of figure 1 , in lateral plan view, U-shaped at a section thereof indicated with the reference number 4;
- figure 6 shows a portion of another section of the support of figure 1 indicated with the reference number 3, in cross section according to a generatrix of said another section.
Detailed description of several preferred embodiments of the invention
Hereinbelow in the present description, a figure can be also illustrated with reference to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but in other figures. The scale and proportions of the various depicted elements do not necessarily correspond to actual scale and proportions.
With reference to the figures 1 and 2, it is possible to observe a nearly rectilinear support 1 , made of sheet metal, preferably galvanized, and suitable for sustaining a vine plant for the purpose of allowing the growth thereof with the stem not set on the ground.
The support 1 comprises, starting from one end 2 of the same (lower end in figure 1):
• a first section 3 which is extended for nearly the entire length of the support 1 and at which the support 1 is connectible to the ground;
• a second section 4, at least partially concave, preferably curved, and with length less than that of the section 3;
• a third section 5 preferably aligned with the section 1 and having a length less than that of the latter.
Preferably, the section 4 nearly has the progression of a cylindrical surface portion, with the generatrices of the cylinder arranged preferably transverse to the sections 3 and 5.
The support 1 , at the section 4, is bendable on itself in an anelastic manner, rotating the section 5 with respect to the section 3 around a transverse axis preferably parallel to the generatrices of said cylindrical surface, and still more preferably coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the cylindrical surface. By means of a similar bending the sections 3 and 5 can approach each other to form a seat in which a transverse longitudinal element (not shown in the figures) is housable and connectible to the support 1. Preferably, the support 1 is bend- able as a U (with the concavity directed towards the end 2), i.e. in a manner such that, after bending, the sections 3 and 5 are arranged nearly parallel to each other, and, preferably with the section 5 at least partially fit on the section 3 (as illustrated in figure 4).
By way of example, the support 1 is connectible to the ground, by sticking a portion of the section 3 of desired length into the ground starting from the end 2. The support 1 is made starting from a strip of sheet metal, preferably flat and rectilinear, plastically deformed in a suitable manner. The sheet metal is preferably made of steel and has a thickness "s" preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and still more preferably between 0.4 mm and 1.5 mm. The strip of sheet metal has a width Ί" preferably comprised between 10 mm and 70 mm, and still more preferably between 15 mm and 45 mm, and a length "h" preferably comprised between 20 cm and 300 cm, and still more preferably between 40 cm and 250 cm. At the section 4, the support has an internal radius of curvature Ύ (i.e. measured at the concavity) preferably comprised between 3 mm and 20 mm, and still more preferably comprised between 5 mm and 10 mm.
The support 1 has, at the section 3, a cross section preferably nearly circular, shown in figure 3. This conformation is obtainable, by way of example, by bending the strip of sheet metal on itself, around a longitudinally-arranged axis. The section 3 is, therefore, nearly cylindrical. The internal diameter "d" of the cross section of the support 1 is preferably comprised between 3 mm and 22 mm, and still more preferably between 4 mm and 14 mm. As can be observed in figure 2, the longitudinal edges 6 and 7 of the strip of sheet metal are nearly opposite, at an extremely close distance. The distance "c" between the edges 6 and 7 in the section 3 is preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, and still more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.
As shown, in a stylized manner, in figures 1 , 2 and 6, the sheet metal constituting the support 1 is embossed at the section 3. Due to the embossing, the sheet metal has surface reliefs 8 substantially identical to each other and with pref- erably rhomboid or elliptical form. The reliefs 8 have a height "p" preferably comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and still more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm. The ratio between the surface area of the sheet metal in relief (i.e. at which the reliefs 8 are present) and the overall surface area of the sheet metal at the section 3 is preferably comprised between 0.32 and 0.62, and still more preferably between 0.4 and 0.6. Each of the reliefs 8 has a face that is raised with respect to the surface portion of the sheet metal at which no reliefs 8 are present, with area preferably comprised between 0.3 mm2 and 0.6 mm2, and still more preferably between 0.4 mm2 and 0.5 mm2.
The support 1 has, at the sections 4 and 5, a nearly C-shaped cross section, shown in figure 4. The ends of the C (corresponding, as better illustrated below, to the edges 6 and 7 of the strip of sheet metal) face each other. In addi- tion, at least at the section 5, the ends 6 and 7 are arranged at a sufficiently wide mutual distance so as to allow an at least partial housing of the section 3 in the section 5 when the support 1 is bent as a U at the section 4. The concavity of the C is directed from the same side as the concavity of the cylindrical surface portion of the section 4. This conformation is obtainable, by way of exam- pie, starting from the conformation of the section 3, by compressing the strip of sheet metal along a transverse plane interposed between the edges 6 and 7 (i.e. parallel to the sheet plane of figure 1), and opening the latter.
As is visible in figure 4, by "C-shaped section" it is intended, at least with reference to the section 5, a cross section in which the ends of the C (i.e. the edges of the strip of sheet metal) 6 and 7, in addition to being at a certain distance from each other, are also at a certain distance from the "bottom wall" of the C (to the left in figure 4). In such a manner, the strip of sheet metal partially delimits, at the section 5, a seat 9 in which the section 3 is partially housable when the support 1 is bent as a U at the section 4.
By way of example, the C of the cross section comprises, at least at the section 5, a rectilinear portion 10 having two ends, at which it is adjacent to two respective semicircular portions 11 and 12 that are mutually facing at the concavities thereof. The portion 10 therefore corresponds to the aforesaid bottom wall of the C. The portions 11 and 12 are preferably symmetric to each other with re- spect to an axis orthogonal to the portion 10. The portion 10 and the portions 11 and 12 therefore have the same axis of symmetry and the ends 6 and 7 lie at the same distance from the portion 10. The length "k" of the portion 10 is preferably comprised between 5 mm and 30 mm, and still more preferably between 6 mm and 16 mm. The internal diameter "D" of the portions 11 and 12 is preferably comprised between 2 mm and 10 mm, and still more preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm. The distance between the edges 6 and 7 is equal to the length of the portion 10. The ratio "d/D" between the internal diameter of the cross section at the section 3 and the internal diameter of the portions 1 1 and 12 is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8. The ratio "d/k" between the internal diameter of the cross section at the section 3 and the distance between the ends 6 and 7 at the section 5 is preferably comprised between 1 and 2.5, and still more preferably between 1.7 and 1.8.
The difference of cross section between the sections 3 and 4 ensures that there is, between the same, a fourth transition section 13, at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the section 3, progressively flattens and enlarges until it as- sumes the conformation of the section 4.
By way of example, the section 1 is 2 meters long, the section 13 is 14 mm long, the section 4 is 14 mm long and the section 5 is 28 mm long. By length of the section 4 it is intended the distance between the two end generatrices of the cylindrical surface portion.
In an alternative embodiment of the support 1 not shown in the figures, the sheet metal constituting the support, object of the invention, is also embossed at the section 5 and/or of the section 13.
In another alternative embodiment of the support 1 not shown in the figures, the support, object of the invention, is more crushed at the section 4 than at the section 5 (i.e. the thickness of the support at the section 4 is less than the thickness of the support at the section 5). This increases the flexibility of the support at the section 4. By way of example, the external diameter of the cross section of the support at the section 3 is 7 mm, the thickness of the support at the section 4 is 2.5 mm and the thickness of the support at the section 5 is 4 mm. The difference of thickness between the sections 4 and 5 ensures that there is, between the same, a fifth transition section at which the strip of sheet metal, starting from the section 4, progressively opens until it assumes the conformation of the section 5.
On the basis of the description provided for a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that some changes can be introduced by the man skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

C L A I M S
1. Support (1) extended lengthwise, made of sheet metal and sequentially comprising, starting from a first end (2):
• a first section (3) at which said support (1 ) is connectible to the ground; · a second section (4) that is at least partially concave and with length less than that of said first section (3);
• a third section (5) having a length less than that of said first section (3), said support (1) being bendable, in an anelastic manner, at said second section (4) in a manner so as to rotate said first (3) and third section (5) with respect to each other, mutually approaching them to form a seat in which an element arranged transverse to said support (1) is housable and connectible to the latter,
said support (1) being characterized in that said sheet metal is embossed at least at said first section (3).
2. Support (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that, due to the embossing, said sheet metal has surface reliefs (8) having a height comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.7mm.
3. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio between the surface area portion of said sheet metal in relief and the overall surface area of said sheet metal at said first section (3) is comprised between 0.32 and 0.62.
4. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said surface reliefs (8) has one face that is raised with respect to the surface portion of said sheet metal at which said reliefs (8) are not pre- sent, with area comprised between 0.3 mm2 and 0.6 mm2.
5. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized In that it has, at said third section (5), a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends (6, 7) of the C facing each other and arranged at a sufficiently wide mutual distance so as to allow an at least partial housing of said first section (3) in said third section (5) when said support (1) is bent at said second section (4).
6. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has, at said second section (4), a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends (6, 7) of the C facing each other.
7. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fourth intermediate section (13) between said first (3) and second section (4) and having a length less than that of said first section (3), said support (1) having, at said fourth section (13), a nearly C-shaped cross section, the ends (6, 7) of the C facing each other.
8. Support (1) according to one of the claims from 5 to 7, characterized in that the C of the cross section comprises a rectilinear portion (10) having two ends, at which it is adjacent to two respective semicircular portions (11 , 12) that are mutually facing at the concavities thereof.
9. Support (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a nearly circular cross section at said first section (3), the ratio between the internal diameter of the cross section at said first section (3) and the internal diameter of said semicircular portions (11, 12) being comprised between 1 and 2.5.
10. Support (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the ratio between the internal diameter of the cross section at said first section (3) and the distance between said ends (6, 7) of the C of the cross section at said third section (5) is comprised between 1 and 2.5.
PCT/IT2014/000334 2014-11-20 2014-12-15 Support for vine plants, made of embossed sheet metal WO2016079765A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI2014A002009 2014-11-20
ITMI20142009 2014-11-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016079765A1 true WO2016079765A1 (en) 2016-05-26

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PCT/IT2014/000334 WO2016079765A1 (en) 2014-11-20 2014-12-15 Support for vine plants, made of embossed sheet metal

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WO (1) WO2016079765A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0316012A1 (en) * 1987-11-12 1989-05-17 Sekisui Jushi Corporation Plant prop with a shrink-on marking
US5564232A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-10-15 Acorn Landscaping And Property Maintenance, Inc. Tarpaulin holddown device
JP2007143460A (en) * 2005-11-28 2007-06-14 Kazuya Takeuchi Farming/gardening support

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0316012A1 (en) * 1987-11-12 1989-05-17 Sekisui Jushi Corporation Plant prop with a shrink-on marking
US5564232A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-10-15 Acorn Landscaping And Property Maintenance, Inc. Tarpaulin holddown device
JP2007143460A (en) * 2005-11-28 2007-06-14 Kazuya Takeuchi Farming/gardening support

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
TERRANOVA: "Galvanized section for vineyards", 3 March 2009 (2009-03-03), XP002742916, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.fratelliterranova.com/PALETTO_TUTORE_INGJ.html> [retrieved on 20150730] *

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