WO2019086888A2

WO2019086888A2 - Cultivation arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2019086888A2
Application number: PCT/GB2018/053180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark PRITCHETT
Original assignee: Haygrove Limited
Priority date: 2017-11-04
Filing date: 2018-11-01
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: GB201718304D0; GB2568088A; WO2019086888A3; GB2568088B

Abstract

A cultivation arrangement is described comprising a support frame (12) and a flexible cover material (14), the flexible cover material (14) having a first edge (24) and a second, opposite edge (26), the first edge (24) of the cover material (14) being anchored to the support frame (12), at least one tensioning member (34) secured to the second edge (26) of the cover material (14), and at least one drawing line (36) attached to the second edge (26) of the cover material (14), the support frame (12) including anchor points (16a), (16b) to which the drawing line (36) and tensioning member (34) can be anchored, wherein when the cover material (14) is drawn over the support frame (12), the tensioning member (34) can serve to tension the cover material (14).

Description

CULTIVATION ARRANGEMENT

This invention relates to a cultivation arrangement, for example in the form of a polytunnel or the like, and in particular to a cultivation arrangement in which a cover thereof can be moved between an in use position and a stowed position in a simple and convenient manner.

Polytunnels are in widespread use in the cultivation of, for example, soft fruit crops and the like, providing a controllable environment in which to grow the desired crops, allowing enhanced control over temperature and humidity, and providing protection against wind or rain damage. They are also able to restrict bird or insect access to growing crops, and so are used to reduce damage resulting from such access.

A typical design of polytunnel comprises a support frame including a series of supports, spaced apart from one another and arranged in a row, and a cover supported upon the supports and anchored in position. The supports are typically of arcuate shape, or include arcuate sections, such that the cover supported thereby adopts a substantially part cylindrical shape. The cover may be anchored in position using ropes, straps or the like which extend over the cover and which are secured to the ground, for example using suitable ground anchors, or to parts of the supports.

The cover may take a range of forms, and the material of the cover may be selected depending upon the intended purpose of the polytunnel. By way of example, where the polytunnel is intended to provide a wind- and waterproof growing environment, then the cover may be of a suitable flexible plastics material, preferably a material that is substantially transparent so as to enable natural lighting of the interior of the polytunnel. Where the polytunnel is used in hot climates, then it may be desired from the cover material to provide shade to the interior of the polytunnel, in which case the material of the cover may take the form of an opaque or translucent material, for example taking the form of a woven or net-like material. Where insect damage is the primary driver for the use of the polytunnel, then the cover may take the form of a net, the openings in which are sufficiently small as to restrict insect ingress. It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to any one of these applications, but rather can be used in a wide range of applications with a wide range of cover materials.

There are circumstances in which it is desired to be able to frequently remove the cover. By way of example, where the cover material is provided to allow the provision of shade, then changes in environmental conditions may necessitate removal of the cover on some days in the growing season, and replacement or refitting of the cover on other days in the growing season. Indeed, environmental changes may necessitate removal and/or replacement or refitting of the cover more than once in a day. With a traditional design of polytunnel, removal of the cover is a complex, time consuming operation. Typically, it requires release and removal of the anchor ropes or straps and subsequent rolling up of the cover material. To undertake these operations, operative may need to use ladders, platforms, tractors or the like in order to reach anchorage points to which the ropes or straps are connected and in order to reach the cover material to roll it up. As polytunnels of this type are often of great length, a number of operatives, each with a ladder or the like, will be required in order to remove the cover. Similarly, a number of operatives, each with a ladder, will be required in order to replace or refit the cover. Polytunnels of this type are often arranged side-by-side, covering an extended area. Accordingly, the operation to remove or replace/refit the cover may need to be repeated for each polytunnel.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cultivation arrangement in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known arrangements are overcome or are of reduced impact.

According to the present invention there is provided a cultivation arrangement comprising a support frame and a flexible cover material, the flexible cover material having a first edge and a second, opposite edge, the first edge of the cover material being anchored to the support frame, at least one tensioning member secured to the second edge of the cover material, and at least one drawing line attached to the second edge of the cover material, the support frame including anchor points to which the tensioning member and the drawing line can be anchored, wherein when the cover material is drawn over the support frame, the tensioning member can be tensioned to tension the cover material. In use, when it is required to remove the cover material, the drawing line is removed from the anchor point and the second edge of the cover material is drawn towards the first edge thereof, such that the cover material gathers substantially at the location of the first edge. Replacement or refitting of the cover material is achieved by using the drawing line to draw the cover material back over the support frame, the drawing line then being secured to the anchor point to secure the cover material in position. After fastening of the drawing line, the tensioning member can be tensioned and fastened in position, thereby tensioning the cover material.

The tensioning member conveniently comprises a length of a rope, strap or the like. The drawing member conveniently comprises a length of a rope, strap or the like. The tensioning member and drawing member may be integral with one another, comprising different regions of a single rope, strap or the like.

The cover material preferably comprises a shade material. It will be appreciated, however, that it may take a range of other forms as mentioned hereinbefore.

The anchor points are preferably located at a height above ground of less than 2m, for example they may be at a height above ground of, say, 0.5-1.8m. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that removal and replacement of the cover material can be undertaken by operatives on the ground, not requiring ladders or the like. Accordingly, the removal and replacement or refitting operations are simpler, quicker to undertake and require less equipment than in a conventional arrangement.

As, in order to draw the cover material across the support frame using the drawing line, the operative may need to walk across the width of the cultivation arrangement, conveniently crops grown therein are arranged in rows extending across the width, rather than lengthways, of the cultivation arrangement. Where two or more cultivation arrangements of this type are arranged side-by-side, the rows extending across the width of each cultivation arrangement may be aligned with and form extensions of the rows extending across the widths of the adjacent cultivation arrangements.

The cover material conveniently includes seams running along the first and second edges within which elongate reinforcing members extend. By way of example, the reinforcing members may take the form of wires, cables or the like. The tensioning member and the drawing line are preferably attached to the respective tensioning member, for example using appropriate clamps, clips or the like. The first edge of the cover member may be anchored in position using a cable or cables running along parts of the support frame.

The invention is advantageous, as set out hereinbefore, in that it allows removal or replacement of a cover material, of a range of types, in a relatively quick and simple manner, without requiring the use of specialist equipment. Accordingly, removal or replacement of the cover material may readily be undertaken when required.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a cultivation arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a and 2b are diagrammatic views illustrating the cultivation, in use; and

Figure 3 is a view illustrating part of the arrangement in greater detail.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a cultivation arrangement 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The cultivation arrangement 10 takes the general form of a polytunnel, and comprises a support frame 12 that, in use, supports a flexible cover material 14 such that the cover material 14 defines a roof of an arcuate, substantially part cylindrical or barrel like form. In the arrangement illustrated, the cover material 14 takes the form of a netting material, serving, in use, as shade netting to provide shade to crops growing within the cultivation arrangement. It will be appreciated, however, that the cover material 14 could take other forms. By way of example it could comprise a waterproof or wind proof flexible plastics material, insect netting or other forms, and the invention is applicable to all such applications.

The support frame 12 takes the form of a pair of rows of legs 16, each of which comprises an upright 18, to the upper end of which is secured a V- or U-shaped section 20. Interconnecting each leg 16 with a respective leg 16 of the adjacent row of legs 16 is a cover support member 22 of arcuate form. The cover support member 22 is conveniently of hollow tubular form, and the ends thereof are fitted over limbs of the V- or U-shaped leg sections 20. It will be appreciated that the shape of the roof defined by the cover material 14 is dictated, at least to some extent, by the profile defined by the cover support members 22.

Tensioning cables may run along the length of the frame 12, for example interconnecting adjacent ones of the sections 20, to enhance the rigidity of the structure. Similarly, cables may extend between the sections 20 of pairs of the legs 12 in adjacent rows, again enhancing the rigidity of the structure.

The cover material 14 is of elongate form, having a length long enough to cover the entire length of the cultivation arrangement 10, and of a width sufficient to allow a first edge 24 thereof to be located adjacent one end of each cover support member 22 whilst an opposite, second edge 26 thereof is located adjacent the opposite end of each cover support member 22. The edges 24, 26 of the cover material 14 are conveniently formed with seams within which respective elongate reinforcing members 28 are located. The reinforcing members 28 conveniently take the form of cables or wires extending along the full length of the cover material 14. The first edge 24 of the cover material 14 is secured, for example using crocodile clamps, clips or the like which engage the reinforcing member 28 associated therewith, to the tensioning cables. The first edge 24 is thus fixed in position.

Tensioning members 34 extend between the second edge 26 of the cover material 14 and the side of the frame 12 to which the first edge 24 is secured, being secured to the respective reinforcing members 28 by crocodile clamps clips or the like. Drawing lines 36 are also secured to the second edge 26 of the cover material 14 in a similar manner. Each drawing line 36 is secured, in use, to a respective anchor point or bracket 16b on an adjacent one of the legs 16, and each tensioning line 34 is secured, in use, to a respective anchor point or bracket 16a on an adjacent one of the legs 16. The anchor points 16a, 16b are conveniently located at a readily accessible height, for example in the region of lm above ground level. Whilst a lm height may be convenient, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard, and the brackets 16a, 16b may be higher or lower than this if desired.

In the arrangement shown, each tensioning member 34 and the associated drawing line 36 take the form of sections of a single continuous length of rope, and thus are integral with one another. It will be appreciated, however, that this need not always be the case and that arrangements in which these elements are independent of one another are also possible. Furthermore, materials other than rope may be used, if desired.

It will be appreciated that when the cover 14 is in its in use position, and is secured in position using the drawings lines 36, tensioning of the tensioning members 34, and securing of the tensioning members 34 to the anchor points 16a causes the tensioning members 34 pull the cover material 14 downwardly between adjacent pairs of the cover support members 22, tensioning the cover material 14 in the axial direction of the cultivation arrangement 10. This tensioning effect can be clearly seen in Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2a illustrate the cultivation arrangement in an in use condition in which the cover material 14 extends over the support frame 12, providing shade (or other protection, depending upon the nature of the cover material 14) to crops growing within the cultivation arrangement 10. The tensioning members 34 and drawing lines 36 securely anchor the cover material 14 in position.

If it is desired to remove the cover material 14 in order to reduce shading of the interior of the cultivation arrangement 10, the drawing lines 36 are released from the anchor brackets or points 16b. The tension in the cover material 14 will initially tend to cause the second edge 26 of the cover material 14 to ride upwardly, following the shape of the profile defined by the cover support members 22. After the tension in the cover material 14 has been relieved by such initial movement of the second edge 26 of the cover material 14, further movement of the second edge 26 of the cover material 14 towards the first edge 24 thereof is achieved by pulling on the tensioning members 34 to pull or draw the second edge 26 to substantially the location of the first edge 24, the cover material 14 thus being gathered substantially at the location of the fist edge 24. The cultivation arrangement is illustrated in this stowed condition, in which the cover material 14 is stowed rather than in use, in Figure 2b. If the cover material 14 is of reasonably high elasticity, then the majority of the movement of the cover material 14 towards the stowed position may occur as a result of the relaxation of the material. Where the material is less elastic, then the tensioning members 34 may be required to be used to draw the material over a greater part of the required movement. Once in this position, the tensioning member 34 and drawing line 36 may be tied off to the respective anchor point 16a, 16b.

To return the cultivation arrangement to the condition shown in Figures 1 and 2a, refitting the cover material 14 over the support frame 12, the process is reversed. The tensioning members 34 are released from the anchor points 16a, the drawing lines 36 then being used to draw or pull the cover material 14 over the support frame 12, pulling on the drawing lines 36 serving to tension the cover material 14. Once in position, the drawing lines 36 are tied off to the anchor points 16b, and the tensioning members 34 may then be tensioned to tension the cover 14 as required and then tied off to the anchor points 16a.

It will be appreciated that removal and refitting or replacement of the cover material 14 can be undertaken in a simple and convenient manner. No specialist tools are required, and the operation can be undertaken from the ground without requiring the use of ladders, platforms, tractors or the like. Removal and refitting operations are thus considerably simper than with conventional arrangements.

Conveniently, crops grown within the cultivation arrangement are grown in rows extending across the width of cultivation arrangement, thereby aiding the passage of an operative across the cultivation arrangement to draw the cover material between its in use and stowed positions. However, this need not always be the case and other arrangements are possible.

Whilst a specific form of cultivation arrangement is described herein, it will be appreciated that the invention may be employed with a wide range of designs of cultivation arrangement, and is not restricted to use with the specific type of arrangement described herein.

A wide range of modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangement described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cultivation arrangement comprising a support frame and a flexible cover material, the flexible cover material having a first edge and a second, opposite edge, the first edge of the cover material being anchored to the support frame, at least one tensioning member secured to the second edge of the cover material, and at least one drawing line attached to the second edge of the cover material, the support frame including anchor points to which the tensioning member and the drawing line can be anchored, wherein when the cover material is drawn over the support frame, the tensioning member can be used to tension the cover material.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the tensioning member comprises a length of a rope, strap or the like.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the drawing member comprises a length of a rope, strap or the like.

4. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning member and drawing member are integral with one another.

5. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover material comprises a shade material.

6. An arrangement according to Claim 5, wherein the cover material is an elastic, stretchy netting material.

7. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anchor points are is located at a height above ground of less than 2m.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 7, wherein the anchor points are located at a height above ground of 0.5-1.8m.

9. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein crops grown within the arrangement are arranged in rows extending across the width, rather than lengthways, of the cultivation arrangement.

10. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover material includes seams running along the first and second edges within which elongate reinforcing members extend.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10, wherein the reinforcing members comprise wires, cables or the like.

12. An arrangement according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the tensioning member and the drawing line are attached to the respective reinforcing member.

13. An arrangement according to Claim 12, wherein the attachment is achieved using appropriate clamps, clips or the like.