WO2021052847A1

WO2021052847A1 - Device for protecting a plant

Info

Publication number: WO2021052847A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/075266
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Kaspar
Original assignee: Neogard Ag
Priority date: 2019-09-18
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2021-03-25
Also published as: CH716611A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for protecting a plant (2) having a leaf region (4) and a stem region (6), the device (1) comprising an umbrella-like structure (14) and a support (10), wherein: the umbrella-like structure (14) comprises a surface element (16) which can be tensioned and a tensioning frame (20) having support arms (22), said umbrella-like structure (14) enveloping at least part of the leaf region (4) of the plant (2) when in a tensioned position; and the support (10) is designed to be adaptable to the height of the plant (2) and detachably connectable to the stem region (6) of the plant (2). The invention also relates to a corresponding method for constructing a device (1) according to the invention.

Description

Device for protecting a plant

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a device for protecting a plant, in particular a weather protection or winter protection for a plant with a leaf area and a stem area which is planted in the open air or cannot be transported.

State of the art

Plants that are planted outdoors cannot usually be transported into a greenhouse, nor can plants in pots that are too big and / or too heavy to be transported to a protected environment for the cold season .

Accordingly, these plants are exposed to the temperature changes of the seasons, and plants that are particularly sensitive to further and / or cold must be protected from frost damage in seasons with outside temperatures below freezing point and / or with cold winds.

Mini greenhouses made of glass or a heat insulating translucent sheet material are known, which are built locally around the plant to be protected, and which have a heat source in the form of a heating unit inside to heat the interior to a desired temperature. In order to effectively protect the root area of a plant from frost, a much larger container must be provided than the volume used by the plant itself. For a palm tree with a height of approx. 4 m, a minimum volume of approx. 16 m ³ to be heated is required. The costs of heating such a large volume are correspondingly high.

In addition, there is the difficulty that the taller and more voluminous a plant, the more difficult it is to install weather protection around the plant and to anchor it in a stable and reliable manner. Furthermore, a protective cover for plants is known which has an umbrella-like structure and a stand, wherein several protective covers can be connected to one another in order to cover planted areas of different sizes. The umbrella-like structure comprises a hub which is slidably received along the stand, and on which horizontal struts are received, which can be received in closed and open pockets on a polygonal umbrella cover in order to stretch the umbrella-like structure largely flat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a device for protecting a plant which provides effective weather protection and is easy to install and can be stowed away in a simple and space-saving manner when not in use. Furthermore, the device should be largely adaptable to the contour of the plant, in particular growing with it. This object is achieved in particular by a device according to claim 1 and a corresponding method for setting up the device according to claim 9.

According to the invention, a device for protecting a plant is provided. The plant has a leaf area, also referred to as a crown, and a trunk or trunk area, and is a so-called tree plant, for example a palm. For a suitable winter and weather protection of a palm, in particular the growth center or the vegetation cone, also known as the palm of the palm, at the upper end of the palm must be protected from frost but also from rot caused by accumulating water. To avoid rot formation, sufficient ventilation or a sufficiently large volume of air must also be provided within the weather protection device.

Since the plant is exposed to the prevailing weather outdoors, the device provides protection, in particular against snow, ice rain and cold winds, the device according to the invention is set up to be used as winter and wind protection even at wind speeds of up to 120 km / h.

The device according to the invention for protecting a plant with a leaf area and a stem area comprises an umbrella-like structure and a support. The umbrella-like structure comprises a tensionable surface element and a tensioning frame with support arms, the leaf area of the plant being at least partially enveloped in the tensioned position. The clamping frame further comprises rods which are designed to be arranged on the surface element that can be clamped along an outer edge. In particular, the support arms of the clamping frame can be connected to the rods by means of T-shaped spacers, the clampable structure being formed in the connected state.

The support is designed to be adaptable to the fleas of the plant and releasably connectable to the stem area of the plant. Because the support can be detachably connected to the stem area of the plant, the device according to the invention uses the stability of the plant to stabilize the device, so that a corresponding stability and statics are guaranteed despite a slightly flexible structure of the device. The device according to the invention can therefore be designed to be lightweight, since in order to achieve stability of the device against wind and weather, it is provided that the support extended to a desired fleas can be connected to the trunk of the plant to be protected, where the support is largely parallel to the Trunk arranged and can be connected to the trunk at one or preferably more locations. For this purpose, clamps with fastening eyelets are preferably provided, which on the one hand can be arranged on the support in varying fleas and can be detachably connected to the trunk of the plant to be protected by means of a strap. The device according to the invention is also robust due to its construction when it is exposed to strong wind forces. It is provided that several elements that can be detachably connected to one another form a type of kit. Depending on the shape of the plant to be protected, the device can be adapted in terms of height and coverage area as well as the material of the tensionable surface element, with individual elements being able to be connected to one another accordingly.

The umbrella-like structure can be combined with the clamping frame based on the known shape of sun and / or umbrellas who the. The clamping frame comprises a number of support arms which, starting from a center, extend radially outward or can be designed as arcuate elements. The tensionable surface element can be connected to the support arms, wherein the support arms can be inserted into receptacles on the tensionable surface element so that the tensionable surface element forms a roof shape in the tensioned position with the tensioning frame. In the tensioning position of the umbrella-like structure, depending on the inclination and / or curvature of the support arms, the tensionable surface element forms the roof shape, which spans a cover area. The roof shape is preferably dome-shaped. Other shapes that the umbrella-like structure can take are possible. Accordingly, a polygonal screen shape, for example square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal or other shapes is conceivable. The number of support arms and their arrangement can correlate with the shape of the umbrella-like structure. In the case of a polygonal shape of the umbrella-like structure, the number of support arms can correspond to the number of corners of the polygonal shape or the support arms are designed to be inserted into opposing receptacles, for example provided at the corners of the tensionable surface element.

According to the design of the tensioning frame or the umbrella-like structure, this is stabilized, in particular by means of the rods, which are formed to be arranged on the tensionable surface element along an outer edge. For this purpose, corresponding receptacles can be provided at least partially on the circumference of the surface element that can be tensioned. The support arms are connected to the circumferentially arranged rods via the T-shaped intermediate pieces. Accordingly, there are between individual bars the T-shaped intermediate pieces are arranged, which are designed such that they can be connected to the adjacent rods or support arms, for example by means of a plug connection.

In order to form a suitable roof shape, preferably dome-shaped, the rods and support elements that can be connected to one another can be arcuate, the T-shaped intermediate pieces providing the connection between the radially extending support arms and the circumferential rods. In one embodiment, a central connecting element is provided at the apex of the umbrella-like structure, which has a plurality of radial, tubular receptacles into which the support arms can be inserted and secured. The shape and diameter of the umbrella-like structure can advantageously be adapted to the size of the plant to be protected or to the size and volume of the leaf area of the plant to be protected, the number and length of the support arms and rods being varied. A simple structure of the clamping frame is achieved by detachable plug connections of the individual elements.

The tensionable surface element can be, for example, a membrane, a thermal film or another suitable film material. It is conceivable that the tensionable surface element is composed of individual surface segments, with the recordings of the support arms in the form of open sleeves or loops etc., into which the support arms can be inserted over a certain length, on the abutting edges of adjacent surface segments . The receptacles can, however, also be arranged on corners and / or edges in the edge area of the tensionable surface element in the form of pockets into which the support arms can be inserted with an end area. The pockets can also be designed so that they can be placed around the positioned end and fixed on the tensionable surface element. Other connecting means to combine the support arms and / or rods with the tensionable surface element are conceivable, for example in the form of loops, hooks, etc. The tensionable surface element is preferably slipped over the umbrella-like structure and from the inside by means of the tensionable surface element provided detachable recordings, designed as bands, connected to the respective support arms, for example by means of Velcro connections provided on the bands.

In order to make the modular structure of the device for protecting a plant also variable in height, the support itself can be designed to be telescopically extendable. Preferably, several elements that can be plugged into one another and can be anchored, e.g. extension elements, can be joined together according to the desired height, with the support being available in virtually any length. The extension elements can preferably be connected to one another and secured by means of thread sections provided accordingly on the end regions.

The device, i.e. the structure, in particular the umbrella-like structure, can advantageously be anchored to the ground and / or other objects in the vicinity of the plant to be protected by means of holding means, for example ropes and ground anchors. For this purpose, loops, hooks, eyes or other suitable means through which the ropes can be guided and / or secured can be provided on the outer edge or at other suitable points of the tensionable surface element. These increase strength and stability as well as resistance to gusts of wind.

When the device for protecting a plant is not in use, it can be dismantled into its individual parts and stowed away to save space.

Another advantage of the device for protecting a plant is that it can be sufficiently ventilated so that not too much heat develops and / or accumulates inside the device even with strong solar radiation, which also occurs in winter. This can also be achieved by a suitable material of the umbrella-like structure of the device for protection and / or by appropriately designed ventilation means. With the device according to the invention, sufficient ventilation is achieved in the leaf area of the plant to be protected, so that moisture can be easily removed in order to avoid rot due to fungal attack when it is too humid. It also prevents water from settling in the area of the Vegetation core collects and possibly freezes at sub-zero temperatures and thus causes damage to the growth center.

Since the plants to be protected, inter alia in gardens and parks, are at least partially covered by the device for protection during the winter season, aesthetic aspects also play a role.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a method for setting up the device for protecting a plant is proposed. In a first step, the length of the support is adapted to the corresponding height of the plant. The support arms and the tensionable surface element are joined together to form the umbrella-like structure and also connected to the support. The clamping frame is then put together in which the individual elements, i.e. support arms and rods and / or intermediate pieces, are preferably plugged into one another. A corresponding receptacle for the support, into which the support can be screwed, is preferably provided on the central connecting element.

As an alternative to the umbrella-like structure, it can be provided that the tensionable surface element is designed in such a way that it can be arranged to form a type of largely closed cover at least around the leaf area of the plant. In this way, the plant is protected from above as well as from the underside, and a climate of its own can develop in the cover surrounding at least the leaf area.

To set up the device for protecting a plant, the device lying on the ground is erected, the support being longer than is necessary due to the height of the plant to be protected. The device is erected with the lower end of the support placed near the trunk of the plant to be protected. With the device erected in this way, one or more extension elements of the support can then be removed so that the umbrella-like structure is positioned so that the leaf area of the plant is at least partially enveloped and the support extends along the stem area of the plant. A loose attachment of the support to the stem area of the plant can also be done before the height adjustment an additional stabilization when standing up is achieved. A free end of the support can be driven into the ground near the stem of the plant. In one embodiment it is provided that the device for protecting a plant is anchored to the ground or other objects in the surroundings by means of holding means.

Brief description of the figures

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures of the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a side view of a device for protecting a

Plant;

FIG. 2 shows a view of the individual interconnectable elements of the device for protection according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a perspective detailed view of the device for protecting a plant.

Detailed description of the figures

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a device 1 according to the invention for protecting a plant 2, in particular a tree plant, for example a palm. The plant 2 comprises a leaf area 4 or a crown, a stem area 6 and a root area, which is not visible in the presen- tation. To protect the root area, it can be provided that it is surrounded by a root insulation device, for example made of a heat-insulating material, for example a foam material. How deep such a root insulation device extends into the ground depends on the climatic conditions of the planting location, or on the depth of frost to be expected there. To further protect the root area, an upper covering and heat-sealing layer or material can be piled up such as bark mulch, whereby it must be ensured that sufficient rainwater and / or irrigation water can penetrate for irrigation.

In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, a support 10 can be seen which extends along the trunk area 6 and can be connected to it at one or more points. For this purpose, ropes, straps or other suitable means 12 can be provided, which detachably secure the support 10 on the trunk area 6. The support 10 itself can be lengthened like a telescope or, as indicated in FIG. 1, several rod-like elements can be releasably connectable to one another in order to adapt the length of the support 10 to the length of the plant 2 to be protected. In order to enable the device 1 to be erected more easily, the length of the support 10 exceeds the height of the plant 2, so that when the device 1 is erected, it protrudes over the plant 2. Subsequently, by removing individual rod-like elements of the support 2, these can be shortened in such a way that the device 1 largely surrounds the leaf area 4 of the plant.

An umbrella-like structure 14 can be detachably connected to an upper end of the support 10. The umbrella-like structure 14 comprises a tensionable surface element 16 which is arranged over the leaf area 4. The tension face element 16 (partially indicated in FIG. 1) can be assembled from individual segments 18. The dome-shaped umbrella-like structure 14 is shown in a tensioned position, the tensionable surface element 16 being stretched over a tensioning frame 20. The clamping frame 20 comprises support arms 22 which extend radially along the meridians from a central connecting piece 24 at the central apex. In particular, the tensionable surface element 16 can be connected to the support arms 22, for example, they can be received in receptacles formed on the tensionable surface element 16 or connected to the SEM by means of a suitable connecting element. The receptacles can be designed as sleeves or pockets, either at a corner or edge of the tensionable surface element 16 or at least partially along the meridians. An outer edge 28 of the tensionable surface element 16 can have, at least in sections, a channel-like circumferential receptacle (not shown), in FIG which rods, in particular arcuate rods 32, can be inserted or threaded. In order to connect the arched rods 32 to one another, intermediate pieces 34 are provided which are T-shaped. Accordingly, a closed ring can be assembled from the arched rods 32, which further provides a connection to the support arms 22 extending radially along a meridian at the respective intermediate pieces and are inserted into the channel-like receptacles formed on the tensionable surface element 16.

Furthermore, means 36 are provided to stabilize the device 1 for protecting a plant 2, for example on the outer edge 28 of the tensionable surface element 16 or along the meridians, for example in the form of loops, eyelets or flakes. These are set up to be anchored by means of ropes 38 and Fleringen 39 on the ground or other suitable places in the area surrounding the plant. FIG. 2 shows the individual elements from which the device 1 for protecting a plant 2 can be assembled. The support 10 is composed of several straight rods or pieces of pipe that can be plugged into one another, the length of the support 10 being adaptable to the fleas of the plant 2. The elements that form the umbrella-like structure 14 include the arched rods 32 and the likewise arched support arms 22, which can likewise be plugged into one another in virtually any way. To connect the arcuate rods 32 forming an outer ring and the arcuate support arms 22, the T-shaped spacers 34 are hen vorgese. The support arms 22 are inserted into the star-shaped, central connecting piece 24, which accordingly has a number of radially extending

Provides connectors.

FIG. 3 shows the central connecting piece 24 as a detailed view. The number of support arms 22 that can be connected to the central connecting piece 24 is 8; other embodiments are conceivable. It is also shown that the support arms 22 each have a stepped diameter at one end area, so that they can be piece 24 trained recordings are insertable. On the rod-like elements that form the support 10, locking elements 40 are also provided at one end area, which can be inserted and locked in corresponding locking openings 42, which is formed at an end area of a second rod-like element that can be connected to the first rod-like element . By locking the rod-like elements, a stable support 10 is provided.

Claims

1. Device (1) for protecting a plant (2) with a Blattbe rich (4) and a stem area (6), wherein the device (1) comprises a schirmar term structure (14) and a support (10), characterized that the umbrella-like structure (14) comprises a tensionable surface element (16) and a tensioning frame (20) with support arms (22), the umbrella-like structure (14) in a tensioning position at least partially covering the leaf area (4) of the plant (2) enveloped, and the support (10) is designed to be adaptable to the height of the plant (2) and to be releasably connectable to the stem area (6) of the plant (2), characterized in that the clamping frame (20) rods (32) which are designed to be arranged on the tensionable surface element (16) along an outer edge (28) and which can be connected to the support arms (22) by means of T-shaped spacers, the umbrella-like structure in the connected state (14) is formed.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping frame (20) comprises a central connecting element (24), set up to hold the support arms (22) in radially arranged receptacles.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support arms (22) on the tensionable surface element (16) in Aufnah men (26) can be inserted so that the tensionable surface element (16) in the tensioned position with the clamping frame (20) forms a roof shape.

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the roof shape is dome-shaped.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that holding means (36, 38) are provided which are set up to hold the device (1) on the ground and / or other objects in the vicinity of the plant (2) to anchor.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (10) is formed from telescopically extendable.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (10) and / or the clamping frame (20) of the umbrella-like structure (14) can be joined together by means of a plug connection of individual elements.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensionable surface element (16) is made of a film material.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensionable surface element (16) is designed so that it surrounds the leaf area (4) of the plant (2) in the form of a largely closed envelope.

10. A method for building a device (1) for protecting a

Plant (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising

- Assembling support arms (22) and tensionable surface element (16) to form the umbrella-like structure (14);

- Adjusting the length of the support (10) according to the height of the plant (2); and connecting the umbrella-like structure (14) to the support (10) to form the device (1); - Setting up the device (1), wherein the umbrella-like structure (14) at least partially envelops the leaf area (4) of the plant (2) and the support (10) extends along the stem area (6) of the plant (2); and

- Attaching the support (10) to the trunk area (6) of the plant (2).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the length of the support is adapted so that it projects beyond the height of the plant (2) and after setting up the device, the length of the support is adapted to the height of the plant (2).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the device (1) is anchored to the ground by means of holding means (36, 38).