Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
PLANT SUPPORT ADAPTED FOR
LIFTING AND CARRYING A PLANT CONTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to plant supports. More particularly the invention
relates to plant supports of the kind that are used to support plants growing
in
plant pots or other similar plant containers.
BACKGROUND ART
Production of ornamental vines and trailing plants, juvenile woody
ornamental plants, and vegetables in commercial greenhouses and nurseries
requires the use of plant-stabilizing supports such as wooden, plastic or
metal
stakes, trellises, or cages. The main functions of the supports during the
plant
production stages are to: (a) contain the foliage and stems of plant growth,
particularly of vines and trailing plants, within or around the support
structures in
order to maximize the number of pots that can be contained within a growing
area,
(b) support the vertical growth of plants to provide maximum rates of growth
and
development, (c) provide maximum exposure of foliage, flowers and fruits to
sunlight, (d) enhance the visual appeal of plant growth forms, and (d) provide
airflow through plant foliage to minimize the occurrence of diseases. The main
post-production functions of plant supports are to provide stable structures
to
securely retain and contain plants during handling and shipping to prevent
plant
breakage and other damage.
A variety of materials are currently used as plant supports by the
horticulture trade. For example, wooden stakes and bamboo poles are inserted
into
pots containing growing mixes before or after planting, and then plants are
tied to
the supports with natural fiber or plastic materials. Alternatively, rigid
plastic or
fiberglass stakes can be used to provide vertical support for plant growth.
Also,
bare metal or plastic-coated metal wires or rods can be used as plant
supports.
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
2
Numerous problems are commonly encountered with these types of
supports. The stakes are not vertically stable when they axe inserted into the
growing mixes contained within pots i.e., they are easily knocked out or fall
over
during handling. This can cause significant plant damage. However, wooden and
bamboo stakes can be securely fastened to the sides of pots by staples, nails
or
screws. Alternatively, they can be fastened by nailing, stapling or screwing,
to
wooden or bamboo horizontal supports which span the inside diameters of pots.
The horizontal supports may also be secured to the sides of the pots by
nailing,
screwing or stapling. However, there are disadvantages associated with
fastening
wooden and bamboo stakes to pots. Significant time and effort are required to
attach vertical stakes to the sides of pots or alternatively to horizontal
braces
which are then attached to the pots. Moreover, stakes which have been nailed,
stapled or screwed to pots, or attached together and then attached to pots,
are
weakened at the attachment points and consequently, tend to be fragile,
flimsy,
and break at the attachment points unless handled with caution and care.
Metal,
plastic or fibexglass stakes can be securely fastened to sides of pots with
plastic or
metal ties inserted through holes drilled into the sides of pots. These steps
are also
time consuming and often do not securely retain the stakes in a vertical
orientation. The consequence is that metal, plastic or h~berglass support
stakes are
frequently pulled out of pots during handling with consequent damage to plant
material that they are supporting. Furthermore, the vertical supports used for
commercial production of plants requiring support, are; difficult for retail
consumers to handle and remove when they are transplanting the plants into new
containers or landscape settings. The plant supports often break during the
customers' handling and transplanting activities resulting in significant
plant
damage. Plant damage also occurs during their removal from the plant supports.
Customers commonly return damaged plants to the retail outlets for
compensation
andlor replacement resulting in significant business losses to both retailers
and
producers.
Numerous attempts have been made to improve the structural integrity of
vertical plant supports within pots and in their attachment to pots. Examples
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include the welding of underground plates to metal vertical suppoxts as
disclosed
in U.S. Patent No. 4,519,162, combination thermoplastic pot and support units
in
which the outer top circumference of thermoplastic pota contain receptacles
into
which the vertical thermoplastic supports can be inserted as disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,631, 861, methods for securing supports to the sides of pots as
described in U.S. Patent No. 4,270,310, and a foundation stake which clamps
onto
the side of a pot and into which additional plant-supporting stakes are
inserted as
described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0073614A1. However, all of these
examples lack the stability and structural integrity desired for horticultural
production, handling and shipping of plants requiring vertical support.
Furthermore, they are exceedingly complex and time-consuming to set-up and use
before and during plant production.
It is common practice during commercial prod}action of vines and trailing
plants, to contain and support plant growth for extended periods of time
during
which plant height and plant mass will increase significantly. Accordingly,
horizontal supports are commonly attached to vertical elements placed into
plant
pots in order to contain and support plants as they grow. Numerous devises
have
been developed to enable attachment of individual horizontal elements to
vertical
plant supports. These include systems which require insertion of the
horizontal
elements into holes pre-drilled into vertical supports as exemplified by US
Patent
Nos. 1,587,740, 1,627,495, and 2,764,846. Other systems incorporate devises
which enable the horizontal supports to be locked onto or into a vertical
support
by means of compressive ox gravitational pressure as exemplified by US Patent
Nos. 2,851,823, 3,731,429 and 3,778,929. It is also possible to construct
plant
support systems that combine pre-drilled holes in vertical elements with
compressive devises to secure horizontal elements as shown by US Patent No.
4,519,162. Alternatively, plant support and containment can be accomplished by
the use of one-piece thermoplastic plant trellising systems which combine
vertical
and horizontal supports into one unit that can be snapped into thermoplastic
pots
(US Patent No. 4,631,861). However, all of these systems are complex to
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4
manufacture and furthermore, their set-up for commercial horticultural use
before
and during plant growth is complicated and time-consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a simple plant support system
that is free-standing and vertically stable within a pot used for growing
plants, and
can structurally withstand the weight of plant mass, and handling and shipping
stresses.
It is a further objective to provide a plant support system that does not
have to be physically attached to the sides of plant containers, and will
provide a
stable and durable plant support during nursery production, handling and
shipping.
It is anothex objective of this invention to provide a simple inexpensive
plant support system with one or more de-mountable members that can be easily,
quickly and firmly attached in a horizontal orientation to vertical plant
supports to
facilitate containment of plant mass and growth Burin~; nursery production.
It is yet another objective to provide a plant support system having one or
more self locking horizontal plant support members that will contain and
provide
stable support to vines and trailing plants during nursery production,
handling and
shipping.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant
support system for use with an open-topped plant container for a growing
plant,
the plant support comprising: a vertical plant support member and an anchor
member each made of a stiff material, the plant support member and the anchor
member being rigidly and permanently attached to each other; the plant support
member being capable of generally vertical orientation and having a lower end
adapted in use to extend to a bottom of the plant container filled with a mass
of
plant growth medium, an upper end remote from the lower end, and a part that
is
grippable by hand adjacent to the upper end; and the anchor member being
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attached to the plant support member at the lower end thereof and comprising a
base element extending generally horizontally when the plant support member is
orientated generally vertically, whereby the base elemc;nt may be positioned
beneath the mass of growth medium in the container with the plant support
member extending vertically from the mass of growth medium to facilitate
support of a plant growing in the mass, and to facilitate lifting and
transportation
of the container filled with the mass of growth medium via the part of the
plant
support member that is grippable by hand.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
plant support for use with an open-topped plant container for a growing plant,
the
plant support comprising: a vertical plant support member made of a stiff
material,
the vertical member having at least two uprights integrally connected to an
anchor
member, each upright including confronting inwardly facing surfaces and
opposite outwardly facing surfaces; a horizontal plant support member
1 S comprising: a first loop made of a stiff resilient material having
engagement
surfaces spaced around the loop adapted for simultaneously engaging the
confronting inner surfaces of the uprights; and a second loop made of a stiff
resilient material having engagement surfaces spaced around the loop adapted
for
simultaneously engaging the opposite outer surfaces of the uprights; at least
one
of the first loop and the second loop having projections incorporating the
engagement surfaces formed by bends in the loops such that, in use, the loops
overlie each other at the projections adjacent the uprights; whereby, when
positioned on the vertical support, the horizontal plant support is held in
place by
engagement of the uprights between the first and second Loops.
2S According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a plant
support, comprising: a vertical support having at least two uprights, each
upright
including confronting inwardly facing surfaces and opposite outwardly facing
surfaces; and a horizontal support attached to the vertical support; wherein
the
horizontal support comprises: a first loop made of a stiff material having
engagement surfaces spaced around the loop for simultaneously engaging the
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6
confronting inner surfaces of the uprights; and a second loop made of a stiff
material having engagement surfaces spaced around th.e loop for simultaneously
engaging the opposite outer surfaces of the uprights; at least one of the
first loop
and the second loop having projections incorporating the engagement surfaces
formed by bends in the loops such that the loops overlie each other at the
projections adjacent the uprights; whereby the horizontal support is held in
place
on the vertical support by engagement of the uprights lbetween the fixst and
second
loops.
By the term "engage" or "engagement" I generally mean contact with
sufficient force or pressure to grip (with enough friction to resist, although
not
necessarily prevent, slippage) in use.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a horizontal
plant support for attachment to a vertical plant support having at least two
uprights; the horizontal plant support comprising: a loop having a peripheral
shape adapted to provide horizontal support for a plant, the loop being made
of a
material that is resiliently flexible and springs back to an original shape
when
flexed, and the loop having at least two engagement sections spaced around
tlae
loop, each engagement section being adapted to receive and engage a different
one of the uprights; wherein each engagement section is formed by a part of
the
loop bent out of the peripheral shape of the loop to form a re-entrant clamp
that
enlarges and opens when the loop is flexed, and that contracts and closes when
the
loop is released, thereby enabling the support to be installed on the uprights
when
the loop is flexed to open and enlarge the clamps to receive the uprights, and
to be
supported on the uprights by the clamps when the loop is released.
By the term "re-entrant clamp" I mean a part of the loop that is bent back
on itself to form a V-shaped, U-shaped, curved or similar element providing
with
a spacing between adjacent parts of the loop that in the released form of the
loop,
is preferably smaller than the width of an upright that will be received by
the
clamp.
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Preferably, the parts of the loop forming the engagement sections are bent
into the shape of a figure eight comprising two circles, a circle most distant
from
the loop forming the re-entrant clamp, and a circle closest to the loop formed
by
overlapping curves of the rod that move apart when the loop is flexed, thereby
allowing an upright to enter the clamp, but preventing exit of the upright
from the
clamp when the loop is released and the curves return to an overlapping
condition.
According to another preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a
combination comprising an open-topped plant container and a plant support, the
open-topped container having sidewalk, a bottom and an open top, and
containing
a mass of growth medium, and the plant support comprising: a plant support
member and an anchor member each made of a stiff material, the plant support
member and the anchor member being rigidly and permanently attached to each
other; the plant support member being orientated and having a lower end
extending to the bottom of the plant container, an upper end separated from
the
lower end by a distance causing the support member to clear the open top, and
a
part that is grippable by hand adjacent to the upper end; and the anchor
member
being attached to the plant support member at the lower end thereof and
comprising a base element extending generally horizcmtally when the plant
support member is orientated generally vertically, the base element being
positioned beneath the mass of growth medium in the container with the plant
support member extending vertically from the mass of growth medium to
facilitate support of a plant growing in the mass, and to facilitate lifting
and
transportation of the container filled with the mass of growth medium via the
part
of the plant support member that is grippable by hand.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a plant
support, comprising: a vertical support having at least two uprights, and a
horizontal support attached to the vertical support; wherein the horizontal
support
comprises: a loop having a peripheral shape adapted to provide horizontal
support
for a plant, the loop being made of a material that is resiliently flexible
and
springs back to an original shape when flexed, and the Ioop having at least
two
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g
engagement sections spaced around the loop, each engagement section receiving
and engaging a different one of the uprights; wherein each engagement section
is
formed by a part of the loop bent out of the peripheral shape of the loop to
form a
re-entrant clamp that enlarges and opens when the loop is flexed, and that
contracts and closes when the loop is released, thereby enabling the support
to be
installed on the uprights when the loop is flexed to open and enlarge the
clamps to
receive the uprights, and to be supported on the uprights by the clamps when
the
loop is released.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention
showing a plant support with two vertical elements;
Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section of a combination of the plant support of
Fig. 1 positioned in a plant container which has been filled with mass of
growth
medium;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the plant
support of the invention provided with one vertical element;
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a plant support provided with
horizontal notches placed onto the vertical elements so that horizontal
elements
can be attached, and to facilitate severing of the vertical elements if so
desired;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention
based on the plant support shown in Fig. 1 where in horizontal elements are
permanently affixed to the vertical elements;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention
based on the plant support shown in Fig. 3 wherein area of plant support is
expanded by the permanent attachment of a rectangular-shaped element to the
single vertical element;
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Figure 7 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of the invention showing
a two-ring horizontal support in position on a vertical support having two
uprights;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 7 showing the
positioning of the rings on the upright support;
Figure 9 is an enlarged partial view of the embodiment of Figure 8,
partially in cross-section, of the region where the horizontal support
contacts the
vertical support;
Figure 10 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a horizontal
support of the invention; and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 10 showing the
horizontal support in place on a vertical plant support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a first preferred embodiment
of the plant support system of the present invention. T'he plant support 10
has a
plant support member 12 and an anchor member 14. The plant support member
12 and the anchor member 14 are rigidly and preferably permanently attached to
each other by virtue of their formation from a single loop of preferably rod-
like
stiff material 16. Fig. 1 shows the device in the orienl:ation in which it is
normally used, i.e. with the plant support member 12 having a generally
vertical
orientation and the anchor member 14 extending generally horizontally. The rod-
like stiff material used for the support may be any suitable material such as,
for
example, metal wire, plastic-coated metal wire, metal rod, plastic-coated
metal
rod, molded plastic rod and molded fiberglass rod. Furthermore, the cross-
section
of the rod-like material may be of any suitable shape, for example, round,
elliptical, square, rectangular or mufti-faceted.
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The anchor member 14 comprises a base element in the form of a non-
linear rod in the form of an open flat loop 20 that projects from the lower
end 22
of the plant support 10 by a distance preferably of at least 2.54 cm (1 inch)
and
more preferably at least 5.08 em (2 inches). The loop 20 may be made by
bending
a linear rod of the material and joining the free ends together. The free ends
of the
loop can be permanently joined by means such as, but not restricted to,
welding,
gluing, clamping one end onto the other, or other means as appropriate to the
material selected.
The upper end 23 of the plant support 10 has a part 24 that is that is
10 grippable by hand. In this embodiment, this part takes the form of a part
of the
metal loop incorporating a cross-piece or connecting rod 26 adjacent to the
upper
end of the support. Thus, the plant support member 12 consists of two
generally
straight vertical rods 28 and 30 connected together at the upper end of the
member
by a single horizontal cross-piece 26. The cross-piece 26 may be gripped in
one
hand like a handle.
The plant supports encompassed by this embodiment can be made from a
length of material selected from one of but not restricted to, metal wire or
rods,
plastic-coated metal wire or rods, thermoplastic rods, fiberglass rods, and
other
suitable materials. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the material can
be
round, elliptical, square, rectangular or multi-faceted. 'lChe two ends of the
plant
support so formed can be permanently joined by means such as but not
restricted
to welding, gluing, clamping one end onto the other, or other means as
appropriate
to the material selected.
Fig. 2 shows a combination of the plant support of Fig. 1 in position in an
open-topped plant container 40 filled with a plant growth medium 42. The plant
growth medium may be any conventional soil or growing mix and usually consists
of a heterogeneous mixture of solid particles, moisture (i.e. liquid) and
airspace.
The medium may be quite loose to fairly compact depending on the choice of
medium and the degree of cohesion caused by plant roots and organic contents.
The plant container 40 may be a conventional plant pol; preferably made of
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11
plastics material that is of relatively light weight. Ideally, the weight of
the
container 40 should be less than that of the mass of the plant growth medium
42
when the container is filled to the normal height. Con~rentional containers
made
of plastics material normally meet this preferred weight ratio. The container
has a
sidewall 44, an open top 46 and a bottom 48. The container may be of circular
cross-section, but other shapes could be employed, e.g. square or rectangular,
octagonal, etc.
The plant support 10 is arranged in the container 40 so that the lower end
22 of the plant support member 12 extends to and is free-standing on the
bottom
48 of the container. The upper end 23 of the plant support member 12 extends
vertically from the container to act as a support to facilitate support of a
plant (not
shown) growing in the mass 42. The plant may be attached to vertical rods 28
and
30 by means of conventional ties (not shown). The anchor member 14 extends
along or near the bottom 48 of the container beneath tree mass of growth
medium
42.
The support 10 may be introduced into the container 40 before the mass 42
of growth medium is added and the plant planted therein, or it may be
introduced
afterwards, e.g. by inverting the container while holding the mass 42, gently
removing the mass (with any plant therein) from the container, inserting the
support 10, re-inserting the mass 42 and re-inverting the container. In this
case,
the mass of growth medium remains sufficiently cohesive, especially if bound
together by plant roots, that it does not disintegrate during this operation.
It is to be noted that, in the present invention, it: is not necessary or
desirable to physically attach the plant support to the plant container. The
generally horizontal anchor member 14 not only helps to stabilize the free-
standing support 10 in the container 40, thus making it more stable for
support of
a plant, but remarkably makes it possible to lift the container, including the
contents, by grasping the grippable part 24 of the support and using this to
lift the
entire unit even though the plant support is free-standing within and not in
any
way attached to the container. The anchor part 14 prevents the support member
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12
12 form being pulled out of the mass of growth medium 42 by virtue of its
position underneath and its engagement with the mass. However, the container
40
remains in place around the mass of growth medium when the support 10 is
lifted
thus the combination of container, growth medium (with plant, if any) and
support
10 remains together. The container may therefore be lifted and transported
using
part of the plant support 10 as a handle. Most surprisingly, the plant support
10
can be used in this way even if the mass 42 of plant growth material is only
loosely compacted and even if there is no root ball from a plant. It is
usually only
necessary to use one hand to lift the plant container and its contents so that
it can
be moved from place to place.
In order to prevent accidental separation of the container from the mass of
growth medium, the anchor member 14 must extend beneath the mass to a
suitable extent. As noted, this means that the horizontal extent of the anchor
member should normally be at least 2.54 cm (1 inch), and more preferably at
least
5.08 cm (2 inches). However, the preferred extent depends to some extent on
the
size of the container. In general terms, therefore, the horizontal extent of
the
anchor member should preferably be at least 20% of the diameter of the
container.
Preferably, also, the container should not be too heavy,, e.g. as noted, it
should
preferably have a weight that is less than the weight of the mass of growth
medium. If the container is not circular at the bottom, the horizontal extent
of the
anchor member should preferably be at least 20% of the smallest dimension of
the
container at the bottom.
A second embodiment of this invention is shown in Fig. 3. In this
embodiment, a plant support 10' has a plant support member 12' consisting of a
single vertical element 28' conjoined to a generally horizontal anchor member
14'
with a 90° bend.. The anchor member 14' in this embodiment is formed of
a
elongated non-linear member 18' twisted into an open loop 20' as shown.. The
loop 20' preferably extends only on one side of the vertical element 28' as
shown,
but it rnay alternatively partially or completely encircle lower end 22' of
the plant
support member 12'. In this embodiment, any part of t:he vertical element 28'
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13
that, in use, extends above a mass of growth medium of the type shown in Fig.
2
may form a part that is grippable by hand. The only requirement is that the
part of
the rod extending above the mass of growth medium be sufficiently long that it
can comfortably fit within the closed fist of the user, while also being long
enough
to act as an effective plant support. Ideally, but not essentially, this part
of the
vertical element should be longer than the predictable Jieight of the plant
with
which the support is intended to be used (at least in the; early growth stages
of the
plant), so that the upper end 23' of the vertical element; 28' extends above
the
plant matter, thus allowing easy access for grasping by the user. As in the
previous embodiment, the plant supports encompassed by this embodiment can be
made from a number of materials including but not restricted to metal, plastic-
coated metal, thermoplastic rods, fiberglass rods, and other suitable
materials. The
only requirement is that the material be stiff enough for the support to
provide an
effective supporting function for a plant and strong enough to allow lifting
of the
container, plant and mass of plant growth medium while being graspable by
hand.
The horizontal extent of the anchor member 14' should preferably be sized
to fit into different pot diameters such that the anchor member extends over
at
least 20%, and more preferably between 50-100% of inside diameter of the plant
container at the bottom thereof. However, it is preferred that the anchor
member
extend over 50-75% of the inside diameter of the plant container at the bottom
thereof. If the container is not circular at the bottom, the horizontal extent
of the
anchor member should preferably be at least 20% of th.e smallest dimension of
the
container at the bottom.
A further preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4. This
embodiment of this invention is similar to that of Fig. 1 except for the
provision of
horizontal notches 50 in the vertical elements 28 (only one being shown in
Fig. 4)
that are indented into the vertical elements at regular ixitervals, for
example
intervals spaced in a range of 5.0 - 30.5 cm (2 - 12 inches) apart.
Furthermore,
the regular spacing of the horizontal notches can be scaled to the diameter of
the
pot in which the plant support will be placed; that is, the smaller the
diameter of
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
14
the pot, the closer the spacing between the notches. The notches can be
utilized
for a number of commercially useful purposes including but not restricted to:
(a)
securing plant sections to the support by means of tying a plant tie around
the
notch, then encompassing the plant parts to be supported and tying the two
ends
of the tie together, (b) attaching and securing separate horizontal plant
supports
into and through which the plant will grow and develop, and (c) facilitating
the
severing of the vertical elements with an appropriate cutting tool such but
not
restricted to side-cutters and pliers.
Another embodiment of this invention is the provision and expansion of a
flat growing surface for trailing plants, vines and other such plant material,
by
modification of the embodiment exemplified in Fig. 1 and shown in Fig. 5 by
means of permanent attachment of horizontal elements 60 to the vertical
elements
as 28, 30 at points 61. The materials selected for the horizontal elements 60
should preferably be the same as the materials used for the vertical elements
28,
30 and the means of permanently attaching horizontal elements to the vertical
elements should be appropriate to those materials, e.g., welding for metals
and
gluing for plastics.
Yet another embodiment of this invention is thc~ provision and expansion
of a flat growing surface for trailing plants, vines and other such plant
material, by
modification of the embodiment exemplified in Fig. 3 and shown in Fig. 6 by
means of permanent attachment of a rectangular element 70 to the vertical
element 28 at points 61. The materials selected for the horizontal elements 70
should preferably be the same as the materials used for the vertical elements
28,
and the means of permanently attaching horizontal elements to the vertical
elements should be appropriate to those materials, e.g., welding for metals
and
gluing for plastics.
Furthermore, it is to be noted that all of the above described embodiments
can be produced in a manner which will facilitate their removal from the
plants
they are supporting with a minimum or no plant damage when the plants are
removed from their containers and transplanted into other containers or into
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
l~
landscapes. Specifically, indentations can be stamped or molded into the
vertical
arid horizontal elements on and within which plant growth will occur, thereby
facilitating severing the elements by means of a cutting tool such as but not
restricted to wire cutters and pliers so that the elements can be easily slid
away
from the plant material.
It is desirable during commercial production of trailing plants and vines, to
contain the plant mass within the outer perimeter of the pots in which they
are
grown in order to maximize packing densities and to minimize plant damage
during handling and shipping. One form of the present invention suitable for
containing the plant mass of a trailing plant or vine within the perimeter of
a pot
(not shown), is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the
support
consists of a vertical support 110 and a horizontal support 112. The
horizontal
support 112 by itself also forms an embodiment of this invention.
The vertical support 110 has two uprights 114 and 115 joined at the top by
a cross-piece 116. The uprights 114 and 115 are inserted at their lower ends I
14A
and 115A into the soil of a plant container, such as a conventional plant pot
(not
shown), to a depth suitable to allow the vertical support to stand freely and
firmly
within the container. If so desired, the Lower ends ma;y be attached to an
anchor
member as described in the previous embodiments, but this is not essential in
this
form of the invention. The uprights 114 and 115 themselves act as supports and
guides for plants as they grow in the soil of the container. The uprights each
have
an external surface that is notionally divided into an inner surface (1148 and
1158
- See Fig. 9) which confront or face each other, and an opposite outer surface
(114C and 115C) that face away from each other (see Fig. 9).
The horizontal plant support 112 is releasably attached to the vertical
plants support 110 at a position somewhere between t:he lower ends I 14A and
115A and the cross-piece 116, as shown. The function of this support is to
provide more surface area to guide and support the growing plant and/or to
contain the horizontal spread of the plant as it grows (this allows more
plants to be
assembled in a given area than if the plants were allowed to spread out
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
16
horizontally without limitation). If desired, more than one horizontal plant
support may be positioned on the vertical plants support at vertically spaced
positions, but just one such support is usually enough.
The horizontal plant support comprises a first rod i 17 of stiff material
(preferably metal wire or a tough plastic) formed into a first loop 118 and a
second rod 119 of stiff material (preferably metal wire or a tough plastic)
formed
into a second loop 120. The loops may be of any shape, but are preferably
generally circular as shown. The loops are preferably continuous, but may be
interrupted at a point around the periphery, if required. The first loop 118,
while
generally circular, has projections 121 and 122 formed by bends in the rod I
17.
The projections are directed inwardly of the loop 118 {thus forming
indentations)
and axe of V-shape as shown. Each projection 121 and 122 has an apex 121 A and
122A (see Fig. 9) where the arms of the "V" join together. The surfaces on the
inward bend at the apices form engagement surfaces 121B and 122B that contact
and engage the inner surfaces 114B and 115B of the uprights 114 and 115.
Preferably, the rod 117 from which the loop 118 is made is somewhat resilient
and springy, i.e. it rebounds when flexed. In this way, the distance between
the
engagement surfaces 121B and 122B prior to installation of loop 118 on the
vertical support 110, can be made slightly more than the distance X between
the
inner surfaces 114B and 115B of the of the uprights 114 and 115. The reason
for
this will be explained below.
The second loop 120 is preferably circular and has no projections. The
loop has engagement surfaces 120A and 120B (see Fig. 9) which contact and
engage the outer surfaces 114C and 115C of the uprights 114 and 115. The rod
119 which forms the loop 120 is also preferably made, of a somewhat resilient
springy material so that it rebounds when flexed. The distance separating the
surfaces 120A and 120B, prior to installation of the horizontal support 112 on
the
vertical support 110, is preferably slightly less than tree distance Y
separating the
outer surfaces 114C and 115C of the uprights 114 and 11 S for the reason
explained below.
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
17
In this embodiment at least, the loops 118 and 120 are not attached
together, although they do overlie and preferably contact each other, at the
projections 121 and 122, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. However, the two loops
cooperate and function together as well as with the vertical support, and two
loops together form the horizontal support 112.
The horizontal support 112 can be installed on the vertical support 110 in
the following manner. The first loop 118 is held at an angle to the horizontal
and
positioned between the uprights 114 and 115 with the inward projections 121
and
122 roughly aligned with the uprights. The loop is thf;n twisted to the
horizontal
position: As this is done, the inward projections 114 and 115 receive the
uprights
and guide the engaging surfaces 121A and 122A into contact with the inner
surfaces 114B and 11 SB of the uprights. Although the distance between the
engaging surfaces is slightly greater than the distance between the inner
surfaces
of the uprights, the loop 118 can nevertheless be twisted to the fully
horizontal
position by virtue of either flexing of the loop or slight outward bowing of
the
uprights, or both. The second loop 120 is then held horizontally and is
inserted
over the top of the vertical support 110 and slid down to the position of the
loop
118. Although the inner diameter of the loop 120 may be slightly less than the
distance between the outer surfaces 114C and 11 SC of the uprights 114 and
115,
the loop can still be drawn over and slid down the vertical support 110 by
flexing
of the loop or a slight inward bowing of the uprights (at least in positions
spaced
from the cross-piece 116). The loop 120 is slid down as far as possible over
the
vertical support and is preferably brought into direct contact with the first
loop
118 at the inward projections 121 and 122 immediately adjacent to the uprights
2S 114 and 115.
While the horizontal support 112 can be easily installed, and if required,
removed in this way, it is held in a very secure manner on the vertical
support
110. The uprights are securely gripped by the engagement surfaces of the first
and second loops. The engagement surfaces of the first loop urge the uprights
apart, and the engagement surfaces of the second loop urge the uprights
together.
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
18
The uprights are thus held immobile in the region of th.e horizontal support
and
firmly in contact with the first and second loops. The second loop is
supported
against being moved downwardly or twisted by virtue of the overlap, and
preferably contact, with the first loop.
If the material of the uprights is compressible, the engagement surfaces of
the loops may compress the uprights at the points of engagement, thus
embedding
the loops into the uprights to some extent making the positioning of the loops
even more secure. This may occur if the uprights are made, for example, from
stiff but slightly compressible plastics material. If the uprights are made of
metal,
e.g. metal wire, they may have little compressibility and the differences in
spacings of the engagement surfaces of the loops and the surfaces of the
uprights
are accommodated entirely by the flexibility of the loops. The attachment of
the
loops to the uprights may then rely entirely on the friction that is generated
between the loops and the uprights. In such cases, to make the attachment even
more secure, one or preferably both uprights 114 and 115 may be provided with
horizontally aligned vertically spaced grooves 125 (Fig. 8) on the inner
surfaces
1148 and 1158. These grooves 125 rnay be of such a width as to partially
receive
the engagement surface 121A and 122A. The first loop 118 can thus be "locked"
in position on the uprights 114 and 115. The positioning of the second loop
then
prevents the engagement surfaces of the first loop from slipping out of the
grooves
125.
As noted above, the loops should preferably be dimensioned such that the
distances between the engagements surfaces should be more (in the case of the
first loop) or less (in the case of the second loop) than the distances
between the
surfaces of the uprights that they engage. This providea a good degree of
gripping
of the uprights by the loops due to the tendency of the loops to rebound when
flexed to accommodate the differences in distance. However, the differences in
distance do not have to be great and could in fact be none-existent (in which
case
the loops contact the uprights without significant pressure or force, but
still
generate friction sufficient to hold the loops in place). If too great, the
differences
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
19
in distance require substantial deformation of the loops for proper
installation and,
depending on the material of the loops, could cause de:Formation beyond the
point
of full rebound, thus causing permanent deformation that reduces or eliminates
the
ability of the loops to grip the uprights. For the most common materials (e.g.
metal wire) the differences in the distance may preferably range up to 10%,
more
preferably up to 5% and ideally no more than about 3°io.
While the illustrated embodiment is designed for use with a vertical
support having two uprights, it will be apparent that changes can easily be
made to
accommodate a vertical support having three or more uprights. In such a case,
one or more additional inward projections similar to 121 and 122 are provided
and
all of the projections are positioned to correspond to the positions of the
uprights.
The loops are then installed in the same way as indicat~ud above.
The horizontal supports provide firm horizontal growing areas for trailing
plants to expand and grow. They can also provide a boundary for plants that
grow
upright in order to prevent such plants from spreading outwardly or being bent
over and damaged. If desired, more than one horizontal support may be
positioned on a single vertical support.
Another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 of the
accompanying drawings. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a horizontal plant support
212
in which a rod 217 of flexible material and resilient springy material, e.g.
metal
wire or plastics, is formed into a loop 218 having an outer shape, in this
case
generally circular, that is suitable for supporting a plant or restraining a
plant from
spreading outwardly. The horizontal support is intended for attachment to a
vertical support 210 (see Fig. 11 ) having two uprights 214 and 215 and has
two
engagement sections 221 and 222 for engaging the uprights 214 and 215 so that
the horizontal support is positioned on and supported by the vertical support.
Each engagement section 221 and 222 is formed by parts of the rod bent
into the shape of a figure eight as shown, each made up of two circles. The
circles
230, 231 most distant from the loop 218 form circular :re-entrant clamps for
the
uprights 214 and 215. The circles 233 and 234 closest to the loop 218 are
formed
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
by overlapping curves 233A, 233B and 234A, 234B of the rod that overlap and
yet move apart when the loop is flexed, e.g. when opposite parts of the loop
are
grasped in opposite hands and pulled away from each other. When this is done,
the clamps 230, 231 enlarge and open so that the clamps can be positioned on
the
5 supports 214 and 215 . When this is done and the flexing is stopped, the
curves
233A, 233B or 234A, 234B return to their overlapped condition, thus preventing
exit of the uprights 214 or 215 from the clamps 230, 231. The internal
dimensions of the clamps (the diameters when the clamps are circular) are
chosen
to be slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the rods 214, 215 so that
the
10 clamps grip the rods and attach the horizontal support i~rmly to the
vertical
support by the resultant friction. If the uprights are compressible, the
clamps rnay
compress the supports and thus create a more positive attachment. If the
uprights
are not compressible, the clamps do not fully return to their original shape
and
engage the outer surfaces of the uprights with continuing force or pressure.
15 Preferably, the rods 214, 215 are provided with horizontal grooves 225 at
vertical spaced positions (Fig. 11). When the clamps f.30, 231 are located at
one
of these positions, the part of the rod forming the clamp may partially enter
the
grooves 225, thereby creating a more positive locking of the horizontal
support on
the vertical support.
20 If desired, the horizontal support 212 may be removed from the vertical
support 210 by once again gripping the loop 218 in both hands and pulling
outwardly to move the curves 233A, 2338 and 234A, 234B out of the overlapping
position, and to expand the clamps 230 and 231, thereby allowing the clamps to
be disengaged from the supports. Pulling the curves apart to a lesser extent
allows
the clamps to be released from the uprights but not rerr~oved therefrom, so
that the
horizontal support may be moved up or down along thf; uprights 214 and 215 to
reposition the horizontal support.
As with the previous embodiment of the invention, the horizontal support
can be modified to be used with a vertical plant support having three or more
uprights. To do this, more engagement sections are provided to match the
number
CA 02463059 2004-04-O1
21
of uprights and the positions of the engagement sections around the loop are
also
chosen to match the positions of the uprights.
While this invention has been described with respect to the preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that various alterations and modifications
can
be made to the vertical and horizontal elements of the plant supporting device
within the scope of this invention, which are limited only by the scope of the
appended claims.
