GB2386337A

GB2386337A - An at least partially collapsible quadrat

Info

Publication number: GB2386337A
Application number: GB0205468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Ian Robinson
Original assignee: Bangor University
Current assignee: Bangor University
Priority date: 2002-03-08
Filing date: 2002-03-08
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Also published as: GB0205468D0

Abstract

There is provided an at least partially collapsible quadrat 2, wherein the quadrat may be collapsible by folding or hinged movement. Tie strings 10 may be provided between limbs 4, 6, 7, 9 in order to restrict the degree of movement between them. Each limb may comprise a plurality of inter-connecting sub-units (22, fig 8) held together by elasticated connectors. A storage bag (18, fig 7) may be provided for the quadrat.

Description

l 1 2386337

Improvements In and Relating to Quadrats Field of the Invention

5 The present invention relates to quadrats. In the fields

of biology and ecology a quadrat is a small area, frequently of 1 square metre, marked out for studying the local distribution of plants and animals. When used as reference to a product a quadrat is a portable square lo frame or grid used to mark out such an area.

Background to the Invention

Quadrats are used by scientists, environmental surveyors 15 and students of various levels to study defined areas.

They are frequently used on field trips and in remote

locations where the transport of a fixed frame quadrat can be awkward and cumbersome. These problems are particularly exacerbated when transport of the quadrat 20 needs to be made through for instance dense undergrowth or the like or when such studies relate to tall vegetation that cannot be accommodated or reached over by a square quadrat. 25 It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a quadrat that overcomes or obviates a disadvantage of prior art quadrats, whether such

disadvantage is referred to herein or otherwise.

30 Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided an at least partly collapsible quadrat.

The quadrat may be collapsible by folding or hinged movement. The quadrat may be a two limb only quadrat leaving the 5 other two sides of a normal quadrat open, but these can easily be projected by a user by sight alignment of the available two limbs or the quadrat can be transposed to the other sides of the square quadrat area.

lo Suitably, the quadrat comprises a first limb, which first limb is connected to a second limb, the first limb being pivotable relative to the second limb. Suitably, the first limb is hingedly connected to the second limb.

15 Suitably the quadrat comprises means to orient the first limb relative to the second limb in an unfolded configuration whereby in the unfolded configuration a quadrat is defined.

20 Suitably, the orienting means comprises means restricting the degree of movement of the first limb relative to the second limb. Suitably the restricting means comprises a tie tying the first limb to the second limb in a region spaced from the hinged connection therebetween.

Suitably, the quadrat comprises a third limb and a fourth limb, the third and fourth limbs being pivotally connected to limbs of the quadrat whereby a square quadrat can be formed, each limb comprising a side of the quadrat.

Suitably, the third limb is pivotally connected to the first limb. Suitably, the fourth limb is pivotally connected to the second limb. Suitably, in at least

partly folded configuration, the first limb underlies the second limb, the third limb underlies the first limb and the fourth limb overlies the second limb.

5 Suitably, securing means, such as hook and pile fastenings, is provided to secure the first and third limbs, and the second and fourth limbs, together.

Suitably, securing means, such as hook and pile lo fastenings, is provided to secure the third limb to the fourth limb in the deployed configuration of the quadrat.

Suitably, at least one limb of quadrat is itself foldable.

Suitably, each limb of the quadrat is foldable.

Suitably, at least one limb comprises a resilient foldable strip. Suitably, the resilient foldable strip comprises a self supporting material. Suitably, the resilient foldable strip comprises a curved strip. The curve helps 20 the material to be self-supporting and to tend towards the unfolded configuration.

Suitably, at least one limb tends towards an unfolded configuration. Suitably, each limb tends towards an 25 unfolded configuration.

Suitably, at least one limb comprises a plurality of interconnecting subunits. Suitably, the sub-units are connected in sequence by connectors. Suitably, the 30 connectors comprise elasticated material.

Suitably, a limb comprises spaced markings along the length of the limb to indicate distances within the quadrat area. Suitably each limb comprises such markings.

5 Suitably, the quadrat additionally comprises means for retaining the quadrat in a folded configuration.

Suitably, there is additionally provided a bag for stowing the quadrat. Suitably, the bag comprises attachment means lo for attaching to a users body or an item of clothing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of 5 example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a collapsible quadrat according to the present invention in an open configuration.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional illustration along the line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the quadrat of 25 Figures 1 and 2 in a partly folded configuration.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the quadrat of the preceding Figures in a further partly folded configuration. Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the quadrat of the preceding figures in a folded configuration.

Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of the quadrat of the preceding Figures in a storage bag.

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of a limb of a 5 quadrat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the other limb being Description of the Preferred Embodiments

lo Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a collapsible quadrat 2 in a deployed configuration, the quadrat 2 comprising a first limb 4, a second limb 6, a third limb 7 and a fourth limb 9. First limb 4 is hingedly connected to second limb 6 at hinge 15 point 8. First limb 4 is hingedly connected to third limb 7 at hinge point 11. Second limb 6 is hingedly connected to fourth limb 9 at hinge point 13. First limb 4 is also connected to second limb 6 by a plastics tie string 10, which is connected to first limb 4 at first anchor point 20 12 and to second limb 6 at second anchor point 14. Each limb 4, 6, 7, 9 includes distance markers 16 visible to a user thereof.

The first and fours limbs 4, 6, 7, 9 are formed from 25 curved sprung steel.

Referring additionally to Figure 2 of the drawings that follow, it can be seen that first limb 4 comprises a U-

shaped strip. Second limb 6, third limb 7 and fourth limb 30 9 are substantially similar to first limb 4.

In the deployed, open configuration shown in Figure 1, the first to fourth limbs 4, 6, 7 and 9 form a mutually

perpendicular arrangement of one metre square. They are prevented from opening further than the perpendicular by the tie string 10, which is secured to first and second limbs 4, 6 a short distance from the hinge point 8. Third 5 and fourth limbs 7, 9 are connected together by hook and pile fastenings (not shown) such as that sold under the trade mark VELCRO. The quadrat 2 can be used in this unfolded configuration to define a quadrat area for inspection. The distance markers 16 can be used to define smaller or sub-quadrat areas and are also used for when folding the quadrat 2 as will be described below.

5 Although in this configuration the quadrat 2 includes only two sides of a normally 4-sided quadrat, it can still be used. The other two sides of a quadrat can be projected easily by a user or alternatively the quadrat can be transposed to the other side of the nominal square defined 20 as the quadrat area in one half of the quadrat half inspected at a time.

When the quadrat 2 is to be showed, third and fourth limbs 7 and 9 are disconnected. Next third limb 7 is pivoted 25 relative to first limb 4 to lie therebeneath and fourth limb 9 is pivoted relative to second limb 6 to lie thereabove, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings that follow. Hook and pile fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure the first and third, and second and fourth limbs 30 together.

To further show the quadrat 2 is to be stowed, the first and second limbs are moved hingedly relative to one

another so that one overlies the other, in this case second limb 6 will overlie first limb 4. This configuration, partly closed, is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings that follow. Next the two limb pairs 4, 7 and 6, 5 9 are folded over either by successively halving the length of the limbs, or by making folds at the distance markers 16. A partly closed configuration is shown in Figure 5 in which folding of the limbs is started in a full closed configuration is shown in Figure 6 of the 10 drawings that follow.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6 it is noted that the four limbs are not shown separately for clarity though in practice they would overlie each other.

The present invention is not limited by the number or manner of folds in or of the limbs 4, 6, 7, 9.

When in the closed or stowed configuration of Figure 6 the 20 foldable quadrat 2 can be retained in position by a clip or tie (not shown). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings that follow, a storage bag 18 may be provided which acts as means to keep the foldable quadrat in the closed configuration. The storage bag 18 includes 25 a loop 20 so that the storage bag 18 can be carried on the belt or other part of a users clothing or clip thereto.

In an alternative embodiment, with reference to Figure 8 of the drawings that follow in which one partly collapsed 30 limb only is shown, each limb can be made up of a plurality of stiff interconnecting sub-units 22 that can be connected to form a quadrat limb. Each sub-unit 22 (except one at an end) comprises a relatively stiff pole

portion 24 and a collar 26 with an open end into which an end of the next in sequence sub-unit can be inserted.

Optionally, elasticated connectors 28 may hold the sub-

units together. The other similar limbs are hingedly 5 connected to this limb as for the first embodiment of the present invention.

Thus the present invention provides a quadrat that can be used in the field, but can easily transported in a folded

0 configuration in which it can be stored in a storage bag enabling it to be transported easily and conveniently. It can also be more easily deployed around or into high obstacles or vegetation.

15 The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and

20 documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or 25 process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including

30 any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each

feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the 5 foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any lo method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. An at least partly collapsible quadrat.

E 2. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quadrat may be collapsible by folding or hinged movement.

3. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in lo claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the quadrat comprises a first limb, which first limb is connected to a second limb, the first limb being pivotable relative to the second limb.

15 4. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first limb is hingedly connected to the second limb.

5. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in 20 claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the quadrat comprises means to orient the first limb relative to the second limb in an unfolded configuration whereby in the unfolded configuration a quadrat is defined.

25 60 An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the orienting means comprises means restricting the degree of movement of the first limb relative to the second limb.

30 7. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 6, wherein the restricting means comprises a tie tying the first limb to the second limb in a region spaced from the hinged connection therebetween.

8. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the quadrat comprises a third limb and a fourth limb, the third and fourth limbs being pivotally connected to limbs of 5 the quadrat whereby a square quadrat can be formed, each limb comprising a side of the quadrat.

9. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the third limb is pivotally connected to the first limb.

10. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fourth limb is pivotally connected to the second limb.

11. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein an at least partly folded configuration, the first limb underlies the second limb, the third limb underlies the first limb 20 and the fourth limb overlies the second limb.

12. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, securing means, such as hook and pile fastenings, is provided to secure the 25 first and third limbs, and the second and fourth limbs, together.

13. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein securing means, 30 such as hook and pile fastenings, is provided to secure the third limb to the fourth limb in the deployed configuration of the quadrat.

14. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of the above claims, wherein at least one limb of quadrat is itself foldable.

s 15. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 14, wherein each limb of the quadrat is foldable. lo 16. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed claim 14 or claim 15, wherein at least one limb comprises a resilient foldable strip.

17. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in 15 claim 16, wherein the resilient foldable strip comprises a self supporting material.

18. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the resilient foldable 20 strip comprises a curved strip.

19. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein at least one limb tends towards an unfolded configuration.

20. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 19, wherein each limb tends towards an unfolded configuration. 30 21. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of the above claims, wherein at least one limb comprises a plurality of interconnecting sub-units.

22. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sub-units are connected in sequence by connectors.

23. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 22, wherein the connectors comprise elasticated material. lo 24. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of the above claims, wherein a limb comprises spaced markings along the length of the limb to indicate distances within the quadrat area.

15 25. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 24, wherein each limb comprises such markings.

26. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any one of the above claims, wherein the quadrat 20 additionally comprises means for retaining the quadrat in a folded configuration.

27. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein there is additionally 25 provided a bag for stowing the quadrat.

28. An at least partly collapsible quadrat as claimed in claim 27, wherein the bag comprises attachment means for attaching to a users body or an item of clothing.

29. A quadrat substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings that follow.