GB2502354A

GB2502354A - Garden cane spacing device

Info

Publication number: GB2502354A
Application number: GB1209298.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ken Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-22
Filing date: 2012-05-22
Publication date: 2013-11-27
Also published as: GB201209298D0

Abstract

A garden cane spacing device comprises and elongate member such as a strip which has a plurality of spaced holes or lacunae along its length for the receipt of canes. The holes maybe arranged in pairs. The device may have a hole at each end and a plurality of devices maybe attached together to form a longer length, the attachment means maybe male/female connectors which are a push-fit which are arranged about the holes at both ends, the insertion of cane into said holes strengthens the connection between two such devices. The device maybe used with canes/poles which support beans, peas and climbers.

Description

Patent Application of Ken Williams for Garden Pole Spacing Device

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to collective support and more particularly prescribing spacing of planting poles or canes.

[2] Increasing numbers of users are growing plants for food rather than purely ornamental purposes as it becomes increasingly relevant and fashionable to be more self-dependent and to eat better quality produce. Of particular favour are beans and peas which crops or plants are particularly easy to grow and tasty. Typically when a user wishes to plant peas or beans the user will create a frathe from poles, such as bamboo, wood or plastics. A main problem with these frames is how to prevent their damage and consequent damage to the plants. Typically the poles bebraced against another to form an upside down V-shape or summit. The two poles will be tied together with twine but this can be fiddly and time-consuming, particularly as a pole may need to be braced across from one summit to another, and said top pole needs to be either cut to size or the line must run the top pole length.

[3J Means for supporting plants comprising poles or canes in conjunction with further support means are known in the art. For example, NL1014452 to Uitterlinden discloses a house plant support which comprises a rod made of plastic or other hard material and inserted into the soil next to the plant; and a strip made of like material. The rod, over a part of its length or over its complete length,. is provided with clamp pins, equally spaced apart. The strip z is provided with small clamp holes with a slightly smaller diameter than that of the clamp pins, so that when the strip is drawn around the part of the plant to be fixed, is two outer ends can be clamped on the clamp pins of the rod.

[4J Means for providing additional support to existing plant support poles or canes are also known in the art. For example, GB2228659 to Fishwick discloses a connector for joining together garden canes comprising first and second end portions adapted to receive and grip a cane, and an interconnecting strap joining said first and second portions. Each end portion comprises tapering segments for gripping the cane, the segments allowing the cane to be pushed into the connector but resisting withdrawal therefrom. A plant support may be formed by a plastic mesh moulding within a boundary formed by at least two connectors which receive canes to hold the support above the ground.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[5] A garden pole spacing device, comprising at least one elongate member adaptable in providing a plurality of lacunae for receipt of elongate poles.

[6] In preferred embodiments the lacunae are in a fixed pattern. For example the member typically includes a plurality of holes spaced apart in correspondence to spacing for planting. For example therefore a plurality of differing embodiments are preferably axrailable according to different planting arrangements and crops.

[7] According to the present invention therefore the devices enables a user to feed bamboo or other garden poles into the lacunae typically after placing the poles' distal ends into the ground at an acute angle to the ground, and continue along a row or line of planting, to provide a planting arrangement for climbing plants.

This means that the user can brace a plurality of poles along the member to create a planting line, row or furrow.

[8] Preferably in order to create longer line devices may be attached together, therefore ideally the wherein the member is adapted for chain attachment to further devices.

[9] In preferred embodiments the member includes a male component at an end of the member and a female component at a distal end, so that the members may be chained together. Preferably the components allow movement and/or rotation so that the members may form a device that can describe non-linear lines or angled lines, and/or may accommodate differences in height.

[10] In preferred embodiments the member is formed of a single injected moulded piece of plastics, wherein the lacunae are perforations in the member. For example in some embodiments a plurality of lacunae pattern are combined on the member, such as wherein different pjanting arrangements may utilize different lacunae pattern and wherein furthermore said pattern may be colour coded or otherwise identifiable as being of a single pattern. In other embodiments the member may be mesh or grid like, having a great variety of potential patterns.

[11] In some embodiments the lacunae may be angled of described in uch a fashion as to encourage or reflect angles at which the poles are to be arranged. In further embodiments to encourage and facilitate ease of positioning the lacunae may include shaping or displaceable parts that allows the poles to be inserted into the lacunae from a lateral as well as or rather than vertical aspect.

[12] In further embodiments the device may be composed of at least one member that is adjustable, for example wherein the member is expandable or retractable, such as being composed of a plurality of hinged sections, having concertina or scissor composition. Yet further embodiments may have a helix or spiral composition.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [13] The invention can be better understood with reference to -the following drawings, in which; [14] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the plant pole support device of the present invention; [15] Figure 2 shows two such embodiments connected with a push-fit connector; and [16] Figure 3 shows a preferred configuration of plant poles, in use with the embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[17] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-3 a device for supporting plant poles is disclosed comprising: a strip having two ends; and holes in said strip wherein each hole admits a pole for supporting a plant.

[18] An advantage of the device is that it holds plant poles in position, preventing them frpm being blown or knocked over and thereby protecting the plants growing thereon. A further advantage is that this is achieved simply and quickly, without the need to tie, clip, or otherwise laboriously attach the poles thereon. A still further advantage is that the device can be used on most types of poles, of a variety of diameters.

[19] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, said holes comprise: a hole at each end; and an even number of holes arranged in pairs along said strip. The pairs of holes are preferably close to each other, such that two poles inserted therein will be positioned close to each other.

[20] An advantage of arranging the holes in close pairs is that each pair of holes can be used to support opposing poles, as shown in Figure 3, which increases the strength of the resulting structure in one plane.

[21] An advantage of locating a hole at each end of the strip is that the end holes can be used to support end poles which can be angled in such a way as to oppose and thereby support the structure in a second plane at a right angle to, or otherwise different from, the first supported plane, which further strengthens the structure.

[22] The device preferably further comprises at least one push-fit fit connector, each connector consisting of one male push-fit connector part; and one female push-fit connector part. By pushing the male part. into the female part, two such devices can be connected. An advantage of this is that longer arrangements of poles can be supported. Furthermore, the device may comprise more than one push-fit connector, an advantage of this being that multiple devices can be added in a variety of configurations, for example extending from the centre of the device as well as from the ends.. Still further, if the device is made from a flexible material, it can be bent such that its ends can be connected to each other, providing a circular arrangement.

[23] Most preferably, the push-fit connector is arranged around a hole, having a male push-fit connector part around one hole and a female push-fit connector part around another hole, as -shown in Figure 2. An advantage of this is that, when the push-fit connector is connected, insertion of a pole in the holes around which the Male and female push-fit connector parts are arranged strengthens the connection between the two devices thereby connected. A further advantage is that the connector in this position does not detract any space from that available for holes, maximizing the amount of holes the device can have for a given length and amount of material.

[24] Preferably the strip comprises a flexible material. This may be pvc, polypropylene or recycled plastic for example, and most preferably contains WI stabilizers and is suitable for outside use.

An advantage of a flexible material is that it can be bent to fit different shapes, as well as to accommodate variations in pole lengths or variations in ground level. Furthermore, having a flexible material facilitates insertion of the poles, in particular when many poles have already been inserted therein and the device as a whole cannot be moved. A further advantage is that a flexible material provides some elasticity to the edges of the holes, accommodating variations in pole diameters, and providing grip to the poles preventing slippage of the device down the poles due to gravity.

Claims

Claims 1. A garden pole spacing device, comprising at least one elongate member adaptable in providing a plurality of lacunae for receipt of elongate poles.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the lacunae are in a fixed arrangement.
3. A device according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the lacunae are in a flexible arrangement.
4. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the member is adapted for chain attachment to further devices.
5. A device for supporting plant poles comprising: a strip having two ends; and holes in said strip wherein each hole admits a pole for supporting a plant.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said holes comprise-: a hole at each end; and an even number of holes arranged in pairs along said strip.
7. The device of claim 5 further comprising at least one push-fit connector consisting of: a male push-fit connector part; and a female push-fit connector part; whereby two such devices can be connected.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said push-fit connector is arranged around a hole, whereby insertion of a pole in said hole strengthens connection between said two such devices.