GB2520031B

GB2520031B - Ground peg for horticultural cage

Info

Publication number: GB2520031B
Application number: GB1319615.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rocke Alexander
Original assignee: Harrod UK Ltd
Current assignee: Harrod UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-06
Filing date: 2013-11-06
Publication date: 2019-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2033-11-06
Also published as: GB2520031A; GB201319615D0

Description

Ground peg for horticultural cage

This invention relates to ground pegs, particularly for use in securing the mesh or other fabric of a horticultural cage to the ground. A horticultural cage, often referred to as a fruit or vegetable cage, comprises a frame and an enclosure made from a fabric such as a mesh, fleece or transparent plastics sheeting which is supported by the frame and extends down to the ground surface so as to enclose a group of growing plants to protect them from pests or weather. Ground pegs are pushed or hammered into the ground around the margins of the enclosure to secure the lower edges of the fabric at the ground surface, as shown in Fig. 2B.

If the cage does not include a door, it is necessary to remove some of the ground pegs in order to raise the fabric to gain access to the plants. This can be dirty and inconvenient for the user, particularly when the weather is wet or the ground is frozen, and can result in lost pegs or tears in the enclosure when the user pulls on the fabric to draw the pegs out of the ground.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a more convenient way of securing the fabric enclosure to the ground.

According to the present invention there are provided a ground peg, a kit of parts, a method for assembling a horticultural cage, and an assembly as defined in the claims.

Further features and advantages will be evident from the illustrative embodiments which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A and IB show a horticultural cage wherein the mesh enclosure is respectively fully secured to (Fig. 1 A) and partially released from (Fig. IB) a set of ground pegs, not in accordance with the invention, arranged around its periphery;

Figs. 2A and 2B show part of the mesh enclosure of a prior art horticultural cage wherein the enclosure is respectively released from (Fig. 2A) and secured to (Fig. 2B) the ground surface using first ground pegs, not in accordance with the invention;

Figs. 3 A and 3B are enlarged views of part of the enclosure of Figs. 1A and IB respectively, showing two first ground pegs installed;

Fig. 4 shows a second ground peg in accordance with a preferred embodiment; Figs. 5A - 5D show the second ground peg, respectively in front view (Fig.5A), side view (Fig. 5B), top view (Fig. 5C), and bottom view (Fig. 5D);

Fig. 6 shows a butterfly mesh engaged in tension with the second ground peg; and Fig. 7 illustrates the action of the hinge of the second ground peg.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in each of the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, a horticultural cage 1 is assembled by first erecting a frame 2 and supporting a fabric enclosure 3 on the frame, for example, by suspending it from clips, to enclose the plants 4 growing from the ground surface 5 within the enclosure. A plurality of ground pegs 20, 30 are arranged around the periphery of the cage and spaced apart, e.g. about every 30-100 cm, to secure the lower margins 6 of the fabric enclosure at the ground surface.

As seen in Figs. 3A - 3B, each first ground peg 20 includes a lower, anchor element 21 and an upper element 22, the anchor element of each peg being inserted by hammering or pushing it into the ground 5’ to anchor the ground pegs at spaced positions around the periphery of the enclosure. In the example of Figs. 3A - 3B the fabric 7 of the enclosure comprises a mesh, and each first ground peg is a simple wire peg of conventional design, with the anchor element 21 and upper element 22 being unitary parts of a metal rod or wire which is bent over to form a retaining element 23 in the shape of a hook 24 at its upper end. The hook has a prong 25 whose distal end 26 extends downwardly towards the ground surface when the ground peg is anchored in the ground as shown.

Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, in a conventional horticultural cage assembly, wire pegs 20 of this type will typically be pushed into the ground through the margin 6 of the mesh enclosure which lies loosely on the ground (Fig. 2 A). When fully inserted, the prong of the hook is thus pushed into the ground so that the hook 24 forms a staple which captures the loose mesh and holds it level with the surface of the ground, with only the uppermost end of the hook being visible above the ground surface as shown in Fig. 2B. In order to release the mesh to gain access to the enclosure, the user will usually pull the mesh upwards so as to draw the peg 20 out of the ground.

Referring to Figs. 3A - 3B, instead of pushing the hook 24 of the ground peg down to ground level, the upper element 22 of the peg is left protruding from the ground surface as shown in Fig. 3A to define an intermediate region 27 which is arranged between the anchor element 21 (shown in dotted lines beneath the ground surface) and the retaining element 23 to secure and support the retaining element in spaced relation above the ground surface 5.

After anchoring the ground pegs 20 in the ground, the fabric sides of the enclosure 3 are first pulled down towards the ground surface to tension them, and then releasably connected in tension to the retaining elements 23 by inserting the prong 25 of the hook through the mesh to secure the lower margins 6 of the fabric 7 to the ground pegs at (which is to say, proximate but slightly above) the ground surface 5 as shown in Fig. 3B. The prong 25 of the hook extends through the mesh which is retained in position by the upward tension force T1 applied by the taut fabric to the retaining element, while the lower edge of the mesh hangs loosely in contact with the ground surface below the hooks 24.

When the user requires access to the enclosure, it is necessary only to pull the fabric 7 down against the tension force T1 to release it from the retaining elements 23, leaving the ground pegs in position in the ground with the fabric enclosure hanging loosely above the ground surface as shown in Figs. IB and 3A. The fabric can then be pulled down to tension it again and re-connected to the retaining elements in the same way as before, without removing the anchor elements from the ground, so that the user can easily open and re-close the enclosure as many times as necessary without removing the ground pegs.

Since the ground pegs 20 are left in the ground as long as the cage is required, they can be expected to become more firmly anchored as the soil is compacted, rather than becoming looser due to repeated removal and replacement as known in the art.

In domestic applications the ground pegs will generally be pushed or hammered into the ground, although of course in commercial applications they could be inserted into the ground for example by digging a hole in the ground, inserting the anchor element into the hole, and filling the hole with concrete.

Although the method described above with reference to Figs. 3A - 3B is more convenient that the prior art method, allowing the user to easily disconnect and reconnect the fabric without dirtying their hands or mislaying the ground pegs, the upwardly projecting ground pegs may represent a trip hazard or a puncture hazard for horticultural vehicles, and in addition may be inadvertently pressed fully into the ground so that the mesh cannot then easily be re-attached.

In accordance with the novel method, the novel ground pegs in accordance with claim 1 are installed as described above with reference to Figs. 3A - 3B.

Referring to Figs. 4 - 7, in a preferred embodiment, each second ground peg 30 is formed as a unitary plastics (e.g. polypropylene) moulding defining the anchor element 31 and upper element 32, the upper element including a retaining element 33 which is releasably connectable to the mesh fabric 7, and an intermediate region 37 arranged between the anchor element 31 and the retaining element 33. The intermediate region further includes a flexible connection 42, and in this embodiment also includes an abutment surface 41.

The abutment surface 41 comprises the lower surface of a flat plate 40 which forms an abutment element, extending in use in an approximately horizontal plane, outwardly from the anchor element and transversely to its length axis as shown. The anchor element 31 comprises a stake with backwardly pointing barbs 38, and is inserted generally vertically as shown or at a slight angle into the ground until the abutment surface 41 engages the ground surface 5 to limit the depth of insertion (Fig. 5 A).

The flexible connection 42 comprises an integral (living) hinge 43 which is arranged between the abutment surface 41 and the retaining element 33 to accommodate reversible movement of the retaining element towards and away from the ground surface in use, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7, when the fabric is disconnected from the retaining element leaving the anchor element anchored in the ground.

Preferably, the retaining element 33 is resiliently biased to return to its rest position above the ground surface as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, so that the retaining element is supported in spaced relation above the ground surface when the fabric is disconnected. In the illustrated embodiment, this bias is provided by the small restoring force of the integral plastics hinge 43, although separate bias means may be provided.

The abutment surface 41 positions the hinge 43 just above ground level so that the vulnerable, upwardly projecting portion comprising the retaining element 33 above the hinge can fold down flat against the ground, avoiding damage if it is trodden on or rolled over as well as preventing the peg from being forced further into the ground.

In this embodiment the retaining element 33 comprises a hook 34 with a plurality of downwardly facing prongs 35 arranged in spaced relation. This is particularly advantageous when the fabric 7 of the enclosure comprises a relatively small mesh such as butterfly mesh; the prongs 35 are inserted into the mesh so that they extend through several adjacent apertures of the mesh as shown in Fig. 6, which illustrates a mesh size of about 7mm, with the respective filaments 8 of the mesh being received between the prongs to stabilise the mesh on the hook and spread the load between a number of filaments. The individual prongs could alternatively be hooked rather than forming short extensions from a flat plate as shown.

The abutment element 40 is provided with cutouts 44 so that if the ground is too hard for easy insertion of the plastics anchor element 31, the anchor element can be cut off below the abutment element using secateurs. The remaining unitary plastics moulding, comprising the upper element 32 of the ground peg, can then be directly secured to the ground by means of conventional steel wire pegs (such as those illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3) engaged in the cutouts 44.

In summary, a preferred embodiment provides a horticultural cage comprising a fabric, e.g. mesh enclosure secured by ground pegs, each ground peg having a hook or like retaining element which is secured above the ground surface, the fabric being connected to the hook in tension so that the fabric sides of the enclosure can be released from and re-attached to the ground pegs without removing the ground pegs from the ground. Preferably an intermediate region of the ground peg which extends above the ground surface includes an abutment surface for limiting the insertion depth. The intermediate region further includes a flexible, preferably resilient connection so that the hook can collapse and spring back to its rest position without damage if trodden or rolled over.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ground peg 30 is a unitary moulding comprising a single plastics material such as polypropylene, with the anchor element 31 and upper element 32 being integral parts of the unitary moulding. In alternative embodiments, it could be moulded from more than one plastics material, e.g. as a co-moulding with an elastomeric (e.g. EPDM) portion forming the flexible connection. In each case the flexible connection could be formed in any suitable shape so as to provide omnidirectional movement rather than defining a single, linear hinge axis.

The novel ground pegs may be supplied as a kit of parts together with the frame and enclosure of the cage, or alternatively may be used in place of conventional ground pegs in an existing cage. Rather than a mesh, a fleece, transparent plastics sheeting, or any other desired fabric may be used, which may be provided with a mesh border, eyelets or other suitable connection means to engage the retaining elements proximate its lower edges. The retaining elements could comprise hooks, eyes, snap links, or any other fixing means, and could also be engaged indirectly with the fabric, for example, by means of elastic ties or links, toggles, loops, or any other convenient means.

In alternative, less preferred embodiments, the intermediate region of the novel ground peg could include the flexible connection but not the abutment surface. It will be appreciated that the flexible connection may serve an equivalent function to the abutment element in limiting the depth of insertion since it is difficult to apply force to the flexible element so as to push the anchor element into the ground. Most preferably however, the ground peg includes both an abutment element and a flexible connection so that the user can easily identify the correct insertion depth and install the ground peg in its correct position. Preferably, the abutment element positions the flexible connection just above ground level 5 as shown, so that if the retaining element is trodden on or rolled over it can fold down to lie flat on the abutment surface or ground surface which then fully supports the applied load, preventing damage to the flexible connection.

In a development, the position of the integral hinge 43 and other structure of the second ground peg 30 may be adapted so that the retaining element 33 can lie perfectly flat on the abutment element 40. The anchor element 31 or abutment element 40 may incorporate an anvil which extends upwardly to a level at or slightly above the hinged retaining element 33 when the retaining element is folded down, providing a striking or pressing face which is used to drive the anchor element into the ground. Alternatively a tool such as a short metal tube could be placed around the retaining element 33 to apply force to the abutment element 40 without damaging the retaining element during insertion of the peg.

In alternative embodiments, the flexible connection could be a pivotal connection providing a hinge axis between two rigid parts. The ground peg could be an assembly of two, three or more parts. The flexible connection could provide omnidirectional movement rather than having a linear hinge axis as shown in the illustrated embodiments. For example, the anchor element could be made from pressed steel or aluminium strip, tube or bent rod or wire with a flange at its upper end; the flexible connection may be a flat, rod or bar shaped, or tubular resilient hinge made from an elastomer such as rubber or EPDM, e.g. a short length of rubber tube, crimped or otherwise attached to the upper end of the anchor element above the flange, with the retaining element comprising a metal or plastics hook which is inserted into, clipped, crimped or otherwise attached to the hinge, e.g. inserted into the upper end of the rubber tube. Alternatively, the parts of the ground peg could be assembled in situ, for example, by arranging the upper element on the ground and then inserting the anchor element through an aperture in the upper element to anchor it to the ground surface. The anchor element could also be a screw or the like so that it is inserted into the ground by rotation rather than axial force.

Although it is preferred for the flexible connection to be resiliently biased to the rest position so that it automatically supports the retaining element in spaced relation to the ground surface when the fabric is released, it could alternatively be plastically deformable or could be pliable (like a chain or cord) to act in tension only, so that it acts as a tether to secure the retaining element above the ground surface when the retaining element is engaged with the fabric in tension. For more robust domestic and commercial applications, the flexible connection could be a strap or other flexible tie made from stranded plastics, metal, textile or other material, such as a body of woven fabric or braided wire or plastics filaments attached to the upper end of a plastics or steel peg or the like. Alternatively, the flexible connection could comprise a coil spring or blade spring attached to the upper end of the anchor element.

Alternatively, the intermediate element may comprise an elastomeric (e.g. EPDM) or plastics (e.g. polypropylene) material which is selected to be sufficiently flexible to define a flexible connection, but stiff enough also to define (in a suitably large section) an integral hook or other retaining element.

In yet further embodiments, the intermediate region could be a perforated strap, e.g. of metal or plastics material, which is flexibly (plastically or elastically) deformable, with the anchor element comprising a pin or stake inserted through one of the perforations, and the retaining element being a hook or other suitable link attached to another one of the perforations. Alternatively, the intermediate region could be an elastomeric (e.g. rubber or EPDM) jacket moulded around a metal or plastics wire, strip or the like which may extend from the upper end of the jacket to form a retaining element such as a hook or the like, and/or may extend from the retaining element to the anchor element within the jacket. The intermediate region may be plastically deformable so that it can be bent to a desired configuration (lying on the ground or standing up) which it then maintains.

The intermediate region could comprise a relatively stiff material which forms the abutment surface, and a relatively flexible material which forms the flexible connection, these parts being either co-mouldcd or assembled at the factory or in situ during installation of the peg in the ground. For example, a cast metal anchor element could be provided with a flange forming an abutment element, with the flexible connection comprising a rubber or other flexible element which is connected to the anchor element, optionally to the flange, e.g. by inserting and twisting it to lock into an aperture in the manner of a key; the flange may then be used to drive the anchor element into the ground.

In yet further embodiments, the connection element could be mounted on a hinge and biased to a rest position by a mass, the assembly being enclosed in a casing sunk into the ground.

Many further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ground peg (30) for securing a fabric (7) at a ground surface (5), comprising an anchor element (31) and an upper element (32); the anchor element being insertable into the ground to anchor the ground peg in the ground; the upper element including a retaining element (33), the retaining element being releasably connectable with the fabric so as to form a releasable connection with the fabric; the upper element including an intermediate region (37), the intermediate region being arranged above the ground surface between the anchor element and the retaining element so as to secure the retaining element in spaced relation above the ground surface when the anchor element is anchored in the ground in use; characterised in that the intermediate region includes a flexible connection (42); and in use, when the anchor element is anchored in the ground and the fabric is connected to the retaining element so as to apply an upward tension force (Tl) to the retaining element, the retaining element projects in a use position generally upwardly away from the ground surface between the flexible connection and the releasable connection with the fabric; and in the use position of the retaining element the flexible connection accommodates reversible movement of the retaining element towards and away from the ground surface.

2. A ground peg according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element comprises a hook (34), the hook having at least one prong (35) which extends towards the ground surface when the fabric is connected to the hook so as to apply the upward tension force (Tl) to the retaining element in use.

3. A ground peg according to claim 2, wherein the hook has a plurality of said prongs (35) arranged in spaced relation.

4. A ground peg according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate region includes an abutment surface (41), the abutment surface extending outwardly from the anchor element to engage the ground surface in use so as to limit the insertion of the anchor element into the ground.

5. A ground peg according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element is resiliently biased to a rest position above the ground surface.

6. A ground peg according to claim 1, wherein the flexible connection is a part of a unitary moulding comprising at least one plastics material.

7. A ground peg according to claim 1, wherein the ground peg is a unitary moulding comprising at least one plastics material.

8. A kit of parts comprising a horticultural cage (1), the horticultural cage comprising a fabric enclosure (3) and a frame (2) for supporting the enclosure above a ground surface (5) so as to enclose plants (4) growing from the ground surface within the enclosure, and a plurality of ground pegs (30) according to any preceding claim for securing the fabric (7) at the ground surface.

9 An assembly comprising a horticultural cage (1) and a plurality of ground pegs (30) according to claim 1; the cage comprising a frame (2) supporting a fabric enclosure (3) above a ground surface (5), the ground pegs being arranged at a periphery of the cage to secure the fabric enclosure to the ground so as to enclose plants (4) growing from the ground surface within the enclosure.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the fabric is a mesh, and the retaining element comprises a hook (34), the hook having at least one prong (35) which extends towards the ground surface when the fabric is connected to the retaining element in tension; and the at least one prong extends through the mesh.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the hook (34) has a plurality of said prongs (35) arranged in spaced relation, the prongs extending through the mesh so that respective filaments (8) of the mesh are received between the prongs.

12. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the retaining element is resiliently biased to return to a rest position above the ground surface when the fabric is disconnected from the retaining element.

13. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the flexible connection is a part of a unitary moulding comprising at least one plastics material.

14. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the ground peg is a unitary moulding comprising at least one plastics material.

15. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate region (37) includes an abutment surface (41), the abutment surface extending outwardly from the anchor element to engage the ground surface so as to limit the insertion of the anchor element into the ground.

16. A method for assembling a horticultural cage (1), compri sing: erecting a frame (2) and supporting a fabric enclosure (3) on the frame to enclose plants (4) growing on a ground surface (5) within the enclosure; providing a plurality of ground pegs (30) in accordance with claim 1; inserting the anchor elements of the ground pegs into the ground at spaced positions around a periphery of the enclosure; and connecting the fabric (7) in tension to the retaining elements of the ground pegs so as to secure the fabric at the ground surface; the intermediate region of each ground peg being arranged to secure the respective retaining element in spaced relation above the ground surface.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the fabric is a mesh, and the retaining element comprises a hook (34), the hook having at least one prong (35) which extends towards the ground surface when an upward tension force (Tl) is applied to the retaining element in use; and the fabric is connected to the retaining element by pulling the fabric towards the ground surface and then inserting the at least one prong into the mesh.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the hook (34) has a plurality of said prongs (35) arranged in spaced relation, and the prongs are inserted into the mesh so that respective filaments (8) of the mesh are received between the prongs.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the retaining element is resiliently biased to return to a rest position above the ground surface when the fabric is disconnected from the retaining element.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the intermediate region (37) includes an abutment surface (41) extending outwardly from the anchor element, and the anchor element is inserted into the ground until the abutment surface engages the ground surface.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein the fabric is disconnected from the retaining element to gain access to the enclosure and then re-connected to the retaining element without removing the anchor element from the ground.