GB2613534A

GB2613534A - A plant support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2613534A
Application number: GB2114856.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Littlewood Callum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-10-18
Filing date: 2021-10-18
Publication date: 2023-06-14
Also published as: GB202114856D0

Abstract

A plant support apparatus comprises a hollow tube 2 extending along a length axis from a bottom end 3 to a top end 4, the tube comprising an inner face 2 defining a tube bore 6 and an outer face; at least one fin 7 arranged on the outer face 8, each fin comprising an outer edge 9 at least a portion of which is remote from the outer face; each outer edge comprising at least one notch 10 therein; each notch extending along a notch direction from a notch mouth 11 to a notch base 12, each notch direction extending towards the bottom end. The diameter of the tube bore may decrease along the length axis from the bottom end to the top end. The height of each fin may decrease in direction from the bottom end to the top end. The outer edge of each fin may be curved.

Description

A plant support apparatus The present invention relates to a plant support apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a plant support apparatus comprising a hollow tube having a plurality of fins extending therefrom, each fin having a plurality of notches in its outer face, at least one notch having a string arranged therein A wide variety of plants which produce fruit and vegetables along their branches are known, for example peas, beans, redcurrant bushes and blackcurrant bushes. It is known that by supporting the branches such that each is spaced apart from the next one can increase crop yield.

A common approach to supporting the branches is to construct a support frame. Strings are then tied to the support frame and then to the branches to hold them in place. This is time consuming and requires a fair amount of time and skill. In a variant of this retractable cords (somewhat similar to retractable tape measures) are connected to the frame and hooked to the branches. Whilst this reduces the amount of skill required it is still necessary to construct a frame. Also, a large number of such retractable cords may be required which can be expensive.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems of the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a plant support apparatus comprising a hollow tube extending along a length axis from a bottom end to a top end, the tube comprising an inner face defining a tube bore and an outer face; at least one fin arranged on the outer face, each fin comprising an outer edge, at least a portion of which is remote from the outer face; each outer edge comprising at least one notch therein; each notch extending along a notch direction from a notch mouth to a notch base, each notch direction extending towards the bottom end.

The plant support apparatus according to the invention does not require a frame. The apparatus can be simply arranged on a post proximate to the plant and strings hung from the notches and connected to the branches to support the branches. This significantly reduces the time and skill required to support the branches of the plant. Further, a single apparatus can be used to hold a number of strings and hence support a number of branches. This reduced the cost associated with supporting the branches of the plant.

Preferably the plant support apparatus comprises a plurality of fins.

Preferably each fin comprises a plurality of notches.

Preferably the diameter of the tube bore decreases along the length axis from the bottom end to the top end.

Preferably the inner face is smooth.

Alternatively the inner face comprises ridges.

Preferably each fin is elastically deformable.

Preferably each fin is a plastics or rubber material.

Preferably each fin is planar.

Preferably each fin extends along a length direction parallel to the length axis.

Preferably the outer edge of each fin is straight.

Preferably the height of each fin measured normal to the length axis decreases in a direction from the bottom end to the top end.

Preferably the outer edge of each fin is curved.

Preferably the plant support apparatus further comprises a post partly arranged in the tube bore.

Preferably the plant support apparatus further comprises at least one cord, preferably a string, arranged in a notch.

Preferably the cord comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of portions of increased diameter compared to the rest of the cord.

Preferably the portions of increased diameter are knots.

Preferably the plant support apparatus further comprises a hook for hanging the apparatus from a support.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and not in any!imitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a plant support apparatus according to the invention in perspective view; Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a plant support apparatus according to the invention in perspective view; Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a plant support apparatus according to the invention in perspective view; and, Figure 4 shows the plant support apparatus according to the invention in use.

Shown in figure 1 in perspective view is a plant support apparatus 1 according to the invention. The plant support apparatus 1 comprises a hollow tube 2 extending along a length axis L from a bottom end 3 to a top end 4. The tube 2 comprises an inner face 5 which defines a tube bore 6. In this embodiment the inner face 5 comprises a plurality of ridges. In an alternative embodiment the inner face 5 is smooth. The diameter of the tube bore 6 decreases from the bottom end 3 to the top end 4.

A plurality of fins 7 is arranged on the outer face 8 of the tube 2. The fins 7 are planar and extend along a length direction parallel to the length axis L as shown. As can be seen the height of the fins 7 measured in a direction normal to the length axis decreases in a direction from the bottom end 3 to the top end 4.

Each fin 7 comprises an outer edge 9 remote from the outer face 8 of the tube 2. In this embodiment the outer edges 9 of the fins 7 are straight. Each outer edge 9 comprises a plurality of notches 10 with each notch 10 extending along a notch direction D from a notch mouth 11 to a notch base 12. Each notch direction D extends towards the bottom end 3 as shown.

The fins] are elastically deformable. Typical elastically deformable materials include plastics materials and rubber. As the fins 7 are elastically deformable the two sides of a notch 10 can be pulled apart. A string 13 or other type of cord can then be inserted into the notch 10 and the two sides released. The sides then return to their original position and the notch 10 grips the string 13.

Also attached to the apparatus 1 is a hook 14 for hanging the apparatus 1 from a support.

Shown in figure 2 in perspective view is a further embodiment of a plant support apparatus 1 according to the invention. This is similar to that of figure 1 except the outer edges 9 of the fins 7 are curved. The apparatus 1 as a whole is substantially spherical. The embodiment has the advantage that is has no sharp corners so reducing the chance of injury.

Shown in figure 3 is a further embodiment of a plant support apparatus 1 according to the invention in perspective view. The plant support apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of planar fins 7 arranged at random on the outer face 8 of the hollow tube 2.

Figure 4 shows the plant support apparatus 1 according to the invention in use. In use a post 15 is inserted into the ground proximate to a plant 16. The bottom end 3 of the hollow tube 2 is then inserted onto the top end of the post 15 until a tight fit is achieved. Strings 13 or other types of cord are then inserted into each of the notches 10. In order to hold the strings 13 in place the strings 13 have portions of increased diameter 17 (typically knots) arranged along their length. The knots 17 cannot easily be pulled through the notches 10. The strings 13 are then tied around the branches as shown. In an alternative embodiment hook is arranged on the end of each string 13 and the hooks are hooked onto the branches to support the branches.

No support frame is required when using the apparatus 1. Further, a single support apparatus 1 can be used to support a number of branches.

In an alternative method of use of the apparatus the hook is hung on a frame proximate to the plant and strings hung from the apparatus and tied to the branches of the plant.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A plant support apparatus comprising a hollow tube extending along a length axis from a bottom end to a top end, the tube comprising an inner face defining a tube bore and an outer face; at least one fin arranged on the outer face, each fin comprising an outer edge, at least a portion of which is remote from the outer face; each outer edge comprising at least one notch therein; each notch extending along a notch direction from a notch mouth to a notch base, each notch direction extending towards the bottom end.
2. A plant support apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of fins.
3. A plant support apparatus as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein each fin comprises a plurality of notches.
4. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diameter of the tube bore decreases along the length axis from the bottom end to the top end.
S. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner face is smooth.
6. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner face comprises ridges.
7. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each fin is elastically deformable.
8. A plant support apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each fin is a plastics or rubber material.
9. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each fin is planar.
10. A plant support apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein each fin extends along a length direction parallel to the length axis.
11. A plant support apparatus as claimed in either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the outer edge of each fin is straight.
12. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the height of each fin measured normal to the length axis decreases in a direction from the bottom end to the top end.
13. A plant support apparatus as claimed in either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the outer edge of each fin is curved.
14. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a post partly arranged in the tube bore.
15. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising at least one cord, preferably a string, arranged in a notch.
16. A plant support apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cord comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of portions of increased diameter compared to the rest of the cord.
17. A plant support apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the portions of increased diameter are knots.
18. A plant support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a hook for hanging the apparatus from a support.