PLANT SUPPORT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a plant support.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known to provide certain plants with a support structure to hold them in a desired position or orientation as they grow. This is often necessary with plants having stems unable to maintain upright growth of the plant. The absence of a support structure would therefore lead to growth along the ground. This is often undesirable: taking up ground area, being aesthetically unpleasing, and resulting in the plant being more susceptible to various problems such as slugs, rot and disease.

Traditional support structures include stakes, trellises and cages.

For example, United States Patent 5640802 discloses a modular support assembly that consists of multiple horizontally spaced members for aiding the growth of tomato plants.

However, a problem associated with the use of horizontal support members is that the plant may not be able to reach the next member before its stem collapses or breaks.

Furthermore, the distance allocated between each support member will limit the application of the assembly. It will only be able to be used with certain types of plants that can support themselves over that distance. This may even limit it to certain variants of the same plant, for example it may only be able to be used by tomato vines with stronger stems.

Support structures for tomatoes in the form of metal cages may rust and require large amounts of room for storage.

Often, the plant is tied to the support structure. There are numerous issues associated with this practice. In particular, it is necessary to add extra ties as the plants grow or the support will become ineffectual and the plant will droop. This can be a time consuming task for the gardener. Ties can also slip down the support structure, causing a lack of support for the plant which may lead to a damaged or snapped plant stem.

Ties also pull the plant close to the support structure. This can bring the plant into a confined area leading to dampness and rot. This may also restrict sunlight to the various parts of the plant, resulting in poor growth and delaying ripening of any fruit on the plant.

Ties can also damage the plant themselves, for example by cutting into the stems of the plant.

Further, it can be frustrating for consumers to buy and store separately plant ties and the like.

Clips have also been developed which securely attach to the support structure and encircle the plant stem in order to address the issue of slippage down the solid support. However, such clips are inflexible and do not allow for growth of the plant stem beyond a certain maximum size. Further, there is still a risk of rot from holding the plant too closely.

For example, United States Design Patent No. 591094 discloses a 'plant ring'. The plant ring has a body that is configured to securely connect to a support structure. A rigid metal wire extends from the body to create a fully enclosed ring. In use this ring is placed around the plant to support the plant. However, this is limited for many of the above reasons.

For example the ring is made of metal and is therefore prone to rusting, the rigid fully enclosed ring will hold the plant in a confined are and therefore increases the risk of disease or rot.

Furthermore the size of the ring will limit it to use with certain sized plants. It effectively acts as a cage. It is the object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. Throughout this specification, the word comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant support for supporting plant material relative to a primary support, characterised in that the plant support includes: a securing mechanism configured to hold the plant support to a primary support, and at least one flexible support configured to support plant material.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for supporting plant material using a plant support having a securing mechanism configured to secure the plant support to a primary support and at least one flexible support configured to support plant material characterised by the steps of: securing a plant support to a primary support, and securing plant material to a flexible support which forms part of the plant support.

It is envisaged that the invention may have particular application to plants that benefit from a support to maintain the stem in a desired orientation when growing, for example tomatoes, peas, beans, capsicums, peppers, and cucumbers.

It is envisaged that the invention may have particular application to tomato plants, being a vine that requires support to prevent it from growing along the ground, and that requires

considerable sunlight and aeration to achieve good cropping.

It is envisaged that the primary support may take the form of a rigid structure. For example the primary support may be a stake, pole, trellis, cage or fence. However this should not be seen to be limiting, and primary supports could include any structure capable of bearing the weight of the plant that the plant support could attach to, such as ropes or wires, or another plant.

In embodiments, the plant support may include a body. The body may be a unitary part or it may be formed from multiple parts to be closed around the primary support.

In preferred embodiments the body may be substantially circular in cross section. As further discussed below, in preferred embodiments the body may be made of two halves the fit together. A substantially circular body in cross section is beneficial for ease of manufacture, particularly for a body configured from two halves. However, this should not be seen as limiting and the body may be substantially configured to any shape in cross section, for example square, oval, half round or triangular.

To emphasise the linkage to tomatoes, in preferred embodiments the body may be coloured red. Particularly when coupled with a substantially circular body in cross section this may cause the body to resemble a tomato. This is advantageous as it allows the body to suit its surroundings, which may have aesthetic benefits for the user. However, this should not be seen as limiting and the body may be coloured any colour, for example blue, yellow or green.

The body may be made of polypropylene in preferred embodiments. Polypropylene may be advantageous as it is low cost, easy to colour and UV stabilise and is resistant to chemicals used commonly in the garden. Polypropylene is also advantageous for use with a body that is made of two halves for ease of fitting the two halves together. However this should not be seen as limiting and the body may be made of any material, for example metal or an alternative plastics material.

In embodiments, the body may include an aperture configured to receive the primary support. It should be understood that the shape of the aperture can vary according to the design parameters. However, in preferred embodiments the aperture may be an elongate slot that terminates at a point to form a triangular vertex. The elongate slot may allow for the insertion of a bearing member, which is discussed in more detail below.

In preferred embodiments the vertex may have an angle that is in the order of 90° although this should not be seen as limiting. The vertex of the aperture is preferably so configured to provide angled bearing surfaces to accommodate a range of cross-sectional shapes of primary support for a secure fit. For example, this configuration may accommodate shapes such as circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, ovals and hexagons, although this is not intended to be limiting.

However, it should be noted that this should not be limiting and the vertex may be of any angle.

It should be appreciated that there are many configurations of primary supports, all with varying cross-sections. For example in the United States a preferred support is a wooden stake having a rectangular cross-section. In New Zealand, circular cross-sectional stakes are more commonly used. These are made from a variety of materials, examples include bamboo or plastic. Further, trellises have varying sized slats, particularly if they are intended to be ornamental as well as practical.

Therefore it can be seen that by having a body which can accommodate various cross-sections of a primary support enables the present invention to be used in a variety of situations by the gardener.

For ease of reference the primary support will now be referred to as a 'stake' although this should not be seen as limiting.

In an embodiment, the aperture may be open sided.

With one preferred use of the invention, the end of the stake may be inserted into the aperture of the plant support.

However, in embodiments where the aperture is open sided the aperture may alternatively be placed onto the length of the stake.

Reference to a securing mechanism securing the plant support to a stake should be understood to involve any suitable means for preventing or limiting undesired movement of the plant support relative to the stake.

In preferred embodiments, the securing mechanism is configured to enable the plant support is configured to be releasably secured to the stake. In doing so, the plant support may be moved up the stake by a user to accommodate growth by the plant. However, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and embodiments are possible in which the plant support may be permanently attached to the stake.

In an embodiment, the securing mechanism includes a bearing member configured to bear against the stake to secure the plant support relative to the stake. In particular, the bearing member may secure the body of the plant support relative the stake. The bearing member may bear directly against the stake, or indirectly, for example if something else is placed between the bearing member and the stake.

In a preferred embodiment the securing mechanism includes an internally threaded passage that intersects with the aperture. In a preferred embodiment the passage may intersect with the elongate slot of the aperture, distal from the vertex. In this embodiment the bearing member may have an external thread configured to engage with the passage. This minimises the risk of the securing mechanism falling from the aperture and allows incremental changes in distance between the fastener and bearing surfaces within the aperture. This may allow the securing mechanism to accommodate different sizes of stakes.

For ease of reference the bearing member may now be referred to as a "fastener", although this should not be seen as limiting.

It should be appreciated that primary supports are available in a range of sizes in cross section. Allowing incremental changes in distance between the fastener and bearing surfaces may accommodate various sizes. This enables the present invention to be used in a variety of situations by the gardener.

However this should not be seen to be limiting and other embodiments of the bearing member could include a bolt, pin, sliding bar, nut, spring loaded bolt, toggle clamp or rod. These may or may not be threaded.

Reference to a flexible support should be understood to mean a member capable of being configured to a desired shape by an average person without the use of tools, in order to support plant material relative to the plant support. In a preferred embodiment the flexible support holds the shape it is configured to by the user. This is advantageous as it allows the flexible support to complement the plants position and support the plant in that position.

In the preferred embodiment, each flexible support includes a wire.

The flexible support will now be referred to as a wire, although again this should not be seen as limiting.

Preferably each flexible support has a free end. This may allow the length of the flexible support to extend away from the body of the plant support. This enables the plant to be supported without being held in a confined area. A potential advantageof this action is to diminish the risk of dampness, rot and disease. Another potential advantage is increased exposure of the plant to sunlight which may be beneficial for plant growth and ripening of fruit.

In preferred embodiments, the wire may have the desired properties of flexibility and strength. The preferred degree of these properties is illustrated by a simple test. By clamping the wire at one end and applying a weight of 350 grams to the wire 100 millimetres from the clamped end the wire may deflect substantially between 5 millimetres and 25 millimetres from its original position. This degree of flexibility and strength is advantageous - wire that is too flexible and weak may not hold its shape to support the plants, and wire that is not flexible enough and too strong may be difficult to manufacture and shape. However this is not intended to be limiting and the wire may be of degree of flexibility and strength that is suitable for purpose.

In preferred embodiments, each wire may be made of metal with a gauge substantially between 0.5 and 2.0mm in diameter, with a preferred gauge of 1.2mm. This gauge may be wide enough to limit bruising of the plants supported by the wire, but be narrow enough to be easily bent by the user, and minimise the weight of the wire. Again, this is not intended to be limiting and other dimensions may be used.

Preferably, each wire may be coated with plastics material that provides a soft surface to the wire, may further limit bruising of the plants supported by the wire, plus allow the wire to be comfortably bent by the user.

However this should not be taken to be limiting and the wire could be made of any material. For example, the wire could be uncoated metal or be made of any material, such as rubber or soft plastic.

In a preferred embodiment each wire may be clamped between two halves which fit together to form the body of the plant support. Each wire may then extend from the body. In an

embodiment each wire may extend through one or more openings in the body that are created when the two halves of the body are fitted together.

In a preferred embodiment the centre of the wire may be clamped between the two halves of the body. In this embodiment the two free ends of the wire extend from different areas of the body. This may be advantageous as it provides two wire extensions for supporting the plant from a single wire, for efficient use of each wire. This may be beneficial for ease of

manufacture - as it means less wires are needed for each plant support.

It should be noted that it is currently envisaged that the invention utilises two wires that provide four wire extensions. However, this should not be seen as limiting and the invention may utilise any number of wires.

Alternatively, the end of the wire may be clamped between the two halves of the body. In this embodiment the one free end of the wire extends from the body.

The wire in the preferred embodiment of the invention may have a kink within the section of the wire that is clamped within the body. This is advantageous as it may prevent the wire from sliding from the body and resultantly failing to support the plant. Additionally it may prevent rotation of the wire, which may lead to displacement of the wire and a resultant lack of support for the plant.

This embodiment of clamping each wire between two halves of the body may be beneficial as it may mean that extra attachments for securing the wire to the plant support may not be needed. This may contribute to ease of assembly of the invention for manufacturing purposes. The configuration also means the consumers may not have to make additional purchase of, for example plant ties, as the wires are built into the securing mechanism. This saves the consumer time and money.

However this is not intended to be limiting and the wire may be secured to the plant support by any means. For example the wire may be integral with the body of the plant support.

Alternatively the wires may be manufactured separately and attached to the body by the consumer.

In a preferred embodiment, each free end of each wire has an enlarged tip. This is to make the wire easier to grab and manoeuvre. Preferably the tip completely covers the end of the wire to minimise the chance of injuring the user on the sharp end of a wire.

In a preferred embodiment the tip is coloured a bright colour, such as orange or yellow. This is to make the tip easier to see in the midst of plant material.

In a preferred use of the invention, there is a stake pushed into the ground relative to a plant that benefits from support when growing.

The body of the plant support is placed over the stake by inserting the stake into the aperture in the body.

The plant support is then moved down the stake to the desired position. Then the fastener is turned within the threaded passage to move incrementally through the passage until it reaches the stake. The fastener is further turned until the stake is held firmly against the bearing surfaces at the vertex of the aperture.

From this position each wire is configured by the user to a desired shape that supports the stem or stems of the plant. As the plant grows the wires may be configured to move up or outwards to continue to support the plant. If the reach of the wires is exhausted the fastener may turned so it moves out from the aperture to release the stake from the bearing surfaces of the aperture vertex. The body of the securing mechanism may then be moved up the stake to reach higher plant growth.

It can be seen that embodiments of the present invention can provide a number of advantages over the prior art:

• Firstly, there is provided a means by which a plant continues to be supported while

growing without adding additional plant support elements. This is achieved by the flexible supports, which can be configured to any position by the user, and by the releasable securing mechanism, which allows the plant support to be moved up the stake. This saves time and energy expenditure on behalf of the gardener.

• Additionally, the present invention also provides a means of supporting plants without pulling them close to the stake. This may diminish dampness and rot of the plant and encourage ripening.

• A significant advantage of the invention is the secure attachment to the stake. This may prevent the plant support slipping down the stake and hence losing support for the plant, resulting on a damaged or snapped plant stem.

• Compared to tomato cages, that require a significant amount of room for storage, the present invention is easy to store from season to season. The wire arms can just be pushed down along the side of the stake, and then the support leaned into a corner or hung on a peg.

• The present invention works on all shapes and sizes of stakes, round, square,

rectangular, wood, metal, bamboo, plastic.

• As the present invention has its flexible supports built into the collar, so the consumer doesn't need to make any additional purchases, of plant ties, twine, string or cloth strips. This saves the consumer time and money.

• The present invention is a fluid device, in that, the flexible wire supports can be

repositioned time and again as the plant grows and as fruit appears. The collar can be moved up and down the stake as the plant grows.

• When made from preferred materials as described, the present invention is completely rust resistant and weather resistant, unlike metal tomato cages.

• The present invention is not limited to use with a particular type of plant or plant variant - it can be used with many different plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the body of the securing mechanism showing the primary aperture with the stake and the securing means;

Figure 2 is a top down cross sectional view of the body of the securing mechanism

showing how the wires interact with the body;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view showing the flexible support clamped between two

halves of the body of the securing mechanism;

Figure 4 illustrates the plant support in use with a plant and stake.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the securing mechanism generally indicated by the arrow (100).

In this embodiment, the body (101) is substantially circular in cross-section. There is an aperture (102) in the centre of the body (101) in this embodiment. The aperture is an elongate slot (103) that terminates at a point to form a triangular vertex (104).

In this embodiment a bearing member (105) is inserted into a passage (106) that intersects with the aperture (102). The bearing member (105) is in this embodiment a fastener having an external thread (107) configured to engage with an internal thread (108) on the passage (106). This secures the bearing member (105) in relation to the passage (106).

The primary support (109) is received by the aperture (102) at the triangular vertex (104). In this embodiment the primary support (109) is a stake. The aperture is not open sided in this embodiment, and resultantly the body of the securing mechanism (101) fully surrounds the stake (109).

The bearing member (105) firmly secures the stake (109) against the bearing surfaces (110) created by the triangular vertex (104) of the primary aperture (102). This secures the body (101) relative to the primary support (107).

In this embodiment the angle between the bearing surfaces (1 10) is substantially 90°. This allows for the accommodation of a range of primary support (107) shapes for widespread application of the securing mechanism (100).

Figure 2 is a top down cross sectional view of the body (101) with the fastener (105) inserted into the aperture (102).

In this embodiment a multitude of flexible supports (201) are clamped within and extend from the body (101). In this embodiment each flexible support (201) is a wire. The wires (201 ) are suitably flexible to allow them to be easily configured to complement the shape of the plant they are to support. They are also able to hold the shape they are configured to. Each wire (201) is also of a gauge of 1.2mm and is covered with a soft plastic coating to prevent damage to the plant in this embodiment.

In this embodiment a middle section of the wire (201) is clamped within the body (101). This results in two free ends of each wire extending from the body (101).

Each wire (201) in this embodiment has a kink (202) within the section of the wire (201) that is clamped within the body (101). This prevents the wire (201 ) from slipping from the body (101) or from rotating, causing displacement and lack of support for the plant. In this embodiment each wire (201) has an enlarged tip (203) at the end extended away from the body. The tip (203) makes the wires easier to grab and manoeuvre and may prevent scratching from open wire (201) ends. The tip (203) is brightly coloured in this embodiment to allow easy detection within plants.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view showing the preferred embodiment of the body (101) which consists of two halves (301) that attach together.

In this embodiment each wire (201) is clamped between the two halves (301) of the body (101). Each wire (201) then extends away from the securing mechanism body (101) through openings (302) in the body (101).

Figure 4 illustrates the plant support as generally indicated by the arrow (401 ) in use. In this embodiment the stake (109) is inserted through the aperture (102) of the securing mechanism body (101).

In this embodiment the fastener (105) is then engaged against the stake (109) to hold the stake (109) against the bearing surfaces (1 10) of the aperture (102). This secures the body (101) to the stake (109).

In this embodiment each wire (201) then extends from the body (101) and is configured to support the stem or stems of the plant of interest.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.