PLANTS

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001]. The present invention refers to a net for protecting fruit orchards from atmospheric events, such as hailstorms, rain, wind and insect pests, a support system for rows of fruit-bearing plants comprising said net, and a method for protection of said plants against hail and pests. In particular, the invention consists of a novel anti-hail and anti-insect apparatus for rows of grapevines, provided with a structure specifically designed to improve and facilitate its use with minimal encumbrance, especially for the farm machines used to operate between the rows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]. Anti-hail and anti pest insect systems applied in farming and especially in fruit orchards and grape-growing, have been known for a long time and are increasingly used, on account of changing climate conditions which lead to more frequent events such as hailstorms and invasions of aggressive pests, even in times of the year when in the past they were very rare.

[0003]. Thus, there is a widespread need to provide these systems on support solutions for rows of fruit-bearing plants to avoid the possibility that crops are lost or heavily damaged. Another requirement in recent years has stemmed from the marked mechanization of such cultivations, where an increasing automation of plant management operations has achieved an important role. Consequently, the research for effective and versatile protection systems against weather agents and pests has the great advantage of simplifying the work of farming equipment, while avoiding damage to the same and to the protection apparatus.

[0004]. Prior-art systems of this type consist of various arrangements, starting from the simplest ones that involve the spreading of covering nets over the plants with or without support frames on which the nets are alternatively rolled or unrolled during the periods of dormancy of the plant or when the fruit is being harvested, or when plants are being pruned.

[0005]. In the case in which frames are arranged in place, they can be of two types. The first type consists of vertical poles driven into the ground and crosspieces connected to the free ends of said poles to create a framework on which the nets can be spread out. The nets are rolled manually above the crosspieces and tied thereto with appropriate strings or other reversible restraining means.

[0006]. The second type consists of different structures that make it possible to lift the nets to the top of said poles, for example by means of arms jointed to a central support adapted to rotate toward the end of the pole, rolling the nets, that are tied there with said restraining means. Alternatively, the nets can be wound around longitudinal bars that extend horizontally along the length of the rows of plants, said bars being rotated by rotatable handles connected to an end of said bars and rotated manually.

[0007]. Systems of this type are for example made and marketed by the German firm WAGNER GMBH Hydraulik und Antrieb (www.WHAILEX.com).

[0008]. Although said systems are well-known, they are not without drawbacks that could hinder their widespread distribution.

[0009]. First of all, the simplest ones with static frames force the operators to perform laborious and costly operation.

[0010]. On the other hand, the more-elaborated systems are on one hand awkward because they require particular structures and on the other hand they are complex and not always easy to be manipulated. Moreover, often they are very costly to be produced and require a demanding maintenance.

[0011]. To solve these drawbacks, alternative proposals have been suggested, like the one described in patent application EP2625950, which proposes an anti-hail protection system for agriculture of a type with nets secured with a selvage strip on the stretched wire rope extending over the ends of the individual poles supporting a row of plants. The second selvage is pulled taut with a set of tensioning cables fixed to a single control cable slidably supported on the upper ends of the poles. The tensioning cables are deflected vertically downward from the sliding direction of the tensioner control cable to be subsequently deflected through slots or pulleys to be fixed with the end to the selvage of each net. In this manner, each net is gathered tightly in a position corresponding to the top of the support poles by the actuation of a cable running in slots or on pulleys, wherein said cable is provided along its longitudinal extension with a series of drawstrings girdled around the net. This system is also provided in the vertical direction, that is on two sides of a row of fruit-bearing plants.

[0012]. A different system is described in patent application EP0878125, wherein two sheets, one on each side of a row of grapevines, are rolled up on a bar inside a casing by means of a spring-actuated system. The sheets are thus gathered at the top of the support poles arranged along the row. Moreover, they extend individually between the intermediate poles, and are joined to each other by means of Velcro fasteners. By means of a take-up ring it is possible to unroll the sheets and to anchor them to a peg on the ground.

[0013]. Although these systems considerably simplify the operations of spreading out and gathering up the nets, they still require a complex structure with control mechanisms and/or manual operations that must even be repeated several times along the row. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014]. An objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a system for protection of orchards against atmospheric agents, like hail, rain, wind, sun and insect pests, which system is structurally simple and easy to manage.

[0015]. In the scope of the above objective, one purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a hail and pest protection net for orchards without the use of frame or bar supports.

[0016]. A second purpose is a net provided with actuating mechanisms that can be operated manually or by means of farming equipment.

[0017]. A third purpose is a net that does not require supports and cumbersome actuating mechanisms for the farm machines that till the ground and manage the plants at any height above the ground.

[0018]. A further purpose is an apparatus for supporting rows of fruit-bearing plants comprising said net.

[0019]. One still further purpose is a method for protection of fruit-bearing plants that comprises the above apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]. The above objective and purposes are achieved by means of a net, an apparatus and a method for the protection of fruit-bearing plants of orchards from atmospheric agents, such as hail, rain, wind, and pests, as defined in the independent claims attached to the present invention. Characteristics and advantages of the invention will become evident from the description which follows, given by way of example without limitations, with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a schematic and axonometric view of a portion of a row of grapevines in a vineyard having an anti-hail and anti-pest apparatus in accordance with the invention, in a first configuration;

- figure 2 is a schematic and axonometric view of the portion of the row of figure 1 , in a second configuration;

- figure 3 is a schematic and axonometric view of the portion of the row of figure 1 , in a third configuration;

- figure 4 is a schematic and axonometric view of the portion of the row of figure 1 , in a fourth configuration;

- figure 5A is an axonometric and enlarged view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 1 in one configuration;

- figure 5B is an axonometric and enlarged view of the detail of figure 5A in a further configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]. In orchards, in particular in the viticultural field as shown in figures 1-4, it is a common practice to arrange plant support structures or systems consisting of rows of poles driven into the ground so as to form rows provided with various devices for managing the growth of the plants. In the figures, an apparatus is indicated with letter I and has a longitudinal extension X-X. Usually, it includes a plurality of poles arranged aligned with each other, driven vertically into the ground G and spaced from each other along said extension X-X. As is well known, the poles, can consist of suitable wooden elements, or can also be concrete, metal or plastic poles having cross sections of different shapes and often provided with elements and/or devices for reversibly connecting/tensioning wire elements on the same.

[0022]. The poles at the end of the row, called “head poles”, are shown with the reference PE (only one is shown in the figures), and the intermediate ones are indicated with the reference PI (only one is shown in the figures). Preferably, as shown in the example of the embodiment of the figures, the head poles PE are connected with a further reinforcing pole PR through a crosspiece TR. On all the poles PE and PI is fixed at an appropriate height from the ground G a fixed wire F, called “carrying wire”, in addition, the head poles are appropriately braced by suitable bracing wires shown with reference FC. The carrying wire F is then stretched horizontally along the length of the apparatus I and reversibly connected to support poles T supporting the vertical trunk V of the fruit-bearing plants by means of a clip C.

[0023]. On the reinforcing poles PR are preferably provided spring compensation devices 100 mounted slidably through a pair of rollers 110. To each spring compensation device 100 is associated a pair of mobile wires FM which are placed on both sides of the intermediate poles PI, that is, on both sides defined by the apparatus. Thanks to the elasticity of the compensation devices 100, the mobile wires FM can be fixed with simple hooking operations to conventional hooking elements H, formed or applied on the relative intermediate poles PI so as to be positioned at different heights above the ground. [0024]. Generally, the mobile wires are also called holding wires for the growing vegetation, because the growing vegetation is held and supported in the space defined between them. Alternatively, a single wire to be tensioned can be associated to each spring compensation device so as to have individual wires independently moved apart from each other.

[0025]. According to the present invention, the apparatus I just now described comprises an anti-hail and anti-pest net generally indicated with the reference numeral 1 .

[0026]. The net 1 is a conventional net with strands interwoven so as to have openings of such a diameter as to prevent the passage of the most common pests of fruit-bearing plants. In addition, the strands in the net are made with materials that can withstand weather agents and especially hail, and possibly are also capable of being at least partially a sun screen. Usually, such strands are made from plastic or metal.

[0027]. The net also has, preferably, a longitudinal extension adapted to substantially cover said extension X-X of the apparatus I; additionally, this extension is usually larger than its transversal extension Y-Y, orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the apparatus, to cover the sides of the rows of fruit-bearing plants in both height and length. [0028]. Advantageously, the net 1 comprises at least one constant-load spring 2. This spring is fastened to the net 1 in a transversal direction, that is, along the transversal extension Y-Y of the same net.

[0029]. The constant load spring 2 consists of a metal band or strip which, as shown in figure 5A, when it is not loaded it is rolled up on itself and comprises two ends 20, each provided with reversible means 21 for hooking onto a mobile wire FM. Preferably, these hooking means are folds or bends of the end of the metal strip like a hook to hang said metal strip on a mobile wire FM. Alternatively, the hooking means can be elastic tongues formed by partially shearing said ends and folded to form a help to engage with said mobile wire FM. In any case, the hooking means 21 are placed on the net 1 at each of a first 11 and a second edge 12 of the net 1 , preferably formed like a selvage.

[0030]. When the net 1 is mounted on a system like the one previously described, said two ends 20 of the spring 2 are each hooked to a mobile wire FM on the same side of the row. Therefore, the net 1 has a first longitudinal edge 11 , or upper edge, fixed to a first mobile wire FM1 and a second edge 12, or lower edge, fastened to a second mobile wire FM2. Preferably, said first 11 and second 12 edges are folded upon themselves to form a pocket (not shown in the figures) inside of which the mobile wires FM are received. The two mobile wires, first FM1 and second FM2, are spaced vertically and in parallel with each other (figure 1). The folding upon itself is reversibly fixed by means of securing elements (not shown) such as for example pins.

[0031]. Preferably, the net 1 can be fixed to the spring 2 even at more points along its transversal extension Y-Y. For example, at preset intervals, as explained later, the net 1 preferably includes a pocket 13 that is transversal with respect to the longitudinal extension X-X so as to reversibly receive said spring. It should be considered that the hooking means 21 project from said second transversal pocket 13 of the net 1 , so that they can be hooked freely to the above-mentioned mobile wires first FM1 and second FM2.

[0032]. Advantageously, the net 1 according to the present invention is thus mounted for example in an apparatus I like the one described earlier.

[0033]. With particular reference to figure 1 , the net 1 is illustrated in a first condition on one side of the apparatus I, wherein the second edge 12 is fastened to a second mobile wire FM2 near the ground G. The second mobile wire FM2 is preferably stretched along the row by means of said elastic compensation means 100, which means are slidable on the reinforcing pole PR. Similarly, the first edge 11 of the net 1 is also fixed, by means of its own elastic compensation means, to a first mobile wire FM1 , above the second mobile wire, but still near the ground. This condition is generally adopted when the fruit-bearing plants, and in the case in point the grapevines, are in the dormant state, and therefore in the autumn/winter season.

[0034]. The net 1 is then gathered toward the ground so as to leave the plants free for the necessary autumn/winter managing operations, such as pruning, binding of the fruiting shoots, etc.

[0035]. It should be noted that in this position of the two mobile wires, first FM1 and second FM2, are very near each other. Therefore, the net 1 , thanks to the arrangement of said at least one constant load spring 2 spaced transversally with respect to its length, is rolled up upon itself thanks to the above-mentioned relaxed condition of the net. In other words, when the spring is coiled, the net rolls up around the coils of the spring, with the effect of becoming compressed, pleating itself neatly and automatically without requiring any manual or mechanical procedure. In addition, the two mobile wires, first FM1 and second FM2, are also hooked to the intermediate poles PI on the hooking means H, so as to further facilitate the pleating and the well-ordered arrangement of the net. [0036]. With reference to figure 2, at the start of the season when the fruiting shoots start to sprout, the second mobile wires FM2 are lifted from the ground G to a position just below the spur from where the fruit-bearing shoot sprouts, in the specific example of grapevines. The first mobile wires FM1 are also lifted so that they cover at least the base of the sprouts. This movement is facilitated by the wheels 110 of the elastic compensation means 100 and allows the net 1 to be unrolled following the unrolling of the constant load spring 2 caused, in turn, by the increased distance between the first mobile wire FM1 and the second mobile wire FM2.

[0037]. It should be noted that the net remains in this first condition of partial unrolling thanks to the tensile stress to which the mobile wires, first FM1 and second FM2, are subjected through said elastic compensation means. Moreover, thanks to said hooking elements FI spaced out over the full height of the intermediate poles PI, these mobile wires can be hooked and thus supported along all the row at the different heights desired in a stable and well-ordered manner.

[0038]. With reference to figure 3, as the vegetation continues to grow, the first mobile wire FM1 is gradually moved upward so as to keep up with the growing vegetation and is hooked at different heights on the intermediate poles PI, while the second mobile wire FM2 remains in the position described earlier, that is, just below the spur of the fruiting shoot. As previously, this repositioning causes a further, gradual and periodically controllable, unrolling of the net 1 until the top of the head pole PE and of the corresponding intermediate poles PI is reached.

[0039]. Obviously, the above operations can be carried out on both sides of the row so as to cover at least most of the growing plants. The result is that an absolutely natural barrier is created against atmospheric events such as hail and against pests.

[0040]. With reference to figure 4, when the plants are ready for the fruit to be harvested, the second mobile wire FM2 is moved upward until the first mobile wire FM1 is reached. In this manner, most of the plant is uncovered especially to the level of the fruit, which, as a result, can be freely picked, that is without any impediment. In doing this, the spring 2 will roll up on itself and also pull the net with it and compact it again, although this will be at the top portion of the apparatus I.

[0041]. As explained before, this movement is also facilitated by the elastic compensation means 100 mounted slidably on the reinforcing poles PR, which allow, through very simple and rapid manual or mechanical operations, independently of each other, the unrolling and rolling of the net 1 to practically any vertical position on each side of the row.

[0042]. It is evident that the arrangement of the net 1 with the spring 2 is structurally simple and highly versatile to allow speedy operations such as to adapt to any requirement for any operation to be carried out on the rows.

[0043]. In fact, the possibility of compacting the net at the top or toward the ground allows various types of farming machines to operate without hindrance.

[0044]. Moreover, the spring 2 allows an automatic rolling of the net 1 upon itself to obtain the smallest possible bulk.

[0045]. All the above characteristics give the net and the apparatus according to the present invention particular advantages with respect to the prior art systems described earlier in terms of structural simplicity, effectiveness, bulkiness, labor demands, maintenance and consequently production and installation costs.

[0046]. From the above description it is evident that the object of the present invention is not only an anti-hail and anti-pest net for fruit-bearing plants, but also an apparatus for supporting rows of fruit-bearing plants, as well as a protection method for fruiting plants against atmospheric events and pests.

[0047]. Consequently, the inventive apparatus I comprises a pair of head poles PE driven into the ground G, a plurality of intermediate poles PI driven into the ground and aligned between said pair of head poles, two first mobile wires FM1 and two second mobile wires FM2, each of which is stretched horizontally along said apparatus on each of the two sides, a pair of nets 1 extensible to cover said sides of the apparatus, wherein each net comprises a first edge 11 connected to one of said first mobile wires FM1 and a second edge 12 connected to one of said second mobile wires FM2, each of said mobile wires being moveable vertically by means of tensioning means, preferably with elastic compensation 100, slidable on said head pole, said net also comprising at least one constant load spring 2 spaced transversally with respect to the longitudinal extension of the apparatus so as to roll said net upon itself and unroll it in any vertical position along the height of said head poles and said intermediate poles. For example, the spring 2 can be spaced along all the net 1 of the row at intervals from 1 .5 to 4.5 meters. In other words, more springs can be spaces along the row so as to guarantee a regular and even rolling of the net along the same row.

[0048]. Preferably, the apparatus also comprises a fixed wire F stretched between said head poles and reversibly connected to plant support poles T by means of clips C, especially when the apparatus is used in a vineyard. In addition, the elastic compensation means 100 are the ones described earlier and are mounted on a reinforcing pole PR of the head pole PE.

[0049]. In accordance with another objective of the invention, the net and the system described above are used in a method of protection of fruit-bearing plants from atmospheric events such as hail and against pests.

[0050]. The method includes the steps of: - providing an apparatus as described above;

- extending on each vertical side of the apparatus a first mobile wire FM1 and a second mobile wire FM2;

- spreading a net 1 longitudinally with respect to the apparatus on each side of said apparatus;

- folding the first 11 and the second 12 longitudinal edge of said net respectively on said first mobile wire FM1 and second mobile wire FM2;

- fastening reversibly said edges to said mobile wires;

- inserting the spring 2 described earlier into the respective transversal pockets of the net;

- hooking the spring hooking means on said mobile wires;

- removing one of said two mobile wires first FM1 and second FM2 so as to transversally unroll the net to spread it out to cover one side of the plants;

- repeating said repositioning operations on the opposite side of the plants so as to enclose the plants between the two nets.

[0051]. As explained previously, the nets are movable thanks to the presence of the elastic compensation means that run on the head poles or on the reinforcing poles. [0052]. Numerous variant embodiments of the apparatus and of the anti-hail and anti pests net can be implemented by a technician skilled in the field, without however departing from the scope of patent protection as defined by the claims accompanying the present description.