CA2310354A1 - Plant or seedling protector - Google Patents
Plant or seedling protector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2310354A1 CA2310354A1 CA002310354A CA2310354A CA2310354A1 CA 2310354 A1 CA2310354 A1 CA 2310354A1 CA 002310354 A CA002310354 A CA 002310354A CA 2310354 A CA2310354 A CA 2310354A CA 2310354 A1 CA2310354 A1 CA 2310354A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plant
- support stake
- seedling
- fabric
- rings
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 title description 55
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 56
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241000282994 Cervidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 241000283960 Leporidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011900 installation process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241000218631 Coniferophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009304 pastoral farming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000029553 photosynthesis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010672 photosynthesis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G13/00—Protection of plants
- A01G13/20—Protective coverings for plants
- A01G13/28—Protective coverings for plants protecting young plants
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Protection Of Plants (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for protecting a plant, especially a seedling, from browsing wildlife which comprises a collapsible tube made from fabric, fabric-mesh, or fabric-like material, each end of which tube is attached to two rings, affixed to each of which rings is attachment means for securing the collapsible fabric tube to a support stake inserted into the ground, wherein the extended tube serves to restrict the access to the plant or seedling contained therein by browsing wildlife and wherein the tube defines a space within which the contained plant or seedling can grow unimpeded.
Description
. ' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 PLANT OR SEEDLING PROTECTOR
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting plants, and more particularly to an apparatus for protecting tree seedlings from browsing wildlife such as deer, rabbits and hares.
Background of the Invention Farmers and gardeners have long been aware of the impact that browsing wildlife can have on plants. Similarly, workers in the forest industry have long recognised the impact that browsing wildlife can have on tree seedlings grown outdoors, for example, such as those grown in outdoor nurseries.
Grazing from animals such as deer, rabbits and hares may cause considerable damage to seedlings, which damage may adversely affect the growth and development of the seedling or may even be enough to kill the seedlings. Such damage can severely impact the success of a nursery operation. Since one particularly useful function of the plant protector is in the protection of tree seedlings, the following description will often refer to the plant protector in the context of a tree seedling protector. This is not intended to restrict the application for which the plant protector can be used.
Reference to the function of the apparatus as a seedling protector, will generally include its function as a plant protector.
Farmers and gardeners have adopted various measures to protect plants and seedlings from being damaged by wildlife, with limited degrees of success. One well-known method often . ' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 utilised in tree nurseries is to use a semi-rigid/rigid, open-ended, acrylic/plastic tube to contain the plants or seedlings. The height and diameter of the tube utilised will be determined by the type of seedling being sheltered and the type of wildlife from which protection is sought; typically a tube may be several feet in height and about 4 inches in diameter. The tube restricts access to the contained seedling by browsing wildlife. The plastic tube is typically kept in place by attaching it by means of ties to a securing pole or stake planted into the soil a short distance from the seedling. In some situations, where soil conditions are suitable, such tubes, if sufficiently rigid, can be made self-supporting without requiring the use of a stake and ties.
Generally, use of a stake is preferred since this affords greater stability, from toppling due to wind and other adverse weather effects.
When such tubes are utilised on a large scale, such as would be necessary for protecting the seedlings in a nursery, the efficiency of installing these tubes is limited by their bulkiness, since workers in the field can carry only relatively small numbers of the tubes at any one time -rendering the installation process relatively slow and labour-intensive; this can be further amplified by the need to secure the tubes to the stakes by tying or fastening them thereto.
By the same token, removal of the tubes when they are no longer required is also inefficient.
Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed generally to an ' ' CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 apparatus for protecting plants or seedlings.
The invention comprises a non-rigid, collapsible tubular body made of flexible material such as fabric, fabric-mesh or other fabric-like material (generally referred to herein as a fabric tube). Each end of the collapsible tubular body (or fabric tube) is attached to a ring to form a collapsible tube.
The shape of the collapsible tube in its un-collapsed form will depend on the shape of the rings. Typically, the rings are circular and thus the collapsible tube in its un-collapsed form will be cylindrical; other tubular structures are possible. Attached to each ring is attachment means by which the seedling protector can be attached and secured to a support stake (typically, a wooden stake) inserted into the ground.
The apparatus is utilised as follows. Once a plant seedling is planted out in a field, a wooden support stake is firmly secured in the ground a short distance from the seedling. The seedling protector is then placed over the seedling and the rings attached to the nearby stake, with one ring located on the ground surrounding the base of the seedling and the other ring secured above the ground, so that the fabric tube is fully extended thus forming a cylindrical space within which the seedling is contained and can grow unimpeded. The rings referred to herein can include any device of whatever shape that can be used to maintain the fabric material out of direct physical contact with the seedling so that the seedling is not smothered and has room to grow. Though the rings are typically circular, they can also be elliptical, square or octagonal for example, or some other ' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 shape. When the plant protector is so installed, the planes of both rings are generally coplanar with the ground. The fabric tube restricts access by browsing wildlife to the protected seedling contained within the protector. With this in mind, the plant protector when installed should be of relatively sturdy design. The ring positioned near the ground when the protector is installed will be referred to herein as the lower ring, the other ring positioned off the ground higher up the stake will be referred to as the top ring.
Similarly, the part of the installed plant protector located near the ground will be referred to as the lower part, while the part proximate to the top ring will be referred to as the top part.
The attachment means for attaching the rings to the support stake should be sufficiently secure such that the rings can be made to maintain their position on the support stake. In particular, the upper ring when attached to the support stake should be secured such that it does not slip appreciably from its position on the support stake in response to wind, weather or accidental jostling from wildlife, but maintains its height above the ground. The attachment means for securing the plant protector to the stake can be in the form of a friction-grip clip as described below. Alternative attachment means will be apparent to those skilled in the art such as nylon ties and elastic.
The size of the plant protector can be varied according to the type and size of the plant or seedling being protected and also the type of wildlife from which protection is sought.
Typically for conifer seedlings, the diameter of the tube should be approximately 4-8 inches, and the height of the extended plant protector should be approximately 2-4 feet high.
The use of fabric, fabric-mesh, or fabric-like material for the tubular body of the plant protector has the additional advantage over the prior art solid plastic tube protectors in that they are more resistant to toppling from wind, since the fabric tube is permeable and thus will not be subject to the full force of any wind.
The rings discussed may be continuous. Alternatively, they may also be discontinuous. This can provide for the optional feature of facilitating the disassembly and removal of the plant protector from the sapling (after the seedling has grown into a sapling and outgrown the plant protector), without damaging the sapling. The plant protector can also provide for break points in the fabric tube to further facilitate the removal of the plant protector from the grown seedling/sapling.
One object of the present invention is to provide a plant protector which is effective in protecting plants, and in particular plant seedlings, from damage caused by browsing wildlife such as animals and birds, and possibly also by insects and by adverse weather conditions.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector which can be easily installed for use and easily disassembled and removed when no longer required.
' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector which is collapsible in a manner which does not occupy much space, thereby facilitating its transportation to and from sites of use, and its ease of storage.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector which will permit sheltered plants to be exposed to light, at least on a partial basis.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector capable of sheltering protected plants from wind and frost in times of cold weather. The plant protector can also provide desirable microclimate effects within the area enclosed, such as maintaining a slightly higher humidity level for the protected plant than would be the case if the plant was unprotected, thereby promoting growth of the protected plant.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector of simple design, such that it is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
Brief Description of the Drawing's Fig 1. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the installed plant protector in use.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the top part of the plant protector depicting one embodiment of the friction-grip clip by means of which the plant protector is secured to a stake.
Fig. 3 is a view of one embodiment of one of the friction-grip clips of the plant protector taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with the support stake removed for clarity.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the top part of the plant protector taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with the support stake removed.
Fig.5 is a side view of one embodiment of the plant protector, as it is being installed onto a stake.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the installed plant protector, with additional support being provided by auxiliary pegs.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, a plant protector apparatus 10 is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. A rectangular piece of fabric material is formed into a collapsible tube (fabric tube 11) by stitching two of its opposite edges together. Although the material used in the construction of the tube 11 is referred to herein as fabric (and the tube constructed therefrom , referred to as a fabric tube), it is contemplated that said material need not necessarily be fabric; other material can also be used, such as fine-mesh nylon or various other flexible sheet material -the most important consideration being that the material is sufficiently flexible that the tube made therefrom is collapsible.
High density fine-mesh polypropylene is considered to be a particularly suitable choice for the fabric material, as it is light and waterproof. At the same time, it is also quite strong and fairly resistant to degradation (which is an important consideration for their use as seedling protectors since once the seedlings are planted out in the field, it is contemplated that the protectors may typically remain installed for a number of years). The density and mesh-size of the fabric is selected such that the fabric permits light to be transmitted to the protected plant on at least a partial basis and thus does not hamper photosynthesis. Further, the mesh-size of the fabric can be selected so that it is large enough for gases to freely permeate through the fabric allowing a free exchange of gas, while at the same time fine enough to be able to create microclimate effects within the plant protector. Desirable microclimate effects include the effect of having a slightly higher humidity level inside the protector than outside. Further, the insulating effect of the fabric can mean the temperature inside the protector is subject to slightly less marked fluctuations in temperature than on the outside. Different choices for the material itself, the mesh-size, the density are possible depending on the desirability of the above-mentioned effects, and will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
Each end of the fabric tube 11 is attached to rings 12 and 14, which are typically made of metal, by enveloping the rings with the ends of the fabric tube 11 and stitching the fabric around the rings 12 and 14, as more clearly depicted in Fig. 4.
' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 It is contemplated that friction-grip clips as described below may also be used to secure the rings to a wooden support stake 20, since these can facilitate the installation of the plant protector in the field. A friction-grip clip 16 comprises a roughly "C"-shaped bracket, which abuts the stake 20 when installed thereon. The friction-grip clip 16 is provided with means for producing friction such that the clip can be securely attached to the wooden stake 20; this may be simply by means of a metal spike or screw. In the preferred embodiment of the friction-grip clip 16, the bracket has a spike 22 located at one of its terminal ends. Friction-grip clip 16 is attached to top ring 12. A similar friction-grip clip 18, provided with a spike 24, is attached to lower ring 14. Each of the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 is set at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the plane of the top and lower rings 12 and 14 respectively. The spikes 22 and 24 are set at an angle of approximately 45° to the plane of clips 16 and 18 such that when the rings 12 and 14 are installed on the support stake 20 and oriented generally coplanar with the ground, both spikes 22 and 24 point generally horizontally.
The size of the support stake 20 and its cross-sectional area is set so that it can fit snugly within each of the clips when the plant protector 10 is installed. (The cross-section of the support stake 20 can be circular, rectangular or square -preferably one of the latter two since the friction-grip clip is slightly less prone to twist loose from the arrangement when the support stake is so shaped).
The plant protector 10 described above is simply installed by placing the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 (attached to the upper and lower rings) over the support stake 20, lowering the lower ring 14 over the seedling 32 and placing it on the ground and then fully extending the fabric tube 11 by raising the top ring 12 to the maximum height (keeping the lower ring 14 on the ground, typically by having the worker step on the lower ring 14 while pulling the fabric tube taut). When the tube is fully extended, the rings 12 and 14 are automatically aligned so that their planes are approximately horizontal. This has the effect of driving each of the spikes 22 and 24 into the wooden support stake 20 thereby securing the position of the rings on the stake and completing the installation of the plant protector. This installation process is quick and simple.
The installed plant protector 10 as described in the preferred embodiment can also be easily detached and removed from the support stake when the plant protector is no longer required. The size of the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 are such that when each of the clips are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support stake, the clips can freely be moved up and down the support stake. Further, the lateral opening distance as indicated in Fig.3 by A, is slightly larger than the diameter or width of the support stake 20. Thus, when the spikes 22 and 24 on the clips are withdrawn from the support stake 20, the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 can be simply disengaged from the support stake 20 by orienting them so that their plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support stake, and then laterally sliding them out from the support stake through the lateral opening A of the clips 16 and 18. The protectors can be reused if they are still in good condition.
To provide further resistance to toppling, the plant protector can be steadied by means of one or more auxiliary pegs 26 or 28, positioned astride the lower ring 14 and inserted in the soil, preferably at the side of the lower ring 14 approximately diametrically opposite to where the friction grip clip 18 is attached to the ring (as shown in Fig. 6).
The present invention has the important feature of being collapsible. Each plant protector can occupy very little space when in collapsed form, thereby facilitating its ease of storage and delivery; the space saving can be optimised by orienting the two rings of the plant protector one on top of the other in a nesting arrangement. Further, this also means that workers, when installing the seedling protectors in the field, can carry large numbers of these at one time.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting plants, and more particularly to an apparatus for protecting tree seedlings from browsing wildlife such as deer, rabbits and hares.
Background of the Invention Farmers and gardeners have long been aware of the impact that browsing wildlife can have on plants. Similarly, workers in the forest industry have long recognised the impact that browsing wildlife can have on tree seedlings grown outdoors, for example, such as those grown in outdoor nurseries.
Grazing from animals such as deer, rabbits and hares may cause considerable damage to seedlings, which damage may adversely affect the growth and development of the seedling or may even be enough to kill the seedlings. Such damage can severely impact the success of a nursery operation. Since one particularly useful function of the plant protector is in the protection of tree seedlings, the following description will often refer to the plant protector in the context of a tree seedling protector. This is not intended to restrict the application for which the plant protector can be used.
Reference to the function of the apparatus as a seedling protector, will generally include its function as a plant protector.
Farmers and gardeners have adopted various measures to protect plants and seedlings from being damaged by wildlife, with limited degrees of success. One well-known method often . ' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 utilised in tree nurseries is to use a semi-rigid/rigid, open-ended, acrylic/plastic tube to contain the plants or seedlings. The height and diameter of the tube utilised will be determined by the type of seedling being sheltered and the type of wildlife from which protection is sought; typically a tube may be several feet in height and about 4 inches in diameter. The tube restricts access to the contained seedling by browsing wildlife. The plastic tube is typically kept in place by attaching it by means of ties to a securing pole or stake planted into the soil a short distance from the seedling. In some situations, where soil conditions are suitable, such tubes, if sufficiently rigid, can be made self-supporting without requiring the use of a stake and ties.
Generally, use of a stake is preferred since this affords greater stability, from toppling due to wind and other adverse weather effects.
When such tubes are utilised on a large scale, such as would be necessary for protecting the seedlings in a nursery, the efficiency of installing these tubes is limited by their bulkiness, since workers in the field can carry only relatively small numbers of the tubes at any one time -rendering the installation process relatively slow and labour-intensive; this can be further amplified by the need to secure the tubes to the stakes by tying or fastening them thereto.
By the same token, removal of the tubes when they are no longer required is also inefficient.
Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed generally to an ' ' CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 apparatus for protecting plants or seedlings.
The invention comprises a non-rigid, collapsible tubular body made of flexible material such as fabric, fabric-mesh or other fabric-like material (generally referred to herein as a fabric tube). Each end of the collapsible tubular body (or fabric tube) is attached to a ring to form a collapsible tube.
The shape of the collapsible tube in its un-collapsed form will depend on the shape of the rings. Typically, the rings are circular and thus the collapsible tube in its un-collapsed form will be cylindrical; other tubular structures are possible. Attached to each ring is attachment means by which the seedling protector can be attached and secured to a support stake (typically, a wooden stake) inserted into the ground.
The apparatus is utilised as follows. Once a plant seedling is planted out in a field, a wooden support stake is firmly secured in the ground a short distance from the seedling. The seedling protector is then placed over the seedling and the rings attached to the nearby stake, with one ring located on the ground surrounding the base of the seedling and the other ring secured above the ground, so that the fabric tube is fully extended thus forming a cylindrical space within which the seedling is contained and can grow unimpeded. The rings referred to herein can include any device of whatever shape that can be used to maintain the fabric material out of direct physical contact with the seedling so that the seedling is not smothered and has room to grow. Though the rings are typically circular, they can also be elliptical, square or octagonal for example, or some other ' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 shape. When the plant protector is so installed, the planes of both rings are generally coplanar with the ground. The fabric tube restricts access by browsing wildlife to the protected seedling contained within the protector. With this in mind, the plant protector when installed should be of relatively sturdy design. The ring positioned near the ground when the protector is installed will be referred to herein as the lower ring, the other ring positioned off the ground higher up the stake will be referred to as the top ring.
Similarly, the part of the installed plant protector located near the ground will be referred to as the lower part, while the part proximate to the top ring will be referred to as the top part.
The attachment means for attaching the rings to the support stake should be sufficiently secure such that the rings can be made to maintain their position on the support stake. In particular, the upper ring when attached to the support stake should be secured such that it does not slip appreciably from its position on the support stake in response to wind, weather or accidental jostling from wildlife, but maintains its height above the ground. The attachment means for securing the plant protector to the stake can be in the form of a friction-grip clip as described below. Alternative attachment means will be apparent to those skilled in the art such as nylon ties and elastic.
The size of the plant protector can be varied according to the type and size of the plant or seedling being protected and also the type of wildlife from which protection is sought.
Typically for conifer seedlings, the diameter of the tube should be approximately 4-8 inches, and the height of the extended plant protector should be approximately 2-4 feet high.
The use of fabric, fabric-mesh, or fabric-like material for the tubular body of the plant protector has the additional advantage over the prior art solid plastic tube protectors in that they are more resistant to toppling from wind, since the fabric tube is permeable and thus will not be subject to the full force of any wind.
The rings discussed may be continuous. Alternatively, they may also be discontinuous. This can provide for the optional feature of facilitating the disassembly and removal of the plant protector from the sapling (after the seedling has grown into a sapling and outgrown the plant protector), without damaging the sapling. The plant protector can also provide for break points in the fabric tube to further facilitate the removal of the plant protector from the grown seedling/sapling.
One object of the present invention is to provide a plant protector which is effective in protecting plants, and in particular plant seedlings, from damage caused by browsing wildlife such as animals and birds, and possibly also by insects and by adverse weather conditions.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector which can be easily installed for use and easily disassembled and removed when no longer required.
' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector which is collapsible in a manner which does not occupy much space, thereby facilitating its transportation to and from sites of use, and its ease of storage.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector which will permit sheltered plants to be exposed to light, at least on a partial basis.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector capable of sheltering protected plants from wind and frost in times of cold weather. The plant protector can also provide desirable microclimate effects within the area enclosed, such as maintaining a slightly higher humidity level for the protected plant than would be the case if the plant was unprotected, thereby promoting growth of the protected plant.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plant protector of simple design, such that it is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
Brief Description of the Drawing's Fig 1. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the installed plant protector in use.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the top part of the plant protector depicting one embodiment of the friction-grip clip by means of which the plant protector is secured to a stake.
Fig. 3 is a view of one embodiment of one of the friction-grip clips of the plant protector taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with the support stake removed for clarity.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the top part of the plant protector taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with the support stake removed.
Fig.5 is a side view of one embodiment of the plant protector, as it is being installed onto a stake.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the installed plant protector, with additional support being provided by auxiliary pegs.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, a plant protector apparatus 10 is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. A rectangular piece of fabric material is formed into a collapsible tube (fabric tube 11) by stitching two of its opposite edges together. Although the material used in the construction of the tube 11 is referred to herein as fabric (and the tube constructed therefrom , referred to as a fabric tube), it is contemplated that said material need not necessarily be fabric; other material can also be used, such as fine-mesh nylon or various other flexible sheet material -the most important consideration being that the material is sufficiently flexible that the tube made therefrom is collapsible.
High density fine-mesh polypropylene is considered to be a particularly suitable choice for the fabric material, as it is light and waterproof. At the same time, it is also quite strong and fairly resistant to degradation (which is an important consideration for their use as seedling protectors since once the seedlings are planted out in the field, it is contemplated that the protectors may typically remain installed for a number of years). The density and mesh-size of the fabric is selected such that the fabric permits light to be transmitted to the protected plant on at least a partial basis and thus does not hamper photosynthesis. Further, the mesh-size of the fabric can be selected so that it is large enough for gases to freely permeate through the fabric allowing a free exchange of gas, while at the same time fine enough to be able to create microclimate effects within the plant protector. Desirable microclimate effects include the effect of having a slightly higher humidity level inside the protector than outside. Further, the insulating effect of the fabric can mean the temperature inside the protector is subject to slightly less marked fluctuations in temperature than on the outside. Different choices for the material itself, the mesh-size, the density are possible depending on the desirability of the above-mentioned effects, and will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
Each end of the fabric tube 11 is attached to rings 12 and 14, which are typically made of metal, by enveloping the rings with the ends of the fabric tube 11 and stitching the fabric around the rings 12 and 14, as more clearly depicted in Fig. 4.
' ~ CA 02310354 2000-OS-30 It is contemplated that friction-grip clips as described below may also be used to secure the rings to a wooden support stake 20, since these can facilitate the installation of the plant protector in the field. A friction-grip clip 16 comprises a roughly "C"-shaped bracket, which abuts the stake 20 when installed thereon. The friction-grip clip 16 is provided with means for producing friction such that the clip can be securely attached to the wooden stake 20; this may be simply by means of a metal spike or screw. In the preferred embodiment of the friction-grip clip 16, the bracket has a spike 22 located at one of its terminal ends. Friction-grip clip 16 is attached to top ring 12. A similar friction-grip clip 18, provided with a spike 24, is attached to lower ring 14. Each of the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 is set at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the plane of the top and lower rings 12 and 14 respectively. The spikes 22 and 24 are set at an angle of approximately 45° to the plane of clips 16 and 18 such that when the rings 12 and 14 are installed on the support stake 20 and oriented generally coplanar with the ground, both spikes 22 and 24 point generally horizontally.
The size of the support stake 20 and its cross-sectional area is set so that it can fit snugly within each of the clips when the plant protector 10 is installed. (The cross-section of the support stake 20 can be circular, rectangular or square -preferably one of the latter two since the friction-grip clip is slightly less prone to twist loose from the arrangement when the support stake is so shaped).
The plant protector 10 described above is simply installed by placing the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 (attached to the upper and lower rings) over the support stake 20, lowering the lower ring 14 over the seedling 32 and placing it on the ground and then fully extending the fabric tube 11 by raising the top ring 12 to the maximum height (keeping the lower ring 14 on the ground, typically by having the worker step on the lower ring 14 while pulling the fabric tube taut). When the tube is fully extended, the rings 12 and 14 are automatically aligned so that their planes are approximately horizontal. This has the effect of driving each of the spikes 22 and 24 into the wooden support stake 20 thereby securing the position of the rings on the stake and completing the installation of the plant protector. This installation process is quick and simple.
The installed plant protector 10 as described in the preferred embodiment can also be easily detached and removed from the support stake when the plant protector is no longer required. The size of the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 are such that when each of the clips are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support stake, the clips can freely be moved up and down the support stake. Further, the lateral opening distance as indicated in Fig.3 by A, is slightly larger than the diameter or width of the support stake 20. Thus, when the spikes 22 and 24 on the clips are withdrawn from the support stake 20, the friction-grip clips 16 and 18 can be simply disengaged from the support stake 20 by orienting them so that their plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support stake, and then laterally sliding them out from the support stake through the lateral opening A of the clips 16 and 18. The protectors can be reused if they are still in good condition.
To provide further resistance to toppling, the plant protector can be steadied by means of one or more auxiliary pegs 26 or 28, positioned astride the lower ring 14 and inserted in the soil, preferably at the side of the lower ring 14 approximately diametrically opposite to where the friction grip clip 18 is attached to the ring (as shown in Fig. 6).
The present invention has the important feature of being collapsible. Each plant protector can occupy very little space when in collapsed form, thereby facilitating its ease of storage and delivery; the space saving can be optimised by orienting the two rings of the plant protector one on top of the other in a nesting arrangement. Further, this also means that workers, when installing the seedling protectors in the field, can carry large numbers of these at one time.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Claims (7)
1. An apparatus for protecting a plant or seedling from damage by browsing wildlife and for sheltering a plant or seedling from adverse weather conditions comprising:
a collapsible tubular body made from flexible material;
and a first ring attached to one end of the collapsible tubular body and equipped with attachment means for attaching said first ring securely to a support stake which is inserted into the ground near a plant or seedling being protected; and a second ring attached to one other end of the collapsible tubular body and equipped with attachment means for attaching the second ring securely to the support stake.
a collapsible tubular body made from flexible material;
and a first ring attached to one end of the collapsible tubular body and equipped with attachment means for attaching said first ring securely to a support stake which is inserted into the ground near a plant or seedling being protected; and a second ring attached to one other end of the collapsible tubular body and equipped with attachment means for attaching the second ring securely to the support stake.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the collapsible tubular body is made from a fabric material.
3. The apparatus as defined in claims 1 or 2, wherein each attachment means for attaching the first and second rings securely to the support stake can be detached from the support stake.
4. The apparatus as defined in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each attachment means is a friction-grip clip affixed to each of the first and second rings comprising, a bracket used to grip the support stake thereby securing the position of each ring on the support stake and the position of the apparatus.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the bracket is C-shaped allowing for the apparatus to be easily detached from the support stake by sliding the friction-grip clip laterally.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein one terminal end of the C-shaped bracket forms a spike, which spike can be driven into the support stake to more firmly secure the position of the rings on the support stake.
7. The apparatus as defined in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the collapsible tubular body is made from high density polypropylene.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002310354A CA2310354A1 (en) | 2000-05-30 | 2000-05-30 | Plant or seedling protector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002310354A CA2310354A1 (en) | 2000-05-30 | 2000-05-30 | Plant or seedling protector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2310354A1 true CA2310354A1 (en) | 2001-11-30 |
Family
ID=4166348
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002310354A Abandoned CA2310354A1 (en) | 2000-05-30 | 2000-05-30 | Plant or seedling protector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2310354A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2949941A1 (en) * | 2009-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | Brieg Lemetayer | Plants i.e. young vine plants, protecting device, has tubular element provided with deformable tubular wall in axial compression direction, and fixing unit for fixing tubular element to tying-up support structure |
| EP2601830A1 (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2013-06-12 | Lotte Paludan Lindgaard | Device for protection of top shoot (leading shoot) of trees of the Abies- and Picea-families |
| CN105941080A (en) * | 2016-05-28 | 2016-09-21 | 怀宁县望春花绿化工程有限公司 | A grapevine planting rack pile |
| CN105941028A (en) * | 2016-05-28 | 2016-09-21 | 怀宁县望春花绿化工程有限公司 | A grapevine planting protection pile |
| JP2017112940A (en) * | 2015-12-25 | 2017-06-29 | 積水樹脂株式会社 | Seedling protective equipment |
| CN111386943A (en) * | 2020-04-26 | 2020-07-10 | 攀枝花学院 | Straight Pull Bagging Machine |
| WO2022255887A1 (en) * | 2021-06-04 | 2022-12-08 | Karamac Limited | Plant protector and the manufacture and use thereof |
-
2000
- 2000-05-30 CA CA002310354A patent/CA2310354A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2949941A1 (en) * | 2009-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | Brieg Lemetayer | Plants i.e. young vine plants, protecting device, has tubular element provided with deformable tubular wall in axial compression direction, and fixing unit for fixing tubular element to tying-up support structure |
| EP2601830A1 (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2013-06-12 | Lotte Paludan Lindgaard | Device for protection of top shoot (leading shoot) of trees of the Abies- and Picea-families |
| JP2017112940A (en) * | 2015-12-25 | 2017-06-29 | 積水樹脂株式会社 | Seedling protective equipment |
| CN105941080A (en) * | 2016-05-28 | 2016-09-21 | 怀宁县望春花绿化工程有限公司 | A grapevine planting rack pile |
| CN105941028A (en) * | 2016-05-28 | 2016-09-21 | 怀宁县望春花绿化工程有限公司 | A grapevine planting protection pile |
| CN111386943A (en) * | 2020-04-26 | 2020-07-10 | 攀枝花学院 | Straight Pull Bagging Machine |
| WO2022255887A1 (en) * | 2021-06-04 | 2022-12-08 | Karamac Limited | Plant protector and the manufacture and use thereof |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |