CA2276877A1 - A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant - Google Patents
A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2276877A1 CA2276877A1 CA002276877A CA2276877A CA2276877A1 CA 2276877 A1 CA2276877 A1 CA 2276877A1 CA 002276877 A CA002276877 A CA 002276877A CA 2276877 A CA2276877 A CA 2276877A CA 2276877 A1 CA2276877 A1 CA 2276877A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pressing member
- stem
- guiding member
- frame
- spacers
- 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
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 18
- 241000227653 Lycopersicon Species 0.000 description 7
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 7
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 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
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/12—Supports for plants; Trellis for strawberries or the like
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/44—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
- Y10T24/44274—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof having either discrete flaccid or thin, nonbiasing, integral, connecting hinge
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/44—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
- Y10T24/44641—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof having gripping member formed from, biased by, or mounted on resilient member
- Y10T24/44769—Opposed engaging faces on gripping member formed from single piece of resilient material
Abstract
A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant comprises a generally arc-shaped guiding member, two spacers projecting away from an inside concave surface of the guiding member, and a pressing member pivotally connected to the spacers. The guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem therein. The pressing member is deformable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the pressing member is away from the guiding member and the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member. In the closed position, the pressing member is generally arc-shaped and substantially parallel to the guiding member, and the centre of the pressing member is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after it has been inserted therein in the open position. Once the portion of the stem is secured in the frame, it has a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
Description
A SUPPORTING FRAME
FOR A PORTION OF A STEM OF A PLANT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant so as to support the portion of the stem in a curved configuration, and thereby prevent the stem from folding under the weight of vegetables or the like. The present invention is particularly useful in the cultivation of vegetable plants or the other type of plants, in greenhouses or elsewhere, BACKGROUND
In the cultivation of plants such as tomato plants, the stems carrying tomatoes fold under the tomatoes' weight. In this case, the stem folds in such a way that the stem forms an upside down "V". In this position, the stem does not necessarily break but the side walls of the stem at the tip of the "V" collapse and the flow of sap is considerably restrained. Therefore, the tomatoes that had matured on such a fold stem, are smaller.
In order to prevent the stem of a plant from folding in an upside 2 o down "V" position, supporting frames are used. The goal of these frames is to curve a portion of the stem without collapsing its side walls and maintain the portion of the stem in a predetermined curvature so that while secured in the frame, it will keep growing normally in the predetermined curvature and provide normal flow of sap the flowers and tomatoes.
Advantageously, the frame is installed on a young stem carrying flowers.
Consequently, the fruit or vegetable will be growing on a stem already curved by the frame and will not make it fold in an upside down "V"
position when they are getting heavy. There are three known types of supporting frames.
Frames of a first type have two coaxial rigid arc-shaped surfaces. The two surfaces are connected together in order to form a U-shaped cross-section. A portion of stem needs to be curved by a user in the curved to orientation that corresponds to the arc-shaped surfaces before being inserted therebetween. The installation of a portion of a stem in such a frame is complicated and necessitates both hands of a user.
Known frames of a second type are partially flexible and have one convex arc-shaped surface with a hook at each end of the surface, each hook being opened in opposite directions. For installation, the stem is engaged in one hook, then laid over the convex portion of the arc-shaped surface and finally secured into the other hook in order to maintain a curved position that follows the convex portion of the arc-shaped surface. The 2 o second hook is the more flexible part of this kind of frame and helps the installation thereof. However, the installation of such frames remains complicated, necessitating both hands of a user.
FOR A PORTION OF A STEM OF A PLANT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant so as to support the portion of the stem in a curved configuration, and thereby prevent the stem from folding under the weight of vegetables or the like. The present invention is particularly useful in the cultivation of vegetable plants or the other type of plants, in greenhouses or elsewhere, BACKGROUND
In the cultivation of plants such as tomato plants, the stems carrying tomatoes fold under the tomatoes' weight. In this case, the stem folds in such a way that the stem forms an upside down "V". In this position, the stem does not necessarily break but the side walls of the stem at the tip of the "V" collapse and the flow of sap is considerably restrained. Therefore, the tomatoes that had matured on such a fold stem, are smaller.
In order to prevent the stem of a plant from folding in an upside 2 o down "V" position, supporting frames are used. The goal of these frames is to curve a portion of the stem without collapsing its side walls and maintain the portion of the stem in a predetermined curvature so that while secured in the frame, it will keep growing normally in the predetermined curvature and provide normal flow of sap the flowers and tomatoes.
Advantageously, the frame is installed on a young stem carrying flowers.
Consequently, the fruit or vegetable will be growing on a stem already curved by the frame and will not make it fold in an upside down "V"
position when they are getting heavy. There are three known types of supporting frames.
Frames of a first type have two coaxial rigid arc-shaped surfaces. The two surfaces are connected together in order to form a U-shaped cross-section. A portion of stem needs to be curved by a user in the curved to orientation that corresponds to the arc-shaped surfaces before being inserted therebetween. The installation of a portion of a stem in such a frame is complicated and necessitates both hands of a user.
Known frames of a second type are partially flexible and have one convex arc-shaped surface with a hook at each end of the surface, each hook being opened in opposite directions. For installation, the stem is engaged in one hook, then laid over the convex portion of the arc-shaped surface and finally secured into the other hook in order to maintain a curved position that follows the convex portion of the arc-shaped surface. The 2 o second hook is the more flexible part of this kind of frame and helps the installation thereof. However, the installation of such frames remains complicated, necessitating both hands of a user.
Known frames of a third type are similar to the ones of the first type as they have two coaxial arc-shaped surfaces. However, the exterior surface is provided by a continuous member while the interior surface is provided by a plurality of fingers which are individually connected to one side of the continuous member. A cross-section of such frame also has a U-shape.
Contrary to the frames of the first type, the continuous member is flexible.
Straightening the continuous member results in spacing apart each of the fingers connected to it. This kind of frame can be slightly straightened for installation over a substantially straight portion of a stem. In this case, the 1o stem does not need to be curved too much prior to being inserted into the frame. Therefore, the frame and the inserted portion of the stem will curve together after the installation as the continuous member recovers its initial curved shape. Such frames remain difficult to install, necessitating both hands of a user for their installation, and can slide along the stem or fall off.
There is a need for a frame which is easier to install and advantageously with only one hand. There is also a need for a frame that stays in place on the stem.
2o SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant that satisfies the above-mentioned needs.
Contrary to the frames of the first type, the continuous member is flexible.
Straightening the continuous member results in spacing apart each of the fingers connected to it. This kind of frame can be slightly straightened for installation over a substantially straight portion of a stem. In this case, the 1o stem does not need to be curved too much prior to being inserted into the frame. Therefore, the frame and the inserted portion of the stem will curve together after the installation as the continuous member recovers its initial curved shape. Such frames remain difficult to install, necessitating both hands of a user for their installation, and can slide along the stem or fall off.
There is a need for a frame which is easier to install and advantageously with only one hand. There is also a need for a frame that stays in place on the stem.
2o SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant that satisfies the above-mentioned needs.
In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved with a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant where the stem is of a thickness falling within a given range. The frame comprises:
-a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
- two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and to - a deformable pressing member defining an apex and having two opposite ends and an inside surface facing the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its apex is located away from the first and the second planes, said apex then being at a greater distance away from the 2 o first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the apex is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of 5 the guiding member.
In accordance with the present invention, this object is also achieved with another supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant where the stem is of a thickness falling within a given range. This frame comprises:
1o -a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and - a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the 2 o two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant where the stem is of a thickness falling within a given range, and the frame comprises:
-a generally arc-shaped guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two 2 o opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member and located at the two opposite ends of the guiding member and adjacent to one of its two longitudinal opposite sides, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two generally arc-shaped parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside convex surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two generally arc-shaped parts being substantially parallel to the generally arc-shaped guiding member, the pressing member having an extension projecting away from the inside convex surface of each of its parts and located at each of its opposite ends, each extension having an extremity pivotally connected to the extremity of the corresponding spacer by means of a hinge, the pressing member being deformable between an open position and a closed position; and - retaining means for retaining the portion of the stem within the frame when the pressing member is in the closed position, the retaining means comprising two fingers extending from the other one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member towards the pressing member in such a way that the portion of the stem secured by the pressing member in closed position, is enclosed between the spacers and the retaining means;
2o wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein;
-a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
- two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and to - a deformable pressing member defining an apex and having two opposite ends and an inside surface facing the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its apex is located away from the first and the second planes, said apex then being at a greater distance away from the 2 o first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the apex is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of 5 the guiding member.
In accordance with the present invention, this object is also achieved with another supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant where the stem is of a thickness falling within a given range. This frame comprises:
1o -a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and - a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the 2 o two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant where the stem is of a thickness falling within a given range, and the frame comprises:
-a generally arc-shaped guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two 2 o opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member and located at the two opposite ends of the guiding member and adjacent to one of its two longitudinal opposite sides, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two generally arc-shaped parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside convex surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two generally arc-shaped parts being substantially parallel to the generally arc-shaped guiding member, the pressing member having an extension projecting away from the inside convex surface of each of its parts and located at each of its opposite ends, each extension having an extremity pivotally connected to the extremity of the corresponding spacer by means of a hinge, the pressing member being deformable between an open position and a closed position; and - retaining means for retaining the portion of the stem within the frame when the pressing member is in the closed position, the retaining means comprising two fingers extending from the other one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member towards the pressing member in such a way that the portion of the stem secured by the pressing member in closed position, is enclosed between the spacers and the retaining means;
2o wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein;
wherein the pressing member is in said open position when its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby a straight portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member;
wherein the pressing member is in said closed position when the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been 1o inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
The invention and its advantages will be better understood after reading the non restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This description is given with reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 o Figures 1 a and 1 b are respectively a front view of a supporting frame according to a preferred embodiment of the invention having a portion of a stem of a plant inserted therein, the frame of figure 1 a being in the open position and the frame of figure 1 b being in the closed position.
wherein the pressing member is in said closed position when the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been 1o inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
The invention and its advantages will be better understood after reading the non restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This description is given with reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 o Figures 1 a and 1 b are respectively a front view of a supporting frame according to a preferred embodiment of the invention having a portion of a stem of a plant inserted therein, the frame of figure 1 a being in the open position and the frame of figure 1 b being in the closed position.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a supporting frame of the preferred embodiment of the invention in the open position.
Figure 3 is a front view of the frame of figure 2 in the closed position.
Figure 4 is a front view of the frame of figures 2 and 3 being in three different positions, namely the open position (full linel, the closed position (long dotted line) and an intermediate position (short dotted line).
to DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring to figure 1, a supporting frame ( 10) according to the present invention is useful to support a portion (2) of a stem (1 ) of a plant where the stem (1 ) is of a thickness falling within a given range. The supporting frame (10) can be used on stems of different kinds of plants. However it is particularly useful for the stems of tomato plants. The entire plant is not shown in the accompanying figures although its trunk (3) and some tomatoes (4) can be seen in figure 1.
Referring to figure 2, the frame ( 10) comprises a guiding member ( 12) having an inside concave surface ( 14), two longitudinal opposite sides ( 16 and 16') and two opposite ends ( 18). The two opposite ends ( 18) extend in a first plane A.
Referring to figures 2 and 3, the frame ( 10) further comprises two 5 spacers (20) projecting away from the inside concave surface ( 14) of the guiding member (12). Each spacer (20) has an extremity (22). The extremities (22) of the spacers (20) lie in a second plane B parallel to the first plane A.
1 o Still referring to figures 2 and 3, the frame ( 10) also comprises a deformable pressing member (24) defining an apex (26). The pressing member (24) has two opposite ends (28) that are pivotally connected to the two extremities (22) of the spacers (20), respectively. The pressing member (24) also has an inside surface (301 facing the inside concave surface ( 14) of the guiding member (12).
According to the present invention, the guiding member (12), the pressing member (24) and each spacer (20) define a U-shaped cross-section shown in figures 1 a and 2, thereby permitting insertion of the portion (2) of 2 o the stem ( 1 ) of the plant in the frame ( 10) between the guiding member (12) and the pressing member (24).
According to the present invention, the pressing member (24) is deformable between an open position shown in figures 1 a, 2 and 4 (full line) and a closed position shown in figures 1 b, 3 and 4 (long dotted line).
The open position of the pressing member (24) is characterized by the fact that the apex (26) of the pressing member (24) is located away from the first plane A and the second plane B, where the apex (26) is then at a greater distance away from the first plane A than from second plane B
so that the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) can be inserted between the guiding 1o member (12) and the pressing member (24).
The closed position of the pressing member (24) is characterised by the fact that the apex (26) is spaced away from the guiding member (12) at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem (1 ) in order to secure therein the portion (2) of the stem ( 11 after the portion (2) has been inserted between the guiding member ( 12) and the pressing member (24) which is in the open position.
Once the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) is secured, it has a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface ( 14) of the guiding member 2 0 ( 12) as particularly shown in figure 1 b.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding member ( 12) is generally arc-shaped and each of its ends ( 18) has a wing shape projecting in a direction away from the pressing member (24) as clearly shown in the perspective view of figure 2. The wing shaped ends ( 18) of the guiding member ( 12) may avoid possible injury to the stem ( 1 ) when being pressed against the guiding member ( 12) by closing the pressing s member (24).
Advantageously, the frame ( 10) further comprises a flange (32) projecting perpendicularly from an outside surface (341 of the guiding member (12) as shown in figures 2 and 3. The flange (32) is helpful for 1 o handling the frame ( 10) and moving it along a stem ( 1 ) of a plant.
Other flanges or handles can be used as well.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention and particularly shown in figures 1 a and 1 b, the frame ( 10) further comprises 15 retaining means for retaining the portion (2) of the stem ( 1 ) within the frame ( 10) when the pressing member (24) is in the closed position. Preferably, the spacers (20) are located adjacent to one (16) of the two longitudinal opposite sides (16, 16') of the guiding member (12), and the retaining means comprises two fingers (36) extending from the other one ( 16') of the 20 two longitudinal opposite sides (16, 16') of the guiding member (12) towards the pressing member (24) in such a way that the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) secured by the pressing member (24) in the closed position, is enclosed between the spacers (20) and the fingers (36). The retaining means above-described works in combination with the spacers (20). The fingers (36) could also be located on the pressing member ( 12) as long as they do not interfere with each other when the pressing member (24) is in the open position. However, other retaining means can be used for retaining the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) in place between the guiding member (12) and the pressing member (24) without departing from the scope of the invention.
Referring now to figures 2 and 3, the two spacers (20) are preferably located at the two opposite ends ( 18) of the guiding member ( 12), respectively. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the opposite ends (28) of the pressing member (24) are pivotally connected to the extremities (22) of the spacers (20) by means of (i) an extension (38) projecting away from the inside surface (30) of the pressing member (24) and located at each opposite end (28) of the pressing member (24), each extension (38) having an extremity (40), and (ii) a hinge (42) interconnecting the extremity (40) of each extension (38) and the extremity (22) of the corresponding spacer (20). Other ways to provide a functional hinge can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.
Still according to the preferred embodiment, each of the extensions (38) and spacers (20) has a triangular shape wherein the extremity (40) of the extension (38) is one corner of the triangular shape of the extension (38), and the extremity (22) of the spacer (20) is one corner of the triangular shape of the spacer (20). Thus, each extension (38) faces the corresponding spacer (20) in such a way that one corner of their triangular shape are connected together by means of the hinge (42). In this preferred embodiment, the hinge (42) interconnecting the extremity (401 of each extension (38) and the extremity (22) of the corresponding spacer (22) is advantageously a flexible membrane interconnecting said corner of the extension (38) and said corner of the spacer (22). Such a hinge (42) is particularly convenient for moulding the supporting frame (10) into one to piece of plastic.
According to the preferred embodiment and referring more particularly to figures 2 and 3, the pressing member (24) comprises two generally arc-shaped parts (44). Each part (44) has a convex surface (46). The inside surface (30) of the pressing member (24) is defined by the convex surfaces (46) of the two generally arc-shaped parts (44). The two parts (44) are preferably joined together by a hinge (48) located at the apex (26). The hinge (481 is advantageously a flexible membrane joining the two generally arc-shaped parts (44) of the pressing member (24). This kind of hinge (48) 2o is particularly advantageous for having a frame (10) moulded into one piece.
Referring now to figure 4, it can be noticed that the spacers (20) are moved in a direction opposite to each other when the pressing member (24) is in an intermediate position (short dotted line). The intermediate position of the pressing member (24) is unstable. In the intermediate position, the pressing member (241 may flip out into the open position (full line) or flip in into the closed position (long dotted line). For sake of clarity, the numbers 5 of the elements are indicated only on the frame shown in full line. When the generally arc-shaped parts (44) are closed and pass by the intermediate position, the extensions (38) of the two parts (44) push the spacers (20).
As a result, the guiding member (12) acts as a spring: in the intermediate position, it is stretched in order to be less arced; and in the open and closed to positions, it is relaxed in its initial shape. The spring action of the guiding member (12) assure that the pressing member (24) (or the generally arced-shaped parts (44) according to the preferred embodiment) remains stable in the closed position and provides a pressure efficient to curve a portion (2) of a stem (1) which would be inserted between the guiding member (121 15 and the pressing member (241. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame (10) is made of resilient plastic and the guiding member ( 12) uses this resilient characteristic in order to flex and therefore be less arced when the pressing member (24) is in the intermediate position. It can be noticed that the flange (32) does not prevent the guiding member (12) 2 o from flexing.
In the preferred embodiment, the guiding member ( 12) acts as a spring and is the one that flexes when the pressing member (24) is in the unstable intermediate position. However, in an other embodiment, the spacers (20) can be the ones that act as springs and consequently, they would be of a shape that allow flexion. In a further embodiment of the invention, the guiding member ( 12) and the spacers (20) could be non-flexible and the deformable pressing member (24) would comprise only one long resilient wall that flips in into the closed position in an arc-shaped position parallel to the guiding member ( 12), and that flips out into the open position in a mirror image arc-shaped position. It is to be understood that other pressing members can be used without departing from the scope of to the invention, as long as they satisfy the need of flipping from the open position to closed position in order to allow the insertion of the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) in the open position and press on the portion (2) of the stem ( 1 ) in the closed position.
Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding member (121 is generally arc-shaped and substantially parallel to the two generally arc-shaped parts (44) of the pressing member (24) when the pressing member (24) is in the closed position. Therefore, the guiding member ( 12) and the generally two arc-shaped parts (44) define a curved 2 o elongated space having a width corresponding substantially to the given range of thickness of the stem ( 1 ) as appreciated in figure 1 b.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention and referring to figure 2, the guiding member ( 12) has at least one reinforcement bar (50) extending on an outside surface (34), and the pressing member ( 12) has at least one reinforcement bar (52) extending on an outside surface (54).
Preferably, the pressing member (24) has two reinforcement bars (52), one on each part (44).
Preferably, a straight portion (2) of the stem (1) can be inserted between the guiding member (12) and the pressing member (24) when the to pressing member (24) is in the open position.
The pressing member (24) can be advantageously moved from the open position to the closed position and vice-versa. Opening the pressing member (24) can be useful to displace the frame ( 10) along the stem ( 1 ) if necessary. For opening the pressing member (24), a user can press simultaneously on the edges (56) (shown in figure 2) provided on each of the opposite ends (28) of the pressing member (24) in order to spread the edges (56) which results in pivoting the opposite ends (28) of the pressing member (24) around its connection to the spacers (20) and moving the apex (26), or the hinge (48), away from the first and second planes A and B
where the apex (26), or the hinge (48), is at a greater distance away from the first plane A than from second plane B. The direction for pressing on the edges (56) to open the pressing member (24) is indicated on figure 3 with wide arrows.
Only one hand is necessary for closing the pressing member (24) and securing a portion (2) of a stem ( 1 ) in the supporting frame (10) according to the invention. A user just has to push the opened pressing member (241 in the direction of the guiding member (12) as indicated by the wide arrow in figure 4.
Advantageously, when a portion (2) of the stem ( 11 is secured in the to supporting frame (10) according to the invention, the frame (10) stays in place along the stem ( 11. This is provided by the fact that the centre of gravity of the frame is below the radius of the arc-shape of the guiding and the pressing members.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the 2 o appended claims.
Figure 3 is a front view of the frame of figure 2 in the closed position.
Figure 4 is a front view of the frame of figures 2 and 3 being in three different positions, namely the open position (full linel, the closed position (long dotted line) and an intermediate position (short dotted line).
to DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring to figure 1, a supporting frame ( 10) according to the present invention is useful to support a portion (2) of a stem (1 ) of a plant where the stem (1 ) is of a thickness falling within a given range. The supporting frame (10) can be used on stems of different kinds of plants. However it is particularly useful for the stems of tomato plants. The entire plant is not shown in the accompanying figures although its trunk (3) and some tomatoes (4) can be seen in figure 1.
Referring to figure 2, the frame ( 10) comprises a guiding member ( 12) having an inside concave surface ( 14), two longitudinal opposite sides ( 16 and 16') and two opposite ends ( 18). The two opposite ends ( 18) extend in a first plane A.
Referring to figures 2 and 3, the frame ( 10) further comprises two 5 spacers (20) projecting away from the inside concave surface ( 14) of the guiding member (12). Each spacer (20) has an extremity (22). The extremities (22) of the spacers (20) lie in a second plane B parallel to the first plane A.
1 o Still referring to figures 2 and 3, the frame ( 10) also comprises a deformable pressing member (24) defining an apex (26). The pressing member (24) has two opposite ends (28) that are pivotally connected to the two extremities (22) of the spacers (20), respectively. The pressing member (24) also has an inside surface (301 facing the inside concave surface ( 14) of the guiding member (12).
According to the present invention, the guiding member (12), the pressing member (24) and each spacer (20) define a U-shaped cross-section shown in figures 1 a and 2, thereby permitting insertion of the portion (2) of 2 o the stem ( 1 ) of the plant in the frame ( 10) between the guiding member (12) and the pressing member (24).
According to the present invention, the pressing member (24) is deformable between an open position shown in figures 1 a, 2 and 4 (full line) and a closed position shown in figures 1 b, 3 and 4 (long dotted line).
The open position of the pressing member (24) is characterized by the fact that the apex (26) of the pressing member (24) is located away from the first plane A and the second plane B, where the apex (26) is then at a greater distance away from the first plane A than from second plane B
so that the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) can be inserted between the guiding 1o member (12) and the pressing member (24).
The closed position of the pressing member (24) is characterised by the fact that the apex (26) is spaced away from the guiding member (12) at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem (1 ) in order to secure therein the portion (2) of the stem ( 11 after the portion (2) has been inserted between the guiding member ( 12) and the pressing member (24) which is in the open position.
Once the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) is secured, it has a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface ( 14) of the guiding member 2 0 ( 12) as particularly shown in figure 1 b.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding member ( 12) is generally arc-shaped and each of its ends ( 18) has a wing shape projecting in a direction away from the pressing member (24) as clearly shown in the perspective view of figure 2. The wing shaped ends ( 18) of the guiding member ( 12) may avoid possible injury to the stem ( 1 ) when being pressed against the guiding member ( 12) by closing the pressing s member (24).
Advantageously, the frame ( 10) further comprises a flange (32) projecting perpendicularly from an outside surface (341 of the guiding member (12) as shown in figures 2 and 3. The flange (32) is helpful for 1 o handling the frame ( 10) and moving it along a stem ( 1 ) of a plant.
Other flanges or handles can be used as well.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention and particularly shown in figures 1 a and 1 b, the frame ( 10) further comprises 15 retaining means for retaining the portion (2) of the stem ( 1 ) within the frame ( 10) when the pressing member (24) is in the closed position. Preferably, the spacers (20) are located adjacent to one (16) of the two longitudinal opposite sides (16, 16') of the guiding member (12), and the retaining means comprises two fingers (36) extending from the other one ( 16') of the 20 two longitudinal opposite sides (16, 16') of the guiding member (12) towards the pressing member (24) in such a way that the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) secured by the pressing member (24) in the closed position, is enclosed between the spacers (20) and the fingers (36). The retaining means above-described works in combination with the spacers (20). The fingers (36) could also be located on the pressing member ( 12) as long as they do not interfere with each other when the pressing member (24) is in the open position. However, other retaining means can be used for retaining the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) in place between the guiding member (12) and the pressing member (24) without departing from the scope of the invention.
Referring now to figures 2 and 3, the two spacers (20) are preferably located at the two opposite ends ( 18) of the guiding member ( 12), respectively. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the opposite ends (28) of the pressing member (24) are pivotally connected to the extremities (22) of the spacers (20) by means of (i) an extension (38) projecting away from the inside surface (30) of the pressing member (24) and located at each opposite end (28) of the pressing member (24), each extension (38) having an extremity (40), and (ii) a hinge (42) interconnecting the extremity (40) of each extension (38) and the extremity (22) of the corresponding spacer (20). Other ways to provide a functional hinge can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.
Still according to the preferred embodiment, each of the extensions (38) and spacers (20) has a triangular shape wherein the extremity (40) of the extension (38) is one corner of the triangular shape of the extension (38), and the extremity (22) of the spacer (20) is one corner of the triangular shape of the spacer (20). Thus, each extension (38) faces the corresponding spacer (20) in such a way that one corner of their triangular shape are connected together by means of the hinge (42). In this preferred embodiment, the hinge (42) interconnecting the extremity (401 of each extension (38) and the extremity (22) of the corresponding spacer (22) is advantageously a flexible membrane interconnecting said corner of the extension (38) and said corner of the spacer (22). Such a hinge (42) is particularly convenient for moulding the supporting frame (10) into one to piece of plastic.
According to the preferred embodiment and referring more particularly to figures 2 and 3, the pressing member (24) comprises two generally arc-shaped parts (44). Each part (44) has a convex surface (46). The inside surface (30) of the pressing member (24) is defined by the convex surfaces (46) of the two generally arc-shaped parts (44). The two parts (44) are preferably joined together by a hinge (48) located at the apex (26). The hinge (481 is advantageously a flexible membrane joining the two generally arc-shaped parts (44) of the pressing member (24). This kind of hinge (48) 2o is particularly advantageous for having a frame (10) moulded into one piece.
Referring now to figure 4, it can be noticed that the spacers (20) are moved in a direction opposite to each other when the pressing member (24) is in an intermediate position (short dotted line). The intermediate position of the pressing member (24) is unstable. In the intermediate position, the pressing member (241 may flip out into the open position (full line) or flip in into the closed position (long dotted line). For sake of clarity, the numbers 5 of the elements are indicated only on the frame shown in full line. When the generally arc-shaped parts (44) are closed and pass by the intermediate position, the extensions (38) of the two parts (44) push the spacers (20).
As a result, the guiding member (12) acts as a spring: in the intermediate position, it is stretched in order to be less arced; and in the open and closed to positions, it is relaxed in its initial shape. The spring action of the guiding member (12) assure that the pressing member (24) (or the generally arced-shaped parts (44) according to the preferred embodiment) remains stable in the closed position and provides a pressure efficient to curve a portion (2) of a stem (1) which would be inserted between the guiding member (121 15 and the pressing member (241. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame (10) is made of resilient plastic and the guiding member ( 12) uses this resilient characteristic in order to flex and therefore be less arced when the pressing member (24) is in the intermediate position. It can be noticed that the flange (32) does not prevent the guiding member (12) 2 o from flexing.
In the preferred embodiment, the guiding member ( 12) acts as a spring and is the one that flexes when the pressing member (24) is in the unstable intermediate position. However, in an other embodiment, the spacers (20) can be the ones that act as springs and consequently, they would be of a shape that allow flexion. In a further embodiment of the invention, the guiding member ( 12) and the spacers (20) could be non-flexible and the deformable pressing member (24) would comprise only one long resilient wall that flips in into the closed position in an arc-shaped position parallel to the guiding member ( 12), and that flips out into the open position in a mirror image arc-shaped position. It is to be understood that other pressing members can be used without departing from the scope of to the invention, as long as they satisfy the need of flipping from the open position to closed position in order to allow the insertion of the portion (2) of the stem (1 ) in the open position and press on the portion (2) of the stem ( 1 ) in the closed position.
Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding member (121 is generally arc-shaped and substantially parallel to the two generally arc-shaped parts (44) of the pressing member (24) when the pressing member (24) is in the closed position. Therefore, the guiding member ( 12) and the generally two arc-shaped parts (44) define a curved 2 o elongated space having a width corresponding substantially to the given range of thickness of the stem ( 1 ) as appreciated in figure 1 b.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention and referring to figure 2, the guiding member ( 12) has at least one reinforcement bar (50) extending on an outside surface (34), and the pressing member ( 12) has at least one reinforcement bar (52) extending on an outside surface (54).
Preferably, the pressing member (24) has two reinforcement bars (52), one on each part (44).
Preferably, a straight portion (2) of the stem (1) can be inserted between the guiding member (12) and the pressing member (24) when the to pressing member (24) is in the open position.
The pressing member (24) can be advantageously moved from the open position to the closed position and vice-versa. Opening the pressing member (24) can be useful to displace the frame ( 10) along the stem ( 1 ) if necessary. For opening the pressing member (24), a user can press simultaneously on the edges (56) (shown in figure 2) provided on each of the opposite ends (28) of the pressing member (24) in order to spread the edges (56) which results in pivoting the opposite ends (28) of the pressing member (24) around its connection to the spacers (20) and moving the apex (26), or the hinge (48), away from the first and second planes A and B
where the apex (26), or the hinge (48), is at a greater distance away from the first plane A than from second plane B. The direction for pressing on the edges (56) to open the pressing member (24) is indicated on figure 3 with wide arrows.
Only one hand is necessary for closing the pressing member (24) and securing a portion (2) of a stem ( 1 ) in the supporting frame (10) according to the invention. A user just has to push the opened pressing member (241 in the direction of the guiding member (12) as indicated by the wide arrow in figure 4.
Advantageously, when a portion (2) of the stem ( 11 is secured in the to supporting frame (10) according to the invention, the frame (10) stays in place along the stem ( 11. This is provided by the fact that the centre of gravity of the frame is below the radius of the arc-shape of the guiding and the pressing members.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the 2 o appended claims.
Claims (29)
1. A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant, said stem being of a thickness falling within a given range, said frame comprising:
-a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
- two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and - a deformable pressing member defining an apex and having two opposite ends and an inside surface facing the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its apex is located away from the first and the second planes, said apex then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the apex is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
-a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
- two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and - a deformable pressing member defining an apex and having two opposite ends and an inside surface facing the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its apex is located away from the first and the second planes, said apex then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the apex is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the guiding member is generally arc-shaped.
3. The frame of claim 1, wherein each of the ends of the guiding member has a wing shape projecting in a direction away from the pressing member.
4. The frame of claim 1, further comprising a flange projecting perpendicularly from an outside surface of the guiding member.
5. The frame of claim 1, further comprising retaining means for retaining the portion of the stem within the frame when the pressing member is in the closed position.
6. The frame of claim 5, wherein the spacers are located adjacent to one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member, and wherein the retaining means comprises two fingers extending from the other one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member towards the pressing member in such a way that the portion of the stem secured by the pressing member in the closed position, is enclosed between the spacers and the fingers.
7. The frame of claim 1, wherein the two spacers are located at the two opposite ends of the guiding member, respectively.
8. The frame of claim 7, wherein the opposite ends of the pressing member are pivotally connected to the extremities of the spacers by means of:
- an extension projecting away from the inside surface of the pressing member and located at each opposite end of the pressing member, each extension having an extremity, and - a hinge interconnecting the extremity of each extension and the extremity of the corresponding spacer.
- an extension projecting away from the inside surface of the pressing member and located at each opposite end of the pressing member, each extension having an extremity, and - a hinge interconnecting the extremity of each extension and the extremity of the corresponding spacer.
9. The frame of claim 8, wherein each of the extensions and the spacers has a triangular shape, the extremity of the extension being one corner of the triangular shape of the extension, the extremity of the spacer being one corner of the triangular shape of the spacer, and wherein the hinge interconnecting the extremity of each extension and the extremity of the corresponding spacer is a flexible membrane interconnecting said corner of the extension and said corner of the spacer.
10. The frame of claim 1, wherein the pressing member comprises two generally arc-shaped parts, each part having a convex surface, the inside surface of the pressing member being defined by the convex surfaces of the two generally arc-shaped parts, said two parts being joined together by a hinge located at the apex.
11. The frame of claim 10, wherein the hinge of the pressing member is a flexible membrane joining the two generally arc-shaped parts of the pressing member.
12. The frame of claim 10, wherein the guiding member is generally arc-shaped and substantially parallel to the two generally arc-shaped parts of the pressing member in the closed position.
13. The frame of claim 1, wherein the guiding member has at least one reinforcement bar extending on an outside surface, and wherein the pressing member has at least one reinforcement bar extending on an outside surface.
14. The frame of claim 1, wherein a straight portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member when the pressing member is in the open position.
15. A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant, said stem being of a thickness falling within a given range, said frame comprising:
-a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and - a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
-a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; and - a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers, respectively;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; and wherein said pressing member is deformable between:
an open position where its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and a closed position where the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
16. The frame of claim 15, wherein the guiding member is generally arc-shaped.
17. The frame of claim 15, wherein each of the ends of the guiding member has a wing shape projecting in a direction away from the pressing member.
18. The frame of claim 15, further comprising a flange projecting perpendicularly from an outside surface of the guiding member.
19. The frame of claim 15, further comprising retaining means for retaining the portion of the stem within the frame when the pressing member is in the closed position.
20. The frame of claim 19, wherein the spacers are located adjacent to one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member, and wherein the retaining means comprises two fingers extending from the other one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member towards the pressing member in such a way that the portion of the stem secured by the pressing member in the closed position, is enclosed between the spacers and the fingers.
21. The frame of claim 15, wherein the two spacers are located at the two opposite ends of the guiding member, respectively.
22. The frame of claim 21, wherein the opposite ends of the pressing member are pivotally connected to the extremities of the spacers by means of:
- an extension projecting away from the inside surface of the pressing member and located at each opposite end of the pressing member, each extension having an extremity, and - a hinge interconnecting the extremity of each extension and the extremity of the corresponding spacer.
- an extension projecting away from the inside surface of the pressing member and located at each opposite end of the pressing member, each extension having an extremity, and - a hinge interconnecting the extremity of each extension and the extremity of the corresponding spacer.
23. The frame of claim 22, wherein each of the extensions and the spacers has a triangular shape, the extremity of the extension being one corner of the triangular shape of the extension, the extremity of the spacer being one corner of the triangular shape of the spacer, and wherein the hinge interconnecting the extremity of each extension and the extremity of the corresponding spacer is a flexible membrane interconnecting said corner of the extension and said corner of the spacer.
24. The frame of claim 15, wherein each part of the pressing member is generally arc-shaped, the inside surface of each part being convex.
25. The frame of claim 24, wherein the hinge of the pressing member is a flexible membrane joining the two generally arc-shaped parts of the pressing member.
26. The frame of claim 24, wherein the guiding member is generally arc-shaped and substantially parallel to the two generally arc-shaped parts of the pressing member in the closed position.
27. The frame of claim 15, wherein the guiding member has at least one reinforcement bar extending on an outside surface, and wherein the pressing member has at least one reinforcement bar extending on an outside surface.
28. The frame of claim 15, wherein a straight portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member when the pressing member is in the open position.
29. A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant, said stem being of a thickness falling within a given range, said frame comprising:
-a generally arc-shaped guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member and located at the two opposite ends of the guiding member and adjacent to one of its two longitudinal opposite sides, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two generally arc-shaped parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside convex surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two generally arc-shaped parts being substantially parallel to the generally arc-shaped guiding member, the pressing member having an extension projecting away from the inside convex surface of each of its parts and located at each of its opposite ends, each extension having an extremity pivotally connected to the extremity of the corresponding spacer by means of a hinge, the pressing member being deformable between an open position and a closed position; and - retaining means for retaining the portion of the stem within the frame when the pressing member is in the closed position, the retaining means comprising two fingers extending from the other one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member towards the pressing member in such a way that the portion of the stem secured by the pressing member in the closed position, is enclosed between the spacers and the fingers;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein;
wherein the pressing member is in said open position when its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby a straight portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and wherein the pressing member is in said closed position when the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
-a generally arc-shaped guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;
-two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member and located at the two opposite ends of the guiding member and adjacent to one of its two longitudinal opposite sides, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- a pressing member having two opposite ends and comprising two generally arc-shaped parts joined together by a hinge, each of the two parts having an inside convex surface which faces the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two generally arc-shaped parts being substantially parallel to the generally arc-shaped guiding member, the pressing member having an extension projecting away from the inside convex surface of each of its parts and located at each of its opposite ends, each extension having an extremity pivotally connected to the extremity of the corresponding spacer by means of a hinge, the pressing member being deformable between an open position and a closed position; and - retaining means for retaining the portion of the stem within the frame when the pressing member is in the closed position, the retaining means comprising two fingers extending from the other one of the two longitudinal opposite sides of the guiding member towards the pressing member in such a way that the portion of the stem secured by the pressing member in the closed position, is enclosed between the spacers and the fingers;
wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein;
wherein the pressing member is in said open position when its hinge is located away from the first and the second planes, said hinge then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby a straight portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; and wherein the pressing member is in said closed position when the hinge is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/347,086 US6233869B1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 1999-07-02 | Supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant |
| CA002276877A CA2276877A1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 1999-07-02 | A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/347,086 US6233869B1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 1999-07-02 | Supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant |
| CA002276877A CA2276877A1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 1999-07-02 | A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2276877A1 true CA2276877A1 (en) | 2001-01-02 |
Family
ID=25681031
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002276877A Abandoned CA2276877A1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 1999-07-02 | A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6233869B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2276877A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10595471B2 (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2020-03-24 | Ian Gilley | System and methods for directing plant growth |
| CN112772262A (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2021-05-11 | 新疆农业科学院园艺作物研究所 | Foldable grape trellis for grapes in soil-buried area and cultivation method of foldable grape trellis |
| US11129340B1 (en) * | 2021-01-12 | 2021-09-28 | Gabriel Pena | Plant training device |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6904647B2 (en) * | 1999-02-10 | 2005-06-14 | James H. Byers, Jr. | Clamping devices |
| US6578585B1 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-06-17 | Barbara Stachowski | Barrette |
| FR2822136B1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2003-07-25 | Soplaril Sa | PACKAGING WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM WITH SHELL, PROCESS FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE |
| US10098640B2 (en) | 2001-12-04 | 2018-10-16 | Atricure, Inc. | Left atrial appendage devices and methods |
| TW566101U (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2003-12-11 | Chau-Mu Jou | Opening/closing device |
| US7645285B2 (en) * | 2004-05-26 | 2010-01-12 | Idx Medical, Ltd | Apparatus and methods for occluding a hollow anatomical structure |
| FR2873262A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-01-27 | Gilles Bruno Debat | Plant e.g. tomato plant, branch supporting device, has end parts moved relative to middle part between one position in which parts extend in length along rectilinear direction and another position in which parts extends along curved segment |
| EP1906842B1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2016-12-21 | IDX Medical, Ltd. | Apparatus for occluding a hollow anatomical structure |
| FR2990326A1 (en) * | 2012-05-10 | 2013-11-15 | Raymond A & Cie | HOLDING DEVICE FOR PLANT BRANCH |
| CA161782S (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2015-11-10 | Raymond A & Cie | TUTORING COLLAR |
| US10925220B2 (en) | 2017-08-18 | 2021-02-23 | William Alexander Lavenberg | Vegetative support and high stress training cultivation apparatus |
| CN107853002A (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2018-03-30 | 广西农潮果业有限公司 | A kind of dragon fruit branch fixing device |
| USD1021581S1 (en) * | 2022-07-05 | 2024-04-09 | Brinkman Agro B.V. | Plant support |
| NL2032941B1 (en) * | 2022-09-02 | 2024-03-21 | Mt&M B V | Plant truss support and method for assembling such |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB714110A (en) * | 1952-04-23 | 1954-08-25 | Welnut Engineering Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to clips |
| US2844913A (en) * | 1957-01-29 | 1958-07-29 | Jr Alfred P Brill | Wrapper and clamp for budding and grafting |
| US2968850A (en) * | 1958-03-10 | 1961-01-24 | George A Tinnerman | Supporting clamps |
| US3494072A (en) * | 1967-07-10 | 1970-02-10 | Famco Inc | Devices for supporting plants |
| FR2247157A2 (en) * | 1973-06-13 | 1975-05-09 | Faynot & Cie Sa | Attachment clip for vine shoots etc. - hook part has two resilient tongues dividing the hook interior |
| US4333264A (en) * | 1978-01-24 | 1982-06-08 | Smrt Thomas John | Tree nursery clip |
| US4483098A (en) * | 1982-09-28 | 1984-11-20 | National Polymers Inc. | Plant stake and clasp |
| EP0400186B1 (en) * | 1989-06-01 | 1994-03-02 | Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. | Identification support for electrical conductors |
| NL9201227A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 1994-02-01 | Wilhelmus Jozef Delisse | SUPPORT DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A BRANCH OF A PLANT. |
| US5542209A (en) * | 1994-01-04 | 1996-08-06 | Sheu; Shyong-Shyy | Stalk support for flowers |
| US5784762A (en) * | 1997-01-22 | 1998-07-28 | Huntting; Leonard M. | Trellis wires tieing clips used when controlling the direction of growth and the support of plant foliage of a crop |
| CA2197151C (en) * | 1997-02-10 | 2005-01-04 | Ottavio Ballarino | Plant holder |
| US5979110A (en) * | 1998-06-08 | 1999-11-09 | Tai; Yu-Lin | Plant clip for potted plants |
-
1999
- 1999-07-02 US US09/347,086 patent/US6233869B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-07-02 CA CA002276877A patent/CA2276877A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10595471B2 (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2020-03-24 | Ian Gilley | System and methods for directing plant growth |
| US11129340B1 (en) * | 2021-01-12 | 2021-09-28 | Gabriel Pena | Plant training device |
| CN112772262A (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2021-05-11 | 新疆农业科学院园艺作物研究所 | Foldable grape trellis for grapes in soil-buried area and cultivation method of foldable grape trellis |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6233869B1 (en) | 2001-05-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |