Patent Application
20180064039
The present disclosure relates to a structure for protecting plants from, for example, cold weather that can result in frost.
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0186466 discloses a PLANT PROTECTIVE COVER SYSTEM WITH COLLAPSIBLE RIGID FRAME. The '466 publication alleges to teach methods, systems, apparatus, and devices for providing protection for outdoor plants against the elements, and for regulation of climactic conditions for both indoor and outdoor plants. The '466 publication alleges to provide methods and apparatus for covering growing plants to protect them from the elements, and to a freestanding rigid but collapsible frame and a fitted protective cover for use, for example, in cultivated agricultural fields, farmlands, and indoor spaces.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
A plant protector can include a plurality of vertical members, a first ring member, and a handle assembly. The plurality of vertical members can be spaced from one another about a central longitudinal axis and extend along respective arcuate paths between respective bottom ends and respective top ends. The bottom ends can be spaced about a bottom periphery having a first diameter and the top ends can be spaced about a top periphery having a second diameter less than the first diameter whereby a plurality of the plant protectors are stackable on one another with the top periphery of an upper plant protector receivable in the bottom periphery of a lower plant protector. The first ring member can be fixedly engaged with and rigidly interconnect the top ends of the plurality of vertical members to define a first opening. The handle assembly can include a second ring member and a handle mounted on the second ring member. The second ring member can be releasibly engageable with the first ring member to permit selective attachment of the handle with the plurality of vertical members.
The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:
A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features across different embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Similar features in a particular embodiment have been numbered with a common two-digit, base reference numeral and have been differentiated by a different leading numeral. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.
The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments described below, can provide a plant protector that is strong and robust, stackable, one-piece, and also easily deployed. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more plant protectors can be retrieved from a stack of the plant protectors. Less than the full stack of plant protectors can be retrieved easily. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can include a clasping ring with an over-center latch, which allows for easy application of an interchangeable frost covering. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be solid, rigid and durable frame that can be used repeatedly. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can include a frame that can be easy and quick to deploy and put in use. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can include a handle that folds over and allows for stackability. The handle can twist and lock into place for easy use. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can include a handle that allows for easy deployment and use. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can include a frame that allows for stackability similar to Russian dolls. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can allow for stackability and storage in a small place. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can have extendible legs. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can include rings on the bottom to assist in securing the frame to the ground when necessary. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can define a simple design that allows for use by the elderly and the young.
Referring now to
The first ring member 14 can be fixedly engaged with and rigidly interconnect the top ends 22, 122 of the plurality of vertical members 12, 112 to define a first opening 28. The handle assembly 16 can include a second ring member 30 and a handle 32 mounted on the second ring member 30. The second ring member 30 can be releasibly engageable with the first ring member 14 to permit selective attachment of the handle 32 with the plurality of vertical members 12, 112.
The exemplary plant protector 10 also includes a plurality of locking arms such as 34 and 134 each fixedly associated with one of the first ring member 14 and the second ring member 30. The exemplary locking arms 34, 134 are fixedly associated with the second ring member 30 but could be fixedly associated with the first ring member 14 in other implementations of the present disclosure. As best shown in
Referring again to
The exemplary sliding surface 44 includes a ramp portion 54 and a notch portion 56. The exemplary ramp portion 54 has a first rate of incline θ and extends about the central longitudinal axis 18 a first angular distance 58. The notch portion 56 can be sized to receive the tab 48. The tab 48 is slidable initially along the ramp portion 54 and is then received in the notch portion 56 during relative rotation between the first ring member 14 and the second ring member 30 in the first angular direction 52.
Each of the plurality of locking arms 34, 134 defines a radial thickness along a respective arm axis that intersects the central longitudinal axis 18. In
Each of the plurality of locking arms 34, 134 defines a radial width about the central longitudinal axis 18. The radial width of the locking arm 34 is referenced at 66 in
Referring again to
The exemplary plant protector 10 also includes a third ring member 86 fixedly engaged with and interconnecting the bottom ends 20, 120 of the plurality of vertical members 12, 112 and defining a second opening for receiving a plant. The exemplary plant protector 10 also includes a fourth ring member 88 fixedly engaged with and interconnecting the plurality of vertical members 12, 112 at a position along the central longitudinal axis 18 between the first ring member 14 and the third ring member 86. The exemplary plant protector 10 also includes a fifth ring member 90 fixedly engaged with and interconnecting the plurality of vertical members 12, 112 at a position along the central longitudinal axis 18 between the first ring member 14 and the fourth ring member 88. The plurality of vertical members 12, 112, the first ring member 14, the third ring member 86, the fourth ring member 88, and the fifth ring member 90 can be steel components welded together. The plurality of vertical members 12, 112, the first ring member 14, the third ring member 86, the fourth ring member 88, and the fifth ring member 90 can be steel rod bended as desired.
The exemplary plant protector 10 also includes at least one anchoring ring 92 having a smaller diameter than the bottom periphery. It is noted that the ring member 86 extends along the bottom periphery. The anchoring ring 92 can be fixedly engaged with respect to one of the plurality of vertical members 12, 112 through the ring member 86.
The exemplary plant protector 10 also includes an annular clamp 94. The clamp 94 can be utilized when a flexible sheet such as plastic or cloth is draped over the cage defined by the members 12, 112 and various ring members. The clamp 94 can include a discontinuous ring portion 96 extending along an arcuate path between a first end 98 and a second end 100. The clamp 94 can also include an over-center latch 102 with a first portion 104 engaged with the first end 98 and a second portion 106 engaged with the second end 100. The over-center latch 102 is configured to selectively draw and lock the first and the second ends 98, 100 together to retain the flexible sheet over the cage. The members 12 and 112 can include respective bends, such as referenced at 108 and 208, to retain the clamp 94 in place on the cage.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.
