Patent Application
20080110085
This invention generally relates to newly planted tree support systems.
Planting trees, especially when developing the landscape surrounding a residence or commercial building, often involves the use of a tree support system. Tree support systems are designed to enable a planted tree to grow straight. A tree support system also keeps the tree from blowing over due to excessive wind and fosters proper root and trunk development. When the tree is substantially mature, the support system is removed from the tree.
Typical prior art tree support systems provide temporary lateral support by staking or otherwise coupling a cable, rope, or wire to the ground on one end and attaching the other end to a strap or other mechanism that is wrapped around the tree. In order for the wire stretching from the tree to the stake to be visible to persons walking near the tree (so they do not trip over or otherwise hit the wire), polyvinylchloride (“PVC”) piping is often placed around the wire.
The prior art tree stabilization systems described above are deficient in many aspects. The sheer number of components involved makes the system cumbersome and time consuming to set up. Requiring an employee to place support systems on a large number of trees requires the employee to carry around 4 separate components—(i) wire/cable, (ii) stakes, (iii) PVC piping, (iv) straps, and (v) tools. This may be potentially dangerous if the employee must manually transplant all these components from tree to tree as the weight of these components may be great when a large number of trees must be supported.
The PVC piping is particularly important in prior art systems. Since a thin wire is typically used to couple the tree to the ground, as stated, the PVC piping is required to make the wire visible to people. However, the PVC piping adds substantial cost to the support system. Lowering costs in the landscaping business in highly desirable, and eliminating one or more of these components would enable a landscaping business to substantially lower its operating costs.
Additionally, costs may be lowered by decreasing the amount time it takes to set up a tree stabilization system. Typical prior art stabilization systems may take as long as 30 minutes to set up. Even for persons experienced in landscaping, setting up a tree stabilization system comprised of these components typically take as long as 10 minutes. This is important when hourly billing rates can range from $12.00 an hour up to $65.00 an hour, depending on geographical region and level of experience.
Lastly, some prior art tree support systems use materials which, when in contact with the tree, damage the tree. For example, some wire support systems may scrape and damage the bark of a young and vulnerable tree. Such injuries make the tree susceptible to disease and disfiguration.
One way to lower the costs associated with installing tree stabilization systems is to use a fewer number of materials than has been used on prior art stabilization systems. Additionally, if the materials themselves have a lower cost than materials used on prior art systems, the total cost of the stabilization system will continue to decrease. Importantly, one embodiment of the current invention incorporates both a lower number of total materials than prior art tree stabilization systems and materials that have a lower cost than prior art systems. Lastly, the materials used to contact the tree in the current invention are flexible and designed to prevent injuring the tree.
Overall, one embodiment is a lightweight system adapted to be used in a quick, efficient manner. Multiple support systems can simply be stuffed in a pocket, and easily looped around a tree and staked into the ground. The efficiency of installing tree support systems with one embodiment is greatly increased.
For example, one embodiment of the current invention is comprised of two straps. The straps are comprised of a flexible woven mesh material which may be a synthetic thermoplastic polymer such, but not limited to, nylon or polypropylene. The straps may also be comprised of a non-synthetic material such as, but not limited to, leather.
One embodiment's two straps are a first strap and a second strap, with each strap having a generally rectangular shape. The first strap is generally wider and shorter than the second strap in one variation. One embodiment's first strap is about 12 inches long and about 1.5 inches wide, with the second strap being about 4 feet long and about ¾ inches in width.
The first strap in one embodiment is comprised of a first bore and a second bore and the second strap is comprised of a second strap bore. The two straps are often coupled together with a grommet encircling the second bore and the second strap bore, with the longitudinal axis of the second bore being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of a second strap bore. The second bore is proximate the distal end of the first strap. The second strap bore is proximate the proximal end of the second strap.
Additionally, the two straps are coupled in a manner where the longitudinal axis of both straps are generally parallel. One embodiment may not have a second strap which is coupled to the first strap, but may have a second strap which is integrated to the first strap in manner where the longitudinal axis of the two straps are substantially parallel. The second strap also typically has a free end, the free end being an end distal from the proximal end of the second strap.
The first bore of the first strap of one embodiment is also grommeted. In one two-bore embodiment, each bore is positioned generally equal distances from a strap end. The first bore may be positioned a distance generally equal from the proximal end of the first strap that the second bore is positioned from the distal end of the first strap. Widthwisely, each bore is generally located in the center of the first strap. Therefore, when the first strap is looped around a tree sapling such that the first strap distal end is positioned proximate the first strap proximal end, the longitudinal axis of the bores are generally aligned.
Upon general alignment of the first strap bores after looping the first strap around the tree sapling, the second strap free end is adapted to thread through the first strap bores. In one variation, where the second strap proximal end is coupled to the first strap distal end, the second strap distal end is pulled through the bores until the second strap is substantially taut. Threading the second strap distal end through the first end bores creates a second strap loop around the first strap distal end and keeps the first strap bores substantially aligned. The second strap is pulled taut at this point and coupled to a stake which is typically placed into the ground, enabling the first strap to hold its loop shape around the tree and providing support the tree sapling.
In one variation, where the proximal end of the second strap is not coupled to the first strap, upon threading the distal end through the bores, the distal end is then threaded through a second strap slit and pulled taut. The second strap slit is located proximate the second strap proximal end. Again, the second strap tautness keeps the first strap against the tree trunk to provide the support necessary to keep the tree stable during high winds or otherwise. In one variation, the second strap is substantially fixed to the stake placed in the ground in order to keep the tautness present in the second strap.
The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, tense or any singular or plural variations of the defined word or phrase.
The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation.
The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation of the identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole.
Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.
The term “bore” refers to the interior of a hole, usually referring to the diameter of a generally circular hole.
The term “slit” refers to a generally straight and narrow cut, opening, or aperture.
Referring to
Whatever type of flexible material is used in the first strap 12, the material is also adapted to prevent injuries to the tree. Polymeric webbing may be inherently adapted to prevent damage to the tree if the surface of the webbing is substantially smooth, enabling the strap to slide along the bark of the tree. Polymeric webbing also prevents fraying and torn straps to damage the tree as the webbing is typically sealed by a heat process to prevent the fraying and tearing from occurring. An example of one type of tree strap that may be used as a first strap is the tree strap sold by Jeffco Enterprises, Inc., located in Lakewood, Colo. Some first straps may have a separate cloth liner in the flat surface 17 of the strap to keep the tree from being damaged.
Generally, the material used for the first strap 12 may be any color material. However, it is desirable in many circumstances for the first strap to be a color other than white in order for the strap to generally blend in with the tree bark. For example, first straps often have colors such as green, tan, or black. Different shades and hues of these colors are often used, depending on the nature of the tree and the color of the bark, or other landscaping considerations.
The first strap 12 in one embodiment is also comprised of a first bore 16 and a second bore 18. As best shown by
The center of each first strap 12 bore in one embodiment is generally located an equal distance 26 from it's respective nearest first strap end. In one embodiment, the distance from the bore center to the nearest strap end is equal to ⅞ of an inch. Additionally, the distance each bore center is located from the edge of a strap edge 23 is generally equal, thereby widthwisely locating the first strap bores generally in the middle of the strap.
The size of the grommet, if used, should not be of a size which substantially hinders the flexibility of the strap. However, the grommet should be of a size which provides adequate protection to the bore. Generally, the outer diameter 25 of the grommet should be less than half the width 27 of the first strap, although some embodiments may exceed this general rule in certain circumstances. Likewise the thickness of the grommet, or the difference between the outer diameter and inner diameter 21, should not hinder the flexibility of the strap. The outer diameter 25 of the grommet is 11/16 of an inch and the inner diameter 21 of the grommet is 5/16 of an inch in one embodiment. In order for the grommet to operate and attach properly to the strap, the bore diameter in the first strap should be between these two lengths. The grommet and bore diameter sizes may differ for larger or smaller first and second strap lengths and widths. Grommets may be comprised of brass in one embodiment.
The first strap 12 dimensions are typically adapted to allow the strap to create a loop around the trunk of tree sapling and enable the longitudinal axis of the bores to substantially align. The first strap dimensions should also allow the strap to create a sufficient brace against the tree trunk, allow for easy set-up and should not cause undue damage to the tree surface or otherwise. For example, the width 27 of the first strap should be wide enough to provide support to the tree and to ensure that the strap does not dig into the bark or surface of the tree, but the width must not be so wide as to create a strap which is ungainly either in appearance, operation, or storage. One embodiment's first strap has a width of about 1½ inches. However, the width may be larger or smaller in some variations. For example, the width one larger embodiment is about 2 inches and in one smaller embodiment is about ¾ of an inch.
The length 28 of a first strap 12 in one embodiment is about 12 inches. However, embodiments are contemplated that have lengths of about 8, 15, or 18 inches. The smaller length first straps are usually used on smaller trees and tree saplings that have smaller trunk diameters. As best shown in
As best shown in
The length 30 of the second strap is typically longer than the length of the first strap in one variation, while the width 31 of the second strap is generally smaller than the width of the first strap. One embodiment has a second strap whose length is about 4 feet, although the second strap may have a length lesser or greater than 4 feet. Both a 3 foot and 10 foot length second strap have been contemplated, with the 10 foot length often being used for larger trees. Likewise, the width of the second strap in one 4 foot embodiment is about ¾ of an inch, but the width may be as small as ½ an inch or as great as 1 inch in other embodiments. In one variation, the first and second straps are coupled in a manner where the longitudinal axis of the two straps are generally parallel.
The color of the second strap 14 is typically different than the color of the first strap 12, with the-second strap being a generally bright color. In one embodiment, the color of the second strap is a light color such as, but not limited to, white. It is contemplated that the second strap may be other colors such as, but not limited to, neon green, yellow, or orange, or may have reflective qualities and attributes. In general, the color of the strap should be such that it stands out from the surroundings and is easily noticed by an approaching person.
As best shown by
The second strap 14 is typically coupled to the first strap 12 in a manner where the distal end 33 of the second strap stretches away from first strap proximal end 20 and the first strap distal end 22. Additionally, the first strap and second strap may not be coupled together, but may be integrated. The integrated strap may be a single unitary strap of varying width and color. The second strap 14 may also have a pointed distal end 33, as best shown in
The first strap 12 and the second strap 14 have generally equal thickness 19. One embodiment's strap thickness is 1/20 of an inch.
Referring to
As best shown by
The slit 35 is adapted to enable the second strap 14 to couple to the first strap 12. To do so, as best shown in
Referring to
To place, or loop, the first strap 12, around a tree sapling, a portion of a flat surface 17 of the strap is placed flush with the tree trunk, with the proximal end 20 and distal end 22 of the first strap are wrapped around the trunk towards one another. The first strap should create a loop, as best shown in
When the first strap 12 creates a loop around the trunk of the tree sapling, the first bore 16 and second bore 18 should generally align. The distal end 33 of the second strap 14, which is a free end of a second strap 14, is then threaded through the two bores. The second strap proximal end 32 may be initially coupled to the first strap distal end 22 by being coupled to a grommet 24 surrounding the first strap second bore, as previously disclosed in the first embodiment. In one method, upon looping the first strap around the tree, the second strap coupling to the first strap is located on the inside of the first strap loop around the tree.
The second strap 14 may also be initially uncoupled to the first strap 12 through the grommet 24, as previously described in the second embodiment. When an initially uncoupled second strap is used, the second strap distal end 33 is threaded through a slit 35 in the second strap after first threading through the first strap bores, as best shown in
The second strap 14 is pulled taut through the two bores and the slit 35, if a slit is used. The second strap is then substantially fixed. Typically, as best shown in
