Patent Application
20130000187
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German Patent Application DE 10 2011 106 730.6, filed Jun. 28, 2011; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a vineyard post for retaining wires in wine and fruit growing. The post includes a basic body with first and second limbs made of sheet metal. At least one transverse extension arm is disposed thereon, runs substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the basic body and has a multiplicity of hooks for retaining the wires.
It is known to use open or closed metal profiles for the purpose of tensioning espalier wires in wine and fruit growing. The metal profiles have limbs on which outer hooks are formed by punching out tongue-like portions of the basic material and bending them into shape. Such metal profiles, which will also be referred to below as vineyard posts, are known, for example, from German Patent DE 44 36 936 C2.
In the case of straight forward vineyard posts, the wires are mounted one above the other, on either side of the vines, in two vertical planes which run parallel to one another and a spacing between which is defined by a spacing of the limbs of the metal profiles.
From time to time, however, it is desirable for the wires to be mounted in more than just two planes running parallel to one another, for example in eight or 10 planes, for example in order to increase growth with vines per unit of surface area or in order to improve shading.
In order to meet that objective, transverse extension arms are fastened on the known vineyard posts. Although it is possible for the transverse carriers to be fixed to the vertical posts by welding at the production stage, in practice, for better handling and for reasons relating to space during storage, they are screwed directly to the posts. However, the mounting operation, which is necessary for fastening the transverse extension arms, is very time-consuming since a plurality of individual parts have to be laboriously connected to one another and a vineyard includes usually several 100 posts.
A further problem is that the screw connection which is carried out tends to come loose, due to constant wind movement transmitted to the wires through the vines and due to often large fluctuations in temperature in the event of pronounced insolation. Accordingly, the above-described vineyard posts with transverse extension arms have to be checked and maintained at appropriately frequent intervals, which in some cases is very time-consuming.
A further problem of the above-described vineyard posts with screw-connected transverse extension arms is that the transverse extension arms are screwed to the end side connecting the two limbs of the profiles at a distance from the center of inertia. That decentralized fastening of the transverse extension arms means that the post, in addition to the actual load-bearing force, has to apply an additional torque, which subjects the screw connection to additional loading and, in the case of relatively high wind loads and lack of maintenance, easily results in the failure of the screw connection between the transverse extension arm and vertical profile.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a vineyard post with at least one transverse extension arm, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type, which can be stored in a space-saving manner and which can be mounted as well as removed, in an extremely short period of time, using straightforward measures.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a post for retaining wires in wine and fruit growing. The post comprises a basic body having a longitudinal axis and first and second limbs made of sheet metal, at least one transverse extension arm disposed on the limbs, running substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the basic body, having a multiplicity of hooks and/or eyelets for retaining the wires and having a cross-sectional shape. The first and second limbs each have a respective opening formed therein with a shape adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the at least one transverse extension arm being configured to permit a transverse extension arm to be pushed through into the basic body, substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the basic body, into a locking position. A quick-acting closure produces a form-locking connection between the basic body and the transverse extension arm in the locking position.
The basic body, which in the case of the preferred embodiment of the invention has a substantially U-shaped cross section, as well as the transverse extension arm, are obtained preferably by punching and bending into shape sheet metal which may, for example, have a thickness of 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm.
The invention is distinguished in that the first and second limbs of the profile of the basic body each contain an opening which has a shape adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the transverse extension arm. The openings, which are for example rectangular, are aligned in this case in the horizontal direction, and therefore the transverse extension arm can be pushed through the two openings into the basic body, substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the same, into a locking position. The locking position in this case is located in the region of the center of the transverse extension arm, and this therefore gives rise to a cross-shaped configuration once the transverse extension arm has been pushed in. In order for the pushed-in transverse extension arm to be fixed on the basic body in the locking position, a quick-acting closure is also provided. The quick-acting closure produces a form-locking connection between the basic body and the transverse extension arm, in the locking position, with it being possible for this connection to be released again preferably by hand or also with the aid of straightforward tools. A form-locking connection is one which connects two elements together due to the shape of the elements themselves, as opposed to a force-locking connection, which locks the elements together by force external to the elements.
The invention has the advantage that substantially no accessory parts are required in order for the transverse extension arms according to the invention to be mounted, and therefore large numbers thereof can be mounted within an extremely short period of time. Using a quick-acting closure in conjunction with the openings formed in the limbs of the basic body in this case renders the assembled posts highly stable in relation to torques acting on the transverse profiles, as a result of which the posts can also readily absorb high wind loads. In addition, the device according to the invention makes it possible for the basic bodies and transverse extension arms, prior to being mounted, to be stored, and transported to the vineyards, in a space-saving manner, and this reduces the storage and transporting costs in comparison to prefabricated posts, in the case of which the basic bodies and transverse profiles are already fixed to one another at the production stage. In addition, handling during production of the posts according to the invention is improved.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the quick-acting closure includes an inherently rigid stop, which is provided on the transverse extension arm and, in the locking position, butts against the basic body, and a resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue, which is formed on the transverse extension arm and, in order to produce the form-locking connection, interacts with a latching mount on the basic body. This has the advantage that the transverse extension arm, when pushed through the two openings in the limbs of the basic body, is positioned, as it were, automatically in the locking position by the inherently rigid stop if the latter is butting against the outside of the associated limb.
In accordance with a further preferred feature of the invention, the transverse extension arm includes a sheet-metal profile, which is produced by being punched and bent into shape and on which the hooks are formed. The resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue, in this case, is produced preferably in the same way as the hooks, by virtue of a tongue-like portion being punched out of the sheet-metal profile of the transverse extension arm and bent into shape, resulting in the production operation being simplified to a considerable extent. It is particularly advantageous in this case if the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue, in the same way as the hooks, includes a spring portion, which juts out of the sheet-metal profile of the transverse extension arm at an angle of preferably 80°, and a supporting portion, which runs substantially parallel to the outside of the sheet-metal profile and at the free end of which is formed a supporting surface, through which the transverse extension arm, in the locking position, is supported on the basic body. The supporting portion, which may, for example, have a length of 0.5 cm to 3.5 cm, preferably has a curved cross section, in order for the geometrical moment of inertia, and thus the stability of the same, to be increased.
The above-described configuration of the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongues has the advantage that these tongues can be formed with the desired elasticity properties, and with a comparatively high level of precision, in the same production process, and using the same tools, as the transverse carriers and/or basic bodies.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongues preferably each have an accommodating opening, which extends from the spring portion to the supporting surface and into which, in particular, a wedge can be introduced in order to produce, in the locking position, an inherently stable connection between the spring portion and the basic body, or in order for the transverse carrier, in the locking position, to be secured on the basic body in addition through an enlarged abutment surface area provided by the wedge.
This embodiment has the advantage that the wedge is secured automatically by gravitational force and, in addition, the surface area on which the impact tools of harvesting machines can act is very small, as a result of which the risk of the wedges accidentally becoming loose during harvesting can be reduced further. It is possible, if appropriate, for the wedges, following introduction into the respective accommodating opening, which is bounded in the outward direction by the supporting portion, to be deformed by a suitable tool, for example pliers, in order to attain an additional securing action.
Using an accommodating opening defined between the supporting portion and the outside of the relevant transverse profile gives the advantage in this case that the wedges are additionally clamped between the supporting portion and the transverse profile if the clear spacing between the inside of the supporting portion and the outside of the transverse profile is slightly smaller, for example by 0.5 mm, than the material thickness of the wedge. This gives rise to the wedges being additionally secured against sliding out accidentally.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, although it is possible for the inherently rigid stop to be provided by a bolt which is introduced into the transverse carrier and, once the transverse carrier has been pushed into the locking position, is introduced into an appropriately shaped opening in the transverse carrier, in which this opening runs preferably in the horizontal direction, the inherently rigid stop in the transverse carrier is configured preferably as a tongue-like protrusion, which is obtained, in the same way as the hooks, by virtue of a substantially rectilinear tongue-like portion being punched out of the sheet-metal material of the transverse extension arm, which is resiliently elastic to a certain extent, and bent into shape. The tongue-like portion in this case is preferably rectilinear and inclined at an angle of, for example, 10-30° in relation to the outer surface of the transverse extension arm, wherein the free end of the tongue-like portion, as the transverse extension arm is pushed into the openings in the basic body, is oriented away from the basic body. This has the advantage that the tongue-like portion, as the transverse extension arm is pushed in through the two openings in the basic body, is pushed back into the transverse extension arm, counter to its resiliently elastic prestressing, as it passes the respective peripheries of the first and second openings. When the locking position is reached, the tongue-like portion then springs automatically out of the outside of the transverse extension arm and butts, by way of its free end, against the outside of the basic body. The aforementioned angle range in this case ensures that, on one hand, the deformation of the sheet-metal material of the tongue-like portion is in the elastic range and, on the other hand, the high buckling strength of the sheet-metal material in the locking position is utilized in order to ensure sufficient strength of the stop.
In the case of the last-described embodiment of the invention, the region in which the free end of the tongue-like portion butts against the outside of the respective limb of the basic body preferably contains a groove-like depression, preferably a bead, which, in the locking position, secures the free end of the tongue-like portion in addition against lateral movement. This can advantageously further increase the retaining forces and the mechanical loading capability of the stop formed in this way.
As an alternative, however, it is likewise possible for the inherently rigid stop to be configured as a preferably cross-sectionally V-shaped spine of material, which juts out of the sheet-metal material of the transverse extension arm and is obtained, in particular, by virtue of the sheet-metal material being cold worked, or by virtue of a slot being introduced into the sheet-metal material and the material being pushed out. The operation of pushing in the transverse extension arm through the openings in the basic body, in this case, takes place as far as the V-shaped cross-sectional surface of the spine of material jutting out of the transverse extension arm in the region of the slot, in the direction counter to the resiliently elastic tongue-like portion of the above-described embodiment. In order to secure the transverse extension arm in the locking position, it is possible, in this case, to use a wedge or also a bolt, which is introduced, on that side of the basic body which is located opposite the spine of material, into an appropriate opening in the transverse extension arm.
In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the wedge opening is preferably an aperture which extends through the transverse extension arm in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the basic body and, in the locking position, extends beyond the outside of the basic body. The wedge, in this case, is plugged laterally into the aperture in a horizontal direction and has one side butting against the periphery of the aperture and its other side butting against the limb of the basic body.
Basic bodies which have only a very narrow profile shape have the advantage that the narrow profile of the basic body is supported, and braced, by the wedge, in addition, in the transverse direction, and this further increases the buckling strength of the basic profile.
In accordance with again a further preferred feature of the invention, the wedge opening is formed by the accommodating opening of a hook formed on the upper side of the transverse carrier, for example of an inner hook with an eyelet-like opening which is closed or also open at one point in the direction of the outside. In the same way, the wedge opening may also be the wire-accommodating portion of a tongue-like hook which is bent out of the profile of the transverse extension arm.
In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, it has proven particularly advantageous, in practice, if the basic body of the profile has formed on it a first bead, which forms the latching mount for the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue, and/or a second bead, which accommodates the inherently rigid stop, with the two beads extending preferably over the entire length of the basic body. The two beads are introduced into the limbs of the basic body, during production of the latter, by an appropriate stamping or profiling operation and run level with the inherently rigid stop, or level with the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue. Providing a bead has the advantage that the supporting surface of the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue and the stop surface of the inherently rigid stop are fixed in the bead, and therefore, when the transverse extension arm is subjected to a torque, they remain in their position and do not slide laterally along the outside of the limbs. This increases quite considerably the maximum retaining moment to which the transverse extension arm can be subjected.
In accordance with again an additional feature of the invention, the central region of the transverse extension arm contains two large apertures. On one hand, this allows the transverse extension arms to be screwed on in traditional fashion. On the other hand, a lever element can be introduced, from the open side of the basic profile, into the aperture located in the vicinity of the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue. This lever element, pushing against the opening of the limb of the basic profile, makes it possible for the transverse extension arm to be displaced and thus closed or opened.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the end surface of the basic body, level with the openings for accommodating the transverse extension arm, contains at least one further opening. The further opening is positioned in such a way that, in the locking position, it is aligned substantially with an aperture in the transverse extension arm in such a way that, by virtue of a lever element, for example a bar or a rod, being introduced from the outside, the transverse extension arm can be displaced relative to the basic body in order for the quick-acting closure to be closed or opened. The operation of closing or opening the quick-acting closure takes place, in the case of this embodiment, by using a resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue in that, by virtue of the rod introduced into the aperture of the transverse extension arm through the further opening being pivoted horizontally, the transverse extension arm is displaced, counter to the force applied by the resiliently elastic sheet-metal tongue, until the free end of the substantially rectilinear sheet-metal tongue of the inherently rigid stop springs out of the associated punched opening and butts against the outer surface of the basic body, alongside the opening in the limb of the latter. The last-described embodiments of the invention have the advantage that the transverse extension arms can be mounted on the basic bodies in an extremely short period of time and by one person alone. This means that, in the case of basic bodies which are equipped, in a known manner, with conventional outer and also inner hooks for accommodating wires on the two limbs, the transverse extension arms can be retrofitted in an extremely short period of time by one person alone. In the same way, it is possible for the transverse extension arms, in the case of the last-described embodiment, to be released again and removed, if required, very straightforwardly with the aid of the rod introduced into the further opening.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the transverse extension arm has further apertures and elements, on which accessories, e.g. hail nets and irrigation lines, can be straightforwardly fitted or mounted.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a vineyard post with at least one transverse extension arm, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to
As can further be gathered from the illustration of
In the case of that embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in
As can also be gathered in detail from the illustration of
In the case of that embodiment of the invention which is shown in
As can further be gathered from the illustration of
As an alternative, it is possible for the inherently rigid stop to be configured as a bolt 30, which is plugged in the horizontal direction into an appropriate opening in the profile of the transverse extension arm 12, as is shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2011 106 730.6 | Jun 2011 | DE | national |
