Plant husbandry – Plant supports
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-05-22
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Plant supports
C024S545000, C024S487000, C047S047000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233869
ABSTRACT:
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 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 well 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 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 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 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.
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 place;
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 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.
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:
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.
More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plane 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 opposite ends extending in a first plane;
two spacers
Hortimat Inc.
Nguyen Son T.
Poon Peter M.
Ware Fressola Van der Sluys & Adolphson LLP
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