GB1578765A - Cloche - Google Patents

Description

(54) CLOCHE (71) I, SIMON JOHN WESTRAY BROMET, a British Subject of The Old Rectory, Upper Boddington, Daventry, Northamptonshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to clothes for use in growing plants and in particular to cloches which can be used for heat retention, a guard for plants, or both.

It has been proposed to assist the growth of plants by covering the growing plants with glass sheets in the form of a cloche.

It has also been proposed to protect growing plants against birds and animals by covering them with netting. Further proposals have been made for protecting growing plants against the effects of wind by the use of wind guards.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for growing plants which can be used for each of the above purposes or for two or more of these purposes simultaneously.

Although the apparatus of the invention is intended for purposes additional to those of the conventional cloche; i.e. heat retention, it is called a 'cloche' throughout the description and claims for the sake of convenience.

According to the invention a cloche comprises an open-ended frame transparent or translucent sheet material, means for releasably fixing the transparent or translucent sheet material over at least part of the frame, netting and means for fixing the netting over the frame under at least part of the transparent or translucent material, the frame being shaped so that in use it may be placed over plants to act to retain heat in the space within the frame when the sheet material is in position, and to protect the plants against birds and the like when the sheet material is removed.

The sheet material may be transparent or translucent plastics material for example flexible sheet material such as polyethene sheet.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of various embodiments of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1 to an enlarged scale, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 2, Figs. 4 and 5 are sections of details of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of part of the embodiment of Fig. 6 to an enlarged scale, Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 in Fig.

7, and Fig. 9 is a scrap view showing a detail of the embodiment of Figs. 6 to 8.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 to 3, a 'tent' cloche comprises a frame including two lengths of resilient rod 10 each end 11 of which is bent round so that in the assembled position of the cloche the ends 11 extend at approximately a right angle to the base portion 12. The free ends of the end portions 11 are located in brackets 13, shown more fully in Figs. 2 and 3. The brackets 13 are interconnected by a horizontal rod 14 whose ends are each located in a bracket 13. Thus the cloche is formed of a frame of generally inverted Vshape having open ends but the ends may be closed by an end member such as shown at 15 in Fig. 1.

Each of the brackets 13 is formed of two parts 16 and 17 which are connected to gether by screws 18 in the assembled position. The parts 16 are each formed with downwardly diverging channels or slots 19 which are each arranged to receive the edges of sheets of glass to be located in the cloche frame. The parts 17 are each formed with downwardly diverging semi-circular section channels 20, each arranged to receive and clamp the upper end of the rod portions 11 between the channel 20 and the back face of the slots 19. The bracket part 17 is also formed with a tab 21 which is positioned adjacent an aperture in the part 16 when the parts 16 and 17 are assembled.

The ends of the rod 14 extend through the aperture in the part 16 and have on their extreme ends extending past the part 16 a sleeved disc 22 which locks on the rod 14 and prevents the ends of the rod 14 from being withdrawn from the brackets 13. The parts 16 and 17 of the brackets 13 are conveniently each formed pressings of plastics material.

The rods 10 before assembly have their end portions 11 bent over more than 90 at their junction with the portion 12 so that when inserted in the brackets 13 at a right angle to the base portion 12, the free ends of the rods 10 at opposite ends of the frame tend to move together due to the natural resiliency of the material of the rod 10.

The tabs 21 engaging the ends of the rod 14 prevent this tendency from causing the frame to collapse.

Netting 24 is located over the rod members 10, in the illustrated embodiment by passing the rods through the net mesh, but alternatively by clipping the net to the rod, or by welding the net to itself to form a pocket for the rod, in the case of plastic netting. The netting passes over the rod member 14 to lie over the sides of the cloche frame. Similarly if end pieces such as that shown at 15, are provided these are fitted with netting as shown. The end member 15 is either held by clips engaging over the rod portions 11 and the triangular frame of the end member 15 or the end piece 15 is secured to the cloche frame by inserting the upper free ends of the wire forming the frame of the end piece 15 into the bracket 13 between the parts 16 and 17.

As an alternative to the illustrated end member 15, a sheet of plastics material of the kind sold under the trade mark CORREX may be used cut to shape to fit against the end or ends of the cloche frame (as shown at 51 in Fig. 6). The CORREX material used is of translucent plastics having spaced walls between which extend transverse webs forming a semi-rigid sheet.

The sheet is cut into generally triangular pieces with the apex of the triangle removed and wires are inserted along the horizontal channels in the sheet with their ends projecting beyond the sides for securing the sheet to the end portions 11 of the frame.

When it is desired to use the cloche frame to support rectangular glass or CORREX sheets, the sheets are each inserted by moving apart the brackets 13 against the action of the rods 10 and inserting the edges of the sheet into the channels 19, the lower edge of the sheet resting on the netting 24 and the base portion 12. Alternatively the lower ledge may be supported in a clip 25 carried on the base portion 12. When the sheets are in position on the cloche frame the top edges of the sheets are adjacent and the sheets are supported in a generally inverted V-shape configuration. If desired only one sheet may be located in the frame to act as a wind break. When the need for a cloche for heat retention has passed, the sheets are removed and the frame may act as a bird and animal guard for the growing crops.

As an alternative to the glass or CORREX sheets, flexible transparent or translucent plastics, for example polyethylene or other film, may be located over the frame to extend down each side thereof and of a length sufficient that lower edges can rest on the ground and be weighted with rocks or bricks against the wind. If the film is of double thickness with closed edges, soil or other material can be placed between the film thicknesses to weight the lower edges of the film. The film may additionally or alternatively be secured to the rod members by spring clips such as is shown at 26 in Fig. 1.

A carrying handle 27 is provided on the rod member 14 to enable the cloches to be moved and it will be appreciated that with or without the glass sheets in place the cloches can be stacked one upon the other.

It will also be appreciated that the upper ends of the channels 19 can be closed to prevent the glass from riding up and out of the channels.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 the rods 12 and 14 may be of a section other than wholly circular by providing longitudinal channels 28 in which netting and pegs 29 fit to hold the netting to the members 10 and 14. In the case of the Fig. 4 arrangement the rod is of generally circular shape with a rectangular slot. In the Fig. 5 arrangement the rod has a rectangular profile.

It will be appreciated that although there is shown and described a cloche having an inverted V-shape, cloches of other forms can also be made incorporating the present invention. For example the cloche may be "barn shaped" having splayed legs surmounted by an inverted V-shaped or horizontal top. In this case brackets similar to those described would be used for connecting the legs to the base of the inverted V shaped top and the apex of the V would also be connected by brackets, each pair of brackets being interconnected by a rod.

With a fiat horizontal top only two pairs of brackets and associated rods would be required.

The brackets 13 are formed with an aperture 31 which may be utilised for leading irrigation water along a row of cloches.

Referring now to the embodiment of Figs. 6 to 9 which is a 'barn' type cloche having inclined sidewalls and an inverted V-shaped roof, the cloche comprises a pair of rods 35 and 36 for forming each of the end members of the cloche frame. Each of the rods 35 'and 36 is formed of mutually inclined straight portions 37 and 38 a right angle bed at one end of the portion 38 extending into a short portion 39. The upper ends af the portions 37 are engaged in brackets 40 similar to the brackets 17 of the previously described embodiment.

A tie rod 41 interconnects the brackets 40, as will be described, and the base edges of the cloche frame are provided by a sheet 42 of CORREX secured along each of the sides of the cloche.

As mentioned the brackets 40 are of similar form to those shown in Fig. 2 and the same reference numbers are used for similar parts in both embodiments. Thus the brackets 40 each having two parts 16 and 17 connected together by screws 18 when assembled. The parts 16 have channels 19 for glass or CORREX sheets which form the roof of the cloche and the parts 17 have semi-circular channels 20 for receiving the portions 37 of the rods 35 and 36. The ends of the rod 41 extend through an opening 43 in each of the parts 16 and carry a locking disc 22 and an axially movable disc 44 between which is a spiral compression spring 45.Location of the end of the rod 41 in the opening 43 with the discs 22 and 44 and spring 45 located between the parts 16 and 17 is achieved by entering the end of the rod 41 into a hole 31 in the part 34 and then moving the rod along a slot 46 extending between the hole 31 and the opening 43. This arrangement enables brackets 40 to be moved outwardly relative to the rod 41 by compression of the spring 45 to admit sheets of glass or CORREX 47 into the slots 19, the brackets springing back after release to retain the sheets in position.

It will be appreciated that the angle of the V formed by the brackets is selected to give the desired cloche shape and in the present embodiment this angle is different from that of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3.

The sheets 42 of CORREX are located by inserting the portions 39 along the lowermost of the horizontal channels in the material, the portions 39 being a push fit in the channel. In addition lengths of wire 48 are passed along spaced channels and secured to the rod portions 38 at their ends. To further support the CORREX sheets 42 and to provide support for the lower edges of the glass sheets 47, spaced wires 49 pass over the rod 41 and have their ends secured, one to each sheet, by inserting the wire through the sheet and bending over the ends. It will be appreciated in this case the CORREX sheets from a permanent part of the cloche and it is only the glass sheets 47 in the roof which are removed when the heat retention facility is no longer required. Thus the CORREX sheets provide for heat retention, protection against bird and animal damage, and for wind protection.

To give complete protection against bird and animal damage after the glass sheets are removed, netting 24 is located over the roof portion of the cloche only, by, for example, passing the rods 35 and 36 through the net mesh. The netting 24 serves to asist in supporting the glass sheets 47 when in position and it will be noted that the CORREX sheets 42 are extended upwardly to support the lower edges of the glass sheets 47.

A handle 27 is fitted to the rod 41 for carrying the assembled cloche and the end or ends of the cloche or a line of cloches are closed by a shaped sheet 51 of CORREX material which is fixed in position by wires 52 passing along the channels in the CORREX for the ends to be bent over the rods 35 and 36.

It wifl be appreciated that the conversion of the frame for use as a cloche to use as a guard: can be readily achieved in situ with each embodiment, and that individual frames will normally be laid end to end in a row the ends of the endmost frames being closed by the closure member 15 or 51.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A cloche comprising an open-ended frame, transparent or translucent sheet material, means for releasably fixing the transparent or translucent sheet material over at least part of the frame netting, and means for fixing the netting over the frame under at least part of the transparent or translucent material, the frame being shaped so that in use it may be placed over plants to act to retain heat in the space within the frame when the sheet material is in position, and to protect the plants against birds and the like when the sheet material is removed.

2. A cloche according to claim 1 wherein the sheet material is transparent or translucent plastics material.

3. A cloche according to claim 2 wherein

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. shaped top and the apex of the V would also be connected by brackets, each pair of brackets being interconnected by a rod. With a fiat horizontal top only two pairs of brackets and associated rods would be required. The brackets 13 are formed with an aperture 31 which may be utilised for leading irrigation water along a row of cloches. Referring now to the embodiment of Figs. 6 to 9 which is a 'barn' type cloche having inclined sidewalls and an inverted V-shaped roof, the cloche comprises a pair of rods 35 and 36 for forming each of the end members of the cloche frame. Each of the rods 35 'and 36 is formed of mutually inclined straight portions 37 and 38 a right angle bed at one end of the portion 38 extending into a short portion 39. The upper ends af the portions 37 are engaged in brackets 40 similar to the brackets 17 of the previously described embodiment. A tie rod 41 interconnects the brackets 40, as will be described, and the base edges of the cloche frame are provided by a sheet 42 of CORREX secured along each of the sides of the cloche. As mentioned the brackets 40 are of similar form to those shown in Fig. 2 and the same reference numbers are used for similar parts in both embodiments. Thus the brackets 40 each having two parts 16 and 17 connected together by screws 18 when assembled. The parts 16 have channels 19 for glass or CORREX sheets which form the roof of the cloche and the parts 17 have semi-circular channels 20 for receiving the portions 37 of the rods 35 and 36. The ends of the rod 41 extend through an opening 43 in each of the parts 16 and carry a locking disc 22 and an axially movable disc 44 between which is a spiral compression spring 45.Location of the end of the rod 41 in the opening 43 with the discs 22 and 44 and spring 45 located between the parts 16 and 17 is achieved by entering the end of the rod 41 into a hole 31 in the part 34 and then moving the rod along a slot 46 extending between the hole 31 and the opening 43. This arrangement enables brackets 40 to be moved outwardly relative to the rod 41 by compression of the spring 45 to admit sheets of glass or CORREX 47 into the slots 19, the brackets springing back after release to retain the sheets in position. It will be appreciated that the angle of the V formed by the brackets is selected to give the desired cloche shape and in the present embodiment this angle is different from that of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3. The sheets 42 of CORREX are located by inserting the portions 39 along the lowermost of the horizontal channels in the material, the portions 39 being a push fit in the channel. In addition lengths of wire 48 are passed along spaced channels and secured to the rod portions 38 at their ends. To further support the CORREX sheets 42 and to provide support for the lower edges of the glass sheets 47, spaced wires 49 pass over the rod 41 and have their ends secured, one to each sheet, by inserting the wire through the sheet and bending over the ends. It will be appreciated in this case the CORREX sheets from a permanent part of the cloche and it is only the glass sheets 47 in the roof which are removed when the heat retention facility is no longer required. Thus the CORREX sheets provide for heat retention, protection against bird and animal damage, and for wind protection. To give complete protection against bird and animal damage after the glass sheets are removed, netting 24 is located over the roof portion of the cloche only, by, for example, passing the rods 35 and 36 through the net mesh. The netting 24 serves to asist in supporting the glass sheets 47 when in position and it will be noted that the CORREX sheets 42 are extended upwardly to support the lower edges of the glass sheets 47. A handle 27 is fitted to the rod 41 for carrying the assembled cloche and the end or ends of the cloche or a line of cloches are closed by a shaped sheet 51 of CORREX material which is fixed in position by wires 52 passing along the channels in the CORREX for the ends to be bent over the rods 35 and 36. It wifl be appreciated that the conversion of the frame for use as a cloche to use as a guard: can be readily achieved in situ with each embodiment, and that individual frames will normally be laid end to end in a row the ends of the endmost frames being closed by the closure member 15 or 51. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A cloche comprising an open-ended frame, transparent or translucent sheet material, means for releasably fixing the transparent or translucent sheet material over at least part of the frame netting, and means for fixing the netting over the frame under at least part of the transparent or translucent material, the frame being shaped so that in use it may be placed over plants to act to retain heat in the space within the frame when the sheet material is in position, and to protect the plants against birds and the like when the sheet material is removed.

2. A cloche according to claim 1 wherein the sheet material is transparent or translucent plastics material.

3. A cloche according to claim 2 wherein

the plastics material is flexible sheet material such as polyethene sheet.

4. A cloche according to claim 3 wherein the sheet material is laid over the frame and secured to the frame by fixing means and/or by weighting the edges.

5. A cloche according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sheet material is rigid or semi rigid and arranged to be a slidable fit in guides formed by the frame.

6. A cloche according to claim 5 wherein the guides are resiliently movable to move apart and admit and release the sheet material.

7. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame includes rods forming the ends of the frame, at least one rod forming the top of the frame, and at least one bracket at each end of the frame interconnecting the end rods and the top rod or rods.

8. A cloche according to claim 7 when appendent to claim 5 or 6 wherein the brackets at opposite ends of the frame are formed with oppositely directed guides for the sheet material.

9. A cloche according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the brackets are each formed of interconnectable parts between which the end rods are clamped.

10. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is of inverted V-section in end view, the netting extending down each side of the V from one end of the frame to the other, and the sheet material being locatable over the netting.

11. A cloche according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the frame includes inwardly inclined sides surmounted by an inverted V-shaped roof.

12. A cloche according to claim 1-1 comprising a bracket at each end of the frame at the apex of the V to connect the ends of the frame.

13. A cloche according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the inclined sides each have fixed thereto between the ends of the frame a rigid or semi-rigid sheet of transparent or translucent material, netting is secured over the V-shaped roof to the top of the inclined sides, and releasable sheets of said sheet material are attachable to the V-shaped roof.

14. A cloche according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frames are locatable end to end to form a row, and end closure means are attachable to the ends of the endmost frames to totally enclose the space within the frames.

15. A cloche substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings.

16. A cloche substantially as described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9 of the drawings.