GB2174281A - Collapsable cloche - Google Patents

Abstract

An individual cloche consisting of a square body with integral lid which can be folded down flat for storage without dismantling. The Doubled Hinged lid providing three positions as follows:- CLOSED: For harsh conditions VENTED: For free air circulation. OPEN: For watering and inspection purposes. See Figure 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Collapsible cloche 1. This invention relatesto a CollapsibleCloche.

2. Clochesareavailableinvariousformsto provide protection for plants from harsh weather conditions and also provide concentrated heat to promote the growth of certain plants and vegetables.

3. Cloches are usually assembled in Kit Form or are one piece rigid constructions which occupy space when not in use.

4. They usually have to be removed from the ground to allowforwatering ofthe plants and most have separate end pieces which are difficult to seal against the main body ofthe Cloche.

5. According to the present invention, which is an individual Cloche, no assembly is required as the assembly hinges outto allow instanterection from its flat pack form.

6. A specific embodiment ofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1: Showsthe Cloche in its closed position.

For maximum protection against harsh conditions.

Figure 3: Shows the Cloche in its vented position. To provide good air circulation.

Figure 6: Shows the Cloche in its open position. To allow for watering or inspection of the plant, without removal oftheCloche from the ground.

Figure7: ShowstheClochefoldeddown in itsflat form for storage.

Referring to Figure 9the Cloche comprises of a U.V.

stabilised polythene body with welded corner seams to provide pockets forthe PVC coated steel frames to hinge in.

The lid is of a similar construction but with the addition of Silicone rubbertube hinges which perform two functions as follows :- Function 1: Isto provideaflexible hingeforthe lid, to all owthe "vented" position to be achieved.

Figure4: Showing flexible position.

Function 2: Is to provide a tension spring action to retain the lid in the "closed" position.

Figure 2: A latch arrangement is provided to secure the lid in the "vented" position.

In orderto prevent the Polythene booty from sliding down the steel framework, plastic or silicone rubber tubing is utilised to lock the frames together and act as stops. See Figure 5.

After use, the Cloche can be collapsed down to its flat form for storage.

1. A Collapsible Cloche comprising of a body with hinged liddesignedforinstanterectionto itsfinished form, with no prior assembly.

The Cloche to allowforventilation, watering and inspection of the plant(s) without removal ofthe Cloche from the soil and be stored away in a flat form after use.

2. A Collapsible Cloche as claimed in Claim 1 wherein means are provided for secondary hinging of the lidtogive an apexform forventing.

3. A Collapsible Cloche as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a flexible secondary hinge is provided to also act as a means of secu ring the lid in a "closed" position.

4. A Collapsible Cloche as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein a latch arrangement is provided to secure the hinged lid in the "vented" position.

5. A Collapsible Cloche substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-9 ofthe accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Collapsible cloche

1. This invention relatesto a CollapsibleCloche.

2. Clochesareavailableinvariousformsto provide protection for plants from harsh weather conditions and also provide concentrated heat to promote the growth of certain plants and vegetables.

3. Cloches are usually assembled in Kit Form or are one piece rigid constructions which occupy space when not in use.

4. They usually have to be removed from the ground to allowforwatering ofthe plants and most have separate end pieces which are difficult to seal against the main body ofthe Cloche.

5. A Collapsible Cloche substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-9 ofthe accompanying drawings.

5. According to the present invention, which is an individual Cloche, no assembly is required as the assembly hinges outto allow instanterection from its flat pack form.

6. A specific embodiment ofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1: Showsthe Cloche in its closed position.

For maximum protection against harsh conditions.

Figure 3: Shows the Cloche in its vented position. To provide good air circulation.

Figure 6: Shows the Cloche in its open position. To allow for watering or inspection of the plant, without removal oftheCloche from the ground.

Figure7: ShowstheClochefoldeddown in itsflat form for storage.

Referring to Figure 9the Cloche comprises of a U.V.

stabilised polythene body with welded corner seams to provide pockets forthe PVC coated steel frames to hinge in.

The lid is of a similar construction but with the addition of Silicone rubbertube hinges which perform two functions as follows :- Function 1: Isto provideaflexible hingeforthe lid, to all owthe "vented" position to be achieved.

Figure4: Showing flexible position.

Function 2: Is to provide a tension spring action to retain the lid in the "closed" position.

Figure 2: A latch arrangement is provided to secure the lid in the "vented" position.

In orderto prevent the Polythene booty from sliding down the steel framework, plastic or silicone rubber tubing is utilised to lock the frames together and act as stops. See Figure 5.

After use, the Cloche can be collapsed down to its flat form for storage.

1. A Collapsible Cloche comprising of a body with hinged liddesignedforinstanterectionto itsfinished form, with no prior assembly.

The Cloche to allowforventilation, watering and inspection of the plant(s) without removal ofthe Cloche from the soil and be stored away in a flat form after use.

2. A Collapsible Cloche as claimed in Claim 1 wherein means are provided for secondary hinging of the lidtogive an apexform forventing.

3. A Collapsible Cloche as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a flexible secondary hinge is provided to also act as a means of secu ring the lid in a "closed" position.

4. A Collapsible Cloche as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein a latch arrangement is provided to secure the hinged lid in the "vented" position.