GB2244089A

GB2244089A - Securing device for line(s)

Info

Publication number: GB2244089A
Application number: GB9110282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Frederick Nash
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-15
Filing date: 1991-05-13
Publication date: 1991-11-20
Also published as: GB9110282D0; GB9010811D0

Abstract

One or more lines (e.g. ropes, cables) are secured by a plate 6 having a series of apertures 7, 8, 9. In Figure 5 where the device is shown securing together two adjoining objects such as a tree 16 and a support stake 17 there is a length of rope or cable 18 and a plate 21 having six apertures therein arranged in two groups of three 22, 23, 24 through which free ends of the rope or cable 18a, 18b are woven. The plate 21 may be formed as a sandwich of two plastics plates (11 Figure 4a) on opposite sides of a metal plate (12) each having apertures which are aligned when the plates (11, 12) are fitted together and secured by rivets (14). Figures 1-3 illustrate other plates with arrangements of apertures. Plates may be of plastics material or metal. Device may be used to secure two lengths of line for towing vehicles, guy ropes, or securing of boats. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Line Securing Device Field of the invention This invention relates to a method and apparatus for securing together two or more lines, such as ropes, cables or the like, which method and apparatus are of particular use in a method of securing trees.

Background to the invention In order to increase their stability, growing trees are often secured to a stake or other support. This is particularly necessary for trees such as fruit trees or ornamentals, especially as the trees begin to Nature and increase in size. Often such trees do not produce root systems sufficiently large or strong to give stability in strong winds and other adverse conditions, the weight carried by the branch framework being too great for the root system to support.

It is an acknowledged problem in the field of arboriculture to find a suitable tree tie for securing a growing tree to its support. Many of the ties presently available do not stand up to strong winds and quite frequently a tree will need to be re-tied several times during a couple of years.

Some currently available ties comprise a belt or strap which is secured by means of a buckle. Such ties tend to slip easily and thus need to be nailed to the tree support, making adjustment difficult and time-consuming.

Moreover, such belt ties can break under the strain of strong winds or the weight of crop on the true, particularly with age, which makes them unreliable in use.

They are typically designed for use with small sapling trees of up to about 50mm diameter. Fewer ties are available for use with the larger diameter trees.

An alternative tree tie currently available comprises a reinforced strap having an inner reinforcement layer of fabric or wire mesh and an outer "sandwich" of rubber or plastics material. Although this strap is generally sold in rolls to allow for the required length to be cut before use, its ends never-the-less needs to be nailed to the support stake in use so as to secure it in position.

Thus, adjustment of the strap is only possible using tools to extract the nails, which operation may damage the strap. Moreover, sufficient allowance needs to be made for future growth of the tree when the strap is cut to the desired length.

The belt or strap forms of tree tie also tend to cut into the bark of the tree as it grows, often causing considerable damage.

A suitable tree tie needs to combine the qualities of strength, so as to be able to withstand considerable wind pressures, and flexibility, so as not to cut into or in any way damage the bark of the growing tree. A tree tie also needs to be easily adjustable to allow for growth in girth of the developing tree. Ideally, a tree tie is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to use, so that its use on large scale plantations is viable.

Many of the existing devices for use in tree tying do not fulfil all these requirements and provide a generally unsatisfactory solution to the problem of tree tying.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for securing trees which meets these requirements and which overcomes or at least mitigates the existing problems encountered in tree tying.

Statement of the invention According to the present invention there is provided a method of securing a tree to a support, comprising the steps of encircling at least part of the trunk of the tree and at least part of an adjacent support with a length of rope or cable so as to bind the tree trunk to the support; and adjustably securing together the free ends of the rope or cable by means of a securing device comprising a plate having for each of the free ends of the rope or cable a respective series of at least two apertures through which the rope or cable can be threaded in use, such that when a free end of the rope or cable is threaded through its respective series of apertures it is thereby held in position relative to the plate.

The rope or cable may be of any suitable material having sufficient strength to hold together the tree and support even in adverse weather conditions. Preferably, the cable comprises a polypropylene cable, and conveniently a threestrand polypropylene cable of diameter 8mm. This cable is preferably enclosed in a flexible sleeve for that part of its length which encircles the tree trunk. Such a sleeve conveniently comprises a length of flexible garden hose.

The sleeve not only improves the appearance of that part of the cable which surrounds the tree, but also prevents chafing and damage to the bark of the tree.

Between the tree and support, the rope or cable is preferably sleeved by a single sleeving element through which both ends of the cable or rope are passed prior to their being passed around the support and secured. In this way the loop of rope or cable is formed into a figure of eight, as viewed from above.

The securing device may be constructed of a plastics material or of a metal such as steel. It is preferably made of a polypropylene material, the plate being formed by injection moulding with the apertures cast in situ.

However, the apertures can also be formed by drilling.

In one version of the present invention, the plate includes two series each of three apertures, the six apertures being arranged symmetrically on the plate. The free ends of the rope or cable to be secured can then be woven through the apertures, each free end of the rope passing through the three apertures of one series.

In a second version of the invention, the plate includes two pairs of apertures, and additionally a single larger aperture through which two thicknesses of rope or cable can pass. In use, both free ends of the rope or cable are passed through the larger aperture, following which each free end is threaded through its respective pair of smaller apertures.

In the case where a cable of 8mm nominal diameter is used to secure the tree, the apertures in the securing plate will preferably also be of 8mm diameter. The larger aperture in the second version of the invention will preferably be of 16mm diameter.

The dimensions of the plate are conveniently 40 x 80 x 6mm.

Such a securing plate for use in the method of the present invention is relatively cheap and simple to manufacture and to use. It does, however, provide the necessary strength to keep a tree secured to a support even in adverse weather conditions, and it is easily adjustable, without the need for specialist tools or equipment, so as to allow for growth of the tree.

The securing plate also provides a suitable surface for the naming or numbering of trees, thus offering the added advantage of being usable as an identification plate.

One or more of the apertures in the plate may be shaped at its perimeter so as to catch on a rope or cable passing through the aperture and grip it more securely in position. This shaping may, for instance, comprise a "snag" plate protruding slightly into the centre of the aperture and conveniently formed integrally with the securing plate.

The present invention also provides a securing device for use in the method of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the use of this securing device to hold together lengths of rope or cable is not restricted to methods of tree tying. The device could be used to secure together two or more lengths of a line for use in, for instance, the towing of vehicles, the securing of guy ropes for tents and awnings or the securing of boats.

Accordingly, the present invention additionally provides a device for securing together two or more lengths of rope, cable or the like, comprising a plate having for each length of rope or cable a respective series of at least two apertures through which the rope or cable can be threaded in use, such that when the ropes or cables are threaded through their respective series of apertures they are thereby held in position relative to the plate.

This device may take any of the forms described above as being suitable for the method of tree securing provided by the present invention. However, for use in conjunction with a vehicle tow rope, the plate will preferably be constructed of metal or a strong, rigid plastics material, and the apertures will preferably be shaped so as to provide extra grip.

One particular device in accordance with the present invention comprises a sandwich of three plates having corresponding apertures, the inner plate having at least one aperture which is shaped at its perimeter so as to grip a rope or cable passing through the shaped aperture.

The two outer plates are preferably formed of a plastics material and the inner plate of metal, preferably steel.

The three plates forming this sandwich can be bolted or riveted together in conventional manner.

The present invention will now be described by means of the following examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figures 1 to 3 are plan views of versions of securing plates in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heavy duty securing plate in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view showing the plate of Figure 1 in use in a method of securing a tree in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings The plate 1 shown in Figure 1 is made of injection-moulded polyprupylene and has the dimensions 40 x 80 x 6mm. Two series, 2a and 2b, each of three apertures, are arranged symmetrically on the plate in a "domino" fashion. Each of the apertures is 8mm in diameter so as to accommodate a cable of 8mm nominal diameter.

The symmetrical arrangement of the apertures makes for ease of drilling the apertures in the plate at the production stage, should this be necessary.

The plate 3 of Figure 2 comprises one larger aperture 4 of 16mm diameter and two pairs of two apertures of 8mm diameter, 5a and 5b. In other respects the plate is the same as that shown in Figure 1, and may be constructed of any plastics material or of metal.

The arrows indicate the manner in which two ropes or cables would be passed through the plate 3 in use.

The plate 6 shown in Figure 3 also has one larger aperture, 7, and two pairs of smaller apertures, 8 and 9.

The apertures 9 have been shaped at their perimeter by the provision of inwardly extending portions 10 which are integral with the plate 6. These portions will catch against a rope or cable passing through the aperture 9, thus gripping it more firmly in position. Other types of shaping of the apertures 9 would also be suitable for this purpose.

The securing device shown in Figure 4 is a more heavy duty version which would be of particular use for securing together ropes or cables designed to experience large forces. The device comprises a sandwich of three plates, two outer plates 11 of a plastics material and identical in appearance to one another, and an inner plate 12 made from a metal such as steel. The apertures 13 on the inner plate 12 have been shaped so as to provide extra grip, in the same way as apertures 9 were shaped in the plate of Figure 3. The outer and inner plates 11 and 12 are fastened together by means of rivets 14 to form the complete device 15 (Figure 4b).

In Figure 5, the use of the securing plate of Figure 1 in a method of securing trees in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The tree 16 is encircled about its trunk by a three-strand polypropylene cable 18 of nominal diameter 8mm. Although such a cable is generally sensitive to ultra violet radiation, its lifetime should be at least 3 to 4 years and probably much longer since the cable will be in the shade of the leaves of the tree.

Normally, a tree will have outgrown its support and ties after around 4 years, and the lifetime of a polypropylene cable is thus adequate for the purpose of securing the growing tree.

The cable is partly enclosed in a sleeve 19 formed from a length of flexible hose such as a conventional garden hose. This improves the appearance of the cable over the length which encircles the tree, since it can be made in an unobtrusive colour such as green or brown. The sleeve also prevents the polypropylene cable from chafing against or cutting into the bark of the tree.

The cable 18 is also passed around an adjacent support stake 17. Between the tree and the stake, the two ends of the cable are secured together by passing both through an alkathene hose ring 20, of 30mm length and 16mm internal diameter. Securing the cable in a "figure of eight" conformation in this way prevents the tree from swinging around in an arc about the support stake. If the support stake cannot be positioned close to the tree, two rings of the type 20 may be needed, one close to the tree and one close to the support stake, to provide the necessary stability.

One or more staples 25 may optionally be used to secure the cable to the stake and thus prevent the cable from slipping downwards.

The securing plate 21 is used to secure the two free ends of the cable 18 together at the appropriate point. The free ends of the cable, 18a and 18b, are threaded up through the first pair of apertures 22, down through apertures 23 and back up through apertures 24 as shown.

This secures the cable in the desired position, but is nevertheless easily adjustable if required.

For use in such a method, the cable 18 is typically approximately 1m in length, and the sleeve 19 approximately 380mm in length. These dimensions, and the use of a securing plate of the dimensions shown in Figure 1, allow for the securing of trees of between 60 and 130mm diameter, which range includes most sizes of tree which will normally need to be staked.

The free ends of the cable, 18a and 18b, must be cut and sealed in such a way as to prevent them from fraying.

An identification of the tree thus secured, and other appropriate information, may be marked on or affixed to the securing plate 21.

On testing the method of the present invention, trees have been found to remain secure for periods of at least two years, even through strong winds and other adverse conditions. The equipment used in the method is relatively inexpensive to produce and simple to use and appears to provide greater security than conventional devices.

The method and apparatus of the present invention is envisaged to be of particular use in the following specific applications: 1. The securing of ornamental standard and half-standard trees in public parks and private gardens, where the root system of the tree has not become sufficiently established in the soil. This may arise due to the type of tree being grown, the method of production - such as containergrowing of subjects, sometimes leading to poor root growth -, or in some instances to trees being planted on poor or very shallow soils.

2. The securing of orchard fruit trees such as apples and pears, which, when grown on a "dwarfing root stock", need to be staked and tied throughout their entire life. The method is also useful for standard fruit trees, where these are still grown.

3. For securing hardy nursery stock, where trees are being held in a nursery or garden centre situation, and a quick and easy method of securing the trees is necessary until the stock is sold.

The invention can therefore be of use to landscape contractors, fruit tree producers, ornamental nursery tree producers and garden centre retail outlets, as well as to local and public authorities. It is primarily of use for trees beyond the sapling stage, and can be used at the planting stage or to replace or re-tie broken or damaged trees.

Claims

1. A method of securing two adjacent members together, comprising the steps of encircling at least part of one member and at least part of the adjacent member with a length of rope or cable so as to bind the first member to the latter; and adjustably securing together the free ends of the rope or cable by means of a securing device comprising a plate having for each of the free ends of the rope or cable a respective series of at least two apertures through which the rope or cable can be woven in use, such that when the two free ends of the rope or cable are threaded through their respective series of apertures, they'are thereby held in position relative to the plate.

2. Apparatus for securing two adjacent members together comprising a length of rope or cable for encircling at least part one of the two members and at least part of a second adjacent member to form a closed loop and a securing device comprising a plate member having two groups of apertures therein through which the free ends of the rope or cable are woven, one free end through one of the groups of apertures and the other free end through the other group, whereby to secure the two free ends to the securing device by virtue of the interengagement of the ropes or cables within the apertures thereof.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cable comprises a polypropylene cable.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cable is a three-strand polypropylene cable of diameter 8mm.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cable is enclosed in a flexible sleeve for that part of its length which encircles the first member.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the rope or cable is sleeved by a sleeving element through which the cable or rope passes between the two members so that the loop of rope or cable is formed into a figure of eight.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the securing device is constructed from a rigid plastics material.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the securing device is formed from polypropylene.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the securing device is a plate having two groups each of three apertures, the six apertures being arranged symmetrically on the plate and the free ends of the rope or cable to be secured thereto can be woven through the apertures, the free end of one rope or cable passing through the three apertures of one series, and the other through the apertures in the other series.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the securing device is a plate having two pairs of apertures, and additionally a single larger aperture through which two thicknesses of rope or cable can pass, whereby in use, both free ends of the rope or cable are passed through the larger aperture, following which each free end is woven through its respective pair of smaller apertures.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claims 4 and 10, wherein the apertures in the securing plate are nominally of 8mm diameter, and the larger aperture is of the order of 16mm diameter.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 11, wherein the dimensions of the plate are 40 x 80 x 6mm.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12 in which at least one of the apertures is shaped so as to catch on a rope or cable passing therethrough to grip it more securely in position.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the shaping comprises a "snag" abutment protruding into the aperture.

15. Apparatus for securing together two or more lengths of rope, cable or the like, comprising a plate having for each length of rope or cable a respective series of at least two apertures through which the rope or cable can be threaded in use, such that when the ropes or cables are threaded through their respective series of apertures they are thereby held in position relative to the plate.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the securing device comprises a sandwich of three plates having aligned apertures, the inner plate being formed from metal and the two outer plates are formed from a plastics material.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the apertures in the metal plate is shaped as by an inward protrusion to form a snag to better secure the rope or cable therein.

18. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one member is the trunk of a tree which needs support and the other member is a stake or similar supporting member to which the tree is to be attached to give it the required support.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first member comprises the trunk of a tree which requires support and the other member comprises a stake or other support member to which the tree is to be attached.

20. A method of securing two members together as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21. Apparatus for securing two members together constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as herein described with preference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.