GB2263852A

GB2263852A - Extendable horticultural plant support column and base system

Info

Publication number: GB2263852A
Application number: GB9202729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beverley Jane O'mahony
Original assignee: MAHONY BEVERLEY JANE O
Current assignee: MAHONY BEVERLEY JANE O
Priority date: 1992-02-10
Filing date: 1992-02-10
Publication date: 1993-08-11
Also published as: GB9202729D0

Abstract

The support column 2 is rigidly fixed to a base plate 1 by means of push fit socket 6, moulding/welding (7, Figure 2) screwed connection. Additional column lengths are connectable e.g. by push fit socket 4. Movable, adjustable brackets 5 and straps are fitted onto the column for stem holding. The column and base system supports the whole plant, the stem and the root, to provide safer replanting with much reduced loss of root earth and root whilst being moved from one site to another. When planted with a column and base support system the relative movement between the plant stem and root is obviated. Base plate 1 may be of various shapes and is shown with holes and feet for drainage and for roots. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTENDABLE HORTICULTURAL PLANT SUPPORT COLUMN AND BASE SYSTEM This invention relates to an extend able horticultural plant support column and base system.

Plant supports are commonly sticks, canes or stakes simply pushed or driven into the earth adjacent to the plant or specie to be supported, in open ground, pot or into earth filled sacks or bags.

The support is thus only as good as the resistance of the stick, cane or stake to the overturning moments applied to them via the supported plant, from such forces as the wind of some other inadvertent or accidental sideways force occurring, for example, when re-potting or replanting.

Normal simple stick, cane or stake supports therefore do not have continuity under or with the plant root system and thus when the overturning force is too great and overcomes the resistance of the earth to the movement of the simple stick, cane or stake support, damage, breakage or even severance of the plant stem occurs due to its movement, whilst the root system remains fixed or moves much less than the plant stem and support, due to the much greater resistance to movement of the root system in the earth.

Also, as the plant grows, taller sticks, canes or stake supports have to be applied with damage to the root system of the supported plant very possible.

Further, on re-potting or planting out, damage or breakage of the pot, or excessive loss of earth sustaining the root system may occur, making establishment of the plant in its new site more hazardous than is desirable.

The present invention provides for an extend able plant or specie support column, fixed at its bottom end rigidly to a shaped base plate, which incorporates holes and feet. The support column is fixed to the base plate off centre to allow the plant stem to take the central position, and is provided with push fit or screwed extension sockets to allow the addition of plant support column lengths. The support system is completed using movable brackets, being a push fit or setscrew fixing onto the support column, adjustable to the plant support requirements in number and position. The bracket has a concave face to accept the plant stem and incorporates an adjustable strap for completing the securing of the plant stem.

The shape of the base plate is determined by the type of planting; that is generally round for potted plants and generally rectangular for earth filled bag plantings. Both types of base plate may be used for general planting in open ground, or interchangeably.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure (1) shows in perspective the plant support column and base system for pot plantings or for general open ground plantings; Figure (2) shows in perspective the plant support column and base system for earth filled bag plantings or for general open ground plantings. Column, column extensions and brackets as Figure (1) (not shown); Figure (3) shows a typical pot planting in section; Figure (3a) shows a replanting action and illustrates the continuity of support to the plant stem and its root system; Figure (4) shows a typical earth filled bag planting with the support column pierced through the bag and the base plate underneath the bag.

Referring to the drawing the extendable horticultural plant support column and base system comprises a base plate (1) with holes for drainage and for roots to intertwine and feet to further facilitate drainage and to provide stable and level positioning. The base plate may be shaped in various ways to suit particular types of planting, pots or earth filled bags and may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, square or other shape (not shown) to suit manufacture or application.

In order to provide plant and root continuity and stability, a first length of plant support column {2} is rigidly fixed to the base plate by means of push fit socket (6), mouldinglwelding {7} or similar means (not shown).

In order to give a growing plant continuous support without damaging the root system or otherwise disturbing the plant, further length or lengths of plant support column (3) may be provided. The connection of support column extensions may be by push fit double ended socket {4} or screwed socket or by similar arrangements (not shown).

In order to provide support to the plant stem from the plant support column, movable brackets {5} of push fit, setscrew fixing or similar means (not shown) are fitted to the plant support column and column extensions.

Figure (3) illustrates the principle of the weight of the plant, roots and contiguous earth making for stable plant and root support whilst potted or planted in the open earth (not shown).

Figure (3a) illustrates the principle of the continuity of the base plate with the support column providing support to the whole plant and root system during replanting, re-potting or transportation of the plant.

Figure (4) illustrates the principle of the weight of the plant, roots and earth contained in the earth filled bag making for stable plant and root support.

Claims

(1) An extendable horticultural plant or specie support column and base system comprised of a plant support column fixed rigidly to a base plate by means of a push fit socket, screwed connection or by the column being moulded with or welded to the base plate.

(2) An extendable horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in Claim (1), wherein the support column fixed to the base plate has means provided for the column to be extended in height.

(3) An extend able horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in Claim (1), or Claim (2), wherein adjustable and movable bracket means are provided to hold the plant stem or stems securely to the support column and support column extensions.

(4) An extend able horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in Claim (1), or Claim (2), or Claim (3), wherein drainage means are provided in the base plate by holes and feet.

(5) An extend able horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in Claim (1), or Claim (2), or Claim (3), or Claim (4), wherein means are provided in the lower end base area for the plant root systems to be supported and entwined.

(6) An extendable horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means are provided to support the plant stem or stems and its or their roots together, so that the weight of roots and contiguous earth act to increase plant stability and obviate relative movement between the plant stem or stems and its or their roots.

Q An extendable horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in Claim (6), wherein means are provided to support not only the plant stem or stems but the root system of the plant and its contiguous earth, for example, during replanting or other transporting operations.

(8) An extendable horticultural plant or specie support column and base system as claimed in Claim (6), or Claim (7), wherein means are provided to support earth filled bag plantings.

(9) An extend able horticultural plant or specie support column and base system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures (1) to (4) of the accompanying drawing.