GB2610174A

GB2610174A - Plant supporting device

Info

Publication number: GB2610174A
Application number: GB2112048.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Blackburn Lee; Kenneth Joseph Iveson Andrew; Knox Stefan
Original assignee: Tcg Centre Ltd
Current assignee: Tcg Centre Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-23
Filing date: 2021-08-23
Publication date: 2023-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2041-08-23
Also published as: GB2610174B; GB202112048D0

Abstract

A plant supporting device for supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant comprises an elongate support member 10, a cable mount 20 that is connected to the support member, a cable guide 30 that is connected to the support member, and a plurality of support cables 40. Each support cable is mounted to the cable mount and extends from the cable mount, through the cable guide, and towards a distal end that is configured to provide support to a limb of a plant with which the plant supporting device may be used. The plant supporting device is provided with an adjustment system that is operable to adjust the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables. The cable mount may comprise a plurality of apertures (23, figure 5) that are configured to receive the support cables. The support member may comprise a length adjustment mechanism that is operable to adjust the length of the support member; the length adjustment mechanism may be operable to vary the height of the cable guide with respect to the growing environment and/or vary the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby vary the effective heights of the support cables. Also disclosed is a kit of parts and a method of supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant.

Description

PLANT SUPPORTING DEVICE

Filed of the Invention The present invention relates to a device and method for supporting plants during cultivation.

Background to the Invention

Some plants, particularly fast growing plants such as tomato plants, may require support during cultivation.

One solution for providing support to fast growing plants is to tie or clip limbs of the plants to a rigid support structure such as a cane or frame. However, fast growing plants can rapidly outgrow their support structures, and may require the provision of new, larger supports over time.

Plants can also be supported by cables, which may be secured to the growing environment in various different ways, including by pulleys and by so-called yoyo supports. Yoyo supports include a cable that is deployable from a lockable, spring loaded reel in order to provide a support with an adjustable height. However, the use of yoyo supports and other cable type supports can result in growing environments including a very large number of support cables which must each be mounted to the growing environment and adjusted individually, leaving growers with a complicated arrangement of support cables that is difficult and time consuming to manage and adjust.

The present invention aims to address disadvantages associated with these known plant support systems.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the present invention provides a plant supporting device for supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant, the plant supporting device comprising: an elongate support member; a cable mount that is connected to the support member; a cable guide that is connected to the support member; and a plurality of support cables; wherein each support cable is mounted to the cable mount and extends from the cable mount, through the cable guide, and towards a distal end that is configured to provide support to a limb of a plant with which the plant supporting device may be used; wherein the plant supporting device is provided with an adjustment system that is operable to adjust the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables.

It will be appreciated that the effective height of a support cable refers to the height of the distal end of the cable with respect to the growing environment and the height at which the support cable is able to provide support to a limb of a plant. The distal end of each cable is preferably provided with a hook for engaging and supporting a limb of a plant, although other attachment mechanisms are also possible.

The plant supporting device of the present invention advantageously allows a plurality of support cables for supporting plant limbs to be mounted and secured within a growing environment using a common device, thereby avoiding the need for each support cable to be mounted and secured separately within the growing environment. The plant supporting device also advantageously allows the effective heights of multiple support cables to be adjusted together using a common height adjustment system, thereby avoiding the need for each support cable to be adjusted or repositioned individually as one or more plants that are supported by the plant supporting device grow over time.

At least one of the support cables may comprise a length adjustment system for enabling the effective length of the cable to be adjusted. Providing each support cable with its own length adjustment system advantageously allows the effective support height of each support cable to be adjusted individually, independently of any other support cables.

The support cable length adjustment system may comprise a tensioner or toggle component that is configured to be moved along a length of the support cable in order to adjust the length of a loop provided at a distal end of the support cable. A hook for engaging a limb of a plant may be connected to the support cable at the location of the loop.

At least one of the support cables may be provided with an enlarged section having a width or diameter that is greater than that of a main body of the cable, the enlarged section of the support cable being configured to be releasably engaged by the cable mount in order to removably secure the support cable with respect to the cable mount. The enlarged section of the support cable may be provided by a separate sleeve or grommet that is attached to the main body of the support cable, or alternatively as an integrally formed section of the support cable itself.

The cable mount may comprise a plurality of apertures that are configured to receive the support cables therein in order to removably secure the support cables with respect to the cable mount. The support cables may, for example, be received within the apertures of the cable mount with an interference fit and/or with a snap-fit engagement. The enlarged sections of the support cables and/or at least a portion of the cable mount may be formed of a flexible material, optionally an elastomeric material, in order to facilitate secure engagement. However, it will be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms are also possible for securing the support cables to the cable mount.

The cable mount may comprise an annular sleeve that extends around the support member.

The cable mount may be mounted to the support member via a movable interface that is configured to allow the cable mount to be moved along the support member in order to adjust the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide. In this case the movable interface between the cable mount and the support member may provide, or form part of, the above-mentioned adjustment system for adjusting the effective heights of the support cables. For example, the cable mount may be movable along the support member in a direction towards the cable mount in order to decrease the effective heights of the support cables, and movable along the support member in a direction away from the cable guide in order to increase the effective heights of the support cables. The cable mount may, for example, be configured for sliding movement along the support member.

The cable mount may be provided with a fixing system for selectively fixing the position of the cable mount with respect to the support member. The fixing system may, for example, comprise a thumb screw that is configured to engage a sidewall of the support member. However, other fixing systems are also possible.

The cable guide may be connected to the support member at a location that is above the cable mount when the plant supporting device is in its normal orientation for use. The cable guide may, for example, be located at or adjacent to an upper end of the support member. Positioning the cable guide above the cable mount advantageously allows the support cables to radiate outwardly from a comparatively high point of the plant supporting device, while enabling the effective heights of the support cables to be adjusted from a lower point, for example by moving the cable mount along the support member in a direction towards or away from the cable guide.

The cable guide may comprise an annular ring through which the support cables pass. The annular ring may extend in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member, and may be at least substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the support member. However, other configurations are also possible. For example, the cable guide may alternatively comprise one or more hooks or loops that extend radially outwardly from the support member, each of which may be configured to receive one or more of the support cables in use.

The cable guide may be provided with a serrated surface that is configured, in use, to maintain separation between the support cables and/or to prevent the support cables from moving circumferentially with respect to the support member, that is to prevent angular movement of the support cables around the support member. The serrations may conveniently be provided on the upper surface of the support member.

The elongate support member may take the form of an at least substantially straight pole, and may be configured to extend in a generally vertical direction when the plant supporting device is in its normal orientation for use. The support member may be formed by one or more sections, and may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including circular.

The support member may comprise a length adjustment mechanism that is operable to adjust the length of the support member. The length adjustment mechanism may be located below the cable guide when the plant supporting device is in its normal orientation for use and operable to adjust the height of the cable guide with respect to the growing environment to thereby vary the effective heights of the support cables. Alternatively, or in addition, the length adjustment mechanism may be located between the cable mount and the cable guide and operable to adjust the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby vary the effective heights of the support cables. In this case the length adjustment mechanism may provide, or form part of, the above-mentioned adjustment system for adjusting the effective heights of the support cables.

The support member may comprise at least first and second elongate sections that are movable relative to each other in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the support member in order to enable adjustment of the length of the support member. The first support member section may, for example, be telescopically received within the second support member section. It will be appreciated that the support member may in some cases include more than two elongate sections that are movable relative to each other in order to enable adjustment of the length of the support member.

The support member may be provided with a clamp that is configured to fix the position of the first support member section with respect to the second support member section in at least one direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the support member. The clamp may, for example, comprise a collar that is movably mounted to the first support member section and configured to engage an end face of the second support member in order to resist telescopic movement of the first support member section further into the second support member section. The clamp may, for example, be provided with a thumb screw that is configured to engage a sidewall of the first support member section in order to fix the position of the clamp with respect to the first support member section. However, it will be appreciated that other length adjustment and locking systems are also possible.

The support member may have a lower end that is configured to be driven into a bed of soil, in which case the plant supporting device may not require a base or other mounting system for securing the plant supporting device within a growing environment. The lower end of the support member may terminate in a pointed tip, which may facilitate insertion of the lower end of the support member into the ground. However, in other embodiments the plant supporting device may be provided with a base that is configured to rest on the ground and/or with another mounting system for securing the plant supporting device within a growing environment.

The plant supporting device of the present invention may be supplied as a pre-assembled device. However, it will be appreciated that the plant supporting device of the present invention may also be distributed as a kit of parts to be assembled by an end user.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts for forming a plant supporting device, the kit comprising: an elongate support member that is configured to be secured within a growing environment; a cable mount that is configured to be connected to the support member and to have a plurality of support cables mounted thereto; and a cable guide that is configured to be connected to the support member and to allow a plurality of support cables extending from the cable mount to pass therethrough; wherein the cable mount and cable guide are configured to be movable relative to each other in order to adjust the distance therebetween while connected to the support member.

The cable mount may be configured to be movable, for example slidable, along the support member in order to effect relative movement between the cable mount and the cable guide. Alternatively, or in addition, the support member may comprise a length adjustment mechanism that is operable to vary the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide.

The kit may further comprise a plurality of support cables that are configured to be mounted to the cable mount, preferably in a removable manner.

The support member, cable mount, cable guide and support cables may further include any or all of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant, the method comprising: providing a plant supporting device comprising a cable mount and a cable guide connected to an elongate support member; mounting a plurality of support cables to the cable mount and arranging the support cables to extend from the cable mount, through the cable guide, and downwardly from the cable guide towards at least one plant; using the support cables to provide support to one or more limbs of the plant(s); and adjusting the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables.

The method may comprise reducing the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby reduce the effective heights of the support cables and/or increasing the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby increase the effective heights of the support cables.

The method may comprise moving the cable mount relative to the cable guide by moving, for example sliding, the cable mount along the support member. In this case the cable guide may remain static within the growing environment while the cable mount is being moved along the support member.

Alternatively, or in addition, the method may comprise moving the cable mount relative to the cable guide by adjusting the length of the support member at a location between the cable mount and the cable guide. In this case the cable mount may remain static while the cable guide is moved relative to the growing environment on a movable potion of the support member.

It will be appreciated that the plant supporting device used in the above-described method may be a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, and that the method may further include any steps associated with the normal operation of the above-described plant supporting device.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a plant supporting device for supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant, the plant supporting device comprising: an elongate support member; a cable mount that is connected to the support member; and a plurality of support cables; wherein each support cable is mounted to the cable mount and extends from the cable mount towards a distal end that is configured to provide support to a limb of a plant with which the plant supporting device may be used; wherein the cable mount is movable along the elongate support member in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables. The cable mount may, for example, be configured for sliding movement along the support member.

At least one of the support cables may comprise a length adjustment system for enabling the effective length of the cable to be adjusted. The support cable length adjustment system may comprise a tensioner or toggle component that is configured to be moved along a length of the support cable in order to adjust the length of a loop provided at a distal end of the support cable. A hook for engaging a limb of a plant may be connected to the support cable at the location of the loop.

The plant supporting device may further comprise a cable guide that is connected to the support member, and each support cable may extend from the cable mount, through the cable guide, and towards the distal end that is configured to provide support to a limb of a plant.

The plant supporting device may further include any or all of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order to aid understanding of the present invention, one or more non-limiting, illustrative embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plant supporting device according to one possible embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a support member of the plant supporting device of Figure 1 in retracted and extended configurations; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a central portion of the support member of the plant supporting device of Figure 1; Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a cable mount of the plant supporting device of Figure 1; Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a cable guide of the plant supporting device of Figure 1; Figure 9 illustrates a hook for a support cable of the plant supporting device of Figure 1; Figure 10 illustrates the plant supporting device of Figure 1 with a support cable in a shortened configuration compared to the configuration shown in Figure 1; Figure 11 illustrates a kit of parts for forming the plant supporting device of Figure 1; and Figures 12a to 12c schematically illustrate the plant supporting device of Figure 1 installed in a growing environment in various different configurations.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 illustrates a plant supporting device 1 according to one possible embodiment of the present invention that is designed to provide support to limbs of plants during cultivation.

As shown in Figure 1, the plant supporting device 1 comprises an elongate support pole 10 having a cable mount 20 and a cable guide 30 connected thereto, with the cable guide 30 being secured to the upper end 12 of the support pole 10 above the cable mount 30. A support cable 40 is mounted to the cable mount 20 and extends upwardly from the cable mount 20, towards and through the cable guide 30, and downwardly from the cable guide 30 towards a distal end 42 that is provided with a hook 44 that is configured to engage and provide support to a plant limb, in use.

It will be appreciated that the plant supporting device 1 can be used to mount and secure a greater number of support cables 40 within a growing environment, for example ten or more support cables 40. However, for increased clarity, only a single one of the support cables 40 is shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 2a and 2b (in which the plant supporting device 1 is illustrated without any support cables 40 fitted thereto), the support pole 10 is at least substantially straight and extends from a lower end 11 to an upper end 12. The lower end 11 of the support pole 10 is provided with a pointed tip that is designed to be driven into the ground when the plant supporting device 1 is installed in a growing environment.

The overall support pole 10 is formed by a pair of sections, including a first or upper section 13 and a second or lower section 14. The sections 13, 14 each take the form of tubular poles with a circular cross section, and may be formed of either a metal or a plastics material. The outer diameter of the upper pole section 13 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the lower pole section 14, and the lower end of the upper pole section 13 is telescopically received within the upper end of the lower pole section 14 at least when the plant supporting device 1 is in its assembled state, as shown in Figure 1. The support pole 10 is shown in a fully retracted state in Figure 2a and in a fully extended state in Figure 2b.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support pole 10 is provided with a clamp 16 for controlling the extent to which the upper support pole section 13 is received within the lower support pole section 14, thereby setting the overall length of the support pole 10. The clamp 16 comprises an annular collar 17 that extends around and is slidable along the length of the upper support pole section 13. The clamp 16 further comprises a thumb screw 18 that is received within a threaded hole 19 provided in the collar 17. The thumb screw 18 is configured to be screwed inwardly into contact with the outer surface of the upper support pole section 13 in order to fix the collar 17 at the desired position with respect to the upper section 13 of the support pole 10. The collar 17 comprises an underside that is configured to engage the upper end face of the lower section 14 of the support pole 10 in order to resist telescopic movement of the upper section 13 further into the lower section 14 when the collar 17 has been fixed with respect to the upper section 13 using the thumb screw 18. In this way the telescoping upper and lower support pole sections 13, 14 and the clamp 16 together form a length adjustment mechanism 15 that is operable to enable adjustment of the overall length of the support pole 10.

The cable mount 20, which is illustrated most clearly in Figures 5 and 6, is a moulded plastics component comprising an annular sleeve 21 that extends around the lower section 14 of the support pole 10 at a movable interface 28. The annular sleeve 21 is slidable along the length of the lower section 14 of the support pole 10 when not fixed in position by a fixing system (described in more detail below). The cable mount 20 further comprises an annular flange portion 22 that is integrally formed with and extends outwardly from the annular sleeve 21 at the lower end of the annual sleeve The flange portion 22 of the cable mount 20 is provided with a series of apertures 23 arranged around the outer edge thereof. Each aperture 23 comprises a substantially cylindrical bore that extends through the thickness of the flange portion 22 of the cable mount 20 from the lower surface to the upper surface thereof. Each aperture 23 is additionally connected to the radially outer surface of the flange portion 22 by a side opening.

Each of the apertures 23 is configured to receive and releasably retain an enlarged tip 43 of a support cable 40 with an interference fit in order to removably secure the cable 40 with respect to the cable mount 20. Figures 5 and 6 only illustrate a single support cable 40 being mounted to the cable mount 20. However, it will be appreciated that the cable mount 20 may have a greater number of support cables 40 mounted thereto, corresponding to the number of apertures 23 provided in the flange portion 22.

The cable mount 20 is also provided with a fixing system 25 for selectively fixing the position of the cable mount 20 with respect to the support pole 10. The fixing system 25 of the cable mount 20 comprises a second thumb screw 26 that is engaged with a radially inwardly extending threaded hole 27 provided in or on the flange portion 22 of the cable mount 20. The second thumb screw 26 is configured to be screwed inwardly into contact with the outer surface of the lower section 14 of the support pole 10 in order to fix the cable mount 20 at the desired position along the length of the support pole 10.

The cable guide 30, which is illustrated most clearly in Figures 7 and 8, is a moulded plastics component that comprises an annular sleeve 31 with a closed upper end that receives the upper end 12 of the support pole 10 therein in order to mount the cable guide 30 to the top of the support pole 10. The cable guide 30 is also provided with a fixing system 35 for securing the cable guide 30 with respect to the support pole 10. The fixing system 35 of the cable guide 30 comprises a third thumb screw 36 that is engaged with a radially inwardly extending threaded hole 37 extending through a boss 38 that protrudes outwardly from the sidewall of the annular sleeve 31 off the cable guide 30. The third thumb screw 36 is configured to be screwed inwardly into contact with the outer surface of the upper section 13 of the support pole 10 in order to fix the cable guide 30 securely at the upper end 12 of the support pole 10.

The cable guide 30 further comprises an annular ring 32 that is connected to the annular sleeve 31 by a plurality of radiating arms 33, the ring 32 and arms 33 being integrally formed together with the sleeve 31 of the cable guide 30. The annular ring 32 is located adjacent to the upper end of the annular sleeve 31 and extends in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axes of the annular sleeve 31 and the support pole 10. The annular ring 32 has a centre that is aligned with the longitudinal axes of the annular sleeve 31 of the cable guide 30 and the support pole 10 to which the cable guide 30 is mounted.

The annular ring 32 of the cable guide 30 is configured to allow any support cables 40 that are mounted to the cable mount 20 to pass therethrough before extending downwardly towards one or more plants to be supported by the plant supporting device 1, thereby allowing the support cables 40 to radiate outwardly from a common high point of the plant supporting device 1. As noted above in connection with the description of the cable mount 20, the drawings only illustrate a single support cable 40. However, it will be appreciated that a larger number of support cables 40 may pass through the cable guide 30 when the plant supporting device 1 has been installed with a greater number of support cables 40 connected thereto.

The upper surface of the annular ring 32 is provided with a series of protrusions or serrations separated by ridges or grooves that together define a serrated upper surface 34. The serrated upper surface 34 of the annular ring 32 generally acts to maintain separation between any support cables 40 that are mounted to the plant supporting device 1 and pass through the cable guide 30, with each support cable 40 being seated within a separate ridge or groove. The serrated upper surface 34 also generally acts to resist circumferential movement of support cables 40 around the annular ring 32. Circumferential movement of support cables 40 is also prevented by the presence of the arms 33 that connect the annular ring 32 of the cable guide 30 to the sleeve 31. In this way the cable guide 30 is generally able to maintain separation between the support cables 40 and prevent the support cables 40 from becoming tangled in use.

As mentioned above in connection with the above-described cable mount 20, each support cable 40 is provided with an enlarged tip 43 at its proximal end 41, that is the end of the support cable 40 that is configured to be mounted to the cable mount 20. The enlarged tips 43 of the support cables 40 may, for example, be provided by sleeves or grommets that are attached to the main bodies of the support cables 40, or alternatively by locally thickened sections of the support cables 40 themselves. The enlarged tips 43 of the support cables 40 each have a diameter that is slightly greater than the diameters of the cable-receiving apertures 23 provided in the flange portion 22 of the cable mount 20 in order to provide a secure interference fit when the enlarged tips 43 of the support cables 40 are press fitted into the apertures 23 of the cable mount 20. However, the enlarged tips 43 of the support cables 40 can still be removed from the apertures 23 with the application of sufficient force in order to enable support cables 40 to be removed and replaced as required. The enlarged tips 43 of the support cables 40 may optionally be formed of a flexible material, for example an elastomeric material, in order to provide a secure connection with the cable mount 20.

As shown in Figure 1, each support cable 40 is also provided with a hook 44 at its distal end 42 for engaging and supporting a limb of a plant. One such hook 44 is illustrated in isolation in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, each hook 44 comprises an open hooked portion 44a that is configured to receive and hold a limb of a plant in use, and a closed ring portion 44b via which the hook 44 is connected to a loop 47 provided at the distal end 42 of its respective support cable 40.

As also shown in Figure 1, each support cable 40 is further provided with a length adjustment system 45 via which the effective length of the support cable 40, that is the distance between the proximal end 41 of the cable 40 that is mounted to the cable mount 20 and the distal end 42 of the cable 40 at which the hook 44 is located, may be adjusted. The length adjustment system 45 comprises a tensioner or toggle 46 of the type commonly used in camping guy ropes that is configured to be moved along the length of the support cable 40 in order to adjust the length of the loop 47 provided at the distal end 42 of the support cable 40.

The tensioner 46 is configured to remain in a fixed position with respect to the support cable 40 as long as the support cable 40 is held in tension, thereby maintaining the support cable 40 at its current effective length. However, the tensioner 46 is also configured to be movable by a user of the plant supporting device 1 along the support cable 40 in a direction towards distal end 42 of the cable 40 in order to decrease the length of the loop 47 and thereby increase the effective length of the support cable 40, and to be movable along the support cable 40 in a direction away from the distal end 42 of the support cable 40 in order to increase the length of the loop 47 and thereby decrease the effective length of the support cable 40.

Figure 10 shows the plant supporting device 1 of Figure 1 with its support cable 40 in a shortened configuration compared to the configuration shown in Figure 1, achieved by moving the tensioner 46 along the support cable 40 in a direction away from the distal end 42 of the support cable 40 in order to lengthen the loop portion 47 of the support cable 40. In the configuration shown in Figure 10 the tensioner 46 is still located outboard of the cable guide 30. However, the support cable 40 is still capable of being shortened further by continuing to move the tensioner 46 further away from the distal end 42 of the support cable 40, through the cable guide 30, and downwardly towards the cable mount 20, thereby further lengthening the loop portion 47 of the cable 40.

(It will be appreciated that within the context of this specification the distal end 42 of a support cable 40 refers to the effective end of the support cable 40 at which the hook 44 is located when the support cable 40 is held in tension, and not to the tip of the cable that is connected back to the tensioner 46 to form the loop portion 47 of the support cable 40.) The plant supporting device 1 is shown in its fully assembled state in Figure 1. However, the plant supporting device 1 of the present invention is also designed to be distributed as a kit of parts to be assembled by an end user. A kit of parts 2 for forming the plant supporting device 1 of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, the kit 2 includes: the upper and lower support pole sections 13, 14 (shown telescoped together in Figure 11); the support pole clamp 16; the cable mount 20; the cable guide 30; and a pair of thumbscrews 26, 36 for fixing the cable mount 20 and cable guide 30 with respect to the support pole 10. The kit 2 will generally also include a plurality of the support cables 40, each support cable being provided with a hook 44, although the support cables 40 and hooks 44 are not shown in Figure 11.

Use of the plant supporting device 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 12a to 12b Figure 12a schematically illustrates the plant supporting device 1 of Figure 1 installed in a growing environment 100. The growing environment 100 comprises a plurality of plants 101 growing from a bed of soil 102. The pointed lower end 11 of the support pole 10 has been driven into the bed of soil 102 in order to secure the plant supporting device 1 within the growing environment 100.

A plurality of support cables 40 have been mounted to the plant supporting device 1, each of the support cables 40 being arranged to support a limb of one of the plants 101 via its hook 44. For simplicity Figure 12a only illustrates two support cables 40 supporting two plant limbs. However, it will be appreciated that a greater number of support cables 40 may equally be mounted to the plant supporting device 1 and used to support a greater number of plant limbs.

As shown in Figure 12a, the plant supporting device 1 advantageously allows a plurality of support cables 40 supporting multiple plant limbs to be mounted and secured within the growing environment 100 using a common device, thereby avoiding the need for each support cable 40 to be mounted and secured separately within the growing environment 100.

If it is desired to change the effective support heights of the support cables 40, for example to provide support to the plant limbs at a greater height within the growing environment 100 as the plants 101 grow over time, this may be achieved by moving the cable mount 20 along the support pole 10 in a direction away from or towards the cable guide 30. In particular, the thumb screw 26 of the fixing system 25 of the cable mount 20 may be loosened to release the cable mount 20, and the cable mount 20 may be moved downwardly along the support pole 10, for example to the position shown in Figure 12b, in order to increase the distance between the cable mount 20 and the cable guide 30, thereby pulling the support cables 40 that are mounted to the cable mount 20 inwardly through the cable guide 30 and increasing the effective support height of each of the support cables 40 together. The thumb screw 26 of the fixing system 25 of the cable mount 20 may then be retightened in order to fix the cable mount 20 at its new, reduced height, thereby fixing the support cables 40 at their new, increased support heights.

Conversely, the cable mount 20 may also be moved upwardly along the support pole 10 in order to decrease the distance between the cable mount 20 and the cable guide 30, thereby allowing the support cables 40 that are mounted to the cable mount 20 to run outwardly through the cable guide 30 and reducing the effective support height of each of the support cables 40 together. Again, the thumb screw 26 of the fixing system 25 of the cable mount 20 may then be retightened in order to fix the cable mount 20 at its new, increased height, thereby fixing the support cables 40 at their new, reduced support heights.

Alternatively, or in addition, the effective support heights of the support cables 40 may be changed together by adjusting the length of the support pole 10. In particular, the length of the support pole 10 may be increased by sliding the upper section 13 of the support pole 10 telescopically out from the lower section 14 of the support pole 10 in order to increase the height of the cable guide 30 within the growing environment 100 as well as increasing the distance between the cable mount 20 and the cable guide 30, thereby increasing the effective support height of each of the support cables 40 together. The clamp 16 of the support pole's length adjustment mechanism 15 may then be moved downwardly along the upper section 13 into abutment with the upper face of the lower section 14 and the thumb screw 18 may be retightened in order to fix the support pole 10 at its new, increased length, thereby fixing the support cables 40 at their new, increased support heights.

Conversely, the length of the support pole 10 may also be reduced in order to decrease the height of the cable guide 30 within the growing environment 100 as well as reducing the distance between the cable mount 20 and the cable guide 30, thereby reducing the effective support height of each of the support cables 40 together. Again the support pole 10 may then be fixed at its new, reduced length, thereby fixing the support cables 40 at their new, reduced support heights.

It is also possible to change the effective support heights of each support cable 40 individually using the individual support cable's length adjustment systems 45. In particular, if it is desired to increase the effective support height of a single support cable 40 without changing the heights of any other cables 40 then this may be done by sliding the tensioner 46 of that support cable 40 in a direction away from the distal end 42 of the support cable 40, thereby increasing the length of the looped portion 47 of that support cable 40 and reducing that support cable's effective length, for example as shown with the support cable shown on the left of Figure 12c. Similarly, if it is desired to decrease the effective support height of a single support cable 40 without changing the heights of any other cables 40 then this may be done by sliding the tensioner 46 of that support cable 40 in a direction towards the distal end 42 of the support cable 40, thereby reducing the length of the looped portion 47 of that support cable 40 and increasing that support cable's effective length.

In this way, the plant supporting device 1 of the present invention advantageously allows the support heights of multiple support cables 40 to be adjusted both together using a common height adjustment system and individually using the individual cable length adjustment systems.

The above-described embodiment(s) have been provided for illustrative purposes only, and the skilled person will appreciate that many modifications and variations may be made to the above example(s) without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A plant supporting device for supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant, the plant supporting device comprising: an elongate support member; a cable mount that is connected to the support member; a cable guide that is connected to the support member; and a plurality of support cables, wherein each support cable is mounted to the cable mount and extends from the cable mount, through the cable guide, and towards a distal end that is configured to provide support to a limb of a plant with which the plant supporting device may be used; wherein the plant supporting device is provided with an adjustment system that is operable to adjust the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables.
2. A plant supporting device according to Claim 1, wherein at least one of the support cables comprises a length adjustment system for enabling the effective length of the cable to be adjusted.
3. A plant supporting device according to Claim 2, wherein the support cable length adjustment system comprises a tensioner or toggle component that is configured to be moved along a length of the support cable in order to adjust the length of a loop provided at the distal end of the support cable.
4. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the support cables is provided with an enlarged section having a width or diameter that is greater than that of a main body of the cable, the enlarged section of the support cable being configured to be engaged by the cable mount in order to secure the support cable with respect to the cable mount.
5. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable mount comprises a plurality of apertures that are configured to receive the support cables therein in order to secure the support cables with respect to the cable mount.
6. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable mount comprises an annular sleeve that extends around the support member.
7. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable mount is mounted to the support member via a movable interface that is configured to allow the cable mount to be moved along the support member in order to adjust the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide.
8. A plant supporting device according to Claim 7, wherein the cable mount is provided with a fixing system for selectively fixing the position of the cable mount with respect to the support member.
9. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable guide is connected to the support member at a location that is above the cable mount when the plant supporting device is in its normal orientation for use.
10. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable guide comprises an annular ring extending in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member, the support cables extending through the annular ring of the cable guide.
11. A plant supporting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member comprises a length adjustment mechanism that is operable to adjust the length of the support member.
12. A plant supporting device according to Claim 11, wherein the length adjustment mechanism is operable to vary the height of the cable guide with respect to the growing environment and/or to vary the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby vary the effective heights of the support cables.
13. A kit of parts for forming a plant supporting device, the kit comprising: an elongate support member that is configured to be secured within a growing environment; a cable mount that is configured to be connected to the support member and to have a plurality of support cables mounted thereto; and a cable guide that is configured to be connected to the support member and to allow a plurality of support cables extending from the cable mount to pass therethrough; wherein the cable mount and cable guide are configured to be movable relative to each other in order to adjust the distance therebetween while connected to the support member.
14. A kit according to Claim 13, wherein the cable mount is configured to be movable along the support member in order to effect relative movement between the cable mount and the cable guide.
15. A kit according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the support member comprises a length adjustment mechanism that is operable to vary the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide.
16. A method of supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant, the method comprising: providing a plant supporting device comprising a cable mount and a cable guide connected to an elongate support member; mounting a plurality of support cables to the cable mount and arranging the support cables to extend from the cable mount, through the cable guide, and downwardly from the cable guide towards at least one plant; using the support cables to provide support to one or more limbs of the plant(s); and adjusting the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables.
17. A method according to Claim 16, comprising reducing the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby reduce the effective heights of the support cables and/or increasing the distance between the cable mount and the cable guide to thereby increase the effective heights of the support cables.
18. A method according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, comprising moving the cable mount relative to the cable guide by moving the cable mount along the support member.
19. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 18, comprising moving the cable mount relative to the cable guide by adjusting the length of the support member at a location between the cable mount and the cable guide.
20. A plant supporting device for supporting one or more limbs of at least one plant, the plant supporting device comprising: an elongate support member; a cable mount that is connected to the support member; and a plurality of support cables; wherein each support cable is mounted to the cable mount and extends from the cable mount towards a distal end that is configured to provide support to a limb of a plant with which the plant supporting device may be used; wherein the cable mount is movable along the elongate support member in order to vary the effective heights of the support cables; wherein at least one of the support cables comprises a length adjustment system for enabling the effective length of the cable to be adjusted.