Plant Protector

Abstract

A plant protector includes four wall parts, which are connected to one another to form a tube shaped like the jacket of a prism. In this case, the wall parts are connected to one another up to one edge of the plant protector, so that the wall parts can pivot relative to one another in order to form the tube. The edges of the wall parts initially not connected to one another and adjoining the other edge of the plant protector are connected to one another using plug-in connections. The wall parts and the other components of the plant protector can consist of pressed wood fibers and/or wood shavings.

Claims

1. Plant protector in the form of a tube, wherein the wall of the tube comprises plate-like wall parts and wherein the wall parts are connected to one another on the wall parts' edges running parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tube.

2. The plant protector according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the tube comprises at least three flat wall parts and is essentially shaped like the jacket of a prism.

3. The plant protector according to claim 1, wherein wall parts are glued to one another on edges that run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tube and are adjoining or are connected to one another using adhesive strips, using textile tapes fastened to the wall parts, using seams, or using metal clips.

4. protector according to claim 1, wherein wall parts are connected to one another using at least one plug-in connection on at least one edge that runs parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tube and is adjoining.

5. The plant protector according to claim 3, wherein the wall parts are glued to one another on all edges that run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tube and are adjoining or are connected to one another using adhesive strips, using textile tapes fastened to the wall parts, using seams, or using metal clips.

6. The plant protector according to claim 1, wherein a rod holding device is provided on the inside of the plant protector.

7. The plant protector according to claim 6, wherein the rod holding device comprises a space that is bounded toward the inside space of the plant protector by a strip that is secured on the plant protector.

8. The plant protector according to claim 7, wherein the space of the rod holding device is bounded toward the outside by wall parts of the plant protector.

9. The plant protector according to claim 7, wherein the strip engages through holes that are provided in the wall parts.

10. The plant protector according to claim 9, wherein the strip has two slots open on one side and wherein the ends of the holes are accommodated in the slots.

11. The plant protector according to claim 4, wherein the plug-in connection comprises a tongue and a slot and wherein the position of the tongue inserted through the slot is maintained by a safety device.

12. The plant protector according to claim 11, wherein the safety device is a small locking plate, which is inserted into the tongue through a slot-like opening.

13. The plant protector according to claim 12, wherein the small locking plate has one recess each on the small locking plate's edges lying in the area of the ends of the opening.

14. The plant protector according to claim 1, wherein the wall parts are biodegradable.

15. The plant protector according to claim 14, wherein the wall parts, the small locking plates, and/or the strips consist of plant fibers that are pressed with or without added binding agents.

16. The plant protector according to claim 1, wherein wedge-shaped grooves that lie in the surface forming the inside of the plant protector are provided between wall parts.

17. The plant protector according to claim 4, wherein the plug-in connection comprises safety washers.

18. The plant protector according to claim 17, wherein the safety washers have an indentation and a projection that is diametrically opposite to the indentation.

19. The plant protector according to claim 17, wherein the safety washers have another projection as a handle for twisting.

20. The plant protector according to claim 2, wherein wall parts are glued to one another on edges that run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tube and are adjoining or are connected to one another using adhesive strips, using textile tapes fastened to the wall parts, using seams, or using metal clips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Additional details, features, and advantages of the plant protector according to the invention are given in the description of embodiments below. Here:

[0085] FIG. 1 shows in an oblique view a plant protector in the form of a four-sided prism with a plug,

[0086] FIG. 2 shows in a side view the plant protector of FIG. 1,

[0087] FIG. 3 shows in a top view the plant protector of FIG. 1,

[0088] FIG. 4 shows in another oblique view the plant protector of FIG. 1 without a plug,

[0089] FIG. 5 shows a detail of the plant protector of FIG. 1,

[0090] FIG. 6 shows a plate with the components of the plant protector of FIG. 1,

[0091] FIG. 7 shows in an oblique view a plant protector in the form of a three-sided prism with a plug,

[0092] FIG. 8 shows in a side view the plant protector of FIG. 7,

[0093] FIG. 9 shows in a top view the plant protector of FIG. 7,

[0094] FIG. 10 shows a plate with the components of the plant protector of FIG. 7,

[0095] FIG. 11 shows a cutaway of two wall parts connected to one another by a textile tape,

[0096] FIG. 12 shows a cutaway of two wall parts connected to one another by an attached textile tape,

[0097] FIG. 13 shows a cutaway of two wall parts connected to one another by a seam,

[0098] FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the plate with components of the plant protector,

[0099] FIG. 15 shows in section a detail relative to FIG. 14,

[0100] FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of a small locking plate,

[0101] FIG. 17 shows an inserted small locking plate according to FIG. 16, and

[0102] FIG. 18 shows the inserted small locking plate in another view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0103] A plant protector 1 that is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has the form of a tube 5 shaped like a four-sided prism and comprises a terminal wall part 2, shown in FIG. 6, two central wall parts 3, and another terminal wall part 4.

[0104] The wall parts 2 to 4 of the plant protector 1 according to the invention are essentially rectangular and can be flat or curved.

[0105] The wall parts 2 to 4 are connected to one another along the adjoining edges (characterized in FIG. 6 by the arrow 7), so that it is possible to bend the wall parts 2 to 4, connected to one another, to form a tube 5 (FIG. 1) shaped like the jacket of a four-sided prism. The connection can be made using adhesive strips 8 (FIG. 4), e.g., made of paper, using textile tapes 30 (FIGS. 11 and 12), seams (FIG. 13), or using metal clips, such as steel clips.

[0106] When textile tapes 30, such as tissue tapes or felt tapes, are used, consideration is given within the framework of the invention to fastening the tissue tape to the edge areas of adjoining, plate-like wall parts 2 to 4. The fastening of the textile tapes 30 can be carried out by gluing, attaching, and/or stapling.

[0107] When adjoining wall parts 2 to 4 are connected to one another by seams 32, consideration is given to using the threads (yarn) forming the seams 32, so that the threads extend into the edge areas of adjoining edges of the wall parts 2 to 4. In particular, the seams are zig-zag seams.

[0108] Openings 17 that in the embodiment are designed as slots oriented crosswise to the longitudinal extension of the plant protector 1 are provided in the wall parts 2 to 4. Other forms of openings 17 are also taken into consideration.

[0109] The terminal edges that are not connected to one another by adhesive strips 8 or other means, such as textile tapes, seams, metal clips, wire, rope, or cord, i.e., are initially free (characterized in FIG. 6 by arrow 9), are connected to one another by at least one plug-in connection 10, for example two, three, or four plug-in connections 10, so that a tube 5 (FIG. 1) is present.

[0110] Within the scope of the invention, consideration is given to the fact that also the initially free edges of the terminal, plate-like wall parts 2 and 4 are connected to one another using means (adhesive strips 8, textile tapes 30, seams, metal clips) that are also used for connecting the wall parts 2 to 4.

[0111] The plug-in connections 10 comprise slots 11 provided on one edge of the wall part 2 and tongues 12 provided on one edge of the wall part 4. In the closed position, the tongues 12 are inserted through the slots 11. In addition, small locking plates 13 are provided that are inserted into the tongues 12 to secure the plug-in connections 10 through slot-like openings 14. This is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows in particular that the small locking plates 13 are somewhat trapezoidal and have recesses 15 (for example, notches) on their oblique edges 16. As FIG. 5 shows, the ends of the slot-like openings 14 lock into the recesses 15 on the oblique edges 16 of the small locking plates 13 when small locking plates 13 are correctly inserted. The small locking plates 13 thus ensure that the tongues 12 cannot slip out from the slots 11, a plug-in connection 10 is not accidentally opened, and the plant protector 1 is not dislodged, for example by wind, from its plant-protecting position.

[0112] In a possible embodiment, the plant protector 1 has a rod holding device 20 (“plug holding device”). The rod holding device 20 is formed by at least one strip 21. The strip 21 has (cf. FIG. 6) two slots 22 that are open on one side. The strip 21 is inserted through two slot-like holes 23, which are oriented parallel to the longitudinal extension of the plant protector 1 and then shifted so that the ends of the holes 23 are accommodated in the slots 22, open on one side, of the strip 21. The strips 21 are usually shifted in such a way that, with the plant protector 1 in its operating position, the lower ends of the holes 23 are accommodated in the slots 22 that are open on one side—in the downward-facing operating position.

[0113] In the space 24 bounded by two wall parts 2 and 4 and by the strips 21 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 9), a rod 25 or a plug can be accommodated, as, for example, FIG. 3 (or FIG. 9) shows. The rod holding device 20 with the strips 21 also has the effect of stabilizing the form of the tube 5 of the plant protector 1 even when the latter is shaped like a jacket of a four- or multi-sided prism.

[0114] The strips 21 and the rod 25 can consist of the same material (pressed natural fibers) as the wall parts 2, 3, and 4.

[0115] FIG. 6 shows a plate with the components of the plant protector 1, namely the wall parts 2, 3, and 4, the small locking plates 13, and the strips 21. The above-mentioned components of the plant protector 1 are still connected to one another by, for example punched, scoring lines. The components of the plant protector 1 are separated from one another, then the wall parts 2, 3, and 4 along the edges characterized with the arrow 7 are connected to one another by adhesive strips 8, textile tapes 30, seams, or metal clips, deformed (bent) to form a prismatic tube 5, finally the plug-in connections 10 are closed, and the plug-in connection 10 is ultimately secured with the small locking plates 13.

[0116] The variant of a plant protector 1 with a tube 5 shaped like the jacket of a three-sided prism, shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, comprises a terminal wall part 2, a central wall part 3, and a terminal wall part 4.

[0117] Moreover, the plant protector 1 of the embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, including the plug-in connections 10 and the strip 21 forming a rod holding device 20, corresponds to the embodiment of the plant protector 1 described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0118] The lower end of the plant protector 1 in the operating position can be designed with feet, as is known from AT 11 447 U1 or EP 2 324 699 A1 and indicated in FIG. 6.

[0119] FIG. 11 shows by way of example a connection of two adjoining wall parts 2 and 3 using a textile tape 30, which is fastened with staples 31 to the wall parts 2 and 3 in the area of their adjacent edges (depicted by solid lines in FIG. 11).

[0120] FIG. 12 shows by way of example a connection of two adjoining wall parts 2 and 3 using a textile tape 30, which is fastened by seams 32 to the wall parts 2 and 3 in the area of the adjacent edges of the wall parts 2 and 3.

[0121] The embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12 do not rule out that the textile tape 30 is fastened exclusively to the wall parts 2 and 3 (i.e., without a seam or staples) or else by gluing.

[0122] FIG. 13 shows by way of example an embodiment in which two adjoining wall parts 2 and 3 are connected to one another by a seam, in the example a zigzag seam 33. Other forms of a seam can also be used.

[0123] In all embodiments of the plant protector 1 according to the invention, the inside of the tube 5 can be lined with a translucent (e.g., transparent) film and/or with a mesh. This embodiment of the plant protector 1 prevents the terminal shoot of the plant from growing out through the openings 17 in the tube 5. In addition, in particular in the case of a film, a greenhouse effect is created that promotes the growth of the plant.

[0124] When, as provided, for example, within the framework of the invention, the film and the mesh consist of a (biologically) degradable material, the mesh and the film deteriorate—after a certain length of time—and the advantages, namely aeration and improved root growth, of the plant protector 1 with openings 17 are again ensured.

[0125] The embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, of a plate with the components of the plant protector 1 comprises the two terminal wall parts 2 and 4 and the two central wall parts 3. Furthermore, the strips 21 of the rod holding devices 20 are provided. Furthermore, on the outer edges of the terminal wall parts 2 and 4, the tongues 12 are provided with slot-like openings 14 and the slots 11 for the plug-in connections 10, which connect the free edges of the terminal wall parts 2 and 4 to one another. In order to secure the plug-in connections 10, safety washers 35 with an essentially circular shape are provided. The safety washers 35 are explained in more detail based on FIGS. 16 to 18.

[0126] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the wall parts 2 to 4 are connected to one another. So that the plate can be bent in the area of the edges of the plant protector 1, grooves 36 that are wedge-shaped in cross-section (FIG. 15) are provided on the surface forming the inside of the plant protector 1. The opening angle between the lateral surfaces 37 of the grooves 36 can be on the order of magnitude of 50 to 70°, in particular 60°.

[0127] The grooves 36 can be produced by machining of the plate by cutting or by compressing the material of which the plate consists.

[0128] The formation of the edges with grooves 36 can be combined with other options to connect the wall parts 2 to 4 to one another.

[0129] The safety washers 35 are designed to be essentially circular with an indentation 38 and two projections 39, 40. The projections 39 and 40 are created when the safety washers 35 are separated (dismantled) from the plate, shown in FIG. 14, with the wall parts 2 to 4 and the strips 21. The projections 39 and 40 have the advantages explained below.

[0130] The indentation 38 is widened on its open end. The one projection 40 is diametrically opposite to the indentation 38. The projection 40 secures the safety washer 35 in its active position, which is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The other projection 39 is used as a handle during insertion of the safety washers 35, when the safety washers 35 are twisted in their active position. In the active position, the safety washers 35 extend through the slot-like openings 14 into the tongues 12, wherein the indentation 38 sits astride one end of the slot-like openings 14.

[0131] A strap 41 can be provided on the free edge of the tongues 12 (FIG. 18).

[0132] In summary, an embodiment of the invention can be described as follows:

[0133] A plant protector 1 comprises four wall parts 2, 3, and 4, which are connected to one another to form a tube 5 shaped like the jacket of a prism. In this case, the wall parts 2, 3, and 4 are connected to one another up to one edge of the plant protector 1, so that the wall parts 2, 3, and 4 can pivot relative to one another in order to form the tube 5. The edges of the wall parts 2 and 4 initially not connected to one another and adjoining the other edge of the plant protector 1 are connected to one another using plug-in connections 10. The wall parts 2, 3, and 4, and the other components of the plant protector can consist of wood fibers and/or wood shavings that are pressed preferably without binding agents.