Abstract
A novel connector assembly that allows building a versatile; low-cost plant support structure out of widely used garden stakes is described. Such a plant support structure can easily be reconfigured throughout a plant growing season. Various configurations of this connector element to build an adaptable system suitable for multiple plants are shown.
Claims
1. A connector assembly to form a plant support structure comprising of: a. a top piece with a pass through hole at the center to allow passage of the support member of a predetermined size and with means to produce compression on a sleeve against the said support member in the assembled state, with means to retain the top piece in an assembled state with the bottom piece, and a plurality of holes substantially perpendicular to the axis of central pass through hole to act as receptacles for cross members; b. a bottom piece with a pass through hole at the center to allow passage of the support member of a predetermined size and means to produce compression on a sleeve against the said support member in the assembled state, with means to retain the bottom piece in assembled state with the top piece; c. a sandwiched compressible sleeve between the aforementioned top and bottom pieces with means to accept compression from them and transmit a gripping radial force against the support member; whereby the said three pieces are assembled together around a vertical support member.
2. The connector assembly of claim 1 where the top and bottom pieces are engaged via a threaded joint.
3. The connector assembly of claim 1 where the top and bottom pieces are engaged via a pin and socket joint.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising of an element to form a framework in a lattice configuration by positioning receptacle hole locations at a non-perpendicular angle to the vertical support member.
5. The method of claim 1 in a mid-support configuration realized by positioning a partial receptacle on the top element parallel to the ground.
6. The connector assembly of claim 1 where the receptacle holes are positioned on the bottom piece in place of or along with the top piece.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] For a more complete understanding of the invention, references are made to the following description and accompanying drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows example prior art elements marketed with garden stakes for plant support.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an example of framework formed by using invented connector assembly.
[0016] FIG. 3A is the exploded pictorial view of the connector assembly in the preferred embodiment of threaded joint to connect the assembly, FIG. 3B shows embodiment of the connector assembly with a Bayonet or a Pin-Slot joint.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows the details of the connector assembly via a sectional view.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows the lattice configuration of the plant support system.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows the mid support configuration the connector assembly.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows the stacked configuration of the plant support system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The arrangement in FIG. 2 shows an exemplary arrangement enabled by the current invention. In FIG. 2, one sees a typical garden stake Element 100, and the invented connector assembly, Element 200, forming a frame work along with a cross-member Element 300. Element 300, the cross-member, can be the same as Element 100, but need not be. By having multiple layers of connector assemblies and cross-members, one can form a fairly sturdy support structure to support the plant. Since repositioning the support height of each horizontal cross section is simple, as described in the next section on the operation of the connector assembly, it forms a convenient adaptable plant structure.
[0022] FIG. 3A Illustrates the exploded view of the connector assembly, where Element 201 in the current embodiment is the threaded male with a through hole of a predetermined dimension to accommodate the stake 100 along its axis. It also has a inner contour to capture a sleeve 202, which has flexibility such that it will grip on the stake only in the assembled form. The Element 203 shown in FIG. 2 is a female threaded element which, on its inner surface also has a contour to apply pressure on the flexible sleeve as it is assembled against element 201. FIG. 3B shows an embodiment utilizing a bayonet or “pin and groove” joint, instead of a threaded joint to engage Elements 201 and 203 together, a familiar approach to those skilled in the art. This second approach has a potential to reduce variability in the amount of twist a user imparts during assembly, and also to simplify manufacturing of the connector assembly.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the connector assembly in a preferred embodiment of a threaded joint to illustrate the key features of the invented connector assembly. Feature 201a shows the opening for the stake and 201b is the feature which produces compression of the sleeve 202. Feature 201c is the threaded portion of element 201 which engages with element 203. Feature 201d on this element is the receptacle holes for cross members. Feature 202a on the sleeve shows means to accept compressive forces from either element 201 or 203. The 202a feature and the multitude of slots provide flexibility that, along with contour shape 202b, a rib-like feature, enable the sleeve to grip against the stake or main vertical support member only in the assembled state. Element 203 has Feature 203a, the contour for compressing the sleeve at the other end, and Feature 203b is the internal threads engaging Element 201 at Feature 201c.
[0024] The operation of this connector assembly is realized by first inserting one end of the Garden stake 100 in the soil or any substrate containing the plant at a suitable distance from the plant, then sliding element 203 and element 202 from the top of the stake 100 to a desired height. The element 201 is then slid from the top of the stake and a secure connection between element 203 and 201 is made by twisting the element 203, in the process pressing the sleeve against the stake. Then the subsequent vertical supports are similarly placed at a distance to allow cross-member 300 to snugly fit in the receptacle holes in neighboring element 201, multiply placed per plant needs to form a sturdy support structure.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a variant of the connector element with receptacles positioned such that the diagonal cross-members will allow for a lattice structure if the plant benefits from such a support, typically needed for vines. The underlying operation of the assembly remains the same as FIG. 4 with a slight variation; the element 400 now contains a plurality of receptacle holes on a conical surface such that the cross member 500 will be oriented in non-perpendicular orientation to the main vertical support member 100. Cross member 500 can be repurposed standard length stake, oriented differently.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows another variation of the top piece of connector assembly where it can serve as a mid support. The common occurrence during a growing season is that heavy fruits cause bowing of the support framework; by just adding an additional stake and a connector element at the right location, this need can be adequately addressed.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows use of the connector assembly, common stakes and previously described method in extending the support system vertically beyond one stake element by stacking multiple segments of these configurations. This ability can be beneficial for appropriate aeration of certain vines and plants.
[0028] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, apparent from the preceding description and figures, are efficiently attained and, because certain changes may be easily made by those skilled in the art in carrying out the above method and in the construction(s) set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
