Abstract
The following invention is a system for protecting tall bamboo plants from winter weather. The system includes several improvements over existing plant covers. It uses a simple method involving a vertical funnel for covering bamboo. A two-piece funnel is clamped around the base of the bamboo. A long strip of fabric with hook and loop on both sides is connected to the bottom of the funnel. The funnel is then pulled by a rope to the top of the bamboo. The hook and loop is fastened around the bamboo while the funnel is raised. A wireless relay allows the funnel and sleeve to be remotely disconnected. For extra cold protection and aesthetic beauty, Christmas lights can easily be included inside the cover.
Claims
1. An winter cover system for bamboo plants, comprising: a. a plastic funnel b. said funnel is fabricated of optically clear plastic c. said funnel is fabricated of rigid plastic d. said funnel is split length-wise into two sides which are separated, placed around the bamboo stem, and re-joined with latches that are permanently attached to each side of the funnel e. said funnel is straight at the bottom so that a tubular fabric sleeve can be slipped over it f. said funnel has a metal bar permanently attached to one side for attaching a rope to said metal bar for lifting and lowering said funnel g. said metal bar is permanently attached from just above the straight lower portion of the funnel to past the top of the funnel for approximately two feet h. said funnel has a battery permanently attached to it i. said funnel has a wireless relay permanently attached to it j. said funnel has a wireless release mechanism permanently attached to it for separating said funnel from a temporarily attached fabric sleeve k. said funnel has a wireless release mechanism permanently attached to it for sealing the drawstring on the end of the fabric sleeve and separating said fabric sleeve from said funnel l. said release mechanisms are controlled by said wireless relay m. said wireless relay and said remote release mechanisms are powered by said battery n. said fabric sleeve has a top end which is designed to be temporarily connected to the lower end of said funnel and said fabric sleeve is designed to be releasable by said release mechanism o. said fabric sleeve is comprised of an elastic drawstring permanently attached to its top end p. said elastic drawstring is constructed to be temporarily connected to the lower end of said funnel and to be sealed and detached by said release mechanism
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of an winter cover system for bamboo, with a sleeve connected.
[0022] FIG. 2 is merely illustrative, demonstrating the winter cover system for bamboo as it compresses the plant.
[0023] FIG. 3A depicts the bamboo plant before it has been covered.
[0024] FIG. 3B depicts the bamboo plant after it has been covered using the tool.
[0025] FIGS. 4A-E depict the tool at the top of the bamboo plant and the steps that detach the tool from the sleeve.
[0026] FIGS. 5A-D show the winter cover system for bamboo from four different sides.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the winter cover system for bamboo of FIG. 1 with enhanced detail of the sleeve detachment mechanism and the drawstring sealing mechanism. It depicts how a heating element such as Christmas lights can optionally be installed in the sleeve.
[0028] FIG. 7A is a close up view of the top of the sleeve, detailing the components of the sleeve.
[0029] FIG. 7B is a close up view of the top of the sleeve, showing in detail the hook and loop seam.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a close up view of the wireless remote control
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0031] An embodiment of an winter cover system for bamboo is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.
[0032] Referring primarily to FIGS. 1, 5A-D and 6, the system creates a unique way of covering a bamboo plant. A special funnel tool 1 is capable of being split into two halves and re-attached around a bamboo stem, In FIG. 1 the two halves are represented by the detachable side 2 and the fixed side 3. Four latches 16 allow the two sides to be separated then re-attached. The detachable side 2 is removed, placed around the bamboo cane and re-latched to the fixed side 3. It should be noted that the funnel tool 1 hangs by a rope which is anchored well above the bamboo grove on a pulley. The rope is connected at the top of the funnel tool 1 at a hole 7. A metal bar 6 acts as a spine on which everything else is mounted. Pairs of metal blocks 14 are mounted on the edges of the detachable side 2 and the fixed side 3. These metal blocks 14 keep the detachable side 2 and fixed side 3 from moving up-down relative to each other. The combination of the metal blocks 14 and latches 16 serves to keep the detachable side 2 and fixed side 3 in alignment and firmly connected.
[0033] Again referring to FIGS. 1, 5A-D and 6, once the funnel is clamped around the base of the bamboo, a fabric sleeve 5 is wrapped around the funnel base 4. The funnel base 4 has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the fabric sleeve 5, allowing the sleeve to fit over the funnel base 4. Before the funnel can be pulled upwards, it must be connected to the sleeve 5. The fabric sleeve 5 has two loops 9 which are sewn on. Two strings 8 are connected to the funnel tool and pass through these loops 9, acting to hold the sleeve 5. These strings 8 are anchored on the detachable 2 side by a metal bar 18 and on the fixed side 3 by a metal rod 31. Metal rod 31 is designed to move, which releases the strings 8 and separates the funnel tool from the sleeve 5.
[0034] Referring primarily to FIGS. 1, 5A-D, 6 and 8 the funnel tool 1 has a battery 10 and a wireless relay 11. These are for controlling linear solenoid 21 and linear solenoid 22. Linear solenoid 21 holds and releases strings 8 by releasing metal rod 31. Linear solenoid 22 holds and releases drawstring 23 by releasing metal rod 30. The wireless relay 11 responds to a wireless remote control 40 which has two buttons, A 41 and B 42, one for each radio channel.
[0035] Referring primarily to FIGS. 1, 5A-D and 6, an elastic drawstring 23 passes through a drawstring channel 26 around the end of the sleeve 5 and then passes through a slotted cord lock 24. The cord lock 24 is of the slotted type, which allows it to be attached to the end of the sleeve 5 by a short 2 long strap 25. To cinch shut the drawstring 23 and associated drawstring channel 26 one must only pull up on the funnel tool 1.
[0036] Referring primarily to FIG. 6, if the user wishes to install a heating element such as Christmas lights 39 into the sleeve, this is done by tying them with a short string to metal rod 31. When metal rod 31 is released, strings 8 will be released at the same time as the Christmas lights 39 or other heating element.
[0037] Referring primarily to FIGS. 4A-E, five views are shown which depict the steps that are performed when the funnel tool 1 reaches the tip of the bamboo plant. Referring to FIG. 4A, here, the funnel tool 1 is almost to the end of the plant. At this point, the user carefully pulls the funnel tool 1 up until the end of the sleeve is even with the tip of the bamboo, as depicted in FIG. 4B. Next, the user presses button A 41 on the wireless remote control 40. This activates solenoid 21 which releases metal rod 31 and allows it to rotate downward about bolt 32. This releases the two strings 8 which were looped around metal rod 31. FIG. 4C depicts the current arrangement. At this point, this user pulls the funnel tool 1 upwards about one foot, as depicted in FIG. 4D. When the funnel tool 1 is pulled up, two strings 8 are drawn through the two fabric loops 9 on the end of the sleeve 5. At this point the funnel tool 1 now becomes free from the sleeve, with the exception of the drawstring 23. At this point, the user again pulls the funnel tool 1 upwards another foot or so, which cinches shut drawstring channel 26. Next, the user then pushes button B 42 on the wireless remote control 40. This activates solenoid 22, which releases rod 30 and allows drawstring 23 to release. FIG. 4E depicts the final arrangement in which the bamboo is sealed in the sleeve 5 and the funnel tool 1 is no longer attached. Next, the funnel tool 1 is lowered to the ground and readied for the next bamboo stem to be protected.
[0038] Referring primarily to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fabric sleeve 5 has a strip of hook and loop 27 on both edges. The hook and loop is sewn on opposite sides of the fabric so that when the two edges are wrapped around the bamboo the hook and loop is positioned to be fastened onto itself. The fabric sleeve 5 has an inner layer 37 made of insulating fabric. The insulating fabric provides insulation and also enhances the strength of the outer layer 38. The outer layer 38 is made of ripstop nylon fabric. The ripstop nylon fabric 38 and insulating fabric 37 are sewn together approximately 5 in from the sides of the sleeve 5 going the entire length of the sleeve 5. The ripstop nylon fabric 38 and insulating fabric 37 are also sewn together under the hook and loop at the edges. Again referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cord lock 24 is visible which is connected to the sleeve 5 by a short strap 25. The elastic drawstring 23 can be seen passing through the drawstring channel 26. The two loops 9 which hold the sleeve to the funnel are also visible.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A depicts before the bamboo plant has been covered. FIG. 3B shows the bamboo plant after the cover has been put on. Note in FIG. 3B where the excess sleeve material is rolled up at the base of the cane. Note also in FIG. 3B that the drawstring 23 is visible at the top of the cover 5.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, a view is given that demonstrates how the funnel tool 1 compresses the bamboo plant.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 8, a view is given of the wireless remote control 40 that controls the wireless relay 11. The wireless remote control 40 has two channels. Each channel has a button to turn it on and off. Button A 41 activates channel 1 and button B 42 activates channel 2.
