GB1604846A

GB1604846A - Plant protectors compost contaienrs or the like

Info

Publication number: GB1604846A
Application number: GB44549/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-26
Filing date: 1978-05-26
Publication date: 1981-12-16

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PLANT PROTECTORS, COMPOST CONTAINERS OR THE LIKE (71) I, JEFFREY MICHAEL WALTON, a British Subject, of New North Road, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to plant protectors, compost containers or the like.

According to the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for constructing a plant protector, compost container or the like including at least one generally rectangular sheet member having two opposed margins turned over along substantially the whole length of the said margins and wherein one turned-over margin is shaped to be capable of nesting within the opposed turned-over margin of the same or another sheet to form a joint and said at least one sheet is such that when so joined it forms or they form a laterally closed structure, and for each joint there is provided a ground stake that is longer than the joint such that it can pass through the joint and hold the closed structure to the ground. One margin of at least one sheet may be turned over on one face of the sheet and the opposed margin turned over on the other face of the sheet.The one turned-over margin may have greater dimensions than the opposed turned-over margin.

The kit may include a single generally rectangular flexible sheet that can be bent to form a generally circular cross-section laterally closed structure. The invention also provides a plant protector, compost container or the like constructed using the kit of the invention; and provides a cold frame, the walls of which are constructed using the kit of the invention and further including a transparent cover.

The ground stake may carry a clip for securing a cover or lid to the laterally closed structure.

At least one of the other margins of a sheet may be serrated.

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of a cold frame embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross section of the cold frame of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross-section through a corner joint of the cold frame of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross-section of a modification of the cold frame shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross-section through a different joint, Figure 6 shows a plant ring, and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross-section through another embodiment using the joint shown in Figure 5.

A kit embodying the invention may be used in the construction of the side walls of a cold frame, such as is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The frame walls are formed from four identical sheets each having two opposed edges contoured, as seen in more detail in Figure 3, to provide open-sided, channelshaped portions. Figure 3 shows the engaged edges of two sheets 1, 2 of which the edge of sheet I has an open-sided, channel-shaped portion 4 whilst sheet 2 has a similar portion 5 whose dimensions are slightly smaller than those of portion 4 so that the portion can be engaged one within the other as shown, the sheets then being at right angles to each other.

Four such sheets can be assembled as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to form the side walls of a cold frame 12, the engaged edge portions of adjacent sheets forming joints 6 that are held together by anchor pins 3 or passed through the channel-shaped portions and into the ground to locate the frame in position.

Each anchor pin 3 has a head 20 to which is secured a glass retaining swivel clip 21. By means of those clips, a sheet of agricultural glass 22 is held in place to form a cover for the frame. To allow space for the heads 20 notches la, .... . are cut out of each top corners of the sheet 1, 2 2.....

If tall plants are envisaged two or more sets of sheets can be stacked to give a greater height but in which case longer anchor pins would be required. This facility is particularly useful if a growing plant becomes too tall for a single layer cold frame.

Sometimes it is necessary to provide ventilation in a cold frame. This is done, if required, by having a serrated edge on the bottom of one or more of the sheets. In Figure 1 such serrations are shown by a dashed line 23. By varying the amount by which the walls of the frame are embedded in the ground a variable degree of ventilation is achieved. The serrated edge also makes it easier to push the sheets into the ground.

A cold frame constructed as described above offers considerable advantages over conventional cold frames in that its side walls are simple to construct from a basic "kit" of parts. Such "kits" may include two different lengths of sheet so that rectangular rather than square cold frames may be built.

Larger cold frames can also be constructed as shown in Figure 4. The long sides 25 of the cold frame 26 are constructed of more than one sheet joined by a joint of similar type to that illustrated in Figure 1 but in which adjoining sheets are substantially co-linear.

The skew imparted on the cold frame due to the thickness of the joints is very small in practice as the joint thickness is small in comparison with the length of a sheet.

The side walls of a cold frame can also be constructed from sheets having joints other than the square joint illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a circular joint in which sheet 31 has an end portion bent to form an outer structure 34 in the form of an arc of a circle.

An adjoining sheet 32 has an end portion also bent in the shape of the arc of a circle to form an inner structure 35 such that the inner structure fits inside the outer structure.

The circular joint shown in Figure 5 is particularly useful as it enables the angle between adjoining sheets to be other than multiples of 90'. This is illustrated in Figure 6 which shows a plant ring constructed using a single sheet 36 bent to have a circular crosssection, and joined at a joint 30. The joint 30 is of the type illustrated in Figure 5. Sheet 36 is partially submerged in the ground and/or is partially filled with earth. A plant 37 is grown in the ring so that its roots remain substantially within the confines of the ring.

When liquid or fertiliser is applied to the soil within the ring it is confined by the ring and is more likely to be absorbed by the plant particularly on sloping ground where otherwise it would be washed away. The plant ring also serves to protect the plant 37 against careless hoeing. Slugs and many other garden pests may be discouraged by the plant ring, particularly if the surface of the sheet 36 has a "sanded" texture.

It is also envisaged that the pin be attached to one of the turned over margins for example 4 in Figure 3.

Although the invention has been illustrated by reference to plant rings and the side walls of cold frames it must be appreciated that many other device could be fabricated embodying the invention. For example sheets arranged in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figures 6, or 7 could be used to force celery, intensively rear potatoes or contain rotting compost. A triangular device constructed using three sheets may also be suitable for this application.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A kit of parts for constructing a plant protector, compost container, or the like including at least one generally rectangular sheet member having two opposed margins turned over along substantially the whole length of the said margins and wherein one turned-over margin is shaped to be capable of nesting within the opposed turned-over margin of the same or another sheet to form a joint and said at least one sheet is such that when so joined it forms or they form a laterally closed structure, and for each joint there is provided a ground stake that is longer than the joint such that it can pass through the joint and hold the laterally closed structure to the ground.

2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein one margin of said at least one sheet is turned over on one face of the sheet and the opposed margin is turned over on the other face of the sheet.

3. A kit according to claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one sheet has a serrated lower edge.

4. A kit according to claim 1 including a single generally rectangular flexible sheet.

5. A kit according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the ground stake carries a clip for securing a cover in position on the laterally closed structure.

6. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein one turned-over margin has greater dimensions than the opposed turned-over margin.

7. A kit according to claim I and substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 and 6 or Figures 5 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A plant protector, compost container or the like constructed using the kit accord

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. position. Each anchor pin 3 has a head 20 to which is secured a glass retaining swivel clip 21. By means of those clips, a sheet of agricultural glass 22 is held in place to form a cover for the frame. To allow space for the heads 20 notches la, .... . are cut out of each top corners of the sheet 1, 2 2..... If tall plants are envisaged two or more sets of sheets can be stacked to give a greater height but in which case longer anchor pins would be required. This facility is particularly useful if a growing plant becomes too tall for a single layer cold frame. Sometimes it is necessary to provide ventilation in a cold frame. This is done, if required, by having a serrated edge on the bottom of one or more of the sheets. In Figure 1 such serrations are shown by a dashed line 23. By varying the amount by which the walls of the frame are embedded in the ground a variable degree of ventilation is achieved. The serrated edge also makes it easier to push the sheets into the ground. A cold frame constructed as described above offers considerable advantages over conventional cold frames in that its side walls are simple to construct from a basic "kit" of parts. Such "kits" may include two different lengths of sheet so that rectangular rather than square cold frames may be built. Larger cold frames can also be constructed as shown in Figure 4. The long sides 25 of the cold frame 26 are constructed of more than one sheet joined by a joint of similar type to that illustrated in Figure 1 but in which adjoining sheets are substantially co-linear. The skew imparted on the cold frame due to the thickness of the joints is very small in practice as the joint thickness is small in comparison with the length of a sheet. The side walls of a cold frame can also be constructed from sheets having joints other than the square joint illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a circular joint in which sheet 31 has an end portion bent to form an outer structure 34 in the form of an arc of a circle. An adjoining sheet 32 has an end portion also bent in the shape of the arc of a circle to form an inner structure 35 such that the inner structure fits inside the outer structure. The circular joint shown in Figure 5 is particularly useful as it enables the angle between adjoining sheets to be other than multiples of 90'. This is illustrated in Figure 6 which shows a plant ring constructed using a single sheet 36 bent to have a circular crosssection, and joined at a joint 30. The joint 30 is of the type illustrated in Figure 5. Sheet 36 is partially submerged in the ground and/or is partially filled with earth. A plant 37 is grown in the ring so that its roots remain substantially within the confines of the ring. When liquid or fertiliser is applied to the soil within the ring it is confined by the ring and is more likely to be absorbed by the plant particularly on sloping ground where otherwise it would be washed away. The plant ring also serves to protect the plant 37 against careless hoeing. Slugs and many other garden pests may be discouraged by the plant ring, particularly if the surface of the sheet 36 has a "sanded" texture. It is also envisaged that the pin be attached to one of the turned over margins for example 4 in Figure 3. Although the invention has been illustrated by reference to plant rings and the side walls of cold frames it must be appreciated that many other device could be fabricated embodying the invention. For example sheets arranged in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figures 6, or 7 could be used to force celery, intensively rear potatoes or contain rotting compost. A triangular device constructed using three sheets may also be suitable for this application. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A kit of parts for constructing a plant protector, compost container, or the like including at least one generally rectangular sheet member having two opposed margins turned over along substantially the whole length of the said margins and wherein one turned-over margin is shaped to be capable of nesting within the opposed turned-over margin of the same or another sheet to form a joint and said at least one sheet is such that when so joined it forms or they form a laterally closed structure, and for each joint there is provided a ground stake that is longer than the joint such that it can pass through the joint and hold the laterally closed structure to the ground.

ing to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A cold frame the walls of which are constructed using a kit according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 5 and further including a transparent cover.