Device to assist growth of tomato plants and method of using the same
OwnerMichael Chambersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device formed as an integral plastic piece having an inner tubular portion to surround the stalk of the tomato plant and an outer support portion which defines a circumferential trough surrounding the inner tubular portion. The inner tubular portion is placed around the stalk of the tomato plant, with the lower edge of the tubular portion being implanted into the ground. The upper growth portion (i.e., vines) of the tomato plant and the tomatoes are conveniently retained in the trough.
Claims21
A device to assist the growth of a plant, such as a tomato plant which has a root portion, a stalk portion and an upper growth portion, said device being adapted to be positioned at a ground location and comprising:
- (a) an inner tubular portion comprising a vertically extending first wall means defining a substantially vertical passageway, said first wall means having a lower end and an upper end, said first wall means adapted to be positioned with the lower end at a lower ground location and the upper end further above the ground location, with the vertical passageway permitting growth of the stalk portion of the plant upwardly therethrough and being of a height sufficient to surround at least a substantial part of said stalk portion,
- (b) an outer support portion comprising:
- 1. a downwardly and outwardly sloping second wall means surrounding and spaced radially outwardly from the first wall means, and having an upper inner edge portion adjacent to the upper end of the first wall means, in a manner that said upper growth portion is permitted to grow downwardly over said second wall means,
- 2. a lower trough means extending around and connected to the second wall means to support the upper growth portion,
- 3. an upwardly turned outer rim means connected to and surrounding the trough means.
A method to assist growth of a plant, such as a tomato plant which has a root portion, a stalk portion and an upper growth portion, said method comprising:
- (a) providing a tubular member comprising a vertically extending first wall means defining a vertical passageway, and positioning this tubular member around said plant at a ground location,
- (b) providing an outer support member which comprises a downwardly and outwardly sloping second wall means having an upper edge adjacent an upper edge of said tubular member, a lower trough means extending around and connecting to the second wall means, and an upwardly turned outer rim connected to and surrounding the trough, and positioning this support member around and outwardly of the tubular member, thus causing an upper growth portion of the plant to be supported by said trough means.
A device to assist the growth of a plant, such as a tomato plant which has a root portion, a stalk portion and an upper growth portion, said device being adapted to be positioned at a ground location and comprising:
- (a) an inner tubular portion comprising a vertically extending first wall means defining a substantially vertical passageway, said first wall means having a lower end and an upper end, said first wall means adapted to be positioned with the lower end at a lower ground location and the upper end further above the ground location, with the vertical passageway permitting growth of the stalk portion of the plant upwardly therethrough and being of a height sufficient to surround at least a substantial part of said stalk portion,
- (b) an outer support portion comprising a downwardly and outwardly sloping second substantially closed wall means positioned around and extending radially outwardly from the first wall means, said second wall means having an upper edge connecting to an upper edge of the first wall means, and a lower edge positioned adjacent a ground location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.