US 4,791,754 AGranted

Plant assisting device

OwnerGeorge H. Demars, Jr.inventor

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Abstract

A device for assisting the growth of a plant by providing shelter and physical support therefor is taught in the preferred embodiment of a modular construction including a tubular section, a cover, and a collar. The collar provides a gradually curving continuous support to the upper growth portion of the plant for helping to reduce breakage of the plant from bending due to the weight of the plant. In the preferred embodiment, the collar includes arcuate sections of varying radii, with the first arcuate section connected tangentially to the tubular section, with the second arcuate section extending radially outwardly and continuously from the first arcuate section, and with the third arcuate section connected to and extending radially outwardly, downwardly, and continuously from the second arcuate section. An outer rim extends from the third arcuate section for reinforcing the collar. The collar is removably connected to the tubular section allowing the separate fabrication of the collar and the tubular section. The cover provides a weather barrier for the plant and is removably received either in the tubular section or in the collar.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Device for assisting the growth of a plant such as a tomato plant, with the plant having a root portion growing in soil, a stalk portion having a height, and an upper growth portion, comprising, in combination:

a lower tubular section defining a passageway, with the tubular section having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the tubular section having means for insertion into and support by the soil including a flange, with the passageway permitting growth of the stalk portion of the plant upwardly therethrough and being of a height effective to surround a substantial portion of the height of the stalk portion;
a collar for providing a gradually outwardly curving continuous support to the upper growth portion of the plant, with the collar helping to reduce breakage of the plant from bending due to the weight of the plant and to direct water inwardly toward the plant, with the collar being connected to and extending generally radially outward from the second end of the tubular section, with the collar comprising, in combination:
a first arcuate section having a first end, a second end, a radius, and a shape, with the first end of the first arcuate section connected tangentially to the second end of the tubular section, with the first arcuate section extending upwardly and outwardly from the tubular section;
a second arcuate section having a first end, a second end, and a radius, with the first end of the second arcuate section extending radially outwardly and continuously from the second end of the first arcuate section, with the radius of the second arcuate section being larger than the radius of the first arcuate section, with the second arcuate section extending upwardly and outwardly from the first arcuate section to a highest point a third arcuate section having a first end, a second end, and a radius, with the radius of the third arcuate section being smaller than the radius of the second arcuate section, with the first end of the third arcuate section connected to and extending radially outwardly, downwardly, and continuously from the second end of the second arcuate section;
and an outer rim extending from the second end of the third arcuate section for reinforcement of the arcuate sections.

2 more elements

a lower tubular section defining a passageway, with the tubular section having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the tubular section having means for insertion into and support by the soil, with the passageway permitting growth of the stalk portion of the plant upwardly therethrough and being of a height effective to surround a substantial portion of the height of the stalk portion;
a collar for providing a gradually curving continuous support to the upper growth portion of the plant, with the collar helping to reduce breakage of the plant from bending due to the weight of the plant;
means for removably connecting the collar to the second end of the tubular section allowing the use of different materials for the collar and the tubular section and the separate fabrication of the collar and the tubular section, with the collar extending tangentially and generally radially outward and upward from the second end of the tubular section to a highest portion;
and a cover for providing a weather barrier for the plant, with the cover having a shape complementary to and for removable receipt in the second end of the tubular section, with the shape of the cover being complementary to and for removable receipt in the collar below the highest portion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.