Standing tree compression ring
OwnerDouglas Herrmanninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A standing tree branch compression ring is adapted to be vertically raised about the trunk of the tree by lifting means. As the ring is lifted it forceably moves the tree branches inward. A plastic ring liner is removably affixed to the outer surface of the ring to reduce its coefficient of friction to mitigate tree branch damage. The ring is polygonal and includes a fully releasable segment to accept the tree trunk from the side. The segment is then reaffixed by a mating tongue and slot joint at one end a latch at the other end before it is raised.
Claims16
A standing tree branch compression apparatus, comprising:
- a compression ring adapted to encircle a trunk of the tree and to forceably move branches of the tree inwardly as it is raised vertically by lifting means;
- and
- a ring liner affixed to a external operative outer surface of said ring wherein said ring is polygonal comprising a series of interconnected straight sides, said liner having a coefficient of friction substantially less than said ring,
- wherein a portion of said ring is a removeable ring segment to provide open and closed conditions of the ring permitting lateral passage of the tree trunk into the center of the ring when open and to provide a 360-degree tree branch compression surface when closed,
- wherein said ring segment is attachable to said ring at one end by latch means, and
- wherein said ring segment is attachable to said ring at a second end by a mating tongue and slot joint.
A standing tree branch compression ring assembly adapted to encircle a trunk of the tree and to forceably move branches of the tree inwardly as the compression ring is raised vertically by lifting means, the assembly comprising:
- a first section defining an arc of greater than 180 degrees, wherein the first section is connected to the lifting means, wherein the first section further comprises a first ring liner extending only partially around an exterior of the first section such that the first ring liner does not extend along a bottom portion of the first section;
- and
- a second section defining an arc of less than 180 degrees such that the second section is connectable to the first section to define a complete perimeter, wherein the second section is not connected to any lifting means, wherein the second section further comprises a second ring liner extending only partially around an exterior of the second section such that the second ring liner does not extend along a bottom portion of the second section wherein the first section comprises a first latching portion and wherein the second section comprises a second latching portion adapted to engage the first latching portion to releasably secure the first section to the second section.
A standing tree branch compression ring assembly adapted to encircle a trunk of the tree and to forceably move branches of the tree inwardly as the compression ring is raised vertically by lifting means, the assembly comprising:
- a first section defining an arc of greater than 180 degrees, wherein the first section is connected to the lifting means, wherein the first section further comprises a first ring liner extending only partially around an exterior of the first section such that the first ring liner does not extend along a bottom portion of the first section;
- and
- a second section defining an arc of less than 180 degrees such that the second section is connectable to the first section to define a complete perimeter, wherein the second section is not connected to any lifting means, wherein the second section further comprises a second ring liner extending only partially around an exterior of the second section such that the second ring liner does not extend along a bottom portion of the second section wherein the first section comprises one of a tongue and a slot and wherein the second section comprises the other of the tongue and the slot such that the tongue is insertable in the slot to releasably secure the first section to the second section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.