Patent ID: 8615924
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: A01G,Y02A,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An enhanced-stability, A-frame-shaped plant support that folds flat for storage when not in use and that is suitable for use in a garden or farm for the support of plants growing in soil, the plant support comprising: first and second inverted block-U-shaped frame members, each said block-U-shaped frame member comprising at least first and second side support frame members having first and second ends and an upper interconnecting frame member interconnecting said side support frame members at said first end of each said side support frame member; a plurality of cross members, each said cross member interconnecting said side support frame members of each said block-U-shaped frame member at a plurality of locations along each said side support frame member in substantially parallel fashion relative to said interconnecting horizontal frame member, and wherein the cross member that is closest to said second ends of each said side support frame member is sufficiently distant from said second ends of said side support frame members to allow for puncture placement of said second ends of said side support frame members in the soil upon installation; means for pivotably joining said interconnecting frame members of each said block-U-shaped frame member to enable hinge-like movement of said block-U-shaped frame members relative to each other; a first post rigidly attached on said first side support frame member of said first block-U-shaped frame member and a second post rigidly attached on said first side support frame member of said second block-U-shaped frame member; a latch comprising an eyelet on one end being pivotably connected to said first post, said latch further comprising a hook on an end opposite said eyelet, said latch being adapted for user operation during installation of the plant support in the soil to enable sliding of said latch along said second post to releasably interconnect said hook with said second post, said latch adapted to stabilize the plant support in an installed punctured position in the soil; and a starting width indicator mark located at an intermediate position on said latch, said indicator mark adapted for alignment, but not fastened with said second post to indicate an optimum degree of initial partial opening of said block-U-shaped frame members with the plant support resting on top of the soil prior to installation adapted to facilitate optimum depth puncture placement of the plant support upon being pushed downwardly into the soil as said latch slides along said second post from said intermediate position to an expanded position.