Patent ID: 6233869
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: A01G,Y10T

Abstract:
A supporting frame for a portion of a stem of a plant, said stem being of a thickness falling within a given range, said frame comprising:a guiding member having an inside concave surface, two longitudinal opposite sides and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends extending in a first plane;two spacers projecting away from the inside concave surface of the guiding member, each spacer having an extremity, the extremities of the spacers extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; anda deformable pressing member defining an apex and having two opposite ends and an inside surface facing the inside concave surface of the guiding member, the two opposite ends of the pressing member being pivotally connected to the two extremities of the spacers respectively, the pressing member comprising two parts joined together by a hinge where the hinge is at the apex;wherein the guiding member, the pressing member and each spacer define a U-shaped cross-section for permitting insertion of the portion of the stem of the plant therein; andwherein said pressing member is deformable between:an open position where its apex is located away from the first and the second planes, said apex then being at a greater distance away from the first plane than from the second plane whereby the portion of the stem can be inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member; anda closed position where the apex is spaced away from the guiding member at a predetermined distance which corresponds substantially to the range of thickness of the stem in order to secure therein the portion of the stem after said portion has been inserted between the guiding member and the pressing member in said open position, the portion of the stem once secured having a predetermined curvature following the inside concave surface of the guiding member.