Abstract:
A shield for protecting a plant having; a stem having an upper end and a lower end; a first plurality of sticks having a proximal end and a distal end; and a pad associated with the upper end of the stem, the pad having a second plurality of holes distributed all around the pad and oriented at various angles in relation to a horizontal plane, the holes being configured for removably receiving the proximal ends of the entire first plurality of sticks or a portion thereof and securing the same therein through friction-based insertion; the second plurality of holes distribution and orientation allowing the formation of a support structure for a protective cover in which the entire first plurality of sticks or a portion thereof extends in a circular arrangement above the plant at an angle conforming to the shape or size of the plant.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0004]    The invention relates generally to agriculture and more specifically to the protection of crops, trees, and other plants from pests and weather. 
       2. Description of the Related Art 
       [0005]    Growers of fruit trees, vegetables, and other crops or plants often suffer from the loss of some of their crops due to inclement weather and/or pests. Pesticides and other such chemicals used to combat this loss may also end up harming the plants. Greenhouses may be used to give the crops some protection, but these greenhouses requires a high amount of labor to install and build, and the greenhouses may not be suitable for smaller batches of crops, and are not practical for users who only wish to protect a small amount of plants. The greenhouses may also not be suitable for temporary use, due to the high amount of labor needed for the installation and the takedown. The greenhouses may also be expensive or cost-prohibitive for the user. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for a product that reduces the use of chemicals for growing crops, while still providing protection for the crops from bugs, birds, and other pests, in a cost-effective way. 
         [0007]    The aspects or the problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued; they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application. 
       BRIEF INVENTION SUMMARY 
       [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0009]    In an aspect a shield is provided having a frame, combined with a cover supported by the frame and used to cover fruit trees, crops, and other plants without touching the plants. The shield protects the plants from pests and heavy weather such as frost, wind, or hail. An advantage is that costs and labor are reduced by eliminating the use of greenhouses. Another advantage is that the use of pesticides is reduced by physically blocking pests from the plants, which may reduce contamination of water by pesticides, and the increase the availability of organic crops. Another advantage is that less bees will be killed by the reduction in pesticide use, and pollination control is also provided for the users, giving them the ability to keep bees and other pollinators in or out of the cover as needed. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a shield is provided having a bunker frame, combined with legs and a cover and used to cover vegetables, fruits, smaller trees, and other plants without being supported by or resting on the plants, protecting the plants from pests and heavy weather such as frost, wind, or hail. An advantage is that costs and labor are reduced by eliminating the use of greenhouses. Another advantage is that the use of pesticides is reduced by physically blocking pests from the plants. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a breathable and durable cover is provided that is combinable with a frame, and expandable in size by the user by attaching a plurality of pieces together. An advantage is that anything may be protected according to the needs of the user, by adding several covers together and customizing the size of the cover. 
         [0012]    The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspects or examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of a shield having a frame and a cover, for protection of trees, according to an aspect. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2 a    illustrates a side view of the frame that may support the cover of a shield, according to an aspect. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2 b    illustrates side views of pads that may be placed at an upper end of the frame stem, according to an aspect. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a frame that may be installed on a fruit tree, according to an aspect. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a shield, having cover supported by a frame, protecting a tree, according to an aspect. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a top perspective view of a shield having a bunker frame and a cover, placed over crops for protection of the crops, according to an aspect. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a side perspective view of the bunker frame that may be positioned over the crops to be protected by the shield, according to an aspect. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7 a -7 b    show examples of side perspective views of a bunker frame having two legs, according to an aspect. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of a post that may support the bunker frame of  FIG. 5 , showing that the post may be hollow, according to an aspect. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of a post with a bunker stick inserted into the hollow shaft of the post. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the post, showing that the lower end of the post may be pointed for facilitating driving the post into the soil, according to an aspect. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows a top side perspective view of the post, placed upright into the soil, according to an aspect. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  shows a side perspective view of a bunker shield with a cover having a looped edge, according to an aspect. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  shows a side perspective view of a screen house bunker shield, according to an aspect. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  shows a front top perspective view of a screen house bunker shield, according to an aspect. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
         [0030]    For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled elements across the figures (e.g.,  206  and  306 , etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, example or aspect, then the conflicting description given for that particular embodiment, example or aspect shall govern. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of a shield  101  (“shield,” “fruit shield,” or “crop shield”) having a frame  106  and a cover  111  (“cover,” “net” or “netting”), for protection of trees  102 , according to an aspect. The frame (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be a support structure having a stem (as shown as  203  in  FIG. 2 ), and may be used to spread the cover over crops or any other type of plant, such that the cover is not supported by the plant itself. The cover may be constructed from cloth, may be woven, and may be a mesh material, such as a net. The mesh may be fine enough to prevent insects, bugs, and other pests from reaching the crops, while still providing protection. The cover may also help to retain moisture inside of the shielded area for benefit of the crops being protected. The cover may also be a non-woven material such as, for example, plastic. As an example, the cover may be constructed of polyethylene. An advantage of the polyethylene is its durability, and the cover may last for more than  4  years under outdoor weather conditions. The polyethylene may be breathable, and may be constructed in a tight or loose weave, depending on the needs of the user. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2 a    illustrates a side view of the frame  206  that may support the cover of a shield  101  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), according to an aspect. The frame  206  may have a stem  203 , support sticks  204  (“sticks” or “support sticks”), and pads  105  through which the support sticks  204  can be inserted by the user. The height of the stem  203  may be adjustable, such as, for example, by being available in a variety of sizes, or as another example, may be adjusted by the user by being telescopic. A lower end  203 - b  of the stem  203  may be blunt as shown, or may be pointed to facilitate inserting the stem  203  into the soil. A pad  205  for receiving the support sticks  204  may be placed on an upper end  203 - a  of the stem  203 , and is preferably made from rubber, and may secure the support sticks  204  through friction-based insertion. The support sticks  204  may have a distal end  204 - a  and a proximal end  204 - b,  and may be inserted into the pad  205  by the proximal end  204 - b.  The support sticks  204  may be rigid for holding and supporting a cover, and may be constructed from fiberglass. An advantage is that the fiberglass material may be resistant to rusting or cracking. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2 b    illustrates side views of pads  205  that may be placed at an upper end  203 - a  of the frame  206  stem  203 , according to an aspect. The pads  205  may have a plurality of holes  207  through which the support sticks  204  may be placed by the user, as shown in  FIG. 2 a   . The user may insert as many support sticks  204  as are determined to be needed into the pads  205 , to create a circular arrangement for a cover to be supported on. The holes  207  may be distributed all around the pad  205 , along 360 degrees around the pad  205 , and may be oriented at various angles in relation to the horizontal plane, such that the user may customize the angle of the support sticks  204 , by inserting the proximal end  204 - b  of the support sticks  204  at a desired angle with relation to a horizontal plane into the pad  205 . As an example, the support sticks  204  may be inserted into the pad  205  at a 45 degree angle in relation to the horizontal plane, such that the distal ends  204 - a  of the support sticks  204  are pointed towards the lower end  203 - b  of the stem  203 . As another example, the support sticks  204  may be inserted into the pad  205  at a 90 degree angle with relation to the horizontal plane, such that the circular arrangement of support sticks  204  is parallel to the horizontal plane. The support sticks  204  may be placed and arranged by the user in any suitable way such that the cover does not interfere with the growth of the plant, and does not rest on the plant itself. The support sticks  204  may also be in varying lengths to accommodate the size of the plant. The cover may then conform to the shape and size of the plant when laid over the support sticks  204  to protect the trees or other crops. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a frame  306  that may be installed on a fruit tree  302 , according to an aspect. The stem  303  may be held in place by securing it directly into the ground, and may be held upright near or against the trunk of the tree  102 . The stem  303  may extend above the tree  102 , such that the pad  305  and support sticks  304  that are inserted into the pad  105  fan out above the tree  102 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a shield  401 , having a cover  411  supported by a frame  406 , protecting a tree  402 , according to an aspect. The shield  401  may be tied together at a point  412  above ground level, such that fruit  413  that naturally falls off of the tree  402  may be caught by the cover  411  without touching the ground. An advantage is that the fruit  413  may be protected from the reach of pests  414  on the ground. Another advantage is that the cover may prevent the pests  414  from climbing into the tree  402  or any other plants protected by the shield  401 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a top perspective view of a shield  501 - a  having a bunker frame  506 - a  (“bunker shield”) and cover  511 , placed over crops for protection of the crops, according to an aspect. A bunker style frame  506 - a  may be used to assemble a shield for protecting smaller crops such as vegetables, or shorter trees, for example. The cover  511  may be held in place by weighing it down by soil or sand bags, pinning it to the ground, or by using any other suitable means. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a side perspective view of the bunker frame  606 - a  that may be positioned over the crops  602 - a  to be protected by the shield  501 - a,  according to an aspect. The bunker frame  606 - a  may be curved as shown, so as to curve over the crops  602 - a,  and may be held upright by driving each end into the ground on opposite sides of the crops to be protected, as shown. A row of frames  606 - a  may be used as shown in order to create a long bunker style shield (as shown as  501 - a  in  FIG. 5 ). The bunker frame  606 - a  may be constructed of fiberglass, or any other suitable material. An advantage of the fiberglass frame is that it is stronger than metal or wood, and resists breakage or rusting. It should be noted that the length of each bunker stick  610  of the bunker frame  606 - a  may be selected to accomplish the height and/or width of the plants or rows of plants being protected. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7 a -7 b    show examples of side perspective views of a bunker frame  706 - a  having two legs  708 , according to an aspect. Each leg  708  may be constructed by using posts  709  and connection members  709 - a  and bunker sticks  710  (“bunker sticks,” “flexible sticks,” or “bunker frame sticks”), such that the user may customize the length of any leg  708  by combining a desired number of bunker sticks  710 , posts  709  and connection members  709 - a.  A post  709  may be used for inserting into the soil, and may also have a hollow shaft for receiving a bunker stick  710 . A post  709  or a connection member  709 - a  having a hollow shaft may be used to adjust the length of the leg  708 . As an example, two bunker sticks  710  may be inserted into the hollow shaft of the connection member  709 - a,  one at each end of the connection member  709 - a.  The user may make as many connections as needed to customize the length of each leg  708 . 
         [0039]    As an example, two legs  708  may be crossed over one another to create a bunker frame  706 - a  that may support a cover. The posts  709  may be hollow (as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 ) such that the bunker frame sticks  710  may be inserted into them. The bunker frame sticks  710  may be flexible, such that they may curve over the plants to be covered by the shield  501 - a.  Another advantage may be that the size and shape of the bunker frame  706 - a  may be adjustable due to the flexibility of the bunker sticks  710 . The bunker sticks  710  may be of any suitable length so that the desired height of a bunker shield  501 - a  may be created. As shown in  FIG. 7 a   , a leg  708  having a first end and a second end may be assembled by, for example, a post on the first end and a post on the second end, and a post in the middle, with sticks inserted in between the posts. An advantage is that the user may assemble or disassemble the shield  501 - a  without assistance, and may easily store the components after disassembly. Another advantage is that it is easy for the user to adjust the height of the frame. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 7 b   , a leg may also be assembled by using two posts  709 , and a bunker stick  710  inserted between the posts  709 , without a connection member (as shown as  709 - a  in  FIG. 7 a   ). A leg  708  may have a first end and second end, each end having a post  709  being inserted into the soil. The legs  708  may be constructed in various sizes, thicknesses, and lengths, such that the user may customize the shape of their shield. 
         [0041]    A bunker frame  706 - a  may be created by using multiple legs  708 , such as, for example, two legs  708  crossed over one another as shown in  FIGS. 7 a -7 b   . The bunker frame sticks  710  may be removed from the posts  709  to disassemble the shield  501 - a,  while the posts  709  may remain in the soil. An advantage may be that future reassembly of the shield  501 - a  may be faster and more convenient for the user. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of a post  809  that may support the bunker frame of  FIG. 5 , showing that the post  809  may be hollow, as shown by  815 , according to an aspect. The bunker sticks may be placed inside of the hollow shaft  815  of the post  809 . The post  809  may be stiff, such that they remain upright when placed in the soil. Again, the bunker frame sticks  810  may be flexible such that they may be curved to fit over the crops. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of a post with a bunker stick  710  inserted into the hollow shaft of the post  709  of  FIG. 8 . The bunker stick  710  may be inserted into the upper end  709 - a  of the post, such that the lower end, which may be pointed, may be driven into the soil. The bunker stick may be thinner than the post for easy insertion into the post. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the post of  FIG. 9 , showing that the lower end  1009 - b  of the post  1009  may be pointed for facilitating driving the post  1009  into the soil, according to an aspect. The upper end  1009 - a  of the post  1009  may be flat or blunt, as shown. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  shows a top side perspective view of the post  1109  of  FIG. 8 , placed upright into the soil, according to an aspect. The post may be secured by, for example, hammering it with the lower end (as shown by  1009 - b  in  FIG. 10 ) into the soil. Once all posts  1109  of the shield  501 - a  are placed into the soil alongside the crops to be protected, the bunker frame sticks  710  and a cover  511  may be assembled to create the frame  706 - a  by the user. The bunker frame sticks  710  and the cover  511  may be removed if the protection is no longer needed or if crops are to be harvested. The posts may remain in the soil. An advantage may be that the user may easily re-assemble a new shield by using the posts already present in the soil for protecting crops whenever protection is determined to be needed. 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  shows a side perspective view of a bunker shield  1201 - a  with a cover  1211 - a  having a looped edge  1216 , according to an aspect. The bunker frame sticks  1210  may be inserted into the looped edge  1216 , such that the cover  1211 - a  is secured to the bunker frame  1206 - a.  Once the cover  1211 - a  is secured to the bunker frame  1206 - a,  the bunker frame stick  1210  may be inserted into a post  1209 . An advantage is that no additional means for securing the cover  1211 - a  to the bunker frame  1206 - a  are needed. 
         [0047]      FIG. 13  shows a side perspective view of a screen house bunker shield  1317 , according to an aspect. The screen house  1317  may be similar to a greenhouse, and may be more convenient or easier for the user to assemble and disassemble. The screen house  1317  may include a cover  1311 - a  having a looped edge. The size of the screen house  1317  may also be customizable by the user, such as, for example, by using a variety of different lengths of bunker frame sticks  1310 . The screen house  1317  may be constructed in a variety of sizes as needed by the user. As an example, the screen house  1317  may be 15 feet wide, 12 feet high, and 300 feet long. The screen house  1317  may also be smaller or larger depending on the needs of the user. The bunker frame sticks  1310  may be connected to create larger screen houses  1317 , for example. 
         [0048]    If ventilation or less coverage is needed, the user may slide the cover  1311 - a  along the bunker frame  1317  in order to lift the cover up. For example, more ventilation may be desired in the summer, and a user may provide more air for the plants without disassembly of the entire shield. An advantage may be that the use of the shield  1317  is convenient and the removal of the entire frame and cover  1311 - a  is not necessary. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows a front top perspective view of a screen house bunker shield  1417 , according to an aspect. The cover  1411 - a  may include a looped edge for receiving the bunker frame sticks  1210  and may cover all sides of the frame, and the front as shown, and back. 
         [0050]    For larger needs, a cover may be provided which includes a means for attachment, such as, for example, Velcro, a zipper, and so on. The cover may thus be extended and the size may be customized by the user by attached several covers together. 
         [0051]    It should be understood that the systems described herein may be used for other applications. Similar to the screen house  1317 , the bunker frame sticks  1310  and cover  1311  or cover with a looped edge  1311 - a  may be used to create other structures, such as, for example, tents for camping or for the beach, protection for outdoor food, baby play pens, and so on. The cover may also be extended by joining pieces together to protect, for example, a swimming pool or spa, and so on, to prevent leaves or other debris from falling into the water, and prevent insects from getting into the water. The cover, when used to protect a swimming pool or spa, may be breathable such that the sunlight may still shine through the cover. The cover may durable and maintain its color through such outdoor use. As another example, the cover may be used to protect a user&#39;s body when using a sleeping bag that does not cover the whole body. The user may use any sleeping bag or similar item, and then may cover and protect their entire body by wrapping a cover around their body and the sleeping bag and enclosing both their body and the sleeping bag entirely. The head of the user may then be protected by the cover from, for example, insects or other pests. As another example, the full-body protection of the cover may be used by users in war zones where a sleeping bag, again, may not cover the entire body. 
         [0052]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0053]    Further, as used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. 
         [0054]    If present, use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. These terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items. 
         [0055]    Throughout this description, the aspects, embodiments or examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus or procedures disclosed or claimed. Although some of the examples may involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. 
         [0056]    Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one aspect, embodiment or example are not intended to be excluded from a similar role(s) in other aspects, embodiments or examples. 
         [0057]    Aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention may be described as processes, which are usually depicted using a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may depict the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. With regard to flowcharts, it should be understood that additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the described methods. 
         [0058]    If means-plus-function limitations are recited in the claims, the means are not intended to be limited to the means disclosed in this application for performing the recited function, but are intended to cover in scope any equivalent means, known now or later developed, for performing the recited function. 
         [0059]    If any presented, the claims directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0060]    Although aspects, embodiments and/or examples have been illustrated and described herein, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate of the same and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the aspects, embodiments and/or examples illustrated and described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover such alternate aspects, embodiments and/or examples. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Further, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification.