DEVICE FOR HANGING A PLANT, SUCH AS A TOMATO PLANT, BY MEANS OF A GUIDING THREAD AND AN ASSEMBLY OF SUCH DEVICES

Abstract: A device for hanging a plant such as a tomato plant, by means of a guiding thread, on an element running horizontally at a certain height above the ground, which device substantially comprises a support body (1), a reel (2) for a supply of the guiding thread rotatably mounted in the support body and a running wheel (3) which is coupled to the reel and mounted rotatably in the support body and which is in contact with the horizontal element, wherein a releasable locking means is arranged for locking the running wheel relative to the support body, whereby without expending much force the support body can be shifted along the thread, wherein sufficient guiding thread is simultaneously released for the plant.

Description: DEVICE FOR HANGING A PLANT, SUCH AS A TOMATO PLANT, BY MEANS OF A GUIDING THREAD AND AN ASSEMBLY OF SUCH DEVICES The device according to the invention, also known under the name tomato reel, serves just as in convention¬ al culture systems for hanging the tomato plant by means of a thread. This hanging thread hangs vertically and is trained round the plant during the growth of the plant. The fibrous structure of the thread creates sufficient resistance. The plant remains suspended on the thread without the latter constricting the plant. It is known, once the plant has grown to a certain height (approximately 2.5-3 m) , to lower the hanging thread and to move it sideways. The plant can hereby grow again without the height of the greenhouse being an inhibiting factor. After the plant has been resuspended a number of times, a situation arises wherein the plant has a horizontal portion (the distance over which it is rehung) and a vertical portion. The leaves and fruit have meanwhile been removed from the horizontal part so that a bare stem runs over the ground. At the end of the season this horizontal part may have grown 5-7 m. The vertical part which bears the fruit and has the leaves always has the same length. However, because it is continuously moved sideways in steps of approximately 13-18 cm (de¬ pending on the hook) , this part will have been shifted a total of 5 m at the end of the season. Because a tomato plant is situated roughly every 35-55 cm (on average 45 cm) and the same operation has been carried out with each plant, the total picture in the greenhouse has not changed. A group of 12 plant stems is all that lies over the ground at the end of the season. In order to lower the plant in a known system a reel hangs on a transversely tensioned hanging element, for example a rod or a thread. Every week this reel is lifted from the rod or thread (at a height of 3 m) , several windings are paid out (the growth of the preceding week) and the reel is again hung on the rod or thread at a distance from the original fixing. This distance is equal to the growth of the plant minus the extra length that is needed to wind the thread round the tomato plant to ensure sufficient grip. In order to perform this opera¬ tion the reel with the plant must be displaced (5 to 6 kg) . This operation takes place high above the head and is thereby very strenuous. In the Dutch patent literature tomato reels are de- scribed in the applications numbered 8603039, 8702028, 8702174, 8702251, 8801636, 8902036 and 9001981. The invention has for its object to obviate the above- stated drawbacks by providing a device of the type de¬ scribed in the preamble, which is distinguished in that a detachable locking means is arranged for locking the running wheel relative to the support body. The use of a locking means between the running wheel and the support body enables movement of the thread along the hanging element without exerting much force by re- leasing the lock each time. Herein only the reel has to be shifted or rolled along the hanging element. According to a first embodiment of the invention the locking means consists of a gear wheel connected to the running wheel and a ratchet falling into the toothing, which ratchet is connected to the support and provided with a control lever. By rotating the control lever relative to the support body the ratchet can be taken out of the toothing of the gear wheel, whereby the running wheel can be shifted along the hanging element. In a preferred embodiment the running wheel is itself embodied as a gear wheel, the toothing of which runs along the underside of the horizontal element. According to a second embodiment of the invention the locking means consists of a drum connected to the running wheel, an inner part connected to the support and spread- able in the drum, an eccentric or the like coupled to a control lever for spreading and pressing the inner part against the inside of the drum. According to a preferred embodiment of this second locking option, the running wheel rolls along on top of the thread and the wheel periphery is provided with a V- shaped cross-section. A considerable grip is hereby obtained and no displacement will occur. In all the embodiments it is recommended to couple the free end of the control lever to a pulling element for release of the locking means, wherein the pulling element acts on the control lever in the same direction as the direction of movement of the support body along the horizontal element,. A displacement of the tomato reel along the thread is herewith obtained automatically and in simple manner, which stops automatically once sufficient thread has been unwound. The invention further relates to an assembly of more than one device according to the invention, wherein the levers of the devices on a horizontal element are con¬ nected to a common pulling element, so that all the devices are operated simultaneously. Operation can be embodied in accordance with an auto- matic control system. The invention finally relates to a rail-like horizon¬ tal element which can be manufactured starting from a flat strip which is formed into a profile. Above mentioned and other features of the invention will become apparent from the figure description herein- below of two embodiments. In the drawing: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, fig. 2 shows a side view of the device of fig. 1, fig. 3 shows a front view of the device of fig. 1, fig. 4 is a perspective view corresponding with fig. 1 of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, fig. 5 is a side view of the device of fig. 4, fig. 6 shows a front view of the device of fig. 4, fig. 7a to g show different stages in the making of a horizontal support element which is formed from a flat strip into a profile. The embodiment of the device according to the inven- tion shown in figures 1-3 comprises a support body 1, a reel 2 rotatably mounted thereon, in addition to a run¬ ning wheel 3 which is fixedly connected to reel 2 and provided along the periphery with a toothing 4. On the underside of support body 1 is arranged a lever 5 which can be displaced pivotally relative to support body 1 via a connecting piece 6. Arranged on the part of the lever adjacent the pivoting part 6 is a ratchet 7, the outer end of which falls into the toothing 4 of gear wheel 3. Around the reel 2 is wound a guiding thread, the free end of which extends downward along a protrusion 9 ar¬ ranged on lever 5. Arranged on the bottom end of lever 5 is an eye 10 against which a stop 11 on a control thread 12 can strike. The control thread 12 is guided through the eye 10. The horizontally running leg 13 of support body 1 is guided along a horizontal element 14 which is further elucidated below with reference to fig. 7. The horizontal element 14 is suspended by means of a suspending rod 15 on a support construction (not shown) . During operation of the tomato reel the horizontal leg 13 will shift in the direction of the arrow PI along the horizontal ele¬ ment 14, which is further elucidated below. Before the -shaped support body 1 can be displaced it must be unlocked. This locking is provided by a ratchet 7 which engages obliquely in the teeth 4 of running wheel 3. By exerting sideways pressure on the arm 5 which protrudes straight downward, the ratchet 7 is released via a spring-mounted lever action at the position of a pivot piece 6. The sliding is itself provided by the weight of the plant. This pulls via its hanging thread on the reel 2 which in turn is coupled to the drive wheel 3. This drive wheel engages with a toothing into the suspen¬ sion rail 14 and pushes off against this rail, whereby a sideways displacement is effected. This sideways dis¬ placement allows the drive wheel 3 to rotate, whereby reel 2 in turn rotates and the thread unwinds, whereby the plant comes to lie lower. Because the displacement PI of the reel takes place in the same direction, wherein pressure P2 is exerted on the locking lever, the locking lever will be moved clear of the hand pressing it (if the hand remains in the same position) , whereby the pressure decreases again and locking immediately takes place again. In this manner the sideways movement can be pre- cisely measured out so that the chance of the reel being completely unwound due to the weight of the tomato plant is zero, while only the spring force of the locking lever has to be overcome to displace the device. In principle it is possible to couple multiple devices with a control thread 12 to the locking lever and to move these simulta¬ neously. This can be carried out in groups or in a larger automated system. Because the diameter of reel 2 is greater than the diameter of drive wheel 3 slightly more thread will be released than is actually required to compensate for the distance over which the plant is shifted sideways. This extra quantity is utilized to wind the thread round the plant, whereby it remains suspended. Uneven growth causes a difference in the unwinding requirement between the various reels. If this difference has become too great, reel 6 can be rotated relative to drive wheel 3 by relieving the hanging thread. In the connection between reel 2 and wheel 3 a direction-sensi¬ tive coupling can be placed for this purpose with a clearance which is blocked when a force is exerted on the coupling which corresponds with the force exerted by the weight of the plant. The embodiment shown in figures 4, 5 and 6 is provided with the same reference numerals for the same components as those in figure 1. The support body 1 supports a reel 2 which is rotatable relative thereto and to which a running wheel 3 is fixedly connected. The running wheel has a V-shaped cross-section on the periphery, which running wheel rolls along the upper side of the horizon- tal element 14, here in the form of a thread. This thread 14 is held horizontally at a height above the ground by means of a hanging element 19 which makes it possible for the running wheel 3 to run therealong. The support body 1 is extended downward with a leg 21 on the underside of which are arranged two cam-like elements 9, 9' , through which the hanging thread 8 is guided. As described above, the thread 8 is wound onto the reel 2 and can unwind therefrom during the displace¬ ment in the direction of the arrow PI so that a locking between reel 2 and support body 1 is released. The locking in this embodiment consists of a spreading element 22, the outer periphery 23 of which can clamp fixedly against the inner periphery of reel 2 as a result of an eccentric 24 which is rotatable on a pin 25. The eccentric is controlled by a control lever 5 which is provided on the underside with an eye 10, through which is guided a pull thread 12 which is provided on both sides of the eye 10 with a stop 11. It is noted that the thread 8 rests against a protrusion 26 of lever 5. Finally, the support body 1 is here also provided with a horizontal leg 13 which supports by means of a sliding piece 27 on the horizontal thread-like element 14. The action of this embodiment is practically the same as that of the embodiment according to fig. 1. By pulling on pull thread 12 in the direction of the arrow P2 the control lever 5 will be moved to the right in fig. 5, whereby the eccentric is rotated round pin 25 so that the spreading element 22 is released from the inner wall of reel 2. Due to the pulling force on thread 8 the reel will be moved to the right over the thread 14 in the direction of arrow PI whereby thread is released for the further growth of the plant. The displacement to the right of support body 1 will however also ensure that lever 5 comes to lie in the original position drawn in fig. 5, whereby the eccentric is rotated and the spread¬ ing body again fixedly clamps the reel 2. This process is enhanced by the tension of the thread 8 which presses against the protrusion 26 and resets the lever 5. It is further noted that the periphery of the running wheel is here also smaller than that of the reel, whereby more thread is released necessary for winding round the plant. The rail 14 along which the hook, to which the reel is fixed, slides can have various forms. A condition is that there is a clearance on the upper part relative to the fixing threads 15 between the rail and the roof of the greenhouse. Another condition is that sufficient resis¬ tance is possible between the point of engagement of the drive wheel of the reel and the rail. As the occasion arises, this may mean that the structure must be rough¬ ened or provided with a roughened layer. The proposed rail consists of a metal profile which can be rolled from a flat strip in six stages (fig. 7a- f) . If this offers advantages, the rail could be fabri- cated in situ in the greenhouse, so that the material is transported as a flat strip supplied in a roll. Fabricat¬ ing of the strip in situ saves handling costs and the number of welds can remain limited. The strip has dimen¬ sions such that the shade effect thereof does not differ much from a conventional thread or rod (fig. 7g) . Advantages of the device according to the invention: The drive wheel 3 simultaneously functions for trans¬ port (pushing off against the rail) and for securing the ratchet 2 which engages in the drive wheel. After uncoupling of ratchet 2, unwinding and displace¬ ment takes place through the weight of the plant. The larger diameter of the reel relative to the drive wheel. The direction in which the unlocking mechanism is actuated is the same direction as the direction of move¬ ment of the reel. The option of coupling multiple reels 7 by one control element. The possibility of removing the reels while the hook remains suspended. The form of the rail with a guiding above and a fric¬ tion below and the clearance created relative to the suspension. The rail can also be corrugated in the verti¬ cal part (body plate) to simplify the arrangement of bends. The simple method of producing the rail and the possi¬ bility of doing this in situ. The possibility of giving the rail a strongly light- reflecting form so that the sunlight remains in the greenhouse, which enhances the growth of the plants. The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device for hanging a plant such as a tomato plant, by means of a guiding thread, on an element running horizontally at a certain height above the ground, which device substantially comprises a support body, a reel for a supply of the guiding thread rotatably mounted in the support body and a running wheel which is coupled to the reel and mounted rotatably in the support body and which is in contact with the horizontal element, characterized in that a releasable locking means is arranged for lock- ing the running wheel relative to the support body. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the locking means consists of a gear wheel connected to the running wheel and a ratchet falling into the tooth¬ ing, which ratchet is connected to the support and pro- vided with a control lever. 3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the control lever is pivotally connected to the support. 4. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the running wheel is itself embodied as gear wheel, the toothing of which runs along the underside of the hori¬ zontal element. 5. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that in the path of contact with the running wheel the hori¬ zontal element is roughened or provided with a roughened layer. 6. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the locking means consists of a drum connected to the running wheel, an inner part connected to the support and spreadable in the drum, an eccentric or the like coupled to a control lever for spreading and pressing the inner part against the inside of the drum. 7. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the control lever is provided with a protrusion along which the guiding thread is transported such that the control lever is loaded in the direction of movement for spreading the inner part. 8. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the horizon¬ tal element has a thread form, characterized in that the running wheel rolls on top of the thread and the wheel periphery is provided with a V-shaped cross-section. 9 Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the free end of the control lever is coupled to a pulling element for releasing the locking means, wherein the pulling element acts on the control lever in the same direction as the direction of movement of the support body along the horizontal element. 10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the support body is provided with one or more members supporting against the horizontal element to stabilize the support body. 11. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the reel for the guiding thread is formed by a spool detachable from the running wheel. 12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the diameter of the running wheel is smaller than the diameter of the reel. 13. Assembly of more than one device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the pull¬ ing element is coupled to more than one lever in order to operate more than one device simultaneously. 14. Assembly as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that an automatic control system is arranged for actuat¬ ing the pulling element. 15. Device as claimed in claim 12 or 14, characterized in that the pulling element consists of a thread or a rod. 16. Rail-like horizontal element suitable for one or more devices according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the rail consists of a profile formed from a flat strip. 17. Element as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the rail is formed in situ in a number of rolling steps, for example six. 18. Element as claimed in claims 16-17, characterized in that the rail is embodied in a strongly light-reflect- ing material. 19. Element as claimed in claims 16-18, characterized in that the rail has a corrugated part in order to sim¬ plify the arranging of bends.

Inventors: GARDNER FRED ERNEST, GARDNER, FRED, ERNEST
Applicants: GARDNER FRED ERNEST, TEAMWORK TECHNIEK B V, GARDNER, FRED, ERNEST, TEAMWORK TECHNIEK B.V.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A01G9
IPC codes: A01G9