SHEET FASTENING AND ANCHORING COMPONENT

Abstract: The invention provides a fastening component (10) for use in anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film (2) to a support (4), including one or more prongs (12, 13) arranged to engage the sheeting, textile or film (2) to connect the component (10) to the sheeting, textile or film (2) and attachment means (14) enabling a length of resiliently extensible and/or inextensible material (20) to be attached to the component (10) to the support (4). The fastening component (10) may be used in combination with a length of resiliently extensible material and/or inextensible material (20), arranged to be releasably fastened at the other end to the support (4).

Description: SHEET FASTENING AND ANCHORING COMPONENT FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a fastening component, particularly but not solely designed for use in anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support, and a method of anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support. BACKGROUND TO INVENTION It is known in the art to use a ground cover material in association with agricultural crops. Traditionally, these materials have been attached or fastened to the ground by placement of weights on top of the material, such as soil along the edge of the material, soil in discrete piles, stones or rocks, lengths of wood or timber, bags filled with sand or soil and/ or plastic containers filled with water. Other forms of fasteners penetrate the material and extend into the soil below, such as U-shaped wire staples, plastic pins and wire nails or pins. Weights placed on top of the cover have the disadvantage that they are cumbersome and/ or time consuming to apply. The weights are traditionally bulky objects extending above the cover and so restrict traffic over the cover. Where the cover is designed to reflect light, placement of opaque weights on the cover may reduce the effectiveness of the material. Where a staple, pin or nail is used, there is a potential that the material will be damaged or weakened. When traffic, such as tractors, move over the material, the load of the traffic is borne around the fastener and the area where the fastener penetrates the cover can rip or tear, such that the fastener no longer holds the cover. If the cover around the fastener does not rip, then the force of the traffic is borne by the fastener fully, so that it can be directly or progressively dislodged from the soil and therefore no longer acts as an effective fastener. The same difficulties may be experienced where the material is used in areas of high wind. The force of the wind tends to lift the cover from the ground surface. Where weights are placed on top of the cover, the force of the wind can lift the cover out from under the weights. Alternatively, where a fastener that penetrates the material is used, the cover can rip or tear where the fastener penetrates the material and the fastener may be also directly or progressively dislodged from the soil. SUMMARY OF INVENTION In broad terms the invention comprises a fastening component for use in anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support including one or more prongs arranged to engage the sheeting, textile or film to connect the component to the sheeting, textile or film and attachment means enabling a length of resiliently extensible and/or inextensible material to be attached to the component to fix the component to the support. In another form the invention comprises the above fastening component in combination with a length of resiliently extensible material and/ or inextensible material, arranged to be releasably fastened at one end to the attachment means and releasably fastened at the other end to the support. In broad terms in another form, the invention comprises a method of anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support including the steps of connecting the above fastening component to the sheeting, textile or film by piercing the prong(s) of the component through the sheeting, textile or film, and connecting a length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material between the fastening component and the support. In another form, in broad terms, the invention comprises a method of anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support including the steps of connecting the above fastening component to the sheeting, textile or film by engaging the prong(s) of the component in one or more apertures in or associated with the sheeting, textile or film, and connecting a length of resiliently extensible and/or inextensible material between the fastening component and the support. In yet another form in broad terms the invention comprises agricultural sheeting, textile or film anchored to a support or supports by the above method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the fastening component and method will now be described by way of example and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the invention in use; Figure 2 shows a preferred form fastening component and preferred form attachment cord; Figures 3A to 3E show preferred form fastening components; Figures 4A to 4D show preferred form attachment cords and methods; and Figures 5A to 5C show preferred form apertures, eyelets and domes with apertures for the prong or prongs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS Figure 1 illustrates one preferred use of the invention. Agricultural sheeting, textile or film 2 is shown anchored underneath agricultural crops 4. The preferred agricultural sheeting, textile or film is formed of a suitable non-woven, woven or knitted textile or film or sheeting material, particularly suitable for ground cover, and may have reflective properties. It will be appreciated that the sheeting, textile or film could be anchored along a crop row and the fasteners could be positioned around the base of each trunk or vine as a support. The fastening component, with a length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material, that is fastened to the sheeting, textile or film, could be attached to the support or supports, for example between 10 mm and 500 mm and preferably between 100 mm and 200 mm, above the ground surface. Alternatively the fastening component, with a length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material, that is fastened to the sheeting, textile or film, could be attached to the support or supports at the ground surface or could be suspended above the crops if the sheeting, textile or film needs to above the crop to impart its benefits such as to provide shade, light transmission properties, wind cover or protection from pests. The preferred form fastening component of the invention is arranged to anchor the agricultural sheeting, textile or film 2 to a suitable support. The support could comprise a branch or trunk of a tree 4 or vine crop. Alternatively, the support could comprise a suitable stake, peg, post or pole or a wire tensioned along a crop row. A preferred form fastening component 10 is shown in Figure 2. The fastening component 10 includes two prongs 12 and 13, which are arranged to pierce the sheeting, textile or film 2. Where the material 2 is formed from a suitable non- woven, woven or knitted textile material, the prongs 12 and 13 can be simply forced through the material. Where the material is formed from a weaker material like a film, it is envisaged that the material could be provided with a length of reinforced material around the perimeter through which the prongs are forced. Alternatively, the sheeting, textile or film material 2 could be provided with reinforced apertures, eyelets, domes or similar through which prongs 12 and 13 may be engaged, as will be described below. One preferred form fastening component 10 is formed from a length of wire and the ends of the wire are shaped to form prongs 12 and 13. Where the fastening component is formed from a length of wire, it will be appreciated that successive lengths of wire could be cut at an angle to provide the prongs with sharp points to assist in piercing the sheeting, textile or film 2. As shown in Figure 2, the length of wire is preferably bent intermediate of its length to form two arms, each arm terminating in one of prongs 12 and 13. As shown in Figure 2 each of the arms is preferably bent back on itself at greater than a right angle to form the prongs, thereby reducing accidental disengagement of the prongs from the textile 2. The wire is preferably bent so that each arm is of substantially equal length. The shape of the arms and prongs are designed to anchor the agricultural sheeting, textile or film securely and yet be fastened to and unfastened from the sheeting, textile or film easily. The distance between the prong tips as indicated at 15A is preferably less than the distance between each arm /prong junction as indicated at 15B. This arrangement has the effect of tensioning the prongs together with the sheeting, textile or film when the prongs are inserted into the material thereby further reducing the opportunity for accidental disengagement. Alternatively, the distance between the prong tips as indicated at 15A could be equal to or greater than the distance between each arm /prong junction as indicated at 15B. Where the distance is greater, it has the effect of tensioning the prongs together with the sheeting, textile or film when the prongs are inserted into the material as for 15A. The fastening component 10 is also provided with attachment means enabling a length of material to be attached to the component 10 to fix the component to a support. One form of attachment means is shown as an eye 14. Each of the arms of the fastening component is preferably cranked away from the other and then towards the other arm part way along the length of each arm as shown to form the attachment eye 14. A preferred form extensible or inextensible material 20 is arranged to be releasably fastened at one end to the eye 14 of the fastening component 10 and releasably fastened at the other end to support 4. The preferred form material 20 comprises a length of resiliently extensible material in the shape of a cord formed of rubber or a synthetic elastic material. The preferred cord is provided with loops 22 and 24 at each end of the cord. Loops are preferably formed by doubling a length of cord 20 back on itself to form a loop and securing the loop with a suitable length of wire or plastic 26. The arms of the fastening component 10 are preferably tensioned towards each other to close the eye 14. Loop 22 of cord 20 in use is passed over one of prongs 12 or 13 and pulled between the arms through point 16 and into the eye 14. As the arms are tensioned toward each other at point 16, the loop 22 is retained within eye 14. The preferred eye 14 is substantially quadrilateral in shape so that loop 22 is retained in the eye 14 at point 30, thereby reducing lateral movement of the loop 22 with respect to the fastening component 10. As shown in Figure 2, loop 24 could be secured to support 4 with a staple 32 or other suitable fastener for example a nail or spike or by a length of twine tried around the support. Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E illustrate further preferred forms of fastening component. As shown in Figure 3 A, the attachment means 14A could be substantially triangular in shape and the arms of the fastening component 10A could be spaced apart so as not to close the attachment means 14A. As shown in Figure 3B, the fastening component 10B could be formed from two arms which are not cranked away from each other and towards each other along the length of each arm. The attachment means 14B is simply formed as a straight section between each of the arms. Figure 3C illustrates a further preferred form fastening component IOC in which springs 40 or other resiliently extensible material are positioned between the prongs 12C and 13C and the attachment means 14C. As shown in Figure 3D, the attachment means could comprise a hook 14D or loop to which the cord is attached. Figure 3E shows another preferred form fastening component 10E which includes a single prong 12 A. The prong is preferably formed by bending the arm back on itself at greater than a right angle. The fastening component 10E is also provided with attachment means such as an attachment eye 14E enabling a length of material to be attached to the component. As shown, the attachment eye 14E could be formed by doubling a length of the wire back on itself to form a loop, with the end of the wire tensioned towards the wire at a point intermediate the length of the wire. The cord or similar is able to be pulled down the shaft of the fastening component 10E into the attachment eye 14E. The tension between the shaft and the loop restricts the cord from leaving the eye. The attachment eye 14E could be substantially triangular in shape as shown in Figure 3E. It will be appreciated that the shape of the eye could be varied, for example to a circular or ellipsoid shape. It will be appreciated that the fastening component could be formed from a single length of inextensible wire or could alternatively be formed from a combination of extensible and inextensible wire materials. The fastening component could also be formed entirely or at least partly of plastic and/ or plastic strengthening materials. The plastic or similar synthetic type materials could be formed partly or completely from extensible or inextensible materials or a combination of the above materials. Figures 4A to 4D illustrate preferred forms of cord and methods of attachment to the fastening component. It will be appreciated that cord 20 could be provided with a suitable loop, hook or clip at one or both ends. Figure 4A illustrates the cord 20 of Figure 2 fastened to the fastening component 10, having passed the loop 20 between the arms of the fastening component. As shown in Figure 4B, the cord 20 could alternatively be threaded through the eye of the fastening component 10 and then pulled tight as shown. Referring to Figure 4C, the cord 20 could alternatively terminate in a hook 50 formed from a suitable plastics material. As shown in Figure 4C, the hook 50 could be formed as a clip having a suitable closure or retainer 52. Figure 4D illustrates a further preferred form cord 20D formed of rubber, terminating in a reinforced rubber ring 60, which is threaded onto the fastening component 10. Figures 5A to 5C illustrate preferred forms of apertures, eyelets, domes or similar means to prevent or at least restrict the prong or prongs from ripping the agriculture sheeting, textile or film. Figure 5A shows eyelets formed in the sheeting, textile or film 2 and fastening component 10 of Figure 2 located in the eyelets. The eyelet(s) could alternatively be formed as a reinforced section of material secured to the sheeting, textile or film which is pierced by the prongs of the component. Figure 5C shows the component 10E of Figure 3E piercing a dome or clip type fastener. Figure 5C shows the prong of Figure 3E fitting through a loop on the dome or clip type fastener. Figure 5D is a dome or clip type fastener where the prongs are placed through a loop associated with but external to the sheeting, textile or film 2. The cord could be formed entirely of an extensible or inextensible material, or could be formed of an extensible material along part of its length and an inextensible material along part of its length. For example, the extensible cord could be attached to a suitable inextensible plastic strapping or twine for part of its length. The plastic strapping and twine is generally less expensive than the extensible materials, therefore reducing production costs. The plastic strap or twine may also be arranged to have variable length to act as an adjustment system to vary the tension on the cord, depending on the requirements of the system. In use, the cord 20 is secured to support 4, for example by driving a staple 32, spike or nail into the support 4. The other end of the cord is attached to the fastening component 10 and the cord 20 is stretched by pulling the fastening component 10 away from the support 4 and connecting the fastening component 10 to the sheeting, textile or film 2 while the cord 20 is stretched to place the sheeting, textile or film 2 under tension. Where it is desired to anchor a length of sheeting, textile or film, it is envisaged that the above step could be repeated to connect successive fastening components 10 and cords 20 along the textile or film 2 to anchor the textile or film 2 to one or more supports 4. The preferred fastening component is arranged so that the component is easily and quickly engageable and disengageable with material 2, the cord 20 is easily and quickly engageable and disengageable with the component, and the cord is easily and quickly engageable and disengageable with support 4. When the material 2 is used as ground cover, this allows the material 2 to be removed from the component 10 and/ or cord along one side of a row of crops or trees and folded back in the other row, then later unfolded and reattached, or unattached along both sides of the material 2 and removed from the field. Such easy and quick reattachment is desirable during installation of the material in the spring and removal of the material 2 in the autumn. Easy and quick reattachment is also desirable for time critical activities such as during spring frosts to fold back the material to allow ground heat being held by the material 2 to be more easily released to reduce frost damage and for crops with multiply harvest picks where it is desirable to have the material in place between picks and where it is desirable to fold back the material at each harvest pick. Once the material 2 is fastened in accordance with the invention, for example, as ground cover, a tractor or similar traffic may be driven over the material 2. The pulling force of the wheels of the traffic pulls on the cover and this force is transferred to the cord, causing the cord to stretch. As the tractor or traffic moves down the row past the tensioned cord, the pulling force is removed and the cord returns to its resting position. In areas of high wind, the force of the wind tends to lift the material 2 away from the ground. This lifting or pulling force is partly absorbed by the tensioned cord, which acts similarly to a shock absorber. The material 2 lifts on one side due to the wind, and under pressure from the wind and rubber cord or band, the other side of the material then lifts to release the pressure. The material 2 develops a pulsing or wave action along the surface in response to the wind. This pulsing force, which absorbs some of the wind's force, rather than being borne fully on the material and fasteners, gives a more effective and efficient fastening system. In addition, the pulsing or wave action acts as a force to clean soil, leaves or fruit from the surface of the material 2. It will be appreciated that the material may be used as ground cover, but may also be used as greenhouse or other crop covers, shade cloth, windbreak, bird netting or other uses. The fastening component may be used to fasten this material regardless of the us which is made of the material. The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fastening component for use in anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support, including one or more prongs arranged to engage the sheeting, textile or film to connect the component to the sheeting, textile or film and attachment means enabling a length of resiliently extensible and/or inextensible material to be attached to the component to fix the component to the support. 2. A fastening component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more prongs are arranged to pierce the sheeting, textile or film. 3. A fastening component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more prongs are arranged to engage one or more apertures in or associated with the sheeting, textile or film. 4. A fastening component as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment means comprises an eye to which a hook or loop on one end of said length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material may be attached. 5. A fastening component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the component includes two prongs and is formed from a length of wire or plastic the ends of which form the prongs of the component. 6. A fastening component as claimed in claim 5 wherein the length of wire or plastic is bent intermediate of its length to form two arms each of which extends to form one side of said attachment eye and then one of said prongs and wherein each of the arms is cranked away from and then towards the other arm partway along the length of each arm to form said attachment eye. 7. A fastening component as claimed in claim 6 wherein the arms are tensioned towards each other to close said eye but such that a loop on the end of said length of extensible and/ or inextensible material which is used to fix the component to the support may be passed over one of the prongs and between the tensioned arms and into the eye to be attached to the component. 8. A fastening component as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein at their ends each of the arms is bent back on itself at greater than a right angle to form said prongs. 9. A fastening component as claimed in claim 8 wherein the distance between the prong tips is less than the distance between each arm/prong junction. 10. A fastening component as claimed in claim 8 wherein the distance between the prong tips is equal to or greater than the distance between each arm /prong junction. 1 1. A fastening component as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein each of the arms is of the same length. 12. A fastening component as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 1 1 wherein the eye is substantially quadrilateral in shape. 13. A fastening component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the component includes one prong and is formed from a length of wire or plastic the ends of which form the prong and the attachment eye respectively. 14. A fastening component as claimed in claim 13 wherein the length of wire or plastic is bent intermediate of its length to form one arm which extends to form part of said attachment eye and then the prong at one end and wherein the wire or plastic at the other end is cranked away from the arm and then towards the arm partway along the length of the arm to form the remaining part of the attachment eye. 15. A fastening component as claimed in claim 14 wherein the lengths of the wire or plastic forming the attachment eye are tensioned towards each other to close said eye but such that a loop on the end of said length of extensible and/ or inextensible material which is used to fix the component to the support may be passed over one end of the wire or plastic and into the eye to be attached to the component. 16. A fastening component as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the end of the arm is bent back on itself at greater than a right angle to form said prong. 17. A fastening component as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the eye is substantially triangular in shape. 18. A fastening component as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a length of resiliently extensible material and/ or inextensible material, arranged to be releasably fastened at one end to the attachment means and releasably fastened at the other end to the support. 19. A fastening component as claimed in claim 18 wherein the length of resiliently extensible material is provided with a loop at one or both ends. 20. A fastening component as claimed in claim 18 wherein the length of resiliently extensible material is provided with a hook or clip at one or both ends. 21. A fastening component as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the length of resiliently extensible material is cord formed of rubber or a synthetic elastic material. 22. A method of anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support including the steps of connecting a fastening component as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 to the sheeting, textile or film by piercing the prong(s) of the component through the sheeting, textile or film, and connecting a length of resiliently extensible and/or inextensible material between the fastening component and the support. 23. A method of anchoring agricultural sheeting, textile or film to a support including the steps of connecting a fastening component as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 to the sheeting, textile or film by engaging the prong(s) of the component in one or more apertures in or associated with the sheeting, textile or film, and connecting a length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material between the fastening component and the support. 24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the length of material is resiliently extensible and the method includes attaching the length of material at one end to said support, and at its other end to said fastening component, stretching the length of material by pulling the fastening component away from the support and connecting the fastening component to the sheeting, textile or film while the resilient means is stretched thereby placing the sheeting, textile or film under tension. 25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 including repeating said steps to connect a fastening component and a length of material between the sheeting, textile or film and a support or supports. 26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the fastening component and its length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material, that is fastened to the sheeting, textile or film is fastened to the support or supports between 10 mm and 500 mm above the ground. 27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the fastening component and its length of resiliently extensible and/ or inextensible material, that is fastened to the sheeting, textile or film is fastened to the support or supports between 100 mm and 200 mm above the ground. 28. Agricultural sheeting, textile or film anchored to a support or supports by the method of any one of claims 22 to 27.

Inventors: TOYE JONATHAN DALLAS, TOYE, JONATHAN, DALLAS
Applicants: TOYE JONATHAN DALLAS, TOYE, JONATHAN, DALLAS
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01G13
IPC codes: A01G13