Abstract:
A method and apparatus for covering vegetation in a cold or windy environment such that the vegetation is protected from frost. The cover includes a sheet of material that has a parameter edge. The parameter edge is folded to form piping and a weight is positioned within the piping to restrain the movement of the cover when the cover is in position over the vegetation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/401,085 filed Aug. 5, 2002 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a cover or blanket for agricultural use. More particularly, the invention concerns a blanket or cover having weights integrated therein for use in overlying or covering fauna from the harmful effects of frost.  
           [0004]    2. Reference to Related Art  
           [0005]    It is known in the art that plants (such as roses) must be covered during cold periods to be protected from the harmful effect of frost. A typical covering will take the form of a blanket or sheet of plastic that is thrown or placed over the plant(s). However, during windy conditions, such simple covers are oftentimes merely blown off the plants(s), thereby exposing the plant(s) to the elements. Therefore, it is often necessary to secure the cover in order to maintain the blanket or cover in position over the plant(s). This usually requires the user to places boards, rocks or other (unsightly and often ineffective) heavy objects on top of the cover.  
           [0006]    Blankets and covers having weights integrated around the parameter thereof are known from, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,855, which discloses a weighted bale blanket, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,618, which discloses a weighted towel. However, the prior art does not teach or suggest a weighted blanket or cover for use in connection with agriculture.  
           [0007]    By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,661 discloses an agricultural covering multi-layer film or sheet structure. The covering includes a film or sheet of thermoplastic resin and a layer of thermoplastic resin that is laminated to at least one surface of the film or sheet. However, this agricultural covering does not include weights for securing the covering in position of the plant(s).  
           [0008]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,285 discusses a non-woven sheet for agricultural use that is made of a hydrophobic fabric material that is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. However, this covering too does not include an integrated weight system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention concerns a cover for placement of vegetation in cold or windy weather such that the vegetation is protected from frost. The cover includes a sheet of material that has a parameter edge. The parameter edge is folded to form a piping. A weight is positioned within the piping to restrain the movement of the cover when the cover is in position over the vegetation. The cover may be used in connection with a range of vegetation, including residential landscaping plants, commercial landscaping plants, rural crops, residential crops and commercial crops. The sheet for the cover may be constructed of a textile or a synthetic material (e.g., a polymer). If a synthetic material is used, it should include numerous micro-perforations to allow the cover to “breath”.  
           [0010]    The sheet may be colored any color or shade and may be colored or coated such that it absorbs or deflects heat. The piping around the edge of the sheet may be continuous about the parameter or staggered. The piping may also be constructed such that it extends into the interior areas of the sheet.  
           [0011]    The weight used with the cover can be a flexible weight (e.g., sand, beads or a fluid) or a rod, disc or magnet. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the attached figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a frost blanket constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown in position over vegetation;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective, cutaway view of a frost blanket constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a planar, cutaway view of a frost blanket constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment shown in the shape of a circle; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective, cutaway view of a frost blanket constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is show a preferred embodiment of a frost blanket  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention overlying an area of earth  1  (i.e. a flower bed) having vegetation  2  (see FIG.  1 ) grown/growing thereon. The frost blanket  10  includes a sheet of material  12  having folded edge portions  14  that form piping  16 . A weight(s)  18  is positioned within the piping  16  and assist in holding the frost blanket  10  in position over the vegetation  2 . Notably, while the frost blanket  10  is shown in position over “residential” style landscaping plants (i.e., shrubs, flowering plants, fruit trees, ornamental plants, etc.), it will be appreciated that the frost blanket  10  of the present invention has a wide range of uses, including use in connection with the protection of rural (i.e., farmland), residential and commercial (i.e., experimental) crops, commercial landscaping or the like.  
         [0018]    The sheet of material  12  is preferably a textile material. As such, the sheet  12  may be constructed from cotton, wool or any other available fabric or fabric blends (include synthetic fabrics). Alternatively, the sheet  12  may be constructed of a polymeric material (e.g., plastic). Such polymeric materials will preferably have a plurality of micro-perforation that permits the material to “breath” in a manner similar to a natural (or suitable synthetic) textile.  
         [0019]    The sheet  12  may be colored any color or combination of colors according to the needs of the user. For example, the sheet  10  may also be colored or coated (using means know in the art) such that it either absorbs (black) or deflects (white) heat. Additionally, the sheet  12  may be colored earth tones (or the like) such that the sheet  12  would blend in with the surrounding terrain or architecture.  
         [0020]    The ends or edge portions  14  of the sheet are folded over and sewn together to form a piping  16  that extends around the parameter  19  of the sheet  12 . Alternatively, the piping  16  may be staggered (see FIG. 2) such that it extends only around portions of the edge  14  of the sheet  12  (e.g., the piping  16  may intermittently (or irregularly) arrayed along the parameter  19  of the sheet  12 .  
         [0021]    The weight(s)  18  is positioned within the piping  16 . Preferably, the weight(s)  18  is a flexible weight such as sand, metal beads or a fluid (i.e., water) that is encapsulated by the piping  16 . If a fluid is used as the weight  18 , the fluid may, for example, be stored within bags (or the like) that are dimensioned to fit within the piping  16 . Additionally, metal rods, discs or even metal magnets may be used as the weight  18 . The weight  18  should be heavy enough to hold the blanket  10  in position over the designated vegetation (see FIG. 1) during windy environment conditions, but light also enough that the blanket  10  does not compress, crush or brake the vegetation it is intended to protect.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 3, the blanket  10  is constructed from a sheet  12  that has a generally circular pattern having piping  16  and a weight(s)  18  along the parameter  19 . Accordingly, it is understood that the blanket  10  may be constructed in a variety of shapes (i.e., square, rectangle, circle, oval, star, trapezoid, parallelogram, etc.) or sizes (i.e., 10′×10′, 10′×100, 25′×150′).  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the frost blanket  100  of the present invention wherein the piping  16  is positioned or extends into the interior area  20  of the sheet  12 . A weight(s)  18  is positioned within the piping  16  as a means of securing the sheet  12  over the vegetation (not shown).  
         [0024]    Having thus described my invention, various modifications and improvements will become apparent to those having skill the art that do not depart from the spirit of the invention.