Abstract:
A telescoping pole for supporting growing plants comprises two or more elongate pole members, one of which has a pointed stake section at one end to facilitate insertion into the ground. The pole includes means for locking the elongate pole members in a number of different telescoped positions, whereby to allow for adjustment of the effective length of the pole according to the height of the plant that it supports. The telescoping members are made of a polymer material, with at least one of the telescoping members comprising two injection-molded component parts that are mechanically attached to one another.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/994,607, filed Sep. 20, 2007 by Loretta E. Lisciotti. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting plants, e.g., tomato plants, shrubs, trees, etc., so as to facilitate their growth. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Heretofore efforts have been expended to provide support structures for growing plants in order to promote their growth and to prevent damage caused by the breakage of portions of the plant. For example, the total weight of tomatoes on a tomato plant may prevent the stalk from growing straight and upright, ultimately resulting in damage and loss of product. A common approach has been to tie growing plants to support poles in the form of a simple wooden stick. However, that form of support pole has a fixed length, which may be insufficient to support the plant as it grows to its maximum height. On the other hand, particularly in the case of ornamental plants located indoors, using a long support pole for a relatively short and slow-growing plant does not provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A primary object of the invention is to provide telescoping poles for use in supporting growing plants that may be stored in a neat and compact manner. 
         [0005]    Another object of the invention is to provide a plant support pole which may be used indoors as well as outdoors. 
         [0006]    A further object of the invention is to provide a pole for the purpose described that comprises two or more telescoping members made of a polymer plastic material. 
         [0007]    Still another object is to provide a plant support pole comprising two or more injection-molded telescoping members. 
         [0008]    A more specific object is to provide a telescoping plant support pole that can be locked in various extended positions. 
         [0009]    Another object is to provide a pole for the purpose described that has means for accommodating flexible means for tying the pole to a growing plant. 
         [0010]    To accomplish these objects, the present invention is directed to a novel telescoping pole structure comprising two or more elongate pole members, with one of those members being provided with a pointed stake section at one end to facilitate insertion into the ground. The pole includes means for locking the elongate pole members in a number of different telescoped positions, whereby to allow for adjustment of the effective length of the pole according to the height of the plant that it supports. The telescoping members are made of a polymer material, with at least one of the telescoping members comprising two injection-molded component parts that are mechanically attached to one another. Other features and advantages of the invention are described in or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view in elevation of a telescoping plant support pole comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the pole consisting of three elongate members and with the pole shown in fully collapsed (i.e., retracted) position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a view of the same pole in fully collapsed (retracted) position taken at a right angle to the viewing position of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but showing the pole in fully extended position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but showing the pole in fully extended position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first of two component parts of the outermost (bottom) elongate pole members; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the second of the two component parts of the outermost (bottom) elongate pole member; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary exploded view of the two component parts of the outermost (bottom) elongate pole member; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view in elevation of the first of the two component parts of the outermost (bottom) elongate pole member; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is an enlargement of the upper end of the first component as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view in elevation of the second component part of the outermost (bottom) elongate pole member; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the first component part of the innermost (bottom) elongate pole member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the second component part of the innermost (bottom) elongate pole member; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a side view in elevation of the first component part of the intermediate (middle) elongate pole member; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a side view in elevation of the second component part of the intermediate (middle) elongate pole member; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a fragmentary exploded view of the two component parts of the intermediate (middle) pole member; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is perspective view of the innermost (top) pole member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a side view in elevation of the innermost (top) telescoping member of the pole; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken a long line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the innermost pole member; 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the telescoping plant support pole; 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 25 . 
       
    
    
       [0039]    Like numerals are used in the several figures to identify like parts. In a number of the lines, portions of the pole member have been broken away because of space limitations. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the preferred embodiment of the pole-supporting pole of the invention consists of three elongate members  2 ,  4 , and  6  disposed in telescoping relation with one another, with the member  2  being the outermost member, the member  6  being the innermost member, and the member  4  being an intermediate member that slidably extends within member  2  and surrounds and is in sliding relation with member  6  (from the perspective of using to support a growing plant, the members  2  and  6  may be viewed as being the bottom and top pole members respectively). Elongate pole member  2  is formed in two component halves or parts  10  and  12  ( FIGS. 5-11 ), elongate intermediate member  4  is formed in two halves or parts  14  and  16  ( FIGS. 12-19 ), and elongate member  6  is a solid one-piece part ( FIGS. 20-24 ). All of the parts  6 ,  10 ,  12 ,  14 , and  16  are molded of a polymer material. By way of example but not limitation, they may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or some other suitable moldable material capable of providing a suitable combination of resiliency and adequate strength against breaking. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9 , component part  10  comprises an elongate shaft section  20  and an elongate stake section  22 . Shaft section  20  has a generally U-shaped configuration in cross-section. As seen best in  FIGS. 7-9 , shaft section  20  comprises a flat base wall  26  and stepped side walls  28  that terminate in outwardly-projecting flanges  30 . The latter are interrupted at several spaced locations with L-shaped locking tabs  32  that project outwardly away from flanges  30 , as shown best in  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  9 . The junction of shaft section  20  with stake section  22  is demarcated by a relatively large radially projecting flange  34  that extends through an angle of 180° and is terminated by straight edge  36 . The edge  36  is interrupted by a co-planar and projecting key section  38 . 
         [0042]    As seen best in  FIGS. 5 ,  8 ,  25  and  26 , the flat base wall  26  of component part  10  is formed with a U-shaped slot  40  that borders a relatively large locking tab  42  on three sides. Tab  42  is essentially tongue-like, having one end formed integral with base wall  26  and its other end free and characterized by a lock projection  44  and a lip  46 . Tab  42  is formed so that at its free end it projects outwardly of base wall  26  but with its lock projection  44  extending inwardly of the inner surface of base wall  26 . The inner end surface of lock projection  44  is inclined as shown in  FIG. 26  to facilitate a locking interaction with the intermediate pole member  4  as described hereinafter. Shaft section  20  also is formed with a plurality of mutually spaced notches  48  in its two flanges  30 . 
         [0043]    The stake section  22  of component part  10  comprises four like blade-shaped fins  50 , with each fin extending at an angle of 90° to each adjacent fin. The fins are tapered longitudinally as shown, having expanded tapered sections at their top ends and terminating at their bottom ends in a narrow more tapered tip  52 . The upper end of one of the fins projects laterally of flange  34  as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  10  and  11 , the second component part  12  of the outermost pole member  2  comprises a shaft section that is generally U-shaped in cross-section and is characterized by a flat base wall  58  and stepped side walls  60  that terminate in outwardly-projecting flanges  62 . The stepped side walls  60  and flanges  62  are formed with a series of spaced openings  64  that are sized to receive the L-shaped locking tabs  32  of component part  10 . The bottom end of component part  12  also is formed with a relatively large radially projecting flange  66  that extends through an angle of 180° and is terminated by a straight edge  68 . The bottom end of component part  12  also is formed with a pair of tabs  69  ( FIGS. 6 ,  10  and  11 ) that extend forwardly from base wall  58  below the level of flange  66 . Component part  12  also is formed with a plurality of mutually spaced notches  70  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) in its two outwardly-projecting flanges  62 . 
         [0045]    The two parts  10  and  12  are secured to one another by squeezing one of the component parts  10  or  12  enough to insert the L-shaped locking tabs  32  through the openings  64  in the flanges  62 . It is to be noted that the two component parts  10  and  12  are made with a sufficient resiliency to allow them to flex to the extent required to allow locking tabs  32  to be inserted in openings  64  and to have the tabs tightly engage component part  12  when the squeezing force is removed. The component parts  10  and  12  also are stiff enough to form a rigid pole member as described. When this is done, the key  38  of part  10  fits into and engages the inner surface of base wall  58  and also portions of the inner surfaces of stepped side walls  60 , the tabs  69  underlie the key  38 , the flanges  34  and  66  are in a co-planar relationship with the straight edge of flange  66  with and engaging the straight edge of flange  34 , and the notches  70  are aligned with the notches  32  of part  10 . When so assembled, the two parts  10  and  12  form a substantially rigid pole member, and the matching notches  32  and  70  constitute areas adapted to receive flexible metal or organic string plant ties and keep them from slipping down on the outermost pole member. 
         [0046]    Also, when so assembled, the base walls  26  and  58  and stepped side walls  28  and  60  of component halves  10  and  12  respectively, define a channel for slidably receiving intermediate member  4 . The key section  38  and tabs  69  coact to provide radial strength to pole member  2 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 10A , a top (extended position) stop is provided for limiting the extent to which intermediate member  4  can be extended relative to outermost member  2 . One half of that top stop is provided by reducing the spacing between the two stepped side walls  28  of component part  10  for a selected distance extending down from the outer (top) end of member  2 , whereby to provide shoulders as indicated at  29  in  FIG. 8A . Although not shown, it is to be understood that the other half of the top stop for intermediate member  4  comprises a like reduction in the spacing between the stepped side walls  60  of component part  12  for a like distance extending down from the outer (top) end of outermost member  2 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to FIGS.  12  and  14 - 16 , the first part  14  of intermediate pole member  4  consists of an elongate shaft section with a generally U-shaped configuration in cross-section that is similar to that of component part  10  of outermost pole member  2 . As seen best in FIGS.  12  and  14 - 16 , component part  14  comprises a flat base wall  80  and stepped side walls  82  that terminate in outwardly-projecting flanges  84 . The latter are interrupted at several spaced locations with outwardly projecting L-shaped locking tabs  86 . The top and bottom ends of component part  14  terminate in substantially flat surfaces. The flat base wall  80  is formed with a U-shaped slot  88  that borders a relatively large locking tab  90  on three sides. Tab  90  is similar to tab  42 , being essentially tongue-like, with one end formed integral with base wall  80  and its other end free and characterized by a lock projection  92  essentially the same as locking projection  44  of locking tab  42 . Like the latter tab, locking tab  90  is formed so that at its free end it projects outwardly of base wall  80  but with its lock projection  92  extending inwardly of the inner surface of base wall  80 . The inner end surface of the lock projection of locking tab  90  is intended to make a locking interaction with the innermost (top) pole member  6  as described hereinafter. The outer surface of base wall  80  also is formed with a series of indentations or cavities  96  ( FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  26 ) that are characterized by inclined bottom surfaces so that the upper ends of the cavities are deepest at their top margin and are flush with that outer surface base wall  80  at their bottom ends, i.e., the depth of recesses  96  increases with increasing distance from the stake-like section of pole member  2 . At their deepest ends, recesses  96  are terminated by a wall  98  ( FIG. 15 ) that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pole member  4 . These indentations or cavities  96  are sized to receive the lock projection of locking tab  42 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17-19 , component part  16  of the intermediate pole member also is in the form of an elongate shaft section that is generally U-shaped in cross-section and is characterized by a flat base wall  100  and stepped side walls  102  that terminate in outwardly-projecting flanges  104 . The stepped side walls  102  and flanges  104  are formed with a series of spaced openings  106  that are sized to receive the L-shaped locking tabs  86  of component part  14 . Both component parts  14  and  16  are formed with substantially flat end surfaces. The two parts  14  and  16  are secured to one another by squeezing one of them enough to insert the L-shaped locking tabs  86  into the openings  106  in flanges  104 . Like the component parts  10  and  12 , the two parts  14  and  16  have sufficient resiliency to allow them to flex to the extent required to allow tabs  86  to be inserted in openings  106 . When this is done, the flanges  84  and  104  are engaged tightly with each other and the assembly forms a substantially rigid intermediate pole member. 
         [0050]    Referring again to  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  17 , the flanges  84  and  104  of component parts  14  and  16  are sized in width so as to make a close sliding fit with adjacent portions of stepped side walls  28  and  60  of outermost pole member  2 , except that a short distance from their lower (inner) ends flanges  84  and  104  are enlarged in width so as to form shoulders  85  and  105  respectively that will be interrupted by the shoulders (see  29  in  FIG. 8A ) of the top stop described hereinabove. 
         [0051]    Referring again to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a narrow rib  107  is formed on the inner surface of base wall  100  of component part  16 . Rib  107  commences at the top (outer) end of base wall and extends longitudinally for a selected distance. As explained hereinafter, rib  107  functions as a top (extended position) stop for innermost member  6 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20-24 , the top or innermost member  6  is formed as a solid rod with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration. Preferably, as shown, elongate member  6  is formed with a number of longitudinally-extending grooves  110  and  111 , ribs  112  and  113 , a number of transversely-extending ribs or wall sections  114  and  115  that extend across grooves  110  and  111  between ribs  112  and  113  respectively, and a longitudinally-extending center wall section  116 . In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, innermost member  6  is formed with four ribs  112  and  113 , but the number of ribs and grooves may be varied. The presence of grooves  110  and  111  helps to reduce the amount of material required to form innermost member  6 . At multiple locations along their length, the two inner ribs  112 A and  112 B are cut back at an angle adjacent selected transversely-extending wall sections  114 , as shown at  120  in  FIGS. 20 and 24 , so as to form tapered recesses or slots  126  for receiving the locking projection of large locking tab  90  pf component part  14  of intermediate pole member  4 A. At their deepest (top end), recesses  126  are terminated by an end wall  128  ( FIG. 24 ) that extends perpendicular to longitudinally-extending wall section  116 . The top (outer) end of elongate member  6  is preferably enlarged so as to form a knob  118  for grasping that member and pulling it out axially in a telescoping movement relative to member  4 A. As seen in  FIG. 22 , on the side of pole member  6  opposite to the side that has locking tab recesses  126 , the two centermost ribs  113 A and  113 B project outwardly of the body of that pole member. Additionally adjacent the inner end of pole member  6  a transverse wall section  117  extends between and is joined to ribs  113 A and  113 B. Wall member  117  projects beyond the outer edges of wall sections  115  so as to engage rib  107  when innermost pole member  6  is extended, thereby acting as a top (extended position) stop for pole member  6 . Preferably a through hole  130  is provided in knob  118  to accommodate a string for tying the top of the pole to a growing plant. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 ,  18  and  25 - 27 , intermediate pole member  4  and innermost pole member  6  are sized to make a close sliding fit inside of pole members  2  and  4  respectively. The base and side walls of component halves  14  and  16  of intermediate pole member  4  are aligned with the corresponding walls of component halves  10  and  12  of pole member  2 , and the exterior surfaces of innermost pole member  6  slidably engage the inner surfaces of component parts  14  and  16 , with ribs  113 A and  113 B disposed in a longitudinally extending recess  101  ( FIG. 18 ) formed by the junction of base wall  100  and stepped side walls  102  of component part  16 , and stop rib  107  disposed in groove  111 A between ribs  113 A and  113 B. 
         [0054]    The pole is assembled by first positioning innermost pole member  6  between component parts  14  and  16  of pole member  4  and then securing the latter parts to each other by inserting locking tabs  86  into holes  106 . Innermost member  6  is oriented so that the center groove  111 A is aligned with and slidably accommodates rib  107  and so that its ribs  113 A and  113 B make a sliding fit in recess  101  formed in the inner surface of base wall  100  ( FIG. 18 ). Thereafter the component parts  10  and  12  of outermost pole member  2  are assembled around intermediate member  4  so that their base walls  26  and  58  are aligned with the base walls  80  and  100  of component parts  14  and  16  respectively, as shown in  FIG. 27 . Component parts  10  and  123  are then secured to one another by inserting locking tables  32  into openings  64 . 
         [0055]    As it is obvious from the foregoing description, when pole member  2 ,  4  and  6  are assembled in telescoping relation, the intermediate member  4  cannot rotate on its axis relative to the outermost member  2 , and the innermost (top) member  6  cannot rotate on its axis relative to intermediate member  4 . The lengths of the three pole members may be varied. Preferably the length of innermost member  6  is set so it can be telescoped into member  4  far enough for its knob  118  to be relatively close to but spaced from the top (rearward) end of intermediate member  4  in the manner shown in  FIG. 25 , while the length of intermediate member  4  is set so that all but a short top end portion, e.g., 2-5 inches long, can be telescoped into elongate member  2 . In this preferred embodiment, the actual depth to which pole members  4  and  6  can be telescoped into fully retracted position is determined by interlocking of locking tabs  42  and  90  with the perpendicular end walls  98  and  128  of the uppermost recesses  96  and  126  of pole members  4  and  6  respectively. By way of example, but not limitation, members  2 ,  4  and  6  have such that when the three pole sections are locked in fully extended position, the pole will have an overall length of approximately 72 inches. 
         [0056]    Assuming that the pole is in its fully retracted position, it is extended by pulling one or both of pole members  4  and  6  outwardly from pole member  2 . Locking tabs  42  and  90  ride on the exterior surfaces of pole members  4  and  6  respectively until their locking projections fall into locking relation with one of the locking recesses  96  and  126  respectively. Preferably intermediate member  4  and innermost member  6  are provided with at least two recesses  96  and  129  spaced along their lengths so as to allow the assembled pole to be locked in a variety of extended positions. 
         [0057]    In practice, the stake section of pole member  2  is inserted into the soil surrounding a growing plant by pushing down on it, with the flange sections  30  and  66  limiting the depth of penetration and stabilizing the pole in a vertical position. Assuming that locking tabs  42  and  90  are positioned in one of the recesses  96  and  126  respectively, the end walls  98  and  128  of those recesses will act on those large locking tabs to prevent the pole from collapsing from a full or partially extended position to a retracted position as the pole is pressed into the soil. If locking tabs  42  and/or  90  are interlocked with recesses  96  and/or  126  respectively, all that is required to move pole member  4  and/or  6  from a given extended position to a more retracted position is for the user to grasp locking tab  42  and/or  90  outwardly far enough to clear recesses  96  and  126  respectively, after which those pole members may be retracted to a different tab locking position. 
         [0058]    The foregoing construction offers a number of advantages. A primary advantage resides in the fact that the stake portion  22  of pole member  2  facilitates penetration of the earth adjacent to a growing plant, while its flanges  34  and  66  serve to limit the depth of penetration and also to stabilize the pole so as to hold it in a vertical position, as is desired in order to adequately support the growing plant. A second advantage of the invention is that the pole has a variable length, plus means for releasably locking the elongate members in several different telescoped positions. A further advantage is that the pole is made of a plastic material, so that unlike a wooden stake, it will not degrade with continued presence in the ground. The specific construction of the invention as herein described and illustrated offers the further advantage that the parts can be injection molded with precision. In this connection it should be noted that making each of the elongate members  2  and  4  in two parts is an economical advantage since the molds required to make them are less complex and costly than a mold required to make an elongate tubular member, particularly if the tubular member is required to have an internal or external surface that is not cylindrical. The component parts of pole members  2  and  4  are readily made by injection molding, and that mode of manufacturing is preferred although some other method, e.g., compression molding, may be used. While poles made according to this invention are especially useful in supporting growing plants that produce food, e.g., tomato plants, they also are useful in supporting growing other plants, e.g. flowering plants of a purely ornamental or aesthetic value, shrubs and small trees. Furthermore the poles of this invention may be molded in different colors and may be used to support plants are indoors or outdoors. Still other advantages and uses will be obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0059]    It is to be appreciated that the invention is subject to changes that are obvious to persons skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the pole may be made with only two pole members or with more than three pole members. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of each of the elongate members may be varied, e.g., the inner and or outer surfaces of the telescoping pole members may have a different configuration than the configurations disclosed herein, provided, however, that the telescoping members are limited in their ability to rotate on their axes so as to assure, for example, that the relatively large locking tabs  42  and  92  will remain in alignment with the complementary locking recesses  96  and  126  as herein described. Also the number of locking recesses  96  and  126  in pole members  4  and  6  respectively may be varied according to the desired number of possible extended pole positions. Another possible alternative construction is to form the stakes section in two mating halves, one half section including flange  34  on the part  10  and the other half section including flange  66  on the part  12 . However, for strength purposes, the stake construction illustrated in figure is 1-5 is preferred. Another possible modification is to replace the solid innermost pole member  6  with a tubular pole member. It also is contemplated that a glue may be applied to the mating surfaces of component parts  10  and  12  and also to mating surfaces of component parts  14  and  16  to assure that they will not separate from one another. Still other modifications obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be made without departing from the essence of the invention.