Patent GB-782115-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to protective coverings for plants
IPC: A01G13/02
Filed: 1954-06-26
Abstract: 782,115. Plant protectors. TAIGEL, S. J. June 27, 1955 [June 26, 1954], No. 18811/54. Class 6(2). [Also in Group X] Garden cloches or large constructions for protecting orchards comprise a limp envelope attached to frames which can be folded together for storage, and can be extended into a semirigid covering when the frame ends are thrust into the ground. The envelope or cover may be of alkathene, canvas &c. One type of continuous tunnel cloche may be laid and pressed in the ground by a vehicle, Fig. 6, and see below, Fig. 1 shows a cloche in which an evelope 2 is attached to end frames 1 which can be pressed together for storage when the legs 3 are pulled out of the ground. A continuous cloche has a number of such frames, which can be concertinaed. In Fig. 2A flat or curved flexible transparent bands 8 are attached to transverse frames 7 the bands being spaced at 9 to allow rain to enter. Fig. 3 (not shown), is a lean-to. In Fig. 4, arches 36 carrying the covering may be slid along rails 35 to lie adjacent to each other. Alternately the covers may be released at the top of the arches and slid down towards the rails 35. The cloches in Fig. 2 may be planted in the ground by a vehicle Fig. 6 in which a rolled up length of ribs and cover 52 is led down under a skirt 55 and the first rib is pressed in the ground. Thereafter towing of the vehicle causes the skirt 55 to press the other ribs in the ground so erecting the continuous cloche 6. The vehicle is constructed to lay two rows of continuous cloche. Instead of a roll of cloches, they may be packed concertina-wise on the vehicle, The vehicle may be propelled by handles 58. Such cloches could be lifted out of the ground mechanically and delivered into a hopper in front of a sugar beet lifter. In Fig. 8 two wire arches 60 are hinged together on a stake 63 at 61, also Fig. 8a (not shown) so that they can be folded flat or spread out and covered with flexible material secured by tapes &c. The legs of the arches are extendible, Fig. 9 (not shown) so that as the plant grows it may be raised up, the cover allowing for this extension. In Fig. 10 the frame is designed to carry outer and inner flexible envelopes 83 and 84. On pulling up the frame as the plants grow, such envelopes form a double walled roof with single cover sides but double sides may also be arranged for. In Fig. 11 a continuous folding cloche is formed by hinging together the legs of adjacent arches 87. Fig. 12 shows a wide area garden frame foldable about ridge hinges 94 with other hinges 96 supporting two or threesided frames 97, 98 at each side. Straps 99 retain the frames 97 in extended position, On folding, the frame 98 can drop down against the frame 98 at the other side of the main frame. The envelope cover is retained by tapes &c. In erected position the frames 97, 98 can be folded up to allow access to the plants. In Fig. 13 a flexible cover rests on T-section rafters 107 connected by struts 109 links 108 and bolts 111 running in a slotted guide rail 103. On pulling a cable 113 at each end the roof rafters 107 are raised up and approach one another whereby the cover is raised to permit sunshine or air to enter. Fig. 14 shows a frame for covering large areas for orchards in which a flexible cover is attached to arches or trusses 126 the ends of which slide in slots in transverse arched tubular guide rails 118 fixed at the top of one or more rows of columns 117. On pulling cable 129, Fig. 14c (not shown), the arches slide up on the rails 118 lifting the cover with them. In Fig. 16 pairs of rafters 147 are mounted with their ends slidable in guide rails 142 whereby pulling on cables causes the pairs of rafters to approach each other and so concertina the envelope towards one end.