Patent Publication Number: US-2018027753-A1

Title: Structure for supporting, protecting, and accessing a plant

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/368,225, filed 29 Jul. 2016. U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/368,225, filed 29 Jul. 2016 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Generally, the present disclosure pertains to a plant support system or structure for supporting, protecting, and accessing a plant. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Often, plants, such as tomatoes, are grown commercially and by hobbyists. The plants can be attacked by animals, particularly if the plants bear fruit. The assault can be made by burrowing animals attacking the roots and/or stalk of the plant, or the fruit can be ruined by birds, rabbits, mice, dogs, squirrels, and deer. In hot climates, animals often attack tomato plants for water to quench their thirst and such attacks can ruin the fruit for human consumption. In addition, as the plants grow, they are staked to support their growth. However, merely staking the plants fails to protect them. 
     A combination of staking and cages can be used to support and protect plants. However, such an arrangement fails to provide access to the plant for pruning or feeding the plant, or picking ripened fruit or vegetables. Cutting wire cages to provide access can weaken its support of the plants and create sharpened edges that may cut the grower&#39;s hands and/or arms. Also, as the plants grow, the arrangement is generally modified a great deal or replaced to accommodate the plant growth. As an example, if tomato vines exceed about 30 centimeters of the top of the cage, the fruit may have insufficient support resulting in damage to the vines and/or fruit. Thus, there is a desire to provide a system or structure for growing plants that supports, protects, and allows access while being flexible to accommodate the rapid growth of the plants during, e.g., the summer growing season. 
     SUMMARY 
     One exemplary embodiment can be a plant support system. The plant support system can include a plurality of panels, an end support, and a removable top frame. Generally, the plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel, and the first and second panels, in turn, include respective vertical portions and horizontal portions, and at least one panel forms an aperture optionally covered by a door to allow access to a plant. The end support can be coupled to the first panel and to the second panel. Typically, the removable top frame is coupled to the first and second panels. 
     Another exemplary embodiment may be a structure having sufficient toughness for supporting and protecting a plant. The structure can include a base, a plurality of panels, and a top frame. Usually, the base generally forms a Greek cross forming one or more holes along the edges of respective arms, and forming one or more openings between arms. Often, the plurality of panels forms a first set of panels and includes a first panel and a second panel. Usually, the top frame is coupled to a respective top edge of the first and second panels and the plurality of panels provides sufficient toughness to support the plant and protect the plant from animals. 
     A further exemplary embodiment can be a structure with sufficient toughness for supporting and protecting plants. The structure may include a means for stopping burrowing animals, a means for supporting and protecting a growing plant, and a means for accessing the growing plant. 
     These and other features and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. Additionally, not all elements are numbered in the drawings if an element is substantially the same as another numbered element as to not clutter the drawings with numerals. In such instances, the total number of such substantially identical elements depicted or contained by the part or structure may be indicated in the specification. 
         FIG. 1  is a side, elevational view of an exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top, plan view of the exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  of the exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  of the exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top, plan view of an exemplary base of the exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective, exploded view of the exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 8  is a side, elevational view of an exemplary stake of the exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 9  is a top, plan view of an exemplary strip of a stake. 
         FIG. 10  is a side, elevational view of an exemplary elongated member. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary end support. 
         FIG. 12  is a side, elevational view of an exemplary securing member. 
         FIG. 13  is a side, elevational view of an exemplary tool. 
         FIG. 14  is a top, plan view of an exemplary dowel. 
         FIG. 15  is a front, elevational view of another exemplary panel. 
         FIG. 16  is a front, elevational view of an exemplary pair of end supports. 
         FIG. 17  is a side, elevational view of the another exemplary panel. 
         FIG. 18  is a front, elevational view of another exemplary side of the plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of still another exemplary plant support system or structure. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary plant support system or structure. 
     
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     As used herein, the words “comprising”, and any form thereof such as “comprise” and “comprises”; “having”, and any form thereof such as “have” and “has”; “including”, and any form thereof such as “includes” and “include”; and “containing” and any form thereof such as “contains” and “contain” are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” is defined as being close to or near as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in some embodiments may be quantified as within 10%, more particularly within 5%, still more particularly within 1%, and is in some cases within 0.5%. 
     As used herein, the term “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term comprising or a form thereof may mean “one”, but is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one”. 
     As used herein, the term “toughness” can mean having sufficient strength to support one or more limbs of a plant, such as a tomato plant, and resist assault from animals such as deer, dogs, rabbits, and squirrels. Generally, sufficient toughness is equivalent to 14 gauge wire or stronger and resists the claws or teeth of animals, such as deer, dogs, rabbits, and squirrels. 
     As used herein the term “slat” can mean a narrow, thin strip of wood, metal, and/or plastic having sufficient dimensions and toughness to resist assault from animals such as deer, dogs, rabbits, and squirrels. 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” can mean two items, directly or indirectly, joined, fastened, associated, supported, connected, attached, or formed integrally together either by chemical or mechanical means, by processes including stamping, molding, or welding. What is more, two items can be coupled by the use of a third component such as a mechanical fastener, e.g., a screw, a nail, a staple, or a rivet; an adhesive; or a solder. 
     As used herein, the term “perimeter” can mean an outer boundary of a figure or an object. 
     As used herein, the term “Greek cross” can mean an object having the shape of a cross with all arms of substantially equal length. 
     As used herein, the term “centimeter” can be abbreviated “cm” and the term “meter” can be abbreviated “m”. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated below, the present system may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , an exemplary plant support system or a structure  10  usually has a side or a panel  12  to protect and support a plant  18 . The structure  10  can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, or wire. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein can protect and support a plant during its growing season. The structure  10  can be raised as the plant  18  grows. Access to the plant  18  can be provided by removable panels or a door formed in the structure  10 . The structure  10  can support the plant  18  via the panels  30  without having to utilize a vertical stake. One or more horizontally-orientated rods or dowels  248  can be used to keep vines from falling to the ground, thereby spoiling fruit. The panels  30  are of sufficient toughness to resist efforts of animals such as deer, dogs, rabbits, and squirrels from accessing the interior of the structure  10  and damaging the plant  18  and/or its fruit. Thus, the structures  10  disclosed herein support and protect the plant  18 , while permitting access to tend the plant  18  or harvest fruit, vegetables, or flowers. The structure  10  can be used to protect plants such as tomatoes, but can be used for other plants as well. 
     The structure  10  can include a first set or section  20  of a plurality of panels  30  with sufficient toughness. This set  20  can have a height  24  to surround and protect the plant  18 . Generally, the structure  10  includes the plurality, typically six, of panels  30 , such as a first panel  40 , a second panel  80 , a third panel  120 , a fourth panel  160 , a fifth panel or top frame  280 , and a sixth panel or base  300 ; as well as one or more, typically four, end supports  200 ; and one or more, typically four, guards or stakes  250 . Optionally, the structure  10  can include a second set or section  400  of a plurality, typically four, of panels  420 . The second set  400  can be stacked on top of the first set  20  to provide additional height  242  to the structure  10  if, for example, the plant  18  has grown. Thus, the structure  10  can be extended to an elevation  284  at or above the top of the plant  18 . End supports  500 , preferably substantially the same and in the identical quantity of the end supports  200  of the first set  20 , of the second set  400  can be interlocked with corresponding end supports  200  of the first set  20 , as hereinafter described. Optionally or alternatively, the top of the plurality of panels  30  can form projections received by grooves formed in the bottom of the plurality of panels  420 . The height  242  would generally be the combined height of the first set  20  and second set  400 . The height  242  can be at least about 2 meter, and range from about 2-about 3 meter with the base  300  being about 0.25-about 0.70 meter-squared, or even about 0.25-about 0.5 meter-squared. 
     Although the panels of the sets  20  and  400  are depicted structurally different in  FIG. 1 , in some exemplary embodiments the sets  20  and  400  can be substantially similar or identical. Usually, the structure  10  can have the appearance of a cube or rectangular cuboid, with the first panel  40  substantially parallel to the third panel  120 , the second panel  80  substantially parallel to the fourth panel  160 , and the fifth panel  280  substantially parallel to the sixth panel  300 . 
     The first set  20  typically includes four panels, such as a first panel  40 . The first panel  40  can be removable from the structure  10 , as hereinafter described, to provide access to the plant  18  producing fruit, vegetables, and/or flowers. Because the first panel  40  is substantially similar to the panels  80 ,  120 , and  160  in this exemplary embodiment, only the panel  40  will be discussed in detail. Usually, the first panel  40  is rectangular or square and can include at least one or a plurality of horizontal portions  42  and at least one or plurality of vertical portions  44  forming a grid or a lattice structure  62  surrounding one or more apertures or passages  46 . In this exemplary embodiment, twelve apertures  46  are depicted in the first panel  40  allowing air to the plant  18 . A wire mesh  64  can be placed behind the first panel  40  to further reduce the size of the apertures  46  and provide an additional barrier to pests. Alternatively, the apertures  46  can be reduced by expanding the number and/or dimensions of the horizontal and vertical portions  42  and  44 . In one preferred embodiment, the horizontal and/or vertical portions  42  and  44  can take the form of slats made from any suitable material such as wood or plastic. Such slats can be dimensioned or selected from a material to impart sufficient toughness to the panels  30  and the structure  10  to withstand assault by animals, such as deer, dogs, rabbits, and squirrels. The slats can have a length of about 60-about 92 cm, a width of about 2-about 6 cm, and a thickness of about 0.5-about 2 cm. The portions or slats  42  and  44  can be configured to prevent animals from crawling or flying through the plurality of panels  30 , but large enough to allow for the ample passage of light, water, and air to flow the plant  18 . The first panel  40  can further include a first edge  48 , a second or top edge  50 , a third edge  52 , and a fourth edge  54 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first panel  430  of the second set  400  can be the same or different from the first panel  40  of the first set  20 . The first panel  430  can form two preferably circular or oval apertures  434  adjacent to one another to allow a gardener to insert both arms, preferably at least to the elbow, into the structure  10  to tend the plant  18 . One or more spring-loaded spindles  438 , in this exemplary embodiment four spring-loaded spindles  438 , can be coupled to the first panel  430  to reduce the opening of the apertures  434  to prevent access to the plant by animals, but allow access for the gardener. The first panel  430  can form one or more, or in this exemplary embodiment six apertures  446 , to allow light and air to the plant  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the top frame  280  can form a grid or a lattice structure  288  of crossed portions or members, similar to the first panel  40 . The top frame  280  can be coupled by using hinges or forming one or more extensions on an underside in mated configuration with one or more posts formed on the top edges of the first panel  430 , the second panel  450 , the third panel  470 , and the fourth panel  490  of the second set  400 . Alternatively, one or more clips or ties can be used to secure the top frame  280  to rest of the structure  10 , and removing the one or more clips or ties can allow access to the plant  18 . Generally, the top frame  280  is removable allowing access to the plant  18  for pruning, feeding, and picking fruits, vegetables, and/or flowers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the base  300  can include one or more or at least two arms  310 , and in one exemplary embodiment can take the form of a Greek cross, as depicted. In other exemplary embodiments, the base  300  can be of any suitable shape, such as triangular, rectangular, circular, and square. Typically, the base  300  includes one or more arms  310 , such as a first arm  314  and a corresponding edge or side  316 , a second arm  318  and a corresponding edge or side  320 , a third arm  322  and a corresponding edge or side  324 , and a fourth arm  326  and a corresponding edge or side  328 . Alternatively, the edges can be separate pieces, such as a piece or a strip  354  coupled or formed integrally with the first arm  314 . The one or more arms  310  can form one or more openings  340 , particularly, the first arm  314  and the second arm  318  can form a right angle at a first opening  342 , the second arm  318  and the third arm  322  and can form a right angle at a second opening  344 , the third arm  322  and the fourth arm  326  can form a right angle at a third opening  346 , and the fourth arm  326  and the first arm  314  can form a right angle at a fourth opening  348 . Generally, the base  300  at the one or more openings  340  serves as a pattern for setting the four supports  200  at proper distances for assembling the plurality of panels  30 . 
     The base  300  forms a cutout  352 , preferably circular with a center  362 , for placement of the plant  18  within the structure  10  and a perimeter  350 . The cutout  352  can be any suitable dimension, and is at least about 0.15 m or typically about 0.4-about 0.5 m in diameter. The base  300  can also form one or more, in this exemplary embodiment twenty, although any suitable number may be utilized, perforations  360  for allowing water to pass through the base  300  and provide water to the plant  18 . The base  300  can not only protect the plant  18  from burrowing animals, but also suppress the growth of weeds surrounding the plant  18 . The base  300  can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as plastic, cloth, and herbicidal-treated paper. The base  300  can ensure proper alignment of the end supports  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the sides  316 ,  320 ,  324 , and  328  are substantially the same, so only side  316  is described in detail. The side  316  can form one or more, in this exemplary embodiment six although any suitable number may be utilized, holes  356  that can receive one or more elongated members  270  and can have a length of at least about 60 cm, or at least about 61 cm. The elongated members  270  can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, wood, or plastic, and take the form of, independently, spikes, cones, stakes, prongs, screws, and/or nails, and can extend at least about 2 cm, at least about 2.54 cm or even about 2-about 16 cm. The elongated member  270  can have a length or extend to a depth  276  when inserted into the ground. The depth  276  can be sufficient not only to secure the structure  10 , but also to impede burrowing animals. The base  300  can also form one or more holes  358 , in this exemplary embodiment eight holes although any suitable number of holes may be formed, surrounding the perimeter of the cutout  352 . The one or more elongated members  270  can be inserted into respective holes  358  to further prevent burrowing animals from accessing and/or damaging the plant  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the end support  200  is depicted. The end support  200  has an upper end  212  and a lower end  214 , a first side  216  and a second side  218 . Generally, four end supports  200 , each being substantially identical to each other and the end supports  500 , are placed in respective plurality of openings  340  to secure the plurality of panels  30 . Typically, the end support  200  forms a protrusion  220  at the upper end  212  and forms a recess  238  at the lower end  214 . Moreover, the end support  200  can form a hole  226  that corresponds to a hole  66  in the first panel  40 , as hereinafter described. A first bracket  222 , a second bracket  224 , a third bracket  232 , and a fourth bracket  234  can be coupled to the end support  200 . The three other end supports can be substantially identical as the end support  200  described above and can receive edges of respective panels  80 ,  120 , and  160 , as hereinafter described. Moreover, the panels  40 ,  80 ,  120 , and  160  are removable without having to use a tool, i.e., using hands only. Referring to  FIG. 13 , an exemplary tool  162  is depicted, particularly an Allen wrench. One feature of the embodiments disclosed herein is the ability to access the plant without use of a tool, such as an Allen wrench, pliers, or a screwdriver. 
     Although brackets are depicted fastening the panels together, it should be understood that alternative mechanisms can be used to couple or fasten the plurality of panels  30  together. As an example several hinges can be used to fasten the plurality of panels  30  instead of the end supports. In a further example, the end supports  200  and optionally the base  300  can be omitted and the plurality of panels  30  can be coupled one to the other using any suitable mechanism, such as a combination of tabs and recesses, or projections and grooves. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 8, 9, and 11 , a guard or stake  250  can be coupled with at least one of the underneath of the fourth edge  54  of the first panel  40  and the lower end  214  of the end support  200  using any suitable mechanical fasteners. The guard  250  can be used instead or additionally to the elongated members  270  inserted through the sides  316 ,  320 ,  324 , and  328 . The guard  250  can include one or more elongated members  258  coupled or formed integrally with a strip  254 . Although any suitable number of elongated members  258  can be utilized, in this exemplary embodiment twelve elongated members  258  are utilized. The elongated members  258  can be, independently, spikes, prongs, cones, stakes, screws, and/or nails. Generally, the guard  250  can have a length  264  and the elongated members  258  can have a depth  266 . Typically, there is a space  268  between elongated members  258 . The elongated members  258  can have a depth  266  of about 0.01:1-about 0.20:1 of the length  264  of the guard  250  and the space  268  can be about 0.01:1-about 0.05:1 of the length  264  of the guard  250 . Generally, the elongated members  258  of the guard  250  are sufficient to secure the structure  10  and prevent animals from burrowing into the structure  10  to the plant  18 , and can extend, independently, at least about 2 cm, at least about 2.54 cm or even about 2-about 16 cm. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 , instead of elongated members  258  formed integrally with the strip  254 , one or more elongated members  270  can be inserted into one or more holes  256  formed in the strip  254 . The elongated member  270  can have a length or depth  276  of about 0.01:1-about 0.20:1 of the length  264  of the guard  250  to secure the structure  10  and prevent burrowing animals from digging under and into the structure  10  to assault the plant  18 . The elongated member  270  can take the form of a stake, prong, cone, spike, nail, or screw, and can extend at least about 2 cm, at least about 2.54 cm or even about 2-about 16 cm. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 14 , a rod or dowel  248  is depicted. The dowel  248  can be inserted through the structure  10  to support, e.g., one or more branches, of the plant  18  as it grows and bears a particularly heavy load, such as fruit. Typically, the dowel  248  is inserted between one or more horizontal portions  42  and vertical portions  44 , such as the horizontal portion  42  of the first panel  40  and the horizontal portion  122  of the third panel  120 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Although only one dowel  248  is depicted, it should be understood two or more dowels  248  can be used. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , at the beginning a planting season, the base  300  can be placed on the ground with the plant  18  centered within the cutout  352  of the base  300 . Four end supports  200  can be placed in respective openings  342 ,  344 ,  346 , and  348  and panels  40 ,  80 ,  120 , and  160  can be positioned adjacent to respective edges  316 ,  320 ,  324 , and  328  of the base  300 . In  FIG. 7 , a single end support  200  is depicted receiving the first edge  48  of the first panel  40  at the first side  216  of the end support  200  and the first edge  88  of the panel  80  at the second side  218  of the end support  200 . Each panel  40  and  80  forms respective holes  66  and  106  that can be aligned with respective holes  226  and  236  of the end support  200 . Two securing members  228  can be put through, respectively, the holes  66  and  226  and holes  106  and  236  to the secure panels  40  and  80 . Similarly, the opposing edges of the panels  40  and  80  and the panels  120 , and  160  may be slid into respective brackets  222  and  224  and  232  and  234  of the end supports and secured with six more securing members  228  as shown in  FIG. 12  to form a barrier. Removing the securing member  228  and sliding one or more panels  40 ,  80 ,  120 , and  160  may allow access to the plant  18 . Four guards  250  can be secured to respective undersides of the panels  40 ,  80 ,  120 , and  160  using any suitable mechanical fasteners, e.g., screws, and driven into the ground to secure the structure  10  and prevent animals burrowing into the structure  10 . Optionally, a top frame  280  can be placed onto the first set  20  and secured with any suitable device such as one or more clips. 
     As the plant  18  grows, a second set  400  can be placed or stacked on the first set  20 . The panels  420  of the second set  400  can be substantially similar to or different from the panels  30  of the first set  20 . To add height to the structure  10 , the top frame  280  can be removed and the four end supports  500  of the second set  400  can be placed on respective four end supports  200  of the first set  20 . Generally, the end supports  500  are substantially identical to the end supports  200 . In  FIG. 7 , a single end support  500  with a recess  538  is depicted being placed on the protrusion  220  of the end support  200  to secure the end support  500  to the end support  200 . The end support  500  can receive the first panel  430  at the first side  516  of the end support  500  and the second panel  450  at the second side  518  of the end support  500 . Each panel  430  and  450  forms respective holes  448  and  468  that can be aligned with respective holes  526  and  536  of the end support  500 . Two securing members  228  can put through, respectively, the holes  448  and  526  and holes  468  and  536  to secure the panels  430  and  450 . Similarly, the stacked four end supports  500  can have the brackets  522 ,  524 ,  532 , and  534  and receive opposing sides of the panels  430  and  450  and the panels  470  and  490 . Six more securing members  228  can be used to secure the panels  420 . The top frame  280  can be clipped to the panels  420  of the second set  400 . Similarly, additional end supports can be stacked on the protrusions  520  of respective end supports  500  and panel sets can be added as the plant  18  grows. In this exemplary embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 , the structure  10  can have one base, one top frame, four guards, eight side panels, and eight end supports. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , another exemplary embodiment can be a sufficiently tough structure for plants. The structure can include a means for stopping burrowing animals, a means for supporting and protecting a growing plant; and a means for accessing the growing plant. The means for stopping burrowing animals may include the base  300 , the guard  250 , and one or more elongated members  258 . The means for supporting and protecting the growing plant can include the first and second sets  20  and  400  of respective plurality of the panels  30  and  420  with sufficient toughness to resist animal assaults. Typically, the means for accessing the growing plant may include the aperture  434  formed in the first panel  430  or removing the first panel  430 , or, independently, other panels. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , another version of a panel is disclosed. A first panel  800  can include a lower, first part  822  and an upper, second part  824 . The lower part  822  can be closer to the center of the base  300  than the upper part  824 . The upper part  824  is formed integrally with the lower part  822  with a curved portion  826 . The parts  822  and  824  can include horizontal and vertical portions forming a grid or lattice structure  850 . Also, a first hook  828  and a second hook  830  are formed integrally with the upper part  824 . The end supports  840  and  844  can have respective brackets  842  and  846  for receiving respective hooks  828  and  830 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , another version of a side of a structure  10  can have the first panel  800  and a second panel  860 . The hooks  828  and  830  of the first panel  800  engage respective brackets  842  and  846  of respective end supports  840  and  844 . The end supports  870  and  874  are stacked on the end supports  840  and  844  and the brackets  872  and  876  receive the hooks  862  and  866  of the second panel  860 . The panels  800  and  860  can be raised and removed to allow access to the plant  18  for tending the plant or picking fruit, such as tomatoes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , another structure  600  can include at least three panels or sides forming a triangular-shaped structure  600 . The structure  600  can include a first set or section of panels  630  and a second set or section of panels  660  stacked on the first set  630 . In the lower set  630 , a door  640  can include a pair of hinges  652  and a knob  648  and in the upper set  660 , a door  670  can include a pair of hinges  682  and a knob  678 . The door  640  permits access to the lower part of the plant and the door  670  can allow access to the upper part of a plant for pruning, feeding, watering, and picking. Although the doors  640  and  670  are depicted as rectangular, the doors  640  and  670  can be any suitable shape, such as circular or oval. Furthermore, the doors  640  and  670  can be, independently, detachable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , yet another structure  700  can include at least four panels or sides forming a rectangular shaped structure having a first set or section of panels  730  and a second set or section of panels  760 . Each set  730  and  760  can include four panels. The structure  700  can also include a base  710  and a top frame  780 . The first set  730  can be stacked on the base  710 , and the second set  760  can be stacked on the first set  730 . The top frame  780  can be secured to the second set  760  with any suitable fastener, such as plastic ties or a clip. In this exemplary embodiment, eight clips  784  can secure the top frame  780  to the second set  760 . The structure  700  can include horizontal and vertical portions or bars to form a grid or a lattice structure  736  in the first set  730  and a grid or a lattice structure  776  in the second set  760  to protect and support a plant. In the second set  760 , a door  768  with hinges  770  and a knob  772  can be provided for accessing a plant for tending to the plant or harvesting fruit. The second set  760  can also form an aperture  764  with a removable door  786  with a knob  788  for accessing the plant. In addition to square and triangular-based geometric figures, other shapes can be used such as rectangular, circular or cylindrical-based geometric figures. Moreover, these structures can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, shipped, and assembled. The geometric structure is constructed close to the plant for supporting its stem and branches. 
     Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. 
     From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.