Patent Publication Number: US-2019191637-A1

Title: Apparatus for vineyard trellising systems

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns an apparatus for assembling a trellis system. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention pertain to an apparatus for the attachment of one or more wires for growing vines comprising components that are slidably connected. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Trellis systems are often used to support and manage the growth of vines. They are essential for large vineyards of raisin, table or wine grapes. There are many advantages to using such systems, such as increasing grape quality and productivity. Trellises may also provide advantages during harvest by reducing the amount of labor. 
     Modern trellis systems utilize a variety of types of materials and wires assembled to form a plurality of configurations. Implementation of a specific type of system is largely dependent on the location, demand, and type of vine. However, conventional trellis systems are often expensive and labor intensive. A trade-off is typically made between cost, material strength, and the amount labor required. For example, some trellises may utilize a wood system comprising a single post and single crossarm. While the amount of time and labor required to assemble such system is minimal, the overall strength, and thus growth capacity, is greatly diminished. On the other hand, other trellis systems may utilize metal (e.g. steel, iron, copper, etc.) for increased strength and durability. However, the assembly of such systems often requires extensive labor due not only to the weight of the materials, but also to the assembly means (i.e., use of multiple screws, clamps, etc.). 
     It is therefore desirable for trellis apparatuses and systems which are cost-effective, easy to assemble, and able to support the growth of large vines. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus by which a trellis system is assembled. More specifically, the components of an apparatus are slidably connected to form a support structure by which trellis wire can be secured to other apparatuses or stationary structures for the purpose of growing fruit vines. As will be described in the exemplary embodiments, the features of the present invention allow for a trellis system that is quickly assembled, highly durable, and able to accommodate large vine capacities. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention may include at least one vertical post and at least one horizontal crossarm constructed from rolled steel. A portion of a horizontal crossarm may be bowed, angled, or arched. A vertical post can have at least one slot for slidably receiving and securing a horizontal crossarm in a substantially orthogonal position thereto. In certain embodiments, a vertical post and horizontal crossarm may be formed into rectangular tubes. A vertical post may also comprise a strut channel and a horizontal crossarm may comprise a strut/hat channel combination. At least one slot may be shaped in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of a horizontal crossarm. A horizontal crossarm can include at least one wire notch for the securing of at least one wire to a second apparatus or other stationary object. A wire notch may be circular, square, or any other shape, but preferably oval shaped. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus may include at least one vertical post, at least one horizontal crossarm, and at least one diagonal crossarm, all of which may be constructed from rolled steel. A vertical post may include slots for slidably receiving and securing a horizontal crossarm and a diagonal crossarm, where a horizontal crossarm is received substantially orthogonal to a vertical post. A horizontal crossarm may include at least one slot for slidably receiving and securing at least one diagonal crossarm. At least one slot may be shaped in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of a horizontal crossarm and/or diagonal crossarm. A horizontal crossarm may include slots on an upper and lower face thereof, which may be offset from one another to receive a diagonal crossarm at an angle. In some embodiments, the acute angle formed between a vertical post and a diagonal crossarm can be between 40° and 60°, but preferably about 53°. In certain embodiments, a vertical post, horizontal crossarm, and/or diagonal crossarm may include at least one wire notch for the securing of at least one wire to a second apparatus or other stationary object. A wire notch may be circular, square, or any other shape, but preferably oval shaped. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a vertical post, a horizontal crossarm, and a diagonal crossarm may be formed into rectangular tubes. In one aspect, a vertical post may comprise a strut channel, a horizontal crossarm may comprise a J-channel, and a diagonal crossarm may comprise a J-channel with an inwardly directed leg. In other aspects, a vertical post may comprise a C-channel, a horizontal crossarm may comprise a U-channel, and the tubing of a diagonal crossarm may be open seam. It is to be appreciated, however, that a vertical post and/or crossarm may be formed into a plurality of shapes and may comprise a plurality of channel types. 
     In certain embodiments of the present invention, a vertical post, a horizontal crossarm, and a diagonal crossarm may have at least one flange or protruding edge. A flange or protruding edge may include at least one wire notch for the securing of at least one wire to a second apparatus or other stationary object. A wire notch may be circular, square, or any other shape, but preferably oval shaped. 
     It is to be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments described do not limit the scope of the present invention. For example, and without limitation, a vertical post, horizontal crossarm, and/or diagonal crossarm may be formed into a plurality of tube shapes, such as square, circular, or diamond. It is further to be appreciated that the present invention may include a combination of posts and crossarms of varying tube shapes. Similarly, the components of the apparatuses may include a plurality of channel types, such as, but not limited to, a box-channel, hat-channel, or Z-channel, or combination or variation thereof. Furthermore, one or more wire notches may be formed into a plurality of shapes and may have wire securing features (e.g., protrusions or clamps to hold wire within a notch). The components of the present invention may also have a variety of types of flanges that may be bent inwardly or outwardly, folded or hemmed, or otherwise shaped. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating an exemplary trellis apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary vertical post for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the vertical post illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary horizontal crossarm for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the horizontal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 4  illustrating the orientation of an upper slot relative to a lower slot (partially visible). 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary diagonal crossarm for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of detail portion A of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the diagonal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary trellis apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary vertical post for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the vertical post illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of an exemplary horizontal crossarm for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a partial top view of the horizontal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of an exemplary diagonal crossarm for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the diagonal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary trellis apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary vertical post for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the vertical post illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of an exemplary horizontal crossarm for use with the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged perspective view of detail portion B of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal crossarm illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 24A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary diagonal crossarm in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24B  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary diagonal crossarm in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary horizontal crossarm in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention, in its various aspects, will be explained in greater detail below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with several exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments themselves do not limit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the exemplary illustrations in the accompanying drawings, where like elements have like numerals, do not limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments and/or invention. Rather the invention, as defined by the exemplary claims, may cover alternatives, modifications, and/or equivalents of the exemplary embodiments. 
     Referring, generally, to  FIGS. 1-9 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention may consist of four components. Trellis apparatus  50  may include a vertical post  52 , a horizontal crossarm  54 , a first diagonal crossarm  56 , and a second diagonal crossarm  58 . In preferred embodiments, diagonal crossarms  56  and  58  are identical such that they can be interchanged. However in other embodiments, they may not be identical such that each diagonal crossarm  56  and  58  can only be used on a particular side of horizontal crossarm  54 . Horizontal crossarm  54  may be slidably received at a horizontal crossarm receiving slot  60  near the top of, and orthogonal to, vertical post  52  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). First diagonal crossarm  56  may be slidably received through a first upper slot  64  and a first lower slot  68  on an upper and lower face of horizontal crossarm  54 , respectively. Similarly, second diagonal crossarm  58  may be slidably received through a second upper slot  66  and a second lower slot  70  on an upper and lower face of horizontal crossarm  54 , respectively (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). First and second upper slots  64  and  66  and first and second lower slots  68  and  70  of horizontal crossarm  54  may be offset from each other in order to receive first and second diagonal crossarms  56  and  58  at an angle, as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . First diagonal crossarm  56  and second diagonal crossarm  58  may be slidably received by vertical post  52  at diagonal crossarm slot  62  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). 
     When secured, the acute angle formed between a vertical post and a diagonal crossarm may be between 40° and 60°, but preferably about 53°. It is to be appreciated that the angle formed between the vertical post and the diagonal crossarm is relative to (i) the distance between diagonal crossarm slot  62  and horizontal crossarm receiving slot  60 , (ii) the lateral distance between the point of engagement of horizontal crossarm  54  and vertical post  52  (through horizontal crossarm receiving slot  60 ) and the first/second upper/lower slots ( 64 ,  68 ,  66 ,  70 ), and (iii) the lateral offset between the first/second upper and lower slots (i.e., the offset illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). 
     First upper crossarm slot  64 , first lower crossarm slot  68 , second upper crossarm slot  66 , and second lower crossarm slot  70  may comprise a shape in accordance with the cross-sectional shapes of first and second diagonal crossarms  56  and  58  (i.e., the shape formed by the outer surface of the cross section when projected at the angle formed between the vertical post and the diagonal crossarm). Similarly, diagonal crossarm slot  62  may comprise a shape in accordance with the cross-sectional shapes of first and second diagonal crossarms  56  and  58 . Horizontal crossarm receiving slot  60  may comprise a shape in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of horizontal crossarm  54  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 5-6, and 9 ). 
     Referring, specifically, to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in preferred embodiments, vertical post  52  can be shaped as a C-channel with legs  72 . Legs  72  may each have inwardly folded flanges. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in preferred embodiments, horizontal crossarm  54  may be shaped as a  4 . Horizontal crossarm  54  may also include a flange  76  protruding from the front end of a lower side of horizontal crossarm  54 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in preferred embodiments, first and second diagonal crossarms  56  and  58  may be shaped as open seam rectangular tubes and may each have a protruding edge  78  directed downward from the front side of each crossarm. It is to be appreciated that, in some embodiments of the present invention, each the vertical post, the horizontal crossarm, and the diagonal crossarms may have other shapes. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , one or more wire notches  74  may be located along flange  76  of horizontal crossarm  54 . In some embodiments, the wire notches  74  may be between near the distal ends to near a midpoint of horizontal crossarm  54  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , one or more wire notches  74  may also be located along protruding edge  78  of a diagonal crossarm  58  (and similarly diagonal crossarm  56 ). In some embodiments, wire notches  74  may be between near a distal end of diagonal crossarm  58  (or diagonal crossarm  56 ) and near the intersections with horizontal crossarm  54  and vertical post  52  (i.e., near the receiving slots). Wire notches  74  may be used to attach and secure wire from trellis apparatus  50  to other trellis apparatuses and/or other stationary objects, thus forming a wire trellis system for supporting vines. Though not illustrated, to anchor an apparatus to the ground, a vertical post may also have notches, holes, or other means by which wire, screws, and/or bolts can be secured. 
     Referring, generally, now to  FIGS. 10-17 , another embodiment of the present invention can be seen which may consist of four components. Trellis apparatus  30  may include a vertical post  32 , horizontal crossarm  34 , first diagonal crossarm  36 , and second diagonal crossarm  38 . As best seen in  FIG. 11 , vertical post  32  may have a horizontal receiving slot  40  for slidably receiving and securing horizontal crossarm  34  near the top of, and orthogonal to, vertical post  32 . Vertical post  32  may also have a diagonal crossarm receiving slot  42  below horizontal receiving slot  40  for slidably receiving and securing first and second diagonal crossarms  36  and  38 . As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , horizontal crossarm  34  may include a first receiving slot  44  and second receiving slot  46  on its upper face for slidably receiving and securing first diagonal crossarm  36  and second diagonal crossarm  38 , respectively. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, vertical post  32  may comprise a strut channel with rounded legs. As seen in  FIG. 15 , in some embodiments, horizontal crossarm  34  may comprise a J-channel. In some embodiments, first and second diagonal crossarms  36  and  38  may also comprise J-channels and may have upper legs with inwardly folded flanges, as shown in  FIG. 17 . As above, it is to be appreciated that the vertical post, the horizontal crossarm, and the diagonal crossarms may have other shapes. Similar to the exemplary system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the shape of horizontal receiving slot  40  may be in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of horizontal crossarm  34 , and the shapes of first receiving slot  44 , second receiving slot  46 , and diagonal crossarm receiving slot  42  may be in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of first diagonal crossarm  36  and second diagonal crossarm  38 , projected at an angle formed between the vertical post  32  and the first diagonal crossarm  36  and the second diagonal crossarm  38 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 13 , horizontal crossarm  34  may have one or more wire notches  48  located along a lower edge thereof. Wire notches  48  may also be located along a lower edge of first and second diagonal crossarms  36  and  38  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 16 ). Wire notches  48  may be used to attach and secure wire from trellis apparatus  30  to other trellis apparatuses and/or other stationary objects, thus forming a trellis system for supporting vines. To anchor an apparatus to the ground, though not illustrated, the vertical post may also have notches, holes, or other means by which wire, screws, and/or bolts can be secured. 
     Referring, generally, to  FIGS. 18-23 , one embodiment of the present invention can be seen which may consist of two components. Trellis apparatus  10  may include a vertical post  12  and a horizontal crossarm  14 . Vertical post  12  may have a crossarm receiving slot  16  near an upper end thereof for slidably receiving horizontal crossarm  14 . As best viewed in  FIG. 21 , the lateral portions of horizontal crossarm  14  may be bowed at an angle α, with respect to the medial, level portion of horizontal crossarm  14 . In preferred embodiments, the angle α may be 150°. Vertical post  12  may comprise a strut channel with rounded legs (as illustrated in  FIG. 20 ) and horizontal crossarm  14  may comprise a strut/hat channel combination (as illustrated in  FIG. 23 ). Crossarm receiving slot  16  may be shaped in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of horizontal crossarm  14  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 19-20 and 23 ). 
     As seen in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , wire notches  18  may be located along an edge of horizontal crossarm  14 , and in preferably, in the medial portion of horizontal crossarm  14 . More specifically, wire notches  18  may be formed into an upper flange  20  or lower flange  22  of the channel of horizontal crossarm  14 . Wire notches  18  may be used to attach and secure wire from trellis apparatus  10  to other trellis apparatuses and/or other stationary objects, thus forming the trellis system supporting the vines. To anchor an apparatus to the ground, although not illustrated, the vertical post may also have notches, holes, or other means by which wire, screws, and/or bolts can be secured. 
     The present invention provides apparatuses for constructing trellis that are cost effective and easy to install. With reference particularly to the exemplary illustrations of  FIGS. 1-9 , the system can be constructed and secured by simply sliding the various components into place. For example, the vertical post can be installed in the ground. Thereafter, the horizontal crossarm can be slid through the horizontal crossarm receiving slot in the vertical post. In embodiments comprising one or more diagonal crossarms, they can thereafter be slid through the one or more slots in the horizontal crossarms and then through the diagonal crossarm slot in the vertical post. In some embodiments, the horizontal crossarm can have one or more medially positioned retention tabs (as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 21 ) which can serve to secure the horizontal crossarm relative to the vertical post. In other embodiments, the horizontal crossarm can be secured to the vertical post with a single bolt and nut. Similarly, the lower distal ends of the diagonal crossarms can be secured to the vertical post with a single bolt and nut. 
     The aforementioned exemplary angles, positioning and shapes of the slots, and the shapes and channel types of the crossarms and posts were chosen for rigidity and strength and to complement the various components of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 24A , a preferred diagonal crossarm can have a triangular shape with an extended protruding edge. In other preferred embodiments, and with reference to  FIG. 24B , a diagonal crossarm can have a U-channel with an extending protruding edge. In a preferred embodiment, and with reference to  FIG. 25 , a horizontal crossarm can have a U-channel with an extending parallel flange. However, it is to be appreciated that the slots, posts, and crossarms may be shaped in accordance with one&#39;s desired specifications and configurations. Likewise, the exemplary angles described and the positioning of the slots may also vary depending on one&#39;s desired configurations. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is to be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be used different combinations and permutations with each other, all falling within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.