Patent Abstract:
A plant protection apparatus includes a plurality of side panels. Each of the plurality of side panels includes a mesh portion and a width of each side panel is greater at a lower portion of the side panel than a width of each side panel at an upper portion of the side panel. A side portion of each side panel is operably connected to a side portion of another of the plurality of side panels thereby defining a boundaried area. A lid includes a mesh portion and a perimeter portion of the lid is operably connected to the upper portion of each side panel to yield a self-supporting plant enclosure.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The technical field generally to which this application and the within-described invention applies relates to the protection of young or otherwise vulnerable plants growing outdoors naturally or in a planned garden or landscaped setting. Such plants, especially when in the form or developmental phase as seedlings, sprouts, “starts,” or as new transplants, are especially exposed to potential damage and destruction from various animals and insects, commonly referred to individually and/or collectively as “garden pests,” and are likewise susceptible to damaging effects from the more severe types of weather conditions and natural environmental elements that can occur or otherwise be present, such as high heat, intense sunlight, frost, heavy rain, falling or blowing debris, wind or hail. One of the main reasons young plants are so vulnerable to garden pests is that they can be especially tender and tasty during the above-referenced stages of development, and can provide a ready and desirable food source for garden pests that are able to gain access. The loss of and/or replacement of seedlings and other young or vulnerable plants destroyed or damaged by garden pests or natural-elements can be time-consuming, costly, dispiriting, and highly frustrating. There have heretofore been various attempts to fashion or create various implements, devices or other inventions to attempt to protect plants from these types of damages; however, many if not all of the current designs (whether or not presently commercially available) are bulky, cumbersome, costly, flimsy, heavy, ineffective, poorly designed or constructed, more appropriate for fully-developed plants rather than young plants, damaging or detrimental to plants in other unintended respects, and/or difficult to assemble, use, ship, transport, move about, and/or store. Therefore, further technological developments and inventions in this field which are not encumbered with such imperfections, limitations or difficulties are necessary and desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    One embodiment of the present application includes a plant (in the botanical sense) protection apparatus. Other embodiments include unique plant protection apparatuses, systems, and methods. Further embodiments, inventions, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application are otherwise set forth or become apparent from the descriptions, drawings and illustrations included herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The descriptions herein make reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like-referenced numerals refer to like parts, areas, placements, locations or physical positions throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative embodiment of a plant protector, which can be assembled from various individual pieces, as described below, or made in one complete unit as a whole, as similarly described below. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative embodiment of a top panel or cover (also referred to as a “lid”) of a plant protector. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative embodiment of a side panel of a plant protector, with an attached, downwardly-protruding ground retention mechanism or member, also referred to as a “leg.” 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away (enlarged, isolated) perspective of a portion of  FIG. 3  (such portion being shown on  FIG. 3  as  312 ), illustrating a tab and a tab receiving mechanism or member (also referred to as a “slot”). 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a plurality of plant protectors in a collapsed or unassembled, stacked state. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a plurality of fully-assembled plant protectors in a stacked state (one inside the other). 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a plurality of side panels as fully assembled and connected to one another to form an initial frame, but prior to the attachment thereto of a lid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles, design and utility of the within invention, reference(s) will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as well as to additional and separate embodiments which are not in fact illustrated in such drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation or diminution of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and that any alterations, enhancements and/or further modifications regarding the illustrated device or the various embodiments thereof as described herein, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated or described herein, are hereby deemed and declared expressly or impliedly contemplated and included therein and herein as would normally or obviously occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates one particular embodiment of the present invention. A fully-assembled plant protector  100  forms an open-air and substantially open-to-sunlight and open-to-moisture enclosure which can be placed over a plant, such as a seedling, and securely anchored/attached to the ground by use of the attached legs  106 . The plant protector  100  can be utilized to provide protection to the plant from various animals, insects and other common garden pests, and can also be utilized to help shield the plant from intense sunlight and heat, heavy rains and downpours, wind, hail, supplemental frost-protection coverings, and blowing or falling debris. The fully-assembled plant protector enclosure  100 , as shown, is constructed of a plurality of side panels  102  and a lid  108 . 
         [0013]    As is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the side panels  102  and lid  108  include within the interior area of their respective outside boundaries a gridded mesh or screening portion  114  (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as “mesh”). In some forms, each of the side panels  102  and lid  108  are almost entirely constructed of a mesh area  114 , as is shown in said illustrations. The additional non-mesh portions of the side panels and lid, including without limitation the somewhat thickened members  305 ,  314 ,  118 ,  320 ,  201  (also referred to herein as “sides,” “top rails” “bottom rails,” “edges” and/or “perimeters”) located along the outside perimeters of the side panel  102  and lid  108 , can be used: (a) to assist in the manufacturing process  202 ,  202   a ,  204 ,  204   a , (b) to provide support, strength, bracing and rigidity  305 ,  314 ,  118 ,  320 ,  201  to the overall enclosure  100 , (c) to connect and attach the plurality of pieces to one another  208 ,  310  in order to form the overall plant protector enclosure  100 , (d) to anchor and secure the overall structure to the ground  106 , and (e) to provide an area for use in product marketing, trademark or patent status disclosure, and promotion  106   a ,  204 . 
         [0014]    The incorporation and use of the mesh construction  114  within the interior areas of the side panels  102  and lid  108  permits the plant protector  100  to provide protection to the plant from garden pests, while still allowing sufficient air, sunlight and moisture to freely penetrate the enclosure to provide nutrients and other natural elements necessary for the health and vigor of the growing plant enclosed by the plant protector  100 . The mesh  114  can take or implement a variety of forms, thicknesses, dimensions, shapes, patterns, and spacings depending on the desired design and specific application of the user, as would be known or obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0015]    As mentioned, the meshed side panels and lid  102  and  108  can also include thickened members along their respective outside edges  305 ,  314 ,  118 ,  320 ,  201  to provide for a rigid and strengthened construction (the ultimate thicknesses, dimensions and particular shapes for which can provide an array of differing levels of rigidity and strength, as desired by the user). In addition, the bottom rails  118  of the side panels  102 , when fully assembled as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , will provide a firm, ground-level base of support for the plant protector  100  when in use. The rigidity of the illustrated side panels  102  and lid  108  is such that, when they are connected and attached together to form the plant protector  100 , the overall plant protector  100  becomes a unified, integrally-connected structure that is self-supporting and self-bracing, the strength and rigidity of which is made especially more so when the slightly-angled legs  106  are properly and fully positioned in the ground. 
         [0016]    As would be understood by or obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, the desired overall rigidity, size, shape, weight, mesh opening sizes, and ultimate specific design of the side panels and lid  102  and  108 , including without limitation the size, length, thickness and angle of the attached legs  106 , can depend upon individual user requirements or desires, including, but not limited to, in the first instance: (a) the size, foraging habits, prevalence, sensory capabilities, aggressiveness, physical strength and capabilities, mobility, ambulatory capabilities, and specific type(s) of garden pests desired to be excluded and against which protection is sought, and (b) the type, prevalence and intensity of local weather conditions and other natural outdoor environmental elements from which protection is sought. Additionally, the overall size and design of the side panels  102  and lid  108 , and of the mesh  114 , can depend upon, in the second instance: (a) the size, number and/or spacing of the seedling(s) or plant(s) desired to be protected by the plant protector  100  at the time the plant protector  100  is first applied, (b) the horticultural needs, ongoing vulnerability, and growth characteristics of the plant during the time it is expected to remain protected within the enclosure, and (c) the overall anticipated height and girth of the plant at the time the user expects to remove the plant protector  100  from continued use; all as would be known or obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0017]    The side panels  102  and lid  108 , as well as the overall plant protector  100 , can be constructed and/or manufactured utilizing a variety of techniques, methods and materials in order to obtain the utility for which they and it are designed and intended. It is contemplated, for example, that the side panels  102  and lid  108  can be constructed of one or more pieces of metal (and of one or more types of metal) through, for example, a stamping, pressing, cutting, molding and/or folding process or other forming techniques as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In another form, it is contemplated that the side panels  102  and lid  108 , as well as the overall plant protector  100 , can be constructed of a polymer such as plastic or resin, whether in one piece or from a plurality of individual and separate pieces. In one specific embodiment, as detailed and illustrated in this application, the side panels  102  and lid  108  are formed via plastic injection molding. However, it should be appreciated that other materials and forming and construction techniques suitable to yield the side panels  102  and lid  108 , as well as the overall plant protector  100 , are herein contemplated within the scope of the present invention, as would be known or obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate one embodiment of a side panel  102  and one embodiment of a lid  108 , respectively, each formed of injection molded plastic. An injection site (injection point)  204 ,  204   a  is illustrated for each piece, where molten plastic is injected into a mold to spread throughout and fill a pre-formed cavity within the mold. Although the injection points  204  and  204   a  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, as having a square shape and as centrally located within the respective mesh  114  areas, the injection points  204  and  204   a  could also be of a different size or shape, and could be positioned at another location within or leading to the respective mold cavities of the side panel  102  and lid  108 . A plurality of ejection pin points  202 ,  202   a  can be disposed throughout the mesh portions  114  in the side panels and lids  102 ,  108 , at various intersection points of the mesh  114  and in a variety of patterns and/or spacing. These ejection pin points  202 ,  202   a  allow for and assist with the ejection of the respective injection-molded pieces from the respective molds after the polymer has at least partially set. As can be appreciated, the ultimate location, size, shape and number of ejection pin points  202 ,  202   a  can depend on various design and specific manufacturing aspects that are selected or desired, including but not limited to, the type of polymer used (including any additives) and the physical characteristics thereof, the strength, size and spacing of the formed mesh, as well as the overall dimensions of the desired plant protector  100 . 
         [0019]    Referencing  FIG. 3 , and as mentioned above, one embodiment of a representative side panel  102  formed of injection molded plastic is illustrated. As shown, the width (horizontal distance)  306  of the top rail  305  of the side panel  102  is less than and centered-symmetrical to the width (horizontal distance)  308  of the bottom rail  118  of the side panel  102 , thereby creating an angle away from vertical when moving from one of the far ends of the top rail to the opposing far end of the bottom rail along the outside edges of the side panel  102 , and thereby giving the side panel  102  an overall trapezoidal shape. See  FIG. 3 . 
         [0020]    The smaller width  306  of the top rail  305  relative to the larger width  308  of the bottom rail  118 , i.e., the trapezoidal shape of the side panel  102 , permits a plurality of plant protectors  100 , once assembled, to be stacked one on top of and/or one inside of the other for more efficient storage and transport of the plant protectors  100  when not in use. See, e.g.,  FIG. 6 . This is because the trapezoidal shape of the side panel  102 , when attached to and connected with a plurality of additional side panels  102  in the manner illustrated, will create an overall “flat-topped” 4-sided pyramidal shape. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the square, top portion  108  of one plant protector  100  can be placed within the square, open-air bottom base area  118   a  (defined by the plurality of bottom rails  118  of the connected plurality of side panels  102 ) of a second plant protector  100 , such that the first plant protector  100 , when pushed or placed completely into the open-air interior space of the second plant protector  100 , will fit symmetrically within said space, and will securely nest within the second plant protector  100 . See  FIG. 6 . As mentioned, this nesting and stacking capability of a plurality of plant protectors  100  will allow for ease of storage, transport and/or shipping of said plurality when not in use. In addition to the benefits obtained from the aforementioned symmetrical stacking capability, the trapezoidal shape of the side panels  102 , when fully assembled with a plurality of other side panels  102  and a lid  108  into a complete plant protector  100 , also creates an angle away from vertical for the legs  106  when placed into the ground, thereby increasing the strength and resistance capabilities of the overall plant protector  100  when and if lateral forces are applied thereto (i.e., it will be more difficult for a garden pest animal to lift it from the ground, knock it over, or pull it over). 
         [0021]    It must be stated, however, that the respective trapezoidal and flat-topped pyramidal shapes of the side panel  102  and the overall plant protector  100  as illustrated in this application are not required for the overall utility and/or functionality of the invention. Rather, different shapes and sizes of the side panels  102  and of the overall plant protector  100  may be implemented and used in an unlimited variety of additional embodiments, including as an example but without limitation, by using square-shaped or rectangular-shaped side panels  102 , which if implemented and assembled into an overall design would thereby create a cube-shaped or box-shaped structure for the overall plant protector  100 . As a result of the particular embodiment used as an example, square-, rectangular-, cubed- or box-shaped plant protectors  100  would not be able to fit one inside the other unless they were of different overall shapes and/or sizes. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the plant protector  100  does not need to include any built-in legs  106  or other ground retention devices in order to retain the basic utility or functionality intended for the overall invention. Although it would likely provide less security if larger or stronger types of garden pests were present, an embodiment of the plant protector  100  without built-in ground retention devices would nevertheless provide some level of protection from smaller garden pests (and from the elements) even if used without such built-in ground retention devices. Additionally, an embodiment of the plant protector  100  without built-in ground retention devices could provide substantial protection from garden pests and from the elements if alternative or supplemental ground retention devices, such as “j-hooks,” tent-type stakes or weighted items, were used to help hold the plant protector  100  in place. 
         [0023]    However, the plant protector  100  will provide the most favorable and dependable protections, as well as ease of use, if at least one or a plurality of ground retention devices or members, such as the illustrated legs  106 , are built-in and integrated to the plant protector  100 . The embodiment of the plant protector  100  as depicted in this application includes such built-in ground retention members or “legs”  106 . See  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The leg  106  extends downwardly from the base or bottom rail  118  of at least one of the side panels  102 . It can so extend downwardly from any point along the horizontal base rail  118  of the side panel  102 . In one form, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , each side panel  102  can include a leg or ground retention member  106  that extends downwardly from the center point of the horizontal base rail  118  of the side panel  102 . Using such center point for the attachment and downward extension of the leg  106  allows the user of the plant protector  100  to apply the maximum amount of downward force and pressure to the overall structure in order to properly seat the legs  106  into the ground when initially used and positioned above the plant to be protected. If the user finds the ground to be dry or compacted when attempting to place the plant protector  100 , however, the user is advised to first make small pilot holes in the ground at the spot of each leg tip  106 , using a pointed hand tool, so as to allow the legs  106  to more easily penetrate into the ground and to avoid putting undue pressure thereon. In fact, using such center point of the bottom rail  118  of the side panel  102  for the point of attachment and downward extension of the leg  106  also allows the assembler of the plant protector  100  to gain substantial increased support for the base of the plant protector  100  during the assembly process, and especially at the point in such process when the lid  108  is attached to the frame of the plurality of side panels  102 , as more particularly discussed below. 
         [0024]    The ground retention member (or leg)  106 , as its descriptive name implies, is structured and designed to hold the overall plant protection enclosure  100  securely to the ground. Retaining the plant protection enclosure  100  securely to the ground will prevent movement of the plant protector  100  relative to the protected plant within the interior, thereby avoiding potential damage to the plant from undue contact with the plant protector  100 , and secure retention can also prevent or deter animal garden pests from lifting or pulling on the plant protector  100  in an attempt to knock it over or to enter the enclosure. The specific design, shape, length and size of the ground retention member  106  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to a ground retention member in the general shape of a tine, stake, spear-head or arrowhead, pointed or barbed peg, or any other spiked-type shape, such that the ground retention member  106  can aid in the holding of the plant protector  100  securely to the ground. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the plurality of side panels  102  are connected together such that an interior boundaried area, the “base” area,  118   a , is formed along and within the plurality of horizontal bottom rails  118  of the plurality of the side panels  102 . This boundaried base area  118   a  defines the anticipated “ground-level” portion of the interior of the plant protection enclosure  100  as bounded by the horizontal bottom rails  118  of the plurality of connected side panels  102 . The plurality of connected side panels  102  and the lid  108  (including the mesh  114  incorporated within same), when all properly attached to one another and properly secured to the ground with the legs  106 , can prevent entrance to the interior of the plant protector enclosure  100  by a variety of common animal and insect garden pests, whether such entry is attempted through the sides or from the top of the plant protector enclosure  100  or from immediately underneath the horizontal bottom rails  118  of the side panels  102 . Additionally, the side panels  102  act as integrated structural support for the overall plant protector  100 . 
         [0026]    A top panel, covering or “lid”  108  may or may not be used with the plant protector  100  as framed by a plurality of side panels  102 . See  FIG. 7 . If the user elects to forego the use of a lid  108 , the user will retain free and ready access to the interior of the plant protector  100  from above. Having such access could benefit or assist the user for purposes of ease of watering, fertilizing, weeding, thinning, mulching, pruning or providing other general plant maintenance or care to the plant being protected within the enclosure. However, electing to forego the use of a lid  108  would also allow free and ready access to the interior of the plant protector  100  from above by any garden pest capable of reaching, climbing to, crawling to, jumping to, or flying to the open top of the plant protector  100 , which would likely be an unacceptable risk or otherwise undesirable to the user, as well as a significant departure from and a detriment to the overall protections designed to be afforded by the plant protector  100 . Furthermore, an election to forego the use of a lid  108  would significantly limit the ability of the plant protector  100  to help shield the protected plant from the more severe elements, as it is designed to do, such as from intense sunshine or heat, heavy rains, wind, hail, or falling debris. Finally, an election to forego the use of a lid  108  could make it more difficult to gently and evenly push the legs  106  of the plant protector  100  into the ground. 
         [0027]    As well, the user could elect to use the lid  108  or any other similarly-shaped or adapted covering device as an easily removable, unattached cover for the plant protector  100  as framed by a plurality of side panels  102 , accomplishing such characteristics simply by forgoing the use of any attachment device or system for the lid, such as by electing not to use the built-in tab  310  and slot  208  attachment system that has been designed and incorporated into the side panels  102  and the lid  108  as shown in the embodiments depicted in this application. Such application and use of an unattached yet covering lid  108  would also provide the user with free and ready access to the interior of the plant protector  100  from above by simply removing the lid cover  108  temporarily, and would provide some level of shielding from the more extreme elements as mentioned above, but would nonetheless and in any event be more susceptible of being removed, displaced, lifted, or knocked away by larger, stronger or more aggressive or determined garden pests. 
         [0028]    More robust and dependable protective capabilities can be enjoyed by the overall plant protector  100  by securely attaching the lid  108  to the frame of the assembled side panels  102  at a point on or along the length of at least one of the top horizontal rails  305  of at least one of the side panels  102 . Such a “one-sided” attachment scheme can be accomplished by any practical method, such as by using supplemental wire ties or removable clips, by use of a hinge or hinges, or by use of other common types of attachment or clamping devices, and thereafter, depending upon the attachment method so used, the user could enjoy both ready and free access to the interior of the plant protector  100  from above (for the purposes identified above), and the plant protector  100  with a one-sided attached lid  108  would provide a much enhanced level of protection from access by garden pests and for shielding the plant from the more extreme elements (likewise as identified above). 
         [0029]    The strongest and most dependable protective capabilities of the plant protector  100 , however, can be achieved by securely attaching the lid  108  to the frame of the assembled plurality of side panels  102  at at least two oppositely-facing points along at least two of the top horizontal rails  305  of at least two of the side panels  102 . For example, but without limitation, such secure, opposing attachments of the lid  108  to the side panels  102  could be made (a) at one of the top corners of the overall structure  109  where a corner of the lid  108  meets the top of the connected corner of two of the side panels  102 , and then also at the opposite top cross-corner  109   a , or (b) at the central point  105   a  of one horizontal top rail  305  of one side panel  102  and then also at the central point  105   b  of the horizontal top rail  305  of the opposing side panel  102 . As mentioned, by securely attaching the lid  108  to the frame of the assembled plurality of side panels  102  at at least two points, the user gains the benefit of the strongest and most dependable protective capabilities of the plant protector  100 , yet loses the ability to gain free and ready access to the interior of the plant protector  100  to perform such gardening tasks as weeding, thinning, mulching or pruning (while watering and fertilizing tasks can typically still be accomplished with the lid  108  in place). Such loss of ready access can be easily overcome, however, simply by temporarily removing the plant protector enclosure  100  from the ground, performing the tasks desired with respect to the protected plant and/or the interior base area  118   a  (such as weeding, thinning or pruning), and then replacing the plant protector  100  as it was prior to the temporary removal. 
         [0030]    In one form as embodied in the depictions and illustrations herein, the entire perimeter portion  206  of the lid  108  can be easily, fully and securely attached and connected to the top horizontal rails  305  of each of the side panels  102 , by use of a built-in tab  310  and slot  208  attachment system that has been designed and incorporated directly into the side panels  102  and the lid  108  as integral, polymeric parts thereof, without the need to use any additional or supplemental parts or connecting devices, and without the need to use any tools during the assembly process, all as is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . The complete connection of the lid  108  to the frame of the plurality of side panels  102  by use of all eight pairings of the applicable tabs  310  and slots  208  yields a fully-assembled, freestanding, and ready-to-use plant protector  100 . See  FIG. 1 . Maximum overall rigidity, shape- and form-retention capabilities, self-supporting capabilities, protective capabilities, and overall strength of the structure is attained through actual use thereof, when the plurality of legs  106  of the plant protector  100  are evenly, fully and securely placed into the ground. 
         [0031]    In one form, the plant protector  100  is fully comprised as a unitary, one-piece structure that does not require further assembly or the use of supplemental parts, pieces or devices to obtain the overall design, i.e., it is comprised as a single complete unit ready for use. For example, but without limitation, and as would be known or obvious to one of normal skill in the art, with relatively slight engineering and technical modifications, revisions and/or enhancements, the individual configurations of the two separate mold cavities contemplated for use to manufacture the side panels  102  and the lid  108  as depicted herein by plastic injection molding, see  FIGS. 1-3 , could be combined and attached seamlessly to one another along the various lengths of the current attachment points through further and fairly simple CAD procedures to create a single cavity for a unitary, one piece, polymeric structure. In other words, the overall shape and design of the plant protector structure  100 , as embodied in  FIG. 1 , could be easily re-drawn and re-engineered as a single unit rather than a multi-pieced enclosure assembled from a plurality of interlocking individual parts, and could be easily manufactured with a single larger mold, rather than two separate smaller molds. In addition, it should be understood that a variety of production and manufacturing processes, methods, materials and techniques can be utilized to yield a unitary one-piece plant protector  100 , for example, but without limitation, by using metal or wire, screened or woven mesh, ceramics or glass, or any other malleable and structurally sound materials, and/or by using a process of bending, welding, stamping, pressing, molding, stapling, cutting, folding and/or any other commonly-known methods of shaping or forming such materials. 
         [0032]    The form, design and method of attachment of the side panels  102  to one another, and of the lid  108  to the frame of a plurality of side panels  102 , as embodied in the illustrations herein, and as described herein by reference to the built-in tab  310  and slot  208  integrated attachment system, is specifically designed and intended to create a “locking” feature or characteristic with respect to said system, so that, when a tab  310  is fully inserted into a slot  208 , the head of the tab  310 , being slightly thicker than the width of the slot  208 , may pass through the slot  208  only with some small amount of straight-ahead or linear directional force and pressure being applied to the tab  310 , and so that, once the head of the tab  310  is pushed fully through the slot  208 , the head of the tab  310 , after it emerges from the far side of the slot  208 , will “lock” into place in a secure fashion, and whereby an effort to thereafter extract or remove the tab  310  from the slot  208  would be difficult at best, and in fact could require the use of a specialized leveraging or prying-type tool, as well as the need for specialized skill, to un-do or de-construct the original connection. In other words, the fully-assembled plant protector  100 , in the form described and illustrated herein, see  FIG. 1 , is specifically intended and designed to be difficult to take apart by hand and/or to otherwise “collapse” it back into its individual plurality of pieces once it has been properly assembled and all of the plurality of pieces are properly connected. This “locking” feature of the tabs  310  and slots  208  provides added strength and rigidity to the overall plant protector enclosure  100 , and gives added assurance to the user that the plant protector  100 , when in use, will retain its shape and overall structural integrity even if small levels of external lateral forces are applied, and therefore the plant protector  100  will be made much more difficult to breach by an animal garden pest attempting to gain access. A final benefit of the “locking” feature makes it less likely that de-constructed individual pieces would be lost, misplaced or damaged when not in use. 
         [0033]    In another form, the design and function of the attachment system to be used for the assembly of the plant protector  100  is such that the frame of the plurality of side panels  102  and the lid  108 , once fully assembled and connected to one another, are more easily severable and retractable from one another, i.e., by not requiring the use of any special tool or skill, and as a result the overall structure can easily be collapsed back into the several individual and distinct plurality of pieces as existed at the beginning of the initial assembly process, and therefore which can be selectively coupled and decoupled at the will and desire of the user. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , in one form the plurality of side panels  102  are attached to one another through a plurality of tabs  310  extending outward from the left-side edge  320  of each side panel  102 , and a plurality of tab receiving members, or “slots”  208 , are integrally positioned at identical but opposing locations along the right-side edge  314  of the side panel  102 . See  FIG. 3 . To begin the assembly process, the user selects a “first” side panel  102  (shown as  116  in  FIG. 1 ), and inserts the tabs  310  protruding from the left side edge  320  into and through the corresponding slots  208  of a “second” side panel  102  (shown as  110  in  FIG. 1 ) until all of the plurality of tabs  310  of the first side panel  102  are fully engaged within and pushed through the plurality of corresponding slots  208  of the second side panel  102 , thereby creating a fully assembled “corner” or “combined-corner rail”  125  with respect to the two just-connected side panels  102 . The aforementioned assembly steps are then similarly repeated for the third and fourth side panels  102 , and then also and finally with respect to the plurality of tabs  310  of the first side panel  102  being inserted into the plurality of corresponding slots  208  of the fourth side panel  102 , thereby completing the 4-sided structural frame for the plant protector  100 . See  FIG. 7 . 
         [0035]    It should be noted here that a tab receiving member or slot  208  can take a variety of forms, shapes and sizes, such that the resulting aperture associated therewith can be structured to engage fully and securely with an inserted tab  310 , thereby making it difficult to remove, or it can be structured to engage fully yet more loosely with an inserted tab  310 , thereby making the tab  310  relatively easy to remove or retract from the slot  208  if desired by the user. The benefits and detractions of both of such attachment methods, and/or as may result from any compromise between or combination of the two, are as described hereinabove. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 and 7 , in one form the lid  108  is attached to the frame of a plurality of previously-attached and assembled side panels  102  by use of a plurality of tabs  310  extending upward from the top horizontal rail  305  of each side panel  102 , and by using a plurality of tab receiving members, or “slots”  208 , that are integrally positioned at corresponding pre-determined locations along the outside perimeter  206  of the lid  108 . See  FIGS. 1-4 and 7 . To begin the process of attaching the lid  108  to the frame of a plurality of previously-attached and assembled side panels  102  (see  FIG. 7 ), the assembler/user selects one of the corners  205  of the lid  108 , and carefully positions the two slots  208  associated with that corner  205  directly above the two corresponding tabs  310  extending upward from each side of the top of the attached corner  707  created by two of the assembled side panels  102  making a part of the overall frame  125 . See  FIG. 7 . When properly aligned and positioned, the two slots  208  of the selected lid corner  205  are gently pushed down and onto the heads of the two tabs  310  below  707 , and with further gentle downward force (while at the same time also giving support to the corner  111  of the side panel  102  base so as not to put undue pressure on the legs  106 ), the tabs  310  of said side panels  102  are caused to pass fully through said slots  208 , thereby engaging them and “locking” them into place  109 . This procedure is then repeated sequentially for the other three corners  205  of the lid  108  with respect to the other three corresponding pairs of tabs  310  extending upwards from the other three top corners  707  of the assembled side panel  102  frame, as a result of which, when completed, the lid  108  will be fully secured and attached to the frame of the plurality of assembled side panels  102  around the entire perimeter  206  of the lid  108 , and the plant protector  100  is now ready for use. See  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    In one specific embodiment of the plant protector  100 , the top horizontal rail  305  of a side panel  102  can include at least one or a plurality of tabs  310  extending upwards from said top rail  305 , and similarly each side edge  201  of a corresponding lid  108  to be subsequently attached thereto can include at least one or a plurality of tab receiving members or slots  208 . Similarly, a side panel  102  can include at least one or a plurality of tabs  310  extending outward from the left-side edge  320  of the side panel  102 , and can include at least one or a plurality of corresponding and similarly-aligned slots  208  on the opposing, right-side edge  314  of the side panel  102 . In another form, as depicted and illustrated herein: (a) each side panel  102  can include: (i) three tabs  310  extending outwardly from the left-side edge  320  of the side panel  102 , and three similarly-aligned tab receiving members or slots  208  integrated within the right-side edge  314  of the side panel  102 , and (ii) two tabs  310  extending upwardly from the top rail  305  of the side panel  102 , and (b) each lid  108  can include two properly-aligned slots  208  on each side of the perimeter  206  of the lid  108 , so that the lid  108  can be fully attached to the corresponding side panels  102  and tabs  310  thereof. See  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0038]    It should be understood and noted that while certain specified tab  310  and slot  208  placements, numbers, and alignments have been particularly described for specific embodiments as referenced herein, the invention is not limited to or restricted by these particular or specific tab  310  and slot  208  placements, numbers and/or alignments as so described. Rather, any combination or number or plurality of tabs  310  and tab receiving members  208 , and any variety, combination or alternatives of placements and/or alignments thereof in a final design, is expressly contemplated as being within the scope of the invention herein described, such that any such combination, number, plurality, variety or alternative with respect to the tabs  310  and slots  208  can ultimately be implemented in any design so as to cooperate with one another in order to assemble and connect the side panels  102  to one another and also to connect a frame of the assembled plurality of side panels  102  to the lid  108 . 
         [0039]    As was previously discussed, in one form the lid  108  and the side panels  102  can be decoupled from one another and collapsed into individual pieces. As well, when a plant protector  100  is first being assembled from a plurality of individual pieces, those pieces are first obtained by the assembler/user as individual, decoupled, separate pieces.  FIG. 5  illustrates a plurality of decoupled and stacked side panels  102  and lids  108 . In fact, this  FIG. 5  also illustrates a stacked plurality of individual side panels  102  and individual lids  108  as they might appear immediately after being manufactured, and prior to any assembly procedures being undertaken. The capability of side panels  102  and lids  108  to be symmetrically and evenly stacked one on top of another while retaining a relatively low profile, whether done immediately after manufacture or whether done as a result of decoupling after a prior assembly, can provide ease of shipping, transport and storage. One example  502  of such a storage or shipping configuration, but without limitation, is as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , therein showing an assembled configuration of side panels  102  and lids  108  sufficient to construct ten separate plant protectors  100 . As one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, any number or variety of possible stacking, shipping and/or storage configurations can be contemplated, depending upon the number of side panels  102  and/or lids  108  that are desired to be stacked, shipped and/or stored. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art can likewise appreciate that the plurality of individual pieces of a collapsed and/or stacked plant protector  100  will take up much less overall space than a fully-assembled plant protector  100 . Cf.,  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 . 
         [0040]    While the invention herein has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements and structures included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements and structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore, it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary to achieve the intended and desired functionality and utility of the invention, and any further or separate embodiment lacking the same shall therefore be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. 
         [0041]    In reading and reviewing the foregoing descriptions, it is intended that when words or phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and/or “at least a portion” are used therein, there is no intention to limit the description to only one item or subject matter unless specifically stated to the contrary in the description. Further, when the phrases “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” are used in a description, the item or subject matter being referenced may include a portion and/or the entire item or subject matter, unless specifically stated to the contrary. Finally, when reference is made within a description to “a plant,” “the plant,” and/or “the protected plant,” such references shall be deemed to mean a plant in the botanical sense, and shall also be deemed to include a plurality of plants, such as “plants,” “the plants,” and/or “the protected plants.” 
         [0042]    Further, in reading and reviewing the claims that follow, it is intended that when words or phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and/or “at least a portion” are used within a claim, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item or subject matter unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the phrases “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” are used in stating a claim, the item or subject matter being referenced may include a portion and/or the entire item or subject matter unless specifically stated to the contrary. Finally, if a claim makes reference to “a plant,” “the plant,” and/or “the protected plant,” such references shall be deemed to mean a plant in the botanical sense, and shall also be deemed to include a plurality of plants, such as “plants,” “the plants,” and/or “the protected plants.”

Technology Classification (CPC): 0