Abstract:
A vine training system is disclosed, including an improved vineyard stake. The system includes a vineyard stake, a training wire, and end posts for holding tension in the wire. A plurality of vineyard stakes are positioned between the end posts to keep the wire a desired distance above the ground. The stake engages the wire via openings in the tube wall. The openings include a central horizontal leg and oppositely disposed vertical legs, such that the legs form a tab therebetween. The wire is receivable in the opening, and the tab retains the wire to fix it to the stake. This engagement is achieved without the use of clips. The stake can include a plurality of openings so that the wire can be positioned and repositioned at any of a variety of distances above the ground, to accommodate vine growth. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of systems for use in vine training, and more particularly to an improved vineyard stake for use in training grape vines. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    In wine making, vine training systems are used to assist in the establishment and maintenance of grape vines. Vine training systems are often used to shape the growth of grape vines so that the vines grow in a way that enhances grape growth and ripening. A trellis is often part of traditional vine training systems. Technically speaking, the trellis refers to the actual stakes, posts, wires or other structures to which the growing vine is attached.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an example of a traditional vineyard training system  1 . The vine stakes  2  are usually made of thin-walled steel, and the profiles of these stakes are typically angles, U-shapes or T-posts. One problem with such stake designs is that their thin-walled angle, U-shaped or T-post construction makes them difficult to drive into hard soil without deforming the top or buckling the side walls. 
         [0005]    Another component of traditional vine training system is a wire  4  which is strung horizontally between stakes  2 . The wire helps the grape vines grow upward and keeps the cordons (vine arms) off the ground. Attaching the training wire to the stake requires the use of a special clip  6 . The clip is looped through a hole in the stake, and is manually twisted about the wire  2 , usually using a tool such as pliers, to secure the wire in place at a desired height above the ground. As will be appreciated, this operation is labor intensive, as the clip must be twisted about the wire at each stake  2 . 
         [0006]    Early in the training process, it may be necessary to change the height of the wire  2  above the ground, to accommodate vine growth and to keep the cordons from touch the ground as previously noted. Such height changes can be difficult and time intensive using traditional vine training arrangements because each clip  6  must to be removed and repositioned on the stake  2  to move the wire  4  up or down a desired amount. 
         [0007]    In addition, with current designs, the clips can tend to fall off of or get caught in the grape harvesting machinery, resulting in metal fragments being collected and mixed in with the harvested grapes. 
         [0008]    Further, current stake designs also suffer from substantial corrosion as they are usually made from raw steel with no exterior protection, and as can be appreciated, the training systems are continually exposed to the outdoor environment. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1B  shows typical end posts  8  used to hold the wire  4  in tension. As can be seen, the end posts are wooden posts, and the wire  4  is fixed to the posts by wrapping and twisting the wire around the post  8 . As can be appreciated, this is a cumbersome arrangement, and as with prior stake designs, makes adjusting the wire height an arduous task. 
         [0010]    Thus, there is a need for an improved vine training system design that simplifies attachment of training wires to stakes by eliminating the need for clips, which facilitates movement of the training wires up or down the stakes as needed, which minimizes corrosion of stakes, and which facilitates driving of the stake into hard ground without deforming the stake. There is also a need for an improved end post design that similarly facilitates movement of the training wires up or down the end post as needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    An improved vineyard training system is disclosed that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies. The disclosed system includes a vineyard stake made from a tubular profile that imparts high stiffness and strength required to enable the stake to be driven into hard soil without buckling or deforming, and that does not require added supplemental stiffening components. In addition, the bottom end of the stake may be provided with a pointed shape to facilitate penetration into the soil. Openings are provided in the side walls of the stake to enable easy engagement of a training wire with the stake. Providing such openings also facilitates the placement of the training wire at any of a variety of distances above the ground, thus enabling quick adjustment of the system to accommodate vine growth. To prevent corrosion, the stake may include a zinc coating to offer protection against corrosive environments of the wine growing areas. 
         [0012]    A vineyard stake is disclosed. The stake includes a tubular member having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of openings can be formed in a wall of the tubular member. The plurality of openings can be spaced along the longitudinal axis. At least one of the plurality of openings has a central horizontal leg and first and second oppositely disposed vertical legs. The horizontal and vertical legs form a protruding tab therebetween. The protruding tab is configured such that when a wire is laterally inserted in the opening, the wire is retained behind the protruding tab to fix the wire to the tubular member. 
         [0013]    A vine training system is disclosed. The system includes a vineyard stake comprising a tubular member having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, an elongated training wire, and first and second end posts for receiving first and second ends of the elongated training wire to maintain a tension in the elongated training wire. The tubular member includes an opening in a wall thereof. The opening includes a central horizontal leg and first and second oppositely disposed vertical legs. The horizontal and vertical legs form a protruding tab therebetween. The opening is configured to receive an intermediate portion of the elongated training wire therein and the protruding tab is configured to retain the intermediate portion of the elongated training wire to fix the elongated training wire to the tubular member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the disclosed device so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of a traditional vine training system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a view of the disclosed vine training system implemented in a vineyard; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side and detail views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a stake for use with the vine training system of  FIG. 2 , while  FIG. 3C  is a cross-section view of the stake of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  taken along line  3 C- 3 C of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are front and detail views, respectively, of the stake of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side and detail views, respectively, of a second embodiment of a stake for use in the vine training system of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front and detail views, respectively, of the stake of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , while  FIG. 6C  is a cross-section view of the stake of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  taken along line  6 C- 6 C of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are detail views of exemplary positionings of a training wire with respect to the stake of  FIGS. 4A-5B ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of an exemplary driving point for the stakes of  FIGS. 4A-6c ; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 10A through 10C  are opposing side views, and a detail view, respectively, of an exemplary end post for use with the vine training system of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11A through 11D  are isometric views of the end post of  FIGS. 10A-10C . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    An exemplary vine training system according to the disclosure is shown in  FIG. 2  shows a plurality of vineyard stakes  10  positioned in a grid pattern throughout a vineyard. Training wires  12  are engaged with openings  14  formed in the stakes  10  to hold the wires at a desired position above the ground. As can be seen, the stake/wire engagement does not require the use of clips. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A-3C  show an exemplary vineyard stake  10 , which may be an elongated tubular (i.e., hollow) member having a length “L,” and first and second ends  16 ,  18  disposed at opposing ends thereof. A plurality of openings  14  may be formed through the wall of the member at spaced apart intervals along the length “L.” The first end  16  may be configured for receiving a driving force by, for example, a sledgehammer, to enable the stake  10  to be driven into soil at a desired location. In one embodiment, the second end  16  is simply a flat end. The second end  18  may include one or more points  20  to facilitate penetration of the soil during the driving operation. In one embodiment these points  20  can be formed by laser cutting, though other cutting/forming techniques could also be used. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the stake  10  is a steel tube having a square shape in cross-section (see  FIG. 3C ), with side lengths “SL” of about 1.5 inches. The tube may be formed from 16 gage material (0.065-inch nominal wall thickness “t”). The length “L” may be about 96-inches. Making the stake  10  from such a square tubular member provides a desired high stiffness for the stake which will not buckle or bend when the stake is hammered into hard soil. 
         [0028]    As noted, the stake  10  can include a plurality of openings  14  formed in the stake wall. As more clearly seen in  FIG. 3B , pairs of openings  14 A,  14 B are positioned in direct opposition on the sides of the stake  10 . This arrangement enables a training wire  12  to be engaged with either side of the stake  10 . It also could enable a pair of training wires  12  to be engaged a single stake. It will be appreciated, however, that providing opposing openings is not critical, and that only a single opening ( 14 A or  14 B) could be used. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  shows the geometry of the openings  14  which, in the illustrated embodiment, appear as T-shapes that have been rotated by 90-degrees. Each opening  14  includes a central horizontal leg  22 , a vertical leg  24  and upper and lower horizontal legs  26   a, b.  The upper and lower horizontal legs  26   a, b  may be configured to form a protruding nub  28  that resists movement of the wire  12  back toward the vertical leg  24  once the wire has been received in the associated leg  26   a, b.    
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  shows a side view of the stake  10  of  FIG. 3A . As can be seen, the plurality of openings (in this case openings  14 A) are disposed on the observable side of the stake  10  at spaced apart intervals “CS.” In one embodiment the interval “CS” is about 6-inches, which provides about eight individual openings  14 A along the length “L” of the stake  10  while retaining a desired column strength and stiffness of the stake. As previously noted, the first end  18  of the stake  10  may be configured to receive a driving force by, for example, a sledgehammer, to enable the stake  10  to be driven into soil at a desired location. Thus, the opening  14  adjacent to the first end  18  may be offset from that end by an offset distance “OS” to the end retains sufficient strength to withstand the driving force without being damaged. In one embodiment, the offset distance “OS” can be about  1 -inch. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4B  shows a rotated view of one of the openings  14 A as compared to the view of  FIG. 3B . As can be seen, the opening  14   a  appears as a linked pair of rotated “T” shapes having central horizontal leg  22 , vertical legs  24  and upper and lower horizontal legs  26   a, b.    
         [0032]    Importantly, the openings  14  are positioned so as to span the corners of the stake  10 . With reference to  FIG. 4B , opening  14 A is shown spanning an associated apex  30  of the square tubular stake  10  so that one half of the opening  14 A the resides on one side of the stake  10  while the other half of the opening resides on the adjacent side of the stake  10 . Such an arrangement enables easy engagement of a training wire  12  with the openings  14 A, B, and also ensures that the stake  10  retains substantial strength and stiffness. 
         [0033]    The openings  14 A, B can be laser cut into the tubular stake  10  to form the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3A-4B . Alternatively, the openings can be punched into strip material that is used to form the tubular stake  10 . The openings could also be roll-punched after the tubular member has been formed. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 5A-6C  illustrate a second embodiment of a vineyard stake  100  in which the openings  114  have a rotated “C” shape in lieu of the “T” shape of the previous embodiment. As compared to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-4B , stake  100  may be stiffer and stronger because the openings  114  require the removal of less material from the walls of the stake. 
         [0035]    As with the previous embodiment, the openings  114  are formed so as to span an associated apex  130  of the stake  100  to enhance the strength and rigidity of the stake while facilitating easy engagement of a training wire  12  with the openings  114 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5B and 6B  show the details of one of the openings  114  of the stake  110 . As noted, the openings  114  of this embodiment have a rotated “C” shape that includes an upper horizontal portion  116  that crosses the apex  130  of the stake  110 , and a pair of descending legs  118  that run downward and slightly inward toward the apex  130  of the stake. As such, the opening  114  forms an included protrusion  120  having first and second side tab portions  122   a, b.  The protrusion  120  and side tab portion s  122   a, b  serve to retain a training wire  12  in the opening  114 . 
         [0037]    The stake  110  may be made from similar materials, and may have a similar overall geometry (i.e., length “L,” spacings between openings “CS,” offset distance “OS,” tubular profile with side lengths “SL” and nominal thickness “t”) as compared to the stake  10  described in relation to  FIGS. 3A-4B . In addition, the stake  110  may have an end include one or more points  20  to enable the stake to penetrate the soil. Further, the openings  114  may be cut, punched or otherwise formed in the same manner as that described in relation to  FIGS. 3A-4B . 
         [0038]    It will be appreciated that although two particular designs have been described in relation to the disclosed openings  14 ,  140 , other designs can also be used. In addition, it is contemplated that different opening designs may be used on a single stake  10 ,  100 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a plurality of different positionings of training wires  12  in openings  14  of the stake  10  of  FIGS. 3A-4B .  FIG. 7  shows that a training wire can be engaged either with the upper horizontal legs  26   a  of the opening  14 , or with the lower horizontal legs  26   b  of the opening. This arrangement provides a fine level of vertical adjustment of training wire  12  in cases in which moving the training wire  12  to the adjacent opening  14  would result in too great a vertical distance increase for accommodating a particular increment of new vine growth.  FIG. 8  shows the positioning of a training wire for application in which the stakes  10  are installed on a hill or slope. Thus, the linked pair of rotated “T” shapes of the opening  14  enable the wire  12  to be run at an angle. As can be seen, the training wire  12  is received in the upper horizontal leg  26   a  of one linked T-shape, and in the lower horizontal leg  26   b  of the other linked T-shape. 
         [0040]    As previously noted, the disclosed stakes  10 ,  110  may be driven into the ground by applying force to the first end  16  using, for example, a sledge hammer.  FIG. 9  shows a detail view of the second end  18  of the stakes  10 ,  110  which, as previously described, includes a plurality of points  20  to facilitate penetration of hard soil. In one embodiment, the first end  16  may be a closed section to provide an impact surface for the sledge when driving the stake  10  into the ground. A cap (now shown) can also be used to further protect the first end  16  of the stake  10  from hammering damage during installation. Such a cap may be a closed-end pipe section that can fit down over the first end  16  of the stake  10  to ensure that force is applied even to the first end as the sledge strikes. 
         [0041]    The stake  10 ,  100  can be formed from a steel roll-form shape, preferably a square tubular roll form shape. The steel stake  10 ,  100  can also include a galvanized coating to minimize corrosion during extended exposure to the outdoor environment. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-C , and  11 A-D an exemplary end post  200  is shown for use in maintaining one or more training wires  12  at a desired tension in use. As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the vine training system can include a large number of vineyard stakes  10  positioned in a grid pattern throughout a vineyard. For even moderately sized vineyards, the training wires  12  can be strung across substantial distances. Although the disclosed vineyard stakes  10 ,  110  will be positioned across the vineyard to hold the training wires  12  at a desired distance above the ground, the wires  12  must still be held at the ends. Thus, the training wires  12  can be engaged with a pair of end posts  200  positioned at opposite ends of each wire. In the illustrated embodiment, the end post  200  includes a plurality of openings positioned in spaced apart relation along the length of the post to enable a training wire  12  to be coupled to the end post  200  at a variety of distances above the ground. A first set of openings  210  facilitate attachment of one or more ratchet tensioning devices  212  shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . A plurality of ratchet tensioning devices  212  may be installed at spaced apart intervals along the length of the end post  200 . In one embodiment, a first ratchet tensioning device  212  is positioned about six inches from a top end  214  of the end post  200 . Additional ratchet tensioning devices  212  can be spaced at twelve inch intervals along the length of the end post. 
         [0043]    In use, a ratchet tensioning device  212  is coupled to a first end post  200  and connects to one end of the wire  4 . In one embodiment, the end post  200  includes one or more threaded inserts  213 , received in openings  210 , which enables the tensioning devices  212  to be bolted directly to the post. The opposite end of the wire  4  may connect to an opposing end post  200  by feeding through an attachment element  216  fitted within an attachment opening  218 . On an inside surface of the end post  200 , the wire  4  may wrap around and back through another opening  220  so that the wire exits the post on the same side that it enters (see  FIG. 11B ). This arrangement reduces the chance for user injury from contact with wires extending from a back side of the post. 
         [0044]    The attachment element  216  may include first and second portions  216   a,    216   b,  where the first portion  216   a  is a tubular element that fits within the attachment opening  218  and the second portion  216   b  abuts a surface of the end post  200  to prevent the tubular element  216  from being pulled through the opening under tension from the wire  4 . The first and second portions  216   a, b  may each have an opening sized to receive the wire  4  to enable the wire. In one embodiment, the opening in the first and/or second portion  216   a, b  includes features that enable the wire  4  to be fed through in a first direction, but prevents the wire  4  to travel in the reverse direction. Thus, in one embodiment, directionally oriented teeth are provided in the opening of the first and/or second portion  216 . Alternatively, the first portion  216   a  may be crimped down on the wire once the wire is positioned within the attachment element  216 . Once the wire  4  is fixed between an attachment element  216  of a first end post  200  and a ratchet tensioning device  212  of an opposite end post  200 , the ratchet tensioning device can be actuated to draw the wire  4  tight between the end posts  200 . 
         [0045]    The end posts  200  can be any of a variety of roll form shapes. In one embodiment, the end posts  200  are square tubular members having three inch sides, and are made from 11 gauge steel. The end posts  200  may also have a protective coating to prevent corrosion. In one embodiment, the end posts  200  are galvanized. 
         [0046]    The end posts  200  may have a bottom end  216  that can be flat, or it may have a pointed profile similar to that described in relation to  FIG. 9  to facilitate driving of the end post  200  into hard soil. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 11D , the end posts  200  may be installed at an angle with respect to the ground. This angled installation can reduce the chance for sagging of the wires in use by providing a desired counter-tensioning of the end posts. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that the disclosed design is not limited to use in vine training applications. Thus, the disclosed stake can also find use in other applications, such as fence or barrier systems. The stake could also be used as part of a highway cable barrier system. 
         [0049]    While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.