Abstract:
A plant support hook having an elongated shaft with a U-shaped hook supported at one end of the and forming a resilient interlock with the shaft to engage a string-like support for the U-shaped hook and a J-shaped hook on the other end of the shaft for supporting a branch of the plant.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/368,031, filed Mar. 27, 2002 and the priority thereof is claimed for this application. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to a plant support device and specifically to a plant support J hook to secure a limb of a plant to a support structure. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Typically in agricultural product support structures are used to increase yield by supporting the plant and prevent branches from kinking. A kinking branch will restrict flow of water and nutrients to fruit or vegetables growing from the plant. A weighted down branch kinks to prevent nutrients from flowing to the vegetables of fruit. Typically, a support is used to prevent ranches of a plant from kinking. 
   One type of support structure includes a string or wire extending vertically and parallel relative to the plant. Support clips are attached to the support structure and the plant to support the weight of the fruit or vegetables born by the plant. 
   Agricultural operations are labor intensive and the installation of support clips to each individual plant is time consuming and expensive. Installation of plastic clips to support structures requires workers to revisit each plant during growth to install additional clips to support the plant. 
   For these reasons it is desirable to provide a support clip that is easy to install in order to expedite installation. Further, many plants are disposed of after harvest. Removal of support clips from each plant before disposal is inefficient and costly. Therefore, it is desirable that a support clip be inexpensive such that disposal and repurchase of the support clip is economically feasible relative to the cost of removing the clips from a harvested plant. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a plant support device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the plant support device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the clip of the plant support device of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , the support clip of this invention is a J hook  10  including a hook portion  12  attached to a shaft  14 . On the shaft  14  is a grip  20 . The grip  20  provides a grasp point on the J hook  10  for installation to the plant. A clip portion  18  attaches the J hook  10  a support structure. The clip  18  is secured to the shaft  14  by way of a shaft  16  of a smaller diameter. The small diameter of the shaft  16  allows for the hook  12  to twist relative to the clip  18 . During installation, the clip  18  may not be assembled to the support structure in a way that provides for optimum alignment and connection to the plant. Therefore, the smaller diameter shaft portion  16  allows for the hook  12  to twist relative to the clip  18  to accommodate varying alignments of the plant. Further, twisting of the hook  12  relative to the clip  18  allows for the installation onto many stems or branches regardless of the position of the support structure. 
   The clip  18  includes a body portion  26  and a leg portion  22 . Each leg portion  22  extends parallel to the body portion  26 . Each leg portion  22  includes a catch portion  24 . In operation, the catch portion  24  traps the support wire or string after guiding over the leg  22 . The string or support wire is then trapped between the catch portion  24  and the bottom of the body portion  26 . This configuration allows for quick assembly to a support to expedite installation of the J hook  10  to a plant. The J hook  10  of this invention provides the grip  20  on a side opposite that of hook  12 . This configuration accommodates assembly to the plants because the operator&#39;s hand is not an obstacle to installation to the plant. 
   A great concern in the manufacture of the J hook  10  of this invention is cost. Cost of the J hook  10  must be such that it is economically feasible to dispose of the J hook  10  with the plant after the fruit or vegetable is harvested from the plant. It is for this reason that unique molding techniques have been incorporated into production of the J hook  10 . A parting line  30  is used to form the sharp point or edge of  28  of each leg  22 . The edge  28  assists in installation of the J hook  10  by providing an easy catch of the wire or support line by an operator grasping the J hook at the grip  20 . Supporting line  30  forms the tip or edge  28  of each leg  22 . 
   In operation, the worker grasps the J hook  10  by the grip  20 . The string or support wire guides along the bottom portion of the body  26  in a direction indicated by  32 . The wire or support string guides upward along the leg  22  and into the catch portion  24 . The catch portion  24  is substantially parallel to the body portion  26  such that a desired amount of tension is exerted on to the wire or support string to prevent the J hook  10  from sliding downward along the support wire or string. As appreciated it is desired for a J hook  10  to remain on the support in the location assembled, while also being easily movable along the support. The catch portion  24  is parallel to the bottom body portion  26  such that the clip  10  remains in place along the support. 
   Preferably, the Clip  10  is fabricated from a copolymer polypropylene that includes an ultraviolet stabilizer. As appreciated the environment in which the  3  hook  10  is installed includes a great deal of ultraviolet light. For this reason, degradation of the J hook caused by the ultraviolet light is addressed by the specific use of material. Although preferably a copolymer polypropylene is used with this J hook clip it is with the contemplation of this invention that other materials may be used that are compatible with use and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. 
   The foregoing description is exemplary and not just to the material specification. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and should be understood the terminology used is intended to be in a nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications are within the scope of this invention.