U.S. patent number 3,846,935 [Application Number 05/307,161] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-12 for shrub protector.
Invention is credited to Ronald W. Wagner.
United States Patent |
3,846,935 |
Wagner |
November 12, 1974 |
SHRUB PROTECTOR
Abstract
A shrub protector consisting of two plates hingedly joined
together and provided with individually-adjustable legs.
Inventors: |
Wagner; Ronald W. (Morningdale,
MA) |
Family
ID: |
23188515 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/307,161 |
Filed: |
November 16, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/23.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G
13/0225 (20130101); A01G 13/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01G
13/04 (20060101); A01g 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;47/26-29 ;40/125
;248/354L,354,460,462 ;256/43 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pellegrino; Stephen C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Blodgett; Norman S. Blodgett; Gerry
A.
Claims
The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new
and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:
1. A shrub protector, comprising:
a. a first plate, having a first side, and two other opposed
sides,
b. a second plate having a first side, and two other opposed sides
hingedly connected to the first plate, along the first side of each
plate,
c. two spaced, parallel legs associated with each plate, and
d. means adjustably connecting each leg to its plate, each plate
having a reinforcing strip extending along two opposed sides
extending at right angles to said first side, and
f. the legs and reinforcing strips being provided with spaced
notches and joined by bails which lock in the notches to hold each
leg in an adjusted position relative to its reinforcing strip,
wherein each plate is rectangular,
wherein each reinforcing strip is provided with a rib which
slidably engages a groove on a leg,
wherein the plates are hingedly connected by means of a U-shaped
element having its ends located in bores in the ends of the
reinforcing strips, and
wherein the legs and the reinforcing strips are formed of extruded
material of the same cross-sectional size and shape, the said shape
consisting of a rectangle having a notch at one side and a
rectangular protrusion at the other side, the rectangular
protrusion having parallel sides.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In cold climates there is a considerable problem in protecting
shrubbery during the winter months. Shrubbery which is not so
protected can be badly damaged by ice, particularly if the
shrubbery is located under the eaves of a house. Suitable
protection has been provided in the past in the form of wooden
structures, which are constructed over the shrubbery in the fall
season of the year. These structures are not only expensive to
install, but their appearance leaves a great deal to be desired.
Furthermore, they are subject to deterioration due to the weather.
These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices
have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide
a shrub protector which can be stored during the summer time and
easily set up in the fall.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a shrub
protector which, because of its construction, will resist damage
from ice and snow and which therefore can be used for many
years.
A further object ot the present invention is the provision of a
shrub protector having means for adjusting to adjusting to
irregular land conformation around a shrub.
It is another object of the instant invention to provide a shrub
protector which is constructed from readily obtainable simple metal
materials, therefore, can be manufactured inexpensively.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a shrub
protector which is simple in construction which can be readily
manufactured from simple materials, and which is capable of a long
life of useful service with a minimum of maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the invention consists of a shrub protector
having a first place, having a second plate hingedly connected to
the first plate, having two spaced parallel legs assoicated with
each plate, and having means for adjustably connecting each leg to
its plate.
More specifically, each plate has a reinforcing strip extending
along two opposed sides with a rib which slidably engages a groove
on a leg. The legs and reinforcing strips are provided with spaced
notches and joined by metal bails which lock in the notches.
Preferably, the legs and the reinforcing strips are formed of
extruded metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by
reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a shrub protector embodying the
principles of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the invention taken on
line II--II of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention taken on the line
III--111 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1, which best shows the general features of
the invention, the shrub protector, indicated generally by the
reference numeral 10, is shown as consisting of a first plate 11
and a second plate 12 which are hingedly joined at their upper ends
for pivotal motion about an axis A--A. Two legs 13 and 14 are
associated with the first plate 11, while a similar leg 15 and a
leg, not shown, are associated with the second plate 12. Means is
provided for adjustably connecting each leg to its plate.
As is evident in the drawings, each of the plates 11 and 12 is
rectangular and the hinged connection along the line A--A takes
place along corresponding first sides 16 and 17. The plate 11 has
reinforcing strips 18 and 19 extending along two opposed sides at
right angles to the first side 16. The second plate 12 is similarly
provided with a reinforcing strip 21 along one side and a similar
reinforcing strip, not shown, along the other side.
FIG. 2 shows particularly well the way in which the legs and
reinforcing strips are joined. The reinforcing strip 19 is provided
with a longitudinal rib 27 which fits into a correspondingly-shaped
and-sized groove 23 formed on the leg 14. The legs and reinforcing
strips are provided with spaced notches and joined by bails 24
which lock in the notches to hold each leg in an adjusted position
relative to its reinforcing strip. As can be seen in FIG. 2, each
bail 24 is generally U-shaped with an inwardly-directed extension
at the free end of each leg. These extensions lie in notches 25 on
the groove side of the reinforcing strip 19. Similarly the notches
26 formed on a rib of the leg 14 receive the bight of the bail
24.
FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the plates 11 and 12 are hinged
together. A U-shaped element 27 has its legs residing in bores 28
and 29 formed in the reinforcing strips 18 and 21 respectively.
As is evident in the drawings, the legs 13, 14, and 15 and the
reinforcing strips 18, 19, and 21 are all formed from extruded
metal, preferably aluminum. As is evident in FIG. 2, the extrusion
provides a groove to hold the panel 11 and a rib 22 to cooperate
with a similar groove 23 on the leg 14. The leg 14 also has a rib
in which are formed the notches 26. As is evident in FIG. 1, the
extruded element is provided with notches both around the grooves
and on the ribs, irrespective of whether they are actually used or
not, so that they stack.
The operation of the invention will now be readily understood in
view of the above description. The plate 11 and 12 are opened up
about the hindge axis A--A to form a small tent-like configuration
which is placed over the shrub which is to be protected. The legs
13, 14 and 15, as well as the one, not shown, in the drawings, are
adjusted to match the irregular ground around the shrub. If
desired, the legs may be inserted into the ground to hold the
entire structure in a more stable condition. In order to adjust the
length of the leg, it is only necessary to loosen the bails 24 by
pulling the leg downwardly. Then the leg may be inserted in any
position that is necessary and the bails reinserted in the notches.
The bails operate to lock the leg tighter if pressure is put in the
upward direction on the leg; in other words, the greater the load
of snow and ice on the plates 11 and 12, the more tightly the legs
are held in place. It can be seen that the device can be entirely
made of rust-proof metal, the plates 11 and 12 preferably being
aluminum sheets and the legs and reinforcing strips, as has been
stated, being made of extruded aluminum. The bails 24 may be
stainless steel, as well as the U-shaped element 27. This
construction is not only inexpensive, but it is simple and rugged
and will not be affected by the weather. After the spring season
arrives, the entire assemblage may be folded up with the plates 11
and 12 lying together and the legs 13, 14 and 15, etc. being
adjusted to positions coextensive with the reinforcing strip with
which they are associated. The apparatus thus stored takes up very
little room. A large number of the shrub protectors may be neatly
stacked in a storage space.
It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and
construction of the invention without departing from the material
spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the
invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is
desired to include all such as properly come within the scope
claimed.
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