Standing tree trunk signboard

By using plastic nails and wire-driven tree signs, the problem of tree signs being wrapped or lost due to tree growth in the prior art is solved, and the long-term and stable suspension of signs and protection of tree trunks are realized.

CN222838522UActive Publication Date: 2025-05-06BEIHUA UNIV
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202421630801.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-11
Publication Date
2025-05-06
Estimated Expiration
2034-07-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The installation method of existing tree signs affects the growth of trees, resulting in the signs being wrapped or lost, and may damage the trunk.

Method used

A device composed of plastic nails, pulling wires and signboards is fixed to the trunk by plastic nails. The pulling wire is driven by the pulling spring inside the signboard. The pulling wire can slide in the ring of the pulling spring to ensure that the signboard fits with the trunk and adapts to the growth of the trunk.

Benefits of technology

The signboard is realized for a long time hanging on the trunk and will not be wrapped or lost due to the growth of trees, which reduces damage to the trunk and ensures the stability and long-term use of the signboard.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to a standing tree trunk signboard, which is mainly used for marking standing trees, is suitable for marking and propagandizing greening trees in the garden industry, and is also suitable for marking standing trees in forest fixed sample plots in scientific research activities. Comprising a plastic nail, a stay wire and a signboard. The plastic nail is used for hanging the signboard on a tree trunk, and the pull line is used for connecting the plastic nail and the signboard together, so that the signboard can be hung on the tree trunk all the time. The device has the beneficial effects that the device is exquisite in structure and convenient to install and use, and can be used for a long time through one-time installation; the problems that the trees cannot be preserved for a long time and can be damaged by a traditional method are solved. The stay wire of the device is telescopic, so that the problems of damage and loss of the tree label can be effectively reduced.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a standing tree trunk sign, which is mainly used for marking standing trees, is suitable for marking and promoting greening trees in the gardening industry, and is also suitable for marking standing trees in fixed forest plots in scientific research activities. Background Art

[0002] Trees are a very important vegetation in nature. They provide us with shade, produce oxygen, beautify the environment, and provide us with a variety of products (such as fruits, medicinal materials, wood, etc.). People living in cities often lack knowledge of the plants around them. In order for us to know trees, understand their related functions, and better protect them, it is necessary to set up signs for various trees in the city. In addition, in order to facilitate the protection of trees by urban gardening and greening management departments, tree signs are also needed for urban trees to facilitate query management.

[0003] There are two common methods for installing tree signs in the industry: (1) making a tree sign by punching a hole in the sign and then nailing the tree sign to the tree trunk with a metal nail; (2) threading the tree sign onto a spring or a thin wire and then tying the spring or thin wire to the tree trunk.

[0004] Both methods mentioned above have problems in actual use. The first method is to install tree signs by nailing metal nails into the tree trunk. The problem with this method is that the trunk of the living tree grows every year. As the trunk grows, the metal nails nailed on the trunk will slowly be buried in the trunk. As the metal nails are buried in the trunk, the tree sign will either be wrapped in the trunk or squeezed out and lost. Either result will affect the subsequent investigation. Moreover, being wrapped in the trunk will cause large wounds on the trunk, which will be infected by pests and diseases, and in severe cases, the tree will die.

[0005] The second method is to use springs or thin wires to hang tree signs, but there are also problems. ① The trunks of living trees are always in a state of growth. During long-term growth, whether it is a spring or a thin wire, it will be tightly bound to the trunk due to insufficient length. If it is not managed for a long time, the spring or thin wire will be buried in the trunk. If the spring or wire is not relaxed in time, it will be buried in the trunk as the tree grows, greatly affecting the normal growth of the tree, and even causing the death of the tree. Moreover, once the spring or thin wire is buried in the trunk, it will also cause the tree sign to be lost or damaged. ② Usually the trunks are smoother. If the spring or thin wire is left very long and loose, although it can effectively avoid the problem of being buried in the trunk, it is difficult to ensure that the sign can always remain in the proper position without moving. Once it slides to the root of the tree, it still cannot play the role of marking the tree. Summary of the invention

[0006] 1. Problem to be solved

[0007] The current tree sign hanging methods have a great impact on the growth of trees. In order to make tree signs provide better information for tree research and protection, as well as for citizens, the present invention proposes a new solution to solve the problems brought by the traditional installation method, so that the tree sign can be hung on the tree trunk for a long time, and will not be wrapped or lost due to the growth of the tree.

[0008] 2. Technical solution

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

[0010] The present invention relates to a signboard for a living standing tree trunk, comprising three parts: a plastic nail, a pull wire and a signboard. The plastic nail is used to hang the signboard on the tree trunk, the pull wire is located inside the signboard, is led out from a small hole on the back plate of the signboard and is connected to the plastic nail, and the other end is fixed to the bottom area of ​​the back plate inside the signboard, and the middle area is hooked with a tension spring (a kind of spring) inside the back plate, and the pull wire can slide in the circular ring of the tension spring. The pull wire is used to connect the plastic nail and the signboard together, so that the signboard can be hung on the tree trunk all the time. The signboard is used to indicate relevant information of trees. There is a tension spring inside the signboard, one end of which is fixed to the back plate inside the signboard, and the other end is connected to the pull wire.

[0011] The principle of the present invention is:

[0012] Multiple tension springs are placed symmetrically inside the sign. Since the tension springs have elastic and retractable characteristics, a pull wire is connected to one end of the tension spring. When the pull wire is pulled out of the hole on the back plate of the sign, the elasticity of the tension spring will generate a rebound force on the pull wire, limiting the length of the pull wire pulled out of the sign. Since one end of the pull wire is also connected to the plastic nail, and the plastic nail is fixed inside the tree trunk when in use, the sign will always fit the tree trunk under the action of the rebound force of the tension spring. Due to the tension of the tension spring, the pull wire is in a Z shape inside the sign. When the trunk grows outward, part of the pull wire in the sign will be pulled out and buried in the trunk. The Z-shaped structure can ensure that there is enough pull wire in the sign to be pulled out, so that the trunk sign will not be buried, fall off, or be lost due to the pull wire not being long enough.

[0013] The length of the selected guy wire can be determined according to the annual growth rate of the tree species. Generally, it is reasonable to replace the tree trunk sign every 8-10 years. Therefore, the length of the guy wire placed inside the sign can be determined according to the annual growth rate of different tree species.

[0014] The composition and features of each part of the present invention are specifically described below:

[0015] Preferably, the plastic nail is made of non-toxic, aging-resistant plastic material, and can be kept in nature for more than 8-10 years without aging problems. The plastic nail is shaped like a bullet head, with a conical tip and a cylindrical nail body with raised barbs. The tail of the plastic nail is connected to one end of the pull wire. The size of the plastic nail: the total length is about 10mm, the cylindrical diameter is about 3mm, and the tip length is about 3-4mm. The structural design has the following advantages: the tapered tip makes it easy to place the plastic nail in the hole of the tree trunk; the barbs on the nail body can prevent the plastic nail from being easily pulled out by external force before the hole of the tree trunk heals after being placed in the hole of the tree trunk, and the barb structure will not affect the placement of the plastic nail in the hole, and the barb structure can also block the drilled hole to prevent pests and diseases from invading; the plastic nail is designed to be about 10mm in length and about 3mm in diameter. When in use, only a small hole needs to be drilled in the tree trunk, which helps to heal the wound of the hole in the tree trunk, reduce the risk of infection by pests and diseases, and reduce damage to the tree trunk. Moreover, this size can also play the role of tightening the tree sign, and will not cause the sign to fall due to insufficient tension. The plastic nail is pulled by the tension of the tension spring inside the sign, and the tail of the plastic nail contacts the hole on the back plate of the sign. Considering the convenience of installation and the stable installation of the sign, the pull wire only extends 2-3mm from the hole on the back of the sign (this length is less than the thickness of the bark, and the plastic nails need to be completely inserted into the wood to make the sign firmly installed. Therefore, the 2-3mm length is reserved to reduce the tension of the tension spring on the pull wire at the beginning of installation, which can prevent the plastic nails from being pulled out of the hole in the trunk). In this way, when it is installed in the hole in the trunk, the pull wire will exert tension on the sign, allowing it to fit on the trunk, which can effectively prevent the sign from swaying due to the wind.

[0016] Preferably, the pull wire is made of a plastic material that is non-toxic, has a smooth surface, is resistant to weathering, wear-resistant, and has low elasticity. It can be used for a long time in nature without being weathered, and will not be worn off due to friction with the signboard or tree trunks during long-term use. One end of the pull wire passes through the hole on the back plate of the signboard and is connected to the tail of the plastic nail, and the other end is fixed to the middle part of the bottom of the back plate of the signboard. The middle part of the pull wire passes through the ring at one end of the tension spring in the signboard, forming a Z shape inside the signboard. The pull wire inside the signboard is led out from a fixed position at the bottom of the backplate, passes through each tension spring ring and vertical groove in sequence, and runs in a Z shape inside the backplate, and finally is led out from the hole on the upper backplate of the signboard and connected to the tail of the plastic nail. After the sign is nailed into the trunk, as the trunk grows, the wire is gradually pulled out of the sign, the wire inside the sign becomes shorter, the tension spring is stretched by the wire, and the Z-shaped shape of the wire gradually becomes smaller. Until the wire inside the sign is pulled into a straight line, the sign can no longer be used and needs to be replaced.

[0017] Usually, the length of the wire inside the signboard will be reserved for different lengths according to the growth rate of different trees. Under normal conditions, the wire will be reserved for the tree to grow for more than 8-10 years. Taking Northeast China as an example, the maximum growth rate of the trunk diameter of arbor species is about 10mm per year, while the radius growth rate is about 5mm per year. Therefore, in the Northeast region, the length of the wire inside the signboard is set to 80-100mm, which is enough to meet the growth needs of trees for about 10 years. Generally, after more than 10 years, the signboard will need to be replaced with a new one due to unclear identification or old style.

[0018] Preferably, the signboard is in sheet form, and its specific shape can be designed at will according to the user's requirements, and its size can be customized according to needs. The general size is: about 100-150mm in length, about 70-100mm in width, and about 2-3mm in thickness. This size can meet the needs of almost all garden tree markings.

[0019] The sign consists of two parts, the front surface and the back plate. The front surface is an aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate, and the back plate is a plastic material. At the edge of the sign, the material of the front surface will wrap a part of the edge of the back plate toward the back by wrapping, which can make the plastic back plate and the front surface more firmly combined for a long time, prevent separation during use, and make the sign last longer. The inner surface of the back plate (except the groove) is tightly fitted with the inner side of the front surface, which can prevent the tension spring and the pull wire from being strung into other grooves and affecting the tightening of the wiring.

[0020] The front surface material is aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate, with a thickness of about 0.3-0.5mm, and patterns and texts can be engraved on the surface. Aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate is used because the metal is corrosion-resistant and has high hardness. The sign will not be corroded under long-term wind and sun exposure, and will not affect the normal use of the sign outdoors.

[0021] The main body of the backboard is made of non-toxic, weather-resistant, wear-resistant, high-strength plastic material. In addition, there are several tension springs in the backboard (usually different according to the growth rate of the tree and the size of the signboard, and the schematic diagram of the present invention is designed to use 6 tension springs).

[0022] The shape and size of the main body of the backboard are consistent with the front surface of the sign, so that the front surface can wrap the edge of the backboard to maintain the integrity and stability of the overall structure of the sign. The thickness of the backboard is about 1.7-2.5mm. There are 2-3 horizontal grooves inside the backboard, which are parallel to the length of the sign. The width of the horizontal groove is 10-15mm and the depth is 0.7-1.5mm. The length is determined according to the length of the sign. The width of the horizontal groove on both sides is 3-5mm away from the edge of the sign. The horizontal groove is located on the inner side of the backboard, and the outer side of the backboard is a flat surface. The horizontal groove part of the backboard must ensure that the thickness of the backboard is about 1mm to ensure the integrity and firmness of the backboard. The horizontal groove is used to place tension springs and pull wires. There is a vertical groove in the middle of the inner side of the backboard, which runs through all horizontal grooves and the area between horizontal grooves. The width of the vertical groove is about 2mm, and the depth is consistent with the horizontal groove. Chamfers are set at the right angles where the vertical grooves and the horizontal grooves intersect (the chamfers are arc-shaped). The vertical groove is used for the cable to pass through, and the chamfer can reduce the resistance to the cable at the turn.

[0023] On the upper side of the back plate, about 15-20mm away from the top of the sign, in the middle area, there is a through hole with a diameter of about 1.5-2mm. The hole is connected to the vertical groove on the inner side of the back plate. The hole is used to lead the wire out from the inside of the sign. The hole is filled with silicone material. Due to the soft and oxidation-resistant properties of silicone, the wire passing through the small hole will be wrapped by silicone, which can effectively prevent rainwater from entering the inside of the sign through the small hole, prevent the tension spring from rusting, and increase the service life of the sign.

[0024] The tension spring in this patent is a flat Z-shaped (non-traditional circular tension spring), with a width of about 10mm (contracted state), a length of about 5-7mm, and a thickness of twice the diameter of the tension spring wire. The width of the tension spring is about 8-10mm (slightly smaller than the width of the horizontal groove). This structure can achieve a larger stretching length with fewer turns; the flat shape can change the problem of the large diameter of the traditional circular tension spring, and can effectively reduce the thickness of the tension spring, so that it can be well placed in the groove without increasing the thickness of the sign.

[0025] One end of the tension spring is fixed at the end of the groove, and a small ring is made at the other end for the wire to pass through. The wire is led out from the bottom fixed position inside the sign, and passes through the rings and vertical grooves of each tension spring in sequence, and finally leads out from the small hole on the upper back plate of the sign, and is connected to the tail of the plastic nail. The direction of the wire in the back plate is Z-shaped.

[0026] 3. Beneficial effects

[0027] The present invention provides a living tree trunk sign, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] (1) The device has a sophisticated structure, is easy to install and use, and can be installed once and used for a long time;

[0029] (2) It solves the problem that traditional methods cannot be retained for a long time and will cause harm to trees;

[0030] (3) The pull cord of the device is retractable, which can effectively reduce the damage and loss of tree signs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying structural drawings below.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a front view schematic diagram of the overall structure of the patent of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 It is a side view schematic diagram of the overall structure of the patent of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the inner structure of the back panel of the invention patent

[0035] In the picture: 1 plastic nail, 2 pull wire, 3 sign board, 4 tension spring, 5 back plate, 6 hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, as shown in the drawings: a living tree trunk sign, comprising a plastic nail (1), a pull wire (2), and a sign (3). The sign is provided with a tension spring (4), and a hole (6) is provided in the middle of the upper portion of the back plate (5) for the pull wire (2) to pass through.

[0037] Patented working principle:

[0038] like Figure 1 and 3As shown, when we drive the plastic nail (1) into the drilled hole on the wood of the tree trunk, the barbs on the plastic nail (1) will generate a certain resistance, preventing the plastic nail (1) from being pulled out of the drilled hole on the tree trunk. After the sign has been nailed to the tree trunk for a certain period of time, callus tissue will form at the drilled hole on the tree trunk, sealing the drilled hole. As the wound on the tree trunk heals, the plastic nail (1) will be wrapped into the tree trunk and cannot be moved anymore. Only the pull wire (2) and the sign (3) will remain on the outside of the tree trunk. As the tree trunk grows, the cambium of the tree gradually thickens outward, and a part of the pull wire (2) is wrapped by the tree trunk. Since the sign (3) is relatively large, during the growth of the tree trunk, if there is not enough external force pressing on the sign to affect the thickening growth of the tree trunk, the sign (3) will not be wrapped by the tree trunk. As the sign is pushed outward by the tree trunk, the pull wire (2) is increasingly wrapped by the tree trunk, and the pull wire (2) located in the sign (3) is pulled out from the hole (6) of the back plate (5). As the pull wire (2) is gradually pulled out, the length of the pull wire (2) in the sign (3) becomes shorter, and all the tension springs (4) in the sign (3) are stretched. Under the pull of the rebound force of the tension springs (4), the pull wire (2) is tightened. Under the dual tension of the plastic nail (1) and the tension springs (4) in the sign (3), the sign (3) is stably attached to the tree trunk.

[0039] This invention patent applies the elastic force of the tension spring (4) to the pull wire (2), so that the sign (3) can fit firmly against the tree trunk. Therefore, when the plastic nail (1) is nailed into the tree trunk, it is necessary to allow the tension spring (4) inside the sign (3) to generate a certain tension to ensure that the sign (3) and the tree trunk can fit well. Therefore, when the device is manufactured, the length of the pull wire extending from the hole (6) on the back plate (5) of the sign (3) should not be too long, and can be about 2-3 mm (much less than the thickness of the bark). In this way, after the device is installed, due to the certain thickness of the bark, the tension has been generated between the pull wire (2) and the tension spring (4), which can ensure that the sign (3) can fit well against the tree trunk without the problem of arbitrary swinging.

[0040] Installation Example:

[0041] Step 1: Drill holes at appropriate locations on the tree trunk. Generally, in order to ensure that the device can be used for a long time, the sign (3) is usually placed in a relatively smooth position on the shady side of the trunk (i.e., the north side of the trunk). The back side can reduce sunlight exposure and extend the service life of the sign (3). The smooth position can allow the sign (3) to have a larger contact surface with the trunk and be less susceptible to external interference (such as wind). The height is usually selected to be 1.3-1.4m from the roots of the tree. This height is convenient for observation and searching. The drill bit for drilling is selected to be the same size as the diameter of the plastic nail (the present invention uses a 3mm diameter drill bit). During the drilling process, the hole should be drilled vertically to the tangent point of the trunk, and the drilling depth is 12-13mm on the wood part, excluding the bark part. This depth allows the plastic nail (1) to be completely inserted into the wood part, and there is still 2-3mm of space. This allows the tree trunk to seal the drill hole more quickly when the callus tissue is formed. If the hole is drilled too deep, the callus tissue cannot fill the hole quickly, which may breed bacteria over time and affect the healthy growth of the tree; if the hole is drilled too shallow, part of the plastic nail (1) cannot be inserted into the wood, which is not conducive to the formation of callus tissue and will greatly reduce the tension of the plastic nail (1) and the pull line (2), resulting in the signboard (3) being unable to be firmly hung on the tree trunk.

[0042] Step 2: Place the plastic nail. After the hole is drilled, hold the sign (3) with one hand and the tail of the plastic nail (1) with the other hand. Pull the pull wire (2) out of the sign (3) for a distance (about 20-30 mm) so that it is convenient to put the plastic nail (1) into the drill hole by hand. Use your hand to press the plastic nail (1) into the tree trunk as much as possible. Then, release the hand holding the plastic nail and take a long stick (about 150 mm long, easy to hold) with the same thickness as the plastic nail. The head of the stick is smooth. Use the smooth side to press the tail of the plastic nail (1) and push the plastic nail (1) to the bottom of the drill hole. Pushing the plastic nail (1) with a stick can make it easier to enter the wood of the tree trunk, even if it is easy to form callus tissue in the drill hole, and it can also prevent the plastic nail (1) from entering the wood too shallowly and falling off.

[0043] Step 3: Adjust the position of the sign (3) so that it fits the tree trunk. In order to prevent the device from falling off in the early stage of being nailed in, you can also apply a little glass glue on the back of the sign (3) so that it can stick to the tree trunk and add an extra layer of insurance. As time goes by, the glass glue will no longer adhere to the tree trunk as the bark falls off, and will not affect the normal use of the sign (3). After the drilling callus tissue is formed, the sign will not be in danger of falling off under a certain external force. Moreover, even if the sign (3) is pulled manually, after the hand is released, the tension spring (4) in the sign (3) can also pull the pull wire (2) back into the sign (3) under the action of elastic force, so that the sign (3) fits the tree trunk again.

[0044] Repeat steps 1 to 3 to complete the tagging of all trees.

Claims

1. A standing tree trunk sign, comprising a plastic nail (1), a pull line (2), and a sign (3); wherein: The signboard (3) consists of a front surface and a back plate (5); the back plate (5) has horizontal grooves and vertical grooves, and the horizontal grooves and the vertical grooves are vertically connected; a flat Z-shaped tension spring (4) is fixed on both sides of each horizontal groove; the pull wire (2) is placed in the horizontal groove and the vertical groove, and passes through the rings of all the tension springs (4) to form a Z shape; one end of the pull wire (2) is fixed to the middle area of ​​the bottom of the back plate (5), and the other end is connected to the tail of the plastic nail (1) through the hole (6) on the back plate (5); the inner surface of the back plate (5) is tightly fitted with the inner surface of the front surface.

2. A standing tree trunk sign according to claim 1, characterized in that: The back plate (5) is made of plastic material, and all intersections of the horizontal grooves and the vertical grooves are provided with chamfers.

3. A standing tree trunk sign according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plastic nail (1) is made of plastic material and has a bullet-shaped shape, a conical tip, a cylindrical nail body, and a raised barb on the nail body.