Posts for trellis systems

Abstract

Post (P) for trellis systems for viticulture, characterized in that it is designed as a telescopic post (P), comprising two or more interlocking sub-elements (A, B1, B2,...Bn), of which a first, lower sub-element (A) is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second and optionally one or more further sub-elements (B1, B2,...Bn) are equipped with devices (1) for receiving double wires (2), wherein the devices (1) for receiving double wires (2) - are designed as wire holders made of a bent spring steel wire, preferably with a diameter in the range of approx. 1 to approx. 5 mm, in particular from approx. 2 mm to approx. 4 mm, which is attached centrally to the corresponding sub-element (B1, B2,...Bn) and has two free ends, with devices, in particular eyelets (3), which are advantageously not completely closed, for receiving the double wires (2) or - are designed as wire holders in the form of metal rods with a round or rectangular cross-section, which are arranged in the transverse direction to the corresponding sub-element (B1, B2,...Bn) and have two sections that extend in opposite directions beyond the sub-element (B1, B2,...Bn), in particular by about 5 to 15 cm, preferably by about 10 cm.

Description

[0001] The application concerns a post for trellis systems, especially for viticulture.

[0002] In German viticulture, trellis systems have largely replaced traditional bush vine cultivation since around the end of the 1950s.

[0003] In trellis systems, the grapevines are planted in rows, predominantly facing downhill. Posts are driven or dug into the ground at intervals between the rows. Wires are strung between these posts at varying heights to support and / or guide the shoots of the climbing grapevine. This type of system allows for the cultivation of grapevines using the so-called wire-frame training method, also known as standard training, uniform standard training, standard trellis, or VSP Trellis (Vertical Shoot Positioning). These systems can be cultivated mechanically and are therefore more economically viable than traditional, terraced vineyards.

[0004] The tasks that regularly arise in the vineyard throughout the year include the - Bending one or two shoots from the stems of the grapevines as arches (especially flat arches, half arches or pendulum arches) onto the tension wire, - Pinching out double shoots, - Forming the shoots growing from the arches vertically into a hedge-like appearance of a narrow, straight "foliage wall", usually to a total height of about 1.90 to 2.50 m, mostly about 2.20 m, by stapling, sticking or tying between wires, - Breaking off and pruning back shoots, usually 2 to 5 times a year, - Removal of shoots and leaves (leaf removal), - Wine harvest, as well as - Cutting the grapevines / the one-year-old shoots (canes) and arches after the harvest down to one or two one-year-old shoots (canes) for the following year.

[0005] In the so-called "cordon" training system - where leaves and fruits grow from one or two horizontal, strictly formed stem arms; one-sided angles and T-shapes are possible, the vertical stem usually remains bare - the first step, bending one or two shoots, is omitted.

[0006] To achieve the desired "foliage wall" shape, the double wires must be joined or closed after the shoots between them have grown vertically ("intersected") and reached the desired height. A variety of tying systems are available on the market for this purpose. During this training phase, the double wires must be positioned very close to each other.

[0007] In contrast, during the pruning phase – mostly in winter / early spring – the opposite requirement arises: that the pruning of the vines is hindered as little as possible by the wires previously required for training, and especially by their close positioning.

[0008] The article by Ernst Weinmann et al. “Stapling systems: Comparison of technical developments” in “Der deutsche Weinbau”, 4. 5. 2012, No. 9, compares the currently available stapling systems, concluding that there do not appear to be any significant opportunities for rationalization at present.

[0009] It is noted that tying work is regularly in strong competition with vine protection and various soil cultivation measures during the early growth phase of the vineyard. At the same time, the optimal timing and quality of tying work significantly influences the success of vine protection measures and thus also the condition, quality, and ultimately the utilization of the harvested grapes. Therefore, for larger vineyards, the organizational management of this time conflict and the optimal quality of tying work play a crucial role and contribute significantly to the economic success of wine production.

[0010] Depending on the grape variety, pruning method and the execution of the canopy management, the number of tension wires can vary: wire frames with one movable pair of binding wires and two or three fixed climbing wires, wire frames with two movable pairs of binding wires and possibly one climbing wire, or simplified wire frames designed for the use of rollable plastic nets are particularly common.

[0011] In some wine-growing regions, the design of the wire frames with two movable pairs of fastening wires (and possibly one or two tendril wires) is predominantly used.

[0012] In addition to the design of support devices in viticulture with fixed wires and the use of stapling machines, stapling systems with spring staples have become established in viticultural practice in recent years, especially with the strong shift to metal stakes.

[0013] Developments in this field are available on the market under names such as Ausleger (Lorenzfeder), IWT Heftfeder, Heftsystem Pfeiffer and Südpfalzwerkstatt Heftdrahthalter.

[0014] However, wire holders are not cheap, require maintenance, can interfere with mechanical pre-pruning, and do not allow the wires to be hung down before pruning to facilitate vine removal. Mechanical wire lifting, e.g., from the upper station, is also not possible in this case. But especially with less upright-growing varieties and where, for example, due to unfavorable terrain, pointed rows, or extreme slopes, the use of tying machines is not feasible, these wire holders can be a valuable aid. Another disadvantage of wire holders is the risk of damage to the brackets when using pre-pruning machines.

[0015] As a further alternative, stapling with movable wires was developed. The method, advantages, and disadvantages are described, for example, in the specialist publication: "Stapling with movable wires" by Rudolf Fox, State Teaching and Research Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing Weinsberg (LVWO).

[0016] Upright-growing varieties, such as Riesling and Lemberger, but also Pinot Noir, Müller-Thurgau, and Silvaner, are particularly well-suited for movable training wires. Since young vineyards typically have steel stakes with cutouts below the training wires, the wires can be simply hung down or adjusted to varying heights depending on the vine's growth. Two pairs of training wires are usually sufficient. The procedure is as follows: After harvesting, the wires are unhooked from the lower training station – approximately 200–300 mm above the upper training wire, depending on the variety and cantilever shape, and thus barely attached – and reattached approximately 200 mm below the lower training wire. At the end of the rows, the wires remain at the same height; only the chains are slackened. This allows for largely uninterrupted work during pruning, pulling, and training.The wires do not interfere with vine shredding or under-vine cultivation, as they are fixed at a height of approximately 500 mm above the ground.

[0017] For the first tying pass, this pair of wires is "raised" and hooked approximately 200-300 mm above the upper bending wire. Simultaneously, the second pair of tying wires located at the upper tying station is "lowered" before the young shoots can begin to climb onto them. To ensure that as many shoots as possible are permanently secured to the wire, it is important not to raise the wires too early. Where there is a risk of breakage, the wire can be hooked onto every third or fourth stake just above the upper bending wire, even during the bending process. With appropriate tension, this provides support for the developing shoots, similar to the use of tying wire springs. The lowered pair of wires is tensioned or hooked in such a way that it does not interfere with necessary maintenance work using the tractor. The first tying pass can generally be combined with shoot thinning, thus eliminating the need for a separate pass.This is particularly helpful on steeper slopes. If the shoots extend sufficiently above the next higher tying station – approximately 300-400 mm above the first – the second pair of tying wires is pulled up. Depending on the canopy height, variety, and growth habit, the upper pair of wires can later be raised further or, in the case of upright varieties, left as is. For example, if the lower pair of wires is attached 300 mm above the upper bending wire and the second pair of tying wires is attached another 400 mm above that, it is rarely necessary to raise them further, at least for upright varieties. With such varieties, the canopy can extend further beyond the upper pair of tying wires without risk of breakage. If raising the second tying station is necessary for less upright varieties, this – as well as the second tying stage – is carried out before the shoots begin to bend over or break.

[0018] JP H06-141706 A discloses a device for cultivating fruit trees with horizontal control of the growth progress in the form of a shelf with horizontal shelves.

[0019] For this purpose, several posts are placed on the ground at intervals between each other, with an outer pipe anchored in the ground in each case, which supports an inner pipe that is movable.

[0020] A large number of tension wires are stretched between the branches protruding from each post.

[0021] Each tension wire is fitted with several small tubes connected by a common wire axis. These small tubes are equipped with hooks for attaching stems or branches of the plant being cultivated.

[0022] The device is designed to reduce the effort required to attach stems or branches to the tension wires, and these should be adjustable to an optimal height.

[0023] In contrast, the object of the invention was to modify trellis systems, particularly for viticulture, in such a way that optimal positioning of the double wires could be achieved easily in all work phases throughout the year, especially both in the training phase, including tying, where close positioning is required, and in the pruning phase after harvest, where the pruning should be hindered as little as possible by the wires previously required for training, and especially by their close positioning. This should preferably enable mechanized processing with minimal time expenditure.

[0024] The problem is solved by a post for trellis systems, in particular for viticulture, characterized in that it is designed as a telescopic post, comprising two or more interlocking sub-elements, of which a first, lower sub-element is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second and optionally one or more further sub-elements are equipped with devices for receiving double wires, wherein the devices for receiving double wires - designed as wire holders made of a bent spring steel wire, preferably with a diameter in the range of approx. 1 to approx. 5 mm, in particular from approx. 2 mm to approx. 4 mm, which is attached centrally to the corresponding sub-element and has two free ends, with devices, in particular eyelets, which are advantageously not completely closed, for receiving the double wires or - are designed as wire holders in the form of metal rods with a round or rectangular cross-section, which are arranged in the transverse direction to the corresponding sub-element and have two sections that extend beyond the sub-element in opposite directions, in particular by about 5 to 15 cm, preferably by about 10 cm.

[0025] It was found that the problem according to the invention can be solved in a simple way by designing the posts of the trellis system as telescopic posts.

[0026] The term telescope is commonly used for a mostly cylindrical object formed from two or more coaxially nested cylindrical or prismatic, possibly also slightly conical, sub-elements with reduced diameters, which can be slid into one another. Each of the inner sub-elements can be axially extended from the next larger one that directly surrounds it. Each extension ends with a stop or lock at a position in which the function of the telescope as a whole is still ensured, thus guaranteeing, in particular, support, bending force, or a tight seal.

[0027] In this case, the first, lower sub-element, which encloses the second and, if applicable, the further sub-elements, is designed to be anchored in the ground.

[0028] It is possible to retrofit the posts of existing systems by using them as the lowest sub-element and providing one or more further sub-elements that can be telescopically inserted into them and that carry the devices, in particular wire holders, for receiving the double wires.

[0029] In this embodiment, for existing trellis systems, the first, lower sub-element, which encloses the second and any subsequent sub-elements, will generally have a rectangular or square cross-section. Furthermore, existing posts are typically open on one long side. This is primarily due to the predominant manufacturing method, in which a metal profile is galvanized.

[0030] In existing trellis systems, the posts typically have a length above ground of approximately 1800 mm to 2100 mm, with an additional 500 mm to 600 mm anchored in the ground.

[0031] The internal sub-elements, provided in addition to the existing posts, are usually pushed upwards for pruning, mostly by about 400 mm to 600 mm, especially because this means that the one-year-old canes that have formed the foliage wall are no longer fixed by the double wires and are no longer tacked.

[0032] By extending the trellis elements with the double wires upwards, the canes that are pruned back during vine pruning are completely exposed. This eliminates the need for the very time-consuming process of pulling the canes out from between the double wires during pruning.

[0033] To ensure telescopic adjustability, the geometry of the component must be adapted to the internal dimensions of the existing post. For standard posts with a rectangular or square cross-section, this means simply selecting components with a corresponding external profile, allowing for a suitable clearance of approximately 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the lowest sub-element, having a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, can have a hollow cylindrical insert for receiving and guiding the second and optionally one or more further sub-elements, wherein the one or more further sub-elements are round tubes. This preferred embodiment, with round sub-elements, has the advantage that they can be rotatably mounted in the post, and that the wire holders mounted on the sub-elements can therefore also be continuously rotated into any position.

[0035] This design can be used for both existing and new trellis systems. The rectangular or square cross-section of the lowest element offers the particular advantage of secure anchoring in the ground.

[0036] Furthermore, in new installations, it is also possible to design all components of the telescopic posts according to the invention as round tubes, with the advantage of the stepless rotation into any desired position described above. This embodiment is also the simplest from a manufacturing perspective; in particular, the hollow cylindrical insert for receiving and guiding the round tube components is no longer necessary.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the telescopic post according to the invention comprises three slidable sub-elements, of which a first, lower sub-element is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second, as well as a further sub-element, are equipped with devices, in particular wire holders for receiving double wires.

[0038] The wire holders are advantageously positioned at the upper end of the second and third sub-elements, respectively. This allows the second and third sub-elements to be almost completely telescopically inserted into the lowest sub-element, which is anchored in the ground. The wire holder also serves as a stop, providing the added benefit of the wire holder acting as a stop.

[0039] In a further, advantageous embodiment, the telescopic post according to the invention comprises two slidable sub-elements, a first, lower sub-element of which is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second sub-element is equipped with two spaced-apart devices, in particular wire holders, for receiving double wires.

[0040] According to the invention, the second and optionally one or more further sub-elements are equipped with devices, in particular wire holders, for receiving double wires. The invention is not limited with regard to the specific design of the above devices.

[0041] The wire holders are formed from a bent spring steel wire, preferably with a diameter in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, and in particular from approximately 2 mm to approximately 4 mm. They are attached at their center to the corresponding component and have two free ends with devices, in particular eyelets, which are advantageously not completely closed, for receiving the wires. Because the eyelets are not completely closed, the wires can be inserted easily.

[0042] Such wire holders are available, for example, from the company Profil Alsace Zone Indstrielle Kiesweg, F-67630 Niederlauterbach (Dr. Reisacher) or also from the company BayWa AG, under the name wire boom.

[0043] Alternatively, the wire holders are designed in the form of metal rods with a round or rectangular cross-section.

[0044] The wire holders in the form of metal rods with a round or rectangular cross-section are arranged transversely to the corresponding sub-element and have two sections that extend beyond the sub-element in opposite directions, in particular by approximately 5 cm to approximately 15 cm, preferably by approximately 10 cm.

[0045] Particularly advantageous is the arrangement of the two sections parallel to each other and offset from each other around the circumference of the section element. In this embodiment, a close positioning of the two wires of a double wire pair relative to each other can be easily achieved by rotating the wire holder parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wires.

[0046] Materials suitable for the component elements include metals or plastics, especially steel, preferably galvanized steel, aluminum or carbon fibers.

[0047] The second and subsequent sections of the telescopic pole must be lockable in the extended position and, if necessary, in other positions. Any suitable locking device can be used. In particular, for example, a clamping mechanism using a screw, advantageously driven through the wall of the section using a lever, can be employed.

[0048] To ensure sufficient stability of the telescopic pole, the sub-elements are advantageously dimensioned such that, in the extended state, at least half of each sub-element is still guided by the sub-element that surrounds it.

[0049] To ensure that the internal components can be pulled out again at any time, a stop, in particular a stop plate, can advantageously be provided at their upper end. In embodiments with round tubes and wire holders arranged transversely at their upper end, a separate stop plate can be omitted, since the wire holders already perform this function.

[0050] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and a drawing.

[0051] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote identical or corresponding components.

[0052] They show in detail: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment of a telescopic pole according to the invention in the extended state, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the same embodiment of a telescopic pole according to the invention in the retracted state, Fig. 3. A detailed view to illustrate a preferred fixing of a wire holder, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a further preferred embodiment of a telescopic pole according to the invention in the retracted state and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the same embodiment of a telescopic pole according to the invention in the extended state.

[0053] The in Fig. Figure 1, a schematic representation, shows a telescopic post P with a first, lower sub-element A with a rectangular cross-section and a second sub-element B1, also with a rectangular cross-section, with two spaced-apart wire holders 1 made of spring steel for receiving double wires 2. An eyelet 3 for receiving one of the double wires 2 is provided at each end of the wire holders 2. The double wires 2 are positioned far apart from each other by a corresponding adjustment of the wire holders 1. Sub-element B1 is locked in the extended position by means of a clamp 4. A stop plate 5 is provided at the upper end of sub-element B1.

[0054] In the schematic representation of the same embodiment of a telescopic pole according to the invention in Fig. 2, however in the inserted state, with close positioning of the double wires 2 by a corresponding position of the wire holders 1. The stop plate 5 prevents the sub-element B1 from sliding completely into the lower sub-element A.

[0055] The detailed view in Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the in Fig. 1 Schematic embodiment of a telescopic post P with a first, lower sub-element A with rectangular cross-section and a second sub-element B1 also with rectangular cross-section at the level of the fixing of the wire holder 1 in a groove 6 of the sub-element B1.

[0056] In the Fig. In the four schematically illustrated further preferred embodiments of a telescopic post P according to the invention, all three sub-elements A, B1 and B2 are round tubes. The figure shows the telescopic post P in its retracted state and with the double wires 2 further positioned.

[0057] Fig. Figure 5 shows the same preferred embodiment of a telescopic post P according to the invention as Fig. 4 with all three sub-elements A, B1 and B2 as round tubes but in extended state and close positioning of the double wires 2. Example 1

[0058] A first embodiment starts with a commercially available vineyard post made of a substantially rectangular, galvanized steel profile with external dimensions of 2500 mm x 53 mm x 45 mm (L x W x H) from Profil Alsace SAS, Zone Industrielle Kiesweg, F-67630 Niederlauterbach, which is open on one long side. This is used as the first, lower sub-element A and converted into a telescopic post P according to the invention by providing a second sub-element B1 with also a rectangular cross-section and slightly smaller external dimensions of 1200 mm x 45 mm x 30 mm (L x W x H), made of aluminum. The clearance between the internal dimensions of the lower sub-element A and the external dimensions of sub-element B1 is preferably at least 1 mm at any given point. The second sub-element B1 has a longitudinal groove 6, which is used for attaching two spaced-apart wire holders 1. These are made from spring steel wire.They each terminate in an open loop 3 into which the double wires 2 can be inserted. The two wire holders 1 are spaced 350 mm apart, with the upper wire holder 1 attached to the upper end of the second sub-element B1. The second sub-element B1 terminates in a stop plate 5, which prevents it from sliding completely into the first sub-element A. By means of a clamp 4, the second sub-element B1 can be locked in place so that it projects 500 mm beyond the first sub-element A. It can optionally be locked at further positions.

[0059] The embodiment is shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 illustrate. Example 2

[0060] A second embodiment is a new design made exclusively of round stainless steel tubes, material number 1.4301, both for the first, lower sub-element A and for two sub-elements B1 and B2 that can be inserted and rotated within it. Each of these sub-elements carries a wire holder 1 at its upper end. Sub-element A has a length of 1600 mm, with 500 mm being embedded in the ground and 1100 mm protruding from the ground. The outer diameter of sub-element A is preferably 50 mm, and the wall thickness is 2 mm.

[0061] The sub-elements B1 and B2 each have a length of 900 mm, the outer diameter of sub-element B1 is 44 mm, the outer diameter of sub-element B2 is 38 mm and the wall thickness of both sub-elements (B1 and B2) is 2 mm.

[0062] The embodiment is shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrates this. Reference symbol list P Post A lower sub-element that can be anchored in the ground B1, B2,...Bn second and further sub-elements 1 Equipment, in particular wire holders for holding double wires 2 double wires 3 eyelets 4 clamping 5 stops 6 groove in sub-element B1

Claims

[1] Posts (P) for trellis systems for viticulture, characterized by , that it is designed as a telescopic post (P), comprising two or more interlocking sub-elements (A, B1, B2,...Bn), of which a first, lower sub-element (A) is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second and optionally one or more further sub-elements (B1, B2,...Bn) are equipped with devices (1) for receiving double wires (2), wherein the devices (1) for receiving double wires (2) - are designed as wire holders made of a bent spring steel wire, preferably with a diameter in the range of approx. 1 to approx. 5 mm, in particular from approx. 2 mm to approx. 4 mm, which is attached centrally to the corresponding sub-element (B1, B2,...Bn) and has two free ends, with devices, in particular eyelets (3), which are advantageously not completely closed, for receiving the double wires (2) or - are designed as wire holders in the form of metal rods with a round or rectangular cross-section, which are arranged in the transverse direction to the corresponding sub-element (B1, B2,...Bn) and have two sections that extend in opposite directions beyond the sub-element (B1, B2,...Bn), in particular by about 5 to 15 cm, preferably by about 10 cm. [2] Posts (P) for trellis systems according to claim 1, characterized by , that it comprises three interlocking sub-elements (A, B1, B2), of which a first, lower sub-element (A) is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second and a further sub-element (B1, B2) are equipped with devices (1), in particular wire holders for receiving double wires (2). [3] Posts (P) for trellis systems according to claim 1, characterized by, that it comprises two interlocking sub-elements (A, B1), of which a first, lower sub-element (A) is designed to be anchored in the ground and a second sub-element (B1) is equipped with two spaced-apart devices (1), in particular wire holders, for receiving double wires (2). [4] Posts (P) for trellis systems according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the sub-elements (A, B1, B2,...Bn) are round tubes. [5] Posts (P) for trellis systems according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the lowest sub-element (A) has a substantially rectangular or square cross-section and preferably a hollow cylindrical insert for receiving and guiding the second and optionally one or more further sub-elements (B1, B2,... Bn), wherein the one or more further sub-elements (B1, B2,... Bn) are round tubes. [6] Posts (P) for trellis systems according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the two sections are arranged parallel to each other and offset from each other on the circumference of the sub-element (B1, B2, ...Bn). [7] Posts (P) for trellis systems according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the materials for the sub-elements (A, B1, B2,...Bn) are metals or plastics, in particular steel, preferably galvanized steel, aluminium or carbon fibers.

Images