SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR PLANT CULTURES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support structure for plant crops with at least one support post, which is composed as a spatial grid structure of longitudinally running longitudinal bars and connecting wires holding the longitudinal bars together at a lateral distance from each other, and a functional part inserted into the grid structure for a function from the group ground anchoring, ground support, stabilization, tension cable bracing, plant support.

[0002] A similar device is known from WO 2011 / 098619 A1. There, a plurality of connecting wires run between all longitudinal bars, creating a completely enclosed, grid-like structure, but this requires considerable manufacturing effort. Furthermore, it is intended that functional parts be welded directly to the longitudinal bars, which complicates on-site assembly and, if necessary, dismantling.

[0003] Based on this, the invention aims to further improve the support structures known in the prior art and to provide a construction that is easy to manufacture and assemble, with increased utility.

[0004] To solve this problem, the combination of features specified in claim 1 is proposed. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] One aspect of the invention provides that the functional part is secured against relative movement along the support post in a functional position by the connecting wires, wherein the functional part can be engaged with the connecting wires via a locking element and / or a positive locking connection. In this way, the connecting wires can fulfill a dual function in terms of a simple truss construction and a simplified securing of attachments or functional parts. This allows the assembly process of the functional part to be carried out particularly easily on-site in a single joining step and a single securing step against detachment from the lattice structure.

[0006] This can be achieved largely without tools by simply inserting the locking element into an opening in the functional part. This also creates a simple disassembly option.

[0007] In this context, it is also advantageous if the securing element is axially supported on a section of the connecting wires that runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the support post.

[0008] A particularly simple design provides that the locking element is formed by a bolt or, if necessary, an angled profile bar.

[0009] For pre-positioning and load bearing, it is advantageous if the functional part has a connecting section that can be inserted into or attached to the grid structure.

[0010] Advantageously, a functional part designed as a foot section has a tip that can be inserted or screwed into the ground.

[0011] Another advantageous design for tensioning roof membranes provides that a functional part designed as a head section has a rope holder for a ridge-side tensioning rope that points upwards in the installed state.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment provides for two connecting wires to run continuously (uninterrupted) along the length of the longitudinal bars. At connection points, these wires are alternately firmly attached to a common longitudinal bar forming a main support strut and to another longitudinal bar forming a secondary support strut. This results in the lattice girder being open on one side between the secondary support struts, with no connecting wire running between them. This allows the connecting wires to be bent and joined along their entire length, significantly simplifying manufacturing. The resulting open-sided lattice girder is easier to handle, for example, stacking and fitting with attachments. Furthermore, it creates a stable post design with reduced material requirements.This makes economical use possible even in plant cultivation, where numerous support points are often required across extensive areas. At the same time, the essentially freely selectable length of the lattice girders allows for easy adaptation to varying terrain elevations through appropriate cutting. The fact that the wavy connecting wires create a recurring truss structure along the length of the posts is also advantageous.

[0013] Advantageously, the connecting wires run in one plane each, with the two (imaginary) planes spanned by the connecting wires forming an acute angle with each other, thereby also achieving sufficient lateral stability.

[0014] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the connecting wires run in a zigzag or wave-like pattern in a single plane over curved vertices, and that the vertices are bonded to the longitudinal bars by means of a material connection, preferably via welds. This reduces the number of components that need to be handled during assembly, thus simplifying machine processing.

[0015] From a manufacturing perspective, it is also advantageous if the secondary support struts are arranged on the outer sides of the connecting wires facing away from each other, and if the main support strut is arranged in the connection area between the connecting wires.

[0016] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. The drawing shows... Fig. 1 a support structure for plant cultivation with two support posts in side view; Fig. 2 a section of a support post designed as a lattice structure in three-dimensional view; Fig. 3 a base part of the support post according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 an upper connecting section of the foot part in a opposite Fig. 3 rotated, enlarged side view; Figs. 5 and 6 the foot part in functional position in the grid structure in partial side view and top view; Fig. 7 a foot part that can be screwed into the ground in Fig. 1 corresponding illustration; Fig. 8 a pluggable embodiment of a foot part with a opposite Fig. 3 modified upper connecting section; Figs. 9 and 10 the foot section according to Fig. 8 in functional position in the grid structure in partial side view and top view; Figs. 11 and 12 a head part of the support post according to Fig. 1in functional position in top and side view; Figs. 13 and 14 show a further embodiment of a head section in Figs. 11 and 12 corresponding representation; Figs. 15 and 16 show an angled bottom support inserted into the grid structure in two side views; Figs. 17 and 18 show a stabilizing plate inserted into the grid structure in two side views; Figs. 19 and 20 show a wire guide in a side view and in top view in its functional position in the grid structure.

[0017] The in Fig. 1The support structure 1 shown enables weather protection and / or plant support in crop cultivation, for example, orchards. For this purpose, at least one support post 10, 10' is provided, which is designed as a truss-like, three-dimensional grid structure into which at least one functional part 12, in particular a base part 14 for anchoring in the ground 16 or a top part 18 for tensioning a tension cable 20, is inserted. A fabric or film sheet, for example, can be stretched over the ridge of a row of support posts 10 using the tension cable 20. Inclined support posts 10' at the end of the row can ensure favorable cable routing to the ground anchorage.

[0018] How best to Fig. 2As can be seen, the support post 10 is composed of three straight longitudinal bars 22, 24, 26 extending in its longitudinal direction and two connecting wires 28, 30, which are thinner than the longitudinal bars and hold the longitudinal bars together at a lateral distance from each other. In cross-section, the longitudinal bars 22, 24, 26 lie at the vertices of an imaginary isosceles triangle, while the connecting wires 28, 30 run in a zigzag or wave-like pattern in separate wire planes, with the wire planes forming an acute angle with each other corresponding to the sides of the triangle.

[0019] The two unconnected longitudinal bars 24, 26 form secondary support struts 32, which are rigidly connected to the thicker longitudinal bar 22 as the main support strut 34 via the connecting wires 28, 30. The apex points 36, 38 of the connecting wires 28, 30 are alternately welded to the main support strut 34 and the respective secondary support strut 32, with the secondary support struts 32 being arranged on the outer surfaces of the connecting wires 28, 30 facing away from each other, and the main support strut 34 being arranged in the connection area between the connecting wires 28, 30.

[0020] In this structure as a grid structure 40 it is possible to secure the functional parts 12 in their functional position on the connecting wires 28, 30 against an unwanted longitudinal movement or adjustment along the support post, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0021] Fig. 3Figure 12 shows a functional part 12 in the form of a base 14, which has a lower point 42 that can be inserted into the ground 16 or into the soil and an upper connecting section 44 that can be connected to the grid structure. The latter comprises an upwardly projecting support section 46 and a laterally projecting angle piece 48.

[0022] Fig. 4 illustrates the shape of connecting section 44 in a contrasting view Fig. 3 enlarged side view rotated by 90°. The support section 46 has a V-shaped cross-section and two corresponding openings 50 on its legs. The angle piece 48 is provided with two vertical bores 52 on its horizontal web.

[0023] As from Figs. 5 and 6As can be seen in the functional position, the support section 46 lies positively locked between the planes of the connecting wires 28, 30, while the secondary support struts 32 extend with their free ends through the bores 52 of the angle bracket 48. In this way, the grid structure 40 can be easily placed on the base 14, which is already inserted into the ground 16.

[0024] To prevent the grid structure 40 from lifting off, the base 14 is additionally secured against detachment from the support post 10 by a locking element 54. In the case of the Fig. 4In the illustrated embodiment, the securing element 54 is formed by an angled profile bar 56, which is inserted horizontally through the openings 50 and supported on the inclined sections 58 of the connecting wires 28. This assembly step can therefore also be carried out easily, and if necessary, the support structure can be dismantled or removed with minimal effort by pulling out the securing element 52.

[0025] In the Figs. 7 to 10 In the illustrated embodiments of a foot part 14, the parts are identical or similar and bear the same reference numerals as described above.

[0026] In contrast to the example according to Fig. 3 The foot section has 14 after Fig. 7 a tip 42 which can be screwed into the ground and which is provided with a thread 60 for this purpose.

[0027] Figs. 8 to 10Figure 1 shows a base 14 with a cup-shaped connecting section 46 in which elongated holes 50 are formed by adjacent bores. In its functional position, the connecting section 46 positively engages the lower section of the grid structure 40. For axial securing, bolts 62 are inserted into the elongated holes 50 at suitable locations as locking elements 54 and supported by the connecting wires 28, 30.

[0028] Figs. 11 and 12The head section 18 is shown in its functional or installed position at the upper end of the support post 10. Here, too, the special design and connection principle of stable pressure dissipation via the longitudinal rods 22, 24, 26 and axial securing to the connecting wires 28, 30 is employed. An upwardly pointing cable bracket 64 has a screw nut 66 into which a cable guide (not shown) can be screwed. The cable bracket 64 has support wings 68 that rest on the upper free ends of the longitudinal rods 22, 24, 26. To achieve axial pull-out protection, a support section 46 is provided, analogous to the foot sections 14, which is secured to the connecting wires 28, 30 by a locking element 54 in the form of a bolt 62 or a profiled rod 56.

[0029] Another functional component can be a Figs. 15 and 16The ground support 70, shown as an example in two side views, is provided as an angled piece inserted into a ground section of the grid structure 40 and provides ground support with its horizontal leg 72. In this way, a lower section of the grid structure 40 can be pressed directly into the ground 16, while the horizontal leg 72 rests on the ground surface. The axial support is achieved by a locking element 54 in the form of detent springs that engage with the connecting wires 28, 30.

[0030] Figs. 17 and 18Figure 1 shows a further functional component, a stabilizing plate 74, which is inserted vertically into the grid structure 40 to absorb transverse loads and ensure lateral stabilization, particularly when the post 10 is not secured by a transverse bracing. This also makes it possible to insert the grid structure 40 directly into the ground without an additional base to absorb the transverse loads. In the example shown, the axial securing of the stabilizing plate 74 is achieved by the positive locking of the plate's longitudinal edges with the connecting wires 28, 30. As an additional positioning element, grooves 76 are incorporated into the stabilizing plate 74 to achieve lateral engagement with the secondary support struts 32.

[0031] Figs. 19 and 20Figure 1 shows a further functional component for installation in the grid structure 40 as a wire guide 78 at a desired height of the support post 10. For this purpose, a molded part is provided with a central groove 80 for clipping onto the main support strut 34 and two lateral grooves 82 for support against the connecting wires 28, 30. Thus, a functional position at a desired height of the support post 10 is secured by a positive fit. To guide a wire or a retaining cable, a preferably concave guide surface 84 is provided between the lateral openings of the grooves 80 and 82.

Claims

1. Support structure for plant cultures, having at least one support post (10) which is composed as a spatial lattice structure (40) of longitudinally extending longitudinal bars (22,24,26) and of connecting wires (28,30) holding the longitudinal bars together at a lateral distance from one another, and having a functional part (12) inserted into the lattice structure (40) for a function from the group of ground anchoring, ground support, stabilization, tensioning cable bracing, plant support, characterized in that the functional part (12) is secured to the connecting wires (28,30) against a relative movement along the support post (10), wherein the functional part (12) can be brought into engagement with the connecting wires (28,30) via a securing element (54) and / or via a form-fitting connection.

2. Support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element (54) can be releasably inserted into an opening (50) of the functional part (12).

3. Support structure according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the securing element (54) is axially supported on a portion of the connecting wires (28,30) which runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the support post (10).

4. Support structure according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the securing element (54) is formed of a bolt (62) or an optionally angled profile bar (56).

5. Support structure according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the functional part (12) has a connecting portion (46) which can be inserted into the lattice structure (40) or attached thereto.

6. Support structure according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a functional part (12) designed as a foot part (14) has a tip that can be inserted or screwed into the ground.

7. Support structure according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a functional part (12) designed as a head part (18) has a cable holder (64) for a tensioning cable (20), which cable holder points upwards in the installed state.

8. Support structure according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that two connecting wires (28,30) extend continuously along the longitudinal bars (22,24,26) and are firmly connected, at connection points, alternately to a common longitudinal bar (22) forming a main support strut (34) and to a further longitudinal bar (24,26) forming a secondary support strut (32), so that the lattice beam is open on one side between the secondary support struts (32).

9. Support structure according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting wires (28,30) each extend in a plane, wherein the two planes spanned by the connecting wires (28,30) enclose an acute angle with each other.

10. Support structure according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the connecting wires (28,30) extend in a zigzag or wave-like manner over curved apex points (36,38), and in that the apex points (36,38) are connected to the longitudinal bars (22,24,26) in an integrally-bonded manner, preferably via welded connections.

11. Support structure according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the secondary support struts (32) are arranged on the outer regions of the connecting wires (28,30) that face away from one another.

12. Support structure according to any of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the main support strut (34) is arranged in the connection region between the connecting wires (28,30).