VINE PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST FROST AND HAIL

Abstract

Device for protecting vines against frost and hail. The present invention relates to a device for protecting (1) at least one row of vines in a row against spring frost and hail, such as, for example, a row (2) of vines (3), notable in that it comprises at least: - a spreader bar (10) arranged to be removably attached to a machine (11), and on which a shaft (12) is mounted for rotational movement, - a geotextile strip (13) capable of being wound around said shaft (12) or unwound from it to be respectively removed or placed on a row (2) of vines (3), and - means for distributing ballast (15) to hold the geotextile strip (13) on the corresponding row (2) of vines (3). Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for protecting vines against frost and hail Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of viticulture, and more particularly to a device for protecting rows of vine plants against frost and hail. State of the art

[0002] In the field of viticulture, the technique of arranging rows of stakes supporting, in a classic manner, three superimposed parallel taut wires is well known, said wires being used for trellising the vine, that is to say to support the vine plants so that the bunches benefit from the best possible exposure.

[0003] In spring, with the return of warmer weather, after preparing the soil, the winegrower begins to carry out a series of operations on the vine shoots that will contribute to the vigor of the vine and allow it to produce high-quality grapes. However, it is at this time, when the young shoots and buds begin to develop, that the vines are particularly vulnerable to frost. Indeed, while the vine is relatively resistant to the winter cold of temperate climates, spring frosts can cause very significant damage.

[0004] To combat this risk, it is known to use braziers, also called heaters in Champagne, or large candles to significantly raise the temperature above the frost point, as the vine's sensitivity varies from -3°C at the beginning of soil preparation to -2°C during the growth of young shoots. However, these candles and heaters, while they do heat the air somewhat effectively, are polluting because they use paraffin and fuel oil, and require labor for their setup and lighting. Furthermore, they are only suitable for small areas.

[0005] Water sprinkling is also known: this technique consists of watering the vine continuously during the critical period, using sprinklers placed every 15 to 20 meters, so that the temperature of the buds and herbaceous organs does not fall below 0°C. While this method is non-polluting, it has the disadvantage of being very water-intensive (approximately 50 m3 per hour per hectare).

[0006] Air mixing is also a technique used to combat spring frosts in particular. This technique consists of mixing the air and replacing the A layer of cold air comes into contact with the vines via a layer of warm air above. The equipment and implementation are very expensive for a temperature increase of only 1 to 4°C. This mixing, which can be carried out by helicopter or multiple propellers, is also noisy and polluting.

[0007] Finally, there are also other more experimental techniques such as, for example, heated electric wires, gas burners attached to the back of a tractor, or antifreeze molecules to be used in foliar spraying.

[0008] However, whatever technique is used, its implementation is delicate and in fact limits its development. Summary of the invention

[0009] The aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to present an alternative to techniques for combating spring frost and hail by offering a frost protection device that is easy and quick to put in place or remove with little manpower, said protection device being non-polluting, inexpensive and particularly effective in protecting vine plants while ensuring their development.

[0010] In accordance with the invention, a device is therefore proposed for protecting at least one row of crops in a row, such as, for example, a row of grapevines, against spring frost and hail, notable in that it comprises at least: - a lifting beam designed to be removably attached to a machine, and on which a rotating shaft is mounted, - a strip of geotextile suitable for wrapping around or unwinding from said tree in order to be respectively removed or placed on a row of vines, and - means of distributing ballast to keep the geotextile strip on the corresponding row of vine plants.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spreader bar comprises at least: - a hollow tube extending generally horizontally, - a first bracket fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said tube and extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a second bracket extending generally parallel to said first bracket and being disposed at the other end thereof, said first and second brackets extending from said tube in the same direction, - a motor-driven chuck mounted to rotate freely at the free end of the first arm around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube, and driven in rotation by a motor, and - a receiving chuck mounted for movability at the free end of the second arm around the axis of rotation of said motor chuck, said motor chucks and receivers being arranged opposite each other and each designed to cooperate with one of the longitudinal ends of said tree.

[0012] According to a second embodiment, the spreader bar comprises at least: - a hollow tube extending generally horizontally, - a first arm fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said tube and extending generally perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, and a second arm extending generally parallel to said first arm and being mounted to slide along said tube and disposed at the other end thereof, said first and second arms extending from said tube in the same direction, - a receiving chuck mounted for free rotation at the free end of the first arm around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube, and - a motor chuck mounted movable in rotation at the free end of the second arm around the axis of rotation of said receiving chuck, said receiving and motor chucks being arranged opposite each other and each provided to cooperate with one of the longitudinal ends of the shaft.

[0013] Advantageously, the motor chuck is driven in rotation, in a non-permanent manner, by a motor fixed to the second arm, and associated with drive means comprising an external cylindrical straight-tooth gear having at least one toothed wheel fixed to the end of the motor chuck located on the side opposite the shaft and a pinion fixed to the free end of the shaft of the motor, the motor being movable in translation relative to the second arm between a "drive" position in which its pinion cooperates with the toothed wheel of the motor chuck and a "free" position in which its pinion does not cooperate with said toothed wheel, and vice versa.

[0014] The lifting beam is preferably associated with a guide element comprising a bar disposed on the opposite side of the machine on which the protection device is installed, and connected to the tube of the lifting beam by at least one arm, each arm being fixed at one of its ends to said bar and secured, in an adjustable manner, to said tube at the other end so as to be able to adjust said arm angularly in a plane perpendicular to said tube.

[0015] Preferably, the second bracket is mounted to slide along said tube and the protective device includes a sliding element allowing said second bracket to slide along said tube between, reciprocally, - a "tight" position in which the shaft is held locked between the motor and driven chucks, so that the rotation of the motor chuck, via the motor, causes the rotation of said shaft around the axis of rotation of said motor chuck, and - a "distant" position in which the second gantry-receiving chuck assembly is away from the first gantry-motor chuck assembly, so that the shaft is neither held locked between the motor and receiving chucks, nor driven in rotation by the motor chuck, this "distant" position allowing the removal of the shaft.

[0016] The shaft advantageously comprises at least one first longitudinal slot into which one of the longitudinal ends of the geotextile strip is inserted, said end being provided with at least one hem into which a locking bar is inserted once the hem is inserted into said shaft, said locking bar being dimensioned to prevent the withdrawal of the end of the geotextile strip through the first slot of the shaft.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the tree has at least a first longitudinal slot and a second longitudinal slot arranged opposite the first slot, one of the longitudinal ends of the geotextile strip being inserted into the first slot, then into the second slot, and comes out of the tree.

[0018] In this hypothesis, the tree is advantageously equipped with a plurality of points on which the portion of the geotextile strip protruding from the second slot is planted.

[0019] The motor and receiver chucks are preferably associated with lateral discs to guide the geotextile strip during its winding around the shaft.

[0020] Advantageously, each ballast is generally in the shape of an inverted U, at least when placed on the geotextile strip covering at least one row of vines, or when stored on the distribution means, and then comprises a core and two parallel arms, each extending vertically from one end of said core, and in that the distribution means comprise at least: - an inclined ramp arranged so that its lower end is above and substantially in the middle of the geotextile strip, and on which the weights are arranged one after the other so that their core is in contact with the top of the ramp and their arms are arranged on either side of said ramp, and - a wheel arranged at the lower end of said ramp so as to serve as a stop for said ballasts, driven in rotation by a motor around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said motor chuck, said wheel being provided with a notch in which the core of the ballast located in a buttress against said wheel is housed.

[0021] According to another embodiment, each ballast is generally in the shape of an inverted U, at least when placed on the geotextile strip covering at least one row of vines, or when stored on the distribution means, and then comprises a core and two parallel arms, each extending vertically from one end of said core, and in that the distribution means- contributions must include at least:

[0022] - an inclined ramp arranged so that its lower end is above and sen presumably in the middle of the geotextile strip, and on which the weights are arranged one after the other so that their core is in contact with the top of the ramp and their arms are arranged on either side of said ramp, said ramp having a stop arranged at its lower end so as to retain said weights on said ramp, and

[0023] - a movable pusher driven in translation by an actuator between a position "Re-entry" position in which the pusher is not in contact with the ballast resting on the stop and an "exit" position in which the pusher pushes on the core of the ballast resting on the stop so that it escapes the latter and leaves the ramp in order to be distributed on the geotextile strip, and vice versa.

[0024] The actuator is advantageously an electromagnet.

[0025] Preferably, the geotextile strip comprises translucent or transparent strips along its longitudinal edges. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the attached figure in which:

[0027] [Fig. 1] is a side view of a row of grapevine plants intended to be protected by the protective device according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the protective device according to the invention installed on a machine,

[0029] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of the rocker arm of the protection device the [Fig.2],

[0030] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pivotally mounted tube on the spreader bar of the [Fig.3],

[0031] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mounted tube pivoting on the rocker arm of the [Fig.3],

[0032] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of an embodiment of the means of dis ballast contribution of the protection device of the [Fig.2],

[0033] [Fig.7] is a detailed perspective view of the ballast distribution means of the [Fig.6]

[0034] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of another embodiment of the means of dis ballast contribution of the protection device of the [Fig.2],

[0035] [Fig.9] is a detailed perspective view of the ballast distribution means of the [Fig.8]

[0036] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of another embodiment of the protection device according to the invention,

[0037] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view from another viewing angle of the protection device of the [Fig. 10],

[0038] [Fig. 12] is a partial exploded perspective view of the rocker arm of the protection device of the [Fig. 10]. Description of the implementation methods

[0039] With reference to figures 1 to 9, the invention relates to a device for protecting 1 against spring frost and hail from at least one row of in-line crops such as, for example, a row 2 of vine plants 3.

[0040] In a conventional manner, the vine comprises a plurality of rows 2 that are substantially parallel to each other and spaced to allow passage for the vineyard workers, among others. Each row 2 has between its vines 3 a plurality of stakes 4 planted vertically in the ground 5 at generally regular intervals and supporting a plurality of trellising wires 6, 7 stretched parallel to each other along said stakes 4. The wire 6 located closest to the ground 5, called the main wire, allows a branch 8 of each vine 3 to be attached to maintain it substantially horizontally in order to guide the growth of said vine 3. Furthermore, the wires 7, called the support wires, arranged above the main wire 6, are paired, the support wires 8 of each pair being arranged at the same height on either side of the stakes 4, each pair thus formed being arranged parallel to the main wire 6 along said stakes 4.Each pair of lifting wires 7 are further arranged on either side of the plants 3 of the associated row 2 and serve to support said plants 3 during their growth so that the bunches benefit from the best possible exposure, which facilitates photosynthesis and will later promote the ripening of the grapes.

[0041] Said protective device 1 comprises at least: - a spreader bar 10 arranged to be removably attached to a machine 11, advantageously a straddle, and on which is mounted a rotating shaft 12, - a geotextile strip 13 capable of being wound around said shaft 12 or unwound from it to be respectively removed or placed from a row 2 of vines 3, and - means for distributing ballast 15 14 to hold the geotextile strip 5 on the corresponding row 2 of vines 3.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spreader bar 10 comprises at least: - a hollow tube 16 extending generally horizontally, - a first arm 17 fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said tube 16 and extending generally perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, and a second arm 18 extending generally parallel to said first gantry 17 and being mounted sliding along said tube 16 and disposed at the other end thereof, said first and second gantries 17, 18 extending from said tube 16 in the same direction, - a sliding element 19 allowing said second arm 18 to slide along said tube 16, - a motor chuck 20 mounted for movability at the free end of the first arm 17 around an axis 21 parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube 16, and driven in rotation by a motor 22, and - a receiving chuck 23 mounted movable in rotation at the free end of the second arm 18 around the axis 21 of rotation of said driving chuck 20, said driving chucks 20 and receiving chuck 23 being arranged opposite each other and each provided to cooperate with one of the longitudinal ends of the shaft 12.

[0043] In the present application, "globally perpendicular" and "globally parallel" refer to elements or parts of elements forming an angle between them respectively between -20° and +20° and 70° and 110°.

[0044] Similarly, in the present application, "globally horizontally" and "globally perpendicularly" refer to elements or parts of elements making an angle between -20° and +20° with the horizontal and vertical respectively.

[0045] It goes without saying that, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the geotextile strip 13 can be wound / unwound manually, the motor chuck 20 will then be mounted to rotate freely at the free end of the first arm 17 around an axis 21 parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube 16, but will not be driven in rotation by a motor.

[0046] It is understood that with this configuration, the shaft 12 is mounted to rotate freely on the rocker arm 10. However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the shaft 12 may be mounted to rotate freely on the rocker arm 10 permanently. In this case, the second arm 18 may not be mounted to slide along said tube 16, and the protective device 1 may not include a sliding element 19.

[0047] Advantageously, said protective device 1 therefore comprises a sliding member 19 allowing said second support 18 to slide along said tube 16 between - a "tight" position in which the shaft 12 is held locked between the motor chuck 20 and the driven chuck 23, so that the rotation of the motor chuck 20, possibly via the motor 22, causes the rotation of said shaft 12 around the axis 21 of rotation of said motor chuck 20, and - a "remote" position in which the second arm assembly 18 - receiving chuck 23 is moved away from the first arm assembly 17 - motor chuck 20, of so that the shaft 12 is neither held nor blocked between the motor chuck 20 and the receiver chuck 23, nor driven in rotation by the motor chuck 20, this "disengaged" position allowing the removal of the shaft 12, when, for example, the protective device 1 is no longer used, and vice versa.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment with reference to [Fig. 3], said sliding member 19 comprises a slide 24 mounted to slide along the tube 16 of the lifting beam 10 and adapted to be fixed along said tube 16 at a predetermined position between the first and second arms 17, 18 of the lifting beam 10, and a cylinder 25 disposed between said slide 24 and said second arm 18, said cylinder 25 advantageously being a double-acting hydraulic cylinder connected to the hydraulic circuit of the machine 11 on which the protective device 1 is installed. Thus, with this configuration of the sliding member 19, it is clear that, when the rod 26 of the cylinder 25 extends, the second arm 18 moves away from the first arm 17, and conversely, when the rod 26 of the cylinder 25 extends, the second arm 18 moves towards of the first gallows 17.

[0049] The shaft 12 is designed to receive the geotextile strip 13 and allow it to be wound / unwound. For this purpose, said shaft 12 has at least one first longitudinal slot 27 into which one 28 of the longitudinal ends of the geotextile strip 13 is inserted. This end 28 is provided with at least one hem 29 into which a locking bar 30 is inserted once the hem 29 is inserted into said shaft 12. This locking bar 30 is dimensioned to prevent the end 28 of the geotextile strip 13 from being withdrawn by the first slot 27 of the shaft 12, and thus prevent the geotextile strip 13 from separating from said shaft 12. This configuration allows the geotextile strip 13 to be wound or unwound onto the shaft 12 when the latter rotates in one direction or the other, respectively.

[0050] According to another embodiment, the shaft 12 further comprises a second longitudinal slot 31 preferably arranged opposite the first slot 27. In this configuration, the end 28 of the geotextile strip 13 does not necessarily have a hem 29 and is inserted into the first slot 27, then into the second slot 31, and emerges from the shaft 12. To ensure the securing of the geotextile strip 13 to the shaft 12, the latter is provided with a plurality of points, not shown, onto which the portion of the geotextile strip 13 emerging from the second slot 31 is inserted.

[0051] Furthermore, in order to prevent the geotextile strip 13 from winding sideways or in a whistle shape, the motor mandrels 20 and receiver mandrels 23 are advantageously associated with lateral discs 32 allowing the geotextile strip 13 to be guided during its winding around the shaft 12.

[0052] When the shaft 12 is held locked between the motor chuck 20 and the receiver chuck 23, The winding / unwinding of the geotextile strip 13 is achieved by means of the rotation of said shaft 12 set in motion by the motor chuck 20 driven in rotation by the motor 22. For this purpose, the motor 22 is advantageously of the hydraulic motor type connected to the hydraulic circuit of the machine 11 on which the protection device 1 is installed. The rotational speed of said motor 22 is independent of the rotational speed of the wheels of the machine 11, however it is preferably such that the linear speed of winding / unwinding of the geotextile strip 13 is sufficiently close to the forward speed of said machine 11, in order to facilitate the placement of the geotextile strip 13 on the row 2 of vine plants 3.

[0053] The protection device 1 according to the invention further comprises means for distributing ballasts 15 14 to hold the geotextile strip 5 on the corresponding row 2 of vine plants 3, said distribution means 14 being arranged to be removably attached to the machine 11.

[0054] Each ballast 15 is preferably in the general shape of an inverted U and comprises a substantially horizontal, straight or curved core 33, and two parallel branches 34 extending vertically from one end of said core 33, each ballast advantageously being a metal profile.

[0055] According to a first embodiment, the ballast distribution means 14 for ballast 15 comprise at least: - an inclined ramp 35 arranged so that its lower end 36 is above and substantially in the middle of the spreader bar 10, and on which the ballasts 15 are arranged one after the other so that their core 33 is in contact with the ramp 35 and their arms 34 are arranged on either side of said ramp 35, and - a wheel 37 disposed at the lower end 36 of said ramp 35 so as to serve as a stop for said weights 15, driven in rotation by a motor 38 around an axis substantially parallel to the axis 21 of rotation of said motor chuck 20, said wheel 37 being provided with a notch 39 in which the web 33 of the weight 15 located at the lower end 36 of said ramp 35 is housed, i.e. abutting said wheel 37.

[0056] With this configuration, at each turn of the wheel 37, the ballast 15, whose core 33 is housed in the notch 39 of said wheel 37, is distributed on the geotextile strip 5 covering the corresponding row 2 of vine plants 3, the branches 34 of said ballast 15 then being arranged on either side of said row 2.

[0057] It is understood that the inclination of the ramp 35 and gravity ensures a continuous supply of ballast 15 onto the wheel 37.

[0058] The motor 38 is preferably an electric stepper motor controlled, advantageously remotely, by an operator following or piloting the machine 11, in order to adapt the distribution of the ballasts 15 to the configuration of the row 2 of vine plants 3.

[0059] According to a second embodiment, the ballast distribution means 14 15 include at least: - an inclined ramp 40 similar to the ramp 35 previously described, and differing from the latter in that it includes a stop 41 disposed at the lower end 42 of the ramp 40 so as to retain said ballasts 15 on said ramp 40, and - a movable pusher 43 driven in translation by an actuator, not shown, between a "retracted" position in which the pusher 43 is not in contact with the ballast 15 resting on the stop 41 and an "extended" position in which the pusher 43 pushes on the web 33 of the ballast 15 resting on the stop 41 so that it escapes the latter and leaves the ramp 40 in order to be distributed on the geotextile strip 13, and vice versa.

[0060] With this configuration, at each passage of the pusher 43 from its "retracted" position to its "extended" position, the ballast 15, whose core 33 is in contact with the stop 41, escapes the latter and is distributed on the geotextile strip 5 covering the corresponding row 2 of vine plants 3, the branches 34 of said ballast 15 then being arranged on either side of said row 2.

[0061] It is clear that the inclination of the ramp 40 and gravity ensures a continuous supply of ballast 15 to the stop 41.

[0062] The actuator is preferably a controlled electromagnet, advantageously to distance, by an operator following or piloting the machine 11, in order to adapt the distribution of the ballasts 15 to the configuration of the row 2 of vine plants 3.

[0063] According to a particular embodiment not shown, each ballast may be of a completely different type and comprise, for example, a cable or flexible link fitted at each end with a ball or block-shaped weight, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus configured, each ballast will generally be in the shape of an inverted U at least when placed on the geotextile strip 13 covering at least one row 2 of vine plants 3, or when stored on the distribution means 14. In both these situations, each ballast then defines a substantially horizontal core, straight or curved, and two parallel branches, each extending vertically from one end of said core.

[0064] Furthermore, the geotextile strip 13 is advantageously at least partially translucent or transparent. Preferably, the geotextile strip 13 comprises translucent or transparent strips along its longitudinal edges, that is, along the edges that are substantially parallel to the ground when said geotextile strip 13 covers at least one row 2 of vine plants 3. This configuration allows the soil to warm up thanks to sunlight.

[0065] With reference to Figures 10 to 12, according to a second embodiment, the protection device 1 comprises at least: - a spreader bar 50 arranged to be removably fixed to a machine, advantageously a straddle machine, and on which a rotating shaft 12 is mounted, - a geotextile strip 13 capable of being wrapped around said tree 12 or unwound from it to be respectively removed or placed from a row of vine plants, and - means for distributing ballasts 15 14 to hold the geotextile strip 13 on the corresponding row of vine plants.

[0066] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spreader bar 50 comprises at least: - a hollow tube 51 extending generally horizontally, - a first bracket 52 fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said tube 51 and extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a second bracket 53 extending generally parallel to said first bracket 52 and being mounted to slide along said tube 51 and disposed at the other end thereof, said first and second brackets 52, 53 extending from said tube 51 in the same direction, - a sliding member 54 allowing said second arm 53 to slide along said tube 51, - a receiving chuck 55 mounted for rotation at the free end of the first arm 52 around an axis 56 parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube 51, and - a motor chuck 57 mounted movably in rotation at the free end of the second arm 53 around the axis 56 of rotation of said receiving chuck 55, said receiving chuck 55 and motor chuck 57 being arranged opposite each other and each provided to cooperate with one of the longitudinal ends of the shaft 12.

[0067] The receiving chucks 55 and motor 57 are mounted movably in rotation at the free end respectively of the first arm 52 and the second arm 53 advantageously by means of bearings 58.

[0068] Furthermore, the motor chuck 57 is driven in rotation, in a non-permanent manner, by a motor 59 attached to the second arm 53. For this purpose, the motor 59 is associated with drive means 61 advantageously comprising an external cylindrical straight-tooth gear 60, the latter comprising at least one toothed wheel 61 fixed to the end of the motor chuck 57 located on the side opposite the shaft 12 and a pinion 62 fixed to the free end of the shaft of the motor 59.

[0069] According to a particular embodiment, the motor 59 is arranged on the second bracket 53 on the side of the shaft 12, and the gear 61 and pinion 62 are arranged on the second bracket 53 on the opposite side.

[0070] Furthermore, to allow a rotational drive, in a non-permanent manner, of the motor chuck 57, the motor 59 is mobile in translation relative to the second arm 53 between a "drive" position in which its pinion 62 cooperates with the toothed wheel 61 of the motor chuck 57 and a "free" position in which its pinion 62 does not cooperate with said toothed wheel 61, and vice versa.

[0071] It is understood that the training means 60 may be of a completely different nature type such as, for example, a toothed wheel and belt or chain assembly without going outside the scope of the present invention.

[0072] Said motor 59 is advantageously of the hydraulic motor type connected to the hydraulic circuit of the machine on which the protection device 1 is installed. The rotation speed of said motor 59 is independent of the rotation speed of the wheels of the machine, however it is preferably such that the linear winding / unwinding speed of the geotextile strip 13 is close enough to the forward speed of said machine, in order to facilitate the placement of the geotextile strip 13 on the row of vine plants.

[0073] Furthermore, in order to prevent the geotextile strip 13 from winding sideways or in a whistle shape, the receiving mandrels 55 and motor 57 are advantageously associated with lateral discs 63 allowing the geotextile strip 13 to be guided during its winding around the shaft 12.

[0074] Like the previously described rocker arm 10, the rocker arm 50 of the protective device 1 includes a sliding member 54 allowing the second boom 53 to slide along the tube 51 between - a "tight" position in which the shaft 12 is held locked between the receiving chucks 55 and the motor chuck 57, so that the rotation of the motor chuck 57, possibly via the motor 59 and the drive means 60, causes the rotation of said shaft 12 around the axis 21 of rotation of said motor chuck 57, and - a "distant" position in which the second arm assembly 53 - motor chuck 57 is moved away from the first arm assembly 52 - receiver chuck 55, so that the shaft 12 is neither held nor blocked between the receiver chuck 55 and motor chuck 57, nor driven in rotation by the motor chuck 57, this "distant" position allowing the removal of the shaft 12, when, for example, the protective device 1 is no longer used, and vice versa.

[0075] Advantageously, the sliding member 54 is identical to the sliding member 19 previously described, and comprises a slide 64 mounted to slide along the tube 52 of the rocker arm 51 and a cylinder 65 equipped with a rod 66.

[0076] Finally, the lifting beam 50 is advantageously associated with a guide element 67 that facilitates the winding of the geotextile strip 13 around the shaft 12 and, conversely, its placement on the corresponding row of vines. For this purpose, said guide element 67 comprises a bar 68 located on the opposite side of the machine from which the protective device 1 is installed, and connected to the tube 52 of the lifting beam 50 by at least one, preferably two, arms 69.

[0077] Each arm 69 is fixed at one of its ends to said bar 68 and secured, in an adjustable manner, to said tube 52 at the other end so as to be able to angularly adjust said arm 69 in a plane perpendicular to said tube 52. This configuration by The particular feature allows the bar 68 to be kept substantially perpendicular to the row of vine plants, in order to guarantee the correct placement of the geotextile strip 13 on said row of vine plants even when the ground is inclined.

[0078] It is understood that the protective device 1 according to the invention is preferably used to protect a row 2 of vine plants 3 not only against spring frost, but also against hail. However, it is evident that the protective device 1 can be adapted and used on other types of row crops.

[0079] Furthermore, the protective device 1 according to the invention can also be used to protect several rows 2 of vine plants 3. Indeed, the geotextile strip 13 of said protective device 1 can simultaneously cover several rows 2 of vine plants 3. In this particular configuration, the weights will each preferably comprise a cable or flexible link fitted at each end with a ball-shaped or block-shaped weight.

[0080] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of protection devices 1 according to the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting the fields of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A protective device (1) against spring frost and hail for at least one row of in-line crops such as, for example, a row (2) of vines (3), comprising at least: - a spreader bar (10,50) arranged to be removably attached to a machine (11), and on which a shaft (12) is mounted movably in rotation, and - a geotextile strip (13) capable of being wound around said shaft (12) or unwound from it to be respectively removed or placed on a row (2) of vines (3), said protective device (1) being characterized in that it comprises means for distributing ballasts (15) to hold the geotextile strip (13) on the corresponding row (2) of vines (3).

2. A protective device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting beam (10) comprises at least: - a hollow tube (16) extending generally horizontally, - a first arm (17) fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said tube (16) and extending generally perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, and a second arm (18) extending generally parallel to said first arm (17) and being disposed at the other end of said tube (16), said first and second arms (17, 18) extending from said tube (16) in the same direction, - a drive chuck (20) mounted for rotation at the free end of the first arm (17) about an axis (21) parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube (16), and driven for rotation by a motor (22), and - a receiving chuck (23) mounted for rotation at the free end of the second support (18) around the axis (21) of rotation of said motor chuck (20),said motor chuck (20) and driven chuck (23) being arranged opposite each other and each designed to cooperate with one of the longitudinal ends of said shaft (12).

3. Protective device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the spreader bar (50) comprises at least: - a hollow tube (51) extending generally horizontally, - a first arm (52) fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said tube (51) and extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis last, and a second arm (53) extending globally parallel to said first arm (52) and being mounted to slide along said tube (51) and disposed at the other end of the latter, said first and second arms (52,53) extending from said tube (51) in the same direction, - a receiving chuck (55) mounted movably in rotation at the free end of the first arm (52) about an axis (56) parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube (51), and - a driving chuck (57) mounted movably in rotation at the free end of the second arm (53) about the axis (56) of rotation of said receiving chuck (55), said receiving chuck (55) and driving chuck (57) being disposed opposite each other and each provided to cooperate with one of the longitudinal ends of the shaft (12).

4. Protective device (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that the motor chuck (57) is driven in rotation, in a non-permanent manner, by a motor (59) fixed to the second arm (53), and associated with drive means (61) comprising an external cylindrical spur gear (60) having at least one toothed wheel (61) fixed to the end of the motor chuck (57) located on the side opposite the shaft (12) and a pinion (62) fixed to the free end of the shaft of the motor (59), the motor (59) being movable in translation relative to the second arm (53) between a "drive" position in which its pinion (62) cooperates with the toothed wheel (61) of the motor chuck (57) and a "free" position in which its pinion (62) does not cooperate with said toothed wheel (61), and vice versa.

5. Protective device (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4 characterized in that the spreader bar (50) is associated with a guide member (67) comprising a bar (68) disposed on the opposite side of the machine on which the protective device (1) is installed, and connected to the tube (52) of the spreader bar (50) by at least one arm (69), each arm (69) being fixed at one of its ends to said bar (68) and secured, in an adjustable manner, to said tube (52) so as to be able to angularly adjust said arm (69) in a plane perpendicular to said tube (52).

6. Protective device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that the second arm (18, 53) is mounted to slide along said tube (16, 51) and in that it comprises a sliding member (19, 54) allowing said tube (16, 51) to slide second arm (18,53) along said tube (16,51) between - a "tight" position in which the shaft (12) is held locked between the motor chuck (20,57) and the driven chuck (23,55), such that the rotation of the motor chuck (20,57), via the motor (22,59), causes the rotation of said shaft (12) around the axis (21,56) of rotation of said motor chuck (20) or driven chuck (55), and - a "wide" position in which the second arm (18) - driven chuck (23) assembly or the second arm (53) - motor chuck (57) assembly is moved away from the first arm (17) - motor chuck (20) assembly or the first arm (52) - driven chuck (55) assembly, so that the shaft (12) is neither held nor locked between the motor chucks (20,57) and receiver chuck (23,55), nor driven in rotation by the motor chuck (20,57), this "displaced" position allowing the removal of the shaft (12), and vice versa.

7. Protective device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the shaft (12) has at least one first longitudinal slot (24) into which one (28) of the longitudinal ends of the geotextile strip (13) is inserted, said end (28) being provided with at least one hem (29) into which a locking bar (30) is inserted once the hem (29) is inserted into said shaft (12), said locking bar (30) being dimensioned to prevent the withdrawal of the end (28) of the geotextile strip (13) by the first slot (24) of the shaft (12).

8. Protective device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the shaft (12) has at least one first longitudinal slot (24) and a second longitudinal slot (31) arranged opposite the first slot (24), one (28) of the longitudinal ends of the geotextile strip (13) being inserted into the first slot (24), then into the second slot (31), and springs from the shaft (12).

9. Protective device (1) according to claim 8 characterized in that the tree (12) is provided with a plurality of spikes on which the portion of the geotextile strip (13) protruding from the second slot (31) is planted.

10. A protective device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the drive chuck (20, 57) and driven chuck (23, 55) are associated with lateral discs (32, 63) allowing to guide the geotextile strip (13) as it is wrapped around the tree (12).

11. A protective device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each ballast (15) is generally in the shape of an inverted U, at least when placed on the geotextile strip (13) covering at least one row (2) of vine plants (3), or when stored on the distribution means (14), and then comprises a horizontal core (33) and two parallel arms (34) extending vertically from one end of said core (33), and in that the distribution means (14) comprise at least: - an inclined ramp (35) arranged so that its lower end (36) is above and substantially in the middle of the geotextile strip (13), and on which the weights (15) are arranged one after the other so that their core (33) is in contact with the top of the ramp (35) and their arms (34) are arranged on either side of said ramp (35), and - a wheel (37) disposed at the lower end (36) of said ramp (35) so as to serve as a stop for said ballasts (15), driven in rotation by a motor (38) around an axis substantially parallel to the axis (21) of rotation of said motor chuck (20), said wheel (37) being provided with a notch (39) in which the web (33) of the ballast (15) located in a buttress against said wheel (37) is housed.

12. A protective device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each ballast (15) is generally in the shape of an inverted U at least when placed on the geotextile strip (13) covering at least one row (2) of vine plants (3), or when stored on the distribution means (14), and then comprises a horizontal core (33) and two parallel arms (34) extending vertically from one end of said core (33), and in that the distribution means (14) comprise at least: - an inclined ramp (40) arranged so that its lower end (42) is above and substantially in the middle of the geotextile strip (13), and on which the weights (15) are arranged one after the other so that their core (33) is in contact with the top of the ramp (40) and their arms (34) are arranged on either side of said ramp (40), said ramp (40) having a stop (41) arranged at its lower end (42) so as to retain said ballasts (15) on said ramp (40), and - a movable pusher (43) driven in translation by an actuator between a "retracted" position in which the pusher (43) is not in contact with the ballast (15) resting on the stop (41) and an "extended" position in which the pusher (43) pushes on the cable (33) of the ballast (15) resting on the stop (41) so that it escapes the latter and leaves the ramp (40) in order to be distributed on the geotextile strip (13), and vice versa.

13. Protective device (1) according to claim 12 characterized in that the actuator is an electromagnet.

14. Protective device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that the geotextile strip (13) comprises translucent or transparent strips along its longitudinal edges.

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