Protective housing for row plant protection element and installation comprising it

Abstract

The housing (1) is designed to be mounted above a row of plants to be protected and is designed to receive, in rotation, a roller (2) formed by a winding shaft (20) capable of flexing and a fabric (21) fixed to the winding shaft and designed to form two fabric panels on either side of the row of plants, creating a protective screen. This housing includes two clamping surfaces (120) designed to exert radial clamping forces on the roller (2) and to brake its rotation. These surfaces are arranged opposite each other and define an intermediate cavity (12) in communication, on one side with a lower cavity (10) and on the other with a slot (11) in its upper part through which the two fabric panels pass. The invention also relates to an installation implementing this housing. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Protective housing for a row crop protection element and its installation. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of row crop protection and to an elongated housing designed to receive a protective device for these row crops, this device being in the form of a protective fabric wound around a drive shaft. The present invention also relates to a row crop protection system comprising such a housing. Prior art

[0002] Plant protection systems for rows are already known. These systems are primarily designed to protect plants in a plot from the effects of weathering and, in some cases, from the effects of plant protection products. The plants protected by this latter type of system form a set of untreated control plants typically located in a small portion of the plot, either in the center or along its edge. The plants concerned are usually grapevines.

[0003] The main advantage of using untreated controls lies essentially in the early detection of diseases that may affect the plants in the plot and in the phytosanitary response to be adopted both qualitatively and quantitatively.

[0004] Known installations are adapted to cover a small number of plants, typically arranged in rows, and comprise a waterproof fabric wound around a winding shaft, supported above the area to be protected by bearings attached to end stakes driven into the ground. The fabric is attached to the winding shaft at its midsection so that, when deployed, it forms two vertical panels of fabric on either side of the plants to be protected, creating a protective screen. The fabric is deployed by rotating the winding shaft in the appropriate direction. The winding shaft can be operated in the direction of deployment or retraction of the fabric using a hand crank or an electric motor powered by batteries.

[0005] The longitudinal edges of the canvas are usually equipped with weights in the form of each a load bar, facilitating the deployment of the canvas.

[0006] One of the drawbacks of these installations lies in the fact that the fabric, usually in the form of a light-transparent film, is not protected from the action of the sun nor, once wound around the winding shaft, from the action This is detrimental to birds, who are tempted to pierce the netting in order to catch insects trapped in the resulting coil. Furthermore, in the absence of pruning or due to insufficient pruning of the vine stocks, branches or twigs are frequently caught in the netting during the wrapping process and drawn into the roller. This quickly leads to damage to the netting, particularly through tears or perforations.

[0007] Moreover, during winding, the fabric of the previous installations is caused to form false folds which in the long run can form the beginnings of tears.

[0008] Finally, during winding, the coils formed by the fabric are not tightly packed together, which promotes the formation of false creases. Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by implementing a long-form protective housing intended to be carried above the row of plants to be protected, and intended to receive in rotation, a protective element consisting of a roller formed by a winding shaft capable of flexing and by a fabric capable of forming by deployment, on either side of the row of plants, two panels of fabric constituting a protective screen, said roller being divided by a horizontal diametrical plane into a lower part and an upper part.

[0010] This elongated case is essentially characterized in that it comprises: - a longitudinal geometric axis, - a vertical plane P of symmetry, - a lower, elongated cavity designed to accommodate at least the lower part of the roller, which roller is capable of flexing under the effect of tangential or radial forces, - a slot in the upper part, with a width less than the diameter of the winding shaft of the roller, said slot being designed to be traversed by both sections of fabric, and, - two clamping surfaces provided to exert radial clamping forces on the roller and to ensure the braking of the rotation of this roller, said surfaces being arranged opposite each other, and determining an intermediate longiform cavity, in communication relationship on one side with the lower cavity and on the other side with the slot, said intermediate cavity being provided to receive at least the upper part of the roller, the braking of the rotation of this roller being carried out by friction of the latter against the clamping surfaces when bending this roller towards the slot.

[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the two clamping surfaces occupy a fixed position in the housing.

[0012] According to another feature of the invention: - the two clamping surfaces are oblique to each other, and the intermediate cavity they define gradually narrows from the lower cavity towards the slot, - at least the maximum width of said intermediate cavity, measured horizontally between the clamping surfaces is greater than the maximum diameter of the roller, while at least the minimum width of said cavity, measured horizontally between the braking surfaces is less than the diameter of the roller winding shaft.

[0013] The two fabric panels, particularly during winding and unwinding, exert tangential forces on the roller, causing it to flex towards the slot. In this situation, the roller bears against the clamping surfaces and is laterally held in the intermediate cavity, without, however, being prevented from rotating. This arrangement generates a braking torque that keeps the coils of fabric tightly pressed against each other and against the winding shaft, thus preventing the roller from unraveling due to the coils loosening. Furthermore, this arrangement prevents the formation of creases.

[0014] According to another feature of the invention, the cross-section of the cavity follows the contour of an isosceles trapezoid whose smaller base corresponds to the slot.

[0015] Alternatively, according to another feature of the invention, the two clamping surfaces are formed on movable jaws, arranged opposite each other and secured to come against the roller or against an element of the latter, by pushing members.

[0016] According to another feature of the invention, the housing is monobloc.

[0017] According to another feature of the invention, the housing is formed by assembly, according to a vertical geometric plane of symmetry, of two identical half-shells.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the housing has, at its upper end, extending from the slot, two opposing, horizontal wings oriented outwards, designed to support and slide the two protective fabric panels. This arrangement is designed to eliminate any risk of twigs and leaves present at the top of the plants being drawn into the roller.

[0019] To reinforce the previous characteristic, each opposite wing is extended downwards by an oblique edge provided to receive in support and sliding the corresponding piece of fabric, said oblique edge moving progressively away from the vertical plane P from the corresponding wing.

[0020] According to another feature of the invention, the housing is equipped with at least one bearing for guiding the rotation of the winding shaft that comprises the roller.

[0021] The invention also relates to a plant protection system for rows of plants forming, for example, a set of untreated control plots. This system is essentially characterized in that it is equipped with: - a protective housing according to the invention, having a longitudinal geometric axis and a vertical plane of symmetry, - of a protective device formed by a roller consisting of a winding shaft and a waterproof fabric fixed by its longitudinal median zone to said shaft in order to form two right and left fabric panels, said roller being engaged at least in part in the lower cavity of the housing, extending parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis of said housing and being supported by means of the winding shaft by at least the bearing included in said housing, the two said fabric panels being engaged in the slot of the housing and receiving externally to the housing along their longitudinal edge each a rigid, dedicated elongated element, and said tarpaulin panels being able to be folded by winding onto the winding shaft or by unwinding, to be deployed on either side of the row of plants to form two waterproof screens, - a support structure suitable for attaching the protective housing, said structure being supported above the row of plants by two vertical end stakes driven into the ground, - at least one intermediate stake, - pairs of arms fixed on one side to the rigid, elongated elements and on the other side to the end and intermediate stakes, said arms applying pressure to the two canvas panels in the direction of their deployment, - of a rotating drive mechanism for the roller in one direction and in the other coupled to the winding shaft of this roller.

[0022] According to another feature of the invention, the fabric of the protective device is made of a synthetic material that is impermeable to water and plant protection products.

[0023] According to another feature of the invention, each pair of arms is fixed to the corresponding stake at a distance from the upper end of the latter.

[0024] According to another feature of the invention, the arms are elastic. Alternatively, according to another feature of the invention, the arms are rigid and stressed in the direction of the deployment of the two canvas panels by elastic elements or counterweights.

[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the actuating member for rotating the winding shaft in one direction and the other is constituted by an electric motor.

[0026] According to another feature of the invention, the electric motor is powered by an electric battery associated with a photovoltaic panel and recharged by the latter.

[0027] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the electric motor is activated from the reception of a signal emitted by a remote control and received by a control module integrating a control signal receiver, said module being electronically associated with a power and control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor driving the winding shaft.

[0028] Brief description of the figures

[0029] The invention will be better understood upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] [Fig-1] is a cross-sectional view of a housing according to a preferred embodiment, the position of the roller in said housing being represented in thin dashed lines.

[0031] [Fig.2] is a view of an installation according to the invention, in the folded state, the fixing elastic arms with rigid border elements not shown for clarity.

[0032] [Fig.3] is a view of an installation according to the invention, during deployment of the two pieces of canvas.

[0033] [Fig.4] is a detailed view of the installation according to the invention showing the motor electric roller actuation.

[0034] Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example.

[0035] The long, protective housing 1, according to the invention, preferably metallic, is designed to receive, in rotation, a plant protection device for rows of plants. These rows of plants can form, for example, a set of untreated control plants.

[0036] The protective element is in the form of a roller 2 consisting of a winding shaft 20, capable of flexing, and a plant protection product-proof fabric 21 wound around said shaft 20. Preferably, the winding shaft is formed by a metal profile. Preferably, the fabric is attached to the winding shaft by its longitudinal mid-section so as to form, by unwinding, two fabric panels, right and left, intended to be positioned on either side of the untreated test areas and to form a screen during plant protection treatment operations. The roller 2 has a horizontal diametrical plane dividing it into a lower and an upper part.

[0037] Preferably, the length of the casing and the length of the roller are 6 meters. It is understood that this dimension is given only as an indication and shall in no way limit the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The housing 1 has a longitudinal geometric axis and preferably a vertical geometric plane P containing said longitudinal geometric axis. Preferably, the plane P is a plane of symmetry.

[0039] According to a first embodiment, the housing 1 is a single piece, while according to a second embodiment, the housing 1 is formed by assembling, along plane P, two identical half-shells. This housing 1, according to these two embodiments, may be formed by folding a metal sheet or by extrusion.

[0040] The housing 1 includes a lower elongated cavity 10 1. This cavity 10, open at both ends of the housing 1, is intended to accommodate at least the lower part of the roller 2.

[0041] The housing 1 is equipped with at least one bearing for guiding the rotation of the roller 2. This bearing, not shown, is mounted at one of the two ends of the housing 1 and consists of a smooth guide ring receiving the winding shaft 20 as a guide. This bearing is mounted partly in the lower cavity and partly in the upper cavity.

[0042] The housing 1 includes a slot 11 in its upper part, designed to be traversed by the two fabric panels. This housing 1 also has two internal surfaces 120 for clamping the roller 2 and braking its rotation. These clamping surfaces 120 are formed by the inner faces of two opposing lateral walls 121 of the housing. These walls 121 and internal faces are arranged opposite each other.

[0043] The two clamping surfaces 120 and side walls 121 define an intermediate cavity 12, open at both ends of the housing 1. This intermediate cavity 12 is in communication relationship with both the lower cavity 10 and the slot 11. This intermediate cavity is provided to accommodate at least the upper part of the roller 2.

[0044] The lower cavity 10, the slot 11, and the intermediate cavity 12 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the geometric plane P of symmetry. As can be seen, the intermediate cavity 12 extends from the slot 11 towards the lower cavity 10. The slot 11 extends between the upper longitudinal borders of these two lateral walls 121.

[0045] The lower cavity 10 is delimited in particular by two lateral walls 101 connected to the lateral walls 121 of the intermediate cavity 12. The two lateral walls 101, delimiting the lower cavity, may be connected to each other at their lower part to form a curved or flat bottom, or may be connected to a lower wall constituting a bottom. The bottom formed may be perforated.

[0046] The two clamping surfaces 120 are oblique to each other and preferably develop symmetrically with respect to the geometric plane P of symmetry of the housing 1. Preferably, the clamping surfaces 120 are flat and occupy a fixed position in the housing 1.

[0047] The intermediate cavity 12 gradually narrows from the lower cavity 10 towards the slot 11. At least the maximum width of this intermediate cavity 12, measured horizontally between the clamping surfaces 120, is greater than the maximum diameter of the roller 2, while at least the minimum width of said cavity, measured horizontally between the clamping surfaces 120, is less than the diameter of the winding shaft 20.

[0048] The cross-section of the intermediate cavity 12 follows the contour of an isosceles trapezoid whose shorter base is formed by the slot 11. The cross-section of the lower cavity 10 follows the contour of a V and gradually narrows from the intermediate cavity 12 towards the bottom. It is understood that the cross-section of the lower cavity 10 may be of constant width throughout the height of said cavity or may gradually increase towards the bottom of this lower cavity 10. Similarly, the contour of the cross-section of the lower cavity 10 may follow an arc of a circle.

[0049] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.1], the housing 1 has a straight section following the contour of a truncated rhombus in the upper part, at the level of the slot 11.

[0050] Preferably, the clamping surfaces 120 occupy a fixed position in the housing but according to another embodiment, the two clamping surfaces are formed on movable jaws arranged opposite each other and constrained to come against the roller 2 or against an element of the latter, by pushing members for example by elastic members of the spring type.

[0051] The housing 1 has at its upper end, extending from the slot 11, two opposing, horizontal, preferably flat, outwardly oriented wings 13, designed to support and slide the two protective fabric panels. More precisely, the two fabric panels, when deployed and retracted by rolling, slide on the upper faces of these two wings 13.

[0052] Advantageously, each wing is extended downwards by an oblique edge 14 designed to receive the corresponding fabric panel in support and sliding motion. As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 1], each oblique edge 14 gradually moves away from the vertical plane P from the corresponding wing 13.

[0053] The two wings 13 are joined to the two walls 121 of the intermediate cavity 12 by a rounded edge to avoid damaging the two fabric panels. Each rim 14 is also joined to its wing by a rounded edge. Each oblique rim 14 may be flat or convex. The convexity of each rim will be oriented upwards.

[0054] The present invention also relates to a row plant protection installation comprising a housing 1 according to the invention.

[0055] This installation further comprises: - a protective element formed by a roller 2, extending parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis of said housing, said roller 2 being made up of a winding shaft 20 and a waterproof fabric 21 fixed by its longitudinal median area to said shaft 20 in order to form two right and left fabric panels, said fabric 21 being wound on said shaft 20 and said roller 2 being engaged at least in part in the lower cavity 10 of the housing 1, and being supported by means of the winding shaft by at least one bearing included in said housing, the two said fabric panels being engaged in the slot 11 of the housing and receiving externally to the housing along their longitudinal edge each a dedicated rigid elongated edge element 23, and said tarpaulin panels being able to be folded by winding onto the winding shaft or by unwinding to be deployed on either side of the row of plants to form two waterproof screens,canvas 21 being made of a synthetic material impermeable to water and pesticides, - a support structure 3 suitable for receiving the protective housing by means of attachment, said structure being carried above the row of plants by two vertical end stakes 4, driven into the ground, - at least one intermediate vertical stake, preferably located halfway between the end stakes, - pairs of arms 5 fixed on one side to the rigid elongated border elements 23 and on the other side to the end and intermediate stakes, said arms 5, applying pressure to the two canvas panels in the direction of their deployment, - a rotating actuating member of the roller 2 in one direction and in the other i.e. in the direction of winding the two fabric panels or in the direction of their unwinding, said actuating member being coupled to the winding shaft 20.

[0056] The winding shaft 20 which comprises the roller 2 is preferably provided with a longitudinal groove for receiving the fabric 21 as a fixing.

[0057] The support structure 3 is formed by two parallel horizontal stringers 30, spaced apart, each consisting of a quadrangular tube. Each tube is fitted with two downward-projecting vertical pins 31. The two stringers of the support structure are fixed to the end posts 4 by means of these pins. The housing 1 is carried by this structure above the row of plants and rests by its two wings 13 on the two stringers 30.

[0058] Each arm 5 is fixed by its proximal end to the corresponding stake, at a distance from the upper end of the latter, and by its distal end to the corresponding rigid elongated element 23. Preferably, each arm 5 is elastic and is preferably in accordance with that described in the applicant's patent application EP 4312511. The arms 5, due to their elasticity, exert stress on the two fabric panels in the direction of their deployment.

[0059] Each arm 5 is made from an elastic elongated element preferably made of high yield strength steel and its proximal zone is arranged as a spiral spring with non-contiguous coils.

[0060] Preferably, the distal end of each arm 5 is bent and each arm is fixed by this bent part to the corresponding rigid longitudinal border element 23.

[0061] Alternatively, the arms 5 are rigid and are subjected to stress in the direction of the deployment of the canvas panels by elastic elements. Each elastic spring element can be fixed to the corresponding stake on one side and to the corresponding arm 5 on the other.

[0062] According to another embodiment, the arms can be actuated in the direction of the deployment of the canvas panels by means of counterweights. These counterweights can be formed by the edge elements 13.

[0063] Preferably, each arm 5 is adjustable in length, and consists of two arm sections linked in an adjustable manner to each other.

[0064] The rotational actuating element of the winding shaft 20 may be a crank, but preferably, this actuating element is an electric motor 6, of the geared motor type. This electric motor is powered by an electric battery preferably connected to and recharged by a photovoltaic panel.

[0065] The electric motor 6 is fixed to the support structure 3 and includes a rotating output shaft. This output shaft is coupled by a suitable sleeve 60 to the winding shaft 20. As previously stated, this winding shaft is supported by a first bearing engaged at one of the two ends of the housing. This shaft may also be supported by a second bearing integrated into the housing, but advantageously, this winding shaft 20 is supported by the bearing of the geared motor shaft 6 via the coupling sleeve 60.

[0066] Advantageously, the electric motor 6 is activated by receiving a signal emitted by a remote control and received by a control module incorporating a control signal receiver. This module is electronically linked to a power and control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor 6. By pressing the remote control, it will be possible to send a first signal commanding the rotation of the roller 2 in the direction corresponding to the deployment of the two canvas panels, as well as a second signal commanding the rotation of this roller 2 in the opposite direction in order to retract the two canvas panels by rolling them up.

[0067] Advantageously a folding signal for the two canvas panels is also generated by an adjustable timer, known per se.

[0068] Rotating the roller 2 in the unwinding direction ensures the deployment of the two fabric panels on either side of the row of plants to be protected. At the end of their deployment stroke, the two fabric panels are in a vertical or near-vertical position. In this position, each fabric panel occupies the entire height of the row of plants, with the rigid, elongated edge elements 23 resting on or close to the ground. Rotating the roller 2 in the opposite direction causes the fabric panels to roll up and the arms 5 to rise. The fabric panels roll up against the radial forces exerted by the arms 5 on the elongated edge elements 23. At the end of their raising stroke, the angled distal end of each arm 5 is located above the housing 1, a short distance from the slot in the latter.Due to this arrangement, the long edge elements 23, at the end of their folding stroke, are located above the slot 11 at a short distance from this slot, or in contact with this slot thanks to the combined effects of the elasticity of the arms and the tangential pulling actions exerted by the fabric panels on the long edge elements 23. It should be noted that in this situation, these long edge elements 23 are located a short distance from each other or in contact with each other.

[0069] Under the action of the arms 5, the two fabric panels exert tangential tensile forces on the roller 2. Under the effect of these forces, the roller 2 is caused to flex towards the slot 11 and come into contact with the two clamping surfaces 121 via the fabric 21. It should be noted that the two contact areas of the roller 2 with the two clamping surfaces 121 are located vertically apart from the slot 11. Under the combined effects of the action of the arms 5, the rotation of the roller 2, and the clamping forces exerted on the roller 2, the coils formed by the two fabric panels are held tightly against each other.

[0070] It is understood that the present invention can receive all modifications and variants within the field of technical equivalents without departing from the scope of this patent as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A housing (1), intended to be mounted above a row of plants to be protected, and intended to receive, in rotation, a protective element consisting of a roller (2) formed of a winding shaft (20) capable of flexing and a fabric (21) fixed to the winding shaft and intended to be wound onto said shaft and unwound to form, on either side of the row of plants, two panels of fabric forming a protective screen, said roller being divided by a horizontal diametrical plane into a lower part and an upper part, characterized in that it comprises: - a longitudinal geometric axis, - a vertical plane (P) of symmetry, - a lower elongated cavity (10) intended to accommodate at least the lower part of the roller, - a slot (11) in the upper part, of a width less than the diameter of the winding shaft (20), said slot being intended to be traversed by the fabric, and,- two clamping surfaces (120) provided to exert radial clamping forces on the roller (2) and to ensure the braking of the rotation of this roller (2), each of said surfaces being arranged opposite each other, and defining an elongated intermediate cavity (12), in communication on the one hand with the lower cavity (10) and on the other hand with the slot (11), said intermediate cavity (12) being provided to receive at least the upper part of the roller, the braking of the rotation of this roller being effected by friction of the latter against the braking surfaces (120) during the bending of this roller towards the slot.

2. Housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two clamping surfaces (120) occupy a fixed position.

3. Housing (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: - the two clamping surfaces (120) are oblique to each other and the intermediate cavity (12) they define gradually narrows from the lower cavity towards the slot (11), - at least the maximum width of said intermediate cavity (12), measured horizontally between the clamping surfaces (120), is greater than the maximum diameter of the roller (2), while at least the minimum width of said cavity (12), measured horizontally between clamping surfaces (120) is less than the diameter of the winding shaft 20.

4. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-section of the intermediate cavity (12) follows the contour of an isosceles trapezoid whose small base corresponds to the slot (11).

5. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it has at its upper end, from the slot (11), two opposing horizontal wings (13) oriented outwards, provided to receive in support and in sliding the two protective fabric panels and that each wing (13) is extended downwards by an oblique rim (14) provided to receive in support and in sliding the corresponding fabric panel, said oblique rim moving progressively away from the vertical plane P from the corresponding wing (13).

6. Plant protection installation in row characterized in that it comprises a housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Plant protection installation in rows according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, in addition to the housing (1): - a protection element formed by a roller consisting of a winding shaft and a waterproof fabric fixed by its longitudinal median area to said shaft in order to form two right and left fabric panels, said roller being engaged at least in part in the lower cavity (10) of the housing and extending parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis of said housing, the two said fabric panels being engaged in the slot and receiving externally to the housing along their longitudinal edge each a dedicated rigid elongated element (23), and said fabric panels being capable of being folded by winding onto the winding shaft (20) or by unwinding to be deployed on either side of the row of plants to form two waterproof screens,- a support structure (30) suitable for attaching the protective housing, said structure being supported above the row of plants by two vertical end stakes (4) driven into the ground, - at least one intermediate stake, - pairs of arms (5) fixed on one side to the rigid longiform elements (23) and on the other side to the end (4) and intermediate stakes, said arms (5) applying pressure to the two canvas panels in the direction of their deployment, - a mechanism (6) for rotating the roller (2) in one direction and the other, coupled to the winding shaft (20) of this roller.

8. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each arm (5) is elastic.

9. Installation according to claim 7 characterized in that the arms (5) are rigid and are stressed in the direction of the deployment of the canvas panels by elastic members.

10. Installation according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the housing (1) has at its upper end, from the slot (11), two opposing horizontal wings (13) oriented outwards, forming two sliding surfaces provided for receiving the protective fabric (21) in support and sliding, and that each wing (13) is extended downwards by an oblique rim (14) provided for receiving the corresponding fabric panel in support and sliding, said oblique rim (14) moving progressively away from the vertical plane P from the corresponding wing (13).

11. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support structure (3) comprises two parallel horizontal stringers (30), spaced apart from each other, and that the housing (1) is carried by this structure above the row of plants and rests by its two wings (13) on the two stringers (30).