ROW PLANT PROTECTION INSTALLATION

Abstract

ROW PLANT PROTECTION SYSTEM The invention relates to a row plant protection system comprising a housing (1), mounted above a row of plants to be protected, in which a roller (2) is rotatably mounted. The roller (2) consists of a winding shaft (20) capable of flexing and a fabric (21) fixed to the winding shaft, capable of forming two fabric panels on either side of the row of plants, creating a protective screen. The housing includes two clamping surfaces (120) designed to exert radial clamping forces on the roller (2) and to brake its rotation. These clamping surfaces are arranged opposite each other and define an intermediate cavity (12), which communicates on one side with a lower cavity (10) and on the other side with a slot (11) in its upper part, through which the two protective fabric panels pass. (See Figure 4 for abbreviations)

Description

Title of the invention: ROW PLANT PROTECTION SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of row crop protection and to an installation dedicated to this task. Technological background

[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. Usually, the plants concerned are 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] The known installations are adapted to cover a small number of plants, typically arranged in rows, and each comprises a protective element consisting of 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 protective fabric panels on either side of the plants to be protected, creating protective screens. 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 sun's rays, nor, once wound around the winding tree, from the damaging effects of birds tempted to pierce it in order to capture the 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 fabric during the winding process and drawn into the roller. This results in the following short deadline an alteration of the canvas, in particular by tears or perforations as well as an increased risk of breakage of mechanical elements of the installation.

[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.

[0009] French patent EP 3 248 455 (RUBINI) describes a row crop protection system in which the protective element is housed in a tubular, elongated casing with a circular cross-section. This casing has a longitudinal slot at its upper end through which the two panels of protective fabric are inserted. The use of such a protective casing partially resolves the aforementioned problems but does not, in particular, reduce the risk of crease formation. Objectives of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by implementing of a row plant protection system comprising a long, tubular protective casing, particularly suited to preventing the formation of false folds. Description of the invention

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a row plant protection system, forming, for example, a set of untreated plant controls comprising: - a support structure carried above the row of plants by vertical stakes, driven into the ground by their lower part, - a protective, tubular, elongated housing, mounted as a fixed unit on the supporting structure, said housing having a longitudinal slot in its upper part and possessing a longitudinal geometric axis and a vertical geometric plane of symmetry, - a plant protection device mounted for rotation within the housing, formed by a roller consisting of a winding shaft and a waterproof fabric fixed by its longitudinal median area to said winding shaft in order to form two sections of protective fabric, right and left, both engaged in the slot of the housing and each receiving, externally to the housing, along their longitudinal edge, a dedicated long border element, said roller comprising an upper part and a lower part separated from each other by a horizontal diametrical geometric plane, - arms, fixed by their distal zone to the long, elongated border elements and by their proximal zone to the vertical posts, said arms applying pressure to the two sections of protective canvas in the direction of their deployment, - a means of rotationally actuation of the roller winding shaft in one direction and the other.

[0012] The installation as defined is essentially characterized in that the protective housing comprises: - 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, - two internal clamping surfaces provided to exert radial clamping forces on the roller and to ensure the braking of the rotation of this roller, said internal clamping surfaces being arranged opposite each other, and determining an intermediate longiform cavity, in communication relationship on the one hand with the lower cavity and on the other hand 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 effected by friction of the latter against the clamping surfaces when it bends towards the slot.

[0013] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention: - the two internal 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.

[0014] The two protective fabric panels, particularly during winding and unwinding, exert tangential forces on the roller, causing it to flex towards the slot. In this position, 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.

[0015] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the right section of the intermediate cavity of the housing follows the contour of an isosceles trapezoid whose small base corresponds to the slot.

[0016] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the two internal clamping surfaces occupy a fixed position in the housing.

[0017] Alternatively, according to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the two internal clamping surfaces are formed on movable jaws, internal to the housing, arranged opposite each other and secured to come against the roller or against one of the elements of the latter, by pushing members.

[0018] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the housing is monobloc.

[0019] Alternatively, according to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the casing is formed by assembling, along a vertical geometric plane of symmetry, two identical half-shells.

[0020] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the housing has at the upper end, from the slot, two lateral wings, opposite, horizontal, oriented outwards, provided to receive in support and in sliding the two panels of protective canvas.

[0021] Such an arrangement is suitable for eliminating any risk of twigs and leaves present in the upper part of the plants being drawn into the roller.

[0022] To reinforce the previous characteristic, each opposite lateral wing is extended downwards by an oblique rim intended to receive in support and sliding the corresponding protective canvas panel, said oblique rim moving progressively away from the vertical plane P from the corresponding lateral wing.

[0023] According to another feature of the invention, the housing has a longitudinal stiffening rib in its lower part.

[0024] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the housing is equipped with at least one bearing for guiding the rotation of the winding shaft that comprises the roller.

[0025] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the fabric of the protective device is made of a synthetic material that is impermeable to water and plant protection products.

[0026] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, each pair of arms is fixed to the corresponding stake at a distance from the upper end of the latter.

[0027] According to another feature of the installation according to 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 protective canvas panels by elastic elements or by counterweights.

[0028] According to another feature of the invention, the distal area of ​​each arm is angled and each arm is fixed by this angled part to the long element of corresponding edge. In addition, at the end of the lifting stroke, the angled distal end of each arm is located above the housing and above the slot of the latter, the edge elements being arranged opposite each other or in contact with each other.

[0029] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the means for rotating the winding shaft of the roller in one direction and the other is constituted by an electric motor.

[0030] According to another feature of the installation according to the invention, the electric motor is powered by an electric battery associated with a photovoltaic panel and recharged by the latter.

[0031] According to another feature of the invention, the means for rotating the winding shaft of the roller consists of a hydraulic cylinder and a motion transmission kinematically linked to the cylinder rod on the one hand and to the winding shaft on the other hand, said motion transmission being made up of a roller chain and of drive and return toothed sprockets forming a multi-strand pulley, said drive toothed sprocket being mounted as a fixing on the winding shaft.

[0032] According to another feature of the invention, the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder includes a solenoid valve, connected directly to the front and rear chambers of said cylinder, capable of establishing, on command, a direct communication between these two chambers.

[0033] Thus, when the solenoid valve is activated, direct communication is established between the two chambers, which allows a rapid transfer of hydraulic fluid from one chamber to the other and, consequently, a rapid deployment of the two protective canvas panels.

[0034] According to another feature of the invention, the installation is equipped with a backup mechanism for actuation of the winding shaft, consisting of a toothed pinion fixed to the winding shaft and a worm gear that can be rotated, intended to cooperate in meshing with the toothed pinion, said worm gear being engaged in rotation in two end bearings carried by a tilting support operated in pivoting by a cam in order to establish a meshing relationship with the worm gear or to interrupt this meshing relationship.

[0035] According to another feature of the invention, the roller winding shaft is tubular.

[0036] According to another feature of the invention, the roller winding shaft has a diameter greater than the width of the slot in the housing.

[0037] According to another feature of the invention, the roller winding shaft is provided with a longitudinal groove to receive the fabric in attachment.

[0038] According to another feature of the invention, the winding shaft has eight external and eight internal faces, the internal faces delimit an internal, axial cavity, each external face forms a longitudinal concavity arranged in a re-entrant dihedral angle, the external profile of the cross-section of the winding shaft is formed by an alternation of hollows corresponding to the external faces and pointed shapes, the apexes of which are concyclic, one of the external faces forms the bottom of the longitudinal groove and is bordered longitudinally by two facing groove sides, each groove side has an internal intrados face to the groove forming a longitudinal concavity constituting a retention shape and said winding shaft is equipped with at least one fabric fixing element in the groove, said fixing element cooperating in interlocking with the retention shape presented by the intrados face of each groove side.

[0039] According to another feature of the invention, the fixing member is elastically compressible and is formed of two rectangular plates, linked to each other along one of their edges by a joint forming an articulation and defining a geometric axis of articulation, each plate having a free edge parallel to the axis of articulation by which it is engaged in the concavity or retention shape that presents the corresponding intrados face, the distance between the two free edges in a coplanar configuration of the two plates being greater than the maximum distance separating the intrados faces from the groove sides. List of figures

[0040] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which: - [Fig.1] is a view of an installation according to the invention, in the folded state of the two protective canvas panels, comprising a housing according to a first embodiment, the attachment of the elastic arms to the border elements not being shown for reasons of clarity. - [Fig.2] is a view of an installation according to the invention, during the deployment of the two protective canvas panels, comprising a housing according to a first embodiment. - [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of a housing according to a first embodiment, the position of the roller in said housing being represented in thin dashed lines. - [Fig.4] is a view of an installation according to the invention equipped with a housing according to a preferred embodiment. - [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the housing according to the preferred embodiment. - [Fig.6] is a view of a case formed by assembling two half-shells. - [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the winding shaft. - [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of a planned drive shaft 25 to be coupled to the winding shaft according to [Fig.7]. - [Fig.9] is a profile view, to an enlarged scale, of an organ of securing the protective cover in the groove of the winding shaft, - [Fig. 10] is a top view, according to an enlarged scale, of the fastening element according to [Fig.9]. - [Fig. 11] is a cross-sectional view, at an enlarged scale, of a winding shaft equipped with a fixing device. - [Fig. 12] is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of the means for rotating the winding shaft. - [Fig. 13] is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the means for rotating the winding shaft. - [Fig. 14] is a schematic view of the cylinder and associated solenoid valve, equipping the second embodiment of the means for rotating the winding shaft. - [Fig. 15] is a view of an emergency actuation mechanism for the winding shaft, in the active position. - [Fig. 16] is a view of the emergency actuation mechanism according to [Fig. 15] in the disengaged position.

[0041] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0042] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0043] Identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0044] As illustrated, the installation according to the invention is intended for the protection of row plants. These row plants can form, for example, a set of untreated control plants such as grapevines.

[0045] This installation includes: - a support structure 3 carried above the row of plants by two vertical end stakes 4, driven into the ground, - a protective, tubular, elongated housing 1, mounted as a fixed attachment on the support structure 3, above the row of plants to be protected, said housing having a longitudinal slot 11 in its upper part and having a longitudinal geometric axis, and a vertical plane of symmetry P, - a plant protection device, mounted for rotation in the housing 1 and extending parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis of said housing, said device being formed by a roller 2 capable of flexing, consisting of a winding shaft 20 and a flexible waterproof fabric 21 wound on said shaft 20 and fixed by its longitudinal median zone to said shaft 20 in order to form two right and left protective fabric panels, engaged in the slot 11 of the housing 1 and receiving externally to the housing, along their longitudinal edge, each a rigid or flexible elongated edge element 23, said protective fabric panels being capable of being folded by winding onto the winding shaft or by unwinding, and of being deployed on either side of the row of plants to form, facing said row, two waterproof screens, said roller being divided by a horizontal diametrical geometric plane into an upper part and a lower part, - at least one intermediate vertical stake driven into the ground, preferably located halfway between the end stakes, - arms 5 fixed on one side to the long, narrow edge elements 23 and on the other side to the end and intermediate posts, said arms 5 applying pressure to the two sections of protective canvas in the direction of their deployment, - a means for rotating the winding shaft 20 of the roller 2 in one direction and in the other i.e. in the direction of winding the two protective canvas panels or in the direction of their deployment, said actuation means being coupled to the winding shaft 20.

[0046] The support structure 3 is formed by two parallel horizontal beams 30, spaced apart, each consisting of a tube with a square or rectangular cross-section. Each tube is equipped with two downward-facing vertical pins 31. The two beams 30 of the support structure 3 are attached to the end posts 4 by means of these pins 31. The housing 1 is attached to these beams.

[0047] Preferably, the length of the casing 1 and the length of the roller 2 are six 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.

[0048] The housing 1, preferably made of metal, 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.

[0049] According to a first embodiment, the housing 1 is a single piece, while according to a second embodiment as shown in [Fig. 6], the housing 1 is formed by bolting together, along plane P, two identical half-shells la. After being joined together, these two half-shells la are symmetrically oriented with respect to plane P.

[0050] The housing 1 may be formed by folding a metal sheet or may be formed by extrusion.

[0051] The housing 1, opposite the slot 11, includes a lower, elongated cavity 10. This cavity 10, open at both ends of the housing 1, is designed to accommodate at least the lower part of the roller 2.

[0052] The housing 1 is equipped with at least one bearing to guide 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. This bearing guides the winding shaft 20. This bearing is mounted, at least partially, in the lower cavity 10 of the housing 1.

[0053] The housing 1 further 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 lateral walls 121 are arranged opposite each other, with the clamping surfaces 120 facing each other. The internal clamping surfaces 120 preferably extend along the entire length of the housing 1.

[0054] 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 located between the lower cavity 10 and the slot 11. This intermediate cavity 12 is in communication with both the lower cavity 10 and the slot 11. This intermediate cavity 12 is provided to accommodate at least the upper part of the roller 2.

[0055] 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 edges of the two lateral walls 121.

[0056] According to embodiments described in points 1 to 6, 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] As shown in figures 1 to 6, the cross-section of the intermediate cavity 12 follows the contour of an isosceles trapezoid whose smaller base is formed by the slit 11.

[0060] The right section of the lower cavity 10, according to the embodiment of the housing shown in figures 1 to 3, follows the contour of a V and gradually narrows from the intermediate cavity 12 towards the bottom. It goes without saying that the cross-section of the lower cavity 10 may be of constant width over the entire height of said cavity or be progressively increasing 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 circumference of a circle as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6.

[0061] 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.

[0062] The housing 1, according to its two embodiments shown in particular in Figures 3, 5 and 6, has at its upper end, extending from the slot 11, two opposing, horizontal, preferably flat, lateral wings 13 oriented outwards, by which it rests on the longitudinal members 30 of the support structure 3. These two lateral wings 13 are also designed to receive the two protective fabric panels by means of support and sliding. More precisely, the two protective fabric panels, when deployed and retracted, slide on the upper faces of these two lateral wings 13.

[0063] Advantageously, each side wing 13 is extended downwards by an oblique rim 14 designed to receive, by means of support and sliding, the corresponding protective fabric panel. As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 4], each oblique rim 14 gradually moves away from the vertical plane P from the corresponding side wing 13.

[0064] The two lateral wings 13 are connected to the two walls 121 of the intermediate cavity 12 by a rounded edge to avoid damaging the two protective fabric panels. Each rim 14 is also connected to its lateral wing 13 by a rounded edge. Each oblique rim 14 may be flat or convex. The convexity of each rim will be oriented outwards from the housing 1.

[0065] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 1 has a straight section following the contour of a rhombus truncated at the top, at level of slot 11, while according to the example shown in [Fig.4], 5 and 6, the case has a cross-section following substantially the shape of an omega, the cross-section of the lower cavity following, in this case, the shape of an arc of circumference of a circle.

[0066] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the housing 1 has, in its lower part, symmetrically positioned with respect to plane P, a longitudinal stiffening rib 15 with an inverted T-shaped cross-section. This rib is thus formed by a vertical flange connected to a horizontal flange. The stiffening rib 15 can be used for attaching various elements such as solar panels. It can also be used for attaching the housing to the support structure 3 or to the vertical posts 4.

[0067] Each half-shell la, constituting the housing 1 according to [Fig.6], has in its lower part, a longitudinal stiffening rib 15a formed of a vertical wing connected to a horizontal lateral wing. The vertical wing is tangent to the plane of symmetry P.

[0068] The assembly of the two half-shells la is achieved by means of fasteners engaged in through holes formed in the horizontal flange of the stiffening rib 15a of each half-shell la. These fasteners are preferably bolts 16. Advantageously, the assembly of the two half-shells la to each other is achieved after the roller 2 is inserted into one of them.

[0069] Such arrangement of stiffening ribs 15 and 15a are applicable to a housing according to [Fig.3].

[0070] As can be seen in [Fig.4], the roller 2 is arranged centrally in this lower cavity 10 and extends by its upper part into the intermediate cavity 12.

[0071] Preferably, the winding shaft 20 is formed by a metal profile with a diameter greater than the width of the slot 11. This winding shaft 20 is preferably provided with a longitudinal groove 203 to receive the fabric 21 in attachment.

[0072] In [Fig.7] is shown a preferred embodiment of the winding shaft 20. As can be seen, this tubular winding shaft 20 has eight external facets 201 and eight internal facets 202. These internal facets 202 define an internal, axial, longitudinal cavity open at its two ends.

[0073] Each external face 201 forms a longitudinal concavity arranged in a re-entrant dihedral angle. Thus, as can be seen in [Fig. 7], the external profile of the cross-section of the winding shaft is formed by an alternation of hollows corresponding to the external faces 201 and pointed shapes, the apexes of which are concyclic. Such The arrangement facilitates the rotational movement of the shaft 20 and consequently the winding or unwinding of the two protective canvas panels.

[0074] Each internal face 202 forms a longitudinal convexity, preferably arranged as a salient dihedral angle. Thus, the internal cavity of the winding shaft 20 is formed by an alternation of re-entrant and salient dihedral angles. In other words, the internal profile of the cross-section of the winding shaft 20 forms an eight-pointed star. That is to say, this profile is formed by an alternation of re-entrant and salient angles.

[0075] One of the outer faces 201 of the winding shaft 20 forms the bottom of the longitudinal groove 203 and is bordered longitudinally by two facing groove sides 204. Each groove side 204 has a convex extrados face 204a, external to the groove, and an intrados face 204b, internal to the formed groove. This groove 203 is therefore bounded by the corresponding face 201 and by the intrados faces 204b of the two groove sides 204. As can be seen, each of the intrados faces 204b forms a longitudinal concavity constituting a retention shape for a fastening element of the waterproof fabric 21.

[0076] The winding shaft 20, as described, is designed to receive, by means of a form-fitted coupling and press-fit, a drive shaft 25 such as that shown in cross-section in [Fig. 8], to an enlarged scale. This drive shaft 25 is designed to be coupled by means of a rotational actuation of the winding shaft 20 and is designed to be inserted into said shaft 20. The position of this drive shaft 25 within the winding shaft 20 is shown in bold dashed lines in [Fig. 7]. Preferably, this shaft 25 has conical chamfered ends to facilitate its insertion into the winding shaft 20.

[0077] The drive shaft 25, as can be seen in the cross-section shown in [Fig. 8], is formed of an elongated core 250 and eight elongated radial projections 251, distributed around the core 250 at a constant angular pitch. Each projection 251 has a parallelepiped-shaped base and a right prism-shaped tip. When the drive shaft 25 is coupled to the winding shaft 20, these tips engage in the recesses formed by the projecting dihedral angles of the axial cavity of the winding shaft. The core 250 also has a central axial bore with a circular cross-section.

[0078] The groove 203 in the winding shaft 20 is designed to receive the waterproof fabric 21 and at least one fastening element 70 for this fabric. Such a fastening element 70 is shown in Figures 9 to 11. More specifically, [Fig. 9] is a side view of this fastening element, [Fig. 10] is a top view of this same element 70, and [Fig. 11] is a view of this element in the position of use or of locking of the canvas 21 in the groove 203 of the winding shaft 20. It is noted that this fixing element is entirely housed in the groove 203.

[0079] Each fixing member 70 is intended to hold the waterproof fabric 21 against the intrados faces 204b of the two flanks of the groove 204 ([Fig. 10]) and is formed of two rectangular plates 71, preferably of constant thickness, linked to each other, along one of their edges, by a joint 72 forming an articulation and defining a geometric axis of articulation.

[0080] Each fastening member 70 is preferably made of a synthetic material and has the ability to deform elastically under the effect of compressive forces exerted in its plane and perpendicular to the geometric axis of articulation of the two plates. Each plate 71 has a free edge 73 parallel to the axis of articulation. This free edge is rounded as shown in [Fig. 8].

[0081] In a non-use configuration, the two plates 71 are coplanar and the distance between the two free edges 73 is greater than the maximum distance separating the intrados faces 204b from the throat sides 204.

[0082] The waterproof fabric 21 is secured in the groove 203 as described below. The waterproof fabric 21 is positioned in the groove 203 so that it lines the bottom of the groove as well as the concave intrados faces 204b of the two groove sides 204. Next, the fastening element(s) 70 are configured into a projecting dihedral angle by slightly folding them around the geometric axis of articulation, so that they can be easily inserted by their two edges 73 into the two opposing concavities formed by the two faces 204b. In this configuration, the joint 72 is located above a geometric plane PI containing the bearing lines of the two edges 73 against the faces 204b. A radial push on the joint 72 towards the bottom of the groove 203 leads to elastic deformation of the salient dihedral formed by the fixing member 70 and to force this joint to cross the geometric plane PI and come to rest against the bottom of the groove 203.In this situation the fixing member 70 adopts a stable locking configuration, in re-entrant dihedral, as shown in [Fig. 11].

[0083] It should be noted that the deformation of the salient dihedral occurs against the reaction forces applied by the intrados faces 204b on the edges 73 of the two plates 71.

[0084] The flexible fabric 21 is in the form of a film that is transparent or opaque to light, impermeable to water and to plant protection products. Thus, the two protective canvas panels, when deployed on either side of the row of plants, form two protective screens facing this row and extending to the ground, capable of preserving the plants from the preventive or curative action of plant protection products during plant treatment operations.

[0085] The transverse edges of the fabric may receive a reinforcing strip. Alternatively, the reinforcing strip will be formed by folding the edge back on itself in the manner of a hem.

[0086] As previously stated, the two protective canvas panels are stressed in the direction of their deployment by the action of the arms 5 on the edge elements 23. Each long edge element 23 may be formed by a metal profile or by a flexible, possibly elastic, link.

[0087] 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 long border element 23. Each end or intermediate stake 4 receives at least one pair of arms 5.

[0088] Preferably, each arm 5 is elastic and preferably conforms to that described in the applicant's patent application EP 4312511. The arms 5, by virtue of their elasticity, exert stress on the two protective fabric panels in the direction of their deployment.

[0089] Each arm 5 is made from an elastic elongated element preferably made of high yield strength steel and its proximal area is arranged as a spiral spring with non-contiguous coils.

[0090] Preferably, the distal area of ​​each arm 5 is angled, and each arm is fixed by this angled portion to the corresponding longitudinal border element 23. Considering the lower position of the arm 5, a position corresponding to the deployment of the corresponding protective fabric panel, the angled area is oriented towards the outside of the row of plants.

[0091] Alternatively, the arms 5 are rigid and are stressed in the direction of the deployment of the protective canvas panels by elastic elements. Each elastic element can be fixed to the corresponding stake on one side and to the corresponding arm 5 on the other.

[0092] According to another embodiment, the arms 5 can be actuated in the direction of the deployment of the protective canvas panels by means of counterweights. These counterweights can be formed by the edge elements 23.

[0093] Preferably, each arm 5 is adjustable in length, and consists of two arm sections linked in an adjustable manner to each other.

[0094] The means for rotating the winding shaft 20 can be a crank, but preferably, according to a first embodiment as shown in [Fig. 12], this means is an electric motor 6, of the geared motor type. This electric motor 6 is powered by an electric battery. This electric battery is preferably recharged by a panel photovoltaic installed on site. Alternatively, the electric motor 6 is powered by an electrical distribution network.

[0095] The electric motor 6 is fixed to the support structure 3 and includes a rotating output shaft. This output shaft may be coupled by means of a suitable sleeve 60 to the winding shaft 20, but preferably, this output shaft is coupled to the winding shaft 20 by means of the drive shaft 25. As previously stated, this winding shaft 20 is supported by at least one bearing engaged in the housing 1 at one of its two ends. This shaft may also be supported by a second bearing integrated into the housing 1, but advantageously, this winding shaft 20 is supported by the bearing of the geared motor shaft 6 via the coupling sleeve 60 or the drive shaft 25.

[0096] According to a second embodiment as schematically represented in [Fig. 13], the means for rotating the winding shaft 20 consists of a hydraulic cylinder 8, preferably single-acting, and a motion transmission kinematically linked to the cylinder rod on one side and to the winding shaft 20 on the other. This actuating means is housed in a vertical protective casing 86 installed at the end of the row of plants to be protected.

[0097] The motion transmission consists of a roller chain 80 and toothed sprockets 81, 82 for idler and drive 83 forming a multi-strand block and tackle, preferably a three-strand block and tackle as shown in [Fig. 13]. The roller chain 80 is shown in bold dashed lines in [Fig. 13].

[0098] The hydraulic cylinder 8 is positioned vertically within the protective housing, with its rod pointing upwards. This hydraulic cylinder 8 is connected to a hydraulic circuit comprising, in particular, a motor pump 88, a reservoir 88a, an adjustable pressure relief valve 88b, and a pressure gauge (not shown). The hydraulic working fluid used to actuate the cylinder rod is preferably water, possibly with the addition of natural antifreeze substances that are unlikely to pollute the soil.

[0099] Retracting the cylinder rod causes the two protective canvas panels to roll up, while extending the cylinder rod causes these two canvas panels to unfold.

[0100] The hydraulic circuit further includes at least one solenoid valve 87. To facilitate the extension of the cylinder rod and consequently the rapid deployment of the two protective canvas panels on either side of the row of plants, the solenoid valve 87 is connected directly to the front and rear chambers of said cylinder 88. This solenoid valve 87 is capable of establishing, upon command, direct communication between these two chambers. By way of example, as can be seen in [Fig. 14], this electrically controlled solenoid valve is of the two-position type, It has two ports and is connected directly, via one of these ports, to the front chamber of the cylinder (the chamber containing the rod) and via its other port to the rear chamber. It is understood that, according to this arrangement, the rear chamber of the cylinder forms a buffer reservoir of working hydraulic fluid, with a variable volume.

[0101] The drive chain 80 is fixed at one end to a yoke 84 attached to the cylinder rod, while its other end is preferably free from any mechanical load. This chain 80 meshes with the toothed sprocket 81, the latter being freely rotatable on a horizontal axis installed in the upper part of the protective housing 86. The chain 80 then meshes with the toothed sprocket 82, the latter being freely rotatable on a horizontal axis supported by the yoke 84. Finally, this chain 80 meshes with the drive sprocket 83, the latter being fixed to the winding shaft 20. A pressure roller 85 maintains the chain 80 in mesh with the drive sprocket 83.

[0102] As can be conceived, the length of chain intended to cooperate in meshing with the drive pinion 83 is several times greater than the amplitude of the stroke of the cylinder rod, for example three times greater.

[0103] Advantageously, the means for rotating the winding shaft 20 is activated by receiving a signal from a remote control and received by a control module incorporating a control signal receiver. This module is electronically connected to a power and control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor or to one of the distribution elements of the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder 8. By activating 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 protective fabric panels, as well as a second signal commanding the rotation of this roller 2 in the opposite direction in order to retract the two protective fabric panels by rolling them up.

[0104] Preferably, a folding signal for the two protective canvas panels is also generated by an adjustable timer, known per se.

[0105] The rotation of the roller 2 in the unwinding direction is accompanied by the release of the elastic arms 5, which ensures the deployment of the two protective fabric panels on either side of the row of plants to be protected. At the end of the deployment stroke, the elastic arms 5 are lowered and the two protective fabric panels are in a vertical or near-vertical position. In this position, each protective fabric panel occupies the entire height of the row of plants to be protected, with the long, narrow edge elements 23 resting on or close to the ground. The protective fabric panels then form, on either side of the row of plants, consisting for example of untreated controls, two protective screens impermeable to plant protection products.

[0106] Rotating the roller 2 in the opposite direction results in the winding of the protective fabric panels and the raising of the arms 5. The winding of the protective fabric panels occurs against the radial forces exerted by the arms 5 on the longitudinal edge elements 23. At the end of the raising stroke, the angled distal end of each arm 5 is located above the housing 1, a short distance from its slot 11. Due to this arrangement, the longitudinal edge elements 23, at the end of their folding stroke, are located above the slot 11, a short distance from this slot, or in contact with the edges of this slot, thanks to the combined effects of the elasticity of the arms 5 and the tangential pulling forces exerted by the protective fabric panels. It should be noted that in this situation, these long border elements 23 are located opposite and close to each other or in contact with each other..

[0107] Under the action of the arms 5, the two protective fabric panels exert tangential tensile forces on the roller 2. As a result of these forces, the roller 2 is caused to flex towards the slot 11 and come into contact, via the fabric 21, with the two clamping surfaces 121. 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, below it. 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 protective fabric panels are kept tightly against each other both when the two fabric panels are wound up and when they are unwound.

[0108] A backup actuation mechanism 9 is associated with the winding shaft 20. This mechanism can be used to wind and unwind the fabric in the event of a hydraulic circuit failure, which results in the cylinder rod and both protective fabric panels remaining in the unwinding position. This mechanism is shown in its active position in [Fig. 15] and in its disengaged position in [Fig. 16].

[0109] This actuation mechanism 9 consists of a driven toothed pinion 90, dedicated, fixed to the winding shaft 20 and a driving worm 91, intended to cooperate in meshing with the toothed pinion 90. Preferably, this mechanism is irreversible, so that the toothed pinion 90, under the effect of a driving torque, cannot drive the worm 91 in rotation.

[0110] The worm screw 91 is rotated in two end bearings 92 carried by a tilting support 93 pivotally operated by a cam 94, preferably a rotating cam-disc, fixed to a shaft 95 carried by two rotationally guided bearings fixed to a support element which may be one of the walls of the housing. protection if the latter is present. A lever 96 for operating the cam-disc 94 is fixed to this axis 95. By operating the cam-disc, the worm gear 91 is moved away from the toothed pinion 90 or meshed with it.

[0111] The worm screw 91, at one of its two ends, has a recessed socket 91a with a polygonal cross-section, designed to receive an operating tip that can be operated by a power tool such as a drill. Thus, by rotating the worm screw 91 in one direction or the other, the winding shaft 20 is driven in the direction of winding the fabric 21 or in the direction of its unwinding.

[0112] According to another embodiment, the backup mechanism consists of a hand pump suitable for being connected to the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder for the purpose of actuation of the latter.

[0113] 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

1. Demands Plant protection installation in rows including: • a support structure (3) carried above the row of plants by vertical stakes, driven into the ground by their lower part, • a protective housing (1), tubular, elongated, mounted as a fixed unit on the support structure, said housing having a longitudinal slot (11) in its upper part and having a longitudinal geometric axis and a vertical geometric plane of symmetry (P), • a plant protection device mounted for rotation in the housing, formed by a roller (2) consisting of a winding shaft and a waterproof fabric (21) fixed by its longitudinal median area to said shaft (20) in order to form two panels of protective fabric, right and left, both engaged in the slot (11) of the housing (1) and each receiving, externally to the housing, along their longitudinal edge, a dedicated long border element (23), said roller (2) having an upper part and a lower part separated from each other by a diametrical, horizontal geometric plane, • arms (5) fixed by their distal zone to the long, edge-like elements (23) and by their proximal zone to the vertical stakes, said arms (5) exerting pressure on the two protective canvas panels in the direction of their deployment, • a means for rotating the winding shaft (20) of the roller (2) in one direction and the other, said actuating means being coupled to the winding shaft (20), characterized in that the protective housing (1) comprises: • a lower elongated cavity (10) provided to receive at least the lower part of the roller (2), which roller (2) is capable of flexing under the effect of tangential or radial forces, • two internal clamping surfaces (120) provided to exert radial clamping forces on the roller (2) and to ensure the braking of the rotation of this roller, said internal clamping surfaces (120) being arranged opposite each other, and defining an intermediate elongated cavity (12), in communication relationship 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 (2), the braking of the rotation of this roller (2) being effected by friction of the latter against the internal clamping surfaces (120) during its bending towards the slot (11).

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the two internal clamping surfaces (120) are oblique to each other and the intermediate cavity (12) which they determine gradually narrows from the lower cavity (10) 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 the clamping surfaces (120) is less than the diameter of the winding shaft (20).

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

4. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two internal clamping surfaces (120) occupy a fixed position in the housing.

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two internal clamping surfaces (120) are formed on movable jaws, internal to the housing, arranged opposite each other and secured to come against the roller by pushing members.

6. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the housing (1) has at the upper end, from the slot (11), two opposing horizontal lateral wings (13), oriented outwards, provided to receive in support and in sliding the two protective fabric panels.

7. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each side wing (13) is extended downwards by an oblique rim (14) provided to receive in support and in sliding the corresponding protective canvas panel, said oblique rim (14) moving progressively away from the vertical plane (P) from the corresponding side wing (13).

8. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is a single piece.

9. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the housing (1) is formed by assembling, along the geometric plane of symmetry (P), two identical half-shells.

10. An installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: • each arm (5) is elastic, • the distal area of ​​each arm (5) is angled, • each arm (5) is fixed by this angled part to the corresponding long border element (23), • at the end of the lifting stroke, the angled distal end of each arm (5) is located above the housing (1) and above the slot (11) and the border elements (23) are arranged opposite each other.

11. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the arms (5) are rigid and are stressed in the direction of the deployment of the protective canvas panels by elastic members.

12. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for rotating the winding shaft (20) of the roller (2) is constituted by an electric motor (6).

13. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the roller actuation means consists of a hydraulic cylinder (8) and a motion transmission kinematically linked to the cylinder rod on the one hand and to the winding shaft (20) on the other hand, and that the motion transmission consists of a roller chain (80) and toothed sprockets (81, 82) for return and drive (83) forming a multi-strand pulley system, said drive sprocket (83) being mounted as a fixing on the winding shaft (20).

14. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder (8) includes a solenoid valve (87), connected directly to the front and rear chambers of said cylinder, capable of establishing, on command, a direct communication between these two chambers.

15. An installation according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is equipped with an irreversible backup mechanism (9) for actuation of the winding shaft (20), consisting of a dedicated toothed pinion (90) fixed to the winding shaft (20) and a worm gear (91) rotatably actuated, intended to cooperate in meshing with the toothed pinion (90) and that the worm gear (91) is rotationally engaged in two end bearings (92) carried by a tilting support (93) pivotally operated by a cam (94) in order to establish a meshing relationship with the worm gear or to interrupt this meshing relationship.

16. An installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the winding shaft (20) is tubular, that this shaft (20) has a diameter greater than the width of the slot (11), that this winding shaft (20) has a longitudinal groove (203) for receiving the fabric (21) in attachment, that said shaft (20) has eight external facets (201) and eight internal facets (202), that the internal facets (202) define an internal, axial cavity, that each external facet (201) forms a longitudinal concavity arranged in a re-entrant dihedral angle, that the external profile of the cross-section of the winding shaft (20) is formed by a alternating hollows corresponding to the external panels (201) and pointed shapes, whose apexes are concyclic, that one of the external panels (201) forms the bottom of the longitudinal groove (203) and is bordered longitudinally by two facing groove sides (204), that each groove side (204) has an intrados face (204b) internal to the groove (203) forming a longitudinal concavity constituting a retention shape and that said winding shaft (20) is equipped with at least one fabric (21) fixing element (70) in the groove (203), said fixing element (70) cooperating in interlocking with the retention shape that the intrados face (204b) of each groove side (204) presents.

17. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each fixing member (70) is elastically compressible and is formed of two rectangular plates (71), linked to each other along one of their edges by a joint (72) forming a hinge and defining a geometric axis of hinge, each plate (71) having a free edge (73) parallel to the axis of hinge by which it is engaged in the concavity or retention shape that presents the corresponding intrados face (204b), the distance between the two free edges (73) in a coplanar configuration of the two plates (71) being greater than the maximum distance separating the intrados faces (204b) from the groove sides (204).

18. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has in its lower part a longitudinal stiffening rib (15, 15a).