Hanger for three dimensional cultivation of fruits and vegetables

Abstract

To provide an easily mountable hanging tool capable of holding a hanging string in midair without damaging the peduncle of a fruit while holding the hanging string without shifting.SOLUTION: This hanging tool 1 for three dimensional culture is equipped with a main body 2 integrally molded with an elastic synthetic resin and a pad 3 made of a flexible elastic synthetic resin and held by the main body 2. The main body 2 has an approximately slender band shape in a freely developed state, has a peduncle holding part 4 for holding the pad 3 at the center part in the longitudinal direction, and the base ends of first and second string holding parts 5 and 6 are respectively continued to both ends in the longitudinal direction. The string holding parts 5 and 6 are engaged with each other by engaging parts 7 and 8 in the state of bending the main body 2 so as to curve the peduncle holding part 4 together with the pad 3. When the string holding parts 5 and 6 are engaged with each other, the string S is held between the faces 910 and, the side 11a, and the side 12a which are joined to each other to support the weight of the fruits. When the string holding parts 5, 6 are engaged with each other, the peduncle holding part 4 holds the peduncle S through the pad 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hanging device used to suspend fruit in the air when cultivating fruit vegetables such as small watermelons in an upright position. [Background technology]

[0002] A known hanging device for cultivating fruits and vegetables is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This hanging device comprises a plate-shaped head and a pair of plate-shaped legs that widen downward from the head and branch into two, with a small hole at the top end of a narrow groove extending upward from the branch of both legs for connecting the bottom end of a hanging cord, and bent parts at the bottom ends of both legs for embracing and hanging the horizontal part of the fruit stalk. On the other hand, a clip for guiding plant vines and stems is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 2. This clip comprises two clamping bodies pivoted at a pivoting part in the middle, and a C-shaped spring that rotates and biases one end of the clamping bodies in a closing direction. One end of the two clamping bodies is equipped with an arc-shaped stem support part that surrounds and restrains the stem in a ring shape, and the other end is equipped with a knob part that opens and closes the stem support part. Between the pivoting part and the stem support part, there is a string stopper that clamps the hanging string between them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 17758 / 1983 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-223022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The hanging device described in Patent Document 1 requires a lot of work to install and cannot be widely applied to different types of fruit. When trying to hang fruit using the clip described in Patent Document 1, the clamping force of the spring on the string is weak and cannot withstand the weight of fruit such as small watermelons, causing them to fall off the string. Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-attach sling that can withstand a weight of approximately 2 kg, clamp the sling without slipping, and hold the stalk or stems surrounding the stalk of a fruit such as a small watermelon without damaging it (hereinafter collectively referred to as "stalk"). [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In the following description, reference will be made to the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. To solve the above problems, the hanging device 1 for three-dimensionally cultivating fruits and vegetables of the present invention comprises a main body 2 integrally molded from an elastic synthetic resin and a pad 3 formed from a flexible elastic synthetic resin and held by the main body 2. The main body 2 is roughly elongated and band-like in its unfolded state, with a fruit-stalk-holding portion 4 at its longitudinal center that holds the pad 3, and the base ends of first and second string-holding portions 5, 6 are continuous with both longitudinal ends of the main body 2. The first and second string-holding portions 5, 6 each have engaging portions 7, 8 that engage with each other when the main body 2 is folded so as to curve the fruit-stalk-holding portion 4 together with the pad 3. When the first and second string-holding portions 5, 6 are engaged, a hanging string S is held between their mutually adjoining surfaces 9, 10, 11a, 12a, supporting the weight of the fruit. When the first and second string clamping portions 5, 6 are engaged with each other, the fruit stalk gripping portion 4 embraces the fruit stalk S via the pad 3. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, an easy-to-attach sling can be obtained that can clamp a sling without slipping and hold a fruit in the air without damaging the fruit stalk. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sling according to the present invention is used. [Figure 2]2 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the sling device of FIG. 1 in a free state. FIG. [Figure 3(a)] 2 is a perspective view of the inner surface side of the main body of the sling device of FIG. 1 in a free state. FIG. [Figure 3(b)] 2 is a perspective view of the outer surface side of the main body of the sling device of FIG. 1 in a free state. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of the sling device of FIG. 1 in a free state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the sling of FIG. 1 in use. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of the sling in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the hanging device 1 is used to hang the stalk S of the fruit F from a hanging string L hanging down from a support wire W, which is temporarily set up above a support structure, such as a support wire W stretched horizontally above a ridge, in a field where fruit vegetables P, such as small watermelons, are grown in an upright manner.

[0009] As best shown in Figure 2, the sling 1 comprises a main body 2 integrally molded from elastic synthetic resin, and a flat rectangular parallelepiped pad 3 made of a molded block of elastic synthetic resin such as chloroprene rubber, which is held by the main body 2.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 2 is generally elongated and band-like in its freely unfolded state, and has a fruit handle gripping part 4 in its longitudinal center that holds the pad 3, and first and second string clamping parts 5, 6 whose base ends are continuous with both longitudinal ends of the fruit handle gripping part 4. The first and second string clamping parts 5, 6 engage with each other when the main body 2 is folded so that the fruit handle gripping part 4 is curved together with the pad 3, as shown in Figs.

[0011] The fruit stalk gripping portion 4 is configured to embrace the fruit stalk S via the pad 3 when the first and second string clamping portions 5, 6 are engaged with each other. The fruit stalk gripping portion 4 comprises a mesh portion 41 that supports the outer surface of the pad 3 and a plurality of spaced-apart holding protrusions 42 that hold the outer periphery of the pad 3. The holding protrusions 42, which hold the four corners of the pad 3, have pointed ends that dig into the side surfaces of the pad 3. When the pad 3 is compressed, the mesh portion 41 bulges out of the mesh, thereby compressing the side surfaces of the pad 3 evenly and working in cooperation with the holding protrusions 42 to prevent misalignment due to uneven bulging. The fruit stalk S is firmly gripped by the flexible pad 3 without being damaged.

[0012] The first and second string clamping portions 5, 6 each have engaging portions 7, 8 that engage with each other when the main body 2 is folded so that the fruit stalk gripping portion 4 is curved together with the pad 3, and are arranged to clamp the hanging string L between their mating surfaces when engaged. The string clamping portions 5, 6 each have mating surfaces 9, 10 on both longitudinal edges that are mated with each other when engaged with each other.

[0013] The first cord-holding portion 5 has an engaging protrusion 11 that protrudes from the joining surface 9 toward the second cord-holding portion 6 side when the joining surface 9 is joined to the joining surface 10 .

[0014] The second string clamping portion 6 has an interlocking recess 12 that is recessed relative to the joint surface 10 and into which the interlocking protrusion 11 fits. When the first and second string clamping portions 5, 6 are engaged with each other, they bend and clamp the hanging string L between the joint surfaces 9, 10 and between the interlocking surfaces 11a, 12a of the interlocking protrusions 11, 12.

[0015] The first cord clamping portion 5 has a frame portion 14 surrounding the through-hole portion 13, and the joint surface 9 is formed on the frame portion 14. The mating convex portion 11 is provided across the through-hole portion 13 so as to bridge between the frame portions 14 facing each other in the width direction of the first cord clamping portion 5. The first cord clamping portion 5 has a pair of spring legs 15 that rise from both longitudinal edges of the mating convex portion 11, curve invert outward from the upper end, and descend, passing through the through-hole portion 13 and extending to the side opposite the joint surface 9, and a pair of engaging claws that serve as the engaging portion 7 are protruded from each outer surface of the spring legs 15.

[0016] The second cord clamping portion 6 has a frame portion 17 surrounding the through portion 16, and the joint surface 10 is formed on the frame portion 17. The interlocking recess 12 is provided across the through portion 16 so as to bridge between the frame portions 17 that face each other in the width direction of the cord clamping portion 16. The engaging portion 8 consists of engaging edges formed on the inner edge of the frame portions 17 that face each other in the longitudinal direction. The engaging edges 8 elastically deflect a pair of spring legs 15 of the first cord clamping portion 5 to engage with the engaging claws 7. By compressing the space between the tips of the pair of spring legs 15 protruding outward of the second cord clamping portion 5, the engagement between the engaging claws 7 and the engaging edges 8 can be released, and the main body 2 can be returned to the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 1. Lifting equipment 2 Main unit 3 Pad 4 Fruit stalk gripping part 41 Reticulum 42 Retaining protrusion 5 First string clamping part 6 Second string clamping part 7 Engagement part (engagement claw) 8 Engagement portion (engagement edge) 9 Joint surface 10 Joint surface 11 Occlusal convexity 11a Mating surface 12 Occlusal recess 12a Occlusal surface 13 Penetration 14 Frame 15 Spring legs 16 Penetration 17 Frame P Fruits and vegetables W Support wire L Hanging cord S Fruit stalk F Fruit

Claims

1. A hanging tool for hanging a fruit stalk on a hanging string hanging from an upper support in a field where fruit vegetables are grown vertically, The device comprises a main body integrally molded from elastic synthetic resin and a pad made of a flexible synthetic resin molded body held by the main body, The main body has a generally elongated band shape in a freely deployed state, and includes a fruit handle gripping portion provided in the center in the longitudinal direction and holding the pad, and first and second string clamping portions whose base ends are continuous with both ends of the fruit handle gripping portion in the longitudinal direction, The first and second string clamping portions each have an engaging portion that engages with each other when the main body is folded so as to bend the fruit stem gripping portion together with the pad, and are configured to clamp the string between their mutually joined surfaces when engaged; A hanging device for three-dimensional cultivation of fruits and vegetables, characterized in that the fruit stalk holding portion is configured to hold the fruit stalk via the pad when the first and second string clamping portions are engaged with each other.

2. the first and second cord holding portions have joining surfaces at both longitudinal edges thereof that are joined to each other when they are engaged with each other; the first cord clamping portion includes an engaging protrusion protruding from the joining surface toward the second cord clamping portion, the second string clamping portion includes an interlocking recess that is recessed relative to the joining surface and into which the interlocking protrusion fits, The hanging device for three-dimensional cultivation of fruit and vegetables as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first and second string clamping portions are configured to bend and clamp the hanging string between the joint surfaces and between the interlocking surfaces of the interlocking uneven portions when engaged with each other.

3. the first cord clamping portion has a frame portion surrounding the through-hole portion, and the joining surface is formed on the frame portion; the engaging protrusion is provided across the through-hole so as to bridge between the frame portions opposed to each other in the width direction of the first string clamping portion, The engaging portion of the first cord holding portion includes a pair of spring legs that rise from both longitudinal edge portions of the fitting protrusion, are curved inward at the upper end, pass through the through portion, and extend to the side opposite the joining surface, and a pair of engaging claws that protrude from the outer surfaces of the pair of spring legs, the second cord clamping portion has a frame portion surrounding the through-hole portion, and the joining surface is formed on the frame portion; the interlocking recess is provided across the through-hole portion so as to bridge the frame portions facing each other in the width direction of the second cord clamping portion, A hanging device for three-dimensional cultivation of fruit and vegetables as described in claim 2, characterized in that the engaging portion of the second string clamping portion consists of an engaging edge formed on the inner edge portion of the frame portion facing each other in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to elastically bend the pair of spring legs of the first string clamping portion to engage with the engaging claws.

4. A hanging device for three-dimensional cultivation of fruits and vegetables as described in claim 3, characterized in that when the first and second string clamping portions are engaged, the pair of spring legs are arranged so that their tip portions pass through the through-holes of the second string clamping portion and protrude outside the second string clamping portion, and the engagement between the engaging claws and the engaging edges can be released by compressing the space between the tip portions.

5. The hanging device for three-dimensional cultivation of fruits and vegetables as described in claim 1, characterized in that the fruit stalk holding portion comprises a mesh portion that supports the outer surface of the pad and a plurality of holding protrusions that are spaced apart to hold the outer periphery of the pad.

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