Structure and system for growing grapes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structure (1) for growing grapes characterised in that it comprises a post (A) comprising a hole (O1) that perforates the post (A) and through which a wire (A0) passes which supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant. The post (A) further comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) that can be straight or bent in the middle or split in the middle forming an angle between 0 and 80°, and optionally two diagonal arms (C). The invention further relates to a growing system comprising a plurality of structures (1) for growing grapes that comprises a plurality of posts (A). Each post (A) comprises a hole (O1) that perforates said post (A) and through which a wire (A0) passes which supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant. The post (A) further comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B), and optionally two diagonal arms (C).

Description

[0001] GRAPE STRUCTURE AND CULTIVATION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of agriculture, especially the field of cultivation and production of table grapes and / or wine grapes.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005]

[0002] The cultivation and production of grapes, mainly for grapes as raw material for table grapes and grapes for wine production, requires structures that can facilitate and stimulate the growth of grapes in a field of cultivation of the same.

[0006]

[0003] Known in the state of the art is document US3,807,089 which describes a plant trellis system and stake supports therefor, of simplified and maintenance-free construction for supporting vine plants and the like; such that grapes or other fruits can be mechanically harvested expeditiously without damaging the plant or the trellis element and where the fruits are exposed to maximum sunlight during the growing season.

[0007]

[0004] Also known is US5,063,709 which provides a trellis support device consisting of elongated arm members joined and permanently secured by a horizontal cross member. The lower center point of the “V” shaped arm members and the cross member each utilize “U” shaped bolts to attach to grape stakes, which may be made of wood or metal. The arm members and cross member have slots at the distal end of each member to receive the tension wires of the trellis system.

[0008]

[0005] For its part, document US5,966,867 shows a device comprising a cross arm to be attached to a grape stake for use in supporting vines or fruit trees, which includes raised ribs, aligned grooves and a pattern of holes to receive the legs of a “U” shaped bolt that rigidly secures the cross arm to the stake with a side edge of the stake firmly anchored in notches.

[0009]

[0006] On the other hand, document CN201733682 shows a “V” shaped grape trellis, comprising a plurality of support frames and three thread-like objects connected to each support frame, wherein each support frame consists of a base, a vertical post and a crossbar, wherein the vertical post is fixed at the base, the crossbar is fixed horizontally at the upper end of the vertical post and latch hooks (5) are fixed at both ends of the crossbar and another latch hook is fixed to the base and the two ends of the crossbar are fixed with tension bars and where the lines form a “V” shape between them.

[0010]

[0007] Document CN206993903 is also known, which reveals a configuration for grape cultivation, which includes a column, a wire drawing, a crossed arm and a “U” shaped joint, where the crossed arm can have steel rings welded on both sides of the arm or slots on both sides of the arm that direct the wires.

[0011]

[0008] In this sense, it is clear that there is still an unmet need to provide a novel structure that allows combining in a single design the advantages of the Spanish-type vine and the Californian "T" type vine, allowing the mechanization of several tasks with existing equipment and manual labor at an affordable height without the aid of ladders, floors or stilts, all of which are impossible with the Spanish vine, and keeping the fruits protected from the wind by the lateral curtain it forms, or having the fruits on a flat surface with the bunches hanging down without anything touching or scraping them, a favorable condition for obtaining quality fruit. This new combination of technical characteristics, which will be described later in this disclosure, allows for lower costs without losing quality and greater safety for the personnel and ease of work.

[0012]

[0009] The present invention presents a trellis structure that is characterized by having a horizontal structural piece or interchangeable arm where a first temporary arm is used for the first year and year of training at a very low cost that allows to significantly lower the initial investment and a second definitive arm that allows better management of the vine cultivation and a greater production of grapes.

[0013]

[0010] These described advantages cannot be achieved as a whole by any current conduction system, including those already mentioned such as the Spanish trellis, the Californian “T” shaped structure, nor by the Gable or Open Gable, nor any modification of the above.

[0014]

[0011] Therefore, it is clear that the present invention makes a contribution to the state of the art since it presents a new structure that is easy to install and provides a configuration of elements that satisfy the needs of a trellis or structure for the cultivation of vines with better results in the production of grapes. ABSTRACT

[0015] The present invention is directed to a grape growing structure (1) characterized in that it comprises a post (A) comprising a hole (01) that pierces the post (A) and through which a wire (AO) passes that supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant, and wherein the post (A) also comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) that can be straight or bent in half or split in half forming an angle between 0 and 80 ° and optionally two diagonals (C) and a cultivation system comprising a plurality of grape growing structures (1) comprising a plurality of posts (A) each post (A) comprising a hole (01) that pierces said post (A) and through which a wire (AO) passes that supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant, and wherein the post (A) also comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) and optionally two diagonals (C).

[0016] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017]

[0012] Figure 1 shows the trellis-type structure (1) with the temporary arm (B1) according to the present invention.

[0018]

[0013] Figure 2 shows the trellis-type structure (1) with the definitive arm where the definitive arm (B) is straight according to the present invention.

[0019]

[0014] Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the trellis-type structure (1) wherein the final arm is bent or split in half and at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal.

[0015] Figure 4 shows the shape of the straight final spleen (B) of the structure according to the present invention, where the green line represents the 90-degree bending line to form an “L” type profile.

[0020]

[0016] Figure 5 shows the diagonals (C) where the green lines represent the 90 degree bend line.

[0021]

[0017] Figure 6 shows the piece (D) that allows the wires to be held without crossing, where the green line represents the 90-degree bending line to form an “L” type profile.

[0022]

[0018] Figure 7 shows the structural piece (B1) for the first and second year of formation where the green line represents the 90 degree bending line, to form an “L” type profile. In one embodiment of the invention, this structural piece, after its presence in the trellis structure of the invention, can be cut in half in order to be installed later to form the structure (D) where the foliage wires (4) of Figure 1 are held.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024]

[0019] The present invention relates to a structure and system for growing grapes. The structure (1) comprises a post (A) comprising a hole (01) that pierces the post (A) and through it passes a wire (A0) that supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant, the post (A) also comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) that can be straight or bent in half or split in half forming an angle between 0 and 80 ° and optionally two diagonals (C), where the post (A) can be made of wood, concrete, steel or any other material that provides sufficient support with its base buried in the ground.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, a temporary arm (B1) is fixed to the post (A) of the structure (1) by means of a bolt, screw, clamp or any other fastening method, which is initially placed for the first year and eventually the second year of growth of the plants or the vine.The temporary arm (B1 ), is of a certain length, for example, 40 cm or any other desired length and of a certain width, for example, between 2 cm and 20 cm. As mentioned above, in a first stage, that is, up to the first two years, the arm (B1 ) is installed at the top of the post (A), which comprises a central hole (B1 -1 ) and elongated holes (B1 -2) and lateral channels (B1 -3). Depending on the material of the post (A), for example, if the post (A) is made of wood, the arm is fixed through the central hole (B1 -1 ) by means of a screw; and, for example, if the post (A) is made of a material such as cement, a “U” shaped bolt is used that passes through the elongated holes (B1-2). To the right and left of the temporal arm (B1) there are lateral notches (M4) where wires are placed, where the wires enter said notches (M4) and are held.

[0025]

[0021] After the first year of plant growth, this temporary arm (B1) can be removed and cut in half, taking the opportunity to place one of the halves vertically on the top of the post (A) through a bolt in the elongated hole (B1 -2) to hold the foliage wires (mobile wires) as shown in Figure 2 which illustrates the definitive configuration of the trellis structure (1) according to the invention for subsequent years of plant or vine growth where a plant (P) is shown that is driven by the central axis and its upper end with the fruit on the wire (A1) located in one of the notches M1 on the arm.

[0026]

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, which corresponds to the definitive trellis structure 1, the temporary arm (B1) has been replaced by an “L” shaped arm (B) comprising notches M1, M2 and M4', located at the top of said definitive spleen (B) symmetrically to the side and side of the central part of the definitive arm (B) where it joins the post (A) and arranged equidistantly depending on the length of the arm (B) and where the length is sufficient to have a flat production surface according to the variety, vigor of said variety, location and distance between the lines of plants. The arm (B) also comprises notches (M3) located on the side of said arm (B). The fixing height of said arm (B) must be such that a worker of average height can work under it, reaching the bunches comfortably and without the aid of any additional aid such as benches, stilts, etc., nor so low that it forces him to work bent over or stooped.

[0027]

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the post (A) optionally has two diagonals (C), which can have the functions of a) reducing the resistance specification of the main support (B), b) preventing said arm (B) from pivoting, a function that could be replaced by adding a second bolt to the arm (B), or another mechanism to prevent said arm (B) from pivoting and c) providing support to the wire that moves for pruning (wire A3 that passes from notch M3 to notch M3' located in the diagonals (C). These diagonals (C) can be in the shape of an “L” to increase their resistance and go from the post (A) to the arm (B).The conducting wire (A0) can be passed through the center of the post (A) through the hole (A1 ) of the post or held to it by one side at the convenient height according to the variety and location. In the notches M1 and M2 the fixed wires (A1 ) and (A2) are housed, which have the purpose of supporting the shoots and fruits of the vines or plants and in the notch (M3) the wire (A3) is housed, which can be movable if the structure includes the optional diagonals (C).

[0028]

[0024] As mentioned above, a piece (D) is installed in the central upper part of the post (A) corresponding to one half of the temporary arm (B1) that is placed in said upper part of the central post (A) vertically through a bolt in the elongated hole B1 -2 to hold the foliage wires (mobile wires (A4)) comprising the two notches (M4) for supporting the foliage wires (A4), where said piece (D) is fastened to the central upper part of the post (A) with the same device that holds the main arm (B).This piece (D) which corresponds to one half of the temporary arm (B1) allows to support the foliage wires (A4) which are mobile without crossing by means of the two notches (M4) as shown in figure 2, located in the upper part of the piece (D), but which allow the foliage wires (A4) to be very close together in such a way that shoots cannot be introduced between them which, after actuating the wires (A4), would not be brought to the desired position.

[0029]

[0025] According to Figure 2, the final trellis-shaped structure for growing grapes according to the present invention comprises the following elements:

[0030] A. Vertical post,

[0031] B. Temporary arm (B1) or Permanent arm (B);

[0032] C. Optionally two diagonals (C); and

[0033] D. Piece (D).

[0034] A0: conduction wire of the definitive arm (B), which is a fixed wire and passes through the post (A) and the series of posts (A) arranged in a row at a given distance;

[0035] A1 : A first cane conduction wire of the year, located in the notch (M1 ), which is a fixed wire (it is not required to move during the season). However, the position of said first wire 1 in the structure of the definitive spleen (B) with respect to the center of the structure of said arm (B) can be varied so that the distance between said wire A1 and the other wires is the most appropriate for the characteristics of the cultivar being cultivated; A2: A second cane conduction wire of the year, which is a fixed wire with the same characteristics as the first wire (A1 ) mentioned above;

[0036] A3: A third cane-conducting wire of the year, where this wire (A3) begins the campaign (understanding this term as the growing season) in the position of the notch (M3) on the edge of the “L” shaped arm (B), where this position below the grid (set of wires on the structure that serves as support for the vine) favors the natural fall of the shoots to form the curtain of foliage on both sides of the row formed by the crop in a trellis structure system according to the present invention. The notch (M3 1 ) in the diagonal (C), serves to facilitate mechanical or manual pruning as the case may be and when said diagonals (C) are present;

[0037] A4: Foliage wire which is a mobile wire, has the function of laying the shoots on the flat grid formed by wires A1, A2 and A3 on both sides of the final arm (B). As shown in figure 2, the foliage wire (A4) starts in the central position of the arm (B) in piece (D) in the notches (M4) and then, when it is already required to lay down the shoots, it is taken to the position in the notch (M4 ').

[0038]

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the definitive arm (B) is an arm bent in half forming an acute angle in relation to the horizontal in the form of "drooping arms", where the angle is between 0 o and 80° with respect to the horizontal.

[0039]

[0027] All the “L” shaped metal profile pieces consider thicknesses to obtain the adequate resistance to the load imposed by the variety and the expected production, where said pieces will preferably be galvanized or stainless steel pieces to improve their duration and reduce maintenance. The wires are the typical wires used in the industry, preferably galvanized and with a high carbon content.

[0028] The invention also refers to a cultivation system comprising a plurality of grape cultivation structures (1) comprising a plurality of posts (A) each post (A) comprising a hole (01) pierced by said post (A) and through which a wire (AO) passes that supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant, and where the post (A) also comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) and optionally two diagonals (C).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A grape growing structure (1) characterized in that it comprises a post (A) comprising a hole (01) that pierces the post (A) and through which a wire (AO) passes that supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant, and where the post (A) also comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) that can be bent forming an angle between 0 and 80° in relation to the horizontal and optionally two diagonals (C).

2. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a temporary arm (B1) is fixed to the post (A) by means of a bolt, screw, clamp or any other fastening method, which is initially placed for the first year and eventually the second year of growth of the plants or the vine and wherein said temporary arm (B1) is of a determined length and which comprises a central hole (B1-1), elongated holes (B1-2) and lateral channels (B1-3).

3. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the post (A) is made of wood, concrete, steel or any other material that provides sufficient support with its base buried in the ground.

4. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that if the post (A) is made of wood, the temporary arm (B1) is fixed through the central hole (B1-1) by means of a screw; and, if the post (A) is made of a material such as cement, a “U” shaped bolt is used that passes through the elongated holes (B1-2) of the temporary arm (B1).

5. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that to the right and left of the temporary arm (B1) there are They find some lateral notches (M4) where wires are placed, where the wires enter said notches (M4).

6. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the temporary arm (B1) is replaced by an “L” shaped arm (B) comprising notches M1, M2 and M4', located in the upper part of said definitive spleen (B) symmetrically to the side and side of the central part of the definitive arm (B) where it joins the post (A) and arranged equidistantly depending on the length of the arm (B) and where the length is sufficient to have a flat production surface according to the variety, vigor of said variety, location and distance between the lines of plants.

7. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the definitive arm (B) further comprises notches (M3) located on the lateral part of said definitive arm (B).

8. The grape growing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a piece (D) is installed on the central upper part of the post (A) corresponding to one half of the temporary arm (B1) that is placed on said upper part of the central post (A) vertically through a bolt in the elongated hole B1 -2 to support the foliage wires (mobile wires (A4)) comprising the two notches (M4) for supporting the foliage wires (A4), wherein said piece (D) is fastened to the central upper part of the post (A) with the same device that supports the main arm (B), wherein said piece (D) supports the foliage wires (A4) that are mobile without crossing by means of the two notches (M4) located in the upper part of the piece (D) and that allow the foliage wires (A4) to be very close together in such a way that no shoots can be introduced between them that, after actuating the wires (A4),would not be brought to the desired position., 9. A cultivation system comprising a plurality of grape cultivation structures (1) comprising a plurality of posts (A) each post (A) comprising a hole (01) that pierces said post (A) and through which a wire (AO) passes that supports the horizontal trunk of the vine or plant, and wherein the post (A) also comprises a temporary arm (B1) or a definitive arm (B) and optionally two diagonals (C).

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