Plant stabilizing device

Abstract

Plant stabilizing device comprising a first adjustable grip belt (1) designed to be wrapped around the circumference of a plant trunk, branch or stem with the aid of a first joining arrangement (1a, 1b), a second adjustable grip belt (2) designed to be wrapped around the contour of a stabilizing element with the aid of a second fastening assembly (2a, 2b), and a separation element (3) interposed between the first grip belt (1) and the second grip belt (2), the separation element (3) comprising a wall of tapered shape which delimits a hollow interior space.

Description

[0001] PLANT STABILIZING DEVICE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention belongs to the technical field of agricultural engineering.

[0005] More particularly it refers to the of fixation of plants to supports and is useful, for example and without limitation, in agricultural, horticultural and gardening applications.

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] In the sector of agriculture and horticulture, it is common to use support structures to stabilize plants by maintaining them in an upright position, particularly in areas prone to strong winds and heavy rains. Traditionally, wooden or metal stakes are employed for this purpose, secured to the plant with ropes, tapes, or other fastening devices. However, these methods have several drawbacks, including material wear, installation complexity, and the risk of plant damage.

[0008] A common solution involves using grip belts that encircle the corresponding plant and fasten to stakes or tubes. Nonetheless, adjusting these grip belts to different tube diameters can be challenging, limiting their versatility and application. Moreover, traditional methods of fastening with grip belts often necessitate specialized tools and technical skills for proper installation and maintenance, posing obstacles for farmers and gardeners.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop new devices capable of attaching to stabilizing elements of different diameters while allowing a flexible and secure adjustment, maintaining the plant in an upright position and preventing falls due to wind or rain.

[0010] In addition, it would also be desirable to develop new plant stabilizing devices having increased stability and reliability and in which the distribution of the loads to which such a device is subjected, is improved. Summary of the invention

[0011] With the aim of providing a solution to the abovementioned problems and drawbacks, a first object of the present invention refers to a plant stabilizing device, comprising:

[0012] -a first adjustable grip belt, provided with a fist joining arrangement intended to join two portions of the first grip belt together, the first grip belt being configured to be wrapped around a plant trunk, branch or stem, so that the main direction of the first grip belt extends along the contour of the plant trunk, branch or stem;

[0013] - a second adjustable grip belt, provided with a second joining arrangement intended to join two portions of the second grip belt together, the second grip belt being configured to be wrapped around a stabilizing element, so that the main direction of the second grip belt extends along the contour of the stabilizing element; characterized in that the device also comprises a separation element interposed between the first grip belt and the second grip belt, the separation element comprising a wall of tapered shape which delimits a hollow interior space.

[0014] Thanks to the presence of the intermediate element contemplated by the present invention and to the specific configuration thereof (i.e., its tapered shape), it is possible to improve the distribution of loads to which the plant stabilizing element is subjected, since forces applied to a tapered shaped wall (caused for example by atmospheric phenomena, such as wind or rain), are distributed radially. This means that a load applied at the in the narrowest part of the intermediate element is evenly distributed towards the widest part thereof.

[0015] Moreover, this particular shape of the intermediate element reduces stress concentrations compared to sharp corners found in other forms, dispersing stresses more evenly along the tapered surface of the cone. The use of smooth curves in this element helps to distribute tensions more uniformly, increasing its durability and ensuring a more stable and secure attachment of the plant, protecting it from potential damage due to concentrated loads at specific points.

[0016] Additionally, considering compression resistance (caused, for example, by adverse weather conditions), tapered shaped elements are structurally efficient under compression loads.

[0017] In terms of material optimization and consequent reduction in fabrication time, a tapered conical shape is more efficient in terms of material usage. Given its more uniform force distribution, less material can be designed to support the same load compared to other structural types.

[0018] Throughout the present invention, it should be understood that the term plant includes those specimens with a single trunk or stem (such as trees), as well as specimens that branch into several different trunks or stems (such as bushes and shrubs).

[0019] In the plant stabilizing devices of the present invention the wider portion of the separating element is preferably in contact with the first grip belt, while the narrower portion of the separating element is in contact with the second grip belt. Consequently, the wider portion of the separating element is the one which is closer to the plant, protecting it from potential damage due to concentrated loads at specific points.

[0020] Preferably, in the plant stabilizing device according to any previous claim, the separating element is provided with oblong openings.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, compatible with all the other embodiments thereof, at least one of the first joining arrangement and the second joining arrangement is provided with a protrusion and a set of holes, arranged at consecutive distances along the main direction of the corresponding grip belt. Thus, when the first grip belt is wrapped around the plant trunk, branch or stem (or alternatively, when the second grip belt is wrapped around the stabilizing element), the protrusion can be inserted into a corresponding hole of the set of holes.

[0022] In this particular embodiment according to the present invention, the existence of a set of holes arranged at consecutive distances, allows the protrusion to be inserted into that particular hole disposed at a distance which best corresponds with the diameter of the stabilizing element being actually used. Consequently, this embodiment has the additional advantage of being able to be wrapped around different stabilizing with varying diameters.

[0023] Preferably, the second protrusion has a curved tip shape, and more preferably a nose shape. Said curved tip shape facilitates tool-free installation of the device according to the invention, reducing the time and effort required for assembly.

[0024] In other embodiment of the invention, compatible with the remaining embodiments thereof, at least one of the first grip belt and the second grip belt is provided at one of its ends with an eyelet, being also provided at the opposite end with a tip configured to be inserted through the eyelet.

[0025] Brief description of the drawings

[0026] As a means for better understanding at least one embodiment of the present invention, the following set of drawings is introduced by way of schematic illustration and in a non-limitative manner.

[0027] Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a plant stabilizing device according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is a second perspective view of a plant stabilizing device according to the present invention.

[0029] Detailed description of the invention

[0030] A first embodiment of the plant stabilizing device according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0031] Said plant stabilizing device, comprises three main elements: a first adjustable grip belt 1 (intended to be wrapped around the of contour a plant trunk, branch or stem), a second adjustable grip belt 2 (intended to be wrapped around the of contour of stabilizing element, such as a vertical pole or rod) and a separation element 3, interposed between the first grip belt 1 and the second grip belt 2.

[0032] In this particular case the first grip belt, the second grip belt and the separating element are made from a flexible element.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the separation element 3 comprises a conical wall (that is a particular type of tapered shape) which delimits a hollow interior space. The wider portion of the conical of the separating element 3 is in contact with the first grip belt 1 , while the narrower portion of the separating element is in contact with the second grip belt 2. In addition, the conical wall of the separating element 3 is provided with oblong openings 3a. As already discussed, the main function of the intermediate element 3 is to improve the distribution of loads to which the plant stabilizing element is subjected, caused for example by atmospheric phenomena, such as wind or rain.

[0034] The first adjustable grip belt 1 is provided with a fist joining arrangement. In this particular case, the first joining arrangement comprises a protrusion 1 a, and a set of holes 1 b, arranged at consecutive distances along the main direction of the first grip belt 1 . Thus, when the first grip belt 1 is wrapped around a plant trunk, branch or stem, the protrusion 1 a is inserted into a corresponding hole 1 b of the set of holes.

[0035] On the other hand, the first grip belt 1 is provided at one of its ends with an eyelet 1c. The opposite end of the first grip belt 1 is also provided a tip 1d, intended to be inserted through the eyelet 1 c.

[0036] Similarly, the second adjustable grip belt 2 is provided with a second joining arrangement. In this particular case, the second joining arrangement comprises a protrusion 2a, and a set of holes 2b, arranged at consecutive distances along the main direction of the second grip belt 2. Thus, when the second grip belt 2 is wrapped around a plant trunk, branch or stem, the protrusion 2a is inserted into a corresponding hole 2b of the set of holes.

[0037] The second grip belt 2 is also provided at one of its ends with an eyelet 2c, while the opposite end of the second grip belt 2 includes a tip 2d, intended to be inserted through the eyelet 2c.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 23 February 2026 (23.02.2026)1. Plant stabilizing device, comprising: a first adjustable grip belt (1 ), provided with a fist joining arrangement (1 a, 1 b) intended to join two portions of the first grip belt (1 ) together, the first grip belt (1 ) being configured to be wrapped around a plant trunk, branch or stem, so that the main direction of the first grip belt (1 ) extends along the contour of the plant trunk, branch or stem; a second adjustable grip belt (2), provided with a second joining arrangement (2a, 2b) intended to join two portions of the second grip belt (2) together, the second grip belt (2) being configured to be wrapped around a stabilizing element, so that the main direction of the second grip belt (2) extends along the contour of the stabilizing element; characterized in that the device also comprises a separation element (3) interposed between the first grip belt (1 ) and the second grip belt (2), the separation element (3) comprising a wall of tapered shape which delimits a hollow interior space, the separation element (3) being disposed so that, when the second grip belt (2) is wrapped around a stabilizing element, forces applied to the stabilizing element are distributed radially along the wall of tapered shape of the separation element (3).

2. Plant stabilizing device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first joining arrangement (1 a, 1 b) and the second joining arrangement (2a, 2b) is provided with a protrusion (1 a; 2a) and a set of holes (1 b; 2b) arranged at consecutive distances along the main direction of the corresponding grip belt (1 ; 2), so that when the first grip belt (1 ) is wrapped around the plant trunk, branch or stem, or alternatively, when the second grip belt (2) is wrapped around the stabilizing element, the protrusion (1 a, 2a) is inserted into a corresponding hole (1 b, 2b) of the set of holes.

3. Plant stabilizing device according to any previous claim, wherein at least one of the first grip belt (1 ) and the second grip belt (2) is provided at one of its ends with an eyelet (1 c, 2c), being also provided at the opposite end with a tip (1 d,2d) configured to be inserted through the eyelet (1c, 2c).

4. Plant stabilizing device according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion (1a, 2a) has a curved tip shape, preferably a nose shape.

5. Plant stabilizing device according to any previous claim, wherein a wider portion of the separation element (3) is in contact with the first grip belt (1), while the narrower portion of the separation element (3) is in contact with the second grip belt (2).

6. Plant stabilizing device according to any previous claim, wherein the separation element (3) is provided with oblong openings (3a).

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