Outward Angled Plant Trellis for Space-Constrained Growing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant support systems fail to efficiently utilize limited ground space, provide optimal air and sunlight exposure, facilitate easy picking, and adapt to steep slopes, while also offering protection from animals like deer.
Innovation Solution
A compact, adjustable V-shaped trellis system with sloping cords or nets that expand vertically and horizontally, providing a wider top area, incorporating a protective net and optional deterrents, and featuring modular design for easy assembly and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wire tomato cage with horizontal rings is used, then plant support is provided, but the structure relies on passive support and frequently falls over from plant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic bracing that adjusts to plant growth. The braced T-shaped pole structure allows the trellis to flex and adapt as plants grow heavier, distributing load dynamically rather than relying on rigid passive support. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining support capacity while improving reliability through adaptive structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary bracing and anchoring structures that are pre-installed to handle expected plant weight before it occurs. The braced T-shaped pole is pre-configured with cross-bracing and ground anchors to prevent collapse from the outset, addressing the reliability issue before plant weight becomes a problem.
2Volume of moving object
If a strictly vertical trellis structure is used, then growing area is expanded vertically, but ground space utilization is inefficient and air circulation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a strictly vertical one-dimensional growth structure to a three-dimensional expanding structure. The outward-sloping cords create a conical or pyramidal shape that utilizes vertical space while progressively expanding horizontal coverage, resolving the contradiction between growing volume and ground footprint by adding dimensional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the support structure into multiple segments: vertical poles, outward-sloping cords, and horizontal rods at different heights. This segmentation allows the structure to expand vertically while creating multiple levels of ground coverage, improving both growing volume utilization and air circulation through the segmented architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If plants are grown in a compact vertical structure, then ground space is saved, but air and sunlight exposure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses outward-sloping cords that create a three-dimensional expanding structure rather than a compact vertical cylinder. This dimensional change allows sunlight to penetrate from multiple angles and improves air circulation through the expanded conical or pyramidal shape, resolving the contradiction between compact footprint and light exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local environments within the structure by having outward-sloping cords that angle sunlight and air flow differently at various heights and radial distances from the center. This local quality variation ensures better light distribution and air circulation throughout the growing volume while maintaining a compact overall footprint.
4Ease of manufacture
If a fixed trellis structure is used, then assembly is simple, but adaptability to different growing conditions and plant types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable components including movable cross-braces, repositionable horizontal rods, and flexible cords that can be reconfigured as plants grow. This dynamic adjustability allows the same simple structure to adapt to different plant types and growing conditions, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The braced T-shaped pole structure serves multiple functions: support, bracing, anchoring, and potential adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality in a single universal design allows the trellis to accommodate various plant types and growing conditions without requiring multiple specialized structures, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability.
5Area of stationary object
If the trellis structure is made wider at the top, then growing area and air circulation are improved, but structural stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary cross-bracing and anchoring structures that are pre-installed to counteract the instability caused by the wider top configuration. The braced T-shaped pole with pre-positioned cross-braces and ground anchors provides preliminary stabilization before plant growth occurs, allowing the structure to safely support the expanded top area without compromising stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetric bracing patterns and non-uniform pole thicknesses that provide additional stability to the wider top portion. By applying asymmetric reinforcement where needed, the structure can accommodate the expanded growing area at the top while maintaining overall stability through strategically placed asymmetric bracing elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides structures that maximize the use of minimal ground space or pot soil by providing generally vertical outward-sloping multiple cords or net trellis such as to offer increasing volume for plant foliage with height, which is adjustable to the user's desire. A compact kit includes at least two elongated leg member, and at least one elongated support, and can be assembled into structures up to approximately twice as wide at the top as at the base where the plants begin growing in soil. Flaccid replaceable cords when installed incline generally outward and upward to top horizontal rods supporting wining plants to grow generally vertically and even horizontally across the top.