Spring-Type Spacer Member for Vine Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring-type spacer members for vine-shoots or plant branches are prone to deflection and misalignment due to weather and plant growth, require tools for attachment and reattachment, and are not suitable for all types of poles, especially those made of metal or concrete, leading to increased maintenance and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A spring-type spacer member with a first body that wraps around the pole and a second body with hook-up means to prevent deflection, allowing attachment without tools and on various pole materials, featuring removable and repositionable design without damaging the pole, and enabling independent handling of scaffold wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spring-type spacer members are made as single-piece unitary construction with base portion fastened to pole, then the spacer member structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spacer member deflects and bends under weight of plants and wind, causing scaffold wires to go out of alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer member is divided into two separate bodies: a first body that wraps around the pole and a second body with hook-up means. This segmentation allows each body to perform its specific function independently - the first body provides secure attachment while the second body prevents deflection through the hook-up mechanism that connects to the arms.
2Reliability
If nails or staples are driven into pole to fasten spacer member, then the spacer member is firmly attached to the pole, but the method is not applicable to metal or concrete poles that are scarcely pierceable
Solution Approach 1:
The first body is designed to wrap around the pole and be fastened using methods appropriate for different pole materials - whether by wrapping and clamping for metal/concrete poles or by providing attachment points for nails/staples for wooden poles. This makes the spacer member universally applicable to all pole types without requiring material-specific designs.
3Productivity
If scaffold wires are repositioned due to plant growth and weather, then the plants can be properly supported, but the spacer members require complete removal and reattachment to new positions, increasing maintenance work and damaging pole surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer member design allows for dynamic adjustment - the arms can be detached from the second body and repositioned along the pole while keeping the first body attached. This enables easy repositioning of scaffold wires to accommodate plant growth without complete removal and reattachment, reducing maintenance effort and pole surface damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spacer member provides stable support to scaffold wires, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for easy repositioning and alignment of wires without tools, ensuring optimal plant arrangement and fruit production, regardless of pole material or shape.
Implementation Method 1
spring-type spacer members, which are generally made in the form of a single-piece unitary construction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention refers to a spring-type spacer member, in particular for wires of framework structures intended to support vine-shoots or branches of plants in general. A spring-type spacer member according to the present invention comprises: a first body (1 ) provided with a portion (2) adapted to wrap round a pole, and further provided with at least one arm (4) provided with support means (5); a second body (6) comprising first hook-up means (7) adapted to tighten said portion (2) around said pole, and second hook-up means (8) adapted to firmly clamp said second body (6) onto said pole. The spring-type spacer member is characterized in that it comprises third hook-up means (12, 212) adapted to associate said at least one arm (4) with said second body (6).