Tree Shoot Protector with Dual Locking and Rods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective devices for tree terminal shoots lack effective handling and reliability in attachment and removal, and they do not adequately prevent damage from birds and game.

Innovation Solution

A protective device with a strip-shaped base body that can be elastically deformed into a U-shaped position, featuring a closure arrangement with two closure means and corresponding receiving arrangement for secure locking, and dimensionally stable rods for additional protection against birds and game, allowing for easy one-handed operation without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single closure means and receiving arrangement are used, then the device structure is simpler, but the attachment reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidclosure arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure arrangement is divided into multiple independent closure means (first closure means with first closure element, second closure means with second closure element) and corresponding receiving arrangements. This segmentation allows each closure means to independently secure the base body to the tree, significantly improving attachment reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple closure means and receiving arrangements are combined within a single protective device structure. The first and second closure means work together with their respective receiving arrangements to create a redundant securing system, ensuring that if one closure fails, others remain to maintain attachment reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the base body is made rigid for structural stability, then the protective function is improved, but the ease of deformation for attachment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase body stabilityVSAvoidease of deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base body exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions: the contact region with bristles is designed to be flexible and deformable to facilitate attachment to the tree, while other portions of the base body maintain sufficient rigidity to provide structural stability and protective function. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between rigidity and deformability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The base body is designed to dynamically transition between deformed and extended states. During attachment, the base body can be elastically deformed to wrap around the tree; once attached via the closure means, it maintains a stable extended configuration. This dynamic adaptability allows the base body to satisfy both deformation ease during installation and structural stability during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective bars are added to prevent bird damage, then the protective function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebird damage protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective bars are integrated into the base body structure itself rather than being separate components. The base body includes built-in protective bars that extend from its surface, creating a unified structure that provides both the base protective function and bird deterrence without requiring additional separate parts or assembly steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary protective covering for the terminal shoot, incorporates closure means for attachment, includes bristles for gentle contact, and integrates protective bars to prevent bird damage. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining what would otherwise be separate components into a single unified structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device provides a reliable and easy-to-use solution for protecting tree terminal shoots by ensuring secure attachment and detaching, while the dimensionally stable rods enhance protection against bird damage and browsing by game.

Implementation Method 1

a strip-shaped base body (2) designed for elastic deformation between a planar extended basic position and a curved functional position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a closure arrangement (40, 55), in particular a self-closing arrangement, which has a first closure means (41, 42, 56, 57) and a second closure means (41, 42, 56, 57) arranged in a manner contrary to the first

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

a contact region with a plurality of flexible bristles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexible contact: Brush

Implementation Method 4

at least two support rods (62) attached to the base body (2), particularly exclusively along the contact area (25)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3900521B1Protective device for terminal shoots of trees
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 LATSCHBACHER
  • EP3900521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900521B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900521B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective device (1; 51; 61) for trees, with a strip-shaped base body (2) having a front (3) and a back (4), wherein a first functional surface (13) is formed on the front (3), wherein along a longest body axis (15) of the base body (2) a first end region (24) with a locking arrangement (40), a contact region (25) with a plurality of flexible bristles (35) and a second end region (26) with a receiving arrangement (33) for locking with the locking arrangement (40) are provided.According to the invention, the closure arrangement (40) comprises a first closure means (41) and a second closure means (42) arranged therein, and the receiving arrangement (33) has a first receiving (28) for the first closure means (41) and a second receiving (28) for the second closure means (42) and/or a second functional surface (14) with dimensionally stable rods (19; 63) is formed on the rear side of the base body (2), which project in an extension direction normal to the second functional surface (14).