Trellis bracket and system for supporting climbing plants from top of a wall or fence on both sides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trellis systems for supporting vines and climbing plants are limited in height and width, require cumbersome ground installation, and pose challenges in weight support, aesthetic appeal, and end-of-season cleanup, with most designs being rigid, expensive, and difficult to transport.
Innovation Solution
A system of adjustable brackets and flaccid cords that can be installed on walls or fences, allowing for substantial height and width adjustment, easy installation, and simple removal without damaging the structure, featuring a compact kit with durable, inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing design that supports vines and climbing plants up to 8 feet high and wide, with easy disposal of dead vegetation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional wall-mount or in-ground trellis is used, then the structure provides support for climbing plants, but it is cumbersome to transport and very expensive to ship due to its large rigid structure
Solution Approach 1:
The trellis is divided into multiple separate brackets that can be individually transported and then assembled on-site. Each bracket is a compact component that attaches to the wall or fence, and multiple brackets work together to form the complete support structure. This segmentation allows easy transportation while maintaining the overall support capability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets are designed to nest together or stack in a compact configuration for storage and transport. The components can be stored in a small space and then deployed by attaching them to the wall or fence structure, transforming from a compact stored state to a fully extended support structure when needed.
2Strength
If ground supported trellis is installed, then the structure can support climbing plants, but installation is time consuming and cumbersome because holes need to be created in the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process extracts the most cumbersome step (digging holes in the ground) by completely eliminating ground contact. The brackets attach only to existing vertical surfaces like walls or fences using simple surface-mounted hardware, removing the need for any ground excavation or concrete work while still providing adequate support.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets are pre-designed with all necessary attachment components and mounting hardware included, so that installation can proceed directly by attaching to the wall or fence surface. The structural integrity is pre-engineered into the bracket design, eliminating the need for on-site concrete pouring or ground preparation.
3Ease of manufacture
If ground supported trellis without support sleeve or concrete is used, then installation is simpler, but the trellis will tend to lean or collapse when plant becomes top heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets incorporate curved or angled design elements that distribute loads more effectively along the attachment surface. The curved geometry of the bracket arms and mounting surfaces helps redirect forces from the hanging plants into the wall or fence structure, preventing leaning while maintaining simple installation without concrete.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets utilize composite construction combining materials with different properties - such as aluminum alloy for strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, or composite polymers for durability and weather resistance. This composite approach provides the structural stability needed to support top-heavy plants while keeping the brackets lightweight for easy installation.
4Ease of manufacture
If wood trellis is installed directly in the ground, then installation is straightforward, but the legs can rot requiring a new trellis in time
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system uses inexpensive, replaceable mounting hardware and bracket components that can be easily removed and replaced. Rather than installing a permanent wood structure in the ground that will rot, the system uses affordable metal or composite brackets that resist degradation and can be swapped out if needed, extending the overall service life of the trellis system.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameters are changed from organic wood (which rots) to inorganic materials like aluminum alloy or weather-resistant composite polymers that do not rot. This parameter change in material composition fundamentally extends the service life while maintaining installation simplicity, as the new materials are equally easy to mount but resistant to biological degradation.
5Strength
If steel trellis is used, then structural strength is improved, but the trellis will eventually rust
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses composite or alloy materials that combine the strength of metal with corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys provide structural strength comparable to steel while being naturally corrosion-resistant. Alternatively, composite polymer structures provide both strength and rust resistance, extending service life without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket system uses inexpensive, corrosion-resistant materials that, while perhaps slightly less strong than premium steel, provide adequate structural support with vastly superior corrosion resistance. The lower cost and higher durability make these materials more practical for long-term outdoor application.
6Strength
If conventional trellis is used, then the structure provides plant support, but it creates an end-of-season cleanup problem because dead foliage and vines are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the cleanup problem by using a modular bracket design where the plant support function is separated from the mounting structure. Dead vines and foliage can be easily removed from the bracket arms and cords, and the brackets themselves can be quickly detached from the wall or fence, eliminating the difficulty of cleaning conventional fixed trellises.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket system incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow easy access to all surfaces for cleaning. The modular design with detachable cords and removable brackets enables dynamic reconfiguration and complete disassembly for thorough cleanup, unlike rigid conventional trellises where foliage becomes trapped in fixed structures.
7Ease of manufacture
If fence-top brackets for single side only are used, then installation is simple, but the weight they can support is limited before it pulls on the top of the fence
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple brackets into a coordinated pair that attaches to both sides of the fence or wall. By combining the support function across two sides, the load is distributed and shared, allowing each bracket to handle less individual weight while the system as a whole supports much heavier plants. This merging of functions maintains simple installation while dramatically increasing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable fence-top trellis support bracket assembly forms the basis of a system for creating adjustable trellises on two sides of a fence or wall, and includes a) an elongated support bracket member, b) curved-loop ends on the elongated bar member and the adjoining bracket portion wherein one is attached proximal one end and the other proximal an opposite end of an elongated bar member; c) a movable L-shaped leg generally perpendicular to an elongated bar member of the elongated support bracket portion, wherein the movable leg is engagable with the elongated support bracket member; and d) a means for adjusting and then securing the movable L-shaped leg against the elongated bar portion of the support bracket member.