JP3756868B2

JP3756868B2 - Plant cultivation frame and plant cultivation set using the same

Info

Publication number: JP3756868B2
Application number: JP2002306214A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 直和後呂; 裕志桜田; 正人大橋
Original assignee: 余合住金産業株式会社; 株式会社文溪堂
Priority date: 2002-07-15
Filing date: 2002-10-21
Publication date: 2006-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-21
Also published as: JP2004097188A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、植物栽培用枠及びそれを用いた植物栽培セットに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、小学校では植木鉢と支柱とを備える植物栽培セットを用いて朝顔などの蔓性植物の栽培実習が行われている。このような植物栽培セットに用いられる支柱では、近年、輸送時や不使用時にコンパクトに折り畳んで輸送コストの抑制と収納スペースの削減が要求される一方、低学年児童でもワンタッチで展開して植木鉢に取り付けられる構造が求められている。そこで、ほぼ平行な縦方向の４本の支柱と、支柱と水平面との交点位置に各々固定された接続ピースと、接続ピースの各々の両端部に回動自在に接続された連結棒とから構成された支柱構造が開示されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
実用新案登録第３０８４２３４号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記支柱構造によれば、輸送時・不使用時には棒状に折り畳み、使用時には４本の支柱が四隅に立設された枠状に展開することができる。しかし、折り畳んだとき支柱は１ｍ前後の長い棒状になるので、収納場所によってはその長さに相当する十分なスペースを確保できない場合がある。また、１〜数個程度の小ロットを輸送する際には、棒状の支柱構造と箱状の植木鉢とで形状の違いが大きいためかえって取り扱いにくい（１個の梱包で送れない）といった問題がある。さらに、朝顔等の蔓は縦方向又は斜め方向の部材には巻き付きやすく、水平状の部材には巻き付きにくい性質があることが知られている。したがって、上記構造によっても、縦方向部材は四隅の支柱のみで構成されるため、「朝顔の蔓が上方に伸びにくい」、「四隅のうちの１本の支柱に巻き付こうとするため偏って伸びやすい」といった従来からの課題を解決できていない。
【０００５】
本発明の課題は、輸送時や不使用時において棒状にも扁平状にもワンタッチでコンパクトに折り畳め、使用時には蔓の巻き付きやすい構造となる植物栽培用枠と、その枠を用いた植物栽培セットを提供することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段及び発明の効果】
上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る植物栽培用枠の基本的構成は、
栽培植物の成長方向を高さ方向とし、その栽培植物の周囲において上下に延びる空間を形成しうる植物栽培用枠であって、
対角線状に交差してその交差位置にて相対回動自在に連結された一対の連結部材を基本ユニットとし、この基本ユニットの各端部が相対回動自在に連結された接続部材を介して、前記空間の上下方向及び周方向へ前記基本ユニットが筒状に連鎖するように枠組みされ、それら基本ユニット群がパンタグラフ状に延びた状態で前記空間が画成されることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
また、上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る植物栽培用枠の第一の具体的構成は、
栽培植物の成長方向を高さ方向とし、その栽培植物の周囲に角柱状又は角錐台状の空間を形成しうる植物栽培用枠であって、
対角線状に交差してその交差位置にて相対回動自在に連結された一対の連結部材を基本ユニットとし、この基本ユニットの各端部が相対回動自在に連結された接続部材を介して、前記空間の上下方向及び周方向へ前記基本ユニットが多角筒状に連鎖するように枠組みされ、それら基本ユニット群がパンタグラフ状に延びた状態で前記空間が画成されることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
さらに、上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る植物栽培用枠の第二の具体的構成は、
栽培植物の成長方向を高さ方向とし、その栽培植物の周囲に正四角柱状の空間を形成しうる植物栽培用枠であって、
対角線状に交差してその交差位置にて相対回動自在に連結された一対の連結部材を基本ユニットとし、この基本ユニットの各端部が相対回動自在に連結された接続部材を介して、前記空間の上下方向及び周方向へ前記基本ユニットが正四角筒状に連鎖するように枠組みされ、それら基本ユニット群がパンタグラフ状に延びた状態で前記空間が画成されることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
これらの発明において、従来から高さ方向に立設されていた長い支柱をなくし、これに代って斜め方向に交差する連結部材を用いることとした。これにより、この連結部材を高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸ばせば棒状（一直線状）に収納でき、一方、高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に縮めれば、扁平状に折り畳めるようになる。したがって、輸送時のコストや不使用時の収納スペース等に合わせて棒状にも扁平状にもワンタッチでコンパクトに折り畳める。また、使用時（栽培時）にはこの連結部材が蔓の巻き付きやすい斜め方向に交差して配置されるので、朝顔等の成長の様子が観察しやすくなる。
【００１０】
そして、上記第二の具体的構成において、栽培植物の周囲に正四角柱状の空間を形成しうる植物栽培用枠とすることで、栽培植物の周囲に比較的広い栽培空間が生み出される。また正四角柱状の空間及び互いに平行な底面とすることで、各側面において対角線状に交差する連結部材を同じ長さ・形状の共通部品とすることができ、製造コストを抑えるとともに、連結部材のスムーズな相対回動が可能となる。
【００１１】
このような連結部材は、高さ方向から見て交差位置に近づくほど外方に突出する湾曲形状に形成されるとともに、角柱状又は角錐台状の空間を内包し、かつ高さ方向から見て各側面の中央部が外側に膨出する膨出状空間を形成するようにしてもよい。空間が各側面中央部を中心に外側へ広がるようになり、栽培植物の成長を元気良く豪華に演出することができる。なお、上記膨出状空間として、例えば擬似角柱状又は擬似角錐台状空間を形成する場合、擬似円柱状又は擬似円錐台状空間を形成する場合等がある。
【００１２】
ところで、連結部材と接続部材とを球面対偶にて三次元的に相対回動可能に連結させることができる。ボールジョイント等の球面対偶（三次元関節；三次元結合）を用いる場合には、連結部材と接続部材とをさらに捻るようにして小さく折り畳むことができる。一方、連結部材と接続部材とを軸と軸孔の組合せ等の回り対偶にて二次元的に相対回動可能に連結させることもできる。回り対偶（二次元関節；二次元結合）によれば、連結部材と接続部材との相対回転運動がスムーズに行える利点がある。
【００１３】
このうちの回り対偶の場合、一対の連結部材を、交差位置にて第一回動軸心周りに相対回動可能に連結し、一対の連結部材の端部と接続部材とを、（連結部材のパンタグラフ状の伸長又は収縮にかかわらず）第一回動軸心とほぼ平行な第二回動軸心周りにそれぞれ相対回動可能に連結することが望ましい。このようにすれば、連結部材をパンタグラフ状に伸長又は収縮させたときに、一対の連結部材の端部と接続部材との連結部分がより一層スムーズに相対回動し、植物栽培用枠の高さ調節等を滑らかに行なうことができる。
【００１４】
具体的には、接続部材には、底面の内角を構成する二辺のうちの一辺に対してほぼ直交する方向に第二回動軸心を有する接続部材側係止部を形成するとともに、連結部材の両端部には、第一回動軸心とほぼ平行な第二回動軸心を有する連結部材側係止部を各々形成し、接続部材に形成された接続部材側係止部と、連結部材に形成された連結部材側係止部の一方とを、共通する第二回動軸心周りに相対回動可能に結合することができる。このように、接続部材と連結部材とにそれぞれ係止部を形成し、これらの係止部が共通の第二回動軸心周りに相対回動可能となるように組み立てることにより、植物栽培用枠を精度よくかつ容易に製造できる。
【００１５】
そして、上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る植物栽培用枠の第三の具体的構成は、
栽培植物の成長方向を高さ方向とし、その栽培植物の周囲に円柱状又は円錐台状の空間を形成しうる植物栽培用枠であって、
対角線状に交差してその交差位置にて相対回動自在に連結された一対の連結部材を基本ユニットとし、この基本ユニットの各端部が相対回動自在に連結された接続部材を介して、前記空間の上下方向及び周方向へ前記基本ユニットが円筒状に連鎖するように枠組みされ、それら基本ユニット群がパンタグラフ状に延びた状態で前記空間が画成されることを特徴とする。
【００１６】
この発明においても、連結部材を高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸ばせば棒状（一直線状）に収納でき、一方、高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に縮めれば、円形の扁平状に折り畳めるようになる。また、栽培植物の周囲に円柱状又は円錐台状の空間を形成しうる植物栽培用枠とすることで、これらの空間に対して栽培植物を軸位置（軸対称）に置くことができ、栽培植物を観賞しやすくなる。
【００１７】
上記第三の具体的構成においても、連結部材と前記接続部材とを球面対偶にて三次元的に相対回動可能に連結させることができ、棒状又は扁平状に折り畳むことあるいはさらに小さく折り畳むことが容易に行える。一方、連結部材と前記接続部材とを回り対偶にて相対回動可能に連結させることもできる。この場合には、一対の連結部材を交差位置にて第一回動軸心周りに相対回動可能に連結するとともに、底面において半径方向に沿って形成される第二回動軸心を有しかつ所定の隙間（遊び）を有する回り対偶にて、連結部材と接続部材とを連結すると、一対の連結部材及び連結部材と接続部材とを無理なく相対回転させて折り畳むことができる。
【００１８】
いずれにしても、一対の連結部材が各側面において（例えば網目状に）交差し、その交差位置で相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸長又は収縮し、これとともに底面積が縮小又は拡大するように構成すれば、栽培時の高さ方向又は横幅方向（底面積）のスペースや栽培植物の種類・品種等に応じて自在に対応することができる。
【００１９】
したがって、一対の連結部材が高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸長したとき、各側面に設けられたすべての連結部材が底面の中央部に寄せ集められて高さ方向にほぼ一直線状に折り畳み可能となる。また、一対の連結部材が高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に収縮したとき、各側面に設けられたすべての連結部材が底面形状にて高さ方向に扁平状に折り畳み可能となる。これにより、上記した通り本発明の植物栽培用枠を棒状にも扁平状にも収納スペース等に合わせてワンタッチでコンパクトに折り畳める。
【００２０】
また、一対の連結部材が、最上位底面に配置された接続部材を介して、最上位底面を共有する形で植物成長方向に増設可能としてもよい。朝顔等の栽培植物が蔓を伸ばして成長していくにつれて、連結部材を植物成長方向に増設することによって、日々の観察への興味と楽しみを倍加させることができ、一層の学習効果が期待できる。
【００２１】
なお、連結部材の周面には、栽培植物の蔓を巻き付きやすくするための突出部を形成してもよい。連結部材が斜め方向に交差して配置されることと合わせて、蔓が一層巻き付きやすくなる。
【００２２】
さらに、このような植物栽培用枠が底面を所定の底面形状（又は底面積）に保持するための保持機構を有するときには、植物栽培用枠を棒状又は扁平状の折り畳み状態から所定の展開状態に開いて、その状態を保持し自立させることが可能となるので、栽培容器（植木鉢）への取り付け操作等が容易に行える。しかも、底面形状保持のための保持機構を備えることで、風等により植物栽培用枠が傾いたり倒れたりしにくくなる。
【００２３】
この保持機構は、一対の連結部材を所定の交差角度に維持するために、一対の連結部材の少なくとも一方に設けることができる。例えば、保持機構が、一対の連結部材を相対回動可能に連結する第一回動軸心周りでの軸又は軸孔の回転を阻止する阻止部材である場合には、一対の連結部材の相対回転操作により、植物栽培用枠を棒状折り畳み状態・展開自立状態・扁平状折り畳み状態の三態様に容易に切り替えできる。
あるいは、上記保持機構は、最上位底面に配置された接続部材に設けることができる。例えば、保持機構が、最上位底面に配置された接続部材に係合して、その底面形状を保持する保形部材である場合には、植物栽培用枠を展開したときに自立させることも可能となる。
【００２４】
そして、以上に述べたような植物栽培用枠と、最下位底面に配置された接続部材が直接又は他部材を介して間接的に係合するための係合部を有する栽培容器とを含んで植物栽培セットが構成されることにより、低学年児童でも一人で植物栽培用枠をワンタッチ展開して栽培容器（植木鉢）に容易に取り付けることができる。
【００２５】
さて、本発明に係る植物栽培用枠は、「栽培植物の周囲を取り囲む複数の枠体で構成され、これらの枠体は植物の成長方向に一斉にパンタグラフ状に伸縮可能である」と言い表すこともできる。このように複数の枠体が一斉にパンタグラフ状に伸縮可能であるため、既述の通り植物栽培用枠の高さ調節が容易であり、また高さ調節とともに広さの調節もできる。さらには、パンタグラフ状伸縮構造の採用により、最大限伸長させて棒状（一直線状）に折り畳んだり、最大限収縮させて扁平状に折り畳んだりすることができ、収納スペース等に合わせてワンタッチで折り畳み形態を選択できる。
【００２６】
さらに、このような植物栽培用枠に用いられる枠体を、比重１．０未満の非塩素系樹脂で形成することが望ましい。具体的には、枠体を形成する樹脂として、通常比重０．９以上１．０未満の範囲で用いられるポリプロピレン（ＰＰと略記される）、ポリエチレン（ＰＥと略記される）等が推奨される。
【００２７】
従来より、玩具、学習教材等の成形用材料として、塩素系樹脂の一種であるポリ塩化ビニル（ＰＶＣと略記され、塩ビと略称される）が広く用いられてきた。ＰＶＣは、成形が容易で耐候性にも優れているため、安価に大量生産するのに適している。ところが、塩素を含む物質が不完全燃焼（例えば、燃焼温度９００℃以下）すると、猛毒のダイオキシンを発生することが知られるようになり、また、ＰＶＣに混合される可塑剤が環境ホルモンとして作用するとの報告もされている。そこで、近年塩ビ製品の分別回収が叫ばれており、学校や家庭における児童への環境教育も重要視されている。したがって、ＰＶＣの比重が、軟質材で約１．２３、硬質材で約１．４５であり、１より大であることを利用して、ＰＰやＰＥとの比重の違い及び比重差を利用した分別方法の学習と、ダイオキシンや環境ホルモンについての環境学習とを合わせて行うことも可能となる。
【００２８】
【発明の実施の形態】
（基本概念１）
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に示す実施例を参照して説明する。図１は本発明の植物栽培セットの概略構造を示す斜視図であり、図２は本発明の植物栽培用枠の第一の基本概念を示す斜視図である。図１に示すように、本発明に係る植物栽培セット１は、朝顔などの蔓性栽培植物（図示せず）の周囲を取り囲む複数の枠体から構成される植物栽培用枠１０と、この植物栽培用枠１０の下端部を保持固定する植木鉢２０（栽培容器）と、同じく植物栽培用枠１０の上端部を保持固定する補強具３０（保形部材；保持機構）とを備え、全体がＰＰ樹脂（非塩素系樹脂）で形成されている。この枠体は図１のような四面体形状の植物栽培用枠１０では４連（１０Ａ〜１０Ｄ）に構成され、これらの枠体１０Ａ〜１０Ｄが植物の成長方向に一斉にパンタグラフ状に伸縮可能とされている。そこで、枠体１０Ａ〜１０Ｄをパンタグラフ状に伸縮調節した後、植物栽培用枠１０の下端部を植木鉢２０の差込孔２１に挿通して保持固定し、植物栽培用枠１０の上端部を補強具３０で保持固定する。なお、２２は、栽培用土を入れて栽培植物の種を播いたり苗を移植したりするために、植木鉢２０に形成される凹部である。
【００２９】
図２を参照して、本発明の植物栽培用枠１０の第一の基本概念は、次のように表わされる。まず、栽培植物の成長方向を高さ方向（上下方向）として、その栽培植物の周囲に正四角柱状の仮想空間Ｒを形成する。この空間Ｒを互いに平行な上下複数の底面で高さ方向と直角方向（水平方向）に切ったとき、空間Ｒの周囲には切断底面数に応じて多数の側面が形成される。図２では、正四角柱が本来有する側面：４面と、上下４つの切断底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４が形成する段数：３段とを掛けた１２の側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ１４；Ｓ２１〜Ｓ２４；Ｓ３１〜Ｓ３４（図中一部省略）が形成される。
【００３０】
各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４には、対角線状に交差する一対の連結部材１１を設け、この一対の連結部材１１を、交差位置Ｘにて各々の側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４に沿って相対回動自在に連結する。また、隣接する二側面（例えばＳ１１とＳ１２）に位置する各一対の連結部材１１，１１の端部を、底面Ｂ１，Ｂ２の角隅部に配置された接続部材１２，１２に対してそれぞれ相対回動自在に連結する。このように、交差位置Ｘにて連結された一対の連結部材１１の両端部を接続部材１２を介して次々と連結することによって、連結部材１１が網目状に交差する植物栽培用枠１０を組み立てる。なお、高さ方向に連続する側面（例えばＳ１１，Ｓ２１，Ｓ３１）上に位置する複数（例えば３対）の連結部材１１と複数（例えば８個）の接続部材１２との組立体が図１の枠体１０Ａ〜１０Ｄに相当する。
【００３１】
このようにして、一対の連結部材１１を各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４において網目状に交差連結し、いずれかの連結部材１１をその交差位置Ｘで相対回動すれば、すべての連結部材１１を連動させて一斉に相対回動させることができる。これによって、植物栽培用枠１０（連結部材１１）が高さ方向（上下方向）にパンタグラフ状に伸長又は収縮し、それにつれて各底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の底面積は縮小又は拡大する。つまり、連結部材１１のパンタグラフ状の伸縮によって、植物栽培用枠１０の高さ調節と広さ調節とが同時に行われるので、比較的横方向に広がらずに縦方向によく伸びる植物（蔓性植物など）と、比較的縦方向には伸びずに横方向によく広がる植物（枝性植物など）とに応じて、高さと広さを容易に調節できる。
【００３２】
したがって、一対の連結部材１１を、その交差位置Ｘで相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸長していくと、各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４に設けられたすべての連結部材１１が底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の中央部に寄せ集められ、やがて植物栽培用枠１０（連結部材１１）は高さ方向にほぼ一直線状（棒状）に折り畳まれる（図７（ａ）参照）。一方、一対の連結部材１１を、その交差位置Ｘで相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に収縮していくと、各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４に設けられたすべての連結部材１１が底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の形状（図２では正方形）にて高さ方向に扁平状に折り畳まれる（図７（ｂ）参照）。
【００３３】
そこで、このような棒状又は扁平状に折り畳まれた状態から、植物栽培用枠１０（連結部材１１）を展開して植物栽培セット１として組み立てる手順を、さらに詳細に説明する。まず、連結部材１１をパンタグラフ状に伸縮させて最下位底面Ｂ４の大きさを調節しつつ、底面Ｂ４の角隅部に配置された接続部材１２，１２，１２，１２を植木鉢２０（栽培容器；図１参照）の差込孔２１，２１，２１，２１（係合部；図１参照）に挿通して、植物栽培用枠１０を保持固定する。次に、最上位底面Ｂ１の角隅部に配置された接続部材１２，１２，１２，１２に、その底面Ｂ１の形状を保持するための補強具３０（保形部材；保持機構；図１参照）を係合させて、植物栽培用枠１０を保持固定する。
【００３４】
また、最上位底面Ｂ１の角隅部に配置された接続部材１２，１２，１２，１２を介して、その最上位底面Ｂ１を共有する形で増設側面Ｓ０１〜Ｓ０４（図２参照）毎に一対の増設連結部材（図示せず）を配置すれば、植物栽培用枠１０を高さ方向（植物成長方向）に延長（増設）できる。
【００３５】
なお、図２では栽培植物の周囲に正四角柱状の仮想空間Ｒを形成（想定）したが、仮想空間Ｒは、ｎ角柱状の空間（ｎは３以上の整数）であればよく、正ｎ角柱状でなくてもよい。つまり、ｎ＝４の場合、その底面Ｂの形状が長方形、菱形、平行四辺形等にも本発明は適用される。そして、一対の連結部材１１の連結や連結部材１１と接続部材１２との連結に若干の余裕（ガタ）を付与しておけば、底面Ｂの形状と植木鉢２０の差込孔２１の配置形状とが完全に一致していなくても、植物栽培用枠１０を植木鉢２０に保持固定できる。
【００３６】
また、空間Ｒを切るために上下方向にｍ個の底面Ｂ１〜Ｂｍ（ｍは２以上の整数）があればよく、底面Ｂ１〜Ｂｍは互いに平行でなくてもあるいは水平方向でなくてもよい。ここで、ｍ−１は、一対の連結部材１１の高さ方向の積み重ね段数を表わし、ｍ＝２のとき一対の連結部材１１は１段に構成される。したがって、ｍ個の底面Ｂ１〜Ｂｍで切断されるｎ角柱状の空間Ｒに形成される側面Ｓの総数は、ｎ×（ｍ−１）面となる。さらに、空間Ｒは、ｎ角錐台状であってもよく、特に上方の底面Ｂほど底面積が大となるような上方広がり（下方すぼまり）空間としてもよい。
【００３７】
さらに、既述の通り、連結部材１１のパンタグラフ状の伸縮に基づき、植物栽培用枠１０の高さ調節に伴って広さが同時に変化するのに対応させて、植木鉢２０の差込孔２１（係合部）の配置寸法又は補強具３０（保形部材；保持機構）の配置寸法を連続的又は段階的に変えることができる。これによって栽培植物の適応範囲がさらに広くなる。
【００３８】
（実施例１）
次に、植物栽培用枠及び植物栽培セットの一実施例について、図３〜図１２を参照して説明する。図３は本発明の植物栽培セットの一実施例を示す正面図及び側面図である。図３の植物栽培セット１は、植物栽培用枠１０と植木鉢２０（栽培容器）と補強具３０（保形部材；保持機構）とを備え、図４に植物栽培用枠１０の正面図、図５にその平面図を示す。この植物栽培セット１は図１及び図２に示したものと基本的に同一機能を有するものである。そこで、以降の図において同一機能を有する部分には同一符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。
【００３９】
図３〜図１２に示す実施例において、連結部材１１は湾曲形状に形成されており、また、一対の連結部材１１の相互間と連結部材１１及び接続部材１２とは、それぞれ軸と軸孔の組合せによる二次元関節（二次元結合；回り対偶）によって二次元的に相対回動可能に連結されている。以下、これらの構造について説明する。
【００４０】
図５に示すように、連結部材１１は、平面視で（高さ方向から見て）交差位置Ｘに近づくほど外方に突出する湾曲形状に形成されるとともに、正四角柱状の仮想空間Ｒを内包し、かつ各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４（図２参照）の中央部が外側に膨出する膨出状空間を形成している。
【００４１】
一対の連結部材１１は、交差位置Ｘにて第一回動軸心Ｏ１周りに相対回動可能に二次元関節によって連結されている。また、一対の連結部材１１の端部と接続部材１２とは、連結部材１１のパンタグラフ状の伸長又は収縮にかかわらず、第一回動軸心Ｏ１とほぼ平行な第二回動軸心Ｏ２周りにそれぞれ相対回動可能に二次元関節によって連結されている（図４及び図５参照）。なお、接続部材１２は、植木鉢２０の差込孔２１（栽培容器側係合部）又は補強具３０の挿通孔３１（保形部材側係合部；図１２）に係合する係合軸１２Ａ１（接続部材側係合部）を有する第一接続部材１２Ａ（図１０）と、係合軸１２Ａ１を有しない第二接続部材１２Ｂ（図１１）とからなる。ただし、接続部材側係合部を差込孔とし、栽培容器側係合部を係合軸としてもよい。
【００４２】
図８に示すように、一対の連結部材１１のうち、内側に位置する内枠１１Ａの長手方向中間位置には、第一回動軸心Ｏ１を有する第一回動軸１１Ａ１（内枠側連結部）が突出形成されている。一方、図９に示すように、一対の連結部材１１のうち、外側に位置する外枠１１Ｂの長手方向中間位置には、第一回動軸心Ｏ１を有する第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１（外枠側連結部）が形成されている。そして、内枠１１Ａと外枠１１Ｂとは、第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１に第一回動軸１１Ａ１が挿入されることにより、交差位置Ｘ（図５）にて第一回動軸心Ｏ１周りに相対回動可能に連結されている。なお、内枠１１Ａの外周面１１Ａ３と外枠１１Ｂの内周面１１Ｂ３とは平面視においてほぼ等しい曲率（曲率半径）に形成されている（図５）。ただし、内枠側連結部を第一回動軸孔とし、外枠側連結部を第一回動軸としてもよい。
【００４３】
図６及び図１０（又は図１１）に示すように、第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）には、底面Ｂの内角を構成する二辺Ｌ１，Ｌ２の各々に沿って本体部１２Ａ０（又は１２Ｂ０）から板状の接続基部１２Ａ２，１２Ａ４（又は１２Ｂ２，１２Ｂ４）が突出している。接続基部１２Ａ２，１２Ａ４（又は１２Ｂ２，１２Ｂ４）からこれらに対してほぼ直交する方向に第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２を有する第二回動軸１２Ａ３１，１２Ａ３２，１２Ａ５１，１２Ａ５２（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）（接続部材側係止部）がそれぞれ突出形成されている。ここで、第二回動軸１２Ａ３１，１２Ａ３２（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２）は第二回動軸心Ｏ２の軸心方向に沿って空間Ｒの内外両方向に配置されている。また、第二回動軸１２Ａ５１，１２Ａ５２（又は１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）は第二回動軸心Ｏ２の軸心方向に沿って空間Ｒの内外両方向に配置されている。この結果、１個の第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）には計４個の第二回動軸１２Ａ３１，１２Ａ３２，１２Ａ５１，１２Ａ５２（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）が形成され、これらの第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２は高さ方向においてほぼ同一高さに位置する（図４）。なお、本実施例のように連結部材１１を湾曲形状に形成した場合、底面Ｂの内角を構成する二辺Ｌ１，Ｌ２は、平面視で第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）の本体部１２Ａ０（又は１２Ｂ０）の中心Ｏを結ぶ線分で表わすこととする（図５，図６参照）。
【００４４】
図８（又は図９）に示すように、連結部材１１のうち内枠１１Ａ（又は外枠１１Ｂ）の両端部には、第一回動軸心Ｏ１とほぼ平行な第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２を有する第二回動軸孔１１Ａ２，１１Ａ２（又は１１Ｂ２，１１Ｂ２）（連結部材側係止部）が各々形成されている。ただし、接続部材側係止部を第二回動軸孔とし、連結部材側係止部を第二回動軸としてもよい。
【００４５】
図６に示すように、第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）に形成された第二回動軸１２Ａ３１，１２Ａ３２，１２Ａ５１，１２Ａ５２（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）と、内枠１１Ａ（又は外枠１１Ｂ）に形成された第二回動軸孔１１Ａ２（又は１１Ｂ２）とが、共通する第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２周りに相対回動可能に結合されている。
【００４６】
図８及び図９に示す連結部材１１（内枠１１Ａ及び外枠１１Ｂ）において、第一回動軸心Ｏ１から両端部の第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２までの距離は等しく又はほぼ等しく設定されている。一方、図５（又は図６）に示す接続部材１２（第一接続部材１２Ａ及び第二接続部材１２Ｂ）において、本体部１２Ａ０（１２Ｂ０）の中心Ｏから両側の第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２までの距離は等しく又はほぼ等しく設定されている。したがって、第一回動軸心Ｏ１（交差位置Ｘ）における一対の連結部材１１の相対回動、及び第二回動軸心Ｏ２における連結部材１１と接続部材１２との相対回動が、円滑にかつ一斉に行われ、連結部材１１や接続部材１２の共用化を図りやすくなる。
【００４７】
図４において、一対の連結部材１１を、その交差位置Ｘで相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸長していくと、各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４（図２）に設けられたすべての連結部材１１が底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４（図２）の中央部に寄せ集められ、やがて植物栽培用枠１０（連結部材１１）は、図７（ａ）に示すように高さ方向にほぼ一直線状（棒状）に折り畳まれる。一方、図４において、一対の連結部材１１を、その交差位置Ｘで相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に収縮していくと、図７（ｂ）に示すように各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４（図２）に設けられたすべての連結部材１１が底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４（図２）の形状（図２では正方形）にて高さ方向に扁平状に折り畳まれる。
【００４８】
図８及び図９に示すように、連結部材１１（内枠１１Ａ及び外枠１１Ｂ）には、その周面に栽培植物の蔓を巻き付きやすくするための突出部１１１が形成されている。この突出部１１１は、連結部材１１の外周面上の複数（例えば６）箇所において交差線１１１ａがたすき掛け状にクロスさせて形成され、その両側の側面（上面及び下面）上において鋸刃状の屈曲線１１１ｂが断続的（不連続）に複数（例えば６）箇所に形成されている。
【００４９】
次に、図１２に補強具３０（保形部材；保持機構）の一例を示す。細長い棒状に形成された補強具３０は、その両端部に挿通孔３１を有している。具体的には、補強具３０の一端部に形成された係合軸挿通リング３２と、他端部に形成された係合軸挿通ブロック３３とにそれぞれ挿通孔３１が設けられている。そして、植木鉢２０と植物栽培用枠１０とが組み立てられた後（図３）、第一接続部材１２Ａの本体部１２Ａ０に続く係合軸１２Ａ１に補強具３０の挿通孔３１を嵌め込んで、最上位底面Ｂ１の形状を保持し、植物栽培用枠１０の倒れを防止する（図５参照）。その際、形状保持効果を高めるため、補強具３０を最上位底面Ｂ１の対角線上に位置させるとともに、２本の補強具３０をたすき掛け状にクロスさせて配置するとよい。なお、両端部の挿通孔３１，３１の相互間隔を可変にするか間隔が異なるものを準備するかすれば、植物栽培用枠１０をパンタグラフ状に伸縮した後、最上位底面Ｂ１の大きさに合わせて第一接続部材１２Ａの係合軸１２Ａ１に補強具３０を取り付けることができる。
【００５０】
また、図１３（ａ）に示すように、最上位底面Ｂ１の角隅部に配置される第一接続部材１２Ａにおいて、本体部１２Ａ０に続く係合軸１２Ａ１を下向きに取り付けることができる。この場合、補強具３０が最上端部に位置しなくなって手等が接触しにくくなるため、補強具３０が係合軸１２Ａ１から外れにくくなり、見栄えもよくなる。
【００５１】
さらに、図１２に示すように、補強具３０の他端部に形成された係合軸挿通ブロック３３には、他端側から長手方向に沿って嵌合凹部３４が形成され、この嵌合凹部３４は、係合軸挿通リング３２を挿入すると樹脂の変形を利用して嵌め込み固定が可能な構造とされている。そこで、２本の補強具３０のうち一方の補強具３０の嵌合凹部３４に、他方の補強具３０の係合軸挿通リング３２を嵌め込み固定すると、図１３（ｂ）のような１本の棒状の補助支柱４０が完成する。植物栽培用枠１０の代りに、この補助支柱４０を植木鉢２０の凹部２２に立てれば、蔓性でない他の植物（例えばミニトマト）を栽培するときの茎の支持等に使用することができる。
【００５２】
図１４に補強具の変形例を示す。この補強具１３０は、本体部１３１が十字形に交差して板状に一体成形され、本体部１３１の４つの端部には板状面に直立状に突起１３２が形成されている。最上位底面Ｂ１の角隅部に配置される第一接続部材１２Ａの係合軸１２Ａ１が、図１０に示すようなパイプ状凹部１２Ａ１１を有する場合には、この凹部１２Ａ１１に補強具１３０の突起１３２を挿入すれば、既述の補強具３０と同様に最上位底面Ｂ１の形状を保持し、植物栽培用枠１０の倒れを防止する（図５参照）ことができる。なお、図１４に示すように、本体部１３１の各端部に位置をずらせた複数の突起１３２を形成すれば、植物栽培用枠１０をパンタグラフ状に伸縮した後、最上位底面Ｂ１の大きさに合わせて第一接続部材１２Ａの係合軸１２Ａ１に補強具３０の突起１３２を選択的に取り付けることができる。
【００５３】
図１５には、連結部材と接続部材との連結構造の変更例を示す。この連結部材２１１と接続部材２１２とはボールジョイントを用いた球面と球面の組合せによる三次元関節（三次元結合；球面対偶）によって三次元的に相対回動可能に連結されている。したがって、このような植物栽培用枠２１０の場合、パンタグラフ状の収縮によって扁平状に折り畳んだ状態（図１５（ａ））から、ボールジョイントにより三次元的に変形し、底面Ｂを構成する四辺において隣り合う二辺が折り重なる状態（図１５（ｂ））、さらに四辺が寄せ集められた一塊状態（図１５（ｃ））にまで折り畳むことができる。
【００５４】
（実施例２）
次に、植物栽培用枠の他の実施例について、図１６〜図２２を参照して説明する。図１６は本発明の植物栽培用枠の第二実施例を示す正面図、図１７はその平面図である。この植物栽培用枠１０は図１及び図２に示したもの又は実施例１に示したものと基本的に同一機能を有するものである。そこで、以降の図において同一機能を有する部分には同一符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。
【００５５】
図１６〜図２２に示す実施例において、一対の連結部材１１の相互間と連結部材１１及び接続部材１２とは、実施例１と同様にそれぞれ軸と軸孔の組合せによる二次元関節（二次元結合；回り対偶）によって二次元的に相対回動可能に連結されている（図１７参照）。ただし、連結部材１１は実施例１とは異なりストレート形状（直線状）に形成されている。したがって、連結部材１１は正四角柱状の仮想空間Ｒ（図１７）とほぼ一致する空間を形成している。
【００５６】
図１９に示すように、一対の連結部材１１のうち、内側に位置する内枠１１Ａの長手方向中間位置には、第一回動軸心Ｏ１を有する第一回動軸１１Ａ１（内枠側連結部）が突出形成されている。一方、図２０に示すように、一対の連結部材１１のうち、外側に位置する外枠１１Ｂの長手方向中間位置には、第一回動軸心Ｏ１を有する第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１（外枠側連結部）が形成されている。そして、内枠１１Ａと外枠１１Ｂとは、第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１に第一回動軸１１Ａ１が挿入されることにより、交差位置Ｘ（図１７）にて第一回動軸心Ｏ１周りに相対回動可能に連結されている。なお、内枠１１Ａの外周面１１Ａ３と外枠１１Ｂの内周面１１Ｂ３とは平面視においてほぼ接するように形成されている（図１７）。ただし、内枠側連結部を第一回動軸孔とし、外枠側連結部を第一回動軸としてもよい。
【００５７】
図１７及び図２１（又は図２２）に示すように、第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）には、底面Ｂの内角を構成する二辺Ｌ１，Ｌ２の各々に沿って本体部１２Ａ０（又は１２Ｂ０）からブロック状の接続基部１２Ａ２，１２Ａ４（又は１２Ｂ２，１２Ｂ４）が突出している。接続基部１２Ａ２，１２Ａ４（又は１２Ｂ２，１２Ｂ４）からこれらに対してほぼ直交する方向に第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２を有する第二回動軸孔１２Ａ３，１２Ａ５（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）（接続部材側係止部）がそれぞれ形成されている。ここで、第二回動軸孔１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２は第二回動軸心Ｏ２の軸心方向に沿って空間Ｒの内外両方向に配置されている。また、第二回動軸孔１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２は第二回動軸心Ｏ２の軸心方向に沿って空間Ｒの内外両方向に配置されている。この結果、１個の第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）には計２個（又は計４個）の第二回動軸孔１２Ａ３，１２Ａ５（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）が形成される。なお、第二接続部材１２Ｂの第二回動軸孔１２Ｂ３１と１２Ｂ３２、１２Ｂ５１と１２Ｂ５２はそれぞれ上下に異なる高さに位置する（図１６，図２２（ｆ））。
【００５８】
図１９（又は図２０）に示すように、連結部材１１のうち内枠１１Ａ（又は外枠１１Ｂ）の両端部には、第一回動軸心Ｏ１とほぼ平行な第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２を有する第二回動軸１１Ａ２，１１Ａ２（又は１１Ｂ２，１１Ｂ２）（連結部材側係止部）が各々突出形成されている。ただし、接続部材側係止部を第二回動軸とし、連結部材側係止部を第二回動軸孔としてもよい。
【００５９】
図１７に示すように、第一接続部材１２Ａ（又は第二接続部材１２Ｂ）に形成された第二回動軸孔１２Ａ３，１２Ａ５（又は１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２）と、内枠１１Ａ（又は外枠１１Ｂ）に形成された第二回動軸１１Ａ２（又は１１Ｂ２）とが、共通する第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２周りに相対回動可能に結合されている。
【００６０】
図１９及び図２０に示す連結部材１１（内枠１１Ａ及び外枠１１Ｂ）において、第一回動軸心Ｏ１から両端部の第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２までの距離は等しく又はほぼ等しく設定されている。一方、図１７に示す接続部材１２（第一接続部材１２Ａ及び第二接続部材１２Ｂ）において、本体部１２Ａ０（１２Ｂ０）の中心Ｏから両側の第二回動軸心Ｏ２，Ｏ２までの距離は等しく又はほぼ等しく設定されている。したがって、第一回動軸心Ｏ１（交差位置Ｘ）における一対の連結部材１１の相対回動、及び第二回動軸心Ｏ２における連結部材１１と接続部材１２との相対回動が、円滑にかつ一斉に行われ、連結部材１１や接続部材１２の共用化を図りやすくなる。
【００６１】
図１６において、一対の連結部材１１を、その交差位置Ｘで相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸長していくと、各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４（図２）に設けられたすべての連結部材１１が底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４（図２）の中央部に寄せ集められ、やがて植物栽培用枠１０（連結部材１１）は、図１８（ａ）に示すように高さ方向にほぼ一直線状（棒状）に折り畳まれる。一方、図１６において、一対の連結部材１１を、その交差位置Ｘで相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に収縮していくと、図１８（ｂ）に示すように各側面Ｓ１１〜Ｓ３４（図２）に設けられたすべての連結部材１１が底面Ｂ１〜Ｂ４（図１７）の形状（図１７では正方形）にて高さ方向に扁平状に折り畳まれる。
【００６２】
図１９及び図２０に示すように、連結部材１１（内枠１１Ａ及び外枠１１Ｂ）には、その周面に栽培植物の蔓を巻き付きやすくするための突出部１１１が形成されている。この突出部１１１は、連結部材１１の外周面上において楕円形状・亀甲形状等の閉曲線１１１ｃが連続するように網目状に形成され、その両側の側面（上面及び下面）上において鋸刃状の屈曲線１１１ｄが連続するように形成されている。
【００６３】
（実施例３）
次に、植物栽培用枠のさらに別の実施例について、図２３〜図３０を参照して説明する。図２３は本発明の植物栽培用枠の第三実施例を示す正面図である。この植物栽培用枠１０は図１及び図２に示したもの又は実施例１に示したものと基本的に同一機能を有するものである。そこで、以降の図において同一機能を有する部分には同一符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。
【００６４】
本実施例では実施例１から次の事項が変更されている。
（１）本実施例では補強具（保形部材）が設けられず、底面Ｂを所定の底面形状に保持し、かつ、一対の連結部材１１を所定の交差角度に維持するための保持機構として、連結部材１１にラッチ部１３（阻止部材）が設けられている（図２５，図２６）。
（２）本実施例では、最下位底面Ｂ４（図２）の角隅部に配置される４個の接続部材１２のみが係合軸１２Ａ１を有する第一接続部材１２Ａで構成され、残りの接続部材１２は係合軸１２Ａ１を有しない第二接続部材１２Ｂで構成されている（図２３）。
（３）本実施例では、接続部材１２の本体部１２Ａ０，１２Ｂ０から突出する接続基部１２Ａ２，１２Ａ４，１２Ｂ２，１２Ｂ４を、底面Ｂの内角を構成する二辺Ｌ１，Ｌ２よりも外側に位置させてある（図２９，図３０）。なお、第一接続部材１２Ａには２個の第二回動軸１２Ａ３２，１２Ａ５１のみが形成されている（図２９）。
【００６５】
ここでは、図２７及び図２８を参照して、連結部材１１に設けられるラッチ部１３について詳述する。ラッチ部１３は一対の連結部材１１、具体的には内枠１１Ａと外枠１１Ｂとの間に設けられている。内枠１１Ａには、第一回動軸１１Ａ１を挟んで長手方向の２ヶ所に、第一回動軸１１Ａ１とほぼ同じ高さで外方に突出する凸部１３Ａ（第一阻止部材）が形成されている（図２５）。一方、外枠１１Ｂには、第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１を有するボス部１１Ｂ０に所定深さの環状凹部１３Ｂ（第二阻止部材）が形成されている（図２６）。そして、内枠１１Ａの第一回動軸１１Ａ１が外枠１１Ｂの第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１に相対回動可能に嵌合されたとき、内枠１１Ａに形成された凸部１３Ａは、外枠１１Ｂに形成された環状凹部１３Ｂに挿入される（図２８（ａ））。
【００６６】
外枠１１Ｂの環状凹部１３Ｂには、その内周面の２ヶ所に１８０度間隔で凹陥部１３Ｂ１が形成され、各々の凹陥部１３Ｂ１の両側には隆起部１３Ｂ２，１３Ｂ２が形成されている。内枠１１Ａの凸部１３Ａは、第一回動軸心Ｏ１周りで回転したときに、プラスチック（例えばＰＰ樹脂）の弾性により隆起部１３Ｂ２を乗り越えて凹陥部１３Ｂ１に嵌り込むことができる。また、内枠１１Ａの凸部１３Ａには、その本体部から半径方向に延出する耳部１３Ａ１が形成され、隆起部１３Ｂ２との接触により撓んで乗り越えやすくなっている。
【００６７】
次に、ラッチ部１３の作用（作動）について説明する。植物栽培用枠１０（連結部材１１）を図２７（ａ）の棒状折り畳み形態から展開すると、内枠１１Ａの第一回動軸１１Ａ１と外枠１１Ｂの第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１との相対回転に伴って、内枠１１Ａの凸部１３Ａが外枠１１Ｂの隆起部１３Ｂ２を乗り越え、凹陥部１３Ｂ１に落ち込んで相対回転を停止させる（阻止する）。これによって、連結部材１１は、図２７（ｂ）の相対位置を維持することができる。一方、図２７（ｃ）の扁平状折り畳み形態から展開すると、上記と同様にして凸部１３Ａが凹陥部１３Ｂ１に落ち込んで相対回転を停止させる（阻止する）。なお連結部材１１の相対回転阻止状態（図２７（ｂ））を解除するには、凸部１３Ａがいずれかの隆起部１３Ｂ２を乗り越えて凹陥部１３Ｂ１から脱出すれば、棒状折り畳み形態（図２７（ａ））又は扁平状折り畳み形態（図２７（ｃ））に戻ることができる。
【００６８】
なお、この実施例では、展開状態（使用状態；図２７（ｂ））でのみラッチ部１３が作用して連結部材１１がロックされるように構成したが、棒状折り畳み形態（図２７（ａ））や扁平状折り畳み形態（図２７（ｃ））においてもロック可能となるように、凹陥部１３Ｂ１を複数形成してもよい。また、内枠１１Ａに環状凹部、外枠１１Ｂに凸部を設けてもよい。さらに、ラッチ部１３は第一回動軸１１Ａ１、第一回動軸孔１１Ｂ１に直接形成してもよい。
【００６９】
（基本概念２）
図３１は本発明の植物栽培用枠の第二の基本概念を示す斜視図、図３２はその平面図である。
図３１を参照して、本発明の植物栽培用枠１０’の第二の基本概念は、次のように表わされる。まず、栽培植物の成長方向を高さ方向（上下方向）として、その栽培植物の周囲に円柱状の仮想空間Ｒ’を形成する。この空間Ｒ’を互いに平行な上下複数（例えば４個）の底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’で高さ方向と直角方向（水平方向）に切り、各底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’においてその周縁部に各々等しい数（例えば４個）の接続部材１２’を配置する。そして、これらの接続部材１２’によって分割形成される各側面、具体的には、隣接する二底面（例えばＢ１’とＢ２’）に近接配置される４個の接続部材１２’，１２’，１２’，１２’によって円柱の周面上に形成される各側面Ｓ１１’〜Ｓ３４’において、対角線状に交差する一対の連結部材１１’を設ける。この一対の連結部材１１’を、交差位置Ｘ’にて各々の側面Ｓ１１’〜Ｓ３４’に沿って相対回動自在に連結する。また、隣接する二側面（例えばＳ１１’とＳ１２’）に位置する各一対の連結部材１１’，１１’の端部を、接続部材１２’，１２’に対してそれぞれ相対回動自在に連結する。なお、図３１では、上下４つの切断底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’が形成する段数：３段と、各底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’の周縁部に配置されるの接続部材１２’の数：４個とを掛けた１２の側面Ｓ１１’〜Ｓ１４’；Ｓ２１’〜Ｓ２４’；Ｓ３１’〜Ｓ３４’（図中一部省略）が形成される。
【００７０】
図３２に示すように、一対の連結部材１１’（内枠１１Ａ７と外枠１１Ｂ’）は、交差位置Ｘ’にて第一回動軸心Ｏ１’周りに相対回動可能に連結される。さらに、連結部材１１’と接続部材１２’とは、底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’（図３１）において半径方向に沿って形成される第二回動軸心Ｏ２’を有する二次元関節（二次元結合；回り対偶）にて、それぞれ相対回動可能に連結されている。ただし、一対の連結部材１１’の第一回動軸心Ｏ１’周りでの相対回動に伴う第二回動軸心Ｏ２’の変位を吸収するために、この二次元関節には、所定の隙間（遊び、ガタ）が付与されている。なお、連結部材１１’と接続部材１２’とは、隙間を有する二次元関節の代わりにユニバーサルジョイント等の三次元関節（三次元結合；球面対偶）で相対回動可能に連結してもよい。
【００７１】
このようにして、一対の連結部材１１’を各側面Ｓ１１’〜Ｓ３４’において網目状に交差連結し、いずれかの連結部材１１’をその交差位置Ｘ’で相対回動すれば、すべての連結部材１１’を連動させて一斉に相対回動させることができる。これによって、植物栽培用枠１０’（連結部材１１’）が高さ方向（上下方向）にパンタグラフ状に伸長又は収縮し、それにつれて各底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’の底面積は縮小又は拡大する。つまり、連結部材１１’のパンタグラフ状の伸縮によって、植物栽培用枠１０’の高さ調節と広さ調節とが同時に行われるので、比較的横方向に広がらずに縦方向によく伸びる植物（蔓性植物など）と、比較的縦方向には伸びずに横方向によく広がる植物（枝性植物など）とに応じて、高さと広さを容易に調節できる。
【００７２】
したがって、一対の連結部材１１’を、その交差位置Ｘ’で相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に伸長していくと、各側面Ｓ１１’〜Ｓ３４’に設けられたすべての連結部材１１’が底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’の中央部に寄せ集められ、やがて植物栽培用枠１０’（連結部材１１’）は高さ方向にほぼ一直線状（棒状）に折り畳まれる。一方、一対の連結部材１１’を、その交差位置Ｘ’で相対回動することにより高さ方向にパンタグラフ状に収縮していくと、各側面Ｓ１１’〜Ｓ３４’に設けられたすべての連結部材１１’が底面Ｂ１’〜Ｂ４’の形状（図３２では円形）にて高さ方向に扁平状に折り畳まれる。
【００７３】
以上の説明では、主として小学校での栽培実習用に使用する場合を中心に述べたが、本発明に係る植物栽培用枠及び／又は植物栽培セットは、ベランダでの家庭菜園用、イベント会場での装飾植栽用等広範囲に用いることができ、その用途は特定されない。また、植物栽培セット全体がＰＰ樹脂で形成されているため、使用後に焼却処分を行ってもダイオキシンを発生せず、環境ホルモンとして作用するおそれもない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の植物栽培セットの概略構造を示す斜視図。
【図２】本発明の植物栽培用枠の第一の基本概念を示す斜視図。
【図３】本発明の植物栽培用枠及び植物栽培セットの一実施例を示す正面図及び側面図。
【図４】図３の植物栽培用枠の正面図。
【図５】図３の植物栽培用枠の平面図。
【図６】図５の拡大図。
【図７】図４の植物栽培用枠を折り畳んだ状態を示す正面図。
【図８】内枠の左側面図、正面図及び右側面図。
【図９】外枠の左側面図、正面図及び右側面図。
【図１０】第一接続部材の左側面図、正面図、右側面図、底面図及び斜視図。
【図１１】第二接続部材の左側面図、正面図、右側面図、底面図及び斜視図。
【図１２】補強具の正面図、側面図及び斜視図。
【図１３】補強具の他の使用状態例を表わす説明図で、（ａ）は第一接続部材の下向き係合軸に取り付ける場合、（ｂ）は補助支柱として使用する場合をそれぞれ示す。
【図１４】補強具の変形例を示す平面図及び正面図。
【図１５】連結部材と接続部材との連結構造の変更例を示す説明図。
【図１６】本発明の植物栽培用枠の他の実施例を示す正面図。
【図１７】図１６の植物栽培用枠の平面図。
【図１８】図１６の植物栽培用枠を折り畳んだ状態を示す正面図。
【図１９】内枠の左側面図、正面図及び右側面図。
【図２０】外枠の左側面図、正面図及び右側面図。
【図２１】第一接続部材の平面図、左側面図、正面図、右側面図、底面図及び斜視図。
【図２２】第二接続部材の平面図、左側面図、正面図、右側面図、底面図及び斜視図。
【図２３】本発明の植物栽培用枠のさらに別の実施例を示す正面図。
【図２４】図２３の植物栽培用枠を折り畳んだ状態を示す正面図。
【図２５】内枠の左側面図、正面図及び右側面図。
【図２６】外枠の左側面図、正面図及び右側面図。
【図２７】ラッチ部の作用を説明する拡大正面図。
【図２８】（ａ）は図２７（ｂ）のＡ−Ａ断面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）のＢ−Ｂ断面図。
【図２９】第一接続部材の正面図、右側面図、底面図及び斜視図。
【図３０】第二接続部材の正面図、右側面図、底面図及び斜視図。
【図３１】本発明の植物栽培用枠の第二の基本概念を示す斜視図。
【図３２】図３１の植物栽培用枠の平面図。
【符号の説明】
１植物栽培セット
１０植物栽培用枠
１１連結部材
１１１突出部
１１Ａ内枠
１１Ａ１第一回動軸（内枠側連結部）
１１Ａ２第二回動軸孔（連結部材側係止部）
１１Ｂ外枠
１１Ｂ１第一回動軸孔（外枠側連結部）
１１Ｂ２第二回動軸孔（連結部材側係止部）
１２接続部材
１２Ａ第一接続部材
１２Ａ１係合軸（接続部材側係合部）
１２Ａ３１，１２Ａ３２，１２Ａ５１，１２Ａ５２第二回動軸（接続部材側係止部）
１２Ｂ第二接続部材
１２Ｂ３１，１２Ｂ３２，１２Ｂ５１，１２Ｂ５２第二回動軸（接続部材側係止部）
１３ラッチ部（阻止部材；保持機構）
２０植木鉢（栽培容器）
２１差込孔（栽培容器側係合部）
３０補強具（保形部材；保持機構）
３１挿通孔（保形部材側係合部）
Ｏ１第一回動軸心
Ｏ２第二回動軸心[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a frame for plant cultivation and a plant cultivation set using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, cultivation training of vines such as morning glory has been carried out in elementary schools using a plant cultivation set including a flower pot and a support. In recent years, the props used for such plant cultivation sets have been required to be folded compactly during transportation and when not in use to reduce transportation costs and reduce storage space. A structure to be attached is required. Therefore, it is composed of four substantially parallel vertical columns, connection pieces fixed at the intersections of the columns and the horizontal plane, and connecting rods rotatably connected to both ends of each connection piece. A supported strut structure is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Utility Model Registration No. 3084234
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the above column structure, it can be folded into a rod shape when transported or not used, and can be expanded into a frame shape with four columns standing upright at the four corners when used. However, since the column becomes a long rod of about 1 m when folded, there may be a case where a sufficient space corresponding to the length cannot be secured depending on the storage location. In addition, when transporting one to several small lots, there is a problem that it is difficult to handle (cannot be sent in one package) due to the large difference in shape between the rod-shaped support structure and the box-shaped flower pot. . Furthermore, it is known that a vine such as morning glory has a property of being easily wound around a member in a vertical direction or an oblique direction and difficult to wind around a horizontal member. Therefore, even in the above-described structure, the vertical member is composed of only four corner posts, so that “morning glory vines are difficult to extend upward”, “because it tends to wrap around one of the four corners. It has not been able to solve the conventional problem of “easily growing”.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation frame that can be folded into a rod-like shape or a flat shape in a single touch when transporting or not in use, and has a structure in which a vine is easily wound when used, and a plant cultivation set using the frame It is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to solve the above problems, the basic configuration of the plant cultivation frame according to the present invention is:
A plant cultivation frame that can form a space extending up and down around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
Diagonal Intersecting linearly And then At the intersection Phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The A pair of connecting members Is a basic unit, and each basic unit edge Is a phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The basic units are framed so as to be connected in a cylindrical shape in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction of the space via the connecting members, and the space is defined in a state where the basic unit groups extend in a pantograph shape. It is characterized by that.
[0007]
Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, the 1st specific structure of the plant cultivation frame which concerns on this invention is the following.
It is a frame for plant cultivation that can form a prismatic or pyramid-shaped space around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
Diagonal Intersecting linearly And then At the intersection Phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The A pair of connecting members Is a basic unit, and each basic unit edge Is a phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The basic units are framed so as to be linked in a polygonal cylindrical shape in the vertical direction and circumferential direction of the space via the connecting members, and the space is defined in a state where these basic unit groups extend in a pantograph shape. It is characterized by that.
[0008]
Furthermore, in order to solve the said subject, the 2nd specific structure of the plant cultivation frame which concerns on this invention is the following.
A plant cultivation frame capable of forming a regular quadrangular prism-shaped space around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
Diagonal Intersecting linearly And then At the intersection Phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The A pair of connecting members Is a basic unit, and each basic unit edge Is a phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The basic units are framed so as to be linked in the form of a regular square cylinder in the vertical and circumferential directions of the space via the connecting members, and the space is defined in a state in which the basic unit groups extend in a pantograph shape. Ru It is characterized by that.
[0009]
In these inventions, the long struts that have conventionally been erected in the height direction are eliminated, and a connecting member that intersects in an oblique direction is used instead. Thereby, if this connection member is extended in the pantograph shape in the height direction, it can be accommodated in a rod shape (straight line shape), while if it is contracted in the pantograph shape in the height direction, it can be folded flat. Therefore, it can be folded compactly with a single touch in the shape of a rod or flat according to the transportation cost and storage space when not in use. In addition, during use (cultivation), the connecting members are arranged so as to intersect with each other in an oblique direction in which the vines are easily wound, so that it is easy to observe the growth of morning glory and the like.
[0010]
And in said 2nd specific structure, the comparatively wide cultivation space is produced around the cultivation plant by setting it as the frame for plant cultivation which can form a regular square pillar-shaped space around the cultivation plant. In addition, by using a square prismatic space and bottom surfaces parallel to each other, the connecting members that intersect diagonally on each side surface can be a common part of the same length and shape, reducing manufacturing costs, and Smooth relative rotation is possible.
[0011]
Such a connecting member is formed in a curved shape that protrudes outward as it approaches the crossing position when viewed from the height direction, includes a prismatic or truncated pyramid space, and is viewed from the height direction. You may make it form the bulging-like space where the center part of each side surface bulges outside. The space spreads outward from the central part of each side surface, and the growth of cultivated plants can be energetic and gorgeous. In addition, as the bulged space, for example, when forming a pseudo-prism or pseudo-pyramidal space, or forming a pseudo-cylindrical or pseudo-conical space.
[0012]
By the way, a connection member and a connection member can be connected by a spherical pair so that relative rotation is possible three-dimensionally. In the case of using a spherical pair (three-dimensional joint; three-dimensional coupling) such as a ball joint, the connecting member and the connecting member can be further folded by twisting. On the other hand, the connecting member and the connecting member can be connected in a two-dimensional manner so as to be relatively rotatable in a pair of pairs such as a combination of a shaft and a shaft hole. According to the turning pair (two-dimensional joint; two-dimensional coupling), there is an advantage that the relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the connecting member can be smoothly performed.
[0013]
In the case of the turning pair, a pair of connecting members are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the first rotation axis at the crossing position, and the end portions of the pair of connecting members and the connecting member are connected to each other (the connecting member). It is desirable to connect each other around a second rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first rotation axis so as to be relatively rotatable. In this way, when the connecting member is extended or shrunk in a pantograph shape, the connecting portion between the end of the pair of connecting members and the connecting member rotates more smoothly, and the height of the plant cultivation frame is increased. Smoothness adjustment can be performed smoothly.
[0014]
Specifically, the connection member is formed with a connection member side locking portion having a second rotation axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to one of the two sides constituting the inner angle of the bottom surface, and connected to the connection member. At both ends of the member, a connecting member side locking portion having a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis is formed, and a connection member side locking portion formed on the connection member; One of the connecting member side locking portions formed on the connecting member can be coupled to be rotatable around a common second rotation axis. In this way, by forming a locking portion on each of the connecting member and the connecting member, and assembling such that these locking portions can be relatively rotated around a common second rotation axis, for plant cultivation. The frame can be manufactured accurately and easily.
[0015]
And in order to solve the said subject, the 3rd specific structure of the plant cultivation frame which concerns on this invention is the following.
A plant cultivation frame capable of forming a columnar or frustoconical space around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
Diagonal Intersecting linearly And then At the intersection Phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely The A pair of connecting members Is a basic unit, and each basic unit edge Is a phase It is connected so that it can rotate freely Through the connecting member, the basic unit is framed so as to be connected in a cylindrical shape in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction of the space, and the space is defined in a state where the basic unit group extends in a pantograph shape. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
Also in the present invention, the connecting member can be stored in a bar shape (straight line) if it is extended in the pantograph shape in the height direction, while it can be folded into a circular flat shape if it is contracted in the pantograph shape in the height direction. Moreover, by setting it as the frame for plant cultivation which can form the columnar or frustoconical space around the cultivated plant, the cultivated plant can be placed in an axial position (axisymmetric) with respect to these spaces. It becomes easier to appreciate plants.
[0017]
Also in the third specific configuration, the connecting member and the connecting member can be connected to each other in a three-dimensional manner so as to be relatively rotatable with a spherical pair, and can be folded into a rod shape or a flat shape, or can be folded into a smaller size. Easy to do. On the other hand, the connecting member and the connecting member can be connected to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other. In this case, the pair of connecting members are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the first rotation axis at the crossing position, and have a second rotation axis formed along the radial direction on the bottom surface. And if a connection member and a connection member are connected in the rotation pair which has a predetermined | prescribed clearance gap (play), a pair of connection member, a connection member, and a connection member can be relatively rotated relatively and can be folded.
[0018]
In any case, a pair of connecting members intersect each other (for example, in a mesh shape), and by rotating relative to each other at the intersecting position, they expand or contract in a pantograph shape in the height direction, and the bottom area is reduced at the same time. Or if it expands, it can respond freely according to the height, the width direction (bottom area) space at the time of cultivation, the kind, variety, etc. of the cultivation plant.
[0019]
Therefore, when the pair of connecting members extend in a pantograph shape in the height direction, all the connecting members provided on each side surface are gathered together at the center of the bottom surface and can be folded in a substantially straight line in the height direction. . Further, when the pair of connecting members contracts in a pantograph shape in the height direction, all the connecting members provided on each side surface can be folded flat in the height direction in the shape of the bottom surface. Thereby, as above-mentioned, the frame for plant cultivation of this invention can be folded compactly by one-touch according to storage space etc. in a rod shape or flat shape.
[0020]
Moreover, it is good also as a pair of connection member being able to increase in a plant growth direction in the form which shares a top bottom face via the connection member arrange | positioned at the top bottom face. As cultivated plants such as morning glory grow with growing vines, by adding connecting members in the plant growth direction, you can double your interest and enjoyment in daily observation, and you can expect further learning effects .
[0021]
In addition, you may form the protrusion part for making the vine of a cultivated plant easy to wind around the surrounding surface of a connection member. Along with the fact that the connecting members are arranged so as to cross each other in an oblique direction, the vine is more easily wound.
[0022]
Furthermore, when such a plant cultivation frame has a holding mechanism for holding the bottom surface in a predetermined bottom shape (or bottom area), the plant cultivation frame is changed from a rod-like or flat folded state to a predetermined unfolded state. Since it is possible to open and maintain its state, it can be easily attached to a cultivation container (flower pot). Moreover, by providing a holding mechanism for holding the bottom surface shape, the plant cultivation frame is less likely to tilt or fall down due to wind or the like.
[0023]
The holding mechanism can be provided on at least one of the pair of connecting members in order to maintain the pair of connecting members at a predetermined crossing angle. For example, when the holding mechanism is a blocking member that prevents the rotation of the shaft or the shaft hole around the first rotation axis that connects the pair of connecting members so as to be relatively rotatable, the relative of the pair of connecting members By rotating, the plant cultivation frame can be easily switched to three modes: a rod-like folded state, a self-supporting state, and a flat folded state.
Or the said holding | maintenance mechanism can be provided in the connection member arrange | positioned at the uppermost bottom face. For example, when the holding mechanism is a shape-retaining member that engages with a connecting member arranged on the uppermost bottom surface and holds the shape of the bottom surface, it can be made independent when the frame for plant cultivation is deployed. It becomes.
[0024]
And including the frame for plant cultivation as mentioned above, and the cultivation container which has the engaging part for the connecting member arranged in the lowest bottom face to engage directly or indirectly through other members By configuring the plant cultivation set, even a younger child can easily attach the plant cultivation frame to the cultivation container (flower pot) by one-touch development.
[0025]
Now, the plant cultivation frame according to the present invention is expressed as “consisting of a plurality of frames surrounding the cultivated plant, and these frames can expand and contract in a pantograph shape all at once in the growth direction of the plant”. You can also. As described above, since the plurality of frames can be expanded and contracted in a pantograph shape at the same time, the height of the plant cultivation frame can be easily adjusted as described above, and the width can be adjusted together with the height adjustment. Furthermore, by adopting a pantograph-like expansion / contraction structure, it can be expanded to the maximum and folded into a rod shape (straight line), or it can be maximally contracted and folded into a flat shape. Can be selected.
[0026]
Furthermore, it is desirable to form a frame used for such a frame for plant cultivation with a non-chlorine resin having a specific gravity of less than 1.0. Specifically, as the resin forming the frame, polypropylene (abbreviated as PP), polyethylene (abbreviated as PE), etc., usually used in a specific gravity range of 0.9 or more and less than 1.0 are recommended. .
[0027]
Conventionally, polyvinyl chloride (abbreviated as PVC and abbreviated as PVC), which is a kind of chlorinated resin, has been widely used as a molding material for toys, learning materials and the like. PVC is suitable for mass production at low cost because it is easy to mold and has excellent weather resistance. However, when a substance containing chlorine is incompletely burned (for example, at a combustion temperature of 900 ° C. or lower), it is known that a highly toxic dioxin is generated, and a plasticizer mixed with PVC acts as an environmental hormone. Has also been reported. Therefore, in recent years, the separate collection of PVC products has been screamed, and environmental education for children at school and at home is also regarded as important. Therefore, using the fact that the specific gravity of PVC is about 1.23 for soft materials and about 1.45 for hard materials and is larger than 1, the difference in specific gravity and the difference in specific gravity with PP and PE were used. It is also possible to combine learning of classification methods and environmental learning about dioxins and environmental hormones.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Basic concept 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a plant cultivation set of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first basic concept of a plant cultivation frame of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a plant cultivation set 1 according to the present invention includes a plant cultivation frame 10 composed of a plurality of frames surrounding a vine cultivation plant (not shown) such as morning glory, and the plant. A plant pot 20 (cultivation container) for holding and fixing the lower end portion of the cultivation frame 10 and a reinforcing tool 30 (shape-retaining member; holding mechanism) for holding and fixing the upper end portion of the plant cultivation frame 10 are also provided. It is made of resin (non-chlorine resin). This frame is configured in quadruples (10A to 10D) in the tetrahedron-shaped plant cultivation frame 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and these frames 10A to 10D can expand and contract in a pantograph shape all at once in the plant growth direction. It is said that. Therefore, after adjusting the expansion and contraction of the frame bodies 10A to 10D in a pantograph shape, the lower end portion of the plant cultivation frame 10 is inserted and held and fixed to the insertion hole 21 of the flower pot 20, and the upper end portion of the plant cultivation frame 10 is reinforced. The tool 30 is held and fixed. In addition, 22 is a recessed part formed in the flower pot 20 in order to put soil for cultivation and to sow seeds of a cultivated plant or to transplant seedlings.
[0029]
Referring to FIG. 2, the first basic concept of the plant cultivation frame 10 of the present invention is expressed as follows. First, the growth direction of the cultivated plant is defined as a height direction (vertical direction), and a regular square columnar virtual space R is formed around the cultivated plant. When this space R is cut in a direction perpendicular to the height direction (horizontal direction) with a plurality of upper and lower bottom surfaces parallel to each other, a number of side surfaces are formed around the space R according to the number of cut bottom surfaces. In FIG. 2, twelve side surfaces S11 to S14; S21 to S24; S31 to S34 (multiplied by four sides and the number of steps formed by four upper and lower cut bottom surfaces B1 to B4: three steps) S21 to S24; Are partially omitted).
[0030]
Each of the side surfaces S11 to S34 is provided with a pair of connecting members 11 that intersect diagonally, and the pair of connecting members 11 are connected to each other along the side surfaces S11 to S34 at the intersection position X so as to be relatively rotatable. . Further, the ends of the pair of connecting members 11 and 11 positioned on the two adjacent side surfaces (for example, S11 and S12) are respectively relative to the connecting members 12 and 12 disposed at the corners of the bottom surfaces B1 and B2. It connects so that it can rotate freely. In this way, the two ends of the pair of connecting members 11 connected at the crossing position X are connected one after another via the connecting member 12, thereby assembling the plant cultivation frame 10 in which the connecting members 11 intersect in a mesh shape. . An assembly of a plurality (for example, three pairs) of connecting members 11 and a plurality (for example, eight) of connecting members 12 located on side surfaces (for example, S11, S21, S31) continuous in the height direction is shown in FIG. It corresponds to the frames 10A to 10D.
[0031]
In this way, if a pair of connecting members 11 are cross-connected in a mesh shape at each of the side surfaces S11 to S34 and any one of the connecting members 11 is relatively rotated at the crossing position X, all the connecting members 11 are interlocked. Can be rotated together at once. Thereby, the plant cultivation frame 10 (connecting member 11) expands or contracts in a pantograph shape in the height direction (vertical direction), and the bottom area of each of the bottom surfaces B1 to B4 decreases or expands accordingly. That is, the height adjustment and the width adjustment of the plant cultivation frame 10 are simultaneously performed by the pantograph-like expansion and contraction of the connecting member 11, so that the plant (vine plant) that does not spread in the horizontal direction and extends well in the vertical direction. Etc.) and a plant (such as a branch plant) that spreads in the horizontal direction without extending in the vertical direction can be easily adjusted in height and width.
[0032]
Therefore, when the pair of connecting members 11 are rotated in the pantograph shape in the height direction by relatively rotating at the crossing position X, all the connecting members 11 provided on the side surfaces S11 to S34 become the bottom surface B1. The plant cultivation frame 10 (connecting member 11) is eventually folded in a substantially straight line (bar shape) in the height direction (see FIG. 7A). On the other hand, when the pair of connecting members 11 are rotated in the pantograph shape in the height direction by relatively rotating at the intersection position X, all the connecting members 11 provided on the side surfaces S11 to S34 are in the bottom surface B1. It is folded in a flat shape in the height direction in the shape of ~ B4 (square in FIG. 2) (see FIG. 7B).
[0033]
Then, the procedure which expand | deploys the plant cultivation frame 10 (connection member 11) and assembles as the plant cultivation set 1 from the state folded in such rod shape or flat shape is demonstrated still in detail. First, the connecting members 12, 12, 12, and 12 disposed at the corners of the bottom surface B4 are adjusted to the flower pot 20 (cultivation container; while adjusting the size of the bottom bottom surface B4 by expanding and contracting the connecting member 11 in a pantograph shape. The plant cultivation frame 10 is held and fixed through insertion holes 21, 21, 21, 21 (engagement portions; see FIG. 1) of FIG. Next, the connecting member 12, 12, 12, 12 disposed at the corner of the uppermost bottom surface B1 has a reinforcing member 30 (shape retaining member; holding mechanism; see FIG. 1) for holding the shape of the bottom surface B1. ) Is engaged and the plant cultivation frame 10 is held and fixed.
[0034]
Further, a pair is provided for each of the additional side surfaces S01 to S04 (see FIG. 2) in such a manner that the uppermost bottom surface B1 is shared via the connecting members 12, 12, 12, 12 disposed at the corners of the uppermost bottom surface B1. If an additional connecting member (not shown) is arranged, the plant cultivation frame 10 can be extended (added) in the height direction (plant growth direction).
[0035]
In FIG. 2, a regular square columnar virtual space R is formed (assumed) around the cultivated plant, but the virtual space R may be an n prismatic space (n is an integer of 3 or more). It does not have to be prismatic. That is, when n = 4, the present invention is applied to the shape of the bottom surface B being a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, or the like. And if some margin (backlash) is given to the connection of the pair of connecting members 11 and the connection of the connecting member 11 and the connecting member 12, the shape of the bottom surface B and the arrangement shape of the insertion hole 21 of the flower pot 20 Even if they are not completely matched, the plant cultivation frame 10 can be held and fixed to the flower pot 20.
[0036]
Further, in order to cut the space R, it is only necessary to have m bottom surfaces B1 to Bm (m is an integer of 2 or more) in the vertical direction, and the bottom surfaces B1 to Bm may not be parallel to each other or not horizontally. . Here, m-1 represents the number of stacked stages in the height direction of the pair of connecting members 11, and when m = 2, the pair of connecting members 11 is configured in one stage. Therefore, the total number of side surfaces S formed in the n-prism-shaped space R cut by the m bottom surfaces B1 to Bm is an n × (m−1) plane. Furthermore, the space R may be an n-pyramidal frustum, and in particular, may be an upwardly expanding (downward constriction) space in which the bottom area becomes larger toward the upper bottom surface B.
[0037]
Furthermore, as described above, based on the pantograph-like expansion and contraction of the connecting member 11, the insertion hole 21 ( The arrangement dimension of the engaging portion) or the arrangement dimension of the reinforcing member 30 (shape retaining member; holding mechanism) can be changed continuously or stepwise. This further expands the range of adaptation of cultivated plants.
[0038]
Example 1
Next, an example of a plant cultivation frame and a plant cultivation set will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a front view and a side view showing an embodiment of the plant cultivation set of the present invention. The plant cultivation set 1 in FIG. 3 includes a plant cultivation frame 10, a flower pot 20 (cultivation container), and a reinforcing tool 30 (shape retaining member; holding mechanism). FIG. 4 is a front view of the plant cultivation frame 10. 5 shows a plan view thereof. This plant cultivation set 1 has basically the same function as that shown in FIGS. Therefore, in the following drawings, portions having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0039]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 12, the connecting member 11 is formed in a curved shape, and the pair of connecting members 11, the connecting member 11, and the connecting member 12 have a shaft and a shaft hole, respectively. The two-dimensional joints (two-dimensional coupling; turning pair) are combined so as to be relatively rotatable in two dimensions. Hereinafter, these structures will be described.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting member 11 is formed in a curved shape that protrudes outward as it approaches the intersection position X in a plan view (as viewed from the height direction), and a virtual space R having a regular quadrangular prism shape is formed. Enclosed and a bulge-like space is formed in which the central part of each of the side surfaces S11 to S34 (see FIG. 2) bulges outward.
[0041]
The pair of connecting members 11 are connected by a two-dimensional joint so as to be relatively rotatable around the first rotation axis O1 at the intersection position X. Further, the end portions of the pair of connecting members 11 and the connecting member 12 are around the second rotation axis O2 substantially parallel to the first rotation axis O1 regardless of the pantograph-like expansion or contraction of the connection member 11. Are connected to each other by a two-dimensional joint so as to be relatively rotatable (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The connecting member 12 engages with an insertion hole 21 (cultivation container side engaging portion) of the flower pot 20 or an insertion hole 31 (shape retaining member side engaging portion; FIG. 12) of the reinforcing tool 30. It consists of a first connecting member 12A (FIG. 10) having a (connecting member side engaging portion) and a second connecting member 12B (FIG. 11) not having an engaging shaft 12A1. However, it is good also considering a connection member side engaging part as an insertion hole, and making a cultivation container side engaging part into an engaging shaft.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 8, among the pair of connecting members 11, a first rotation shaft 11 A 1 (inner frame side connection) having a first rotation axis O 1 is located at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the inner frame 11 A positioned inside. Part) is formed to protrude. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the first rotation shaft hole 11 B 1 having the first rotation axis O 1 (outside) at the intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the outer frame 11 B positioned on the outside of the pair of connecting members 11. A frame side connecting portion) is formed. The inner frame 11A and the outer frame 11B are arranged around the first rotation axis O1 at the intersection position X (FIG. 5) by inserting the first rotation shaft 11A1 into the first rotation shaft hole 11B1. Are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable. The outer peripheral surface 11A3 of the inner frame 11A and the inner peripheral surface 11B3 of the outer frame 11B are formed to have substantially the same curvature (curvature radius) in plan view (FIG. 5). However, the inner frame side connection portion may be the first rotation shaft hole, and the outer frame side connection portion may be the first rotation shaft.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10 (or FIG. 11), the first connecting member 12A (or the second connecting member 12B) has a main body portion along each of the two sides L1 and L2 constituting the inner angle of the bottom surface B. The plate-like connection bases 12A2, 12A4 (or 12B2, 12B4) protrude from 12A0 (or 12B0). Second rotating shafts 12A31, 12A32, 12A51, 12A52 (or 12B31, 12B32, having second rotating shafts O2, O2 in a direction substantially orthogonal to these from the connection bases 12A2, 12A4 (or 12B2, 12B4). 12B51, 12B52) (connection member side latching portions) are formed to protrude. Here, the second rotation shafts 12A31, 12A32 (or 12B31, 12B32) are arranged in both the inner and outer directions of the space R along the axial direction of the second rotation shaft O2. Further, the second rotation shafts 12A51, 12A52 (or 12B51, 12B52) are arranged in both the inner and outer directions of the space R along the axial direction of the second rotation axis O2. As a result, a total of four second rotating shafts 12A31, 12A32, 12A51, 12A52 (or 12B31, 12B32, 12B51, 12B52) are formed on one first connecting member 12A (or second connecting member 12B). These second rotation axes O2 and O2 are located at substantially the same height in the height direction (FIG. 4). When the connecting member 11 is formed in a curved shape as in the present embodiment, the two sides L1 and L2 constituting the inner angle of the bottom surface B are the first connecting member 12A (or the second connecting member 12B) in plan view. It is represented by a line segment connecting the center O of the main body 12A0 (or 12B0) (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 8 (or FIG. 9), at the both ends of the inner frame 11A (or outer frame 11B) of the connecting member 11, a second rotation axis O2 substantially parallel to the first rotation axis O1. , O2 having second rotation shaft holes 11A2, 11A2 (or 11B2, 11B2) (connection member side locking portions) are formed. However, the connection member side locking portion may be the second rotation shaft hole, and the connecting member side locking portion may be the second rotation shaft.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 6, the second rotating shaft 12A31, 12A32, 12A51, 12A52 (or 12B31, 12B32, 12B51, 12B52) formed on the first connecting member 12A (or the second connecting member 12B), and the inner frame A second rotation shaft hole 11A2 (or 11B2) formed in 11A (or outer frame 11B) is coupled to the common second rotation shafts O2 and O2 so as to be relatively rotatable.
[0046]
In the connecting member 11 (inner frame 11A and outer frame 11B) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the distances from the first rotation axis O1 to the second rotation axes O2 and O2 at both ends are set equal or substantially equal. Has been. On the other hand, in the connection member 12 (the first connection member 12A and the second connection member 12B) shown in FIG. 5 (or FIG. 6), the second rotation axes O2 and O2 on both sides from the center O of the main body 12A0 (12B0). The distances up to are set equal or nearly equal. Therefore, the relative rotation of the pair of connecting members 11 at the first rotation axis O1 (intersection position X) and the relative rotation of the connecting member 11 and the connection member 12 at the second rotation axis O2 are smoothly performed. Moreover, it is performed all at once, and it becomes easy to share the connecting member 11 and the connecting member 12.
[0047]
In FIG. 4, when the pair of connecting members 11 are relatively rotated at the intersection position X so as to extend in a pantograph shape in the height direction, all of the side surfaces S11 to S34 (FIG. 2) are provided. The connecting member 11 is gathered to the center of the bottom surfaces B1 to B4 (FIG. 2), and the plant cultivation frame 10 (connecting member 11) is almost straight in the height direction as shown in FIG. It is folded into a rod shape. On the other hand, in FIG. 4, when the pair of connecting members 11 are contracted in a pantograph shape in the height direction by relatively rotating at the crossing position X, as shown in FIG. All the connecting members 11 provided in S34 (FIG. 2) are folded flat in the height direction in the shape of the bottom surfaces B1 to B4 (FIG. 2) (square in FIG. 2).
[0048]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the connecting member 11 (the inner frame 11 A and the outer frame 11 B) is formed with a protruding portion 111 for easily winding a vine of a cultivated plant on its peripheral surface. The protrusion 111 is formed by crossing cross lines 111a at a plurality of (for example, six) locations on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 11, and is sawtooth-shaped on the side surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) on both sides. The bending lines 111b are formed intermittently (discontinuously) at a plurality of (for example, 6) locations.
[0049]
Next, FIG. 12 shows an example of the reinforcing tool 30 (shape retaining member; holding mechanism). The reinforcing tool 30 formed in the shape of an elongated bar has insertion holes 31 at both ends thereof. Specifically, the insertion holes 31 are respectively provided in the engagement shaft insertion ring 32 formed at one end of the reinforcing tool 30 and the engagement shaft insertion block 33 formed at the other end. After the flower pot 20 and the plant cultivation frame 10 are assembled (FIG. 3), the insertion hole 31 of the reinforcing tool 30 is fitted into the engagement shaft 12A1 following the main body portion 12A0 of the first connection member 12A. The shape of the upper bottom surface B1 is maintained and the plant cultivation frame 10 is prevented from falling (see FIG. 5). At this time, in order to enhance the shape retention effect, the reinforcing tool 30 may be positioned on the diagonal line of the uppermost bottom surface B1, and the two reinforcing tools 30 may be arranged so as to cross each other. In addition, if the mutual space | interval of the insertion holes 31 and 31 of both ends is made variable or a thing with a different space | interval is prepared, after expanding and contracting the plant cultivation frame 10 in a pantograph shape, it matches with the magnitude | size of the uppermost bottom face B1. The reinforcing tool 30 can be attached to the engaging shaft 12A1 of the first connecting member 12A.
[0050]
Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, in the first connection member 12A arranged at the corner of the uppermost bottom surface B1, the engagement shaft 12A1 following the main body 12A0 can be attached downward. In this case, since the reinforcing tool 30 is no longer positioned at the uppermost end and the hand or the like is difficult to contact, the reinforcing tool 30 is difficult to come off from the engagement shaft 12A1, and the appearance is improved.
[0051]
Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the engagement shaft insertion block 33 formed at the other end portion of the reinforcing tool 30 is formed with a fitting recess 34 along the longitudinal direction from the other end side. 34 has a structure capable of being fitted and fixed using deformation of the resin when the engagement shaft insertion ring 32 is inserted. Therefore, when the engagement shaft insertion ring 32 of the other reinforcing tool 30 is fitted and fixed in the fitting recess 34 of one of the two reinforcing tools 30, one piece as shown in FIG. The rod-shaped auxiliary column 40 is completed. Instead of the plant cultivation frame 10, if this auxiliary support column 40 stands on the recess 22 of the flower pot 20, it can be used for supporting a stem when cultivating other plants that are not vine (for example, cherry tomatoes).
[0052]
FIG. 14 shows a modification of the reinforcing tool. The reinforcing member 130 is integrally formed in a plate shape with the main body portion 131 intersecting in a cross shape, and protrusions 132 are formed on the four end portions of the main body portion 131 so as to stand upright on the plate surface. When the engagement shaft 12A1 of the first connecting member 12A arranged at the corner of the uppermost bottom surface B1 has a pipe-shaped recess 12A11 as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 132 of the reinforcing member 130 is formed in the recess 12A11. Is inserted, the shape of the uppermost bottom surface B1 can be maintained in the same manner as the above-described reinforcing tool 30, and the plant cultivation frame 10 can be prevented from falling (see FIG. 5). In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, if the some protrusion 132 which shifted the position was formed in each edge part of the main-body part 131, after expanding and contracting the plant cultivation frame 10 in the shape of a pantograph, the magnitude | size of the uppermost bottom face B1. Accordingly, the protrusion 132 of the reinforcing tool 30 can be selectively attached to the engaging shaft 12A1 of the first connecting member 12A.
[0053]
In FIG. 15, the example of a change of the connection structure of a connection member and a connection member is shown. The connecting member 211 and the connecting member 212 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable in a three-dimensional manner by a three-dimensional joint (three-dimensional coupling; spherical pair) using a combination of a spherical surface and a spherical surface using a ball joint. Therefore, in the case of such a plant cultivation frame 210, the four sides constituting the bottom surface B are deformed three-dimensionally by the ball joint from the flat folded state due to the pantograph-like contraction (FIG. 15A). It can be folded into a state in which two adjacent sides are folded (FIG. 15B), and further into a lump state in which the four sides are gathered together (FIG. 15C).
[0054]
(Example 2)
Next, another embodiment of the plant cultivation frame will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a plan view thereof. This plant cultivation frame 10 has basically the same function as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or that shown in Example 1. Therefore, in the following drawings, portions having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0055]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 22, between the pair of connecting members 11 and the connecting member 11 and the connecting member 12 are respectively two-dimensional joints (two-dimensional joints) formed by combinations of shafts and shaft holes, as in the first embodiment. They are connected so as to be capable of relative rotation in a two-dimensional manner (see FIG. 17). However, unlike the first embodiment, the connecting member 11 is formed in a straight shape (linear shape). Therefore, the connecting member 11 forms a space that substantially coincides with the regular rectangular column-like virtual space R (FIG. 17).
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 19, among the pair of connecting members 11, a first rotation shaft 11 A 1 (inner frame side connection) having a first rotation axis O 1 is located at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the inner frame 11 A positioned inside. Part) is formed to protrude. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the first rotation shaft hole 11 B 1 having the first rotation axis O 1 (outside) is disposed at the middle position in the longitudinal direction of the outer frame 11 B located on the outside of the pair of connecting members 11. A frame side connecting portion) is formed. The inner frame 11A and the outer frame 11B are arranged around the first rotation axis O1 at the intersection position X (FIG. 17) by inserting the first rotation shaft 11A1 into the first rotation shaft hole 11B1. Are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable. The outer peripheral surface 11A3 of the inner frame 11A and the inner peripheral surface 11B3 of the outer frame 11B are formed so as to be substantially in contact with each other in plan view (FIG. 17). However, the inner frame side connection portion may be the first rotation shaft hole, and the outer frame side connection portion may be the first rotation shaft.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 21 (or FIG. 22), the first connecting member 12A (or the second connecting member 12B) has a body portion along each of the two sides L1 and L2 constituting the inner angle of the bottom surface B. Block-shaped connection bases 12A2, 12A4 (or 12B2, 12B4) protrude from 12A0 (or 12B0). Second rotation shaft holes 12A3, 12A5 (or 12B31, 12B32, 12B51, 12B52) having second rotation shafts O2, O2 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the connection bases 12A2, 12A4 (or 12B2, 12B4). ) (Connecting member side locking portions) are respectively formed. Here, the second rotation shaft holes 12B31 and 12B32 are disposed in both the inside and outside of the space R along the axial direction of the second rotation axis O2. The second rotation shaft holes 12B51 and 12B52 are disposed in both the inner and outer directions of the space R along the axial direction of the second rotation axis O2. As a result, one first connecting member 12A (or second connecting member 12B) has a total of two (or four) second rotating shaft holes 12A3, 12A5 (or 12B31, 12B32, 12B51, 12B52). Is formed. The second rotation shaft holes 12B31 and 12B32 and 12B51 and 12B52 of the second connection member 12B are positioned at different heights in the vertical direction (FIGS. 16 and 22 (f)).
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 19 (or FIG. 20), at both ends of the inner frame 11A (or outer frame 11B) of the connecting member 11, a second rotation axis O2 substantially parallel to the first rotation axis O1. , O2 having second rotation shafts 11A2 and 11A2 (or 11B2 and 11B2) (coupling member side locking portions) are formed to protrude. However, the connecting member side locking portion may be the second rotation shaft, and the connecting member side locking portion may be the second rotation shaft hole.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 17, the second rotation shaft holes 12A3, 12A5 (or 12B31, 12B32, 12B51, 12B52) formed in the first connection member 12A (or the second connection member 12B) and the inner frame 11A (or A second rotating shaft 11A2 (or 11B2) formed on the outer frame 11B) is coupled to the common second rotating shafts O2 and O2 so as to be relatively rotatable.
[0060]
In the connecting member 11 (the inner frame 11A and the outer frame 11B) shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the distances from the first rotation axis O1 to the second rotation axes O2 and O2 at both ends are set equal or substantially equal. Has been. On the other hand, in the connection member 12 (the first connection member 12A and the second connection member 12B) shown in FIG. 17, the distances from the center O of the main body 12A0 (12B0) to the second rotation axes O2 and O2 on both sides are equal. Or it is set almost equal. Therefore, the relative rotation of the pair of connecting members 11 at the first rotation axis O1 (intersection position X) and the relative rotation of the connecting member 11 and the connection member 12 at the second rotation axis O2 are smoothly performed. Moreover, it is performed all at once, and it becomes easy to share the connecting member 11 and the connecting member 12.
[0061]
In FIG. 16, when the pair of connecting members 11 are rotated in a pantograph shape in the height direction by relatively rotating at the intersection position X, all the side surfaces S11 to S34 (FIG. 2) are provided. The connecting member 11 is gathered together at the center of the bottom surfaces B1 to B4 (FIG. 2), and the plant cultivation frame 10 (connecting member 11) is almost straight in the height direction as shown in FIG. It is folded into a rod shape. On the other hand, in FIG. 16, when the pair of connecting members 11 are relatively rotated in the height direction by rotating relative to each other at the intersection position X, the side surfaces S 11 to S 11-1 as shown in FIG. All the connecting members 11 provided in S34 (FIG. 2) are folded flat in the height direction in the shape of bottom surfaces B1 to B4 (FIG. 17) (square in FIG. 17).
[0062]
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the connecting member 11 (the inner frame 11 A and the outer frame 11 B) is formed with a protruding portion 111 for easily winding the vine of the cultivated plant on the peripheral surface thereof. The projecting portion 111 is formed in a mesh shape on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 11 so that a closed curve 111c such as an elliptical shape or a turtle shell shape is continuous, and is bent in a saw blade shape on the side surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) on both sides. The line 111d is formed to be continuous.
[0063]
Example 3
Next, still another example of the plant cultivation frame will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 23 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention. This plant cultivation frame 10 has basically the same function as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or that shown in Example 1. Therefore, in the following drawings, portions having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, the following items are changed from the first embodiment.
(1) In this embodiment, no reinforcing tool (shape-retaining member) is provided, as a holding mechanism for holding the bottom surface B in a predetermined bottom surface shape and maintaining the pair of connecting members 11 at a predetermined crossing angle. The connecting member 11 is provided with a latch portion 13 (blocking member) (FIGS. 25 and 26).
(2) In the present embodiment, only the four connection members 12 arranged at the corners of the lowest bottom surface B4 (FIG. 2) are constituted by the first connection member 12A having the engagement shaft 12A1, and the remaining connections. The member 12 is comprised by the 2nd connection member 12B which does not have engagement shaft 12A1 (FIG. 23).
(3) In the present embodiment, the connection base portions 12A2, 12A4, 12B2, and 12B4 protruding from the main body portions 12A0 and 12B0 of the connection member 12 are positioned outside the two sides L1 and L2 constituting the inner angle of the bottom surface B. (FIGS. 29 and 30). Note that only two second rotating shafts 12A32 and 12A51 are formed on the first connecting member 12A (FIG. 29).
[0065]
Here, with reference to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, the latch part 13 provided in the connection member 11 is explained in full detail. The latch portion 13 is provided between the pair of connecting members 11, specifically, the inner frame 11A and the outer frame 11B. The inner frame 11A has convex portions 13A (first blocking members) protruding outward at substantially the same height as the first rotation shaft 11A1 at two positions in the longitudinal direction across the first rotation shaft 11A1. (FIG. 25). On the other hand, in the outer frame 11B, an annular recess 13B (second blocking member) having a predetermined depth is formed in a boss portion 11B0 having the first rotation shaft hole 11B1 (FIG. 26). When the first rotation shaft 11A1 of the inner frame 11A is fitted to the first rotation shaft hole 11B1 of the outer frame 11B so as to be relatively rotatable, the convex portion 13A formed on the inner frame 11A It is inserted into the annular recess 13B formed in 11B (FIG. 28 (a)).
[0066]
In the annular recess 13B of the outer frame 11B, recesses 13B1 are formed at two positions on the inner peripheral surface at intervals of 180 degrees, and raised portions 13B2 and 13B2 are formed on both sides of each recess 13B1. The convex portion 13A of the inner frame 11A can get over the raised portion 13B2 and fit into the recessed portion 13B1 by the elasticity of plastic (for example, PP resin) when rotated around the first rotation axis O1. Further, the protruding portion 13A of the inner frame 11A is formed with an ear portion 13A1 extending in the radial direction from the main body portion, and is easily bent over by contact with the raised portion 13B2.
[0067]
Next, the operation (operation) of the latch portion 13 will be described. When the plant cultivation frame 10 (connecting member 11) is developed from the rod-like folded form of FIG. 27A, the relative rotation between the first rotation shaft 11A1 of the inner frame 11A and the first rotation shaft hole 11B1 of the outer frame 11B. Accordingly, the convex portion 13A of the inner frame 11A gets over the raised portion 13B2 of the outer frame 11B, falls into the concave portion 13B1, and stops (blocks) relative rotation. Thereby, the connecting member 11 can maintain the relative position of FIG. On the other hand, when unfolding from the flat folded form of FIG. 27C, the convex portion 13A falls into the concave portion 13B1 and stops (blocks) relative rotation in the same manner as described above. To release the relative rotation prevention state of the connecting member 11 (FIG. 27 (b)), if the convex portion 13A gets over any one of the raised portions 13B2 and escapes from the recessed portion 13B1, the rod-like folded form (FIG. 27 ( It is possible to return to a)) or the flat folded form (FIG. 27 (c)).
[0068]
In this embodiment, the latch portion 13 acts and locks the connecting member 11 only in the unfolded state (use state; FIG. 27 (b)), but the rod-like folded form (FIG. 27 (a)). ) Or a flat folded configuration (FIG. 27C), a plurality of recessed portions 13B1 may be formed so that they can be locked. Moreover, you may provide an annular recessed part in the inner frame 11A, and a convex part in the outer frame 11B. Further, the latch portion 13 may be directly formed in the first rotation shaft 11A1 and the first rotation shaft hole 11B1.
[0069]
(Basic concept 2)
FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a second basic concept of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention, and FIG. 32 is a plan view thereof.
Referring to FIG. 31, the second basic concept of the plant cultivation frame 10 ′ of the present invention is expressed as follows. First, a columnar virtual space R ′ is formed around the cultivated plant with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction (vertical direction). This space R ′ is cut at a plurality of upper and lower (for example, four) bottom surfaces B1 ′ to B4 ′ parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the height direction (horizontal direction), and is equal to the peripheral edge at each of the bottom surfaces B1 ′ to B4 ′. Several (for example, four) connecting members 12 'are arranged. Then, each of the side surfaces divided by these connection members 12 ′, specifically, the four connection members 12 ′, 12 ′, 12 disposed in proximity to two adjacent bottom surfaces (for example, B1 ′ and B2 ′). A pair of connecting members 11 ′ that intersect diagonally is provided on each side surface S 11 ′ to S 34 ′ formed on the circumferential surface of the cylinder by “, 12”. The pair of connecting members 11 ′ are connected so as to be relatively rotatable along the side surfaces S11 ′ to S34 ′ at the intersection position X ′. Further, the ends of the pair of connecting members 11 ′ and 11 ′ located on the two adjacent side surfaces (for example, S11 ′ and S12 ′) are connected to the connecting members 12 ′ and 12 ′ so as to be relatively rotatable. . In FIG. 31, the number of steps formed by the four upper and lower cut bottom surfaces B1 ′ to B4 ′ is three, and the number of connection members 12 ′ arranged at the peripheral edge of each bottom surface B1 ′ to B4 ′ is four. 12 side surfaces S11 ′ to S14 ′; S21 ′ to S24 ′; S31 ′ to S34 ′ (partially omitted in the figure) are formed.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 32, the pair of connecting members 11 ′ (the inner frame 11A7 and the outer frame 11B ′) are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the first rotation axis O1 ′ at the intersection position X ′. Further, the connecting member 11 ′ and the connecting member 12 ′ are a two-dimensional joint (two-dimensional joint) having a second rotation axis O2 ′ formed along the radial direction on the bottom surfaces B1 ′ to B4 ′ (FIG. 31). Each of them is connected so as to be relatively rotatable. However, in order to absorb the displacement of the second rotation axis O2 ′ accompanying the relative rotation around the first rotation axis O1 ′ of the pair of connecting members 11 ′, the two-dimensional joint has a predetermined A gap (play, play) is provided. The connecting member 11 ′ and the connecting member 12 ′ may be connected so as to be relatively rotatable by a three-dimensional joint (three-dimensional connection; spherical pair) such as a universal joint instead of the two-dimensional joint having a gap.
[0071]
In this way, a pair of connecting members 11 ′ are cross-connected in a mesh shape at each of the side surfaces S11 ′ to S34 ′, and if any of the connecting members 11 ′ is relatively rotated at the crossing position X ′, all the connecting members are connected. The members 11 'can be interlocked and can be relatively rotated simultaneously. Accordingly, the plant cultivation frame 10 ′ (connecting member 11 ′) expands or contracts in a pantograph shape in the height direction (vertical direction), and the bottom area of each bottom surface B1 ′ to B4 ′ decreases or expands accordingly. That is, the height adjustment and the width adjustment of the plant cultivation frame 10 ′ are simultaneously performed by the pantograph-like expansion and contraction of the connecting member 11 ′. The height and the width can be easily adjusted according to the plant (such as a branch plant) that does not extend in the vertical direction and spreads well in the horizontal direction.
[0072]
Therefore, when the pair of connecting members 11 ′ are relatively rotated at the intersection position X ′ and extended in a pantograph shape in the height direction, all the connecting members provided on the side surfaces S11 ′ to S34 ′. 11 'is gathered together at the center of the bottom surfaces B1' to B4 ', and the plant cultivation frame 10' (connecting member 11 ') is eventually folded in a substantially straight line (bar shape) in the height direction. On the other hand, when the pair of connecting members 11 ′ is relatively rotated at the intersection position X ′ and contracted in a pantograph shape in the height direction, all the connecting members provided on the side surfaces S11 ′ to S34 ′. 11 'is folded flat in the height direction in the shape of bottom surfaces B1' to B4 '(circular in FIG. 32).
[0073]
In the above description, the description has focused mainly on the case of using for cultivation training in elementary school. However, the frame for plant cultivation and / or the plant cultivation set according to the present invention is suitable for home gardens on the veranda and at event venues. It can be used in a wide range such as for decorative planting, and its use is not specified. Moreover, since the whole plant cultivation set is formed with PP resin, even if it incinerates after use, it does not generate | occur | produce dioxin and does not have a possibility of acting as an environmental hormone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a plant cultivation set according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first basic concept of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view and a side view showing an embodiment of a plant cultivation frame and a plant cultivation set according to the present invention.
4 is a front view of the plant cultivation frame in FIG. 3. FIG.
5 is a plan view of the plant cultivation frame in FIG. 3. FIG.
6 is an enlarged view of FIG.
7 is a front view showing a state in which the plant cultivation frame of FIG. 4 is folded. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a left side view, a front view, and a right side view of the inner frame.
FIG. 9 is a left side view, a front view, and a right side view of the outer frame.
FIG. 10 is a left side view, a front view, a right side view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of the first connecting member.
FIG. 11 is a left side view, a front view, a right side view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of a second connecting member.
FIG. 12 is a front view, a side view, and a perspective view of a reinforcing tool.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing other examples of use states of the reinforcing tool, in which FIG. 13A shows a case where the first connecting member is attached to the downward engagement shaft, and FIG.
FIGS. 14A and 14B are a plan view and a front view showing a modification of the reinforcing tool. FIGS.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a modification example of a connection structure between a connection member and a connection member.
FIG. 16 is a front view showing another embodiment of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention.
17 is a plan view of the plant cultivation frame in FIG. 16;
18 is a front view showing a state in which the plant cultivation frame in FIG. 16 is folded.
FIG. 19 is a left side view, a front view, and a right side view of the inner frame.
FIG. 20 is a left side view, a front view, and a right side view of the outer frame.
FIG. 21 is a plan view, a left side view, a front view, a right side view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of the first connection member.
22 is a plan view, a left side view, a front view, a right side view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of a second connection member. FIG.
FIG. 23 is a front view showing still another embodiment of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention.
24 is a front view showing a state in which the plant cultivation frame in FIG. 23 is folded. FIG.
FIG. 25 is a left side view, a front view, and a right side view of the inner frame.
FIG. 26 is a left side view, a front view, and a right side view of the outer frame.
FIG. 27 is an enlarged front view illustrating the operation of the latch portion.
28A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 27B, and FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 29 is a front view, a right side view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of the first connecting member.
30 is a front view, a right side view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of a second connection member. FIG.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a second basic concept of the plant cultivation frame of the present invention.
32 is a plan view of the plant cultivation frame in FIG. 31. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Plant cultivation set
10 Frame for plant cultivation
11 Connecting members
111 Protrusion
11A inner frame
11A1 1st rotation axis (inner frame side connection part)
11A2 Second rotation shaft hole (connection member side locking portion)
11B outer frame
11B1 1st rotation axis hole (outer frame side connection part)
11B2 Second rotation shaft hole (connection member side locking portion)
12 Connecting members
12A First connection member
12A1 engagement shaft (connection member side engagement portion)
12A31, 12A32, 12A51, 12A52 Second rotation shaft (connection member side locking portion)
12B Second connecting member
12B31, 12B32, 12B51, 12B52 Second rotating shaft (connection member side locking portion)
13 Latch (blocking member; holding mechanism)
20 Flowerpot (cultivation container)
21 insertion hole (cultivation container side engagement part)
30 Reinforcing tool (shape-preserving member; holding mechanism)
31 Insertion hole (shape retaining member side engagement part)
O1 first pivot axis
O2 Second rotation axis

Claims

A plant cultivation frame that can form a space extending up and down around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
A pair of connecting members which are rotatably connected to the hand-relative rotation at each intersection position to intersect diagonally linear as a basic unit, a connecting member each end of the base units are connected in a freely relative rotation The basic unit is framed so as to be linked in a cylindrical shape in the vertical direction and circumferential direction of the space, and the space is defined in a state where the basic unit group extends in a pantograph shape. A frame for plant cultivation.

It is a frame for plant cultivation that can form a prismatic or pyramid-shaped space around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
A pair of connecting members which are rotatably connected to the hand-relative rotation at each intersection position to intersect diagonally linear as a basic unit, connecting members each end of the base units are connected in a freely relative rotation The basic unit is framed so as to be linked in a polygonal cylinder shape in the vertical direction and circumferential direction of the space, and the space is defined in a state where the basic unit group extends in a pantograph shape. A frame for plant cultivation.

A plant cultivation frame capable of forming a regular quadrangular prism-shaped space around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
A pair of connecting members which are rotatably connected to the hand-relative rotation at each intersection position to intersect diagonally linear as a basic unit, connecting members each end of the base units are connected in a freely relative rotation Through which the basic units are framed so as to be linked in the form of a regular square cylinder in the vertical direction and circumferential direction of the space, and the space is defined in a state where the basic unit groups extend in a pantograph shape. Characteristic frame for plant cultivation.

The connecting member is formed in a curved shape that protrudes outward as it approaches the crossing position from each end of the basic unit when viewed from the height direction, and a bulging space that bulges outward in the space. The frame for plant cultivation according to claim 2 or 3, wherein is formed .

The plant cultivation frame according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the coupling member and the connection member are coupled to each other in a three-dimensional manner by a spherical pair so as to be relatively rotatable.

The plant cultivation frame according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the coupling member and the connection member are coupled so as to be capable of relative rotation in a two-dimensional manner by a turning pair.

The pair of connecting members constituting the basic unit are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the first rotation axis at the intersecting position,
The plant according to claim 6, wherein each end portion of the basic unit and the connection member are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable around a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis. Growing frame.

Wherein the connecting member, together with the connecting member side locking portion having a pre-Symbol second rotation axis is formed,
At both ends of the connecting member, a connecting member side locking portion having the second rotation axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis is formed, respectively.
The connection member side latching portion formed on the connection member and one of the connection member side latching portions formed on both ends of the coupling member are relative to each other around the common second rotation axis. The plant cultivation frame according to claim 7, which is rotatably coupled.

A plant cultivation frame capable of forming a columnar or frustoconical space around the cultivated plant, with the growth direction of the cultivated plant as a height direction,
A pair of connecting members which are rotatably connected to the hand-relative rotation at each intersection position to intersect diagonally linear as a basic unit, connecting members each end of the base units are connected in a freely relative rotation The basic unit is framed in a cylindrical shape in the vertical direction and circumferential direction of the space, and the basic unit group extends in a pantograph shape to define the space. A frame for plant cultivation.

The frame for plant cultivation according to claim 9, wherein the connecting member and the connecting member are connected so as to be relatively rotatable in a three-dimensional manner by a spherical pair.

The pair of connecting members are connected so as to be relatively rotatable around the first rotation axis at the intersecting position,
The connection member and the connection member are connected to each other so as to be capable of relative rotation at a rotation pair having a second rotation axis formed along the radial direction at the connection position and having a predetermined gap. The plant cultivation frame according to claim 9.

By the pair of connecting members are relatively rotated at the intersection, the basic unit group is extended or contracted in a pantograph shape to the height direction, the connection member connected to each end of the base unit with which The frame for plant cultivation as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 11 which carries out reduction movement to an inner side direction, or expansion movement to an outer side direction .

When said basic unit group is extended to a pantograph shape the height direction, a plant according to claim 12 where all of the connecting member becomes foldable substantially straight line on collected and the height direction closer to Chuo portion Growing frame.

When the basic unit group contracts pantograph shape the height direction, for plant cultivation of all of the connecting member according to claim 12 or 13 becomes foldable into a flat shape prior SL in the height direction spreads outward frame.

The pair of connecting members, through the connecting member disposed at the uppermost portion of the space, to claims 1 to be added the height direction in a manner that share the arrangement position of the connecting member of the uppermost portion The plant cultivation frame according to any one of 14.

The frame for plant cultivation according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a protrusion for facilitating winding of the vine of the cultivated plant is formed on the peripheral surface of the connecting member.

The frame for plant cultivation as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 16 which has a holding mechanism for hold | maintaining the arrangement | positioning shape of the said connection member seen from the said height direction .

The plant cultivation frame according to claim 17, wherein the holding mechanism is provided on at least one of the pair of connecting members in order to maintain the pair of connecting members at a predetermined crossing angle.

19. The plant cultivation according to claim 18, wherein the holding mechanism is a blocking member that prevents rotation of a shaft or a shaft hole around the first rotation axis that couples the pair of coupling members so as to be relatively rotatable. frame.

The holding mechanism, for plant cultivation frame according to claim 17 which is provided on the connecting member disposed at the uppermost portion of the space.

The holding mechanism is engaged with the connecting member disposed at the uppermost portion of the space, frame for plant cultivation according to claim 20 which is a shape-retaining member for retaining the deployed configuration of their top of the connecting members .

The frame for plant cultivation according to any one of claims 1 to 21,
And cultivating container having an engagement portion for indirectly engaging over the connecting member disposed at the lowermost portion directly or other members of the space,
A plant cultivation set characterized by containing.

Consists of a plurality of frames surrounding the cultivated plant,
These frames are plant cultivation frames that can be expanded and contracted in a pantograph shape all at once in the direction of plant growth.

The plant cultivation frame according to claim 23, wherein the frame is formed of a non-chlorine resin having a specific gravity of less than 1.0.