AGRICULTURAL CLIP SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20020092954A1
• Filed: 01/17/2001
• Published: 07/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doorframer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Doorframer Incorporated
• Inventors: Vanderpan, Ron
• Granted Patent: US 6,443,401 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/128 Fixing of plants to supports, e.g. by means of clips tying devices in trellis-work A01G17/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/06 with supports for wires
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/237 for two pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 33/02 Hose-clips

Abstract

An agricultural clip is provided that holds a first agricultural element, such as an irrigation pipe or wire, in a predetermined relationship with a second agricultural element, such as a wire. For example, the agricultural clip is used to keep the irrigation holes in an irrigation pipe pointed down to deposit water where needed.

Claims

1. An agricultural element clip for holding a first agricultural element in a predetermined relationship with a second agricultural element, comprising:

a bottom portion capable of holding the first agricultural element; and

first and second end portions attached to the bottom portion at opposite sides, the first and second end portion overlapping each other, the first and second end portions capable of being locked into a position to secure the second agricultural element into a predetermined position with respect to the first agricultural element.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion comprises one or more spikes that secure the first agricultural element to the clip.

3. The clip of claim 2, wherein the one or more spikes are located at the bottom of a curved bottom portion and wherein the first agricultural element comprises an irrigation pipe so that the spikes puncture the irrigation pipe to cause water fed through the pipe to leak out of the punctures wherein the location of the punctures cannot move due to the one or more spikes embedded into the irrigation pipe.

4. The clip of claim 3, wherein the first agricultural element comprises a wire locked into the first and second end portions so that the punctures in the irrigation pipe are located directly underneath the wire.

5. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second end portions each further comprise a cutout region that form a hole in the clip when the clip is formed wherein a first wire is secured by the end portions and a second wire is passed through the hole formed by the cutout regions so that the first and second wires are held in a predetermined relationship with each other.

6. The agricultural clip of claim 5, wherein a slot region is formed between the first and second end portions so that the second wire may be placed into the hole of the clip.

7. The agricultural clip of claim 5, wherein the first and second end portions further comprise a spring portion at a predetermined angle to the bottom portion wherein the spring portions of the end portions push the second wire against the first wire.

8. The agricultural clip of claim 1, wherein each end portion comprises a locking portion and a spring portion wherein the locking portions are separated by a predetermined distance that is approximately equal to the diameter of a first wire wherein the first wire is placed into the agricultural clip between the locking portions supported by the spring portions, wherein the locking portions locking a second wire into the agricultural clip and the spring portions press the first wire against the second wire.

9. An agricultural clip for holding an irrigation pipe in a predetermined relationship with a wire, comprising:

a bottom curved portion capable of holding the irrigation pipe;

first and second end portions attached to the bottom portion at opposite sides, the first and second end portion overlapping each other, the first and second end portions capable of being locked into a position to secure the wire into a predetermined position with respect to the irrigation pipe;

wherein the bottom curved portion further comprises one or more spikes that puncture the irrigation pipe to cause water fed through the pipe to leak out of the punctures wherein the location of the punctures cannot move are fixed in position by the one or more spikes embedded into the irrigation pipe.

10. An agricultural clip for holding a first wire in a predetermined relationship with a second wire, comprising:

a bottom portion;

first and second end portions attached to the bottom portion at opposite sides, the first and second end portion overlapping each other, the first and second end portions capable of being locked into a position to secure the first wire; and

wherein the first and second end portions each further comprise a cutout region that form a hole in the clip when the clip is formed so that the second wire may be inserted through the hole to secure the second wire in a predetermined relationship with the first wire.

11. An agricultural clip for holding a first wire in a predetermined relationship with a second wire, comprising:

a bottom portion;

first and second end portions attached to the bottom portion at opposite sides, each end portion comprising a locking portion and a spring portion wherein the locking portions are separated by a predetermined distance that is approximately equal to the diameter of a first wire wherein the first wire is placed into the agricultural clip between the locking portions supported by the spring portions, wherein the locking portions are formed to overlap and lock a second wire into the agricultural clip and the spring portions press the first wire against the second wire.