US3634970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wrapping for tree root balls
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-02
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Granted: 1972-01-18
•
Expires: 1990-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A wrapping for the earth ball of a tree to be moved consists of a circumferential belt inflated against the ball for tight compressive engagement, to prevent loosening of the earth or the contained tree root structure. The inflatable belt, made in sections if desired, has means for tying it in place and preferably means for holding or encasing at least parts of the upper and lower ball surfaces. A supplemental, inflated collar, secured to the main, wrapped belt, aids in maintaining the integrity of the trunk and roots with the ball.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:52
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In a transplanting balling device that comprises a belt of fabric which has free ends and is shaped and dimensioned to be wrapped around the peripheral vertical surface of the ball of earth and roots, and which is provided with securing means for tightening the belt about the ball: the structure, in combination in said device, which comprises inflatable, fabric-walled cavity means in said belt, extending substantially throughout the belt and disposed for snug, compressive engagement of the wrapped belt against said peripheral ball surface when the cavity means is in inflated condition, said belt having fabric portions which are connected thereto at the top and bottom regions thereof for at least partially overlapping the top and bottom surfaces of the ball and which are provided with means for holding said portions in said overlapping positions when the belt is wrapped around the ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a transplanting balling device that comprises a belt of fabric which has free ends and is shaped and dimensioned to be wrapped around the peripheral vertical surface of the ball of earth and roots, and which is provided with securing means for tightening the belt about the ball: the structure, in combination in said device, which comprises inflatable, fabric-walled cavity means in said belt, extending substantially throughout the belt and disposed for snug, compressive engagement of the wrapped belt against said peripheral ball surface when the cavity means is in inflated condition, said belt having fabric portions which are connected thereto at the top and bottom regions thereof for at least partially overlapping the top and bottom surfaces of the ball and which are provided with means for holding said portions in said overlapping positions when the belt is wrapped around the ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as defined in claim 1, in which the fabric connected with said belt at the lower portion thereof includes flap means for substantially covering the bottom areas of the ball, said flap means having means for securing same over said areas when the belt is secured about the ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 1, in which the inflatable cavity means comprises a plurality of inflatable cavities extending lengthwise in the belt and collectively arranged for substantially covering said peripheral ball surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as defined in claim 3, in which the securing means comprises means attached to the belt for drawing it, before inflation, firmly about said peripheral ball surface at a plurality of vertically spaced circumferential regions, for snug engagement of the belt substantially throughout said surface, upon inflation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as defined in claim 4, in which said fabric connected at the bottom region of the belt includes flap means attached to and extending from the belt and shaped to cover the entirety of the bottom area of the ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as defined in claim 1, for a root ball of approximately frustoconical shape with the bottom smaller than the top, in which the belt has a boundary configuration, including arcuate upper and lower edges, for conformity with said frustoconical ball shape when wrapped around the ball.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as defined in claim 6, in which said inflatable cavity means comprises a plurality of elongated inflatable cavities arranged to extend, parallel with each other, around the periphery of the ball in wrapped condition, each of said cavities being substantially coextensive with the circumference of the ball at the locality thereof which it engages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as defined in claim 1, in which the inflatable belt comprises a plurality of inflatable belt sections each having inflatable, fabric-walled cavity means and having means for endwise connection and shaped to cover successive circumferential portions of said vertical ball surface when held by said securing means in circumferentially disposed relation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device as defined in claim 8, in which each of the inflatable sections includes a flexible air conduit having provision for directing air into said section for inflation thereof, the conduit of each section having coupling means at its ends for connection to a conduit of an adjacent section, to provide inflation of the entire belt upon introduction of air into the conduit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as defined in claim 1, which includes means connected to and projectiNg from the belt and comprising a connecting element which can be engaged by connecting means for moving and positioning the wrapped ball.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of wrapping a root ball of a tree or the like, comprising wrapping around the vertical periphery of the ball an elongated flexible sheet body having enclosed space which is to be inflated and substantially covers the surface of said periphery, securing said body in wrapped position, and inflating said space for compressive, conforming engagement of the wrapped body with said surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of wrapping a root ball of a tree or the like, comprising wrapping around the vertical periphery of the ball an elongated flexible sheet body having enclosed space which is to be inflated and substantially covers the surface of said periphery, securing said body in wrapped position, and inflating said space for compressive, conforming engagement of the wrapped body with said surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 11, which includes securing in place against and over the bottom of the ball, a flap of sheet material which extends from a lower part of said sheet body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in claim 11 which includes wrapping and tightly securing around the trunk of the tree adjacent to the ball a collar having enclosed space for inflation, and securing said collar to the aforesaid wrapping around the ball, said method including inflating the collar so that in secured position it is in compressive, conforming engagement with the trunk.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of wrapping a root ball of a tree or the like, comprising wrapping around the vertical periphery of the ball a belt of fabric which covers the surface of said periphery and has free ends which are overlapped in said wrapping, said belt including inflatable, fabric-walled cavities which collectively extend substantially throughout the belt, and securing said belt tightly around the ball in wrapped position, said method including inflating said cavity means of the belt for compressive, conforming engagement of the wrapped belt with said surface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of wrapping a root ball of a tree or the like, comprising wrapping around the vertical periphery of the ball a belt of fabric which covers the surface of said periphery and has free ends which are overlapped in said wrapping, said belt including inflatable, fabric-walled cavities which collectively extend substantially throughout the belt, and securing said belt tightly around the ball in wrapped position, said method including inflating said cavity means of the belt for compressive, conforming engagement of the wrapped belt with said surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 14 in which the step of inflating said cavity means comprises inflating said means under pressure sufficient to effect said compressive engagement, after the belt has been wrapped and secured tightly around the ball.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |