Patent US4787173A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4787173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tree covering and method of using the same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-09-29
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2006-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A covering for a tree including a flexible fabric envelope having a closed top and an open bottom, the bottom being held open at all times during use by means of a relatively rigid ring. The cover is placed on the tree through use of a ring affixed to the top thereof. It is removed in a "reverse peeling" fashion by raising the rigid ring upwardly. The cover is sized so that the ring is in contact with the ground surrounding the tree during use.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene R. Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:47
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G13/00; A01G13/20; A01G13/26; A01G13/262; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of enveloping a tree and the like with a covering and thereafter removing the same when it is no longer needed, said method comprising the steps of: providing a covering including a flexible envelope having an open bottom and a closed top; ring means affixed to said envelope around the open bottom thereof for holding said bottom open; and lifting means on the closed top of said envelope from which said covering can be suspended above a tree; suspending said covering above a tree by said lifting means; lowering said covering over said tree; leaving the covering on said tree until it is no longer needed; and thereafter removing said covering by exerting upward forces on the ring means at the open bottom of said envelope to reverse peel it from said tree.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of enveloping a tree and the like with a covering and thereafter removing the same when it is no longer needed, said method comprising the steps of: providing a covering including a flexible envelope having an open bottom and a closed top; ring means affixed to said envelope around the open bottom thereof for holding said bottom open; and lifting means on the closed top of said envelope from which said covering can be suspended above a tree; suspending said covering above a tree by said lifting means; lowering said covering over said tree; leaving the covering on said tree until it is no longer needed; and thereafter removing said covering by exerting upward forces on the ring means at the open bottom of said envelope to reverse peel it from said tree.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises the step of sizing said covering with respect to the tree which it is to envelop such that said ring means rests on the ground when said lowering step has been completed, whereby residual heat in the ground will warm the interior of said covering and the tree which it envelops during periods of cold weather.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said removing step comprises the steps of attaching at least three flexible lines to said ring means at spaced points therealong and thereafter lifting said lines upwardly until said envelope is turned inside-out and no longer envelops the tree.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of removing a covering from a tree and the like, said covering including a flexible envelope having an open bottom and a closed top; ring means affixed to said envelope around the open bottom thereof for holding said bottom open; the method comprising the steps of removing said covering by exerting upward forces on the ring means at the open bottom of said envelope until said covering is turned substantially completely inside out, thereby reverse peeling it from the tree.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of removing a covering from a tree and the like, said covering including a flexible envelope having an open bottom and a closed top; ring means affixed to said envelope around the open bottom thereof for holding said bottom open; the method comprising the steps of removing said covering by exerting upward forces on the ring means at the open bottom of said envelope until said covering is turned substantially completely inside out, thereby reverse peeling it from the tree.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said raising step includes the steps of affixing to said cover at the open bottom thereof at least three flexible lines from a point above the closed top of said cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |