| 摘要 |
A foldable plant support system is described which provides a structure (10) within which a plant may be grown and physically supported, and over which a protective cover may be drawn to provide a protective environment for a plant contained within the structure (10), and an irrigation system. The system may be used as a "hotcap" or "mini greenhouse" with the support structure (10) and cover providing a protective environment for a seedling, new plant or the like. As the plant matures or as the weather dictates, the cover may be removed. The plant support structure (10) has two or more vertical members (12) and a number of cross members (14) connected to each other by a rotatable connector assembly (16) which provide the foldable feature of the structure. A vertical member (12) typically is rod-like and extends the entire height of the structure (10) and has attachment points (18) where it is attached to a connector assembly (16). The vertical member (12) also includes a staking structure (26), which is used to anchor the plant support structure (10) in place when in use. Loop shaped cross members (14) are connected to and extend laterally from the vertical members (12), and each has attachment points (18) for attaching the cross member (14) to a connector assembly (16). The connector assembly (16) provides a rotatable or pivotable attachment means for rotatably connecting a vertical member (12) to a cross member (14). An exemplary connector (16) is a hub and an axle assembly, with the hub having a passage for closely receiving and retaining one end of the axle.
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