Granted Patent B2

US 12,593,760 · App. 18/335,985 · Granted Apr 7, 2026

Inventors: Renee Forde (Argusville, ND); Daryl Ruter (Clear Lake, IA)

A01G13/27A01G13/28

Abstract

Claims (26)

1 . A portable tree guard assembly, comprising: a first plurality of four identical corner sections that are assembled to form a first structure, each of the plurality of corner sections comprise a first wall and a second wall that abut at a corner which forms an about 90 degree angle, the first wall and the second wall each comprise a respective flange that extends perpendicularly outward from a longitudinal edge of each wall opposite the corner, each flange extends outward with respect to an interior of the first structure, wherein each flange comprises a multiple of flange apertures such that adjacent corner sections of the first plurality of four identical corner sections are tied together via the multiple of flange apertures to assemble the first structure;

an upper ledge inward extending with respect to the interior of the first structure and adjacent an upper end of the first wall and the second wall of each corner section, and a lower ledge inward extending with respect to the interior of the first structure and adjacent a lower end of the first wall and the second wall of each corner section;

wherein the inward extending upper ledge and inward extending lower ledge of each corner section contain elongated slots that are configured to accommodate straps for tying to a tree;

wherein the inward extending upper ledge and inward extending lower ledge of each corner section contain a stake aperture at the corner where the first and second wall abut;

a stake support extends between adjacent first and second walls of each corner;

a stake is received inside the first structure by passing through the stake apertures and stake support in each of the corner section; wherein the stake extends parallel to the corner;

wherein each corner section of the first structure comprises a plurality of apertures in the first and second wall in a configured pattern of multiple shapes, the apertures positioned between a solid lower section band and a solid upper section band, the apertures substantially cover and vary in size along a height of the first and second wall; and

a second plurality of four identical corner sections assembled to form a second structure identical to the first structure;

wherein when the second structure is vertically stacked onto the first structure the lower ledge on the second structure abuts an upper ledge of the first structure and stake apertures of the first and second structure align.

2 . The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the multiple of shapes increase in size toward a middle section of each corner sections.

3 . The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein each respective flange that extends perpendicularly outward from the wall with respect to the corner is integral with the wall.

4 . The assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a logo on the solid lower section band.

5 . The assembly as recited in claim 4 , further comprising a logo on the solid upper section band.

6 . The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of corner sections are storable together in a stacked configuration.

7 . The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the multiple of flange apertures permit assembly of the four identical corner sections such that the upper ledge of one of the corner sections need not be parallel with the upper ledge of adjacent corner sections to accommodate uneven terrain.

8 . The assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein the multiple of flange apertures are seized to receive a removable fastener.

9 . The assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein the removable fastener comprises a zip tie.

10 . A method of assembling a portable tree guard assembly, comprising: assembling a first plurality of four identical corner sections to form a first structure, each of the plurality of corner sections comprise a first wall and a second wall both abut at a corner which forms an about 90 degree angle, the first wall and the second wall each comprise a respective flange that extends perpendicularly outward from a longitudinal edge of each wall opposite the corner, each flange extends outward with respect to an interior of the first structure, wherein each flange comprises a multiple of flange apertures;

connecting adjacent corner sections of the first plurality of four identical corner sections by tying together via the multiple of flange apertures to assemble the first structure;

providing an upper ledge inward extending with respect to the interior of the first structure and adjacent an upper end of the first wall and the second wall of each corner section, and providing a lower ledge inward extending with respect to the interior of the first structure and adjacent a lower end of the first wall and the second wall of each corner section;

wherein the inward extending upper ledge and inward extending lower ledge contain elongated slots that are configured to accommodate straps for tying to a tree;

providing a stake aperture in each of the inward extending upper ledge and inward extending lower ledge at the corner where the first and second wall abut of each corner section;

positioning a stake inside the first structure through the stake apertures in each of the corner sections and through a stake support that extends between the adjacent first and second walls of each corner section; wherein the stake extends parallel to the corner;

providing each corner section of the first structure with a plurality of apertures in the first and second wall in a configured pattern, the apertures positioned between a solid lower section band and a solid upper section band, the apertures substantially cover and vary in shape and size along a height the first and second wall;

providing and securing a second plurality of four identical corner section at a respective flange of each of the plurality of corner sections to form a second structure identical to the first structure; and vertically stacking the second structure onto the first structure such that a lower ledge on the second structure abuts the upper ledge of the first structure.

11 . The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein securing comprises zip tying.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (28)