Swing Arm Training Method Vines

Abstract

An apparatus and method for training a grape vine. The apparatus is a swing arm supporting a linear grid composed of transverse and longitudinal elements that are configured to result in a network of spaces that are sized to capture and separate the grape vine shoots. The apparatus is mobile within the vine canopy serving various functions as the growing season progresses. The mobility of the grid apparatus allows repositioning throughout the growing season while still retaining the shoots within the grid openings.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for training vegetative shoots, comprising:
 providing a fruiting wire supported by at least one post;   attaching a cordon or cane to said fruiting wire, said cordon or cane generating said shoots during growing season;   attaching a pivot element to said post;   providing an arm rotatively attached to said pivot element;   attaching a grid to said arm, said grid having a length to width ratio of at least nine to one; and   rotating said arm at least once during the growing season.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 rotating said arm into close proximity to said cordon or cane early in the growing season whereby young shoots grow through and are captured by said attached grid. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 raising said pivot element and attached swing arm and grid at least once during the growing season. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a grid wherein the longitudinal elements are comprised of wires adjustably attached to said swing arm; and 
 adjusting the transverse spacing of said grid's longitudinal elements. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pivot element is a support wire, cable, rope, nail, screw, pin, shaft, or fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said pivot element is said support wire, said support wire serving as a common pivot for both swing arm and grid. 
     
     
         7 . A method for training vegetative shoots comprising:
 a. providing a fruiting wire supported by at least one post;   b. attaching a cordon or cane to said fruiting wire, said cordon or cane generating said shoots during growing season;   c. attaching a pivot element to said post;   d. providing a pair of opposing arms rotatively attached to said pivot element;   e. attaching at least one grid to said arms, said grid having a length to width ratio of at least nine to one; and   f. rotating said arms at least once during the growing season.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 providing arms that are at least partially curved; 
 rotating said arms on the pivot element in such a manner that the concavities of the arms face each other when the arms are below horizontal; and 
 capturing said shoots by bringing said concavities close together at the beginning of growing season. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 locking arms in capture position at the beginning of growing season. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 impeding said shoots from growing through said a portion of said grid in capture position by providing a flat portion of said arms near the pivot end that are substantially touching in capture position. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 unlocking arms after shoots have been captured. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 Vertically adjusting said pivot element and attached arms and grid at least once during growing season. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said pivot element is a support wire, cable, rope, nail, screw, pin, shaft, or fiber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said pivot element is said support wire, said support wire serving as a common pivot for both swing arm and grid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the longitudinal elements of said grid are comprised of wires whose spacing is transversely adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 transversely attaching or removing either of said opposing arms from said pivot element by means of a continuous slot in both said arms that serve as an entryway for fitting each arm to the pivot element. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 keeping both arms rotatively attached to said pivot element under normal use by the rotating action of said arms that closes the entry slot and prevents premature disassembly of the arms to the pivot element. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 mating said opposing arms concentrically in which one arm rotates on an inner (male) shaft which slides and rotates within a concentric outer (female) shaft. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 inserting notches, slots or grooves on the swing arm surfaces to securely hold said grid to said arms. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method for training shoots comprising:
 a. providing two posts;   b. suspending a fruiting wire between said posts;   c. attaching a cordon or cane to said fruiting wire, said cordon or cane generating said shoots during growing season;   d. attaching a support wire between posts; and   e. rotatively attaching two opposing arms to said support wire; and   f. fixedly attaching at least one grid to said arms, said grid having a length to width ratio of at least nine to one.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 rotating said arms close together at the beginning of growing season thereby capturing said shoots as they begin to grow; and 
 rotating said arms farther apart as needed to support said shoots as they grow. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 raising said support wire as needed to support said shoots as they grow.