Reconfigurable trellis system

Abstract

A system for building a reconfigurable trellis includes at least one slidable pole connector configured to slide along a pole having either a circular or rectangular cross-section. The slidable pole connector includes a first portion configured to slide along a first pole and a second portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion and configured to receive an end of a second pole. The first portion may be in the form of a sleeve, which may be unitary or may include two detachably connected parts. A tightening mechanism may be provided to secure the first portion against the first pole and to prevent further sliding of the first portion when the connector is in a desired position. Several slidable pole connectors may be used with one another and with strand or rope connectors to secure a plurality of vertical poles, horizontal poles, and ropes, cables, strings, or wires to one another in a variety of adjustable configurations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for connecting a plurality of elements to build a reconfigurable trellis, comprising:
 a plurality of vertical poles;   a plurality of horizontal poles; and   a plurality of slidable vertical connectors configured to connect the plurality of vertical poles to the plurality of horizontal poles to form a trellis, each slidable vertical connector including a first portion having an internal diameter that is larger than an external diameter of the vertical poles, so as to allow sliding movement of each slidable vertical connector onto the vertical poles and thus selection of a desired height at which one or more trellis levels are formed by the plurality of horizontal poles once connected to the plurality of vertical poles, a second portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion and configured to receive an end of one of the plurality of horizontal poles.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the each slidable vertical connector further comprises a tightening mechanism configured to secure the first portion against the vertical pole to prevent further sliding of the slidable vertical connector when the slidable vertical connector is in a desired position. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of each slidable vertical connector comprises a boss extending perpendicularly to the first portion and being configured to surround the end of one of the plurality of horizontal poles. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first portion comprises a sleeve;   the boss is a first boss; and   the second portion of each slidable vertical connector comprises a second boss extending perpendicularly with respect to the sleeve and being configured to surround the end of another of the plurality of horizontal poles.