Street furniture system.

Abstract

A street furniture system (1, 13) comprising a fountain (3) under a vegetated shade structure (4, 16), and planters (14) with benches (18), each planter being watered by a first pipe (17) forming an upright (15) of the shade structure (16) fixed to the fountain (3) and to the planter (14). Filling of an olla (37) in the planter (14) with the first pipe (17) is triggered by a moisture sensor (34) connected by an electrical cable (35), passing through a second pipe (19) of the upright (15), to a solenoid valve control (36). The planters (14) are double-walled; an outer perforated wall (39) allows air circulation which lowers their internal temperature and limits drying by evaporation. They have a perforated bottom (43), or an open base (44), and are placed on unprepared ground (2) or in open ground.

Description

Title of the invention: Urban furniture system. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system of street furniture. Technological background

[0002] Heat waves, which are becoming more and more frequent these days, are particularly difficult to bear in cities, where the soils are increasingly mineralized, which amplifies the heat effect or "urban heat island".

[0003] In order to improve the well-being of people frequenting public places, in its French patent FR3096378B1, the applicant company proposed a system of street furniture comprising modular multifunctional fountains intended to be installed temporarily or permanently so as to allow all users (children, adults, people with reduced mobility) to quench their thirst and refresh themselves by grouping several options of drinking fountain, water dispenser, misting system and shade structure.

[0004] In its French patent FR3130299B1, the applicant company proposed to enhance the attractiveness of its fountains by using them to create genuine islands of coolness (more water, more air, more shade) by associating one or more elements of street furniture with a fountain, including planters, public benches, and kiosks.

[0005] In this street furniture system, a base of each of the planters includes at least one capillary irrigation wick plunging into a water reserve or reservoir of a fountain base.

[0006] While this feature has the advantage of allowing the use of lost water from fountains as well as rainwater for watering plants, it has the disadvantages of a relatively complex installation, requiring maintenance, and not allowing the installation of planters on unprepared soil or in open ground. Presentation of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a system of street furniture comprising a fountain and at least one planter, overcoming these disadvantages of the type in which at least one upright of a shade structure is supported at one end by the fountain and at the other end by the planter.

[0008] This street furniture system is remarkable in that this post includes a first pipe for supplying water to the planter from the fountain.

[0009] According to the invention, the plant container includes a hydrometric probe connected by an electrical link to a water supply control arranged in the fountain.

[0010] Advantageously, the shade structure includes a second pipe in which an electrical cable is arranged, constituting this electrical connection.

[0011] Preferably, these first and second pipes are metallic and form the upright of the shade structure.

[0012] In the street furniture system according to the invention, the plant container includes a reservoir made of porous material supplied by the first pipe.

[0013] This reservoir is very advantageously a pottery of the "ollas" type.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, this reservoir is supported by a perforated base of the plant container; alternatively, the plant container has an open base and the reservoir is then supported by a support suitable for being arranged in open ground.

[0015] Most advantageously, in the street furniture system according to the invention, the planter box is double-walled and an outer perforated wall allows air circulation.

[0016] We take advantage of the fact that, in the street furniture system according to the invention, the planter box includes a bench.

[0017] The street furniture system according to the invention is also remarkable in that the shade structure is vegetated.

[0018] These few essential specifications will have made evident to the person skilled in the art the advantages brought by the street furniture system described above compared to the prior art, in terms of great ease of installation, reduced maintenance and services offered to the public, in particular by creating islands of coolness.

[0019] The detailed specifications of the invention are given in the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings, including a schematic overview of a street furniture system already disclosed by the inventive entity.

[0020] It should be noted that these drawings have no other purpose than to illustrate the text of the description and do not in any way constitute a limitation of the scope of the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0021] [Fig.1] is a schematic overview of a street furniture system comprising a fountain, planters and a vegetated shade structure in a known embodiment.

[0022] [Fig.2] illustrates the principle of the street furniture system comprising a fountain, planters and a shade structure according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig.3] is a schematic top view of the street furniture system according to the invention shown in [Fig.2].

[0024] [Fig.4] is a partial exploded view of the street furniture system according to the invention showing a planter box, a part of a vegetated shade structure and its attachment to the fountain in a preferred embodiment.

[0025] [Fig.5] is a front perspective view of a plant container comprising a bench according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.6] is a rear perspective view of the plant container shown on [Fig.5] featuring an outer wall with perforations according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig.7] is a vertical cross-sectional view of a plant container comprising an olla according to the invention.

[0028] [Fig.8] is a vertical cross-sectional view of a plant container comprising an olla in one embodiment of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] In the street furniture system 1 already disclosed by the applicant company represented in [Fig.1], a base 2 supports a modular multifunctional fountain 3 including a vegetated shade structure 4.

[0030] This known street furniture system 1 includes, in addition to the modular multi-function fountain 3, planters 5 each supported by a self-supporting support 6 comprising a seat having a common water reservoir with the base 2 of the fountain 3.

[0031] This water reserve, originating from the lost water 7 of the fountain 3, supplied with drinking water 8, results from a common envelope 9 of a self-supporting structure of the fountain 3 and the self-supporting supports 6 of the planters 5. The planters 5 include a capillary irrigation wick 11, preferably made of felt, plunging into the water reserve.

[0032] This wick 11 may require maintenance, and does not allow the planters 5 to be placed on unprepared soil 12, nor in open ground.

[0033] In the street furniture system according to the invention 13 shown in principle on [Fig.2], the plant boxes 14 can be placed on a ground 12 without prior preparation, an arched upright 15 of a new vegetated shade structure 16 comprising a first pipe 17 for a water supply from the fountain 3.

[0034] The plant trays 14, of which there are three in this example, include benches 18 under the three elements in the general shape of a palm or leaf of this shade structure 16, as shown in the top view of [Fig.3].

[0035] The first pipe 17, preferably metallic, is associated with a second pipe 19, also preferably metallic, which together form the upright 15 of each of the shade structure elements 16 supporting a plurality of herringbone poles 20 supporting a vegetation, advantageously metallic, welded at one end to the upright 15 in this case and connected at another end by a peripheral reinforcement 21.

[0036] Each of the shade structure elements 16 extends radially around the fountain 3 for about 2.5 m and rises to about 3 m above the ground 12. The fronds or leaves have a maximum width of about 1.5 m.

[0037] Rods 20 and peripheral reinforcement 21 are advantageously made of concrete bars.

[0038] A first end 22 of the upright 15 is fixed to an upper part 23 of the fountain 3 and a second end 24 of the upright 15 is fixed to the plant container 14 as shown in detail in [Fig.4].

[0039] The first end 22 has a flange 25 fixed by first bolts 26 on a sleeve 27 attached to the upper part of the fountain 23 with first nuts 28.

[0040] The second end 24 has a plate 29 fixed by second bolts 30 on a counter plate 31 attached to an inner wall 32 of the plant container 14 with second nuts 33.

[0041] A hydrometric probe 34, arranged in the plant tray 14, is connected by means of an electrical cable 35 passing through the second pipe 19 to a control (not shown) in the fountain 3 controlling a solenoid valve 36 in series with the first pipe 17 for the water supply.

[0042] This control takes into account the degree of moisture of the soil in the plant container 14 in order to make watering automatic, but also priority orders to open or close the solenoid valve 36 sent remotely by a radio frequency control center of the fountains according to the weather conditions or forecasts.

[0043] When the solenoid valve 36 is opened, the water supply does not arrive directly in the plant tray 14, but in a reservoir 37 made of porous material which allows for more gradual and economical watering.

[0044] This reservoir 37 is preferably a pottery of the "ollas" type.

[0045] Figures 5 and 6, showing respectively a front view and a back view of the planter 14 in the street furniture system according to the invention 13, highlight its technical and decorative aspects.

[0046] The bench 18, consisting of a shelf approximately 1.5 m long and 0.35 m wide arranged approximately halfway up the plant container 14 or at a standard height of approximately 500 mm, is associated with a backrest arranged in the upper part 38 of an outer wall 39 for added comfort.

[0047] The plant container 14 is equipped with feet 40 allowing it to be picked up by a pallet truck, which is essential given the mass of the plant container 14 once filled with soil, approximately 600 kg, for dimensions of approximately 1 m (L) x 0.55 m (W) x 0.8 m (H).

[0048] On the opposite side of bench 18, the outer wall 39 of the plant container 14 has ornamental patterns made up of laser-cut recesses 41.

[0049] In addition to their decorative function, these recesses 41 allow air circulation between the inner 32 and outer 39 walls of the plant container 14, these being preferably double-walled as shown in the sections of Figures 7 and 8.

[0050] Air convection movements in the double wall 32, 39 make it possible to maintain an internal temperature of the plant container 14 lower than an external temperature and thus to limit the drying by evaporation of the contents of the plant container 14.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the street furniture according to the invention 13, the olla 37 of the plant container 14 is mounted on an H-shaped base 42 supported by a perforated base 43.

[0052] Alternatively, the plant container 14 has an open base 44 and the olla 37 is supported by a support 45 formed of a platform 46 and an auger 47 suitable for being arranged in open ground 12.

[0053] In both preferred embodiments, the plant tray 14 is fixed to the ground 12 by means of lag screws 48 and a ground clearance 12 of the feet 40 is adjustable by means of screw jacks 49.

[0054] As will be understood, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above.

[0055] The dimensions of the shade structure 16, the plant container 14 and the bench 18 indicated are only indicative, as is the type of reservoir 37 mentioned, which is given only as an example.

[0056] A "fountain" means any structure from which water comes out brought by a pipe, which may in particular be a water fountain, i.e. a drinking water dispenser, and in particular a modular multifunction fountain 3 comprising in addition to a water dispenser, a misting system and a drinking trough.

[0057] A "shade structure" refers to a structure providing shade, consisting of a horizontal surface at a height and its supports, and by extension, more broadly, protecting from the elements (Wiktionary - www.lalanguefrancaise.com).

[0058] The shade structure 16 may include in particular a veil or a tarpaulin, as well as form a pergola, a kiosk or a bus shelter or others, vegetated or not.

[0059] The invention therefore, on the contrary, encompasses all possible embodiments within the limits of the subject matter of the following claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Street furniture system (1, 13) comprising a fountain (3) and at least one planter (5, 14), of the type in which at least one upright (15) of a shade structure (4, 16) is supported at one first end (22) by said fountain (3) and at one second end (24) by said planter (14), characterized in that said upright (15) includes a first pipe (17) for supplying water to said planter (14) from said fountain (3).

2. Street furniture system (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that said planter (14) comprises a hydrometric probe (34) connected by an electrical link (35) to a control of said water supply arranged in said fountain (3).

3. Street furniture system (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that said upright (15) comprises a second pipe (19) in which is arranged an electrical cable (35) constituting said electrical connection.

4. Street furniture system (13) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first and second pipes (17, 19) are metallic and form said upright (15).

5. Street furniture system (13) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said planter (14) comprises a reservoir (37) made of porous material supplied by said first pipe (17).

6. Street furniture system (13) according to claim 5, characterized in that said reservoir (37) is an "ollas" type pottery.

7. Street furniture system (13) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said reservoir (37) is supported by a bottom (43) with openings in said planter (14), or, alternatively, in that said planter (14) has an open base (44) and in that said reservoir (37) is supported by a support (45) suitable for being arranged in open ground (12).

8. Street furniture system (13) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said planter (14) is double-walled (32, 39) and in that an outer wall (39) with perforations allows air circulation.

9. Street furniture system (13) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said planter (14) comprises a bench (18).

10. Street furniture system (13) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said shade structure (16) is vegetated.

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