Planter box and greening system

Abstract

To provide a planter box equipped with a structure capable of enabling proper and easy implementation of provisional greening, and a greening system that comprises the planter box.SOLUTION: A planter box 1 includes a bottom section 1a and a side section 1b, with an upper section 1d being open, and is provided with a middle bottom body 3 that vertically divides the interior space 1c into two, and a support 4 disposed between the middle bottom body 3 and the bottom section 1a for supporting the middle bottom body 3, wherein the planting container 2 is supportable on the middle bottom body 3, and the support 4 has a height-adjustable structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement in a planter box having a structure for storing and supporting a planting container and suitable for use when carrying out temporary greening. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, there are many situations where temporary or temporary greening is required, rather than permanent greening. Typically, temporary greening is required for aesthetic purposes at indoor and outdoor events, around buildings under construction, vacant lots, and pay parking lots. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The main problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a planter box having a structure that allows the above-mentioned temporary greening to be carried out easily and appropriately, and a greening system that includes the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, from a first perspective, this invention provides a planter box that has a bottom portion and side portions, an open top, and a midsole body that divides the internal space into upper and lower halves, and a support body that is located between the midsole body and the bottom portion and supports the midsole body, so that a planting container can be supported on the midsole body, and the height of the support body is adjustable.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is to make the overall height of the planter box within the range of 30 to 50 cm.

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, the bottom surface may be provided with casters.

[0007] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is that the support body comprises a first member, a second member combined with the first member so as to be able to move up and down relative to the first member, and an axial body that can be simultaneously inserted into any one of a first hole formed in one of the first member and the second member and a second hole adjacent to the other of the first member and the second member in the up and down direction and spaced apart from each other.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, from a second viewpoint, the present invention provides a planter box comprising: a bottom portion and side portions, an open top portion, a midsole body that divides the internal space into upper and lower halves, and a support body that is located between the midsole body and the bottom portion and supports the midsole body, and the height of the support body is adjustable; a planting container supported on the midsole body, Moreover, the planting container has a bottom surface and side surfaces surrounding the bottom surface, is open at the top, and is slightly smaller in size than the outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space of the planter box when viewed from above, and is configured so that a surface on the planter box that can be used for sitting or the like can be formed by the culture medium spread inside the planting container.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, from a third viewpoint, the present invention provides a greening system comprising two or more planter boxes, The side surface of the planter box is composed of four side surface constituents that are combined to form a rectangular outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space, and at least one of the four side surface constituents is removable, The device is provided with a connecting mechanism that enables connection to the planter box to be connected while the side opening portion formed by the removal is communicated with the side opening portion similarly formed on the planter box to be connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this invention, firstly, temporary greening can be realized in such a manner that the side portion hides the planting container and the planter box creates the appearance of a conspicuous installation other than plants in the area where temporary greening is to be performed. Second, the height at which the planting container is supported can be adjusted as needed using the midsole and support. For example, if grass is planted in the planting container, the top surface of the culture medium in the planting container can be positioned substantially flush with the open top of the planter box, allowing the grass to be seen from outside the planter box, sunlight to shine on the grass, and users of the greening area can sit on the grass. Alternatively, if flowers are planted in the planting container, the top surface of the culture medium in the planting container can be positioned substantially flush with the open top of the planter box, allowing the flowers to be seen from outside the planter box and sunlight to shine on the flowers. Alternatively, if trees are planted in the planting container, the top surface of the culture medium in the planting container can be positioned substantially flush with the open top of the planter box, allowing the overall height of the trees to be maximized and the shaded area provided by the trees in the greening area to be expanded. Alternatively, if a tree is planted in a planting container, by positioning the top surface of the culture medium in the planting container lower than the open top of the planter box, mulching material can be laid between the top and the culture medium, and this mulching material can support the base of the tree.Furthermore, when two or more planter boxes are placed together to create a greening system, the level of the planted grass and flowers can be made substantially flush with the top surface of the mulch that covers the base of the tree, creating an attractive temporary greening system. Thirdly, by preparing multiple planter boxes of the same shape and size, it is possible to create temporary greenery that takes into account the type of plant, the condition of the greening area, the desired design effect, etc. Fourth, the midsole body can form a lower space below the planting containers within the planter box, thereby insulating the artificial ground or other surface from the plants planted in the planting containers and eliminating the thermal impact of the artificial ground or other surface on the plants. This lower space can also be used to place a weight inside the planter box. Alternatively, this lower space can be used to provide a storage tank for storing liquid (water, fertilizer-containing water, rainwater) used to grow plants in the planting containers, or to install a circulation mechanism, such as a circulation pump, to return the liquid received in the storage tank to the planting containers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a planter box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the planter box. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support member that constitutes the planter box. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the support body. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the planter box. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, in which the planting container, the midsole body, and the support body are omitted. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of a planting system formed by connecting two of the planter boxes. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the essential parts showing the connecting mechanism of the planter box. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the essential parts showing the connecting mechanism of the planter box. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the planting system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which two or more of the planter boxes are combined to form a temporary greening installation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A typical embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12. The planter box 1 according to this embodiment has a structure for housing and supporting a planting container 2, and is typically suitable for use when carrying out temporary greening on artificial ground. A greening system for temporarily greening a certain area can be constructed using two or more such planter boxes 1. In this case, the planter boxes 1 are rationally connected to adjacent planter boxes 1 as described below to form the greening system.

[0013] The planter box 1 has a bottom surface 1a and a side surface 1b formed to surround the bottom surface 1a, an open top 1d, a midsole body 3 that divides the internal space 1c into upper and lower halves, and a support body 4 that is located between the midsole body 3 and the bottom surface 1a and supports the midsole body 3, so that a planting container 2 can be supported on the midsole body 3, and the height t of the support body 4 (see Figures 1, 2, and 4) can be adjusted.

[0014] According to such a planter box 1, firstly, the planting container 2 is hidden by the side portion 1b, and the planter box 1 creates the appearance of a conspicuous installation other than the plant P in the area where temporary greening is to be performed, thereby realizing temporary greening (see Figure 12). Secondly, with this planter box 1, the height at which the planting container 2 is supported can be adjusted as needed by the midsole 3 and the support 4. For example, if a lawn Pa is planted in the planting container 2, the upper surface of the culture medium M of the planting container 2 can be positioned so that it is substantially flush with the open top 1d of the planter box 1, allowing the lawn Pa to be seen from outside the planter box 1, sunlight to shine on the lawn Pa, and users of the greening area to sit on the lawn Pa (see FIG. 1). Alternatively, if flowers are planted in the planting container 2, the upper surface of the culture medium M of the planting container 2 can be positioned so that it is substantially flush with the open top 1d of the planter box 1, allowing the flowers to be seen from outside the planter box 1, and sunlight to shine on the flowers. Alternatively, if a tree Pb is planted in the planting container 2, positioning the top surface of the medium M of the planting container 2 so that it is substantially flush with the open top 1d of the planter box 1 can maximize the overall height of the tree Pb and expand the shaded area of the tree Pb in the greening area. Alternatively, if a tree Pb is planted in the planting container 2, positioning the top surface of the medium M of the planting container 2 lower than the open top 1d of the planter box 1 can allow mulching material R, such as gravel or bark chips, to be laid between the top 1d and the medium M, and this mulching material R can support the roots of the tree Pb (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, when two or more planter boxes 1 are placed together to form a greening system, the level of the planted lawn Pa and flowers can be made substantially flush with the top surface of the mulching material R covering the roots of the tree Pb, resulting in an attractive temporary greening system (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Thirdly, with such a planter box 1, by preparing multiple planter boxes 1 of the same shape and size, temporary greening can be realized taking into account the type of plant P, the condition of the greening area, the desired design effect, etc. (see Figure 12). Fourthly, with this planter box 1, the mid-sole 3 can form a lower space 1e below the planting container 2 within the planter box 1, thereby insulating the artificial ground or the like from the plant P planted in the planting container 2 and eliminating the thermal impact of the artificial ground or the like on the plant P. This lower space 1e can also be used to place a weight within the planter box 1. Alternatively, this lower space 1e can be used to provide a storage tank within the planter box 1 for storing liquid (water, water containing fertilizer, rainwater) used to grow the plant P in the planting container 2, or to install a circulation mechanism, such as a circulation pump, that returns the liquid received in the storage tank to the planting container 2.

[0015] If the overall height h of the planter box 1 (see FIG. 1) is set to a range of 30 to 50 cm, it becomes easier to create an environment where users of the green area can sit on the lawn Pa.

[0016] In the illustrated example, the side surface 1b of the planter box 1 is made up of four side surface constituents 5 that are combined together so that the contour shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space 1c is a rectangle. In the illustrated example, each side surface component 5 is in the shape of a rectangular plate having an upper side 5a, a lower side 5b, and left and right side sides 5c. The upper sides 5a of the four side surface components 5 form the open top 1d of the planter box 1. Furthermore, each side surface component 5 is provided with combining members 5g near the left and right side sides 5c. In the illustrated example, two of the four side surface portion constituents 5 that are located at opposing positions are provided with a combination member 5g that forms a convex shape by fixing the opening 5i side of a channel member 5h, whose length direction is aligned along the vertical direction, to an inner surface 5d (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, the remaining two side surface constituents 5 are provided with a concave combination member 5g formed by fixing the back 5j side opposite the opening 5i of the channel material 5h, whose length direction is aligned in the vertical direction, to its end face 5f (the surface in the thickness direction between the inner face 5d and the outer face 5e). In the illustrated example, the rectangular cylindrical side surface portion 1b of the planter box 1 is formed by fitting the convex combining member 5g of one of the adjacent side surface portion constituents 5 into the concave combining member 5g of the other of the adjacent side surface portion constituents 5.

[0017] In the illustrated example, the bottom surface portion 1a has a plate shape with a rectangular outline in plan view. The contour of the bottom portion 1a is substantially the same shape and size as the rectangular outer shape of the horizontal cross section of the side portion 1b, and the side portion 1b and the bottom portion 1a are combined so that the lower end of the square cylindrical side portion 1b abuts against the upper surface of the bottom portion 1a, thereby forming the main body of the planter box 1 which is box-shaped with an open top. In the illustrated example, the bottom surface portion 1a is fixed to the side surface portion constituent 5 having a convex combining member 5g. This makes it possible to form the side opening portion 1f, which will be described later, by removing the side surface portion constituent 5 having a concave combining member 5g in the illustrated example. Conversely to the illustrated example, the bottom surface portion 1a may be fixed to the side surface portion constituent 5 having a concave combining member 5g, and the side surface portion constituent 5 having the convex combining member 5g may be made removable.

[0018] In the illustrated example, the midsole body 3 has a plate shape with a quadrangular outline in plan view. The outline of the midsole body 3 has a shape and size that are substantially the same as the outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space 1c.

[0019] In the illustrated example, four supports 4 are provided between the support 4 and the bottom surface portion 1a so as to support the four corners of the midsole body 3, respectively (see FIG. 6). In the illustrated example, each of the four supports 4 has a first member 4a and a second member 4b combined with the first member 4a so as to be movable up and down relative to the first member 4a. Each of the four supports 4 is provided with an axial body 4e that can be simultaneously inserted into a first hole 4c formed in one of the first member 4a and the second member 4b and into any one of a plurality of second holes 4d formed at intervals between the first hole 4c and the second hole 4d adjacent to the other of the first member 4a and the second member 4b in the vertical direction (see Figures 3 to 5). In the illustrated example, the first member 4a and the second member 4b are both rectangular tubular members with both ends open. The internal cross-sectional area of the first member 4a in a horizontal cross section is substantially equal to the thickness of the second member 4b, and the second member 4b is combined with the first member 4a so as to be movable up and down with its lower end housed within the first member 4a. The lower end of the first member 4a contacts the upper surface of the bottom portion 1a, and the upper end of the second member 4b contacts the lower surface of the midsole body 3. The first hole 4c penetrates the side of the first member 4a, and the second hole 4d penetrates the side of the second member 4b. By changing the second hole 4d that communicates with the first hole 4c among the multiple second holes 4d and then inserting the shaft 4e into both, the height t of the support 4, i.e., the distance between the lower end of the first member 4a and the upper end of the second member 4b, can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the height at which the planting container 2 is supported as needed.

[0020] The number of planting containers 2 supported by the midsole body 3 may be one or two or more. In the illustrated example, one planting container 2 is supported by a midsole 3. In the illustrated example, the planting container 2 is tray-shaped. The planting container 2 has a bottom surface 2a that contacts and is supported by the midsole 3, side surfaces 2b that surround the bottom surface 2a, and an open top. In the illustrated example, the planting container 2 has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view, and is slightly smaller than the outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space 1c of the planter box 1 described above. The overall height of the planting container 2 is smaller than the overall height of the side portion 1b of the planter box 1 described above. A partition wall 2c is formed between the open top and bottom portion 2a of the planting container 2, dividing the interior of the planting container 2 into upper and lower halves. The culture medium M is held on the upper side of this partition wall 2c. The partition wall 2c is configured to allow the liquid used for growing the plants P to pass through. Excess liquid supplied to the culture medium M for growing the plants P passes through the partition wall 2c and is stored on the lower side of the partition wall 2c. It is also possible to envision the invention of a planter box 1 including such a planting container 2. In the illustrated example, the culture medium M spread inside the planting container 2 is configured to form a seating surface 6 on the planter box 1. In other words, when the planting container 2 is positioned by the support 4 so that the upper surface of the culture medium M in the planting container 2 is substantially at the same level as the open top 1d of the planter box 1, the upper surface of the culture medium M in the planting container 2 substantially blocks the open top 1d of the planter box 1, forming a horizontal seating surface 6 on the planter box 1 on which users of the greening area can sit.

[0021] In the illustrated example, after placing the planting container 2 in the planter box 1, an edging member 7 is attached to the upper end of the side surface 1b to form an inward flange, concealing the space between the side surface 2b of the planting container 2 and the side surface 1b of the planter box 1. In the illustrated example, the edging member 7 is a long plate with a length equal to the length of the upper edge 5a of the side surface constituent member 5. The edging member 7 is attached to each of the four side surface constituent members 5 along the upper edge 5a. Adjacent edging members 7 are butted against each other on a diagonal line L passing through the center of the internal space 1c and the corner of the side surface 1b (see FIG. 6). The edging member 7 is preferably made of a material with a certain degree of flexibility, such as foamed plastic. In the illustrated example, the edging member 7 is attached so that the outer flange 2d of the planting container 2 is positioned below the edging member 7 (see FIG. 1).

[0022] In the illustrated example, casters 8 are provided on the bottom surface 1a of the planter box 1. The casters 8 are provided on the underside of the bottom surface 1a at each of its four corners. This allows the planter box 1 to be smoothly transported to an area where temporary greening will be carried out, and also makes it easy to arrange multiple planter boxes 1 and to transport the planter boxes 1 after the greening period has ended.

[0023] FIG. 11 shows a temporary greening system comprising two or more planter boxes 1 described above. The side portion 1b of the planter box 1 that constitutes this system is composed of four side portion components 5 that are combined to form a rectangular outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space 1c, and at least one of the four side portion components 5 is removable. In the illustrated example, the side surface portion constituent 5 equipped with the concave combining member 5g is not fixed to the bottom surface portion 1a. Then, by moving the side surface portion constituent 5 equipped with the concave combining member 5g upward so as to extract the convex combining member 5g from this concave combining member 5g, it is possible to remove the side surface portion constituent 5 equipped with the concave combining member 5g. This system is equipped with a connecting mechanism that enables connection to the planter box 1 to be connected while connecting the side opening 1f (see Figure 8) formed by the removal to the side opening 1f similarly formed on the planter box 1 to be connected. In the illustrated example, the connecting mechanism is configured to include the convex combining member 5g and a joining member 9 (see FIG. 9). The joining member 9 has a head 9a and two legs 9b that protrude downward from the head 9a. The legs 9b are each designed to fit into the upper end of the convex combining member 5g. With the side opening 1f formed by the removal connected to the side opening 1f similarly formed on the planter box 1 to be connected, one leg 9b of one connecting member 9 is fitted into the convex combining member 5g located on one side (for example, the upper side in Figure 8) of the side opening 1f of the planter box 1 to be connected (for example, the planter box 1 on the right side in Figure 8), and the other leg 9b of one connecting member 9 is fitted into the convex combining member 5g located on one side (for example, the upper side in Figure 8) of the side opening 1f of the planter box 1 to be connected (for example, the planter box 1 on the left side in Figure 8). At the same time, one leg 9b of another connecting member 9 is fitted into a convex combining member 5g located on the other side (for example, the lower side in Figure 8) of the side opening 1f of the planter box 1 to be connected, and the other leg 9b of the other connecting member 9 is fitted into a convex combining member 5g located on the other side (for example, the lower side in Figure 8) of the side opening 1f of the connecting planter box 1. This allows adjacent planter boxes 1 to be properly connected with their internal spaces 1c communicating with each other. In this way, by connecting multiple planter boxes 1, a wide horizontal lower space 1e can be formed under the midsole body 3, and the wind pressure resistance of the entire system can be rationally and effectively improved.

[0024] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes all embodiments that can achieve the object of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 Planter Box 1a Bottom part 1b Side part 1c internal space 1d upper part 1e Lower space 1f Side opening 2 planting containers 2a Bottom part 2b Side part 2c bulkhead 2d outer tsuba 3 Midsole body 4 Support 4a First member 4b Second member 4c First hole 4d Second hole 4e shaft body 5 Side part structure 5a Top 5b bottom edge 5c side 5d Interior 5e Exterior 5f end face 5g Combination parts 5h channel material 5i aperture 5j tall 6 Seating surface 7 Edging material 8 Casters 9 Joint members 9a head 9b Legs t height h Overall height P plant Pa Lawn Pb trees M medium R Mulching material L diagonal

Claims

1. This planter box is provided with a midsole body having a bottom surface part and side surfaces, an open top part, and dividing the internal space into upper and lower halves, and a support body that is located between the midsole body and the bottom surface part and supports the midsole body, and is capable of supporting a planting container on the midsole body, and the height of the support body is adjustable.

2. 2. The planter box according to claim 1, wherein the overall height is in the range of 30 to 50 cm.

3. 2. The planter box according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is provided with casters.

4. 2. The planter box of claim 1, wherein the support body comprises a first member, a second member combined with the first member so as to be movable up and down, and an axial body that can be simultaneously inserted into any one of a plurality of second holes formed at intervals between a first hole formed in one of the first member and the second member and a second hole adjacent to the other of the first member and the second member in the up and down direction.

5. a planter box comprising a bottom surface portion and side surfaces, an open top portion, a midsole body dividing the interior space into upper and lower halves, and a support body that is located between the midsole body and the bottom surface portion and supports the midsole body, and the height of the support body is adjustable; a planting container supported on the midsole body, Furthermore, the planting container has a bottom surface and side surfaces surrounding the bottom surface, an open top, and a size that is slightly smaller than the outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space of the planter box when viewed in a plane, and the planter box is configured so that the culture medium laid inside the planting container can form a surface on the planter box that can be used for sitting, etc.

6. A greening system comprising two or more planter boxes according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The side surface of the planter box is composed of four side surface constituents that are combined to form a rectangular outline shape of the horizontal cross section of the internal space, and at least one of the four side surface constituents is removable, A greening system comprising a connecting mechanism that enables connection to the planter box to be connected while communicating the side opening formed by the removal with the side opening similarly formed on the planter box to be connected.

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