Modular planter apparatus

Abstract

A planter system (100) has a frame comprising members (102, 104, 106) having channels, a plurality of panel members (114) supported within the channels such that the panel members are supported to be vertical in use, the frame and panel members bounding at least part of a planter volume (V).

Description

Modular planter apparatusTechnical Field

[0001] The present application is concerned with a modular planter apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an apparatus for a modular system comprising a plurality of panels for forming a planter.Background Art

[0002] Planters are devices for holding a quantity of soil or other plant-supporting medium above ground level. They may be used on man-made surfaces such as paving, decking and the like to facilitate the introduction of plants. Many planters are simply large tubs or pots delimiting a volume, open at the top in use, with some capacity for drainage at the base.

[0003] Many planters are of a fixed size and shape. They may be moulded from e.g. plastic material, or ceramic.

[0004] Modular planters on the other hand comprise a plurality of connected panel sections. In this way, a planter can be created to the desired shape and size to meet the end user's needs.

[0005] GB2600394 discloses a modular planter edging system in which a plurality of panels are provided, each having an end flange with locking apertures. Panel connectors and locking members are provided which engage with the apertures to lock adjacent, abutting panels together. The connectors may have a gusset piece formed therewith for stability.

[0006] A problem with this approach is that the side panels need to be constructed from a material from which the end flanges can be formed. Only sheet materials such as metal and plastics are appropriate for such a construction. These tend to be unsightly, or require decoration to make them more attractive to users.

[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved modular planter apparatus.Summary of Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a planter system comprising:a frame comprising members having channels; a plurality of panel members supported within the channels such that the panel members are supported to be vertical in use; the frame and panel members bounding at least part of a planter volume.

[0009] Advantageously, supporting panel members within channels removes the need for such members to comprise special features such as flanges or openings. Instead, any kind of panel members can be used, an in particular paving slabs which are aesthetically beneficial, and may be selected to match e.g. the underlying surface.

[0010] Preferably the system comprises: at least one top rail having a support flange and a top rail channel; at least one bottom rail having a bottom rail channel; a plurality of panel members supported within the top rail channel and bottom rail channel such that the panel members are supported to be vertical in use; at least one support; wherein: the frame and panel members bound at least part of a planter volume; the support flange of the top member extends into the planter volume in use; and, the support is attached to the support flange to support the top rail.

[0011] Preferably the support comprises a main panel extending normal to an adjacent panel member in use.

[0012] Preferably the support is constructed from sheet material having a foot formed from a fold in the sheet material.

[0013] Preferably the at least one support comprises a top flange parallel to the support flange of the top rail to which it is attached.

[0014] Preferably the top flange is above the support flange of the top rail in use.

[0015] Preferably the support defines a slot for receiving the support flange of the top rail.

[0016] Preferably the support flange of the top rail comprises a return, the return projecting upwardly in use.

[0017] Preferably the frame comprises: at least one upright defining a vertical channel in use, one of the plurality of panel members being supported in the vertical channel.

[0018] Preferably the upright comprises two channels at an angle to each other.

[0019] Preferably the upright comprises a hollow section.

[0020] Preferably the hollow section is polygonal, and the channels are defined on two at least two outer faces of the polygonal hollow section.

[0021] Preferably the channels of the at least one bottom rail, the at least one top rail and the upright form a continuous channel receiving the panel member.

[0022] Preferably the top rail comprises a channel for receiving the panel member, and a shoulder formed in the channel for supporting the top rail on the upright.

[0023] Preferably the upright and the panel member are both received in the channel.

[0024] Preferably the upright and the panel member abut.

[0025] Preferably the panel members are cuboidal in shape.

[0026] Preferably the panel members are constructed from a ceramic material, preferably porcelain.

[0027] Preferably the panel members are at least 10mm thick.Brief Description of Drawings

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which:FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a planter apparatus according to the present invention;FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 3 is a section view of a component of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 4 is a section view of a component of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 5 is a section view of a component of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a support for the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a component of a second embodiment;FIGURE 1 1 is a perspective detail view of a part of the component of Figure 10;FIGURE 12 is a side detail view of a part of the component of Figure 10; and,FIGURE 13 is a side detail view of a part of the component of Figure 10.Description of the first embodiment

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a planter apparatus 100 according to the present invention.Configuration

[0030] Referring to Figure 2, a portion of the planter 100 is shown, where it can be seen that the apparatus of the present invention comprises a frame of bottom rails 102, uprights 104 and top rails 106, connectors 108, 1 10, supports 1 12 and panels 1 14.

[0031] The rails 102, 106 and uprights 104 are prismatic in form, having a constant cross section. They may be constructed from a sheet material or e.g. extruded using aluminium. Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the cross-sectional profiles of the rails 102, 106 and uprights 104 are shown.

[0032] The bottom rail 102 comprises a base portion 1 16 with a first, external flange 1 18 projecting from a first free end thereof. A second flange 120 projects from a point midway along the rail 102 between the first flange and the second free end thereof, forming an attachment portion 121. The second flange 120 projects further from the base portion 1 16than the first flange 1 18. The distance between the flanges 1 18, 120 along the base portion is BR1 forming a channel 1 19.

[0033] The upright 104 comprises an L-shaped profile having a first outer portion 122 and a second outer portion 124. A box section 126 is defined on the concave face of the L- shaped profile by a first flange 128 and a second flange 130, both of which extend from midway along, and normal to, the outer portions 122, 124. The flanges 128, 130 extend beyond the point at which they meet to form extension portions 132, 134. Between the extension portions 132, 134 and the free ends of the outer portions 122, 124 there are provided channels 123, 125 of width UR.

[0034] The top rail 106 is generally S-shaped, comprising a central portion 136 having a first section 138 with a first thickness t1 , and a second section 140 with a second, higher thickness t2, forming a shoulder 142 between. At a free end of the first section 138 there is provided a flange 144 normal thereto with a return 146. At a free end of the second section 140 there is provided a flange 148 normal thereto with a return 150. The return 150 extends parallel with the central portion 136 to be level with the shoulder 142. The distance between the second section 140 and the return 150 is UR1 forming a channel 151. The distance between the central portion 136 and the return 146 is UR2.

[0035] The connectors 108, 1 10 are strips of material comprising openings therethrough for receiving screws. The connector 108 is straight, and the connector 1 10 a 90-degree angle. Other angles are possible.

[0036] The support 1 12 is shown in more detail in Figure 6. It comprises a main panel 152 being generally shaped as a right-angled triangle having a side edge 154, a lower edge 156 (at 90 degrees to each other) and an angled edge 158. A cutout 160 is formed between the edges 154, 156. At the corner between the side edge 154 and angled edge 158 there is formed a flange 162 extending from the plane of the panel 152. The flange 162 is generally triangular. Along the lower edge 156 there is provided a base flange 164.

[0037] The panels 1 14 are cuboidal in shape, and may be constructed from any material. That said, the present invention is well suited to the use of paving slabs constructed from ceramic materials. Because the panels 1 14 do not require integrally formed flanges or other features, the choice of material is much wider than the prior art. The panels have a uniform thickness PT.Assembly

[0038] The planter system 100 according to the invention can be used to construct planters of any desired shape.

[0039] The rails 102, 106 can be cutto length, or alternatively shorter lengths can be joined with straight connectors 108 attached to adjacent attachment portions 121 of the bottom rail 102 or flanges 144 of the top rail 106. It will be noted that at corners, the rail ends 102,I 06 are angled at 45 degrees such that they abut to form a 90 degree corner. Other angles are possible (see for example Figure 1 ).

[0040] Referring to Figure 7, two lengths of bottom rail 102 abut the upright 104. The channels 1 19, 123 and 1 19, 125 are joined to form a continuous channel path between each of the bottom rails 102 and the respective channels of the upright 104.

[0041] Similarly, two lengths of top rail 106 are provided at the top of the upright 104. Referring to Figure 8, the top of the upright 104 contacts the shoulder 142 of the top rails 106. The top of the portion 122 of the upright 104 contacts the free end of the return 150 of the upper rail 106. The angled connector 1 10 is used to fasten the top rails 106 together on the abutting flanges 144.

[0042] Prior to installation of the top rails, the panels 1 14 can be nested within the channelsI I 9, 123 / 125 such that they are supported on two sides. When the top rail 106 is installed, the top edge of the panels 1 14 enters the channels 151 to abut the flange 148. The end panels 1 14 are supported by the rails 102, 106 and the upright 104, and the panels midway along the length of the rails are supported by the rails 102, 106 at top and bottom edges. The width of the recesses 1 19, 123, 125, 151 are the same, and BR1 = UR = UR1 > PT.

[0043] The supports 1 12 are installed at intervals around the planter to provide support against collapse. Referring to Figure 9, the support is positioned such that the flange 162 is underneath and abutting the flange 144. It is then attached thereto (e.g. by a screw). In this position, the side edge 154 contacts the adjacent panel 1 14.Use

[0044] Referring to Figure 1 , the above apparatus and method have been used to construct a planter 100 having an endless border defining a volume V. The volume V can then befilled with plant supporting material such as soil, which can be used to support and contain plants.Description of the second embodiment

[0045] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, there is shown an alternative support 212. The support 212 comprises a main panel 252 being generally shaped as a right-angled triangle having a side edge 254, a lower edge 256 (at 90 degrees to each other) and an angled edge 258. A cutout 260 is formed between the edges 254, 256. At the corner between the side edge 254 and angled edge 258 there is formed a flange 262 extending from the plane of the panel 252. The flange 262 is generally triangular and has two spaced apart openings 263. Along the lower edge 256 there is provided a base flange 264.

[0046] As such, the support 212 is similar to the support 1 12. The difference lies in the vertical height ofthe support V, and the fact that a notch 270 is provided between the flange 262 and the main panel 252. The notch 270 extends partway along the flange 262. The notch has a length ND.

[0047] The support 212 is used in place of the support 1 12 in the planter assembly 100. Referring to Figures 12 and 13 the engagement of the support 212 with the top rail 106 is shown. Instead of abutting the underside ofthe flange 144 (perthe support 1 12), the flange 144 and return 146 ofthe top rail 106 are received underthe flange 262 ofthe support 212. The flange 144 and return 146 are also received in the slot 270.

[0048] Once in position, the openings 263 in the flange 262 are used to insert screws to fasten the support 262 to the top rail 106. The advantage of this arrangement is that the screws are inserted in a downward direction meaning that only the screw heads are exposed from above.

Claims

Claims1. A planter system comprising: a frame comprising: at least one top rail having a support flange and a top rail channel; at least one bottom rail having a bottom rail channel; a plurality of panel members supported within the top rail channel and bottom rail channel such that the panel members are supported to be vertical in use; at least one support; wherein: the frame and panel members bound at least part of a planter volume; the support flange of the top member extends into the planter volume in use; and, the support is attached to the support flange to support the top rail.

2. A planter system according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a main panel extending normal to an adjacent panel member in use.

3. A planter system according to claim 2, wherein the support is constructed from sheet material having a foot formed from a fold in the sheet material.

4. A planter system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one support comprises a top flange parallel to the support flange of the top rail to which it is attached.

5. A planter system according to claim 4, wherein the top flange is above the support flange of the top rail in use.

6. A planter system according to claim 5, wherein the support defines a slot for receiving the support flange of the top rail.

7. A planter system according to any preceding claim, wherein the support flange of the top rail comprises a return, the return projecting upwardly in use.

8. A planter system according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises:at least one upright defining a vertical channel in use, one of the plurality of panel members being supported in the vertical channel.

9. A planter system according to claim 8, wherein the upright comprises two channels at an angle to each other.

10. A planter system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the upright comprises a hollow section.1 1. A planter system according to claim 10, wherein the hollow section is polygonal, and the channels are defined on two at least two outer faces of the polygonal hollow section.

12. A planter system according to any of claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein the channels of the at least one bottom rail, the at least one top rail and the upright form a continuous channel receiving the panel member.

13. A planter system according to any of claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein the top rail comprises a channel for receiving the panel member, and a shoulder formed in the channel for supporting the top rail on the upright.

14. A planter system according to claim 13, wherein the upright and the panel member are both received in the channel.

15. A planter system according to claim 14, wherein the upright and the panel member abut.

16. A planter system according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel members are cuboidal in shape.1 7. A planter system according to claim 16, wherein the panel members are constructed from a ceramic material.

18. A planter system according to claim 17, wherein the panel members are constructed from porcelain.

19. A planter system according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel members are at least 10mm thick.

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