Abstract:
An adaptable terraced planter and system having a plurality of planters, each planter comprising a plastic body configured to retain soil with hinge brackets at each end that when interlocked with a pin or rod form a hinge there between to rotatably connect the planters together, and thereby enable the attachment of said at least one of the plurality of planters to another planter in more than one selective orientation and to allow for the stacking of rows of planters in vertical or tiered rows or variants thereof that conform to a wide variety of topographies.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 61/413,774, filed Nov. 15, 2010, for the invention of Kelly William Luckett entitled “Interlocking Planter and Planter System,” and derives and claims priority from that application, which Application No. 61/413,774 is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Retaining walls and terraced plantings are routinely used in many settings. Historically, such formations were constructed using natural materials such as rocks, lumber and earthen structures. Yet, these materials have their limitations, including availability, lack of uniformity and in some cases unacceptable durability. In recent years, precut stone and preformed concrete blocks, some being labeled as “faux stone”, have been widely used to build retaining walls and terraces. These “man-made” materials offer durability and relative ease in construction, while presenting a clean and uniform image. However, these materials also have shortcomings. Faux stone and stone retaining wall blocks are very heavy and can be broken, chipped and damaged from handling or during use. The weight of these traditional components adversely impacts shipping and delivery costs and logistics, and causes installation to be more taxing. Further, the structure of such faux stone and stone retaining wall blocks necessitates construction of retaining walls with only limited terraced orientation, and almost uniformly in which the blocks are themselves exposed as part of the appearance of the retaining wall. Additionally, stone components can be expensive, and replacement and repairs of stone and concrete retaining wall blocks can be difficult and costly. 
         [0004]    It is therefore desirable to have retaining wall components that are lighter in weight, easier to install and more flexible in application, and which offers the option of creating a retaining wall of plants that has little, if any, other materials exposed. It would also be desirable for such components to be less expensive and easier to repair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following drawings that form a part of the specification: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of several of the interlocking planters of the present invention forming a terraced retaining wall; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a single planter of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of several of the interlocking planters of the present invention in the process of being formed into a terraced retaining wall; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of several of the interlocking planters of the present invention in the process of being formed into a terraced retaining wall; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away side view of a three tiered terraced planter system of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a single planter of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a top and side view of yet another alternate embodiment of a single planter of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of several of the interlocking planters of the present invention in the process of formed into a curved two-tier terraced retaining wall. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0015]    In an illustrative embodiment ( FIG. 1 ), the interlocking planter system  10  is shown positioned on a sloping earthen surface  12 . The surface  12  may be of virtually any profile, including for example, flat, pitched, curved or otherwise uneven. The system  10  comprises a plurality of substantially rigid interlocking planters  14 . The planters  14  ( FIG. 2 ) each have a generally horseshoe-shaped bottom edge  16  and a corresponding horseshoe-shaped top edge  18  with a conforming perpendicular sidewall  20  spanning between the bottom and top edges  16  and  18 . The sidewall  20  terminates on one side of the planter  14  at a vertical first side edge  22  and terminates at the opposite side of the planter  14  at a vertical second side edge  24 . The planters  14  are configured to retain soil, plants, or other growth media within the horseshoe-shaped sidewall  20 . 
         [0016]    For each planter  14 , two vertically oriented coaxial hinge brackets  26  are positioned along the first side edge  22  and two corresponding vertically oriented coaxial hinge brackets  28  are positioned along the second side edge  24 . The brackets  26  and  28  are configured, positioned and oriented to interlock with each other when the first side edge  22  of one planter  14  is positioned alongside a the second side edge of a second planter  14 , together forming an integrated hinge. ( FIG. 1 ). Two additional vertically oriented cylindrical brackets  29  are positioned at the apex and on the inside of the horseshoe-shaped curve along the top and bottom edges  16  and  18 , midway between the first and second side edges  22  and  24 . ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0017]    A vertical through bore  30  is coaxially formed in the center of each of the brackets  26 ,  28  and  29  for each planter  14 . Each of the bores  30  have the same diameter and the bores  30  of the brackets  26  and  28  are coaxially oriented along their respective edges  22  and  24 , while the bores  30  of the brackets  29  are coaxial with one another. The bores  30  of the brackets  26  and  28  are further oriented and aligned along the edges  22  and  24  so as to receive a pin or rod  32  through the brackets  26  of one planter  14  and the brackets  28  of a second planter  14  when the brackets  26  and  28  are coaxially aligned. The brackets  26  and  28  each comprise a pair of individual brackets with the end of one of each pair of brackets coplanar with one of the bottom or top edges  16  and  18 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when a first planter  14  is positioned aside a second planter  14 , such that the bores  30  in the brackets  26  of the first planter are coaxially aligned with and interlocking the brackets  28  of the second planter, and a rod  32  is placed through at least one of the bores  30  of each of the brackets  26  and  28 , a pivotable side-mating hinge  34  is formed between the two side-mated planters  14 . Further, and referring to  FIG. 4 , when a first planter  14  is positioned atop a second planter  14 , such that the bores  30  in the brackets  26  or  28  of one of the upper planter  14  are coaxially aligned with the bores  30  in the brackets  29  for the lower planter  14 , and a rod  32  is placed through at least one of the bores  30  of the brackets  26  or  28  and through at least one of the bores  30  of the brackets  29 , a pivotable vertically-mating hinge  36  is formed between the two or more vertically-mated planters  14 . Because the bores  30  are open along the top and bottom of each planter  14 , the rod  32  can be placed through multiple vertically positioned rows of planters  14  to form a system  10  having multiple vertically oriented rows of planters  14 , and the rods  32  can simultaneously be forced into the earthen surface  12  below the planter system  10  to secure the planter system  10  to the ground. ( FIGS. 3-5 ). Of course, the side-mating hinge  34  may be formed from more brackets than the four brackets  26  and  28 . That is, the planters  14  may alternatively be configured with multiple brackets of various sizes and shapes along the side edges  22  and  24 , each having coaxial bores  30  such that when two planters  14  are positioned alongside each other and the bores  30  from each of the planters  14  are aligned with one another, the hinge  34  is created there between. 
         [0019]    When a system  10  is being assembled, a plurality of metal rods  32  hold a plurality planters  14  together to form a retaining wall planter system  10 . Typically, when assembling the system  10 , the lowest level of planters  14  are first positioned in a first row A on the ground  12  ( FIG. 3 ). Rods  32  are then placed through the bores  30  in the brackets  26 ,  28  and  29  of the first row A planters  14  and driven into the surface  12  to secure the first row A of planters  14  to the surface  12 . ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 - 5 ). 
         [0020]    The rods  32  placed in the brackets  26  and  28  extend substantially above the top edges  18  of the planters  14  in the first row A to provide for the aligned and interlocking placement of additional rows B, C, etc. of planters  14  atop the first row A. In contrast, the rods  32  placed in the brackets  29  for the planters  14  of the first row A typically are shortened to preclude the rods  32  from extending above the top edges  18  of the planters  14 . Soil or some other growth media is added to the row A planters  14  to at least partially fill the planters  14  in preparation for inserting plants into the planters  14 . 
         [0021]    A second row B of planters  14  is then positioned atop the first row A. Due to the novel design of the planters  14 , the planters  14  comprising second row B can be oriented in a number of different configurations to enable a variety of desirable wall shapes, and for ease of adaptation to surfaces  12  having a multitude of differing topographies. For example, in a basic configuration, the planters  14  of the second row B are oriented such that the row B brackets  29  slide onto the rods  32  extending above the brackets  26  and  28  of the planters  14  for the first row A. This secures the row B planters in a uniform terraced orientation across the top of the row A planters. Additional rods  32  are then placed through the bores  30  in the brackets  26  and  28  of the second row B planters  14  and driven into the surface  12  to secure those row B planters  14  to the ground  12 . As can be appreciated, this procedure can be repeated to add additional rows of planters  14  atop rows A and B. In addition, at any point in the construction of the planter system  10 , each individual planter  14  can be rotated about the rods  32  at any of the brackets  26 ,  28  or  29 , to shape the planter system  10  to conform to terrain topography. In such instances, it may be necessary to utilize additional rods  32  to independently secure one or more of the brackets  26 ,  28  or  29  to the surface  12 . Further, the planters  14  can be added in a vertical orientation to form vertical walls, throughout the entire planter system  10  or at various locations in the system  10  as desired. Vegetation  50  can be placed in the planters  14  as desired. 
         [0022]    Further due to the novel interlocking hinge design of the planters  14 , the system  10  can be adapted at each level, A, B, C, etc, to match the shape and contours of virtually any topography at that level. That is, the first row A of planters  14  can be set side-by-side in a straight row as seen in  FIG. 1 , or any one of the planters  14  in a given row (i.e. A, B, C, etc.) can be pivoted about its hinge  34  holding it to the planter  14  next to it, to form a displacement in the row to match the contour of the surface  12  upon which the row is placed. For example, the rows A and B in  FIG. 8  are depicted in curved orientation where the sidewalls  20  of the individual planters  14  are pivoted apart from each other about the rods  32  of the side-hinges  34 . 
         [0023]    As can be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the novel configuration of the planters  14  allows for the interlocking construction of planter systems  10  having a variety of configurations, including for example, vertical retaining walls with vertically oriented planters  14 ; vertical retaining walls with overlapping planters  14 ; terraced retaining walls with vertically oriented planters  14 ; terraced retaining walls with overlapping planters  14 ; and various combinations of these formations. Further, the hinges  34  and  36  formed between each set of the planters  14  allow for substantial flexibility in shaping the planter system  10  atop or along the surface  12 . 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the present invention ( FIG. 6 ), additional vertically oriented hinge brackets  126  and  128 , each having vertically oriented and coaxial through bores  130 , are positioned along the sidewall  20  at discrete positions incrementally spaced from respective edges  22  and  24 . In this way, the brackets  26  can alternately and selectively be aligned and engaged with one of the sets of the additional brackets  126 , and the bores  30  of the brackets  28  can alternatively and selectively be aligned and engaged with one of the sets of the additional brackets  128 , such that the bores  30  align with the bores  130  in order to construct planter systems  10  with terraces having differing and predetermined slopes. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure ( FIG. 7 ), the planters  14  are formed of a relatively firm, yet pliant material such as for example a partially pliant plastic. In particular, the properties of the material should be such that the planters  14  may lay flat, but can be readily curved along the edges  16  and  18  into a horseshoe shape, or other desirable shape, for placement in a planter system  10 , while having sufficient rigidity between the edges  16  and  18  to provide a stable front face for the planter  14  to retain soil or growth media within the planter  14  without undue or unacceptable distortion. In this embodiment, the planters  14  can be produced in a flat orientation for ease of production, and can lay flat for each of shipping and storage. This embodiment also allows for more flexibility the shaping and formation of the exposed faces of the planters  14  in a planter system  10 . 
         [0026]    Alternatively, the planters  14  can be formed of a relatively rigid material, such as for example a rigid plastic, with vertical variations in thickness between the edges  16  and  18 , to provide points of curvature along the edges  16  and  18 . In another embodiment, vertical living hinges may be formed along the edges  16  and  18  to allow for flexibility in shaping the exposed face of the planter  14  when placed in a planter system  10 . 
         [0027]    In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, flanges extend from the side edges  22  and  24  for penetration into the surface  12  when the planter  14  is positioned in a planter system  10 , to additionally secure the planter system  10  to the surface  12 . In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the planters  14  may be adapted to integrate with one another to provide an irrigation system for the planter system  10  that can water and feed the growth retained by the planters  14 . 
         [0028]    Preferably, the planters  14  are constructed of a green, substantially rigid plastic. However, variations on the material used to construct the planter  14  exist. For example, alternate colors or patterns of different colors may be used, combinations of pliant and/or flexible materials may be used to construct all or portions of the planters  14 , and the material may be designed to allow for the flow of moisture through the planter wall, so long as the materials allow the planters to be used in accordance with the requirements as set forth in this disclosure. 
         [0029]    Additional variations on the basic construction of the planter  14  and planter system  10  are also available. For example, the exact shape and size of the planter  14  can be varied to form larger or smaller configurations. The planter  14  may be thick or thin. The planter  14  may be formed in a variety of shapes in all three dimensions, taking for example the general shape of a box, a tube, or a cup, so long as the planter  14  retains its ability to perform as outlined in this disclosure. Likewise, the planters  14  may be of differing sizes in each of the three dimensions. The planter  14  may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to various plastics, rubbers, metals and fabrics, or any other suitable material that is capable of forming the planter system  10  and retaining growth media in the planters  14 . Similarly, the rods  32  can be of a multitude of varying sizes and shapes, and may be constructed of a wide variety of materials, so long as the rods  32  are capable of performing as outlined in this disclosure. 
         [0030]    Any number of two or more planters  14  may be interlocked together to form a planter system  10 . Similarly, the number of planter rows, e.g., A, B, C, etc., in each planter system  10  can be any number greater than zero. Hence, the exact number of planters  14  and rows of planters  14  used in each embodiment of the planter system  10  may vary. 
         [0031]    It is also contemplated that a system can be created using various sized planters  14  of the planter system  10  to enable the predetermination of the configuration and look of a planter system  10  prior to installation. That is, the slopes between each row of planters  14  depends upon the distance between the brackets  26  and  28  and the brackets  29 , as well as the height of the planters  14 . By varying these parameters, it is possible to create planters  14  that can be combined in varied configurations across a planter system  10  to create a planter system  10  with differing predetermined shapes and slopes. In addition, the widths and colors of the planters  14  can be varied. These planters  14  of varied shapes can be numbered in a categorized system to correspond to their differing dimensions. With this categorized system, a computer graphics program can be created that is capable of rendering a color graphic representation of a planter system  10  based upon the placement and configuration of each planter  14  used to form that particular planter system, as well as the particular vegetation that will be planted in each planter  14 . 
         [0032]    The detailed description above illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.