MODULAR PLANTING APPARATUS

Abstract: Modular planting apparatus which includes a plurality of tubular modules (10). Each module (10) has an access slot (11) in a top part of the side wall in use whereby the interior of each module (10) is adapted to contain soil or other plant nutrient material. There is also provided connection means between adjacent modules which in one form may include an end cap or plate (12) interposed between adjacent modules and interconnecting same and which in some cases may be also attached to an end block (15) or intermediate block (17).

Description: MODULAR PLANTING APPARATUS THIS INVENTION relates to modular planting apparatus. Hitherto planting apparatus or "planters" have been of a stereotyped nature and have often been used in fixed locations in a house or garden. Normally a conventional planter will comprise a large bowl type container or pot containing soil and other plant nutrient material within which the plants will grow. However, there has now been a more pressing requirement for planters to have a different type of appearance to the conventional "pot plant" and also for planters to be more versatile in application. Thus it is now desirable that planters be used, for example, as floral displays, or on feature walls within the lounge or living room kitchen or patio. It is also desirable that the plants may be substi¬ tuted within the planter as required. It is also required that the planter be transported to different locations within the house when desired. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modular planting apparatus which is versatile in . use and which is of a non-stereotyped appearance when compared to the prior art. The invention provides a modular planting apparatus including a plurality of tubular modules, each module having an access slot in a top part of the side wall thereon in use whereby the interior of each module is adapted to contain soil or other plant nutrient material. There is also provided connection means between adjacent modules and there also may be provided support means for the plurality of modules. Each module may be of any suitable cross section, but is preferably round so that each module is cylindrical in shape. Each cylindrical module is suitably open ended and each end thereof is provided with end caps. The access slot may extend the length of the cylinder, but more suitably occupies only the mid region of the cylinder. Soil or plant nutrient material may be placed in the interior of the cylinder through the slot or alternatively individual plan such as pots or specially designed planters adopted to be fitted within the interior of the cylinder may be used. There is provided connection means for connectio together of adjacent modules and any suitable connection means may be used for this purpose. Thus in one form the may be provided the above-mentioned end caps whereby adjac end caps of adjoining modules may be screwed together, Preferably there are provided additional end pieces or intermediate pieces which are of greater diameter than the end caps. Each end cap may be of complementary shape to its associated tubular module. A screw may be used to attach the end of mutually adjacent modules to an intermed interconnection piece or block or to interconnect an end p or block to an adjoining end cap of an adjacent tubular module. The modules may be assembled to each other as described above, not only in a horizontal direction but al in a vertical direction. Thus in one embodiment there may provided a framework of such modules which are interconnec to each other. A suitable framework may be formed by a ma support stem which has attached thereto intermediate its height a cruciform shaped arrangement of horizontal cross members. Various other arrangements are also possible suc as a repeating framework of interconnected modules. If desired there may be provided support means for supporting the framework of modules and this may include a support ba or support members (e.g. screws, nails etc.) attaching tub modules to support surfaces such as walls or lattice scree Reference is now made to the attached drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings: C"7I FIG 1 is an exploded view of a planter framework constructed in accordance with the invention. FIG 2 is an exploded view of an alternative planter framework constructed in accordance with the invention; FIG 3 is an exploded view of a planter framework constructed in accordance with the invention but showing a different form of connection between adjacent tubular modules; FIG 4 is a detailed view of the connection means used in FIG 3; and FIGS 5 and 6 show different arrangements of planter frameworks falling within the scope of the invention. ' In the drawings, there is shown tubular module 10. having access slot 11 for the insertion of plants or plant nutrient material. Module 10 is provided with end caps 12 which are bonded to an adjacent interior surface of module 10. End caps 12 may be formed in the same injection moulding process which produces tubular modules 10. There is also shown end block 15 and intermediate block 17 which inter- connects modules 10 with adjacent module 10A. Module 1Q is attached to intermediate block 17 by having an end peripheral edge engaging in groove or recess 16. Screws 14 engage in apertures 13 of each end cap or plate 12 and which locate in block 17 as indicated at 14A. FIG 2 shows a cruciform arrangement comprising four modules 10 and associated end blocks 15. There is also shown central interconnecting block 17 which also engages with upright modules 10B and 10C as shown. Upright 10B is mounted on mounting ring 18. FIG 3 shows module 10 being attached to end block 15 by an assembly comprising end plate 12A, outer mounting ring 19, inner mounting ring 20 and bolts 21 and associated nuts 22 which engage through coaligned apertures 26, 25 and 28 in members 19, 12A and 20 respectively. Each end plate 12A is provided with a bevel 23 for the addition of sealing compound 24 which bonds end plate 12A to the interior surface of tubular module 10. A detailed view of this interconnectio is shown in FIG 4. In relation to FIGS ' 5 and 6 there are shown a si modular framework 29 and a double modular framework 30 mou on castors 31.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Modular planting apparatus including a plurality of tubular modules, each module having an access slot in a top part of the side wall thereof in use whereby the interior of each module is adapted to contain soil or other plant nutrient material, there also being provided connection means between adjacent modules. 2. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the connection means includes at least one end cap interposed between adjacent modules and interconnecting same. 3. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein each tubular module has an end cap associated with each end thereof and each end cap is of a size which is complementary to the internal dimension of an associated tubular module. 4. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the connection means also includes an end block which is directly attached to an associated end cap of an adjacent tubular module. 5. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 wherein there is further included an intermediate block which is interposed between mutually adjoining tubular modules and which intermediate block is directly attached to each respective adjacent end cap of the mutually adjoining tubular modules. 6. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein each end cap of an associated end of a tubular module has associated therewith at least one clamping ring directly attaching each respective end cap to its said associated end of a tubular module. 7. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein there is provided an inner and outer clamping ring with each end cap sandwiching an associated end therebetween with the inner and outer ring being bolted to each other through aligned apertures in the inner clamping ring, end cap and outer clamping ring. 8. Modular planting apparatus wherein each end cap is bonded to an adjacent surface of a tubular module. 9. Modular planting apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein each tubular module is of cylindrical shape.

Inventors: RAYNER M
Applicants: RAYNER M
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A01G9
IPC codes: A01G9