1 P/00/011 28/5/91 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Bookleaf Pty Ltd Actual Inventors: Sung, Hsu-Yang Sung, Loung Chich Toscana, Aurelio Edwards, Walter John Address for service is: Golja Haines & Friend PO Box 1417 West Leederville Western Australia 6901 Attorney Code: IJ Invention Title: Green Wall Planting Support Apparatus Divisional Application - Parent Particulars: AU 2013201927, Filed 25 March 2013 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 GREEN WALL PLANTING SUPPORT APPARATUS Cross Reference to Related Application [0001] This application is a divisional application of Australian standard patent application 2013201927, which claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 101220435, filed on October 23, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a planting support apparatus, more particularly to a green wall planting support apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art [0003] Figure 1 illustrates a conventional green wall planting support apparatus 1 that is fixed on a wall 10 through a plurality of fasteners 14. Such a green wall planting support apparatus 1 includes a plastic main plate 11, a plurality of plant baskets 12, and a plurality of hooks 13 that detachably attach the plant baskets 12 to the main plate 11. The main plate 11 has a plurality of circular holes 111. Each plant basket 12 has a surrounding wall 121 that defines a plant space 120 for receiving a plant. The surrounding wall 121 has two spaced-apart hook holes 122. Each hook 13 has two opposite hook portions, such that one of the hook portions is hooked to one of the hook holes 122 of the corresponding basket 12, and the other one of the hook portions is hooked to the corresponding one of the circular holes 111 of the main plate 11. [0004] In use of the conventional green wall planting support apparatus 1, aside from a weight of the plant, each basket 12 may bear weights from soils with water. Through the hooks 13, the weights may result in stresses that concentrated around the circular holes 111 of the main plate 11 and the hook holes 122 of the baskets 12, respectively. Since the main plate 11 and the baskets 12 are used in outdoor, environmental factors 3 and the concentrated stresses may damage connections between the circular holes 111 of the main plate 11 and the hook holes 122 of the basket 12. [0005] On the other hand, the conventional green wall planting support apparatus 1 is adapted for co-locating plants. The baskets 12 with plants are spaced apart from each other in a row. For watering the plants, the baskets 12 may need to be watered repeatedly. When watering is excessive, excess liquid may flow out of bottoms of the baskets 12. The excess liquid from bottoms of the baskets is usually left to drip on the ground which can result in the environment surrounding the conventional green wall planting support apparatus becoming dirty. [0006] In the prior art green wall planting support, there is no provision for watering the baskets, with onus being left to the installer or owner to route watering conduit and install drippers to the baskets that are to be irrigated. Generally this is not seen as a particular problem, since most home gardeners are familiar with routing watering conduit and installing drippers. [0007] Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a green wall planting support apparatus that can overcome at least some of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide an alternative. [0009] According to the present invention, a green wall planting support apparatus adapted for connecting a water source includes at least one plant support structure and a plurality of baskets. The plant support structure includes a vertical main plate and a water supply unit for connecting the water source. The vertical main plate has a plurality of 4 basket hanging portions. The water supply unit includes at least one main pipe that is connected to the water source, and a branch unit that is coupled to the main pipe. The branch unit has a plurality of watering conduits. Each of the baskets has a basket body. The basket body has a receiving portion that defines a receiving space, and a basket hanger portion that is detachably connected to one of the basket hanging portions. The watering conduits convey water into the receiving spaces of the baskets, respectively. [0010] Specifically, in accordance with the invention there is provided a green wall planting support apparatus adapted for connecting a water source, comprising: at least one plant support structure that includes a vertical main plate having a front vertical side and a rear vertical side, and a water supply unit located on the rear vertical side for connecting the water source, said vertical main plate having a plurality of basket hanging portions, said water supply unit including at least one main pipe and an inlet connector for connection to the water source, and a branch unit coupled to said main pipe, said branch unit comprising a plurality of watering conduits; and a plurality of baskets each having a basket body, said basket body having a receiving portion that defines a receiving space, and a basket hanger portion extending integrally and outwardly from a side of the receiving portion, that is detachably connected to one of said basket hanging portions, each said watering conduits extending to the front vertical side to convey water into a said receiving space of a said basket, respectively. [0011] Preferably said water supply unit has pipes that are mounted on a rear vertical side of said main plate arranged in a cross shape, and having an auto lock connector on ends of said pipes, said auto lock connector arranged to prevent water flowing out of said pipes. [0012] Preferably said green wall planting support apparatus comprises a plurality of said plant support structures, and which further comprises a plurality of series connectors, each of said series connectors 5 interconnecting fluidly through adjacent auto lock connectors of said water supply units of two adjacent ones of said plant support structures. [0013] Preferably said cross shape has said pipes arranged vertically and horizontally so said plant support structures can be placed edge to edge in side by side and top to bottom alignment. [0014] Preferably said plant support structure further includes a recycle unit disposed on said main plate, said recycle unit having at least one liquid receptacle that is attached to said main plate and that has a liquid space, said basket body of each of said baskets further having a drainage hole that communicates with said receiving space and that drains liquid from said receiving space to said liquid space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, illustrating a conventional green wall planting support apparatus; Figure 2 is a perspective view, illustrating the first preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating the first preferred embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view, illustrating the first preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a partly sectional view, illustrating the second preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according the present invention; 6 Figure 6 is an exploded view of the third preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a front view, illustrating the fifth preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a front view, illustrating the sixth preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a rear view, illustrating the sixth preferred embodiment; and Figure 11 is an exploded rear view, illustrating the seventh preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure. [0017] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the first preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to the present invention is adapted for planting plants in a vertical manner and is adapted for connecting a water source. The green wall planting support apparatus includes at least one plant support structure 2 and a plurality of baskets 4. [0018] In this embodiment, the green wall planting support apparatus includes a plant support structure 2. The plant support structure 2 7 includes a vertical main plate 20 and a water supply unit 25 for connecting the water source The vertical main plate 20 is a plastic integral plate that has a plurality of basket hanging portions 225. Preferably, the vertical main plate 20 further has two spaced-apart insertion parts 21, and a mounting part 22 that interconnects the insertion parts 21 and that are formed with the hanging portions 225. Each of the insertion parts 21 has a vertical insertion rod 211. [0019] The mounting part 22 has a front vertical side 221, a rear vertical side 222, a plurality of wall hanging holes 223 that communicate the front and rear vertical sides 221, 222, a plurality of attaching holes 224 that communicate the front and rear vertical sides 221, 222, and a plurality of receptacle hanging portions 226 that communicate the front and rear vertical sides 221, 222, and a plurality of receptacle hanging portions 226 that respectively supports a liquid receptacle 261 (which will be detailed hereinafter). In this embodiment, the hanging portions 225 are spaced apart from and horizontally aligned with each other, and are arranged in two vertical rows. The receptacle hanging portions 226 have an arrangement similar to the hanging portions 225, but are disposed beneath the hanging portions 225, respectively. However, the hanging portions 225 and the receptacle hanging portions 226 are not limited to be arranged in two vertical rows , respectively. The hanging portions 225 and the receptacle hanging portions 226 may be arranged in one row or a plurality of vertical rows, respectively. [0020] Being disposed on the main plate 20, the water supply unit 25 includes at least one main pipe 251 that is connected to the water source, and a branch unit 250 that is coupled to the main pipe 251. The branch unit 250 has a plurality of watering conduits 254. The watering conduits 254 extend to the front vertical side 221 of the main plate 20. In this embodiment, the water supply unit 25 includes one main pipe 251 that is vertical formed between the mounting portion 22 and one of the insertion parts 21 of the main plate 20. Preferably, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes a seal member 6. The seal member 6 is 8 disposed on a bottom end of the main pipe 251 and prevents water from flowing out of the bottom end of the main pipe 251. [0021] More preferably, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes a water inlet connector 5 that is disposed on a top end opposite the bottom end of the main pipe 251, and that is connected to the water source. The branch unit 250 of the water supply unit 25 has at least one branch conduit 253 that is connected to one of the watering conduits 254. In this embodiment, the branch unit 250 has two branch conduits 253 parallel with each other. Each branch conduit 253 is connected to a corresponding one of the water conduits 254. The water supply unit 25 further has a plurality of fasteners 252 fastening the watering branch conduit 253 to the main plate 20. In this case, the fasteners 252 fasten the watering branch conduits 253 through the attaching holes 224 on the main plate 20, respectively. [0022] Preferably, the plant support structure 2 further includes a recycle unit 26 that is disposed on the main plate 20. The recycle unit 26 has at least one liquid receptacle 261 that is attached to the main plate 20 and that has a liquid space 262. In this embodiment, the recycle unit 26 has two liquid receptacles 261 that are supported by the receptacle hanging portions 226, respectively. Each liquid receptacle 261 of the recycle unit 26 is mounted on the front vertical side 221 of the mounting part 22 of the main plate 20. The liquid space 262 of each liquid receptacle 261 opens upwardly relative to a ground. In addition, the recycle unit 26 includes a main drain tube 263 that is opposite to the main pipe 251 of the water supply unit 25 and that is vertical disposed between the mounting portion 22 and the other one of the insertion parts 21 of the main plate 20, and two guide drain conduits 265. The two guide drain conduits 265 interconnect the liquid receptacles 261 and the main drain pipe 263, respectively. [0023] Preferably, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes a pedestal unit 3 that vertically supports the plant support 9 structure 2. The pedestal unit 3 includes two spaced-apart main vertical posts 31 horizontally aligned with each other. Each of the main vertical posts 31 has a slit 311 that receives the insertion rod 211 of a corresponding one of the insertion parts 21. In addition, a pedestal unit 3 includes two base plates 30 that respectively connect bottom ends of the main vertical posts 31 and that respectively have increased areas in contact with the ground. Preferably, the pedestal unit 3 further includes a plurality of horizontal connection plates 32, and a plurality of connection members 33 each of which secures one of the horizontal plates 32 to a corresponding one of the main posts 31. The main plate 20 may be supported in air because of support from the main posts 31, and connection among the main posts 31, the horizontal plates 32, and the connection members 33. Alternatively, the main plate 20 may be hung on a wall (not shown) through the wall hanging holes 223, i.e., the pedestal unit 3 may be omitted from the green wall planting support apparatus of the present invention. [0024] The baskets 4 are disposed on the front vertical side 221 of the mounting part 22 of the main plate 20. Each of the baskets 4 has a basket body 41. The basket body 41 has a receiving portion 411 that defines a receiving space 414, and a basket hanger portion 412 that is detachably connected to one of the basket hanging portions 225 of the main plate 20. The receiving portion 411 is adapted to receive the plant. The basket hanger portion 412 extends integrally and outwardly from a side of the receiving portion 411. Preferably, the basket body 41 of each of the baskets 4 further has a drainage hole 416 that communicates with the receiving space 414 and that drains liquid from the receiving space 414 to the liquid space 262. In addition, the basket body 41 further includes a basket base wall 413, and a basket surrounding wall 415 that extends upwardly from and cooperates with the basket base wall 413 to define the receiving space 414. In this embodiment, one of the basket base wall 413 and the basket surrounding wall 415 has the drainage hole 416. Each of the baskets 4 further includes an inclined plate 42 that is disposed above the basket base wall 413 and that is inclined upwardly and 10 rearward from a front side of the basket base wall 413 for tilting downwardly and forwardly plants disposed inside the basket body 41. The inclined plate 42 has a plurality of through holes 421 formed thereon. In this case, the basket hanger portion 412 extends downwardly from a top of the basket surrounding wall 415. [0025] In use of the green wall planting support apparatus of the present invention, the plant support structure 2 may be hung on the wall (no shown) through the wall hanging holes 223. With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the pedestal unit 3 may also be used to support the plant support structure 2 on the ground. In actual implementation, the vertical insertion rods 211 of the main plate 20 are respectively inserted into the slits 311 of the vertical posts 31. The horizontal plates 32 are secured between the main vertical posts 31 through the connection members 32, such that the plant support structure 2 and the pedestal unit 3 may be configured as a solid structure body. Then, the baskets 4 are attached to the main plate 20 through a detachable connection between the basket hanger portions 412 of the baskets body 41 and the basket hanging portions 225 of the main plate 20. Afterwards, the main pipe 251 may supply water through the water inlet connector 5 connected to the water source and the seal member 6 sealing the bottom of the main pipe 251. [0026] When water is flowed into the main pipe 251 of the water supply unit 25, since the two branch conduits 253 are connected to the watering conduits 254 , the watering conduits 254 convey water into the receiving spaces 414 of the baskets 4 , respectively. When water is excessively supplied, the drainage hole 416 of each basket 4 drains liquid from the receiving space 414 to the liquid space 262 of the liquid receptacle 261. Since the two guide drain conduits 265 interconnect the liquid receptacles 261 and the main drain pipe 263 , superfluous liquid may be transported into the main drain pipe 263 through the guide drain conduits 265. In order to avoid superfluous liquid spilling out, a bucket (not shown) may be disposed beneath the main drain pipe 263, or superfluous liquid may be 11 deflected into a gutter (not shown) through a drainage tube (not shown) connected to the main drain pipe 263. [0027] Therefore , the green wall planting support apparatus of the present invention not only may support plants vertical planted to green the wall, but also may have water supply to irrigate plants and maintain environment clean. In this embodiment, the basket hanger portion 412 of each basket 4 and a corresponding one of the basket hanging portions 225 of the main plate 20 are elongate and designed for connection with each other in a complementary manner. Such design may prevent stress concentration from causing damage between the baskets 4 and the main plate 20. As a result, such design may enhance stability of the connection between the baskets 4 and the main plate 20 as well. [0028] Figure 5 shows the second preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to this invention, which has a structure generally similar to that of the first preferred embodiment. However, the liquid receptacle 261 of the recycle unit 26 is mounted on the rear vertical side 222 of the main plate 20. Each of the baskets 4 further includes a draining tube 43 that is connected to the drainage hole 416 and that drains liquid into the liquid space 262 of the liquid receptacle 261. Since the liquid receptacle 261 is hidden behind the main plate 20, the front vertical side 221 of the main plate 20 may have aesthetic appeal. [0029] Figure 6 shows the third preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to this invention. In this embodiment, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes two spaced-apart plant support structures 2 aligned with each other in a vertical direction, a plurality of baskets 4, and a pedestal unit 3 for supporting and connecting the plant support structures 2. The main plate 20 of each of the plant support structures 2 further has two spaced-apart insertion parts 21, and a mounting part 22 that interconnects the insertion parts 21 and that are formed with the hanging portions 225. Each of the insertion parts 21 has a vertical insertion rod 211. The pedestal unit 3 12 includes two spaced-apart first vertical posts 31 that are respectively connected to two opposite sides of a lower one of the plant support structures 2, two base plates 30 that respectively connect bottom ends of the first vertical posts 31, two spaced-apart second vertical posts 31' that are respectively connected to two opposite sides of an upper one of the plant support structures 2, and two post connectors 34 each of which interconnects one of the first vertical posts 31 and one of the second vertical posts 31' . Each of the first and second vertical posts 31, 31' has two opposite slits 311 that respectively receive the insertion rods 211 of the plant support structures 2. In addition, each of the first and second vertical posts 31, 31' further has a pair of connecting insertion holes 312. The two pairs of connecting insertion holes 312 of the first and second vertical posts 31, 31' are opposite to each other in a vertical direction. Each of two post connectors 34 has two opposite insertion plates 314 that are respectively inserted into the connecting insertion holes 312 of the first and second vertical posts 31, 31' . By virtue of a connection among the post connectors 4 and the first and second vertical posts 31, 31' , the number of the plant structures 2 may be varied in the vertical direction according to an actual requirement. Preferably, the pedestal unit 3 further includes a plurality of horizontal connection plates 32, and a plurality of connection members 33 each of which secures one of the horizontal connection plates 32 to a corresponding one of the first and second vertical posts 31, 31'. [0030] In this embodiment, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes two water inlet connectors 5 that are respectively disposed on top ends of the main pipes 251 of the plant structures 2, and a funnel 7 that is disposed on a top end of the lower one of the plant support structures 2. The funnel 7 interconnects the main drain tubes 263 of the plant structures 2. One of the water inlet connectors 5 interconnects the main pipes 251 of the plant structures 2. The other one of the water inlet connectors 5 is connected to the water source. As such variation, the water can be convoyed to the baskets 4 through the water 13 inlet connectors 5 and the superfluous liquid can be drained out from the upper to the lower plant structures 2 through the funnel 7. [0031] Figure 7 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to this invention. In this embodiment, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes two spaced-apart plant support structures 2 aligned with each other in a horizontal direction, a pedestal unit 3, and a plurality of baskets 4. The main plate 20 of each of the plant support structures 2 further has two spaced-apart insertion parts 21, and a mounting part 22 that interconnects the insertion parts 21 and that are formed with the hanging portions 225. Each of the insertion parts 21 has a vertical insertion rod 211. The pedestal unit 3 includes three spaced-apart main vertical posts 31, and three base plates 30 that respectively connect bottom ends of the main vertical posts 31. The main plate 20 of each of the plant support structures 2 is disposed between two adjacent ones of the main vertical posts 31. Each of the main vertical posts 31 has two opposite slits 311 that respectively receive the insertion rods 211 of a corresponding one of the insertion parts 21. By virtue of such connection among the main vertical posts 31 and the plant structures 2, the green wall planting support apparatus may be flexibly lengthened a greened extent of the green wall in the horizontal direction. [0032] Figure 8 shows the fifth preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to this invention, which has a structure generally similar to that of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the two liquid receptacles 261 are beneath the baskets 4 in the vertical direction, respectively. In addition, the recycle unit 26 further has a connection tube 266 that interconnects the two liquid receptacles 261. The connection tube 266 may drain superfluous liquid from an upper one of the two liquid receptacles 261 to a lower one of the two liquid receptacles 261.
14 [0033] Figures 9 and 10 show the sixth preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to this invention, which has a structure generally similar to that of the first preferred embodiment. However, the water supply unit 25 is disposed behind the main plate 20 and has four main pipes 251 that are mounted on the rear vertical side 222 of the main plate 20 and that are arranged in a cross shape, and a multiway connector 255 that interconnects the four main pipes 251. In this embodiment, the branch unit 250 further has a plurality of branch conduits 253 that are mounted on the rear vertical side 222 of the main plate 20. Each of the branch conduits 253 is connected to one of the main pipes 251 and one of the watering conduits 254, such that the watering conduits 254 may convey water to the baskets 4. In this case, each main pipe 251 has an inlet end and an outlet end that is opposite to the inlet end. The outlet end of one of the main pipes 251 is connected to the mutiway connector 225, such that the water inlet connector 5 is disposed on the inlet end opposite to the outlet end and connected to the water source. Each of the other three of the main pipes 251 has the inlet end that connects the multiway connector 255, and has an auto lock connector (not shown) that is disposed into the outlet end thereof. Instead of the seal member 6 , the auto lock connector may prevent water from flowing out of the outlet end of the corresponding one of the main pipe 251. [0034] In the sixth preferred embodiment, since the water supply unit 25 is disposed on the rear vertical side 222 of the main plate 20, the water supply unit 25 may be hidden, so that the front vertical side 221 of the main plate 20 may have aesthetic appeal. [0035] Figure 11 shows the seventh preferred embodiment of a green wall planting support apparatus according to this invention, which has a structure generally similar to that of the sixth preferred embodiment. However, the green wall planting support apparatus includes a plurality of the plant support structures 2, a plurality of seal members 6, and a water inlet connector 5. Preferably, the green wall planting support apparatus further includes a plurality of series connectors 8. Each of the series 15 connectors 8 interconnects fluidly the water supply units 25 of two adjacent ones of the plant support structures 2. By virtue of connections among the series connector 8 and the water supply units 25, the number of the plant support structures 2 may be varied in the vertical and horizontal directions with sufficient and convenient water supply. In this embodiment, of course, the auto lock connectors may be substituted for the seal members 6 to ease assembly. [0036] As can be seen in figures 10 and 11, the pipes 251 of the cross shape are arranged vertically and horizontally so the adjacent plant support structures 2 are located placed edge to edge, in side by side and top to bottom alignment, to make a symmetrical array as shown in figure 11. [0037] While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.