AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant: Raymond Bertazzo Invention Title: A PLANTER BOX The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 A PLANTER BOX 5 FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention relates to a planter box into 10 which soil or other suitable material can be contained for growing plants. BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 15 Planter boxes are available in a number of different forms and a common variety is a shallow rectangular box having a base and side walls made of plastic or polystyrene. This type of planter box is ideal for small numbers of relatively small plants such as flowers and 20 tomatoes, and is not particularly suitable for larger plants. Planter boxes suitable for larger plants are usually custom made on site and include posts driven into the 25 ground, such as star posts, and retaining members, such as railway sleepers that are placed between the posts to act as a retaining wall for supporting a garden bed. A benefit with this type of the structure is that the size of the planter box can be made according to the space 30 available space and is typically sufficiently large for growing common varieties of vegetables. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative planter box that may be used in place of 35 the custom made planter boxes. 2196916_1 (G]Malters) 22102/10 -3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a planter box including: 5 at least three panels having formations that facilitate the panels being connected together to form self-supporting and free standing walls of the planter box, each of the panels have a metallic body with a coating over at least part of the metallic body to inhibit 10 corrosion thereof from ambient conditions, and when viewed in an assembled orientation, the panels have a height dimension in the range of 450 to 1450 mm. Throughout this specification the term "self 15 supporting and free standing" means that the panels, when connected together in an upright orientation, can retain that orientation when used as planter without the need for external supports. 20 The coating may be any suitable coating including paint, polymeric films, powder coatings or metallic coatings such as a galvanized coating. Even more suitably, the entire body of the panels is metallic and the coating substantially covers all surfaces of the 25 metallic body. In an embodiment, at least two of the panels include a main planar portion and at least one flange extending laterally from the main planar portion, and the formations 30 that facilitate the panels being connected together include openings on the flanges and openings on the main planar portion so that when assembled, the openings of the flanges of one of the panels can be aligned with the openings of the main planar portion of another of the 35 panels to which it is connected to allow a fastener to be accommodated therein. In other words, the main planar portions of the panels form an angle therebetween that 2196946_1 (GIMattirs) 22/02/10 -4 provides self-supporting and freestanding walls. In an embodiment, the panels include: two end panels each having a main planar portion and s two flanges that extend laterally to one side of the main planar portion, each flange having openings for receiving a fastener; and one or more pairs of side panels, each side panel having openings at opposite ends such that when assembled, 10 side walls of the planter can be formed by i) multiple pairs of the side panels being connected in an end-to-end relationship by the openings of side panels aligning for receiving a fastener, or openings of a connecting plate co-operating with the openings of the pairs of the side 15 panels for receiving fasteners, or ii) a single pair of the side panels, and the side walls assembled according to either i) or ii) can be connected to the end panels by the openings of the flanges of the end panels aligning with the openings at ends of the side walls for receiving 20 fasteners. In an embodiment, the box assembly includes 2 or more pairs of the side panels connected end-to-end, and the assembly includes a bracing member that interconnects 25 opposite side walls intermediate of the end panels, and wherein the bracing members are located below an upper edge defined by the side and end panels. In an embodiment, the box assembly includes sleeve 30 formations on the panels, and at least one resiliently flexible member for supporting plants or shade cloth, the or each member having opposite ends that can be received by the sleeve formations so as to hold the member in an arch above the panels. 35 The panels when viewed in an assembled orientation may have a height dimension in the range of 450 to 1000mm 219 (046_ (GIMaiters) 22/02/ 10 and suitably in the range of 500mm to 900. Even more suitably, the panels have a height dimension in the range 600mm to 800, and ideally approximately 650mm. 5 An advantage of this aspect is that when the panels are assembled on the ground, plants in the box are within reach while standing i.e., without necessary having to kneel on the ground. 10 In an embodiment, the flanges form an angle in the range of 40 to 140 degrees with the main planar portion, and suitably an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Although it is within the scope of the present 15 invention that a lower portion of the panels may be embedded in the ground, the panels are ideally seated on the ground without being embedded or dug into the ground. An advantage of this aspect is that the planter box 20 may be assembled on any surface including hard surfaces such as concrete or bitumen. In these situations it would not be possible to drive posts or anchors into the surface as required by conventional custom made structures. 25 In an embodiment, the box assembly comprises three panels which when assembled, each panel forms one of three outer walls of a triangular shaped box. In an embodiment, the box assembly comprises four 30 panels which when assembled, each panel forms one of four outer walls of a rectangular or square shaped box. In an embodiment, the box assembly comprises four panels and pairs of additional panels which when 35 assembled, two panels form end walls and at least two other panels form opposite side walls of the box in a rectangular box shape. 2196946_1 (GHManes) 22/02110 -6 In an embodiment, the box assembly comprises a total of the six panels of which two of the panels form end walls which are interconnected by side walls arranged 5 laterally of the end walls, each side wall comprising two panels directly or indirectly connected end-to-end. In an embodiment, the box assembly comprises a total of eight panels of which two of the panels form the end 10 walls that are connected to side walls arranged laterally of the end walls, each of the side walls comprising three panels directly or indirectly connected end-to-end. In situations in which the side walls of the box is assembly includes two or more panels, in an embodiment a bracing member interconnects the side walls at a point intermediate the end walls of the box. The bracing member prevents the side walls from deforming or buckling outwardly away from each other under the load of material 20 placed in the box. In an embodiment, the formations that facilitate the panels being connected together may facilitate any directly or indirectly interconnected between the panels. 25 For example, corners of the box may be formed by right angular sections, such as right angled steel sections that are then connected to the panels. In another example, the panels may have inter-coupling formations that allow the panels to be arranged and coupled directly together at 30 right angles. In another embodiment, the formations are in the form of opening for receiving fasteners. In an embodiment, the fasteners including nut and bolts. 35 In an embodiment, the panels are metallic panels and suitably galvanised metal panels. 2196946_1 (GIhlatters) 22102110 -7 When the panels are assembled into a box, in an embodiment a resiliently flexible member, such as lengths of plastic tubing, suitably PVC tubing, can be placed in s an arched configuration between the panels. The arched members can be used for a number of different purposes. For example, shade cloth can be placed over the arched members to provide shade to the plants in the planter box. In another example plastic material may be located over 10 the resiliently flexible member to form a greenhouse or hot-house beneath the plastic. In another example, guide wires may also be fastened to the arched members to support climbing plants such as tomatoes. In yet another example, water systems may also be supported by the arched 15 members. In an embodiment, the inside face of the panels include a sleeve formation or opening for receiving the arched member. 20 According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a modular planter box assembly, the box assembly including: at least three panels which, when assembled into an 25 upright orientation are directly or indirectly connected to at least two other panels such that the panels form self-supporting and free standing outer walls of the box, wherein when viewed in an assembled orientation the panels have a height dimension in the range of 450 to 1450mm. 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying 35 drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric perspective view of a planter box in an assembled orientation comprising four 2196946_! (GHMattcrs) 22/02/10 -8 panels in a square formation in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the planter box shown in Figure 1; 5 Figures 3 and 4 are end and side views respectively of the planter box shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembled planter box according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising panels assembled in a 10 rectangular formation; Figure 6 is a top view of the planter box shown in Figure 5; Figures 7 and 8 are end and side views of the planter box shown in Figure 5; 15 Figure 9 is a perspective view of a planter box according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in a rectangular formation; Figure 10 is a top view of the planter box shown in Figure 9; and 20 Figures 11 and 12 are side and end views respectively of the planter box shown in Figure 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 25 The present invention will now be described with reference to the three embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Each embodiment relates to a modular planter box assembly that can be readily assembled on site. When assembled, the box is free standing in the sense that does 30 not require anchoring or supports embedded in the ground and when loaded with soil or other material, the box supports a garden bed at a suitable working height for gardeners alike. 35 The embodiments shown in the drawings contain a number of common or similar features and where appropriate the same reference numerals have been used on each of the 2196946_1 (GHMauers) 22/02/10 - 9 embodiments to label the same or similar features. With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the planter box comprises four panels 20, which when assembled form two 5 oppositely disposed end walls 20a and two oppositely disposed side walls 20b. The end walls 20a have flange formations 21 extending laterally from the main planar surface of the end wall 20a. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 4, the formations 21 extend along the outer surface of 10 the side walls 20b and suitable fasteners such as rivets, screws or, in the case of the embodiment shown in the figures, nuts and bolts 22 can be used to interconnect the flange formations 21 of the end walls 20a to the side walls 20b. The side and end walls 20a, 20b have a height 15 dimension in the range of 450 to 1450 mm and suitably a height dimension in the range of 500 to 800 mm and ideally approximately 650 mm. Side and end walls 20a, 20b of this size enables garden bed of suitable height to be created within the bounds of the side and end walls 20a, 20b when 20 load with soil. Although the length of the walls 20a, 20b may be of any dimension, suitably the walls are in the range of 1 to 2 metres in length and ideally in the range of 1300 to 25 1400 mm. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the lower edge of the walls 20a, 20b include a foot formation or flange 23 extending outwardly from the bottom of walls 20a, 20b to 30 provide a contact surface of suitable area between the walls on the ground. In addition, an outwardly flared formation 28 is also formed at the upper edge of the walls 20a, 20b. 35 In addition, as can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 4, tubular sleeves 27 are mounted to the inner face of the side walls 20b at equal spacings from the end walls 20a. 2196946_ (G]Maitmrs) 22/02110 - 10 The tubular sleeves 27 enable a length of plastic tubing, suitably PVC tubing to be located in an arched formation between the sleeves 27. When in position, the arched tube members can be used for a number of different purposes 5 including supporting shade cloth over plants growing in the planter box. In another example, plastic may also be located over the plastic tubing to create a miniature hot house. 10 Figures 5 to 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment which is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, save for an additional pair of side wall panels 20c which when incorporated into plantar box assembly provide a rectangular box formation. As in the is case of the earlier embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8 comprises two oppositely disposed end walls 20a, each having flange formations 21 which interconnect and attach to the side walls 20b by means of nut and bolt fasteners 22. The side 20 walls 20b, 20c of the box each comprise two panels connected end-to-end. As can be seen in Figure 5 and in broken or dashed lines in Figure 8, a rectangular plate 25 overlaps the ends of the side walls 20b, 20c abutting against each other. Nut and bolt fasteners 22 are then 25 used to connect the side walls 20b, 20c to the overlapping plate. In addition, in order to prevent the side walls from bending or deforming outwardly under the load of soil or other suitable material in the planter box, bracing members 26 interconnect the side walls 20b, 20c at the 30 overlapping plate 25. In case of the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, two bracing members 26 are used to interconnect the side walls 20b and 20c. The embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8 also includes 35 a foot formation in the form of a flange 23 at the bottom of the walls 20a, b, c that contacts the ground and an outwardly extending lip formation 28 at the upper edge of 2196946_ I (GIhiMancrs) 22/02/10 - 11 the walls 20a, b, c. Figures 9 to 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment comprising panels assembled into a rectangular planter box 5 having two oppositely disposed end walls, 20a each comprising a single panel, and two oppositely disposed side walls 20b, each comprising three interconnected panels. Specifically, the side walls 20b each comprise three panels aligned in a linear arrangement end-to-end. 10 An overlapping connector plate 25 is located over a section of the side walls 20b, 20c abutting each other. Suitable nut and bolt fasteners 22 are used to secure the connector plate 25 to the side walls 20b, c, d. Furthermore as in the case of the embodiment in Figures 5 15 to 8, the embodiment in Figures 9 to 12 also includes bracing members 26 interconnecting opposite side walls 20b, c, d to prevent deformation or bulging of the side walls 20b, c, d when loaded with soil or other material. The bracing members 26 are fastened to the side walls 20b, 20 c, d at the overlapping plate 25 using suitable nut and bolt fasteners. As can be seen in Figures, the inside face of the side wall panels 20b, c, d also include opposite pairs of 25 sleeve formations 27 designed to receive resiliently deformable tubular members, such as PVC tubing for supporting shade cloth or plastic over a garden bed formed in the box assembly. 30 The side and end walls 20a, b, c and d of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 12 also have a foot formation 27 at the bottom edge for contacting the ground and an upper lip formation 28 around the outer periphery of the planter box. 35 Although the end and side walls 20a, b, c and d of the planter box may be made of any material including 2196946_1 (GHiMatters) 22/02110 - 12 plastic, suitably the end and side walls 20a, b, c and d are made of a metallic material and ideally galvanized steel. 5 As can be seen in the figures, the various embodiments are without a base spanning between in the end and side walls. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will appreciate that many modifications and variations may 10 be made to the preferred embodiments described above with departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding 15 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but 20 not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 2196946_1 (GHManers) 22/02/10