AU2014277609A1

AU2014277609A1 - Support apparatus, system and method

Info

Publication number: AU2014277609A1
Application number: AU2014277609A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Glass; David SHOOLMAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-03
Filing date: 2014-06-03
Publication date: 2016-01-21
Also published as: WO2014194354A1; AU2014101588A4

Abstract

A support apparatus (10) includes a support component (12) and a retaining component (14) integrally joined and perpendicular to each other. Each includes a support structure (22) adapted for supporting or retaining a supportable mass such as garden, a backing structure (24) and spacers (25) spacing these apart with an intermediate zone, such as a drainage zone (36), between. The invention extends to a support system (86) including a plurality of juxtaposed apparatuses (10) with the support components constituting part of a floor (88) and the retaining components constituting a wall adjacent the floor. The invention further extends to a method of installing a supportable mass such as a garden using such a system, including supporting the mass on the floor.

Description

WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 1 SUPPORT APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a support apparatus, According to preferred embodiments, the apparatus may be used in the installation of garden beds and/or various other finishes or drainable masses in areas or on surfaces which, in the absence of such apparatuses, may not be naturally adapted or well-suited for such support or drainage. Examples of such locations often 10 include, but are not limited to, roofs of buildings, car parking lots, balconies, paved areas, grassed areas or other hard or soft, porous or non-porous surfaces, etc. In particular, the invention relates to a support apparatus, to a support system, and to a method of installing a supportable mass using the support system. 15 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is often considered desirable to have gardens in areas which are not naturally adapted or particularly suitable for gardens, such as in heavily 20 urbanised environments such as city centres, and on the roofs, balconies or other surfaces of high-rise buildings, or on hard surfaces such as car parks, and paved areas. Such gardens are considered to be beneficial, not only from an aesthetic and environmental point of view, but also for the mental and emotional well-being of inhabitants. 25 Because the available surfaces for planting such gardens are usually of concrete, bricks, tiles, metal or other non-porous building materials which do not afford the support and drainage necessary to enable the collection and storage or disposal of rain water or irrigation water received by such gardens, 30 it is known to use draining racks or similar devices on such surfaces, for separating the gardens from the substrates (concrete, tiles, etc) beneath. Such racks are typically of plastic or similar materials and have upper and lower apertured surfaces, separated from each other with voids in-between, WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 2 by load-bearing spacers that provide structural strength while also conserving weight by enabling the presence of the voids. Combinations of such racks are typically used and are juxtaposed to form 5 desirable configurations of racks. The upper surfaces of the racks are typically covered by suitable geotextile materials and then utilised for supporting topsoil and/or other media. These racks allow water to pass through apertures in the upper apertured surface into the voids between the upper and lower apertured surfaces, such that this water can be collected and/or disposed of, generally 10 via drainage inlets/outlets. Known systems of such drainage units typically require the presence of existing walls to serve as load-bearing retaining walls to support the perimeters of new garden beds or similar installations. This is 15 disadvantageous in locations in which such walls are not available, such as open areas on rooftops, parking lots, and so on, as either the walls then need to be constructed, which can involve additional time and cost, or these installations may not be feasible due to cost, weight, access limitations, etc. 20 It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative thereto. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support apparatus for a supportable mass, the apparatus including: a support component having a support structure which is adapted for supporting the supportable mass thereon and which defines first apertures therein, a backing structure, and spacers for maintaining the backing structure 30 and support structure in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other such that they at least partly define, between them, an intermediate zone; and a retaining component integrally joined to the support component, WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 3 wherein the backing structure of the support component is adapted to be supported on a substrate such that, if the substrate is substantially horizontal, the retaining component extends upwardly from the support component. 5 In a preferred embodiment, the retaining component includes a support structure which is adapted for retaining the supportable mass and which defines first apertures therein, a backing structure, and spacers for maintaining the backing structure and support structure in a substantially 10 parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other such that they at least partly define, between them, an intermediate zone. In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the supportable mass is a garden. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the support component and retaining component are integrally joined to each other by having been manufactured as a single component. 20 Then, preferably, the support component and retaining component have been moulded as a single component. In a preferred embodiment, the or each backing structure defines second apertures therein. 25 In a preferred embodiment, the or each support structure is substantially in the form of an apertured surface. Also, preferably, the or each backing structure is substantially in the form of a 30 apertured surface. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to be nestable with another said apparatus stacked thereon.

WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 4 In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes strengthening formations adjacent to positions at which the support component and retaining component are joined to each other. 5 In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes strengthening formations adjacent to positions at which the support component and retaining component are joined to each other, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be nestable to enable a first apparatus to be stacked on a second apparatus, wherein the strengthening formations are shaped such that those of the first 10 apparatus are complementary to those of the second apparatus when the two apparatuses are stacked. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes two retaining components extending at right angles to, and joined integrally with, each other such that 15 the support component and retaining components are all substantially orthogonal in relation to one another. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a supported mass support system including a plurality of support apparatuses according to 20 the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof, arranged so as to be juxtaposed with one another on a said substrate such that the support components of the plurality of apparatuses together constitute at least part of a floor of the system and the retaining components of the plurality of apparatuses together constitute an upwardly extending wall adjacent to the 25 floor. Preferably, the wall at least partly surrounds the floor. In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the 30 supportable mass is a garden. In a preferred embodiment, the floor includes at least one substantially planar support floor component including a support structure which is adapted for supporting a supportable mass thereon and which defines first apertures WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 5 therein, a backing structure, and spacers for maintaining the backing structure and support structure in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other such that they at least partly define, between them, an intermediate zone. 5 In a preferred embodiment, the system includes two support apparatuses according the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the two support apparatuses abutting each other such that the retaining components of the abutting support apparatuses are in a back to back 10 relationship, According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a supportable mass the method including the steps of: providing a system according to the second aspect of the invention or 15 preferred embodiments thereof; and supporting a supportable mass at least partly above the floor. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes supporting the supportable mass on a lining on the floor. 20 Preferably, the method includes retaining the supportable mass at least partly by the wall. In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the supportable 25 mass is a garden. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes placing at least one additional support apparatus in abutment with a support apparatus of the system such that the retaining components of the abutting apparatuses are in 30 a back to back relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes placing a plurality of additional support apparatuses in abutment with support apparatuses of the system such that the retaining components of each pair of abutting WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 6 apparatuses are in a back to back relationship, wherein the support components of the additional support apparatuses constitute a walkway extending at least partly along the supportable mass. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a support apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, viewed from the front and above; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the support apparatus of Figure 1 viewed from the rear, above, and to the side; 15 Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a support apparatus according to a different embodiment to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, viewed from the rear, above and to the side; 20 Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the support apparatus according to Figure 3, viewed from the front, above and to the side; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the support apparatus of Figures 3 and 4, viewed from a different angle to that of Figure 4; 25 Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the support apparatus of Figures 3 to 5, viewed from yet a different angle; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a planar support floor component 30 according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the component of Figure 7, shown in further detail; WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 7 Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a support apparatus according to Figure 1 with a layer of sand thereon, with another support apparatus in a back to back arrangement; 5 Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of a support system according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the support system of Figure 10, together with additional support apparatuses. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, in Figures 1 to 6, there are shown support module apparatuses 10 according to embodiments of the invention, each apparatus 15 including a support component 12 and a retaining component 14. The apparatuses 10 are adapted for supporting, and facilitating drainage of, a drainable supportable mass such as a garden. However, the apparatuses 10 may be used for other types of drainable masses such as pebbles, mulch, etc, as well as non-drainable masses. For convenience, unless otherwise 20 indicated, the following description refers to the supportable mass being in the form of a garden. As will be discussed in further detail below, the support components 12 are adapted to extend horizontally, while the retaining components 14 are 25 adapted to extend upwards from the support components, in a substantially vertical orientation. Figure 7 shows another type of support component 16, being a support floor component, which is substantially planar. 30 In each of Figures 1 to 7, the support and retaining components 12, 14, 16 have apertured surfaces, although they are not shown as such in those figures. However, Figure 8 is a more detailed albeit schematic view of the WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 8 support component 16 of Figure 7, illustrating the apertured surfaces, as described further, below. In particular, in Figure 8, the support component 16 includes an upper support 5 structure 22 and a lower, backing structure 24, and is of moulded plastics material, with apertures 34 in the support structure and backing structure, each of these structures as a whole being substantially planar. There are a number of intervening links 20 orientated substantially vertically, 10 which space the support structure 22 from the backing structure 24. Accordingly these links 20 are referred to below as spacers 25. While only the support component 16 of Figure 7 is shown schematically in such detail in Figure 8, it is to be understood that each of the support and 15 retaining components 12, 14 of the support apparatuses 10 of Figures 1 to 6 is of a substantially similar structure and configuration. Thus, in those Figures, the upper surfaces 26 of the support components 12, and inner surfaces 28 of the retaining components 14 constitute the support 20 structures of those apparatuses 10. Similarly, the lower surfaces 30 of the support components 12 and outer surfaces 32 of the retaining components 14 constitute the backing structures of those components. The spacers 25 in those figures are indicated schematically at the edges of 25 those support components 12, 14 (although they are spaced across substantially the whole extent of each support or retaining component). Each apparatus 10 as shown in each of Figures 1 to 6 is formed as a single integral unit, by moulding, 30 The apertures 34 serve as drainage apertures of the support structures 22 and of the backing structures 24, while the area between the support structures and backing structures of each support and retaining component 12, 14, 16 constitutes an intermediate drainage zone 36.

WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 9 It will be seen that the support apparatus 10 of Figures 1 and 2 includes a single support component 12 and a single retaining component 14, these components extending at right angles to each other, 5 The support apparatus 10 of Figures 3 to 6 includes a single support component 12, but two retaining components 14 (referenced as 14.1 and 14.2). The two retaining components 14.1, 14.2 are at right angles to each other and to the support component 12, so that these components are all 10 substantially orthogonal with respect to one another. Each of the support apparatuses 10 of Figures 1 to 6 is provided with strengthening formations 38 adjacent to the positions 40 at which the support and retaining components 12, 14 of the respective apparatuses are joined to 15 each other. These strengthening formations 38 are constituted by a number of curved fillets. Alternatively, other means for strengthening may be used instead or in addition. As can be seen, each fillet 38 is formed as part of the moulding of the support 20 apparatus 10 as a whole, such that the inner surface 42 of the corner between each support component 12 and adjacent retaining component 14 is rounded (as shown, for example, in Figures 4 and 5), as is the outer surface 44 of the corner (as shown for example in Figures 2 and 6). 25 Each fillet 38 is of a particular width and the fillets are arranged alternately with respect to regions 46 in which the fillets are omitted, these regions being of essentially the same widths as the fillets. Accordingly, each of these regions 46 has an inner surface 48 and outer surface 50 each defining a right angled corner (as shown for example in Figures 4 and 5). Indeed, the corners 30 on the outer surfaces 50 constitute protrusions relative to the adjacent rounded corners of the outer surfaces 44 of the fillets 38. Conversely, the inner surfaces 42 of the fillets 38 constitute protrusions with respect to the adjacent surfaces 48 which constitute recesses.

WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 10 The arrangement of the fillets 38 and the regions 46 in which the fillets are omitted allows similar support apparatuses 10 to those shown in Figures 1 and 2, and similar apparatuses to those shown in Figures 3 to 6, respectively, to be stacked one on top of another, that is, in a nested configuration, for 5 example to facilitate storage and transportation of the apparatuses. in this nested configuration, the corners at the outer surfaces 50 of the regions 46 in which the fillets 38 are omitted in an upper of two nested apparatuses 10 are accommodated in the corresponding corners of the recessed surfaces 48 10 formed by the corners in the regions 46 of the apparatus immediately below. Similarly, the inner surfaces 42 of the curved fillets 38 of the lower of the two stacked apparatuses 10 are accommodated on the outer surfaces 44 of the curved fillets 38 of the apparatus above. 15 The support apparatuses 10 of Figures 1 to 6 may be used for supporting gardens, such as roof gardens, as illustrated in Figure 9 on a substrate 70 (for example a building rooftop, a parking lot, a balcony, etc). As can be seen in that Figure, a geotextile layer 79 is placed on the support component 12 of a particular support apparatus 10, and extends over the retaining component 14 20 of that apparatus, and an appropriate filtration layer of course river sand 80 (or other suitable media) is then applied to the geotextile layer of the support component. The filtration layer of course river sand 80 is then covered with an appropriate depth of a selected organic soil mix (not shown). 25 The soil: mix enables the planting of a garden (not shown), such that the garden extends both horizontally and vertically. The retaining component 14 serves as a retaining wall which allows water to drain vertically through the retaining component and prevent the build-up of 30 hydrostatic pressure. The nestability of the apparatuses 10 as discussed above can facilitate transport and storage, WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 11 Referring to Figure 10, there is shown an arrangement of support apparatuses 10 which together constitute a system 86 of support apparatuses. As can be seen, the apparatuses 10 are positioned so that their support components 12 together constitute part of a floor (generally referenced as 88) of the system 5 86, The retaining components 14 together constitute a wall extending around the periphery of the floor 88. Such a system 86, when a garden is planted thereon in a similar manner to that described with reference to Figure 9, can essentially constitute a 10 contained, enclosed garden area defining an interior area 90, for example on the rooftop of a building, or parking lot, or other open area in which there are no building walls on which to support upwardly extending garden drainage racks. 15 The strengthening formations 38 assist in minimising deflection of the retaining components 14 relative to the support components 12 under the weight of the garden planted thereon and assist in resisting breaking of the retaining components from the support components. 20 This strengthening is further enhanced by the abutment of adjacent support apparatuses 10 with each other. Indeed, the retaining components 14 of these apparatuses 10 may be interconnected by suitable means which may be of a releasable type (not shown), so that the adjacent retaining components provide support to one another. In addition, a plastic (or other) capping piece 25 (not shown), can be fitted along the top of the abutting retaining components 14 so as to connect and tie together the abutting retaining components. It will be noted that while the support components 12 of the apparatuses 10 together constitute part of the floor 88, in the centre of the floor of the system 30 Figure 10 there are provided support floor components 16 of the type shown in Figure 7, Thus, those support floor components 16 serve to complete the area of the floor 88.

WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 12 When the system 86 is used to support a garden as described above, the apertures 34 in the support structures 22 and backing structures 24 of the apparatuses 10 and support components 16, as well as the drainage zones 36, allow water, in the form of natural rainfall, or applied water used to irrigate 5 the garden, to drain away to assist in avoiding swamping of the garden and a potentially damaging accumulation of water on the substrate 70. Alternatively, the support structures 22 can be covered with a vinyl liner or other suitable waterproof membrane (not shown) and used to permanently or 10 temporarily contain liquid, or wet or contaminated material in the interior area 90. Referring to Figures 9 and 11, the system 86 is shown together with additional support apparatuses 10.3 placed in an abutting relationship with the support 15 apparatuses 10 of the system 86 which is described above with reference to Figure 10. In this configuration, the retaining components 14 of those additional support apparatuses 10.3 are arranged in a back-to-back relationship with the retaining components 14 of the system 86 as shown in Figure 11. This assists in supporting the retaining components 14 of the 20 system 86. The support components 12 of those additional support apparatuses 10-3 extend outwards relative to the inner area 90 of the system 86. The support components 12 of the additional support apparatuses 10.3 can together 25 constitute a walkway around the system 86. Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms. 30 For example, although the system 86 is illustrated above including a certain number of support apparatuses 10 arranged in a particular configuration, other numbers of apparatuses and other configurations may be used instead.

WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 13 In addition, while embodiments of the invention are described above in relation to a garden support and drainage system, the invention can also be used to support and, where relevant drain, a large range of other materials, including gravel, pebbles, sand, mulch, etc. 5 Alternatively the invention can be used to support and temporarily or permanently contain (not drain), by means of an impermeable membrane, materials or substances such as storm water run-off (as part of an on-site storm water detention system), sewage run-off, mine tailings, sedimentation, 10 etc. In addition, all components that are arranged in an abutting relationship, such as those shown in and described with reference to Figures 10 and 11, may be provided with suitable means to enable interconnection and interlocking, 15 preferably of a releasable nature, between the abutting components. The invention can also be used, where required, to speedily provide low retaining walls, constituted by the retaining components 14, to assist in soil stabilisation, erosion control, materials separation and retention, or other 20 purposes as applicable.

Claims

1. A support apparatus for a supportable mass, the apparatus including: a support component having a support structure which is adapted for 5 supporting the supportable mass thereon and which defines first apertures therein, a backing structure, and spacers for maintaining the backing structure and support structure in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other such that they at least partly define, between them, an intermediate zone; and 10 a retaining component integrally joined to the support component, wherein the backing structure of the support component is adapted to be supported on a substrate such that, if the substrate is substantially horizontal, the retaining component extends upwardly from the support component. 15

2. A support apparatus according to claim I wherein the retaining component includes a support structure which is adapted for retaining the supportable mass and which defines first apertures therein, a backing structure, and spacers for maintaining the backing structure and support 20 structure in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other such that they at least partly define, between them, an intermediate zone.

3. A support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the supportable mass is a garden. 25

4. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the support component and retaining component are integrally joined to each other by having been manufactured as a single component. 30

5. A support apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the support component and retaining component have been moulded as a single component. WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 15

6. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each backing structure defines second apertures therein.

7. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5 wherein the or each support structure is substantially in the form of an apertured surface.

8. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each backing structure is substantially in the form of a 10 apertured surface.

9. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be nestable with another said apparatus stacked thereon. 15

10. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including strengthening formations adjacent to positions at which the support component and retaining component are joined to each other. 20

11. A support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 including strengthening formations adjacent to positions at which the support component and retaining component are joined to each other, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be nestable to enable a first apparatus to be stacked on a second apparatus, wherein the strengthening formations are shaped 25 such that those of the first apparatus are complementary to those of the second apparatus when the two apparatuses are stacked.

12. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including two retaining components extending at right angles to, and joined 30 integrally with, each other such that the support component and retaining components are substantially orthogonal in relation to one another.

13. A support system including a plurality of support apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 12, arranged so as to be juxtaposed with WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 16 one another on a said substrate such that the support components of the plurality of apparatuses together constitute at least part of a floor of the system and the retaining components of the plurality of apparatuses together constitute an upwardly extending wall adjacent to the floor. 5

14. A support system according to claim 13 wherein the wall at least partly surrounds the floor.

15. A support system according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the 10 supportable mass is a garden.

16. A support system according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the floor includes at least one substantially planar support floor component including a support structure which is adapted for supporting a supportable 15 mass thereon and which defines first apertures therein, a backing structure, and spacers for maintaining the backing structure and support structure in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other such that they at least partly define, between them, an intermediate zone. 20

17. A support system including two support apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the two support apparatuses abutting each other such that the retaining components of the abutting support apparatuses are in a back to back relationship. 25

18. A method of installing a supportable mass the method including the steps of: providing a system according to any one of claims 13 to 17; and supporting a supportable mass at least partly above the floor. 30

19. A method according to claim 18, including supporting the supportable mass on a lining on the floor.

20. A method according to claim 18 or claim 19, including retaining the supportable mass at least partly by the wall. WO 2014/194354 PCT/AU2014/000575 17

21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the supportable mass is a garden. 5

22, A method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, including placing at least one additional support apparatus in abutment with a support apparatus of the system such that the retaining components of the abutting apparatuses are in a back to back relationship, 10

23. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, including placing a plurality of additional support apparatuses in abutment with support apparatuses of the system such that the retaining components of each pair of abutting apparatuses are in a back to back relationship, wherein the support components of the additional support apparatuses constitute a walkway 15 extending at least partly along the supportable mass.