AU2015100557A4 - Combined Liquid Storage Tanks and Structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A combined water storage and garden bed (101) has a tank (102) which receives and stores water and a platform (103) that is mounted to the water tank suitable for forming a raised garden bed. The tank (102) receives water from a down pipe. A removable cover (104) protects the garden bed. The tank (102) can be plumbed together with other tanks to form a wall or partition. The tank (102) includes drainage openings (113) a machinery compartment (108) for water pumps and control gear and attachment points (116) for the attachment of external cladding. Figure 1 oONN

Description

1 COMBINED LIQUID STORAGE TANK AND STRUCTURE RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007902419 in the name of Aranooc Pty Ltd, which was filed on 8 May 2007, 5 entitled "Combined Liquid Storage Tank and Structure" and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of structures for use in residential, industrial and/or municipal parks, gardens or indoor/outdoor spaces. 10 In one form, the invention relates to combined liquid storage and a co dependent structure. In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use as a combined water tank and raised garden bed and, it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to such domestic use, however it 15 should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only. BACKGROUND ART Throughout this specification the use of the word "inventor" in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention. The discussion throughout this specification 20 comes about due to the realisation of the inventor(s) and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Rain water tanks often take up large areas of space around the home and often have poor aesthetics. Garden beds particularly for elderly persons are often difficult to access and hard to maintain on a daily basis. 25 The traditional water storage tanks may be very large and unsightly and many consumers struggle with their location within their yard. Traditionally rainwater storage tanks must be installed close to the house property. Rain water tanks have been getting more aesthetic and often slimmer in recent times enabling them to be placed along the side of a house with little 30 intrusion into the garden. Nonetheless, these tanks may have limited capacity unless they encroach on garden areas and/or other outdoor spaces. Accordingly, to attain a sufficient capacity of water storage, particularly in times and places of 2 dry climate, an unwieldy number of such tanks may be required, in the order of up to a dozen or more for residential use. Alternative methods which disguise rain water tanks are disclosed in: * United States patent 6,553,723 B1 (Alcorn) which describes a rain 5 water tank which functions as the outer wall of a building; and * United States patent application 2006/0150531 Al (Cann) which describes a water tank within a cavity of an external building wall. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be 10 taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. SUMMARY OF INVENTION In contrast, in one aspect, the present invention provides a structural 15 combination comprising a liquid storage tank and a closely associated structure adapted to form a wall, partition or other indoor or outdoor structure. In preferred embodiments, the closely associated structure comprises at least one further liquid storage tank. In a preferred aspect of embodiments, the present invention provides a 20 system comprising the combination of: a liquid storage tank; and subsidiary apparatus that is adapted to be either: physically proximate the liquid storage tank; or 25 be incorporated into the liquid storage tank, and to receive liquid from the liquid storage tank, and utilize that liquid, in which the system is adapted to emulate a structure. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid storage tank is adapted to receive 30 liquid comprising water and to store it within the tank; 3 the subsidiary apparatus comprises at least one platform that is adapted to function as a garden bed when it is connected to the tank and to receive water from the tank; and the system is adapted to emulate a raised garden bed. 5 Another preferred embodiment provides an outdoor structure comprising, in combination, a liquid storage tank and a subsidiary apparatus adapted to emulate a first type of structure. In a particularly preferred form the structures comprise a retaining wall and end sections of the structures comprise knock out portions adapted to receive 10 alignment inserts for aligning structures contiguously. Preferably, the structures comprise overflow apertures adapted to align with corresponding overflow apertures of adjacent structures for equalising water levels therebetween. In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided an outdoor structure comprising, in combination, at least one liquid storage tank 15 adapted to form a retaining wall element and at least one subsidiary apparatus adapted to emulate an outdoor structure wherein the retaining wall element further comprises: alignment knock outs formed in one of a plurality of predetermined patterns which corresponds to one of a plurality of formations, and; 20 at least one overflow aperture for equalising water flow between adjacent installed elements. Another preferred embodiment provides a method of sustaining garden plants, the method comprising the steps of: combining at least one liquid storage tank in operative association with a 25 subsidiary apparatus adapted to receive liquid from the liquid storage tank; utilising the liquid received from the storage tank for a garden bed incorporated into the subsidiary apparatus; and, adapting the liquid storage tank, the subsidiary apparatus and the garden bed to emulate an outdoor structure. 30 In one preferred form, the emulated outdoor structure comprises one of: a wall; a retaining wall; a multi-level garden bed; 4 a garden seat; a fish pond; a swimming pool; a spar/spa and 5 outdoor furniture. In one preferred aspect, where availability of water is in extreme shortage, a water storage tank is provided in combination with subsidiary apparatus providing for a garden bed raised for convenient use by virtue of the tank where the garden bed may receive a ready supply of water for use that would otherwise 10 be unavailable and the combined system being useful as a structure for providing function such as that of a privacy or retaining wall. Other features of a system according to embodiments of the invention are set out in the claims that are appended to this specification. In yet another aspect of preferred embodiments described herein there is 15 provided a method of manufacturing a retainer wall structure, the method comprising the steps of: forming retainer wall elements comprising a water tank structure; forming knock outs in the retainer wall elements adapted to receive inserts for aligning contiguous retainer wall elements wherein the knock outs are formed 20 in accordance with one of a plurality of predetermined patterns corresponding to a plurality of part formations of the retainer wall elements; forming at least one overflow aperture in each of the retainer wall elements for equalising water levels between adjacent retainer wall elements. In the above noted method the retainer wall elements are preferably 25 comprised of heavy construction material suitable for functioning as a retainer wall. Preferably, the heavy construction material may comprise one of concrete, metal or polymer material and at least one of the inserts or knock outs comprise concrete, metal or polymer parts. Further, in one preferred embodiment there is provided a mould adapted for use in the above noted method for forming the 30 retainer wall elements. It will be seen that preferred embodiments of the present invention serve the dual function of providing a water tank which can also function to support a garden bed or garden at a height above the ground. Such embodiments can 5 provide the dual advantages of providing water storage and allowing a gardener to attend to the garden without needing to bend over to reach the garden. This latter feature is intended to facilitate gardening by ageing or disabled people. It also facilitates the display of trailing plants. 5 It will also be seen that preferred embodiments of the present invention address the problem of needing to hide unsightly water tanks. Overall, the present invention offers a number of advantages, as best illustrated in the case of a combined garden and water tank system, as follows. Offers instant retaining walls and reduces costs of such walls. For 10 example, for the equivalent cost of constructing a retaining wall per se, an embodiment of the present invention may provide a retaining wall and in addition large water storage capacity; Offers in the case of a high tank instant privacy with pleasant aesthetics; Ability to change the face of any garden immediately; 15 Space savings where room is at a premium and in such places as shopping centres and council offices where there is not presently enough space for large tanks and gardens. Combining the two together in a co-dependent structure, as in preferred embodiments, overcomes this problem. The co dependency comes about by virtue of firstly the garden structure utilizing the 20 liquid (water) stored in the tank and, secondly the liquid storage tank utilizing the emulated structure, ie the garden bed, to advantageously transform the overly evident or obvious appearance of a storage tank per se into a functional outdoor structure in a manner that obviates the unsightly appearance of a storage tank per se and makes efficient and aesthetic use of outdoor space; 25 A garden and tank are able to be moved around the garden as required and to suit the seasons. This enables users to place the tanks in the shade in summer and in the sun in winter. The system may have skids for this purpose, which may be of most use to city councils, promotion organisers, trade show organisers and city offices having the ability to move them around to provide an 30 instant garden and tank combined for display or otherwise; Raised garden beds for easy access by elderly invalid persons; Nutrients can be added to rain water tank to water plants; 6 Drought proofing of valuable plants is available with a readily available and large reserve of water; May eliminate the issue of poor soil in the example of hydroponic use; Water can be easily managed and sampled via tap for disinfection 5 purposes; Avoid water logging and provide good drainage; Provide disposition of plants away from pests such as snails and slugs; Automatic climate control and cover available as an option to fully automate garden maintenance; 10 Garden beds may be provided such that they are higher than conventional raised garden beds for ease of access and use; By choice of placement by the user, the present system may have unlimited versatility around an entire garden fence and house structure without losing garden space and at the same time vastly increase water storage capacity 15 without encroaching on otherwise useable space. The preferred embodiment comprising tanks are made from high grade 40mpa concrete and as such they are very heavy. However, it is envisaged that other heavy construction materials may be used such as polymer or even metal. Employing heavy construction materials does have its advantages when using 20 them as retaining walls as they are stable and able to carry a load. Users also perceive concrete, for example, as being "genuine" and of good quality and able to be dressed up as required in garden use. Alternatively, it is envisaged that additives such as foam, blowing agents or resin to substitute water may be added to the concrete material to make it lighter but retain its watertightness and 25 strength. Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration 30 only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments 5 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing hidden detail, of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is another perspective view, showing hidden detail, of the 10 embodiment of figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on a sectioning plane through figure 2; Figure 4 is another perspective view, showing hidden detail, of the embodiment of figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; 15 Figure 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 8; Figure 10 is an end elevational view of the embodiment of figure 8; 20 Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view, showing hidden details, of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; 25 Figure 15 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 14; Figure 16 is a perspective view, showing hidden details, of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a plan view, showing the embodiment of figure 16 in conjunction with another embodiment of the invention; 30 Figure 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 19 is a plan view of the embodiment of figure 18; 8 Figure 20 is a side view showing a preferred assembly method of the present invention; Figure 21 is a plan view showing features of retainer wall elements in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A liquid circulation system 101 according to the presently-described embodiment of the invention comprises a liquid storage tank 102 which is adapted to function as a water tank. A subsidiary apparatus in one form comprising a platform 103 may be mounted to the water tank and is preferably 10 adapted, in one form, to define a container suitable for use as a raised garden bed. The tank 102 is adapted to receive water from an inlet mechanism such as a down-pipe (which is not illustrated in the drawing). In use, the downpipe is aligned with an aperture 106 which extends through the platform 103. The aperture 106 is in turn in alignment with a filter assembly 107. The filter assembly 15 107 discharges filtered water into the tank 102. It is preferred that the filter assembly 107 comprises a diverter mechanism to divert the initial (polluted) runoff from a building roof or the like away from the tank 102. An example of such a mechanism is disclosed in Australian patent number 731,386 (Hart). According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in figure 1, water supply 20 to the tank 102 is alternatively: solely from a reticulated water supply; or primarily from rainwater runoff, and secondarily from a reticulated water supply in the absence of reliable rainwater runoff. According to embodiments of the invention in which there is water supply 25 to the tank 102 from a reticulated water supply, that water supply into the tank 102 is regulated in the known manner by mechanisms such as a float valve assembly together with a non-return valve in order to prevent pollution of the reticulated system by back-flow. The embodiment of figure 1 is also provided with a cover 104 that is 30 adapted for manual location over the tank 102 and the platform 103. Placement of the cover 104 on the tank 102 protects against frosts, hail, birds and the like and enables the provision of a controlled environment for the garden. It is 9 preferred that the cover 104 is at least partly transparent to light so as to create a greenhouse effect when the cover is on the system 101. According to the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the cover 104 is manually placeable on, and removable from, the system 101. According to 5 alternative preferred embodiments of the invention that are not illustrated in the drawings, the system 101 further comprises a mechanism to automatically move the cover 104. That mechanism is adapted to move the cover 104 between a position in which it is covering the platform 103 and a position in which it is not covering the platform 103. Indicia for activating that mechanism comprise at least 10 one of: the time of day; the season of the year; atmospheric temperature; temperature of a component of the system 101; 15 atmospheric relative humidity; moisture levels in the soil; the presence or absence of precipitation; and wind speed. The tank 102 is made of any suitable material. Preferred material for the 20 tank 2 may comprise moulded plastics materials, and in particular a UV-stable frost- and heat-resistant polypropylene. Alternative preferred materials and methods for fabrication of the tank 102 comprise sheet metal and moulded concrete. According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, the tank 102 comprises sub-assemblies that are connected 25 together in any suitable manner to form the tank 102. It is preferred that the tank 102 further comprise a machinery compartment 108 that protrudes into the tank to house machinery such as is illustrated by electrically-powered pump 109. Access to the machinery compartment 108 is by way of the door 111. 30 Although the tank 102 is shown as defining a cuboid space, it is to be understood that this is a preferred form and that the tank 102 need not be of constant horizontal cross-sectional shape and need not even be rectangular in 10 horizontal cross section, as is described in conjunction with other figures of this specification. It is preferred that the tank 102 have a holding capacity in the range of from about one thousand litres to about two thousand litres. 5 It is preferred that tank 102 is adapted to be plumbed together with other tanks for flow of liquid contents between tanks. For this purpose, the tank 102 is provided with at least one coupling 112 which preferably provides for ready attachment and detachment of plumbing fittings. Alternatively, the couplings 112 provide for direct connection of one tank to another. It will be appreciated that, 10 depending on configuration, it may be necessary to provide non-return valves between tanks when they are plumbed together. It is accordingly preferred that non-return valves be provided, either within the couplings 112 be provided or as a separate fitting. The provision of multiple such tanks, plumbed together, enable the use of 15 multiple tanks to form a wall, partition or other indoor or outdoor structure. Depending on capacity, the tank 102 is suitably reinforced to withstand pressure loadings from the liquid contents and to provide adequate support for loading from garden beds and the like. It is preferred that the tank 102 is provided, either integrally or as an 20 attached component, with skids or other mechanisms to allow ease of movement and handling. Tank or tanks 102 may also have structural reinforcing support by way of ground engaging means incorporated into the structure to accommodate location of retaining wall support mechanisms such as flat plates and/or horizontal divides to prevent tanks from moving when empty. Soil from a retaining wall may 25 be placed against a tank 102 and in a counter force also holds water tank stable from movement. These support mechanisms may be further stabilised by devices driven into the ground such a star pickets or the like. The support mechanisms may be of any suitable size or configuration and may be an integral moulding or an add on as required, as would be recognised by the person skilled in the art. 30 According to the preferred embodiment of figure 1, the tank 102 has drainage openings 113 extending through the side walls of the tank to allow for: drainage of excess water at the upper level of the tank 102; for draining excess water from the platform 103; or 11 emptying of the tank. It is preferred that closures (which are not illustrated in the drawing) be provided for these drainage openings 113. According to one embodiment, these drainage openings are moulded into the tank 102 or platform 103 at the time of 5 manufacture. Alternatively, these drainage openings are drilled or otherwise produced as part of the process of installing the system 101 to the needs of the particular installation. For this latter purpose, it is preferred that the tank 102 and/or platform 103 be specifically produced with regions identified in its side walls as areas to be drilled out or otherwise removed. 10 In a preferred form, the present invention provides retainer wall elements in the form of tanks 102. At the point of installation and also in operation, the following issues need to be addressed, as noted below. " Locating the tanks into position; e Equalising the water that is stored in all tanks; 15 * Holding all the tanks together "as one" for collective strength in forming a wall. The tanks in preferred form comprise concrete material and as such the tanks are extremely heavy and may require lifting equipment such as crane trucks, cranes or tractors to place them in position. For straight forward lifting, 20 lifting fixtures may be provided in the bottom of the planter box and the water tanks to lift the tanks. Figure 20 is a side view showing the stackable nature of tank elements 102. A top 200 may form a garden bed. Base 201 may be recessed to accommodate inserting into the top of tank positioned below, where the lower 25 tank has its top removed and replaced with the base from the above tank. Tank 102A may be a tank with a bottom as shown or alternatively may be a spacer element with no bottom. Tanks 102 may be glued together or have a fixing device to secure in position for stability and structural strength. Bolts or fasteners may be used to locate tank in position. 30 Figure 21 is a plan view of installed tanks 102 showing independent drain holes 210 from back to front to allow independent drainage from the soil behind the retaining wall in case external drainage fails. This is for satisfying retaining 12 wall engineering specifications. Further this flow does not mix with tank water. Structural reinforcement 211 is provided to aid the ability to make the tanks stackable. The tanks 102 when being installed can be difficult to "line up" correctly 5 because the weight makes them cumbersome to align and manoeuvre into position and this is also potentially dangerous. When the tanks 102 are being manoeuvred into position it is therefore necessary to have a locating method to ensure they align correctly. A "jig" or locating device is used to assist and also prevent damage to the tanks in the process of repeated attempts to align them, 10 which can lead to mishap. To deal with the problems of alignment and manoeuvring, the inventor has chosen to use inserts, preferably 40mm x 200mm long galvanised pipes threaded at both ends and using rubber and galvanised washers and large nuts as a "locating device" or "jig" to assist with the location process. These are inserted 15 into a round hole or cavity of similar size or "knock out" (one of two or three as required) located strategically at the lower end of the tank and spaced apart as shown by reference numeral 203 in figure 20. The galvanised pipe is simply pushed through the concrete tank wall and ready to receive the next tank and align with the second tank's similar hole, thus holding the tank in position as the 20 crane manoeuvres the second tank into position. When the two holes 203 line up, the pipe is pushed through to the second tank and the nuts tightened after placing rubber and galvanised washers and sealing around pipe and the weight taken off the second tank. It is possible to use cast galvanised "all in one devices" (large cast piece of steel which also incorporates the washer as part of 25 the nut) instead of a nut, washer and pipe or bolt arrangement similar to the type used on galvanised fencing located on concrete around facilities. Other fastening systems that utilise the knock outs of the preferred embodiment may be recognised by the person skilled in the art. The inventor has also devised a knock out" provision to locate the 30 galvanised pipes in the top of the tanks. The "knock outs" may also simply be "holes" that go all the way through the tank and this is determined at time of manufacture and saves the user from having to cut round holes in the walls of the 13 tank. The above process could be described as a "hollow bolt" arrangement where the pipe serves the same purpose as a bolt and nut. It is noted that it would also be possible to just drill smaller holes of say 20 to 25mm and use large bolts and nuts to secure into position to prevent 5 movement, but the problem then still remains how to level out the water in all the tanks. This could be achieved using non load supporting polymer pipe. However, this may involve more holes with greater chance of leakage. Given their weight, there is a likelihood that the tanks 102 may "sink" or move after installation owing to numerous issues such as wet ground, overflows 10 and changing climatic conditions or just weak sub soil conditions. Thus, keeping the tanks 102 firm and tightly locked together is provided for forming a ridged structure as in the preferred form of a retainer wall and overcomes the likelihood that they will move in any direction as the mass of all the tanks is then combined and extended or distributed over a much larger surface area. In theory it may be 15 possible to remove all soil form under any one (or several) of the tanks 102 in a line and they would remain in position. Advantageously, the sheer tonnage of two 40mm galvanised pipe is many tens of tonnes. Suitable gauge other than 40mm galvanised pipe may also be used. Thus, joining the tanks 102 in this nature combines them all as one object rather than one movable piece in a line of tanks. 20 The holes or knock outs in the tank walls to take the galvanised pipe are provided as shown in figure 20 at the bottom of the tank with an overflow 202 at the top but in fact the holes may be placed strategically at any location to suit. It is important to keep all the tanks tightly aligned particularly in the case where a user requires to render or tile over the joint to make a long wall or the 25 like. Minimal or no movement is allowed because the render will crack and tiles would fall off. It is also important to have the water level equal in all tanks 102 in the system. If the tanks 102 were not inter connected they would each form their own independent reservoir and have to be isolated from the pump when the pump was 30 in use providing an unworkable situation. The downpipe inflow configuration would also be complex costly and difficult to arrange if at all. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment tanks may collect water from one end of the configuration of say six tanks, for example, to suit the positioning within 14 a user's residence or commercial establishment. The water is then able to level out at the same level in all tanks for capacity and delivery via pump. The water volume also needs to be reduced in the same manner when the pump is in operation. Connecting the tanks together using 40mm (or any other suitable size) 5 galvanised pipe overcomes this issue and provides aligning simultaneously. The weight of concrete tanks also proves an issue when concrete tanks are locked tight next to each other as they tend to "rub" and chip with the hot and cold weather or severe climatic conditions over time particularly if any small movement is evident. Therefore, a common membrane may be placed between 10 the tanks when the inserts (gal pipe) fastened or tightened to avoid this from happening. User may require multiple configurations of tanks to suit their landscape designs. They therefore require modules, which fit together to cater for the alignment and interconnecting plumbing at the same time to suit any 15 configuration. In preferred embodiments, it is possible to have almost any tank configuration from a straight line to a box shape for placing around a tree for water storage. To cater for this, multiple "knock outs" are located around the mould of a tank 102 in its fabrication to provide any combination of holes as selected by the user to assist them with their on site configurations. These 20 configurations correspond to and may be easily selected by users by reference to part numbers. Manufacture is provided to these part numbers and a range of products may be placed into stock and then a simple exercise of picking the stock is undertaken to suit the user's needs. The "knock out" inserts for the moulds are preferably comprised of solid 25 round steel rods and may vary in length with each tank part number having a different knock out configuration. The shorter knock out steel insert delivers a tank wall level with the rest of the tank wall whilst a longer insert actually protrudes into the concrete mould some distance and displaces some of the concrete in that area and delivers a knock out. 30 The "knock out" in the concrete when the user or customer receives the tank is around 8 to 10mm think and is knocked out with a hammer at time of installation. This overcomes the necessity of the customer having to cut holes in the concrete themselves, which is difficult.

15 The mould steel rod "knock out" insert is removable from its housing and may be changed over easily. Alternatively, rather than have the customer knock out the holes themselves the entire hole may be cut into the product at the fabrication step. 5 This may involve a slightly longer steel rod insert. The tank 102 also has mechanisms (which are not illustrated in the drawing) for the attachment of platforms, being in one preferred form a self contained free standing removable bed 103 to the tank 102. Although the platform 103 is shown positioned at the top of, and within, the tank 102 in figures 10 1, 2 and 4, alternative preferred configurations place the platform 103: above and completely overlapping the tank 102; or attached to an external side wall of the tank 102. It is preferred that the platform 103 is removably attached to the tank 102 as is illustrated in figures 2 and 4, but in alternative preferred embodiments the 15 platform 103 is fixedly attached to the tank 102. According to the embodiment of figure 1, the platform 103 is in the form of an open-topped cuboid or tray to function as a garden bed. The platform 3 is adapted to receive soil or other growing medium or to function as a hydroponic garden. 20 According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, instead of providing a platform 103 to function as a garden bed, the platform 103 structure may be alternately provided at the top of the tank so that the system 101 can function as a garden seat or table top or other device for outdoor furniture use. 25 According to alternative preferred embodiments of the invention that are not illustrated in the drawings, the system 101 comprises a single tank 102 and multiple platforms 103, some of which are preferably arranged in order to create the appearance of multiple garden beds at different heights. According to the preferred embodiment of figures 1 to 4, the platform 103 30 has drainage channels 114 in its base to allow water to freely move along its base to allow for hydroponic cultivation. In this case, instead of soil being placed in the platform 103, water is pumped through the bed instead with pump 109 and then to waste or back into the tank 102 for recirculation.

16 The embodiment of figures 1 to 4 further comprises attachment points such as are illustrated at 116 for the attachment of external cladding, mouldings or like 117. Such external cladding or mouldings 117 comprise natural or artificial timber or stone, or decorative material. 5 According to alternative preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, the external surfaces of the tank 102 are etched during manufacture or further plugs or mouldings are attached to it for ornamental effect. According to yet further preferred embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawing, a reticulation system is provided in conjunction with the tank 102 to 10 allow external supply of water from the tank at adequate pressure for such purposes as watering lawns, washing cars and the like. Figures 5 to 19 illustrate alternative preferred embodiments of the invention, according to which the shape of the tank 102 is in different forms. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate how two cuboid tanks may be placed side by side 15 and plumbed together to create the appearance of a stepped garden bed. Figure 7 illustrates how a single tank may create the appearance of an L shaped garden bed. Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate how three cuboid tanks may be placed side by side and plumbed together to create the appearance of a stepped garden bed. 20 Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a cylindrical system. Figure 13 illustrates constructional details of the embodiment of figures 11 and 12. This embodiment of the invention comprises a tank 102 and a platform 103. The tank further comprises a cylinder 120 and a base 121. The cylinder has an upper ledge 118 around the inner wall of the cylinder 120 near its upper 25 end and a lower ledge 119 around the inner wall of the cylinder near its lower end. The base 121 of the tank rests on an O-ring 123 which in turn rests on the lower ledge 119. The platform 103 rests on an O-ring 122 which in turn rests on the upper ledge 118. The weight of the base 121 and the contents of the tank 102 operate to 30 compress the O-ring 123 to form a seal in the known manner as is illustrated in the figure. Similarly the weight of the platform 103 and its contents or load operate to compress the O-ring 122 to similarly form a seal.

17 Figures 14 to 19 illustrate embodiments of the invention in which the tank has various preferred shapes. While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further 5 modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth. For example, although 10 embodiments of the invention are directed to systems that provide rainwater tanks and raised garden beds, the reader will appreciate that the invention is not so limited. It is also envisaged that tanks provided by preferred embodiments of the invention may function as fish ponds, small swimming pools for children and even spar's where the water source is the tank itself rather than wasting precious water 15 supplies. The scope of the invention in one preferred form comprehends any system comprising a tank and a closely associated structure in which the tank is adapted to hold a liquid, the liquid can travel from the tank to the associated structure and the associated structure is adapted to utilize that liquid. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without 20 departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative 25 only and not restrictive. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, 30 although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

18 "Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof." Thus, unless the context clearly requires 5 otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims (5)

1. A structural combination comprising a liquid storage tank and a closely associated structure adapted to form a wall, partition or other indoor or outdoor 5 structure.

2. The structural combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wall, partition or other indoor or outdoor structure comprises one of: a wall; 10 a retaining wall; a raised garden bed; a multi-level garden bed; a garden seat; a fish pond; 15 a swimming pool; a spar/spa and outdoor furniture.

3. The structural combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein 20 the liquid storage tank includes at least one coupling to provide fluid connection between the tank and the closely associated structure.

4. The structural combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 wherein the liquid storage tank is comprised of moulded concrete and with a holding 25 capacity in the range of about 1,000 to about 2,000 litres.

5. The structural combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid storage tank is adapted to hold unpolluted water from rainwater runoff or a reticulated water supply and the water can travel only from the liquid storage 30 tank to the closely associated structure.