AU2015210379A1 - Improvements in or in relation to the use of plants - Google Patents

Abstract

A garden bed 15 of the type employing a container 17 and associated wheel assembly 18. The container has a base 19 and a side wall 20 of corrugated form. The wheel assembly comprising a diamond shaped trolley frame assembly 21 having frame members 22 welded together at the junction of each frame member and a castor 23 being fitted to the frame assembly 21 at each of the junctions. Thus there are five castors mounted on a planar trolley frame assembly which is provided with a central cross bracing 24 giving rise to a medially bulged formation 25 which substantially supports the elongated container along the base 19. The container 17 has a layered structure inside and the container is shown cutaway at 26 revealing that layered structure. The layered structure has a growing zone 27 and a water zone 26. The water zone separated from the growing zone by a agricultural mat 28 which is porous for the transmission of water from the water zone 26 and the growing zone 27. An overflow is provided at 29 and a water inlet at 30 communicating with a manifold 31 which has filter media or again an agricultural mat overlaying spaced holes 33. The layered structure inside the container 17 comprises an upper layer of mulch 34 a second layer of compost 35 and an organic rich growing media 36 whereas the water zone in this embodiment contains stones shown at 37 which surround and enclose the manifold 31. Ina preferred form an internal divider frame is located above the water zone. ;N

Description

2015210379 05 Aug 2015 1

Improvements in or in relation to the use of plants TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in or in relation to the use of plants and in particular but not limited to the decorative use of plants in an environment that enables variability, versatility, convenience and ease of care as well a small cropping of vegetables in a domestic environment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Horticulture and planting arrangements including planting containers and various planting techniques are obviously part of a very crowded art.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide improvements in or in relation to the use of plants that creates flexibility in decorative options, ease of control of watering, robust growing environment and simplicity of management. It will be appreciated that there have been a multitude of arrangements for use of plants. The art may be described as “crowded” or a “developed” art. In order to alleviate problems related to the use of plants there have no doubt been a wide variety of solutions. Even though the art has become crowded, many offerings have not been widely accepted. Consequently, there is a requirement for a fresh look at the general problems and to look “outside the box” through new eyes in an effort to provide an alternative to the efforts made over the last many years. It would be desirable to have something that is simple and easy to assemble yet effective but employing common techniques and methods to arrive at a new and useful combination and result.

[0004] This means that the present invention does not arise through any deterministic relationship to the prior art but rather is the inventor’s own inspiration in an individualistic way applying the inventor’s mind to the general state of the art and to the inventor’s knowledge and recognition of defects that might be remedied, this being as an alternative to what is currently available, rather than an effort to deal with any specific generally recognised extant problem of the prior art. 2015210379 05 Aug 2015 2

OUTLINE

[0005] In one aspect there is provided a mobile garden bed comprising a container, a wheel assembly carrying the container, layered media within the container including a lower water zone and a growing zone, the lower water zone having watering means including watering outlets into the zone connecting with a water inlet to enable water to be supplied to the water zone, the layered media, the water zone and growing zone being so dimensioned and arranged so that over time water travels from the water zone into the growing zone.

[0006] The container may be any suitable container made from any suitable material. Preferably, the container is elongated and of suitable length, height and width so that plants may be easily accessed for gardening purposes. Typically, the container is a corrugated metal tank with a side wall, an open top and a sheet metal bottom wall. The tank may be rectangular with rounded ends. The container is typically leak proof or has a leak proof liner.

[0007] The wheel assembly preferably comprises a trolley having a frame and wheels or castors connected to the frame. The trolley may be connected to the container. Preferably, the frame is generally elongated and medially bulged and arranged to support the container and its contents evenly across the container. Typically, the frame is diamond shaped with appropriate bracing and is secured to the container with fasteners. Preferably, the frame is made up of intersecting frame members with cross bracing and the wheels are secured to the frame at the intersection of the frame members.

[0008] The layered media typically, has at least a growing zone but preferably has several layers, an upper layer of mulch, a compost layer below the mulch, an organic rich growing material below the compost and a separator below the growing material to, for practical purposes, substantially prevent or inhibit movement of particulates into the water zone but permit upward tracking of moisture by capillary action. The separator typically comprises agricultural drainage mat.

[0009] Thus in the preferred embodiment the growing zone may be considered that region which is unsaturated and generally above the separator. 2015210379 05 Aug 2015 3 [0010] The water zone is preferably a region below the growing zone which is able to store water so that over time the water in the water zone is gradually depleted but supplies sufficient water so that plants growing in the growing zone have sufficient moisture and watering can be delayed or there is quite a bit of flexibility with top watering requirements. To this end it is preferable that the water zone comprises a reservoir with a “full” indicator to minimise saturation of the growing zone and so that a user does not inadvertently overfill the container. The full indicator is typically an overflow so that the level in the water zone may not be exceeded. The water zone typically also includes a drain with a tap so that it may be fully drained. Typically, the water zone is up to half the depth of the layered media. More preferbaly, it is about one third.

[0011] In order to deliver water to the water zone, an inlet is usually provided above the overflow. The inlet typically communicates with a manifold extending through the water zone. The manifold typically comprises a pipe with spaced holes. The inlet may have an upright pipe section and the manifold may extend generally transverse to the upright pipe section. The water zone typically includes a fill of coarse media surrounding the manifold. The coarse media may be stone, gravel, river rocks or coarse bark or the like. Drainage mat or other filter media may cover the holes in the manifold to prevent blockage.

[0012] Thus the watering means comprises in combination the water zone, the inlet, the manifold, the indicator and the relative disposition of the water zone, the growing zone and the character of same to promote growth of plants without having to water every day. It is of course optional and desirable in some cases to apply moisture to foliage but the present invention ensures that moisture is constantly available to the plant roots in the growing zone and water need only be supplied on an as needed basis. The need to refill the water zone will depend on environmental factors but generally speaking refill would take place every two weeks or as otherwise recommended.

[0013] Therefore in a prefered form the there is provided a mobile garden bed where the container has a corrugated side wall, the wheel assembly carrying the container comprises a frame having intersecting frame members and forming a generally diamond configuration underneath the container, the frame being braced, the layered media within the container including a lower water zone, a growing zone above the water zone, a water transmissible separator sheet between the water zone and the growing zone, a compost layer and a mulch 4 2015210379 05 Aug 2015 layer, watering means including watering outlets into the water zone connecting with a water inlet to enable water to be supplied to the water zone, the layered media, the water zone and growing zone being so dimensioned and arranged so that over time water travels from the water zone into the growing zone.

[0014] In another aspect there is provided a garden bed divider adapted to separate the watering zone from the growing zone in a garden bed, the divider having a water permeable top layer and being adapted to be inserted in a grow container. Typically, the frame comprises a top and supporting legs with a grid frame defining the top and being adapted to support a water permeable membrane. The frame may be adapted for connection to a water supply conduit, accordingly in another aspect there is provided a mobile garden bed having the divider. Typically in the mobile garden bed the divider is located between the lower water zone and the growing zone and the watering means extends through the divider into the watering zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order that the present improvements may be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:-

Figure 1 is an example of application of the present invention to a rooftop recreation area;

Figure 2 is an underside view of a typical container and wheel assembly combination;

Figure 3 is a typical container part cut away to show layered media including the growing zone and the water zone;

Figures 4 and 5 show sections through a typical garden bed including in Figure 4 the filling of the water zone and in Figure 5 the progressive use of water as it is drawn into the growing zone; and Figures 6 and 7 are drawings illustrating a further embodiment.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE

[0016] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a building 10 having a rooftop area 11 accommodating arrangements of tables and chairs at 12, 13 and 14 and also having a number of garden beds 15 according to the present invention which may be moved 5 2015210379 05 Aug 2015 around on the rooftop to desirable effect with one such position shown in phantom at 16 indicating that these garden beds may be moved around. Each of the garden beds has a container portion 17 and a whee! assembly 18 to facilitate the movement of the garden beds around the site.

[0017] Referring now to Figure 2 there is illustrated a container 17 and associated wheel assembly 18. The container has a base 19 and a side wall 20 of corrugated form. The wheel assembly comprising a diamond shaped trolley frame assembly 21 having frame members 22 welded together at the junction of each frame member and a castor 23 being fitted to the frame assembly 21 at each of the junctions. Thus there are five castors mounted on a planar trolley frame assembly which is provided with a central cross bracing 24 giving rise to a medially bulged formation 25 which substantially supports the elongated container along the base 19.

[0018] Referring now to Figure 3 there is illustrated a garden bed 15 of the type employing a container as illustrated in Figure 2 and like numerals illustrate like features. The container 17 has a layered structure inside and the container is shown cutaway at 26 revealing that layered structure. The layered structure has a growing zone 27 and a water zone 26. The water zone separated from the growing zone by a agricultural mat 28 which is porous for the transmission of wafer from the water zone 26 and the growing zone 27. An overflow is provided at 29 and a water inlet at 30 communicating with a manifold 31 which has filter media or again an agricultural mat overlaying spaced holes 33. The layered structure inside the container 17 comprises an upper layer of mulch 34 a second layer of compost 35 and an organic rich growing media 36 whereas the water zone in this embodiment contains stones shown at 37 which surround and enclose the manifold 31.

[0019] it will be appreciated that the container 37 may be leak proofed or it may employ a piastic liner as shown in phantom at 38.

[0020] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the progressive drainage of water from the water zone to the growing zone as can be seen in Figure 4 a hose spout 39 is used to deliver water into the inlet 30 which in this case fills the down pipe 40 and a user can then stop filling the garden bed 15. In this case there is no drainage outlet 29 so once the down pipe 40 is filled then the water will begin to saturate the bottom section of the growing zone at 41 and the margin allowed for in the top up of the down pipe 40 will ensure that there is initial water available to plants and quite quickly the 6 2015210379 05 Aug 2015 water zone situation will become as shown in Figure 5, Water wiii continue to travel by capillary action up in to the root zone 41 but not have that zone saturated to the level that would cause plant death.

[0021] Thus over time the water zone will become depleted and a user would then revert to the situation in Figure 4 to refill the water zone as may be required from time to time depending on environmental circumstances. A user may simply operate on the basis of a timetable at say two week intervals which would typically ensure that there is always sufficient water in the water zone or they may simply observe the condition of the plants in extreme conditions in which case they may water more often.

[0022] Referring to Figures 6 and 7 there is illustrated in Figure 6 a divider 42 havinga top 43 and spaced legs 44. The top 44 comprises a frame grid comprising a peripheral outer frame, a longitudinal central frame comprising frame members 46 and 47 and cross frame members 48 -50 and 51 and 52, with the members 46,47,51 and 52 terminating at ring 53. the ring 53 is to accommodate a down pipe 40, 54 as previously described or as depicted in the combination of Figure 7. The grid frame is covered with a mesh 55 and the garden container is depicted in phantom in Figure 6. In this embodiment the mat 28 sits atop the divider. In all other respects the layering is the same, Stones need not be used below the divider but can be. The downpipe and the manifold may be secured to the divider frame before assembly of the garden bed.

[0023] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. A mobile garden bed comprising a container, a wheel assembly carrying the container, layered media within the container including a lower water zone and a growing zone, the lower water zone having watering means including watering outlets into the zone connecting with a water inlet to enable water to be supplied to the water zone, the layered media, the water zone and growing zone being so dimensioned and arranged so that over time water travels from the water zone into the growing zone.

2. A mobile garden bed according to claim 1 wherein the container is elongated having a length, height and width so that plants may be easily accessed for gardening purposes with an. open top with rounded ends and being leak proof or having a leak proof liner.

3. A mobile garden bed according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wheel assembly comprises a trolley having a frame and wheels or castors connected to the frame, the frame being generally elongated and medially bulged and arranged to support the container and its contents evenly across the container.

4. A mobile garden bed according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wheel assembly comprises a trolley having a frame and wheels or castors connected to the frame, the frame being generally elongated and medially bulged and arranged to support the container and its contents evenly across the container, the frame being made up of intersecting frame members with cross bracing and the wheels being secured to the frame at the intersection of the frame members.

5. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the layered media includes an upper layer of mulch, a compost layer below the mulch, an organic rich growing material below the compost and a separator below the growing material to, for practical purposes substantially prevent or inhibit movement of particulates into the water zone but permit upward tracking of moisture by capillary action.

6. A mobile garden bed according to claim 5 wherein the separator comprises agricultural drainage mat.

7. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water zone is a region below the growing zone which is able to store water so that over time the water in the water zone is gradually depleted but supplies sufficient water so that plants growing in the growing zone have sufficient moisture.

8. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water zone comprises a reservoir with a “full” indicator to minimise saturation of the growing zone.

9. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water zone comprises a reservoir with a “full” indicator to minimise saturation of the growing zone, the full indicator being an overflow so that the level in the water zone may not be exceeded.

10. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an inlet is provided above the overflow.

11. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an inlet is provided and a manifold, the inlet communicating with the manifold, the manifold extending through the water zone to distribute water through the water zone.

12. A mobile garden bed according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein an inlet is provided and a manifold, the inlet communicating with the manifold, the manifold extending through the water zone to distribute water through the water zone, the inlet having an upright pipe section and the manifold extending generally transverse to the upright pipe section.

13. A mobile garden bed according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein a manifold comprises a pipe with spaced holes in the water zone, the water zone including relatively coarse fill of coarse media surrounding the manifold.

14. A mobile garden bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container has a corrugated side wall, the wheel assembly carrying the container comprises a frame having intersecting frame members and forming a generally diamond configuration underneath the container, the frame being braced, the layered media within the container including a lower water zone, a growing zone above the water zone, a water transmissible separator sheet between the water zone and the growing zone, a compost layer and a mulch layer, watering means including watering outlets into the water zone connecting with a water inlet to enable water to be supplied to the water zone, the layered media, the water zone and growing zone being so dimensioned and arranged so that over time water travels from the water zone into the growing zone.

15. A garden bed divider adapted to separate a watering zone from a growing zone in a garden bed, the divider having a water permeable top layer and being adapted to be inserted in a grow container.

16. A garden bed divider according to claim 15 wherein the frame comprises a top and supporting legs with a grid frame defining the top and being adapted to support a water permeable membrane.

17. A garden bed divider according to claim 15 or claim 16 adapted for connection to a water supply conduit.

18. A mobile garden bed according to any one of claims 1-14 having a divider as defined in any one of claims 15-17.

19. A mobile garden bed according to claim 18 wherein the divider is located between the lower water zone and the growing zone and the watering means extends through the divider into the watering zone.