AU2018100450A4

AU2018100450A4 - Modular mobile integrated planter and trellis system

Info

Publication number: AU2018100450A4
Application number: AU2018100450A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brenton John Budarick; Wendy Kay Budarick
Original assignee: Budarick Brenton; Budarick Wendy
Current assignee: Budarick Wendy Kay Mrs
Priority date: 2017-05-02
Filing date: 2018-04-09
Publication date: 2018-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-09
Also published as: AU2018100450B4

Abstract

Abstract A modular, mobile, integrated planter and trellis system comprises a planter-box for growing a climbing plant. The system further comprises at least one and not more than four cantilevered trellis modules for providing various shade configurations. Each of the cantilevered trellis modules is attachable to a respective side wall of the planter-box and is configured to extend upwardly and away therefrom for supporting the climbing plant, thus enabling production of a plant canopy which provides shade to an area below. The system further comprises a wheel assembly enabling the system to be moved. la 13a Fig 1. 3a Fig 2. 3 3b

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates generally to a mobile shade system, and more particularly, to a modular planter and trellis system which enables production of a shade canopy provided by a climbing plant.

Background of invention

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of this application.

Trellises are structures used to support and display climbing plants. Trellises can create beautiful walls of flowers and vines, archways covered in climbers such as roses or grape vines, and even landscape centrepieces. Trellises come in numerous shapes and sizes. Most commonly, they take the form of a lattice wall that can be fixed to a surface to be covered by a climbing plant.

Summary of invention

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular, mobile, integrated planter and trellis system, comprising: a planter-box for growing a climbing plant; at least one and not more than four cantilevered trellis modules for providing various shade configurations, each of the cantilevered trellis modules attachable to a respective side wall of the planter-box and configured to extend upwardly and away therefrom for supporting the climbing plant thereby enabling production of a plant canopy which provides shade to an area below; and a wheel assembly enabling the system to be moved.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure. 1 is a side view of a planter and trellis system with a single cantilever trellis in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure. 2 is a side perspective view of the planter and trellis system of Figure 1;

Figure. 3 is an aerial view of the planter and trellis system of Figures 1,2,4 and 5;

Figure. 4 is a front view of the planter and trellis system with a single cantilever trellis in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure. 5 is a rear view of the planter and trellis system with a single cantilever trellis in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure. 6 is a perspective view of the planter and trellis system employing two cantilever trellises in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure. 7 is an aerial view of the planter and trellis system of Figure 6;

Figure. 8 is an aerial view of the planter and trellis system employing three cantilever trellises in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure. 9 is an aerial view of the planter and trellis system employing four cantilever trellises in accordance with an embodiment; and

Figure. 10 is a side view of the planter-box of the planter and trellis system of Figures 1 to 9.

Detailed description

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to a planter and trellis system comprising a planter-box for growing a climbing plant. The system further comprises at least one and not more than four cantilevered trellis modules for providing various shade configurations. Each of the cantilevered trellis modules is attachable to a respective side wall of the planter-box and is configured to extend upwardly and away therefrom for supporting the climbing plant, thereby enabling production of a plant canopy which provides shade to an area below. A wheel assembly enables the system to be moved. Embodiments thus integrate the traditional concepts of an outdoor garden umbrella, a planter-box and a garden trellis into a modular, mobile system featuring new levels of design, form and function which facilitate its application, versatility, adaptability, mobility, usefulness and performance far beyond what the traditional elements in which the invention has its genesis can deliver.

Embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figures 1 to 5 depict a first embodiment of the invention, showing a planter and trellis system (10) comprising a four-sided planter-box (1) employing a single cantilevered trellis module (2). As shown, the cantilevered trellis module (2) is affixed to a front side wall (3a) of the planter-box (1). The cantilevered trellis module (2) extends upwardly from the planter-box (1) before arching away from the planter-box (1), thereby acting as a cantilever to the planter-box and providing a framework upon which one or more climbing plants may be trained. The planter-box (1) provides a counter-balance to the cantilevered trellis module (2).

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 4, the cantilevered trellis module (2) comprises a webbing framework (6) which supports the climbing plant as it grows out of the planter-box (1). The resulting plant canopy in turn provides shade to the area below. The upper portion of the trellis module (2) is generally in the shape of a segment of a spider's web (see particularly Figure 3) and can provide a shading canopy of one-quarter, or 90 degrees, of a full circle to the area below.

Preferably the planter-box (1) is formed from a composite glass-fibre-reinforced cement-based compound. It will be understood, however, that the planter-box (1) could be constructed from other materials. The said planter-box (1) further comprises an internal space (1a) in which one or more climbing plants can be grown. It will be understood that the plant canopy is able to grow overtime. In this regard, the inner space (1a) of the planter-box (1) may be filled with a suitable growing medium to allow plants to grow. The internal space (1a) may incorporate closed-cell rubber-foam insulation pads affixed to the inner sides of the space to insulate growing plants from any excessive effects of heat or cold which might otherwise transmit through the sides of the planter-box (1).

With reference to Figure 2, the planter and trellis system (10) incorporates a wheel assembly (4) that allows the system (10) to be readily moved from one place to another in its entirety. According to the illustrated embodiment, the wheel assembly (4) comprises a pair of wheels conjoined by an axle which, in turn, is coupled to the cantilevered trellis module (2). The wheel assembly (4) enables the entire system (10) to be moved in much the same way as a conventional hand-truck; that is, by a person standing at what is depicted as the front (3) of the system (10) and, using the trellis module (2) as a handle, manually tilting the system (10) over the fulcrum provided by the wheel assembly (4) and wheeling the system (10) either forward or backward accordingly. Importantly, the free and independent movement of each of the wheels around the axle enables the entire system (10) to be turned as required to change the direction of travel while it is being wheeled either forwards or backwards.

The planter and trellis system (10) further includes a leg assembly (5) comprising two legs conjoined by a fixing plate which in turn is affixed to an underside (3b) of the planter-box (1) at its edge most-distant from the wheel assembly (4), such that the leg assembly (5) extends downwardly from the base of the planter-box (1). The leg assembly (5) enables the planter and trellis system (10) to stand securely while stationary, thereby providing stability and, especially, resistance to the effects of wind.

Preferably, the cantilevered trellis modules (2) are manufactured from a combination of round aluminium tubing and flat aluminium bars which together create an aesthetically-pleasing and attractive design, while also ensuring lightness of weight, strength, robustness, mobility and durability, including freedom from corrosion by rust, which is highly desirable in the outdoor environment for which the system is ideally suited. It will be understood, however, that the cantilevered trellis modules (2) could be constructed from other materials having similar properties but better-suited to other settings.

In more detail, the cantilevered trellis module (2) is formed of a series of tubular spines which rise vertically from the planter-box (1) and, subsequently, curve progressively away from the planter-box (1) from the vertical plane towards the horizontal plane and, in so doing, gradually shift from a uniform, almost-parallel configuration to an increasingly fan shaped form, with its widest span achieved at the outermost ends of the, then, near-horizontal spines. Thus, the cantilevered trellis module (2) results in an arched curvature designed to provide a practical and effective support for climbing plants growing from the planter-box (1), while also achieving an aesthetically pleasing and attractive appearance and a form which, when covered by the climbing plant(s), will provide a shade canopy of practical and useful size and dimensions appropriate to each of the optional modular configurations described.

As previously mentioned, the planter and trellis system (10) may comprise multiple cantilevered trellis modules, resulting in a larger plant canopy and, therefore, a larger shading area. Thus, whilst employing a single trellis module (2) the system (10) is designed to provide a shading canopy of one-quarter (or 90 degrees) of a full circle, the design allows for additional trellis modules, devoid of the wheel assembly (4), to be attached to either one, two or three additional sides of the planter-box (1) so as to provide, in turn, 180 degrees of shading canopy from a total of two trellises, 270 degrees of shading canopy from three trellises, or 360 degrees of shading canopy from four trellis modules. A system (10) employing two cantilevered trellis modules (2) is shown in Figure 6.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the second cantilevered trellis module is secured to a right side wall (3c) of the planter-box (1) when viewed from the front (3). In combination with the trellis module (2) affixed to the front side wall (3a) of the planter-box (1), a total of 180 degrees of shade canopy can be provided, as is also shown in the aerial view of a two-module system (Figure 7).

Similarly figures, 8 and 9 depict aerial views that show, respectively, configurations of three and four cantilevered trellis modules (2) affixed to the remaining sides of the planter-box (1) and the additional areas of plant canopy attained, resulting in correspondingly larger shading areas.

As depicted in Figure 10, the planter-box (1) may be equipped with an integrated drip-watering system which can be connected easily to either a fixed external watering system or conventional garden hose via a standard 'click' fitting connector (9) which is permanently affixed through the right side wall (3c) (although equally it could be affixed through the left side wall if preferred). As well as ensuring convenience of use, this location minimises any trip hazard which might otherwise arise from a connected hose.

The location of the fitting adjacent to one wheel of the wheel assembly 4 also provides some protection to the fitting from accidental damage.

The fixings and fittings used to assemble the various components of the system (10) including, but not limited to, rivets bolts, nuts, washers and the like, are also ideally made from materials having properties similar to those of the main elements of the system (10), such as aluminium, stainless steel, galvanised steel, plastic and rubber, so as to ensure strength, durability, mobility and optimum performance.

The cantilevered trellis modules (2) together with associated fixings and fittings, can be painted or powder-coated, either as a whole or as individual components before assembly, to further enhance their aesthetics, for example, to suit a particular setting, or to match or contrast with the attached planter component.

With reference to Figure 3 in particular, the webbing framework (6) of the one or more trellis modules (2) is designed to support the intended plantings as they grow from the planter-box (1) to create a plant canopy. Figure 3 also depicts the 90 degree span of a single trellis module (2) of the system (10) which is key to the modular configuration of the system so described. Whilst other forms might be envisaged, ideally the webbing framework (6) takes the simple form of a corresponding segment of a spider's web such that the web is built progressively from a 90 degree segment to a full web-like appearance in its 360 degree four-module configuration.

Various advantages arise from one or more of the afore-described embodiments, including: • The ability to grow various forms of climbing plants that can be trained over the trellis module(s) so as to provide a mobile shading plant canopy which can not only be used to display a variety of ornamental and flowering plants, but also for the growing of produce such as fruit and vegetables for harvest; • The modular nature of the system enables and facilitates its use in a wide range of settings, both expansive and confined, thus enhancing its practicality and application beyond that of its traditional counterparts; • The aesthetics of the fan-like trellis modules complement the curvaceous, free-flowing and natural habit typical of the climbing plants intended to be trained thereon, thus integrating key elements of both form and function within the system and extending to the intended plantings; • A four-sided planter-box as hereinbefore described not only provides a receptacle for the growing of plants, but also provides a counter-balance to the cantilevered trellis modules which curve up and away from the planter into a horizontal plane to form the framework for the shading plant canopy above the ground adjacent to the planter; • Manufacturing the planter-box from a composite glass-fibre-reinforced cement-based compound or other materials with similar attributes, provides lightness of weight, strength, durability and aesthetic qualities which complement those of the trellis module(s), while at the same time facilitating the ready, safe and durable attachment of the trellis module(s) to form the various modular configurations described herein; and, • Closed-cell rubber-foam insulation pads affixed to the inner sides of the planter-box, or similar material incorporated within the planter-box walls, ensures that growing plants are insulated from any excessive effects of heat or cold, thus optimising growing conditions for plant vitality and production of an effective plant canopy.

Claims

Claims

1. A modular, mobile, integrated planter and trellis system, comprising: a planter-box for growing a climbing plant; at least one and not more than four cantilevered trellis modules for providing various shade configurations, each of the cantilevered trellis modules attachable to a respective side wall of the planter-box and configured to extend upwardly and away therefrom for supporting the climbing plant thereby enabling production of a plant canopy which provides shade to an area below; and a wheel assembly enabling the system to be moved.
2. A system in accordance with claim 1, whereby the planter-box provides a counterbalance to the cantilevered trellis modules.
3. A system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel assembly is affixed to one or both of (a) a lower end of one of the attached cantilevered trellis modules; (b) a base portion of the planter-box adjacent one of the cantilevered trellis modules.
4. A system in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a leg assembly disposed on an underside of the planter-box opposing the wheel assembly, thereby providing stability when the system is stationary.
5. A system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the cantilevered trellis modules comprises a web-styled framework for supporting the climbing plant.
6. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the web-styled framework fans outwardly at an upper end to provide a plant canopy of a shape equivalent to a quarter circle for a single cantilevered trellis module up to a full circle for a system employing all four cantilevered trellis modules.