AU2023100028A4

AU2023100028A4 - Downpipe vertical garden

Info

Publication number: AU2023100028A4
Application number: AU2023100028A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Gerald Endersby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-21
Filing date: 2023-03-22
Publication date: 2023-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-16
Also published as: AU2017204112A1

Abstract

A vertical garden system comprising at least one plant container attached to a modified downpipe wherein the plant container comprises a planting portion and a water redirecting portion, and the water redirecting portion is at least partially located within the modified downpipe when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe, wherein a portion of the water passing through the downpipe is redirected into the at least one plant container to water plants growing within the plant container. 7/18 Figure 7 A B 10 32 , 10 30 30 -8- -58 58

Description

7/18

Figure 7

A B

10 32

, 10

30

-8- -58 58

Downpipe Vertical Garden

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical garden system that incorporates a modified portion of a downpipe into an existing downpipe of a guttering system of a building, and plant containers attached to the modified downpipe portion are watered by redirecting water traversing down through the downpipe.

Background Art

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] A 'downpipe' is a type of drain pipe which is used ubiquitously on buildings including houses in many countries around the world including Australia and New Zealand. Downpipes emanate from a gutter attached to at least a portion of the perimeter of the roof of a building, and usually traverse the external wall of the building in a direction towards the ground. The purpose of the downpipe is to channel water collected in roof guttering to drains, sewer lines, water-tanks, or soak-wells, amongst other examples.

[0004] Typically, downpipes have a round, rectangular, or square cross section, and are commonly made of metal such as pressed steel or may comprise hard plastic tubing. Both metal and plastic downpipes are usually painted to match, for example, the colour of the guttering of the building it is attached to for aesthetic appeal. Where the external perimeter of a roof and guttering extends beyond the external wall of the building to form an eave, a downpipe emanating from the gutter will usually comprise bends using elbow and other such joints. These joints can direct the downpipe to the external wall of the house near to where the external wall and eave meet, before a further bend will usually direct the downpipe down towards the ground in a vertical direction. The benefit being, most of the downpipe can be secured to the external wall with clips, screws, or other attachment means for maintaining structure and safety.

[0005] The base of the downpipe may attach to a further pipe near the bottom of the external wall which directs water into a soak well, a drain, or a sewer pipe, or simply allow the water to drain out into a garden bed or another drain pipe. In areas where fresh water is restricted or scarce such as in many parts of Australia, many building owners attach the base of the downpipe to a water tank for storing and reusing the water collected at a later time for a variety of purposes.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The inventor, recognising an alternative use for the water captured in roof gutters arrived at the present invention which comprises a vertical garden system comprising at least one plant container attached to a modified downpipe wherein a portion of the water traversing down through the downpipe is redirected into the at least one plant container to water plant(s) in the plant container. Flowers and plants grown in the vertical garden of the invention can also improve the aesthetic appeal of a building when compared to an existing downpipe attached to the building. Growing fruit and/or vegetables in the vertical garden of the invention can also provide an added benefit for a user of the invention.

[0007] The modified downpipe may comprise specific modifications made to an existing downpipe attached to the guttering of a building. In a preferred embodiment, however, the invention comprises incorporating a modified downpipe portion into an existing downpipe, for example, attached to a building. This preferably requires removing a section of existing downpipe, for example by cutting it out with tin snips or a hacksaw, and sanding the edging, and replacing the removed section with the modified downpipe portion of the invention. The top of the modified downpipe may comprise a leader head if it is not directly attached to existing roof guttering. The bottom of the modified downpipe may be tapered towards having a smaller cross-sectional diameter, this configuration assisting to attach to an existing downpipe which may lead to an existing or new soak well, drain, or sewage line, amongst others.

[0008] To redirect water traversing through the modified downpipe of the invention, the modified downpipe preferably comprises at least one opening or aperture in the downpipe through which a portion of the water traversing through the downpipe may be redirected into at least one plant container. The downpipe opening may comprise a variety of different forms which can enable the redirection of water out of the downpipe and into a plant container. In one embodiment, the downpipe opening comprises a spout or a tongue for this purpose. The spout may comprise a nozzle. Preferably, the spout comprises a lip on at least the lower surface of the downpipe opening. The spout, tongue, nozzle or other type of modification may be formed from, for example, the metal or plastic of the downpipe. Alternatively, the spout, tongue, nozzle, or other type of modification comprises an additional component attached to the modified downpipe to redirect water from the modified downpipe to a plant container. In one non-limiting example, a conduit between the downpipe opening and the plant container can direct water from the downpipe to the plant container.

[0009] The plant container as described herein is a container in which plants can be grown in soil, water, and/or other materials (and is often referred to as a 'plant pot'). The plant container may comprise a variety of forms including a modified plant container, or an unmodified plant container that is commercially available. In a preferred embodiment, the plant container is modified to comprise at least attachment means for attaching the plant container to the modified downpipe.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the plant container comprises a planting portion and a water redirecting portion, and the water redirecting portion is at least partially located within the modified downpipe when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe. Preferably, the water redirecting portion comprises a trough on the exterior of the plant container which is at least partially located through an aperture in the modified downpipe and within the modified downpipe when the plant container is releasably attached to the modified downpipe. The modified downpipe preferably comprises multiple apertures through which plant containers may be releasably attached.

[0011] Preferably, the plant container is releasably attached to the modified downpipe. Releasable attachment may comprise one or more hooks or tabs, including substantially vertical tabs that can hook onto the modified downpipe.

[0012] In one embodiment, the plant container is preferably hooked onto or over an edge or edges of an aperture in the modified downpipe. More preferably, the plant container is hooked onto an edge of the aperture in the modified downpipe at a location on the plant container adjacent to or where the water redirecting portion connects to the planting portion. The plant container is preferably hooked onto an edge of the aperture in the modified downpipe in at least one slot between the water redirecting portion and the planting portion.

[0013] In another embodiment, at least one substantially vertical tab extends from a surface of the plant container, wherein a tab is received in a receiving means, for example, an aperture or attachment hole, in the modified downpipe, to releasably attach the plant container to the modified downpipe. Preferably, the plant container is hooked onto an edge of the aperture in the modified downpipe by at least one substantially vertical tab extending beneath the water redirecting portion. The attachment hole may comprise a slot cut into the modified downpipe through which an extension such as a hook or tab on the plant container may pass through and hang onto the bottom surface of the slot. Preferably, at least one substantially vertical tab extends from beneath a trough from which the plant container can be hung through a downpipe opening to attach the plant container to the modified downpipe.

[0014] Such hooks or vertical tabs may be located and extend from the rear surface of the plant container, wherein the rear surface of the plant container is the surface that faces the modified downpipe. The attachment means which may comprise hooks or vertical tabs are preferably located adjacent the top of the rear surface of the plant container. Hooks or vertical tabs or other attachment means may also be located on the rear surface adjacent the bottom of the plant container.

[0015] The plant container may receive water redirected from the modified downpipe into the open top of the plant container. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the plant container comprises one or more openings to receive water redirected from the modified downpipe. The one or more openings are preferably located in the rear surface of the plant container. The one or more openings preferably align with the downpipe opening, and for example, the trough. In one embodiment, a spout formed in the modified downpipe redirects water from the modified downpipe into the one or more openings in the plant container.

[0016] The vertical garden system of the invention may comprise one plant container attached to a modified downpipe wherein water may be redirected from the downpipe to the plant container. Alternatively, the vertical garden system of the invention may comprise two or more plant containers attached to the modified downpipe, next to, or above and below each other. The plant containers may be the same or comprise different sizes and/or shapes, and may comprise different materials, and, for example, different colours. The vertical garden system of the invention may comprise an expandable system where additional plant containers may be attached to the modified downpipe. Water may be redirected from the modified downpipe to a first, for example highest, plant container and may flow down to plant containers located lower down on the downpipe. More preferably, each plant container directly receives water redirected from the modified downpipe as it traverses through the modified downpipe.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, one or more apertures maybe created in an existing downpipe, for example using a specific cutting tool for creating an appropriately shaped aperture. Then, a plant container as described herein may be releasably attached to the existing downpipe through the created aperture.

[0018] A downpipe opening or aperture to which a plant container is not attached when the vertical garden system of the invention is in use, can be closed off with a blanking cap or some other means for blocking the downpipe opening.

[0019] In times of high rainfall, considerable volumes of water can be collected in the guttering of a building and channel down and traverse through a downpipe. While different species of plants require different amounts of water to grow, the volume of water passing through a downpipe during moderate to heavy rain will exceed the water requirements of nearly all plants. Furthermore, if too much water can enter a plant container, it can flow over the open top of the plant container taking with it soil and the plant(s), killing the plants and producing an undesirable mess to be cleaned up. Thus, the plant container according to the invention preferably comprises a means for redirecting excess water back into the downpipe, minimising flooding of plants in the plant container. That is, the plant container preferably comprises a means for limiting the amount of water in the plant container at any one time.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, a portion of water traversing down the modified downpipe enters the water redirecting portion, wherein at least a portion of water entering the water redirecting portion is redirected into the planting portion of the plant container. At least one opening in the water redirecting portion at a first level preferably directs water captured in the water redirecting portion, into the planting portion, and at least one opening in the water redirecting portion at a second level that is positioned higher than the first level when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe, redirects water back into the modified downpipe to prevent or minimise flooding of the planting portion. The water redirecting portion is preferably a trough, and in addition to the at least one opening in the water redirecting portion at the second level to redirect water back into the modified downpipe, if the trough over-fills during high flow of water through the modified downpipe potion, water can also exit the trough over the top of the sides of the trough and back into the downpipe. The modified downpipe may also comprise internal extensions or members such as a tongue to direct water travelling down the downpipe into the trough of the plant container.

[0021] In addition, or alternatively, water may exit the plant container through one or more holes or devices and onto, for example, the ground or a garden bed, or into another plant container. Thus, water entering a first plant container in the vertical garden system may then proceed to water one or more further plant containers which, for example, do not receive water directly from the modified downpipe. Alternatively, each plant container in the vertical garden system of the invention may be watered in the same manner by receiving water redirected from the modified downpipe.

[0022] Preferably, the plant container, and more preferably, the planting portion, comprises an insert, the insert comprising a planting base and soak wells which holds the soil and plant(s), and the insert is situated within the plant container. Holes in the base and adjacent to the base of the insert preferably allow water in the base of the plant container to be drawn up into the soil in the insert for use by the plant(s). Plants are preferably planted in soil above the planting base and soil fills the planter soak wells. Preferably, water in the planting portion is drawn up through the soil in the planter soak wells. The at least one opening at the second level preferably prevents water from rising above the second level and above the planting portion. Thus, the one or more openings in the plant container are preferably positioned at a level to prevent too much water entering the soil. More preferably, the at least one opening at the first level and the at least one opening at the second level are located or positioned below the planting base when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe. However, the planter soak wells or other such devices for drawing up water into the soil above the planting base are at least partially positioned below the at least one openings at the first and second levels. Further, water above the level of the one or more openings at the second level in the plant container, exits the plant container back through the one or more openings at the second level due to forces of gravity and re-enters the downpipe.

[0023] In times of little rain, plants in the plant container of the vertical garden system of the invention may be watered by directing water into the top of the plant container with, for example, a hose or watering can, directly filling 'self- watering' commercially available devices in the plant container, or by the less efficient method of directing water, for example, with a hose into the guttering which will water the plants in the plant containers by redirecting a portion of the water from the downpipe into the plant container.

[0024] The vertical garden system of the invention may be provided as a kit which comprises components that can be used to modify an existing downpipe attached to a building, or new standard downpipe to be attached to, for example, a new building. In a preferred embodiment, the invention further provides a kit for replacing a portion of an existing downpipe with the vertical garden system as described herein, the kit comprising:

a modified downpipe portion as described herein;

at least one plant container for attaching to, and receiving water redirected from the modified downpipe as described herein; and

one or more adaptors for attaching the modified downpipe portion to an existing or new downpipe.

[0025] The kit may comprise further components including clips for attaching the modified downpipe to an external wall or other structure of the building, instructions for incorporating the vertical garden system into an existing downpipe, paint to colour the downpipe and/or plant container to match the colour of the existing downpipe and and/or guttering, soil, plant(s), and/or screws for fixing certain parts together or to a wall of the building.

[0026] The invention further provides a process for incorporating a vertical garden system as described herein into an existing downpipe. Preferably, the process comprises the step of replacing a portion of the existing downpipe with the vertical garden system as described herein. The process more preferably comprises the step of replacing a portion of the existing downpipe with a modified downpipe portion, for example, from the herein described kit. The process preferably comprises the further step of attaching at least one plant container to the modified downpipe which can receive water redirected from the modified downpipe.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1. an illustration showing a front perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a portion of modified downpipe according to the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 2. illustrations showing (A) a top perspective view; and (B) a top perspective exploded view, of the first preferred embodiment of a plant container according to the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 3. illustrations showing (A) a front perspective exploded view; (B) a top view; and (C) a bottom perspective exploded view, of the first preferred embodiment of a plant container according to the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 4. illustrations showing (A) a rear exploded view; and (B) a side view, of the first preferred embodiment of a plant container according to the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 5. an illustration showing a front perspective view of plant containers attached to a downpipe portion according to the first preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 6. illustrations showing (A) a front perspective exploded view; (B) a top exploded view; (C) a front perspective view; (D) a top view; of a downpipe portion attached to leader box, according to the first preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 7. illustrations showing (A) a front perspective view; and (B) a front perspective exploded view, of the first preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 8. illustrations showing (A) a front top perspective view; (B) a side view; (C) a front view; (D) a rear view; and (E) a top view, of a portion of modified downpipe according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 9. illustrations showing (A) a top perspective view of a plant container releasably attached to a downpipe portion; and (B) an exploded top perspective view of a plant container, according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 10. illustrations showing (A) a bottom perspective rear view; (B) a rear view; and (C) a bottom view, of the second preferred embodiment of a plant container according to the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 11. illustrations showing (A) a partial bottom view of a plant container; and (B) a partial bottom view of a plant container releasably attached to a downpipe portion, according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 12. illustrations showing (A) a top perspective front view; (B) a top perspective rear view; and (C) a partial rear view, of a plant container according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 13. illustrations showing (A) an exploded top perspective front view; and (B) an exploded bottom perspective view, of a plant container; and (C) a top view; and (D) side view, of a plant container insert, according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 14. illustrations showing (A) a perspective front view; and (B) a perspective rear view, of a blanking cap; and (C) an unexploded and (D) an exploded perspective front view of a blanking cap in a downpipe portion, according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 15. an illustration showing a partial perspective front bottom view of a vertical garden system of the invention according to the second preferred embodiment.

Figure 16. illustrations showing (A) a perspective front view of a leader head in a downpipe portion; and (B) a perspective top view, of a blanking cap; and (C) an exploded perspective front view, of a leader head, according to the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention.

Figure 17. an illustration showing a front perspective top view of a vertical garden system of the invention according to the second preferred embodiment.

Figure 18. illustrations showing (A) a front view; (B) a side view; and (C) a rear view, of a vertical garden system of the invention according to the second preferred embodiment.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0028] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

[0029] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, compositions and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0030] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0031] Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0032] Features of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following preferred embodiments.

[0033] First Preferred Embodiment

[0034] In a first preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention, a downpipe portion 10 is shown in Figure 1. The downpipe portion 10 has the cross-section dimensions of a 'rectangular' downpipe commonly used in the building industry of Australia and other countries. It is constructed from steel sheet(s) which have been bent to form the rectangular shape of the downpipe portion 10 and has been painted to colour match the downpipe which it will be incorporated into.

[0035] The rectangular downpipe portion 10 comprises two thinner 'side' surfaces 12, and two wider 'front' and 'rear' surfaces, wherein the rear surface typically faces a wall to which the downpipe may be attached, and the other wide surface is an exposed front surface 14 which faces away from the wall. The front surface 14 of the downpipe portion 10 comprises downpipe openings 16 in which plant containers may be attached.

[0036] An embodiment of a plant container 30 for use in the vertical garden system of the invention is shown in Figure 2A. In this embodiment, the plant container 30 comprises an insert 32 for holding soil and plants and the insert 32 is shown removed from the plant container 30 in Figure 2B. The insert 32 can be removed for repotting, replanting, and/or swapping with another insert.

[0037] The rear of the plant container 30 faces the downpipe portion 10 and water from the downpipe portion 10 can pass through a number of openings 34 into the plant container 30 as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3B shows the openings 34 from the inside of the plant container 30. A trough 35 on the external surface of the plant container 30 adjacent the openings 34, assists the capture and redirection of water from the downpipe portion 10. Ribbing 36 on the rear surface of the plant container 30 reinforces attachment of the trough 35 to the plant container 30 as it must be able to hold the weight of the plant container , insert 32 soil, plant(s) and water. The position of the openings 34 where the trough 35 meets the rear surface of the plant container 30 enables water caught in the trough 35 to flow by gravity through the openings 34 and into the plant container 30. The low height of the walls of the trough 35 and an overflow gap 37 both assist to prevent overfilling of the plant container 30 and excess water to return to the flow of water through the downpipe portion 10. This can be beneficial when a high water flow is passing through the downpipe portion 10.

[0038] Holes 38 in the bottom of the insert 32 shown in Figure 3C allow water that has entered the plant container 30 to be drawn up into the soil in the insert 32 for use by the plant(s).

[0039] Water entering the openings 34 into the plant container 30 will pass through the holes 38 and rise up through the soil in the insert to a maximum height being about the position of the openings 34. Water is prevented from rising much above this height in the plant container 30 as gravity will cause water above this height to exit back through the openings 34 and out of the trough 35 through the overflow gap 37 and over the walls of the trough 35. As shown in Figure 4A, the insert 32 in the embodiment comprises an inverted U shape sitting on two legs 41 which has the benefit of having most of the soil and the plant(s) located above the height of the openings 34. Therefore, plant(s) in the insert 32 are not buried in soil saturated with water which many plants cannot tolerate, but plant(s) can access water in the plant container 30 by drawing it up through wet or moist soil in the legs 41 of the insert 32.

[0040] Figure 4B shows two vertical tabs 42 which are attached to the bottom of the trough 35 and form slits between the tabs 42 and ribbing 36 for hooking the plant container 30 onto the downpipe portion 10 through a downpipe opening 16.

[0041] A downpipe portion 10 to which two plant containers 30 are attached is shown in Figure 5.

[0042] The downpipe portion 10 can attach to existing downpipe attached to, for example, the guttering of a building. This involves removing a portion of existing downpipe and incorporating the downpipe portion 10 of the invention into the existing downpipe. This may involve cutting existing downpipe at a particular height so that once the downpipe of the invention is incorporated into the existing downpipe, the plant containers of the invention will be at a desired height for their aesthetic appeal and, for example, so they may be accessible to temporarily remove plant containers and/or inserts, for example, to change or repot plants, or water the plants from an external source such as a hose should there be an extended period of no rainfall.

[0043] In this embodiment, the downpipe portion 10 is 'rectangular' downpipe (having a rectangular cross-section). If the downpipe portion 10 is to attach to an existing 'round' downpipe (i.e. with a round cross-section, a cylindrical downpipe), a rectangular-to-round downpipe adaptor can be used comprising a male end to attach to an end of the downpipe portion 10. In this respect, the embodiment of the invention comprises a rectangular portion of downpipe portion 10 which sits flush with the rear surface of a plant container 30 so it is preferable to replace an existing round downpipe with the rectangular portion of downpipe portion 10 when incorporating the vertical garden system of the invention into an existing downpipe on a building.

[0044] If the existing downpipe on a building is a rectangular downpipe, then the embodiment of the portion of the downpipe may be incorporated into the existing downpipe by a rectangular adaptor which is sometimes referred to as a downpipe pop. Adaptors of the relevant cross-sectional shape may be used at the bottom as well as the top of the portion of downpipe portion 10 of the invention if some existing downpipe below the portion of the downpipe of the invention is kept, for example, if it directs water into a below ground drain or sewer.

[0045] The embodiment as shown in Figure 6 in exploded (Figure 6A and Figure 6B) and complete (Figure 6C and Figure 6D) form, comprises a leader head 50 (also known as a conductor head) which has a male end 52 that attaches into the downpipe portion 10. Water from roof or other guttering can flow into the leader head 50 and pass through the downpipe portion 10. A filter plate 54 in the leader head 50 prevents leaves and other large foreign matter from entering and blocking the downpipe portion 10.

[0046] Once incorporated into a downpipe of an existing building, downpipe clips may be used to attach and secure the downpipe portion 10 to a wall or another part of the building. The leader box 50 can be attached to a wall using screws through screw holes 56.

[0047] Figure 7 shows the embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention in complete (Figure 7A) and exploded (Figure 7B) form. Downpipe openings 16 in the downpipe portion 10 that are not connected to a plant container 30 are closed off using a blanking cap 58. Plant containers 30 can include substantially square plant containers 30 and plant containers 30 that partially wrap around the downpipe portion 10.

[0048] The downpipe portion 10, plant container(s) 30, and adaptors, leader box 50, and downpipe clips for attaching the downpipe portion 10 to a wall and incorporating it into an existing downpipe, preferably comprises parts of a kit. The kit may also comprise instructions for a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) incorporation of the vertical garden system of the invention into an existing downpipe on a building.

[0049] The process of using such a kit comprising two or more of the: downpipe portion 10, plant container(s) 30 and insert(s) 32, leader box 50, adaptors, downpipe clips, for incorporating the vertical garden system of the invention into existing downpipe, may comprise the following steps: cutting and removing a portion of an existing downpipe; attaching the portion of the downpipe of the vertical garden system of the invention to the existing downpipe using adaptors; and attaching at least one plant container of the vertical garden system of the invention to the portion of the downpipe.

[0050] Second Preferred Embodiment

[0051] Figure 8 shows a second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention which can be: attached to the lower section of an existing downpipe; incorporated within an existing downpipe by removing an middle section of existing downpipe and replacing it with the vertical garden system of the invention; or for use as an unattached downpipe below, or connected to, a gutter on a wall of a building.

[0052] The downpipe portion 110 has the cross-section dimensions of a 'rectangular' downpipe commonly used in the building industry of Australia and other countries. It is constructed from steel sheet(s) which have been bent to form the rectangular shape of the downpipe portion 110 and can be painted to colour match the downpipe which it will be incorporated into.

[0053] The rectangular downpipe portion 110 comprises two thinner 'side' surfaces 112, and two wider 'front' and 'rear' surfaces, wherein the rear surface 113 typically faces a wall to which the downpipe may be attached, and the other wide surface is an exposed front surface 114 intended to face away from the wall. The front surface 114 of the downpipe portion 110 comprises almost triangular downpipe openings 116 with a 'squared' bottom corner in which plant containers may be releasably attached to the downpipe portion 110.

[0054] An overlap 117 where the long edges of the steel sheet meet to form the rectangular downpipe portion 110 can be seen on the rear surface 113. Attachment extensions 118 comprising holes for attaching the downpipe portion 110 to, for example, a wall using screws, nails, or other attachment means, extend beyond the sides of the downpipe portion 10 in line with the rear surface 113.

[0055] A bottom portion 119 of the downpipe portion 110 is tapered reducing the dimensions of the rectangular cross-section of the downpipe so that the bottom portion 119 may fit snuggly within a lower part of an existing downpipe so that the downpipe portion 110 may be for example, incorporated within an existing downpipe structure for a building that may empty into a drain or soak well.

[0056] A downpipe portion 110 to which a plant container 130 is attached is shown in Figure 9A. In this embodiment, the plant container 130 comprises an insert 140 for holding soil and plants and the insert 140 is shown removed from the plant container 130 in Figure 9B. The insert 140 can be removed for repotting, replanting, and/or swapping with another insert.

[0057] As shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11, the rear of the plant container 130 is configured to form an alcove 133 in which a portion of the downpipe portion 110 is located when the plant container 130 is releasably attached to the downpipe portion 110. Within the alcove 133, a trough 134 extends from the rear of the plant container 130. The trough 134 is configured to pass through a downpipe opening 116 in the downpipe portion 110. Once inside the downpipe portion 110, the trough 134 and plant container 130 is lowered until the lower edges of the triangular downpipe opening 116 are located within trough slots 135 which are situated either side of where the rear surface of the plant container 130 and the trough 134 meet as shown in the view from underneath the downpipe portion 110 and plant container 130 in Figure 11B. The plant container 130 is held in place by the downpipe portion 110 in a bracket-in-slot type arrangement. The plant container 130 is removed from the downpipe portion 110 by raising the trough 134 to release the lower edges of the triangular downpipe opening 116 from the trough slots 135, and pulling the plant container 130 away from the downpipe portion 110 and the trough 134 back through the downpipe opening 116 until the plant container 130 has been separated from the downpipe portion 110.

[0058] When in use and the downpipe portion 110 is receiving water, for example, from a gutter, and a plant container 130 is releasably attached to the downpipe portion 110, some of the water flowing down through the downpipe portion 110 will be captured in the trough 134 of the plant container 130. Water captured within the trough 134 may escape the trough 134 by forces of gravity either (i) through entry holes 136 which direct the water into the plant container 130 below the insert 132 (see also Figure 9A), (ii) through exit holes 138 which allow water to drain back into the downpipe portion 100, or (iii) in high flowing water which fills the trough, over the lip of the top of the trough and back into the downpipe portion 100. The exit holes 138 are importantly positioned on the trough 134 just above the height of the entry holes 136 (Figure 12C) so that if the plant container 130 is filling up quickly with water from the entry holes 136, any water above the height of the exit holes 138 will flow out of the trough 134 out the exit holes 138. This prevents the level of the water in the plant container 130 from becoming higher than the exit holes 138 and flooding the soil and plants in the insert 132. Thus, the configuration of the entry holes 136 and exit holes 138 in the trough assists to maintain the water level in the plant container at, or below the level of the exit holes 138.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9A, the insert 140 sits within the plant container 130. The insert 140 which is shown separate from the plant container in Figure 13 comprises two planting wells 142 in which one or more plants are planted in soil. When water is in the plant container 130 and the base of these planting wells 142 are below the level of the water, water is drawn up by the soil in the planting well through the planting well hole 144 which is utilised by the plant(s).

[0060] Outer slots 146 match tabs 148 on the inside of the plant container 130 to assist holding the insert 140 in position in the plant container 130. Drainage holes 150 in the insert 140 are configured to provide a decorative feature in addition to enabling water sprayed or falling onto the insert to drain through to the bottom of the plant container 130 for use by the plants in the planting wells 142.

[0061] Alternatively, plants requiring less water may be planted in soil above the insert 140 (and not in the planting wells 142). Water will be drawn up through the soil in the planting wells 142 into the soil above the insert 140 where the plants may utilise the water. Any excess water falling on the soil above the insert may pass through the soil and drain through the drainage holes 150 into the plant container 130. Thus, even after heavy watering from the downpipe portion 110, or from water entering from the top of the plant container 130 (whether from rain or watering), the level of the water will return to the height of the exit holes 138 as water above this height in the plant container 130 will exit the trough due to gravity 134.

[0062] The downpipe portion 110 contains a number of downpipe openings 116 for the user to select the number and position of plant containers 130 that they would like to have in their customised vertical downpipe garden. However, to prevent water descending the downpipe portion from exiting the downpipe openings 116 which do not have a plant container 130 releasably attached to the downpipe portion 110 through them, downpipe blanking caps 152 are preferably placed on any non-used downpipe openings 116 (Figure 14).

[0063] Figure 15 shows deflectors 154 above each downpipe opening 116 for deflecting water down traveling down the downpipe portion 110 behind the front surface 114 into an adjacent trough 134 of a plant container 130.

[0064] The downpipe portion 110 can attach to existing downpipe attached to, for example, the guttering of a building. This involves removing a portion of existing downpipe and incorporating the downpipe portion 110 of the invention into the existing downpipe. This may involve cutting existing downpipe at a particular height so that once the downpipe of the invention is incorporated into the existing downpipe, the plant containers of the invention will be at a desired height for their aesthetic appeal and, for example, so they may be accessible to temporarily remove plant containers and/or inserts, for example, to change or repot plants, or water the plants from an external source such as a hose should there be an extended period of no rainfall.

[0065] In this embodiment, the downpipe portion 110 is 'rectangular' downpipe (having a rectangular cross-section). If the downpipe portion 110 is to attach to an existing 'round' downpipe (i.e. with a round cross-section, a cylindrical downpipe), a rectangular-to-round downpipe adaptor can be used comprising a male end to attach to an end of the downpipe portion 110. In this respect, the embodiment of the invention comprises a rectangular portion of downpipe portion 110 which sits flush with the rear surface of a plant container 130 so it is preferable to replace an existing round downpipe with the rectangular portion of downpipe portion 10 when incorporating the vertical garden system of the invention into an existing downpipe on a building.

[0066] If the existing downpipe on a building is a rectangular downpipe, then the embodiment of the portion of the downpipe may be incorporated into the existing downpipe by a rectangular adaptor which is sometimes referred to as a downpipe pop. Adaptors of the relevant cross-sectional shape may be used at the bottom as well as the top of the portion of downpipe portion 10 of the invention if some existing downpipe below the portion of the downpipe of the invention is kept, for example, if it directs water into a below ground drain or sewer.

[0067] The embodiment as shown in Figure 16 in complete (Figure 16A) and exploded (Figure 16B and Figure 16C) form, comprises a leader head 160 (also known as a conductor head) which has a male end 162 that attaches into the downpipe portion 110. Water from roof or other guttering can flow into the leader head 160 and pass through the downpipe portion 110. A filter plate may be placed in the leader head 160 at the start of the male end 162 to capture and prevent leaves and other large foreign matter from entering and blocking the downpipe portion 110. The leader box 160 can be attached to a wall using screws or nails through holes in attachment extensions 118.

[0068] An overflow plate 164 comprising overflow drainage apertures 166 is attached to the front of the leader head 160 facing away from the wall or object to which the leader head 160 is attached. Water in the leader head 160 above the height of the overflow drainage apertures 166 will drain out of these overflow drainage apertures 166 under forces of gravity to prevent overflow over the top of the leader head 160 (will could run down and potentially damage the building or object to which the leader head 160 is attached).

[0069] Figures 17 and 18 show different views of the second preferred embodiment of the vertical garden system of the invention in complete (form.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

1. A vertical garden system comprising at least one plant container attached to a modified downpipe wherein a portion of the water passing through the downpipe is redirected into the at least one plant container.

2. A vertical garden system according to claim 1, wherein the plant container comprises a planting portion and a water redirecting portion, and the water redirecting portion is at least partially located within the modified downpipe when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe.

3. A vertical garden system according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of water traversing down through the modified downpipe enters the water redirecting portion.

4. A vertical garden system according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of water entering the water redirecting portion is redirected into the plant container.

5. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the water redirecting portion is at least partially located within an aperture in the modified downpipe.

6. A vertical garden system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant container is releasably attached to the modified downpipe.

7. A vertical garden system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the plant container is hooked onto the modified downpipe to attach the plant container to the modified downpipe.

8. A vertical garden system according to claim 7, wherein the plant container is hooked onto edges of the aperture in the modified downpipe.

9. A vertical garden system according to claim 7, wherein the plant container is hooked onto edges of the aperture in the modified downpipe at a location on the plant container adjacent to or where the water redirecting portion connects to the planting portion.

10. A vertical garden system according to claim 7, wherein the plant container is hooked onto edges of the aperture in the modified downpipe in at least one slot between the water redirecting portion and the planting portion.

11. A vertical garden system according to claim 7, wherein the plant container is hooked onto edges of the aperture in the modified downpipe by at least one substantially vertical tab extending beneath the water redirecting portion.

12. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the water redirecting portion comprises a trough.

13. A vertical garden system according to claim 12, wherein at least one opening in the trough at a first level directs water captured in the trough into the planting portion.

14. A vertical garden system according to claim 13, wherein at least one opening in the trough at a second level that is positioned higher than the first level when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe, redirects water back into the modified downpipe.

15. A vertical garden system according to claim 14, wherein at least one opening in the trough at the second level prevents water in the planting portion from rising above the height of the second level.

16. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the planting portion comprises an insert, the insert comprising a planting base and planter soak wells

17. A vertical garden system according to claim 16, wherein plants are planted in soil above the planting base and soil fills the planter soak wells.

18. A vertical garden system according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the at least one opening at the first level and the at least one opening at the second level are positioned below the planting base when the plant container is attached to the modified downpipe.

19. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein water in the planting portion is drawn up through the soil in the planter soak wells.

20. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the at least one opening at the second level prevents water from raising above the second level in the planting portion.

21. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 5 to 20, wherein the modified downpipe comprises multiple apertures through which plant containers may be releasably attached.

22. A vertical garden system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modified downpipe may be incorporated into an existing downpipe.

23. A vertical garden system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top of the modified downpipe comprises a leader head.

24. A vertical garden system according to any one of claims 5 to 23, wherein blanking caps may be used to close off apertures in the modified downpipe to which a plant container is not attached.

25. A vertical garden system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom of the modified downpipe may be tapered to attach to an existing downpipe leading to a soak well or drain.

26. A kit for replacing a portion of an existing downpipe with the vertical garden system according to any one of the preceding claims, the kit comprising:

a modified downpipe portion

at least one plant container; and

one or more adaptors for attaching the modified downpipe portion to an existing downpipe.

27. A process for incorporating a vertical garden system into an existing downpipe, the process comprising the step of replacing a portion of the existing downpipe with the vertical garden system according to any one of claims 1 to 25.