GB2458904A

GB2458904A - Plant Support Structure

Info

Publication number: GB2458904A
Application number: GB0805834A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Wolfenden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-01
Filing date: 2008-04-01
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Also published as: WO2009122210A1; GB0805834D0

Abstract

A wall planter structure 10, for creating a vertical garden, comprises a mounting bracket 20 having at least one support member 26, the support member having a first connection member 28 thereon, and a planting tray 40 having a base 42, typically with partitions, for receiving a growing medium and a lid 60 through which plants grow. The planting tray has a second connection member 46 arranged at a top end thereof to detachably connect to the first connection member. Preferably, the planting tray bottom possesses a third connection member 48 such that a plurality of trays can be hung one from the other. The connection members may be a hook 46, eyelet 28, tubular element (Fig. 12, 646) or retaining arm (Fig. 13, 628). Typically, the structure has an irrigation tank 30 connected to a hose 50 which meanders through the planting tray. The lid may comprise a cover with apertures and a supporting frame.

Description

Plant Support Structure

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a plant support structure and system, and more particularly to a plant support structure and system for creating a vertical garden.

Background of the Invention

Vertical gardens have been used by architects and interior/exterior building designers for several years.

Chiefly, vertical gardens have been used to decorate the exterior and interior of various buildings, such as museums, art galleries and shopping centres.

Vertical gardens can be mounted against a wall, or can be used independently as a privacy barrier. A single or multi-sided vertical garden can also be used as a freestanding architectural feature. Vertical gardens may be located both indoors and out, and offer many functional, environmental and aesthetic benefits.

In exterior applications, vertical gardens provide a form of urban gardening. This allows good use of otherwise unutilized vertical surface areas. They may be built as a work of art for their own sake, or they may be incorporated into roadside advertising or other commercial display applications. Functionally, a vertical garden can clad an existing structural wall thereby extending the lifespan of traditional exterior wall materials and reducing heating and cooling energy costs.

Indoors, vertical gardens can provide a pleasing natural feature for building occupants. They can also improve the quality of re-circulated air through photosynthetic production of oxygen. Also, bacteria on the roots of the plants metabolize air impurities such as volatile organic compounds, further improving air quality.

So called active walls may be joined to a building!s air circulation system where fans blow air through the wall and then re-circulate the air throughout the building.

Some active walls are kept behind glass to create more predictable airflow effects. Inactive walls have no mechanized air circulation. Instead, they are kept open to promote as much free air circulation as possible.

Vertical gardens, both indoor and outdoor, also provide a means for water reuse, at least as utility water. The plants of a vertical garden may purify slightly polluted water (such as greywater) by digesting the dissolved nutrients, with bacteria mineralizing the organic components to make them available to the plants.

Typically, a vertical garden will be either freestanding or installed directly on an existing wall surface. Many systems use a lightweight mineral substrate of different sizes with pockets of growing medium, alternative rainwater, drip or mist watering systems, and planting selected for the particular microclimatic conditions at its installed location. Such systems are highly specialised and expensive.

The vegetation of vertical gardens is typically grown from seed after the other components of the vertical garden are installed. This growing period results in increased maintenance costs, loss of growth medium from wind erosion in exterior applications and other natural forces, and delays the realizaLion of benefits from the vertical garden. Vertical gardens installed in this fashion are also Lypically permanent or semi-permanent fixtures and, as such, render repairs to the underlying wall difficult and expensive.

In cases where vertical gardens are installed on existing structural walls, significant alterations may be required to the existing wall surface to accommodate a permanent or semi--permanent installation. Existing cladding may not be capable of suitable attachment, or sustaining long--term direct contact with water and growth media. Permanent and semi-permanent installations are also typically static in their design, with the structure and site-grown plant selection being established at the time of installation. Any desired structural or planting changes, for either functional, commercial or aesthetic reasons, would require disrupting or replacing the established vertical garden, thereby incurring more maintenance costs and delays in benefit from the new living wall design.

Thus, there is a need for an improved plant support structure and system for use in a vertical garden application that overcomes some or all of the disadvantages evident in current vertical garden designs.

In particular, it is an aim of the invention to provide an improved plant support structure and device which allows, in particular, domestic users to create a vertical garden cheaply and easily.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall planter structure for creating a vertical garden, the wall planter structure comprises a mounting bracket having at least one support member arranged to extend away from a wall in use, the at least one support member having a first connection member thereon, and a planting tray having a base for receiving a growing medium such as soil and a lid arranged to allow plants to grow through in use, the planting tray having a second connection member arranged at a top end thereof to detachably connect to the first connection member on the mounting bracket in use so that the planting tray is supported substantially vertically by the mounting bracket to create a vertical garden.

Preferably, a third connection member is provided on the planting tray at a bottom end thereof, the third connection member being positioned to correspond with the second connection member so that a plurality of planting trays can be hung one from the other.

In one embodiment, each connection member is one of an eyelet or hook. More preferably, the first connection member on the mounting bracket is an eyelet, the second connection member at a top end of the planting tray is a hook, and the third connection member at the bottom end of the planting tray is an eyelet.

In an alternative embodiment, each connection member is one of a tubular element or retaining arm. More preferably, the first connection member on the mounting bracket is a retaining arm, and a second and third connection members on the planting tray are tubular elements. Preferably, the tubular members are located on an edge of the planting tray. Preferably still, the tubular elements define a cylindrical aperture corresponding to part of the retaining arm.

Preferably, the mounting bracket has two arms arranged to extend outwardly from a wall in use, wherein each arm comprises the first connection member, and the planting tray has a corresponding pair of second connection members.

Preferably, the structure comprises an irrigation tank arranged in use to be mounted on the mounting bracket.

Preferably, the mounting bracket has at least one end stop to prevent the irrigation tank from slipping oft the mounting bracket. Preferably, the irrigation tank has a water outlet.

Preferably, the or each planting tray comprises an irrigation hose. Preferably, the irrigation hose is arranged to meander through the or each planting tray and have free ends protruding from the planting tray.

The irrigation hose of at least one planting tray is connected to the water outlet. Preferably, a joining nipple joins the irrigation hose to the water outlet.

Preferably, the joining nipple is provided to join the irrigation hose of a first planting tray with the irrigation hose of a second planting tray arranged to hang below the first planting tray. Preferably, an end plug is provided at the free end of the lowermost irrigation hose in a sequence, that is, farthest from the irrigation tank.

Preferably, the base has partitions to define rows within the planting tray when hung in use. Preferably, the partitions have a triangular-shaped profile with the base of the triangle being adjacent the base of the planting tray. Preferably, a base comprises a soil container and a frame. Preferably, the connection member or connection members are located on the frame.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lid comprises a cover together with a supporting frame. Preferably, the cover is arranged to be cut in use to allow small plants to be planted in the planting tray. Preferably, the frame is a mesh which is arranged to secure the cover to the base in use.

In another embodiment of the invention, the lid comprises a cover defining a plurality of planting apertures. Preferably, the cover attaches directly to the base. Preferably still, the apertures are circular and are arranged uniformly in rows and columns.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the lid comprises a plurality of hinged sections. Preferably, the hinged sections define between them planting apertures.

Preferably, the planting apertures are square apertures turned at 45° relative to the defining edge of the hinged section.

in another embodiment of the invention, the planting tray has fixing eyes on both top and bottom ends thereof.

Preferably, a separate bracket is provided for each eye.

Preferably, the eyes at a bottom end of the planting tray are staggered in relation to eyes at a top end of the planting tray. Preferably, the planting tray is screwed to the brackets through the fixing eyes to create a more permanent wall planter structure. Preferably, an irrigation tank is provided at a bottom of the lowermost planting tray. Preferably, the irrigation tank is attached to a wall using a bracket. Preferably, a pump is provided in the irrigation tank and is arranged to feed water from the irrigation tank to the top edge of an uppermost planting tray in a column via a feed pipe.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the wall planter structure comprises a mounting bracket arranged to surround the planting tray and to support the planting tray at a top end thereof. Preferably, a frame is arranged to surround the planting tray. Preferably, the frame has a hinged side portion.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall planter structure for creating a vertical garden, the wall planter structure comprises a mounting bracket having at least one support member arranged to extend away from a wall in use, the at least one support member having a first connection means thereon, and a planting tray having a base for receiving a growing medium such as soil in a lid arranged to allow plants to grow through in use, the planting tray having a second connection means arranged at a top end thereof to connect to the first connection means on the mounting bracket in use, so that the planting tray is supported substantially vertically by the mounting bracket to create a vertical garden.

Preferred features of this aspect of the invention may be inferred, where appropriate, from the preferred features described in relation to the first aspect of the invention above.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a planting tray having a base for receiving a growing medium such as soil and a lid arranged to allow plants to grow through in use, the planting tray having a connection member arranged at one end thereof to detachably connect to a mounting bracket in use, so that the planting tray is supported substantially vertically by the mounting bracket to create a vertical garden.

Preferably, the mounting tray has connection means for allowing a second mounting tray to be hung therefrom to create a larger vertical garden.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a hotter understanding of the invention, and to show bow embodiments of the same may he carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wall planter structure according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a planting tray in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a planting tray according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a planting tray in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a wall planter structure in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of a wall planter structure in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of the wall planter structure according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a wall planter system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a planting tray in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 0 shows a mounting bracket according to the sixth embodiment, wherein (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a joining member according to the sixth embodiment; Figure 12 is a partial side view of a wall planter structure in accordance with the sixth embodiment, showing the joining member joining two planting trays; Figure 13 is a perspective exploded view of a wall planter system according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; and Figure 14 is a perspective view of a lid of the planting tray of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Like reference signs have been used to indicate like features throughout and only the differences will be discussed.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a wall planter system 10 according to a first embodiment of the inventi on.

The wall planter system 10 comprises a mounting bracket 20, an irrigation tank 30 and at least one planting tray 40. Preferably, several planting trays 40 are hung one below the other from the mounting bracket 20.

The mounting bracket comprises a wall plate 22 defininq four fixing holes 24. The wall plate is substantially n'-shaped having two downwardly protruding support members. Two arms 26 extend outwardly from the wall plate 22 and are arranged to support the irrigation tank 30 in use. End stops 29 protrude upwardly from an outermost end of each arm 26 to prevent the irrigation tank 30 from slipping off the mounting bracket 20.

Additionally, a connection member, or eyelet 28, is provided on the underside of each arm 26 so that the planting tray 40 can be hung from the mounting bracket 20.

The irrigation tank 30 has an open top surface and defines a water outlet 32 on a bottom surface. A three-sided cover 34 is provided to cover the irrigation tank 30. The cover 34 has clips 36 along a top edge. The clips are arranged to clip over the top edge of the irrigation tank 30 to hold the cover 34 in place when in use.

Each planting tray 40 has a base 42 and a lid 60. The base 42 has a pair of connection members, or hooks 46, arranged to engage with corresponding eyelets 28 of the mounting bracket 20. In this way, each planting tray 40 may be temporarily hung from the mounting bracket. This allows each planting tray 40 to be easily removed and replaced.

The base 42 further comprises a pair of additional connection members, or eyes 48, at a lower end of the base 42 n a position opposite to and corresponding with the hooks 46. In this way, a plurality of planting trays 40 may be hung one upon the other.

An irrigation hose 50 is arranged to meander through Lhe base 42 of each planting tray 40. A short length of irrigation hose is left free at the uppermost and lowermost ends of each planting tray 40.

In use, the irrigation hose is connected to the water outlet 32 of the irrigation tank 30. The lower free-end of the irrigation hose 50 is either terminated with an end plug 54, or is connected to the irrigation hose 50 of a subsequently hung planting tray 40 by a joining nipple 52.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the irrigation hose of the uppermost planting tray 40 is joined to the irrigation hose 50 of the lowermost planting tray 40 by the joining nipple 52. The free end of the irrigation hose 50 of the lowermost planting tray 40 is terminated by the end plug 54.

In this way, the planted trays 40 can be continuously irrigated by regular filling of the irrigation tank 30.

In use, each planting tray 40 is filled with soil, and is planted with vegetation prior to hanging on the mounting bracket 20. The invention in particular provides a flexible vertical garden which carries substantial advantages over the prior art. For example, the wall planter system 10 allows a grower to establish the planted vegetation prior to hanging. This may be done by bringing the plants on in a greenhouse.

in this way, a vertical garden can be created using mature flowers in prime condition. A hugely colourful and interesting display can be created almost instantaneously.

Also, construction of the vertical garden is a relatively simple task and is quick and easy for an unskilled worker.

In addition, the vertical garden can be easily and quickly dismantled, allowing repairs to be carried out to the exterior or interior wall with minimum disruption and expense.

Several lids 60 can be used and three particularly useful variations are described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the planting tray 40 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the lid 60 comprises a series of circular apertures 66 arranged uniformly in rows and columns. As can be seen in this example, there are four rows and four columns. In the preferred embodiment, each row is separated by a distance of 121 mm, whereas each column is separated by a distance of 100 mm. Each planting aperture 66 has a diameter of 40 mm.

In this way, seeds or small hut established plants may be pushed through the planting apertures 66 to quicken the process of creating a mature and ready to hang planting tray 40. The planting tray 40 may then be hung on the mounting bracket 20, or may be placed horizontally in a convenient location, such as a greenhouse until the plants reach maturity. In particular, this feature is beneficial to plant growers and sellers who wish to increase revenue, because the plant grower can sell ready-p]anted planting trays 40 suitable for hanging.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the lid comprises a cover 62 and a securing frame 64. The securing frame 64 is a wire mesh which attaches to the base 42 trapping the cover 62 therebetween. The cover 62 is spun bonded fibre or a felt-type material which can be cut to allow plants to be planted through the cover 62 into the growing medium held in the base 42.

In this way, advantages similar to those flowing from the first embodiment of the invention may be achieved.

However, there is a significantly reduced chance of soil being spilled from the planting tray 40 during transportation and in use.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a planting tray according to a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the lid 60 comprises a series of planting apertures 66 and hinged sections 68.

In particular, the planting apertures 66 are defined between opposite edges of the hinged sections 68. The planting apertures 66 are located in a location corresponding to the planting apertures 66 of the first embodiment. However, the planting apertures instead have a substantially square profile with one pair of opposed vertices being located on an edge of the corresponding hinged section 68.

In the third embodiment, there are provided five hinged sections 68. The hinged sections 68 are essentially flaps which can open to allow reasonably mature plants, such as bedding plants, to be planted in the planting tray 40.

In this way, a grower can incorporate readily available and reasonably mature bedding plants into a planting tray 40 to create immediate results. This will increase choice and flexibility in the design of vertical gardens, and will increase the market for bedding plants.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective of the wall planter structure 10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows the mounting bracket 20, irrigation tank 30 and tank cover 34 together with the planting tray 40.

The planting tray 40 has a wire base 42 and a soil container 70. The soil container 70 has three horizontally-arranged partitions 74 having a substantially triangular profile. The irrigation hose 50 is shown meandering through the soil container 70 and passing through each partition 74. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the irrigation hose 50 passes over each partition 74 between the lid 60 and the partition 74.

Figure 6 shows a side view of a wall planter structure 10 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The fourth embodiment concerns a more permanent wall mounting structure 10. In particular, several mounting brackets 120 are provided to be attached to a wall in use.

Correspondingly, each connection member on each planting tray 40 is adapted to be an eye 148 or other suitable fixing mechanism. Fixing screws 122 are provided to secure each eye to a dedicated one of the mounting brackets 120.

In the preferred embodiment, the eyes 148 at an uppermost end of the planting tray in use are staggered in relation to the eyes 148 at the lowermost end. In fact, the preferred embodiment shows a single eye 148 at the lowermost end in a central position, and two eyes 148 spaced apart at outermost regions of the uppermost end.

In this way, the mounting eyes 148 of neighbouring planting trays 40 do not overlap. Additionally, it is much easier to remove a single planting tray from the support structure 10.

The fourth embodiment shows an alternative watering system to that previously described in relation to the other embodiments. In particular, a trough 130 is provided to catch excess water dripping from the plant support structure 10. The trough 130 is positioned below a lowermost planting tray 40 in the plant support structure 10. The trough 130 includes an integrated pump 132 with a iced pipe 134 arranged to carry water from the trough 130 back to the uppermost planting tray 40 in the plant support structure 10. A ball float valve 136 s provided to add water to the trough 130 when the water level in the trough 130 reaches a predetermined level.

The pump 132 is activated by a timer (not shown) at predetermined intervals. Of course, many variations on this system are envisaged as would he understood by the skilled person in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the mounting brackets 120 are made from galvanised steel. Preferably, the brackets provide an air gap of approximately 100 mm between the wall or support structure and the nearest part of the planting tray 40. While the mounting brackets are made from galvanised steel, other materials may be used as will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. The mounting brackets are arranged to have an uppermost surface which slopes away from the wall or support structure in use to thereby remove any excess water present in the air gap between the wall and planting tray 40.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the planting tray 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. This figure illustrates the staggered nature of the eyes 148 as previously described above. Also, two planting trays 40 are shown side-by-side on top and bottom brackets 120.

Figure 8 is an expanded perspective view of wall planter system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

In the fifth embodiment, the wall planter structure 10 is modified to he used with a decorative frame 280. The decorative frame 280 is primarily designed to disguise a modified mounting bracket 220 and trough 230 and is particularly suitod for indoor use. The frame 280 is arranged to surround a single planting tray 40 when hung on the modified mounting bracket 220.

The modified mounting bracket 220 supports a planting tray 40 in the same way as previously described with reference to the preceding embodiments. However, the downwardly protruding members extend beyond a lowermost edge of a planting tray 40 hung on the mounting bracket 220 in use. Also, the downwardly protruding sections have outwardly protruding arms 226 arranged to support the trough 230 in use. The arms 226 each have an upturned portion to prevent the trough from slipping forward in use. The trough 230 is positioned below the lowermost end of the planting tray 40.

The frame 280 of the preferred embodiment resembles a picture frame. Instead of a picture being presented in a central window, the planting tray 40 is presented instead.

The frame 280 and mounting bracket 220 are detachably attachable. In the preferred embodiment the frame 280 hooks over the uppermost arms 26 of the mounting frame 220.

A pump 132 is also provided together with a feed pipe 134 which is used to irrigate the planting tray 40 in the way described previously with reference to the preceding embodiments. A timer (not shown) is also provided to trigger irrigation of the planting tray 40.

The frame 280 is modified to have a hinged side to allow water to be deposited in the trough 230. In this way, a user can easily keep the trough 230 topped up with water.

Although not shown, a growing light may be provided to illuminate plants growing on the wail planter structure 10. The growing light would be of a type known to those skilled in the art and would take the form of a standard picture light which would normally be used to illuminate a standard picture.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a planting tray in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention.

In the sixth embodiment, the connection members on the base 42 of the planting tray 40 have a modified design.

Specifically, the hooks 46 and eyes 48 are replaced by tubular elements 646. The tubular elements are arranged on upper and lower ends of the base 42 in pairs. The tubular elements 646 extend outwardly from a rear surface of the base 42 to a front surface of the base 42 when hung in use. The tubular elements 646 are made from steel and define a cylindrical aperture therethrough.

Additionally, in the sixth embodiment, retaining members 648 are provided on a rim 650 of the base 42 to secure the lid 60 to the base 42 in use.

Figure 10 shows a modified mounting bracket 20 in accordance with the sixth embodiment.

instead of having an eyelet 28 as previously described above in relation to the other embodiments, a pair of retaining arms 628 are provided on the underside of each arm 26 so that the planting tray 40 can be hung from the mounting bracket 20.

Each retaining arm 628 extends downwardly from each arm 26 before turning outwardly arid slightly upwardly in relation to the bracket 20. The upward angle is designed so that when the tubular elements 646 of the base 42 are placed over the retaining arms 628, the planting tray 40 is held substantially vertically in use.

In the preferred embodiment, the retaining arm 628 are made from a length of suitably shaped metal bar, having a circular cross section. Each retaining arm 628 is welded to an underside of the corresponding arm 26 of the mounting bracket 20.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a joining member 630 according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

The joining member 630 has a body 632 and two fingers extending outwardly in the same plane at opposite ends of the body 630. The fingers 634 extend toward each other to create a "c-shape". The angle of each finger 634 relative to the body 632 corresponds to the angle of the tubular elements 646 in relation to the base 42 of each planting tray 40. This allows several planting trays 40 to be hung one from the other in a series, whilst keeping the planting trays 40 substantially vertical, as illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 12 is a side view showing the joining member 630 joining two planting trays 40 according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen, Figure 12 shows a secure joining mechanism for connecting a plurality of planting trays 40 using tubular elements 646 and joining member 630.

The tubular elements 646 and fingers 634 of the joining member 630 interact quite differently to the eyelet 28 and hook 46 arrangement of the first embodiment.

For example, there is a relatively large area of contact between the tubular element 646 and the finger 634 which causes a secure and stable fixing arrangement to be achieved. The joining member 630 also has spring-like qualities which resiliently bias adjacent planting trays 40 relative to one another. In practice, this means that the planting trays 40 are less likely to sway in a breeze or in a wind, or when somebody or something presses against them. This creates a stronger, more stable wall planter system 10.

Figure 13 is a perspective exploded view of a wall planter system 10 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

As will be seen, the seventh embodiment includes a modified mounting bracket 220 which has been adapted in line with the sixth embodiment to have retaining arms 628.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the lid 60 and the planting tray 40 in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3. There is a slight modification in that an outer rim of the lid 60 has outwardly protruding retaining members 69 which are arranged to retain the hinged sections 68 in use. In practice, the retaining members 69 are bent over the hinged sections 68.

As will he apparent to the skilled reader, the invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art systems.

For instance, the invention provides an inexpensive system which allows domestic users to create a vertical garden cheaply and easily.

Also, the fixing structure provided is temporary and allows each planting tray of the vertical garden to be easily replaced and refreshed depending upon the seasons or the mood of the grower.

Further, the planting tray 40 is so designed to be easily pre-filled at a planting nursery or garden centre, sold and transported. This makes the process of planting a vertical garden commercially much more feasible and realises previously unforeseen markets and revenue streams.

Following on, the invention provides a planting tray that can be easily filled by standard bedding plants achieving instantaneous colour and interest in any vertical garden. There is no need to sow the garden from seed and the provision of substantial growing media such as soil allows a much richer and varied vegetation to he achieved.

In the preferred embodiment, the planting tray is rectangular in shape with a depth of 50 mm to 150 mm and is supported from one end so it can be displayed vertically. Additional planting trays 40 can be hung from the base of the planter to create a wall effect.

Additionally, the planting trays 40 can be arranged so they are fixed side by side to completely cover a wall or fence in use, or alternatively they may he used individually. The skilled person would appreciate different shapes of container may be used based on the same vertical hanging principle on which the vegetation is displayed on a vertical surface to create a vertical garden.

In the embodiments described above, the planting tray 40 comprises a wire frame covered in basket weave for decorative purposes. However, a plastic container could be used having no wire support frame work as would be apparent to the skilled reader. Additionally, a wire frame covered in plastics material is also envisaged.

The preferred embodiments discuss mounting the support bracket 20 to a wall. It will he apparent to the skilled reader that the mounting brackets could be mounted to a fence or used with a free-standing support framework.

As has been discussed, the plants in the planting tray may be grown and transported on a horizontal position. It is a straightforward task, thanks to the invention, to then display the planting trays vertically or on an incline.

Fact] p'anting tray has approximate dimensions of H500 mm x W400 mm x D70 mm but does not specifically have to he of these dimensions. An advantage of these dimensions however is that production can he standardised and existing machinery can be used to manufacture and plant each planting tray.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled. in the art that various changes and modifications might he made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wall planter structure for creating a vertical garden, the wall planter structure comprising; a mounting bracket having at least one support member arranged to extend away from a wall in use, the at least one support member having a first connection member thereon, and a planting tray having a base for receiving a growing medium such as soil and a lid arranged to allow plants to grow through in use, the planting tray having a second connection member arranged at a top end thereof to detachably connect to the first connection member on the mounting bracket in use so that the planting tray is supported substantially vertically by the mounting bracket to create a vertical garden.
2. The wall planter structure of claim 1, wherein a third connection member is provided on the planting tray at a bottom end thereof, the third connection member being positioned to correspond with the second connection member so that a plurality of planting trays can be hung one from the other. * ** * * * * **

****
3. The wall planter structure of claim 1 or claim 2, * * **..wherein each connection member is one of an eyelet or a *S..e. hook.

*....: 30 * * *. :
4. The wall planter structure of claim 1 or claim 2, * wherein each connection member is one of a tubular element or retaining arm.
5. The wall planter structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting bracket has two arms arranged to extend outwardly from a wall in use, wherein each arm comprises the first connection member, and the planting tray has a corresponding pair of second connection members.
6. The wall planter structure of any preceding claim, wherein the structure comprises an irrigation tank arranged in use to be mounted on the mounting bracket.
7. The wall planter structure of any preceding claim, wherein the or each planting tray comprises an irrigation hose.
8. The wall planter structure of claim 7, wherein the irrigation hose is arranged to meander through the planting tray and have a free end protruding from the planting tray.
9. The wall planter structure or claim 7 or claim B wherein the irrigation hose is connected to a water outlet.s..
10. The wall planter structure of any preceding claim, * 5* *5S* wherein the base of the planting tray has partitions to * S..define rows within the planting tray when hung in use. **.. * S 55Ss11. The wall planter structure of claim 10, wherein : the partitions have a substantially triangular-shaped * profile with the base of the triangle being adjacent the base of the planting tray.12. The wall planter structure of any preceding claim, wherein the lid of the planting tray comprises a cover together with a supporting frame.13. The wall planter structure of claim 12, wherein the cover is arranged to be cut in use to allow small plants to be planted in the planting tray.14. The wall planter structure according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lid comprises a cover defining a plurality of planting apertures.15. The wall planter structure of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lid comprises a plurality of hinged sections which define between them planting apertures.16. A wall planter structure for creating a vertical garden, the wall planter structure comprising the mounting bracket having at least one support member arranged to extend away from a wall in use, the at least one support member having a first connection means thereon, and a planting tray having a base for receiving a growing medium such as soil and a lid arranged to allow plants to grow through in use, the planting tray having a second connection means arranged at a top end thereof to connect * ** *... to the first connection means on the mounting bracket in * S * *** use, so that the planting tray is supported substantially vertically by the mounted bracket to create a vertical garden. S. * * S** 17. A planting tray having a base for receiving a growing medium such as soil and a lid arranged to allow plants to grown through in use, the planting tray having a connection member arranged at one end thereof to detachably connect to a mounting bracket in use, so that the planting tray is supported substantially vertically by the mounting bracket to create a vertical garden.18. The planting tray according to claim 18, wherein the mounting tray has connection means for allowing a second mounting tray to be hung therefrom to create a larger vertical garden.19. A planting tray or wall planter structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * S. * S * * S. S... * . * S.. * . *5** S 5 *5 5 S *5 S.