GB2538988A

GB2538988A - Grow houses

Info

Publication number: GB2538988A
Application number: GB1509505.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scothern Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-02
Filing date: 2015-06-02
Publication date: 2016-12-07
Also published as: GB201509505D0

Abstract

A grow house 10 with a plurality of frame modules, each module being a skeletal cuboid frame having six faces, each defined by four elongate frame members 26. In one orientation the modules are stacked vertically, but each module is pivotally connected to an adjacent module to permit reorientation into a horizontal arrangement. There are also rectangular trays adapted to fit with the faces defined by the members. The grow house may have three or more modules. The modules may be pivoted via hinge members 32, and these hinges may be either removable or permanently attached to the frame members. These hinge members may be hinge clips. The modules may rotate by pivot pins extending longitudinally along axially aligned vertical frame members. The frame modules may have legs for supporting upper frames in the horizontal arrangement.

Description

Grow Houses The present invention relates to grow houses.

Grow houses, or mini greenhouses conventionally comprise a frame defining several shelves, upon which pots or trays of seeds or plants may be located. The frame may he covered by a translucent plastic cover to shelter the seedlings/plants within the grow house.

Such grow houses are ideal for germinating and growing seedlings, but the fixed height between shelves places limitations of the size of the plants that may be accommodated Moreover plants on the lower shelves will he shaded by those above and access for watering plants on the lower shelves is significantly restricted.

In view of the drawbacks disclosed above, once the plants have grown to a certain extent, the plants must be removed from (he grow house, and (he grow house becomes redundant for most of the summer months.

The present invention provides a versatile grow house, which may be used in conventional manner for the germination and growing of plants to a certain size, but may then be transformed into a display configuration for staging larger plants.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a grow house comprises a plurality of frame modules, each frame module being of rectangular cuhoid configuration, having six faces, each face being defined by four elongate frame members, the frame modules in one orientation being stacked one on top of another in vertical alignment, each frame module being pivoted to the or each adjacent frame module by adjacent frame members, to permit the frame modules to he pivoted relative to one another, to a horizontally disposed orientation, and rectangular tray members adapted to be located within and supported by the elongate frame members defining a horizontal face of each of the frame modules.

In accordance with the present invention, when in the vertically stacked orientation, rectangular trays may be located and supported by the vertically disposed frame modules, to provide a grow house equivalent to conventional grow houses. However, the frame modules of the present invention may be pivoted relative to one another to open the stack out horizontally, to provide a display configuration suitable for staging larger plants and also to open the plants to sunlight and facilitate watering.

Preferably the grow house comprises three of more frame modules. Each frame module has a first, second and third pairs of parallel faces, adjacent frame modules being hinged together along horizontal frame members common to the first and second pairs of parallel faces. According to an alternative embodiment, adjacent frame modules are pivoted to one another by means of pivot pins extending longitudinally of vertically extending adjacent frame members of the adjacent frame modules.

Preferably, the first and second faces of the frame modules are of equal rectangular dimensions, so that the trays may be dimensioned to fit either the first or second faces when they are horizontally disposed. The dimensions of the third faces, which will remain vertically disposed in both the vertically stacked and horizontally opened out orientations, may be different from those of the first and second faces. Alternatively, all three pairs of faces may be of the same square dimensions.

As an alternative, the trays may be dimensioned such that two or more trays may be located within the frame members defining the first and second faces, or differently dimensioned trays may be provided for the first and second faces. The trays preferably have flange formations along at least two parallel edges, to engage the frame members and support the trays.

The frame members are preferably tubular, formed for example of metal or ridged plastics. The tubular members may be welded together, or connected together with moulded plastic corner pieces. Alternatively solid, for example wooden, frame members, suitably joined, may he used.

The frame members may be of any cross section. However according to a preferred embodiment the frame members are of circular cross section to provide the journal about which adjacent horizontal frame members of the frame modules may he hinged together. The frame modules may be hinged together permanently. Alternatively circular frame members may be hinged together by hinge clips, which may resiliently engage one or both frame members to hinge them together. According to a further embodiment pivot pins may engage the bores of axially aligned vertical frame members of circular tubular section, to pivot the frame members together.

In addition to frame modules, leg assemblies may also be attached to the frame modules, to support the frame modules when in the horizontally opened out orientation. The leg assemblies may be pivotally attached to the frame members of one or more of the frame modules of may locate in sockets formed in the frame modules, for example by open ends of tubular frame members.

A translucent plastic cover may be provided for the grow house, when the frame modules are in the vertically stacked orientation.

The invention is now described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a isometric view of a grow house in accordance with the present application, showing the grow house in the vertically stacked orientation; Figure 2 is a isometric view of the grow house illustrated in figure 1, showing the grow house in a horizontally opened out orientation; Figure 3 is a isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present. application, showing the grow house in the vertically stacked orientation; Figure 4 is a isometric view of the grow house illustrated in figure 3, showing the grow house in a horizontally opened out orientation; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a moulded plastic corner piece that may be used to secure 30 a tubular frame members together; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a plastic clip that may be used to hinge adjacent frame modules together; Figure 7 is a isometric view of an further embodiment of the present application, showing the grow house in the vertically stacked orientation; Figure 8 is a isometric view of the grow house illustrated in figure 7, showing the grow house in a horizontally opened out orientation; Figure 9 is a isometric view of a modification to the embodiment shown in figures 7 and 8, showing the grow house in the vertically stacked orientation; and Figure 10 is a isometric view of the grow housc illustrated in figure 9, showing the grow house in a horizontally opened out orientation; As illustrated in figures 1 and 2 a grow house 10 comprises three frame modules 12, 14. 16. Each frame module 12, 14, 16. defines three pairs of parallel faces 20, 22, 24, each face defined by four elongate frame members 26, which are welded together at the corners of the frame modules 12, 14, 16. The faces 20, 22, 24 are square, all three pairs of faces being of equal dimensions or faces 20 and 22 may be rectangular and of equal dimensions, face 24 being square.

The frame modules 12, 14, 16 are secured together in a vertically stacked orientation, as illustrated in figure 1. Hinge members 30, 32 pivotally connect adjacent frame modules 12 and 14 and adjacent frame modules 14 and 16, respectively. The hinge members 30 connect the frame members 26 defining; the abutting faces 20 of frame modules 12 and 14 and faces 22 of frame modules 12 and 14, on one side; and hinge members 32 connect the frame members 26 defining; the abutting faces 20 of frame modules 14 and 15 and faces 22 of frame modules 14 and 16, on the same side; as illustrated in figure 1 As illustrated in figure 1, rectangular trays 40, correspond in dimensions to the faces 20 and 22, fit within the frame members 26 defining those faces. The trays have flange formations 42 along opposite edges, for engagement of the frame members 26 on those sides of the tray 40. The trays 40 are provided with side walls, with drainage holes 44 spaced from the bottom of the tray 40, so that the tray 40 will retain water to the level of the drainage holes 44, for irrigation purposes. The trays 40 are supported in the lower faces 20 of frame modules 12, 14, 16, and upper face 20 of frame module 16.

As illustrated in figure 2, the grow house 10 illustrated in figure 1 may be transformed into a horizontally opened out configuration, frame modules 14 and 16, being pivoted at 90 degrees clockwise to frame module 12, as indicated by arrow A and frame module 16 being pivoted a further 90 degrees clockwise to frame 14, as indicated by arrow B. In this position, all three frame modifies 12, 14, 16 are disposed horizontally of one another, module 14 being supported at an elevated level by modules 12 and 16. In this orientation, the trays 40 may he supported by the upper and lower faces 20 of frame modules 12 and 16 and the now horizontal faces 22 of frame module 14. The number of trays supported by the modules is thereby increased from a maximum of four with the vertically stacked orientation, to six with the horizontally opened out orientation, three of which will be vertically unobstructed and suitable for large plants. Moreover the unobstructed upper trays may he watered from above, either naturally or artificially.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 3 and 4, frame modules 12, 14, 16, similar to those described with reference to figures 1 and 2, are stacked together vertically. The adjacent frame members 26 defining the abutting faces 20 of frame modules 12 and 14 and faces 22 of frame modules 12 and 14 on one side, are connected by hinge members 34. The adjacent frame members 26 defining the abutting faces 20 of frame modules 14 and 16 and faces 22 of the frames 14 and 16 on the other side, are connected by hinge members 36.

As illustrated in figure 4, a first leg assembly 50, has a cross member 52 with a pair of legs 54 depending one from each end. The legs 54 corresponding in length to the frame members 26 defining faces 22 and 24 of frame module 12. Hinge members 56 connect the cross member 52 of leg assembly 50 to the frame member 26 defining faces 20 and 22, of frame module 14, the hinge members 56 being located on the same face 22 as hinge members 34, but on the opposite edge thereof.

A second leg assembly 60, has a cross member 62 with a pair of legs 64 depending one from each end. The length of the legs 64 corresponds to the combined length of the frame members 26 defining faces 22 and 24 of frame modules 12 and 14. Hinge members 66 connect the cross member 62 of leg assembly 60 to the frame member 26 defining faces and 22, of frame module 16, the hinge members 66 being located on the same face 20 as hinge members 36, but on the opposite edge thereof.

The cross member 62 of leg assembly 60 is equal in length to the frame member 26 to which it is connected by hinge member 66, while the cross member 52 of leg assembly 50 is narrower so that when the frame modules 12, 14, 16 are vertically stacked, the leg assembly 50 will nestle within the leg assembly 60, both leg assemblies lying flat against the faces 22 of the frame modules 12, 14, and 16.

As illustrated in figure 4, with this embodiment, the grow house 10 illustrated in figure 1 may be transformed into a horizontally opened out configuration, frame modules 14 and 16, being pivoted clockwise at 90 degrees to frame module 12 and the leg assembly dropping down to support the end of frame module 14 remote from frame module 12, as indicated by arrow C: and frame module 16 being pivoted anticlockwise at 90 degrees to frame 14 and leg assembly 60 dropping down to support the end of frame module 16 remote from frame module 14, as indicated by arrow D. In (his position, all three frame modules 12, 14, 16 are disposed horizontally of one another in stepped relationship, frame module 14 being supported at one end by frame module 12 and at the other end by leg assembly 50; and frame module 16 being supported at one end by frame module 14 and at the other end by leg assembly 60. In this orientation, the trays 40 may he supported by the upper and lower faces 20 of frame modules 12 and 16 and the now horizontal faces 22 of frame module 14. The number of trays supported by the modules is thereby increased from a maximum of four with the vertically stacked orientation, to six with the horizontally opened out orientation, three of which will he vertically unobstructed and suitable for large plants. Moreover the unobstructed upper trays may be watered from above, either naturally or artificially.

In the embodiments described above, the tubular frame members 26 are welded together at the corners of the frame modules 12, 14, 16. Alternatively, the tubular frame members 26 may be secured together at the corners of the frame modules 12, 14, 16, by moulded plastic corner pieces 70, as illustrated in figure 5. The moulded plastic corner pieces 70 comprise a plastic moulding having three spigot formations 72 extending mutually at 90 degrees to one another. The spigot formations 72 correspond to the internal dimensions of the tubular frame members 26 and are an interference fit therein, so that they may be inserted into the ends of the tubular frame members 72 to connect the tubular frame members 26. The spigot formations 72 may be of any cross section, for example round or square, to match the cross section of the tubular frame members 26.

Alternatively the moulded plastic corner pieces may be formed with socket formations arranged mutually at 90 degrees to one another, into which tubular or solid frame members 26 may be inserted to connect the frame members 26.

According to further embodiments, a pair of or four corner pieces 70 may he moulded 10 integrally with interconnecting frame members, the integral mouldings being interconnected by separate frame members 26, to form the frame modules 12, 14, 16.

The moulded corner pieces 70 may also he formed with integral hinge formations, by which the frame modules may be hinged together.

The various hinge members 30, 32, 34, 36, 56 and 66 described above may be of any desired configuration and may either be permanent or releasable.

The flexibility of the grow houses 10 according to the present invention may however be improved by use of frame members 26 having a circular section and using hinge clips 80 as illustrated in figure 6, to hinge the frame modules 12, 14, 16 to one another and to the leg assemblies 50, 60. This will enable alteration of the grow house 10 to provide either of the embodiments illustrated in figures 1 and 2 or figures 3 and 4 and the addition of further frame modules and leg assemblies.

As illustrated in figure 6, the hinge clip 80 is moulded from resilient plastics material and comprises a pair of part annular formations 82, the internal diameters of which are slightly smaller than the diameter if the frame member 26. The annular formations 82 are connected back to back and extend in excess of 180 degrees and have openings 84 diametrically opposed to the point of connection of the annular formations 82. The opening 84 have outwardly extending lead in portions 86 which diverge away from one another. The hinge clips 80 may thus he clipped on to the adjacent frame members 26 of two adjacent frame modules 12, 14, 16, or on one frame module 14, 16 and the cross member 52, 62 of a leg assembly 50, 60, the frame members 26 or cross members 52, 62 twisting in the annular formation 82 of the hinge clip 80, to permit pivoting of the frame modules 12, 14, 16 and leg assemblies 50, 60.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 7 and 8, frame module 12 is pivotally connected to frame module 14 by means of pivot, pin 90 and frame module 14 is pivotally connected to frame module 16 by means of pivot pins 92, the pivot pins 90 and 92 being disposed on a common vertical axis. The frame members 26 of frame modules 12, 14 and 16 are of circular tubular section, the ends of the frame members 26 being open. The pivot pins 90, 92 are secured in the bores of frame members 26 of frame modules 12 and 14 and rotatably engage the bores of frame members 26 of frame modules 14 and 16, respectively. The frame modules 12, 14 and 16 are thereby able to pivot relative to one another in a horizontal plane, about the pivot pins 90, 92.

As illustrated in figure 8, frame modules 14 and 16 are pivoted clockwise through 90 15 degrees to frame module 12 and frame module 16 is pivoted a further 90 degrees clockwise to frame module 14 to provide a spirally stepped horizontally disposed arrangement.

Leg assemblies 98, 100 plug into the free lower ends of the bores of the tubular members 26 of modules 14 and 16, to support the raised frame modules 14 and 16.

In the modification illustrated in figures 9 and 10, the pivot pin 94 between frame module 12 and 14 and pivot pin 96 between frame modules 14 and 16 are located at corners of frame module 14 which are disposed at 90 degrees in the horizontal plane.

With this arrangement, as illustrated in figure 10, frame modules 14 and 16 may be rotated clockwise by 180 degrees relative to frame module 12 and frame module 16 may he rotated anticlockwise 180 degrees relative to frame module 14, to provide a horizontally disposed arrangement, in which frame modules 12 and 16 are parallel to one another while frame module 14 is set back from frame modules 12 and 16.

Leg assemblies 102, 104 plug into the free lower ends of the bores of the tubular members 26 of modules 14 and 16, to support the raised frame modules 14 and 16.

Claims

Claims.1. A grow house comprising a plurality of frame modules, each frame module being of rectangular cuboid configuration, having six faces, each face being defined by four elongate frame members, the frame modules, in one orientation, being stacked one on top of another in vertical alignment, each frame module being pivoted to the or each adjacent frame module by adjacent frame members, to permit the frame modules to be pivoted relative to one another, to a horizontally disposed orientation, and rectangular tray members adapted to he located within and supported by the elongate frame members defining a horizontal face of each of the frame modules.
2. A grow house according to claim 1 comprising three or more frame modules.
3. A grow house according to claim 1 or 2 in which each frame module has a first, a second and a third pair of parallel faces, adjacent frame modules being pivoted together along horizontal frame members common to the first and second pairs of parallel faces.
4 A grow house according to claim 3 in which adjacent frame members are pivoted together by means of hinge members.
5. A grow house according to claim 4 in which the hinge members are permanently attached to the horizontal frame members.
6. A grow house according to claim 4 in which the hinge members are releasably attached to the horizontal frame members.
7. A grow house according to claim 6 in which the frame members are of circular section, frame members of adjacent frame modules being hinge together by hinge clips.
8. A grow house according to any one of claims 3 to 7 in which the first and second faces of each of the frame modules are of equal rectangular dimensions.
9. A grow house according to claim 8 in which the trays are of equal rectangular dimensions to the first and second faces of the frame modules.
10. A grow house according to claim 1 or 2 in which each frame module is pivoted to the or each adjacent frame module by means of a pivot pin extending longitudinally of axially aligned, vertically frame members.
I I. A grow house according to claim 10 in which the frame members are of circular tubular section, the pivot pin being located in the bore of the frame members.
12. A grow house according to any one of the preceding claims in which the trays have flange formations along at least two parallel edges, to engage the corresponding frame members of the frame modules.
13. A grow house according to any one of the preceding claims in which the frame members are connected at the corners of the frame modules by welding of by moulded corner pieces.
14. A grow house according to any one of the preceding claims in which leg assemblies are provided for supporting the upper frame modules when in the horizontally disposed orientation.
15. A grow house according to claims 14 in which the leg assemblies are pivotally attached to one or more frame modules.
16. A grow house according to claims 14 in which the leg assemblies are located in sockets formed in the frame modules.
17. A grow house according to claims 16 in which to sockets are formed from the 30 open ends of tubular frame members.
18. A grow house according to any one of the preceding claims in which a translucent plastic cover is provided to cover the frame modules when in their vertically stacked orientation.
19. A grow house. substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in figures 1 and 2, figures 3 and 4, figures 7 and 8 or figures 9 and10 of the accompanying drawings.