IL108069A - Construction system for holding plants and elements therefor - Google Patents

Description

A CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM FOR HOLDING PLANTS, AND ELEMENTS THEREFOR The present invention relates to a modular material container and plant holder construction set, usable to build a wide variety of plant-holding arrays.

More particularly, by using a block which is a modification of, and an improvement upon, the invention described in Israel Patent 85194, and which is of general hexaognal prismatic shape and arranged to hold earth or other material for growing plants, the invention provides a block, usable together with other similar blocks, which are easily assembled to build a multi-storey, plant-holding array which can be two- or three-dimensional, having advantages over known plant-holding arrangements.

In Israel Patent 85194, the present inventor has described and claimed a hexagonal building block having a top face divided by slots into a group of at least three equal rhombic prisms, said rhombic prisms being optionally subdivided by additional slots into regular geometric prismatic shapes selected from triangular, trapezoidal or rhombic prisms or combinations thereof, said block having a base with six side walls defining therebetween a recess, at least the lower edges of said side walls being at most half the thickness of the slot width, and the outer perimeter of said group of prisms being configured to fit within the recess of a similarly configured block.

It has now been found that said building block may be used upside-down, and, with modifications including the provision of irrigation channels, said block forms the central element of a plant holder construction set with a number of advantages in appearance and function over known plant-holding arrays.

Growing plants are attractive to people for reasons difficult to define; there is, however, no doubt that they enhance almost any area in which they are placed. For example, The Kitchen Book, by Terence Conran (Mitchell Bealey Publishers, London) devotes two pages to the best type of plants and arrangement suitable for kitchens. Even the most difficult areas, such as public conveniences, benefit considerably by the use of living greenery.

Those inhabiting urban environments and wishing to improve their surroundings visually, as well as to make a minor improvement in the quality of the air they breathe, will often achieve these ends by planting flowers, cacti, or even fruit trees and vegetables. For this purpose, by far the most common form of plant holder in use is a simple, hollow, conical or rectangular container. However, architects responsible for the design of planting in public areas will usually have to meet the additional requirements of attractively covering large areas and, in particular, finding a solution for the planting of wall areas. The simple plant pots used in homes do not lend themselves well to such tasks.

The requirement to plant large vertical surfaces often arises in planning urban areas. With regard to indoor planted areas, it is also usually necessary to achieve the required visual effects while meeting area limitations as well.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a plant holder construction set which is particularly suitable for constructing a large variety of three-dimensional, multi-storey arrays such as, for example, straight or spiral pillars.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plant holder construction set having adequate provision for the internal routing of irrigation fluids.

These and further objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a modular material container and plant holder construction set, comprising a plurality of hexagonal holding blocks, each of said blocks having a bottom face divided by slots into a group of at least three equal prisms, said prisms being optionally subdivided by additional slots into regular geometric prismatic shapes selected from triangular, trapezoidal or rhombic prisms or combinations thereof; each of said blocks having a floor with side walls defining therebetween a substantially hexagonal recess for retaining planting material such as soil, at least the upper edges of said side walls being at most half the thickness of the slot width, and the outer perimeter of said group of prisms being configured to fit within the recess of a similarly configured block; and wherein through-going axial apertures are provided in each of said blocks and are sized to allow passage therethrough of an irrigation fluid.

The invention provides for a holder block made of concrete, which is intended for outdoor use and for building high arrays, and also for a holder block made of a foamed plastic, which is more suitable for indoor use.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective, non-detailed view of a multi-storey array built from the blocks comprising the construction set in a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view looking into the upper part of a first embodiment of a holder block used in the construction set of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a built-up, two-dimensional array, using a second embodiment of a holder block for the construction set; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a built-up, three- dimensional array, using a third embodiment of a holder block for the construction set; Fig. 5 is a sectioned, perspective view of a holder block for use in a construction set, provided with deepened slots to accommodate horizontal irrigation conduits; and Fig. 6 is a perspective, partially-fragmented view, looking onto the lower part of the embodiment of the holder block shown in Fig. 2.

There is seen in Fig. 1 a modular plant holder construction set 10, comprising a plurality of hexagonal holding blocks 12, which will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 6.

The set 10 is shown built into a multi-storey array, holding planting material such as soil 14 and plants 16 at various levels. Provision is made for providing irrigation fluid at all levels, as will be explained further below with reference to the detailed figures.

Figs. 2 and 6 show the hexagonal holding block 12, having a bottom face 18 divided by slots 20 into a group of six equal triangular prisms 22. The block has a floor 24, with side walls 26 defining therebetween a substantially hexagonal recess 28 for retaining planting material 14, as seen in Fig. 1.

The side walls 26 are half the thickness of the width of a slot 20. Thereby, the upper edges of the side walls 26 of two blocks 12 can be inserted into a slot 20, and are held firmly therein. This feature is exploited in the construction of the staggered, three-dimensional array seen in Fig. 1.

The outer perimeter 30 of the prisms 22 is configured to fit within the recess 28 of a similarly-configured, but lower, block, whereby blocks can be built up in vertical alignment. Through-going axial apertures 32 are provided in each block 12 and are sized to allow passage therethrough of an irrigation fluid. Advantageously, there is provided an inwardly-projecting rib 34 in at least two of the corners of the hexagonal recess 28. In the block shown in Fig. 6, six ribs 34 are provided.

The upper segment of rib 34 is positioned and sized to fractionally engage slots 20 in an upper block positioned thereover, whereby sufficient structural stability is achieved to allow the blocks to be stacked non-concentrically, as will be seen in Fig. 4. The stability of such a joint can be further improved by the use of a sealant or adhesive.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the through-going axial aperture 32 passes through the rib 34.

Block 12 can suitably be made of concrete for intended outdoor use, and will have the strength, stability and durability needed for the construction of high multi-storey arrays. However, for indoor use, a light-weight holder block can be made of a foamed plastic. For example, a thermoplastic such as ABS, used as a structural foam, will produce a tough, strong holder block at a moderate cost, which can be made in a wide variety of attractive colours.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the rib 34 is flanked by two further axial passages 36, each sealed at its lower extremity by a frangible membrane 38. The upper extremities of the further axial passages 36 are positioned below the top edge 40 of the block 12 by a distance equal to the height of the outer perimeter 30 of the group of prisms 22. Thereby, multi-storey irrigation channels are formed by a plurality of further axial passages 36 when at least one block is stacked above a similar lower block and the frangible membrane 38 is removed in both blocks.

There is seen in Fig. 3 a construction set 42 in built-up form. Blocks 44 are provided with two ribs 34 spaced at 120° to each other. Each ridge is flanked by a pair of further axial passages 36. Here it can be seen how multi-storey irrigation channels are formed by a plurality of the further axial passages 36, when blocks are stacked above each other and the frangible membrane 38, seen in Fig. 6, is removed in both blocks.

It will be noted that the passages 36 provide vertical fluid connection between the blocks 44. At least one of the passages 36 in an upper block is positioned to be substantially co-axial to a second passage in a similar lower block 44 when the upper block is positioned in staggered array above said lower block. No horizontal tube is thus required.

One of the blocks 44 is shown filled with a planting material 14, and the figure shows how space and ventilation are provided for a plant 16.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is seen a further construction set 48, comprising holder blocks 50 similar to block 12 except that the further axial passages 36 are not provided. The set 48 is seen built up in a spiral, three-dimensional array.

An irrigation fluid supply is connected to the aperture 32a, and horizontal irrigation conduits 46 are positioned in slots 20, providing a fluid path between a first axial aperture 32a in the block 50a and a second axial aperture 32b in a second block 50b positioned thereabove. The first axial aperture 32a and the second axial aperture 32b are non-coaxial. The upper orifice of the aperture 32b supplies irrigation fluid to the block 50b. A further branch of the conduit 46b provides a fluid connection leading up into the next-higher block 50c. In a similar manner, all the blocks 50 are provided with irrigation fluid.

An upper extremity of one of the through-going axial apertures 32 is shown fitted with a trickle irrigation orifice unit 52. Such an unit is preferably provided at all storeys except the highest, in order to conserve fluid pressure for irrigating all storeys.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a further embodiment of a holder block 54 for use in a construction set. The block 54 is sectioned to show the slots 56, which have been deepened upwards to allow space for a horizontal irrigation tube 46. A pair of small shoulders 58 is seen, these being advantageous to support the block over the top edge 40 of a lower block 54 when built into an array, as shown in Fig. 1. The top edge 40 of a lower block thus supports the shoulder 58 of an upper block, leaving adequate room in the hollows 60 for a horizontally-oriented tube 46. The block 54 is otherwise similar to block 50, seen in Fig. 4.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrated embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof . The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (14)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A modular material container and plant holder construction set, comprising: a plurality of hexagonal holding blocks, each of said blocks having a bottom face divided by slots into a group of at least three equal prisms, said prisms being optionally subdivided by additional slots into regular geometric prismatic shapes selected from triangular, trapezoidal or rhombic prisms or combinations thereof; each of said blocks having a floor with side walls defining therebetween a substantially hexagonal recess for retaining planting material such as soil, at least the upper edges of said side walls being at most half the thickness of the slot width, and the outer perimeter of said group of prisms being configured to fit within the recess of a similarly configured block; and wherein through-going axial apertures are provided in each of said blocks and are sized to allow passage therethrough of an irrigation fluid.

2. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first aperture in an upper block is positioned to be substantially co-axial to a second aperture in a similar lower block when said upper block is positioned in staggered array above said lower block.

3. 1. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of inwardly-projecting ribs is provided in at least some of the corners of said hexagonal recess, the upper segments of said ribs being positioned and sized to frictionally engage said slots in an upper block positioned thereover, whereby sufficient structural stability is achieved to allow said blocks to be stacked non-concentrically .

4. The construction set as claimed in claim 3, wherein said through-going axial aperture passes through said rib.

5. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said slots is deepened to allow space for a horizontal irrigation conduit.

6. The construction set as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a horizontal irrigation conduit positioned in said slot in said blocks, and providing a fluid path between a first axial aperture in said block and a second axial aperture in a second block positioned thereabove, said first axial aperture and said second axial aperture being non-coaxial.

7. The construction set as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rib is flanked by at least one further axial passage, sealed at its lower extremity by a frangible membrane.

8. The construction set as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper extremities of said further axial passages are positioned below the top edge of said block by a distance equal to the height of said outer perimeter of said group of prisms, whereby multi-storey irrigation channels are formed by a plurality of said further axial apertures, when at least one block is stacked above a similar lower block and said frangible membrane is removed in both blocks.

9. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper extremity of said through-going axial aperture is fitted with a trickle irrigation orifice unit.

10. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material of construction is concrete.

11. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material of construction is a foamed plastic.

12. A block for use in a modular material container and plant holder construction set, said block having a bottom face divided by slots into a group of at least three equal prisms, said prisms being optionally subdivided by additional slots into regular geometric prismatic shapes selected from triangular, trapezoidal or rhombic prisms or combinations thereof; said block having a floor with side walls defining therebetween a substantially hexagonal recess for retaining planting material such as soil, at least the upper edges of said side walls being at most half the thickness of the slot width, and the outer perimeter of said group of prisms being configured to fit within the recess of a similarly-configured block; and wherein through-going axial apertures are provided and are sized to allow passage therethrough of an irrigation fluid.

13. A modular material container and plant holder construction set, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A block for use in a modular material container and plant holder construction set, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. for the Applicant: WOLFF, BREGMAN AND GOLLER