WO2012167304A1

WO2012167304A1 - Improved green wall system

Info

Publication number: WO2012167304A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Sian Ghee Lee; Henry Greaves
Original assignee: Elmich Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-06
Filing date: 2012-06-05
Publication date: 2012-12-13

Abstract

A module (10) for use in a green wall system is in the form of a box (10) with a base (12), rear wall (14) sides (16; 18) a front (20), and a top (22), made from six panels which slot together. Corner brackets (60) are provided for securing the panels together and attaching the module to rails. The front (20) defines a grid of perpendicular members (30, 32) having a first thickness, creating an array of large apertures, typically up to 16 apertures each having an area of from 50cm2 to 150cm2 Two, relatively thinner bars (38), which are typically less than one fifth to one tenth the thickness/cross sectional area of the perpendicular members, extend across each of the large apertures, spaced from 4 to 6cm apart. This spacing allows most plant root balls to fit through the gap between the thinner members. In use, when the module is filled with a geo-textile bag and growing medium the bars (38) help prevent bulging of the front of the module as well as the planting bag, but are thin enough to be relatively easily removed/cut out when plants with large root ball need to be inserted in the module.

Description

"Improved green wall system"

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from Australian provisional application No 2011902224 the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system for creating vegetated or green walls using boxes or modules, to the modules themselves, and to improvements in methods and systems of mounting such modules to a wall, or the like.

Background of the Invention

With increasing development and urbanisation, and growing concern at the effects of climate change, there is an increasing emphasis on the need to green buildings and cities to make them more ecologically friendly. Cities in particular tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas, and city buildings tend to absorb and trap heat whilst radiating heat to their surroundings.

Rooftop greening is known to mitigate this effect as it tends to insulate the roof of the building and reduces the amount of energy required to heat and cool and building. It is also known to green the walls of a building for insulation, to improve the appearance of the building, or for other environmental reasons. Green walls can also be used to grow crops, particularly herbs and the like. There are various systems in place to provide green walls, one of which is described in International Patent Application No. WO 2010/009505 to the inventor of the present application, which describes an improved module for use in a green wall system comprising a box or module which is mountable between a pair of rails.

The present invention is concerned with improvements and developments to green wall systems such as that described in WO 2010/009505.

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

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a module for use in a green wall system in the form of a box with a base, sides, a front, a rear and a top wherein at least the front defines a grid of perpendicular (horizontal and vertical, in use) members having a first thickness, creating an array of large apertures, typically up to 16 apertures each having an area of from 50cm² to 150cm² and including at least one relatively thinner bar extending across each of the large apertures.

Preferably, the apertures are from 80 to 120cm² in area.

It is preferred that at least two parallel, relatively thinner, members extend across each aperture.

Typically the large apertures are from 8 to 12cm across and from 10 to 14cm in height. The two parallel thinner members may be from 4 to 6cm apart. This spacing allows most plant root balls to fit through the gap between the thinner members.

The thinner bars are typically less than one fifth to one tenth the thickness/cross sectional area of the perpendicular members. The thinner members typically extend horizontally only in use. In use, when the module is filled with a geo-textile bag and growing medium they prevent bulging of the front of the module as well as bulging of the planting bag.

The thinner members are however thin enough to be relatively easily removed/cut out when plants with large root ball need to be inserted in the module.

In preferred, aspect the module is made of six panels which slot and lock together, with the top panel being removable for refilling the box.

A bracket may be provided which extends from the front to the rear of the module at a corner and engages in holes in the front and rear of the module to hold the module together. One end of the bracket may define a hook for engagement in a slot in a rail, for attaching the module to a wall. The bracket may be made of a suitable metal such as stainless steel and incorporate a plastic cover. The plastic cover may define a prong for engaging in one of the holes in the module.

A preferred feature of the system also includes a safety clip which can be clipped to the mounting rail above the bracket at the top of the box to prevent lifting of the box. The safety clip may include an elongate member defining means for attaching to the rails at one end and a T piece or the like extending perpendicular to the main member at an opposite end. In use, one end fits to the rails and the T piece rests on top ofmodule preventing lifting of the same. In a preferred aspect, the side walls may define perforations including one or more portions attached to the body of the side panel by relatively thin frangible ribs which may be removed to define an aperture for planting. Brief Description of the Drawings

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a front view of a module for a green wall embodying the present invention mounted on rails;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the module of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the module of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the module of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5a shows a front panel for use in forming the module of Figure 1;

Figure 5b shows a simplified view of panels forming the module;

Figure 5c shows a side panel for use in forming the module of Figure 1

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a stainless steel corner bracket used in the assembly of the module of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a plastic cover for the bracket of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows the module spaced from the rails;

Figure 9 shows the use of a safety clip to prevent removal of the modules from the railing on which they are mounted;

Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention incorporating different mounting means;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of . a corner bracket used in the alternative embodiment of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a top plan view illustrating the configuration show in Figure 10.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a module 10, in the form of a box, for growing plants. The box is for use in a green wall system. The box is shown mounted on a pair of rails or pilasters 150. The module 10 is in the form of a box having six faces, namely a base 12, rear wall 14, side walls 16 and 18, a front wall 20 and a separate removable lid 22.

The six faces of the box comprise separate panels in the form of a high strength lightweight structural panels typically made of injection moulded recycled plastic which incorporate snap on clips for ease of assembling the module. Figure 5 shows the front panel of the module in more detail. With reference to Figure 5, the front panel is generally rectangular and is typically around 500 mm wide by about 560 mm deep although the exact dimensions of the panel and module are not critical and may be varied. The panel 20 defines an outer rectangular frame 23 from which extends a grid of orthogonally intersecting rib members. There are three thick rib members 30a, 30b, 30c which extend from the top 26 of the panel to its base 28. There are three thick rib members 32a, 32b, 32c which extend from the one sides 34 of the front panel to the other side 36. Two relatively thinner rib members 38 having a much smaller cross-sectional area compared to the thick rib members extend horizontally across the front panel between the top 26 of the frame and the adjacent member 32a. Similar thinner rib members extend between each adjacent pair of ribs 32a and 32b, 32b and 32c and between the rib 32c and the base 28 of the 28 frame respectively. Hence the frame and thick ribs of the front panel defines a total of sixteen approximately square apertures 40, each aperture being sub-divided into three by the thinner ribs 38. The width of each aperture is typically about 10 - 12 centimetres. It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the apertures may be varied from that shown.

The horizontally extending thinner bars 38 are provided to prevent bulging of the box and geo-textile bag when inserted in the box (as will be described in more detail below). Not only are the bars 38 much thinner in width than the horizontal and vertical bars 30 and 32, they are also less deep so that they may be relatively easily removed (e.g. using a knife or box cutter) when large plants are to be inserted into the aperture.

As shown in Figure 5, the sides 34, 36 and base 28 of the front panel define clips 42 which lock into female apertures in the side panels and base and prevent disengagement of the side panels from the front panels. However the top edge 26 of the front panel defines non-locking clips 44 which are a friction fit only with female apertures in the top panel. Similar clips are provided on the top of the side panels and rear panel also. This allows for removal of the top panel when required. Typically the rear panel will be identical to the front panel.

The base and top typically define an array of relatively small round apertures typically having a diameter of about 20mm.

The side panels 16, 18 may in some circumstances be required to have plants protruding from them. Hence, the side panels define a series of four circular perforated portions 48 connected to the rest of the panel by eight thin ribs 50. The ribs may be cut to enable removal of one or more of the portions 48 to provide a circular hole where the portion 48 was, (which typically has a diameter of about 80mm) for receiving a plant or the like.

In use, once the front, rear, sides and base of the box have been assembled together to form an open top box, a water permeable liner in the form of a permeable geo-textile liner, typically in the form of a bag (not shown), is placed in the box covering the sides, front, rear and base. A suitable planting mixture is then inserted into the bag in the module. The planting mixture should ideally be as lightweight as possible, since the module has to hang from a wall or the like, and typically comprises a growing medium into which is mixed a filler that takes up volume but which weighs very little. Because the filler will typically reduce the ability the growing medium to hold water, it is preferred that a wetting agent or water retaining agent is included in the mix to counteract that effect.

Once the module 10 has been filled with planting mixture, the top of the geo- textile bag is folded over to cover the planting mix and the top 22 of the module is attached. The module may then be turned onto its rear face 14 so that the front panel 20 faces upwards. The geo-textile covering the apertures is slit to allow the insertion of plants into the planting mixture through the apertures. Where the subdivided apertures are too small to fit the plants through, the reinforcing ribs 38 may be removed by cutting. It will be appreciated that any mix of suitable plants may be planted in the module either for decoration, or even for food or herb production. Plants may be allowed to grow for a period in the module with the module resting on its rear wall 14, and once the plants are sufficiently established, the modules can then be transported to the site of the green wall.

Prior to attaching the module to the wall it is necessary to apply a bracket 60, typically formed from stainless steel to each corner of the module (i.e. four brackets in total) both to hold the module together and to provide a means of mounting the module to a wall using rails 150.

Figure 5b shows a simplified view of the panels of the module assembled into a box in which the outer frames and thicker ribs of each panel only are shown. A vertically extending slot 52 is defined at each corner of the frame 23. A coaxial slot 54 is defined in the frame edges of the top and bottom panels 22 and 12 respectively, adjacent each slot 52. Also shown in a through hole of circular cross-section 55 formed at each corner where the side panels meet the top and bottom panels.

Figure 5c shows a perspective view of a simplified side panel 16 and the bracket 60. The figure shows the non-locking clips 56 used to fix the top panel 22 to the side panel and an aperture 58, which appears as a horizontally extending slot in the preferred embodiment.

Figure 6 shows the bracket 60 in more detail and Figure 7 shows a plastic cover 80 for the bracket. The bracket fits to the left hand side of the module as shown in Figures 1. The bracket for the right hand side is a mirror image of bracket 60. Figure 5c shows such a bracket 60 fitted over the side wall 16.

With reference to Figure 6, the bracket has a generally channel shaped central portion defining a central elongate planar portion 62 and two side walls 64 and 66 which are shorter than the central portion. One end 60a of the bracket is bent through 90° to define a short end wall 68 and then through a further 90° where it is bifurcated to define two tines 70A, 70B, one tine 70B, being shorter than the other 70A. The opposite end 60b of the bracket includes a slot 71 which defines a hook 72. Two larger holes 74 one smaller hole 75 and one intermediate sized hole 76 are defined in the central portion 62. At the end 60b of the bracket, two short side walls or tabs 77 and 78 are defined oriented at 90° to the central portion 62. With reference to Figures 5b and 5c in particular to fit the bracket to a corner of a module 10, the tines 70A and 70B are inserted in the slots 52 and 54 in the front of the module 10 and the bracket is pushed against the side of top part of the module in the orientation shown in Figure 5c. The slots are sized so that they can only be inserted in the correct orientation. This prevents the module being assembled and mounted upside down. One side wall 66 fits below then underside of the module, the other 64 fits in the slot 58 in the side wall.

The bracket includes a protective plastic cover 80 shown in Figure 7. The shape of the cover is largely the same as that of the bracket so that it covers the bracket, apart from the hook 72, in use. The cover 80 defines two pairs of two prongs 82 which slot into the larger holes 74 in the bracket to secure the cover to the bracket, and a longer prong 84 which defines a half arrowhead 86 which in use snap fits into the circular aperture 55 in the frame, thereby retaining the frame in position. Being plastic the prong will deflect, so pushing the end 60b of the bracket away from the module disengages the head of the prong 84 and allows removal of the bracket, for removal of the lid, for example.

With reference to Figure 1, the rails 150 are also typically formed of stainless steel have a channel section and define a series of pairs of vertical slots 152 for receiving the hook of the bracket as well as circular holes 154 for mounting the rails to a wall or the like using fastening or fixing means such as screws, bolts or the like. The slots and holes may also be used to secure irrigation piping to the walls. Figure 8 shows the module 10 spaced from a rail 150, about to be mounted using its hooks 72. As shown in Figure 9, because the rails define two slots, two modules can be supported side by side on the same rail. Clearly the spacing of the slots is made to suit the size of the modules to be fitted. As shown, the rail 150 can also mount a box half the height of the module 10.

Figure 9 also illustrates the use of a safety clip 120 which is used to prevent accidental raising of the modules 10. Figure 9 shows the clip in use, and also shows a separate clip 120 in front of the module. The safety clip 120 is also shown in Figures 1 to 4. Its has a main elongate body 122 having pair of half arrowhead prongs at one end 120a and a T piece 120b extending perpendicular to the main body. There is a planar perforated portion 124 which depends down from the main member, at the base of which is a T piece 126 oriented at 90° to the planar portion 124. In use, as shown in Figure 9, the end 120a snap fits into a pair of slots 152 in the rails, the depending planar perforated portion 124 fits between two adjacent modules 10 and the T piece 120b sits on top of the modules 10 and T piece 126 sits below the brackets preventing lifting of the modules.

Figures 10 to 12 illustrate an alternative mounting means, rails and bracket for mounting the module. In these drawings simplified views of the panels are shown omitting, inter alia, the perforations and reinforcing bars. In this embodiment the bracket does not define a hook. It is a simple channel section member having the central portion 162 bent through 90° at each end to define a end wall 264 which defines three through apertures. In this embodiment the bracket fits over the corner of the module 10 but is held in place by a bolt passing through the end walls and the hole 55 in the module which fixes an I^shaped bracket 266 to the module. The rails 270 are H sections and there is a shelf 272 mounted to the wall below the bottom of the rails 270. To mount the box, it is simply raised and, the brackets 266 are simply engaged in the rails and the box slides down until supported by the shelf 272.

The green wall system of the present invention can be used to improve the aesthetics of a building or a site and the sound insulation of walls and facades and the like. Plants growing in the modules may provide enhanced air quality and tend to reduce the effect of air borne pollutants and storm water run off. Water will drain down through the modules from the top of the modules the bottom. Being a modular system it will be appreciated that the plants of the green wall may be changed by removal of the safety clip followed by removal or replacement of the modules. The modules may in certain applications be used to grow food stuffs, herbs and the like for domestic consumption or for use by restaurants and the like. Although the described embodiment shows a box having 16 apertures 40 it is also envisaged that much smaller modules with perhaps 3 x 2 or 2 x 2 holes only can be provided.

It will also be appreciated that any dimensions provided are for the specific embodiment only and may be varied.

The wall system may be applied to building facades, green walls, walkways, feature walls or the like or may be used in garden landscapes.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A module for use in a green wall system in me form of a box with a base, sides, a front, a rear and a top wherein at least the front defines a grid of perpendicular intersecting members, the members having a first thickness/cross-sectional area, creating an array of large apertures, each having an area of from 50cm² to 150cm² and including at least one relatively thinner bar, having a thickness less than that of the intersecting members, extending across each of the large apertures.

2. A module as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are 16 large apertures each having and area of 80 to 120cm² .

3. A module as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least two parallel, relatively thinner, members extend across each large aperture.

4. A module as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the large apertures are from 8 to 12cm across and from 10 to 14cm in height and the two parallel thinner members are spaced from 4 to 6cm apart.

5. A module as claimed in any preceding claim wherein cross-sectional area of the thinner bars is less than one fifth of the thickness/cross sectional area of the perpendicular members.

6. A module as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cross-section area of the thinner bars is from one fifth to one tenth of the cross sectional area of the perpendicular members.

7. A module as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the module is made of six panels which slot and lock together, with the top panel being removable for refilling the box.

8. A module as claimed in any preceding claim further including a bracket which extends from the front to the rear of the module at a corner and engages in holes in the front and rear of the module to hold the module together.

9. A module as claimed in claim 8 wherein a first end of the bracket defines a hook for engagement in a slot in a rail, for attaching the module to a wall.

10. A module as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bracket is made of metal and incorporate a plastic cover.

11. A module as claimed in claim 10 wherein the plastic cover defines a prong for engaging in a through hole in the module to secure the cover to the bracket.

12. A module as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sides define a series of small perforations, having an effective diameter of 10 to 30mm, most preferably about 20mm, and wherein the side include one or more removable areas attached via thin ribs which may be cut to define a aperture having a diameter of from 60 to 100mm, preferably 80mm.

13. A green wall system incorporating a module as claimed in any one of claims 1 · to 12 and a pair of rails for attaching the module to a wall, further including a safety clip which can be clipped to the above the bracket at the top of the box to prevent lifting of the box, wherein the safety clip comprises an elongate member defining means for attaching to the rails at one end and a T piece, or the like, extending perpendicular to the main member at an opposite end.