GB2096443A

GB2096443A - Compact horticultural facility

Info

Publication number: GB2096443A
Application number: GB8207974A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: PRYCE JEAN ROSE; PRYCE WALTER RICHARD
Current assignee: PRYCE JEAN ROSE; PRYCE WALTER RICHARD
Priority date: 1981-03-18
Filing date: 1982-03-18
Publication date: 1982-10-20
Also published as: GB2096443B

Abstract

A framework comprises a pair of A-shape frames (1 and 2) with elongate members (6) extending therebetween and a plurality, as shown twelve, of containers (7) on each side with each container (7) hung an an upper one of a pair of elongate members (6) and supported by its bottom wall on a lower one of the pair of elongate members (6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Compact horticultural facility The invention relates to apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities.

Window boxes, flower tubs and boxes on stands are known for use on verandahs, terraces and patios but can provide only a very limited area of soil surface for horticulture compared with the floor area which they occupy.

According to the invention, apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities comprises a pair of frames, each of generally A-shape, elongate members coupling together the end frames into a rigid framework comprising two inclined together ladder-like members, which ladder-like members have rungs formed by the elongate members and side members formed by side members of the A-shape frames, and a plurality of open top containers, each provided with support means whereby it can be hung from one of the elongate members with a lower portion of the container abutting a lower one of the elongate members, each open top container being so shaped that its open top is of greater dimension than its bottom, and the containers being hung on the elongate members in superposed relation to form, on each side of the framework, when they are filled with soil, a terraced garden.

Preferably the A-shape frames are formed of wood, the elongate members of a metal alloy and the open top containers of glass reinforced plastics or polypropylene.

The support means for the containers may comprise hook-shaped members secured to the containers or may be formed by extending a rear wall of the container and bending it over into an inverted U-shape.

Preferably the lower portion of each container which abuts a lower one of the elongate members comprises a projection from the bottom wall of the container such that the container has a portion of its bottom wall to the rear of said projection resting on said lower one of the elongate members and said projection abutting the outer face of said one of the elongate members.

The side members of the A-shape frames are preferably secured to one another by bolts and cooperating wing nuts and a cross member is provided extending between the two side members of each A-shape frame adjacent the lower end thereof.

By choice of the length of the side members of each A-shape frame and choice of the length of the elongate members, frameworks of varying sizes can be constructed to receive varying numbers of containers. Thus the terraced garden may have only two superposed containers on each side or as many as twelve or even more containers on each side. The framework may have a height as much as 1.75 metres or even more or as little as .75 metres or even less.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end view corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of one embodiment of a container for the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of another embodiment of a container for the apparatus of Fig uresl and2;and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Figure4.

Referring to the drawings, apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities comprises a pair of A-shape end frames 1 and 2, each comprising a front side member la, 2a and a rear side member 1b, 2b.

The members la, 1b and 2a, 2b are half-lapped at their upper ends and secured together in parts by bolts and wing nuts 3. Adjacent their lower ends, they are joined by transverse members 4 secured together by bolts and wing nuts 5. The two frames 1 and 2 are joined together by elongate members in the form of alloy tubes 6, in the embodiment shown eleven alloy tubes 6. In the embodiment shown twenty-four containers 7 can be supported on the alloy tubes 6.

Referring to Figure 3, each container7 has an open top, a flange 8 at its rim and inwardly sloping front and rear walls 9 and 10 respectively. A bottom wall 11 has a downward projection 12 adjacent itsjunction with the front wall 10. At the upper edge of the upper wall 9, a pair of hooks 13 are provided. The containers 7 are so proportioned in so far astheir depth is concerned, having regard to the spacing between superposed pairs of the elongate members 6, that a container 7 having its hooks 13 hooked over an upper one of a pair of elongate members 6, will have its bottom wall 11 resting on the lower one of the pair of superposed elongate members 6 with the projection 12 abutting the front face of the lower one of the pair of elongate members 6.Thus the containers will be supported in the orientation shown in Figures 1 and 2 such that a large part of the surface of soil or other growing medium provided in the containers 7 will be exposed to view and available for cultivation of vegetables, seeds of any kind, flowers, fruit or edible fungi. A considerable growing area can thus be provided on a relatively small floor area and since the soil surface in the containers 7 is above floor level, the plants or fungi growing in the containers can be relatively easily tended by persons who find stooping to ground level difficult or persons confined to wheel chairs.

The embodiment of the container 14 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is very similar to the embodiment of container 7, shown in Figures 1 to 3, except that at the upper edge there is a simple flange 15 formed as a continuation of the front wall 16 and the rear wall 17 is extended upwardly and turned over to form an integral inverted U-shaped hook 18 which, as can be seen from Figure 5, extends the full width of the con tainer 14.

By using pine wood, impregnated with a protective fluid, for the end frames 1 and 2, alloy elongate members 6, stainless steel nuts and bolts3 and 5 and coloured glass reinforced plastics or polypropylene containers 7, 14, the apparatus of the invention can have an attractive appearance even when plants growing in the container 7, 14 are not at the stage where they are themselves attractive thereby to enhance the appearance of a verandah, terrace or patio.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities comprising a pair of frames each of generally A-shaped, elongate members coupling together the frames into a rigid framework comprising two inclined together ladder-like members, which ladder-like members have rungs formed by the elongate members and side members formed by side members of the A-shape frames, and a plurality of open top containers, each provided with support means whereby it can be hung from one of the elongate membeswith a lower portion of the container abutting a lower one of the elongate members, each open top container being so shaped that its open top is of greater dimension than its bottom, and the containers being hung on the elongate members in superposed relation to form, on each side of the framework, when they are filled with soil, a terraced garden.

2. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities according to claim 1, in which the A-shaped frames are formed of wood, the elongate members of a metal alloy and the open top containers of glass reinforced plastics or polypropylene.

3. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the support means for the containers comprise hook shaped members secured to the containers or an inverted U-shaped upper end for a rear wall of the container.

4. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the lower portion of each container which abuts a lower one of the elongate members comprises a projection from the bottom wall of the container such that the container can have a portion of its bottom wall to the rear of said projection resting on said lower one of the elongate members and said projection abutting the outer face of said one of the elongate members.

5. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the side members of the A-shape frames are secured to one another by bolts and cooperating wing nuts and a transverse member is provided extending between the two side members of each A-shape frame adjacent the lower end thereof.

6. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the framework mounts between four and twenty-four containers.

7. Apparatus for providing compact horticultural facilities substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.