ADAPTABLE GARDEN PLANTER BOX

Abstract

An expandable, portable, and semi-permanent garden planter box for the cultivation of plant life with an enclosable canopy for allowing limited control of the immediate atmospheric environment. The garden planter box is assembled from multiple component blocks capable of longitudinal and vertical integration providing the structural integrity of a solid structure and the adaptability and portability of structure composed of multiple interchangeable component parts capable of relatively easy assembly and disassembly without special tools or heavy equipment.

Claims

1. An expandable, portable, semi-permanent garden planter box apparatus for the cultivation of plant life, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of structural blocks positioned longitudinally adjacent to each other forming an enclosed area capable of supporting soil for the cultivation of plant life defined by a closed perimeter of structural blocks, each said structural block featuring both a notch configuration and a key configuration on opposing longitudinal distal ends such that when any two structural blocks are situated tightly adjacent to each other, the notch and key configurations fit together in a complimentary interlocking fashion allowing each structural block to transfer lateral stress to any longitudinally adjacent structural block, and each said structural block also featuring two vertical holes spaced such that the distance between the two vertical holes in each structural block is equal to the space between each vertical hole and the nearest vertical hole in any longitudinally adjacent structural block;

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising at least one plurality of superior positioned structural blocks forming an additional layer of structural blocks, each additional layer of structural blocks comprising a plurality of structural blocks positioned longitudinally adjacent to each other and supported by the immediately inferior positioned structural blocks, said superiorly positioned structural blocks arranged in a running or staggered orientation with respect to said inferior positioned structural blocks such that each vertical hole in said plurality of superiorly positioned structural block is aligned with a vertical hole in separate adjacently positioned inferiorly positioned structural blocks; a plurality of reinforcement members, said plurality of reinforcement members positioned inside each aligned vertical hole and of sufficient length to extend from at least the inferior distal end of the vertical hole in said inferior structural blocks to the superior distal ends of the vertical hole in said superior structural blocks allowing each structural block to transfer lateral stress to vertically adjacent structural blocks, whether positioned superiorly or inferiorly.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said plurality of reinforcement members, each said reinforcement member extending from the inferior distal end of the vertical hole in said inferior structural block, up through the aligned vertical holes in any superiorly positioned structural blocks forming an arch and extending down through the aligned vertical holes in any structural blocks on the opposing side of said closed perimeter of structural blocks terminating at the inferior distal end of the vertical hole in the inferior structural block on the opposing side of said closed perimeter of structural blocks forming an arch.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 further comprising a canopy integument stretched over and supported by said plurality of arched reinforcement members, extending down to the superior surface of said superior positioned structural blocks around said closed perimeter of structural blocks creating an enclosure over said closed perimeter of structural blocks for controlling the luminary and atmospheric conditions within the enclosure for the cultivation of plant life.

5. An apparatus of claim 4 whether said integument features closable apertures in said canopy integument allowing for greater control over the luminary and atmospheric conditions within the enclosure for the cultivation of plant life.

6. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said reinforcement members are hollow and feature a plurality of inferiorly oriented sprinkler nozzles such that water may be delivered through the hollow center of said reinforcement members and exit through said sprinkler nozzles to distribute water on the plant life below.

7. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said reinforcement members are hollow and feature a plurality of inferiorly oriented light sources such that electrical wiring may be run through the hollow center of said reinforcement members providing power for plurality of downward oriented light sources to distribute light on the plant life below.

8. An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising a water impermeable liner located internal to said closed perimeter of structural blocks extending throughout the area defined by said closed perimeter of structural blocks and up along the internal surface of said closed perimeter of structural blocks for preventing water leakage from the soil located within the closed perimeter of structural blocks for the cultivation of plant life.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0028] The accompanying drawings are diagrams that illustrate various exemplary implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purposes of example, not for purposes of limitation. Illustrated elements will be designated by numbers. Once designated, an element will be identified by the identical number throughout. Illustrated in the accompanying diagram drawings is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present disclosure. In such drawings:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus illustrated with a canopy integument fastened to minimize comingling of the interior and exterior atmosphere;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus illustrated with an aperture in the canopy integument fixed in an open orientation to encourage limited comingling of the interior and exterior atmosphere;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown without the canopy integument illustrating the plurality of arched structural reinforcement members designed both to provide shaped support for the canopy integument and to provide vertical unity and structural reinforcement to the structural blocks;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown without the canopy integument also featuring a sprinkler system integrated within the plurality of arched structural reinforcement members providing an overhead water distribution capabilities;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown without the canopy integument also featuring a planter box liner to prevent water leakage from within the planter box;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown without the plurality of arched structural reinforcement members or the canopy integument illustrating an embodiment with truncated structural reinforcement members located entirely within the structural blocks.;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a corner structural block component of the presently disclosed apparatus illustrating the notch and key longitudinal interlocking system, as well as, the holes designed to accept the structural reinforcement members to provide vertical unity to the structural blocks;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a straight structural block component of the presently disclosed apparatus illustrating the notch and key longitudinal interlocking system, as well as, the holes designed to accept the structural reinforcement members to provide vertical unity to the structural blocks;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0037] The above described drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example, and that it should not be taken as a limitation of the scope of the present apparatus or its method of use.

[0038] Described now in detail is the presently disclosed expandable, portable, semi-permanent planter box 100 for creating a controlled growing environment for the cultivation of plant life.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 featuring two layers of structural blocks 120,110 arranged in a closed rectangular orientation covered by a closed canopy integument 140 stretched over arched structural reinforcement members 130. The canopy integument 140 is illustrated in the completely closed orientation providing the maximum amount of isolation of the internal atmosphere from the external atmosphere. While the canopy integument 140 is not typically completely air tight, it can provide an important buffer preserving preferred internal atmospheric qualities such as temperature and relative humidity.

[0040] The canopy integument 140 may be constructed from a wide range of materials to assist in achieving and maintaining the preferred internal atmospheric qualities. For example, canopy integument 140 may be made of translucent plastic to provide the plant life within the maximum amount of sunlight exposure or it can be completely opaque to protect sensitive varieties of flora from the intensity of the midday sun. Similarly, whether the canopy integument 140 is made of impermeable plastic or loose knit canvas can have significant effects on the canopy integument's 140 ability to serve as buffer in regards to atmospheric qualities such as relative humidity and temperature.

[0041] The structural blocks 120,110 illustrated in FIG. 1 are of two basic shape varieties; a straight structural block 120 (See FIG. 8) and a ninety degree corner structural block 110 (See FIG. 7). Structural blocks 120,110 of these shape varieties may be arranged to form any polygonal shape so long as the perimeter of structural blocks 120,110 is closed so that the interior space may be filled will soil for the cultivation of plant life. Other embodiments may include structural blocks 120,110 of additional shapes such as corner structural blocks 120,110 of more or less that ninety degrees or a curved or rounded corner structural block 120,110.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates the same exemplar apparatus 100 with a closeable aperture in the canopy integument currently in the open orientation. Such a feature allows for the partial mixing with outside atmosphere, which in some cases may be desirable.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates the same exemplar apparatus 100 without the canopy integument 140 and provides greater visibility as to how the structural reinforcement members 130 couple with the structural blocks 120,110. Each structural block contains two vertical holes 170. If the each successive layer of structural blocks 120,110 are oriented in a staggered or “running” fashion the vertical holes 170 the structural blocks 120,110 from an inferior layer align with the vertical holes 170 in the structural block from a superior layer. The vertical reinforcement member may then be inserted into the holes 170 providing the ability of vertically adjacent structural blocks 120,110 to transfer lateral stress to a superior structural block 120,110 and vice versa.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates further features such a watering system including spray nozzles 200 that can incorporated within the vertical reinforcement members 130. Other embodiments may include artificial lighting for either increased photosynthesis or the inclusion of heating elements to assist in maintaining a desired temperature within the apparatus 100. The electrical access can be configured in the same manner that the water access 180 is illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates further optional features such as a water impermeable liner 210 located within the enclosure defined by the perimeter of structural blocks 120,110. A water impermeable liner 210 is an important feature when the apparatus is assembled in a location where water leakage would be damaging or undesired such as on a rooftop or indoors.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates and embodiment without arched structural reinforcement members or a canopy integument 140. In such cases the structural reinforcement members 130 may be truncated so that the structural reinforcement members 130 exist entirely within the vertical holes 170 of structural blocks and are not externally visible.

[0047] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

[0048] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, substitutions, now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art, are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

[0049] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the named inventors believe that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.