GB2230928A - Boundary structure; plant containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A boundary structure for a plant display area is formed by interconnection of a number of wall sections (11) which are configured as desired. Each wall section (11) has hinge parts (17) on each side edge which can be engaged with the hinge parts (17) on adjacent wall sections (11) to form a hinge joint (12). The hinge parts (17) are linked by a fixing spigot (20) which is adapted to engage the hinge parts (17) thereby to fix the adjacent wall sections (11) in a desired angular relationship. The wall sections (11) can be interconnected so as to define a closed structure whereby plant containers (10) can be constructed. The parts 17 have internal teeth 18 and are secured by spigot 20 with radial flanges 22. <IMAGE>

Description

BOUNDARY STRUCTURES This invention relates to boundary structures particularly for bounding plant displays for example to form display containers for plants.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a boundary structure for bounding a display area comprising at least two wall sections adapted to be interconnected by at least one hinge joint and to be mountable when so interconnected at a boundary of said area, wherein the or each said hinge joint comprises a plurality of hinge parts attached to respective sections and having engagement means, and fixing means adapted to join said hinge parts and to be engageable with said engagement means to fix said sections at a selected angular disposition relative to each other.

This arrangement permits great convenience and versatility in the construction of boundary structures. That is, boundary structures of different configurations can be readily constructed to suit a range of physical and aesthetic display requirements.

The hinge parts may be disposed at upright end edges of said wall sections and preferably are arranged such that the hinge part or parts on one section can cooperate with the part or parts on another section in order to form an elongate upright hinge joint assembly.

Thus the hinge parts may be of tubular or hollow cylindrical construction and conveniently the hinge joint assembly may be formed by one said hinge part on one section interposed between two spaced apart said hinge parts on a second section.

The engagement means may comprise a plurality of teeth. Where said hinge parts are tubular or cylindrical as mentioned above, said teeth may be located inside the hinge parts. Said teeth may extend the full length of each said part or may extend only over a portion of the length thereof. Preferably the teeth extend the full length of each part and are equi-spaced around the interior thereof. The arrangement is preferably such that the hinge parts can be arranged with the teeth of all hinge parts aligned such that upright grooves are formed along the length of the hinge joint.

The fixing means may be wholly separable from the hinge parts and may comprise a spigot which extends through and joins together the hinge parts forming the hinge joint, said spigot having thereon configurations for locking engagement with said engagement means.

Where the hinge joint is defined by an assembly of tubular or cylindrical parts as mentioned above, the spigot may comprise an elongate member having a plurality of flanges extending outwardly therefrom, which flanges form said locking configurations.

Said flanges may extend the full length of the spigot or may extend over only a portion of the length thereof. The flanges may achieve locking in any suitable manner involving friction and/or interlocking. Preferably the flanges are arranged to interlock with the abovementioned teeth in the hinge parts in order to maintain the sections in fixed angular disposition. In one embodiment four such flanges are provided which extend radially outwardly at equi-spaced positions.

The arrangement is preferably such that the wall sections are all wholly separate from each other until joined by the (or each) fixing means whereby the boundary structure may be supplied in kit form to be assembled prior to use thereof to give a boundary structure of predetermined configuration or to give a boundary structure configuration selected from a range of different possible configurations.

Other arrangements are however also possible whereby for example, some or all sections may be wholly or partially joined or formed integrally with each other and/or the fixing means may be partially or wholly joined to or formed integrally with at least one hinge part.

The boundary structure may be formed from any number and any formation of wall sections as desired and as appropriate. The sections may be flat or curved or angular and may have planar faces or configured faces and may be of openwork structure or of continuous (i.e. not openwork) structure. Multiple wall sections may be interconnected end to end and also if desired on top of each other. In the latter case, in one embodiment interconnection of sections on top of each other may be achieved by use of one or more said fixing means spigots (as described above) which is extended to act as a common fixing means for upper and lower hinge jointS.

The boundary structure may be used for any suitable purpose in any suitable context. Most preferably the structure is used for plant display purposes and may be used to define partial or complete open boundary structures (e.g. edging structures) in gardens or-to define plant containers (individual or multiple interconnected or assembled containers) for use indoors or outdoors. The boundary structure may be arranged to rest freely on the ground or floor structure or may be provided with feet or spikes or the like adapted to hold the structure in position on the ground or floor location. If desired a spacing arrangement may be provided to space the wall sections of the boundary structure above the floor or ground surface. Where spikes are provided these may be defined by lower extensions of the abovementioned fixing means spigots.

In a particularly preferred embodiment multiple wall sections are interconnected to define at least one plant container and in this case at least one base cover may be provided so that the assembled boundary structure defines at least one open topped, closed bottomed container which may have the wall sections adapted to rest on a ground or floor surface or which may be arranged to be spaced above the floor or ground surface by feet and/or which may be arranged to be fixed relative to the floor or ground surface by spikes or otherwise.

Thus, in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant container comprising multiple individual wall sections joined at adjacent edges by hinge joints, which hinge joints comprise a plurality of separable hinge parts secured relative to each other by fixing means.

As appropriate the container of the second aspect of the invention may incorporate any or all of the features of the boundary structure of the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of a plant container according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional top view of a wall section of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of an alternative wall section; Figure 4 is a side view of a spigot as used with the container of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of a hinge part of the container of Figure 1 showing the engagement of a spigot therewith.

Referring now to the figures, Figure 1 shows a generally square plant container 10 for use in a garden patio or in any other suitable location, formed from a plurality of individual wall sections or panels 11 joined together by hinge joints 12. The container 10 is open topped and is closed at the bottom by a base wall 13.

Each panel 11 is generally rectangular and has a central section 14 with flat flanges 15 at top and bottom side edges thereof. The central section 14 is decoratively fluted or corrugated between the flat flanges 15. The flanges 15 terminate in curved ends 16 and may be formed integrally with the central section 14 or may be arranged to be attached thereto by for example fixing pegs on the flanges 15 engaging receiving holes in the central section 14. The flanges 15 extend along the top and bottom edges and are wide enough to extend transversely beyond the corrugations of the central section 14. The importance of this will become apparent later.

At opposite short sides of the central section 14 are hinge parts 17 which may be secured to the central section 14 in any suitable manner or may be formed integrally therewith. At one short side of the central portion 14 there is a single central hinge part 17 whereas at the opposite side two such hinge parts 17 are mounted spaced from each other. As shown in Figure 1, the single hinge part 17 at one side of one panel locates between the two hinge parts of the adjacent panel 11 in such a manner that the three hinge parts 17 fit closely together in axially aligned relationship.

The hinge parts 17 are identical and each comprises a cylindrical tubular structure having internal teeth 18. The teeth 18 are axially extending angular ribs formed by regular rectangular grooves 19 cut out in the internal surface along the full length of the part 17. As shown in Figure 5 there are 12 equally spaced grooves 19. With the three hinge parts 17 in axial alignment there are 12 different angular positions at which the grooves 19 of the respective parts 17 are aligned with each other along the internal surfaces of the hinge parts 17.

The hinge parts 17 can then be secured in fixed disposition relative to each other by insertion of a spigot 20 through the hinge parts 17 in engagement with the grooves 19.

As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the spigot 20 comprises an elongate member 21 having four equi-angularly spaced flanges 22 extending radially outwardly. The flanges 22 are suitably dimensioned and configured to fit securely yet slidably within the grooves 19 on the internal surfaces of the hinge parts 17. As shown in Figure 4 the spigot 20 is divided into two longitudinal sections 23, 24 by a transverse disc-shaped flange 25. One section 24 is longer and is of slightly greater length than the height of the panels 11.

At each corner of the square plant container 10 the hinge parts 17 forming the respective hinge joint are fixed relative to each other1 and thus the associated panels 11 are securely held together, by insertion of the longer section 24 of the respective spigot 20. The end of this longer section 24 extends above the panels 11 and a decorative end cap 26 is mounted thereon by tight engagement of the spigot end in a bore in the cap, if desired with the assistance of a screw-thread.

The lower, shorter section 23 of the spigot 20 projects downwardly below the panels 11 and forms a spike by means of which the container 10 can be fixed to a ground surface.

As described above, four panels 11 are used and the hinge parts 17 are angularly adjusted so that a square configuration is attained.

However, it is possible for adjacent panels 11 to be fixed at a number of different angular dispositions whereby, by selection of the angular dispositions in relation to the numbers of panels 11 differently shaped containers can be obtained. Different sizes of containers can be formed and also the panels 11 may be of different sizes rather than of the same size so that irregularly shaped containers can be formed. Moreover, for a wider range of design possibilites panels 31 (as shown in Figure 3 for example) of varying degrees of curvature can be provided in order that circular or oval containers can be formed. In this respect it is to be understood that a kit of panels 11 and spigots 20 can be supplied (or panels 11 and spigots 20 can be obtained separately) so that containers can be assembled as desired.

Furthermore it is also possible to increase the design possibilities by variation of the configuration of the spigots 20. In this respect it is possible to provide a spigot 20 having two longitudinal sections 23, 24 of equal length separated by a transverse disc-shaped flange 25, this spigot 20 allowing the panels 11 to be erected on top of each other facilitating the construction of a container 10 of any desired depth or height. Additionally a spigot 20 having only one longitudinal section can be used to attach to the fixing spigot to provide the feet referred to above.

The base wall 13 of the container is supported on the part of the flanges 15 of the bottom side edge of the panels 11 forming the container 10 that protrudes beyond the corrugations. The base wall 13 can be constructed in various configurations to fit the particular shape of container 10 in question. The base wall 13 can be freely supported on the flanges 15 or can be securely or removably attached thereto. The flange 15 on the top side of the panels 11 also provides support for the panels 11 when they are erected on top of each other as described above.

With this arrangement great versatility is afforded in the construction of boundary structures and plant containers to fulfill a range of requirements.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Thus, for example, although four equi-angularly spaced flanges 22 for engagement with 12 equally spaced grooves 19 are shown, other arrangements are of course possible. In particular 10 or 14 grooves 19 may be used.

Claims (29)

1. A plant container comprising multiple individual wall sections joined at adjacent edges by hinge joints, which hinge joints comprise a plurality of separable hinge parts secured relative to each other by fixing means.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein a base cover is provided whereby an open topped, closed bottomed container is defined.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said container is arranged to be spaced above the ground surface by way of feet.

4. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said container is arranged to be spaced above the ground surface by way of spikes.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein said spikes are defined by lower extensions of said fixing means.

6. A boundary structure for bounding a display area comprising at least two wall sections adapted to be interconnected by at least one hinge joint and to be mountable when so interconnected at a boundary of said area, wherein the or each said hinge joint comprises a plurality of hinge parts attached to respective sections and having engagement means, and fixing means adapted to join said hinge parts and to be engageable with said engagement means to fix said sections at a selected angular disposition relative to each other.

7. A boundary structure according to claim 6, wherein the or each hinge part is disposed at an upright end edge of said wall sections.

8. A boundary structure according to claim 7, wherein the or each hinge part on one section cooperates with the or each part on another section thereby to form an elongate upright hinge joint assembly.

9. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the or each hinge part is of tubular or hollow cylindrical construction.

10. A boundary structure according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said hinge joint assembly is formed by one said hinge part on one section interposed between two spaced apart said hinge parts on a second section.

11. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein said engagement means comprises a plurality of teeth.

12. A boundary structure according to claim 11 when dependant on claim 9, wherein said teeth are located inside said hinge parts.

13. A boundary structure according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said teeth extend the full length of said hinge parts.

14. A boundary structure according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said teeth are equispaced around the interior of said hinge parts.

15. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said hinge parts are arranged such that the teeth of all said hinge parts are aligned such that upright grooves are formed along the length of the hinge joint.

16. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein said fixing means is wholly separable from said hinge parts.

17. A boundary structure according to claim 16, wherein said fixing means comprises a spigot which extends through and joins together the hinge parts forming the hinge joint, said spigot having thereon configurations for locking engagement with said engagement means.

18. A boundary structure according to claim 17 when dependant on claim 9, wherein said spigot comprises an elongate member having a plurality of flanges extending outwardly therefrom, which flanges form said locking configurations.

19. A boundary structure according to claim 18, wherein said flanges extend the full length of said spigot. -

20. A boundary structure according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein said flanges are arranged to interlock with said teeth in the hinge parts thereby to maintain the sections in a fixed angular disposition.

21. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein four flanges are provided on said spigot, which flanges extend radially outwardly at equispaced positions.

22. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 21, wherein said wall sections are curved.

23. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 21, wherein said wall sections are planar.

24. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 23, wherein multiple wall sections are interconnected one on top of the other.

25. A boundary structure according to claim 24, wherein said interconnection is achieved by the use of one or more said fixing means which is/are extending to act as common fixing means for upper and lower hinge joints.

26. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 25, wherein said boundary structure is used for plant display purposes.

27. A boundary structure according to any one of claims 6 to 26, which is a plant container according to claim 1.

28. A boundary structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

29. A plant container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.