Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to planter boxes and particularly
modular planter boxes adapted for fastening to other boxes of similar
construction.
A variety of planter boxes are known for the display of
living flowers and other plants of a decorative nature. These boxes
are designed to hold an adequate amount of soil so as to permit
plants to grow and thrive therein. They may sometimes be provided
with drainage holes in the bottom of the box to permit excess water in
the soil to escape and thus helping to avoid root ro~ If they are
intended for mounting above the ground, most known containers must be
mounted individually by means of hangers or mounting brackets.
It is known tb provide a box construction adapted for
mounting in specific locations and modular planter boxes of this type
have also been proposed. For example, early U~S. Patent 1,293,785
lS issued February 11, 1~19 to A. E. Hurst teaches the use of a series of
modular flower boxes mounted end-to-end and designed to fit snuggly on
a windowsill. A dove-tail channel is provided at one end of each box
and a similarly shaped tongue is provided at the other end. A couple
of special end walls are also provided for ~ounting at the modular box
ends that are not connected to a further flower box. The design of
this United States patent also provides for the use of two special
insert containers having suitable handles so that they can be lifted
out of the exterior box. The insert containers have drainage holes
so tha~ water can drain out of them into a space located between the
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bottom of the insert container and the exterior box.
More recent U.S. Patent 4,120,119 issued October l7, 1978 to
Superior Tool & Manufacturing Company teaches a planter box made with
a variety of structural members including a trough-like box l that is
5 open-ended and is provided with stiffening ribs for strength. A
U-shaped splicer with a stiffener plate is used to connect two of the
trough-like boxes together. Special end caps must also be provided to
close off the ends of the trough-like boxes that are not connected to
further boxes. The use of a plastic material for the various
10 components is taught in this patent specification.
United States Patent 1,690,910 issued October ~9, 1927 to H.
D. Shapiro teaches a flower box having a length which is adiustable so
that the box can fill the space where it is to be located. The box is
constructed by means of two telescoping sections, each having a bottom
15 portion, a rear wall, a front wall, and one end wall. Apertures in
the bottom portions provide means for securing the two sections
relative to one another and also allow water to drain from the box~
The patent also teaches the use of a shallow pan having low vertical
sides as a drain tray. Transverse ribs or battens fastened to the
20 bottom of the tray on the inner side act as supports for the ~indow
box and allow space for the circulation of the drain water.
It is desirable to provide a modular flower box having a
standard length that can be readily and securely fastened to other
boxes of similar construction but perhaps having a different standdrd
25 length in order to provide a flower box arrangement having an overall
length which fits as closely as possible the desired location for the
flower box. Preferably the box should be made with the least number
of different parts and should require very little skill, i~ any, to
assemble. It is al so felt to
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be desirable from the stand point of appearance that the series of
modular boxes when assemb1ed have the appearance of a single,
continuous and uniform box. In other words the joint between two
adjacent modular boxes should not be too obvious or apparent.
Another problem that can be encountered with known flower
boxes, particularly those intended for exterior use is that they are
not always in use and, when they are not in use, their appearance can
be somewhat unsightly. For example, in northern cli~ates a flower box
located outside would not be in use in the winter months. However
the soil would norMally be left in the box during these months. Not
only can unplanted boxes have a poor appearance but there is a danger
that soil in the boxes will spill out of the boxes or be blown out by
the wind. Escape of soil from the box can be avoided by providing a
suitable cover for the top. However the provision of special box
covers having no other purpose than to cover the top of the box during
the winter months for example would add to the expense of the boxO
According to one aspect of the present invention, a modular
planter box adapted for Fastening to other planter boxes of similar
construction comprises a four-sided box member and spaced-apart,
horizontally-projecting connecting members extending outwardly from
one side of the box member and disposed at the top of this one side.
Co-operating channel means are arranged at the top of the side
opposite said one side and are adapted to accommodate therein
horizontally-projectin~ connectin~ members of another planter box. A
downwardly directed, L-shaped flange extends outwardly from the top
edge of the opposite side and this ~lange is adapted to fit over the
top edge of one side of the other planter box.
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The preferred open top box member has a water-catching
tray and means for detachably connecting this tray to -the box
member so that the tray is disposed in a first position beneath
the bottom portion. The tray can be detached and moved to a
second position to cover the open top of the box member.
In the preferred embodiment downwardly directed, L-shaped
flanges extend along the top edges of the front alld rear sides of the
box member and form part of the channel means. The connecting
members comprise first and second members arranged respectively
at the front and rear edges of the one side of the box member.
The first member has a channel-shaped cross-section and the second
member is planar and disposed horizontally.
It is preferred that the open top of the box member
is dimensioned to snugly accommodate in the open top and between
the sides of` the box member the tray in the second position.
The means connecting the tray and the box member preferably are
in the form of vertical pegs extending upwardly from the tray
and co-operating, aligned holes formed in the bottom portion of
the box member. The pegs fit tightly in the aligned holes when
the tray is in the first position.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings
wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is described,
by way of example.
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In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular planter box
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from a different angle
wherein the bottom portion of the main box member is shown and the
water-catching tray is detached;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3
of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectio~al view taken along the line 4-4
of Figure l except that the adjacent planter boxes are shown in the
attached condition rather than separated;
Figure 5 is a view of three of the planter boxes attached
end-to-end, the center box being shorter in length than the two other
boxes; and
Figure 6, which appears on the same sheet as Figure l, is a
detailed vi~w of an alternative form of connector.
As shown in Fi~ures 1 and 2 a modular planter box 10`
suitable for the display of flowers and other attractive plants is
constructed with four sides consisting of a front side 12, a rear side
14 and two transverse sides 15 and 16. The four sides are connected
together at the bottom by a bottom portion 18 having holes 20 for
water drainage. Some of the holes 20 have another function which will
be described in detail~hereinafter. The planter box 10 normally has
an open top and it will be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that in the
preferred embodiment the width of the open top from front to back is
greater than the width of the bottom portion 18. The planter box is
preferably moulded from a rigid plastics material and except for the
separate water-catching tray 22 can be made as a single piece. It is
thus not necessary for the consumer to assemble the box member 10
itself. However, if the consumer wishes a flower box having a length
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longer than the standard box member 109 it would be necessary to
connect by the means described hereinafter one or more further
planter boxes~ These boxes are connected to one another at adjacent
transverse sides 15 and 16 in an end-to-end Fashion as shown in Figure
5. It will also be appreciated that the boxes can be constructed with
different standard lengths, for example, one foot, two Feet and four
feet lengths. If these three lengths are provided, then any length
can be filled with a seemingly continuous flower box quite readily
(except for gaps of less than one foot of course~.
Extending along the top edges of the front and rear sides 12
and 14 are downwardly-directed, L-shaped flanges 24 and 26. These
flanges serve several purposes. The flange along the rear side 14 can
be used to connect the planter box to a railing such as a narrow
railing on a balcony or porch. Thus the need for special hangers or
; 15 mounting brackets is avoided~
If a railing of suitable width is not available, a mounting
strip of suitable width can first be mounted to the existing railing
or wall and the flange 26 is then placed over the mounting strip.
Mounting scre~s ~not shown) can be used to hold the planter box in the
correct position if required. The vertical posts or rods that support
the railing will lie adjacent the rear side of the planter box and
will help to support the planter box in an upright position if the
flange 26 fits over the railing itself. In the illustrated preferred
embodiment the horizontal leg of each of these L-~haped flanges has
about the same width as the vertical leg~ If the planter box is
constructed from a plastics or other mouldable material, the flanges
are preferably an integral extension of the sides of the box. The ~wo
L-shaped flanges also provide an easy handle for moving or lifting the
planter box.
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As shown c1early in Figure 1, two spaced apart, horizontally
projecting connecting members 28 and 30 extend outward1y from the
transverse side 15 of the box member. Preferab1y the connecting
members are 10cated at the front and rear edges of the side 15. The
5 connecting member 28 at the front edge has a channel-shaped
cross-section whi1e the member 30 is planer and f1at and is disposed
horizontally. If desired, the connecting members can have other
cross-sections than those shown, For example the connecting member 28
cou1d be L-shaped as shown in Figure 6. In any event, the exterior
surfaces 32 of the member 28 are 10cated genera11y in the same p1ane
as the interior surfaces of the L-shaped f1ange 24. The exterior
surface 33 is 10cated in the same p1ane as the front surface of the
side 12. Simi1ar1y the top surface 36 of the connecting member 30 is
10cated genera11y in the same horizonta1 p1ane as the bottom surface
15 38 of the horizontal leg of the L-shaped flange 26. In this way the
connecting members can fit into co-operating channel means formed at
the adjacent end of a planter box to be connected to the box 10. In
the box 10 shown in Figure 1, these channel means 40 are located at
the top of the side 16. In fact, in the illustrated preferred
20 embodiment the L-shaped flanges 24 and 26 form part of the channel
means used to connect two boxes in an end-to-end fashion.
At the top of the transverse side 16 there is a downwardly
directed, L-shaped flange 42. This flange extends outward1y from the
top edge a short distance and it is adapted to fit over the top edge
25 of a transverse side 44 of an adjoining planter box. As can be seen
clear1y from Figure 2, this flange has a width X as seen in
cross-section, substantially the same as the thickness of the top edge
on the side 44 of the other planter box. It wil1 be understood that
there is sufficient clearance to permit the flange to fit relatively
30 easily over the top edge 48. The vertical leg of the flangP 42 is
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longer than the horizontal leg and can be as long as the vertical leg
on the flanges 24 and 26. Preferably the flange 42 extends along
substantially the entire length of the top edge of the side 16.
In order to fasten the two boxes together in an end-to-end
5 manner, the transverse side 16 is brought to a position i~mediately
adjacent the side 44 with the flange 42 positioned above the top edge
48. The connecting members 28 and 30 at opposite sides of the top
edge 48 are arranged so that they are immediately below their
respective channel means 40 located at o~posite ends of the flange 42.
The box member lO together with its flange 42 are then moved
downwardly relative to the top edge 48 until the top edge 48 is
brought to the position shown in Figure 4. In this position the top
edge rests against the bottom of the short horizontal leg of flange
42. Also the connecting members 28 and 30 are arranged snuggly inside
their respective channel means. It will be appreciated that the
engagement of the connecting members and the channel means prevents
any forward or backwards shift of one planter box 10 relative to the
adjacent box. If desired the connecting members can be more securely
fastened in their channels by means of suitable rivets or screws,
In the preferred embodiment shown, the front L-shaped flange
24 together with the U-shaped connecting member 28 are inclined
slightly as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 2. The angle o~
inclination corresponds to that of the front side 12. In other words
the leg 50 of the flange and the vertical legs 52 are arranged in
planes that are parallel to the front side 12. As a result the leg 54
and the corresponding portion of the connecting ~ember 28 extend in a
plane that is perpendicular to the front side 12. Because of this
inclination of the preferred connecting member 28, it may be necessary
to turn the flower box 10 slightly about its longitudinal axis when
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lowering the box to connect it to an adjacent planter box. Once the
connecting member 28 is received in its respective channel the box can
be turned back slightly about the longitudinal axis as the top edge 48
is brought completely up into the recess formed by the flange 42. The
need for this slight twist or turn in order to connect two planter
boxes helps to form a secure connection between the adjacent boxes.
It is generally desirable for a plant box to have a
water-catching tray 22 arranged beneath the main container in order
that water draining out from the main container will not leak onto the
floor or drip down to a location where the water could cause damage.
The illustrated tray 22 is rectangular when viewed from the top and
has four sides 60, 62, 64 and 66 as well as bottom 68. The front and
rear sides 60 and 64 are lower than the other two sides in order that
the contents of the tray 22 can be viewed from the front and the rear.
The tray 22 has a width greater than the width of the bottom portion
l8 of the planter box. Thus when the rear side 64 of the tray is
arranged immediately below the rear side 14 as shown in Figure 3, the
front side 60 of the tray is located outwardly from or forwardly of
the front edge of bottom portion 18. The location of the front side
also helps the user of the planter box to see the contents of the
tray.
Devices are provided for detachably connecting ~he tray 22
to the bottom portion 180 Preferably these devices comprise vertical
pegs 70 extending upwardly ~rom the tray and co-operating aligned
holes 72 formed in the bottom portion. The pegs 70 and hole 72 are
dimensioned so that the pegs fit tightly in the aligned holes when
they have been pushed into the holes as far as possibleO Each peg 70
extends upwardly from a cylindrical base 740 The base 74 can be
formed integrally with the peg 70 and it is securely ~astened to the
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bottom 68 of the tray. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2
there are 8 pegs 70, each with a base 74 distributed over the bottom
68. If the tray 68 is made from a plastics material, each cylindrical
base 74 can be glued to the bottom. If the tray is made from a metal
such as galvanized steel, each base can be attached by soldering or by
some form of mechanical connector. It will be appreciated that the
shoulder 76 formed at the top of each cylindrical base 74 engages the
bottom surface of the planter box when the tray is connected thereto.
Thus the shoulder 76 helps to properly position the planter box
relative to the tray and to support the weight of the box.
It will be noted from Figure 1 that the length of the tray
22 is slightly less than the length of the box 10. The tray is
dimensioned so that it can be detached when the planter box is not in
use and moved to the second position shown in broken lines in Figure
3. In this position the tray covers the open top of the box member
10 and helps prevent soil from fal1ing out of or being blown out of
the planter box~ The width of the tray from front to back is slightly
less than the width of the open top of the box member. Because of the
sloping front side 12 of the box member, the tray will not go beyond
the position shown in Figure 3 and stays at the top of the box member.
Preferably the sides 62 and 66 of the tray are sloped at 67 in such a
fashion that the angle of inclination matches that of the front side
12. For sake of appearance~ the tray is turned upside down so that
the pegs extend downwards. This prevents water from being trapped in
2S the tray when the planter box is not in use. Water left in the tray
during the winter months could freeze and might possibly damage the
tray, If desired stops 75 can be provided on the irside surface of
the rear side 14 to hold the tray in the second position shown even
when the earth in the box is not sufficient to support the tray at
this position.
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It will be appreciated that alternative forms of connecting
devices or additional connectors can be used to connect the ends of
two adjacent planter boxes. As indicated earlier the connecting
member 28 can be L-shaped rather than U-shaped member shown in
Figures l and 2. Also the connecting members 28 and 30 could have a
pair of buttons formed on the top thereof. These buttons could be in
the form of short cylindrical projections that will fit into
co-operating holes formed at the adjacent end of the L-shaped flanges
24 and 26. The close fit between the buttons and the holes assists in
maintaining the connecting members in the proper position in their
respective channels.
Instead of a suitable plastics material, the planter boxes
and the trays can be constructed from 169 galvanized steel. Boxes
made from galvanized steel have the advantage that they are less
likely to break or crack and they are generally stronger than boxes
made of moulded plastic.
Figure 5 illustrates a complete planter box constructed from
three modular boxes of different lengths. For example the center box
80 can have standard length of one foot while the two outer boxes 82,
84 can have a standard length of two feet. The overall combined
length would be about five feet. If desired or if necessary for the
complete box to fit into the intended mounting position, the
connecting members 28 and 30 on the box 84 can be removed by means of
a saw or a suitable cutter. In addition to the illustrated one and
two feet lengths, other standard lengths could be made. If a four
feet long box is also made available9 a great number of boxes would
not be required for most applications.
If desired the appearance of the modular boxes can be
altered from that shown in the drawings. For example the front face
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can easily be provided with a moulded, simulated wood grain as can thefront and rear flanges 24 and 26.
The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference made to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
