GB2235237A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A raised garden or pond or similar structure can be extended, dismantled or transported with relative ease. First you lay out the lower locking elements 11 to the desired configuration on a level surface, then stand the wall sections 3 in the channel so formed, fit waterproof lining 2 if required, fit top locking elements 10 then fill as necessary. When used as a pond, shelf element 14 may be attached to a top locking element 10. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINERS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to containers, and more particularly containers for raised ponds or gardens for example.

BACKGROUND ART There are various ways of making a garden pond, many of which require extensive excavation of the ground which may not always be easy for elderly or disabled people and for example. Raised ponds can be built on top of the ground by cementing together bricks or similar building elements, but as with excavated ponds these cannot easily be moved or extended and require considerable skill to build.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention seeks to provide a form of container for a pond or similar structure which is quick and easy to create and which can be extended or dismantled when required with relative ease.

The present invention proposes a container comprising a side wall which stands upon the ground in use, the side walls being formed of a plurality of precast sections each having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposed side edges, the sections being arranged in side edge to side edge relation, and the side walls further including locking elements which engage the precast sections to hold their adjacent side edges together.

The precast sections are preferably cast of concrete.

The locking elements are preferably in the form of arcuate channel members which are configured to fit over the top and bottom edges of two adjacent precast sections. The bottom locking elements at least may be keyed to the precast wall sections by complementary engaging projections and notches.

The container preferably includes a waterproof lining sheet covering the area of ground enclosed by the side wall and the inner surfaces of the side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a container of the invention in the form of a rised pond, Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the pond, Figure 3 is an exploded side view of some of the components of the pond, Figure 4 is section IV-IV of Fig. 3, Figure 5 is section V-V of Fig. 3, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a planting shelf for use in the pond, and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of another pond of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Fig.s 1 and 2, the pond comprises an upright cylindrical side wall 1 which stands upon the ground G, and a butyl rubber or similar waterproof lining sheet 2 is placed within the side wall 1 to cover its internal face together with the area of ground enclosed by the side wall. This enables the container to be filled with water W, as shown.

The side wall 1 is formed of several (in this case four) arcuate precast concrete wall sections 3 which each subtend an angle of 90 degrees. These walls are of uniform thickness and have axial side edges 4, 5 (see also Fig. 3) which, in the assembled pond, abut each other. The top and bottom edges 6 and 7 are plain except for the bottom edge 7 which has a notch 8 about half way along its length. The side wall also includes a number of top and bottom locking elements 10 and 11 which are also formed of concrete and subtend 90 degree arcs. The top locking elements 10 are each of inverted channel section (see Fig. 4) and are configured to fit closely over the top edge 6 of two adjacent wall sections 3. The liner 2 is trapped between the elements 10 and the wall sections as shown in Fig. 1 so that its peripheral edge is securely held in position and out of sight.The bottom locking elements 11 (Fig.

5) are similar channel sections which fit over the bottom edges 7 of adjacent wall sections. However, the ends of the channel sections have locking projections 12 within the channels which locate in the notches 8.

Thus, the locking elements hoild the wall sections 3 together to resist bursting forces caused by the pressure of water within the liner 2.

The planting shelf of Fig. 6 comprises a flat plate 14 which has been bent through 90 degrees into an L configuration. A pair of pegs 15 are secured to the top edge of the plate extending in the opposie direction to the bottom limb. These pegs can be received in any one of a number of pairs of holes 16 (Fig. 4) provided in the top locking elements 10.

Thus, the bottom limb of the shelf extends away from the side wall toward the middle of the pond below the water line (see Fig. 1) for supporting a planting basket.

The precast sections 3 can be joined together in various configurations to form different shaped ponds, and by providing straight or other shaped wall sections together with the appropriate shaped locking elements 10, 11 an even greater range of shapes can be formed.

Fig. 7 shows an example of one such shape.

The container could be used for other purposes apart from a pond such as a raised bog garden for example.

If no liner is used the container may be used as an ordinary raised garden.

Claims (7)

1. CLAI!IS

   I. A container comprising a side wall which stands upon'the around in use, the side walls being formed of a plurality of precast sections each having a top edge, abottom edge and a pair of opposed side edges, the sections being arranged in side edge to side edge rel.ation, and the side walls further including locking elements which engage the precast sections to hold their adjacent side edges together. The locking elements in the form of arcuate channel members which are configured to fit over the top and hottom elves of two adjacent precast sections.The bottom lock elements at least may he keyed to the precast wall sections hy complementary engaging projections and notches. The container preferably includes a waterproof lining sheet covering the area of ground enclosed hy the side stal1 and the inner surfaces of the side wall.
2. 2, A container as claimed in 1, where in the side wall has a notch in the center of its lower edge to key onto the locking proiections of the lower locking elements to resist the bursting farces of container.
3. 3. A container as claimed in claim I. where in the top locking element holds the top of two adjacent wall sections in position.
4. 4. A container as claimed in claims T. or claim 3, where in the top locking element holds the peripheral edge of the liner in position and out of sight
5. 5. A container as claimed in claim T, or claim 2. ere in the tower locking element holds the bottom of two adjacent wall sections in position.
6. 6. A container as claimed in claims T. or. claim 2. or claim . where in the lower locking elements have locking projections at each end of the channel to key into the notches of the two adjacent wall sections to resist bursting forces within container.
7. 7. A container substantially as described herein with reference to figs, I.2.3,4.5.7.