A structural element for vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species

Abstract

 A structural element for vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species, characterized in that said structural element comprises at least a holding modular element to be associated with a supporting structure, said holding modular element including a culture support sublayer on which is arranged a plant species growth layer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a structural element for vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a self-supporting construction, made green by plant species, said construction including a plurality of modular elements and being adapted to be used for making fences, protecting walls, separating curtains for inner and outer environments, masonry counter-walls and for existing fences, outer technical environment closures, ventilated vertical outer counter-walls and so on.

[0003] Prior approaches for the above intended applications provide to use partition walls generally made of metal elements, such as mesh assemblies, grids, fences, bars and the like, or masonry or concrete pre-fabricated arrangements with adjoining vertical hedges for aesthetic and decoration purposes.

[0004] More specifically, for outer counter-walls are conventionally used open grid structures, with creeping and/or falling plants, or modular structures including felt arrangements with pockets or vessels in which the plant species are housed.

[0005] However, the above mentioned prior approaches do not solve the problem of coating vertical walls and, in a lot of cases, great difficulties are encountered for providing proper growth of the vegetable species, with the possibility of easily and quickly installing the related walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing structures allowing to easily and quickly make self-supporting vertical separating walls and barriers, up to a preset height, with the possibility of integrating the vegetable or plant species directly in the structure modular elements.

[0007] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a modular element allowing to easily install sets or pipings or prefabricated mats, while adopting growth strata adapted for the vegetable species or plant being used.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to easily replace, as desired, the installed vegetable species or plants, with a possibility of differentiating, on two faces, the vegetable components depending on the different sun exposition.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to install anti-climbing protective vegetable species on the top of the modular elements, thereby providing an additional safety element, together with the possibility of properly insulating sounds and noises.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a structural element which, owing to its specifically designed constructional features, is very reliable and safe in operation.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a structural element for vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species, characterized in that said structural element comprises at least a holding modular element or panel to be associated with a supporting structure.

[0012] In said holding modular element is included a culture support sublayer thereon a plant species growth layer or stratum is arranged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a structural element for vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species, and which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 schematically shows a fencing which is made by the modular element according to the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically shows a parapet made by using that same structural element;

Figure 3 shows the inventive modular element applied to a building facade;

Figure 4 is a front layered elevation view showing modular elements used for making respective fencings;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the fencing modular elements according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of modular elements according to the present invention applied as a coating wall of a building;
and

Figure 7 is a further cross-sectional view showing a plurality of modular elements according to the present invention applied as a building coating wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the structural element for making vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species, and which, in particular, can be used for making fencings, parapets, coatings of buildings and the like, has been generally indicated by the reference number 1.

[0015] Said structural element 1 comprises a holding modular element, generally indicated by the reference number 2, which, advantageously, is provided with an openable cover.

[0016] For making a fencing, the modular element is coupled to a supporting structure, comprising a wood or metal column having a height variable from 150 to 210 cm and a circular or rectangular or rod-like cross-section with a size from 10 to 15 cm.

[0017] For making a parapet, the support structure is made by a steel latching or locking system including a plurality of adjustable clamps arranged on the floor and latching metal brackets on the masonry structure.

[0018] In using the inventive structural element for making coatings with vertical walls made green by plant species, said support element comprises a system of steel uprights and cross members, generally indicated by the reference number 3, which are coupled to the building and to which the panels are coupled by hook members 4 providing the desired connection.

[0019] In all the above approaches, a top covering element is moreover provided, which longitudinally extends and has a rectangular cross-section, as generally indicated by the reference number 10.

[0020] The holding modular element comprises advantageously an openable cover and holds therein a growth sublayer 11, on which is overlapped a culture layer 12 which may have any desired pattern, and is provided for supporting sets or other vegetable species.

[0021] Said culture support sublayer is advantageously made of loose mixtures of mineral or synthetic inert material, such as, for example, foamed perlite, foamed vermiculite, foamed clay, pumice, lapilli, peat, coconut fibers, barks, natural or recovered clay materials, zeolites, cellulose, natural or synthetic fibers and so on, being held in geotextile or geofelt materials, or by mineral fibers (rock, glass), panels, synthetic materials such as polyester and polypropylene, and natural materials such as coconut, cellulose, Renat, and so on.

[0022] The structural element comprises moreover, on the bottom of said modular element, a water collecting channel arrangement, as generally indicated by the reference number 15.

[0023] Moreover, at the top portion of the structural element, is provided a fertilizing-irrigating system, comprising a plurality of water and fertilizing liquid inlet tubes, generally indicated by the reference number 20, which are designed for automatically or manually supplying the water necessary for irrigation, for integrating natural rain.

[0024] The fertilizing-irrigating system is a closed-loop system and being built-in in the modular panels and divided into areas, with the possibility of metering plant nutritional substances in a variable manner depending on seasons and the installed plant species.

[0025] Moreover, owing to the provision of the water channel 15, it is possible to recover percolated water and recycle them for irrigating purposes, while preventing manure contaminated water to be sent to the sewer system, while further allowing to save water, the plant nourishing needs being controlled by moisture controlling probes.

[0026] In addition to the above mentioned advantages, it is furthermore pointed out that the system can be installed in a very quick and easy manner, since it is substantially constituted by prefabricated modular elements, which, being in single pieces, have a very high mechanical strength.

[0027] Moreover, the use of culture substances having a high water retaining capability, allows to greatly limit the use of irrigation water.

[0028] Another important aspect of the invention is that the inventive structural elements further provide, in addition to the above mentioned functional advantages, a very good aesthetic aspect, since the green system has a continuous and "compact" aspect, and, moreover, it would be possible to use differently decorated modules, which could be easily interexchanged.

[0029] Moreover, it is possible to use a lot of different plant or vegetable species, distributed according to aesthetic criteria, with the possibility of replacing and integrating the vegetable species, in a very simple manner.

[0030] The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

[0031] Moreover, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0032] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

1. A structural element for vertical partition walls of adjoining inner and outer environments, said partition walls being made green by plant species, characterized in that said structural element comprises at least a holding modular element to be associated with a supporting structure, said holding modular element including a culture support sublayer thereon is arranged a plant species growth layer.

2. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure comprises, for forming a fencing arrangement, an upright for connection with vertical edges of said modular element.

3. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure comprises, for forming parapets, a latching system including a plurality of floor adjustable clamping elements and masonry latching metal brackets.

4. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure comprises, for forming building coating layers, an upright and cross-beam system made of a steel material and being coupled to steel anchoring brackets and longitudinal beams.

5. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said structural element comprises, on the top of said modular element, a covering arrangement including a horizontal rectangular cross-section rain water head.

6. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said holding modular element comprises an openable cover.

7. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting sublayer is made of loose mixtures of inert mineral or synthetic materials, such as foamed perlite, foamed vermiculite, foamed clay, pumice, lapilli, peat, coconut fibers, barks, natural or recovered clay materials, zeolites, cellulose, natural or synthetic fibers and so on, being held in geotextile or geofelt materials, or by mineral fibers (rock, glass) panels, synthetic materials such as polyester and polypropylene, and natural materials such as coconut, cellulose, Renat, and so on.

8. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said plant species growth layer comprises supporting elements and felts for supporting pregerminated pipings.

9. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said structural element comprises, on the bottom of said modular element, a water collecting channel arrangement.

10. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said structural element further comprises a fertilizing-irrigating system.

11. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said fertilizing-irrigating system comprises, on the top of said modular element, a plurality of tubular elements for supplying water and fertilizer substances.

12. A structural element, according to claim 1, characterized in that said structural element comprises an automatized irrigating system adapted to recirculate water collected in said channel arrangement and being further adapted to meter nourishing substances for said plant species in a variable manner depending on seasons and the planted species.

Drawing