US5484234A — Building module for plantable walls with a bulk f…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 68 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising a longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and to said longitudinal bin, and at least one weir in said longitudinal bin for retaining water.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 68 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising a longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and to said longitudinal bin, and at least one weir in said longitudinal bin for retaining water.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

A wall structure as defined in claim 1, in which said wall structure includes a plurality of building modules, each of said modules having said bin on each side thereof, said bin being connected by said cross beam to create a rectilinear module.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The wall structure of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation system for supplying water to the longitudinal bin.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The wall structure of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal bin includes a first end and a second end, each of said ends having a weir therein.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The wall structure of claim 1 and including first and second cross beam support blocks each having an alignment key and a plurality of alignment pockets.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The wall structure of claim 5, wherein said first and second cross beam support blocks further comprise means defining a plurality of holes, including water level equalizing holes and irrigation pipe holes.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

The wall structure of claim 1, in which said longitudinal bin includes root development slots along interior sides of said longitudinal bin through which roots of plants can extend into said bulk filling material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The wall structure of claim 7, in which said wall structure includes a plurality of irrigation openings and an irrigation system in said longitudinal bin.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 116 words

A building module for the construction of freestanding, sound absorbing reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin having an irrigation system and a plurality of irrigation openings extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 116 words

A building module for the construction of freestanding, sound absorbing reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin having an irrigation system and a plurality of irrigation openings extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 75 words

The building module of claim 9, wherein said first and second longitudinal bins comprise a planar bottom side parallel to the wall plane, a planar exterior side extending upwardly and outwardly at an angle from one end of the bottom with respect to the center of the wall, and a planar interior side extending inwardly and upwardly at an angle from the other end of the bottom with respect to the center of the wall.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 42 words

The building module of claim 9, wherein said first and second longitudinal bins further comprise an interior side and a bottom side having equivalent cross sectional widths which are equal to, or greater than a cross sectional width of said exterior side.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

The building module of claim 10, wherein said first and second longitudinal bins include root development slots along the interior sides of said first and second longitudinal bins.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 45 words

The building module of claim 10, wherein said first and second cross beam support blocks comprise planar top and bottom surfaces extending perpendicular to the wall plane, at a height greater than the height of said exterior sides of said first and second longitudinal bins.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The building module of claim 9, wherein said first and second cross beam support blocks include an alignment key and a plurality of alignment pockets.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The building module of claim 9, wherein said cross beam support blocks further include means defining a plurality of holes, water level equalizing holes and irrigation pipe holes.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 41 words

The building module of claim 10, wherein said cross beam has planar top and bottom sides extending perpendicular to the wall plane, and having a height equal to the height of the interior side of said first and second longitudinal bins.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

The building module of claim 9, wherein said means for retaining water comprises a weir at each end of said first and second longitudinal bin.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

The building module of claim 9, further comprising an irrigation system for supplying water to the longitudinal bins.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 87 words

A root development system for supporting and maintaining plant growth within a wall structure, said system comprising a longitudinal bin having an elongated interior side and at least one elongated slot disposed therethrough, and at least one weir for retaining water within said bin, said slot being located at or above a retained water level line within said bin and allowing for the migration of plant roots out of said bin, into a bulk filling material and down to the soil at the base of the wall.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 87 words

A root development system for supporting and maintaining plant growth within a wall structure, said system comprising a longitudinal bin having an elongated interior side and at least one elongated slot disposed therethrough, and at least one weir for retaining water within said bin, said slot being located at or above a retained water level line within said bin and allowing for the migration of plant roots out of said bin, into a bulk filling material and down to the soil at the base of the wall.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 54 words

The root development system of claim 19, further comprising at least one first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and, at least one first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 37 words

The root development system of claim 19, further comprising an irrigation system for supplying water to each of said first and second longitudinal bins capable of maintaining a water level equal to the height of said weir.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 107 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising at least one longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and to said longitudinal bin for retaining water in said longitudinal bin, first and second cross beam support blocks having an alignment key and a plurality of alignment pockets, and wherein said first and second cross beam support blocks further comprise a plurality of holes, including water level equalizing holes and irrigation pipe holes.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 107 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising at least one longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and to said longitudinal bin for retaining water in said longitudinal bin, first and second cross beam support blocks having an alignment key and a plurality of alignment pockets, and wherein said first and second cross beam support blocks further comprise a plurality of holes, including water level equalizing holes and irrigation pipe holes.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 76 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising at least one longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one water retainer in said longitudinal bin, at least one root development slot along an interior side of said longitudinal bin means, and an irrigation system having irrigation openings in said bin means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 76 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising at least one longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one water retainer in said longitudinal bin, at least one root development slot along an interior side of said longitudinal bin means, and an irrigation system having irrigation openings in said bin means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 125 words

A building module for the construction of free standing, sound absorbing/reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, a cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, said cross beam support blocks further including means defining a plurality of holes, water level equalizing holes and irrigation pipe holes, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 125 words

A building module for the construction of free standing, sound absorbing/reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, a cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, said cross beam support blocks further including means defining a plurality of holes, water level equalizing holes and irrigation pipe holes, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 138 words

A building module for the construction of free standing, sound absorbing/reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, a cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, said cross beam having planar top and bottom sides extending perpendicular to the wall plane, and having a height equal to the height of an interior side of said first and second longitudinal bins, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 138 words

A building module for the construction of free standing, sound absorbing/reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, a cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, said cross beam having planar top and bottom sides extending perpendicular to the wall plane, and having a height equal to the height of an interior side of said first and second longitudinal bins, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 109 words

A building module for the construction of free standing, sound absorbing/reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, a cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to a wall plane, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins including at least one weir, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 109 words

A building module for the construction of free standing, sound absorbing/reducing walls, and retaining walls, comprising a first and second longitudinal bin extending substantially parallel to a wall plane, a cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to a wall plane, a first and second cross beam support block extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane, and means for retaining water in each of said first and second longitudinal bins including at least one weir, said first and second longitudinal bins being joined with said cross beam and said first and second cross beam support blocks at an angle, and a bulk filling material disposed therebetween for forming one building module.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 75 words

A root development system for supporting and maintaining plant growth within a wall structure, said system comprising a longitudinal bin having an elongated interior side and at least one elongated slot disposed therethrough, weir means for retaining water within said bin, and an irrigation system for supplying water to said bin, said slot being located at or above a retained water level line and allowing for the migration of plant roots out of said bin.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 75 words

A root development system for supporting and maintaining plant growth within a wall structure, said system comprising a longitudinal bin having an elongated interior side and at least one elongated slot disposed therethrough, weir means for retaining water within said bin, and an irrigation system for supplying water to said bin, said slot being located at or above a retained water level line and allowing for the migration of plant roots out of said bin.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 52 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising bin means extending substantially parallel to the wall plane and means for retaining water in said bin means including at least one weir.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 52 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising bin means extending substantially parallel to the wall plane and means for retaining water in said bin means including at least one weir.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 71 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising longitudinal bin means extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and to said bin means, and means for retaining water, including at least one weir in said longitudinal bin means.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 71 words

A wall structure forming a substantially upright, planar bin wall for receiving and supporting a bulk filling material and defining a generally vertical wall plane, said wall structure comprising longitudinal bin means extending substantially parallel to the wall plane, at least one cross beam extending substantially perpendicular to the wall plane and to said bin means, and means for retaining water, including at least one weir in said longitudinal bin means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-01-15	1999-07-17	2000-01-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-01-15	2003-07-17	2004-01-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-01-15	2007-07-17	2008-01-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Building module for plantable walls with a bulk filling material

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