Environment resistant wall planter block and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a retaining wall planter block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment in which it is placed, but also accommodates the growth of desired vegetation. The planter block contains a fill material that is conducive to vegetation growth, and has apertures for the emerging vegetation. The deterioration resistant planter block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is light-weight and is configured to accept and retain any type of organic filling material and seeds. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall planter block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such planter blocks, as well as suitable growth medium for the vegetation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall comprising
 establishing a foundation that can support more than one deterioration resistant planter blocks, said deterioration resistant planter blocks including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material and comprising a top panel and bottom panel that are adjoined to a wall assembly to form a chamber for receiving and retaining organic fill material suitable for the growth of vegetation and vegetation seeds, and a plurality apertures positioned on the top panel, bottom panel, wall assembly, or any combination thereof, wherein at least one or more of the aperture(s) are positioned on the visible front panel(s) of the wall assembly to allow vegetation to visibly grow to the exterior of the deterioration resistant retaining wall;   filling each retaining wall planter block with the fill material;   placing the retaining wall planter blocks side by side on the foundation to generate a straight or curved row; and   stacking one or more rows wherein each row is stacked upon the row below it to form a continuous retaining wall.   
   
   
       22 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the rows are staggered. 
   
   
       23 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the individual retaining planter blocks are engaged by anchoring devices, root interaction, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       24 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 23 , wherein the anchoring devices are selected from a group consisting of one or more retaining flanges, pegs, locking mechanisms, and root interaction. 
   
   
       25 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the composite or polymeric material is a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, vinyl, silicone, rubber, fiberglass or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       26 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the apertures are covered internally or externally by one or more aperture covers. 
   
   
       27 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 26 , wherein the aperture cover includes a biodegradable material. 
   
   
       28 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the top panel, bottom panel or wall assembly includes a removable or hingedly adjoined cover. 
   
   
       29 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the planter block further includes one or more interior partitions. 
   
   
       30 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 21 , wherein the planter block further includes more than one unit. 
   
   
       31 . The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 30 , wherein the planter block further includes one or more disengaging tabs. 
   
   
       32 . A deterioration resistant retaining wall comprising a plurality of planter blocks positioned side by side and stacked to form a continuous retaining wall, said planter blocks including:
 a top panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material;   a bottom panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material;   a wall assembly including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material that is adjoined to the top panel and bottom panel to form a chamber for receiving and retaining one or more fill materials suitable for the growth of vegetation;   one or more fill materials suitable for the growth of vegetation administered to the chamber and vegetation seeds included in or applied to the fill material; and   a plurality of apertures positioned on the top panel, bottom panel, wall assembly, or any combination thereof, wherein one or more of the aperture(s) are positioned on the visible front panel(s) of the wall assembly to allow vegetation to visibly grow to the exterior of the deterioration resistant retaining wall.   
   
   
       33 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall  claim 32  wherein the composite or polymeric material is a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, vinyl, silicone, rubber, fiberglass or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       34 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 32 , wherein the apertures are covered internally or externally by one or more aperture covers. 
   
   
       35 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 34 , wherein the aperture cover includes a biodegradable material. 
   
   
       36 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 32 , wherein the top panel, bottom panel or wall assembly includes a removable or hingedly adjoined cover. 
   
   
       37 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 32 , wherein the planter blocks further include one or more interior partitions. 
   
   
       38 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 32 , wherein the planter blocks further include more than one unit. 
   
   
       39 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 38 , wherein the planter blocks further include one or more disengaging tabs. 
   
   
       40 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 32 , wherein the planter blocks further include one or more anchoring devices. 
   
   
       41 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 40 , wherein the anchoring devices are selected from a group consisting of one or more retaining flanges, pegs, and locking mechanisms. 
   
   
       42 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 32 , wherein the apertures of each planter block are positioned on the planter block in a configuration to form a design.