AU604317B2 - Improvements in garden edging - Google Patents

Description

,AUSTR [L 4 7 PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Form Short'Title: Int, Cl: .Application Number: Lodged:

T

'Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: 1#jlpbd Art: tZ,5L ZOE'- Name of Applicant., /*aaress of Applicant', TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT ROLAPAK AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD., a Victorian company, R 40 Eidustrial Avenue, Iloppc'rs Crossing, Vichoria 3030, AustraliaI Actual Inventor: GREGORY MAXWELL WESTON PETER JOSEPH WROBEL Care of: COWIE, THOMSON CARTER" Address for Service: Patent Attorneys, 71 Queens Road, Melbournef Vic.e 3004, Complete Specification for the Invention entitled.: utrla IMPROVEMENTS IN GARDEN EDGING The following statement is a full description of thip, lnventirrn, Including the best method of performing It known to me:- Note: The description Is to be typed In double spacing, pica type face, In an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160mm In width, an tough white paper of good quality and It Is to b- Inserted Inalte this form, 1 4699/78-L Printed by C. LTUoNIpsoN, Commonwealth Government Prinimr. C.anberra V Improvements in GardenEdging This invention relates to improvements in garden edging a .d relates particularly to an improved edging product which can be positioned to define tht edge of a gaxden, lawn or the like of any desired shape or configuration.

Various foi-ms of garden edging are already kvown for ieaining earth or the like around the garden or for use as a lawn edging or decorative edging or as formwork for concrete, bitvmen, crushed rock or other type of surfacing material.

Garden edging has commonly been formed of concrete strips, bricks, tiles or other relatively rigid material. Such edging has substantial limitations in its use and 1 0 has limited aesthetic appeal.

It has previously been proposed to provide edging material comprising a 00 o for plurality of relatively rigid edge members interconnected so as to forM a somewhat 00*otae 0 0 c flexible strip of material. Thbe relatively rigid sections are preferably timber sections 0 '9 o interconnected by wire or inetal stnips. In one particular form of such edging, timber 4 C i strips are connected by one or more wire strands stapled or otherwise secured to one surface of the timber strips so that the strips are disposed in a sde-by-side relationship. With this structure, earth is substantially inhibited from passing between 0000* the adjacent elements of the edging but because of the ianner of securing the 0, a elements together, the edging \an be deformed about axes parallel to the elements, While edging formed in this manner is generally acceptable, it is found that the 00o wire or metal strip securing the adjacent elements together can be unsightly.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved form of edging material which is relatively easily made, is easy to use, is of attractive appearance in use and is relatively economrical, It is also desirable to provide an improved form of garden edging which is positively located in place without the use of exposed stakes, spikes or the like.

It is also desirable to provide an improved form of garden edging comprising a plurality of edging elements arranged side-by-side with adjacent elements being slightly spaced or in abutting relationship and with flexible means securing the elements to each other.

It is also desirable to provide improved means for joining the ends of two 2 Alp, I CA i. I 1- lengths of gt rden edging.

In accordance with the invention there is provided edging material according to claim 1 of Patent No. 564,517, the improvement or modification being characterized in that instead of the band means extending along the rear faces of the elements or passing through holes extending laterally through each element substantially parallel to the rear face thereof, the rear faces of the elements have a transverse groove and the band means is located in the groove, wherein the coi.necting means either comprises staples interconnecting the band means with each element, or is constituted by the band means having a transverse dimension to fit within the groove and the groove dimension being such as to prevent removal of the strip other than by lengthwise movement, In a particular form of this aspect of the invention, the band means comprises wire which is fastened to the elements by staples. The transverse groove is located a predetermined distance from one end of each element so that, when the elements are z !5disposed in the side-by-side relationship, the grooves of the plurality of elements are substantially aligned.

In a most preferred form of this invention, two or more grooves are provided in the rear faces of the elements and two or more band means, or wires, are used to support the elements together, preferably being fastened to the elements by means of staples or the like.

The grooves may be formed in the rear faces of the elements by means of any suitable grooving tool such as a router, a sawblade or the like, Such grooving is t preferably carried out during the manufacture of the edging after the individual elements are docked to length and assembled in side-by-side relationship, and prior to the application of the wire or other band means to the rear faces.

Edging material constructed in accordance with the invention has a greater stability than previous edginrg material constructed without the groove. The groove acts to maintain the wire or band means in a predetermined location and stabilizes the side-by-side relationship of the elements. In addition, in use, the wire or band is generally not visible and therefore the appearance of the product is improved.

The timber elements may be of any suitable shape for edging purposes, a preferred shape having a curved, preferably substantially arcuate, front face.

In a modified form of the invention, the at least one groove is formed as a dovetail and the band means comprises a strip of metal or plastics material which is clipped or threaded through the grooves of adjacent elements. No fasteiiers need to be used, although they may be used if desired, and the elements are simply mounted on the metal or plastic strip in side-by-side relationship.

The ends of the strip of metal or plastic ;nay be bent back along the rear planar face of the end elements in an assembly for packaging purposes. When the assembly is used, the bent end portions of the strip are straightened and inserted into the dovetail groove of the end element of an adjacent assembly, thus effectively joring the assemblies together.

It will be appreciated that a dovetail groove may be any form of undercut groove wherein the base of the groove has a transverse dimension greater than the Ow 0 groove opening. Naturally, if desired, fasteners may be used to fasten each element M 0 to the metal or plastic strip, or to fasten only selected elements to the strip or to fasten So only end elements of an assembly.

With previously proposed edging material, the edging is retained in place by stakes, spikes or the like which are engaged with the rear face of selected eleiitilts, the stakes, spikes or the like being driven into the ground at the desired location.

Such stakes, spikes or the like may be engaged with the band means or wires fastening the elements together. Alternatively, the stakes, spikes or the like may be otherwise fastened to the assembly.

In edging material of the present invention, selected ones of the timber elements may be formed with longitudinally extending holes with ground engaging means being located in such holes and engaged in the ground to locate the assembly.

*1 *1 4 In a preferred form of this aspect, holes are formed in end elements of an assembly and one or more intermediate elements, the holes extending from one end of each element and either passing completely through the element or terminating partway through.

Where the holes pass completely through the element, the assembly can be located in place by driving stakes, bars, spikes or the like down through the holes in the elements into the ground. However, with this arrangement, the stakes or the like or the holes will be visible and, therefore, it is preferred that thei holes terminate partway through the elements. With the terminated holes, the stakes, bars or the like used for securing the assembly in place are located in the holes and are then driven into the ground by hammering or otherwise forcing the appropriate element onto the stake or the like.

It will be appreciated that either arrangement obviates the need for exposed stakes at the rear of the edging assembly. The holes are preferably drilled through or into the dfsired timber elements during construction of the assembly.

In using garden edging of the present invention, or previously known edging formed of a plurality of timber elements assembled in side-by-side relatius. hip and secured by wire or other band means, it is necessary to join adjacent ends of adjacent assemblies together.

20 In another embodiment of the present invention there may be provided joining means which comprises one, preerably two holes or slots formed on the rear face of the end elements of an assembly, the holes or slots being formed a predetermined distance from the free edge of the element, and a substantially U-shaped clip the legs of which are adapted to engage in holes or slots of adjacent end elements of adjacent assemblies.

The holes or slots may be formed substantially at right angles to the surface of the rear face or, preferably are angled away from the edge, The joining clip may be cf simple construction but preferably has upturned ends on the legs which engage with the side of the hole or slot in which it is inserted to inhibit removal thereof.

In a further modification, the end elements of an assembly may each be formed with a hole in one end and a metal U-shaped joining piece, formed of wire, rod or the like, is engaged with the holes of adjacent timber end elements to secure the elements I ^q 1 iL i n together.

With each of these embodiments, the use of trailing wires or band means may be eliminated.

In order that the invention will be more readily understood, the various aspects thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of an assembly of elements in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a view along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but showing a modified form of the invention, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a further feature of the invention, Figure 5 shows a modified form of Figure 4, ,o Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a further aspect of the invention, 9 Figure 7 shows one form of clip used with the arrangement of Figure 6, and 0 C Figure 8 shows a modification of the arrangement of Figure 6.

e Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an assembly of timber elements 12 disposed in side-by-side relationship and each having two transverse grooves 14 extending thereacross, the grooves of adjacent elerments being aligned so as to allow wires 16 to pass along the grooves 14.

As shown in Figure 2, the groove 14 is of semicircular cross-section and the wire 16 in the groove is held in place by one or more staples 17.

Figure 3 is a side view of a timber element 12 having an undercut groove 14.

The undercut, or "dovetail" groove has a wider base 18 than the opening 19. A strip of metal or plastic 21 is engaged in the groove 14 to assemble a plurality of the timber elements on the strip 21. With this arrangement there may be no fastening of the strip 21 to the elements 12, or fasteners may be provided as desired.

Figure 4 illustrates two end elements 12a and an intermediate element 12b of an assembly, the elements 12a and 12b having holes drilled through the elements to receive a stake or bar 22. As shown in Figure 4, the bar or stake can be driven down from the top 23 of the elements 12a and 12b to a position either flush with the top 23 or to stop partway down through the drilled holes 24.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but illustrating an arrangement wherein the holes 24 are drilled only partway through the elements 12a and 12b. With this arrangement, the user would insert the stakes 22 into the holes 24 and then invent the assembly and force the stakes 22 into the ground to retain the edging in place.

Preferably, the holes 24 and stakes 2? are so sized or constructed that the stakes 22 are retained or held in the holes 24 when inverted.

Referring to Figure 6, as it is often necessary to join two or more assemblies of timber elements together in end-to-end relationship, Figure 6 illustrates a connecting clip 26 of substantially U-shape which engages in holes or slots 27 drilled or formed in the rear faces 28 of end elements 12a of adjacent assemblies. Where the clip 26 is formed of wire, holes 27 are drilled. However, where the clip is formed of strip metal, Alots are cut, as with a ciruiar saw, to receive the ends of the clip. The clip 26 of Figure 7 shows wither a wire or metal (or plastic) strip construction which has reversely turned end portions 29 which engage with the wall of the holes or slots 27.

Referring to Figure 8 a further embodiment is shown in which holes 31 are formed in the base 32 of the end elements 12a of adjacent assemblies and a U-shaped wire or rod or other fastening device 33 is engaged with the holes 31 to secure the end elements 12a in abutting relationship.

7 2 f

Claims (13)

1. Edging material according to claim 1 of Patent No. 564,517, the improvement or modification being characterized in that instead of t0'- band means extending along the rear faces of the elements or passing through holes extending laterally through each element substantially parallel to the rear face thereof, the rear faces of the elements have a transverse groove and the band means is located in the groove, wherein the connecting means either comprises staples interconnecting the band means with each element, or is constituted by the band means having a transverse dimension to fit within the groove and the groove dimension being such as to prevent removal of the strip other than by lengthwise movement,

2. Edging material according to claim 1 wherein the band means comprises wire which is fastened to the elements by staples.

3. Edging material according to claim 1 wherein the band means comprises .a strip of metal or plastic material,

4. Edging material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two transverse grooves are provided in each element, with a respective band means located in each groove, Edging material according to claim 4 wherein the grooves are located a predetermined distance from the end of the respective elements so that they are aligned in the assembly.

6. Edging material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each groove is undercut.

7. Edging material according to claim 6 wherein the or each groove is a dovetail shaped groove and the band means is substantially flat.

8. Edging material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the band means is fastened to at least end elements of the assembly. 9, Edging material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein selected ones of the timber elements are formed with longitudinally extending holes, and ground engaging means are located in such holes an".a engaged in the ground to locate the assembly. Edging material according to claim 9 wherein the holes are formed in end elements of the assembly and one or more intermediate elements, the holes extending *s ii from one end of each element and passing completely through the element.

11. Edging material according to claim 10 wherein the holes pass only partway into the respective elements.

12. Edging material according to any one of the preceding claims which includes joining means comprising at least one hole or slot formed on the rear or end face of the end elements of an assembly, the holes or slots being formed a predetermined distance from the free edge of the respective element, and a substantially U-shaped wire clip the legs of which are adapted to engage in holes or slots of adjacent end elements of adjacent assemblies.

13. Edging material according to claim 12 wherein the holes or slots extend at right angles to the rear face.

14. Edging material according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the clip has upturned ends on the legs which engage within the holes or slots to secure the legs therein. Edging material according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the clip c is wire or rod.

16. Edging material according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the holes or slots are formed in the ends of the respective elements,

17. Edging material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, DATED this 7th day of September, 1990. ROLAPAK AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. S. ~'fl1A.LA dY ".1 B Vill kN