AU619206B2 - Restraint edge for paving members - Google Patents

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTR 1 PATENTS ACT 1952-69 6 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: a •,Related Art: Name of Applicant: t C' Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: STEPHEN JONES 10300 Morris Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437, United States of America.

STEPHEN JONES EDWD. WATERS SONS, 50 QUEEN STREET, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 3000.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: RESTRAINT EDGE FOR PAVING MEMBERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to

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i I rrst- BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An edge restraint is provided for maintaining hard surfaces such as paving stones within a predetermined boundary.

Hard surfaces, such as paving stones, used for various types of traffic are placed over a base surface such as sand or gravel which is as level as possible. The base surface provides vertical support for the paving stones.

However, when the stones are loaded with traffic from above, there is a lateral or horizontal force outward which is not adequately controlled by the level base "surface. This horizontal force tends to shift the paving stones horizontally creating wider cracks and extending the outer boundary of the paved surfr-e.

Therefore, it is desirable to have some type of edging material along the outside perimeter of the installed paving stones to maintain these paving stones within a fixed boundary such that horizontal forces will not cause 9 the paving stones to separate or spread horizontally outward.

In certain known arrangements, the paved area abuts masonry edges which can be performed such as bricks, or which can be in the form of poured concrete. Customarily, a band of concrete is poured deep enough and wide enough to provide the necessary edging for the anticipated load.

If the load is not too heavy, this process can also be done by laying bricks which are held'together by mortar.

-1r L- L A fundamental problem with masonry edging is that in order to provide an adequate restraint edge, this edging is often expensive, time consuming to install, and tends to take up a lot of space. The expense largely results from the fact that it is quite time consuming to prepare the necessary forms and then pour and finish the concrete after the installation of all the paving stones. Further, the complications involved with pouring concrete may also be involved. These complications can include problems with moist or wet soil or inclement weather during S"I installation.

Another problem with the use of a concrete restraint t is that after repeated force and aging, cracks or chips may form in the concrete and eventually ruin the integrity of the restraint. Other problems include the excessive weight of the materials used such as the blocks or bricks, C C or the concrete alone.

C eC An alternative to the use of concrete or masonry 4c' edging is the use of preformed edge restraints. Examples of metal edge restraints used in combination as a curb are shown in several patents; for example, U.S. Patents 379,401; 398,630 and 670,001. In U.S. Patent 806,563, an example of an edge restraint, combination curb is also shown made from a combination of steel and concrete. All of these metal edge restraints share a common problem of rust corrosion and difficulty of handling. It is desirable to have a rather permanent'edge restraint to avoid the expense and labor required to dig up and remove corroded edge restraints no longer strong enough to provide support, and to install replacement edge restraints.

With respect to the inconvenience and expense, first, these steel panels can be rather heavy. Further, such panels are extremely difficult to manipulate. The steel restraints have little or no flexibility, rendering the restraints difficult to use with irregular patterned edge borders of paving stones. Also, to facilitate handling due to the excessive weight and the absence of flexibility to fit irregular patterns, these restraints require I 4t I separate, short sections which are subsequently attached together when installed.

Also, as the concrete is obviously no flexible, irregular shaped pavement borders could not easily be provided. Although preformed curved sections may be available, it would be difficult to match these with actual dimensions of irregular surfaces and angles at the site of installation. This is especially the case with V t concrete block sections which would be extremely difficult to cut to a desired size and definitely cannot be kept.

Aluminum edge restraints may also be used. However, aluminum lacks strong structural resistance unless the restraint wall is extremely thick, thereby increasing the expense and increasing the difficulty in use due to decreased flexibility and increased-weight. To be strong i r- ii' :k enough to successfully hold the paving stone border, the aluminum restraint would have to have an increased thickness, and t erefore decreased flexibility rendering manipulation for irregular paving stone borders difficult.

Another problem shared by these edge restraints is that in all of these examples, the edge restraint is used in an attempt to prevent horizontal movement of paving stones by merely absorbing a horizontal force applied against the edge wall. The wall is only backed by the earth on the side of the wall opposite the paving stones.

Dirt shifts under forces from a horizontal direction.

S. None of these patents address converting the horizontal force applied from the paving stones into a vertical force down into the ground. Dirt is more likely to shift when the force is in a horizontal direction than if the force is down into the ground. Therefore, these restraint Ssystems discussed above tend to give into horizontal forces.

t C A related problem associated with these systems is the absolute requirement for dirt or gravel, commonly referred to as backfill, filled in behind the wall for support.

These vertical wall-type systems do not individually provide any support. Thus, dirt must be filled in behind them to support the newly installed paving stones. A deficiency of such systems is that when the paving stones are compacted, the backfilling operation must already have been performed. This can add time E6 the installation 2'

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process.

Further, often landscaping is to be performed once the paving stones are in place. Thus, sod may be installed right up against the vertical wall edging. As backfilling is required for compaction, the landscaper may be forced to dig out soil to make room for sod after the paving stone installation is complete.

Not only does this add time to the job, but it presents the possibility of the landscaper accidentally ruining the integrity of the newly installed paving stone J system. It would be desirable to avoid these problems by providing edging which does not require backfill to fully j support the installed paving stones during compaction and/or upon completion of the installation.

t V T 1 Another problem associated with the preformed concrete, steel or aluminum edge restraints is that they do not provide flexibility to absorb forces and allow the material to flex back into shape after large forces such t t f jj .C as vehicles run over a portion extending above the ground level. Therefore, in the case of aluminum edge I V" restraints, significant deformation could occur if a heavy load is placed thereon. Once the deformation is formed, the portion of the deformed edge restraint extending could only be bent back to the proper shape with great effort. i Further, although the edge restraint patents discussed thus far serve as curbs and therefore are intended to extend above the ground, it is often'desirable to provide -6- 7 edge restraints which do not extend above the ground level, for example, for the lining of driveways and sidewalks having an earth boundary on the outside of the edge restraint.

US Patents 1,349,340 and 1,894,395 show forms used in the pouring of concrete to hold the concrete in form while hardening. US Patent 1,894,395 is actually included in a poured structure as concrete is poured on either side of the center portion 3. Both of these patents are used in the different environment of concrete pouring.

As discussed above, it would be desirable to provide a lightweight edge material which uses the ground around it to provide increased strength for preventing horizontal shifting of paving stones.

1 0 The present invention therefore provides edge restraint apparatus for restraining a hard paving surface means in a given position on a base surface, comprising: an upright member for defining a boundary around said hard paving surface means and having sufficient flexibility to accommodate irregular shaped boundaries, said 1 5 upright member having a first surface facing toward said hard paving surface means, a second surface opposed to the first surface; an extension member disposed laterally of the upright member and including a bottom surface portion located on the base surface; and force converting means operatively arranged between the upright member and 2 0 the extension member for transferring the substantial horizontal forces imparted to the first surface of the upright member via the hard paving surface means to the base surface, said edge restraint being at least partially disposed below local ground level and including anchoring means engaged into the base surface.

The present invention also provides a paving installation, comprising: paving surface means for accommodating traffic which in use experiences substantial horizontal forces at its lateral edges and which is located on top of a substantially level base surface; and r rI *94**e V V rr t r C I tr I t r C C C C6C C 4 ICtCI (ii) edge restraint means for receiving said horizontal forces and maintaining the paving surface means in position, said edge restraint means being at least partially disposed below local ground level and including: an upright member engaged with lateral edges of the paving surface means and having sufficient flexibility to accommodate irregular shaped boundaries along said lateral edges with said upright member exhibiting a first surface abuttingly engaging the lateral edges of the paving surface means, a second surface opposed to the first surface; an extension member disposed laterally of the upright member and 1 0 including a bottom surface portion located on the base surface; and force converting means operatively arranged between the upright member and the extension member for transferring the substantial horizontal forces imparted to the first surface of the upright member via the paving surface means to the base surface, said edge restraint means including anchorin means engaged into the base surface.

Preferably the force converting means includes a connecting strip means for connecting said upright member to said extension member, the hard paving surface means is locatable on a prepared base surface disposed below the gpound surface, the hard surface means are paving stones.

Preferably the upright member has sufficient flexibility to flex back into shape after experiencing said horizontal forces caused traffic travelling over the hard paving surface means, and the hard surface means accommodate heavy vehicle traffic.

Preferably the apparatus further includes attaching means for providing a detachable mounting of at least one of said extension member and said force converting means to said upright member, at least one of said extension member and said force converting means include a plurality of sections detachably disposed in spaced intervals on said upright member, the said extension member and said force converting means '4

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f~*4 F -c 1 -4T 9 comprise separate attachment sections being removably attached to said upright member, and the upright member is a continuous strip and said attachment sections are removably disposed in spaced intervals on said upright member.

Preferably the attaching means provides a sliding attachment between said upright member and said attachment sections, the attaching means include projections extending out from said upright member and mating projections on said attachment sections which engage into said upright member projections, the upright member projections extend out from said upright member in a T-shape forming slots between said upright member projections and said upright member, and said mating projections 1 0 being fitted into said slots, and the upright member and said extension member are S. integrally connected to one another at said lower region of the upright member.

StePreferably the horizontal length of the extension member is between 1.5 and times the vertical height of the upright member.

Preferably the upright member, extension member and said connecting strip 15 means are formed as one piece of plastic material and more preferably one piece of 0 plastic material is an extrusion molded plastic piece.

In further preferred forms of apparatus of the invention the connecting strip means, a portion of said upright member and a portion of said extension member form a substantially triangular cross section, wherein said triangula, cross section has a closed hollow profile and further including connecting peg means for connecting adjacent sections of said upright member, said connecting peg means frictionally engaging with at least a portion of the interior of said closed hollow profile, and further includes a cross connecting strip connecting a central portion of said connecting strip means to at least one of said upright member and said extension member.

Preferably the said cross connecting strip extends from said corilecting strip portion to a juncture of said upright member and said extension member, the extension '1 NTMV5 W1 IT 0 9f~~T~ JC member extends out substantially transverse from said outer surface of said upright member and the extensiorv member includes a continuous planar extension member.

It is further preferred that the connecting strip means include a continuous planar connecting strip.

It is also preferred that the upright member includes a continuous planar upright member, said extension member and upright member having a continuous juncture line parallel to said defined boundary of said hard surface means, the extension member has a length of approximately three to four inches and said upright member has a length of approximately one to two inches.

10 Preferably the connecting strip extends from an outer end of said extension member at an end opposite said upright member to said upright member at a line approximately three-fourths of said upright member's length from said extension member, and the apparatus further includes a lower lip extending from the inner surface of said upright member in the same plane as the extension member.

u 15 Again preferably the upright member includes a border length parallel to said boundary of said hard surface means, said force converting means including cut out portions spaced at intervals along said upright member, said extension member including cut out portions corresponding to said cut out portions of said force converting means.

Preferably the cut out portions of said force converting means and said extension member are triangular sections, said triangular sections having an apex at a juncture of said connecting strip and said upright member and at a juncture of said extension member'and said upright member, the connecting strip means, a portion of said upright member and a portion of said extension member form a substantially triangular cross section, said connecting strip means forming a longest side of said triangular cross section and the connecting strip means and said extension member each include an aperture therethrough for receiving a stake, said apertures of said connecting strip 446 C L CE i C i r 6 G r r CF CE U CEFt c ccrect

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11 means and said extension member being aligned around a common axis substantially parallel to said upright member.

Advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an end cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention in use; Figure 2 is a perspective view-of two attached sections of an embodiment of the invention and the element connecting the two sections; 0 Figure 3 is a top view according to another preferred embodiment of the invention used in a curved border; Figure 4 is a top view according to another preferred embodiment of the invention used in a curved border; h t Figure 5 is a perspective view according to another preferred embodiment of the invention used in a curved border; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiments according to Figure DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through the edge restraint 18 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. A substantially upright restraining strip includes an inner surface 22 which faces the paving stones e t 24 which are to be held in a defined boundary by the edge restraint. The upright restraining strip 20 also includes an outer surface 26 facing away from the paving stone 24.

t cl5 The upright restraining strip 20 has a lower end 21 and an upper end 23. In the preferred embodiment, the entire edge restraint 18 is disposed beneath ground level 17 in soil 19.

Although the upright restraining strip 20 can have any height Y, the height is preferably in the range of about one to four inches depending on the size of the paving stones and the magnitude of the specific forces to which the edge restraint will be subjected. All the dimensions can vary depending on the type of material used in the paving stones, the size of the paving stones, as well as depending on factors such as the projected weight of the traffic on the paving stones, for eiample, pedestrian -12i i c 1 t I traffic or heavy truck traffic.

Extending out of the outer surface 26 of the upright restrainincr strip 20 at the lower end 21 is a base extension strip 28. The base extension strip 28 is also in the form of a continuous strip disposed in a plane perpendicular to the upright restraining strip 20. The base extension strip 28 has an upper surface 29 which faces ground level, and a lower surface 31 which faces down into the ground when installed. In the preferred embodiment, the base extension strip 28 has a length X *e which is greater than the height Y of the upright restraining strip 20. Although this length can be any dimension depending on the circumstances in which the edge restraint is being used as discussed above, a preferred range is about two to six inches. In the preferred embodiment where the height Y of the upright restraining strip 20 is 1 5/8 inches, the length X of the base extension strip 28 is 3 3/8 inches.

The ratio of the length X of the extension base strip 28 to the height Y of the upright strip 20 in certain preferred embodiments is between 1.5 and 3.5 with a preferred ratio of about 2.1. Optimum conversion of i horizontal forces into vertical forces into the ground are achieved by having the base strip loner than the upright strip. The forces will be spread out over a larger area, and thus provide increased support. Also, the longer base strip provides greater flexibility such that thG edging -13-

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will flex and conform to contours of the base surface.

Thus, the edging can be used on irregular or curved contours such as dips or inclines.

In certain preferred embodiments, the upright restraining strip 20 and the base extension strip 28 are in perpendicular planes, and therefore the angle A therebetween is In the preferred embodiments, the edge restraint 18 includes a juncture region 30 where the base extension strip and the upright restraining strip meet. Extending on the inner surface 22 of the upright restraining strip is a lip 32 lying in the same plane as the base extension strip 28. The lip 32 has an upper surface 34 over which the paving stone 24 lies. After installation, 1. a layer of bedding sand 33 is usually disposed between the paving stone 24 and the lip 32. The lip 32 helps to t« prevent the edge restraint 18 from rising up above the ground level.

I Especially in areas where the ground freezes, known edge restraints are subject to a frost heave, in which continuous freezing and thawing causes the edge restraints to rise up. The paving stone 24 and bedding sand 33 under the paving stone resting on the lip 32 prevent a frost heave. Further, in this embodiment, the alternating freezing and thawing actually act to force the edging down toward the paving stones.

Extending between the upright restraining strip 20 and -14- i 4 1. the base extension strip 28, is a force converting connecting strip 36 which connects the upright restraining strip 20 to the base extension strip 28. The connecting strip 36 extends from .n outer end 38 of the base extension strip 28 toward the upright restraining st-ip The connecting strip 30 should connect to the upright restraining strip somewhere above a midpoint 40 of the upright restraining strip 20. In certain preferred S~tt embodiments, the connecting strip 36 connects to the iJXl1t upright restraining strip midway between the midpoint g and the upper end 23. Also, in certain preferred S embodiments, the angle B between the base extension strip 28 and the connecting strip 38 is in the range of 100 to 300.

I1S* In addition to the connecting strip 36, a cross strip St 42 is provided for added support. The cross strip 42 extends from the juncture 30 of the upright restraining strip 20 and the base extension strip 28 at an angle toward and connected to the connecting strip 36. The angle C between the juncture of the base extension strip 28 and the cross strip 42 in certain preferred embodiments is in the range of 30° to 500. In the preferred embodiment, the cross strip 42 joins the connecting strip 36 about 1 1/8 inches from the outer face 26 of the upright restraining strip 36, and thus the cross strip has a length of approximately 1 1/4 to 1 3/8 inches.

The upright restraining strip 20'has a thickness from

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the inner surface 22 to the outer surface 26 which is greater than the thickness of each of the base extension strip 28, the connecting strip 36 and the cross strip 42.

In certain preferred embodiments, the thickness of the upright restraining strip is 1/8 inch, and the thickness of each of the base extension strip 28, connecting strip 36 and cross strip 42 is 1/16 inch. Using the preferred dimensions and angles discussed thus far, the preferred length M measured parallel to the plane of the base 'Ibl extension strip 28 from the juncture of the base extension t strip 28 and the connecting strip 36 to the juncture of the cross strip 42 and the connecting strip 36 is approximately 2 3/8 inches.

Stake apertures 44 are provided through the connecting r 1 strip 36, the cross strip 42 and the base extension strip 28. Each stake aperture 44 receives a stake 46 which is £t driven intj the ground to add further support and helps to convert forces. The stake can be made of metal, aluminum, i PVC or any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiments, the stake aperture 44 has a diameter of 3/8 inch. In the preferred embodiment having the dimensions and angles discussed thus far, the center of the stake aperture is located in the base extension strip 28, 5/8 inch from the inner surface 22 of the upright restraining S 25 strip The stake aperture 44 extends through an axis parallel to the upright restraining strip 20'from the base I-16- Is extension strip 28 through the cross strip 42 and the connecting strip 36. Depending on the load. requirements of the restraint edge as discussed above, the stake apertures 44 are placed at regular intervals along the continuous restraint edge strip. In certain preferred embodiments, the stake apertures are placed every two feet along the restraint edge.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the separate edge restraint sections can be connected using a cylinder 48 of zE1fC1 PVC, aluminum or any other suitable material. The C I connecting cylinder 48 is pushed into an interior area j of each edge restraint formed in between the cross-sectional triangle formed by the borders of the upright restraining strip 20, the connecting strip 36 and l the cross strip 42. The connecting cylinder 48 should have an outside diameter which fits smugly within the area o f To join adjacent edge restraint sections, the connecting cylinder 48 is placed in the respective triangular areas 50 of each section and the sections are pushed together as shown by arrows P in Figure 2. Thus, extensions of any length can be suitable connected together. In certain preferred embodiments, the edge restraints are extruded in 15 foot length sections, which can subsequently be cut into smaller sections as desired quite easily.

j Also, in certain preferred embodiments, the cylinc-r S-17- 1 1 48 can be dimensioned such that it extends partially into a stake aperture area, as shown by dashed lines in Figure 3. When the stake is driven in, the stake wedges into the cylinder, thereby resulting in a strong attachment of the stake itself and the cylinder in the edge restraint.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, portions of the connecting strip 36, cross strip 42 and base extension strip 28 can be cut out to facilitate bending of the edge 4: *o restraint to define curved boundaries of paving stones.

e VQ. These areas can be cut with a hack saw or sharp knife.

Such cuts can be made at the site of installation, or the extrusions can be manufactured with cut out portions in *t the edge restraint.

Depending on the amount of curvature, the direction of *J9 curvature and the loading requirements, the cut out portions can range from a cut line, as shown in Figure 3, to a triangular slice, as shown in Figure 4, having an angle leading from an apex at the upright restraining 'o strip 20 depending on the necessary degree of flexibility for increased curvature. Also, the distance these cut out portions are spaced from one another varies depending on the degree of curvature necessary.

As shown in Figure 3, when a curve toward the paving stones is desired, all that is required is a single line cut which upon bending creates a triangular space 52 in between cut portions. As shown in Figure 4, when a curve away from the paving stones is desitred, triangular -18sections 53 are cut out. The size of the cut out triangular section 53 depends on the degree of curvature desired.

Figure 5 shows other preferred embodiments for use in providing a curved border. In these embodiments, no cutting is required. An upright restraining strip includes a top edge 62 and a bottom area including a lip 64 which will face toward the paving stones, and over which the paving stones are disposed.

a9 On the side 65 of the upright restraining strip facing away from the stones, an attachment element 66 is provided. In the shown embodiment, the attachment element 66 includes an upward facing flange 68 and a downward tt facing flange 70. The attachmeit element 66 extends from the upright restraining element 60 in a T-shape and forms slots 69 and 71 between the flanges 68 and 70 and the t" c upright restraining strip. The attachment element can run continuously along the entire backside 65 or can be placed S' in periodic sections along the backside 65. According to certain preferred embodiments, these sections are placed from ten inches to fourteen inches apart, although any value of spacing can be used.

SSeparate back profile sections or attachment sections 72 engage in the attachment element 66. In the shown embodiment, the back profile section 72 includes complementary, mating attachment elements 76, 78 which can be slid onto the upright restraining' strip attachment i -19i elements 66. The mating attachment elements include projecting attachment flanges 76 and 78 which slide into spaces 69 and 71, respectively, disposed between the flanges 68 and 70 and the upright restraining strip The back profile sections include a horizontal base extension strip 84 which faces the ground, and serves the same purpose and can have the same dimensions as the base extension strip 28 used in the unitary embodiment cjrn discussed above.

i0,, cSimilarly, the back profile elements 72 include a connecting strip element 86 extending from the upright j restraining strip 60 to the horizontal extension strip j 84. The connecting strip element 86 can have like dimensions and serves the same purpose as the connecting l strip element 18 of the unitary embodiment discussed above.

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c Further, the back prcfile element 72 includes a cross-strip element 88 extending from the attachment element flanges 70, 78 and the horizontal extension strip 84 to the connecting strip element 86. The cross-strip element 88 serves the same purpose and can include the same dimensions as the cross-element 42 of the unitary embodiment discussed above.

In the embodiments according to Figure 5, the upright restraining strip 60 can be flexed to match the desired radius. The back profile elements 72 are then placed periodically along the connecting element 66 of the i ,upright restraining strip 60. Alternatively, the back U~ i- i 4 profile elements 72 can be placed on the attachment element 66 prior to the flexing of the upright restraining strip According to certain preferred embodiments, the back profile elements 72 should be placed about twelve inches apart and should be included on the ends 90, 92 of the sections of the upright restraining strip to facilitate attachment to the remainder of the edge restraint system.

The connecting strip elements 86 and base extension strip elements 84 include stake apertures 94 through which c c stakes are inserted. Depending on the placement of the cross-strips 88, the cross-strips will also include a stake aperture which coincides with the apertures of the connecting strip elements and the base strip elements.

c1V This system provides strong support, a high degree of flexibility and ease of use.

The materials which can be used in forming the restraint edge extrusion include plastic material which can be extruded such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These materials should be flexible enough to promote bending to provide for irregular boundaries of paving stones.

Further, in the event that the upper end of the upright restraining strip 20 sticks out above the ground level, a large weight applied thereto should 3sult in bending and subsequent flexure back into the original shape. This material should also be easier to cut than metal materials. Aluminum can also be used, although is not -21i

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always preferred due to lower flexibility and increased difficulty involved in cutting.

In use, the earth 19 which will surround the installed paving stones 24 to be.restrained within a boundary is excavated deeper than the height Y of the upright restraining strip 20 such that the installed edge restraint will be located below ground level. The continuous ditch should have a width slightly larger than the length X of the base extension strip 28 plus the 9 1Q: length of the lip Gravel or another suitable base layer is then placed in the bottom of the ditch. The edge restraint is flexed to the proper contour shape of the boundary, desired with the upright restraining strip inner surface 22 facing the area to be paved.

4 ;Stakes 46 are then driven through the stake apertures '4 44 in the restraint edge 18 at the given intervals. After the stakes have been driven in, a layer of bedding sand 33 is placed over the area in which the paving stones will be placed. As shown in Figure 1, this layer of bedding sand is included over the lip 32 of the edge restraint. In certain preferred embodiments, this layer of bedding sand is one-half inch to one inch deep. The top 23 of the upright restraining strip 20 can be used as a guide for the screeding of the sand. The guide would have a properly spaced notch to engage on the top 23 such that the proper depth of sand is achieved.

After the bedding sand is placeV, the paving stones -22- Jd:: are installed over the top of the bedding sand. The paving stones are placed up against the upright restraining strip inner su:.race 22 on the paving stone border perimeter. The paving stones can be of any size, and in certain preferred embodiments the depth of the paving stone from the bedding sand to the top surface of the paving stone is 1 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches. The paving stones can then be compacted (tamped) prior to backfilling. Tha edge restraint system is completely ".o1'Q self-supporting, and will hold heavy loads even applied to the edge itself. Thus, the tamping machine can be run W 0 directly over the edge area.

The paving stone installer can then leave the site, as the paving stones are completely supported by the edge f fS restraint system even before backfilling. Thus, a landscaper can be afforded more flexibility and can backfill and sod as desired without the possibility of accidentally ruining the supporting edge restraint system. The installer can also backfill the area above and adjacent the edge restraint with soil, dirt, gravel, sod, or the like, such that the upper end 23 of the upright restraining strip 20 is beneath ground level 17.

Further, optimum conditions for grass growth above the edge restraint are provided with the present invention.

In hot climates, soil underneath grass *an become extremely hot if little space is provided between an underground structure such as concrete, metal or plastic.

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In prior concrete systems, a lack of sufficient space between the concrete and grass has resulted in grass dying over the edging. The present system can be disposed comiletely underground .and well below the top surface such that grass can survive right up to the edge of the paving stones.

In certain preferred embodiments, the material is filled in over the edge restraint such that the ground level formed is flush with the top surface of the paving YO stone. Therefore, with paving stones having a greater I depth, more filling material will be necessary.

The unique restraint edge provides an invisible strong barrier to maintain a boundary of paving stones for many years. With the unique material used, corrosion will be i 5 1 minimal. A strong restraint maintaining the paving stones in horizontal direction results as horizontal forces shown I by arrow ff coming from the paving stones 24 to the upright restraining strip 20 are converted through the connecting t. strip 36 and cross strip 42 into vertical forces into the ground as shown by arrow V into the earth E. The earth's resistance against vertical movement of the base extension strip 28 provides a much stronger reinforcement than horizontal shifting forces applied to dirt as well as any forces directed toward the upper surfaces ground level.

Further, the integrity of the edge restraint will be maintained even if the earth erodes and sections thereof become exposed above ground level as' the material used -24- I helps prevent chipping, cracking or permanent deformation from forces above. The stakes also provide added support in converting horizontal forces to vertical forces. The stakes also give added-support to the conversion elements including the connecting strip 36 and the cross strip 42.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and ":2'10 scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims (74)

1. Edge restraint apparatus for restraining a hard paving surface means in a given position on a base surface, comprising: an upright member for defining a boundary arount said hard paving surface means and having sufficient flexibility to accomi indate irregular shaped boundaries, said upright member having a first surface facing toward said hard paving surface means, a second surface opposed to the first surface; an extension member disposed laterally of the upright member and including a bottom surface portion located on the base surface; and force converting means operatively arranged between the upright member and the extension member for transferring the substantial horizontal forces imparted to the first surface of the upright member via the hard surface means to the base surface, said edge restraint being at least partially disposed below local ground level and including anchoring means engaged into the base surface.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said force converting means includes a connecting strip means for connecting said upright member to said extension member.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said hard paving surface means is e locatable on a prepared base surface disposed below the ground surface. C

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said hard paving surface means are paving stones.

Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said upright member has sufficient flexibility to flex back into shape after experiencing said horizontal forced caused by traffic travelling over the hard paving surface means.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said hard paving surface means accommodate heavy vehicle traffic.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising attaching means for providing a detachable mounting of at least one of said extension member and said force converting means to said upright member. A 1 27 7. Apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising attaching means for providing a detachable mounting of at least one of said extension member and said force converting means to said upright member.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein at least one of said extension member and said force converting means include a plurality of sections detachably disposed in spaced intervals on said upright member.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said extension member and said force converting means comprise separate attachment sections being removably attached to said upright member. i

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said upright member is a continuous S strip and said attachment sections are removably disposed in spaced intervals on said I t e upright member.

11. Apparatus as in Claim 8, wherein said attaching means provides a sliding I attachment between said upright member and said attachment sections.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said attaching means include projections extending out from said upright member and mating projections on said attachment sections which engage into said upright member projections.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said upright member projections extend out from said upright member in a T-shape forming slots between said upright member projections and said upright member, and said mating projections being fitted into said slots.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said upright member and said extension member are integrallI connected to one another at said lower region on the upright member.

Apparatus according to Claim 14, whereinr, the horizontal length of the extension member is between 1.5 and 3.5 times the vertical height of the upright member. "2 V'S- <N C9-V 28

16. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said upright member, extension member and said connecting strip means are formed as one piece of plastic material.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the one piece of plastic material is an extrusion molded plastic piece.

18. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said connecting strip means, a portion of said upright member and a portion of said extension member form a substantially triangular cross section, wherein said triangular cross section has a closed hollow profile and further including connecting peg means for connecting adjacent sections of said upright member, siid connecting peg means frictionally engaging with at least a S portion of the interior of said closed hollow profile.

19. Apparatus according to Claim 2, further including a cross connecting strip connecting a central portion of said connecting strip means to at least one of said upright member and said extension member.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein said cross connecting strip extends pfrom said connecting strip central portion to a juncture of said upright member and said ;extension member. VSSSS

21. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said extension member extends out substantially transverse from said outer surface of said upright member.

22. Apparatus according to Claim 21, wherein said extension member includes a continuous planar extension member.

23. Apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein said connecting strip means include a continuous planar connecting strip.

24. Apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein said upright member includes a continuous planar upright member, said extension member and upright member having a continuous juncture line parallel to said defined boundary of said hard surface means.

MF,, I 29 Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said extension member has a length of approximately three to four inches and said upright member has a length of approximately one to two inches.

26. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said connecting strip extends from an outer end of said extension member at an end opposite said upright nmember to said upright member at a line approximately three-fourths of said upright member's length from said extension member.

27. Apparatus according io Claim 1, further including a lower lip extending from the inner surface of said upright member in the same plane as the extension member. l

:28. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said upright member includes a border length parallel to said boundary of said hard surface means, said force converting means including cut out portions spaced at intervals along said 'upright member, said extension member including cut out portions corresponding to said cut out portions of said force converting means.

29. Apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein said cut out portions of said force converting means and said extension member are triangular sections, said triangular sections having an apex at a juncture of said connecting strip and said upright member and at a juncture of said extension member and said upright member.

Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said connecting strip means, a portion of said upright member and a portion of said extension member form a substantially triangular cross section, said connecting strip means forming a longest side of said triangular cross section.

31. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said connecting strip means and said extension member each include an aperture therethrough for receiving a stake, said apertures of said connecting strip means and said extension member being aligned around a common axis substantially parallel to said upright member. 4 KA

32. A paving installation, comprising: paving surface means for accommodating traffic which in use experiences substantial horizontal forces at its lateral edges and which is located on top of a substantially level base surface, and (ii) edge restraint means for receiving said horizontal forces and maintaining the paving surface means in position, said edge restraint means being at least partially disposed below local ground level and including: an upright member engaged with lateral edges of the paving surface means and having sufficient flexibility to accommodate irregular shaped boundaries along said lateral edges with said upright member exhibiting a first surface abuttingly engaging the lateral edges of the paving surface means, a second surface opposed to the first surface; 4. an extension member disposed laterally of the upright member and to •including a bottom surface portion located on the base surface; and t t C force converting means operatively arranged between the upright member and the extension member for transferring the substantial horizontal forces imparted to the first surface of the upright member via r "the paving surface means to the base surface, said edge restraint means t including anchoring means engaged into the base surface.

33. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said force converting means rr includes reinforcement means extending downwardly from said upright member toward the base surface.

34. A paving installation according to Claim 33, wherein said anchoring means extends from an intermediate portion of the reinforcement means downwardly into the base surface.

A paving installation according to Claim 34, wherein said anchoring means includes an anchoring spike passing through said extension member. 31

36. A paving installation according to Claim 34, wherein said anchoring means further includes an aperture formed through said reinforcement means having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said upright member.

37. A paving installation according to Claim 36, wherein said aperture further extends through said extension member for receiving a stake therethrough.

38. A paving installation according to Claim 33, wherein said upright member and said reinforcement means are formed as one piece of plastic material. too##:

39. A paving installation according to Claim 38, wherein the one piece plastic piece S, is an extrusion molded plastic piece.

40. A paving installation according to Claim 38, wherein said anchoring means .1 extends from an intermediate portion of the reinforcement means downwardly into the base surface.

41. A paving installation according to Claim 40, wherein said anchoring means includes an anchoring spike which protrudes through the reinforcement means.

42. A paving installation according to Claim 41, wherein said anchoring means further includes an aperture formed through said reinforcing means having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said upright member.

43. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said force converting means transfer the substantial horizontal forces to the base surface via said extension member.

44. A paving installation according to Claim 33, wherein said reinforcing means includes a cross strip means connecting an intermediate portion of said reinforcing means with at least one of said upright member and extension member. A paving installation according to Claim 33, wherein said extension member is integrally connected to a lower region of said upright member.

PI rr 0' 32

46. A paving installation according to Claim 45, wherein said reinforcement means connects said upright member to said extension member.

47. A paving installation according to Claim 46, wherein said upright member, said extension member and said reinforcing means form a substantially triangular cross- section, said reinforcing means forming the longest side of said triangular cross section.

48. A paving installation according to Claim 47, wherein said upright member, said extension member and said reinforcing means are a continuous extrusion.

49. A paving installation according to Claim 47, wherein said triangular cross o section has a closed hollow profile and further including connecting peg means for connecting adjacent sections of said edge restraint means, said connecting peg means :°:°"wedging in said closed hollow profile. 0

50. A paving installation according to Claim 49, wherein said anchoring means includes an aperture formed through said reinforcing means and extension member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said upright member for receiving an anchoring stake, the anchoring stake frictionally engaging with said connecting peg means near the edges of adjacent sections of said edge restraint. a ae~

51. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said extension member has a total length extending from the upright member longer than a first length portion of S' the upright member extending from said extension member to said top surface of said upright member.

52. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said extension member has a length of approximately three to four inches and said upright member has a length of approximately one to two inches.

53. A paving installation according to Claim 33, wherein said reinforcing means extends from an outer end of said extension member at one end opposite said upright member to said upright member at a point approximately three-fourths of said upright member length from said extension member. i i; 33

54. A paving installation according to claim 32, further including a lower lip extending from the first surface of said upright member in the same plane as said extension member.

A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said top surface is located at or below the local ground level.

56. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said upright member has sufficient flexibility to flex back into shape after experiencing horizontal forces caused by traffic travelling over the paving surface means.

57. A paving installation according to Claim 56, wherein said paving surface means accommodate heavy vehicle traffic. S: p

58. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said extension member is a planar extension member and wherein said upright member is a planar upright member. S,

59. A paving installation according to Claim 58, wherein said force converting means ,K o includes reinforcement means connecting said planar upright member and said planar Ct C, extension member, said reinforcemrt means including a planar reinforcing member.

A paving installation according to Claim 59, wherein said planar upright member and planar extension member have a continuous juncture line parallel to the lateral edges of said paving surface means.

61. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said paving surface means are paving stones.

62. A paving installation according to Claim 61, wherein said paving surface means accommodates heavy vehicle traffic.

63. A paving installation according to Claim 32, further comprising: i attaching means for providing a detachable mounting of at least one of said extension member and said force converting means to said upright member. p1 2V~P4V 4 t I I Sr I I, I t Its C: a I C C 1t 34

64. A paving installation according to Claim 47, wherein said upright member and said extension member are connected to one another at approximately a 900 angle.

A paving installation according to Claim 63, wherein said extension member and said force converting means comprise separate attachment sections being removably attached to said upright member.

66. A paving installation according to Claim 65, wherein said attaching means provides a sliding attachment between said upright member and said attachment sections.

67. A paving installation according to Claim 66, wherein said attaching means include projections extending out from said upright member and mating projections on said attachment sections which engage into said upright member projections.

68. A paving installation according 'to Claim 67, wherein said upright member projections extend out from said upright member in a T-shape forming slots between said upright member projections and said upright member, and said mating projections being fitted into said slots.

69. A paving installation according to Claim 65, wherein said upright member is a continuous strip and said attachment sections are removably disposed in spaced intervals on said upright member.

A paving installation according to Claim 69, wherein said spaced intervals are in the range of about 10 inches to 14 inches.

71. A paving installation according to Claim 32, wherein said upright member includes a border length parallel to said boundary of said paving surface means, said force converting means including cut out portion along intervals of said upright member, said extension member including cut out portions corresponding to said cut out portions of said force converting means. 4M1 i *L II---C-X.LIII- ~~1Ti r i

72. A paving installation according to Claim 71, wherein said cut out portions of said force converting means and said extension member are triangular sections, said triangular sections having an apex at a juncture of said force converting means and said upright member and at a juncture of said extension member and said upright member.

73. Support apparatus for edging and restraining a hard surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

74. A paving installation including support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. 9 9* ttc 9 I 19 C Cr C C C t rr2 C 4. DATED this 10th day of September, 1991 STEPHEN JONES WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS THE ATRIUM 290 BL-{WOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRAUA IAS:JJC i ~It1~