CA2226067A1 - Landscaping apparatus - Google Patents
Landscaping apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CA2226067A1 CA2226067A1 CA002226067A CA2226067A CA2226067A1 CA 2226067 A1 CA2226067 A1 CA 2226067A1 CA 002226067 A CA002226067 A CA 002226067A CA 2226067 A CA2226067 A CA 2226067A CA 2226067 A1 CA2226067 A1 CA 2226067A1
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- head portion
- central body
- landscape
- landscaping
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Abstract
A landscaping apparatus comprising a head portion and a central body having a first end and a second end, the head portion formed to link with the central body's second end in a rotatable fashion to allow two or more similar landscaping apparatus to form a structure having an angular relationship up to 180 degrees between adjacent apparatus. Preferably, the head portion is integrally connected to the central body's first end and has an outer surface of cylindrical cross-section as viewed from the top.
The central body has four substantially flat plane surfaces forming the length of the body. At central body's second end, a convex wall is formed which is adapted to form fit and link with the surface of the head portion. When two or more similar pavers are interconnected in a head portion to convex wall relation, the pavers can be arranged in a continuously rotatable fashion between 0 and 180 angular degrees.
The central body has four substantially flat plane surfaces forming the length of the body. At central body's second end, a convex wall is formed which is adapted to form fit and link with the surface of the head portion. When two or more similar pavers are interconnected in a head portion to convex wall relation, the pavers can be arranged in a continuously rotatable fashion between 0 and 180 angular degrees.
Description
Docket Number: 11056-33679 Field of the Invention This invention relates to a novel landscaping apparatus (such as a slab element, a landscape paver or a garden edger) which forms rotatable interconnecting relationships with other similar landscaping apparatus to collectively form a wide variety 5 of landscape patterns, walkways or walls. The present invention is easily assembled as groundcover, is easily rearranged on the ground as desiredj and further, is easily disassembled if necessary.
Background of the Invention Prior to the present invention, garden edger technology has been employed to - 10 provide cover for groundwork landscaping, including bricks, slabs, rocks, minerals and paving stones. In general, the consuming public has come to recognize such structural fomms as Uslab elements", Ulandscaping pavers" or simply Upavers". Prior to employing landscape pavers, the earthen area to be landscaped must be prepared by digging or tilling the ground where the user will place the pavers. Once the ground is prepared, 15 the pavers are positioned on the ground in any desired pattern. The final geometric ~ pattern of the pavers on the ground, however, is usually dictated by the particular structural design of the paver or pavers employed.
Conventional pavers have been used as walkways, paths, patios, borders and even roads. These pavers are usually constructed of a high streng'.n material ~uch as 20 concrete or cement, but can be constructed of flexible material such as plastic or Docket Number: 11 056-33679 polypropylene. Additional:~/, pavers may be made of stone, rock, clay, mud, adobe bricks or other suitable materials.
It is usually desirable to interlock or immediately adjoin each paver with another paver to achieve a predetermined pattern or design configuration on the ground. In some instances, cement is placed between each paver for structural integrity and filler, whereas in other instances, sand, grout or like material is applied between the pavers for aesthetic purposes and filler. Depending on the design of the paver and the filler used, each individual paver can be located adjacently close to the next paver (e.g., less than half an inch) or can be located further away.
0 When conventional pavers are used to provide cover for ground landscaping, the structural design of such pavers typically prevents the pavers from adapting to the wide range of landscape topographies found in many gardens and yards. In particular, most pavers are not capable of interlocking with another similar paver in a continuous, rotatable, secure fashion to allow such pavers to form angles from 90 degrees to -90 degrees as disclosed in the present invention. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,~189,574 to Tavares discloses a paver having curved exterior walls. While each of the pavers disclosed in Tavares form a rotatable relationship, the rotatable relationship is limited.
As taught by Tavares, a paver of longer length can only achieve a rotatable relationship of 12 degrees, 45 minutes with another similar paver. A paver of medium length only Z0 allows a rotatable relationship of 23 degr ~es, 30 mir!utes with another similar paver.
Finally, the Tavares paver disclosed as the shortest length has the widest degree of Docket Number: 11056-33679 rotatable relationship with another short paver, - 45 degrees, which is limited rotation for many landscape environments.
Other prior art patents disclosing pavers incapable of a continuous, partially rotatable, secure relationship are found in U.S. Patent No. 5,173,003 to Hair, 4,544,305 to Hair, 4,326,817 to Boiardi, 4,128,357 to Barth et al. and 5,259,154 to Lilley.
Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 5,080,523 to Steiner discloses an interlocking element for forming road edges.
The present invention provides a simple solution to the problem of placing pavers around and through varying topographies found in areas requiring a border such as, for example, gardens and yard landscapes. The present invention is a paver which, when connected to another similar paver, permits various geometric designs and patterns to be placed on ground topographies as a boundary or edge between various ground landscape covers (such as gravel, grass, cement walkways and similar ground covers).
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a paver form fittable and interconnectable with other similar pavers in an interlocking, continuously rotatable fashion.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a paver adapted to form fit with other similar pavers in an interconnecting, continuous rotation up to 180 degrees.
Docket Number: 11056-33679 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a paver which is easily assembled and combined with other similar pavers, to create an aesthetic ground cover pattem for various landscape environments.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single means for 5 interconnecting up to three similar pavers in an interlocking, continuously rotatable fashion.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a means for linking at least one paver to similar additional pavers to form a structure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boundary system having 10 at least one paver which is adapted to link with other similar pavers to form a variety of predefined angled structures.
Summary of the Invention The present invention consists of a cylindrical head portion and an elongated central body having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical head portion formed to 15 interlock with the central body's second end in a continuous, rotatable fashion to allow two or more pavers to form a structure having an angular relationship up to 180 degrees. Preferably, both the head and the body are substantially similar in height, with the cylindrical head portion being integrally connected to the body's first end and having an outer surface of cylindrical cross-section as viewed from the top. The central body 20 has four substantially flat plane surfaces forming the length of the body. At the body's Docket Number: 11056-33679 first end, and adjacent to the head portion, a first set of walls are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to the longer flat plane surfaces. At the body's second end, a convex wall is formed which is adapted to form fit and interlock with the cylindrical cross-section surface of another similar paver's head. At the body's second 5 end, and adjacent to the convex wall, a second set of walls are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to the longer flat plane surfaces. When two similar pavers are interlocked, the cylindrical shape of the head portion and the convex shape of the second end of the body portion allow the pavers to be arranged next to each other in a continuously rotatable fashion between 90 and -90 angular degrees, 10 thereby allowing use of a plurality of pavers to adapt to a wide range of ground topographies at a wide variety of angles as a boundary.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a top left side perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top right side perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a bottom right side perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the present invention;
Figure 6a illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a top plan view;
Docket Number: 11056-33679 Figure 6b illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a right side plan view;
Figure 6c illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a rear plan view;
Figure 6d illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a front plan view;
Figure 7a illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 0 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7b illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 45 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7c illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in an axial, or 90 degree, relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7d illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 13~degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7e illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 180degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 8a illustrates the present invention in use with two similar pavers, the present invention located in a 0 degree relation with another similar paver with regard to the positive y coordinate axis, and another similar paver in a 180 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis; and Docket Number: 11056-33679 Figure 8b illustrates the present invention in use with multiple sin.ilar pavers, one similar paver in a 0 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis, one simiiar paver in an axial, or 90 degree, relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis and another similar paver in a 180 degree relation with regard to the positive y 5 coordinate axis, wherein each paver is approximately 90 degrees apart from adjacent pavers.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention 10 is illustrated in Figure 1. As shown, landscaping apparatus 10 includes an elongated central body 11 and a head portion 31.
As seen in Figures 14, central body 11 has a first end 13 and a second end 15.
Central body 11 further has four substantially flat plane surfaces 17a (top), 17b (side), 17c (bottom) and 17d (side) forming the length of the body. At central body's first end 13, and adjacent to head portion 31, a first set of substantially flat walls 19a and 19b are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to the longer flat plane surfaces 17a-17d. Preferably, flat wall 19a is angled in 45 degrees relative to and elongated surface 17b, and flat wall 19b is angled in 45 degrees relative to elongated surface 17d.
At central body's second end 15, a convex wall 21 is formed which is adapted to form fit and interlock with the cylindrical cross-section surface 37 of another similar 20 paver's head. Convex wall 21 is preferably a substantially flat convex surface, but can DocketNumber: 11056-33679 include other predefined patterns as long as ,ts surface can link with a si~ lar paver's head portion side surface in rotatable relation.
~t central body's second end 15, and adjacent to convex wall 21, a second set ofsubstantially flat walls 23a and 23b are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to central body's longer flat plane surfaces 17a-17d. Preferably, flat wall 23a is angled in 45 degrees relative to elongated surface 17b, and flat wall 23b is angled in 45 degrees relative to and elongated surface 17d. Finally, a third substantially flat wall 25 is formed upon surface 17a which is angled in towards top surface 17a relative to central body 11 's side surfaces 17b, 17d and central body 11's second end 21. Ridge 25a is formed between flat wall 25 and side walls 17b,17d, convex wall 21 and flat walls 19a, 19b, 23a and 23b. While optional, ridge 25a is adapted to minimize damage to surface 17a when each paver is stacked one upon the other, yet further refines an aesthetically pleasing design.
Head portion 31 includes flat surface 33, side surface 37 and bottom surface 35.A continuous substantially flat wall 39 is formed upon head portion surface 33 \~uhich is angled in towards surface 33 relative to head portion 31's side surface 37. Headportion 31 is preferably a substantially flat surface, however, may include ridges or any predefined pattern, so long as side surface 37 can make contact with a similar paver's convex wall 21 in rotatable relation. Optional ridge 39a is formed between wall 39 and side surface 37 to minimize damage to surface 33 when similar pavers are stacked.
Docket Number: 11056-33679 Head portion side surface 37 is formed to interlock with central body 11's second end 15 in a continuous, rotatable fashion to allow two or more similar pavers to form a structure having an angular relationship from 0 to 180 angular degrees in the positive y coordinate direction. As such, in the preferred embodiment, head portion 31 is 5 cylindrical in shape to interconnect with convex wall 21 of central body's second end 15 of a similar paver in continuous fashion to allow more than two pavers to be arranged next to each other in rotatable relation up to 180 angular degrees, thereby allowing use of a plurality of pavers to adapt to a wide range of ground topographies at a wide variety of angles as a boundary. Clearly, those of skill in the art will realize that the 10 relationship of between 0 and 180 angular degrees between adjoining pavers is for clarity only and not a specific means of limitation. This means that if the coordinate axis chosen is different than the positive y coordinate axis, the disclosed angular relationship will change (e.g., the relationship of adjacent pavers may be between 90 degrees and 270 degrees if based upon the negative x coordinate axis; the relationship 15 of adjacent pavers may be between +90 degrees and -90 degrees if based upon the positive x coordinate axis).
Because the present invention is intended preferably for a landscaping apparatus and its structure, bottom surfaces 17c and 35 as seen in Figures 3 and 5 are substantially flat to fit any landscaping topography. Preferably, both head portion 31 20 and central body 11 are substantlally similar in height, with the cylindrical head portion 31 being integrally connected to central body 11's first end 13 and having an outer DocketNumber: 11056-33679 surface 37 of cylindrical cross-section as viewed from the top. The dimensions for the preferred embodiment are seen in Figures 6a-6d. Those of skill in the art will realize that slight modifications of these dimensions may be made while staying within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, central body 11 may be longer or shorter as desired. Further, head portion 31 may be larger or smaller as desired, as long as it interconnects with a corresponding larger or smaller convex wall 21.
In use, the ground area in which the present invention will be used is first prepared. Typically, this is done by forming channels wide enough to approximately ht the width and height of the present invention, but in certain cases, the user may want the present invention to extrude from the ground. Because of the design of the present invention, various angular paths can be prepared in the ground, such as, for example, around plants, trees and walkways, and therefore, the user is not forced into defining an exact angular relation between adjacent pavers. After the ground area is prepared, a paver of the present invention is placed in the channel as desired. Additional pavers are placed adjacent to previously placed pavers in a head portion surface 37 to~convex wall 21' relation (as seen, for example, in Figures 7a-7e). In those ground areas which are not axial or otherwise straight, convex wall 21' can be placed at a predetermined angle with respect to an adjacent paver's head portion surface-37. At a maximum, the present invention, when used with similar pavers, can achieve an angular relationship between 90 and -90 degrees for a total of 180 degrees of placement flexibility. As seen in Figure 7a, flat surface 1 9a abuts adjacent to flat surface 23a' to achieve a maximum Docket l~umber: 11056-33679 angular relation of 0 degrees with regard to the positive y coordincte axis. As seen in Figure 7e, flat surface 19b abuts adjacent to flat surface 23b' to achieve a maximum angular relation of 180 degrees with regard to the positive y coordinate axis. In either instance, surfaces 1 9a or 1 9b may contact surfaces 23a' or 23b' directly, but may not if 5 landscaping fill, such as sand, is used between adjacent pavers. For all other angular relationships between 0 and 180 degrees, neither flat surface 1 9a or 1 9b will contact flat surfaces 23a' or 23b'.
As seen in Figures 7a-7e, the present invention can be used with multiple similar landscaping devices (e.g., items 10 and 10') to form a variety of angular relationships 10 between 0 and 180 degrees. The use of multiple pavers as disclosed in the present invention along with the angular relationship between the pavers provides a landscaping border which takes care of most landscaping topographies and landscaping needs. For example, as seen in Figure 7a, the head portion 31 of the present invention 10 can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21' of a similar paver 15 10' to form a 0 degree relation in the positive y coordinate axis. Similarly, as seen in Figure 7b, the head portion 31 of the present invention can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21' of a similar paver to form a 45 degree relation in the y coordinate axis. As seen in Figure 7c, the head portion 31 of the present invention can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21' of a similar paver to form a 90 degree 20 relation in the y coordinate axis. As seen in Figures 7d and 7e, the head portion ~1 of the present invention can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21~ of a similar paver Docket Number: 11056-33679 to form 135 and 180 degree relations ir the positive y coordinate axis. 'While the relation between two similar pavers is disclosed in terms of the y coordinate direction, those of skill in the art will realize that such disclosure is for convenience only and that similar relationships are established in other coordinate directions.
Clearly, from the present disclosure, those of skill in the art will come to realize that a variety of landscape boundary structures can be formed when using more than two pavers in adjacent linking relationship. For example, as seen in Figure 8a, pavers 1 7a, 1 7a' and 1 7a" are mated adjacently so that pavers 1 7a' and 1 7a" are approximately 180 degrees apart, and approximately 90 degrees adjacent to paver 1 7a.
In this configuration, a T-shaped boundary structure is formed. Similarly, as seen in Figure 8b, pavers 17a, 17a', 17a" and 17a"' are mated adjacently so that each paver is approximately 90 degrees adjacent to any other paver. In this configuration, a plus-shaped boundary structure is formed, thereby allowing for a !ight-angled boundary structure.
The material composition of the present invention is preferably made from a mixture of cement and aggregate. Other optional materials can include sand, coloring dye, plaster materials, polymer cement, plastic, rubber, woodstock or other binders and/or fillers. While the use of any of these materials is optional and may depend on the immediate environment or the desired appearance, those of skill in the art will come to realize that the exact composition of the present invention is not as important as the Docket Number: 11056-33679 design of the present invention and the flexibility of the present invention when used with similar pavers to form a boundary or other like structures.
Whereas the drawings and accompanying description have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it shouid be apparent to 5 those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.
Background of the Invention Prior to the present invention, garden edger technology has been employed to - 10 provide cover for groundwork landscaping, including bricks, slabs, rocks, minerals and paving stones. In general, the consuming public has come to recognize such structural fomms as Uslab elements", Ulandscaping pavers" or simply Upavers". Prior to employing landscape pavers, the earthen area to be landscaped must be prepared by digging or tilling the ground where the user will place the pavers. Once the ground is prepared, 15 the pavers are positioned on the ground in any desired pattern. The final geometric ~ pattern of the pavers on the ground, however, is usually dictated by the particular structural design of the paver or pavers employed.
Conventional pavers have been used as walkways, paths, patios, borders and even roads. These pavers are usually constructed of a high streng'.n material ~uch as 20 concrete or cement, but can be constructed of flexible material such as plastic or Docket Number: 11 056-33679 polypropylene. Additional:~/, pavers may be made of stone, rock, clay, mud, adobe bricks or other suitable materials.
It is usually desirable to interlock or immediately adjoin each paver with another paver to achieve a predetermined pattern or design configuration on the ground. In some instances, cement is placed between each paver for structural integrity and filler, whereas in other instances, sand, grout or like material is applied between the pavers for aesthetic purposes and filler. Depending on the design of the paver and the filler used, each individual paver can be located adjacently close to the next paver (e.g., less than half an inch) or can be located further away.
0 When conventional pavers are used to provide cover for ground landscaping, the structural design of such pavers typically prevents the pavers from adapting to the wide range of landscape topographies found in many gardens and yards. In particular, most pavers are not capable of interlocking with another similar paver in a continuous, rotatable, secure fashion to allow such pavers to form angles from 90 degrees to -90 degrees as disclosed in the present invention. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,~189,574 to Tavares discloses a paver having curved exterior walls. While each of the pavers disclosed in Tavares form a rotatable relationship, the rotatable relationship is limited.
As taught by Tavares, a paver of longer length can only achieve a rotatable relationship of 12 degrees, 45 minutes with another similar paver. A paver of medium length only Z0 allows a rotatable relationship of 23 degr ~es, 30 mir!utes with another similar paver.
Finally, the Tavares paver disclosed as the shortest length has the widest degree of Docket Number: 11056-33679 rotatable relationship with another short paver, - 45 degrees, which is limited rotation for many landscape environments.
Other prior art patents disclosing pavers incapable of a continuous, partially rotatable, secure relationship are found in U.S. Patent No. 5,173,003 to Hair, 4,544,305 to Hair, 4,326,817 to Boiardi, 4,128,357 to Barth et al. and 5,259,154 to Lilley.
Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 5,080,523 to Steiner discloses an interlocking element for forming road edges.
The present invention provides a simple solution to the problem of placing pavers around and through varying topographies found in areas requiring a border such as, for example, gardens and yard landscapes. The present invention is a paver which, when connected to another similar paver, permits various geometric designs and patterns to be placed on ground topographies as a boundary or edge between various ground landscape covers (such as gravel, grass, cement walkways and similar ground covers).
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a paver form fittable and interconnectable with other similar pavers in an interlocking, continuously rotatable fashion.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a paver adapted to form fit with other similar pavers in an interconnecting, continuous rotation up to 180 degrees.
Docket Number: 11056-33679 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a paver which is easily assembled and combined with other similar pavers, to create an aesthetic ground cover pattem for various landscape environments.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single means for 5 interconnecting up to three similar pavers in an interlocking, continuously rotatable fashion.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a means for linking at least one paver to similar additional pavers to form a structure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boundary system having 10 at least one paver which is adapted to link with other similar pavers to form a variety of predefined angled structures.
Summary of the Invention The present invention consists of a cylindrical head portion and an elongated central body having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical head portion formed to 15 interlock with the central body's second end in a continuous, rotatable fashion to allow two or more pavers to form a structure having an angular relationship up to 180 degrees. Preferably, both the head and the body are substantially similar in height, with the cylindrical head portion being integrally connected to the body's first end and having an outer surface of cylindrical cross-section as viewed from the top. The central body 20 has four substantially flat plane surfaces forming the length of the body. At the body's Docket Number: 11056-33679 first end, and adjacent to the head portion, a first set of walls are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to the longer flat plane surfaces. At the body's second end, a convex wall is formed which is adapted to form fit and interlock with the cylindrical cross-section surface of another similar paver's head. At the body's second 5 end, and adjacent to the convex wall, a second set of walls are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to the longer flat plane surfaces. When two similar pavers are interlocked, the cylindrical shape of the head portion and the convex shape of the second end of the body portion allow the pavers to be arranged next to each other in a continuously rotatable fashion between 90 and -90 angular degrees, 10 thereby allowing use of a plurality of pavers to adapt to a wide range of ground topographies at a wide variety of angles as a boundary.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a top left side perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top right side perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a bottom right side perspective view of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the present invention;
Figure 6a illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a top plan view;
Docket Number: 11056-33679 Figure 6b illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a right side plan view;
Figure 6c illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a rear plan view;
Figure 6d illustrates the dimensions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention through a front plan view;
Figure 7a illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 0 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7b illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 45 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7c illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in an axial, or 90 degree, relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7d illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 13~degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 7e illustrates the present invention in use with a similar paver in a 180degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis;
Figure 8a illustrates the present invention in use with two similar pavers, the present invention located in a 0 degree relation with another similar paver with regard to the positive y coordinate axis, and another similar paver in a 180 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis; and Docket Number: 11056-33679 Figure 8b illustrates the present invention in use with multiple sin.ilar pavers, one similar paver in a 0 degree relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis, one simiiar paver in an axial, or 90 degree, relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis and another similar paver in a 180 degree relation with regard to the positive y 5 coordinate axis, wherein each paver is approximately 90 degrees apart from adjacent pavers.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention 10 is illustrated in Figure 1. As shown, landscaping apparatus 10 includes an elongated central body 11 and a head portion 31.
As seen in Figures 14, central body 11 has a first end 13 and a second end 15.
Central body 11 further has four substantially flat plane surfaces 17a (top), 17b (side), 17c (bottom) and 17d (side) forming the length of the body. At central body's first end 13, and adjacent to head portion 31, a first set of substantially flat walls 19a and 19b are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to the longer flat plane surfaces 17a-17d. Preferably, flat wall 19a is angled in 45 degrees relative to and elongated surface 17b, and flat wall 19b is angled in 45 degrees relative to elongated surface 17d.
At central body's second end 15, a convex wall 21 is formed which is adapted to form fit and interlock with the cylindrical cross-section surface 37 of another similar 20 paver's head. Convex wall 21 is preferably a substantially flat convex surface, but can DocketNumber: 11056-33679 include other predefined patterns as long as ,ts surface can link with a si~ lar paver's head portion side surface in rotatable relation.
~t central body's second end 15, and adjacent to convex wall 21, a second set ofsubstantially flat walls 23a and 23b are formed which are angled in towards each other relative to central body's longer flat plane surfaces 17a-17d. Preferably, flat wall 23a is angled in 45 degrees relative to elongated surface 17b, and flat wall 23b is angled in 45 degrees relative to and elongated surface 17d. Finally, a third substantially flat wall 25 is formed upon surface 17a which is angled in towards top surface 17a relative to central body 11 's side surfaces 17b, 17d and central body 11's second end 21. Ridge 25a is formed between flat wall 25 and side walls 17b,17d, convex wall 21 and flat walls 19a, 19b, 23a and 23b. While optional, ridge 25a is adapted to minimize damage to surface 17a when each paver is stacked one upon the other, yet further refines an aesthetically pleasing design.
Head portion 31 includes flat surface 33, side surface 37 and bottom surface 35.A continuous substantially flat wall 39 is formed upon head portion surface 33 \~uhich is angled in towards surface 33 relative to head portion 31's side surface 37. Headportion 31 is preferably a substantially flat surface, however, may include ridges or any predefined pattern, so long as side surface 37 can make contact with a similar paver's convex wall 21 in rotatable relation. Optional ridge 39a is formed between wall 39 and side surface 37 to minimize damage to surface 33 when similar pavers are stacked.
Docket Number: 11056-33679 Head portion side surface 37 is formed to interlock with central body 11's second end 15 in a continuous, rotatable fashion to allow two or more similar pavers to form a structure having an angular relationship from 0 to 180 angular degrees in the positive y coordinate direction. As such, in the preferred embodiment, head portion 31 is 5 cylindrical in shape to interconnect with convex wall 21 of central body's second end 15 of a similar paver in continuous fashion to allow more than two pavers to be arranged next to each other in rotatable relation up to 180 angular degrees, thereby allowing use of a plurality of pavers to adapt to a wide range of ground topographies at a wide variety of angles as a boundary. Clearly, those of skill in the art will realize that the 10 relationship of between 0 and 180 angular degrees between adjoining pavers is for clarity only and not a specific means of limitation. This means that if the coordinate axis chosen is different than the positive y coordinate axis, the disclosed angular relationship will change (e.g., the relationship of adjacent pavers may be between 90 degrees and 270 degrees if based upon the negative x coordinate axis; the relationship 15 of adjacent pavers may be between +90 degrees and -90 degrees if based upon the positive x coordinate axis).
Because the present invention is intended preferably for a landscaping apparatus and its structure, bottom surfaces 17c and 35 as seen in Figures 3 and 5 are substantially flat to fit any landscaping topography. Preferably, both head portion 31 20 and central body 11 are substantlally similar in height, with the cylindrical head portion 31 being integrally connected to central body 11's first end 13 and having an outer DocketNumber: 11056-33679 surface 37 of cylindrical cross-section as viewed from the top. The dimensions for the preferred embodiment are seen in Figures 6a-6d. Those of skill in the art will realize that slight modifications of these dimensions may be made while staying within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, central body 11 may be longer or shorter as desired. Further, head portion 31 may be larger or smaller as desired, as long as it interconnects with a corresponding larger or smaller convex wall 21.
In use, the ground area in which the present invention will be used is first prepared. Typically, this is done by forming channels wide enough to approximately ht the width and height of the present invention, but in certain cases, the user may want the present invention to extrude from the ground. Because of the design of the present invention, various angular paths can be prepared in the ground, such as, for example, around plants, trees and walkways, and therefore, the user is not forced into defining an exact angular relation between adjacent pavers. After the ground area is prepared, a paver of the present invention is placed in the channel as desired. Additional pavers are placed adjacent to previously placed pavers in a head portion surface 37 to~convex wall 21' relation (as seen, for example, in Figures 7a-7e). In those ground areas which are not axial or otherwise straight, convex wall 21' can be placed at a predetermined angle with respect to an adjacent paver's head portion surface-37. At a maximum, the present invention, when used with similar pavers, can achieve an angular relationship between 90 and -90 degrees for a total of 180 degrees of placement flexibility. As seen in Figure 7a, flat surface 1 9a abuts adjacent to flat surface 23a' to achieve a maximum Docket l~umber: 11056-33679 angular relation of 0 degrees with regard to the positive y coordincte axis. As seen in Figure 7e, flat surface 19b abuts adjacent to flat surface 23b' to achieve a maximum angular relation of 180 degrees with regard to the positive y coordinate axis. In either instance, surfaces 1 9a or 1 9b may contact surfaces 23a' or 23b' directly, but may not if 5 landscaping fill, such as sand, is used between adjacent pavers. For all other angular relationships between 0 and 180 degrees, neither flat surface 1 9a or 1 9b will contact flat surfaces 23a' or 23b'.
As seen in Figures 7a-7e, the present invention can be used with multiple similar landscaping devices (e.g., items 10 and 10') to form a variety of angular relationships 10 between 0 and 180 degrees. The use of multiple pavers as disclosed in the present invention along with the angular relationship between the pavers provides a landscaping border which takes care of most landscaping topographies and landscaping needs. For example, as seen in Figure 7a, the head portion 31 of the present invention 10 can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21' of a similar paver 15 10' to form a 0 degree relation in the positive y coordinate axis. Similarly, as seen in Figure 7b, the head portion 31 of the present invention can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21' of a similar paver to form a 45 degree relation in the y coordinate axis. As seen in Figure 7c, the head portion 31 of the present invention can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21' of a similar paver to form a 90 degree 20 relation in the y coordinate axis. As seen in Figures 7d and 7e, the head portion ~1 of the present invention can interconnect adjacent to the convex wall 21~ of a similar paver Docket Number: 11056-33679 to form 135 and 180 degree relations ir the positive y coordinate axis. 'While the relation between two similar pavers is disclosed in terms of the y coordinate direction, those of skill in the art will realize that such disclosure is for convenience only and that similar relationships are established in other coordinate directions.
Clearly, from the present disclosure, those of skill in the art will come to realize that a variety of landscape boundary structures can be formed when using more than two pavers in adjacent linking relationship. For example, as seen in Figure 8a, pavers 1 7a, 1 7a' and 1 7a" are mated adjacently so that pavers 1 7a' and 1 7a" are approximately 180 degrees apart, and approximately 90 degrees adjacent to paver 1 7a.
In this configuration, a T-shaped boundary structure is formed. Similarly, as seen in Figure 8b, pavers 17a, 17a', 17a" and 17a"' are mated adjacently so that each paver is approximately 90 degrees adjacent to any other paver. In this configuration, a plus-shaped boundary structure is formed, thereby allowing for a !ight-angled boundary structure.
The material composition of the present invention is preferably made from a mixture of cement and aggregate. Other optional materials can include sand, coloring dye, plaster materials, polymer cement, plastic, rubber, woodstock or other binders and/or fillers. While the use of any of these materials is optional and may depend on the immediate environment or the desired appearance, those of skill in the art will come to realize that the exact composition of the present invention is not as important as the Docket Number: 11056-33679 design of the present invention and the flexibility of the present invention when used with similar pavers to form a boundary or other like structures.
Whereas the drawings and accompanying description have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it shouid be apparent to 5 those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A landscaping apparatus comprising:
a. a head portion including a substantially flat top surface, an outer side surface and a flat bottom surface, the head portion having an approximately cylindrical cross section when viewed from the top surface and b. a central body having a first end and a second end; the head portion being integrally attached to the central body portion.
a. a head portion including a substantially flat top surface, an outer side surface and a flat bottom surface, the head portion having an approximately cylindrical cross section when viewed from the top surface and b. a central body having a first end and a second end; the head portion being integrally attached to the central body portion.
2. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 further including a convex wall formed at central body's second end, the convex wall adapted to fit and link with head portion's cylindrical outer side surface in rotatable relation.
3. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein the central body portion further includes four substantially flat plane surfaces forming the length of the central body.
4. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 3 further including a first pair of flat walls formed at central body's first end adjacent to the head portion, each wall of the first pair of flat walls angled in towards each other relative to the flat plane surfaces.
5. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 4 wherein the first pair of flat, walls are formed angled in towards each other at 45 degrees relative to the flat plane surfaces.
6. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 4 further including a second pair of flat walls formed at central body's second end adjacent to the convex wall, each wall of the second pair of flat walls angled in towards each other relative to the flat plane surfaces.
7. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 wherein the second pair of flat walls are formed angled in towards each other at 45 degrees relative to the flat plane surfaces.
8. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein a substantially flat continuous wall is formed upon the head portion's top surface, the continuous wall being angled in towards head portion's top surface relative to the head portion's outer side surface.
9. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 3 wherein the width of the central body and the head portion are approximately equal.
10. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein the convex wall is adapted to fit and mate with at least a second apparatus head portion's cylindrical outer side surface in an up to 180 angular degree relation relative to any coordinate axis.
11. The landscaping apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein the landscape apparatus is made from a mixture of cement and aggregate.
12. A landscape boundary formed by a plurality of interlocked landscaping apparatus of Claim 2, each landscaping apparatus adapted to form between a 0 and 180 degree maximum angular relation with regard to the positive y coordinate axis and relative to adjacent interlocked landscaping apparatus.
13. The landscape boundary of Claim 13 further including landscape fill disposed between adjacent landscaping apparatus.
14. A method of composing a landscape boundary structure composed of pavers, the method comprising:
a. obtaining a plurality of landscape apparatus of Claim 2;
b. preparing a ground area by forming a predetermined angular channel to approximately fit the width of each landscape apparatus;
c. placing a landscape apparatus in the channel; and d. positioning each subsequent landscape apparatus in the channel in a head portion of one landscape apparatus to convex wall of another landscape apparatus relation so as to achieve a rotatable angular relationship between 0 and 180 degrees with regard to the positive y coordinate axis between adjoining landscape apparatus.
a. obtaining a plurality of landscape apparatus of Claim 2;
b. preparing a ground area by forming a predetermined angular channel to approximately fit the width of each landscape apparatus;
c. placing a landscape apparatus in the channel; and d. positioning each subsequent landscape apparatus in the channel in a head portion of one landscape apparatus to convex wall of another landscape apparatus relation so as to achieve a rotatable angular relationship between 0 and 180 degrees with regard to the positive y coordinate axis between adjoining landscape apparatus.
15. The method of Claim 15 further including the step of introducing landscape fill between each adjacent landscape apparatus.
16. The method of Claim 15 further including the step of preparing the ground area by forming a predetermined angular channel to approximately fit the height of each landscape apparatus.
17. A paver comprising a head portion and a central body, the head portion being integrally formed with the central body, the head portion having an outer surface which is an approximately cylindrical cross section when viewed from the top surface, the central body having a first end and a convex wall formed at a second end, the convex wall shaped to mate with the head portion outer surface.
18. The paver of claim 17, wherein the central body portion further includes four substantially flat plane surfaces forming the length of the central body, and wherein a first pair of flat walls is formed at central body's first end adjacent to the head portion, each wall of the first pair of flat walls angled in towards each other at 45 degrees relative to the flat plane surfaces, and wherein a second pair of flat walls is formed at central body's second end adjacent to the convex wall, each wall of the second pair of flat walls angled in towards each other at 45 degrees relative to the flat plane surfaces.
19. The paver or claim 18 wherein the convex wall is adapted to fit and mate with the head portion's outer surface in an up to 180 angular degree relation relative to a predefined coordinate axis.
20. The paver of claim 18 wherein the width of the central body and the head portion are approximately equal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US99215497A | 1997-12-17 | 1997-12-17 | |
| US08/992,154 | 1997-12-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2226067A1 true CA2226067A1 (en) | 1999-06-17 |
Family
ID=29420976
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002226067A Abandoned CA2226067A1 (en) | 1997-12-17 | 1997-12-30 | Landscaping apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2226067A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10731303B2 (en) | 2018-10-05 | 2020-08-04 | Brentwood Industries, Inc. | Ground reinforcing structure and related method |
-
1997
- 1997-12-30 CA CA002226067A patent/CA2226067A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10731303B2 (en) | 2018-10-05 | 2020-08-04 | Brentwood Industries, Inc. | Ground reinforcing structure and related method |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20011231 |