CA2533097A1 - Lawn edging device - Google Patents
Lawn edging device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2533097A1 CA2533097A1 CA002533097A CA2533097A CA2533097A1 CA 2533097 A1 CA2533097 A1 CA 2533097A1 CA 002533097 A CA002533097 A CA 002533097A CA 2533097 A CA2533097 A CA 2533097A CA 2533097 A1 CA2533097 A1 CA 2533097A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- landscape edging
- section
- stake
- landscape
- connector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Abstract
A landscape-edging device is disclosed which may be used to segregate dissimilar landscaping schemes by positioning the device into the soil.
The landscape edging is made of flexible strips, designed for continuous end-to-end attachment. The edging is attached to the soil by stakes. The edging system is designed so that stakes are removably attached to the device. The individual sections are joined together by a connector that is nested within open channels on one face of the lawn edging device and secured in place to the adjacent lawn edging sections by one or more buttons that releasably seat within holes in the lawn edging section. Each section can be cut to size, if needed, to tailor the joined sections to a particular landscape scheme. The lawn edging device is generally symmetric in cross section about a horizontal equator of the device.
The lawn edging device is easily adapted and configured to a particular landscape scheme because it is severable to meet size requirements. Moreover, the connection system is easily and securely applied to the adjacent sections and the sections are symmetric allowing for easy orientation and installation.
The landscape edging is made of flexible strips, designed for continuous end-to-end attachment. The edging is attached to the soil by stakes. The edging system is designed so that stakes are removably attached to the device. The individual sections are joined together by a connector that is nested within open channels on one face of the lawn edging device and secured in place to the adjacent lawn edging sections by one or more buttons that releasably seat within holes in the lawn edging section. Each section can be cut to size, if needed, to tailor the joined sections to a particular landscape scheme. The lawn edging device is generally symmetric in cross section about a horizontal equator of the device.
The lawn edging device is easily adapted and configured to a particular landscape scheme because it is severable to meet size requirements. Moreover, the connection system is easily and securely applied to the adjacent sections and the sections are symmetric allowing for easy orientation and installation.
Description
LAWN EDGING DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of landscape barriers, and particularly to the design of flexible landscape edging sections utilizing stakes for attachment to the soil in which the sections are joined together by a connector.
The segregation of various areas of a garden or landscape scheme from a dissimilar neighboring landscape is often aesthetically and functionally desirable. Problems often arise when installing the flexible edging materials io into the soil. A number of well-known landscape barrier systems are currently available, including wooden logs, flexible metal strips, flexible plastic strips, clay forms, stone, and brick. All of these systems satisfactorily segregate the landscape schemes with certain differences noted in their overall performances.
Of all of the landscape barrier systems commercially available, i5 flexible strips made of materials such as metal and plastic are among the most popular due to their flexible design options, durability and low cost. These systems allow for end-to-end series attachment of like sections of the system.
This permits the construction of a continuous and uninterrupted landscape barrier of any length desired. The systems can be used to block the growth of roots between vegetation and incompatible neighboring vegetation, or between vegetation and a non-living landscape scheme. The edging system is often placed low into the soil to block the growth of roots across the edging line.
Such systems can also be used to decoratively segregate dissimilar landscape schemes where root blocking is not the objective. In these instances, it is not necessary to place the edging as deeply into the soil. In either case, it is advantageous to Zo attach the edging system to the soil with stakes. The stakes are positioned intermittently along the length of the flexible strip.
One well-recognized problem with landscape edging products, particularly in colder climatic areas, where freezing and thawing cause the ground to heave in response to temperature variations between freezing and i5 thawing. Such ground movements have the tendency to force landscape edging out of the ground over time. It is, of course, desirable not to have the landscape edging products gradually move upwardly out of the ground as the ground heaves.
Another problem with known systems involves the ability, or lack 2o thereof, to conform the system to a specific installation geometry. Typical edging systems generally comprise a plurality of edging strips which are connected together and curved in a geometrical shape (such as a circle) which requires the ends of the strip to be connected together. Many different shapes of edging strips have been conceived for connecting the ends of strips together, 25 many of them requiring a separate connector coupling or a specific relationship of the edging ends to the stakes which hold the edging in the ground.
Preferably, the connector scheme should be easily and efficiently implemented.
Such requirement is particularly evident when using one strip curved so that the two ends thereof are to be connected together. To avoid the use of a separate connector, some edging devices provide specially-prepared ends of complementary configurations which permit the ends to be spliced to one another. However, such designs require predetermined special lengths of edging material for different shapes and sizes of installations since they preclude cutting the edging strips at any desired length at the installation site.
io The usual practice among landscape architects is to first assemble the edge strips alongside of the trench into which the edging strip is to be placed. This procedure gives the landscape architect an opportunity to visualize the arrangement and place any required bends into the edging strip before the edging strip is assembled and laid into the trench. However, one problem i5 associated with known edging strip assemblies, is that when the edging strips are connected end-to-end and oriented alongside the trench, an effort to move the connected edging strips into the trench will oftentimes result in the edging strips becoming disconnected. Accordingly, an interconnection feature between the edging strip sections should not become disconnected as the edging strip is 2o moved outside of the trench therefor. Moreover, a lawn edging device which can easily be assembled, modified as needed and installed into the trench is highly desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-described and other problems with prior art lawn 25 edging devices have been resolved by this invention. In one embodiment, the lawn edging device of this invention is constructed from a flexible thermoplastic material such as PVC or the like and manufactured in elongate, typically 8 foot long, sections. The individual sections are joined together by a connector that is nested within open channels on one face of the lawn edging device and secured in place to the adjacent lawn edging sections by one or more buttons that releasably seat within holes in the lawn edging section. Each section can be cut to size, if needed, to tailor the joined sections to a particular landscape scheme.
The lawn edging device is generally symmetric in cross section about a horizontal equator of the device. Opposed hook-shaped connectors io project from one face of the lawn edging device to form the channel and mate with the connector. On the opposite face of the lawn edging device, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending ribs project on either side of a central portion of the device. The upper and lower edges of the device each include a generally rounded bead.
i5 The lawn edging device is intended to be buried in the ground for separating various planting or landscape areas. An elongate stake is driven down at an angle through a slot in the lawn edging device to secure it in place.
Advantageously, the lawn edging device is easily adapted and configured to a particular landscape scheme because it is severable to meet size requirements.
2o Moreover, the connection system is easily and securely applied to the adjacent sections and the sections are symmetric allowing for easy orientation and installation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of landscape barriers, and particularly to the design of flexible landscape edging sections utilizing stakes for attachment to the soil in which the sections are joined together by a connector.
The segregation of various areas of a garden or landscape scheme from a dissimilar neighboring landscape is often aesthetically and functionally desirable. Problems often arise when installing the flexible edging materials io into the soil. A number of well-known landscape barrier systems are currently available, including wooden logs, flexible metal strips, flexible plastic strips, clay forms, stone, and brick. All of these systems satisfactorily segregate the landscape schemes with certain differences noted in their overall performances.
Of all of the landscape barrier systems commercially available, i5 flexible strips made of materials such as metal and plastic are among the most popular due to their flexible design options, durability and low cost. These systems allow for end-to-end series attachment of like sections of the system.
This permits the construction of a continuous and uninterrupted landscape barrier of any length desired. The systems can be used to block the growth of roots between vegetation and incompatible neighboring vegetation, or between vegetation and a non-living landscape scheme. The edging system is often placed low into the soil to block the growth of roots across the edging line.
Such systems can also be used to decoratively segregate dissimilar landscape schemes where root blocking is not the objective. In these instances, it is not necessary to place the edging as deeply into the soil. In either case, it is advantageous to Zo attach the edging system to the soil with stakes. The stakes are positioned intermittently along the length of the flexible strip.
One well-recognized problem with landscape edging products, particularly in colder climatic areas, where freezing and thawing cause the ground to heave in response to temperature variations between freezing and i5 thawing. Such ground movements have the tendency to force landscape edging out of the ground over time. It is, of course, desirable not to have the landscape edging products gradually move upwardly out of the ground as the ground heaves.
Another problem with known systems involves the ability, or lack 2o thereof, to conform the system to a specific installation geometry. Typical edging systems generally comprise a plurality of edging strips which are connected together and curved in a geometrical shape (such as a circle) which requires the ends of the strip to be connected together. Many different shapes of edging strips have been conceived for connecting the ends of strips together, 25 many of them requiring a separate connector coupling or a specific relationship of the edging ends to the stakes which hold the edging in the ground.
Preferably, the connector scheme should be easily and efficiently implemented.
Such requirement is particularly evident when using one strip curved so that the two ends thereof are to be connected together. To avoid the use of a separate connector, some edging devices provide specially-prepared ends of complementary configurations which permit the ends to be spliced to one another. However, such designs require predetermined special lengths of edging material for different shapes and sizes of installations since they preclude cutting the edging strips at any desired length at the installation site.
io The usual practice among landscape architects is to first assemble the edge strips alongside of the trench into which the edging strip is to be placed. This procedure gives the landscape architect an opportunity to visualize the arrangement and place any required bends into the edging strip before the edging strip is assembled and laid into the trench. However, one problem i5 associated with known edging strip assemblies, is that when the edging strips are connected end-to-end and oriented alongside the trench, an effort to move the connected edging strips into the trench will oftentimes result in the edging strips becoming disconnected. Accordingly, an interconnection feature between the edging strip sections should not become disconnected as the edging strip is 2o moved outside of the trench therefor. Moreover, a lawn edging device which can easily be assembled, modified as needed and installed into the trench is highly desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-described and other problems with prior art lawn 25 edging devices have been resolved by this invention. In one embodiment, the lawn edging device of this invention is constructed from a flexible thermoplastic material such as PVC or the like and manufactured in elongate, typically 8 foot long, sections. The individual sections are joined together by a connector that is nested within open channels on one face of the lawn edging device and secured in place to the adjacent lawn edging sections by one or more buttons that releasably seat within holes in the lawn edging section. Each section can be cut to size, if needed, to tailor the joined sections to a particular landscape scheme.
The lawn edging device is generally symmetric in cross section about a horizontal equator of the device. Opposed hook-shaped connectors io project from one face of the lawn edging device to form the channel and mate with the connector. On the opposite face of the lawn edging device, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending ribs project on either side of a central portion of the device. The upper and lower edges of the device each include a generally rounded bead.
i5 The lawn edging device is intended to be buried in the ground for separating various planting or landscape areas. An elongate stake is driven down at an angle through a slot in the lawn edging device to secure it in place.
Advantageously, the lawn edging device is easily adapted and configured to a particular landscape scheme because it is severable to meet size requirements.
2o Moreover, the connection system is easily and securely applied to the adjacent sections and the sections are symmetric allowing for easy orientation and installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. ~ is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a section of lawn edging according to this invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 4 is one side elevational view of the lawn edging section;
io Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the edging section;
Fig. 6 is an opposite side elevational view of the edging section;
Fig. ~ is a top elevational view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of an adjacent pair of lawn edging i5 sections joined together by a connector of this invention;
Fig. 9A is a front perspective view of the connector;
Fig. io is a cross-sectional view taken along line io-io of Fig. 9 with the sections buried in the ground;
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line m-m of Fig. 10;
2o Fig. i2 is a cross-sectional view of the lawn edging section buried in the ground;
Fig. i3 is a cross-sectional view of a stake securing the lawn edging section in the ground;
Fig. i4 is a perspective view of a stake adaptor according to 25 another embodiment of this invention; and Fig. i5 is a cross-sectional view of the stake adaptor coupled to the lawn edging device and secured in the ground by a stake according to this embodiment of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in the attached Figs, i-i3, one embodiment of a lawn or landscape edging device, indicated generally at io, according to this invention is shown. The lawn edging device ~o is adapted to be planted into the ground i2 to create a border around gardens, flower beds, trees and other landscape features.
The lawn edging device io includes basically three components; namely, lawn or io landscape edging sections iq., connectors i6 and stakes ~8. The lawn edging sections i4 are each preferably made of a rigid PVC material although other thermoplastic materials may be used such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene or other suitably flexible and durable materials.
In one embodiment, each of the lawn edging sections ~4 is i5 manufactured in roughly 8 foot lengths and the lawn edging section i4 has a total height of approximately four inches. While one preferred material for the lawn edging section i4 is rigid PVC, due to the nature of that material and the elongate configuration of the sections i4, they are readily bendable to produce curved lawn edging borders or the like. Moreover, the materials of the lawn 2o edging sections i4 are capable of being severed, sawed, cut or otherwise trimmed to appropriate lengths as required for a particular application or installation.
As shown in various views throughout Figs. i-8, one embodiment of each lawn edging section i4 according to this invention is generally 25 symmetric about a longitudinal or horizontal plane. In other words, the top and _7-bottom halves of each section z4 are mirror images of one another. Therefore, the detailed description of the invention herein may refer to a top or a bottom for orientation and clarification only, but it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the lawn edging sections 14 may be reversed or inverted without altering their function, description or utilization.
Each lawn edging section i4 includes a rounded elongate bead 20 along the top or bottom edge of the section. The bead 2o is joined to an adjacent wall portion 22 of the lawn edging section i4 which is generally planar on a front face 24 of the section i4 and has an L-shaped hook 26 projecting io rearwardly from a back face 28 thereof. In combination, the top and bottom L-shaped hooks 26 confront one another to define a channel 3o there between.
Each lawn edging section iq. also has a central wall section 32 extending medially along the length of the section i4. One or more circular holes 3q are provided at spaced locations in the central wall section 32 and the function of i5 these holes 34 will be described later herein. The lawn edging section i4 also includes a pair of stiffening ribs 36 which project from the front face 24 of the section i4 and corresponding grooves 38 on the back face 28 adjacent one of the channels 30. The stiffening ribs 36 are spaced on opposite sides of the central wall section 32 and include a series of spaced generally elongated oval-shaped 2o slots 40. The slots q.o are adapted to receive there through the stakes i8 to secure the lawn edging section ~4 in the ground 12 as will be described later herein (Fig. ig).
As shown particularly in Figs. 9-m, terminal longitudinal ends 42 of adjacent lawn edging sections 14 are joined together by a connector i6 25 according to this invention. In one embodiment, the connector ~6 is generally symmetric about both a central vertical axis and a central longitudinal axis.
The _8_ connector 16 includes a generally plate-like structure ~ having a pair of spaced ribs 46 extending longitudinally on a front face 48 of the connector i6. The ribs q.6 are sized and configured to be seated within the grooves 38 on the back face 28 of the edging sections i4. A generally circular button 5o is formed adjacent each longitudinal end of the connector i6 on a terminal end of a cantilevered tang 52. The tang 52 is formed by a generally U-shaped slot or cut 54 in the plate ~ of the connector i6. The cross-sectional configuration of the button is generally circular and an upper face of the button includes a bevel 56 directed toward the adjacent terminal end of the connector plate i6. The buttons 5o are io sized and configured to seat within one of the holes 34 in the central wall section 32 of the lawn edging sections iq.
One advantage of this invention over many prior art lawn edging devices is that the lateral ends 42 of the sections i4 are securely coupled together with the connector 16 without the need to overlap the lateral ends 42 i~ onto one another. In many cases, a secure and robust connection of the ends requires an overlapping configuration which is often difficult and cumbersome to achieve in the field, does not fully utilize the entire length of the sections and results in an unsightly joint. In other cases when a butt joint is used, the connection is easily pulled apart or fails in use or during installation. This 2o invention obtains the benefits of a butt joint with a robust, secure connection.
As shown in Fig. i3, the stakes i8 are generally L-shaped with an elongate leg 58 and a short leg 60 oriented roughly 45° relative to one another.
The stakes i8 are sized and configured to fit within the oval-shaped slots qo of the lawn edging section iq to secure the assembled lawn edging device io in the 25 ground i2. The stakes i8 may be buried below ground level upon installation as shown in Fig. i3.
In use, an installer will assemble the appropriate length and member of lawn edging sections i4 adjacent a landscape area to be bound by the lawn edging device io. Advantageously, the lawn edging sections i4 may be cut, severed or otherwise trimmed to provide the appropriate length of lawn edging device io once all of the sections i4 are joined together with connectors i6.
A
trench, slit or the like is formed in the ground i2 and adapted to receive the assembled lawn edging device io therein. The lawn edging sections i4 are laid end-to-end along the trench and advantageously, due to the symmetric configuration of the sections i4, their orientation is not critical to proper installation provided that the similarly configured faces 24, 28 of the lawn edging sections i4 are similarly oriented so that the connectors i6 may be appropriately installed.
To join the adjacent lawn edging sections i4 together, the connector plate 4q. is slid longitudinally into the terminal end 42 of one of the sections ~4 with the ribs 46 on the connector 16 seated within the grooves 38 in the lawn edging section i4. Likewise, the terminal longitudinal edges of the connector i6 are seated within the hooks 26 projecting from the rear face 28 of the lawn edging section ~4 and the connector ~6 is seated within the channel defined by the hooks 26. The connector i6 is slid into the channel 3o and the 2o bevel 56 of the button So slides along the back face 28 of the central wall section 32 while the tang 52 deflects rearwardly away from the back face 28. The button 5o slides along the back face 28 of the center wall section 32 of the lawn edging section i4 until the button 5o reaches one of the holes 34 and becomes seated therein. At that time, the cantilevered tang 52 pushes the button So through the 25 hole 34 thereby releasably locking the connector ~6 to one of the lawn edging sections i4.
A plurality of spaced holes 34 may be provided in the lawn edging section i4 or only at the appropriately spaced distance from the terminal longitudinal edge 42 of the lawn edging section i4 to receive the button 50 on one end of the connector i6. If the lawn edging section i4 has been cut or severed, then the installer may easily drill an appropriately sized and positioned hole 34 in the center wall section 32 to receive the button 50 of the connector i6.
To complete the connection, the adjacent wall edging section i4 is slid onto the exposed half of the connector i6 projecting from the attached lawn edging section i4 with the edges of the connector i6 seated within the hooks 26 and io channel 30 of the adjacent lawn edging section i4. The adjacent lawn edging section i4 is slid onto the connector i6 until the terminal edges 42 of the lawn edging sections i4 abut with one another and/or the button 50 on the tang 52 of the connector i6 is seated within one of the holes 34 in the adjacent lawn edging section i4. At this point, the lawn edging sections i4 are securely and releasably i5 connected together for installation into the ground i2.
This connection process may be repeated until each of the lawn edging sections i4 are assembled to form the lawn edging device io and then the entire device io inserted into the ground i2 or the lawn edging sections i4 may be sequentially connected to the adjacent section iq while being inserted~into 2o the trench into the ground i2. After the assembled lawn edging device io is in the trench of the ground i2, the stakes i8 are driven through the slots 4o at spaced locations in the device io to securely anchor the device io in the ground i2 as shown in Fig. i3.
Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figs. iq-i5 in 25 which a stake adaptor 62 is coupled to the channel 30 of the lawn edging section i4 and secured in the ground i2 by a spike, nail or stake i8a. In this embodiment, the stake 18a is driven into the ground 12 generally vertically as opposed to the angular orientation shown in the embodiment of Fig. 13. In some applications, the vertical orientation of the stake 18a may be preferred.
If so, then the stake adaptor 62 is coupled to the lawn edging section 14 as shown in Fig. 15.
The stake adaptor 62 includes a generally rectangular plate 64 with a major dimension that is sized and configured to mate with the channel of the lawn edging section 14. A generally U-shaped bracket 66 is formed on the back face of the plate 64 and includes top and bottom legs 68 projecting to perpendicularly from the plate64. A stake hole ~o is formed in each leg 68 of the bracket 66 and is adapted to receive the stake 18a driven through the bracket 66 to secure the stake adaptor 62 and attached lawn edging device 14 in the ground 12. The stake adaptor 62 may be molded from rigid PVC and is symmetric about a horizontal plane laterally bisecting the plate 64 and bracket 15 66. Therefore, the stake adaptor 62 and lawn edging section 14 coupled together form a symmetric unit that can be inverted top to bottom or bottom to top without changing its function or utility.
In various alternative embodiments of the device shown in Figs.
14-15, the stake adaptor 62 may be utilized as a connector to join lateral ends 42 20 of the sections 14 together and to receive the stake 18a there through.
Moreover, the arrangement shown in Figs. 14-15 may be utilized not only for a landscape or lawn edging device, but also as a concrete form when pouring sidewalks, driveways, curbs or the like. In such applications, the device is re-usable and each section 14 may have a planar front face 24 to retain the concrete 25 until it is cured and the device removed.
From the above disclosure of the general principles of This invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.
We claim:
The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. ~ is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a section of lawn edging according to this invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 4 is one side elevational view of the lawn edging section;
io Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the edging section;
Fig. 6 is an opposite side elevational view of the edging section;
Fig. ~ is a top elevational view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the lawn edging section;
Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of an adjacent pair of lawn edging i5 sections joined together by a connector of this invention;
Fig. 9A is a front perspective view of the connector;
Fig. io is a cross-sectional view taken along line io-io of Fig. 9 with the sections buried in the ground;
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line m-m of Fig. 10;
2o Fig. i2 is a cross-sectional view of the lawn edging section buried in the ground;
Fig. i3 is a cross-sectional view of a stake securing the lawn edging section in the ground;
Fig. i4 is a perspective view of a stake adaptor according to 25 another embodiment of this invention; and Fig. i5 is a cross-sectional view of the stake adaptor coupled to the lawn edging device and secured in the ground by a stake according to this embodiment of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in the attached Figs, i-i3, one embodiment of a lawn or landscape edging device, indicated generally at io, according to this invention is shown. The lawn edging device ~o is adapted to be planted into the ground i2 to create a border around gardens, flower beds, trees and other landscape features.
The lawn edging device io includes basically three components; namely, lawn or io landscape edging sections iq., connectors i6 and stakes ~8. The lawn edging sections i4 are each preferably made of a rigid PVC material although other thermoplastic materials may be used such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene or other suitably flexible and durable materials.
In one embodiment, each of the lawn edging sections ~4 is i5 manufactured in roughly 8 foot lengths and the lawn edging section i4 has a total height of approximately four inches. While one preferred material for the lawn edging section i4 is rigid PVC, due to the nature of that material and the elongate configuration of the sections i4, they are readily bendable to produce curved lawn edging borders or the like. Moreover, the materials of the lawn 2o edging sections i4 are capable of being severed, sawed, cut or otherwise trimmed to appropriate lengths as required for a particular application or installation.
As shown in various views throughout Figs. i-8, one embodiment of each lawn edging section i4 according to this invention is generally 25 symmetric about a longitudinal or horizontal plane. In other words, the top and _7-bottom halves of each section z4 are mirror images of one another. Therefore, the detailed description of the invention herein may refer to a top or a bottom for orientation and clarification only, but it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the lawn edging sections 14 may be reversed or inverted without altering their function, description or utilization.
Each lawn edging section i4 includes a rounded elongate bead 20 along the top or bottom edge of the section. The bead 2o is joined to an adjacent wall portion 22 of the lawn edging section i4 which is generally planar on a front face 24 of the section i4 and has an L-shaped hook 26 projecting io rearwardly from a back face 28 thereof. In combination, the top and bottom L-shaped hooks 26 confront one another to define a channel 3o there between.
Each lawn edging section iq. also has a central wall section 32 extending medially along the length of the section i4. One or more circular holes 3q are provided at spaced locations in the central wall section 32 and the function of i5 these holes 34 will be described later herein. The lawn edging section i4 also includes a pair of stiffening ribs 36 which project from the front face 24 of the section i4 and corresponding grooves 38 on the back face 28 adjacent one of the channels 30. The stiffening ribs 36 are spaced on opposite sides of the central wall section 32 and include a series of spaced generally elongated oval-shaped 2o slots 40. The slots q.o are adapted to receive there through the stakes i8 to secure the lawn edging section ~4 in the ground 12 as will be described later herein (Fig. ig).
As shown particularly in Figs. 9-m, terminal longitudinal ends 42 of adjacent lawn edging sections 14 are joined together by a connector i6 25 according to this invention. In one embodiment, the connector ~6 is generally symmetric about both a central vertical axis and a central longitudinal axis.
The _8_ connector 16 includes a generally plate-like structure ~ having a pair of spaced ribs 46 extending longitudinally on a front face 48 of the connector i6. The ribs q.6 are sized and configured to be seated within the grooves 38 on the back face 28 of the edging sections i4. A generally circular button 5o is formed adjacent each longitudinal end of the connector i6 on a terminal end of a cantilevered tang 52. The tang 52 is formed by a generally U-shaped slot or cut 54 in the plate ~ of the connector i6. The cross-sectional configuration of the button is generally circular and an upper face of the button includes a bevel 56 directed toward the adjacent terminal end of the connector plate i6. The buttons 5o are io sized and configured to seat within one of the holes 34 in the central wall section 32 of the lawn edging sections iq.
One advantage of this invention over many prior art lawn edging devices is that the lateral ends 42 of the sections i4 are securely coupled together with the connector 16 without the need to overlap the lateral ends 42 i~ onto one another. In many cases, a secure and robust connection of the ends requires an overlapping configuration which is often difficult and cumbersome to achieve in the field, does not fully utilize the entire length of the sections and results in an unsightly joint. In other cases when a butt joint is used, the connection is easily pulled apart or fails in use or during installation. This 2o invention obtains the benefits of a butt joint with a robust, secure connection.
As shown in Fig. i3, the stakes i8 are generally L-shaped with an elongate leg 58 and a short leg 60 oriented roughly 45° relative to one another.
The stakes i8 are sized and configured to fit within the oval-shaped slots qo of the lawn edging section iq to secure the assembled lawn edging device io in the 25 ground i2. The stakes i8 may be buried below ground level upon installation as shown in Fig. i3.
In use, an installer will assemble the appropriate length and member of lawn edging sections i4 adjacent a landscape area to be bound by the lawn edging device io. Advantageously, the lawn edging sections i4 may be cut, severed or otherwise trimmed to provide the appropriate length of lawn edging device io once all of the sections i4 are joined together with connectors i6.
A
trench, slit or the like is formed in the ground i2 and adapted to receive the assembled lawn edging device io therein. The lawn edging sections i4 are laid end-to-end along the trench and advantageously, due to the symmetric configuration of the sections i4, their orientation is not critical to proper installation provided that the similarly configured faces 24, 28 of the lawn edging sections i4 are similarly oriented so that the connectors i6 may be appropriately installed.
To join the adjacent lawn edging sections i4 together, the connector plate 4q. is slid longitudinally into the terminal end 42 of one of the sections ~4 with the ribs 46 on the connector 16 seated within the grooves 38 in the lawn edging section i4. Likewise, the terminal longitudinal edges of the connector i6 are seated within the hooks 26 projecting from the rear face 28 of the lawn edging section ~4 and the connector ~6 is seated within the channel defined by the hooks 26. The connector i6 is slid into the channel 3o and the 2o bevel 56 of the button So slides along the back face 28 of the central wall section 32 while the tang 52 deflects rearwardly away from the back face 28. The button 5o slides along the back face 28 of the center wall section 32 of the lawn edging section i4 until the button 5o reaches one of the holes 34 and becomes seated therein. At that time, the cantilevered tang 52 pushes the button So through the 25 hole 34 thereby releasably locking the connector ~6 to one of the lawn edging sections i4.
A plurality of spaced holes 34 may be provided in the lawn edging section i4 or only at the appropriately spaced distance from the terminal longitudinal edge 42 of the lawn edging section i4 to receive the button 50 on one end of the connector i6. If the lawn edging section i4 has been cut or severed, then the installer may easily drill an appropriately sized and positioned hole 34 in the center wall section 32 to receive the button 50 of the connector i6.
To complete the connection, the adjacent wall edging section i4 is slid onto the exposed half of the connector i6 projecting from the attached lawn edging section i4 with the edges of the connector i6 seated within the hooks 26 and io channel 30 of the adjacent lawn edging section i4. The adjacent lawn edging section i4 is slid onto the connector i6 until the terminal edges 42 of the lawn edging sections i4 abut with one another and/or the button 50 on the tang 52 of the connector i6 is seated within one of the holes 34 in the adjacent lawn edging section i4. At this point, the lawn edging sections i4 are securely and releasably i5 connected together for installation into the ground i2.
This connection process may be repeated until each of the lawn edging sections i4 are assembled to form the lawn edging device io and then the entire device io inserted into the ground i2 or the lawn edging sections i4 may be sequentially connected to the adjacent section iq while being inserted~into 2o the trench into the ground i2. After the assembled lawn edging device io is in the trench of the ground i2, the stakes i8 are driven through the slots 4o at spaced locations in the device io to securely anchor the device io in the ground i2 as shown in Fig. i3.
Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figs. iq-i5 in 25 which a stake adaptor 62 is coupled to the channel 30 of the lawn edging section i4 and secured in the ground i2 by a spike, nail or stake i8a. In this embodiment, the stake 18a is driven into the ground 12 generally vertically as opposed to the angular orientation shown in the embodiment of Fig. 13. In some applications, the vertical orientation of the stake 18a may be preferred.
If so, then the stake adaptor 62 is coupled to the lawn edging section 14 as shown in Fig. 15.
The stake adaptor 62 includes a generally rectangular plate 64 with a major dimension that is sized and configured to mate with the channel of the lawn edging section 14. A generally U-shaped bracket 66 is formed on the back face of the plate 64 and includes top and bottom legs 68 projecting to perpendicularly from the plate64. A stake hole ~o is formed in each leg 68 of the bracket 66 and is adapted to receive the stake 18a driven through the bracket 66 to secure the stake adaptor 62 and attached lawn edging device 14 in the ground 12. The stake adaptor 62 may be molded from rigid PVC and is symmetric about a horizontal plane laterally bisecting the plate 64 and bracket 15 66. Therefore, the stake adaptor 62 and lawn edging section 14 coupled together form a symmetric unit that can be inverted top to bottom or bottom to top without changing its function or utility.
In various alternative embodiments of the device shown in Figs.
14-15, the stake adaptor 62 may be utilized as a connector to join lateral ends 42 20 of the sections 14 together and to receive the stake 18a there through.
Moreover, the arrangement shown in Figs. 14-15 may be utilized not only for a landscape or lawn edging device, but also as a concrete form when pouring sidewalks, driveways, curbs or the like. In such applications, the device is re-usable and each section 14 may have a planar front face 24 to retain the concrete 25 until it is cured and the device removed.
From the above disclosure of the general principles of This invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.
We claim:
Claims (17)
1. A landscape edging device comprising:
at least one elongate flexible landscape edging section adapted to be implanted into the ground, each landscape edging section having a front face, back face, top edge, bottom edge and spaced lateral ends and a pair of holes in the landscape edging section, each hole being located proximate one of the lateral ends; and at least one connector adapted to join a pair of the lateral ends together, each connector having a pair of buttons and each button being adapted to be seated in one of the holes to releasably join the lateral ends together.
at least one elongate flexible landscape edging section adapted to be implanted into the ground, each landscape edging section having a front face, back face, top edge, bottom edge and spaced lateral ends and a pair of holes in the landscape edging section, each hole being located proximate one of the lateral ends; and at least one connector adapted to join a pair of the lateral ends together, each connector having a pair of buttons and each button being adapted to be seated in one of the holes to releasably join the lateral ends together.
2. The landscape edging device of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of slots in each landscape edging section; and a plurality of stakes each adapted to be inserted through one of the slots to secure the landscape edging device in the ground.
a plurality of slots in each landscape edging section; and a plurality of stakes each adapted to be inserted through one of the slots to secure the landscape edging device in the ground.
3. The landscape edging device of claim 2 wherein the stakes are each inserted orthogonally relative to the faces of the associated landscape edging section.
4. The landscape edging device of claim 1 further comprising:
a channel formed on the back face of each landscape edging section and adapted to retain the connector therein.
a channel formed on the back face of each landscape edging section and adapted to retain the connector therein.
5. The landscape edging device of claim 4 wherein the channel is formed by a pair of confronting hooks on the back face of each landscape edging section.
6. The landscape edging device of claim 1 wherein each landscape edging section is symmetric about a longitudinal plane.
7. The landscape edging device of claim 1 further comprising:
a pair of tangs on the connector, each tang being deflectable relative to a remainder of the connector and each of the buttons being located on a distal end of one of the tangs.
a pair of tangs on the connector, each tang being deflectable relative to a remainder of the connector and each of the buttons being located on a distal end of one of the tangs.
8. The landscape edging device of claim 1 further comprising:
a stake adaptor releasably coupled to one of the landscape edging sections and having at least one stake hole; and a stake adapted to be inserted generally parallel to the faces of the landscape edging section and through the stake hole to secure the device in the ground.
a stake adaptor releasably coupled to one of the landscape edging sections and having at least one stake hole; and a stake adapted to be inserted generally parallel to the faces of the landscape edging section and through the stake hole to secure the device in the ground.
9. A landscape edging device comprising:
a plurality of elongate flexible landscape edging sections adapted to be implanted into the ground, each landscape edging section having a front face, back face, top edge, bottom edge and spaced lateral ends;
wherein each landscape edging section is symmetric about a longitudinal plane;
a pair of holes in the landscape edging section, each hole being located proximate one of the lateral ends;
at least one connector adapted to join a pair of the lateral ends together;
a pair of tangs on the connector, each tang being deflectable relative to a remainder of the connector;
a pair of buttons each located on a distal end of one of the tangs, each button being adapted to be seated in one of the holes to releasably join the lateral ends together;
a channel formed on the back face of each landscape edging section and adapted to retain the connector therein;
a plurality of slots in each landscape edging section; and a plurality of stakes each adapted to be inserted orthogonally relative to the faces of the associated landscape edging section and through one of the slots to secure the landscape edging device in the ground.
a plurality of elongate flexible landscape edging sections adapted to be implanted into the ground, each landscape edging section having a front face, back face, top edge, bottom edge and spaced lateral ends;
wherein each landscape edging section is symmetric about a longitudinal plane;
a pair of holes in the landscape edging section, each hole being located proximate one of the lateral ends;
at least one connector adapted to join a pair of the lateral ends together;
a pair of tangs on the connector, each tang being deflectable relative to a remainder of the connector;
a pair of buttons each located on a distal end of one of the tangs, each button being adapted to be seated in one of the holes to releasably join the lateral ends together;
a channel formed on the back face of each landscape edging section and adapted to retain the connector therein;
a plurality of slots in each landscape edging section; and a plurality of stakes each adapted to be inserted orthogonally relative to the faces of the associated landscape edging section and through one of the slots to secure the landscape edging device in the ground.
10. The landscape edging device of claim 9 further comprising:
a stake adaptor releasably coupled to one of the landscape edging sections and having at least one stake hole;
wherein one of the stakes is adapted to be inserted generally parallel to the faces of the landscape edging section and through the stake hole to secure the device in the ground.
a stake adaptor releasably coupled to one of the landscape edging sections and having at least one stake hole;
wherein one of the stakes is adapted to be inserted generally parallel to the faces of the landscape edging section and through the stake hole to secure the device in the ground.
11. A landscape edging device comprising:
at least one elongate flexible landscape edging section adapted to be implanted into the ground, each landscape edging section having a front face, back face, top edge, bottom edge and spaced lateral ends;
a stake adaptor releasably coupled to one of the landscape edging sections and having at least one stake hole; and a stake adapted to be inserted through the stake hole to secure the device in the ground.
at least one elongate flexible landscape edging section adapted to be implanted into the ground, each landscape edging section having a front face, back face, top edge, bottom edge and spaced lateral ends;
a stake adaptor releasably coupled to one of the landscape edging sections and having at least one stake hole; and a stake adapted to be inserted through the stake hole to secure the device in the ground.
12. The landscape edging device of claim 11 wherein the stake is inserted generally parallel to the faces of the landscape edging section and through the stake hole.
13. The landscape edging device of claim 11 further comprising:
a channel formed on the back face of each landscape edging section and adapted to retain the stake adaptor therein.
a channel formed on the back face of each landscape edging section and adapted to retain the stake adaptor therein.
14. The landscape edging device of claim 11 wherein the stake adaptor spans a juncture between a pair of the lateral ends juxtaposed together to thereby releasably join the lateral ends together.
15. The landscape edging device of claim 11 wherein each landscape edging section and each stake adaptor is symmetric about a longitudinal plane.
16. The landscape edging device of claim 11 wherein the stake adaptor further comprises:
a generally planar plate; and a generally U-shaped bracket mounted to the plate with a pair of legs projecting generally perpendicularly from the plate and each leg having one of the stake holes formed therein.
a generally planar plate; and a generally U-shaped bracket mounted to the plate with a pair of legs projecting generally perpendicularly from the plate and each leg having one of the stake holes formed therein.
17. The landscape edging device of claim 11 further comprising:
a pair of holes in the landscape edging section; and at least one connector adapted to join a pair of the lateral ends together, each connector having a pair of buttons and each button being adapted to be seated in one of the holes to releasably join the lateral ends together.
a pair of holes in the landscape edging section; and at least one connector adapted to join a pair of the lateral ends together, each connector having a pair of buttons and each button being adapted to be seated in one of the holes to releasably join the lateral ends together.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US21129005A | 2005-08-25 | 2005-08-25 | |
| US11/211,290 | 2005-08-25 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2533097A1 true CA2533097A1 (en) | 2007-02-25 |
| CA2533097C CA2533097C (en) | 2013-04-02 |
Family
ID=37806537
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2533097A Expired - Fee Related CA2533097C (en) | 2005-08-25 | 2006-01-13 | Lawn edging device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2533097C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2005202186B2 (en) * | 2004-05-21 | 2010-10-21 | Link Edge Holdings Pty Ltd | Edging improvements |
| AU2014101255B4 (en) * | 2014-10-15 | 2015-10-08 | Haysom, Robert Henry Mr | Garden edging system |
-
2006
- 2006-01-13 CA CA2533097A patent/CA2533097C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2005202186B2 (en) * | 2004-05-21 | 2010-10-21 | Link Edge Holdings Pty Ltd | Edging improvements |
| AU2005202186C1 (en) * | 2004-05-21 | 2013-11-28 | Link Edge Holdings Pty Ltd | Edging improvements |
| AU2014101255B4 (en) * | 2014-10-15 | 2015-10-08 | Haysom, Robert Henry Mr | Garden edging system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2533097C (en) | 2013-04-02 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6449897B1 (en) | Landscape edging system having adjustable blocks with recesses | |
| US6012254A (en) | Trenchless landscape edging system | |
| US8266844B2 (en) | Paved surface restraint and method of installation | |
| US6226934B1 (en) | Landscape edging system having block attachment member | |
| US6324782B1 (en) | Landscape edging system having block with recess | |
| US20080163566A1 (en) | Multi-dimensional paver edging | |
| US5212917A (en) | Brick edging device | |
| US5993107A (en) | Paver block edging system | |
| EP1275294B1 (en) | Lawn edging | |
| US5456045A (en) | Lawn edging strip | |
| US8702346B2 (en) | Landscaping channel liner | |
| US5092076A (en) | Planter edging landscaping system | |
| US6085458A (en) | Lawn edging | |
| US5379546A (en) | Bed divider | |
| US6185893B1 (en) | Paving block system | |
| US7774993B2 (en) | Elongated edging assembly | |
| US4823521A (en) | Landscaping bed divider | |
| US20090013597A1 (en) | Landscape edging strips | |
| US20030024157A1 (en) | Lawn edging strip with improved end connectors | |
| US6502349B1 (en) | Lawn and garden edging device | |
| US20210084838A1 (en) | Six-device-in-one material-saving consumer-and-manufacturer-cost-saving shipping-volume-saving multi-barrier-locking multi-root-gripping-and-water-flowing anti-digging garden-and-tree-protecting vertical-truck-bed-extender-and-tonneau-cover stackable landscape barrier | |
| US8322087B1 (en) | Modular landscape border apparatuses and systems | |
| CA2533097C (en) | Lawn edging device | |
| US20060283114A1 (en) | Decorative borders | |
| GB2357416A (en) | Lawn edging device and method |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20180115 |