GB2283769A

GB2283769A - Paving unit, e.g. for walkway above lawn

Info

Publication number: GB2283769A
Application number: GB9323515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jennifer Marquise Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-11-15
Filing date: 1993-11-15
Publication date: 1995-05-17
Also published as: GB9323515D0

Abstract

A platform unit enabling a user to walk over a lawn or other surface comprises a generally flat square platform 10 having a flat-bottomed foot 12 projecting from the bottom of the platform 10 at each of its four corners. A plurality of platform units may be laid end-to-end to form a walkway over the lawn or other surface. The platform and feet are apertured to allow light and air to reach the lawn. <IMAGE>

Description

LAWN PLATFORM UNIT This invention relates to a unit for use as a platform for example on a lawn, to enable a user to walk over a lawn without treading on the lawn itself, although the platform may be used for other purposes also.

From time-to-time, a lawn is unable to bear footmarks without being damaged, for example when the lawn is too wet from'watering or when it is frosty. Laying a mat on the lawn leads to suffocation of the grass, prevents photosynthesis and accordingly causes the lawn to rot.

I have now devised a unit which can be laid on the lawn to enable a user to walk over the lawn without treading on the lawn itself, whilst overcoming the problems noted above. The unit may be used in similar manner over other surfaces where it is either desired to protect those surfaces or present the user's feet coming into contact with, and being contaminated by, those surfaces.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a platform unit which comprises a generally flat, square or rectangular platform having a generally flat-bottomed foot projecting from the bottom of the platform at each of its corners.

In use, the platform may be laid for example on the lawn together with a number of identical such units, preferably end-to-end, to form an appropriate walkway.

Preferably the generally flat platform is formed with a number of apertures. Preferably each foot has a bottom of generally circular form and preferably each foot is also formed with a number of apertures.

Preferably a spike projects from the bottom of each foot at its centre.

Preferably the unit is formed in one-piece as a plastics injection moulding.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows in its left-half a top view and in its right-half a bottom view of a unit in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 2 is a side view of the unit shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a unit in accordance with this invention, the unit comprising a generally flat, square platform 10 having feet 12 projecting from its bottom at each of its corners. The unit is formed as a onepiece injection moulding. The platform 10 is formed with a number of apertures 11: it will be seen from Figure 1 that the apertures 11 are triangular and arranged in four groups of four, each group of four apertures 11 forming a square having portions 13 of the platform 10 forming diagonals of that square. The apertures 11 reduce the weight of the unit but are small enough to prevent anyone putting their foot through the platform by accident.

Each foot 12 of the unit has a generally flat bottom for resting on the ground: each foot extends for three quarters of a circle around the outside of the corner of the unit. Each foot is apertured as at 14 to reduce the weight of the unit. A spike 15 projects from the bottom of each foot 12 at its centre.

In use, several of the units are laid for example on the lawn, resting on the lawn by way of their feet 12 and with the spikes 15 penetrating into the ground to give stability.

The bottoms of the feet 12 are small enough that only a relatively small area of the lawn is contacted by the unit, but large enough to sufficiently spread the weight such that the feet do not form unsightly depressions in the ground.

The apertures 11 enable sunlight to pass to the grass.

The apertures 11 also ensure that any rainwater will drain away, rather than being retained as a pool on the top of the unit and so presenting the user with difficulties when he picks the unit up again.

As mentioned previously, several of the units may be laid on other surfaces, to form a platform in a similar manner.

Claims

1) A platform unit which comprises a generally flat, square or rectangular platform having a generally flat-bottomed foot projection from the platform at each of its corners.

2) A platform unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the generally flat platform is formed with a number of apertures.

3) A platform unit as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which each foot has a bottom of generally circular form.

4) A platform unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each foot is formed with a number of apertures.

5) A platform unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a spike projects from the bottom of each foot at its centre.

6) A platform unit as claimed in any preceding claim, formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

7) A platform unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.