GB2340719A

GB2340719A - Device for use as lawn edging or line marking.

Info

Publication number: GB2340719A
Application number: GB9818409A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Ernest Garner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-25
Filing date: 1998-08-25
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Also published as: GB9818409D0

Abstract

A ground engaging device comprises a tongue 10 which, in use, lies against the ground and a barbed stem 12, 14 which is inserted into the ground to hold the device in position. The device may be used e.g. as a lawn edging or for marking out sports pitches. As a lawn edging the device preferably has the shape of an inverted L (Fig 2A). For line marking it is preferably T shaped, having two tongues 10A, 10B extending from the stem 12. A barbed spike (16, Fig 2A) may also be used to hold the lawn edging in place. The tongues may be tapered from the stem to the tip and the angle between the tongues and the stem may be slightly less than 90{ with the tongue being flexible enough to be flattened against the ground when the device is fixed in position.

Description

2340719 Ground Marking Device This invention relates to a ground marking

device, which in one embodiment takes the form of a lawn edging.

According to the invention, there is provided a ground marking device comprising a tongue for overlying the ground and a barbed stem dependent from the tongue and for entry into the soil to hold the tongue in position.

The barbs are preferably flexible.

One embodiment of device, intended to demarcate ground areas such as areas designated for sports, has twin tongues on opposite sides of the barbed stem.

Another embodiment of device is in the form of a lawn edging wherein the tongue and the barbed stem form an approximate L-shape.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the ground marking device, making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figures IA to IC show a ground line-marking device in end view, in perspective and in use, respectively; and Figures 2A to 2C show a lawn edging device in end view, in perspective and in use, whilst Figure 2D shows a spike for use with the lawn edging device.

7"he line-marking device of Figure I comprises twin tongues 10A, IOB from which is dependent a stem 12 having barbs 14.

-2 The device could be extruded of aluminium but is preferably extruded of a U/V resistant plastics material, e.g. UPVC, and cut to any required length. In any C case, the barbs 14 are of a flexible nature, as are the thin, tapered tongues 10A, lOB, which inherently are inclined slightly upwards towards one another, the stem 12 being dependent from the apex.

In use, having driven the stem partly into the ground along the line to be marked, e.g. the edge of a football pitch, the extrusion is rolled or pressed into the ground until the tongues are flat to the ground surface. When the downward pressure is relieved, the tapered tongues will exert an upward force on the extrusion, causing the barbs 14 to bite into the soil.

After installation, the tongues lie substantially flat to the ground and do not affect use of a roller or mower. However, a series of the device, which can be in any chosen colour, provide a permanent line marking not washed away by rain or the like.

I'lie lawn edging section of Figure 2, which may also be an extrusion of U/V resistant plastics material, has a tapered tongue 10 and a barbed stem 12 forming an approximate L-shape. In this case, the stem 12 has flexible barbs 14A on one side only, namely the side from which the tongue extends.

In use, the device is placed along the cut edge of a lawn with the tapered tongue overlying the surface of the lawn. While the tongue is pressed down, accompanied by tongue flexure, a barbed spike 16 is driven through the device into the soil beneath the lawn, in order to hold the device in position. The spike 16 may be driven in through the stem as illustrated, or through the tongue.

When the pressure on the tongue 10 is relieved, the barbs 14A on the stem 12 will bite into the soil as an upward force is exerted on the extrusion by the tongue, so that the tongue will remain substantially flat to the surface of the lawn, t> -3enabling a mower to pass over the device without damage to either.

Tlie device may be produced with curvature or as a corner piece, or if extruded may be made sufficiently flexible that, with the aid of two or more spikes, it can be deformed into a curved condition matching the curved edge of a lawn. Ilie device may again be produced in various colours.

Moreover, again in any of various colours, the device may be formed into the shapes of numerals or letters, for example so that the number or name of a house can be indicated by a marking in the lawn, without interfering with the use of a roller or mower.

1

Claims

1. A ground marking device comprising a tongue for overlying the ground and a barbed stem dependent from the tongue and for entry into the soil to hold the tongue in position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the stem has flexible barbs.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, having twin tongues on opposite sides of the barbed stem.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the tongues are inherently inclined upwardly to a central apex from which the barbed stem is dependent, said tongues being sufficiently flexible at least partially to flatten to the surface of the ground when the stem is driven downwardly into the soil.

5. A device according to claim 1, in the form of a lawn edging wherein the tongue and the barbed stem form an approximate L-shape.

6. A device according to claim 5, in combination with a barbed spike for driving through the tongue or stem into the soil beneath the surface of the lawn.

7. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the angle between the tongue and the barbed stem is inherently less than 90 degrees and the tongue is sufficiendy flexible to flatten towards the surface of the lawn when the device is fixed in position.

8. A device according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the stem has barbs only on the side thereof from which the tongue extends.

9. A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, made of plastics material or aluminium.

10. A device according to any of claims 1 to 9, which is extruded and cut to length.

11. A device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tongue or tongues taper in thickness from the stem to a minimal thickness free edge.

12. A ground marking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.