IES67077B2 - Artificial hedging - Google Patents

Abstract

Artificial hedging (9) is provided which comprises an open work semi-rigid supporting structure (5), preferably of wire or cord, in combination with one or more lengths (7) of a flexible artificial branch and leaf material formed by twisting at least two strands (1,2) of wire or cord about at least one ribbon of polymeric film material pre-cut from both sides to define artificial leaves extending from a central uncut portion of the ribbon so as to give the realistic appearance of a branch (3) and leaves (4), of a plant species such as a conifer, in which the artificial branch and leaf material is interwoven with the supporting structure, which preferably defines an open mesh structure, for example open mesh wire fencing (6). The lengths of artificial branch and leaf material are preferably supplied in a kit for the user to weave through the supporting structure, or may be woven through a mesh structure and supplied in finished roll form to the user.

Description

The present invention relates to artificial hedging and to a method of making an artificial hedge, in particular a screen of unlimited length which has the appearance of a hedge It is known to make branch sections for artificial Christmas trees by twisting together two strands of soft steel wire, whilst at the same time introducing at least one sheet of polymeric firm material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) between the wires as they are twisted together. The film sheets are fed between the wires in the form of one or more ribbons which have previously been slit with a series of parallel cuts from each side edge, but not extending to the centre of the ribbon. Preferably, at least two ribbons of PVC film material are used, one narrower ribbon of brown PVC material, and one wider ribbon of green PVC material, which have been slit as described above, are introduced together, which give a finished effect of a branch and leaves or needles of a coniferous tree, after the twisted material is spun and cut into the required lengths. The PVC film material in sheet form is pre-processed by cutting into ribbons or tapes, unwound from a reel and then slit to form the leaves by means of a rotary chopper, which may be a continuous process prior to introduction between the strands of wire. A similar process is used, although with lighter weight materials, in the manufacture of tinsel. It will be appreciated that this process may be used to manufacture an artificial branch and leaf product in which the soft wire is replaced by any flexible material capable of binding the polymeric film material when twisted together, and wherein the film material may be cut or slit in a variety of different ways to produce leaves resembling different plant species commonly used in planting hedges or screens, e.g. not limited to conifers but including privet, box, laurel, etc.

The present invention relates to a novel application for this 1 product for making a very realistic artificial hedging which may be used as a decorative or functional screening in place of traditional fencing, for example wire mesh fencing, or for covering plain concrete block walls, so as to give the more pleasing appearance of a hedge. - 2 S< Artificial hedging made in accordance with the invention may be used for example as a screening to surround parking lots, unsightly areas where refuse may be stored or generally as a fencing having a natural appearance, for example, at racecourses, golf courses, or as a surrounding for tennis courts or swimming pools. However, it is particularly suited to use in private gardens as it is easy for the homeowner to assemble and erect from a kit.

Accordingly, the present invention provides artificial hedging comprising an open work semi-rigid supporting structure, preferably of wire or cord, in combination with one or more lengths of a flexible artificial branch and leaf material formed by twisting at least two strands of wire or cord about at least one ribbon of polymeric film material pre-cut from both sides to define artificial leaves extending from a central uncut portion of the ribbon so as to give the realistic appearance of a branch and leaves, in which the artificial branch and leaf material is interwoven with the supporting structure, which preferably defines an open mesh structure.

The invention also provides a method of making artificial hedging comprising the steps of : erecting an open work semi-rigid supporting structure, weaving one or more lengths of a flexible material forming an artificial branch with leaves through the structure so as to overlap each other along the length of the structure.

The invention also provides artificial hedging made in accordance with this method, or wherein the flexible artificial branch and leaf material has been pre-woven through the mesh before erection, thereby providing artificial hedging in roll form.

Preferably, the flexible material comprises two strands of soft steel wire, for example of 20-gauge, twisted together around at least one ribbon of polymeric film material, previously slit or cut from both sides so as to form leaves extending from a central uncut portion of the ribbon. Most preferably three ribbons of polyvinylchloride film - 3 material are employed, two of which are brown in colour, one being green in colour, pre-cut as described above to form leaves resembling conifer needles. The semi-rigid supporting structure is preferably a standard chain-link wire fencing, but parallel lengths of wire or cord may be arranged between posts or against an existing structure such as a wall to provide an open work supporting structure, but a mesh structure is generally preferred. Lengths of approximately 1 metre of the flexible artificial branch and leaf material are preferably supplied which are woven through or otherwise bound to the supporting structure in a parallel and overlapping fashion, preferably in a vertical direction. Most preferably, lengths of the flexible material are woven through the supporting structure in parallel overlapping fashion in a substantially vertical direction, from opposite sides of the supporting structure if this is a mesh, substantially so as to occlude light from passing through the resultant artificial hedging, when a dense artificial hedging is required.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flexible material representing a single artificial branch for use in making the artificial hedging, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of artificial hedging, with a section of fencing used as a supporting structure still exposed, as made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a branch section which is made in accordance with a method, known per se. wherein two strands of soft gauge wire 1,2 are twisted whilst feeding previously slit ribbons of PVC film material between the wire such that the slit sections of the ribbons project from the twisted wire to give the appearance of leaves. It is preferred to use two narrower brown ribbons of PVC to form a dense covering 3 for the wire and which, from a distance, resembles a branch, and one wider green ribbon 4 of PVC is entwined with these, such that when subjected to a final spinning step, the slit portions of the ribbons separate out and those of the green ribbon give the appearance of conifer leaves or - 4 needles. The leaves have a tendency to project at an angle from the twisted wire on account of the direction of the twist, which enhances the realistic appearance. It will be appreciated that the wire is quite flexible, so that the finished artificial branch and leaf material can easily be cut into sections and bent to any desired shape.

In the present invention, the flexible artificial branch and leaf material may be supplied in a roll and cut into lengths on site, or alternatively supplied in pre-cut lengths of 1 metre in a kit. For example, a supporting structure such as a fence 5 may first be erected made from standard chain-link heavy gauge wire 6 as shown in Figure 2. The artificial branch and leaf lengths are then woven through the mesh, as shown for example by branch 7 in Figure 2. This process is repeated by hand working from one side of the fence as shown at 8 in Figure 2. This provides a screening, which may be adequate in some circumstances, but the wire mesh is still visible.

Working from the opposite side of the fence, lengths of the flexible artificial branch and leaf material are then woven through the exposed mesh so as to provide a more dense screening as shown at 9 in Figure 2, which process is continued along the length of the fencing to produce an instant artificial hedging in accordance with the invention. Preferably, 40 lengths of branch and leaf material per metre of fencing are threaded through the fencing to create a suitable density where the wire mesh becomes substantially invisible and very little light passes through the hedging so that it forms a very good screening.

Thus, an instant hedging or screening can be formed from an existing wire mesh fence or may be specially erected where desired, by threading the flexible artificial branch and leaf material through the mesh or other supporting structure on site or by erecting a pre-woven artificial hedging as described above which may be provided on a large roll. The artificial hedging according to the invention has the advantage of a realistic appearance, weathers well and does not fade, and of course never requires clipping or maintenance so always maintains a neat appearance.

Claims (5)

1. Artificial hedging (9) comprising an open work semi-rigid supporting structure (5), preferably of wire or cord, in combination with one or more lengths (7) of a flexible artificial branch and leaf material formed by twisting at least two strands (1,2) of wire or cord about at least one ribbon of polymeric film material pre-cut from both sides to define artificial leaves extending from a central uncut portion of the ribbon so as to give the realistic appearance of a branch (3) and leaves (4), in which the artificial branch and leaf material is interwoven with the supporting structure, which preferably defines an open mesh structure.

2. Artificial hedging according to claim 1, wherein two strands 20-gauge soft steel wire are employed with three ribbons of polyvinylchloride film material, two of which are brown in colour, one being green in colour, and which have been pre-slit to form leaves in the form of needles resembling a conifer.

3. A method of making artificial hedging (9) comprising the steps of : erecting an open work semi-rigid supporting structure (5), preferably an open mesh wire fencing (5), weaving one or more lengths (7) of a flexible material forming an artificial branch with leaves through the structure so as to overlap each other along the length of the structure.

4. Artificial hedging made in accordance with the method of claim 3, wherein the flexible artificial branch and leaf material has been pre-woven through the mesh before erection, thereby providing artificial hedging in roll form.

5. Artificial hedging in accordance with claim 1 and substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.