U.S. patent application number 12/846994 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for elongated edging assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bravo Foxtrot Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bradley D. LeGare, Frederick P. Strobl, JR..
Application Number | 20100293871 12/846994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38865455 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100293871 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Strobl, JR.; Frederick P. ;
et al. |
November 25, 2010 |
Elongated Edging Assembly
Abstract
An elongated edging assembly for holding landscaping and/or
paving materials and the like in place in a predetermined location.
The assembly may be made up of first and second elongated edger
members which each include an elongated upright material retaining
plate and a connector located adjacent an end of the corresponding
member. The connectors desirably include respective mating
interengageable components located on the plates near the ends
thereof. The components are configured and adapted to cooperate to
interconnect the members and maintain the ends of the respective
plates in substantial abutting relationship with the plates in
substantial alignment. The members may ideally be arranged as a
neat packet of related objects including a pair of elongated
members configured, arranged, aligned and joined together so as to
present a single elongated construct having an open interior. At
least one accessory item for said members is arranged within the
open interior.
Inventors: |
Strobl, JR.; Frederick P.;
(Cary, IL) ; LeGare; Bradley D.; (St. Charles,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STINSON MORRISON HECKER LLP;ATTN: PATENT GROUP
1201 WALNUT STREET, SUITE 2800
KANSAS CITY
MO
64106-2150
US
|
Assignee: |
Bravo Foxtrot Holdings,
Inc.
St. Charles
IL
|
Family ID: |
38865455 |
Appl. No.: |
12/846994 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11543573 |
Oct 5, 2006 |
7774993 |
|
|
12846994 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 11/221 20130101;
A01G 9/28 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/102 |
International
Class: |
A01G 1/08 20060101
A01G001/08 |
Claims
1. A packet of related objects comprising: a pair of elongated
pieces, each piece having a generally L-shaped transverse
cross-sectional configuration, said pieces being configured,
arranged, aligned and joined together so as to present a single
elongated construct having an open interior and a generally
rectangular transverse cross-sectional configuration; and a pack
comprising at least one accessory item for said elongated pieces,
said pack including a securing element having at least one mounting
projection, at least one of said elongated pieces having a mounting
hole provided therein, said hole being positioned so as to open
into the interior of the construct, said securing element being
mounted in said interior with said projection extending into said
hole.
2. A packet as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pieces, said
securing element and said accessory are all formed of molded
plastic.
3. A packet as set forth in claim 2, wherein said securing element
and said accessory are formed as a single molded item.
4. A packet as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pieces are
identical.
5. A packet as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pieces are
lengths of plastic edging and said accessory is a spike for holding
at least one of the pieces in position on the ground.
6. A packet as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pieces each have
a said hole therein and said securing element has two of said
projections, said holes being spaced apart and disposed in
alignment, said projections being spaced apart and aligned, there
being a said projection in each said hole.
7. A packet as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pieces are
identical.
8. A packet as set forth in claim 7, wherein said pieces are
lengths of plastic edging and said pack includes a plurality of
said accessories, said accessories being spikes for holding the
pieces in position on the ground.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of currently pending
application Ser. No. 11/543,573 filed Oct. 5, 2006, the entirety of
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to elongated edging or holding
devices having particular utility for holding landscaping and/or
paving materials in place in defined areas. In particular the
invention relates to such devices which are flexible and economical
to install and which adapt readily to various shapes of areas. Even
more particularly the invention relates to a novel connector
structure whereby a plurality of the devices may be readily
arranged in end-to-end relationship and held securely together in
an edge defining array.
[0004] 2. The Prior Art Background
[0005] Elongated landscape retaining or edging strips are elongated
barriers installed longitudinally along the surface of the ground
such that the barrier is substantially perpendicular to the ground.
Such edging strips are used in diverse applications including such
things as the retention and/or separation of beds of earth or other
landscaping fill (i.e., gravel, decorative rock, bark, dirt, sand,
mulch) or the retention and maintenance of paving materials, (i.e.,
bricks, paving stones, rock, gravel, etc.).
[0006] Restraining strips that are secured to the ground for
holding paving and landscape materials in place have been used for
ages. Many of these prior art devices are difficult to install and
sometimes require the digging of trenches for installation.
Moreover, such retaining strips, while sometimes bendable in a
horizontal plane perpendicular to the ground, often lack the
vertical flexibility needed to conform to changes in ground slope
while maintaining a perpendicular relationship between the ground
surface and the retaining strip barrier. Such inflexibility
sometimes necessitates the inclusion of a vertically angled joint
to accommodate a significant change in ground slope. And even when
such joints are used, the inability of a given strip to conform to
changes in ground slope will result in occasional gaps between the
ground and the strip. Grass and/or debris can encroach underneath
the strip through such gaps. These prior art devices also generally
are susceptible to a serious problem of tending to pull up out of
the ground, particularly when the ground is subject to heaving by
freezing or changes in moisture content. Many of the prior devices
consist of relatively complicated assemblies such that the precise
alignment and overlap of a relatively large number of segments is
unnecessarily complicated, time-consuming, and tedious.
[0007] Landscape restraining strips must have sufficient mechanical
strength to avoid gross deformation by downward or lateral forces.
Such strength is particularly critical when the landscape edging
devices are used to retain such things as, for example, the gravel
in gravel walkways, because of the tendency of the gravel to shift
laterally when it is walked upon. However, flat vertical wall
restraining strips of the past that have adequate mechanical
strength to withstand this lateral force are generally not
sufficiently flexible to allow the same to conform easily to
changes in ground slope.
[0008] Another problem with prior art edging devices is that for
practical reasons the same must be made in smaller lengths and must
therefore be connected together usually at the job site. Present
day connectors are often deficient and incapable of totally
resisting the multitude of forces which are imposed on the devices
during installation and use. That is to say, while a given device
might be capable of resisting forces or twisting imposed in one
direction, the same device might be incapable of resisting forces
or twisting imposed in a different direction. This is particularly
true when one considers the forces imposed on the connectors used
for connecting a plurality of separate lengths of edging together
and holding the same in alignment. Accordingly, there has been a
long standing need for the provision of edging devices which are
readily yet sturdily interconnectable in end-to-end
relationship.
[0009] Prior art edging devices are shown in United States Patents
Nos. U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,343, U.S. Pa. No. 5,375,941, U.S. Pat. No.
6,071,038, Re 33,550, U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,159 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,409,421. The entireties of the disclosures of these enumerated
patents are incorporated herein by this specific reference
thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To address certain of the issues and shortcomings of the
prior art and to advance the state of the edger art generally, in
one important aspect the present invention provides an elongated
edging assembly for holding landscaping and/or paving materials and
the like in place in a predetermined location The assembly
desirably comprises a first elongated edger member including a
first elongated upright material retaining plate and a connector
located adjacent an end of the first member and a second elongated
edger member including a second elongated upright material
retaining plate and a connector located adjacent an end of the
second member The connectors include respective mating
interengageable components located on the plates near the ends
thereof. The components are configured and adapted to cooperate to
interconnect the members and maintain the ends of the respective
plates in substantial abutting relationship with the plates in
substantial alignment.
[0011] The mating components mentioned above preferably may include
a tongue on one of the plates and a complementary tongue receiving
groove on another of the plates. Desirably the tongue may be
located on a surface of one of the plates. Ideally the tongue and
the groove may be elongated and arranged so as to extend upwardly
of the plates and the groove may be further arranged so as to
extend upwardly for only a portion of the height of the plate at
the upper end thereof. In a particularly desirable aspect of the
invention, the groove may be defined in a shelf extending away from
an end of the plate on which it is mounted and the same may be
configured to present a longitudinally extending ridge positioned
to project into a longitudinally extending interdependent channel
disposed behind the tongue.
[0012] In another important aspect the invention may include the
provision of an outwardly extending support construct for each
member and the connectors may include respective mating,
interengageable elements located on the support constructs.
Preferably the support constructs may be attached to the plates
adjacent lower edges of the latter and the constructs may be
configured and arranged so as to extend longitudinally of the
plates.
[0013] In yet another important aspect of the invention, the
members may include a debris excluding shield located at the end of
one of the plates. Such shield may appropriately be configured and
arranged so as to overlap an adjacent portion of a surface of
another plate. Ideally, the shelf defining the groove may be
mounted at an outer edge of the shield.
[0014] Importantly, the tongue and the groove may be configured and
arranged for engagement by longitudinal sliding of the tongue into
the groove. Alternatively, the tongue and groove may be configured
for engagement by snapping the tongue into the groove.
[0015] In another preferred and desirable aspect of the invention,
the members may each include an outwardly extending support
construct attached to a surface of the corresponding plate. Ideally
the support constructs each may comprise a plurality of
longitudinally spaced, outwardly extending footing structures. A
brace may be provided on each footing structure, and in a
particularly preferred form of the invention, the braces may
comprise nail bosses. In another desirable form of the invention,
each brace may comprise a gusset extending between a surface of the
corresponding plate and the nail boss.
[0016] Preferably, one of the connector elements on the support
constructs may comprise one of the braces and the other of support
elements may comprise a bonnet for the brace. In addition, the
connector may include a cover for a gusset.
[0017] In another very important aspect the invention provides an
elongated edging member for holding landscaping and/or paving
materials and the like in place in a predetermined location. In
accordance with this aspect of the invention, the member may
include an elongated upright material retaining plate, a first
connector including a first component located on the plate near an
end thereof, and a second connector including a second component
located on the plate near an opposite end thereof. Preferably the
components are configured, adapted and arranged to cooperate such
that if the member were to be cut laterally into said two separate
longitudinally extending segments, each having a separate plate
segment, said connectors would be able to interconnect the segments
of the member so that adjacent ends of the respective plate
segments are in substantial abutting relationship and in
substantial longitudinal alignment.
[0018] In yet another important aspect, the invention provides an
elongated edging assembly for holding landscaping and/or paving
materials and the like in place in a predetermined location which
comprises first and second edger members, each of which is
desirably made up of an elongated upright material retaining plate
and a outwardly extending support construct attached to the plate.
The edger members are ideally adapted and arranged for being
interconnected in longitudinal alignment with adjacent ends of the
respective plates in substantial abutting relationship presenting
an abutment seam therebetween. In accordance with this aspect of
the invention, the members include a debris excluding shield
located at the end of the plate. Such shield may desirably include
a first segment disposed and configured to overlap the seam.
Suitably the shield may include a second segment disposed in
contact with the support construct of another member when the
members are in abutting relationship. Ideally, the first segment of
the shield may be disposed and configured to overlap part of a
surface of the plate of the abutting member and the second segment
of the shield may be disposed and configured to overlap part of an
upper surface of the support construct of the abutting member. In a
particularly preferred form of the invention, the first segment of
the shield may be elongated and arranged to extend vertically for
essentially the entire height of the plate of the abutting
member.
[0019] In yet another important aspect the invention provides a
neat packet of related objects. In accordance with this important
aspect of the invention, the packet may comprise a pair of
elongated pieces, each of which has a generally L-shaped transverse
cross-sectional configuration. The pieces are desirably configured,
arranged, aligned and joined together so as to present a single
elongated construct having an open interior and a generally
rectangular transverse cross-sectional configuration. The packet
further may include at least one accessory item for the pieces and
a securing element including at least one mounting projection. The
accessory item may be attached to the securing element so as to
present a single pack. At least one of the elongated pieces
desirably has a mounting hole provided therein and such hole may be
positioned so as to open into the interior of the construct. The
pack may be suspended within the interior of the packet by mounting
the securing element in the interior of the packet with its
projection extending into the mounting hole. Preferably the pieces,
the securing element and the accessory items may all be formed of
molded plastic. Desirably the securing element and the accessory
item may be formed as a single molded item. Alternatively the pack
may comprise a blister pack containing the accessory item and the
mounting projection may be formed as part of or attached to the
blister pack.
[0020] Ideally, the pieces of the packet may be identical and the
same may appropriately be lengths of plastic edging, and said
accessory may be a spike for holding at least one of the pieces in
position on the ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the upper portions of an
elongated edger member which embodies the concepts and principles
of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric fragmentary view depicting
the upper areas of the elongated edger member of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an isometric fragmentary view depicting the upper
portions of an elongated edging assembly made up of two abutting
edging members;
[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 3 but depicting
the edging members in a vertically exploded relationship;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a top plan view depicting the assembly of FIG.
3;
[0026] FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view depicting the tongue
component of the connector of FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 5B is an enlarged fragmentary view depicting the groove
component of the connector of FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 6 is an isometric fragmentary view depicting the
underneath areas of the left hand member of FIG. 3;
[0029] FIG. 7 is an angular fragmentary elevational view depicting
the relationship between the edging assembly of FIG. 3 and a spike
for holding the same against the ground;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a schematic view depicting the manner in which the
assembly of FIG. 3 is used to define a landscape installation;
[0031] FIG. 9A is an isometric fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3
but depicting an alternative form of an elongated edging assembly
which embodies the concepts and principles of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 9B is an isometric fragmentary view illustrating an
alternative form of an elongated edger member similar to the member
of FIG. 2 and which embodies the concepts and principles of the
invention;
[0033] FIG. 9C is an isometric fragmentary view illustrating
another alternative form of an elongated edger member similar to a
member of the assembly of FIG. 9A and which embodies the concepts
and principles of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view depicting a packet of
related objects which embodies the concepts and principles of the
invention;
[0035] FIG. 11 is and an enlarged isometric view depicting the
packet of accessories of FIG. 10;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front plan view showing the packet
of related objects of FIG. 10; and
[0037] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13-13
of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] An elongated edger member 10 for holding landscaping
materials and the like in place in a predetermined location which
embodies the concepts and principles of the invention described
herein is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Commercial embodiments of the
member 10 may typically be about 4 feet long; however, the length
of member 10 is not a critical feature of the invention. Generally
speaking, although again not a critical feature of the invention,
member 10 may be formed by injection molding of a thermoplastic
material such as polyethylene. In accordance with the invention,
member 10, as shown particularly in FIG. 2, ideally may be used for
holding landscaping materials and the like in place in a
predetermined location. Alternative, more structurally fortified
embodiments of the invention described below may desirably be used
for holding paving materials such as paving stones or bricks and
the like in place in a predetermined location.
[0039] With particular reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that
member 10 may include an elongated upright material retaining plate
12 and an outwardly extending support construct designated
generally by the reference numeral 14. In use support construct 14
may sit on a ground surface, which me be prepared in advance if
desired, and the same operates to hold upright plate 12 in position
for retaining landscaping materials such as mulch and the like in a
predetermined position. Support construct 14 generally may be
arranged so as to extend longitudinally of plate 10 over
essentially the entire length of the latter and the same may
desirably be attached to a surface 26 of plate 10 adjacent a lower
edge 17 thereof as shown. Desirably, but not necessarily, plate 12
and construct 14 may molded together to present a monolithic
structure. In one particularly preferred embodiment, plate 12 may
be about 2 inches in height and construct 14 may extend outwardly
away from plate 12 and away from surface 26 for about 21/2
inches.
[0040] Construct 14 may preferably be made up of a series or
plurality of longitudinally spaced, outwardly extending footing
structures 16, and ideally there may be a brace in the form of a
nail boss 18 positioned centrally on each footing structure 16 as
shown. As explained in greater detail hereinafter, the nail bosses
or braces 18 may be used in conjunction with a spike to secure
member 10 to a ground surface. Ribs 19 may desirably but not
necessarily be provided as shown particularly in FIG. 2 for added
rigidity and aesthetic value. In a particularly preferred
embodiment discussed above, footing structures 16 may all be
essentially identical and the same may be 3/4 inch wide and located
on centerlines disposed approximately 4 inches apart. Desirably a
severable capping strip 15 may be included for added rigidity
during handling and installation.
[0041] Member 10 also may include separate and discrete connectors
20, 22 disposed at respective opposite ends thereof. Connector 20
may include a component in the form of an elongated, upwardly
extending tongue 24 located on surface 26 of plate 12 near end 28
of the latter. Connector 22 may include a component in the form of
an elongated, upwardly extending tongue receiving groove 30 which
is complementary to tongue 24. Groove 30 may desirably be defined
in a shelf 32 which extends in a longitudinal direction away from
an end 34 of plate 12. Preferably, groove 30 extends downwardly
from an upper edge 35 of plate 12 for only a short distance,
ideally about 1/2 inch or so. In this latter regard, the groove
could extend for essentially the entire height of the plate 12;
however, a shorter groove facilitates interconnection of abutting
members 10.
[0042] As can be seen from FIG. 2, tongue 24 and groove 30 are
located on plate 12 near respective opposite ends 28, 34 thereof,
and as will become more meaningful in the description which
follows, tongue 24 and groove 30 are configured, adapted and
arranged to cooperate such that if the member 10 were to be cut
laterally into two separate longitudinally extending segments, each
having a separate plate segment, tongue 24 and groove 30 would be
able to interconnect the separate segments so that adjacent ends of
the respective plate segments are in substantial abutting
relationship and in substantial longitudinal alignment.
[0043] It is to be noted that member 10 also desirably includes a
debris excluding shield 36 located at end 34 of plate 12. The
purpose and function of shield 36 will be further explained and
clarified hereinbelow. Suffice it to say at this point that shield
36 includes an upwardly extending segment 38 that projects
longitudinally of member 10 away from end 34 of plate 12 and
provides a mounting site for shelf 32 as shown. Moreover, segment
38 of shield 36 is arranged and configured to overlap an adjacent
portion of a surface of another plate or plate segment disposed in
abutting relationship to plate 12. Shield 36 also includes an
outwardly extending segment 40 that projects longitudinally of
member 10 away from an end 42 of construct 14. Segment 40 of shield
36 is arranged and configured to overlap an adjacent portion of a
surface of another construct or construct segment disposed in
abutting relationship to construct 14.
[0044] Connector 22 further preferably includes a bonnet 44 which
extends longitudinally of member 10 from end 42 of construct 14,
and it can be seen that in the preferred embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 2, segment 40 provides a mounting site for bonnet 44. Suffice
it to say at this point that bonnet 44 and the nail boss 18' at the
opposite end 43 of construct 14 are configured, adapted and
arranged to cooperate such that if the member 10 were to be cut
laterally into two separate longitudinally extending segments, each
having a separate construct segment, bonnet 44 and nail boss 18'
would be able to interconnect the separate construct segments so
that adjacent ends of the respective construct segments are in
substantial abutting relationship and in substantial longitudinal
alignment. In this regard it is to be appreciated that nail boss
18' is an element which is part of connector 20 and bonnet 44 is an
element that is a part of connector 22. Thus, bonnet 44 and nail
boss 18' present respective mating interengageable elements located
at opposite ends of construct 14. In the preferred embodiment shown
in FIG. 2, segment 40 may be provided with a beveled edge 41 to
facilitate molding.
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 3 through 7, it can be seen that a
plurality of members or segments of members 10a, 10b may be joined
together so as to present an elongated edging assembly 100 for
holding landscaping materials and the like in place in a
predetermined location as illustrated particularly in FIG. 7. In
this regard, although FIGS. 3 through 5 and 7 show only two
segments of two separate members 10a and 10b as being part of the
assembly 100, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the
art that the system itself may include as many separate complete or
segmental members 10 as might be needed to surround or define an
area to be landscaped. In this regard it is also to be appreciated
that in the illustrated preferred form of the invention, the
members 10a and 10b may desirably be identical with each other and
with member 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2. For clarity, in the
specification which follows, the separate elements and components
of members 10a and 10b will be identified with a reference numeral
which corresponds with the numbering of FIG. 2 followed by an "a"
or "b" as is appropriate for the particular illustration.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the members 10a and 10b are
securely interconnected by virtue of the interengagement of tongue
24b in groove 30a and the interengagement of nail boss 18'b in a
socket 46a (best seen in FIG. 6) provided therefor in the underside
of bonnet 44a. Since in the preferred embodiment each individual
piece of member 10 has complementary connectors at each end, the
individual members and/or segments of the same may continue to be
added to the system until the same is complete for a given area to
be defined. Thus, the system may preferably includes respective
mating interengageable components in the form of groove 30a and
tongue 24b located on plates 12a, 12b near ends 28b, 34a thereof,
which components are configured and adapted to cooperate to
interconnect the members 10a, 10b and maintain ends 28b, 34a of
plates 12a, 12b in substantial abutting relationship with plates
12a, 12b in substantial alignment as shown in FIG. 3. The system
also may desirably include respective mating interengageable
elements in the form of nail boss 18'b and bonnet 44a located on
support constructs 14a, 14b near ends 42a, 43b thereof, which
elements also are configured and adapted to cooperate to
interconnect the members 10a, 10b and maintain ends 42a, 43b of
support constructs 14a, 14b in substantial abutting relationship
and in substantial alignment, again as shown in FIG. 3. Unlike
prior art systems, the invention described herein thus provides a
secure connection holding adjacent ends 34a, 28b of abutting
upright plates 12a, 12b together. In addition, the invention
described herein provides not only a secure connection holding
adjacent ends 34a, 28b of abutting upright plates 12a, 12b together
but at the same time a secure connection holding adjacent ends 42a,
43b of abutting support constructs 14a, 14b together.
[0047] In connection with the foregoing, it is to be appreciated
that the footing structure 16b/nail boss 18b combinations desirably
may all be identical so that any one of the same might perform the
function of the nail boss 18'b. Thus, the member 10b may be cut at
any one of a variety of lengths for accommodating any given space
requirements.
[0048] As described previously, groove 30a and tongue 24b desirably
are elongated and extend upwardly of plates 12a, 12b. It is to be
noted in this regard that in the preferred embodiment of the
invention, groove 30a and tongue 24b are arranged for
interengagement by sliding of tongue 24b longitudinally and
upwardly into and along groove 30a. On the other hand, as will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the tongue and
groove could be configured and arranged for lateral snapping of the
tongue 24b into the groove 30a.
[0049] With reference to FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, it can be seen that
groove 30a and tongue 24b desirably and preferably include a
special complementary configuration which facilitates a secure
interlocking interconnection therebetween. To this end, and with
particular reference to FIG. 5A, it can be seen that tongue 24b is
configured so as to present a longitudinally extending channel 60b
disposed therebehind. And with reference to FIG. 5B, it can be seen
that groove 30a is configured so as to include a longitudinally
extending ridge 62a positioned to project into channel 60b when
tongue 24b and groove 30a are interconnected as shown in FIG. 5. To
facilitate a snap fit connection between tongue 24b and groove 30a
as mentioned above, ridge 62a may be flexibly configured and
arranged and positioned so as to move out of the way while pushing
tongue 24b laterally into groove 30a and to snap back into channel
60b when lateral insertion of tongue 24b is complete.
[0050] With further reference to FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, when two separate
adjacent members or segments 10a, 10b are interconnected to form a
system, an abutment seam 48 is presented between plates 12a, 12b.
In prior art systems, such seam undesirably allows debris and the
like to move laterally between the abutting plates from one side of
the assembly to the other. To avoid such phenomena, the invention
provides debris excluding shield 36a described above. Shield 36a
includes a segment 38a which desirably is located at end 34a of
plate 12a and is arranged and configured to overlap seam 48 as well
as an adjacent portion 50b of surface 26b of another plate 12b
disposed in abutting relationship to plate 12a. Desirably segment
38a extends vertically for the entire height of the plates 12a, 12b
to maximize the debris excluding capabilities of shield 36a. To
further maximize the debris excluding capabilities of shield 36a,
the same may preferably include a horizontally extending segment
40a which desirably is located at end 42a of support construct 14a
and is arranged and configured to overlap horizontal seam 54 as
well as an adjacent portion 56b of surface 58h of another support
construct 14b disposed in abutting relationship to support
construct 14a.
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates the underside of member 10a, which is
provided with an angled ramp 64a which facilitates an injection
molding process. Shoulders 66a, 68a provide abutment surfaces on
opposite sides of the ramp 64a to facilitate assembly and
connection of adjacent members 10a, 10b. Without shoulders 66a,
68a, end 42a of member 10a might tend to slide up on top of end 43b
of member 10b during assembly or afterwards.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, bonnet 44a may be provided with a hole
70a and nail boss 18'b may be provided with an hole 72b. When the
members 10a, 10b are interconnected as shown in FIG. 3, holes 70a,
72b are aligned, and with reference to FIG. 7, it can be seen that
a spike 71 may be inserted through holes 70a, 72b for holding
members 10a, 10b together and holding the assembly 100 against the
ground.
[0053] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a landscaping
installation where a series of members 10 (only one is shown) may
be used to define a boundary between a grassy area 74 and a
landscaped area 76 containing mulch or the like. To install members
10, soil is removed from the area 76 to a depth sufficient to
accommodate the height of plate 12. A first member 10b may then be
installed in a selected position and secured to the ground using
spikes 71b extending through one or more of the holes 72b in the
nail bosses 18b of the member 10b. Starting from a position above
first member 10b (See FIG. 4), second member 10a may be moved
downwardly while tongue 24b slides into groove 30a. The downward
movement of member 10a continues until nail boss 18'b of member 10b
is encompassed and surrounded by the socket 46a of bonnet 44a of
member 10a. A spike 71 may then be inserted through holes 70a, 72b
as shown in FIG. 7 for holding members 10a, 10b together and
holding the assembly 100 consisting of members 10a and 10b against
the ground. It is to be noted here that bonnet 44a may be provided
with opposed, generally U-shaped openings 78a positioned to
accommodate ribs 19b if the latter have been included as part of
the member 1013 in a given installation.
[0054] FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of the invention which is
of particular value in connection with paving installations. FIG.
9A, which is similar to FIG. 3, illustrates an elongated edging
assembly 200 of particular value for holding paving materials such
as paving stones or bricks which are exposed to foot or vehicular
traffic in a predetermined location. In this embodiment, the
support constructs 214a, 214b may extend outwardly for a distance
of as much as 4 inches from plates 212a, 212b, and the latter may
be 21/2to 3 inches in vertical height. Support constructs 214a,
214b may be thicker than support constructs 14a, 14b of FIG. 3 so
as to help resist the additional loads imposed thereon by traffic,
etc. In addition, the members 210a, 210b may include gussets 280a,
280b in place of ribs 19a, 19b of elongated edging assembly 100 of
FIG. 3. The gussets 280a, 280b extend between surfaces 226a, 226b
of plates 212a, 212b and the nail bosses 218a, 218b. Otherwise,
elongated edging assembly 200 of FIG. 9A may be essentially of the
same general configuration as assembly 100 of FIG. 3. For
commercial applications, each member 210a, 210b, etc. of the
assembly 200 may desirably be 6 to 8 feet in length.
[0055] FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of the invention which is
essentially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 2 except that in
this case the connector 422 of member 410 includes a cover 493 for
the rib 419. To this end cover 493 extends longitudinally and
outwardly of member 410 from segments 438, 440 of shield 436 as
shown. Cover 493 desirably extends away from bonnet 444 on opposite
sides thereof and presents a tunnel member 494 that includes an
outboard portion 494a, an inboard arcuate portion 494b and a
vertically extending portion 494c. The upper section 432 of portion
494c ideally replaces and performs the same function as shelf 32 of
FIG. 2. Tunnel member 494 presents and defines a tunnel 495 which
first extends horizontally through portion 494a, then bends in
portion 494b, and extends upwardly through portion 494c. Tunnel 495
has an interior configuration which is complementary to the outer
shapes of rib 419 and tongue 424 so as to provide a snug and secure
fitting when adjacent members are interconnected to form an
assembly. The upper portion of tunnel 495 presents and defines a
groove 430 which interconnects with tongue 424 to serve essentially
the same purpose as groove 30 of FIG. 2. Desirably in this
embodiment the groove 430 includes a ridge 462 and the tongue 424
presents a channel 460 which are essentially the same as and
provide the same respective functions as the ridge 62a and channel
60b of FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0056] FIG. 9C illustrates an embodiment of the invention which is
essentially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 9A except that in
this case the connector 522 of member 510 includes a cover 593 for
the gusset 580 and the interior of the tunnel 595 is configured to
complement the exterior surfaces of gusset 580.
[0057] Another important aspect of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 10 through 13. This aspect of the invention provides a neat
packet 300 of related objects. Generally speaking the related
objects may be two of the elongated members 10 of FIG. 2 and
several of the spikes 71 of FIGS. 7 and 8. In this regard it is to
be noted (See FIG. 2) that elongated members 10 may be provided
with a series of downwardly extending holes 382 in upper edge 35 of
plate 12. In addition, the members 10 may be provided with a series
of upstanding pegs 386 located atop capping strip 15 of support
construct 14. These holes 382 and pegs 386 are positioned so that
when two separate members 10c, 10d are brought together to form the
packet 300 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, there will be a hole 382
for each peg 386 and vice versa. The members 10c, 10d are each
essentially L-shaped in transverse cross-sectional configuration,
and the packet 300 created by bringing the same together has a
generally rectangular transverse cross-sectional configuration.
Thus, the members 10c, 10d are configured, arranged, aligned and
joined together so as to present a single, elongated construct
having an open interior 388.
[0058] The packet 300 desirably may include one or more accessory
items for the members 10c, 10d. Ideally, these accessory items may
comprise one or more of the spikes 371 which may be part of a pack
389 that includes a securing element in the form of a spider
element 390 provided with opposed mounting projections 392.
Desirably the spikes 371 and the spider element 390 may be molded
together as a single item (See FIG. 11). As discussed above,
members 10c, 10d, which may desirably be identical with the members
10 and with each other, may include holes 72c, 72d provided in nail
bosses 18c, 18d. These holes 72c, 72d are positioned so as to open
into the interior 388 of the packet 300. The spider element 390
with the attached spikes 371 may then desirably be mounted within
open interior 388 with the projections 392 positioned within the
holes 72c, 72d.
[0059] In another embodiment of the invention, the pack 389 may
include a securing element in the form of a blister pack containing
the nails which may desirably be made of steel. In this embodiment
of the invention the mounting projections 392 may be formed as part
of or as an attachment to the blister pack.
* * * * *