AU2018200760B2

AU2018200760B2 - Connection of garden edging

Info

Publication number: AU2018200760B2
Application number: AU2018200760A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joeri Tuijn
Original assignee: Sandpit Situation Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sandpit Situation Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-01
Filing date: 2018-02-01
Publication date: 2024-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-01
Also published as: AU2018200760A1

Abstract

Garden edging panels are connected by three members: a first member which locks under an upper lip of the panels and holds side flanges together, a second member which locates within aligned slots of the side flanges, and a third member which locates within the second member and prevents its removal. 1/4 10 0 12 30 12 16 18 20 22 ~Fig. 1 221 42 10 1 122 30 16 12 Fig. 2 0 Fig. 3

Description

1/4

0 12 30 12 16 18

20 22 ~Fig. 1 221 42

1

122 30

16 12

Fig. 2

0

Fig. 3

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"CONNECTION OF GARDEN EDGING"

Applicant:

STRAIGHTCURVE PTY LTD

Associated provisional applications:

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"CONNECTION OF GARDEN EDGING"

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to edging for gardens, lawns, artificial turf and similar landscaping elements. The present invention has been developed for use in garden edging formed largely from sheet metal.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Modular garden edging consists of a series of panels arranged to be joined together. Panels may have side edges which are complementary in shape, such that lengths of garden edging can be created by joining a number of panels together edge-to-edge.

[0003] Frequently, the joining of edges requires specialist tools and expertise.

[0004] A typical method of installation requires a trench to be dug in which the garden edging is to be located. As the garden edging rests on the base of this trench during the installation process, any variability in the depth of the trench results in an uneven finish to the top of the garden edging.

[0005] The modular nature of existing garden edging typically requires panels to be installed sequentially. This means that earlier panels must be fixed into position before later pieces are added.

[0006] Panels are typically rigid and rectangular, to assist in providing a straight edge. Where a curve is required, this is generally achieved by manually bending panels as they are placed. Alternatively, genuine curves can be created by moulding panels in a suitable shape (typically when the garden edging is plastic), or pre-bending metal garden edging to create curves.

[0007] The creation of gentle curves across consecutive panels is problematic. Frequently, the bending stress applied to a panel in order to achieve a desired curve will have the effect of exaggerating any gap between adjacent panels.

[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a method of joining sections of garden edging which allows for the formation of long curves through joined sections.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided garden edging having panels and a connecting means, each panel being generally rectangular and having a front face and a rear face, a top edge and a bottom edge, and two side edges; the panel having an upper lip on the rear face, the upper lip extending along the top edge, the upper lip defining a channel extending along the top edge of the rear face; the panel having an extending flange at each side edge thereof, each extending flange extending rearwardly of a side edge and being generally perpendicular to the rear face, the extending flange including at least one slot; the connecting means including a first member arranged to locate within the channel formed by the upper lip; a second member arranged to locate within the slot of the extending flange, the second member having a slot, and a third member arranged to locate within the slot of the second member in order to hold the second member in position.

[0010] It is preferred that the upper lip is formed by bending the upper edge of the panel back close to 180.

[0011] The first member may be a plate. In a preferred embodiment, the first member is a plate with a bent upper edge.

[0012] The second member is preferably formed from flat plate. The second member may have an inner edge and an outer edge. In a preferred embodiment the outer edge has a shoulder located along its length, the shoulder causing a step-change in the width of the second member between a first portion and a second portion. It is preferred that the first portion of the second member is sized to move through the slot of the extending flange, and the second portion of the second member is sized to prevent movement through the slot of the extending flange.

[0013] The slot of the second member is preferably located within the second portion, near to the first portion.

[0014] The inner edge may be generally concave. In a preferred embodiment, the inner edge has outer portions which locate in use against the rear face of the panel.

[0015] The third member is preferably formed from flat plate. The third member may have an inner edge and an outer edge In a preferred embodiment the outer edge has a shoulder located along its length, the shoulder causing a step-change in the width of the third member between a first portion and a second portion. It is preferred that the first portion of the third member is sized to move through the slot of the second member, and the second portion of the third member is sized to prevent movement through the slot of the second member.

[0016] The inner edge of the third member is preferably straight.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the outer edge of the third member is slightly angled through the first portion, thus presenting a generally tapered shape.

[0018] It is preferred that each extending flange includes at least two slots, and that each connecting means includes at least two second members and at least two third members.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 is a rear view of a section of garden edging connected in accordance with the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a closer view of a connection between panels from the garden edging of Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3 is a rear view of a first member from within the connecting means used in the connection of Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 4 is a perspective of a second member from within the connecting means used in the connection of Figure 2;

[0024] Figure 5 is a perspective of a third member from within the connecting means used in the connection of Figure 2;

[0025] Figures 6 to 10 are sequential views showing the connection of garden edging of Figure 1; and

[0026] Figure 11 is a partially cutaway view showing a portion of the connection of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0027] Referring to the Figures, there is shown the connection of two garden edging panels 10. Each of the panels 10 has a generally planar front face (not shown) and a rear face 12. Each panel 10 is generally rectangular, with a top edge 14, a bottom edge 16, and two side edges 18.

[0028] The panel 10 has an upper lip 20 formed along the top edge 14 thereof. The upper lip 20 is formed by flaps 22 cut along the top edge 14, which are then bent back through 1800 onto the rear face 12.

[0029] The panel 10 has a locating foot 24 formed along the bottom edge 16 thereof. The locating foot 24 is formed by flaps 26 cut along the bottom edge 16, which are then bent back through 900 towards the rear face 12. In the embodiment shown each alternate flap 26 has an aperture 28 located within it, through which a fixing peg (not shown) can be driven.

[0030] The panel 10 has an extending flange 30 formed along each side edge 18 thereof. Each extending flange 30 is formed along about 80% of its side edge 18, and is bent backwards through 900 towards the rear face 12. Each extending flange 30 has a plurality of slots 32 located therein, which will be described further below.

[0031] The arrangement is such that two panels 10 can be located with respective extending flanges 30 abutting. When thus located, the front faces of the panels 10 form a generally continuous, planar surface. The top edges 14 form a generally straight, continuous line. The locating feet 24 form a straight, level arrangement. The slots 32 of the abutting extending flanges 30 are aligned, such that aligned slots 32 act as a single aperture.

[0032] The first step in connecting the two panels 10 together to maintain this arrangement is the use of a first member 40. The first member 40, shown in Figure 3, is formed from a planar rectangular sheet member, having a length about twice the length of each flap 22 and a breadth similar to the distance from an upper end of an extending flange 30 to the top edge 14 of its panel 10.

[0033] The first member 40 has an upper lip 42 formed by bending an upper edge of the first member 40 back through 180°. The first member 40 has a locating notch 44 centrally located along a lower edge, opposite the upper lip 42. The locating notch 44 is cut out of the first member 40, and has a width equal to twice the thickness of an extending flange 30.

[0034] The first member 40 is inserted into the panels 10 as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The upper lip 42 of the first member 40 is inserted into the upper lip

20 of the panels 10. The first member 40 is then pushed into a position in which it is parallel to and abutting the rear face 12 of the panel 10. The notch 44 locates over the abutting extending flanges 30, holding them together.

[0035] The next step is the use of a second member 50. The second member 50, shown in Figure 4, is formed from a planar rectangular sheet member having a thickness slightly smaller than the thickness of the slots 32 in the extending flanges 30. The second member 50 has an inner edge 52 and an outer edge 54, each extending from a first end 56 to a second end 58.

[0036] The inner edge 52 has a straight central portion 60, and flared outer portions 62, giving the inner edge 52 a generally concave nature. The outer edge 54 has a shoulder 64 located about half way along its length. The shoulder64 divides the outer edge 54 into a first portion 66 extending between the first end 56 and the shoulder 64, and a second portion 68 extending between the shoulder 64 and the second end 58.

[0037] The second portion 68 is generally straight, and parallel to the central portion 60 of the inner edge 52. The first portion 66 near the shoulder 64 is straight and parallel to the central portion 60, and then tapers towards the first end 56.

[0038] The arrangement is such that the shoulder marks a division between a first portion 70 and a second portion 72 of the second member 50. The first portion 70 is thinner than the second portion 72.

[0039] The second member 50 has a slot 74 located within the first portion 70. The slot 74 is generally rectangular, and is parallel to the central portion 60. It has an inner edge which is close to being aligned with the shoulder 64; that is the slot 74 is close to the second portion 72.

[0040] The second member 50 is inserted into the panels 10 as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The second member 50 is held perpendicular to the rear face 12 of the panels 10, with its inner edge 52 abutting the rear face 12. The first portion 70 of the second member 50 is then inserted into the aperture formed by aligned slots 32. It passes through the aligned slots 32 until the shoulder 64 meets an extending flange 30, preventing further passage of the second member 50. It will be appreciated that the slot 74 of the second member 50 is located next to an extending flange 30.

[0041] The final step is the use of a third member 80. The third member 80, shown in Figure 5, is formed from a planar rectangular sheet member having a thickness slightly smaller than the thickness of the slot 74 in the second member 50. The third member 80 has an inner edge 82 and an outer edge 84, each extending from a first end 86 to a second end 88.

[0042] The inner edge 82 is straight. The outer edge 84 has a shoulder 90 located about half way along its length. The shoulder 90 divides the outer edge 84 into a first portion 92 extending between the first end 86 and the shoulder 90, and a second portion 94 extending between the shoulder 90 and the second end 88.

[0043] The second portion 94 is generally straight, and parallel to the inner edge 82. The first portion 92 near the shoulder 90 is straight and parallel to the inner edge 82, and then tapers towards the first end 86. The arrangement is such that the shoulder 90 marks a division between a first portion 96 and a second portion 98 of the third member 80. The first portion 96 is thinner than the second portion 98. The first portion 96 tapers towards a thinnest portion at the first end 86.

[0044] The third member 80 is inserted into the panels 10 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The third member 80 is held perpendicular to the rear face 12 of the panels 10 and the second member 50, with its inner edge 82 oriented towards the extending flange 30. The first portion 96 of the third member 80 is then inserted into slot 74 of the second member 50, until the shoulder 90 meets the second member 50, preventing further passage of the third member 80. It will be appreciated that the location of the third member 80 into the slot 74 prevents movement of the second member 50 relative to the slots 32.

[0045] The panels 10 are now rigidly held together.

[0046] Further rigidity can be obtained by using a plurality of second members 50 and third members 80. In the embodiment shown three such sets of second and third members are shown.

[0047] When the panels 10 are thus connected, they are able to bend as a single panel without separation at their side edges 18.

[0048] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. Garden edging having panels and a connecting means for connecting adjacent panels, each panel being generally rectangular and having a front face and a rear face, a top edge and a bottom edge, and two side edges; the panel having an upper lip on the rear face, the upper lip extending along the top edge, the upper lip defining a channel extending along the top edge of the rear face; the panel having an extending flange at each side edge thereof, each extending flange extending rearwardly of a side edge and being generally perpendicular to the rearface, the extending flange including at least one slot; the connecting means including a first member arranged to locate within the channel formed by the upper lip; a second member arranged to locate within the slot of the extending flange, the second member having a slot, and a third member arranged to locate within the slot of the second member in order to hold the second member in position.
2. Garden edging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper lip is formed by bending the upper edge of the panel back close to 1800.
3. Garden edging as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first member is a plate.
4. Garden edging as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first member is a plate with a bent upper edge.
5. Garden edging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second member is formed from flat plate
6. Garden edging as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second member has an inner edge and an outer edge, with the outer edge having a shoulder located along its length, the shoulder causing a step-change in the width of the second member between a first portion and a second portion.
7. Garden edging as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first portion of the second member is sized to move through the slot of the extending flange, and the second portion of the second member is sized to prevent movement through the slot of the extending flange.
8. Garden edging as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the slot of the second member is located within the second portion, near to the first portion.
9. Garden edging as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the inner edge is generally concave.
10. Garden edging as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inner edge has outer portions which locate, in use against the rear face of the panel.
11. Garden edging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the third member is formed from flat plate.
12. Garden edging as claimed in claim 11, wherein the third member has an inner edge and an outer edge, with the outer edge having a shoulder located along its length, the shoulder causing a step-change in the width of the third member between a first portion and a second portion.
13. Garden edging as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first portion of the third member is sized to move through the slot of the second member, and the second portion of the third member is sized to prevent movement through the slot of the second member.
14. Garden edging as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the inner edge of the third member is straight.
15. Garden edging as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the outer edge of the third member is slightly angled through the first portion, thus presenting a generally tapered shape.
16. Garden edging having panels and a connecting means, each panel being generally rectangular and having a front face and a rear face, a top edge and a bottom edge, and two side edges; the panel having an extending flange at each side edge thereof, each extending flange extending rearwardly of a side edge and being generally perpendicular to the rear face, the extending flange including at least one slot; the connecting means including a second member arranged to locate within the slot of the extending flange, the second member having a slot, and a third member arranged to locate within the slot of the second member in order to hold the second member in position.
17. Garden edging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each extending flange includes at least two slots, and that each connecting means includes at least two second members and at least two third members.

STRAIGHTCURVE PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP

P2261AU00