DE20306664U1 - Edging system for plant beds and terracing has plastic moulded vertical profiles linked into an endless strip and cut to length - Google Patents

Abstract

An edging system for plant beds, edging for terracing and for other edging applications, has plastic moulded vertical profiles (2) linked by their flexible edges (3) and with the top edge shaped as required. The system is manufactured in a continuous strip and is cut to the required lengths. The edges of the panels can be secured to upright posts (6). The panels can be bent in either horizontal direction to form curved edging. Alternately the strips can be separated and separately secured to flexible supports, either in the form of straps or using a foil.

Description

Device for creating straight or arbitrarily curved, rot-proof fences for flowerbeds, lawns, etc.

Description

The invention relates to the device, a basic element, the individual segments of which are connected to one another as a one-piece element in a torsion-resistant manner, but are flexible horizontally on both sides in the longitudinal axis, but the individual segments of which can also be easily separated and connected in their manufacturing position by means of a flexible device on the back to form a multi-part element, which is movable both horizontally and vertically on both sides, seamless, flush and endlessly extendable, resulting in a rot-proof fence in the required length, which makes it possible to delimit borders, beds, lawns, etc. at the desired height and in different shapes or to enable different ground heights so that the fence can be made in a straight line as well as in any desired kink-free curved line, arc or circle of any diameter, whereby with rising or falling ground level the upper edge of the fence can form a horizontal line, but also a uniform distance adapted to the ground level up to the upper edge of the fence. Due to its design, the device described can not only separate the individual garden areas from one another and absorb the pressures exerted on them like standard fences of the same thickness, but can also compensate for higher loads without destroying or changing the alignment of the fence made up of basic elements. The seamless fence prevents grass and roots from growing through. The low weight and simple installation mean that anyone can use it without the need for special equipment, and the basic elements can be reused if the lines are changed later, but can also be recycled.

In order to visibly separate and manage different areas in gardens, parks, etc., such as flower beds, lawns, etc., and to allow for different ground heights, various types of fences are used. Due to the smaller plots of land in residential buildings, but also in line with today's perception of modern residential and garden design, curved lines or circles in variable shapes and sizes, and often in changing

Heights to the ground level are required. In addition to the fluid lines at the joints of the individual elements and the permanent directional stability, the required manufacturing effort and the service life are decisive criteria. Following the trend of our time, special attention is paid to whether the fence can be reused without great mechanical and manual effort even if the garden design changes. An essential prerequisite for the functionality of fences is whether and to what extent they prevent grass, roots and plants from growing in and through and between the joints.

In order to achieve the described fencing results, bed edgings made of elements, prefabricated elements made of individual segments and individual segments are used.

Smooth or profiled concrete lawn edging stones of various thicknesses and heights are well known, usually one meter long as straight pieces or as partial curves with several different radii and a correspondingly high weight. Due to their weight and the effort required to move the stones, a great deal of manual effort from more than one worker is required. Creating curved fences and boundaries is only possible to a limited extent with bends with large radii and not possible with narrower ones. They are less suitable for unevenly rising or falling ground levels or if the heights are not the same as the existing level. Since the adjustment of the slabs is usually only done with concrete at the joints of the individual pieces, changes in alignment and height can often be detected after a short period of time. The growth of grass, roots, etc. in the required joints cannot be avoided. The character of the concrete parts remains recognizable even with a profiled visible side.

Wooden palisades are available in different heights and small diameters. They can be used to create the desired lines, varying heights and circles with different radii. Due to their lower weight and the fact that they have to be placed in sand or earth, they take a lot of time to move individually, have little directional stability, rot quickly and cannot prevent grass etc. from growing through. In addition, elements of around 1.20 m in length made of half palisades with a smaller diameter strung together and secured on wires are used for edging beds.

Despite their instability in all directions, which makes permanent alignment impossible, they reduce the time required for installation. Reuse is hardly possible because, despite appropriate impregnation, the fence will inevitably rot after just a few years and therefore their use, like that of palisades, is uneconomical. In addition, they cannot prevent grass and roots from growing through the joints.

In addition to the various types of wooden bed edging, there are also those made from recycled plastic. Here too, edging made from small palisades requires a lot of time due to individual relocation, has low directional stability and cannot prevent grass etc. from growing through.

We also offer bed edgings made from elements with a length of approx. 1.20 m made of threaded rectangular segments. They are made from solid rods that are cut to the desired height, drilled through in the cross-section and held together with wires. By threading the wire and closing the wire at the ends of the elements, a noticeably larger gap is created between the individual elements after they have been moved. Although the elements are unstable in all directions, they can only be used for curved lines with a large radius, while using them for straight lines is difficult and permanent alignment is largely impossible. The complex production of individual segments and elements results in costs that are significantly higher than those of other similar bed edgings. Despite the high level of effort, the grass and roots growing through the gaps is not prevented. Also known are double palisades that are around 20 cm wide, around 7 and 20 cm high and around 10 cm in diameter, which have a kind of sword at the bottom with which they are stuck into the ground. Since they only sit on the ground, the upper line of the fence corresponds to the unevenness of the terrain. Due to their width, a fluid, kink-free line is only possible to a limited extent, and is impossible with smaller radii, and the large palisade diameter is also visually problematic with smaller beds. In addition, keeping the multi-part fence clean on both sides is made significantly more difficult and the growth of grass, roots, etc. is only reduced to a limited extent.

For the simplest requirements, there are also fences made of plastic strips about 20 to 30 cm high. The material is in the millimeter range thick and is used in wave-like form in lengths of several meters and different sizes to achieve a certain stability.

colour. With relatively little work required, a permanent, precise alignment is not achievable due to the instability of the plastic. Use as a fence for different ground levels is only possible to a very limited extent. The resistance to mechanical stress is extremely low, and precise alignment cannot be expected over the long term. The visual impression is disturbing even for simple gardens.

Also known are the palisades and flower bed edgings specified in the application 202 18 456.0, which, however, require subsequent filling of the hollow bodies.

All of the fences described are either too heavy, require suitable equipment or personnel, are time-consuming, are only suitable for straight lines and level terrain, do not allow for kink-free fencing or are not reusable if the lines are changed, have the character of concrete parts, or their visual impression is disturbing, they are not directionally and vertically stable in principle or due to rusting away of parts or rot after just a few years, cannot prevent grass and roots from growing through, or are mechanically only extremely low-loading or visually inadequate.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a device which enables anyone, even without special prior knowledge or effort, to easily produce an endlessly extendable, largely seamless, rot-proof, heavy-duty and reusable fence for borders, beds, lawns, etc. in the desired height and different shape, both for straight and for any conceivable kink-free curved line, arch or circle of any diameter, which prevents grass, roots, etc. from growing through, additionally excludes growth from the back and is recyclable.

According to the invention, this object is solved by patent claim 1 and the further subclaims.
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The device according to the invention is constructed on the basis of non-degradable material such as plastic, preferably plastic recycling, the basic element of which has a profile in the required length and height on at least one side by segments which serve as

One-piece element consisting of one part with the help of corresponding webs, seamless, torsion-resistant but flexible in both vertical directions and can be used for straight and curved fences, but it can also be divided into individual segments and used to create a multi-part element using suitable connecting parts attached to the back, which can be used for extreme bends on both sides in horizontal and vertical directions. The type of connecting parts on the back achieves a high level of rigidity, which makes installation for straight fences easier. The devices attached to the ends of the basic elements enable a further mechanical connection of the individual basic elements, which prevents them from shifting against each other, can also be anchored in the ground, additionally stabilizes the fence to make it torsion-resistant and makes it easier to create the fence in the required length.

Some of the advantages of the invention are listed below:

The most important advantage of the invention is that a basic element provides a one-piece element suitable for straight or curved fences. But simply separating it into individual segments and reconnecting them with suitable connecting parts also creates a multi-part element for straight lines, any curves with extreme radii, even at different garden levels, whereby the different elements can be combined.

A further advantage of the invention is that the device results in a handy, material- and weight-saving element that is torsion-resistant but movable, and can also be mechanically connected in a simple manner, providing the required or endless length of the fence, which can be constructed by anyone without prior knowledge, but can also be easily dismantled, reused and recycled in the event of a later system redesign.

A decisive advantage is that the device enables straight lines, but also all conceivable curved lines, circles, ellipses, etc., not only on flat surfaces, but on any terrain, and it can also be used for different height designs and terrace-like systems.

The advantage of the device is that the interlocking of the elements to form a closed fence significantly improves directional stability and prevents grass, roots, etc. from growing through. The inside of the fence has a smooth surface, which significantly reduces the amount of work required to keep it clean.

Another special advantage of the device is that the possible use of connecting parts between the elements makes it possible to align the fence without height adjustment or lateral fastening in front of the earth fill, thus enabling a direction and height check without lateral tamping of earth.

This incomplete list shows that the invention achieves far-reaching and significant improvements in a simple manner, since the single and multi-part elements can be manufactured from a basic shape which, with good torsional rigidity, enables just like any curved fence on flat and uneven terrain with little effort, simplifies and facilitates processing, prevents grass and roots from growing through, increases the range of applications, enables reusability, improves effectiveness, extends durability, while reducing the thickness of the fence and thus achieving material and cost savings.

Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail below using embodiments which are interchangeable with one another and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the basic element as one-piece elements with several segments connected to one another on the front by means of thin webs. They can be used for both straight and curved fences in both horizontal directions and have grooves on the sides for better adjustment of the one-piece elements against one another and in alignment, into which impact connectors that can be fastened into the ground engage.

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Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the basic element as a one-piece element with several segments incorporated into the front and connected by thin webs. To better adjust the elements to each other and to align them, impact connectors can be fixed in the ground in the grooves indicated on the sides. The elements can be used for both straight and curved kink-free fences in both horizontal directions.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic enlarged cross-section of the joint of one-piece elements in plan view, some segments connected by thin webs, as well as the lateral grooves and the impact connector.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the basic element as a multi-part element with indicated flexible connectors on the back to which the individual segments are attached. To better adjust the elements against each other and in alignment, impact connectors can be attached to the ground in the grooves indicated on the sides. The multi-part element can be used for straight fences as well as any kink-free lines and curves in horizontal and vertical directions and for very different garden levels.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the basic element as a multi-part element, with the indicated flexible connector to which the individual segments are mechanically attached. To better adjust the elements against each other and in alignment, impact connectors can be attached to the side grooves in the ground. The multi-part element can be used for straight fences as well as any kink-free lines and curves in horizontal and vertical directions and for very different garden levels.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic enlarged view of the joint of multi-part elements in plan view, some segments connected by means of appropriate fastening material and the flexible connector as well as the lateral grooves and the impact connector.

Fig. 7 shows schematically the back of a multi-part element, in which on the back of the segments, protruding on one side beyond the element, approximately up to the level of the earth filling, a suitable foil or the like is placed to prevent any

overgrowth of grass, etc., which is secured by the mechanically attached flex connectors.

Fig. 8 shows schematically the back of a multi-part element in which the flexible connectors are attached to the back of the segments using suitable adhesive material, as well as the suitable film or the like, which protrudes on one side beyond the element and is attached up to the height of the soil filling, to prevent unwanted additional sticking together and any growth of grass, etc., is also attached.
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Fig. 9 shows schematically the back of a multi-part element, in which the individual segments are attached to the foil or the like, which protrudes on one side beyond the element and serves as a flexible connector, by means of the indicated suitable adhesive material, whereby the suitable foil or the like, which is attached up to the height of the soil filling, additionally prevents grass, roots, etc. from growing through and into the element.

In the device shown in Fig. 1, 1 are the one-piece elements, which have segments 2 in the desired shape on the front, which end in thin webs 3 just before the back and ensure the horizontal bends of the element. In the outer segments there are grooves 5 into which impact connectors 6 are inserted and anchored in the soil of the trench floor 7 for better assembly, exact and permanent alignment and greater stability.

In the device shown in plan view in Fig. 2, 1 are the one-piece elements, which have segments 2 in the desired shape on the front, which end in thin webs 3 just before the back and ensure the bends in both horizontal directions 4 of the element. In the outer segments there are grooves 5 into which impact ties 6 are inserted and anchored in the ground for better assembly, exact and permanent alignment and greater stability.
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In the device shown in Fig. 3 in section at the joint, 1 are the one-piece elements, which have segments 2 in the desired shape on the front side, which end in thinner webs 3 shortly before the back side and thus bend into the horizontal

directions 4. In the outer segments there are grooves 5 into which the impact connector 6 is inserted and anchored in the ground 7 for better assembly, exact and permanent alignment and greater stability.

In the device shown in Fig. 4, 8 are the flexible connectors, which are attached to the back of the segments 2 with suitable fastening parts and result in multi-part elements 1, which allow bends in both vertical directions 10 and horizontal directions. In the outer segments there are grooves 5 into which impact connectors 6 are inserted and anchored in the soil of the trench floor 7 for better assembly, exact and permanent alignment and greater stability.

In the device shown in plan view in Fig. 5, 8 is the flexible connector, which is fastened to the back of the segments 2 with suitable fastening parts 9 and results in the multi-part elements 1, which enable bends in both vertical and horizontal directions 4. In the outer segments there are grooves 5 into which the impact connectors 6 are inserted and anchored in the ground for better assembly, exact and permanent alignment and greater stability.

In the device shown in Fig. 6 in an enlarged section at the joint, 8 is the flexible connector, which is attached to the back of the segments 2 with suitable fastening parts 9 and results in the multi-part elements 1, which allow bends in both vertical and horizontal directions 4. In the outer segments there are grooves 5 into which the impact connector 6 is inserted and anchored in the ground for better assembly, exact and permanent alignment and greater stability. 25

In the device shown in Fig. 7 in rear view, 8 are the flexible connectors on which, protruding on one side beyond the multi-part element 1, against the growth of grass etc., also in the area of the joint, a suitable film 11 or the like in the width of the earth filling is placed, which is fastened together with the flexible connectors and by suitable fastening parts 9 to the back of the segments 2, so that the multi-part elements 1 allow bends in both horizontal and vertical directions.

In the device shown in Fig. 8 in rear view, 2 are the segments, on the back of which the flexible connectors 8 are attached with suitable adhesive material 12, including a suitable film 11 or the like lying over them, protruding on one side beyond the multi-part element 1 and fastened in the width of the soil filling to prevent grass etc. from growing through, also in the area of the joint, as well as to prevent unwanted sticking in the product flow, so that the multi-part elements 1 allow bends in both horizontal and vertical directions.

In the device shown in Fig. 9 in rear view, 2 are the segments, on the backs of which the suitable film 11 or the like lying over it is attached with suitable adhesive material 12 at points or in strips, protruding on one side beyond the multi-part element 1 and in the width of the earth filling to prevent grass etc. from growing through, even in the area of the joint, so that the multi-part elements 1 allow bends in both horizontal and vertical directions.
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Claims (10)

1. Device for producing straight or arbitrarily curved fencing of beds, lawns, etc., characterized and as shown in Fig. 1, 2, 3, that the shape of the basic element 1 has a definable length and height, the visible side of which has a profile through several vertical segments 2 with a suitable cross-section, upper end formation and corresponding lateral closure of the outer segments, in which as a type of plate, the individual segments 2 connected only by suitable webs 3 enables a uniform horizontal bending 4 of the one-piece element, whereby the fracture resistance of the webs 3 can be additionally increased or eliminated by appropriate materials, so that it is torsion-resistant, but movable in both horizontal 4 directions, ensures the use as a straight bed edging but also enables curved ones, thereby preventing grass, roots, etc. from growing through, - that by simply cutting through the webs 3 of the base element 1 , as shown in Fig. 4, 5, 6, a certain number of individual segments 2 are obtained, which are connected at the back by means of at least one flexible connector 8 in a suitable manner, resulting in a multi-part element that can be used for straight fences as well as fences curved in both horizontal 4 and vertical 10 directions, while remaining compatible with other elements, - that the individual segments 2 are cast in accordance with the basic element 1 and a suitable film 11 or the like is placed in/onto the still liquid and adhesive casting material of the segments 2 in such a way that it is integrated and thus results in a multi-part element that can thus be used not only for straight and in both horizontal 4, but also for fences curved in vertical 10 directions, while remaining compatible with other elements, - that the fracture resistance of the webs 3 or flexible connectors 8 is excluded by suitable inserts, - that with a suitable rear design by means of a film 11 or the like, multi-part elements also prevent the growth of grass, roots, etc. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the basic elements 1 consist of non-rusting material, preferably of plastic. 3. Device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that basic elements 1 have a straight surface at the longitudinal ends, but also a kind of groove at one end and a kind of spring at the other end, preferably a suitable groove 5 on both sides. 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for seamless connection of the base elements 1 in the lateral grooves 5 , a connector with the same height of the element, preferably a longer impact connector 6 that can be additionally anchored in the ground 7 , is used, so that a largely seamless fence is created, which prevents the growth of grass, roots, etc. even in the area of the joint, prevents the individual parts from twisting against each other and increases the load-bearing capacity against lateral earth pressure. 5. Device for implementation according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that the rear connection of the individual segments 2 to a multi-part base element 1 , as shown in Fig. 4, 5, 6, is carried out by means of flexible connectors 8 and mechanical fastening parts 9 . 6. Device for implementation according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that the rear connection of the individual segments 2 to form a multi-part base element 1 , as shown in Fig. 7, is carried out by means of flexible connectors 8 and mechanical fastening parts 9 , which additionally hold the film 11 or the like lying directly on the segments 2 at the level of the earth fill in the desired position. 7. Device for implementation according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that the rear connection of the individual segments 2 to form a multi-part base element 1 , as shown in Fig. 8, is carried out by means of flexible connectors 8 , which are fastened with suitable adhesive material 12 at the same time as a film 11 or the like arranged above it. 8. Device for implementation according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that the rear connection of the individual segments 2 to a multi-part base element 1 , as shown in Fig. 9, is carried out by means of a suitable adhesive material 12 applied at points or in strips and a film 11 or the like as a flexible connector 8 . 9. Device for implementation according to claims 1 and 4 to 8, characterized in that the flexible connectors 8 consist of rust-protected, preferably non-rusting material and bring the multi-part base element 1 largely automatically into the straight position, nevertheless allowing bends in both horizontal 4 and vertical 10 directions. 10. Device for implementation according to claims 1 and 4 to 8, characterized in that the film 11 or the like attached to the back of the segments 2 at the level of the earth fill prevents the growth of grass, roots, etc., preferably protrudes on one side beyond the multi-part base element 1 in order to additionally protect the joint between the base elements 1 against growth.