GB2369979A - Garden edging system - Google Patents

Abstract

A garden edging system comprises interconnecting straight (1) and quarter-circle (2) sections which can be joined using straight (3) and angled (4) connector pieces and are secured to a surface (eg. turf) using fixing pegs (5). Pegs (5) may be inserted and removed by hand or using a pegging tool (6). The interconnecting slots (8) at the end of each section (1,2) are self-cleaning which ensures that the connectors do not become fouled. When assembled, the profile provides a rigid edge against which the surface can be quickly and accurately cut. Cutting is performed by a cutting tool (9, 10, 11) which has interchangeable straight and curved blades. The profile (7) of sections (1,2) is shaped to prevent the surface from lifting when cutting tool (9, 10, 11) is removed, which ensures a neat edge to the prepared border. Straight sections (1) can be any length, circular sections (2) any radius and connectors (4) any angle. The system can also be used to provide a template when preparing paved pathways and patios or to allow a gardener to maintain existing borders.

Description

harden Edging System C'PerfectEdge") This invention relates to a garden edging system. Creation of garden designs such as borders and beds generally involves the gardener to mark out the design using, for example chalk or string. The border must then be cut to follow this outline. As this outline is not rigid the production of accurate, symmetrical profiles requires a keen eye, good dexterity and time.

This system furnishes the gardener with a set of tools that provide a quick, flexible and accurate method of creating and maintaining both simple and elaborate garden borders, edges and beds. The system can be used on any surface upon which it is intended to produce a border design of either symmetrical or asymmetrical form.

This invention simplifies the task of marking out and cutting border designs by providing interchangeable solid sections of straight and circular profile of varying lengths and radii and straight and angled connectors. These can be interconnected and placed on the surface to be transformed giving the gardener a clear view of the finished outline and allowing changes to be quickly implemented before any cuts are made. Once the design is acceptable, the interconnected sections are secured in place using securing pegs.

The sections can be positioned either way up and both inner and outer edges of each section may be used to create the design. All sections are designed with identical inner and outer edges that are angled to prevent the cut medium from lifting as the cutting tool is removed. This profile ensures that a neat and accurate edge is formed.

Four curved sections of equal radius form a complete circle. Sections of varying lengths and diameters can be combined with connectors of any angle to generate any desired border outline.

Two specific examples will now be given with accompanying drawing.

Example 1-Garden flower bed FIGURE 1.1 shows an applicable design of a proposed flowered.

FIGURE 1.2 shows two interconnected quarter-circle sections.

FIGURE 1.3 shows a 1200 connector (straight or rounded edge).

FIGURE 1.4 shows a 600 connector (straight or rounded edge).

FIGURE 1.5 shows two interconnected sections held in position by securing pegs.

FIGURE 1.6 shows the cutting tool with rounded and straight blades.

Consider a gardener wishing to create a lawn flower bed as shown in Figure 1.1. This comprises half circles of 1 metre internal diameter offset at an angle of 1200. This requires six half circles to be interconnected. Additionally, the upper and lower three lobes are spaced by a 500mm straight section.

To achieve this design, the gardener would select 12 x 1-metre diameter quarter-circle sections as shown on Figure 1.2 and connect them in pairs using straight connectors. The first three pairs of semicircular sections would then be interconnected each using a 1200 connector as detailed in Figure 1.3. Either straight or round edge 1200 connectors could be used.

The straight sections would then be added to each end of the profile using 600 connectors (again, straight or round edge) as detailed in Figure 1.4. A 600 connector would also be placed at the unconnected end of each straight section.

The remaining three semicircular pairs, connected together using 1200 connectors, would then be added to the free end of the straight sections, previously fitted with 600 connectors. The structure would then be positioned on, for example, a lawn and secured to the ground using the securing pegs as shown in Figure 1.5.

The gardener would cut the turf using the cutting tool as shown in Figure 1.6. The curved sections would be cut using the curved cutting tool blade whilst the straight sections would be cut using the straight blade. The blade profiles ensure a clean, accurate edge is produced. Additionally, the horizontal section of the cutting tool (at the lower end of the shaft) ensures that each cut is the same depth. Once all cut turf and any surplus soil has been removed the pegs would be extracted and the structure removed to reveal the required garden bed.

The structure could be quickly reconstructed at any time and repositioned around the bed to allow overgrown edges to be re-cut and the bed to be tidied.

Example 2-Laying border profile to create a block work patio edging FIGURE 2.1 shows a design for a proposed patio edge.

FIGURE 2.2 shows a 900 connector.

FIGURE 2.3 shows a 450 connector.

FIGURE 2.4 shows a straight connector Consider a gardener wishing to create a patio edge of the profile shown in Figure 2.1. To achieve this design the gardener would select 6 x 1-metre straight sections and a single 1metre diameter quarter-circle section.

Two straight sections would be joined at 900 to each other and a 450 connector added to the free end of one of the straight sections. A third straight would be connected to the 450 connector. The remaining straight sections would also be interconnected as above to give a mirror image of the first group. Finally, the two sections would be joined using straight connectors to include the quarter-circle section and so complete the outline.

The structure would then be positioned on the surface onto which the block work was to be constructed and fixed using the fixing pegs.

The gardener would then use the rigid edge of the profile to position the blocks (brick on edge) of the block work patio. Once the block work was complete the outline would be removed.

Claims (19)

1. A garden edging system comprising of straight sections of varying lengths and quarter-circle sections of varying radii, connecting pieces both angled and straight, securing pegs and a hand cutter having interchangeable blades together provide a means to produce lawn edges, borders, pathways and other delineations.

2. A garden edging system according to claim 1, wherein the straight sections can be manufactured to any required length.

3. A garden edging system according to claim 1, wherein the quarter-circle sections can be manufactured to any required radius.

4. A garden edging system according to claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the straight and quarter-circle sections are essentially flat members having constant width and thickness. The longer edges of each section are raised perpendicular to the face of the flat section and are tapered away from the flat section. Upper and lower faces of the flat member have identical raised edge profiles such that the sections may be used either way up.

5. A garden edging system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the straight and quarter-circle sections are of suitable thickness to allow a female slot to be formed into the centre of each end of the sections and extend into the body of each section.

The slot shall extend into the section, parallel to the raised edges, along the centre line of the section and be of suitable width to accept the male insert of the connector.

The slot intercepts a hole of rectangular section, which extends from the upper face through to the lower face the flat section.

6. A garden edging system according to claims 1-5, wherein the connecting pieces can be manufactured to permit interconnection of straight and quarter-circle sections at any angle whilst maintaining the raised profile of the straight and quarter-circle sections.

7. A garden edging system according to claims 1-6, wherein connectors are provided with a male insert at each end to allow them to be mated with the female receptor present at the ends of each straight and quarter-circle section.

8. A garden edging system according to claim 1-7, wherein the straight and quarter circle sections are manufactured such that each provides a means of anchoring the section to the underlying medium by means of securing pegs. The pegs pass through the body of each section and/or through each section and its interconnecting piece simultaneously. The number of anchoring holes provided to each section is variable.

9. A garden edging system according to claims 1-8, wherein the interconnection slots at each end of each section are manufactured to ensure that they are self-cleaning.

Trapped material falls away when the connector is inserted.

10. A garden edging system according to claims 1-9, wherein the profile of the sections is such that the surface of the underlying material is retained in position as the hand cutter is extracted.

11. A garden edging system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein either edge of the profile created by the interconnection of sections and connectors can be used as a guide to cut the underlying medium using the hand cutter.

12. A garden edging system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each securing peg is substantially a spike of suitable length having a head of greater diameter and thickness and a sharpened point to allow the peg to be easily inserted and removed from the underlying medium.

13. A garden edging system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a hand cutter is provided, the handle of which connects at substantially 900 to a horizontal guide section.

14. A hand cutter according to claims 1 and 13 wherein, an equal depth of cut is achieved each time the blade is inserted into the ground. The horizontal section of the cutter interacts with the edge profile of the interconnected sections, which prevents the blade being pushed any further into the underlying medium.

15. A hand cutter according to claims 1,13 and 14, wherein straight and curved blades may be mounted onto the horizontal guide.

16. A hand cutter according to claims 1, 13,14 and 15, wherein the blades can be mounted onto the horizontal guide at varying positions to give varying depths of cut.

17. A hand cutter according to claims 1, 13,14, 15 and 16, wherein the perimeter of each blade is provided with a cutting edge.

18. A garden edging system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each piece is made from metal, plastics, composites, wood or any other suitable hard wearing material, or from any combination of these materials.

19. A garden edging system substantially herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.