GB2387185A

GB2387185A - Paving or edging with ground penetrating spike on lower surface

Info

Publication number: GB2387185A
Application number: GB0207777A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Ford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-04
Filing date: 2002-04-04
Publication date: 2003-10-08
Also published as: GB0207777D0

Abstract

Paving or edging comprises a flat slab member (1) and at least one ground penetrating spike (2). The spike may be integral with the slab or attached to the slab, for example, by means of a screw thread. In a preferred embodiment the spike is made from a number of sections surrounding a hollow centre where, in use, a dowel (3) is driven through the slab and into the hollow centre of the spike, thereby expanding the diameter of the spike and improving the grip of the spike on the surrounding ground.

Description

23871 85

EASY PAVING

This invention relates to paving stones and slabs which are used for garden or other applications. The slabs may be used together to form paths, borders, pond edging, as well as other uses.

Traditional cement type slabs are widely used but have many disadvantages.

These include amongst others: - heavy weight, they require specialist sicills to install, they are available in limited shapes, sizes and designs, and once fitted they become virtually permanent.

The object of this invention is to provide a type of paving which may be installed without the need for professional skills or equipment and which is lightweight, and may be made available in many different shapes, sizes, colours and designs. If required the paving may be removed allowing it to be either moved or replaced as the user desires.

Accordingly, this invention is to provide a paving slab, which includes a secure method of fixing the slab onto any suitable surface The securing device consists of one or more penetrating spikes which are axed to the underside of the slab and activator rods which when pushed through the centre of a penetrating spike, cause it to open and spread apart to gain a firm grip on the surrounding material.

Preferably the slab and additional components will be made from a plastics material, but may instead be made from wood, metal or a combination of materials. The product may also be painted or otherwise decorated, or it may be textured in such a way to simulate other materials such as wood or stone.

The penetrating spike, when activated, may split open into any number of sub spikes. These may also be shaped with barbs or otherwise in order to increase grip against the surrounding material.

The slab or the surface of the slab may be textured or otherwise modified ire order to reduce Me likelihood of slipping if walked upon.

The slab may be shaped in any to fit any particular use. This may include but is not limited to pond edging, lawn edging, paths, patios, drainage paths, and novelty shapes such as butterflies, teddy bears etc. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows side views of the item.

Figures 2 to 6 show plan views of the item.

As shown in Figure 1, the slab comprises a flat area 1 having on its underside an attached penetrating spike 2. There may be any number of penetrating spikes and they may be placed at any position on the underside of the slab.

The penetrating spike(s) may be attached either permanently 4 or using some fastening device such as a screw thread or otherwise attached.

The activator rod 3, when pushed internally through the length of the penetrating spike, serves to push apart the sides of the penetrating spike.

Figures 2 to 6 show examples of some the shapes in which the upper slab could be formed.

The penetrating spike 2 is attached to the slab 1. When this part I the item is pushed in the ground or other material, the activator rod is pushed through a hole in the slab and through the penetrating spike in order to separate the sides oF the penetrating spike. When pushed apart, the sides of the penetrating spike are pushed against the surrounding material and increase the security of the item.

Claims

Cl AIMS 1. A paving / edging slab induding an attachment which penetrates

the surface on which it is to be used. This attachment is made to expand by the insertion of a rod through its hollow centre and along its length.
2. A slab as claimed in claim 1 where the penetrating spike is permanently attached.
3. A slab as claimed in claim 1 where the penetrating spike is attached using a screw thread, push-fit or otherwise attached.
4. A slab as claimed in any previous claim where more than one penetrating spike is attached.
5. A slab as claimed in any previous claim where the slab section is of any shape and size, or is decorated by any method, or is modified to include any surface finish.
6. A slab as claimed in any previous claim where the penetrating spike is designed to divide into any number of sections.
7. A slab as claimed in any previous claim which is made from plastic, wood, metal or any stone material, or any combination of materials.
8. A slab as claimed in any previous claim where it is required by the shape of the activator rod, that this rod by twisted in order to push apart the sides or the penetrating spike.
9. A slab as claimed in any previous claim where an activator rod is not used, and the slab is held in position by virtue of the shape of the penetrating spike alone.
10.A slab substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.