ARTIFICIAL LAWN EDGING

Abstract

Lawn edging comprises a segmented elongate member (11) in which segments (11A) are joined in one of its two states by plastic hinges (21) and by thinned regions or cut-outs (23), (24) of base (12) and of arcuate wall member (13). The edging is rigid in that form and can be used to edge a straight boundary between an artificial grass area and another landscape feature. Removal of cut-outs (23, 24) from the connection region between two segments disapplies the flexibility restraint they impose. The segments concerned can then be displaced one relative to the other by articulation at the hinge (21) to accommodate non-linearity such as commonly found in such boundaries. One or more than one connection region can be treated in this way depending on need.

Claims

1. An artificial grass edging for use with an artificial lawn having an artificial grass layer, the edging comprising a segmented elongate member in which each segment is connected to its adjacent segment(s), wherein each segment has a first face and a second face, the first face for receiving a perimeter edge portion of the artificial grass layer for fixture thereto and the second face for positioning on a ground-support surface, the segments being connected together by connection means provided at a connection region of said elongate member, the connection means comprising either: a. first connection means comprising an articulation for enabling relative displacement between the segments to thereby deform the elongate member at the connection region, or b. first and second connection means in which the first connection means comprises an articulation for enabling relative displacement between the segments to thereby deform the elongate member at the connection region, and the second connection means comprises a severable further connection for flexibility restraint across the connection region to thereby restrain or prevent deformation of the elongate member at the connection region.

2. An artificial lawn edging for installation as part of an artificial lawn installation comprising an artificial grass layer extending to form an artificial lawn between perimeter edges which terminate the artificial grass layer at a boundary thereof with another landscape surface, the edging comprising a segmented elongate member in which each segment of a plurality of individual segments is connected to its next adjacent said segment(s), each segment having a first face for receiving a perimeter edge portion of said artificial grass layer for fixture thereto when the edging is in a boundary-located state wherein a second face of said segment is supported on a ground-support surface for the elongate member, the segments of at least a pair of next adjacent segments of said plurality of segments being connected together at a segment connection by connection means respective to that segment connection and provided at a connection region of said elongate member, said connection means comprising either: a. first connection means which comprises an articulation connecting together said segments of said segment pair to enable relative displacement between the so-articulated segments at said articulation to deform said elongate member at said connection region so that said elongate member in said boundary-located state of the edging can follow a non-linearity in said boundary local to said connection region, or b. first and second connection means in which: i. that first connection means comprises an articulation connecting together said segments of said segment pair to enable said relative displacement between the so-articulated segments, except if and to the extent that the flexibility restraint referred to in (b)(ii) below is applied across the connection region at which said segments are connected, at said articulation to effect said deformation, and ii. the second connection means applies, by severable further connection between the so-articulated segments, for as long as said further connection is not severed to disapply it, flexibility restraint across the connection region to restrain or prevent said relative displacement and said deformation.

3. An edging as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said at least a pair of next adjacent segments comprises one or more successions of three or more said segments each of which segments is connected by a said connection means to its next adjacent segment in the succession and which collectively make up the or one length of said elongate member and optionally one or more further said segments which make up a balance of that length and form part of said plurality of segments, preferably wherein at least one said succession of at least three next adjacent segments comprises at least eight said segments.

4. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a window is defined in the elongate member at said connection region between the first connection means, the second connection means and opposed edges of the first faces or opposed edges of the second faces of each segment making up the segment pair, whereby the first connection means is separated from the second connection means across said window.

5. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said second connection means comprises one or more sub-members of said elongate member which are removable of otherwise disconnectable from it to disapply said flexibility restraint, preferably wherein said second connection means is in the form of one or more severable stiffening members which are severable from the elongate member using a hand-held snipping tool, preferably wherein said second connection means is in the form of a single severable stiffening member or two such members.

6. An edging as claimed in claim 5 wherein the or each stiffening member extends between elements of next adjacent segments connected together by said connection means, each of which elements provides at least part of said first face and/or the or each stiffening member extends between elements of next adjacent so-connected together segments, each of which last-mentioned elements provides at least part of said second face, or wherein said second connection means comprises a first stiffening member which extends between an elongate member element of a first segment and an elongate member element of a next adjacent second segment connected to said first segment by said connection means, and a second stiffening member which extends between another elongate member element of said first segment and another elongate member element of said next adjacent second segment, preferably wherein the first-mentioned elongate member elements form at least part of said first face and the second-mentioned elongate member elements form at least part of said second face.

7. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said second connection means comprises one or more separable regions of elongate member material which confers or, in the case of plural such separable regions, which together or individually are (is) responsible for applying, said flexibility restraint, preferably wherein said one or more separable regions are visibly designated to enable identification, preferably wherein said one or more separable regions comprise regions of designated removable elongate member material whose designation is indicated by said so-designated regions having lesser thickness than surrounding regions of the elongate member having uniform thickness, preferably wherein a window is defined in the elongate member at said connection region between the first connection means, a separable region of elongate member material and opposed edges of the first faces or opposed edges of the second faces of each segment making up the segment pair, whereby the first connection means is separated from the separable region of elongate member material across said window and said separable region is identified by its relationship in juxtaposition with said window.

8. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first connection means comprises a resilient connector which is fixed to both segments connected by said first connection means, preferably wherein said resilient connector comprises a sprung member.

9. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first connection means comprises a resilient member configured to a V-shape to provide a pair of arms which are resiliently hinged to permit relative displacement between the segments connected by said first connection means to deform said elongate member at said connection region so that said elongate member can follow a non-linearity in said boundary local to said connection region.

10. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first connection means comprises a plastics hinge.

11. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connection region at which said segments of said segment pair are connected comprises a. a window between the segments connected at said connection region, said window having a first portion provided between the first faces of the so-connected segments and, in continuity of the window first portion, a second portion provided between the second faces of the so-connected segments, said articulation interrupting said window at a junction between said faces and extending either side of said interruption between an extremity defined by a first component of said second connection means and an extremity defined by a second component of said second connection means and the first and second connection means components respectively connecting the first faces of the connected segments together and connecting the second faces of the connected segments together, whereby the elongate member is rigid across said connection region or b. a structure as defined in (a) above in which one or both of the second connection means components are absent whereby the connection region is a void between the segments bridged by said articulation whereby the elongate member is flexible across said connection region and capable of conforming to a non-linearity in a boundary which the edging defines, in use, between a lawn area and another landscape surface.

12. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said elongate member comprises plural segment connections where next adjacent segments are articulated together with a said articulation and wherein one or more of said plural segment connections is further provided with a said second connection means.

13. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is configured for inclusion in a lawn installation in which an artificial grass layer is supported upon a surface of a lawn base layer disposed over a lawn sub-base, said first faces of said segments in aggregate forming a platform of said elongate member for receiving thereupon a perimeter edge portion of said artificial grass layer for fixture to said platform in termination of said artificial grass layer, said elongate member terminating said lawn base layer at a perimeter edge portion thereof which underlies said artificial grass layer perimeter edge portion and said second faces of said segments in aggregate forming a further platform which in use of the edging is disposed upon and engaged with said lawn sub-base.

14. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said connection means connects next adjacent segments which each comprise a segment base and an opposed wall member, preferably wherein the wall member provides said first face and said segment base provides said second face, preferably wherein the segment base and opposed wall member are connected to form a cavity therebetween and to define an opening for admission to the cavity, in the lawn installation, of a perimeter portion of a lawn base layer in an overlying relationship thereof with said segment base plate and in an underlying supporting relationship with said wall member, preferably wherein each segment cavity is open to that of the next adjacent segment across an inter-segmental region of the elongate member at which segments in said segment plurality are juxtaposed across the width of the elongate member.

15. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is configured for inclusion in a lawn installation (a) in which an artificial grass layer is fixed to said first face of each segment and terminates at a junction at which said first and second faces meet and (b) in which said junction abuts the other landscape surface.

16. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plurality of segments of said elongate member comprises a succession of from six to twelve segments some or each of which is connected to its next adjacent segment in the succession by a said connection means, preferably wherein the succession comprises eight segments connected each to its next adjacent segment by a said first and a said second connection means.

17. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate member comprises a first side and a second side both extending in opposed relation from a first segment to a last segment in a succession of at least two segments connected each to its next adjacent segment, at least two said segments being connected by a first connection means which enables the elongate member to be deformed, when said edging is in its boundary-located state and said flexibility restraint is not applied, at the connection region at which said so-connected segments are connected, by a sweep of one of said two segments across said ground support surface, in which sweep that segment is rotationally displaced through an angle of at least 45 degrees at a fulcrum located on the elongate member at either of its two sides.

18. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the segments connected by said first connection means are spaced apart such that, and said articulation has capacity to accommodate such a degree of displacement between next adjacent segments that, those segments can be re-oriented through a right angle or more.

19. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is made of a plastics material, preferably wherein plastics material is a polyamide.

20. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is made of an injection moulded plastics material.

21. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein all segments connected by a said first connection means are also provided with a said second connection means.

22. An edging as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein a segment connection is provided with a first connection means but with no second connection means, said segment connection dividing the elongate member into two arms each comprising plural segments arranged in respective successions with at least some segment connections being provided with a said first connection means, some or all said so-provided segment connections being provided with a said second connection means.

23. An edging which comprises an elongate member as defined in any preceding claim in which the flexibility restraint applied to the elongate member by one or more second connection means has been disapplied, preferably wherein the flexibility restraint has been disapplied by removal of one or more second connection means but sufficient to disapply said restraint.

24. An edging as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said elongate member is made of injection-moulded plastics material and comprises a succession of at least eight segments, each of which segments is connected by connection means to its next adjacent segment in the succession by a said connection means, said elongate member optionally comprising one or more further segments each connected to its next adjacent said segment, each segment having a first face for receiving a perimeter edge portion of said artificial grass layer for fixture thereto, when the edging is in a boundary-located state, said faces each being provided, respectively, by a segment wall member and a segment base which are connected to form a cavity therebetween and to define an opening for admission to the cavity, in the lawn installation, of a perimeter portion of a lawn base layer in an overlying relationship thereof with said segment base and in an underlying supporting relationship with said wall member, each said cavity being open to that of the next adjacent segment across an inter-segmental region of the elongate member, each of said second connection means comprising one or more separable regions of elongate member material which confers or, in the case of plural such separable regions, which together or individually are (is) responsible for applying said flexibility restraint, and said separable regions comprising regions of designated removable elongate member material whose designation is indicated by said so-designated regions having lesser thickness than surrounding regions of the elongate member having uniform thickness.

25. An apparatus for securing a perimeter edge portion of an artificial lawn covering, the apparatus comprising an elongate member comprising a first end and an opposed second end, the elongate member having a base portion providing a first contact surface configured for abutment with a support surface and an opposed upper portion providing a second contact surface configured for receiving an edge portion of an artificial lawn covering.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the elongate member further comprises an abutment member extending between the base portion and the opposed upper portion, said abutment member defining an outer abutment surface configured to abut a wall or fence, and an inner abutment surface.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the elongate member defines a channel configured for receiving ground material and extending between the base portion, and one or more of the opposed upper portion and the inner abutment surface, preferably wherein: (i) the base portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart base flanges aligned along the length of the elongate member, or (ii) the upper portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart upper portion members aligned along the length of the elongate member, or (iii) the base portion comprises a base flange or a plurality of spaced apart base flanges aligned along the length of the elongate member and the upper portion comprises an upper portion member or a plurality of spaced apart upper portion members aligned along the length of the elongate member; and wherein the base flange(s) and upper portion member(s) are arranged to confer upon the elongate member a degree of flexibility and manoeuvrability enabling the elongate member to be manipulated into any desired curved shape and preferably further comprising one or more spacer portions located between adjacent pairs of base flanges or between adjacent pairs of upper portion members, said spacer portions providing the elongate member with a degree of flexibility and manoeuvrability, preferably wherein the elongate member defines a channel configured for receiving ground material and extending between the base portion, the opposed upper portion and the inner abutment surface.

28. An edging or apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and in situ in a lawn installation.

29. An artificial lawn installation comprising an edging as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 or an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 28.

30. A method of installing an artificial lawn, the method comprising providing an artificial lawn layer, a lawn base, a sub-base underlying the lawn base and an edging as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, disposing the artificial lawn layer upon a support surface of the lawn base to form an artificial lawn between perimeter edges which terminate the artificial grass layer and lawn base support surface at a boundary thereof with another landscape feature, the edging being fixed to the sub-base at said boundary and, if there are any non-linearities in the boundary, having been previously made ready for deployment by segment re orientation necessary for the elongate member deformation needed for said elongate member to follow said boundary, said segment re-orientation following action to disapply any flexibility restraint applied to the elongate member up until that time, and fixing the artificial lawn layer to said fixed edging.

31. A method of edging an artificial lawn area at the boundary thereof with another landscape feature which method comprises a. installing an artificial lawn in accordance with claim 30, wherein fixing the edging to the sub-base comprises disposing the second face of the elongate member of said edging on the sub-base so that the edging is in a position and orientation to receive an artificial grass layer edge portion on the first face of the elongate member of the edging, taking into account any non-linearities in the boundary, and b. fixing the artificial grass layer edge portion upon the first face of the elongate member.

32. The method of claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the edging receives a perimeter edge portion of the lawn base such that the lawn base underlies and supports the first face of the elongate member.

33. In combination as a kit: (i) a sheet of artificial grass and (ii) an edging as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24.

34. An artificial lawn installation comprising a sub-base layer spread over a natural or artificial ground surface, an artificial lawn support layer provided over the upwardly-facing surface of said sub-base layer and providing a support surface for an artificial lawn, an artificial grass layer provided over the support surface of the lawn support layer and extending to form an artificial lawn between perimeter edges which terminate the artificial grass layer and the lawn support surface at a boundary thereof with another landscape surface and an edging for said artificial lawn layer, the edging comprising an elongate member in which each segment of a plurality of individual segments is connected to its next adjacent said segment(s), each segment having a first member having an upwardly-facing first segment face on which is received a perimeter edge portion of said artificial grass layer for fixture thereto, a second member having a downwardly-facing second segment face which is disposed upon and fixed to the upwardly-facing surface of said sub-base layer at said boundary, and a space between said first and second members in which a perimeter edge portion of said lawn support layer is received in underlying supporting relationship with said first member and said artificial grass layer.

35. An artificial lawn installation as claimed in claim 34 wherein the elongate member is a segmented elongate member in which each segment of a plurality of eight individual segments is connected to its next adjacent said segment(s), preferably wherein said boundary includes a non-linearity and wherein the segments of at least a pair of next adjacent segments of said plurality of segments are connected together at a segment connection by connection means respective to that segment connection and provided at a connection region of said elongate member, said connection means comprising an articulation connecting together said segments of said segment pair enabling relative displacement between the so-articulated segments at said articulation in order to deform said elongate member at said connection region so that said installed elongate member follows said non-linearity in said boundary, preferably wherein said elongate member is derived from one in which said connection means comprises first connection means which comprises an articulation connecting together said segments of said segment pair and second connection means which applies, by severable further connection between those segments, flexibility restraint across the connection region at which said segments are connected, said first connection means enabling, except if and to the extent that said flexibility restraint is applied across said connection region, relative displacement between the so-articulated segments at said articulation to deform said elongate member at said connection region so that said elongate member can follow a non-linearity in said boundary, preferably wherein the elongate member is one as defined in any one of claims 1 to 24.

36. An injection mould for use in plastics moulding of an edging as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28.

Description

[0092] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings which show the edging of the invention (in each of its two conditions) and its use in installing an artificial lawn installation. In the accompanying drawings:

[0093] FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view which shows an artificial lawn installation which includes an edging according to the preferred embodiment of the invention described hereinafter.

[0094] FIG. 2 is a perspective elevation of an artificial lawn installation as shown in FIG. 1 in which the artificial lawn has a non-linear (curving) boundary with a hard landscaped area (in this case brick paviors), an edging according to the preferred embodiment of the invention described hereinafter defining the boundary;

[0095] FIG. 3 is a perspective elevation of an artificial lawn installation as shown in FIG. 1 in which areas of artificial lawn have respective linear boundaries with a dwarf wall separating landscape levels of different height, edgings according to the preferred embodiment of the invention described hereinafter defining the boundary in both cases;

[0096] FIG. 4 shows an edging according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Figure comprising four separate drawings:

[0097] FIG. 4A, which shows in plan the edging in the form in which it is manufactured and shipped from point of sale to the user;

[0098] FIG. 4B, which shows the edging in a perspective view from above, one side and one end in the form in which it is ready for deployment by the user prior to the deformation needed to accommodate a non-linear boundary between an artificial lawn and another landscape feature, the edging as shown already following a nominally curved line;

[0099] FIG. 4C, which shows from the same perspective as that of FIG. 4B the sequence of four edging segments which are depicted within the rectangular view port shown at the left hand side of FIG. 4A; and

[0100] FIG. 4D, which shows from the same perspective as that of FIG. 4C (but without curvature) the sequence of four edging segments which are depicted within the rectangular view port shown at the left hand side of FIG. 4B;

[0101] FIG. 5 shows perspective views from above, the other side and the other end of an edging according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Figure comprising two separate drawings:

[0102] FIG. 5A, which shows the edging depicted in FIG. 4C from this different perspective (shipped form of the edging); and

[0103] FIG. 5B, which shows the edging depicted in FIG. 4D from this different perspective (deployment-ready form of the edging);

[0104] FIG. 6 shows partial perspective cross-sectioned views from above and one side of an edging according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Figure comprising two separate drawings:

[0105] FIG. 6A, which shows the edging cross-sectioned along the line I-I of FIG. 4A, the edging being in the form in which it is manufactured and shipped from point of sale to the user; and

[0106] FIG. 6B, which shows the edging cross-sectioned along the line 11-11 of FIG. 4B, the edging being in the form in which it is ready for deployment by the user prior to deformation to accommodate a non-linear boundary between an artificial lawn and another landscape feature;

[0107] FIG. 7 is a first depiction of a four-segment section of a preferred embodiment edging described hereinafter, demonstrating the capacity of the edging to accept deformation enabling it to be used to form a non-linear boundary of an artificial grass layer and another landscape feature;

[0108] FIG. 8 is a second depiction of the same four-segment section, demonstrating capacity of the edging to accept a higher level of deformation than depicted in FIG. 7;

[0109] FIG. 9 is a third depiction of the same four-segment section as is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, demonstrating capacity of the edging to accept an even higher level of deformation than depicted in FIG. 8;

[0110] FIG. 10 shows graphically in simple terms a sequence of operations which can be applied to install an artificial grass lawn installation using the preferred embodiment edging of the invention described hereinafter;

[0111] FIG. 11 is a top side perspective view which shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the edging has a different form to the edging shown in the previous Figures; and

[0112] FIG. 12 is a bottom side perspective view which shows the same alternative embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 11.

[0113] Various dimensions have been indicated in the following description. However, it should be noted that the Figures of the drawings have been prepared as illustrations without attempting to reflect those dimensions, or any dimensions, in them. Thus, for example, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the layered structure of an artificial lawn edged with an embodiment of the edging according to the invention; however, the dimensions in which the various layers and other features have been illustrated are not intended to represent the dimensions or relative dimensions of those details.

[0114] Referring first to FIG. 1, the lawn installation there depicted comprises an artificial grass layer 1 of a conventional form and constitution well-known in the art comprising a backing sheet 2, typically of latex, from which rise artificial grass filaments whose bases are embedded in or otherwise fixed to the backing sheet. In general, the upper surface of the artificial grass layer 1 will be over-sown with a sand infill which covers the latex sheet. A membrane 3 made of geotextile is laid on the ground/soil base 6. A compacted layer of Type 1 MOT or similar material is spread over the geotextile membrane 3; Type 1 MOT is a UK designation for a graded aggregate having particles sized between 1 and 40 mm. The particulate granite lawn base layer 4 is a compacted layer made up of granite dust. Layer 4 terminates at the perimeter of the lawn represented by edging described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The edging receives a perimeter edge portion of the lawn base layer 4, which underlies and supports the arcuate top wall 13 of elongate strip 11 of the lawn edging.

[0115] FIGS. 2 and 3 show elongate strip 11 of the edging used to define, respectively, a non-linear boundary between an area of artificial grass 1 and a further landscape feature consisting of a paviored area 8 and a linear boundary between first and second areas of artificial grass 1 and a further landscape feature consisting of a dwarf wall 7. In the case of FIG. 3, the dwarf wall 7 itself may be regarded as a separate landscape feature, could be non-linear (eg having a curved portion or a returning straight section joined to the straight section shown) and could represent a property boundary.

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the edging comprises an elongate strip designated generally by reference numeral 11 and made of an engineering grade polyamide such as Nylon-6 (eg as marketed under the name Alphalon 27) by plastics injection moulding, other plastics materials also being suitable as alternatives as explained hereinbefore. As shown, the strip 11 is segmented, and from FIGS. 4A and 4B it will be seen that the elongate strip 11 is comprised of a total of eight segments, these making up a 750 mm run from one end of the strip 11 to the other. FIGS. 4C, 4D, 5A and 5B show only the four segments 11A indicated in the view port shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0117] Each segment 11A of elongate strip 11 comprises a generally flat base plate 12 and an arcuate upperwall member 13 extending from a lip 14 at one lateral extremity to a junction at end wall 15 with the base plate 12 at the other. Each segment 11A is strengthened by ribs. First, a pair of ribs 16 traverse the flat upwardly-facing surface of the base plate 12 as shown. Secondly, a third rib 17 (shown in broken lines in FIGS. 4C, 4D 5 and 6 only) extends from a point near to the previously mentioned junction at end wall 15 onto the underside of arcuate upper wall member 13. Rib 17 suffers a reduction in thickness as it reaches the lip 14. Bores 18 in base plate 12 are provided for passage of long fixings such as nails (not shown) through into the sub-base 7 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0118] The mould used for the injection moulding of elongate member 11 is one which has been selectively acid-etched to provide a textured surface which is reproduced on the face of arcuate upper wall member 13 to provide improved adhesion of the adhesive applied to adhere the artificial grass layer 1 to the elongate member 11 (see the description below with reference to FIG. 10).

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, 5A and 6A, the “as manufactured” elongate strip 11 is rigid. Arcuate upper wall member 13 of each segment 11A is formed with an opening or window 19 (FIGS. 4C, 5A and 6A) adjacent the end wall 15, whilst base plate 12 is formed with an opening or window 20 also adjacent end wall 15 (also FIGS. 4C, 5A and 6A). A resiliently flexible plastics hinge 21 which is integral with end wall 15 provides continuity of that end wall whilst also interrupting its linearity to form a V-configuration; the openings 19 and 20 otherwise form a continuum which straddles the end wall 15. In cross-section of the strip 11, as best appreciated from FIG. 6, base plate 12 and arcuate upper wall member 13 together form the approximate outline of a chevron and define a cavity 22 which in use of the edging receives a perimeter edge portion of the lawn base layer 4; lawn base layer 4 then underlies and supports the arcuate upper wall member 13.

[0120] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4C and 5A, there are associated with openings 19 and 20 the cut-outs 23 and 24, which are provided, respectively, in the downwardly-facing surface of arcuate upper wall member 13 and in the upwardly-facing surface of base plate 12. The presence of these cut-outs is responsible for applying the previously mentioned rigidity of the elongate strip 11 shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C and 5A. Each of cut-outs 23 and 24 are formed in the elongate strip 11 as regions of lesser thickness (1 mm) than the gauge of the surrounding moulding (2 mm), so facilitating their removal from the elongate strip 11 by use of a hand cutting tool such as snips or scissors to cut them out. Cutting them out disapplies the rigidity to convert the elongate member to its “deployment form”.

[0121] FIGS. 4D and 5B show the elongate strip 11 in its deployment form in which it is flexible rather than rigid. Upon removal of cut-outs 23 and 24, the segments 11A of elongate strip 11 remain connected to one another by the resiliently flexible plastics hinge 21 which is integral with end wall 15, but they are otherwise unconnected. In the condition of the elongate strip shown in FIGS. 4D and 5B, openings 19 and 20 essentially circumvent the width of the elongate strip 11, interrupted only by the resiliently flexible plastics hinge 21. Plastics hinge 21 ensures that the segments remain part of the elongate strip 11 but permits their displacement relative to one another in a broadly rotational movement at the crutch of the V-configuration. Although shown in FIGS. 4B, 4D, 5B and 6B with all cut-out pairs 23,24 removed, this serves as illustration only and in use one 23,24 pair may be cut out and either none of the other pairs or one or more of the other pairs.

[0122] Each segment in the manufactured condition of the elongate strip 11 is connected to the next adjacent segment by (1) cuts-outs 23 and 24 and (2) resiliently flexible plastics hinge 21 at the connection region. Further, each segment in the deployed condition of the elongate strip 11 is connected to the next adjacent segment by a resiliently flexible plastics hinge 21 only. It is, of course, possible to construct the elongate strip 11 with only some segments provided with a plastics hinge 21, cut-outs 23 and 24 then remaining at the connection regions of the segments not so provided if other means of rigid connection is not provided.

[0123] In use of the edging shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 of the drawings in constructing an artificial lawn installation, the process to be followed is shown in the sequence of depictions set out in FIG. 10.

[0124] An eight-segment length of edging as shown in the preceding drawings is first provided. The method is then as follows:

[0125] 1. Flatten and prepare the ground over which the artificial grass layer is to be applied, lay the geotextile membrane 3 and then lay the MOT Type 1 graded aggregate layer 5 (sub-base). Compact layer 5 to a thickness of 50-100 mm.

[0126] 2. Trim the edging to the correct length needed, if it is too long, and remove those of cut-outs 23 and 24 which are required in order to enable the required deformation of the elongate strip 11.

[0127] 3. Position the elongate strip 11 on sub-base layer 5 and nail to fix in place after the necessary deformation of strip 11 to fit the desired boundary line, the nails being received in the compacted aggregate sub-base layer 5. Lay the granite layer 4, compacting the material and filling the cavity 22 of the elongate strip 11, layer 4 including the placed in-filling being shown in the last of the depictions shown in FIG. 10 and, diagrammatically in outline only, in the second depiction.

[0128] 4. Cut the artificial grass layer 1 to the perimeter line and pull back from the arcuate upper wall member 13.

[0129] 5. Spread a layer of adhesive upon the upwardly-facing surface of arcuate upper wall member 13.

[0130] 6. Lay the artificial grass layer 1 onto the upwardly-facing surface of the arcuate upper wall member 13 already provided with adhesive, dressing it over the arcuate upper wall member 13 and pressing it down manually to ensure adhesion. Care must be taken to ensure that the perimeter of layer 1 is tucked down between the adjacent landscape surface (which might eg be a pathway or a paved area) and the edge of the elongate member 11.

[0131] Flexibility allowing the elongate strip 11 to deform to a boundary is an important feature of the invention and in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 this important property is depicted. In FIG. 7, four segments are shown as re-oriented to a configuration with a concave radius of the order commonly found in artificial lawn areas; four segments only are shown for illustration purposes although in practice of the invention, a significantly larger number of segments will usually be present as this makes for efficient installation processes as well as convenient storage and carriage as well as general handling convenience.

[0132] In FIG. 8, the same four segments have each been rotated further (to a total of 90 degrees) relative to their in-line configuration; as it will be seen, the face of each segment end wall 15 is at a right angle to the face of the end wall 15 of the next adjacent segment. However, FIG. 8 ins intended to demonstrate flexibility rather than circumstances which would be likely to occur frequently in practice.

[0133] With reference to FIG. 7, the curvature could, of course, be convex instead of concave as shown in that Figure. Depending on the radius of the convex curvature, the base plates 12 of adjacent segments or the base plates 12 and the arcuate upper wall members 13 of adjacent segments would partially sweep, respectively, one over the other (ie one base plate 12 over another base plate 12 and one arcuate upper wall members 13 over another arcuate upper wall members 13) to accommodate the rotation of the segments and their overlapping. If the segments were to be rotated relative to one another through a total of 90 degrees relative to their in-line configuration (which would be the analogue of the overlap shown in FIG. 8), then the face of the segment end wall 15 of each segment would again be at a right angle to that of the next adjacent segment. In this condition, the base plates 12 would overlap by about 70%. The arcuate upper wall members 13 would overlap only slightly, although minor clipping of this component may be desirable in order to accommodate an overlying artificial grass sheet in a neat manner.

[0134] Further to the depiction shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 serves to illustrate the flexibility of the edging of the invention, in this case the same four segments having suffered rotation in the same direction as in the case of FIG. 8 through 180 degrees without damage.

[0135] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the apparatus 30 for securing a perimeter of a lawn covering, comprises an elongate member 31 comprising a first end 32 and an opposed second end 33. The elongate member 31 further comprises a base portion 34 providing a first contact surface 35 configured to abut a support surface (not shown). The elongate member 31 further comprises an opposed upper portion 36 providing a second contact surface 37 configured to receive a portion of a lawn covering (not shown). The elongate member 31 further comprises an abutment member 38 extending therebetween defining an outer abutment surface 39 configured to abut a wall or fence, and an inner abutment surface 40. A channel 41 extends between the base portion 34, the opposed upper portion 36 and the inner abutment surface 232.

[0136] The elongate member is composed of injection moulded plastics material such as exemplified previously herein.

[0137] The base portion 34 is provided by a plurality of spaced apart base flanges 46 aligned along the length of the elongate member 31. Each base flange provides an aperture 43 for receiving an attachment member to secure the elongate member 31 to a contact surface. The upper portion 36 is provided by a plurality of spaced apart upper portion members 44 aligned along the length of the elongate member.

[0138] Spacer portions 45 are located between adjacent pairs of base flanges 46 and between adjacent pairs of upper portion members 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer portion 45 are pleated.

[0139] In use, the elongate member 31 is cut to a predetermined length by cutting along one of the spacer portions 45. The elongate member 31 is manipulated to the required shape and placed in the desired position, such that the outer abutment surface of the abutment member abuts the required surface, such as for example a wall or fence.

[0140] The first contact surface 35 of the base portion 134 (and base flanges 46) is placed adjacent a support surface. Attachment means are inserted through corresponding apertures 43 to secure the elongate member 31 in position. An adhesive layer is applied to the second contact surface 37 of the upper portion 36 of the elongate member 31. Ground material is then inserted within the channel 41 of the elongate member 31. A lawn covering, such as for example artificial lawn, in then secured to the second contact surface 37 of the upper portion 36.

[0141] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that, in constructing an artificial lawn installation in which he edging used is that shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the process to be followed is a minor modification of the process described above with reference to FIG. 10, one significant difference being that that embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, of course, lacks cut-outs with the result that the step illustrated in the first of the depictions in FIG. 10 would be omitted as unnecessary.

Further Description

[0142] The invention includes within its scope an artificial lawn edging for use in an artificial lawn installation comprising an artificial grass layer layered upon a support surface of a lawn base layer and extending to form an artificial lawn between perimeter edges which terminate the artificial grass layer and underlying lawn base support surface at a boundary thereof with another landscape surface, at least part of said boundary being non-linear and defined by said edging, the edging comprising an elongate member comprising a plurality of segments connected, each with a next adjacent one of said segments, at segment connections along the length of the elongate member, each segment having a segment base plate and an opposed wall member which respectively provide a base plate surface for seating upon and fixture to a support surface of a sub-base layer underlying, in the lawn installation, the lawn base layer and an upwardly-facing wall member surface which forms in aggregate with the upwardly-facing wall member surface(s) of the other segment(s), in the lawn installation, a continuity of said lawn base layer support surface upon which said artificial grass layer can be laid for fixture at a said perimeter edge thereof so that it is both retained and supported by the upwardly-facing wall member surfaces of the elongate member in aggregate, in each segment the wall member and segment base plate being connected to form an open cavity therebetween for receiving therein, in the lawn installation, a said perimeter portion of the lawn base layer in an overlying relationship thereof with said a segment base plate of the segment and in an underlying supporting relationship with said wall member, each of one or more segment-to-segment connections effecting connection by:—

[0143] (a) joining means comprising segment articulation first connection means which enables relative displacement in the plane of said sub-base layer surface, when the elongate member is disposed with the base plates seated thereon, between segments connected by said segment articulation first connection means to change the orientation of those segments relative to one another so that the length of the elongate member constituted by those segments can be deformed to follow the non-linear part of the boundary or

[0144] (b) joining means comprising: [0145] (i) segment articulation first connection means which enables, subject to (b)(ii) below, relative displacement in the plane of said sub-base layer surface, when the elongate member is disposed with the segment base plates seated thereon, between segments connected by said segment articulation first connection means to change the orientation of those segments relative to one another so that the length of the elongate member constituted by those segments can be deformed to follow the non-linear part of the boundary and [0146] (ii) supplementary second connection means supplementing each of one or more of said so-articulated segment-to-segment connections and comprising in each case one or more severable connectors which substantially disable said relative displacement between segments connected by the articulation first connection means but permit it upon and following severance so that the length of the elongate member constituted by those displaceable segments can be deformed to follow the non-linear part of the boundary.