Edge restraint with mechanism for restricted horizontal movement

Abstract

An edge restraint and method of use where the edge restraint has a vertical wall for retaining segmental pavement in an installation placement and a horizontal base having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom and providing discrete focused points for providing friction between the edge restraint and an installation surface to prevent horizontal movement of the edging in at least one direction with respect to the installation surface. A leading edge of the base is installed under a first surface with the wall providing a barrier between the first surface and a second surface for engaging the teeth with a third surface to prevent movement of edging in a horizontal direction away from the first surface.

Claims

1. A kit and components for preparing a surface for installation of a paver surface, the comprising: a length of edge restraint; a securing mechanism for coupling to the edge restraint; a substrate for surface stabilization; and one or more fasteners, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to couple to a first surface of the edge restraint with the substrate secured therebetween and wherein each one of the one or more fasteners secures the securing mechanism, the substrate, and the edge restraint to a ground surface.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism comprises a main body having a sidewall extending along one side edge of the main body.

3. The kit of claim 2 wherein the main body is substantially flat and has one or more apertures therein for receiving one or more fasteners therethrough.

4. The kit of claim 2 wherein the securing mechanism has a second opposing sidewall extending along a second opposing side edge of the main body and wherein the first and second opposing sidewalls each have a height and wherein the heights are different.

5. The kit of claim 2 wherein the sidewall engages a surface of the edge restraint to secure the substrate therebetween.

6. A rail for securing a substrate between the rail and an edge restraint and for tensioning the substrate, the rail comprising: a length having a width, wherein the width terminates in opposing side walls on opposing edges of the width and wherein the length is configured to couple to an edge restraint with an edge of the substrate positioned between the rail and the reinforcing side of the edge restraint and when fastened to the edge restraint, tensions the substrate.

7. The rail of claim 6 wherein the rail is configured to mate with a reinforcing surface of the edge restraint wherein the reinforcing surface of the edge restraint is positioned at an incline with respect to a horizontal base surface the edge restraint.

8. The rail of claim 7 wherein the substrate for surface stabilization is securable between the rail and the surface of the edge restraint and wherein a length of the substrate extends around and below the horizontal surface of the edge restraint.

9. The rail of claim 6 wherein the rail is comprised of medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, a metal, or combinations thereof.

10. The rail of claim 9 and wherein the width is configured to allow fasteners to secure the length coupled to the edge restraint.

11. The rail of claim 6 and wherein the width has one or more apertures therein and spaced apart along the length of the rail for receiving fasteners therethrough.

12. A method of preparing a surface for installation of paver surface thereon, the method comprising: laying a substrate over the surface for installation in front of an edge restraint; placing a base of the edge restraint on top of the substrate; wrapping an end of the substrate up and over along a back side of the edge restraint; and coupling a securing mechanism to the back side of the edge restraint with the end of the substrate secured between the securing mechanism and the back side of the edge restraint; and inserting one or more fasteners into one or more apertures in the securing mechanism and extending the one or more fasteners through the substrate and through an aligned aperture in the back side of the edge restraint.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein inserting one or more fasteners further comprises extending the one or more fasteners through a second aligned aperture in the base of the edge restraint and through a second location on the substrate below the base and into the surface for installation such that each fastener secures the substrate at two positions with respect to the edge restraint.

14. The method of claim 12 and further positioning a sidewall of the securing mechanism proximate a lower portion of the back side of the edge restraint and a second sidewall of the securing mechanism proximate an upper portion of the back side of the edge restraint.

15. The method of claim 12 and comprising placing the base of the edge restraint in a position that is substantially horizontal with respect to the surface for installation and wherein the back side of the edge restraint is positioned at an angle with respect to the base.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the securing mechanism is coupled to the edge restraint at an angle with respect to ax axis of the base of the edge restraint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1A is a side view of edge restraint according to embodiments described herein.

[0038] FIG. 1B is a partial view of the side view of edge restraint, enlarged for magnification purposes.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the edge restraint.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a length of edge restraint.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a side view of an additional embodiment of the base of the edge restraint.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a length of the additional embodiment of the edge restraint.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a top view of a length of edge restraint.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a side view of an additional embodiment of the edge restraint.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an additional embodiment of the edge restraint.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates an installation of the edge restraint as a reinforcement and paver end protector.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a side view of a securing mechanism for an installation surface support substrate.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the securing mechanism for the installation surface support substrate.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a side view showing an assembly order of the securing mechanism in use with the edge restraint.

[0050] FIG. 13 is a side view showing an assembly order of the securing mechanism in use with a securing pin with the edge restraint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Edge restraint for supporting a segmental pavement surface and protecting the paver surface and blocks positioned on a ground surface according to one or more embodiments described herein provides directional resistance to horizontal movement of the edging itself. The edge restraint comprises a base providing a plurality of discrete focused points of friction to prevent horizontal movement of the edging in at least one direction when forces from one or more vertical, horizontal, or angled directions are applied to the edging.

[0052] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-6, edge restraint 10 comprises a base 12 and a vertical wall 14. A reinforcement section 16 is provided at a lower end of the vertical wall 14. The reinforcement length may be an angled wall 17 that supports a vertical wall 14 by way of extending from connection with the base 12 upwardly to a rear location on vertical wall 14 such that there is an open space 15 below reinforcement section 16.

[0053] The vertical wall 14 may be positioned at a right angle with respect to the base 12, which is substantially horizontal with respect thereto. The vertical wall 14 may extend upwardly from a substantially central portion on a width of the base 12 or may be offset from the center portion of the width of the base 12. The angled wall 17 of the reinforcement section 16 may extend from the base 12 at an acute angle to meet the vertical wall 14. In one or more embodiments, the angle may be an acute angle less than about 75 degrees, or less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 45 degrees. Moreover, the wall 17 of the reinforcement section 16 may contact the vertical wall 14 at any location along the height thereof, including at a location on a lower portion or lower half of the height of the vertical wall 14. In one or more embodiments, the edge restraint may also have an overall “L” shape with or without a reinforcement section.

[0054] As best shown in FIGS. 1A-3, in one embodiment, the base 12 comprises a substantially flat section on an upper surface thereof wherein a bottom surface thereof comprises a plurality of teeth 22 extending therefrom. In the embodiment illustrated, the teeth 22 are spaced apart from each other substantially along the entire width of the base 12 up to a leading edge 20. The teeth 22 each have an angled tread 24 terminating at a distal first terminal point 28 defined by the angled tread 24 meeting a riser 26. Overall, the base 12 has a bottom surface that is generally level or non-sloped meaning that the angled tread 24 of each of the teeth 22 has a length longer than the riser resulting in a slope that defines length of the riser 26 to be shorter than the length of the tread. Each angled tread 24 extends from the first terminal point 28 converges at an opposite end at a start of an adjacent tread 24. That is, each angled tread 24 connects to a first, bottom end of a first riser 26 which is the distal terminal point 28. The angled tread 24 then extends upwardly at an acute angle to terminate and connect with a second, top end of a second, adjacent riser 26. The acute angle at which the angled treads 24 each extend may be the same angle or a different angle. In the embodiment illustrated, each angled tread 24 is angled at substantially the same acute angle as represented by angle θ in the figures. The acute angle may in some embodiments be less than about 75 degrees, or less than about 60 degrees or less than about 45 degrees.

[0055] The base 12 may comprise for example, three (4), four (4), five (5), six (6) or more terminal points 28 to provide sufficient spaced apart and discrete focused points of friction for the edge restraint 10 when the edge restraint 10 is installed. The number of terminal points 28 may be selected based on the overall dimensions of the edge restraint 10 and/or an end use of the edge restraint 10. For example, the lowest number of focused points of friction 28 sufficient for preventing and/or resisting horizontal movement of the edge restraint 10 in at least one direction as described in further detail herein, may be preferred. The addition of excess points of friction 28 in some embodiments may instead reduce the effectiveness of the edge restraint 10 by distributing the resistive friction to thinly with respect to the overall size of the edge restraint 10. Thus, embodiments described herein may utilize a number and positioning of discrete focused points of friction selected based on providing a maximum resistive force to horizontal movement of the edge restraint 10.

[0056] The discrete focused points of friction 28 contact a base surface such as prepared ground surface on which the edging is installed and provide directional resistance for the edge restraint 10. The base 12 restricts movement of the edging along the direction of arrow 44 when forces are applied to the edge restraint 10 along, for example, the directions illustrated by arrows 32. The edge restraint 10 concurrently allows for horizontal movement along the direction of arrow 42, which is a reciprocal direction to arrow 44. The base 12 is configured to allow for easy placement of the edging along the direction of arrow 44 to support surfaces positioned on base 12 and supported by a front face of vertical wall 14. Movement along the direction of arrow 44 is prevented to retain the edge restraint 10 in the selected installed position such that forces applied to the segmental pavement surface in the direction of arrows 32 do not displace the edge restraint 10. This allows the segmental pavement surface to be retained in its installation position and prevent migration of the components.

[0057] The teeth 22 including each angled tread 24 and riser 26 as well as the terminal point 28 connecting the angled tread 24 and riser 26 may have varying dimensions depending at least in part on the selected end use of the edge restraint 10 and thus overall size of the edge restraint 10. These dimensions are within an optimal range sufficient for each point 28 to provide frictional resistance to directional forces in a manner which substantially prevents horizontal movement of the edge restraint 10 in the direction of angle 44 when the edge restraint 10 is installed. The riser 26 is a substantially vertical riser 26 (that is generally perpendicular to the ground surface) and the angled tread 24 extends at an acute angle from terminal point 28 to a upper end of an adjacent vertical riser 26 to provide such resistance. The length of the angled tread may vary as well as the acute angle at which said tread 24 connects two adjacent risers 26 also of varying vertical length. As an illustrative example in the embodiment illustrated, the riser 26 has a height of less than about ½ an inch, or more preferably less than about ¼ inch, or more preferably less than about ⅛ inch or less.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the focused points of friction 28 are provided as discrete protrusions 128 from the base 12. These protrusions 128 may be selectively spaced apart along substantially entire surface of the base 12 and along substantially the entire selected length of the edge restraint 10. The protrusions 128 may be provided in a plurality of rows where the protrusions 128 in adjacent rows are aligned or offset from one another. The protrusions 128 may be referred to as spikes or cleats and may have a pointed tip with a base of varying geometries. For example, the protrusions may have an overall conical or pyramidal shape with a pointed end extending away from the base 12 for engagement with the ground surface. The protrusions 128 may otherwise be tapered along their length as they extend outwardly from the base 12. In these embodiments, the protrusions 128 may be formed on or with the base 12 as the edge restraint is formed by injection molding. The protrusions 128 are also angled protrusions 128 such that the protrusions 128 extend from the base 12 at an acute angle with respect to the base 12 surface. Additionally, or alternatively, the pointed tips of the protrusions 128 may be directionally angled. In one or more embodiments, the angle may be one or more of an acute angle less than about 75 degrees, or less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 45 degrees.

[0059] A protruding length and a base cross-sectional dimension of the angled protrusions 128 may vary as well as the acute angle at which said angled protrusion extends from the base 12. As an illustrative example the angled protrusions 128 may have a protrusion length of less than about ½ an inch, or more preferably less than about ¼ inch, or more preferably less than about ⅛ inch or less. A ground contact end 130 of the protrusions 128 has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than a base contact end 132 of the protrusion. By way of non-limiting example, the ratio of the cross-sectional dimension of the ground contact end 130 to the base contact end 132 may be about 1:2, or about 1:3 or about 1:4, or about 1:5.

[0060] The edge restraint 10 of the embodiments described herein is a restraint designed to resist the horizontal load from traffic on a segmental paver pavement surface. Lateral and horizontal loads on the paver surface come from pedestrian and vehicle traffic and from freezing and thawing of the base or ground surface as well as soil and/or moisture issues. The focused points of friction 28 aid in restraining the segmental pavement surface and maintaining installation placement of the segmental pavement surface by resisting movement regardless of the lateral and/or horizontal forces applied to the segmental pavement surface. Edging of the prior art will move in a direction horizontal to the ground surface when forces from foot and vehicle traffic or from ground shifts due to moisture and/or temperature changes are applied to the segmental pavement surface and the edge restraint 10 described herein is resistant to such horizontal movement and thus retains the segmental pavement installation in place in a more efficient and long-term manner.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 6, one or more apertures 40 may be positioned at spaced apart locations along a length of the edging 10. That is, as longer lengths of edge restraint 10 are selected, the length is selected in part based on a path or perimeter of the segmental pavement surface(s). The edge restraint 10 provides a perimeter transition and retention boundary along selected paths and retains the surfaces within said perimeter. As such, longer lengths of edging may comprise an increasing plurality of apertures to aid in placement during installation of the edge restraint 10 and the segmental pavement surface. In the embodiment illustrated, the apertures 40 are spaced apart along the reinforcement section 16 wherein the apertures extend through the reinforcement section 16 and corresponding apertures are positioned in an aligned location on the base 12 there below. When a fastener such as a stake, spike, or pin is inserted into aperture 40 the stake, spike, or pin is positioned in the aperture 40 as it has a sufficient length to then extend through the base 12 and into the ground surface below the edge restraint 10 to secure the position of edge restraint 10 along a selected path during installation.

[0062] Illustrated in FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the edge restraint 10 having three (3) gripping mechanisms and a configuration according to one or more embodiments herein.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 8 in one or more embodiments described herein, the edge restraint 10 may have notches 50 along the length of the base 12, forming a tongue and groove mechanism with sections 51 between the notches 50 along the length of the edge restraint 10. The tongue and groove mechanism allows for compact and stable stacking of lengths of the restraint 10 for transport and storage, for example. The tongue and groove mechanism of the lengths of restraints 10 allows compact stacking which adds stability in stacking lengths for storage and/or transport without sacrificing the restraint provided when the edge restraint 10 is installed.

[0064] In the embodiments illustrated the edge restraint 10 is a monolithic structure provided in selected lengths where the lengths may range from a minimum of about one foot long section increments in any denominator thereof. For example, the edging may be provided in lengths ranging from 2 feet to 10 feet, 15 feet or more. Apertures 40 are provided spaced apart along the length of the edging 10 for purposes of receiving a stake, spike or pin for placing the edging in selected locations during installation. The edge restraint 10 may also be provided as a multi-piece system or construction to allow for flexibility of the edge restraint 10 for providing curved perimeters to segmental pavement surfaces, for example.

[0065] In one or more embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the edge restraint 10 is configured for use with a substrate securing mechanism 60 for use in installation. The securing mechanism 60 comprises a strip 62 that may have a length substantially equal to the length of the edge restraint 10. The strip 62 may have apertures 64 spaced apart along a length of the strip. In additional or alternative embodiments, the strip 62 may be comprised of a material that allows fasteners to be inserted therethrough without pre-formed apertures therein. The strip 62 has a width 66 bounded by two opposing side walls 65 and 67 which extend downward from the strip 62. The width 66 of the strip 62 is sufficient to allow the securing mechanism 60 to mate with the reinforcement section 16 of the edge restraint 10. The sidewall 65 extends downward to catch a leading edge of the edge restraint 10 and mate with the reinforcement section 16. The securing mechanism 60 may be comprised of the same or a similar material as the edge restraint 10 as described below.

[0066] Edge restraint 10 may be a plastic edging or comprising medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or like materials which provide strength and flexibility to a length of edging for use in various lengths and perimeter shapes for segmental pavement designs. Edging can be comprised of other materials including aluminum or like materials.

[0067] The term “segmental pavement surface” as used herein refers generally to the man-made features used in landscape architecture such as paths or other surfaces for pedestrian or vehicle traffic and walls where in contrast to vegetation, the features are constructed from materials such as segmental paver stones or bricks, or the like. By way of non-limiting example, the edge restraint 10 described herein can be used to restrain the segmental pavers forming various features such as paths, walkways, driveways and other features constructed from segmental pavers as well as to restrain base layers of walls such as to restrain and support a first layer of blocks in a retaining wall.

[0068] As mentioned previously, the dimensions of the edging design may vary such that the edging may be provided in smaller or larger sizes depending on the materials to be used in the segmental pavement surfaces requiring edging. In one embodiment, edging 10 has overall dimensions wherein the edging 10 is in the range of about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches tall and about 2.0 to about 4 inches wide, with selectable lengths when supporting porcelain pavers or pavers having low heights and the edge restraint 10 may then also be provided in substantially the same construction as described herein but with a height in the range of about 2 to about 4 inches and a width in the range of about 4 inches to about 8 inches. Larger edging 10 may be used for larger format surfaces or surfaces comprises of components having increased heights.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the edge restraint 10 may be installed on top of a base material 38 and/or bedding material 36 or other surface prepared for the installation of a surface 34 such as segmental pavement which may include a pathway, patio or driveway comprised of pavers or other like materials such as stones, by way of non-limiting example. Installation may include positioning a leading edge 13 of the base 12 under the segmental pavement surface 34 such that the vertical wall 14 extends upwardly from the base 12 to provide a barrier between the first surface 34 and a second surface 46. The teeth 22 then engage the surface 38 below the edge restraint 10 to prevent movement of the edging in the horizontal direction described as a direction away from the surface 34. The teeth may extend substantially across the width of the edge restraint 10 and/or substantially along the entire length of the edge restraint 10 to engage the edge restraint 10 with the ground surface along substantially the entire surface 38 below the edge restraint 10.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-13 a substrate for soil stabilization, for example, Geogrid, may be installed to support the installation surface 34 in an installed position and further prevent movement of the installation surface 34. The securing mechanism 60 may then be installed with the edge restraint 10. With installation, the strip 62 is configured to capture and engage the substrate 70 that is positioned below the edge restraint 10. The installation of the Geogrid or like grid material and securing a terminal end of the Geogrid between the edge restraint 10 described herein or a like restraint mechanism and the securing mechanism 60 allows for the option of pre-tensioning the Geogrid installation. This means the Geogrid or other substrate for aggregate stabilization is tensioned during installation and prior to laying the paver surface thereon. With such securing mechanism, the grid is laid and installed with slack that does not become tensioned until after the pavers are installed. This means the pavers can move anywhere from ⅜ inch to up to ½ inch at each edge after installation as the grid for support is not previously under tension.

[0071] When installing the edge restraint and using the securing mechanism 60, the substrate material extends under the edge restraint 10 such that the edge restraint is installed over or on top of the substrate 70. A terminal end of the substrate 70 is brought up and over the reinforcement section 16 of the edge restraint 10 such that the substrate 70 extends under the edge restraint 10 and away from the edge restraint 10 and then up over the back or reinforcement section 16 of the edge restraint 10. Fasteners such as screws are inserted through the edge restraint 10 in a manner that one fastener secures the substrate 70 at a first point between the securing mechanism 60 and the edge restraint 10 and at a second point between the edge restraint 10 and the installation surface. For example, the substrate 70 is pretensioned across the installation surface by way of securing the substrate 70 between the securing mechanism 60 and the reinforcement section 16 of the edge restraint and between the base 12 and the installation surface 34. During installation excess substrate 70 length is trimmed off so as not to extend above or over the height of the edge restraint 10. The strip 62 is secured over the substrate 70 along the reinforcement section 16 thus clamping or otherwise securing the geogrid 70 between the strip 62 and the edge restraint 10 and providing tension to the substrate 70 prior to laying any paver bricks. The strip 62 and thus the substrate 70 can be further secured by way of screws or other fasteners inserted into apertures 64 in the strip 62 which align with apertures 40 in the edge restraint 16 as illustrate in FIG. 13. However, the securing mechanism 60 may act as an anchoring system for the edge restraint 10 and thus the securing mechanism 60 and edge restraint 10 can be installed with or without fasteners or spikes.

[0072] Benefits of the use of a securing mechanism 60 described herein and a method of installation described herein include further securing of the substrate while concurrently providing tension to and otherwise removing slack in the substrate 70 laid across the installation surface 34 prior to the installation of the paver surface. Thus, the paver surface when installation on top thereof is stationary in that the pre-tensioning of the substrate by way of the installation of the securing mechanism removes a substantial amount of movement of the pavers at or near the edges that occurs when otherwise allowing the floor to tension.

[0073] In further detail, the edge restraint 10 provides directional resistance to horizontal movement and/or shifting of the edge restraint 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the teeth 22 are positioned such that each terminal point 28 provides an apex point of contact with the base material 38 to focus frictional and directional resistance in a downward manner to prevent horizontal movement in a direction opposite the direction of the incline of angled tread 24 as illustrated by arrow 44. The edging is moveable in the horizontal direction of the incline 24 as shown by arrow 42 to allow for adjustment and/or installation or removal from pre-existing surfaces, however once placed, the terminal points 28 prevent the edging from moving in the direction of arrow 44 such that in the event pavers of other materials impact the edge restraint 10 from the direction of arrows 32 the edge restraint 10 remains in place.

[0074] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.