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. (canceled)

2. An edging for use with an artificial lawn, the edging comprising: an elongate member comprising a plurality of segments; and first connection means configured to connect adjacent segments of the elongate member and to provide relative displacement between the adjacent segments of 45 degrees or more.

3. The edging of claim 2, wherein the first connection means provides relative displacement between the adjacent segments of 90 degrees or more.

4. The edging of claim 2, wherein the first connection means comprises a sprung member configured to provide the relative displacement between the adjacent segments.

5. The edging of claim 2, wherein the first connection means comprises a plastics hinge configured to provide the relative displacement between the adjacent segments.

6. The edging of claim 2, wherein the first connection means comprises a V-shaped resilient member configured to provide the relative displacement between the adjacent segments.

7. The edging of claim 2, wherein each segment has a first face and a second face, the first face for receiving a perimeter edge portion of the artificial lawn and the second face for positioning on a ground-support surface.

8. The edging of claim 2, wherein each segment has a first face for receiving a perimeter edge portion of the artificial lawn, a second face for positioning on a ground-support surface, and an abutment member that extends between the first face and the second face, the abutment member defining an outer abutment surface configured to abut a wall or fence, and an inner abutment surface.

9. The edging of claim 2, further comprising second connection means configured to prevent relative displacement between the adjacent segments of the elongate member.

10. The edging of claim 2, further comprising second connection means that comprise a severable connection between the adjacent segments

11. The edging of claim 2, further comprising second connection means that comprise one or more severable stiffening members that are removable or otherwise disconnectable from the elongate member.

12. The edging of claim 2, further comprising second connection means configured to prevent relative displacement between the adjacent segments of the elongate member, the second connection means configured to extend between respective first faces of the adjacent segments or configured to extend between respective second faces of the adjacent segments.

13. The edging of claim 2, further comprising second connection means configured to prevent relative displacement and comprising a region of thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the elongate member.

14. The edging of claim 2, wherein the elongate member is made of a plastics material,

15. The edging of claim 2, wherein the elongate member is made of polyamide.

16. The edging of claim 2, wherein the elongate member is made of an injection moulded plastics material.

17. A lawn installation comprising: an artificial lawn having a perimeter edge portion; a ground-support surface; the edging of claim 2, further comprising a first face for receiving a perimeter edge portion of the artificial lawn and a second face for positioning on the ground-support surface; and a lawn base layer disposed between the first face and the second face of the edging.

18. The lawn installation of claim 17, wherein the first face and the second face are connected to form a cavity having an opening configured to receive a portion of the lawn base layer such that the lawn base layer is disposed between the first face and the second face of the edging.

19. A method of installing an artificial lawn, the method comprising: providing an artificial lawn, a lawn base, a ground-support surface and the edging of claim 2; fixing the edging to the ground-support surface at a boundary with another landscape feature such that the segmented elongate member is configured to follow the boundary; disposing the lawn base on the ground-support surface; disposing the artificial lawn upon a support surface of the lawn base, a perimeter edge of the artificial lawn terminating at the boundary; and fixing the perimeter edge of the artificial lawn to the edging.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: a. each segment has a first face and a second face; b. fixing the edging to the ground-support surface comprises fixing a second face of at least one segment to the ground-support surface; and c. fixing the perimeter edge of the artificial lawn to the edging comprises fixing a first face of at least one segment to the perimeter edge.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein disposing the lawn base on the ground-support surface comprises the edging receiving a perimeter edge portion of the lawn base such that the lawn base underlies and supports the first face of the elongate member.

Description

[0094] 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:

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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;

[0097] 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;

[0098] FIG. 4 shows an edging according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Figure comprising four separate drawings:

[0099] 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;

[0100] 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;

[0101] 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

[0102] 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;

[0103] 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:

[0104] FIG. 5A, which shows the edging depicted in FIG. 4C from this different perspective (shipped form of the edging); and

[0105] FIG. 5B, which shows the edging depicted in FIG. 4D from this different perspective (deployment-ready form of the edging);

[0106] 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:

[0107] 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

[0108] FIG. 6B, which shows the edging cross-sectioned along the line II-II 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;

[0109] 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;

[0110] 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;

[0111] 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;

[0112] FIGS. 10A-C 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;

[0113] 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

[0114] FIG. 12 is a bottom side perspective view which shows the same alternative embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 11.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] Each segment 11A of elongate strip 11 comprises a generally flat base plate 12 and an arcuate upper wall 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).

[0120] 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 FIGS. 10A-C).

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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 FIGS. 10A-C.

[0126] An eight-segment length of edging as shown in the preceding drawings is first provided. The method is then as follows:

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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 FIGS. 10A-C and, diagrammatically in outline only, in the second depiction.

[0130] 4. Cut the artificial grass layer 1 to the perimeter line and pull back from the arcuate upper wall member 13.

[0131] 5. Spread a layer of adhesive upon the upwardly-facing surface of arcuate upper wall member 13.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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 is intended to demonstrate flexibility rather than circumstances which would be likely to occur frequently in practice.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] The elongate member is composed of injection moulded plastics material such as exemplified previously herein.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that, in constructing an artificial lawn installation in which the 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 FIGS. 10A-C, 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 FIGS. 10A-C would be omitted as unnecessary.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION

[0144] 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: [0145] (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 [0146] (b) joining means comprising: [0147] (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 [0148] (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.