Abstract:
The instant invention provides a kit for assembly of a raised garden bed. The raised garden bed includes panel members, corner connector members, and linear connector members constructed of a polymeric material and adapted to be snapped together into a substantially rigid raised garden bed without the need for special tools or excessive strength. A tongue and groove arrangement is also provided to allow for panel member stacking for increased garden bed height. The components of the kit are constructed and arranged to be packed into a relatively small profile for shipping and transport and are generally light enough to be loaded and unloaded without the need for equipment such as a forklift or pallet jack.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to gardening and, more particularly, to a snap-together kit for creating a raised garden bed useful for containing soil and growing plants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The idea of growing plants in single file, “row crops” started when the horse and plow needed space between rows to cultivate crops in a large scale. Later, row spacings were widened to accommodate tractors and their implements. Out of habit, many home gardeners plant single file vegetable gardens in their backyards either for hobby or out of need to grow food for their family. However, row cropping has many disadvantages for the home gardener. A major disadvantage is the space required to raise such a garden. Many home owners only have a small amount of land to dedicate to growing a home garden, and therefore must limit the amount of crops that are grown. Another disadvantage relates to soil compaction. Plant roots need air. In an ordinary row crop garden, the gardener cannot avoid stepping between the rows to maintain the garden. This foot traffic on each side of a single row can severely compact the soil, thereby reducing the air that reaches the roots, impeding plant growth and reducing production. Thus, row crop gardening is not practical for many home owners. 
         [0003]    Raised bed gardens have been in use for centuries. Permanent beds, raised a few inches above the soil level and arranged just wide enough to reach across by hand, are an ideal way to grow vegetables and small fruit. Several rows of vegetables can be grouped together in a bed with a walkway on either side. Raised bed gardens can range from a simple rectangular plateau of soil to a more elaborate bed paneled in wood or stone and mortar. Although, the permanent structures are more expensive and time consuming to build, permanent structures keep the soil in place during heavy rains and may provide an appealing appearance to the landscaping. 
         [0004]    Raised bed gardens have several advantages over row crop gardens. For example, a properly designed raised bed garden allows most or all of the gardening to be accomplished from around the perimeter of the raised bed, minimizing or eliminating soil compaction. Plants can be spaced closer together in a raised bed because there is no need to step on or run equipment between the rows of plants. This increases productivity per square foot of bed and reduces weed growth when plants begin to mature. Raised beds tend to drain away excess moisture better than ordinary gardens. This is another advantage that helps the plant roots to breath. Soil conditions and types can be controlled more efficiently in a raised bed and they can be varied easily from bed to bed. Water, fertilizer, compost, mulch, etc. can be applied more carefully because they only need to be applied to the garden beds. Raised garden beds can extend the gardening season. They tend to warm up sooner in the spring and remain productive later into the fall. Raised garden beds are also convenient for the gardener. They reduce stooping and bending and many can be weeded from a stool or garden wagon with a seat board. 
         [0005]    However, state of the art raised plant beds include their own set of drawbacks. Raised garden beds are often made from treated lumber, railroad ties, concrete blocks, rocks, or bricks. The chemicals used in treated lumber are toxic. Therefore, sawing or drilling the lumber to make the raised plant bed requires protective measures to avoid breathing in dust, etc. Non-treated woods are prone to rotting when in contact with soil. Creosote in the railroad ties is also toxic and the vapors may burn tender plants. In addition, soil expands and contracts when freezing and thawing. Wood can easily bow out, while the masonry is prone to cracking or breaking. 
         [0006]    Thus what is needed in the art is a kit for assembling a raised garden bed. The components should be constructed of a polymeric material that is substantially impervious to moisture, thus resistant to rot. The material should be lightweight yet strong enough to withstand the weight of the soil it contains without bowing or bending. The components should be capable of snap-together assembly without undue strength or without the need for special tools. The components should also stack together into a small profile package that can be easily shipped and transported. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The instant invention provides a kit for assembly of a raised garden bed. The raised garden bed includes a plurality of components constructed of a polymeric material and adapted to be snapped together into a substantially rigid raised garden bed without the need for special tools or excessive strength. The components of the kit are constructed and arranged to be packed into a small profile for shipping and transport, and are substantially hollow so that they are light enough to be loaded and unloaded without the need for equipment such as a forklift or pallet jack. 
         [0008]    The kit generally includes panel members, corner connector members, linear connector members, and spike members. The panel members are generally hollow and rectangular in shape when viewed from the end, having a top wall, bottom wall, and a pair of sidewalls. The top wall has an outwardly extending male tongue for cooperating with the bottom wall of another panel member having a female groove to allow panel member stacking. The sidewalls are substantially parallel and may include texture or wood grain on the outer surfaces thereof for aesthetic purposes. A plurality of ribs extend between the sidewalls for added strength and rigidity to reduce bowing and/or twisting of the panel members. Apertures are provided at about the distal ends of the sidewalls for interlocking cooperation with the corner connectors or linear connectors. 
         [0009]    The linear connector members include a central rib having a number of locking posts extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof. An aperture extends through the central portion of the central rib for anchoring the connector to a ground surface. The locking posts are sized and shaped for insertion onto the distal ends of the panel members. Each locking post includes at least one snap lock for interlocking cooperation with the apertures positioned in the sidewalls at the distal ends of the panel members. 
         [0010]    The corner connectors include a vertical rib having a number of locking posts extending outwardly from adjacent surfaces thereof so that the locking posts are positioned at substantially right angles with respect to each other. An aperture extends through the central portion of the central rib for anchoring the connector to a ground surface. The locking posts are sized and shaped for insertion onto the distal ends of the panel members. Each locking post includes at least one snap lock for interlocking cooperation with the apertures positioned at the distal ends of the sidewall members. 
         [0011]    The components may be supplied in a kit form intended to be assembled into a predetermined shape or alternatively, a user may choose a combination of panel members, linear connectors and corner connectors for assembly into a garden bed of virtually any desired shape and/or size. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a raised garden bed kit utilizing snap-fit connections between panel members and connectors to assemble a raised garden bed. 
         [0013]    It is another objective of the present invention to provide a raised garden bed kit which is easy to assemble and does not require typical fasteners to secure the components together into a raised garden bed assembly. 
         [0014]    It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a raised garden bed kit comprised of polymeric components that are lightweight and resist rotting. 
         [0015]    It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide a raised garden bed kit that provides for panel member stacking by utilizing an integrally formed tongue and groove design between stacked panel members. 
         [0016]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a raised garden bed kit having connectors constructed and arranged to cooperate with stakes to prevent bowing from the force the soil exerts on the panel members. 
         [0017]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a raised garden bed kit constructed of polymeric components so as to be substantially hollow to reduce material consumption and reduce shipping costs. 
         [0018]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled raised garden bed as constructed by the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the assembled raised plant bed of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a stacked corner arrangement; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of a panel member; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a partial side view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an end view of a pair of panel members arranged in a stacked configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a partial end view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a linear connector of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the linear connector illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a corner connector of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the corner connector illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the corner connector illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a stake member of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a partial side view, partially in section, illustrating assembly of a panel member to a connector member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a top view illustrating the securing connection between the connector member and a panel member; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a partial section view illustrating disassembly of a panel member and a connector member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-15 , a raised garden bed and kit  100  are illustrated. The raised garden bed kit includes a plurality of panel members  102 , a plurality of corner connectors  104 , a plurality of linear connectors  106 , and a plurality of stakes  108 . In an assembled form, the raised garden bed kit  100  is supported by a ground surface  110 . The plurality of panel members  102  and plurality of connectors  104 ,  106  define a raised garden bed  100  for containing suitable planting soil and growing plants therein. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the panel members  102  are horizontally connected together at a predetermined distance predicated by the length of the panel members and subsequent connection to linear or corner connectors  104 ,  106  respectively. The connectors and panel members are attached together using a snap-fit connection that is completed without the need for tools. The panel members  102  may also be stacked atop of one another using a tongue and groove design on each panel member, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , allowing for a raised garden bed having an increased height or various numbers of panel member levels. The construction of the connectors  104 ,  106  also provides for interlocking stacking. The overlapping configuration of the tongue and groove arrangement and the stacked connectors provides a sufficient connection to maintain the contents within the garden bed and provide a stable connection between the components. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , a preferred embodiment of a panel member is illustrated. The panel members are preferably extruded or long core injection molded from a polymeric material to be substantially hollow. Each panel member preferably includes a top wall  112 , a bottom wall  114 , and parallel sidewalls  116 . Each sidewall defines an interior surface  118  and an exterior surface  120 , and a plurality of cross braces  122  extend between the interior surfaces  118  to provide strength and rigidity to the panel members as well as define generally rectangular shaped sockets  124  for accepting locking posts  128  ( FIG. 7 ) for connection to the connectors  104 ,  106 . Apertures  126  are also provided at about the distal ends of the panel members for cooperation with snap-locks  130  ( FIG. 7 ) positioned on the locking posts to prevent undesired disassembly of the components. The top wall  112  of each panel member preferably includes an outwardly extending tongue  132  along the length of the panel member while the bottom wall is provided with a groove  134 . The tongue is preferably sized and shaped to cooperate with the groove to allow stacking of the panel members as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The panel members may be provided in any suitable length and may be constructed and arranged to be cut for custom applications. Transverse apertures  136  ( FIG. 2 ) may also be provided. The transverse apertures are sized to accept stakes  108  to add additional rigidity and prevent bowing of an assembled raised plant bed. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-8  and  13 - 15 , one embodiment of a linear connector is illustrated. The linear connector generally includes a column portion  138  having about the same thickness and height of the panel members  102 . The column includes parallel sidewalls  142 , a top wall  144 , a bottom wall  146 , and an exterior wall  148 . A plurality of ribs  150  extend across the interior of the parallel sidewalls  142 . Each rib includes a U-shaped notch  152  sized to accept and guide a stake member  108 . Extending outwardly from opposite sides of the center post  138  and coaxially aligned are a plurality of locking posts  128 . The locking posts are generally rectangular in shape and sized to slip into locking sockets  124  ( FIG. 5 ) until snap-locks  130  engage apertures  126  in the side walls of the panel members to complete the connection ( FIGS. 13-16 ). The snap-locks  130  are preferably provided on two opposing sides of the locking posts  128 , but may be provided on only one to all four sides without departing from the scope of the invention. Regardless of the number of snap-locks, the snap-together connection can be completed without tools or without the need for excessive strength. One embodiment provides for disassembly of the connection by mounting the snap-locks  130  on spring tabs  140 , whereby depressing the snap-locks causes deflection of the spring tabs to allow the panel member to be slid off of the locking post  128 . It should be noted that while the locking posts  128  and sockets  124  are illustrated as rectangular, other shapes may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention so long as the cross-section of each locking post corresponds substantially to the cross-section of each receiving socket. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , one embodiment of a corner connector is illustrated. The corner connector includes a central column  151  having intersecting sidewalls  152 , a top wall  154 , and a bottom wall  156 . The sidewalls are oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to each other along the length thereof. Each intersecting sidewall has an exterior surface  158  and an interior surface  160 , the interior surface helping further define the garden bed. The top surface  154  includes a recessed area  155  for accepting the head portion of a stake member  108 . The bottom surface includes an outwardly extending key  164  sized and shaped to cooperate with the recessed portion  155  during staking of the panel members. Extending from the interior surface of each sidewall of the corner connector is a plurality of locking posts  128 . The locking posts extend substantially perpendicular from the central column at substantially right angles with respect to each other. The intersections of the locking posts provide strengthening ribs  162  to the corner connector and also include a substantially U-shaped slot  153  for passage of a stake member  108 . The locking posts are generally rectangular in shape and sized to slip into locking sockets  124  until snap-locks  130  engage apertures  126  in the side walls of the panel members to complete the connection ( FIGS. 13-16 ). The snap-locks are preferably provided on two opposing sides of the locking posts but may be provided on only one to all four sides without departing from the scope of the invention. Regardless of the number of snap-locks, the snap-together connection can be completed without tools or without the need for excessive strength. One embodiment provides for disassembly of the connection by mounting the snap-locks  130  on spring tabs  140 , whereby depressing the snap-locks causes deflection of the spring tabs to allow the panel member to be slid off of the locking post  128 . It should be noted that while the locking posts  128  and sockets  124  are illustrated as rectangular, other shapes may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention so long as the cross-section of each locking post corresponds substantially to the cross-section of each receiving socket. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , various assembled connections between the connector members and the panel members are illustrated.  FIG. 13  illustrates the snap-together assembly facilitated by the locking posts and sockets.  FIG. 14  illustrates the panel member in place over the locking posts.  FIG. 15  illustrates a connector having the snap-locks  130  formed integral to spring tabs  140 . This arrangement facilitates disassembly of the raised garden bed. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a stake member  108  is illustrated. The stake member generally includes a shank portion  170  and a head portion  172 . The shank portion is preferably round in shape and includes a length sufficient to extend through a panel member or connector member and extend into the ground surface a sufficient distance to secure the raised garden bed in place. The head portion  172  is preferably round in shape and includes a thickness sufficient to withstand being driven into a ground surface. The stake may include a surface coating to prevent oxidation of the stake member. Suitable coatings may include, but should not be limited to, zinc, paint, polymers and suitable combinations thereof. It should be noted that while the head and shank are illustrated as round virtually any cross sectional shape suitable to withstand being driven into a ground surface will work without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0042]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0043]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0044]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.