Abstract:
A landscape-edging device is disclosed which may be used to segregate dissimilar landscaping schemes by positioning the device into the soil. The landscape edging is made of flexible strips, designed for continuous end-to-end attachment. The edging is attached to the soil by stakes. The edging system is designed so that stakes are removably attached to the edging portion of the device. By this attachment, the stakes can be conveniently and cost effectively manufactured and shipped together with the edging portion. Stiffening ribs on the stakes increase the strength of the stakes so that they may be made from the same material and thickness as the edging portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to the field of landscape barriers, and particularly to the design of flexible landscape edging, and more particularly to the design of flexible landscape edging utilizing tapered stakes for attachment to the soil in which the tapered stakes are removably attached to the flexible strip portion of the edging. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     This invention relates to the problem of segregating an area of a garden or landscape scheme from a dissimilar neighboring landscape. In particular, the invention also relates to the problems that arise when flexible edging materials are used which require stakes for attachment of the edging to the soil. More particularly, this invention addresses the problem of manufacturing and delivering to the customer flexible landscape edging that requires stakes for attachment to the soil. There are numerous domestic and commercial applications in which it is desirable to separate dissimilar forms of vegetation, or landscape schemes. Of the various applications, there are numerous reasons for the need to separate landscape schemes, including aesthetics, incompatibility with neighboring vegetation, and differences in climatic requirements. 
     There are a number of well-known landscape barrier systems currently available, including wooden logs, flexible metal strips, flexible plastic strips, clay forms, stone, and brick. All of these systems are known to satisfactorily segregate the landscape schemes with certain differences noted in their overall performances. 
     Of all of the landscape barrier systems commercially available, flexible strips made of materials such as metal and plastic are among the most popular due to their flexible design options, ease of installation, and low cost. These systems allow for end-to-end series attachment of like sections of the system. This permits the construction of a continuous and uninterrupted landscape barrier of any length desired. The systems can be used to block the growth of roots between vegetation and incompatible neighboring vegetation, or between vegetation and a non-living landscape scheme. For this application, it is advisable to place the edging system low into the soil to block the growth of roots across the edging line. The systems can also be used to decoratively segregate dissimilar landscape schemes where root blocking is not the objective. In these instances, it is not necessary to place the edging as deeply into the soil. In either case, it is advantageous to attach the edging system to the soil with tapered stakes. The tapered stakes are positioned intermittently along the length of the flexible strip, and at its end to lock a first length of flexible strip to a second length of flexible strip. To keep the stakes from bending, they are made of a metal gage that is thicker than that of the edging portion. 
     A primary disadvantage of the existing systems is the difficulty of manufacturing the flexible strips separately from the tapered stakes. It requires substantial time, effort, and expense to punch the tapered stakes separately, wasting raw materials and tooling, and resulting in the generation of unnecessary material waste. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is the difficulty of painting the flexible strips separately from the tapered stakes. It requires substantial time, effort, and expense to paint the tapered stakes separately, wasting paint and resulting in the generation of unnecessary material waste associated with the painting process. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is the difficulty of packaging the flexible strips separately from the tapered stakes. This again requires substantial time, effort, and expense to package the tapered stakes separately, and results in the generation of unnecessary material waste. An additional disadvantage is that since the tapered stakes are shipped as a required accessory at no extra charge, they are not bar coded or entered into store inventories. For the store selling the stakes, this results in a serious tracking problem. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is encountered by the landscaper who desires to install the system and must pick up the tapered stakes separately. This requires that the landscaper and/or the retail representative calculate the number of stakes required. Often the customer will leave the store with the incorrect number of stakes to complete the installation. As a result, customers often will have to return to the store to get more stakes, or they will take too many, leaving the store with insufficient inventory for the remaining stock of flexible strip portions. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is that manufacturers are required to over-ship an excess quantity of stakes to correct for improper distributions of the inventory, incurring all of the related cost to manufacture, paint, package, and ship these units. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is that the shipper, retailer, and purchaser have multiple items of multiple sizes to carry, handle, and store. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is that the thicker stakes require inventory of a separate material thickness, and are heavier, and therefore more costly to ship. An additional disadvantage of the existing systems is that the stake pocket openings must be slightly larger than the thicker stakes, within a relatively small tolerance range so that the stakes will fit into the pockets without being too loose. 
     The past attempts to solve this problem have been to charge extra money for the stakes. This helps the manufacturer cover his costs, resulting in a higher cost to the consumer, but does not alleviate any of the issues of resource waste detailed in the paragraph above. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need to manufacture the flexible strip portions of the system separately from the tapered stakes, thus saving substantial time, effort, raw materials, waste generation and related expenses. An additional advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need to paint the flexible strips separately from painting the tapered stakes, thus saving substantial time, effort, raw materials, waste generation and related expenses associated with a separate painting process. An additional advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need to package and ship the flexible strips separately from the tapered stakes, thus saving substantial time, effort, raw materials, waste generation and related expenses associated with separate packaging and shipping processes. An additional advantage of the present invention is that the tapered stakes are shipped attached to the flexible strip portion, thus eliminating a need to separately inventory and account for the number of stakes at the retail store. An additional advantage of the present invention is that the landscaper who desires to install the system does not have to be concerned about picking up the right quantity of tapered stakes. An additional advantage of the present invention is that manufacturers are not required to over-ship any quantity of stakes to correct improper distributions of the inventory, thus reducing all of the costs associated with manufacturing, painting, packaging, and shipping the surplus inventory of stakes. An additional advantage of the present invention is that the shipper, retailer, and purchaser have fewer items of a single size to carry, handle, and store, which saves space on trucks and store displays. An additional advantage of the present invention is that the stakes can be made of a thinner material, and of the same material as the edging portion. This eliminates the need for a separate raw material inventory of a separate material thickness, and saves money in shipping costs. An additional advantage of the present invention is that the stake pocket openings can be smaller than the stakes, have a relatively large tolerance range, and allow for an interference fit of the stakes within the stake pockets. 
     Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a landscape edging system is disclosed having an edging portion, a plurality of stakes removably attached to the edging portion, and a plurality of notch-tab configurations located on the edging portion. Each notch-tab is capable of receiving a stake. In another preferred embodiment, each stake has at least one lengthwise stiffening rib. In another preferred embodiment, removal of the attached stakes leaves a first extension on one end of the edging portion, diagonally opposite and matching to a second extension on the opposite end of the edging portion. This permits construction of a continuous edging structure by end-to-end interlocking connection of edging pieces. In another preferred embodiment, primary tabs removably connect the stakes to the edging portion. In another preferred embodiment, secondary tabs removably connect the stakes to each other. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing two edging stakes attached to each end of the edging portion by tabs, and intermittent stake pockets attached to the edging portion. In this configuration, the edging system is a single rectangular unit that is easy to manufacture, paint, package, ship, store, inventory, display and handle in retail sales transactions. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the stakes removed from the ends of the edging portion, leaving diagonally opposite end extensions on the edging portion for matching alignment with the end extension of an immediately adjacent section of edging. Stakes are placed in the stake pockets located on each end extension to hold adjacent sections of edging in continuous alignment. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the first end of the edging having the stakes removably attached. In this view, breakable tabs are shown as connecting the oppositely oriented stakes to the edging portion, and to each other, above the leading extension. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the second end of the edging having the stakes removably attached. In this view, breakable tabs are shown as connecting the oppositely oriented stakes to the edging portion, and to each other, below the trailing extension. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 showing the first end of the edging with the stakes removed. The leading extension remains available for aligned attachment to the trailing edge of another section of edging or for attachment to the soil. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of a stake showing a preferred embodiment in which the top of the stake has a right angle relation to one side. The stake also has a chamfered edge at the bottom, and a stiffening rib along the center. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a stake inserted into a pocket. In this view of a preferred embodiment, it can be seen that the width of the stake including the stiffening rib is slightly wider than the pocket width, so as to form a secure interference fit of the stake within the pocket. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the complimentary match of leading extensions and trailing extensions of multiple sections of edging aligned in series connection to form a continuous landscaping barrier of variable length. Stakes are in place to hold adjacent sections of edging in continuous alignment and attached to the soil. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view showing the complementary match of two sections of edging aligned in series connection. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing generally, the edging system  100  in the form that it is provided to the retailer and end user. In this view, a substantially flat and rectangular edging portion  102  is provided, having a leading extension  104  and a diagonally opposite trailing extension  106 . A first substantially trapezoidal stake  108  is removably attached to edging portion  102 , immediately above leading extension  104 . A second substantially trapezoidal stake  110  is removably attached to edging portion  102  immediately above, and in opposite orientation, to first stake  108 . In a preferred embodiment, second stake  110  is also removably attached to first stake  108 . In this location and orientation, first stake  108  and second stake  110  form a rectangular portion having a height equal to approximately one-half the height of edging portion  102 . This can be seen clearly in FIG. 2, in which first stake  108  and second stake  110  have been detached and removed from edging portion  102 , leaving leading extension  104  extending from edging portion  102 . 
     Referring back to FIG. 1 for description of another preferred embodiment, a third substantially trapezoidal stake  112  is removably attached to edging portion  102 , immediately below trailing extension  106 . A fourth substantially trapezoidal stake  114  is removably attached to edging portion  102  immediately below, and in opposite orientation, to third stake  112 . In a preferred embodiment, fourth stake  114  is also removably attached to third stake  112 . In this location and orientation, third stake  112  and fourth stake  114  form a rectangular portion having a height equal to approximately one-half the height of edging portion  102 . 
     In a more preferred embodiment, the formation of a rectangular segment by combination of adjacent and opposite orientation of first stake  108  and second stake  110  is achieved by using stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  in the general form of trapezoids comprising two substantially right angles. This can best be seen by reference to FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing one end of the edging system  100  having stakes  108  and  110  removably attached. Similarly, FIG. 4 is a front view close-up showing the opposite end of edging system  100  having stakes  112  and  114  removably attached. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, at least one breakable primary tab  116  removably attaches edging portion  102  to each of stakes  108 , and  110 ,  112 , and  114 . In a more preferred embodiment, at least one breakable secondary tab  118  removably attaches each of first stake  108  to second stake  110 , and third stake  112  to fourth stake  114 . In still a more preferred embodiment, primary tabs  116 , and secondary tabs  118  are in the approximate range of about 0.13 inches and 0.25 inches wide. In a still more preferred embodiment, primary tabs  116  and secondary tabs  118  are approximately 0.19 inches wide. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 showing leading extension  104  of the edging system  100  with stakes  108  and  110  removed. Referring to this view, a preferred embodiment includes stake pockets  120  attached to edging portion  102  for receiving any of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , or  114 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of a stake  108  . While this view is of a preferred embodiment of stake  108 , in a more preferred embodiment, stakes  108  ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  are geometrically and dimensionally substantially equivalent, so that FIG.  6  and the geometrical and dimensional descriptions in this and all paragraphs apply to, and are representative of, all stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 . In a preferred embodiment, stake  108  has a stake top  124  and an opposite stake bottom  126 . In the most preferred embodiment, stake  108  has a first side  128  which forms a substantially right angle with stake top  124 . First side  128  also forms a substantially right angle with stake bottom  126 . In the same most preferred embodiment, stake  108  has a second side  130  that forms an acute angle with stake top  124 . Second side  130  also forms an obtuse angle with stake bottom  126 . Thus, in the most preferred embodiment, stake  108  substantially forms a trapezoid having two right angles. In this embodiment, stake bottom  126  is formed to break the sharp point of the vertex formed between first side  128  and second side  130 . In an alternative embodiment, there is no stake bottom  126  and stake  108  is substantially a right triangle with first side  128  and second side  130  forming the vertex. 
     In another preferred embodiment stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , are approximately 8 inches in length, so as to be interchangeable with the many components of edging systems currently on the market and readily available. 
     In the most preferred embodiment, a stiffening rib  122  extends longitudinally along each of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , as can be seen in FIG.  6 . In a more preferred embodiment, the height of each longitudinal stiffening rib  122  is at least equal to approximately the thickness of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , or  114 . In a still more preferred embodiment, the height of longitudinal stiffening rib  122  is approximately 150% of the thickness of the material of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , or  114 . In another preferred embodiment, a non-ribbed stake tip  132  is present on stake  108 , between stake bottom  126  and stiffening rib  122 , to facilitate entry into stake pocket  120 . In a still more preferred embodiment, the sum of the material thickness of stake  108  (or of any stake  110 ,  112 , or  114 ) plus the height of stiffening rib  122 , is equal to or greater than the width of the opening of stake pocket  120 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of stake  108  inserted into stake pocket  120 . In this view of a preferred embodiment, it can be seen that the thickness of stake  108 , including the height of stiffening rib  122 , can be slightly wider than the opening in stake pocket  120 , so as to form a secure interference fit of stake  108  within pocket  120 . 
     FIG. 8 is a front view close-up of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the complimentary match of leading extension  104  of a first section of edging system  100  and a trailing extension  206  of a second section of edging portion  202  aligned in series connection to form a continuous landscaping barrier. Stake  108  and stake  110  are inserted into stake pockets  120  and stake pockets  220  to hold adjacent sections of edging system  100  in continuous alignment and attached to the soil. 
     In a still more preferred embodiment, edging portion  102  is made by press cutting/forming stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , stake pockets  120 , primary tabs  116  and secondary tabs  118  from continuously fed metal strip. In this embodiment, primary tabs  116  and secondary tabs  118  are formed by providing a relief of the desired dimension between the punch tooling and dye tooling of the press. In a still more preferred embodiment, edging system  100  is made from metal stock of between approximately 12 gage and 16 gage thickness. In the most preferred embodiment, edging system  100  is made from metal stock of approximately 14 gage thickness. 
     Operation of the Invention 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an edging system  100  is disclosed, being substantially flat and rectangular, and made of a durable and flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, edging system  100  is made of a bendable material such as metal, which is painted or galvanized. Edging system  100  is comprised of an edging portion  102  having at one end a generally rectangular leading extension  104  and located diagonally opposite at the other end, a matching trailing extension  106 . Adjacent and removably attached to leading extension  104 , are two generally trapezoidal stakes  108  and  110 , in opposite orientation. Stakes  108  and  110  are of substantially right-trapezoidal geometry so as to form together a rectangular section of substantially similar dimensions to that of leading extension  104 . Similarly, adjacent and removably attached to trailing extension  106 , are two generally trapezoidal stakes  112  and  114 , in opposite orientation. Stakes  112  and  114  are of substantially right trapezoidal geometry so as to form together a rectangular section of substantially similar dimensions to that of trailing extension  106 . Thus constructed, stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , and edging portion  102  form a unitary and substantially fully rectangular edging system  100 . The single piece construction and rectangularity of edging system  100  permits improved efficiencies in manufacturing, painting, coating, handling, packaging, shipping, displaying, inventory, and delivering in retail transactions. 
     In a preferred embodiment, stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , are attached to edging portion  102  by primary tabs  116 . In a more preferred embodiment, stakes  108  and  110 , and stakes  112  and  114  are attached to each other by a secondary tab  118 . Primary tabs  116  and secondary tabs  118  are bendable and easily broken when a bending and/or torsional force is applied. This can be most easily accomplished by clamping onto any individual stake with a pair of pliers and bending and/or twisting the stake until primary tabs  116  and secondary tabs  118  are broken, releasing the stake from edging portion  102 . The landscaper will typically first remove either stake  110  or stake  114 , since they are the outermost stakes attached to edging portion  102 . In removing outermost stakes  110  and  114 , the landscaper will break primary tabs  116  and secondary tabs  118 . When the landscaper removes stakes  110  and  114 , he will have exposed stakes  108  and  112  for easy gripping with pliers. The landscaper removes stakes  108  and  110  from edging portion  102  by breaking the remaining primary tabs  116 . When the landscaper removes innermost stake  108 , he will have exposed leading extension  104  on one end of edging portion  102 . When the landscaper similarly removes innermost stake  112  from the diagonally opposite end of edging portion  102 , he will have exposed trailing extension  106 . The landscaper then places edging portion  102  in the desired position in the soil. Any of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  can then be inserted into any of stake pockets  120 , which are attached to edging portion  102 . The landscaper then hammers stake top  124  of selected stake ( 108 ,  110 ,  112 , or  114 ) into the soil to secure edging portion  102  into place. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  has a longitudinal stiffening rib  122 . Longitudinal stiffening ribs  122  allow the manufacturer to manufacture stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  out of the same stock that the edging portion  102  is made from. This results in the increased resistance to buckling that stiffening ribs  122  add to stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , as is necessary to withstand the hammering applied by the landscaper to drive the stakes into the soil. The central location and narrow structure of stiffening ribs  122  on stake ( 108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 ) allow stake ( 108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 ) to have an overall height that is equal to or greater than the width of the opening of pocket  120 . The low profile of stake tip  132  facilitates easy insertion of stake ( 108 ,  110 ,  112 , or  114 ) into the opening of pocket  120 . 
     FIG.  8  and FIG. 9 show the complementary match of leading extension  104  and trailing extension  106  when multiple sections of edging system  100  are aligned in series connection to form a continuous landscape barrier of variable length. Thus the landscaper can connect multiple sections of edging system  100  in series, end-to-end. In this configuration, leading extension  104  of a first edging portion  102  will complementarily match a trailing extension  206  of a second edging portion  202 . Stake pockets  120  are located on leading extension  104  for alignment with stake pockets  220  on trailing extension  206  so that any of stakes  108 ,  110 ,  112 , or  114  may be used to interlock leading extension  104  of edging portion  102  with trailing extension  206  of second edging portion  202  to form a continuous length of interlocking sections of a landscape barrier. 
     While this invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. By way of example, the references to leading and trailing extensions are interchangeable, since the edging system is equally functional regardless of which direction it faces, and these terms are included only to aid in the description of the continuous connectivity of edging portions to form a landscape barrier of any desired length. For all purposes of this patent, leading extensions and trailing extensions may be alternatively referred to as “extensions” or “end extensions.” For all purposes of this patent, stakes are considered substantially the same and interchangeable. Also, although stakes are described in a preferred embodiment as trapezoidal, the smallest side of the trapezoid may be eliminated in an alternative embodiment to form a triangular stake, and still remain entirely within the spirit and description of the present invention. 
     PART LIST 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Edging system 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Edging portion 
                 102 
               
               
                   
                 Leading extension 
                 104 
               
               
                   
                 Trailing extension 
                 106 
               
               
                   
                 First stake 
                 108 
               
               
                   
                 Second stake 
                 110 
               
               
                   
                 Third stake 
                 112 
               
               
                   
                 Fourth stake 
                 114 
               
               
                   
                 Primary tabs 
                 116 
               
               
                   
                 Secondary tabs 
                 118 
               
               
                   
                 Stake pockets 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 Stiffening rib 
                 122 
               
               
                   
                 Stake Top 
                 124 
               
               
                   
                 Stake bottom 
                 126 
               
               
                   
                 Stake First Side 
                 128 
               
               
                   
                 Stake Second Side 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 Non-ribbed stake portion 
                 132 
               
               
                   
                 Second edging portion 
                 202 
               
               
                   
                 Second edging trailing edge 
                 206 
               
               
                   
                 Second edging stake pockets 
                 220