Patent Publication Number: US-2016237628-A1

Title: Modular Decorative Landscape Product and Associated Methods

Description:
PRIORITY DATA 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/642,630, filed Mar. 9, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/084,286, filed Nov. 19, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/737,434 filed Jan. 9, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/584,719, filed on Jan. 9, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Often in landscaping, it is desirable to create stone, rock, or brick arrangements on a landscaping surface. This is often accomplished by obtaining numerous stones, rocks, or bricks, and painstakingly arranging these materials into the desired structure. Such structures can include pathways, walls, edging, patio surfaces, and the like. Generally, soil is removed from a desired area and leveled to create a working surface for placing the landscaping materials. The materials are then individually placed into the desired area and in some cases leveled to insure a uniform surface. A filler material is placed in between the rock or stone materials in order to maintain the stability of the surface and the rocks and stones to one another. Such a traditional landscaping design is labor intensive and often requires professional landscaping help. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures is not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures. 
     The display surface of the molded structures can resemble a variety of landscaping materials. In one aspect, for example, the display surface has a façade resembling a paving structure. In another aspect, the façade resembles a brick structure. In yet another aspect, the façade resembles a rock, including naturally formed rock, structure. In some aspects, different molded structures may have different facades. 
     The present disclosure additionally provides methods for using a modular landscape device. In one aspect, for example, a method of assembling a landscaping pathway includes arranging at least one modular landscape device on a landscaping substrate, where the modular landscape device includes a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material and having a gap there between, each molded structure having a display side and a buried side, and at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. The method also includes disposing a landscaping filler in the gap between the plurality of molded structures to cover the at least one tether while leaving at least a majority of the display side exposed, thus forming a landscaping pathway. In another aspect, the method can further include cutting at least one tether to release at least one molded structure from the modular landscape device to alter a shape or configuration of the modular landscape device. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a landscaping pathway structure including a plurality of modular landscape devices arranged according to the method described above. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, various features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a modular landscape device from a display side, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a modular landscape device from a buried side, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a view of a modular landscape device from a display side, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a landscaping pathway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a landscaping pathway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a landscaping pathway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a landscaping pathway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. 
     The singular forms “a,” “an,” and, “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a structure” includes reference to one or more of such structures, and reference to “the tether” includes reference to one or more of such tethers. 
     As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is “substantially free of” particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof. 
     As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. 
     Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. 
     The Invention 
     The present modular landscape devices allow landscaping structures or features such as pathways, borders, patios, beds, steps, or dividers, to be relatively easy and straightforward to form, having a continuous look between separate portions of the structure, while at the same time accounting for straight, angled, and curved structures. As an example, such a pathway can be utilized on a variety of types of ground, including uneven and sloped portions, and can be aesthetically pleasing, and thus add value to the surrounding landscape. 
     As such, the present disclosure relates to modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods. The modular landscape devices are configured to visibly resemble a landscaping material such as decorative stone, including natural, or quarried/carved rock or stone. These modular devices eliminate or reduce the need to tediously evaluate, match, and individually place, or otherwise arrange materials into a visibly pleasing arrangement. Furthermore, the modular devices eliminate the need to place and cement individual stones or pieces together to secure them together and to arrange them as is most pleasing to the eye. 
     In one aspect, as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  for example, a modular landscape device includes a plurality of molded structures  12  formed from an aggregate material, with each molded structure  12  having a display surface  14  and a buried surface  16 . The device can further include at least one tether  18  connecting the plurality of molded structures  12  together to form the modular landscape device. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one aspect the molded structures  12  are not in contact with one another, but are coupled via the tether  18 . However, in some embodiments, one or more molded structures may be in contact with or substantially in contact with at least one other molded structure in the device. Another example of a modular landscape device having molded structures  12  with a display surface  14  is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The modular landscape device can be constructed of a material having sufficient strength to withstand loads from a person walking thereon. Moreover, the molded structures can be formed using a mold to achieve a desired shape and/or decorative façade. In one aspect, the molded structures can be constructed from an aggregate material. Generally “aggregate” is a collective term for sand, gravel and crushed stone mineral materials in their natural or processed state. However, aggregate may also simply mean a number of small materials combined to form an overall structure. In some cases, an aggregate material may include aggregate and a binder, such as for example, cement. An aggregate material may also include reinforcing elements such as fibers, bars, grids, plates, netting, webbing, or any other reinforcement configuration. Reinforcing elements may be made of glass, metal, carbon, wood, polymers, textiles, or any other natural or synthetic reinforcement material. In one aspect, an aggregate material can be glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC). Thus, aggregate material is one example of a material that can provide the necessary strength to withstand loads from a person walking thereon. 
     As has been described, the molded structures can be formed using a mold to match a desired shape. Additionally, the mold can be textured in a way that allows such texture to be imprinted on the display surface of the molded structure. Such a texture can provide the molded structure with a façade representing various landscaping structures. For example, in one aspect the façade can resemble a paving structure. Other non-limiting examples of landscaping structure façades include rock, stone, brick, wood, and the like, including combinations thereof. In one specific aspect, the façade resembles a brick paving structure. In another aspect, the façade resembles a rock paving structure. Additionally, a textured surface of the molded structure can provide traction to a person walking thereon, thus reducing the incidence of slipping when walking thereupon. 
     Furthermore, the molded structures can be colored on at least the display surface to further resemble a landscaping material. In some aspects the display surface may be colored while the buried surface is uncolored. The coloring can be added to the aggregate or other material from which the molded structure is made, or the coloring can be specifically applied to the display surface. As such, in one aspect the molded structure can include decorative coloring on the display surface. In some aspects, the molded structure can comprise or consist of an aggregate material and a coloring agent. 
     The tethers that tie the molded structures together can be made of a variety of materials, and any material capable of holding these structures together is considered to be within the present scope. The tether can be self-supporting or non-self-supporting, depending on the design of the modular structure. Furthermore, the tether can be made from any material capable of performing as described. Non-limiting examples include metals, ceramics, cloth, rope, twine, cord, polymers, cables, including multi-strand cables, and the like. The tether can be formed in various shapes, including rods, bars, sheets, string-like, webbing or netting, and the like. In some aspects, when a sheet is used as a tether, the sheet may fill any space between the molded structures. Further, when the tether is a sheet, the tether may connect each molded structure along a bottom surface thereof. In some aspects, the each molded structure may be connected to at least one adjacent molded structure by a tether. In other aspects, each molded structure may be connected to all adjacent molded structures by a tether. In some aspects, the tether may be a single piece running through each molded structure. In other aspects, multiple tether lines may be used either along the bottom of the molded structures or running therethrough. 
     In addition, the vertical placement of the tether in the molded structures may vary. In some aspects, it is closer to the bottom of the molded structures than to the top thereof. In some aspects, it may be substantially at the vertical midpoint of the molded structures. In some cases, it may be at the bottom of the molded structures, and in fact, in some embodiments, such as the use of a sheet as the tether, the bottom surface of the molded structure may actually rest on top and be fixed to, the tether. In some aspects, the tether may connect with the molded structures at a level that allows landscaping fill placed between the molded structures to cover the tether, or any remnant thereof, while leaving a top portion of the molded structures exposed above the fill material. In some aspects, the molded structures may protrude out of the fill material for at least about half of the height of the molded structures. In other aspects, the molded structures may protrude out of the fill material for at least about one quarter of the height of the molded structures. In yet another aspect, the placement of the tether may allow the molded structures to protrude above the fill material for about 90% to about 5% of the height of the molded structures. 
     It is contemplated that, once the modular landscaping structure is in place, a filler material can be disposed in between the molded structures. The filler material can cover the tethers and allow the decorative side of the molded structures to show in between regions of filler material. Thus, an impression of specifically placed and semi-buried rocks, stones, bricks, etc. is produced. The filler material can be any landscaping filler material known, such as for example, sand, dirt, moss, mulch, gravel, cement, clay, and the like, including combinations thereof. It should be noted that the molded structures do not necessarily require the filler material to maintain stability relative to one another, as the tether can serve such a purpose. Rather, in many cases the filler is merely decorative and does not provide significant support to the molded structures. In other cases, the filler material may provide significant support to the molded structures, particularly in those aspects where the tether is non-self-supporting. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, multiple modular landscape devices can be arranged together to form a landscaping pathway or other landscaping structure. As is shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, a stone pathway  40  is formed by arranging a plurality of modular landscape devices  42  in a path-like arrangement. Filler material  44  can be introduced into the gaps between the modular landscape devices  42  and into the gaps between the molded structures of the modular landscape devices  42  to facilitate the impression of the pathway  40 . 
     As such, the present disclosure provides methods of assembling a landscape pathway. In one aspect, such a method can include arranging at least one modular landscape device on a landscaping substrate, where the modular landscape device includes a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material and having a gap there between, each molded structure having a display side and a buried side and at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. The method can also include disposing a landscaping filler in the gap between the plurality of molded structures to cover the at least one tether while leaving at least a portion of the display side exposed, thus forming a landscaping pathway. In some cases a majority of the display side of one or more, or of each, of the molded structures may be exposed. Depending on the physical characteristics of the tether, in one aspect the gap between molded structures is maintained by the at least one tether. Such would be the case if the tether was stiff and/or self-supporting, as would be the case for rod-type tethers. In some cases, the tether is not stiff or is otherwise slack or limp, such as a string or cord. In some aspects, the molded structures do not need to be buried, but may simply rest upon a landscape surface. In such cases, the buried side will be exposed except for the portion resting upon the landscape surface. 
     In one aspect, the modular landscape device can have at least one tether cut or otherwise broken to release at least one of the molded structures from the modular landscape device. This would thus allow the overall shape of the modular landscape device to be altered. Such alteration may be useful for creating distinctive pathway shapes, laying a pathway around an object such as a tree or large rock, curving or angling the pathway, and the like. One example of such a pathway is shown in  FIG. 5 , where molded structures have been removed to create a narrowing pathway. Another example, as is shown in  FIG. 6 , provides a distinctive non-regular shape for a pathway that has been created by removing molded structures from the modular landscape devices used to create the pathway. 
     In addition to horizontal or substantially horizontal plane pathways, it is also contemplated that pathways can be formed from modular landscape devices that are positioned along non-horizontal surfaces. Non-limiting examples of such non-horizontal surfaces include inclined substrates, curved substrates, irregular substrates, and the like. As is shown in  FIG. 7 , for example, a landscaping pathway has been created across a curved landscape substrate that rises and falls in elevation along with the landscape substrate. 
     It should be noted that the modular landscape devices can be utilized to create a variety of landscaping structures in addition to pathways. Non-limiting examples can include patio surfaces, substrates for ponds or other water structures, decorative garden arrangements, and the like. It should also be noted that the molded structures of the present invention, while in some aspects may be fabricated using a mold, that such is not necessary. For example, there are a number of ways of molding an object, including methods that place a material into a mold which is then removed, or by shaping an object using tools or other implements without insertion into a typical mold. 
     Of course, it is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.