Patent ID: 12227958

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1displays a fence edge guard10for preventing vegetation from growing up through the openings of a fence100and for preventing damage and excess use of cutting line of a line trimmer. Specifically the fence edge guard10is shown coupled to the bottom edge of a fence100. The fence edge guard10may be coupled to any fence type including but not limited to chain link, lattice, post, wood, and metal. Fences100are appropriately spaced a few inches from the ground surface level to prevent erosion of the fence100and ground due to exposure to water. The fence edge guard10extends horizontally along the bottom edge of the fence100and extends upwards preferably four inches, but may be between two to twelve inches to cover the bottom portion of the fence100. This prevents vegetation from growing through the openings of the fence100at the areas covered by the fence edge guard10. The fence edge guard10further provides a smooth surface against which the cutting line of a line trimmer can contact without causing wear or damage to the cutting line.

InFIGS.1-9, the fence guard10includes a channel-shaped body member having a planar-shaped and horizontal bottom20with upstanding sidewalls30extending upwardly from the edges of the bottom20and form an open top. The bottom20may be concave and shaped to form around a fence bottom and be one to six inches. The sidewalls30are outwardly angled in a direction from the bottom20to the open top such that the sidewalls30and bottom20form a V or U shaped cross-section. One sidewall30may be shorter or taller than the other side30to ease the user in installing the fence guard10. The sidewalls30have a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings40aligned respective of one another. The openings40are formed to engage with each other via a connection means and to secure the fence guard10to the fence bottom.

The plurality of spaced openings along the sidewall30may be arranged diagonally. The openings40being arranged diagonally advantageously allows for multiple connection points for coupling the two sides30at different heights and locations. This secures the two sides30together through an opening of the fence100. The connection means50which couples the two sides30through the section of the fence100may include, but are not limited to, pins, hooks, bolts, screws, or any similar connector. In a preferred embodiment, the connection means50is a clear plastic pin with a female and male piece which mate through a section or opening of the fence100. The pin50may be approximately a quarter inch. The openings being connection points40may be located approximately one inch from the top of the sides30.

In another embodiment, the fence guard10may be a system that includes the fence guard10, a cutting means51to cut the body and sides30, a hole forming means60for forming holes40through the sides30, and a fence100having fence posts. The cutting means51may be any cutting tool such as but not limited to sheers, utility knife, scissors, and blades. The length of the fence guard10may be determined by a user cutting the fence guard10with the cutting means51to the desired length. The fence guard10may be rolled into bundles for transportation. This advantageously allows for the fence guard10to be any desired length to fit the length of any fence100or to be cut to a length between fence posts. The hole forming means60may be used to create or form holes40through the sides at any desired location for connection points. The hole forming means60may be any punch, drill, drill bit, or drilling tool. This advantageously increases the variability of the connection means by varying the connection points to best fit the fence100. The fence100may be any fence type as previously recited above. The length of the fence guard10and location of the connection points in the system may be created for specific fences100and fence posts.

The sides30may be approximately three to ten inches in length to substantially cover or protect the bottom of the fence100. The sides30may be made of a clear plastic or polymer that is aesthetically pleasing or not easily visible while also being flexible. The sides30may also be green, black, brown, grey, or any fence color. This advantageously allows for the lower section of the fence to be visualized. The top edge of the sides30may also be approximately right angles to prevent contoured and rounded edges which reflect light. The sides30further are sloped to allow for water to run off to fall to the ground. The sides30may be coupled to the bottom20to form the V or U shape with an adhesive or other coupling means. Preferably, the bottom20may be glued to the sides30, overlapping between a half inch to an inch and a half. The fence guard10, when laid flat, may have a half inch to four inch gap, depending on the fence type, between the sides30comprising of the bottom20. The sides30and bottom20may overlap when adhered together and may be adhered to the outside or inside surface of the sides30. The overlap of the bottom20and sides30may be as little as a half an inch or as much as to fully overlap with the sides30. The bottom20may be visually appealing and blend in with a “grassy look”.

The material of the bottom20and sides30are also flexible enough to bend around a fence post. The sides30, when bent, do not alter or discolor. The sides30, may be scratch resistant, but pliable to be rolled up for packaging. In another embodiment, the bottom of the body further includes an aperture for inserting a fence post into and the sides30then wrap around opposing sides30of the fence post. Alternatively, a small incision may be made to the bottom20where the fence guard10will contact the post to allow for the bottom to curve outward against the post.

In another embodiment, the fence guard10may be a system that includes the fence guard10, a cutting means to cut the body and sides30, a hole forming means for forming holes40through the sides30, and a fence100having fence posts. The cutting means may be any cutting tool such as, but not limited to, shears, utility knives, scissors, and blades. The length of the fence guard10may be determined by a user cutting the fence guard10with the cutting means to the desired length. The fence guard10may be rolled into bundles for transportation. This advantageously allows for the fence guard10to be any desired length to fit the length of any fence100or to be cut to a length between fence posts. The hole forming means may be used to create or form holes40through the sides30at any desired location for connection points. The hole forming means may be any punch, drill, drill bit, or drilling tool. This advantageously increases the variability of the connection means by varying the connection points to best fit the fence100. The fence100may be any fence type as previously recited above. The length of the fence guard10and location of the connection points in the system may be created for specific fences100and fence posts.

In another embodiment, the fence guard10includes a tube or hose42coupled against the outer edge of both or one side30. The tube or hose may be fluidly connected to a female threaded end or hose fitting configured to attach to a garden hose. The tube may have openings45to allow for fluid to pass and act as a water sprinkler. The hose42can withstand traditional water pressure found in a watering hose. The openings45may be shut to prevent unwanted watering. The hose42and openings45may be made of plastic, rubber, or a similar material.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.