GB2473632A

GB2473632A - Planting border and grid system

Info

Publication number: GB2473632A
Application number: GB0916357A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Broadhurst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-18
Filing date: 2009-09-18
Publication date: 2011-03-23
Also published as: GB0916357D0

Abstract

A planting border and grid system comprises at least one border110,111,112for delineating a shape of a planting bed and at least one grid100for indicating accurate planting positions wherein the border and the grid co-operate. At least one of the border and the grid may be removable after planting. The border may comprise a plurality of interlocking beams comprising a straight beam, an arc shaped beam, an S-shaped beams and a corner shaped beam. The beams may interlock using a jigsaw mechanism. The grid may comprise a square member100having four sides having regularly spaced grooves104along the sides and dividers102having a length equal to the sides and a cross-section dimensioned to fit inside the grooves104. The sides may have an outer edge comprising at least one male106and/or female connector.

Description

Patent Application of David Broadhurst for Combined, removable flowerbed border and planting grid

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to the design of flowerbeds, and in particular to shaped flowerbeds.

[2] Means for providing shape to a flowerbed are known in the art.

[3] For example, RU 2105460 to Kulinich discloses a system comprising edging blocks for constructing ornamental flower or garden beds and lawns. The edging is made from plastic blocks formed as rectangular plates with flange extending along their perimeter. The flanges are provided with openings or slots for fastening one plate relative to another along a bed length by means of fastening members. The edging is attached to the ground by pins arranged between the ends of the plastic plates. The surface of the plastic plates is provided with various patterns imparting additional rigidity to them. The system provides increased efficiency of flower beds as well as wider operational capabilities, improved strength and increased ornamental effect.

[4] US 2006096169 to Love discloses a flowerbed edging system with pieces which interlock to form a border capable of conforming to the contours of a flowerbed or other landscape structure in need of a border. The main body component is hollow, comprising lightweight tubular plastic, and is made in the shape of a wooden log or railroad tie, thus offering an attractive rustic appearance. End mountable and replaceable male connector components, female connector components, and three-way connector components are provided to interconnect the main body components to form any desired pattern, including the building of retaining walls. An anchor stake pipe is provided at each connection, around which the main body components are radially adjusted, the stake pipe being driven into the ground as desired to avoid shifting of the system components.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[5] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for a flexible flowerbed shaping and organizing system which will enable flowerbeds to be planted accurately with the option of removing the planting grids and borders after planting. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a system.

[6] To this end, disclosed is a planting border and grid system comprising: at least one border for delineating a shape of a planting bed; and at least one grid for indicating accurate planting positions; wherein at least one of said border and said grid are removable after planting, and wherein said border and said grid co-operate.

[7] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides both bordering and grid-setting for a flowerbed, both of which can be left in or removed after planting, as desired.

[8] A further advantage is that, since the border and grid co-operate, more accurate positioning can be obtained with respect to the border, by using the grid.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [9] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [10] Figure 1 shows the beams comprising the border of the present invention.

[11] Figure 2 shows the smaller components of the border of the present invention.

[12] Figure 3 shows a close up of a beam of the present invention.

[13] Figure 4 shows the planting grid of the present invention, with male connectors showing.

[14] Figure 5 shows the planting grid of the present invention, with female connectors showing, that is, rotated 180° with respect to Figure 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[15] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-5 in which like numerals refer to like components, a planting border and grid system is disclosed comprising: at least one border for delineating a shape of a planting bed; and at least one grid for indicating accurate planting positions, wherein the border and grid co-operate.

[16] The border preferably comprises a multiplicity of interlocking beams in a variety of shapes such as straight line beams 110, 11, arc shaped beams 112, s-shaped beams 114, and corner shaped beams 116.

[17] The beams preferably interlock by means of male jigsaw connectors 124 and female jigsaw connectors 126 at their ends.

Alternatively, other means may be used to interlock the beams, such as snap-fit connectors or other connecting means as known in the art.

[181 The beams preferably comprise a track 122 for aligning the grid, by which means the border and grid co-operate. An advantage of this is that, by accurately aligning the grid with the border, more accurate positioning of plants can be obtained within the border.

[19] Alternatively there may be a groove or ridge for aligning the grid. In a most preferred embodiment, the straight beams comprise a track such that a square can be formed from four straight beams, and/or four straight beams and four corner shaped beams, which snugly fits a square grid on all sides.

[20] Preferably, the border further comprises pins 118 for fixing the border into the ground. The beams preferably comprise holes 120 along their length through which the pins can pass and be driven into the ground, holding the beams in place.

[21] The beams and pins preferably comprise hardwearing, weather resistant PVC.

[22] The planting grid preferably comprises a square member having four sides, having regularly spaced grooves 104 along said sides; and dividers 102 having a length equal to said sides and a cross section dimensioned to fit inside said grooves. The ends of the dividers are placed into the grooves, parallel with two of the sides, to divide the area inside the square evenly.

Dividers can be placed in one or both parallel directions within the square member, and may be placed in every groove, alternate grooves, or any groove or grooves desired for the required planting pattern.

[23] Alternatively, the grid may be rectangular, triangular, circular or any regular or irregular shape. Grooves may be spaced at regular or irregular intervals and dividers may be of a multiplicity of lengths to accommodate the dimensions of the grid.

[24] The planting grid preferably comprises male grid connectors 106 on the outer edge 109 of at least one and preferably two sides of the square member and female grid connectors 108 on at least one and preferably two sides of the square member. Using the connectors, a user can connect multiple grids in any format desired, to form larger planting grids.

[25] The connectors are preferably formed from the same piece of material as the grid, or may be formed separately and attached later. The grid, connectors, and dividers preferably comprise hard wearing, weather resistant PVC.

[26] An example of the shapes and dimensions of the border and grid of the present invention is given below. This is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. Beams and grids may comprise any shapes or dimensions into which plants can be planted.

[27] The border may comprise: at least one arc shaped beam of 0.5m radius, at least one large arc shaped beam of l.Om radius, at least one straight beam 0.5m long, at least one straight beam 1.Om long, and at least one s-shaped beam covering a distance of 2.Om.

[28] The planting grid may measure 1.Orn x 1.Orn and may have a wall thickness of 20mm and a depth of 50mm. The pins may be 75mm tall.

Claims

Claims 1. A planting border and grid system comprising: at least one border for delineating a shape of a planting bed; and at least one grid for indicating accurate planting positions; whereby said border and said grid co-operate.
2. The planting border and grid system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said border and said grid are removable after planting.
3. The planting border and grid system of claim 1 wherein said border comprises: a multiplicity of interlocking beams selected from the list comprising: a straight beam, an arc shaped beam, an s-shaped beam, a corner shaped beam; and at least one pin for affixing said beams to the ground.
4. The planting borer and grid system of claim 3 wherein said beams interlock using a jigsaw mechanism.
5. The planting border and grid system of claim 1 wherein said grid comprises: a square member having four sides, having regularly spaced grooves along said sides; and dividers having a length equal to said sides and a cross section dimensioned to fit inside said grooves.
6. The planting border and grid system of claim 5 wherein said sides have an outer edge, further comprising at least one from the list comprising: a male connector on at least one outer edge and a female connector on at least one outer edge; whereby multiple planting grids can be interlocked to form a larger planting grid.