Landscaping edging

Abstract

Landscaping edging, comprising an elongate edging panel 1 and a stake 3 suitable for securing the panel to the ground. The stake being slidable along its longitudinal axis relative to the panel and be

Description

Landscaping edging is used to create borders in or around a garden (or other environment) in order to section the garden and separate different areas of the garden from each other, so as to make the garden neater and more visually attractive. For example, landscaping edging may be used to create a low wall or define a border around a flower bed, or to separate a lawn from a gravel path. Landscaping edging typically comprises a number of panels which are arranged in a line end-to-end. Each panel will typically have a number of spikes or stakes (which terms will be used interchangeably in the present specification) protruding past its bottom, ground-facing edge which are pushed into the ground when the panel is placed on the ground, so as to anchor the panel in position. Note that a stake may be generally tapered or may be generally cylindrical (or otherwise shaped in cross-section) with a sharpened end. For the purposes of making the edging aesthetically pleasing, it is desirable that each panel comprising the edging is at exactly the same height above the ground, such that the top edge of the edging has a consistent height with no steps. However, as the ground is not in practice a flat, planar surface, this is difficult to avoid, as adjacent panels, both resting on the ground surface, may not be at exactly the same height. Furthermore, when anchoring a panel into the ground, it may be desirable to insert the panel itself partially into the ground. However, the extent of this insertion may differ from panel to panel, and thus adjacent panels may not have exactly the same height once secured in place. The heights of the panels therefore often need to be adjusted after the panels have been secured in position. This can be difficult and cumbersome, as it may require that some panels are inserted more deeply into the ground and that other panels are pulled out, which may require pulling out stakes or spikes which have already been inserted into the ground, which can be very difficult in practice. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved landscaping edging. According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided landscaping edging comprising an elongate edging panel and a stake for securing the panel to the ground, the stake being affixed to the panel and lockable at any desired relative position to adjust the height of the edging panel relative to the stake, whereby when the stake is inserted a depth into the ground, the height of the edging panel is adjustable and lockable at a desired position. Landscaping edging in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention comprises one or more panels which can each be moved up and down their respective stake and locked into position. This means that the or each panel can have its height adjusted, and in particular have its height raised, after the panel has already been secured in place on the ground, without having to dig out its respective stake from the ground. The panel would simply be moved relative to the stake until it is at the desired height and then locked into position. Where the edging comprises multiple panels, this enables level edging at the same height along its entire length to be produced much more easily and straightforwardly. Each panel may be anchored by one stake or multiple stakes. Preferably, the stake is affixed substantially parallel to the panel and substantially perpendicular to the elongate length of the panel. This allows for the stake to be inserted upright into the ground in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface, such that that the height of the panel can be adjusted without any transverse motion of the panel across the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the landscaping edging further comprises a bracket fixed to the panel, wherein the stake is slidable within the bracket relative to the panel and is lockable to the bracket. Such a panel and bracket can be produced and fixed together relatively cheaply. The landscaping edging may then further comprise a locking member which passes through a hole in the bracket and is configured to be pressed against the stake to lock the position of the stake relative to the panel. This may be a grub screw. In an alternative embodiment, the panel may instead comprise a hollow passage passing through the panel, wherein the stake is slidable within the passage relative to the panel, or the panel may have at least two layers, with the stake slidable between two of the at least two layers.. In this alternative embodiment, the landscaping edging may further comprise a locking member which passes through a hole in the panel and is configured to be pressed against the stake to lock the position of the stake relative to the panel. The locking member may be a grub screw, and the hole in the bracket or panel may have an internal thread corresponding to the external thread on the grub screw. This is a cheap and easy-to-operate mechanism for locking the relative positions of the panel and stake. The internal thread of the hole enables the grub screw to be screwed into tight engagement with the side of the stake, to lock it into place at the desired position against the side of the bracket or passage and enable unlocking. Any screw which can apply pressure to the stake to secure it within the bracket, or otherwise relative to the edging panel, is considered to be a grub screw. Alternatively, the locking member may be, for example, a pin or other member which is forced into position such that it forces the stake against the side of the bracket or passage, or against the panel, to lock it in place. Preferably, the stake is lockable to any of a continuum of positions relative to the panel such that the height of the panel can be varied continuously relative to the stake. This means that the panels can each be adjusted to the exactly desired height to ensure a constant height along the length of the edging. Alternatively, the panels may be secured at a discrete number of locations relative to the stake, perhaps by including blind or through-holes in the stake, into which a locking member is inserted. Preferably, the panel or at least one of a plurality of panels is bendable or deformable such that it can be bent to form a flat panel or a curved panel. It is often required for edging to curve (for example, edging running along the side of a bendy path will need to bend with the path). A deformable panel is versatile as it may be usable in a straight or curved segment of the edging. The landscaping edging may comprise at least one panel which is curved along at least a portion of its elongate length, either because it has been bent as such or because the panel is not deformable but is permanently curved. Preferably, the landscaping edging further comprises a joining piece for holding an end of a first panel proximate to an end of a second panel, wherein each of said ends is an end along the elongate length of the respective panel. Connecting adjacent panels together in this way gives the edging structural strength and stability and prevents the formation of large gaps in the edging. It may be associated with a joining piece, least one bracket and corresponding stake, wherein said stake is slidable within said bracket relative to the joining piece and is configured such that it can be partially inserted into the ground. The stake serves to further secure the edging on the ground. Furthermore, in an arrangement where the stakes are evenly spaced along the edging at a given spacing, a stake on the joining piece allows one fewer stake on each individual panel, which may make it easier for each panel to be inserted into the ground and for the height of each panel to be adjusted. For example, if stakes are evenly spaced along the edging with a spacing of half a panel length between them, only one stake in the middle of each panel is needed in addition to a stake on each joining piece. However, if there were no stakes on the joining pieces, then two stakes would be needed per panel instead (one at a quarter panel length from an end of the panel and one at a quarter panel length from the other end of the panel). However, joining pieces need not be staked to the ground or have any means for doing this. Preferably, the joining piece is a plate arranged to be fixed to each of the two panels such that the end of the first panel is flush and aligned with the end of the second panel. Thus, if all the joining pieces are arranged on the same side of the edging, the other side of the edging will have a smooth and continuous finish along its length, even where the adjacent panels are joined, which will be aesthetically pleasing. According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a method of using landscaping edging in accordance with the first aspect, the method comprising the steps of arranging the panel on the ground in a desired location and securing it to the ground by partially inserting the stake into the ground, adjusting the height of the panel relative to the stake and relative to the ground, and locking it into position at the desired height. Preferably, multiple panels are arranged on the ground end-to-end along their elongate lengths in the desired location on the ground, wherein adjacent panels are arranged such that their ends abut or are spaced from each other, and wherein the height of each panel is adjusted such that the edging has a desired height profile along its elongate length. The edging may have a constant height along its elongate length, or the height of panels may differ, to accommodate different terrain for example, or indeed for aesthetic reasons. . Preferably, the method further comprises the step of connecting a joining piece to each pair of adjacent edging panels. Thus, once the panels have been inserted into the ground and their heights have been adjusted, they can be connected together with the joining pieces. Alternatively, the method comprises the initial step of arranging multiple panels end-to-end along their elongate lengths, and fixing a joining piece to each pair of adjacent panels. Thus, the edging can be assembled out of the multiple panels before being inserted into the ground, which would obviate the need to adjust the height of any individual panel once inserted into the ground, as the entire edging would be inserted into the ground as one component and could have its height adjusted as if it were a single panel. According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a garden, wherein the ground of the garden is sectioned into different areas by landscaping edging in accordance with the first aspect. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flat, elongate edging panel in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a curved, elongate edging panel in accordance with the present invention Figure 3 is a top view of an edging panel in accordance with the present invention, showing a cylindrical bracket connected to the panel; Figure 4 is a top view of an edging panel in accordance with the present invention, showing a ‘U’-shaped bracket connected to the panel; Figures 5A to 5D are back views of an elongate edging panel in accordance with the present invention, showing how the height of the panel above the ground can be adjusted; and Figure 6 is a back view of two panels of the type shown in Figure 1 being joint together by a joining piece. Figure 1 shows a flat elongate edging panel 1 in accordance with the present invention. The panel has a front face 1F, a back face 1B, an upper edge 1U and a lower edge 1L. The perspective view is taken from the back side of the panel, such that the back face 1B is visible. The panel is rectangular in shape, although other shapes may be possible. In some embodiments, the panel 1 may be deformable (i.e bendable) along at least part of its elongate length, and it can therefore be bent so as to form a panel that is at least partially curved. Alternatively, the panel may not be deformable but may be permanently curved. An example of a panel that is curved, either permanently or deformably, is shown as panel 1CP in Figure 2. Three brackets 2 are fixed to and spaced along the back face 1B of the panel 1 with an equal distance D between each pair of adjacent brackets, and between each end of the panel and the nearest bracket to that end. Other spacing arrangements and numbers of brackets are possible of course. In this exemplary embodiment, the length of the panel 1 is 2.2 metres, and the spacing D is therefore 0.55 metres. However, different panel dimensions are possible, and the number of brackets 2 and the spacing between them may vary with the dimensions of the panel. Each bracket 2may be a hollow cylinder with an opening on either end such that a stake 3 can pass through the bracket. Each bracket is typically connected to the back face 1B by a vertically extending ridge 11 which protrudes from the back face, as shown in Figure 3, which is a top down view of a bracket connected to a panel via a ridge (a stake is not shown for clarity). In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, each bracket 2 may be U-shaped or have a U-shaped cross section, so as to form, in conjunction with the back face 1B, a ‘D’-shaped slot. The U-shaped bracket is connected to the back face via two flanges 12. Brackets with other shapes, such as brackets with a triangular cross section, are also possible. The various bracket shapes are interchangeable across all embodiments of the invention. The brackets 2 are positioned along the lower edge 1L of the panel 1. The bottom face of each bracket is aligned with the lower edge such that the brackets do not protrude past the lower edge. A stake 3 is inserted through one or more of the brackets 2. Each stake has an elongate cylindrical portion 3a and a sharp end portion 3b, and may also have an enlarged top 3c (which may be flattened, as shown), but this not essential. Each stake is thus configured to be inserted into the ground. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 3a is preferably only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the brackets 2, so as to allow the stakes 3 to slide smoothly up and down within the brackets whilst keeping the stakes parallel to the brackets. The sharp end portion 3b allows the stake to penetrate the ground more easily. The flat, enlarged top 3c provides a large target area at the top of the stake to be struck with a hammer or the like when hammering the stake into the ground. The diameter of the enlarged top is typically larger than the inner diameter of the brackets, such that it also prevents the stakes from passing entirely through the brackets. As the bracket is spaced from the back face 1B by the ridge 11, the stakes can move freely up and down within the brackets without their enlarged tops contacting the back face. A grub screw 4 passes through a hole in the cylindrical surface of each bracket 2 and is configured to press into the respective stake 3 to stop it from moving within the bracket, effectively locking it into position. Each grub screw is long enough to have a portion extending outside of its respective bracket, allowing for easy adjustment of the screw and for easy unlocking and locking of the respective stake. The hole in each bracket will typically have an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the grub screw, ensuring that the grub can be screwed into tight engagement with the stake. As will now be discussed, the aforementioned features of the landscaping edging allow for the height of the panel 1 to be adjusted after the stakes 3 have already been hammered into the ground. In particular, they allow for a panel to be raised without having to dig out the stakes, which could be very difficult. This is desirable because, in practice, when panels are secured to the ground with stakes, the panels are often found not to be at exactly the desired height once the stakes have been hammered into the ground (for example, the process of hammering the stakes into the ground may have inadvertently pushed a panel further into the ground than was desired). Furthermore, where the edging comprises multiple panels connected end-to-end, as will most often be the case in practice, the panels may not be at exactly the same height as each other once they have all been individually secured to the ground. This may be due to a variety of factors such as small variations in ground level, errors in the placement of the panels, and panels being pushed into the ground to different extents when hammering in stakes. Thus, adjusting the height of each panel individually can ensure that the panels are all at the same height and that the edging therefore looks aesthetically pleasing. In practice, when first securing a panel 1 on the ground, the panel will be arranged on the ground at a desired location, and the stakes 3 will then be inserted through the brackets 2 and hammered into the ground. The enlarged tops 3c prevent the stakes from being hammered too far into the ground such that they do not extend the whole way through the brackets. The height of the panel 1 relative to the ground can then be adjusted by sliding the panel up and down the stakes 3 without the stakes themselves being moved. Once at the desired height, the panel can be locked into position by tightening the grub screws 4 to prevent relative motion of the stakes and the brackets / panel. The process of raising a panel is illustrated in Figures 5A-5D. For the sake of simplicity, these figures show a panel 1 with only one bracket 2 and stake 3 and no threaded bars 5 (shown in Figure 1 and discussed in more detail below). The bracket is not shown but is represented with a dashed line in order to show the interaction of the grub screw 4 and stake, which would otherwise be obscured by the bracket. Figure 5A shows the panel 1 and stake 3 locked in a fixed relative position, as shown by the grub screw 4 pressed against the stake. The panel has already been secured in position on the ground 7, as shown by the stake extending a distance S below the ground. However, the panel needs to be raised slightly to reach the desired panel height 6. The desired panel height may be the height of an adjacent panel, for example. The first step in raising the panel 1 is to unscrew the grub screw 4 slightly to relieve pressure against the stake 3. This allows for the panel to slide up and down the cylindrical portion 3a of the stake. This configuration, with a gap between the grub screw and the stake, is shown in Figure 5B. The next step is to raise the panel 1 until the upper edge 1U is at the desired height 6. This is shown in Figure 5C. The stake 3 has not moved relative to the ground 7, and still extends a distance S below it. Finally, as shown in Figure 5D, the grub screw 4 is screwed back in to secure the panel 1 at the desired height 6 above the ground 7. The above-described mechanism for adjusting the height of the panel 1 is simple, easy to operate, and cheap to manufacture. It also allows for the panel to be moved continuously over the entire portion of the length of the cylindrical portion 3a that sits above ground 7. However, alternative means of adjusting the relative position of the panel and stakes could include ratchets or other mechanisms which allow for locking the panel in a continuous range of positions or, alternatively, a discrete range of select positions. Referring now to Figures 1 and 6, the joining of adjacent panels 1 (in an edging arrangement comprising multiple panels) will now be described. When assembling edging comprising a line of edging panels end-to-end, it is desirable to fasten adjacent panels to each other in order to prevent the panels from moving relative to each other over time and to keep the edging stable. This may be done by connecting joining pieces 8 to each pair of adjacent panels. In the present exemplary embodiment, each joining piece 8 comprises a flat plate 9 with a bracket 2 and stake 3 placed centrally along the lower edge of the plate, and several pre-drilled holes 10 on either side of said bracket. Each panel 1 comprises threaded bars 5 protruding from its back face 1B at both ends of the panel. Each threaded bar is sized so as to fit through one of the pre-drilled holes. As shown in Figure 6, the arrangement of threaded bars 5 at one end of the panel 1 corresponds to the arrangement of holes 10 on one side of the joining piece 8, such that the joining piece can be placed on one end of the panel by inserting the threaded bars on that end of the panel through the holes on that half of the joining piece. A portion of each threaded bar will extend through the respective hole, and so a nut or other fastening means (not shown) can be screwed on to the exposed portion of each threaded bar to firmly fix the joining piece to the panel. Another panel 1 can then be attached the same way to the other half of the joining piece 8, such that the joining piece connects and holds the two adjacent panels together. The joining piece 8 is shaped such that the ends of the two adjacent panels 1 abut and are flush. This also requires that the brackets 2 of both panels and of the joining piece are on the same side of the edging, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, the front faces 1A of the two panels will together form a smooth and continuous edging surface without any steps or gaps. The edging can then be arranged aesthetically such that the front faces of the panels face in the direction from which the edging is more likely to be viewed. For example, if the above-described landscaping edging is used to construct a border around a flower bed in a garden, the front faces 1A of the panels 1 may face away from the flower bed and towards the rest of the garden, whereas the back faces 1B may face towards the flower bed, such that the brackets 2, stakes 3, joining pieces 8 and threaded bars 5 are concealed from view. The joining piece 8 is sized such that, once connected to the panels 1, the brackets 2 are equally spaced along the length of the edging as illustrated in Figure 6, ensuring that the edging is firmly and stably anchored in the ground. Rather than being flat, a joining piece 8 may be curved (or sharply bent) centrally about the position of the bracket 2, such that the two panels 1 connected by the joining piece extend in different directions. For example, the joining piece may be an “L” shape, such that the two attached panels are perpendicular to each other, which may be particularly useful if the edging requires a sharp corner. Two possible methods for assembling the above-described landscaping edging out of multiple panels will now be described. The first method is to arrange the panels 1 end-to-end on the ground in the desired location, secure them in place by hammering their stakes 3 into the ground, adjust the height of the panels to ensure they are all at the same height, and then fix joining pieces 8 to each pair of adjacent panels, hammering the stake of the joining pieces into the ground also. The second method is to arrange the panels 1 end-to-end and to fix the joining pieces 8 before securing any of the panels on the ground. The completed edging can then be placed on the ground and its height adjusted as if it were a single panel. Although the invention has been described above, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that many variations and modifications may be possible which fall within the scope of the appended claims. Other potentially novel aspects of the present invention are defined by the following clauses. Clause 1. Landscaping edging, comprising an elongate edging panel and a stake for securing the panel to the ground, the stake being affixed to the panel and lockable at any desired relative position to adjust the height of the edging panel relative to the stake, whereby, when the stake is inserted a depth into the ground, the height of the edging panel is adjustable and lockable at a desired position. Clause 2. Landscaping edging as in clause 1, wherein the stake is affixed substantially parallel to the panel and substantially perpendicular to the elongate length of the panel. Clause 3. Landscaping edging as in any preceding clause, further comprising a bracket fixed to the panel, wherein the stake is slidable within the bracket relative to the panel and is lockable to the bracket. Clause 4. Landscaping edging as in clause 3, further comprising a locking member which passes through a hole in the bracket and is configured to be pressed against the stake to lock the position of the stake relative to the panel. Clause 5. Landscaping edging as in clause 1 or 2, wherein the panel comprises a hollow passage passing through the panel, wherein the stake is slidable within the passage relative to the panel. Clause 6. Landscaping edging as in clause 5, further comprising a locking member which passes through a hole in the panel and is configured to be pressed against the stake to lock the position of the stake relative to the panel. Clause 7. Landscaping edging as in clause 4 or 6, wherein the locking member is a grub screw, and wherein the hole in the bracket or panel has an internal thread corresponding to an external thread on the grub screw. Clause 8. Landscaping edging as in any preceding clause, wherein the stake is lockable to any of a continuum of positions relative to the panel such that the height of the panel can be varied continuously relative to the stake. Clause 9. Landscaping edging as in any preceding clause, wherein the panel is bendable or deformable such that it can be bent to form a flat panel or a curved panel. Clause 10. Landscaping edging as in any preceding clause, wherein the panel is curved along at least a portion of its elongate length. Clause 11. Landscaping edging as in any preceding clause, further comprising a joining piece for holding an end of a first panel proximate to an end of a second panel, in the elongate direction of the panels. Clause 12. Landscaping edging as in clause 11, wherein comprises a bracket and a stake associated with the joining piece, wherein said stake is slidable within said bracket relative to the joining piece and is configured such that it can be partially inserted into the ground. Clause 13. Landscaping edging as in clause 11 or 12, wherein the joining piece is a plate arranged to be fixed to each of the two panels such that the end of the first panel is flush and aligned with the end of the second panel. Clause 14. A method of sectioning a ground surface using the landscaping edging of any preceding clause, comprising the steps of arranging the panel on the ground in a desired location and securing it to the ground by partially inserting the stake into the ground, adjusting the height of the panel relative to the stake and relative to the ground, and locking it into position at the desired height. Clause 15. A method of sectioning a ground surface as in clause 14, wherein multiple panels are arranged on the ground end-to-end along their elongate lengths in the desired location on the ground, wherein adjacent panels are arranged such that their ends abut or are spaced from each other, and wherein the height of each panel is adjusted such that the edging has the desired height profile along its elongate length. Clause 16. A method as in clause 15, wherein the edging has a constant height along its elongate length. Clause 17. A method as in clause 15 or 16, wherein the landscaping edging is as in clause 10, 11 or 12, the method further comprising the step of connecting a joining piece to each pair of adjacent edging panels. Clause 18. A method as in clause 14, wherein the landscaping edging apparatus is as in clause 13, the method comprising the initial step of arranging multiple panels end-to-end along their elongate lengths, Nand fixing a joining piece to each 5 pair of adjacent panels. Clause 19. A garden wherein the ground of the garden is sectioned into different areas by the landscaping edging of any of clauses 1 to 13. 10

Claims

1. Landscaping edging, comprising an elongate edging panel and a stake for securing the panel to the ground, the stake being slidable along its longitudinal axis relative to the panel, the stake being lockable at any desired relative vertical position along its longitudinal axis to adjust the height of the edging panel relative to the stake, whereby, when the stake is inserted a depth into the ground, the height of the edging panel is adjustable and lockable at a desired position, wherein the panel comprises a hollow passage passing through the panel, the stake being slidable within the passage relative to the panel.

2. Landscaping edging as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the hollow passage is arranged such that the stake is substantially parallel to the panel and substantially perpendicular to the elongate length of the panel.

3. Landscaping edging as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a locking member which passes through a hole in the panel and is configured to be pressed against the stake to lock the position of the stake relative to the panel.

4. Landscaping edging as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the locking member is a grub screw, and wherein the hole in the panel has an internal thread corresponding to an external thread on the grub screw.

5. Landscaping edging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stake is lockable to any of a continuum of positions relative to the panel such that the height of the panel can be varied continuously relative to the stake.

6. Landscaping edging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel is bendable or deformable such that it can be bent to form a flat panel or a curved panel.

7. Landscaping edging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel is curved along at least a portion of its elongate length.

8. Landscaping edging as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a joining piece for holding an end of a first panel proximate to an end of a second panel, in the elongate direction of the panels.

9. Landscaping edging as claimed in Claim 8, further comprising a stake associated with the joining piece, and wherein the joining piece comprises a bracket, wherein said stake is slidable within said bracket relative to the joining piece and is configured such that it can be partially inserted into the ground.

10. Landscaping edging as claimed in Claims 8 or 9, wherein the joining piece is a plate arranged to be fixed to each of the two panels such that the end of the first panel is flush and aligned with the end of the second panel.

11. A method of sectioning a ground surface using the landscaping edging of any preceding claim, comprising the steps of arranging the panel on the ground in a desired location and securing it to the ground by partially inserting the stake into the ground, adjusting the height of the panel relative to the stake and relative to the ground, and locking it into position at the desired height.

12. A method of sectioning a ground surface as claimed in Claim 11, wherein multiple panels are arranged on the ground end-to-end along their elongate lengths in the desired location on the ground, wherein adjacent panels are arranged such that their ends abut or are spaced from each other, and wherein the height of each panel is adjusted such that the edging has the desired height profile along its elongate length.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the edging has a constant height along its elongate length.

14. A method as claimed in Claims 12 or 13, wherein the landscaping edging is as claimed in Claims 8, 9 or 10, the method further comprising the step of connecting a joining piece to each pair of adjacent edging panels.5 15. A method as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the landscaping edgingapparatus is as claimed in Claim 10, the method comprising the initial step of arranging multiple panels end-to-end along their elongate lengths, Nand fixing a joining piece to each pair of adjacent panels.10 16. A garden wherein the ground of the garden is sectioned into different areasby the landscaping edging of any of Claims 1 to 10.A

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