Flexible Modular Landscape Edging Resolves Mower Blade Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing landscape edging solutions, such as roll-up edgings and concrete curbing, face issues like damage from maintenance equipment, weathering, difficulty in adapting to ground changes, and safety concerns, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic or growing roots, leading to functional and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A heavy-duty, flexible landscape edging system comprising interlocking pieces with a specific profile that allows for easy mowing, resistance to damage, and adaptability to ground changes, made from recycled materials that can house irrigation and lighting lines, providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing border.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If roll-up edging is used to create a simple border, then installation is simplified, but the edging is easily forced from the ground by freezing and thawing cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidresistance to heaving

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The edging is divided into modular sections that can be assembled together, allowing for flexible installation while maintaining structural integrity. Each segment can be independently secured to the ground, preventing heaving while keeping installation simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The edging utilizes a flexible plastic material that can bend and adapt to ground movements without breaking or being forced out. This flexibility allows the edging to accommodate freezing and thawing cycles while maintaining its position and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If roll-up edging has a sharp bottom edge for easy insertion, then installation is easier, but the edging sinks into the ground under mower wheels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidresistance to sinking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The edging incorporates a reinforced bottom edge or base section that provides localized strength and width at the ground-contact point. This allows the edging to be easily inserted while resisting sinking under mower wheels, as the critical load-bearing area is strengthened without compromising installation ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If concrete curb edging is used for durability, then strength is improved, but it causes injury and is not appropriate for playgrounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The edging uses flexible plastic material instead of rigid concrete, allowing it to bend and deform under impact rather than shattering. This maintains structural integrity and durability while eliminating the safety hazards of concrete chunks and sharp edges in playground areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexibility of the plastic material, which might seem to reduce strength, actually provides a benefit by allowing the edging to absorb impact energy through deformation rather than fracturing. This converts the potential harm of rigidity into the benefit of safety while maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Strength

If concrete curbing is used to retain landscape materials, then retention capability is improved, but it damages mower blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention capabilityVSAvoidmower blade damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible plastic edging can deform under the weight and movement of mower wheels, preventing the rigid impact that damages concrete and mower blades. This maintains the landscape material retention capability while eliminating the harmful effect of blade damage through the material's ability to flex and absorb impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Ease of manufacture

If roll-up edging is used to border lawns, then it provides a simple border, but it interferes with mowing grass adjacent to the edging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveborder simplicityVSAvoidmowing accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the edging protrude into the mowing area, the design inverts the traditional profile by setting the edging back or creating a tapered profile that slopes away from the lawn. This allows mower wheels and blades to access the grass right up to the edging without interference, while the edging still provides an effective border.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9109337B2Landscape edging system

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 ENTECH INC

AI summary

Provided is a landscape edging system comprising runs having a profile comprising a base, front edge and, in some embodiments, a leading edge, as well as a first specialized region, and optionally one or two additional specialized regions which can permit easy mowing up to the forward most edge of the edging, and can prevent lawn mower blade damage to the edging. In a preferred embodiment, the runs are comprised of shredded rubber.