Molded plastic landscape edging and border structure

Claim 2

A plastic molded landscape edging and border structure, comprising: a plurality of molded plastic modules; each of the modules having a male end and an opposite female end; the modules arranged so that the male end of one module engages the female end of another module for coupling the modules together; plastic molded mortar joint members arranged in relation to the engaged module ends for locking the coupled modules together; and the molded modules and mortar joints cooperating to provide a continuous structure having a realistic masonry appearance.

Claim 3

A structure as described by claim 1, wherein: the modules include a plurality of block members arranged adjacent to each other with spaces therebetween; other molded plastic mortar joints are arranged in the spaces between the adjacent block members; and the block members and other molded mortar joints cooperate to provide a continuous module having a realistic masonry appearance.

Claim 4

A structure as described by claim 2, including: connecting members within the spaces for connecting adjacent block members; and the connecting members arranged for supporting the other molded mortar joints in the spaces.

Claim 5

A structure as described by claim 3, wherein: the block members and connecting members terminate in a base extending below said members for installation of the structure below a ground line, the ground line being at the top of the base; the connecting members have top surface and opposite side surfaces, said side surfaces adjoining the top of the base and forming shelves therewith; slots are carried in the side surfaces and the shelves formed thereby with the base, and a hole is carried in the top surface; the other mortar joints have an inverted U-shape with a top and a pair of legs extending downward therefrom, and a pin extending downward from the top; and the other mortor joints are disposed astride the connecting members, with the mortar joint legs engaged in the slots and the pin engaged in the hole carried by the top surface for retaining said mortar joints in the spaces between the block members.

Claim 6

A structure as described by claim 4, wherein: the pair of mortar joint legs extend downward from the mortar joint top at an acute angle and are deflectable away from each other; and the legs are deflected when the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members for exerting a retaining force when the legs are engaged in the slots.

Claim 7

A structure as described by claim 5 wherein: the legs of the other mortar joints have lips at the ends thereof for engaging the slots in the side surfaces of the connecting members.

Claim 8

A structure as described by claim 4, wherein: the pair of mortar joint legs extend downward from the mortar joint top at an obtuse angle and are deflectable toward each other; and the legs are deflected when the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members for exerting a retaining force when the legs are engaged in the slots.

Claim 9

A structure as described by claim 7, wherein; the legs of the other mortar joints engage the slots in the shelves formed by the side surfaces and the adjoining top of the base.

Claim 10

A structure as described by claim 3, wherein: the block members and the connecting members terminate in a base extending below said members for installation of the structure below a ground line, said ground line being at the top of the base; the connecting members have a top surface and opposite side surfaces, said side surfaces adjoining the top of the base and forming shelves therewith; holes are carried in the side surfaces and slots are carried in the shelves formed thereby with the base, and a hole is carried in the top surface; the other mortar joints have an inverted U-shape and have a top and a pair of legs extending downward therefrom, and pins extending inwardly from the legs and a pin extending downward from the top; and the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members, with the mortar joint legs engaged in the slots, the leg pins engaged in the side surface holes and the top pin engaged in the top surface hole for retaining the mortar joints in the spaces between the blocks.

Claim 11

A structure as described by claim 9, wherein: the pair of mortar joint legs extend downward from the mortar joint top at an acute angle and are deflectable away from each other; and the legs being deflected when the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members for exerting a retaining force when said legs are engaged in the slots and the leg pins are engaged in the side surface holes.

Claim 12

A structure as described by claim 9, wherein: the pair of mortar joint legs extend downward From the mortar joint top at an obtuse angle and are deflectable toward each other; and the legs being deflected when the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members for exerting a retaining force when said legs are engaged in the slots and the leg pins are engaged in the side surface holes.

Claim 13

A structure as described by claim 3, wherein: the connecting members terminate just above the bottom of the block members for installation of the structure on a ground line, the ground line being at the bottom of the block members; the connecting members have a top surface and opposite side surfaces, said side surfaces form channels with the bottom of the blocks, and a hole carried in the top surface; the other mortar joints have an inverted U-shape and have a top and a pair of legs extending downward therefrom, and a pin extending downward from the top; and the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members, with the mortar joints engaged in the channels for retaining said mortar joints in the spaces between the block members.

Claim 14

A structure as described by claim 12, wherein: the pair of mortar joint legs extend downward from the mortar joint top at an acute angle and are deflectable away from each other; and the legs have lips at the ends thereof and are deflected when the other mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members for exerting a restraining force when the lips are engaged in the channels.

Claim 15

A structure as described by claim 1, wherein: the male ends of the modules have a pair of side surfaces and a top surface, the side surfaces carrying a centrally disposed hole; the female ends of the modules have a corresponding pair of side surfaces and a corresponding top surface, the side surfaces carry slots and the top surface carries a centrally disposed hole; the side surface slots and the top surface holes on the male and female ends being aligned when said ends are coupled; the mortar joints have an inverted U-shape and have a top and a pair of legs extending downward therefrom, and a pin extending downward from the top; and the mortar joint legs engage the aligned side surface slots and the mortar joint pin engages the aligned centrally disposed holes for locking the coupled modules together.

Claim 16

A structure as described by claim 14, wherein: the pair of mortar joint legs extend downward from the mortar joint top at an acute angle and are deflectable away from each other; and the legs have lips at the ends thereof and are deflected when the mortar joints are disposed astride the connecting members for exerting a retaining force when the lips are engaged in the slots for locking the coupled modules together.

Claim 17

A structure as described by claim 3, including: selected connecting members having wells extending longitudinally therethrough; and stakes carried in the wells and extending through the module for anchoring the module in the ground.

Claim 18

A structure as described by claim 3, wherein: the modules each have a base extending substantially below the block members; the connecting members within the spaces for connecting adjacent block members extend with the base; the other mortar joints have portions extending with the base and supported in the spaces between the block members by the extended connecting members; and said base, extended connecting members and extended mortar joint portions adapted for being disposed in a bed of wet road material for installation of the modules below a ground line, said modules becoming integral with the road material upon drying thereof.

Claim 19

A structure as described by claim 17, wherein: the base includes perforations through which the wet road material seeps and serrations to which the wet road material adheres to anchor the base in the road material when said material dries.

Claim 20

A structure as described by claim 18, wherein: the extended mortar joint porTions include external serrations which trap the road material for anchoring the mortar joint portions therein.