Patent US5020272A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5020272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Landscape edging system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-12-27
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Granted: 1991-06-04
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Expires: 2009-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An area edging system comprising a self-coupling edging strip two ends of which can be slidably connected together on either sides of each other. Also provided is a novel support stake that can be snap fastened to an edging strip and securely fastened thereto and securely held in the ground. Also provided are modular coupling members for forming sharp radius curves, sharp angle corners and mid-span coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T. Herrema
- 👤 Steven C. Windemuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An area edging system, useful in landscaping and having other useful purposes, comprising: an elongated edging strip having a length and two ends; said edging strip throughout its length having a first side including a first and second means extending along said first side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a male portion and a second side including a third and fourth means extending along said second side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a female portion, said configurations of said sides being such that said male portion is receivable in said female portion whereby the two ends of a single piece of said edging can be coupled together by engaging said male portion of said first side with said female portion of said second side without introducing a twist into the length of said edging strip; a plurality of securing stakes used in cooperation with said edging strip to secure said edging strip; said stakes having a top portion which is bent over, forming a long leg and a short leg and defining a slot, such that said stakes can be snapped onto said edging strip by sliding said top edge of said edging into said slot of said top portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An area edging system, useful in landscaping and having other useful purposes, comprising: an elongated edging strip having a length and two ends; said edging strip throughout its length having a first side including a first and second means extending along said first side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a male portion and a second side including a third and fourth means extending along said second side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a female portion, said configurations of said sides being such that said male portion is receivable in said female portion whereby the two ends of a single piece of said edging can be coupled together by engaging said male portion of said first side with said female portion of said second side without introducing a twist into the length of said edging strip; a plurality of securing stakes used in cooperation with said edging strip to secure said edging strip; said stakes having a top portion which is bent over, forming a long leg and a short leg and defining a slot, such that said stakes can be snapped onto said edging strip by sliding said top edge of said edging into said slot of said top portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The edging system of claim 1 wherein said edging strip includes top and bottom edges and a longitudinal flange at each of the top and bottom edges on said first side and a longitudinal ridge near each said top and bottom edges on said second side; each said ridge projecting from said second side and forming a hook-shaped ridge with a longitudinal groove, said hook-shaped ridges cooperating with said flanges whereby two ends of said edging strip can be coupled together by engaging said hook-shaped ridges over said flanges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The edging system of claim 1 wherein said long leg of said stakes comprises a flat bar having transverse ridges and grooves and having a longitudinal rib.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The edging system of claim 1 wherein said short leg of said stakes includes an end which is flared away from said long leg to facilitate the insertion of said edging between said long leg and said short leg and to facilitate prying said short leg away from said long leg to facilitate the removal of said edging from between said long leg and said short leg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The edging system of claim 1 wherein said slot at said top portion of said stakes is keyhole-shaped formed by an upper capture portion and a lower slot channel portion, such that a top edge of a piece of said edging, inserted between said short leg and said long leg of said stakes forcibly slides through said channel portion and come to rest in said capture portion of said keyhole slot whereby said top edge is captured by said keyhole slot and said stake is fastened to said edging.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The edging system of claim 1 having coupling means for coupling at least two pieces of said edging strip, said coupling means having first and second sides of the same configurations as said two pieces of said edging strips so as to interfit with said first and second sides of said pieces of said edging strips, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The edging system of claim 6 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having two portions formed at an angle to each other whereby two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled to form an angle between them.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The edging system of claim 6 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having an arc of small radius in plan view whereby at least two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The edging system of claim 2 having coupling means for coupling at least two pieces of said edging strip, said coupling means having first and second sides of the same configurations as said two pieces of said edging strips so as to interfit with said first and second sides of said pieces of said edging strips, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The edging system of claim 9 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having two portions formed at an angle to each other whereby two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled to form an angle between them.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The edging system of claim 9 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having an arc of small radius in plan view whereby at least two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The edging strip of claim 1 in which the male and female portions of said strip in vertical cross section are symmetrical about the longitudinal center line of said strip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
An area edging system, useful in landscaping and other purposes, comprising: an elongated edging strip having a length and two ends; said edging strip throughout its length having a first side including a first and second means extending along said first side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a male portion and a second side including a third and fourth means extending said second side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a female portion, said configurations of said sides being such that said male portion is receivable in said female portion whereby the two ends of a single piece of said edging can be coupled together by engaging said male portion of said first side with said female portion of said second side without introducing a twist into the length said edging strip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
141 words
An area edging system, useful in landscaping and other purposes, comprising: an elongated edging strip having a length and two ends; said edging strip throughout its length having a first side including a first and second means extending along said first side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a male portion and a second side including a third and fourth means extending said second side and spaced laterally from each other and configured to provide a female portion, said configurations of said sides being such that said male portion is receivable in said female portion whereby the two ends of a single piece of said edging can be coupled together by engaging said male portion of said first side with said female portion of said second side without introducing a twist into the length said edging strip.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The edging strip of claim 13 in which the male and female portions of said strip in vertical cross section are symmetrical about the longitudinal center line of said strip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
The edging system of claim 13 wherein said edging strip includes top and bottom edges and a longitudinal flange at each of the top and bottom edges on said first side and a longitudinal ridge near each said top and bottom edges on said second side; each said ridge projecting from said second side and forming a hook-shaped ridge with a longitudinal groove, said hook-shaped ridges cooperating with said flanges whereby two ends of said edging strip can be coupled together by engaging said hook-shaped ridges over said flanges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The edging system of claim 13 having coupling means for coupling at least two pieces of said edging strip, said coupling means having first and second sides of the same configurations as said two pieces of said edging strips so as to interfit with said first and second sides of said pieces of said edging strips, respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The edging system of claim 16 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having two portions formed at an angle to each other whereby two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled to form an angle between them.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The edging system of claim 16 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having an arc of small radius in plan view whereby at least two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The edging system of claim 15 having coupling means for coupling at least two pieces of said edging strip, said coupling means having first and second sides of the same configurations as said two pieces of said edging strips so as to interfit with said first and second sides of said pieces of said edging strips, respectively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The edging system of claim 19 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having two portions formed at an angle to each other whereby two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled to form an angle between them.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The edging system of claim 19 wherein said coupling means includes a coupling device having an arc of small radius in plan view whereby at least two pieces of said edging strip can be coupled.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The edging strip of claim 13 in which the strip has longitudinal ridges and grooves to provide strength to the strip and to assist in retaining the strip in the ground.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-03 | 1994-12-03 | 1995-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-12-03 | 1999-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-03 | 2002-12-03 | 2003-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |