Landscape/erosion control product

Claim 2

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; and d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position and the spines can hold landscape material, and wherein the distal portions of the spines have a designated width and the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially greater than the width of the spines.

Claim 3

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: a substantial number of the distal ends of the spines do not touch other spines.

Claim 4

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein; when the plurality of spines are in the rest position, the distal portions of most of the spines are disposed at an acute angle to the lower support structure.

Claim 5

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: said plurality of spines are arranged in discrete rows.

Claim 6

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: said elongated distal portions of said spines are generally directed in a similar direction.

Claim 7

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: said distal ends of said spines come to a point.

Claim 8

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curved.

Claim 9

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curled.

Claim 10

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are angled nearly parallel to the lower support structure.

Claim 11

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: the lower support structure is landscape fabric material and the landscape fabric material substantially blocks the transmission of sunlight through the landscape fabric material.

Claim 12

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: the lower support structure does not block the transmission of sunlight.

Claim 13

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 1 , wherein: a. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines; b. said plurality of strips being joined together.

Claim 14

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. said base portions of said spines are wider than said elongated distal portions.

Claim 15

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. said base portions of said spines are wider than said elongated distal portions.

Claim 16

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 13 , wherein: said spines have a triangular shape.

Claim 17

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. wherein the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. wherein said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together; f. a plurality of second strips that do not have spines; g. a sheet of landscape fabric material; and h. said sheet of landscape fabric material is disposed between said plurality of strips that carry the spines and the plurality of second strips that do not have spines.

Claim 18

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. wherein the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. wherein said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together; f. a plurality of second strips that do not have spines; g. a sheet of landscape fabric material; and h. said sheet of landscape fabric material is disposed between said plurality of strips that carry the spines and the plurality of second strips that do not have spines.

Claim 19

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 15 , wherein: said second strips have pegs which are received in holes in the strips carrying the spines.

Claim 20

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. wherein the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; e. wherein said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together; f. wherein said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship; g. wherein each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines has a first end and a second end; and h. wherein selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips.

Claim 21

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. wherein the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; e. wherein said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together; f. wherein said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship; g. wherein each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines has a first end and a second end; and h. wherein selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips.

Claim 22

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 17 , wherein: selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure.

Claim 23

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 18 , further comprising: a. a second landscape/erosion control structure comprising: 1. a lower support structure; 2. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; 3. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines, and the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and 4. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together, said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship, each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines having a first end and a second end, and selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips, and the selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure; and wherein b. the first and second landscape/erosion control structures are arranged so that the second ends of the strips carrying the spines of the first landscape/erosion control structure are adjacent to the first ends of the strips carrying the spines of the second landscape/erosion control structure.

Claim 24

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; e. a substantial number of the distal ends of the spines do not touch other spines; and f. the distal portions of the spines have a designated width and the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially greater than the width of the spines.

Claim 25

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; e. a substantial number of the distal ends of the spines do not touch other spines; and f. the distal portions of the spines have a designated width and the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially greater than the width of the spines.

Claim 26

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein; when the plurality of spines are in the rest position, the distal portions of most of the spines are disposed at an acute angle to the lower support structure.

Claim 27

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 21 , wherein: said elongated distal portions of said spines are generally directed in a similar direction.

Claim 28

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 22 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curved.

Claim 29

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 23 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curled.

Claim 30

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 24 , wherein: the lower support structure is landscape fabric material and the landscape fabric material substantially blocks the transmission of sunlight through the landscape fabric material.

Claim 31

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: said plurality of spines are arranged in discrete rows.

Claim 32

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: said base portions of said spines are wider than said elongated distal portions.

Claim 33

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 27 , wherein: said spines have a triangular shape.

Claim 34

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: said distal ends of said spines come to a point.

Claim 35

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are angled nearly parallel to the lower support structure.

Claim 36

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: the lower support structure does not block the transmission of sunlight.

Claim 37

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: a. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines; b. said plurality of strips being joined together.

Claim 38

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 32 , further comprising: a. a plurality of second strips that do not have spines; b. a sheet of landscape fabric material; and c. said sheet of landscape fabric material is disposed between said plurality of strips that carry the spines and the plurality of second strips that do not have spines.

Claim 39

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 33 , wherein: said second strips have pegs which are received in holes in the strips carrying the spines.

Claim 40

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 32 , wherein: a. said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship; b. each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines has a first end and a second end; and c. selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips.

Claim 41

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 35 , wherein: selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure.

Claim 42

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 36 , further comprising: a. a second landscape/erosion control structure comprising: 1. a lower support structure; 2. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; 3. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines, and the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and 4. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together, said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship, each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines having a first end and a second end, and selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips, and the selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure; and wherein b. the first and second landscape/erosion control structures are arranged so that the second ends of the strips carrying the spines of the first landscape/erosion control structure are adjacent to the first ends of the strips carrying the spines of the second landscape/erosion control structure.

Claim 43

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: the spines are greater than or equal to 0.5 inches in height.

Claim 44

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 20 , wherein: the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially 2 inches or greater.

Claim 45

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials such as mulch over a selected portion of ground, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure placed over a selected portion of ground; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. mulch placed over the lower support structure and resting on the lower support structure and in contact with the spines, wherein f. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines; g. said plurality of strips being joined together.

Claim 46

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials such as mulch over a selected portion of ground, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure placed over a selected portion of ground; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. mulch placed over the lower support structure and resting on the lower support structure and in contact with the spines, wherein f. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines; g. said plurality of strips being joined together.

Claim 47

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein; when the plurality of spines are in the rest position, the distal portions of most of the spines are disposed at an acute angle to the lower support structure.

Claim 48

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 41 , wherein: said elongated distal portions of said spines are generally directed in a similar direction.

Claim 49

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 42 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curved.

Claim 50

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 43 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curled.

Claim 51

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 44 , wherein: the lower support structure is landscape fabric material and the landscape fabric material substantially blocks the transmission of sunlight through the landscape fabric material.

Claim 52

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: said plurality of spines are arranged in discrete rows.

Claim 53

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: said base portions of said spines are wider than said elongated distal portions.

Claim 54

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 47 , wherein: said spines have a triangular shape.

Claim 55

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: said distal ends of said spines come to a point.

Claim 56

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are angled nearly parallel to the lower support structure.

Claim 57

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: the lower support structure does not block the transmission of sunlight.

Claim 58

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , further comprising: a. a plurality of second strips that do not have spines; b. a sheet of landscape fabric material; and c. said sheet of landscape fabric material is disposed between said plurality of strips that carry the spines and the plurality of second strips that do not have spines.

Claim 59

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 52 , wherein: said second strips have pegs which are received in holes in the strips carrying the spines.

Claim 60

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: a. said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship; b. each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines has a first end and a second end; and c. selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips.

Claim 61

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 54 , wherein: selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure.

Claim 62

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 55 , further comprising: a. a second landscape/erosion control structure comprising: 1. a lower support structure; 2. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; 3. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines, and the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and 4. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together, said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship, each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines having a first end and a second end, and selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips, and the selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure; and wherein b. the first and second landscape/erosion control structures are arranged so that the second ends of the strips carrying the spines of the first landscape/erosion control structure are adjacent to the first ends of the strips carrying the spines of the second landscape/erosion control structure.

Claim 63

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: the spines are greater than or equal to 0.5 inches in height.

Claim 64

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 40 , wherein: the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially 2 inches or greater.

Claim 65

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials such as mulch over a selected portion of ground, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure placed over a selected portion of ground; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. a substantial number of the distal portions of the spines do not touch other spines; and f. the distal portions of the spines have a designated width and the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially greater than the width of the spines.

Claim 66

A landscape/erosion control structure for retaining landscaping materials such as mulch over a selected portion of ground, the landscape/erosion control structure comprising: a. a lower support structure placed over a selected portion of ground; b. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; c. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines; d. the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and e. a substantial number of the distal portions of the spines do not touch other spines; and f. the distal portions of the spines have a designated width and the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially greater than the width of the spines.

Claim 67

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein; when the plurality of spines are in the rest position, the distal portions of most of the spines are disposed at an acute angle to the lower support structure.

Claim 68

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 60 , wherein: said elongated distal portions of said spines are generally directed in a similar direction.

Claim 69

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 61 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curved.

Claim 70

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 62 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are curled.

Claim 71

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 63 , wherein: the lower support structure is landscape fabric material and the landscape fabric material substantially blocks the transmission of sunlight through the landscape fabric material.

Claim 72

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: said plurality of spines are arranged in discrete rows.

Claim 73

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: said base portions of said spines are wider than said elongated distal portions.

Claim 74

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 66 , wherein: said spines have a triangular shape.

Claim 75

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: said distal ends of said spines come to a point.

Claim 76

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: the distal portions of the spines are angled nearly parallel to the lower support structure.

Claim 77

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: the lower support structure does not block the transmission of sunlight.

Claim 78

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: a. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines; b. said plurality of strips being joined together.

Claim 79

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 71 , further comprising: a. a plurality of second strips that do not have spines; b. a sheet of landscape fabric material; and c. said sheet of landscape fabric material is disposed between said plurality of strips that carry the spines and the plurality of second strips that do not have spines.

Claim 80

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 72 , wherein: said second strips have pegs which are received in holes in the strips carrying the spines.

Claim 81

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 71 , wherein: a. said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship; b. each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines has a first end and a second end; and c. selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips.

Claim 82

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 74 , wherein: selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure.

Claim 83

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 75 , further comprising: a. a second landscape/erosion control structure comprising: 1. a lower support structure; 2. a plurality of spines attached to the lower support structure, each of said plurality of spines being formed with a base end, a base portion, an elongated distal portion, and a distal end; 3. wherein the spines are arranged in relation to each other and to the lower support structure such that spaces exist between most of the distal portions of the spines, and the spines are relatively stiff such that the distal ends of the spines stand away from the lower support structure when in a rest position; and 4. said lower support structure comprises a plurality of strips that carry the spines, said plurality of strips being joined together, said plurality of strips that carry the spines are elongated and are arranged in substantially parallel relationship, each of said plurality of strips that carry the spines having a first end and a second end, and selected pairs of adjacent strips that carry the spines are arranged so that the first end of the first one of said strips making up the selected pair of adjacent strips is not in alignment with the first end of the second strip of the selected adjacent pair of strips, and the selected adjacent pairs of strips occur at regular intervals along the lower support structure; and wherein b. the first and second landscape/erosion control structures are arranged so that the second ends of the strips carrying the spines of the first landscape/erosion control structure are adjacent to the first ends of the strips carrying the spines of the second landscape/erosion control structure.

Claim 84

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: the spines are greater than or equal to 0.5 inches in height.

Claim 85

The landscape/erosion control structure of claim 59 , wherein: the spaces between the distal portions of adjacent spines is substantially 2 inches or greater.