US3373668A - Interlocking structures for edging, paving, or the like - Google Patents

Description

March 19, 1968 RR. MOIORE ET AL 3,373,668

INTERLOCKING STRUCTURES FOR EDGING, PAVING, OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 15, 1965 2 Sheets Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT R. MOORE 5 BY EDWARD STEFFAN ATTORNEYS March 19, 1968 R. R. MOORE ET AL. 3,373,668

INTERLOCKING STRUCTURES FOR EDGING, PAVING, OR THE LIKE} Filed Dec. 15, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lim HI I

INVENTORS ROBERT R MOORE 5 nite tates ABSTRACT UP THE DISCLOSURE An interlocking structure in the form of tiles or brick which may be employed to construct walkways, borders or dividers for lawns and the like in a simple and straight forward manner is described. The interlocking structures include fiat upper walls having marginal walls and strengthening ribs depending therefrom. The sidewalls and ribs are tapered at their lower ends so as to define knife edges which will readily penetrate into the ground when force is applied to the fiat upper walls. The structures further include spikes which depend from the upper walls inwardly adjacent the marginal walls, and eyes project outwardly from the marginal walls that positions to receive these spikes of other identical structures. Each structure also includes recesses formed inwardly of its eyes adapted to receive the marginal wall of an identical similar structure when its spike is received in the eye of the former structure.

This invention relates to structures for beautifying gardens or the like while serving utilitarian purposes, and is more particularly directed to interlocking structures in forms such as tiles, bricks, etc., which may be employed to construct walkways, borders or dividers for lawns, flower beds, or the like in a simple, straight-forward and nontime-consuming manner.

In beautifying a garden, it is usually necessary to build various structures which add to the neat appearance of the garden. For example, edge curbings or border structures, about the margin of a lawn, or flower bed go far in presenting a neat definition of the area involved.

The curbing prevents blades of grass from growing into adjacent bed areas, or the like, in an irregular and straggly manner. Likewise it is usually desirable to construct paved areas, such as walkways, in the garden to provide firm footing while at the same time presenting a neat appearance. I-Ieretofore structures about the garden of the foregoing types have usually entailed considerable work in the construction thereof. A border or edge curbing is generally constructed by first digging a trench and then placing bricks therein in end to end abutment. Not only is substantial labor involved, but also the bricks have a tendency to shift relative to each other and present an undesirable irregular appearance unless they are set in a concrete footing. Walkways are typically constructed of concrete which of course involves the tedious process of constructing forms, and mixing, pouring, and tooling of the concrete.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide interlocking structures which may be employed in the garden to construct edge curbings, walkways, etc. in a simple, quick, and straight-forward manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of interlocking bricks, tiles, or the like which are adapted to be directly embedded in the earth to construct borders, walkways, etc.

Still another object of the invention is to provide interlocking structures of the class described which may be readily fabricated of plastic by conventional molding processes. i

It is a further object of the invention to provide structures of the class described which are of simple design conducive to low cost construction.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an edging brick in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away, of the brick.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the brick.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken at line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of two of the bricks in end to end interlocking engagement.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a number of the bricks in end to end interlocking engagement.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a tile in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken at line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the tile.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a number of the tiles in interlocking engagement.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of two tiles illustrating the manner in which they are interlockingly engaged.

Considering now the invention in some detail and referring to the illustrated forms thereof in the drawings, there will be seen to be provided block structures in the form of bricks, tiles, or the like, which are arranged to be interlocked with each other and to be readily securely embedded in the ground in order to provide edge curbings, dividers, walkways, etc., about the garden. The structures generally include flat upper walls with marginal side walls depending therefrom. Strengthening ribs likewise depend from the upper walls in the intermediate area encompassed by the side walls. The side walls and ribs are tapered at their lower ends so as to define knife edges which will readily penetrate into the ground when force is applied to the flat upper walls. The structures further include spikes depending from the upper walls inwardly adjacent the side walls, and eyes projecting outwardly from the side walls at positions to receive the spikes of other identical structures. The structures are also provided with recesses, such as notches or grooves, for receiving marginal side walls of the other structures Whose spikes engage the eyes. In this manner, a number of the structures may be interlockingly engaged when they are embedded in the ground. The structures are readily adaptable to being formed of plastic by conventional molding processes, whereby relatively inexpensive structures are provided.

Structures in accordance with the present invention may be advantageously provided in the form of edging bricks as illustrated in FIGURES 1-6. Such an edging brick is designated by the numeral 11 and includes an elongated rectangular upper wall 12 which is rounded at one end, as indicated at 13. The opposite end of upper wall 12 is provided with a semicircular cut-out 14 complementary to rounded end 13, which will thereby receive the rounded end of an identical brick. A marginal side wall 16 depends from the upper wall 12 at the opposite side edges and rounded end thereof. The lower ends of the side wall are tapered so as to define knife edges 17 as best shown in FIGURE 4. A spike 18 depends from the upper wall at the center of curvature of rounded end 13. The brick further includes a strengthening rib in the form of a substantially rectangular knife blade 19 which depends from upper Wall 12 longitudinally thereof. The knife blade extends between a point in close spaced relation to the spike 18 and the center of curvature of cut-out 14 whereat the blade is formed with an eye 21 for receiving the spike 18 of an identical brick. The lower knife edge of the blade is preferably at a level substantially below the knife edges 17 of side wall 16. The portion of the knife edge which projects beyond the cut-out 14 is provided with a notch 22 extending into its upper edge in coincidence with the edge of the cut-out. This notch is thus adapted to receive the rounded end portion of the marginal side wall of an identical brick having its spike extending through the eye 21. In order to strengthen the end of the brick containing the cut-out, transverse rib structure 23 extends between the opposite portions of the marginal wall and the blade at a point inwardly adjacent the notch 22. The lower portion of the rib is tapered to define a knife edge comparable to that of the marginal side wall.

With the brick 11 provided as just described, it will be appreciated that all lower leading edges are sharp such that the brick may be readily embedded in the ground, a lawn, or the like, by applying force to the upper wall 12, with for example, the foot. When thus embedded, the brick is securely retained in position by the marginal wall, spike, and knife blade abutting adjacent portions of the earth. A number of the bricks may be embedded in the ground and locked in end-to-end alignment, as shown in FIGURES and 6, to provide an edge curbing, or the like. In this regard, the spike 18 of one brick 11 extends through the eye 21' of another brick 11'. The curved end portion of the marginal side wall 16 of brick 11 is received in the notch 22' of brick 11'. By virtue of the end of the brick and the cut-out being curved, and the spike and eye of respective bricks providing a pivotal joint, adjacent interlocked bricks may be disposed at a variety of angles with respect to each other, as 'Well as in alignment.

Referring now to FIGURES 8-11, the block structure of the present invention will be seen to be embodied in the form of a tile 24, a number of which may be interlocked as shown in FIGURE to provide a walkway, or similar paving. The tile 24 includes a rectangular, preferably square upper wall 26 with a marginal side wall 27 depending from the 'four edges thereof. In addition, strengthening rib structure 28 in the form of a cross depends from the upper wall 26, such rib structure extending between the sets of opposed parallel sides of the mar- "ginal wall 27. In this embodiment, there is provided a double set of ribs extending in at least one direction, so as to permit cutting of the block in half just as bricks are frequently cut into two pieces to present a staggered or more decorative arrangement. The marginal side wall and rib structure are tapered to provide knife edges at their lower ends. Two adjacent sides of the tile are provided with tabs 29, 31 which project reentrantly upward from the lower edge of the marginal side wall at a slight angle thereto. Grooves 32, 33 are thus defined between the tabs and marginal wall on two sides of the tile. Each groove serves to receive one of the other two sides of the marginal wall of another tile. In this regard, the tabs 29, 31 are provided with notches 34, 36 for receiving the cross rib structure of the other tiles which engage the grooves 32, 33. A pair of spaced-apart eyes 37 project outwardly from tab 29, and a similar pair of eyes 38 project outwardly from tab 31. Pairs of similarly spaced spikes 39, 41 depend from upper wall 26 adjacent the two sides of the tile that are not provided with tabs. Each pair of the spikes are appropriately positioned to engage a pair of the eyes of a second tile when a side of the marginal wall of the first tile engages one of the grooves of the second tile. This is illustrated for two tiles 24, 24 in FIGURE 5. The tile 24 further includes a spike 42 that depends from upper wall 26 adjacent the corner between the two sides of the marginal wall provided with the tabs 29, 31.

It will be thus appreciated that the tiles 24 provided as just described may be readily embedded in the ground. A number of the tiles may be locked together in side-byside relation, as previously described, by means of the tabs, eyes, and spikes to provide a walkway, or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. Interlocking block structure comprising a flat upper wall, marginal walls depending from said upper wall, said marginal walls having tapered knife edge defining lower ends, at least one spike depending from said upper wall, at least one eye supported outwardly of said upper wall by a marginal portion of said structure and a recess formed inwardly of said eye and adapted to receive a marginal wall of an identical block structure when its spike is received in said eye.

2. Block structure according to claim 1, further defined by said upper wall being of elongated rectangular configuration having a first round end and a second end with a semi-circular cut-out complementary to said round end, said marginal walls being side walls depending from the parallel side edges of said upper wall and said round end, said marginal portion being a rib structure Which includes a blade extending longitudinally of said upper wall and carrying said eye adjacent said cut-out, said spike positioned adjacent said round end, and said blade having a tapered knife edge defining lower end and a notch in coincidence with the edge of said cut-out defining said recess.

3. Block structure according to claim 2, further defined by said eye being positioned at the center of curvature of said cut-out, and said spike being positioned at the center of curvature of said round end.

4. Block structure according to claim 2, further defined by said rib structure including a cross rib extending transversely between said blade and said marginal side walls adjacent said cut-out, said cross rib having a tapered knife edge defining lower end.

5. Block structure according to claim 4, further de fined by said blade extending downwardly beyond the level of the lower edges of said marginal side walls and said cross rib.

6. Block structure according to claim 5, further defined by said eye being positioned at the center of curvature of said cut-out, and said spike being positioned at the center of curvature of said round end.

7. Block structure according to claim 1, further de fined by said upper wall being of rectangular configuration, said marginal walls being side walls depending from the four side edges of said upper wall, first and second adjacent side walls having reentrant tabs projecting upwardly from the lower edges of said first and second walls in close spaced relation to the outer faces thereof, each tab and one of said first and second side walls defining one of said recesses therebetween, at least one eye projecting outwardly from each of said tabs, and at least one spike depending from said upper wall adjacent each of the third and fourth adjacent side walls for engage ment with said eyes of an identical block structure.

8. Block structure according to claim 7, further defined by a pair of spaced-apart eyes projecting outwardly from each of said tabs, a pair of spikes depending from said upper wall adjacent each of said third and fourth 8,373,668 5 8 side walls, and a spike depending from said upper wall References Cited at the corner between said first and second side Walls. UNITED STATES PATENTS 9. Block structure according to claim 7, further defined by the provision of cross ribs extending between 606151 6/1898 Q said first and third side walls and second nd fourth id 5 1,683,121 9/ 1928 aldwin 94-15 Walls, and said tabs respectively having central t h 2,888,779 6/1959 Hostetter 4733 for receiving aid cross ribs Shurnaker 10. Block structure according to claim 1 in which said FOREIGN PATENTS rib structure includes a pair of adjacent members gen- 504,333 4/1939 Great Britain erally bisecting said block structure and permitting the 10 latter to be cut intermediate such members. JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. I

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