Exemplary embodiments relate generally to structures for protecting landscape features, such as plants and other foliage, on a temporary basis from debris, such as falling debris during a roofing construction project.
It is common for homeowners or other individuals to install landscaping around a home or other structure. Often times, these landscaping features are relatively sensitive and may include, for example without limitation, flowers, bushes, fountains, decorative art objects, garden beds, flower beds, combinations thereof, or the like. When various construction projects are performed on the structure, these landscape features may be damaged. For example, without limitation, during roofing work, debris may purposefully be released from, or accidentally fall from, the roof to the ground. For example, old or damaged shingles and other materials may be allowed to slide off an existing roof during removal for subsequent replacement. These debris may fall onto sensitive plants and other landscape features causing damage and resulting in unhappy customers, replacement costs, or the like. Placing tarps or other cloth directly over such landscape features may provide insufficient protection. Existing debris collection chutes and tarps, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,724,246 issued Jul. 28, 2020 entitled ROOFING DEBRIS COLLECTION APPARATUS (the “'246 Patent”), may aid in protecting such landscape features. However, additional protection may be required in certain circumstance, such as for particularly sensitive or important landscape features, where particularly heavy debris may be experienced, where larger landscape features need protected, and/or where building structure and/or landscape features otherwise require. Leaning wood panels against a building provides limited protection and the panels are generally difficult to transport, among other drawbacks. Custom wooden structures are time consuming and expensive to build and tear down, among other drawbacks. Therefore, what is needed is an adaptable, temporary landscape protection structure.
An adaptable, temporary landscape protection structure is provided. Various members may be removably connected to connectors to define various size, shape, number, and/or type of structures. Alternatively, or additionally, at least some of the structures, or components thereof, may be integrally formed. Some or all of the members may be configured for telescoping or other movement to further define the size and/or shape of the structures. The structures may be erected for placement over one or more landscape features, such as on a temporary basis while construction work is performed. A protective cloth (e.g., tarp, netting, or the like) and/or covering (e.g., panel, plate, or the like) may be placed atop some or all of the structure(s) to protect the landscape features, such as from falling debris during work performed at the site. The structure(s) may be deconstructed for storage and/or movement to another site or another landscape feature at the same site. The structures may be fully customized or formed into one or more predetermined configurations. The structure(s) and/or protective cloth and/or covering may serve to absorb and/or transfer forces of falling debris away from the landscaping. The structure(s) and/or protective tarp and/or covering may provide sufficient protection while also allowing adequate airflow to keep landscape features relatively cool, which may be important in particularly hot working environments. The freestanding nature of the structure(s) may also reduce or eliminate risk of damage to the structure itself. The structure(s) may be used by themselves and/or in combination with some or all of the components shown and/or described in the '246 Patent.
Further features and advantages of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.
In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
At least some of the connectors 14 may be configured to receive one or more of the members 12. The connectors 14 may be configured to removably receive the members 12, such as but not limited to, in a friction fit, snap fit, or the like. For example, without limitation, the connectors 14 may comprise recesses configured to receive a portion of one of the members 12, such as in a snug, friction fit that is sufficient to temporarily secure the member 12 within the connector 14 and allow manual securement and removal but prevent or reduce accidental dislodging. Buttons, latches, levers, combinations thereof, or the like, some or all of which may be biased or spring loaded, alternatively or additionally, may be provided at the members 12 and/or connectors 14 to selectively secure the member(s) 12 with the connector(s) 14. At least some of the connectors 14 may be spherical, or substantially spherical, in shape, though any shape may be utilized, such as but not limited to partial spheres, cuboids, triangles, domes, pyramids, or the like. The connectors 14 may comprise one or more polymers, metals, fiberglass, combinations thereof, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, each of the connectors 14 are configured to interchangeable receive any of the member 12, though such is not required.
In exemplary embodiments, each of the connectors 14 are configured to receive a plurality of the members 12, such as at various relative positions to define various shapes. Some of the connectors 14 may be configured to receive a plurality of the members 12 at different ones of the various relative positions. For example, without limitation, different size, shape, configuration, and/or number of the connectors 14 and/or members 12 may be provided and interconnected to make various size, shape, configuration, and/or number of structures 10. In this manner, the structure 10 may vary in size, shape, or configuration in an adaptable manner to create a structure 10 suitable to protect various landscape features 16.
A distal end of some or all of the members 12 may comprise a spike shape or other feature for mating with a ground surface, such as by insertion into the ground. Alternatively, or additionally, the distal end of some or all of the members 12 may comprise feet or other stabilizing elements, such as for resting on the ground surface to provide stability to the structure 10. In exemplary embodiments, some or all of the members 12 may be configured to removably and interchangeable receive spike shaped ends or feet/stabilizing ends.
In exemplary embodiments, some or all of the members 12 may be configured for telescoping, hinging, or other movement. This may permit adjustment for height, size, shape, combinations thereof, or the like of the members 12 and thus the assembled structure(s) 10. This may, alternatively or additionally, permit for adaptation of the structure 10 to uneven ground surfaces.
The members 12 may be removably connected to the connectors 14 or may be integrally formed therewith.
Some or all of the connectors 14 and/or members 12 may comprise fasteners, hooks, protrusions, recesses, straps, buttons, latches, relatively high friction surfaces, combinations thereof, or the like for mating with the protective cloth 20 in exemplary embodiments. The protective cloth 20 may comprise corresponding fasteners, hooks, protrusions, straps, buttons, relatively high friction surfaces, combinations thereof, or the like for mating with the connectors 14 and/or members 12.
Some or all of the connectors 14 may provide multiple connection options or points for the members 12. For example, without limitation, the connectors 14 may each comprise two, three, four, five, six, etc. connection points for two members 12 provided in various arrangements and/or of various type so that the structure 10 may be adapted to different configurations. Alternatively, or additionally, the connection points themselves may be moveable or adaptable, such as but not limited to, but hinging connection.
Some or all of the connectors 14 and/or members 12 may comprise fasteners, hooks, protrusions, recesses, straps, buttons, latches, relatively high friction surfaces, combinations thereof, or the like for mating with the protective covering 22 in exemplary embodiments. The protective covering 22 may comprise corresponding fasteners, hooks, protrusions, straps, buttons, relatively high friction surfaces, combinations thereof, or the like for mating with the connectors 14 and/or members 12.
The protective covering 22 may be used instead of the protective cloth 20 or in combination therewith.
In exemplary embodiments, some or all of the members 112 may be configured for telescoping, hinging, or other movement. For example, without limitation, some or all of the members 112 may be configured for securement at various angles relative to one another to create a wider or smaller footprint. Alternatively, or additionally, some or all of the members 112 may be configured for telescoping movement to adjust a height of the structure 110.
The structure 110 may be placed to extend coverage of the protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22, such as protect a particularly sensitive landscape feature 16 (e.g., flower or other plant).
In exemplary embodiments, the member 212 may be configured for telescoping movement to adjust a height of the structure 210. Insertion of the member 212 into the ground surface various distances may, alternatively or additionally, provide height adjustment. A single one, or multiple ones, of the structure 212 may be utilized by themselves or in combination with other ones of the structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, and/or 510. The structure 210 may be placed to extend coverage of the protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22, protect a particularly sensitive landscape feature(s) 16, such as low-lying flowers or other plants.
Alternatively, or additionally, the stability substructures 419A-C may comprise straps extended between the member 412.
Some or all of the connectors 614 may be configured to accept fasteners 625 for securing the members 612 connected thereto, in exemplary embodiments. The fasteners 625 may comprise pins or threaded fasteners, for example. The fasteners 625 may comprise retention screws, set screws, screw eye hooks, machine hooks, combinations thereof, or the like, by way of non-limiting example. The fasteners 625 may be configured for manual adjustment (e.g., tightening and/or loosening), directly and/or by indirectly, such as by inserting a tool (e.g., screwdriver) through the eye hook portion, grasping by tool (e.g., wrench), or the like.
Holes 627 may be provided at some or all of the members 612 to accommodate the fasteners 625. The holes 627 may be threaded or unthreaded. The holes 627 may be positioned to align with the fasteners 625 and/or holes in the connectors 614 for the fasteners 625 when the members 612 are properly inserted into the connectors 614. This may permit securement of the members 612 to the connectors 614 by way of the fasteners 625, for example.
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The structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be constructed and placed at the landscape features 16, such as within, immediately adjacent thereto, spaced apart from, combinations thereof, or the like. The structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be fully customized or formed into one or more predetermined configurations shown and/or described herein. The structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be first created, except for the protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22, and then placed at the landscape features. Alternatively, or additionally, the structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be first created, except for the protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22, at the landscape features 16. Regardless, the protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22 may be then placed over some or all of the structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, such as before beginning work. The structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 and/or protective cloth 20 and/or covering 22 may serve to absorb and/or transfer forces of falling debris away from the landscaping. Where a covering 22 is used, the structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may also serve as a platform to set tools and/or for work to be accomplished.
The protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22 may be subsequently removed, such as when the work is complete. In exemplary embodiments, debris may be folded into, or dumped into, the protective cloth 20 for each collection. The structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be disassembled, such as for storage or transportation to the next job site.
Alternatively, or additionally, the structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be moved in a fully or partially assembled state to a next one of the job sites, landscape features 16, or the like.
The structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be freestanding, thereby reducing any risk of damage to the structure itself.
In exemplary embodiments, the vertically extending members 12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612 may be placed between or adjacent to individual ones of the landscape features 16 so that the structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, and/or the protective covering 22 or protective cloth 20 may extend about the various landscape features 16.
The members 12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612 may be removably connected to the connectors 14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614 for creation of various size, shape structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 for quick assembly and disassembly. Alternatively, the members 12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612 and/or connectors 14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614 may be integrally formed to create the 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, such as with or without the need for the connectors 14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614.
The structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be created into various sizes, shapes, configurations, or the like. A single or multiple structures 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 of the same or different type may be utilized. The protective cloth 20 and/or protective covering 22 may be placed over some or all of the structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610. In this way, the structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be utilized to protect various size, shape, type, number, or the like landscape features 16, such as on a temporary basis.
The structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be used by themselves and/or in combination with some or all of the components shown and/or described in the '246 Patent. For example, without limitation, the structure(s) 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 may be erected and placed beneath the chutes of the '246 Patent, which may serve as the protective cloth 20, with or without a separate protective cloth 20 and/or use of the protective covering 22.
Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.
Certain operations described herein may be performed by one or more electronic devices. Each electronic device may comprise one or more processors, electronic storage devices, executable software instructions, combinations thereof, and the like configured to perform the operations described herein. The electronic devices may be general purpose computers or specialized computing devices. The electronic devices may comprise personal computers, smartphone, tablets, databases, servers, or the like. The electronic connections and transmissions described herein may be accomplished by wired or wireless means. The computerized hardware, software, components, systems, steps, methods, and/or processes described herein may serve to improve the speed of the computerized hardware, software, systems, steps, methods, and/or processes described herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/296,687 filed Jan. 5, 2022, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully restated herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63296687 | Jan 2022 | US |