Patent Application
20210300107
The present invention relates generally to the field of landscape decor such as stones. More specifically, the present invention relates to lightweight artificial landscape stones for decorating gardens, paths, artificial hillock, swimming pools, aquariums and the like. The artificial plastic landscape stones, in one embodiment, may be comprised of at least two plastic pieces connected with a stake at the bottom of the stone structure in order to be anchored in the ground. The plastic landscape stone is preferably hollow inside and therefore lightweight, which allows a user to easily transport the plastic stones to different locations in a garden for aesthetic purposes. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Generally stated, a garden is a planned place on personal property or in a public area, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation and display of ornamental and flowering plants and other objects typically found in nature. Other accessories in a garden typically include rocks, stones or pebbles, fountains and decorative paving. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials.
Natural materials such as natural stones, are often placed in a garden for various purposes such as for an aesthetic look, for decoration, for creating a boundary for a specified area such as plants, trees, fountains or around a pool. However, the natural stones placed in a garden or other outdoor areas are often extremely heavy and difficult to transport and install. Garden owners alone often have difficulty moving these heavy stones and have to pay for assistance whenever the stones are to be transported from one place to the other. For example, if people want to adjust the look of their garden, assistance and hence additional cost may be required to transport and install the stones. Larger, bulky stones can limit garden design, and leave people disappointed with the overall appearance of their garden.
In many regions, natural stones are not available and are oftentimes imported from different parts of the world. Natural stones are often costly and their inaccessibility typically increases the shipping and labor cost, thereby inflating the cost of creating a garden. Also, the size and the shape of the natural stones are often fixed, and cannot be adjusted to better interact or blend in with the settings of different items in the garden and/or the wants and needs of the user. Therefore, a stone having an adjustable size is desired.
Existing natural stones are often standalone units, and when larger stones are desired and need to be transported, the larger size stones are packaged in a larger container and the size and shape of the larger stones crate many voids in the packaging, which is both inconvenient and inefficient in terms of packaging and expense. Further, larger landscaping stones tend to be heavy and difficult to move, and the act of doing so may result in injury to the user (e.g., back injuries, strained muscles, and the like).
Furthermore, artificial or man-made materials such as plastic grasses, grass carpets, fountains, etc. exist in the state of the art, which are often utilized in the gardens and indoor and outdoor decoration. Such artificial garden decorative items are lightweight and easy to move from one place to another to change the aesthetic look and give a completely different design for gardens. However, an alternative to the natural heavy weight landscaping stones does not exist, thereby causing inconvenience to the user.
Consequently, there exists a long felt need in the art for lightweight stones which can be utilized to decorate gardens, swimming pools, paths, etc. There is also a long felt need in the art for stones which can be easily transported from one place to another without the need for additional assistance and expensive labor charges. Further, there is also a long felt need in the art for highly structured artificial stones for diverse decorations that solve related packing and transportation problems, and for a landscaping stone structure with an adjustable height mechanism to fulfil different user needs and requirements. There is also a long felt need for artificial landscaping stones that do not limit garden design, and that leave users satisfied with the overall appearance of their garden. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a stone structure with a securing mechanism to anchor the stones in a desired location, and so that they remain secure in a particular design or position. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an inexpensive and efficient method of manufacturing a complete artificial stone in a single injection molding operation.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises lightweight landscape stones that may be constructed out of plastic, designed to look like natural stones (but with minimal weight), and that allow users to easily transport the stones to different locations in a garden for aesthetic purposes and at minimal expense. The plastic landscape stones of the present invention include a structure with an appearance of a natural stone and that is attached to a stake positioned at the bottom of the stone structure in order to anchor the stone structure to the ground. The landscape stone utilizes durable, weather-resistant materials to ensure that the stones maintain their natural look for a prolonged period of time. Further, the landscape stones are hollow and, therefore, relatively light and are easily transportable. The plastic landscape stones can be manufactured with a separate layered structure to adjust the height or size of the stone. Finally, the landscaping stones of the present invention are manufactured as multi-structured units that a user may utilize to assemble the landscaping stone while positioning the stone in the garden, thereby reducing packing and transportation problems of standalone stone structures.
In this manner, the relatively lightweight landscape stones of the present invention accomplish all of the forgoing objectives, and provide a relatively quick and convenient solution for decorating a garden or any outdoor space with natural looking stones. The unique plastic landscape stone structure secures the plastic stones on a surface and protects them from displacement in adverse weather conditions (e.g., high winds, heavy snowfall, etc.). The unique plastic stone design further features an assembling structure which enables the stone components to be efficiently packaged and shipped, thereby reducing the existing packing and transportation issues described above. The improved lightweight landscape stones of the present invention are also stable, durable and easy to install, thereby reducing costs and improving overall efficiencies. Furthermore, the landscaping stone structure provides a height-adjusting mechanism, thereby enabling a user to adjust the stone height or size to satisfy the wants and needs of the user. The plastic landscape stones are also hollow, thereby making the same relatively lightweight and easily repositionable in a landscaping setting. Moreover, the artificial landscape stones of the present invention utilize durable, weather-resistant plastic materials to ensure that the stones maintain their natural look for a prolonged period of time. Finally, the present invention provides a method to easily and efficiently produce or manufacture a complete plastic stone by a single injection molding process.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a relatively lightweight landscaping stone that is designed to look like a natural stone (but with minimal weight), thereby allowing a user to easily transport the plastic stone to different locations in a garden or other outdoor place for aesthetic purposes. The lightweight landscape stones of the present invention also include a stake arrangement on the bottom section of the plastic stones to anchor the landscape stones into the ground. Further, the landscape stones, in one embodiment, utilize durable and weather-resistant plastic materials to ensure that the stones maintain their natural look for prolonged periods of time.
In one embodiment, each landscape stone of the present invention is a two-piece plastic decoration article that functions as a natural stone, and that has an exterior surface that resembles a natural stone in appearance. More specifically, the plastic landscape stone comprises of two-piece structure connected with a stake at the bottom to be anchored into the ground. The head of the stake is concealed in a separate compartment within the stone structure. Additionally, the plastic stones are hollow and relatively lightweight, and therefore can be easily transported to different locations in a garden without assistance and without incurring significant labor expense. Further, a coating on the stone surface can be customized to mimic natural stones in color and appearance.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a complete plastic landscape stone is manufactured via injection molding in a single operation. The plastic landscape stone structure may have an optional stake or stick structure to anchor the stone to the ground. Two half stone structures are melted completely by the moulding injection mechanism to form a completed plastic or artificial landscape stone structure. The formed complete stone is hollow and lightweight. Such manufacturing processes are suitable for most smaller sized stones.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing large sized stone is disclosed. Such large sized artificial plastic landscape stones are manufactured as separate components, such as a first half, a second half and a stake or a stick. Once manufactured, the separate components are more efficiently packaged and easily transported to the end user. Upon receipt, the user can assemble the different stone components to form a complete large sized plastic landscape stone structure. The disclosed method minimizes the amount of packaging otherwise required to ship larger stones, and eliminates many of the transportation problems described above.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a unique artificial stone structure design in disclosed. The stone structure is manufactured as separate components comprised of a plastic stone body, a plate and a stick, by utilizing a moulding injection method. The separate components of the stone can be easily and quickly assembled by a user and can be utilized to decorate gardens, pathways, swimming pools, and the like.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable height artificial plastic landscape stone is disclosed. The adjustable height plastic landscape stone comprises a plastic stone body and a layer that may be used to adjust the height or size of the stone. Multiple layers can be utilized in a stone structure and can be connected together using a waterproof adhesive to increase the height of the plastic stone for decoration purposes and/or to suit user need and/or preference. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable height landscaping stone comprising a stone body having an outer surface and an inner surface, a first and a second plate, a first layer having a top and a bottom face such that said first layer is placed between said first and second plate; and a stick attached to said second plate on said bottom face of said first layer, wherein said stone body is placed over said first plate on said top face of said first layer.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for lightweight stones which can be utilized to decorate gardens, swimming pools, paths, etc. There is also a long felt need in the art for artificial stones which can be easily transported from one place to another without any need for assistance, and without incurring significant labor charges. Additionally, there is also a long felt need in the art for highly structured artificial stones having diverse decorations, and a need in the art for a stone structure which solves existing packaging and transportation related problems. There is also a long felt need in the art for an artificial stone structure comprised of an adjustable height mechanism to satisfy user need and/or preference, and that does not limit garden design. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an artificial stone structure with at least one securing mechanism to anchor the stone structure to the ground so that it retains its intended position and is not disturbed by adverse weather, such as strong winds and the like.
The innovative product of the present invention features relatively lightweight landscaping stones designed to look like natural stones (but with minimal weight), and that allows users to easily transport and reposition the artificial stones to different locations in a garden or other landscaping setting for aesthetic purposes. The landscaping stones of the present invention potentially include a stake arrangement on a bottom section of the artificial stones to anchor the landscaping stones into the ground. The stones are preferably hollow and comprised of durable, weather-resistant materials to ensure that the artificial stones maintain their natural look for prolonged periods of time even when exposed to the elements (e.g., rain, snow, sleet, wind, sunlight, etc.). Further, in one embodiment, the landscaping stones may be comprised of a plurality of layers which can be utilized to adjust the height or size of the artificial stones.
Referring initially to the drawings,
As best illustrated in
In one an embodiment of the present invention, the artificial landscaping stones 100 are manufactured of a durable and weather resistant plastic including, but not limited to, one or more of a polyethylene, hard Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylenes, polyurethanes, epoxy resins, unsaturated polyester resins, acrylates, methacrylates, and the like. However, it is also contemplated that other materials can be used such as rubber or other suitable materials. Further, the artificial landscape stones 100 are preferably coated to protect, as well as decorate, the outer surface 103 of the artificial stone 100. Coating of the outer surface 103 of the artificial stone 100 can be accomplished using one or more of the following non-exhaustive list of coatings, namely architectural coatings, powder coatings, enamels, lacquers, etc. Further, in one embodiment, the artificial stone 100 may be coated with a luminescent powder such that the artificial stone 100 glows in the dark and at night, thereby giving an attractive appearance to the artificial stones 100. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the artificial stones 100 may be manufactured from materials other than plastic.
The artificial stones 100 of the present invention are preferably manufactured by injection molding and in a single operation. More specifically, a plastic material is melted in an injection molding machine and then injected into a mold in the shape of the stones 100, wherein the plastic then cools and solidifies into the final stone 100. The method of injection molding is typically used to produce relatively thin-walled plastic parts for a wide variety of applications, one of the most common being plastic housings.
Stone mounting support stick 107 is further comprised of a stick tapering end 1071 and a stick securing end 1072, wherein the stick tapering end 1071 of stick 107 is sharp enough to be easily inserted into the ground 130 by a user (not shown) with minimal effort, and the stick securing end 1072 is the portion of stick 107 removably secured to artificial stone 100, as described more fully below. Stone mounting support stick 107 may be manufactured of any relatively lightweight material such as, but not limited to, plastic, wood, or any sharp metal to firmly anchor the stone 100 to the ground surface 130.
As described above, each of half pieces 104, 105 is further comprised of an outer stone body 101 defining an interior hollow space 102 and having an outer stone surface 103 in the shape and coloration of that of a naturally occurring stone. Additionally, in this embodiment, artificial stone 100 is further comprised of a standalone stone mounting support stick 107 for anchoring the artificial stone 100 to a garden or ground surface 130.
Various sized artificial stones 100 manufactured and shipped as separate components can be more easily packaged and transported than a unitary artificial stone because of the reduction in packaging voids. More specifically, separate components, such as the first half 104, the second half 105, and the stone mounting support stick 107, may be manufactured separately and as individual components are comparatively smaller in size and capable of nesting during the packaging process. Further, upon receipt, the various components of artificial stones 100 may be easily assembled by the user. For example, as best shown in
While
Generally stated,
As previously stated, the artificial landscape stones 100 of the present invention can have a luminous powder coating 115 over all or a portion of its outer surface 103, such that the artificial stone 100 illuminates in the dark, and enables a user to view, for example, a pathway at night. Additionally, the artificial landscape stone 100 structure helps the soil in maintaining moisture, and prevents soil erosion. Furthermore, the artificial landscape stone 100 may further comprise an ultraviolet protection coating that protects the stone surface 103 against fading and UV damage from sunlight. Finally, it is also contemplated that the artificial landscaping stones 100 may be comprised of recycled materials, such as recycled plastics, thereby making the stones 100 environmentally friendly.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “artificial stones”, “plastic stones”, “lightweight stones”, “artificial plastic landscape stones”, “plastic landscaping stones” and “stones” are interchangeable and refer to the artificial plastic lightweight stones of the present invention. The terms “stick”, “stone mounting support stick” and “stake” also hold the same meaning as of an anchoring element present on a bottom surface of the stones and can be used replaceable for each other.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the artificial lightweight landscape stones 100 of the present invention and their various structural components can be of any suitable size, shape, color and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the artificial plastic lightweight stone 100 and its various components, as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the artificial relatively lightweight stone 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the artificial lightweight stone 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the artificial lightweight stone 100 and its components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/002,438, which was filed on Mar. 31, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63002438 | Mar 2020 | US |
