. The present disclosure relates to a device and methods for preventing growth of weeds and/or grass as well as a device and methods for protecting an area enclosure apparatus from damage.
Unwanted weeds and grass frequently grow under and around fences. This results in the inconvenience and nuisance of removing such unwanted weeds and grass, as well as difficulty in removing the unwanted weeds and grass.
In order to mitigate the invasion of weeds, methods such as chemical treatments, sheets, weed barrier systems, weed tilling, weed trimming with a weed trimmer and manual weed pulling, which is tedious and physically demanding, are generally used. Chemical treatments have disadvantages due to the chemicals utilized, which may kill some weed varieties, but can likewise be hazardous to garden plants as well as people and animals. Weed sheets generally involve a long black plastic sheet where holes are required for plant insertion. However, weed sheets are cumbersome and require creation of a hole for each plant. Tilling of weeds through use of a rototiller or the like is useful in large non-crop areas, such as between plant rows. However, tilling is not feasible in areas where garden plants are in close proximity to one another or where a fence is proximally located. Manual weed pulling is tedious, time consuming and physically demanding on the individual who weeds. If a gardener goes away for an extended time and does not tend regularly to the weed pulling, then weeds can quickly grow out of control.
Current weed removal devices for use around a fence or other area enclosure apparatus include, for example, weed trimming tools or other weed removal devices. Use of currently available weed removal devices often damage the lower portion of a fence and are time and labor intensive.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved devices and methods that prevent unwanted weed growth and unwanted grass growth in close proximity to a fence or other area enclosure apparatus.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies in the art.
The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a fence guard device. The fence guard device includes a plurality of guard sections that are is configured to be positioned under a fence and abutted together longitudinally along the fence. Once positioned under the fence, the fence guard sections each have an inclined side surface extending laterally from the fence. When a lawn mower having a mower deck and a mower blade is used to mow vegetation proximate to the fence, a distal end of the inclined side surface of each guard section extends under the mower blade as the mower deck abuts against and along the inclined side surfaces. Accordingly, the inclined side surfaces of the fence guard device provide a positive guide for the mower deck of the lawn mover to follow and, when the distal ends of the inclined side surfaces of each guard section extends under the mower blade, the vegetation gets cut by the mower blade up to the distal ends of the inclined side surfaces of each guard section.
A fence guide device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes a first guard section and a second guard section. Each guard section includes a top and a bottom surface substantially parallel to each other. An inclined side surface extends laterally between the top and bottom surfaces. The first and second guard sections are configured to be positioned under a fence and abutted together at respective longitudinal ends of each guard section. When a lawn mower having a mower deck and a mower blade is used to mow vegetation proximate to the fence, a distal end of the inclined side surface of each guard section extends under the mower blade as the mower deck abuts against and along the inclined side surfaces.
In some examples of the present disclosure, when the distal ends of the inclined side surfaces of each guard section extends under the mower blade, the vegetation gets cut by the mower blade up to the distal ends of the inclined side surfaces of each guard section.
In some examples of the present disclosure, a longitudinally extending groove is disposed in the top surface or the inclined surface of each guard section. When the first and second guard sections are abutted together and positioned under the fence, the fence fits within each groove of the first and second guard sections.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the top surface and the bottom surface of each guard section is spaced apart by a section depth. The groove of each guard section has a groove depth that is less than the section depth of each guard section. Additionally, the groove of each guard section does not extend through to the bottom surface of each guard section.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the first and the second guard section each include a channel border portion disposed in the respective longitudinal end of each guard section. When the first and second guard sections are abutted together, the channel border portions of each guard section abut together to form a channel therebetween. The channel is configured to receive a post of the fence therein.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the channel border portions of the first and second guard sections being operable to form an open channel that partially receives the post of the fence when the first and second guard sections are abutted together. Additionally, a third guard section is operable to abut against the channel border portions of the first and second guard sections to form a closed channel that surrounds the post of the fence.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the inclined side surface and the bottom surface of each section form an acute angle at the distal end of the inclined side surface.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the acute angle formed between the inclined side surface and the bottom surface is about between 70 degrees and 30 degrees.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the first and second guard sections are secured by fasteners when abutted together.
In some examples of the present disclosure, the first and second guard sections are secured together by tongue and groove fasteners disposed on the first and second guard sections.
Another fence guide device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes a first guard section and a second guard section configured to be positioned under a fence and abutted together at respective longitudinal ends of each guard section. The first and second guard sections each include a top surface and a bottom surface substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by a section depth. An inclined side surface extends laterally between the top and bottom surfaces. The inclined side surface forms an acute angle with the bottom surface. A groove is disposed in the top surface or the inclined surface. The groove extends longitudinally along a length of the guard section. A channel border portion is disposed in the respective longitudinal end of each guard section. When the first and second guard sections are abutted together and positioned under the fence, the fence fits within the groove of the first and second sections and the channel border portions of the first and second guard sections abut to form a channel within which the post of the fence fits. When a lawn mower having a mower deck and a mower blade is used to mow vegetation proximate to the fence, a distal end of the inclined side surfaces of each guard section extends under the mower blade as the mower deck abuts against the inclined side surfaces.
A method for preventing weed growth and/or grass growth in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a fence guard device having a first and a second guard section. Each guard section includes a top and a bottom surface substantially parallel to each other, a channel border portion disposed on a longitudinal end, and an inclined side surface extending laterally between the top and bottom surfaces. The first and second guard sections are abutted together under a fence. The channel border portions of each guard section are abutted together to form a channel therebetween such that the channel receives at least a portion of a post of the fence therein. Vegetation proximate to the fence is mowed using a lawn mower having a mower deck and a mower blade. The mower deck is abutted against and along the inclined side surfaces of each guard section such that a distal end of the inclined side surface of each guard section extends under the mower blade. The vegetation is cut with the mower blade up to the distal ends of the inclined side surfaces of each guard section.
In some examples of the method of the present disclosure, a longitudinally extending groove is disposed in the top surface or the inclined surface of each guard section. Additionally, the fence is fit within each groove of the first and second guard sections when the first and second guard sections are abutted together and positioned under the fence.
In some examples of the method of the present disclosure, the first and second guard sections are fastened together with fasteners when the first and second guard sections are positioned under the fence.
It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein and may be used to achieve the benefits and advantages described herein.
The disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Certain examples will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein. One or more examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the methods, systems, and devices specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting examples and that the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one example maybe combined with the features of other examples. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
The terms “significantly”, “substantially”, “approximately”, “about”, “relatively,” or other such similar terms that may be used throughout this disclosure, including the claims, are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing from a reference or parameter. Such small fluctuations include a zero fluctuation from the reference or parameter as well. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ± 10%, such as less than or equal to ± 5%, such as less than or equal to ± 2%, such as less than or equal to ± 1%, such as less than or equal to ± 0.5%, such as less than or equal to ± 0.2%, such as less than or equal to ± 0. 1%, such as less than or equal to ± 0.05%.
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The fence guard device 100 may include a plurality of guard sections, such as first guard section 102 and second guard section 104. Each guard section 102, 104 is configured to be positioned under a fence 200 (see
An inclined side surface 116 extends laterally between the top 106 and bottom surfaces 108. The inclined side surface 116 forms an acute angle 118 with the bottom surface 108. The acute angle 118 may be, for example, between 30 degrees and 70 degrees.
A longitudinally extending groove 120 may be disposed (or positioned) in either the top surface 106 or the inclined surface 116 of each guard section 102, 104. The groove 120 may extend longitudinally along a length 122 of each guard section 102, 104. In the example illustrated in
The top surface 106 may be small relative to the bottom surface 108. For example, as illustrated in
When the first and second guard sections 102, 104 are abutted together and positioned under the fence 200, the body 204 of the fence 200 fits within each groove 120 of the first and second guard sections 102, 104. The groove 120 advantageously helps to maintain the guard sections 102, 104 in alignment under the fence 200, without having to modify the fence or without having to use attachment devices to secure the guard sections 102, 104 to the fence 200.
The groove 120 of each guard section 102, 104 has a groove depth 124 that is less than the section depth 114 of each guard section 102, 104. Additionally, the groove depth 124 does not extend through to the bottom surface 108 of each guard section 102, 104. As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the feature that the groove 120 does not penetrate through to the bottom surface 108 is true even if the groove 120 is disposed in the inclined side surface 116 rather than the top surface 106. Advantageously, by not extending the groove 120 through to the bottom surface 108, the entire area of the bottom surface 108 covers the vegetation under the guard sections 102, 104, including the area at the bottom of the groove 120. This helps to prevent any vegetation from growing under the fence 200 in locations that would be hard to reach and/or trim.
The first guard section 102 may include a channel border portion 124 and the second guard sections 104 may also include a channel border portion 126. The channel border portions 124, 126 may be disposed in the respective longitudinal end 110, 112 of each guard section 102, 104. When the first and second guard sections 102, 104 are abutted together, the channel border portions 126, 128 of each guard section 102, 104 abut together to form a channel 130 therebetween. The channel 130 is configured to receive a post 202 of the fence 200 therein. Advantageously, the feature of the channel border portions 124, 126 forming a channel 130 that is operable to receive a post 202 of the fence 200 therein, enables the guard sections 102, 104 to extend along the body 204
Advantageously, therefore, when the first and second guard sections 102, 104 are abutted together and positioned under the fence 200, the body 204 of the fence 200 fits within the groove 120 of the first and second sections 102, 104. Additionally, the channel border portions 126, 128 of the first and second guard sections 102, 104 abut to form the channel 130 within which the post 202 of the fence 200 fits
Also, advantageously (and as discussed in greater detail with reference to
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The lawn mower 300 includes a mower deck 302 that houses a mower blade 304. The mower deck 302 is used to protect a user from the mower blade 304 during operation of the lawn mower 300. The mower deck 302 also provides a barrier to protect the blade 304 from being damaged by objects, such as the foundation of a building (now shown) or the body 204 and post 202 of the fence 200, that the mower is in proximity to.
When the fence guard device 100 is installed under the fence 200, and the mower is used to mow vegetation proximate to the fence 200, the distal end 132 of the inclined side surface 116 of each guard section 102, 104 is operable to extend under the mower blade 304 as the mower deck 302 abuts against and along the inclined side surfaces 116. In other words, the inclined side surfaces 116 of the fence guard device 100 provide a positive guide for the mower deck 302 of the lawn mower 300 to follow. When the distal ends 132 of the inclined side surfaces 116 of each guard section 102, 104 extend under the mower blade 304, the vegetation 306 gets cut by the mower blade 304 up to the distal ends 132 of the inclined side surfaces 116 of each guard section 102, 104. Advantageously, this leaves no additional unwanted vegetation 306 that needs to be cut or trimmed in the vicinity of the fence 200 by an additional operation (such as by trimming with a lawn trimmer).
It is important to note that in the example illustrated in
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The method 400 begins at 402, wherein a fence guard device 100 is provided. The fence guard device includes a first and a second guard section 102, 104. Each guard section 102, 104 includes:
At 404 of method 400, the first and second guard sections 102, 104 are abutted together under a fence 200.
At 406, the fence 200 is fit within each groove 120 of the first and second guard sections 102, 104. More specifically, the longitudinal body 204 of the fence 200 is fit within the groove 120. The groove helps to secure the guard sections 102, 104 in place.
At 408 of method 400, the channel border portions 126, 128 of each guard section 102, 104 are abutted together to form a channel 130 therebetween. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of a post 202 of the fence 200 therein. Advantageously, the channel 130 enables the first and second guard sections 102, 104 to be placed around the fence posts 202 of the fence 200 without modifying or damaging the fence posts 202.
At 410, the first and second guard sections 102, 104 are fastened together with fasteners 136 when the first and second guard sections 102, 104 are positioned under the fence 200. The fasteners may be tongue and groove fasteners 138.
At 412, vegetation 306 proximate to the fence 200 is mowed using a lawn mower 300 having a mower deck 302 and a mower blade 304.
At 414 of method 400, the mower deck 302 is made to abut against and along the inclined side surfaces 116 of each guard section 102, 104 such that a distal end 132 of the inclined side surface 116 of each guard section 102, 104 extends under the mower blade 304.
At 416 of the method, the vegetation 306 is with the mower blade 304 up to the distal ends 132 of the inclined side surfaces 116 of each guard section 102, 104.
Advantageously, the method 400 enables a user of the lawn mower 300 to use the inclined side surfaces 116 of the fence guard device 100 as a positive guide for the mower deck 302 of the lawn mower 300 to follow. Using the inclined side surfaces 116 as a positive guide enables the distal ends 132 of the inclined side surfaces 116 of each guard section 102, 104 to extend under the mower blade 304. Therefore, the vegetation 306 gets cut by the mower blade 304 up to the distal ends 132 of the inclined side surfaces 116 of each guard section 102, 104. This leaves no additional unwanted vegetation 306 that needs to be cut or trimmed in the vicinity of the fence 200 by an additional operation (such as by trimming with a lawn trimmer).
The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be understood that the architectural and operational embodiments described herein are exemplary of a plurality of possible arrangements to provide the same general features, characteristics, and general system operation. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.
Although the invention has been described by reference to specific examples, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the described examples, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.
This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. Provisional Application 63/275,751, filed Nov. 4, 2021, entitled, “DEVICE AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING WEED GROWTH AND/OR GRASS GROWTH,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63275751 | Nov 2021 | US |